novelraw Chapter 6 : Drunken Immortal Pavilion
Chapter 6 : Drunken Immortal Pavilion
Chapter 6: Drunken Immortal Pavilio
South of Luoyang City lay the territory under the control of the Qin Family.
The streets were more orderly and cleaner than Lin Xiaowan had expected.
The bluestone roads had been polished smooth by the constant passage of carriages and horses. Shops lined both sides, banners fluttering, and pedestrians were well-dressed, their expressions carrying a sense of security from living under the protection of a great family.
“The Qin Family, as the youngest cultivation family in Luoyang City, truly has more vitality. The prosperity of the southern district surpasses that of the Lin Family.”
Lin Xiaowan headed in a certain direction, her goal clear—she had already thought it through repeatedly before entering the city.
The northern district was a chaotic mix of all sorts, with lax laws. Murder and robbery were common occurrences. Before condensing her Qi Sea, she would not go there.
The other three districts were all under the watchful eyes of the major families, with strict rules. Draining people dry through Dual Cultivation like she had done in the dilapidated temple—if done too often—would be no different from courting death.
So…
She needed a place where she could frequently come into contact with men, absorb Primordial Yang, yet not easily arouse suspicion.
Her gaze swept past establishments bearing signs such as “Inn” and “Tavern,” finally settling on the most renowned place—“Drunken Immortal Pavilion.”
This establishment was not an ordinary pleasure house. It was a famous den of extravagance and indulgence not only in Luoyang City but also in the surrounding regions.
It was said that it gathered stunning beauties from all over, women proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, as well as singing and dancing. There were even… occasionally female cultivators with actual cultivation who appeared within, attracting countless officials, nobles, and even disciples of cultivation families who lingered there endlessly.
Entering such a place, she would undoubtedly come into contact with many men every day. Though most would be mortals, the sheer number meant that a steady accumulation would be enough to support her cultivation.
More importantly, the environment of Drunken Immortal Pavilion was complex. People came and went, nights filled with revelry. Any slight abnormalities or someone appearing “drained of energy” would more easily be attributed to excessive indulgence in wine and pleasure, making it less likely to be investigated deeply.
If luck favored her, she might even encounter someone with a spiritual root.
Of course, this would inevitably slow her progress in condensing her Qi Sea. After all, in such a place, she would need to socialize and maneuver—she could not “drain the pond to catch all the fish” as she had done with Huiyuan and Huijue.
Once she established herself, condensed her Qi Sea, and became familiar with the arrangements of the various families in Luoyang City, she could then seek opportunities to head to the chaotic northern district and find more “efficient” yet more dangerous targets.
As she thought this, Lin Xiaowan suddenly felt a chill in her heart.
“I have actually begun to so naturally plan matters of serving men with my beauty and harvesting Yang to replenish Yin.”
She lowered her head, lightly biting her fingernail with her pearly teeth, startled at how quickly she had fallen.
The moral and shame-based concepts from her previous life seemed to have been cast beyond the nine heavens without her even realizing it.
She paused, then the corner of her lips curved ever so slightly. “So be it. At this point, why should I still care about such things?”
The original owner of this body might have cared, but for her now, survival and becoming stronger came first.
That faint remnant of restraint and morality—mere shadows from another world—were as light as a feather before the pursuit of immortality.
In just a moment, she cast those thoughts aside and stepped forward toward the direction marked in her memory.
After passing through several increasingly lively streets, the sounds of music and laughter became faintly audible, and the air carried a sweet, cloying scent mixed with cosmetics and wine.
The building of Drunken Immortal Pavilion soon appeared before her—more magnificent and imposing than the surrounding structures. It had three stories with upturned eaves, vermilion lacquer, and ornate paintings. Even in broad daylight, several exquisite glass lanterns hung at the entrance, exuding an air of decadence.
Several beautifully dressed women with charming appearances leaned by the entrance, chatting softly or casting flirtatious glances at passersby.
Lin Xiaowan had just paused at the entrance for a moment, not even having the chance to observe carefully, when she was spotted by a middle-aged woman leaning at the doorway, dressed in a rose-red brocade gown.
This woman appeared to be around thirty, still possessing lingering charm, with shrewd eyes and brows. She was one of the managers responsible for selecting girls at Drunken Immortal Pavilion, known as Honggu.
She had been lazily observing passersby, but the moment her gaze fell upon Lin Xiaowan, her eyes suddenly lit up.
What a cold and refined beauty!
Though she wore only a light, plain garment, her hair simply styled and without any makeup, her skin was fair as snow, her features like a painting. Especially her eyes—clear yet distant. Her figure was slender, her temperament unique. Drunken Immortal Pavilion had all types of beauties, but it lacked this kind—like an orchid in a secluded valley, untouched by dust.
With a bit of adornment and careful training, she would surely become a money tree!
Honggu immediately piled on a warm smile, swaying her hips as she quickly stepped forward. Before even speaking, she laughed, “Oh my, which family’s lost fairy is this, wandering into our worldly place?”
She sized Lin Xiaowan up and down, the more she looked, the more satisfied she became. “Miss, are you passing by, or… looking for someone?”
Lin Xiaowan stopped, lifting her gaze to look at Honggu. Her expression was calm and without ripples as she gently shook her head. “I’ve just arrived in Luoyang. I know no one.”
Her voice was clear and cool, like a stream striking stone.
Honggu was even more delighted. With such looks and temperament, she was practically a money tree fallen from the heavens!
She affectionately took Lin Xiaowan’s arm. Upon touch, she felt how slender and cool it was, and her grip softened further. “So you’ve come to make your way in the world? Oh dear, for a young lady to be alone outside is so difficult! Luoyang City may seem prosperous, but it’s not an easy place to establish oneself. Without someone to rely on, it’s inevitable to be bullied.”
Lowering her voice, she spoke as if confiding sincerely, “I see that your temperament is extraordinary. Why not learn some refined skills? Music, chess, calligraphy, painting—we at Drunken Immortal Pavilion have the best instructors. This is an enterprise backed by the Qin Family—safe and respectable. Those who come and go are all distinguished guests.”
Lin Xiaowan allowed herself to be pulled along, but she could not help but chuckle inwardly.
Learn music, chess, calligraphy, and painting? Cultivate elegance? No matter how nicely it was phrased, in the end, wasn’t it still about receiving guests and serving them with beauty?
This woman was indeed a smooth talker.
“From what you’re saying… you want me to enter and become a prostitute?”
Under the gaze of Lin Xiaowan’s clear, cold eyes, Honggu inexplicably felt a trace of guilt, but quickly steadied herself and sighed. “Miss, that’s a biased way of putting it. Our Drunken Immortal Pavilion is divided into the ‘Qingyin’ and ‘Hongxiao’ divisions. The girls of the ‘Qingyin’ division only accompany guests for tea, music, poetry, and painting—they sell art, not their bodies. With your temperament, a bit of polishing would surely make you the top of Qingyin! As for ‘Hongxiao’… who knows how many scholars and noble young masters would fight over you!”
She observed Lin Xiaowan’s expression and continued to add incentives. “If you’re willing, you can stay immediately. I’ll arrange a fine room for you, assign two clever maids to attend to you. Food, clothing, and all necessities will be covered by the pavilion. Just sign a flexible contract—you’ll have freedom to come and go. Your monthly allowance and guests’ tips would be this much!”
Honggu gestured with her hand, her eyes shining. “Think about it—no wind to blow on you, no rain to drench you. With ease, you could live more comfortably than many wives and young ladies of small families!”
After speaking until her mouth went dry, Honggu saw that Lin Xiaowan still maintained that cold, unreadable expression, and she began to feel anxious.
Such beauty was rare—if she let her slip away, it would be a great loss for Drunken Immortal Pavilion!
Lin Xiaowan lowered her eyes, listening as Honggu spoke of “safety,” then “elegance,” then “leisure,” then “wealth.” By the time the urgency in her tone was almost overflowing—and even the “Qin Family enterprise” sign had been emphasized several times—she knew the moment was ripe.
If she continued to act reserved, it would instead appear deliberate and might arouse unnecessary suspicion.
Thus, she slowly raised her eyes, her cool gaze landing on Honggu’s expectant face.
Lin Xiaowan sighed softly, as if persuaded. Her lips parted slightly, her voice still cool, though less distant. “…Then, I’ll trouble you.”
Hearing this, Honggu was overjoyed, the smile on her face becoming much more genuine. “That’s more like it! Miss, rest assured—once you’re in our Drunken Immortal Pavilion, you definitely won’t regret it! Come, follow me inside. I’ll first show you your quarters—they’ll surely satisfy you! Just call me Honggu. What is your name? I’ll have the servants prepare your identity token right away so you can move freely within the pavilion—very convenient indeed!”
Honggu led Lin Xiaowan toward the dazzling entrance, already planning in her heart which instructor to assign and how to quietly spread the title of this “orchid in a secluded valley.”