Chapter 648: Left-Right Mutual Combat

The Jiaofangsi was not a single building, but a sprawling complex of courtyards. While ordinary courtesans conducted their business together, each courtesan queen had her own private courtyard. Naturally, there was more than one courtesan queen in the entire Jiaofangsi, giving an idea of just how vast the complex was.

"Booked out?" Zu An frowned, completely unprepared for such a situation.

He casually tossed a silver ingot to the servant boy. "Help me find a way in; it wasn't easy for me to get here." He had planned to investigate Cheng Gang and the courtesan queen, hoping to find some useful information, but how could he not even get through the door?

Seeing the silver ingot, the servant boy's eyes lit up. He quickly beamed, "Please come in, young master. I'll see if Miss Shuangyue can make an exception."

He was then led inside, through winding paths, to a small courtyard. The courtyard was quite elegant, devoid of the strong perfumed scent usually associated with such establishments, making it feel more like a young lady's boudoir than a house of pleasure. Zu An was arranged to drink tea in the courtyard while the servant boy hurried inside to report.

Inside, Courtesan Queen Shuangyue was sitting before a mirror, dressing and applying makeup. On the nearby couch lay a woman whose graceful curves and charming, seductive aura were enough to captivate even other women.

"Shuangyue, you're getting more beautiful," the woman on the couch said with a smile, her voice having a captivating, soul-stirring quality.

The courtesan queen, sitting elegantly before the mirror, rolled her eyes. "Miss, you're teasing me again. How could my meager looks compare to yours? These people in the capital haven't seen the world. If they had witnessed your charm back in Brightmoon City, they wouldn't elevate someone like me to courtesan queen."

The woman on the couch chuckled. "Oh, don't be so modest. You also have qualities that I don't; for instance, your identity as a cat-woman is fatally attractive to many men."

The courtesan queen grew flustered. "Oh, Miss, you're making fun of me!"

As they bantered, a knock came from outside, and the servant boy announced, "Miss, there's a young master outside who wishes to see you."

The courtesan queen's face fell. "Are you out of your mind? Don't you know Master Cheng has booked the place for the entire day? How dare you lead someone else in? Did you take money from him?"

"This lowly one wouldn't dare! I'll immediately go turn him away," the servant boy quickly apologized, then hurried off.

The woman lying on the couch sat up, stretching languidly, which further emphasized her full bosom and slender waist. "See? So many men go to great lengths just to see you. It shows how much charm you possess."

The courtesan queen spat softly. "They're all just vulgar men."

"Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing you," the woman on the couch said, her smile fading. "By the way, it seems that Cheng Gang is hosting some important people today, likely from Prince Qi's faction. You must pay close attention to what they discuss."

The courtesan queen hummed in acknowledgment. "Yes, having spent these past days with him, I've completely gained his trust. I won't fail you."

"Good. I'll go out for a walk and get some fresh air," the woman on the couch stood up.

The courtesan queen smiled, pursing her lips. "Be careful, though. If these vulgar men here see your face, it will surely cause a huge stir."

"You're getting bolder now, daring to tease even me," the woman snorted and walked out through a side door.

Meanwhile, Zu An, hearing the servant boy's reply, couldn't help but frown. The servant boy said, "Perhaps I could introduce you to another courtesan queen, young master? I assure you she's no less captivating than Miss Shuangyue." He certainly didn't want to offend such a generous patron, especially since he had already accepted money from him. Naturally, he wanted to make things right.

"No need," Zu An shook his head, wondering if he should just sneak back in later. He could control animals within a certain range, so as long as he wasn't too far, he should still be able to overhear what Cheng Gang and the courtesan queen were discussing. He instinctively looked up towards the courtesan queen's room on the second floor and saw a graceful figure emerge.

The figure was initially displeased to find a man staring at her like a lecher, but the next moment, recognizing his appearance, a radiant smile bloomed on her face. Zu An also smiled slightly and said to the servant boy beside him, "You go about your business. I'll just sit here for a bit and then leave."

The servant boy assumed Zu An was reluctant to leave Courtesan Queen Shuangyue, hoping his presence might move her. He secretly sneered but maintained a fawning smile on his face. "Please, young master, make yourself at home." After saying this, he hurried away, fearing the young master might remember to ask for the silver ingot back.

Just then, a wisp of fragrant breeze drifted by, and the beautiful figure was already beside Zu An. "What are you doing here?"

Zu An also had a strange expression. "What are *you* doing here? Don't tell me you're that courtesan queen?" The beautiful woman before him was, of course, Qiu Honglei. Under the suggestive glow of the Jiaofangsi lanterns, she appeared even more vibrant and alluring. For some reason, Zu An felt quite displeased.

"Are you jealous?" Qiu Honglei, with her keen perception, instantly understood his thoughts and said with a smile.

Zu An snorted. "I heard that the courtesan queen and young Master Cheng have been very close lately. Am I here at a bad time?"

Qiu Honglei directly linked her arm through his from the side. "Don't worry, that courtesan queen isn't me." Embraced by her warm, soft body, Zu An felt half his body go numb, and any anger he had quickly dissipated.

Qiu Honglei's eyes suddenly darted around. "Was that you just now, bribing the servant boy with silver to see the courtesan queen?"

Zu An's smile froze, instantly feeling a sense of social embarrassment. He coughed dryly. "Of course not! Am I the kind of person who needs to pay to see a courtesan queen?"

Qiu Honglei smiled, pursing her lips, and without exposing him, pulled him upstairs. "It's easy if you want to see the courtesan queen; I'll take you."

Zu An was startled. "You know the courtesan queen?"

"Not only do I know her, but you do too," Qiu Honglei said with a smile.

Zu An was puzzled until they entered the room and he saw a familiar figure.

"Miss, why are you back so soon... Oh, Master Zu?" The courtesan queen's face was filled with surprise.

Zu An's eyelids twitched. "So, it's Miss Leng." The courtesan queen before him was none other than Leng Shuangyue, Qiu Honglei's cat-woman maid from the Immortal's Abode.

Damn it, if he had known, he wouldn't have spent those five taels of silver!

Leng Shuangyue smiled, pursing her lips. "The young master still remembers my name."

Zu An asked curiously, "What are you doing here?"

Leng Shuangyue hesitated, instinctively looking at Qiu Honglei for permission. Qiu Honglei then said, "It's fine, they're all our people. This is our Holy Cult's branch in the capital."

Leng Shuangyue's heart skipped a beat, thinking that the Saintess truly held deep affection for him, even revealing such a secret.

Zu An's expression was peculiar. "You managed to set up a branch in the Jiaofangsi? That's truly incredible!" The Jiaofangsi was different from ordinary brothels; it was an official establishment where every woman's identity was registered with the Ministry of Rites. For the Demonic Cult to have infiltrated it was truly a display of immense power.

Qiu Honglei smiled proudly. "As long as there's a man involved, there's no relationship we can't manage."

Zu An then recalled that her charm cultivation was indeed formidable, and there were probably many other women in the Demonic Cult who practiced similar arts. Ordinary men truly couldn't resist.

"But in a place like the Jiaofangsi, it's bound to be a bit unsavory. Isn't the sacrifice for your Holy Cult members too great?" Zu An frowned.

Qiu Honglei pressed him down into a nearby chair. "I know what you're worried about. Our cult has a special department that handles those matters. The cultivation techniques they practice are unique; intimacy with men actually aids their cultivation."

Zu An instinctively glanced at the cat-woman beside them, wondering if this was the legendary 'harvesting' technique.

Qiu Honglei playfully chided him, "Why are you looking at her? She doesn't entertain guests, and she's still a maiden. If you like her, I can have her serve you."

"Miss!" The cat-woman beside her stamped her foot, clearly mortified.

Zu An asked curiously, "Is that Cheng Gang an idiot then? I heard he's quite deeply involved here. Has he not gained any benefits?"

Qiu Honglei explained, "Our cult's charm techniques can make people fall into illusions. Although Shuangyue hasn't reached that level yet, with the help of certain drugs, she can also make Cheng Gang fall into an illusion... allowing him to *resolve* things himself."

Zu An finally understood. So, it turned out that Cheng Gang had been essentially "fighting himself" the whole time.

Just then, a maid knocked on the door and reported, "Miss, Master Cheng has arrived with his people."