Chapter 946: Dead Race

Nanhun, who was standing at the door, was so delighted to hear Zu An was looking for her that she almost forgot to put on her shoes before rushing to him. However, upon arriving, she discovered he had brought two companions.

Her immediate thought was that he had brought friends to show off, which was a perfectly normal male inclination she had witnessed countless times in a brothel.

However, she quickly realized something was amiss when she noticed one of his companions had remarkably exaggerated pectorals.

A closer look revealed delicate features—curved eyebrows, a small mouth, and fine skin—clearly indicating a woman in disguise.

She was somewhat surprised as to why he would bring a woman to a place like Red Sleeve House. Before she could ponder it further, she overheard the other, flat-chested individual speaking ill of her behind her back. Unwilling to tolerate such remarks, she immediately retorted.

Sang Qian was startled, not expecting to be overheard by the very person she was discussing. She was about to speak, but her gaze fell upon the other woman’s beauty. She had initially imagined a brothel’s courtesan would be a heavily made-up, alluring temptress. However, this woman possessed an exceptional demeanor, even more refined than many noblewomen, making it difficult to associate her with a woman of pleasure.

What struck her even more was how remarkably well-endowed they all were. She wondered what they must have eaten growing up!

Usually sharp-tongued, Sang Qian had a retort ready, but the sight of the other woman’s impressive bust instantly deflated her confidence. All desire for debate vanished, and she huffed, turning her head away in a sulk.

Zheng Dan also snapped out of her daze, curiously observing the woman at the door. She was indeed exquisitely beautiful and charming, and more importantly, her eyes held an air of looking down upon the world, completely devoid of any courtesan’s typical demeanor.

“She’s comparable to Qiu Honglei,” Zheng Dan thought, unconsciously sitting straighter. She inwardly regretted her recent exhaustion and the fact that she hadn’t applied makeup today, knowing she would surely be outshone.

However, she quickly recalled she was dressed in male attire today, which offered a small measure of relief.

“Nanhun, it’s truly not easy to get an audience with you,” Zu An remarked, sensing the tense atmosphere and quickly changing the subject.

Hearing his voice, a hint of a smile instantly graced Nanhun’s otherwise cool face. “It can’t be helped. All my guests wish to see me, and if I were to meet everyone, I’d be utterly exhausted. But you, Young Master, need not worry. I will inform the staff here that from now on, you may enter directly whenever you come, without needing an announcement.”

Sang Qian secretly huffed. Was this woman showing off her popularity? She used to consider her own sister-in-law a bit flirtatious, but compared to this woman, her sister-in-law seemed as pure as a white flower.

“Do you have to see so many guests?” Zu An’s brow furrowed unconsciously.

“Is Young Master jealous?” Nanhun’s smile deepened as she directly took Zu An’s arm. “I’m very happy.”

“Affected,” Sang Qian muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes.

Zheng Dan also frowned slightly. This woman was a formidable rival. *Humph*, if only Chu Chuyan were here.

The two women, who usually had a slight unspoken rivalry, now found themselves united against a common adversary.

At that moment, Nanhun leaned in and whispered to Zu An, “Don’t worry, Young Master, I merely chat with those people to humor them. I haven’t even removed the tassels from my face. I will remain chaste for you.”

As she spoke, she deliberately blew a soft breath into Zu An’s ear, full of playful provocation.

Zu An inwardly marveled; this woman certainly knew how to charm. No wonder even a figure like King Qi had once been helplessly infatuated with her beauty.

Given that she was King Qi’s concubine in life, yet was now a virgin, he wondered if she should be considered a young married woman or a maiden.

A maiden’s body with a mature woman’s mind?

Sensing the murderous glares from the two women behind him, he finally snapped back to reality. “Right, I actually came today because I have something to ask you. I wish to inquire about Miss Kong.”

“Another woman?” Zheng Dan’s ears immediately perked up.

Sang Qian also looked bewildered. Who was this Miss Kong? Was there any prominent person named Kong in the capital?

Although she often criticized Zu An internally, she respected his discerning taste; a woman of ordinary looks would never catch his eye.

If the women he favored were all exceptionally beautiful, and if this one was also named Kong, then she should be quite famous in the capital.

Nanhun pouted. “Young Master, you are truly heartless. You haven’t visited me since we last parted, and now you’ve come only to find another woman through me.”

“Are you even jealous of *her*? Don’t worry, it’s for serious business,” Zu An chuckled.

Nanhun knew that timely coquetry could enhance her appeal to a man but that it was also easy to overdo. So, wisely, she stopped herself. “Alright then, I’ll take you to see her. She was just talking about you.”

“Talking about what?” Zu An was curious, feeling a touch uneasy about being on the mind of such a distinguished figure from the demon race.

“She was talking about you being a heartless man,” Nanhun huffed, then gracefully swayed as she led the way. Her enchanting walk filled a naive young girl like Sang Qian with both disdain and envy.

Zheng Dan, meanwhile, watched Zu An with a knowing smile. Although she had long known him to be a philanderer, she hadn't expected him to be quite *this* promiscuous. From Nanhun’s words, it seemed Miss Kong was yet another one of his female confidantes.

Soon, the group arrived at a small courtyard at the back. At the entrance, Nanhun paused. “Young Master, I must first go and ask for permission. You know her status is a bit…”

She glanced at Zheng Dan and the other woman, leaving her sentence unfinished.

Zu An understood her concerns and naturally did not press her.

After watching her enter the room, Sang Qian couldn’t help but ask, “Who is that Miss Kong? Why is she so mysterious?”

“Her identity is indeed rather special. We are here seeking help, so we naturally must abide by their rules,” Zu An replied, not revealing Kong Nanwu’s identity. The term “demon race” was too sensitive, especially given the recent massacre of a border city by demons.

Sang Qian and Zheng Dan exchanged glances, each discerning curiosity in the other’s eyes.

Soon Nanhun emerged. “Young Master, she invites you in, but these two might find it a bit inconvenient.”

Sang Qian’s eyebrows immediately furrowed, thinking, *Where does this courtesan get such airs?* Just as she was about to retort, Zu An stopped her. “Xiao Qian, please wait in the outer room for a moment. I’ll take your sister-in-law inside to inquire about her condition.”

Sang Qian was initially annoyed, but upon hearing it concerned her sister-in-law’s illness, she suppressed her displeasure. “Fine, this place is too precious. I won’t go in, lest I pick up a foxy scent.”

She had intended to say “a scent of promiscuity” but ultimately deemed it too vulgar to utter.

Zu An thought to himself, *You’re more right than you know; there really is a fox inside.*

Soon, Zu An led Zheng Dan inside. Nanhun hesitated. “Young Master, she…”

“It’s fine,” Zu An stated. “Miss Kong can speak from behind the curtain. The matter I need to consult her about concerns this companion, so I must bring her in.”

Having stayed there for a night, he was naturally familiar with the interior layout.

Hearing his explanation, Nanhun no longer insisted and went in first to inform Kong Nanwu.

As Zu An and Zheng Dan entered, Zheng Dan curiously surveyed her surroundings. She wanted to know who this Miss Kong was, to be held in such high regard by Zu An.

She quickly pinpointed the main occupant, but unfortunately, obscured by bead curtains and layers of gauze, she could only vaguely discern a graceful silhouette within, unable to make out her features clearly.

“Please forgive me, Young Master, but we can only meet in this manner,” a soft voice drifted from the inner room. Zheng Dan’s eyes widened instantly. Could such a beautiful voice truly exist? In that moment, she thought of orioles singing and pearls falling onto a jade plate, yet neither simile could adequately describe the profound impact of that voice.

Zu An led her by the hand to a seat, then said, “Miss Kong, you are too kind. I understand your concerns, and I am already very grateful that you are willing to meet us in this manner.”

Kong Nanwu chuckled softly. “May I ask the purpose of your visit this time, Young Master?”

“It’s like this…” Zu An explained Zheng Dan’s symptoms. “I’ve heard that the Art of Curses originates from the demon race. Do you know if there’s any countermeasure?”

Kong Nanwu finally understood why he had sought her out. “The Art of Curses indeed originates from the demon race. There are many diverse demon tribes; besides the widely known ones, there are also some obscure and remote races, such as the Blood Clan and the Necromancer Clan. The Art of Curses itself comes from the Necromancer Clan, though it has been somewhat adapted and altered by humans.”

Zheng Dan thought to herself, *This woman is so knowledgeable; she knows so much about even the demon race. No wonder Ah Zu values her so highly.*

Zu An, however, was astonished. “There’s a Necromancer Clan in the world?”

If undead beings truly existed, why would the emperor bother seeking longevity? Wouldn’t existing as an undead be preferable?

“Not the kind you’re imagining,” Kong Nanwu explained. “They are more like unliving, undying entities that possess the ability to refine corpses and spirits. However, those spirits often lack consciousness and merely follow commands mechanically.”

“Is there a solution for my companion’s condition?” Zu An asked, gesturing towards Zheng Dan. Initially, he had even suspected Kong Nanwu herself, given her ability to refine *chang gui*. Who knew if some accidental conflict had occurred between them? However, after their conversation today, he immediately realized she was unrelated to the cause.

Silence fell in the inner room. After a considerable pause, he finally heard her speak: “This might prove rather difficult.”

Zu An’s heart tightened. “Is there no solution?”

“Not exactly…” Kong Nanwu’s next words were transmitted directly via vital energy. “Young Master should understand that if the perpetrator utilized such a technique, they likely have ties to the demon race. You are also aware that we demons are currently greatly oppressed by humans. While residing within human territory, it’s one thing not to offer mutual aid, but if we were to actively undermine each other, I fear…”

Zu An’s expression hardened. “Are you trying to blackmail me, Miss? Tell me, what do you want?”

As it concerned Zheng Dan, he was beyond caring about anything else and would resort to any means necessary.

“Young Master, you’ve misunderstood; that wasn’t my intention. What I just said was truly from my heart,” Kong Nanwu’s voice was filled with hesitation. “Very well, since it is your friend, Young Master, I will intervene this once.”