Chapter 30: The Man Who Borrows Money

Shi Chun was listening to a storyteller's opening monologue and couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion, amazed that such things could be openly discussed in public. This gave him insight into some of the peculiarities of the current cultivation world. He glanced at the signboard, which read "Xian Ting Tang" (Leisure Listening Hall).

As he listened intently, he heard a gulping sound nearby.

Wu Jinliang's voice followed, "They're all really fair-skinned."

This immediately made Shi Chun turn his head. Following Wu Jinliang's gaze, he saw three fair-skinned, ordinary-looking women pass by them, chatting and laughing, leaving a fragrant scent in their wake. Wave after wave of similar women followed.

The two were currently standing at a bend at the head of a bridge that connected two banks, so there were many people passing by.

Their ragged appearance didn't attract much attention; most people just took an extra glance. In the cultivation world, strange things were common, and it was obvious to bystanders that the two had visible injuries, perhaps having encountered some mishap.

"Chun Tian, let's go find a place," Wu Jinliang said, winking and gesturing with a tilt of his head.

With a tacit understanding, Shi Chun immediately understood what kind of place he meant. He frowned and asked, "You only have a few coins; what are you messing around for?"

Wu Jinliang chuckled, "I've inquired about this for years. Being reborn is a big deal; spending a little money is nothing."

Not waiting for Shi Chun's opinion, he turned around and went to ask for directions.

He knew Shi Chun wasn't interested in such things. He had initially thought it was due to Miss Miao, but it now seemed he simply had no interest whatsoever.

After a short while, he got the directions and immediately turned back, waving to Shi Chun and signaling him to hurry.

Although Shi Chun had no intention of participating, he was curious about the legendary pleasure district. So, he followed, deciding to merely observe and broaden his horizons.

He still offered a reminder, "Shouldn't we buy some clothes first?"

There were no outsiders here; they all knew each other, so there was no need for euphemisms.

Wu Jinliang grinned widely and said, "No need. For a small matter like that, the establishments will have people to run errands and help us out."

"Heh, you're certainly farsighted," Shi Chun remarked, impressed that Wu Jinliang had even inquired about such matters while still in exile.

Without further ado, the two journeyed on, looking around and broadening their horizons as they searched for the pleasure district.

Compared to the excitement they felt upon first leaving the place of exile, their emotions were now much calmer.

Before long, the two arrived at Zhao Tian City's renowned "Liyun Tower." This magnificent, multi-storied building was embedded within a stone cliff, and many flamboyantly dressed women stood at its various balconies. The sight made the bushy-browed, big-eyed Wu Jinliang grin widely once more, as if he could chew through his own saber with his strong teeth.

However, the situation outside the tower seemed a bit unusual; a crowd of people blocked the entrance, clearly watching some commotion.

Having just been released from confinement, they naturally couldn't miss a good spectacle.

The two easily squeezed their way through. Because they were dirty, others were reluctant to get close; upon hearing "excuse me," people would turn, see them, and instinctively step aside.

At the foot of the Liyun Tower steps, they saw a man crying bitterly, kneeling on the ground and wailing to the crowd, clutching a box beside him.

"Fifty thousand gold! Just lend me fifty thousand gold! I will definitely repay it, I'll repay double..."

The man tearfully pleading with the crowd repeatedly kowtowed, his forehead bleeding from the impact.

Shi Chun and his companion were naturally curious. Could someone really be so desperate for Liyun Tower's services that they would go to such lengths? Fifty thousand gold seemed ridiculously expensive! They immediately asked a bystander what was happening.

After someone quietly explained, they learned that the tearfully kowtowing man was named Bian Weikang, the son of the Wukang Mountain Sect Leader. Due to his idleness, he had befriended a group of dissolute companions, spent his time carousing everywhere, committed many foolish acts, and accumulated a mountain of debt.

Wukang Mountain was a major sect that specialized in crafting talismans, particularly immobilization talismans often used in combat, which made them quite wealthy.

His father, Bian Jixiong, had indeed helped his son repay the massive debt, but was utterly furious. He not only punished his son with sect discipline but also, in his rage, expelled him from Wukang Mountain. As the sect leader, he issued an order forbidding anyone within the sect from providing assistance and publicly declared that he had severed all father-son ties.

Without money or influence, Bian Weikang quickly lost his "friends"; his group of dissolute companions immediately scattered.

The disgraced Bian Weikang eventually drifted to this area and fell in love with Xiang Lan'er, the Liyun Tower's prized courtesan. Unfortunately, Xiang Lan'er's indenture was held by the Liyun Tower. The biggest problem was Lu Taizhen, a man whose status in Zhao Tian City was second only to the City Lord. He had taken a fancy to Xiang Lan'er and offered five hundred thousand gold to buy her, and Liyun Tower was scheduled to send her to him that very night.

Xiang Lan'er refused, and Bian Weikang found the situation unacceptable. After the unfortunate couple pleaded repeatedly, Liyun Tower's madam finally relented. She stated that she would grant their wish but insisted she couldn't lose money. If Bian Weikang could produce five hundred thousand gold before Lu Taizhen, she would let them be together.

In his disgraced state, how could Bian Weikang possibly produce five hundred thousand gold? As a result, Xiang Lan'er emptied her entire savings from over the years and borrowed from every sister she could, only managing to scrape together four hundred and fifty thousand gold. She gave it to Bian Weikang, urging him to find the remaining amount elsewhere.

So Bian Weikang went around begging people for money. However, this was no small sum. A well-paid cultivator might earn around three thousand檀金 (sandalwood gold) a year. What did fifty thousand gold even mean? Moreover, Bian Weikang's previous borrowing history was poor, and no one would help him repay his debts now.

More importantly, in Zhao Tian City, who would dare to help Bian Weikang compete with Lu Taizhen for a woman?

Wu Jinliang sighed slightly upon hearing this, looking at the Liyun Tower's entrance and muttering, "What's with all these people blocking the entrance? Are they going to let them do business?"

Shi Chun, however, had a different reaction; his eyes had been flickering non-stop since he heard Bian Weikang's identity.

At this moment, he felt great sympathy for Bian Weikang and very much wanted to befriend him, though it would be somewhat costly at present.

However, he thought this was a good thing. What was the point of insignificant friendships? Wasn't this precisely the time to offer help in times of need?

Unfortunately, fifty thousand gold was simply too much. Even if they emptied out all their possessions, it wouldn't be enough, and selling Wu Jinliang probably wouldn't fetch that much money either.

However, he didn't think it would be difficult to acquire fifty thousand gold in this place. Accumulating "merit" here was much easier than in the place of exile. Wealthy places rarely lacked money, making it a simple matter.

The tricky part, however, was obtaining the money before that Lu Taizhen...

In a clear, elegant room on the top floor of Liyun Tower, Madam Feng Chi entered, holding a short whip that resembled a riding crop.

Sitting before a dressing table was a woman in resplendent robes, a truly captivating figure who was clearly skilled in dance. Her fingers were like jade scallions, her skin whiter than snow, her face like a hibiscus, and her eyes held a starry soul, possessing a beauty that could make the moon hide and flowers blush. Unfortunately, when no outsiders were present, she was as cold as ice.

This woman was none other than Xiang Lan'er, Liyun Tower's top courtesan, who famously sold her art but not her body.

Madam Feng Chi, holding the whip, was somewhat uneasy. "Saintess, this is too much of a humiliation for you. Perhaps we should consider another approach."

Xiang Lan'er glanced at the whip in her hand. "It's just a few lashes; hardly a humiliation."

Madam Feng Chi turned the whip over in her hand. It was usually used to discipline unruly hussies, and she hadn't expected to use it on this person today. She couldn't help but sigh, "A few lashes are a small matter, but what virtue or ability does Bian Weikang possess to make the Saintess humble herself and submit?"

Xiang Lan'er was unconcerned, combing her beautiful hair as she said, "Don't worry, as long as I don't want to, he can't force me. Now that the Heavenly Court is in decline and the Demonic Altar has reappeared, it's a great opportunity for our demonic path to rise again. The struggle for supremacy at the Demonic Altar is a major event decided by the joint deliberation of the three factions. There must be a leader, and ultimately, which family opens the Demonic Altar and commands the demons will depend solely on their strength and influence.

Wukang Mountain is a major sect for crafting talismans, which is very important for us to win supremacy. My master has high hopes for this. If we can successfully enter and control Wukang Mountain, what does it matter if I humble myself to him? It's better than us always remaining in the shadows. I don't believe in any 'Heavenly Dao eradicating demons.' Who is righteous and who is evil has always been decided by the victor!"