The market street was bustling.

Cao Mo trudged behind Qin Lu, carrying a large, cumbersome bundle. His expression was bitter as he complained, “Big Brother, you said you’d take me out for a stroll, and this is it? Just buying these talismans and clothes?”

Cao Mo was utterly dejected. He had originally thought Qin Lu would take him to a brothel or some other place of entertainment to open his eyes to the world. He never expected they would just wander the streets for an hour, purchasing a pile of trivial household items.

Most importantly, not a single item in that pile was for him.

Seeing Cao Mo’s woeful, puppy-dog look, Qin Lu couldn’t help but laugh. He spoke cheerfully, “Alright, now that we’ve bought everything, let’s head to Joyous Lane.”

Hearing this, Cao Mo instantly perked up. His fatigue vanished as he asked excitedly, “Which brothel are we going to then? Yichun House? Happy Tower? Or the newly opened Qunfang House?”

“You know quite a lot about them for a kid.”

“Of course! I’ve been asking around in secret~ Heheh, so which one are we going to?”

Qin Lu gave a mysterious smile. “We’re going… to the bathhouse!”

“Ah…”

Cao Mo’s face visibly crumbled, and he instantly went limp with disappointment.

Qin Lu paid no mind to the boy’s deflated mood. With his hands clasped behind his back, he strode forward purposefully.

……

Joyous Lane at night was far livelier than during the day.

Large red lanterns hung high, casting a faint, ambiguous pink light that bathed the street in a hazy atmosphere. Beautiful female cultivators appeared by the roadside from time to time, their presence enough to make one’s heart race uncontrollably.

Drooling slightly, Cao Mo’s gaze kept sweeping over the scantily clad female cultivators standing at the entrances of the various establishments.

A smile also played on Qin Lu’s face as he observed his surroundings with interest, appreciating the bustling nightlife of the cultivation world. To avoid passing by the Jishan Store and causing unnecessary trouble, Qin Lu had intentionally taken a different route this time.

But just as they were walking…

A young female cultivator suddenly approached, wrapping her arm intimately around Qin Lu’s and exclaiming with delight, “Oh! Isn’t this Fellow Daoist Qin? It’s been so long since you visited our shop! You must come in for a cup of spirit tea tonight~”

This sudden development made Qin Lu freeze.

The young female cultivator was dressed extremely provocatively; her ample bosom was mostly exposed to the cool night air. Her skin was fair and delicate, her lovely features enhanced by exquisite makeup. Her entire being radiated a unique, sultry allure.

Her distinctive aura made it clear at a glance that she was a fallen female cultivator.

“Uh, Fellow Daoist, you…”

“What? Fellow Daoist Qin doesn’t remember me? Could it be you’ve found someone new and forgotten your little sister?” The young female cultivator pretended to cry, her act slightly exaggerated but effective.

Noticing Cao Mo’s stunned and shocked expression, Qin Lu couldn’t help but flush with embarrassment. He quickly pulled his arm free from where it was nestled between her ample breasts.

“Sorry, you’ve got the wrong person!”

With that, he hastily grabbed Cao Mo and hurried away.

But the young female cultivator wouldn’t let it go. Standing in place, she cried out pitifully to his retreating back, “Fellow Daoist Qin is so cruel~ How could your little sister mistake you? We once ascended Mount Wu together! Your big mouth made me…”

“Let’s go! Hurry!” Qin Lu urged repeatedly, dragging the boy along.

……

Under Cao Mo’s teasing gaze, the two arrived at the bathhouse.

Perhaps because it was nearing midnight, there were far fewer people inside. The fee was one Spirit Stone per person for unlimited bathing time.

Having been here once before, Qin Lu knew the ropes. He quickly paid at the counter and completed the formalities. Removing his clothes and draping a loincloth for modesty, he headed to the bathing pool.

Inside the steamy room, over ten cultivators were scattered about in small groups around the edges of the large pool. Qin Lu scanned the area briefly, and suddenly, his eyes lit up.

He actually spotted an acquaintance here.

Lu Xian!

At that moment, the neighbor was leaning alone against the side of the pool, head tilted back with eyes closed, wearing an expression of pure enjoyment.

“Hey! Old Lu!”

Qin Lu brought Cao Mo over to Lu Xian’s side and greeted him heartily.

“Ah!”

The sound startled Lu Xian from his feigned sleep. His eyes snapped open as he looked around in alarm. Only upon seeing it was Qin Lu did he heave a heavy sigh of relief.

“You scared me! So it’s Brother Qin…”

After living as neighbors for over a month now, the two had become quite familiar. Qin Lu entered the warm water and asked with a strange look, “What’s going on? Why are you so jumpy, Old Lu? Don’t tell me you have enemies even here?”

“Heheh…” Lu Xian chuckled awkwardly. “What enemies could I have? I thought my wife had come looking for me…”

“Oh~”

Qin Lu drew out the syllable in understanding.

Lu Xian’s wife had a fiery temper and strong opinions; her position in the household subtly resembled that of the head of the family. Most importantly, her cultivation level was considerably higher than Lu Xian’s.

In their daily interactions, Lu Xian was very much henpecked. A man who truly feared his wife.

“So… does Madam Lu even restrict you from coming to bathe?” Qin Lu couldn’t help but ask curiously, as this seemed like an innocent enough activity.

“Ah! Every family has its own hard-to-read scripture, Brother Qin!” Lu Xian sighed slightly.

Qin Lu studied him for a moment before slowly guessing, “It wouldn’t be because you were once caught by her while ‘aiding’ fallen female cultivators at a brothel, would it?”

“Uh…” Lu Xian’s face stiffened; a flash of embarrassment crossed his features before he hastily denied it. “Nonsense! I, Lu Xian, am a gentleman of integrity! How could I frequent such places! I love my wife dearly!”

“Hahaha! I believe you!”

Qin Lu laughed loudly before pointing at Lu Xian and grinning at Cao Mo. “Hey! Kid! Didn’t you want to visit a brothel? Then you should definitely ask your Uncle Lu here. Judging by his wary demeanor, he’s definitely an old hand!”

Cao Mo’s eyes lit up. He quickly leaned closer to Lu Xian, the water rippling around him, and asked in a low, excited voice, “Uncle Lu! I’m still… inexperienced. Could you advise me? Which brothel in Joyous Lane is actually better?”

“I haven’t been there! How would I know!” Lu Xian declared loudly with a serious, righteous expression.

Hearing this, both Qin Lu and Cao Mo fell silent for a moment, looking at him with clear disbelief.

Seeing their expressions, Lu Xian gave a light cough, slightly embarrassed. After glancing around to ensure no one was listening, he suddenly lowered his voice.

“If you ask me… it has to be Qunfang House. The female cultivators there are truly born with an innate allure…”

Two men and one boy began whispering conspiratorially by the edge of the bathhouse pool.

……

After finishing their bath, the three emerged from the bathhouse.

Having chatted so congenially, Lu Xian had even treated them both to back scrubs and massages, rapidly warming their relationship. All three now looked refreshed and invigorated.

Qin Lu stretched his shoulders slightly and said to Cao Mo, “Alright. It’s getting late. I’ll walk you back.”

The Slums were a mixed bag; for Cao Mo, a boy not yet fifteen, returning alone late at night held some danger.

Unexpectedly, Cao Mo immediately refused. “No need! I can go back by myself. There have been many more patrols outside the market district lately; hardly anyone dares cause trouble outside anymore. I’ll be fine on my own.”

Hearing this, Qin Lu nodded slightly in agreement.

Recently, that “Tigress” female thief had grown increasingly brazen; rumor had it she had stolen from one of the five major powers—the Yu Family. This had infuriated Patriarch Yu Xiu, who ordered that she must be captured at all costs. Consequently, patrol teams were now searching everywhere throughout the market district, making security unprecedentedly good.

“Well then, be careful on your own,” Qin Lu reminded him.

“No worries, Big Brother!”

With that farewell, Cao Mo turned and left alone.

Meanwhile, Qin Lu and Lu Xian headed home together. The time had reached one in the morning. After leaving the bustling Joyous Lane, the streets began to grow empty and quiet.

Especially where they lived—near the city wall, in a remote corner of the market district—the closer they got to home, the more desolate their surroundings became.

Chatting and laughing, the two made their way back along their usual route.

Little did they know that on their necessary path home, a group of people armed with blades waited quietly at a street corner… their faces revealing fierce intent.