Chapter 14 Going to the Brothel

Linmeng Cloud Continent, Xiangping Town—
A gentle spring breeze blew, swallows chattered and orioles sang. Beyond the teahouse’s latticed windows, phoenix trees cast lush shade, while inside, Su Wanqing was stunned by the Red Embroidery Sect’s offer.

“What?!”
“That much?!”

Su Wanqing’s attire remained plain: a folding fan in hand, white robes, a white jade hairpin. It differed greatly from her Heavenly Sword Pavilion garb.
Though the style and accessories were simple, her current outfit leaned masculine.
Not deliberate cross-dressing, but neutral—another way to conceal her innate charm.

Even plain women’s clothing was ornate; neutral attire was subdued, masking much allure.
Deliberately uglifying herself would draw more attention.
Her charm stemmed mainly from her constitution, not looks.

Uglifying would backfire, exposing her condition.
True cross-dressing might amplify her charm’s effect on women.
If mistaken for a man, disaster.

“What?!”
“Just for the fox demon clue?!”

Realizing her slip, Su Wanqing quickly sipped tea to hide her inexperienced shock, her persona crumbling.
Such lavish spending.
Even for a wealthy major sect like Red Embroidery, this was bleeding money.

A single clue’s price equaled half Heavenly Sword Pavilion’s annual income.
And Heavenly Sword Pavilion was a top minor sect.

This could fund other minor sects for over two years.
Not bad—this trip was pure profit, with personal gains for her.

As a transmigrator who’d read the original, clues and demon-slaying were child’s play.
Truly: striking twice at midnight—hitting the jackpot!

“Mm, if Elder Su helps us eliminate the demon together, we’ll offer your sect rewards several times this amount.”
“The clue reward is yours personally. If the joint effort succeeds smoothly, we’ll add extra for you.”

“Pfft!”
“Cough… cough cough!”

She couldn’t hold it in—these were tycoon lines!
Even the rich couldn’t squander like this!

Did money truly allow anything?
How could she slack off now?

Tempting a penniless minor sect elder like this—did the Red Embroidery emissary’s conscience not ache?
Alas, drifting half a lifetime, regretting no worthy lord; if you don’t abandon me, I…

“Cough cough!”

Banishing wild thoughts, Su Wanqing regained calm.
She’d planned to coast, complete the task, and call it a day.

But Red Embroidery’s offer exceeded imagination—not just for the sect, but personal benefits too.
How could she slack?

“Really?”
“Really.”

The Red Embroidery emissary was a beautiful female elder, but deliberately downplayed—still utterly outshone by Su Wanqing’s suppressed allure.

Unlike the Hehuan Sect, Red Embroidery was all-female; no males allowed.
Hehuan at least had male cultivators due to cultivation needs.
But Red Embroidery? Even their dogs were female.

“Good, we’ll take the job.”
“Elder Li should know—four days ago, our sect organized demon-slaying.”
“Not Golden Core demons, just Qi Refining minors.”
“But we’ve uncovered clues. By tomorrow, we should have leads.”

Su Wanqing was bluffing, buying time to claim the clue reward quickly.
As a transmigrator, she knew the Golden Core fox demon’s location better than anyone.

But rushing without excuse would arouse suspicion.
If Red Embroidery suspected Heavenly Sword Pavilion colluded with the fox, no reward—and the sect would suffer.

“No trouble for your sect, Elder Su.”

Li Ziyu had no doubts; it matched their intel, not mere talk.

“No need for politeness—this is our duty. You’re the boss.”

Su Wanqing found Elder Li overly courteous. Beyond the employer relationship, their sects and strengths were incomparable.
Li Ziyu was Nascent Soul; Su Wanqing, a minor sect Golden Core elder.

The gap was heaven and earth.
This Nascent Soul could crush her kind effortlessly.

Was this major sect etiquette?

“Then, Elder Li, let’s exchange transmission tokens. I’ll contact you with news.”

They produced tokens, imprinting spiritual messages.

“Good. If no issues, Elder Li, I’ll take my leave.”

Su Wanqing bowed farewell and headed out, but Li Ziyu called after a few steps.

“Elder Su, wait!”
“Hm? Any problems, Elder Li?”

Su Wanqing turned, puzzled. Had her confidence made them regret the offer?

“Nothing, just a message from our sect leader.”
“Go on.”

Li Ziyu’s reaction baffled her. The Red Embroidery leader was a Deification expert—what could she say to her?

“The leader says: if you join us, you’ll be a core elder.
Next chief elder candidate, personally guided in cultivation—even vying for next sect leader.”

“…”

Su Wanqing was stunned—such lavish terms. But after brief thought, she refused decisively.

“Sorry, I’ve no intent to leave my sect.”
“Farewell.”

Pushing open the door, Li Ziyu persisted.

“No matter—if you reconsider, our sect welcomes you anytime.”

“Sigh—”

Outside, Su Wanqing sighed helplessly. Now she understood the generous benefits and why they specified her.
It was recruitment.

Linmeng Cloud Continent’s foremost beauty joining Red Embroidery would bring massive revenue.
Her cultivation talent was top-tier among peers.

But no matter the temptation, she’d refuse.
Heavenly Dao interference or genuine loyalty—her answer was no.

With her charm, joining Red Embroidery was lamb to wolves—unimaginable horror!
They’d exploit her allure to recruit disciples.

Her fate? Unthinkable!

Heavenly Sword Pavilion was better. Even in seclusion, Sect Leader Jiang Yi said nothing.
Remove that rebel, and her purity was safe.

“Alright, time for clues!”

Exiting the teahouse, Su Wanqing donned a mask covering one eye, heading south purposefully.
Though useless against her charm, it eased her mind.

Her destination: the Golden Core fox demon’s haunt—“the brothel!”
But she forgot—in the original, Chen Xueli was assigned to investigate this town… and was currently in that brothel…
Unaware that the moment she stepped inside, a pair of murderous eyes locked onto her…