The Garrison’s Arrival

Under the enthusiastic guidance of the blue-clad youths, Xia Qian explored almost every floor of the colossal building, save for the uppermost levels.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that the layout was much like a modern entertainment complex: a public club on the first floor, economical private rooms on the second, and increasingly luxurious VIP suites higher up.

With its grand decorations and opulent scale, Willow Lane felt less like a mere brothel and more akin to an ancient Las Vegas entertainment city.

After completing their tour, they descended the eastern staircase once more.

Before Xia Qian could even fully steady herself at the bottom of the steps, a sudden silence fell, much like a boisterous classroom abruptly falling quiet in unison.

The previously bustling hall was inexplicably plunged into a profound stillness, utterly devoid of sound.

Xia Qian, inevitably curious, lifted her gaze. She heard a rhythmic, clanking tread draw nearer, and then a squad of soldiers filed in.

Upon closer inspection, they were an all-female unit, uniformly equipped with iron-winged helmets and dark dust armor, fully armed.

With every slight movement, their armor grated, sounding like sandpaper scrubbing an iron pot.

The first soldiers to enter systematically fanned out along both sides, guarding the main entrance of the establishment.

One among them, presumably the leader, held a command flag and wore a dark iron token at her waist. Etched upon it were four seal characters that Xia Qian could barely decipher: “Liangqu Garrison.”

“This is…”

Blinking in confusion, Xia Qian unconsciously voiced her thoughts.

“Doesn’t the new Brother know? It must be time for the curfew.”

The leading blue-clad youth offered a timely explanation.

“Every day at sunset, the guards of Liangqu City patrol the streets and clear the markets. Regular businesses are not permitted to operate after nightfall.”

Xia Qian nodded thoughtfully.

It was not entirely incomprehensible.

After all, curfews were common in ancient times to ensure public order; a bustling, sleepless metropolis like the capital was a rare spectacle.

“…However, establishments like our Willow Lane—official pleasure houses—are an exception to the rule,” the blue-clad youth continued his explanation. “Although we don’t close, once night falls, soldiers are stationed here, strictly vetting customers and limiting the number of people entering and exiting—just as you see now.”

Xia Qian secretly clicked her tongue.

Earlier in the small bathhouse, she had only heard the youth she met in the pool mention that Willow Lane had officially dispatched female cultivators as security.

She hadn’t expected that not only were there covert overseers, but also armed guards stationed here at night.

The security system was as impenetrable as an iron barrel, with defenses more stringent than a concentration camp.

It seemed that escaping from this establishment would be as difficult as ascending to the heavens, even with external assistance, let alone attempting it alone.

Looking around, the commotion in the hall seemed unusually agitated, exceeding expectations.

Xia Qian noticed that even the ever-smiling blue-clad attendants now displayed a subtle unease; the curve of their smiles had diminished slightly.

Suddenly, the leading blue-clad youth subtly gestured to one of his companions, who immediately and deftly departed upon receiving the instruction.

He’s probably going to inform Daddy Liu, isn’t he?

Xia Qian acutely sensed this action, her conviction growing that the situation was indeed turning grim.

As expected, things took a serious turn.

Shortly after, the soldiers, who were supposedly there for garrison duty, began a conspicuous search, subsequently leading several men out of the inner rooms and into the main hall.

The commanding female soldier counted the numbers, her blade-sharp gaze sweeping over each man brought before her. Then, with an abrupt turn, her eyes returned to the hall, now even more terrifying.

Her sharp gaze then swept across the hall, and she raised a hand, pointing like a god of judgment calling names.

“You, you, and—you, come with us.”

The voice was brief and powerful, emanating an undeniable authority.

The male courtesans whose names were called instantly turned pale, as if condemned to death.

One of them shook his head like a rattle drum, his hands flailing as if electrified, his lips trembling as he pleaded, “Please, my lady general, this humble body shatters at a touch. I beg you, have mercy!”

Another’s legs simply buckled, sending him crashing to the ground.

Yet another youth attempted to turn and flee, but he was instantly seized by a soldier the moment he spun around.

“Trying to escape?”

Before the soldier who had caught the young man could bring him forward, the commanding female soldier advanced in three swift strides.

She snatched a long halberd from her subordinate, and with a flick of the haft, swung the thick, round iron end squarely at the youth’s knee.

“—Ah!”

A heart-wrenching scream echoed through the hall.

However, perhaps accustomed to such scenes, the faces of the others present showed only indifference. Some of the male courtesans even secretly rejoiced that it wasn’t them.

It seemed that as long as it didn’t concern them, they remained mere spectators.

“How could they…”

Xia Qian bit her lip, a sour feeling churning in her gut.

At that moment, the leading blue-clad youth beside her tugged at her sleeve again, reminding her, “The new Brother doesn’t know, but this is the city garrison coming to collect people. The male courtesans chosen tonight are to serve in the camps, naturally, to attend to the military ladies. But Brother need not worry; by all accounts, it usually has nothing to do with you, so please step aside for now…”

As he spoke, the blue-clad youth winked at his companions.

The other attendants, understanding implicitly, immediately took Xia Qian’s arms, preparing to lead her away from the area.

Yet, whether it was sympathy at play or something else, even though she felt herself being pulled and understood the principle that a wise man avoids dangerous situations, having no desire to linger in such a problematic place, Xia Qian’s feet felt as if they were filled with lead, impossible to move.

Her gaze remained fixed on the suffering youth sprawled on the ground.

“—No, I… I don’t want to go, I don’t want to go! I don’t want to go to the military camp! Daddy! Daddy Liu, save me, save me!!!”

The youth’s cries were hoarse and desperate.

Completely ignoring his pleas, the female soldiers merely grabbed his long hair and dragged him away.

Red blood seeped from the torn flesh, tracing a trail along the ground—a gruesome sight.

Xia Qian watched them pass directly in front of her.

Suddenly, unexpectedly, the youth’s long hair ripped free in his desperate struggle.

A piece of his scalp tore off with it, instantly creating a bloody mess before Xia Qian’s eyes.

However, feeling the freedom from the female soldier’s grasp, the youth seemed to forget his pain.

Like a drowning man nearing death, he frantically clutched at anything within reach, wrapping his arms around Xia Qian’s leg.

“Save… save me!!!”

Xia Qian stared down, stunned.

The youth before her was barely thirteen or fourteen, frail and small, with clear bruises visible on his tender, childlike face.

She seemed to see her own younger cousin—the poor child who used to be bullied at school, too afraid to tell his family, and would hide in a corner, secretly wiping away tears. This youth looked much the same.

Now, the youth’s fear and helplessness mingled with his tears.

In his eyes, Xia Qian was reflected with startling clarity.