Master? Why is she here?!

Xiangping Town—
The brothel in Xiangping Town was renowned within a hundred-li radius. Even outside its doors, one could catch the exclusive scent of high-grade rouge and powder.

Inside, beauties sang and danced in a lively atmosphere. Unlike typical brothels, nearly all here were “pure performers”—selling art, not bodies.
This made it a haven for those who fancied themselves “refined” and “above worldly vices.”

“Not bad.”

Chen Xueli sipped her tea, savoring its fragrance, and couldn’t help but praise it.

She even considered buying some to take back for her master.
But a quarter-hour later, that thought vanished entirely.

Not because she regretted it, but because her usually prim, abstinent “good master” was now tasting the same “fine tea” exclusive to this brothel.

“Senior Sister, do we really have to gather intel here?”

To avoid drawing attention, both were cross-dressed as men.

Yet they showed no appreciation for the stage beauties, nor did they call for girls to join them like others.
Just sipping tea and listening to tunes in silence made them stand out awkwardly.

“If Master found out, she’d…”

Qiao Jinxuan looked timid—this place was overwhelming for her.
Among the twelve disciples on this mission, she was the newest and youngest junior sister.

Chen Xueli, ranked eleventh, was only slightly older but far more composed.

Qiao Jinxuan greatly admired this near-peer senior sister—her strength ranked at least top three.
Unlike herself, the sect leader’s closed-door disciple, yet embarrassingly weak, only recently reaching Foundation Establishment.

“No issue.”
“The trail ends here. For the people, we must investigate thoroughly and eradicate the demons.”

“For the people”—such benevolent words from Chen Xueli’s mouth were bizarre.
Who’d expect the inheritor of the reviled Fallen Immortal Prison to speak of goodwill?
Even if insincere, it was shocking.

“Senior Sister, just sitting here without asking around—will we really get clues?”

Qiao Jinxuan whispered behind her hand, voicing her concern.
Even eavesdropping was impossible in this noisy environment.

“Oh?”
“Does Junior Sister want Senior Sister to order a few girls for you?”

“No no no! No need—everything follows Senior Sister’s plan.”

Seeing Qiao Jinxuan’s panic, Chen Xueli chuckled. Still green behind the ears.
Her current calm was thanks to Su Wanqing—after witnessing those scenes with her master, any place felt tame.

If she truly needed intel from the girls here, calling a few to drink and chat was nothing.
She could remain unflappable, unaffected by their charms.

But her targets weren’t the girls—nothing useful would come from them, only the cloying scent of rouge.
That smell might linger for a week.

She didn’t want misunderstandings—specifically, from a certain person.
Though her master’s current attitude might not care, that didn’t mean she could act recklessly.

“Phew—”

Chen Xueli gently blew on her steaming tea, sipping the rippling liquid, utterly relaxed.
To ease Qiao Jinxuan’s tension and avoid exposure, she smiled softly and whispered reassurance.

“Heh, just wait—the clue will come to us.”

“Okay…”

Hearing the confidence, Qiao Jinxuan had no objections.
The overpowering rouge was making her dizzy; she sipped tea, inhaling its fragrance to stay alert.

Raised in a cultivation sect, she was unaccustomed to mortal worldly ways.
The rouge scent alone—
Though she used cosmetics, hers were lightly fragrant, not this heavy, suffocating aroma.

She understood the divide between cultivator and mortal worlds.
But experiencing it firsthand was jarring.

Even other mission disciples showed discomfort with the mundane.
Yet Senior Sister Chen…

“…”

Watching Chen Xueli’s serene composure, Qiao Jinxuan wondered—how could she be so at ease?
Of course, Qiao Jinxuan didn’t know that while Chen Xueli was raised in cultivation lands, her past was soul-searing—beyond imagination.
This place’s scent was foreign to most cultivators.
But for Chen Xueli, it was a million times better than her former life.

“…”

Chen Xueli paid no mind to Qiao Jinxuan’s scrutinizing gaze, staring into her tea, lost in thought.
Four full days already.

With her current progress and the item she needed, two weeks away was likely.
She’d miscalculated—only prepared a week’s food for the tricolor kitten.

But she wasn’t worried about its survival.
As a former stray, a week wouldn’t starve it.

Plus, Su Wanqing was on the peak—she wouldn’t ignore it.
Her real concern wasn’t hunger but the cat wandering off for food.

If it vanished, she’d lose a reason to lure Su Wanqing to her room.
What was her master doing now?

“Senior Sister, Senior Sister.”

“Hm?”

Startled from her reverie by Qiao Jinxuan tugging her sleeve, Chen Xueli looked puzzled at her junior’s wary eyes.
By her timing, the key figure should appear in a quarter-hour—why the alarm now?

“What is it?”
“The clue you mentioned—it’s here.”

“?”

Even the ever-confident Chen Xueli doubted herself, glancing at the stage—no change, still the singing girl.

“Not there—over here.”

Seeing the mistake, Qiao Jinxuan corrected her, pointing to the entrance below.
To avoid notice, they’d chosen a second-floor corner seat.

It was conspicuous but mostly ignored.
The angle perfectly overlooked the door.

Following her finger, Chen Xueli froze, her teacup slipping from her grasp and shattering on the floor.
Others might not know, but she couldn’t be more certain.

Watching the elegant figure just entering—immediately surrounded by girls, looking flustered and trapped—Chen Xueli was dumbfounded.
Mas… Master… why… why is she here?!!