Ch. 19 - Ji Baiyu

"Kid, how dare you speak to my young master like that?" Before Chang Wei could even respond, his servant Laifu stepped forward, unable to hold back. Xu Zimo gave Dark Thirteen a glance. Everyone heard a crisp clang, and a line of blood sprayed from Laifu’s neck. His body crashed heavily to the floor. “You... you killed him,” Chang Wei backed up in fear, his face full of shock. “Junior Brother…” Guan Zhenhai looked uneasy too. Killing someone over a few words? That was way too aggressive. “Go home and tell your father,” Xu Zimo said with a faint smile, “I’ll personally visit the Chang Clan tomorrow at noon.” “You… you…” Chang Wei pointed at Xu Zimo, lost for words. After a long pause, he finally nodded and said, “Fine. The Chang Clan will be waiting for you.” As Chang Wei hurried away, Guan Zhenhai frowned slightly and turned to Xu Zimo. “Junior Brother, why did you do that?” “Senior Brother, have some more food. This meat tastes great,” Xu Zimo replied with a smile, dodging the question. He picked up a slice of meat with his chopsticks and called out, “Boss! Clean up this body. It’s an eyesore.” “Yes sir, yes sir!” The owner of Bright Moon Tower came up quickly with two staff members and carried the body away in a hurry. Then he smiled at Xu Zimo and said, “If the food doesn’t suit your taste, please don’t hesitate to say so. This meal is on me today, it’s my honor to serve such distinguished guests.” “No need for that. Just charge us the regular price,” Xu Zimo said, shaking his head with a smile. “We’re not the dine-and-dash type.” After the meal, Xu Zimo turned to Guan Zhenhai with a grin. “Senior Brother Guan, does Skysword City have a pleasure district?” “Pleasure district? Oh come on,” Guan Zhenhai waved his hand. “But we do have a place all the romantic scholars love to visit. I can take you there.” “You’re talking about Cloudmist Pavilion, aren’t you?” Xu Zimo narrowed his eyes and asked. “Looks like you’ve heard of it too, Junior Brother,” Guan Zhenhai nodded quickly. “But the women there, strictly performers, not for sale. If you’ve really got charm, and you can make one of them follow you willingly, now that’s a story worth telling.” “Let’s go take a look,” Xu Zimo said with a grin. Tang Huaiyuan, Xiao Yu, and Feng Buyu had no interest in such places and returned to the branch hall early. Xu Zimo, Lin Ruhu, Dark Thirteen, and Tenmile Vastsky went to Cloudmist Pavilion. The Cloudmist Pavilion sat by the moat of Skysword City. It was a modest three-story building made of Greencloud Bamboo. The spring breeze brushed gently past, rippling the river’s surface. Willows swayed along the banks, it was a peaceful, pleasant scene. The entrance was lively, with two elegant young women welcoming guests. There were refined scholars and bloodstained warriors alike. On the boats drifting across the water, courtesans sipped wine with poets, reciting verses amid a setting of moonlight and petals. Xu Zimo and his group entered the pavilion. It was spacious inside, packed with guests. At the center, five graceful women played instruments and danced. Lin Ruhu looked every bit the rich playboy. He tossed a spirit crystal onto the table and shouted, “Madam! Bring out your best girl, the top courtesan!” “Well now, young master, you’re a new face,” said the madam, a charming woman still in her prime, swaying her curvy figure as she walked over with a smile. “Cut the chatter. I said bring out your best girl,” Lin Ruhu said, acting every bit the spoiled young master. “No need to rush, young master,” the madam chuckled, running her hand over Lin Ruhu’s chest flirtatiously. “Our top girl, Baiyu, isn’t receiving guests today. But I can introduce you to some other fine ladies. I promise they’ll keep you entertained.” “Why’s she not seeing guests? Am I not handsome enough? Or is my money not good enough?” Lin Ruhu asked, dramatically flipping his scarf. “It’s nothing like that,” the madam smiled. “But Miss Baiyu once left behind a painting with a question. She said: If someone can answer it correctly, she’ll grant them one request, whatever it is.” “Sounds exciting!” Lin Ruhu grinned. “Show me the painting.” Xu Zimo asked with interest, “What’s her full name?” “She’s surnamed Ji, her full name is Ji Baiyu,” the madam replied. “Sword Dance Immortal... Ji Baiyu,” Xu Zimo murmured, then smiled to himself. The madam led the group to a side hall, which was already filled with scholars and gentlemen. A painting hung on the wall across the room. It depicted a vividly detailed white crane. The crane stood in a filthy swamp, one foot planted in the muck, the other slightly raised, as if balancing in a crane stance. “Miss Baiyu’s question is this,” the madam said, smiling: “Why is the white crane standing like that in the muddy swamp?” “Because cranes are clean creatures. It doesn’t want to get dirty,” Lin Ruhu offered. “You’re close,” the madam said with a smile, “but that’s not the answer Miss Baiyu is looking for.” Others began chiming in with their guesses. “Maybe the crane is practicing a special martial art?” “It’s showing off how proud and aloof it is.” “It’s taking a dump!” Everyone tried to guess, but the madam simply shook her head calmly. Some guests had already come multiple times, only to leave disappointed once again. “You all call yourselves romantic scholars,” Xu Zimo chuckled, “but clearly none of you understand a woman’s heart.” “Why mock us, brother?” someone nearby said. “You’re no different from us, unless… you know the answer?” “This is easy,” Xu Zimo said with a shake of his head. “Ruhu already said half of it earlier. The crane stands on one leg to avoid the mud. Miss Baiyu is comparing herself to the crane. Even though she lives in this world of poetry and pleasure, she still strives to stay above the filth, just like the crane, lifting one foot to remain unstained in a dirty world. Unstained by the mire, cleansed by pure ripples, yet never vulgar.” As he spoke, the crowd seemed to light up, everything suddenly clicked. “Please wait here, young master,” the madam said, eyes wide with surprise. “I’ll go inform Miss Baiyu right away.” As she walked away, the crowd buzzed around Xu Zimo, asking for his name. But Xu Zimo just shook his head and whispered to Vastsky beside him, “Come up with me in a moment. That woman… she’s no ordinary courtesan.”