Chapter 55 - 49: This Mermaid is a Bit...
Having confirmed the fish demon’s hiding place, Jiang Mu led Zhang Daxie and his brother straight to Yanchun Tower.
Though it was broad daylight, the establishment was already open.
This wasn’t unusual. Some brothels received regular patrons during the day, while the courtesans rehearsed their performances, cleaned, or took breaks.
To avoid alerting the target, Jiang Mu first had the Zhang Brothers lie in wait outside in a hidden spot, while he prepared to go inside and test the waters with this "mermaid."
"Jiang Chen?"
He had just reached the entrance when a crisp, familiar voice called out from the side.
Jiang Mu turned his head and saw that it was, surprisingly, the young physician, Chu Lingzhu.
The young woman was still in her jade-green dress, which complemented her ethereal figure. Her eyes held a look of surprise.
Behind her followed a handsome man dressed in white.
Jiang Mu found him familiar.
’It seems this was the same fellow who’d been pestering Chu Lingzhu last time I was buying Yuan Ahqing’s freedom. Must be a simp.’
Of course, Jiang Mu had nothing against simps.
’At least they have the guts to fawn over someone. Much better than those "lookout dogs" who only dare to watch from afar.’
"What are you doing here?" Chu Lingzhu asked, her fine brows knitting together.
"Business."
Jiang Mu jutted his chin toward the building’s interior.
Chu Lingzhu froze, then her pretty face flushed red, her eyes filling with obvious disappointment.
"And here I thought you’d actually changed your ways..."
Clearly, she thought the Eldest Young Master Jiang had relapsed into his old habits.
When he had bought Yuan Ahqing’s freedom, he’d earned back a bit of goodwill in her eyes. Plus, he seemed to have been keeping a low profile lately, so Chu Lingzhu really thought the prodigal son had returned.
Han Yushu, who was following behind her, said with a sneer:
"Brother Jiang, you’re certainly in high spirits. Can’t even wait for nightfall, it seems."
Jiang Mu couldn’t be bothered with him.
’This kind of man-child simp is brainless and easily provoked.’
’While I don’t mind a good face-slapping scene, it’s really beneath me. I’d rather spend the effort slaying demons.’
He just asked Chu Lingzhu, "Then what are you doing here?"
"I’m here to see a patient."
Chu Lingzhu patted the small medicine kit at her waist.
Jiang Mu had a moment of realization.
’I almost forgot, this girl is a famous doctor for women in this area.’
Jiang Mu said, "Oh," and walked toward the main entrance.
Chu Lingzhu bit her thin, red lip and hurried after him.
"I say, Eldest Young Master Jiang, can’t you show a little restraint? You’re a man of status now. Visiting a brothel in broad daylight..."
"I really am here on official business."
"I don’t believe you!"
Chu Lingzhu muttered under her breath, her cheeks puffing out slightly.
Seeing the woman he adored fuss over a rich wastrel, scolding him sweetly one moment and pouting the next, while treating him with indifference—Han Yushu’s already infantile ego completely shattered.
"Miss Chu, don’t waste your breath. A dog can’t be taught not to eat shit..."
Jiang Mu stopped in his tracks.
He turned his head and stared at Han Yushu. "I’m disappointed. It seems a zombie really did eat your brain after all."
Han Yushu’s heart seized in panic under his piercing gaze. He faintly regretted his outburst but was unwilling to back down.
"Did... did I say something wrong?"
Jiang Mu said coolly, "You can bad-mouth me behind my back. I can’t stop you. But you just had to walk up and unleash your big attack right in my face...
"Are you fucking brain-damaged?!"
BANG!
Jiang Mu lifted his leg and kicked Han Yushu square in the stomach.
Caught completely off guard, Han Yushu was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground. He curled up like a shrimp, retching up stomach acid with a pained cry, unable to catch his breath.
Chu Lingzhu gasped, covering her small mouth in shock.
By the time she came to her senses, Jiang Mu had already turned and walked into the brothel.
Curled on the ground, it took Han Yushu a long moment to catch his breath, his face twisted in a grimace. "You bastard, Jiang! I’m going to report you to the Demon-slaying Bureau!"
...
"Hey, are you crazy?!"
Chu Lingzhu jogged to catch up with Jiang Mu, saying urgently, "His mother is the Lord Prefect’s biological sister."
"Is that more powerful than the Demon-slaying Bureau?"
Jiang Mu glanced around, noticing the main hall was empty, with no other customers yet.
"Well... no, it’s not." Chu Lingzhu faltered.
The Demon-slaying Bureau answered directly to the central Court, monitored all Demon Fiends in the realm, and held the authority to execute first and report later. Its status was extraordinary.
They certainly didn’t need to care what a local prefecture thought.
"That’s why I said he’s brainless."
Jiang Mu glanced at her. "If you feel sorry for him, there’s still time to go out and stick a few needles in him."
"Tch, who feels sorry for him?"
Chu Lingzhu rolled her pretty eyes. "If his cousin wasn’t one of my closest friends, I’d have dosed him with a lethal laxative long ago."
Just then, a buxom, middle-aged madam swayed her hips as she approached them.
"Aiyo~ If it isn’t Eldest Young Master Jiang!"
Seeing Jiang Mu, the madam’s eyes practically sparkled.
"Eldest Young Master Jiang, you’re such a rare guest! It’s been too long! The girls here have missed you so much their hearts are broken, especially Yuan’er and Xianxian. They talk about how wonderful you are every single day."
Jiang Mu sighed internally.
’The romantic debts left behind by Jiang Chen are truly as ubiquitous as a spider’s web.’
Jiang Mu’s expression was impassive as he spoke directly:
"Bring out every single girl you have here. I don’t care if they’re with a customer, resting, or squatting over the latrine. Not a single one is to be missed."
"Ah?"
The madam was stunned.
This master hadn’t been here in months, and the first thing he does is order the "full banquet"?
’Just how much pent-up frustration does he have?’
Beside them, Chu Lingzhu’s ears burned as she silently cursed him as "shameless."
The madam gave a dry laugh and asked tentatively,
"Young Master Jiang, you know our girls... they’re as fierce as wolves and tigers... If we call them all, your physique... How about I call our top few courtesans to attend to you first?"
"I said, all of them."
Jiang Mu pulled a silver note from his robes, flicking it between his fingers. "Young Master Jiang is footing the bill today—understand?"
Seeing the silver note, the madam’s eyes instantly lit up.
Only then did she remember that this master was famous for spending money like water.
"Understood! Understood! Young Master Jiang, please wait a moment. This old one will go rouse the girls right away. I guarantee not a single one will be missing!"
She glanced at Chu Lingzhu, who stood to the side, and added with an apologetic smile:
"Doctor Chu, the girls are about to receive a customer. Perhaps you could come back another day for the consultations? We’ll make sure you get your full fee, of course."
With that, she swayed her ample hips and headed for the back courtyard.
Chu Lingzhu was a little dazed.
’What does she mean?’
’They have to receive customers even when they’re sick?’
Jiang Mu walked to a nearby chair and sat down commandingly, glancing at the pouting Chu Lingzhu.
"Close the main door. Then you can get out."
"Why should I?"
"The following scene is not suitable for children. Do you dare to watch?"
Chu Lingzhu’s cheeks flushed crimson, but she held her ground, lifting her chin defiantly. "I insist on watching!"
"Fine. Don’t regret it."
Jiang Mu said no more. He rose, walked to the door, and gave a hand signal to the Zhang Brothers lying in wait outside before pulling the door shut.
As the light dimmed, the atmosphere in the hall grew strangely oppressive.
Chu Lingzhu was already regretting it.
But she couldn’t show weakness.
She could only stand awkwardly in the corner, clutching her medicine kit tightly.
Before long, a chorus of chirping, feminine voices and the patter of soft footsteps came from the top of the stairs.
"Where’s Young Master Jiang?"
"Oh, I’m dead tired. If Young Master Jiang’s tip isn’t generous, I’m not putting up with this."
"I heard Young Master Jiang is a big official now, even more impressive."
The madam appeared, leading a large group of women of all shapes and sizes down the stairs.
The entire hall was instantly filled with the fragrance of powder and rouge.
Because they had been woken up abruptly, many of the girls’ makeup was incomplete, and their clothes were disheveled.
A few of the bolder girls were already pressing themselves against Jiang Mu...
The sight made Chu Lingzhu blush furiously, and she silently cursed their shamelessness.
Jiang Mu pushed the women off him and had them form three rows, his gaze sweeping over each of them like a scanner.
"One by one, state your name."
Although the girls didn’t understand, they saw the madam signal them with her eyes and began to speak in turn:
"I am Xiaocui, and I’m skilled with the flute~"
"I am Ruyan, and I’m skilled at... well, Young Master Jiang, you understand~"
Each one was a picture of seduction, their voices soft and syrupy.
When it was the turn of a girl in the back row, she stood with her head bowed, appearing somewhat shy. Her figure, however, was slender and graceful, hinting at a peculiar sort of bewitching charm.
This contrast made her seem quite fresh and refined among the otherwise brazen crowd.
Jiang Mu’s gaze landed on her, and his eyes narrowed slightly.
"What’s your name?"
The girl slowly raised her head.
She bit her lower lip, glancing at Jiang Mu with a shy and timid look.
Then, she opened her mouth.
"Ma name’s Wang Gang."
The voice was rough and deep, clearly that of a large man.
Chu Lingzhu: "???"
Jiang Mu’s face was a mask of bewilderment.
The madam quickly said, "This is our new top courtesan. A bit unique... but the customers just love her."
Jiang Mu broke into a satisfied smile.
"Wang Gang stays. The rest of you, get out."