Tian Hao strode toward The Silken Shadows Parlor, his emerald robes billowing with each deliberate step. The evening streets of Skyveil were alive with the laughter of revelers indulging in the city's pleasures. The scent of sizzling skewers and perfumed oils mingled in the air, blending with the distant strains of a zither being played in some hidden courtyard.

He tilted his head slightly, catching snippets of conversation—talk of sect rivalries, of clandestine dealings whispered over cups of wine, of names he recognized and some he did not. It was a city of ambition and indulgence, and tonight, he would embody both.

His chin lifted, his shoulders squared—he radiated the confidence of a man who had never known hardship, a young master bred for excess. The mask of wealth and arrogance fit him too well, a performance so seamless it was almost second nature.

Before stepping out, he'd spent a long moment in front of a polished bronze mirror, appraising his disguise. The rich emerald robes, embroidered with silver leaves, gleamed under the lantern light. He had chosen them specifically—luxurious without being gaudy, a balance between wealth and cultivated restraint.

His hair was meticulously styled, held in place by a jade hairpin, an emblem of his newly fabricated identity: Shen Yelan, Young Master of the Verdant Valley Pavilion.

The name was utter nonsense, a fabrication so distant and obscure that none could call its authenticity into question. Verdant Valley Pavilion? Perhaps it existed somewhere in the mist-shrouded mountains of the distant southern provinces. Or perhaps it was nothing more than a dream conjured up in an indulgent scholar's drunken musings. Either way, no one here would know otherwise.

He smirked at his reflection, recalling how Lin Mei had barely suppressed a laugh when he first proposed the disguise. "You do realize, Tian Hao, that you're just disguising yourself as... yourself?" she'd said, arms crossed, eyes full of mirth. "A wasteful, carefree silkpants. You’re playing the role you were born for."

He had scoffed at her, even as Jiuwei snickered from her perch. But now, striding towards The Silken Shadows Parlor, he couldn't help but acknowledge the irony. "At least this time," he muttered under his breath, "it's by choice."

Inwardly a nervous flutter danced in his stomach. This wasn't a sparring match or a witty exchange in the marketplace. This was infiltration, espionage—a dangerous game he hadn’t played before, the stakes higher than mere bragging rights or bruised egos.

He took a deep breath, steeling his resolve. “It’s for Lin Mei,” he muttered under his breath, the thought of her family’s safety a weak salve against the creeping apprehension. “For the sect. For all of us.”

Across the street, concealed in the shadows of a deserted shopfront, Lin Mei and Jiuwei watched him. Lin Mei’s hand trembled slightly as she held the sound-transmission talisman, its smooth surface cool against her clammy palm. “Do you think this will work?” she whispered, her voice barely audible above the city’s muted hum.

Jiuwei, her golden eyes glinting in the darkness, chuckled softly. “Relax. Our silkpants will be fine. Though,” she added with a sly grin, “let’s hope he remembers why he’s there and not merely his penchant for indulgence.”

Tian Hao paused at the entrance, the heavy wooden doors carved with intricate depictions of intertwined dragons and phoenixes, the artistry a subtle reminder of the brothel’s exclusivity. He pushed them open, stepping into a world of lavish excess.

Red silk drapes, heavy with the scent of jasmine and sandalwood, cascaded from the high ceilings, their rich hues creating an atmosphere of opulent intimacy. Lanterns, crafted from carved jade and polished ivory cast a warm, inviting glow, illuminating the faces of the courtesans who glided through the room like ethereal spirits. Their laughter, light and melodic, mingled with the soft blend of flutes, zithers, and drums, drifted from hidden rooms, each note a promise of forbidden delights.

Tian Hao blinked, momentarily stunned by the sheer opulence of his surroundings. 'Well, well, well,' he thought, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. 'The Iron Talons certainly have refined tastes.'

An attendant, a vision of otherworldly beauty, stepped forward, her silken robes shimmering like liquid moonlight. Jade pins, carved in the shape of delicate cherry blossoms adorned her dark hair. She bowed gracefully and with a voice as smooth as polished jade, offered the greetings of the Silken Shadows.

“Welcome, honored guest, to a place where pleasures transcend the boundaries of the mundane. May your evening be filled with delights beyond your wildest dreams. I am called Meihua, your guide for this evening’s explorations. ” Her words, though formal, held a subtle undercurrent of playful invitation.

Tian Hao hesitated for the briefest moment, trying to engage the technique he'd only aquired a few days before. The Lover’s Charm technique wasn’t just about speaking sweet words—it required intent, genuine allure. He had to make the target believe in his charisma, not merely tolerate it. And that meant flirting.

His stomach twisted slightly. This wasn’t something he could just stumble through with bravado alone. He needed to slip into the mindframe of someone completely at ease, someone who wielded charm like a weapon rather than a shield. He exhaled slowly, letting his shoulders relax, pushing aside the nagging tension.

With a deliberate smile, he stepped forward, drawing on Lin Mei’s rigorous etiquette lessons. He flourished his hand, his movements fluid, his voice dipping into a warm, velvety tone.

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He bowed slightly, hands clasped together, his voice warm and inviting.

“Greetings, esteemed Meihua,” he said, his eyes twinkling. “Your words are as intoxicating as the finest wine, and your presence… a beacon in this world of fleeting shadows. It is I, Tia... er ... Shen Yelan or the Verdant Valley Pavilion, honored beyond words to be graced by the presence of such a refined and exquisite hostess. It is rare indeed to find a beauty so effortlessly enchanting—though I must admit, I do have quite the discerning eye for elegance."

He winked, "Ah, but let me set your expectations, dear Meihua. The company I bring is known for turning even the most dismal of nights into legends. You shall see soon enough—though I must say, with a hostess such as yourself, I fear even the most dazzling of companions may pale in comparison."

His smile made her breath catch slightly, even as his own face burned from the effort of being so utterly fake. Yet, surprisingly, it was effective.

Meihua’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink. She gestured towards the inner chambers. “Your words are as sweet as honey, honored guest,” she replied, her voice a soft murmur that held both polite formality and something more than mere welcome.

On the other side of the sound transmission talisman, Lin Mei muttered, “Does he really need to lay it on that thick?”

Jiuwei chuckled softly. “He’s working hard for us. Let him shine.”

Tian Hao followed Meihua deeper into the parlor, his gaze sweeping across the lavishly decorated rooms. Every surface gleamed with decadence—the walls lined with lacquered wood inlaid with shimmering gold, the silk drapes cascading in rippling waves of crimson and ivory. The flickering glow of lanterns bathed everything in a warm, seductive haze.

Courtesans, their robes rich with embroidered patterns of phoenixes and peonies, lounged on plush cushions, their laughter ringing like silver bells. Some whispered sweet nothings into the ears of afluent guests, their fingers tracing delicate patterns across silk sleeves. Others exchanged coy glances over glasses of spiced wine, their lips curving in knowing smiles. The entire place breathed indulgence, a world of soft murmurs and veiled promises.

The air was thick with the scent of incense—jasmine mingling with sandalwood, a combination that both soothed and unsettled. Tian Hao inhaled deeply, the fragrance seeping into his senses, stirring something both foreign and familiar within him.

He paused, his gaze catching on a woman reclining against an ivory divan, her dark eyes dancing with mischief. Her laughter, light and airy, reminded him of wind chimes swaying in a summer breeze. A strange warmth pooled in his chest, an instinctive draw toward her easy confidence, her effortless charm. For a brief moment, he was lost in the way she carried herself, in the way her lips curved just so, in the uncanny resemblance she bore to Zhao Fei—

His heart lurched.

He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to look away. 'Focus, Tian Hao,' he reminded himself sharply. 'Remember the mission, not the curves.' His earlier excitement curdled into something heavier, more pressing. This was no place for distractions. He was here to gather information, not to indulge in pleasures designed to entangle the mind.

Still, the challenge lay ahead—keeping his wits about him in a place where every smile, every glance, every whispered word was crafted to make a man forget why he had come in the first place.

He turned to the attendant, his voice laced with practiced nonchalance, and with a carefully crafted mix of charm and subtle authority, hoped that what he'd learned would be enough. “I’ve heard tales of a certain exclusive suite,” he began. “One with… breathtaking views and the finest company. Is such a suite available?”

The attendant smiled, Tian Hao’s Lover’s Charm weaving its magic. “For a discerning guest such as yourself,” she purred, her voice a silken whisper, “we always have something special.” She gestured towards a secluded corridor. “This way, honored guest. I assure you, the Celestial Suite will exceed your… expectations.”

‘I can’t believe that actually worked,’ Tian Hao thought, though beneath the relief of having success, the woman's smile, her sly gaze had ignited an unexpected warmth in his belly.

“Did he just say ‘finest company’?” Lin Mei whispered, exasperated.

Jiuwei’s muffled laughter echoed her annoyance. “He’s a natural. A true prodigy of… persuasion,” she quipped, though there was a hint of admiration in her tone.

The attendant led him down a dimly lit corridor, the air growing thick with the scent of incense, the sounds of muffled laughter and music growing louder as they approached their destination.

The Celestial Suite was a realm of excess, where every detail whispered of luxury and seduction.

Red and gold hangings adorned the walls, their intricate patterns depicting celestial beings locked in eternal revelry, mythical beasts and immortals woven into silk, shimmering under the lantern light. Each thread seemed to hum with forgotten stories, the weight of history draped in decadence.

Plush cushions, embroidered with phoenixes and dragons, lay scattered across the floor, each promising comfort, each an invitation to indulge. The air was thick with the scent of lotus and warm sandalwood, a delicate balance between soothing and intoxicating.

At the center of it all, a low jade table gleamed under the dim glow of a carved ivory lantern. Plates of exotic fruits, their skins glistening, rested alongside golden flasks of fragrant wine. The rich aroma of roasted meats and spiced delicacies drifted through the air, a silent promise of satisfaction beyond the physical.

Tian Hao’s breath hitched for just a moment. He had expected refinement, but this was indulgence on another level. He had always considered himself a man of taste, but compared to this? His past luxuries felt almost… quaint.

He forced himself to exhale, schooling his expression into one of practiced nonchalance. He was here for information, not pleasure. Yet, even as he reminded himself of his purpose, he couldn't deny the pull of temptation lingering at the edges of his mind. His heart quickening as he fought back the almost overwhelming urge to forget their mission and simply… revel in the delights before him.

He glanced at the attendant, her gaze lingering on him with an intensity that made his pulse quicken.

“It is…” he began, and then, with a smirk as if performing once again for an unseen audience whispered to Lin Mei and Fatty Wu, “it is acceptable.”

He took a deep breath before flashing a slow, knowing grin, his voice dripping with indulgent amusement. "Almost the finest I've seen, but I do believe I’m up to the challenge. After all, it would be a shame to let such refinement go unappreciated." He let his gaze linger on the attendant, eyes half-lidded, before adding, "Of course, my tastes are rather discerning. I trust you will only bring me the most exquisite company this establishment has to offer. Anything less would be... disappointing."

The attendant chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling, “Indeed, honored guest. The Celestial Suite is reserved for those who appreciate the finer things in life. And,” she paused, leaning closer, her voice dropping to a near whisper, her breath warm against his ear, “for those who are willing to share their pleasures.”

“Sharing is caring,” Tian Hao replied smoothly, triggering his Lover’s Charm again, his smile radiating a warmth that made her cheeks flush a deeper shade of pink, “and I am always eager to share.”