“What,” Tian Hao spoke in a low voice, "could a discerning cultivator like myself do to further enhance this delightful evening?" He leaned back against the plush cushions, as he watched the attendant’s reaction.
Meihua clapped her hands twice, a sharp sound that cut through the suite’s hushed elegance. Tian Hao flinched, his nerves already frayed from the high-stakes act he was maintaining. His heart pounded against his ribs, the sudden noise momentarily making him feel as if he had been caught in some grand deception.
He forced a languid smile, willing his hands to remain still as the door opened, and a procession of courtesans entered, their silks and satins adding vibrant color to the dimly lit room.
They moved with an almost otherworldly grace, their eyes sparkling with a mix of playful invitation and practiced allure, each presence radiating elegance.
One stood apart, her hair adorned with intricate braids woven with pearls and jade. Her robes, the color of twilight, shifted with each measured step. Lifting a silver flute to her lips, she played, each note as soft as the whispering wind.
Another, draped in crimson silk, moved with deliberate grace. Her dark hair was adorned with jade ornaments shaped like phoenix feathers. In her hands, a pipa rested, its strings vibrating with unspoken promises, the melody rich with hidden intent.
A third, her presence as fluid as flowing water, wore a gown of deep indigo. Her dark eyes shimmered like pools of ink, filled with quiet depths that hinted at secrets unspoken. She moved with the elegance of a whispered legend, her every motion a mystery waiting to be unveiled.
The fourth, adorned in shimmering sapphire silk, had hair as dark as midnight, cascading down her back in flowing waves. A delicate silver chain traced the curve of her collarbone, a quiet contrast to her bold, knowing smile.
The fifths was draped in robes of gold and white, exuded an ethereal beauty, her every movement reminiscent of a slow, mesmerizing dance.
The sixth was dressed in soft lavender, with embroidered lotuses climbing her sleeves, held a delicate fan before her lips, concealing an unreadable expression. Her laughter was a soft melody, distant yet inviting, as if she alone knew the secrets of the evening.
The last among them, clad in obsidian robes with crimson accents, stood with quiet confidence. Her gaze was unwavering, her presence commanding without effort—an aura of mystery and danger that could tempt even the most disciplined of cultivators.
Tian Hao gulped, his eyes widening slightly as he surveyed the impressive lineup. A flutter of panic mixed with excitement ran through him—the allure of the women before him was undeniable. His heart pounded, a frantic rhythm against the backdrop of the pipa's soft melody.
'This,' he thought, forcing a casualness he didn’t quite feel as he struggled to regain his composure, reminding himself of what he’d learned from Lin Mei, what their plan depended on, and what their very lives might now hang in the balance should he stumble, 'this is not helping.'
Tian Hao exhaled slowly, steeling himself as Meihua regarded him with an amused glint in her eye. "Ah, Young Master Shen, such difficult decisions, no?" she teased, her voice as smooth as aged wine. "Each of these ladies possesses a charm of her own. Do you seek laughter and wit to brighten your evening? Or perhaps a quiet, simmering intensity to leave you breathless?"
He let his gaze sweep over the assembled courtesans once more. The silver-haired flutist, elegant and mysterious, continued her soft tune, while the crimson-robed pipa player met his eyes with a knowing smirk. The others, in hues of sapphire, gold, and lavender, each bore an aura of refined seduction. It was a delicate web spun before him, and he was meant to choose a strand.
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"A cultivator’s refinement is judged by his discernment, no?" Meihua continued, her voice lilting with amusement. "So tell me, Young Master, where does your inclination lead?"
Tian Hao chuckled, playing along. "Ah, Meihua, you wound me. I am but a simple man, drawn by beauty and intrigue alike. Yet, such decisions require the utmost contemplation."
Meihua watched him, her lips curved in amusement. A few of the courtesans exchanged subtle glances, their eyes glimmering with barely concealed mirth at his hesitation. One of them lifted her fan, concealing a quiet giggle, while another tilted her head slightly, watching with the patience of a cat observing a cornered mouse.
Their poised elegance remained unshaken, but their amusement at his indecision was palpable. "Does the Young Master hesitate? A rare sight indeed."
Tian Hao exhaled, feigning deep contemplation. His gaze flickered between each courtesan, weighing his choices with an exaggerated seriousness. 'This is a test,' he mused, 'a cruel, insidious trial devised by the heavens themselves to torment me.' His fingers drummed against his knee as he considered his options, stalling for time.
He could almost hear Lin Mei’s exasperated sigh in his head, berating him for dragging this out. But was it truly his fault that the decision was so agonizingly difficult? Each woman before him embodied a different allure, a unique temptation. To choose one—or even two—felt akin to denying himself the treasures of an entire realm. He sighed dramatically, rubbing his temple as if burdened by a scholar’s great philosophical dilemma.
"To choose is to forsake, is it not? Yet, if I must make such a cruel and agonizing decision, sacrificing the embrace of so many dazzling stars for a mere few... then I shall do so with the dignity of a condemned man savoring his last meal."
With a final, deliberate pause, he extended a finger and gestured toward two of them. "Her," he said, indicating the pale green-robed woman with the playful eyes, "and her," his finger shifted to the crimson-clad beauty, whose smirk deepened ever so slightly. "Tonight, I seek both mirth and mystery."
The first, draped in pale green silk embroidered with silver butterflies, stepped forward with effortless grace. She lowered into a deep, elegant curtsy, her eyes shimmering with amusement.
"An exquisite decision, Young Master," she murmured, her voice a smooth melody. " I am Lian. It is my privilege to ensure that your evening is not only delightful but… truly unforgettable. Rest assured, I am well-versed in the art of refined company and the many ways to bring pleasure to the mind as well as the spirit."
The second then stepped forward with measured grace, the crimson silk of her robes flowing like liquid fire. She tilted her head slightly, a smirk curving her lips as she regarded him, her dark eyes filled with knowing amusement. Lowering into a subtle, poised bow, she allowed a deliberate pause before speaking.
"A most intriguing choice, Young Master," she murmured, her voice a sultry whisper that carried the promise of secrets yet to be unraveled. "I am Xia. My craft is not merely in entertainment but in creating moments that linger, sensations that refuse to be forgotten. Tonight, you shall not only enjoy yourself—you shall be marked by the experience."
Meihua’s laughter was a soft chime in the air. "A fine choice, Young Master. May they provide exactly what you desire—and perhaps more."
She stepped aside as the other courtesans offered bows before retreating. "Then it is decided. Enjoy your evening, Young Master Tian. And do try to stay focused." Her teasing lilt followed her as the doors closed behind her, leaving Tian Hao alone with Lian and Xia.
Meihua and the others filed out of the room, closing the door behind them, leaving Tian Hao alone with the two enchanting figures before him.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Tian Hao gulped, his cheeks flushed slightly as his earlier feigned confidence morphed into genuine fluster.
Across the street, Lin Mei’s exasperated sigh echoed in the stall. “He’s picking two? We’re going to be here all night. He needs to stay focused on the mission!”
Jiuwei, curled up beside her, smirking at Lin Mei’s reaction. "Patience, young one. Some journeys require… detours. But remember, we must be ready to act quickly when the time comes,” she added, “at least we won’t be bored.”
Inside the lavish suite, Tian Hao felt the weight of Lin Mei's expectations pressing down on him. The mission loomed over him, a constant reminder that he couldn't afford to lose focus.
Yet, as he reclined against the plush cushions, the warmth of the dimly lit room, the intoxicating scent of jasmine and sandalwood, and the soft, lilting voices around him all conspired against his better judgment.
'Just for a moment,' a treacherous thought whispered. 'A brief indulgence wouldn't hurt.'
He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to think. Was he being too reckless? Or was this simply another kind of test—one of discipline, of restraint? His heart told him to enjoy the fleeting pleasure, but his mind knew better. He couldn't let his guard down now, not when everything was riding on what he uncovered tonight.
Still, the temptation gnawed at him, weaving its way into the space between duty and desire.