Shidi watched him draw the arrays with practiced ease, just like how Duantian used to draw them, and nodded in approval. He could entrust him with forging the divine artifact with peace of mind. “My dear nephew, can you really forge the divine artifact, given that you’re currently at the foundation establishment stage?”
“Of course not.” Mo Tianliao smiled, and before Shidi could speak, he added, “My father was the one who forged the divine artifact. All it’s lacking is the final step. Although I’m rather lacking myself, I can still manage it if I put all my effort into it.”
Hearing this, Shidi felt even more reassured. If this kid had thumped his chest and bragged he could forge a divine artifact, he wouldn’t have believed him. If even a cultivator at the foundation establishment stage could forge a divine artifact, Duantian would never have been hunted down and killed.
It was already night when the flying ship arrived in Bahuang City.
Cultivators of the unorthodox path mostly gathered in the southern part of the Taixuan continent, which was hotter. Even at night, the brightly lit city bustled with activity. The usual shops had already shuttered for the night, but certain establishments were just getting started.
Orthodox cultivators’ cities resembled the capital cities of the mortal world. Few ventured out at night, and there were no disreputable businesses. It was a different story for the unorthodox path. Scattered among the bustling establishments were taverns, gambling houses, and even a brothel. Yup, a brothel—an unusual sight in the cultivation world.
Bahuang City fell under the joint jurisdiction of several demon lords. The various powers competing for dominance created the perfect environment for all sorts of establishments to flourish.
Music filled the air in the brightly lit three-story building. Colorfully dressed women stood at the entrance, beckoning to the passersby. These women were all cultivators below the core formation stage, and many had a physical constitution that made them suitable as vessels—it would’ve been a challenge for them to make progress in their own cultivation, but they were perfect for other people to improve their own through dual cultivation.
A signboard hung at the top of the building, with the words The Carefree Pavilion written in a bold flourish.
The unorthodox path had a slightly different naming convention from the orthodox path. The whole of Bahuang City was essentially a huge marketplace, with the various establishments taking on Carefree as part of their names. So Carefree Pavilion was a brothel, Carefree Tavern was…a tavern, and Carefree Den was a gambling den. Apparently, Bahuang City had been founded several thousand years ago by an orthodox cultivator who went by Xiaoyao-zhenren—“the Carefree Perfected One”—but, for some reason, it had ended up becoming the largest city of the unorthodox path.
Mo Tianliao looked at the Carefree Pavilion signboard. He had carved those characters himself, and there was an expulsion spell array that would prevent anyone with murderous intent from entering.
“Never seen anything like this, huh?” Shidi noticed Mo Tianliao looking and smiled knowingly, putting an arm around his shoulder. “Let’s go. I’ll show you around.”
“That won’t be necessary…” But before Mo Tianliao could stop him, Shidi dragged him inside. The loyal Nightmare followed them up the stairs, while the maidservants and subordinates headed straight to the demon lord’s manor in the city.
It was as bright as daylight inside the building. The air was full of music, with courtesans singing in the hall, adding to the clamor of sound.
The noise woke the fluffy little creature in Mo Tianliao’s arms. He poked out his head. When he saw where they were, he scratched Mo Tianliao on the jaw. Insolent disciple! What is this place?!
“Ow!” Mo Tianliao quickly held onto His Feline Lordship, who was about to climb out and beat him up. To Shidi, he said, “Pawpaw can’t stand the noise. I think—” …We should leave now.
Shidi cut him off before he could finish. “Of course we won’t remain in such a noisy area.” He made his way to a private room upstairs.
These private rooms were extremely luxurious. Colorful plush cushions covered the floor and sheer curtains hung throughout, creating an air of extravagance and elegance. Shidi ordered fine wine, and the brothel’s madam came over to pour it for him.
The madam was an attractive middle-aged woman who laughed when she saw them. “What an honor to have my lord grace us with your presence! We just purchased a few girls and two good-looking boys. Would you like…” She glanced suggestively at the tall, handsome Nightmare standing behind Shidi in his human form.
The lion glared at the madam. Why are you looking at me?!
Shidi laughed and nudged Mo Tianliao with his elbow. “Want anything, my dear nephew?” As he spoke, a thought occurred to him, and he gave Mo Tianliao an assessing look, his eyes roaming thoughtfully over his body.
“No thanks, I’ll just drink my wine.” Mo Tianliao was too preoccupied with appeasing His Feline Lordship to pay Shidi any attention. Mo Tianliao had visited this place in his previous life, since some matters were more conveniently discussed in such an establishment, but Pawpaw disliked the scent of powder and rouge and threw a tantrum every time Mo Tianliao brought him here. It was even worse if he came without bringing him and returned home reeking of makeup.
Shidi nodded in understanding and had the madam bring up several fair-skinned girls. Once the madam left, he wiped the wine off his lips and turned to Mo Tianliao. “I was so intent on bringing you here to broaden your horizons that I forgot to ask—can you actually get your dick up?”
Mo Tianliao’s face instantly darkened. This impertinent buffoon! If I don’t bleed him dry, my name’s not Mo Tianliao!
✦ ✦ ✦
MINI EXTRA
Woodworker: There’s an extra charge if you want to make it elegant.
Big Hammer: Money’s not a problem. Buy, buy, buy.
Woodworker: There’s an option to include a spell array that adds cool effects to your fights.
Big Hammer: Money’s not a problem. Buy, buy, buy.
Woodworker: And—
Big Hammer: Money’s not a problem. Buy, buy, buy.
Woodworker: I haven’t even said anything.
Big Hammer: All this talk is making me dizzy. Just tell me how much to pay.
Woodworker: *speechless*