Why do I have so many masters?

Wang Anfeng and Lv Baiping left that ancient street, wandering around Wanling City. At this time, Fufeng Blade Madman's street killing was under the most vigorous investigation at the checkpoints, with Jianghu folks holding knives and Great Qin iron guards on high alert everywhere, making it difficult to leave the city.

Regardless of the time, they walked to where the river that flowed through Wanling City began to widen, when suddenly the sound of a clear song floated over on the breeze.

It was nearing dusk, with a bluestone arch bridge stretching over ten zhang long, spanning both banks of the river. Willow trees hung over the water's edge, and red lanterns were lit on both sides, making the scene lively. On Jiangnan Road there were many decorated pleasure boats and brothels; scholars considered it fine to be seen with courtesans, far from shameful, but rather a mark of elegance.

Yet this was different from the usual houses of ill repute found elsewhere, for the women here were carefully selected for both beauty and talent. They had to be attractive as well as accomplished in the arts, capable of reciting poetry and playing the zither. Most sold their talents, not their bodies, merely singing and playing to enliven gatherings of literati.

However, since this was a place of willows and flowers, those who encountered someone with exceptional talent and a kindred spirit did not mind a night of pleasure, which in turn led the sons of Noble Clans and wealthy merchants to lavish Silver in this place.

The faint strains of a long song held passersby on both banks spellbound, quietly listening. After the song ended, they stayed put, reluctant to leave for a long time. Lv Baiping took a while to snap back to reality and, filled with admiration, said,

"Is this the Yun Meng maiden that Yuchi Jie has been talking about for so long?"

"Indeed, it's a beautiful song—I've never heard anything so pleasant before."

Wang Anfeng glanced at the brothel and shook his head, saying,

"I doubt it is."

"This brothel can only be considered mid-to-upper range here. If Yuchi Jie said that Yun Meng maiden is renowned across the thirteen counties of Jiangnan Road, then I think she must be in the largest one."

"Not her?"

Lv Baiping's expression showed surprise, then she looked envious and said,

"How amazing must that maiden be..."

Being a woman, and one with a refined and heroic bearing at that, Lv Baiping naturally couldn't enter the brothel; most men who came here were touched by drink and debauchery. Who among them could truly be called a gentleman? It would be like throwing a lamb into a tiger's den for her to go in.

But among the ten miles of towers and terraces, besides the pleasure boats and brothels, there were also ordinary musicians selling their skills, settling by the roadside amidst the crowd, playing the zither to make some Silver Coin to help with household expenses.

These musicians naturally couldn't compare with the lovely and charming ladies of the pleasure boats and brothels, which is why the boats tolerated them playing there—it added to the area's prosperity.

The young masters leaving the brothels might occasionally give generously, providing the musicians with one or two months' worth of provisions. Although it was somewhat degrading to their scholarly status, it allowed them to make a living.

Wang Anfeng smiled and suggested they follow the path. He quickly stepped ahead, walking in front of Lv Baiping, guiding her leisurely across the ten-zhang-long bluestone bridge where, on the other side, it was almost as if they were in a completely different world.

Pleasure boats decorated with flowers sailed by on the river, with their hanging lanterns reflecting in the water, only to be shattered into a chaotic mix of red by the ripples.

On the other side, there were many handsomely dressed men from Noble Clan families. The sudden appearance of a tall, slender, and beautiful woman garnered much attention, but that quickly shifted to Wang Anfeng walking in front of her.

Seeing the young man smiling with two swords on his back and carrying an aura as imposing as a mountain when he walked, it was clear his swords were not just for show.

The haughty and flamboyant scions of Noble Clans barely gave one look before their faces turned pale, quickly stepping aside. When avoidance was not possible, they would bow from a distance, hurriedly kicking their bewildered Guards out of the way, eagerly clearing a path.

In no time, a straight path opened up in front of Wang Anfeng and Lv Baiping, wide enough for three to walk shoulder to shoulder, eerily quiet, stretching deep into the ten-mile luxury.

The plump women soliciting customers under the pleasure boats and brothels assumed he was a young master from a Noble Clan they had never seen before, thinking it quite a statement to bring a beauty to a brothel, and then they noticed the lady's appearance.

Well well, they thought, perhaps she was here to stir up trouble.

Lv Baiping, observing the sudden cordiality of the Noble Clans' sons and the overly oppressive atmosphere arising from their actions, felt uncomfortable and shrugged her shoulders, asking in a low voice, curious,

"Did you beat them up?"

Wang Anfeng was silent for a moment, then said,

"...Not yet."

"But I have a guess as to why."

He patted the hilt of the swords on his back and continued, "They probably don't want to see these two swords unsheathed. It seems the young masters of Wanling City have recruited some talented artists."

"These past few days, our portraits have likely spread among these spoiled scions. Boldly thinking, we might have already been labeled as fierce Jianghu figures not to be provoked."

Upon hearing this, Lv Baiping's face showed a hint of disgust.

Wang Anfeng just smiled. His eyesight was good, and with Lv Baiping in tow, they zigzagged and even quietly scaled a wall to stop beneath the largest pleasure pavilion in all of Wanling City. The upper levels resonated with the revelry of flower festivals and the constant sound of zithers, while the lower levels provided a rather secluded corner.

Wang Anfeng led Lv Baiping to a gap between the green wall and the brothel that was neither narrow nor spacious. He grasped the slightly longer broad sword from behind, took a seat on the ground, and leaned against the wall.

Lv Baiping looked puzzled.

Wang Anfeng put his right index finger to his lips, gently shushed, then pointed upwards, and blinked twice with a smile, saying,

"Quiet and listen, we should be able to hear from here."

Lv Baiping suddenly realized and said,

"And we don't even have to pay."

"You do know how to live life..."

Wang Anfeng almost burst into laughter, gave a thumbs up, and holding back his chuckles, said,

"Clever."

Wang Anfeng then asked, "Do you want to listen or not?"

Lv Baiping replied as if it were a given,

"Naturally, I want to listen!"

She stood holding her sword and leaned against the green wall directly opposite the brothel. The noble clan sons, who had just been scared stiff by Wang Anfeng, breathed a sigh of relief as they walked in through the main entrance of the brothel.

They were embracing voluptuous women dressed in scanty attire, all the while bitterly complaining about how such a villain had shown up there. As they spoke, they began to curse under their breath, saying that the man was a disheveled Jianghu man who drew his sword at the slightest provocation.

"What base fellows indeed."

Lv Baiping adjusted her sword in hand, looked at Wang Anfeng, and asked,

"Should we beat them up?"

Wang Anfeng replied seriously,

"Miss Lv, we're here to listen to the music. Listening to music is a refined matter; it wouldn't do to have bloodshed."

Lv Baiping thought it over thoroughly, then said, "That's true."

Noises of excitement came from within the brothel. From Lv Baiping's position, she could see faint silhouettes as if a woman took the stage—but it wasn't the renowned Oiran, Yun Meng, from Jiangnan Road. A delicate and touching melody began, and Lv Baiping listened attentively.

Several people came and went in quick succession, like fleeting glances. During a break, a woman's voice announced that Miss Yun Meng was grateful for the gentlemen's affection and had not played the zither or sung because she wanted to compose a new piece.

As it happened, she had just finished it today and was presenting it to the gentlemen for their appraisal.

After the woman finished speaking, she complained playfully and mentioned that even she hadn't heard the piece since its completion. The gentlemen were indeed fortunate, which once again led some noble sons to scatter silver liberally.

Lv Baiping arched a sardonic eyebrow and said,

"Do people in big cities all know how to make money like this?"

Wang Anfeng replied,

"No, ... this is clearly a scam, right?"

"But that Miss Yun Meng seems genuine enough; otherwise, a new piece wouldn't have so many people eager to jump into the pit."

Lv Baiping, leaning against the green wall, was brimming with excitement.

Outside the green wall, amidst eager anticipation, Wang Anfeng half-closed his eyes and gently patted his knee, intent on listening to see what kind of skill the Oiran truly possessed.

The sound of the zither began, and it was remarkable. It rang out sharply, like rushing thunder.

Someone inside the wall softly chanted,

"The fierce wind howls, the general's bow sings, as he hunts in Wei City."

PS: Offering up the first update of the day.........