Free Web NovelNight fell.
A bronze carriage departed from Buyun Tower and entered the bustling Dijin streets.
Dijin was divided into the Imperial City, Inner City, and Outer City, which, using a not-so-apt analogy, were roughly equivalent to the first, second, and third rings.
Why not so apt? Because the Imperial City was the residence of royalty and nobles, and outsiders were not permitted entry except in special circumstances.
The Inner City was more prosperous and expansive than the Outer City; the architecture was not uniform in style but exquisitely beautiful, harmonious yet distinct, and ingeniously designed. Even the lanterns on the streets had been replaced with sea crystal lamps, with the brilliant stars and the jiangshan sheji map echoing each other from afar.
In other places, the bronze carriage was understated, luxurious, and refined, akin to a luxury car in later generations.
But once it entered the Inner City, it seemed quite ordinary.
Li Mo lifted the curtain, feeling a sense of wonder, as if his horizons had been greatly expanded.
"Fengyue Small Building is even more luxurious; its scenery is incomparable to other places."
Xie Xuan sat at the front of the carriage.
He usually wore a straw hat, already cutting the figure of a wanderer.
Now, with a proper gentleman and a distinguished Young Master sitting inside the carriage, he instantly looked like a coachman.
"That is..."
Li Mo saw a building ahead, with 'Casting Pavilion' written on its archway.
Xie Xuan had not yet spoken.
The handsome and cool Ice Cube, whose face was half-hidden by a folding fan, softly said:
"That is an establishment of the Tianshan Sword Manor Sword Furnace. You can place orders there to have the artisans of the Sword Furnace forge weapons."
"Han Xian... Brother Han truly has insight."
Xie Xuan nodded, then picked a blade of grass from who knows where and put it in his mouth:
"At each Casting Assembly, many outstanding artisans emerge. Some of them join the Sword Furnace, or at least become affiliated with it."
"Speaking of which, this year's Casting Assembly is also just around the corner. It's just that the artisans' skill level is getting worse with each passing year, alas..."
"Because of the Demon Summoning Sect?"
Li Mo suddenly recalled the rumors he heard on Shenbing Peak: "Wasn't that divine power powder later banned?"
Xie Xuan was startled, surprised that Li Mo knew about these things:
"There are always people trying every possible way to research unorthodox methods. The forms in which divine power powder appears are becoming increasingly bizarre, making it impossible to guard against."
"But knowing these things is of no use to you."
Xie Xuan said, seemingly unwilling to say more to an outsider: "If you can really help me see her today, I'll take care of the weapon for the Qianlong Assembly."
The weapons for the Qianlong Assembly must be provided by the Casting Assembly.
To a certain extent, this reduced the disparity in weaponry.
"You, can you speak for the Sword Furnace too?"
Xie Xuan's fists clenched when he heard that address.
"I am a judge for the Casting Assembly."
"Brother Xie truly has great insight and extensive knowledge; you are indeed Qianlong Second!"
"?"
Xie Xuan felt this sudden flattery was quite abrupt.
As they were speaking, the area ahead suddenly became noisy.
Li Mo looked out and saw a scene that even he, a Transmigration, could not have imagined: the street ahead was over a hundred meters wide.
At the end of his sight were three porcelain buildings.
That's right, the material of the buildings' bodies was similar to porcelain, emitting a lustrous glazed light in the night. The three buildings, two small and one large, looked like three vases placed on a windowsill.
One was Sancai, one was blue and white, and one was enamel.
The passing crowd was dressed in noble attire, while the servants and maids wore clothes unimaginable to ordinary people, made of a material like gold paper, with ink paintings on their faces.
Decadence had become concrete at this moment.
"Fengyue Small Building is not small at all."
Xie Xuan smiled faintly, very satisfied with Xiao Li's shock.
Li Mo and Ying Bing were, after all, from a small place and certainly hadn't seen much of the world.
"Please come in, two Young Masters."
The servant's face was full of smiles, enthusiastic yet a little strange, like a lifeless puppet.
After Li Mo and the Ice Cube, who was dressed in men's clothes, were welcomed inside.
He then looked at Xie Xuan expressionlessly: freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
"Drive the carriage to the back, be more observant. If you offend a noble, your master won't be able to protect you."
"? I'm also a guest."
Xie Xuan 'thwacked' his horsewhip on the ground.
"Hehe." The servant sneered: "Your scent is similar to mine; I can tell with one sniff."
"..."
In the end, Li Mo explained a few words, and only then was Xie Xuan allowed in.
"So it's Young Master Li, you... you are a rare guest."
The heavily made-up madam came forward to greet them.
Places of pleasure were the most well-informed. Although she didn't recognize Xie Xuan, who was wearing a straw hat and hiding his face, nor the Ice Cube, who was disguised as a man, Li Mo, as Hidden ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ Dragon Fourth, still had considerable recognition.
"We want Miss Hua!"
Xie Xuan's lowered voice came from beneath his straw hat.
The madam glanced at him, ignored him, and looked at Li Mo instead.
Li Mo cleared his throat:
"Mm, we're looking for Miss Hua."
The madam showed a difficult expression: "Young Master Li, as a newcomer, we naturally dare not neglect you, but Lady Nongying is different from the other girls; she only sells her art, not her body."
"Her tea party slots are very precious, and today's are already full."
"Ah? Then let's come back tomorrow."
Li Mo was a little regretful.
Xie Xuan, who understood the intricacies, transmitted his voice:
"The madam means, you have to pay more."
"Why didn't you say so earlier..."
Li Mo thought to himself that the schemes in Dijin were much deeper than in Ziyang Prefecture.
"Can we book the whole place?"
...Deep within the residence.
In the bronze mirror, a face with peach blossom eyes like stars, a complexion like spring, and delicate, charming features was illuminated.
Based solely on this intangible charm, the former third on the Hundred Flowers Exquisite Beauty List was truly deserving of her title.
Of course, now she was fourth.
"Lady, Lady, someone wants to book the whole place!" The maid ran in quickly, shouting.
"No need to make such a fuss."
Hua Nongying applied lip rouge, saying indifferently: "No matter which noble it is, just refuse."
Countless people were infatuated with her, captivated by her charm, including many high officials, powerful figures, and high-level experts.
"Really? But the one booking the place is Young Master Li."
"Which Young Master Li?"
The hand applying lip rouge paused.
"The God Hammer Little Overlord you often spoke of a while ago, the one who brings good fortune to his wife! Everyone says he and Han Xianzi are a couple, who knew he would also..."
The maid spoke, then suddenly fell silent, quickly kneeling.
"This servant deserves to die..."
Ever since the top three spots on the Hundred Flowers Exquisite Beauty List were taken, the name Han Xianzi had become taboo here.
"Hehe... Get up."
Hua Nongying seemed to be in a good mood today:
"You go personally and tell him that I have already accepted guests today, received the gift money, and it is inconvenient to book the whole place again, then invite him to the courtyard."
"Aren't you very interested in him? Mama seems very eager for you to agree to book the whole place."
After all, Xiao Li gave too much.
"What do you know?"
Hua Nongying picked a jade hairpin, narrowing her eyes and smiling charmingly:
"People, what's at home isn't as good as what's outside, what's outside isn't as good as what's stolen from someone else, and what's stolen from someone else isn't as good as what can't be stolen."
She cupped her own face, a seductive rose-red tint appearing in her eyes.
She was no different.
She especially liked to spoil others' cherished possessions.
Just thinking that it was Han Xianzi's cherished possession, and a young hero who was also Hidden Dragon Fourth, she couldn't help but clench her thighs.
