The sound of drums and music filled the already bustling first-floor hall, adding to the noise.
Compared to Song Er's impatient appearance, Lin Ji remained calm, casually glancing out the window and occasionally observing the situation on the first floor.
Most of the time, his gaze was fixed on Master Xingchi.
"Although this monk is not bound by dietary restrictions, it's quite inappropriate for him to boldly appear in a brothel wearing monk robes," Lin Ji remarked.
Apart from Master Xingchi, Lin Ji also noticed a new face.
As the constable of Qingyang County, Lin Ji was familiar with those who frequented Minghua Pavilion. It was usually the sons of wealthy landlords or some ruffians who had fallen on hard times.
Following them were the unsavory ruffians from the Tiger Head Gang.
But the unfamiliar face on the first floor did not belong to any of these categories.
It was a young nobleman, dressed in a blue robe with his hair tied up, his appearance quite handsome.
As soon as the nobleman arrived, Lin Ji noticed many girls on the second floor stealing glances at him.
"Song Er, who is that person? Why haven't I seen him before?" Lin Ji inquired.
Song Er glanced in the direction pointed by Lin Ji and replied, "Oh, that's Young Master Zheng Qi Shuo from Liang City."
"From Liang City? When did he arrive?" Lin Ji raised an eyebrow.
"It was around the time you were on official duty, almost half a month has passed since then," Song Er lowered his voice, "Liang City seems to be inaccessible now, so Young Master Zheng has settled in our Qingyang County."
Lin Ji nodded calmly, a hint of weariness appearing on his face.
Another person from Liang City!
The reason he had come to Minghua Pavilion today was precisely because of the mysterious woman who had never shown her face, also from Liang City.
Unlike Young Master Zheng, that mysterious woman had just arrived today.
If things were as expected, Liang City was still under siege by the Ghost King. How did she manage to leave?
After leaving Liang City, she arrived in Qingyang County. Could it be that she had been wandering in the wilderness for the past half a month?
Thinking about these anomalies, Lin Ji felt increasingly troubled.
But as the constable of Qingyang County, he couldn't ignore the appearance of a troublesome demon in the county.
The drumming downstairs gradually ceased.
The guests seemed impatient, each one clamoring to see the beauty from Liang City.
The madam kept making excuses, saying the girls were still getting ready, asking everyone to be patient.
However, Song Er informed Lin Ji that it was just a ploy by the madam to keep the guests intrigued.
During this wait, Lin Ji inadvertently made eye contact with Master Xingchi downstairs.
He then saw Master Xingchi's eyes light up as he stood up and headed upstairs.
A moment later, there was a knock on the door of the elegant room.
Yan Yan took the initiative to open the door, her eyes showing a hint of curiosity as she had never seen a monk wandering in a brothel before.
Lin Ji stood up and greeted, "Master Xingchi, it's been a while."
"Lin Shi, you are well," Master Xingchi clasped his hands together and bowed slightly.
After inviting Master Xingchi to sit down, Lin Ji went straight to the point, "Master Xingchi, is there a problem with the mysterious woman who is supposed to appear later?"
"Why do you say that, Lin Shi?"
"Someone who just arrived from Liang City at this time, isn't it suspicious?" Lin Ji chuckled softly, "Although Master Xingchi can come and go freely in Liang City, how can a woman making a living in a brothel be compared to a master like you?"
Master Xingchi smiled wryly.
"Lin Shi, you are truly a capable constable."
"You flatter me," Lin Ji replied, arching his hand, "So, what's the story?"
"It's not complicated. The so-called mysterious woman is a swan maiden."
"Another fox spirit?!" Song Er beside them was taken aback, his face losing color.
Although he hadn't witnessed yesterday's events firsthand, he had heard some rumors.
Lin Ji was about to inquire further when Master Xingchi shook his head and said, "This swan is not the same as a fox."
Upon hearing this, Lin Ji also realized, then gave Song Er a stern look.
"Don't be so surprised! I've told you to read more books on weekdays, you can't even recognize a few characters, it's embarrassing."
"I'll keep that in mind," Song Er shrunk his neck.
Master Xingchi said, "Some time ago, this humble monk was feeling restless in Liang City, so he went out for a stroll and encountered a swan following Young Master Zheng and his entourage. Thinking it was a demon trying to harm people, I tried to capture it."
"Who would have thought that after catching the swan, things were not as I had imagined."
"Oh?" Lin Ji prompted.
Master Xingchi looked satisfied as he glanced at Lin Ji, took a sip of tea, and continued, "The swan was about to transform and, when asked about its circumstances, it said it had met Young Master Zheng and his group near a lake."
"Young Master Zheng, impressed by the beauty of the swan, recited a poem and said that if the swan were to transform into a woman, he would be willing to be with her for life."
"It was a prearranged signal," Lin Ji understood, "This swan maiden's encounter was fortunate, meeting such a situation at the critical moment of transformation, she's quite lucky."
Master Xingchi nodded and said, "Seeing the swan maiden eager to repay her gratitude, I helped her transform, hoping it would be a beautiful thing."
"Today, coming to Minghua Pavilion, I also wanted to witness the union of these lovers."
In the midst of their conversation, the room suddenly fell silent downstairs.
The guests, their faces flushed with excitement, all turned their gaze towards the staircase leading to the second floor.
Some were even drooling, unaware of their own actions.
Lin Ji, also intrigued, looked over, his eyes clear.
"The enchantment of a demon."
"It's the joyous Buddha's method," Master Xingchi said somewhat embarrassed.
Lin Ji was taken aback and gave the plump monk a deep look, feeling speechless.
However, the swan maiden was indeed extremely beautiful. Even though the girls around Lin Ji were considered top-notch, in front of the swan maiden, they seemed to pale in comparison.
"I am Su Qiong, and I will perform a piece for all the esteemed guests."
A ethereal voice rang out as the swan maiden gracefully stepped onto the stage, her fingers dancing lightly on the zither, creating a lively melody that enchanted everyone's ears.
"The swan maiden has only just transformed, yet she already understands music so well?" Lin Ji asked Master Xingchi.
"Miss Su has exceptional talent in music," Master Xingchi replied.
"Master, when you return to secular life, you could become a matchmaker."
"Haha, you flatter me, Lin Shi."
Lin Ji shook his head slightly, he hadn't even voiced his thoughts yet.
Even if this guy couldn't be a matchmaker, he could easily become a tutor for the young ladies in the brothel.
After the performance, the guests were still immersed in the beauty of the moment.
However, the swan maiden stood up and slowly approached Young Master Zheng.
Seeing the beauty approaching, Young Master Zheng quickly stood up and bowed.
"Do you remember me, Young Master?" the swan maiden asked.
"Who are you?" Young Master Zheng inquired.
"Three years ago, the Zheng family of Liang City helped the disaster victims, saving the lives of me and my family," the swan maiden's eyes turned slightly red, "Now that my parents have passed away, I am alone. The only thing I cannot forget is the kindness of the Zheng family three years ago."
"If Young Master Zheng is willing to take me, I am willing to be a wife or a concubine, or even a servant. I have no objections."
Young Master Zheng widened his eyes, clearly not expecting such good fortune.
On the second floor.
"I made up that story," Master Xingchi seemed quite pleased with himself.
Lin Ji was about to make a joke when suddenly, he felt a palpitation.
Master Xingchi's face also changed.
Then, a loud noise.
The roof of Minghua Pavilion was directly torn open, beams collapsed, injuring and killing many guests.
Moonlight shone into Minghua Pavilion as a Taoist priest in a blue robe leaped down from the hole.
"Bold demon, meet your end!"
(End of Chapter)