ATPnovel Chapter 488 This servant is also somewhat versed in the art of playing the xiao .
Chapter 488 This servant is also somewhat versed in the art of playing the xiao .
The flying boat continued to drift leisurely towards the Ten Thousand Mountains.
Still the same old deadpan—unhurried and leisurely, like he's on vacation.
Lin Chen lay down on the deck, crossed his legs, squinted his eyes, and felt the warm sunlight on his face.
Yan Ruyu continued to sit in his lap, peeling grapes and putting one into his mouth.
Occasionally, they would whisper sweet nothings and kiss, looking exactly like a young girl deeply in love.
Who would have thought this woman had lived for almost two thousand years?
Lan Fenghuang sat on the other side, holding a book in her hand. She flipped through a couple of pages and then tossed it aside, staring blankly at the distant mountains.
Lingbo still stood at the bow of the boat, her white clothes fluttering in the wind, making her hair look like it was being slapped with shampoo.
As usual, Jian Shisan leaned against the ship's side, holding his sword and closing his eyes, looking like a statue. Anyone who didn't know better would think he was dead.
Dugu Qiubai still huddled in a corner, sipping his tea slowly. That cup of tea, which he had been drinking since boarding the ship, was still not empty.
Lin Chen strongly suspected that he would spit out every time he drank a sip.
The flying boat passed by a small town.
Lin Chen opened one eye and glanced around, then lazily said, "Let's go for a walk."
The town isn't big, but it's full of life and vibrancy.
Lin Chen led the three women on a tour, had a meal of local food, and drank a pot of local wine.
After a few rounds of drinks, Lin Chen put down his chopsticks and looked across the street.
Red lanterns hung at the street corner, and the sounds of string and wind instruments drifted out from within. Women's laughter and men's shouts mingled together, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
Seeing Lin Chen's expression, Yan Ruyu picked up her wine glass, took a sip, and smiled, "Want to go?"
Lin Chen straightened his collar with a serious expression:
"It's the right thing to do is to investigate the local customs and traditions of Zhongzhou and learn from their strengths and advantages."
Lingbo glanced at Lin Chen expressionlessly, a hint of speechlessness flashing in her eyes—what the hell are you investigating?
Lan Fenghuang shook her head and chuckled. She knew Lin Chen wanted to hear music again.
When Lin Chen led the three women into the brothel, the entire hall fell silent instantly.
What respectable man would bring three fairy-like beauties to a brothel?
The brothel madam, a woman of wide experience, greeted him with a beaming smile: "Sir, what brings you here...?"
Lin Chen waved his hand: "Listen to the music."
The madam glanced at the three women behind Lin Chen, and her lips twitched.
But her professionalism made her swallow back the words she was about to say, and instead stepped aside to lead the group to a private room on the second floor.
The private room is quite large and can seat more than a dozen people.
Lin Chen sat in the middle, Yan Ruyu sat on the left, Lan Fenghuang sat on the right, and Ling Bo stood by the window looking at the street scene with her back to everyone.
The madam called in several girls—one who played the pipa, one who played the guzheng, one who played the xiao, and one who danced—and they stood in a row.
Lin Chen glanced at them and waved his hand, "Stay here, one by one."
The girls who were chosen had their eyes light up—this was a big client!
First the pipa, then the guzheng, followed by dancing, and finally ending with a xiao (vertical flute) tune.
The girl playing the flute was dressed in white, with a cool and aloof demeanor, and held a jade flute of emerald green in her hand.
She stood in the middle of the room, bowed slightly, and then brought the jade flute to her lips.
The sound of the flute was mournful and melodious, like weeping and lamenting, like the autumn wind blowing through an empty valley, or like someone whispering under the moon.
Lin Chen's eyes lit up instantly—this girl's flute playing was indeed quite good!
After the piece was finished, the room was quiet for a moment.
Lin Chen sat up straight and clapped his hands earnestly:
"This is played well. The breath control is long and smooth, the fingering is exquisite, and the artistic conception is superb. It's not easy to play the xiao to this level."
The girl playing the flute blushed slightly and bowed, saying, "You flatter me, sir."
Yan Ruyu, who was listening nearby, suddenly chuckled.
She leaned against Lin Chen, tracing circles on his chest with her finger, her voice carrying a hint of seduction:
"If you like, I can play the flute too."
Lin Chen rolled his eyes: "Are you talking about seriously playing the flute?"
Yan Ruyu licked her lips, her eyes practically radiating a seductive aura: "Well, it depends on whether you want to hear something serious or something unserious."
Lin Chen coughed lightly, picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and suppressed the smile on his lips:
"I'll test you tonight."
Yan Ruyu smiled, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons: "Okay, I'll wait for you."
Blue Phoenix rolled her eyes as she listened from the side.
Lingbo stood by the window, muttering something under her breath; her expression suggested it wasn't a pleasant thing.
The girl playing the flute glanced at Yan Ruyu, then at Lin Chen, a look of "I don't understand" flashing across her face.
Lin Chen clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention back:
"Keep going, keep going, girl playing the flute, play one more song."
The girl playing the flute composed herself and played another tune.
Lin Chen listened with his eyes closed, then tossed a spirit stone as a reward.
The girls took turns performing, one song after another.
Lin Chen welcomed everyone, enjoying music, wine, and food with great pleasure.
Downstairs in the lobby, several drinkers looked up at the building and whispered among themselves.
"Who's that guy? Bringing three fairies to a brothel?"
"Are you sick in the head?"
"He's no ordinary person. Look at the three people next to him; each one is more beautiful than the last, no less so than the fairies in paintings."
"Then why did he come here?"
"...Showing off, huh?"
The murmurs weren't loud, but Lin Chen heard them clearly.
He smiled and didn't take it seriously. "You're right, I was just showing off."
Jian Shisan and Dugu Qiubai sat in a corner of the downstairs hall, looking at each other in silence. Not even a fly dared to fly within a three-zhang radius.
An hour later, Lin Chen stood up, stretched, his bones cracking as he led his men downstairs.
The madam saw him to the door, her eyes practically disappearing with a smile: "Take care, sir, come again next time!"
Lin Chen waved his hand, took two steps, then suddenly stopped and looked back at the madam:
"The girls here are nice; I'll come again sometime."
The madam paused for a moment, then smiled broadly.
"Alright! We've reserved the best seat for you!"
Once aboard the flying boat, Yan Ruyu pulled Lin Chen to the cabin to study Xiao Yi.
Lan Fenghuang and Ling Bo exchanged a glance, their faces full of speechlessness.
Jian Shisan returned to the ship's railing, leaned against it, and closed his eyes.
Dugu Qiubai returned to his corner, picked up a cup of tea, and slowly sipped it.
The airship continued flying towards the Ten Thousand Mountains.
As the sun set, the flying boat landed on the shore of a lake.
The lake is very large, and you can't see the end of it.
The water was very clear; you could see the rocks and fish swimming at the bottom.
The setting sun dyed the lake surface orange-red, as if someone had spilled a vat of paint; it was unbelievably beautiful.
Lin Chen decided to spend the night here.
Lan Fenghuang was preparing food, and Lingbo hesitated for a moment before going to help.
Yan Ruyu found a flat spot by the lake and laid out a carpet.
Jian Shisan and Dugu Qiubai each found a tree, leaned against the trunk, closed their eyes, and looked as if they were asleep.
But they could sense every rustle of wind and grass within a hundred miles.
Lin Chen lay on the blanket, resting with his eyes closed, when he suddenly spoke:
"Fairy Yan, do you think there's anything good to eat in the Hundred Thousand Mountains?"
Yan Ruyu chuckled: "Yes, poisonous snakes, scorpions, centipedes, and Gu worms are all highly nutritious."
Lin Chen fell silent, seriously suspecting that Yan Ruyu was implying that he was no good.
He's a grown man and he doesn't stoop to the level of older women.
Seeing Lin Chen remain silent, Yan Ruyu slightly raised the corners of her mouth, closed her eyes and sensed that he was getting closer and closer to the True Monarch realm, just one step away.
……
In the middle of the night, Lin Chen was awakened by a noise.
Yan Ruyu was sneaking food again. Lin Chen was speechless and could only close his eyes and let her do what she wanted. He didn't even know when he fell asleep.