Starting with a Family System to Become an Immortal Official-Chapter 121: Miss Yueshan
Behind the curtains, soft voices murmured urgently.
A seamstress tugged at silk folds, another dabbed rouge with a squirrel-hair brush, a third adjusted the position of a jade hairpin so it caught the lamplight just so.
They were perfecting Lady Yueshan.
The newest, brightest jewel the Flower Garden Tavern had ever acquired.
She was no ordinary senior courtesan. Her beauty sat a full step above the rest: skin like congealed morning dew, eyes narrower and more luminous than any fox-spirit painter could dream of capturing, lips the color of crushed raspberries after spring rain.
But it wasn’t only the face and figure. She could pluck a seven-stringed qin elegantly, sing in a voice that seemed like a choir of angels, and most recently she had begun brewing pear wine so fragrant and smooth that even old alcoholics swore it tasted like an immortal’s work.
She completely snatched the curiosity of every official in Immortal Cloud City.
Spies sent by high officials returned with the same astonished report: her father had once been a revered scholar in a remote village of the Ancient World State. True, intelligence was not something one simply inherited... yet some maintained that the instinct for scholarship could be passed down. Whatever the truth, Lady Yueshan learned anything she was taught with terrifying ease.
Manager Hua had spent a king’s ransom to purchase her from a war-torn caravan of refugees. His original plan had been modest: start her auction at two thousand gold and watch the bids climb steadily.
But, tonight was different.
The old beast Sect Master Dai Qiu had come specifically for her. Everyone knew the man prized virgins of exceptional quality, and Yueshan’s maidenhood was still intact as verified three times by trusted physicians. With Dai Qiu’s current obsession to publicly humiliate the insolent young Court Attendant Li Qingmu, Manager Hua now smelled ten thousand gold pieces or perhaps more!
A final hush fell.
The curtain parted with agonizing slowness.
Lady Yueshan stepped forward.
She walked with proper grace.
There was no hurry or urgency in her steps.
She had a calm and peaceful face. It wasn’t just the kind of expression that came from having a good temperament. It was the kind someone gets when they truly believe they are the best of the best. Her face showed a quiet pride that was utterly unbothered and confident. She knew she was above the rest, and compared to her, the other senior prostitutes didn’t even come close. Because of that, she didn’t feel the need to try too hard.
Their skin was smooth, but hers was even softer and more flawless. Their eyes were slim and charming, but hers were slimmer and absolutely dazzling. In her mind, there wasn’t a single thing any woman under this roof did better than her.
And to top it all off, she was still a virgin.
The hall had its breath snatched.
Jaws slackened among the officials.
Several junior prostitutes actually slipped from the laps of their patrons and drifted closer to the platform with wide eyes full of awe and envy.
"Big Sister Yueshan..."
"Truly worthy of being called big sister..."
"Big Sister, look at me!"
Even though she had resided in the Flower Garden Tavern for less than a month, the title "big sister" flowed naturally from painted lips. No one contested it.
From his private alcove on the third floor, Li Qingmu watched her in silence.
Linger leaned against his side with a soft smile.
"This is exactly the sort of woman worthy of our Court Attendant Li!"
She tried to nestle even closer.
He did not respond.
His arm stayed limp and disinterested.
All he did was stare at the beauty on the platform.
But he wasn’t interested in her either.
『Run? Fight another day?』
The nagging thought had already crossed his mind more than once. Li Qingmu wasn’t foolish enough to treat a bet as something sacred. He was the kind of man who expected his enemies to keep their word and honor a deal but he himself would never do that if it put him at a disadvantage.
The only reason he couldn’t just turn around and vanish was because of the many guards and high-level cultivators inside the building. If he tried to run, he wouldn’t escape. He would lose his life. One wrong step and his head would join that unfortunate official’s on the floorboards.
He clicked his tongue repeatedly, low and irritated.
"Aiyaaaa! This is so unfair..."
Xu Xiaoshan opened his mouth as guilt and panic warred on his face.
But Auntie Chuyan moved first. She knelt until her forehead touched the floor.
"Young Master Xiaoshan bears no blame. This is all this one’s fault. I should have known how finances are handled here... I should have chosen something smaller and safer. If Young Master Li wishes to vent his anger, let it fall on me and me alone."
Li Qingmu exhaled through his nose.
"There’s no need for that. I’m seriously not angry at anyone. I’m just... disappointed I can’t think of any way out of this farce."
He sighed again.
Ding!
[Target: Lady Yueshan — Profile Unlocked]
[Appearance: 92/100]
[Figure: 89/100]
[Temperament: 94/100]
[Current Affection: 30]
[Cultivation Base: Peak Foundation Establishment and a hidden Water-Element Spirit Vein]
[Special Constitution: Water Drop Dragon Womb]
━ Upon successful conception, gestation lasts exactly three years. The child experiences accelerated physical and cultivation growth post-birth. Bearer’s innate Water laws will nourish the fetus and grant it faint traces of True Dragon bloodline.
Li Qingmu’s pupils contracted.
『Thirty affection... already?』 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
His gaze flicked downward.
Sure enough this Lady Yueshan’s red lips had curved into the faintest, almost secret smile.
She was looking directly at him.
He maintained his calm expression and lifted the wine cup to his mouth, taking a slow sip.
『By the standards of the Four Regions she isn’t actually that extraordinary... so why in the world am I even panicking over this woman?』
Another soft ding.
[Additional Info: Offspring born from Host + Water Drop Dragon Womb will possess Great Heavenly Luck and astonishing scholarly aptitude that rivals top geniuses of major academies. Host will absorb a portion of the child’s innate Heavenly Luck upon birth.]
Li Qingmu hissed through his teeth at the pain of missing out on this opportunity.
Linger immediately tensed.
"Court Attendant? Are you hurt?"
"...It’s nothing."
He forced a small smile.
"Just thinking."
On the platform, Manager Hua spread both arms wide as his voice jingled with delight.
"No need for a lengthy introduction tonight. Faithful patrons have asked about this lady for weeks like when she would finally appear or be ready to serve. You all may take her as my undying gratitude to your endless support!"
He struck the bronze gong once.
The clear note rolled through the hall.
"Starting bid for Lady Yueshan: five thousand gold pieces with increments of five hundred. Gentlemen... remember this is a foreign beauty, daughter of a great scholar, and still a pure maiden!"
Sect Master Dai Qiu drained his cup in one swallow and set it down with deliberate force so that everyone in the hall would know he was about to speak.
"Feel free to bid. Don’t be afraid of this old man."
His gaze settled on the silent Li Qingmu.
"Do YOU have the money, boy?"
Li Qingmu said nothing. His face remained tranquil.
Lady Yueshan’s lashes lowered slightly.
A bit of disappointment crossed her features.
『So... handsome face and proud aura, but no real wealth behind it. A pity.』
She lowered her head and remained quiet.
Dai Qiu’s lips curled. He lifted one hand.
"Ten thousand gold pieces."
The hall exploded.
"Ten thousand?!"
"Where did the old beast get that kind of money?!"
"He’s rich, yes... but this is madness!"
Manager Hua’s heart pounded with joy.
『Someone... anyone... counterbid! Let the old beast keep raising! I need this money!』
Then, from the shadowed third-floor alcove, a clear voice cut through the uproar.
"Fifteen thousand gold pieces."
Every head snapped upward.
Li Qingmu calmly set his wine cup down.
The entire Flower Garden Tavern fell deathly still.
