Entangled with a Gloomy Creep in an Explicit Novel - Chapter 17

Jin Yongyi pulled off the handkerchief that was covering her face. The woman had already turned her body sideways, half closing her eyes to avoid the gazes of others, and touched the back of her ear with three fingers as if entirely by accident before turning around to leave.

The exclamations of admiration all around them did not subside, continuing to rise and fall one after another.

Jin Yongyi was completely baffled. Right at that moment, Mu Qingfeng snatched the handkerchief from her hand and walked inside with a solemn expression.

“Hey! What are you doing?”

Jin Yongyi immediately stopped Mu Qingfeng.

His brow was furrowed deeply, “That girl just now, I want to bring her out.”

“Stand still! You came here to be a lackey, not the male lead, alright?” Jin Yongyi pulled him down, whispering an angry reprimand near her ear. “This kind of plot where a hero saves a beauty is clearly not meant for you.”

Mu Qingfeng grew even more puzzled, “I do not understand what you mean.”

Jin Yongyi glanced at Zhao Fuzhou, who was a few steps away, and poked his chest with extreme exasperation that he failed to meet her expectations, “Wait for me to confirm one thing first before you decide whether you should steal the male lead’s lines.”

She took away the embroidered handkerchief, put on a smiling face, and bounced over to Zhao Fuzhou’s side, asking, “Is that girl who just appeared on the second floor the target of the reward bounty list?”

Zhao Fuzhou finally withdrew his gaze from the second floor. His unfocused eyes drifted to her face and slowly converged. Along with his gaze tracing over her facial features, the coldness between his brows also gradually dissipated, and he replied flatly, “No.”

Jin Yongyi raised her left eyebrow, clicking her tongue twice in her heart.

If she was not the target, then why was he looking so intensely? If this was not being interested in someone, then what was it?

She glanced at Mu Qingfeng, who was waiting anxiously on the side.

Brother, do not say your sister is not helping you. This is a male-oriented novel, where not being the male lead is already a sin in itself, and wanting to fight over a woman with the male lead is an even greater crime!

Seeming to sense her pitying gaze, Mu Qingfeng suddenly looked over, anxiety fully written in his eyes.

Jin Yongyi lamented silently. Adhering to a trace of goodwill to take care of the newcomer before her resignation, she waved the handkerchief in her hand and said to Zhao Fuzhou, “The brothel is extremely chaotic. You and Mu Qingfeng should discuss how to find the target of the reward bounty list quickly first. I am going to return the handkerchief and will be back in a jiffy!”

Without waiting for a response, she turned around and rushed into the brothel.

Only after entering did she discover that certain television dramas actually filmed things too conservatively. Every male guest inside was either embracing women on his left and right or was already so high that he did not know anything in the world anymore.

The scale of this brothel was extremely massive. Aside from the high platform in the center, the tables arranged around the perimeter numbered no less than one hundred and eighty. The entire main hall had no empty seats, and there was even a continuous stream of male guests squeezing their heads just to force their way inside.

Jin Yongyi dodged left and right, even having to half cover her eyes to avoid seeing restricted scenes. After wandering around for a good while, she finally found the path leading to the second floor with great difficulty.

Different from the noise of the main hall, a few pieces of red gauze hung outside the corridor on the second floor, isolating a relatively quiet space. Jin Yongyi stealthily groped along the railing, finally discovering that woman at the end of the corridor.

Jin Yongyi hurriedly waved the handkerchief, stepping forward to greet her, “Hi, beautiful, are you alone?”

At such a close distance, she could clearly see a tiny mole on the tip of the woman’s nose, which added a trace of coquettishness to her cold countenance. Her red outfit complemented her, making her look as beautiful as a goddess falling into the mortal realm.

Jin Yongyi lamented in her heart that it was no wonder those two fellows could not move their gazes.

Seeing her, the woman in red could not help but furrow her brows, her tone carrying a trace of unknown respect, “Why did you still come inside?”

Wow, regardless of whether the guest was male or female, she used respectful forms of address. It appeared that the owner of this establishment placed great importance on the professional quality of the employees.

Jin Yongyi smiled and nodded, “I came to return your handkerchief.”

The woman in red stared at her for a long time before reaching out her hand to take it.

“Can I take the liberty of asking your name?” Jin Yongyi approached friendlily, “Even if it is a stage name, it is fine. Do you have a name?”

“Xie Fuyao,” the woman in red replied calmly, not finding her question strange at all. “It is my real name.”

To be able to state her own name so clearly and directly, she was absolutely the heroine without a doubt. Pity for her good brother, his unrequited love would bear no fruit.

Jin Yongyi said with regret, “Your name sounds truly beautiful.”

After saying this, she prepared to leave, but Xie Fuyao suddenly called out to her.

“The two men who accompanied you just now,” she paused, “what is their relationship with you?”

Jin Yongyi froze. She could not possibly say it was a relationship between a boss and an employee, but it was also inconvenient to disclose the matter of the reward bounty list.

Xie Fuyao followed closely, saying, “That gentleman in white appears to be unusual.”

Jin Yongyi was speechless with resignation. Look at that, both of them were clearly very handsome, but the female character could only see the male lead.

“We are not close, not close at all,” she chuckled awkwardly. “I have a better relationship with the other one. We have shared trials and tribulations during these days, and he has helped me a lot. He truly is a very good person!”

Jin Yongyi publicized Mu Qingfeng’s advantages extensively, hoping that Xie Fuyao could notice Mu Qingfeng, even if it was just for a single glance.

“I even promised to help him find his older sister. I wonder if I can help him before I leave,” she sighed, waving her hand. “Say no more, I should leave. If we are fated, we will definitely meet again!”

Jin Yongyi turned around to leave. Just as she was about to take three steps, a voice completely devoid of temperature suddenly came from behind her.

“You cannot leave anymore.”

A series of rhythmic footsteps suddenly sounded ahead in the corridor, and Jin Yongyi retreated in mysterious terror. Her back bumped into a hand. Xie Fuyao supported her shoulder, whispering a gentle instruction near her ear: “I will come look for you later.”

After speaking, she withdrew and left.

This left Jin Yongyi alone in a complete mess.

Approaching head-on was a coquettish middle-aged woman. Judging solely by her skin condition, saying she was an eighteen-year-old young girl would not be an exaggeration, yet to highlight an image of shrewdness and majesty, she insisted on dressing very maturely.

“Bring her over,” the middle-aged woman waved her hand, and over a dozen women behind her surged forward, grabbing Jin Yongyi’s arms and walking away.

“Hey, hey, hey! I am not an employee here! Where are you taking me?!”

After walking up two floors and randomly finding an empty room, Jin Yongyi was forced onto her knees on the ground like a prisoner, unable to break free no matter how she twisted.

The middle-aged woman stood with her back toward her, and her body suddenly shook as she burst into a world-shaking, wild laugh: “I found a treasure, I found a treasure!”

Jin Yongyi shivered from fright, completely confused.

“In all these years, I have finally seen a woman whose appearance can compare to a heavenly immortal!” Her laughter grew increasingly piercing. “With her, we will definitely reach a higher level!”

She spoke while turning around. Upon seeing Jin Yongyi’s wretched state, she instantly grew furious. The joy on her face cracked inch by inch, and without another word, she stepped forward and gave each of the women holding Jin Yongyi a resounding slap.

“Witches! Who gave you the audacity to lay such a heavy hand on her?!” The middle-aged woman stared with furious eyes, but when she touched the red handprints on Jin Yongyi’s arms, she changed to a gentle expression, caressing her hair with pity and speaking softly, “Did they hurt you? Look at this skin, it would not look good if any scars were left behind.”

Jin Yongyi pulled her arm away in shock, shifting her bottom backward to evade.

Is she putting on a Peking opera face-changing performance here?

“Good child, come,” the middle-aged woman took her hand, fondling it as if she could not bear to put it down. “From now on, you are a girl of our establishment. As long as you are obedient, mother will not treat you poorly.”

Jin Yongyi had a massive look of bewilderment on her face, her hand gripped tightly by her, unable to pull it out no matter what.

“I only came to return something, not for an interview! Look at what I am wearing and carrying, do I look like someone who is so short of money that she has to fall into a place like this?!”

The madam saw that everything she wore was of good material. Her face instantly turned green, and she snorted coldly: “That is not up to you!”

She stood up and gave a look. The nearest girl immediately stepped forward and pushed Jin Yongyi down, straddling her body to pin her down. She pulled a black pill out from her waist, pried open her mouth, and threw it inside.

“Mhm, mhm!” Jin Yongyi rolled around frantically on the ground, but that woman covered her mouth tightly, not letting her spit it out.

The pill melted instantly upon entering her mouth, sliding smoothly into her stomach. Seeing that the matter was accomplished, the woman stood up and stood silently to the side.

Jin Yongyi spat fiercely a few times, only spitting out some residue. Forcing down her anger, she questioned, “What did you feed me?!”

“Naturally, a medicine that can make you behave obediently,” the madam took a box of pills out from her sleeve, holding one on her fingertip to play with it, smiling savagely. “Taking this medicine, whenever the moon is full, you will be gnawed by desire, becoming a loose woman desired by everyone.”

She closed the box with satisfaction, leaning down slightly, her bright red fingertip tracing across Jin Yongyi’s face: “As long as you are obedient, I will give you the antidote periodically.”

“Bah!” Jin Yongyi contained a mouthful of saliva and spat it fiercely onto her face, leaping up and raising her foot to kick right at her stomach. “Go to hell! Do you think I am afraid of you?”

The night of the full moon had just passed not long ago. By the time the next one arrived, she would have gone home long ago. Calculating against her here, no way!

The saliva entered the madam’s eyes, and the more she wiped, the blurrier her vision became, leaving her only able to rage helplessly in place: “Seize her! I want to teach her the rules properly!”

Jin Yongyi was startled. Relying on her superior lightness skills, she successfully shook off the several girls lunging over, rushing out of the door.

To find the location of the stairs, she sprinted away. At a corner, she was yanked into a room unexpectedly.

Xie Fuyao closed the door with vigilance, turning around to glimpse the black residue at the corner of Jin Yongyi’s mouth, her gaze hardening, “Have you been fed medicine as well?”

“As well?” Jin Yongyi panted heavily.

Xie Fuyao handed her a clean silk handkerchief, walked to the side of the tea table to pour her a cup of tea, and explained, “The madam of this brothel is a demon, accustomed to manufacturing her demonic power into pills to force young and beautiful women to eat them, using this to drive them to help her amass wealth here.”

Jin Yongyi felt a wave of revulsion upon hearing this, cursing in a low voice a few times. She walked to her side and asked cautiously, “Are you one as well?”

Xie Fuyao gave her a meaningful look before smiling, “Yes.”

“It is fine, it is fine, my friend is super powerful! Especially regarding demon hunting, he is most adept at it. Rest assured, he will definitely rescue us!”

Presumably, the target of the reward bounty list was the brothel madam. Cruel to so many innocent young girls, she truly deserved a red bounty order!

“I cannot leave yet. Tonight is the Courtesan Night; becoming the courtesan grants the right to manufacture medicine.” Xie Fuyao saw that she had not wiped the corner of her mouth, so she took the silk handkerchief arbitrarily to wipe it for her. After wiping it clean, she folded the silk handkerchief, changing the topic: “I originally had confidence that I could become the courtesan, but you appeared.”

Jin Yongyi was completely confused by her sudden change, hesitating, “So?”

Xie Fuyao approached her ear, her tone serious and earnest: “Find an opportunity to leave before the courtesan selection. After I resolve this matter, I will naturally come find you to grant you the antidote.”

After speaking, she withdrew and left the room.

The amount of information was too large, and Jin Yongyi was in a dazed state from beginning to end.

What on earth was going on?!

“Hey, you wait for me!”

Jin Yongyi wanted to ask clearly. Just as she chased out of the door, a woman jumped out unexpectedly to block her path.

“Why do you want to come snatch my position as the courtesan? I want to slash your face!”

Jin Yongyi was shocked out of her wits, unable to brake her feet, her face crashing straight toward the high-raised knife. At the critical moment, Jin Yongyi bent her waist fiercely, sliding out from beneath that woman’s arm.

Having dodged the gleaming white knife, under her intense heartbeat, her center of gravity was even further beyond her control. Taking small rapid steps, her whole body flew right out of the railing with a whoosh.

The main hall had already been packed so tightly by male guests that water could not leak through, all waiting for the Courtesan Night to begin.

A loud crash came from right above their heads. Everyone looked up, exclaiming that a celestial maiden falling from the sky actually appeared before their eyes.

The madam had just arrived in the main hall, and she was equally shocked into silence by this sight. But relying on her steady professional quality over many years, she quickly came onto the stage to maintain order, starting the Courtesan Night ahead of schedule.

“I offer twenty taels of white silver! It is her! She is the courtesan in my heart!”

“Get lost, you penniless trash! You have the nerve to call out twenty taels? I offer one hundred and fifty taels of white silver!”

“Five hundred taels!”

The bidding voices grew more and more exaggerated, and the smile on the madam’s face grew brighter and brighter.

Meanwhile, Jin Yongyi, who was floating in mid-air, only felt waves of speechlessness. This book seemed to have developed a bug; she flew to mid-air and did slow-motion movements for nearly three minutes. Is anyone going to take care of her survival?

Seeming to perceive her complaint, the downward movement paused for a moment and then suddenly accelerated, as if someone was yanking her from below.

Jin Yongyi could not suppress her scream.

“Yongyi!”

Accompanied by this shout, the red gauze falling from the top to the second floor seemed to have been given life, rushing toward the center from all directions, wrapping Jin Yongyi inside.

She fell safely into the red gauze, suddenly catching sight of Xie Fuyao on the fourth floor, who was so worried that more than half of her body leaned out of the railing. Seeing that she was fine, Xie Fuyao breathed a sigh of relief, quickly retreating and vanishing into the darkness.

This made Jin Yongyi feel very strange; she did not seem to have spoken her name.

Just as she felt puzzled, a highly distinct snapping sound came from the red gauze, and Jin Yongyi’s mind went blank for an instant. Seeing a rope one meter above her head, without a single moment of thought, she struggled and jumped up. The moment she reached the rope, the red gauze also broke layer by layer.

Before she could rejoice, the rope in her hand had absolutely no supporting force. Jin Yongyi let out an exclamation of surprise, screaming once more as she plunged downward.

Right when she thought she was about to suffer a herniated disc from the fall, her body was supported by someone, and her vision was filled with flower petals raining down from the mechanism above.

The world was spinning, and numerous discussions flooded into her ears from all directions. Yet, resting in the embrace of the person who rescued her, she unexpectedly only heard a violent heartbeat.

Once landed safely, the person brushed away a body of flower petals for her, and only then did she see clearly that it was Mu Qingfeng who rescued her.

“This gentleman, you are not the highest bidder, how dare you directly embrace my girl?!” The madam, to stir up the strange desire for possession among this group of men, used any means available to launch an attack on Mu Qingfeng.

“She is my friend! Since when did she become a brothel girl?” Mu Qingfeng always put righteousness first, shielding Jin Yongyi behind his back.

The men below naturally refused to tolerate this, clamoring for him to get out.

Jin Yongyi’s stomach was turning upside down. Just as she was about to argue, the moment she opened her mouth, clear water from her stomach surged straight out.

“You see she did not deny it, did she?” The madam added fuel to the fire at the opportune moment on the side. “If you like her, then spend money to make her the courtesan. The highest bidder can spend a wonderful spring evening together with the courtesan.”

All the male guests in the main hall had their eyes turn red upon hearing these words, pushing and shoving one another to call out prices.

Jin Yongyi vomited until heaven and earth went dark on the stage.

Mu Qingfeng lightly patted her back, temporarily caught in a dilemma, leaving him with no choice but to comply with the madam’s wish: “Then I offer three thousand taels of white silver.”

Hearing these words brought too much shock, and Jin Yongyi let out a groan amidst her vomiting: Brother, if you can scrape out three taels of silver from your entire body it would be considered impressive, three thousand taels? Are you not afraid of blowing your own horn until it bursts?!

Three thousand taels was enough for a commoner family to live for over a dozen lifetimes.

Although the male guests coming to the brothel were not short of money, there was no need to empty their family fortunes for a courtesan.

Yet that girl on the stage had never been seen before. No, a woman with this kind of appearance was hard to encounter in this lifetime; she truly was like a celestial maiden from the heavens. Even being able to hold her hand would be an extremely beautiful thing, let alone spending a spring evening together.

This thought surfaced eerily in everyone’s mind.

Discussions echoed in the main hall once more.

Yet right at this moment, a long sword pierced through the air, brushing past the ears of several male guests who were just about to continue bidding. It drove straight toward the stage, pinning itself fiercely beside Mu Qingfeng’s foot.

It happened to be right when Jin Yongyi finished vomiting, covering her mouth and straightening her back.

She saw a person slowly walking inside from the main entrance. The injured male guests were just cursing loudly to demand an explanation, but upon touching that person’s displeased expression, they instantly shut their mouths. A chill rose from their hearts, and they subconsciously cleared a small path for that person.

He, however, stopped walking, standing on the outer perimeter, his eyes staring straight toward Jin Yongyi, a faint smile appearing on his face.

“I offer ten thousand.”

“Gold.”