Volume 3, Chapter 259 – Guest, Would You Dare to Buy?

Those who have had contact with fox demons easily acquire their unique scent.

This scent is undetectable to ordinary humans, and even spirit dogs skilled in scent tracking cannot detect it without sufficient cultivation.

However, fox demons themselves can easily detect this scent.

The broker in front of him doesn’t possess the scent of a fox demon, indicating he hasn’t had any contact with them recently.

Therefore, this broker is indeed just a novice.

It seems the yellow foxes have quite a method for completely integrating into the human empire.

“Miss Chi,” the broker smiled and said, “If you really need it, I can send a few people to guide you.”

“Regarding confidentiality, you can rest assured. As long as no one sees you enter the Five Immortals Pavilion, no one will know about these things.”

“Sister?” Lu Zhuxin saw the hesitation in Chi Xiyan’s eyes.

She roughly understood what Chi Xiyan was thinking.

Lu Zhuxin knew what Chi Xiyan disliked.

A place like the Five Immortals Pavilion had perfectly stepped into her sensitive area.

Lu Zhuxin tugged at Chi Xiyan’s sleeve. “Maybe we should just forget about it.”

“I don’t necessarily need to buy a personal maid…”

Chi Xiyan hesitated for a moment, then asked, “If we’re not in a hurry, how long until the next batch?”

“In that case.” The broker’s owner thought for a moment. “If it’s ordinary cleaning maids, there’s actually no need to make you wait. We can prepare them anytime.”

“But you just said these are personal maids for your younger sister.” The broker’s owner glanced at Lu Zhuxin beside Chi Xiyan. “They need clean backgrounds, to be quick-witted, and know numbers and characters. When the Second Young Lady marries in the future, they’ll probably accompany her as part of her dowry, right?”

“Such requirements are basically those for senior maids in aristocratic families.”

Senior maids were actually confidants and stewards beside their masters.

“Unless they’re cultivated from childhood, it’s very difficult for us to find girls who meet your requirements.”

Chi Xiyan fell silent for a while. Actually, the Chi residence had quite a few maids cultivated from childhood like this.

Qingshan and Luluo were such maids.

But Chi Xiyan didn’t trust those maids in the Chi residence.

“Does the Five Immortals House have such maids?” Chi Xiyan asked.

“Exactly!” the broker’s owner said. “Young Lady Chi, at Five Immortals House, forget about these ordinary maids, you even have a chance to encounter immortal fairies with cultivation.”

Chi Xiyan felt this owner was talking nonsense.

Immortal fairies with cultivation were either children of aristocratic families or sect disciples. How could they possibly be willing to submit themselves to a brothel and serve others with their beauty?

“Can you keep our identities from Five Immortals House’s people?” Chi Xiyan asked.

“Of course, that’s certainly possible.” The broker’s owner said. “As long as you can demonstrate your value, Five Immortals House people never ask about your origins.”

Chi Xiyan agreed to the proposal to visit Five Immortals House.

In fact, as the Chi family’s eldest young lady, she was absolutely not unfamiliar with Five Immortals House.

Even Chi Jingwen had marveled at Five Immortals House’s mysteriousness.

You must know, the Chi family was the local power in Beihe Commandery, yet even the Chi family couldn’t guarantee they truly had a one-hundred percent grasp of Five Immortals House’s intelligence.

And now, Chi Xiyan she had a chance to personally observe Five Immortals House from another perspective. To say she wasn’t curious would be a lie.

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The broker’s owner retrieved two black cloaks from the shop and had Chi Xiyan and Lu Zhuxin put them on.

Even their beautiful faces were tightly veiled.

Concealed beneath the black cloaks, their appearance made it impossible to tell male from female.

“Ahem…” Chi Xiyan coughed lightly.

Her voice gradually changed from a clear, cold female voice to an elderly male voice.

“Little Xue’er, try not to speak in a bit. If anything comes up, I’ll handle it.”

Lu Zhuxin’s eyes twitched.

Sister, is it necessary to be this cautious? It’s just buying a maid, not committing a crime.

However, complaints aside, Lu Zhuxin still reluctantly put on the black cloak.

Just like that, two black-robed figures, one large and one small, appeared on the street.

Although this appearance was meant to conceal their identities, Lu Zhuxin felt this look was even more attention-grabbing.

Whatever… as long as Little Xiyan is happy. Lu Zhuxin quietly complained in her heart.

The attendant arranged by the broker’s owner led the way ahead. “You two young… honored seniors, shall we depart?”

Chi Xiyan nodded and said in an elderly voice, “Lead the way.”

To avoid exposing their identities, Chi Xiyan had sent back all the maids and servants who’d accompanied them out.

She only brought Lu Zhuxin, the two of them hiding their identities together as they headed to Five Immortals House.

The broker’s attendant was extremely dutiful. After bringing the two to Five Immortals House, he didn’t enter from the front but turned to come to Five Immortals House’s back door.

Five Immortals House’s back door also had guards, but compared to the front entrance with its endless stream of customers, it seemed much quieter.

The attendant presented the broker owner’s calling card. “These are two honored guests introduced by our boss. Their identities are special and inconvenient to reveal.”

The guarding sentinel’s gaze swept over Lu Zhuxin and Chi Xiyan, his face showing no surprise.

At Five Immortals House, such guests unwilling to reveal their identities were actually quite common.

“Two honored guests.” The guard cupped his hands toward them. “Old Master Zhao is a regular patron here. Since these are guests he’s introduced, naturally they’re Five Immortals House’s honored guests.”

“Please come this way.”

As he spoke, the guard opened the door for Chi Xiyan.

The guard’s gaze lingered on Lu Zhuxin for a moment before quickly moving away.

Lu Zhuxin understood in her heart.

Five Immortals House was the Yellow Foxes’ territory. Fox demons recognized people never by appearance.

But by scent.

Chi Xiyan’s extreme caution was actually all in vain.

No matter how tightly wrapped, when they appeared before these foxes, the foxes had already identified them.

That guard appeared calm on the surface, but actually when he saw Lu Zhuxin, he was so excited he almost jumped.

It must be said, the fox demons were each and every one excellent actors.

The door opened, but Chi Xiyan didn’t immediately enter. Instead, she reached out her hand toward Lu Zhuxin and said in an elderly voice, “Grandson, follow me. Don’t get separated.”

Lu Zhuxin’s expression hidden beneath the veil suddenly froze for an instant.

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She hadn’t expected Chi Xiyan to pull this move at this moment.

My dear sister! Even if you want to hide your identity and gender, there’s no need to go to this extent, right?

You want me, the Fox Monarch, to call her “grandfather” in front of so many subordinates?

Calling her “sister” or “brother” could be considered a romantic interest.

But calling her “grandfather”—what kind of situation is that?!

Lu Zhuxin saw that the Five Immortals House guards’ eyes were full of surprise.

Seeing Lu Zhuxin hesitate, Chi Xiyan’s elegant brows hidden beneath the veil immediately furrowed.

Sister Zhizhi is usually quite clever and sensible. Why would she suddenly drop the ball at this moment?

“What’s wrong, grandson? Is your throat uncomfortable?”

A line appeared on Lu Zhuxin’s forehead.

She really wanted to punch this girl right now.

Lu Zhuxin felt this girl was being somewhat unnecessarily excessive.

Even if they hid their identities now, Five Immortals House couldn’t possibly not know who bought their girls.

As long as they saw who the sold girls followed, wouldn’t they know who bought them?

However, Chi Xiyan was clearly getting carried away with her act. What could Lu Zhuxin do about it?

She could only obediently comply with her.

Losing face is losing face. The main business is what matters.

“Okay… Grandfather.” Lu Zhuxin gently grasped Chi Xiyan’s hand.

That gatekeeper guard’s gaze lingered on the two for a long time before finally turning away with a stiff face.

Lu Zhuxin didn’t want to speak.

However, she was the Fox Monarch. These loyal subordinates didn’t have the guts to laugh at her.

Chi Xiyan and Lu Zhuxin walked into the building under a maid’s guidance.

Unlike the noisy front courtyard, Five Immortals House’s back courtyard seemed very elegant and quiet. Faintly, one could hear the sound of string and bamboo music from the distance.

A woman with a graceful figure came forward. “Honored guests, this way please.”

She led the two to an elegant inner room and lit incense.

Chi Xiyan lightly covered her mouth and nose with her hand, carefully sniffing, and only after confirming it was just ordinary incense did she lower her hand.

Lu Zhuxin knew that just now Chi Xiyan had prepared several antidote pills in her hand.

Visiting a brothel while being this cautious, there was truly no one else like her.

“I’m the manager of Five Immortals House’s back building. You may call me Qing Niang.”

Qing Niang poured a cup of green tea for Chi Xiyan.

“May I ask what you honored guests need at our Five Immortals House back building?”

As Qing Niang spoke, a pair of soft, charming eyes flowed over Chi Xiyan and Lu Zhuxin, finally resting on Lu Zhuxin, the corners of her mouth slightly lifting.

Lu Zhuxin didn’t look at her, only lowered her head to look at the tea leaves in the cup.

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This Qing Niang was a six-tailed fox demon.

Six tails meant Fifth Realm, a rare expert among fox demons.

Earlier at the broker’s house, Lu Zhuxin had vaguely had a premonition.

And upon seeing Qing Niang, the premonition in Lu Zhuxin’s heart was confirmed.

Suddenly buying away the maids from the broker’s house was indeed a deliberate act by Five Immortals House.

In other words, these were all Huang Huying’s arrangements, deliberately luring Chi Xiyan here.

But what was Huang Huying’s intention with such arrangements?

Lu Zhuxin vaguely had a very ominous feeling.

Chi Xiyan hadn’t noticed Lu Zhuxin’s strangeness. Her gaze had been on this Qing Niang the whole time.

She discovered she actually couldn’t see through this Qing Niang’s depth.

An ordinary manager of Five Immortals House actually had such strength?

Her wariness toward Five Immortals House involuntarily deepened another level.

“Manager Qing Niang.” Chi Xiyan said awkwardly. “I came to Five Immortals House because I indeed want to purchase some things for my grandson.”

Chi Xiyan then repeated the requirements she’d previously told the broker’s owner.

Qing Niang smiled. She looked toward Lu Zhuxin beside Chi Xiyan, who hadn’t spoken the whole time, the smile in her eyes deepening. “I see.”

“The old gentleman wants to select a clean concubine maid for his grandson.”

Concubine maid?

Chi Xiyan frowned.

When did she say she wanted to find a concubine maid?

Qing Niang waved her hand. “Old gentleman, please don’t mind. There are many like you who come here to purchase concubine maids for their juniors.”

“In all of Beihe Commandery, who doesn’t know our Five Immortals House’s reputation?”

“The girls trained by our Five Immortals House are both understanding and know when to advance or retreat.”

“They can grace the hall and handle the kitchen.”

“The maids you buy from us are guaranteed to serve this young master comfortably.”

As she spoke, Qing Niang’s gaze kept glancing toward Lu Zhuxin, seemingly casually.

Lu Zhuxin held her forehead. She felt she’d made a mistake.

She shouldn’t have agreed to accompany Chi Xiyan to Five Immortals House.

Huang Huying, what on earth are you doing?!

“Ahem…” Chi Xiyan coughed a few times, interrupting Qing Niang’s boasting. “Qing Niang, rather than this, let us first see the girls.”

Qing Niang still smiled warmly. “This is your first time at our Five Immortals House, so you don’t understand our rules.”

“At our Five Immortals House, if the guests haven’t confirmed purchase intentions, they cannot meet the girls.”

“Why is that?” Chi Xiyan didn’t understand.

“Please forgive us.” Qing Niang said. “This is a rule set by our house master to protect the girls’ reputations.”

“After all, if that girl encounters a good match in the future and others learn of the girl’s origins, even if the girl herself is innocent, it will still affect her.”

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“Of course, if you want to redeem a girl selling her body in the front courtyard, that’s a different process.”

Chi Xiyan understood. No wonder the broker’s owner said Five Immortals House would keep the girls’ identities confidential—so this was what he meant.

“If we can’t see the girls themselves, how can we choose?”

Qing Niang smiled and took out a thick registry.

“Five Immortals House will select suitable candidates based on your requirements.”

Qing Niang casually flipped through a few pages and handed it to Chi Xiyan.

“Once you’ve selected your target and paid, you can meet that girl.”

Chi Xiyan looked at the pages Qing Niang had turned to. Written in small characters were several girls’ information.

From their origins, height, and age to the talents they excelled in—all had detailed records.

Reading and writing were skills almost every girl had mastered.

Besides that, some excelled in arithmetic, some in needlework, some in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting… It was really too much.

Behind each girl, a price was also marked.

Unlike the broker’s house outside, these prices were almost all marked in spirit stones.

Compared to the broker’s house outside, the prices had increased a hundredfold.

Chi Xiyan asked without showing emotion, “What if we take the girl back and then find her unsuitable?”

Qing Niang smiled. “The honored guest jests. Five Immortals House has operated for hundreds of years and has never had a customer return.”

“Of course, there are customers deliberately causing trouble, but that’s another matter.”

Chi Xiyan chuckled lightly.

Customers who could afford such prices indeed wouldn’t do something like returning goods.

Moreover, Chi Xiyan had never heard rumors of anyone daring to cause trouble at Five Immortals House.

“For this price, these girls are all too ordinary.” Chi Xiyan said. “These girls’ talents could all be cultivated by hiring specialized teachers. For this price, they’re not worth it.”

Spending hundreds of spirit stones to buy a girl who could play the zither. Chi Xiyan couldn’t understand such a transaction.

“Hehe.” Qing Niang laughed until she trembled slightly. “It seems this honored guest has high requirements.”

“However.” Qing Niang’s tone shifted as she closed the registry before her. “We do have better girls, far beyond these common ones, but I wonder if you honored guest can offer a price worthy of the girls’ value.”

“Oh?” Chi Xiyan became interested. “What kind of girls?”

Qing Niang said mysteriously.

“Sword sect immortal fairies whose sects have fallen, drifting in the mortal world.”

“Body cultivation martial artists fleeing and hiding from the world, bearing blood feuds.”

“Honored guest, do you dare to buy?”

Lu Zhuxin held her forehead.

She suddenly understood what these foxes were planning.

They wanted to openly and brazenly help Lu Zhuxin plant assistants in the Chi residence.

Truly, utterly audacious!