As dusk fell and lanterns lit up the night, the House of Tender Delights was at its liveliest.
Guests streamed in endlessly, their ears filled with the enchanting laughter of women, the crisp clatter of dice in bowls, the boisterous shouts of drinking games, and the soft, flirtatious murmurs—all mingling together, intoxicating to the bone.
Especially captivating were the twirling dancers on the high stage, their veils brushing past faces, igniting fervent gazes from countless men.
This was the House of Tender Delights, a den where fortunes were squandered for a night of drunken revelry.
The master of the house was a man in his thirties, gaunt and sharp-faced, his appearance betraying a life of excess.
A gold tooth glinted in his mouth, earning him the title "Master Jin" among the underworld.
With many underlings at his command, Master Jin rarely bothered with trivial matters in the house—but tonight was different.
"An esteemed guest will arrive shortly. Every detail must be executed exactly as I instructed. If anyone dares to slight this patron, none of us will leave unscathed!"
A subordinate hastily bowed. "Understood, Master Jin. Rest assured, everything is prepared—no mistakes will be made!"
Master Jin nodded, then suddenly noticed the usual clamor of the hall had quieted. He stepped forward, leaning over the second-floor railing to peer below, his expression shifting in surprise.
Two young men had entered. One, dressed in sleek black, fanned himself with effortless grace, exuding charm and poise.
Handsome young patrons were no rarity in the House of Tender Delights—what drew attention was his companion.
A white-haired youth with crimson eyes, clad in exotic red-and-black attire that accentuated his slender frame. Silver ornaments adorning his clothes shimmered in the candlelight, dazzling onlookers.
A fragrant breeze stirred, brushing his pale sidelocks against his cheeks, complementing the ruby-red earrings. The swaying tips of his hair and the faint chime of silver bells seemed to cast an eerie spell, leaving men and women alike entranced.
"A Miaojiang native," Master Jin frowned. "What’s a Miaojiang man doing here?"
The House of Tender Delights had welcomed guests from all corners of the land—but never one from Miaojiang.
His subordinate whispered, "What should we do, Master Jin? Should we turn him away?"
Master Jin smacked the man’s head. "Do you know how vicious Miaojiang methods are? Offend him, and my business is ruined!"
The subordinate winced. "Then… what?"
"What else? Even if he’s Miaojiang, he’s still a man. Men come here for pleasure. Tell the girls to serve him well!"
"Ninth, look—so many women here, each with their own charm. If you can charm them, winning over that little Miss Chu will be child’s play."
Heart Knife smirked, glancing at the wide-eyed Ninth with the smugness of a mentor guiding a novice.
Ninth’s ruby eyes gleamed like blood-stained jewels in the candlelight, flickering with curiosity and an innocence untouched by the world.
The attendant assigned to greet them, wary of the infamous Miaojiang, wiped sweat from his brow and forced a smile. "Esteemed guests, we apologize for not welcoming you properly. Will you be drinking or seeking entertainment tonight?"
Heart Knife, ever the expert, replied smoothly, "Entertainment, of course."
The man bowed. "And what kind of ladies do you prefer? We have those with enchanting voices, graceful dancers, or skilled in music and poetry—all at your disposal."
Heart Knife waved a hand. "I’m here for my friend. Ask him what he likes."
The attendant turned to the Miaojiang youth, his politeness stiffening. "Young master, what kind of lady catches your fancy?"
Ninth toyed with the shell bracelet on his wrist and answered without hesitation:
"She has hair as dark as the swamps of Miaojiang, eyes round and glossy like bone-devouring beetles, a nose small and high, and lips red and soft—like heart-eating mushrooms sprouting from corpses."
The crowd stiffened.
"Her skin is pale, smoother to the touch than a corpse frozen in an icy river. Even the dead can’t compare."
The onlookers retreated a step, gulping nervously.
"When she’s angry, her cheeks puff up like dumplings—ugly yet adorable. I once tried carving puppets in her likeness, but none captured her spirit. In the end, I melted them into pulp and fed them to Little Qing."
Several people trembled, hands clapped over their mouths.
"Oh, and she’s about this tall."
Ninth gestured to his chest, his smile pure and guileless.
"She has to jump to hit my head, like my pet toad when it leaps to eat people. But she’s much cuter—she won’t actually eat me or spit out my bones."
The attendant paled, knees shaking. "T-this… young master’s preferences…"
Heart Knife coughed, nudging Ninth. "I brought you here to broaden your horizons, not to gush about Miss Chu."
Ninth pushed his hand away, matter-of-fact. "He asked what kind of girl I like. I only like ones like Chu'he."
The problem was, how many in this world were as reckless as Chu'he, daring to cozy up to a living nightmare?
Heart Knife tossed out a gold ingot. "Just bring your best girls."
The attendant wiped his sweat and bowed. "At once! Please, honored guests, follow me to your private room."
Inside the lavish chamber, as Heart Knife and Ninth settled in, four stunning women soon entered.
They kept their heads lowered, introducing themselves in hushed voices, none daring to meet the Miaojiang youth’s gaze.
Heart Knife, ever the gentleman, smiled. "No need to be nervous. Show my friend your finest talents."
The women exchanged uneasy glances before murmuring, "Yes."
The harmonious blend of pipa and zither accompanied a melodious voice, while a graceful dancer swayed—a scene fit for the heavens.
Yet the white-haired youth only yawned, propping his chin on one hand as he pulled out the half-dead Little Qing, rolling the tiny snake on the table like dough.
Eyes downcast, cheeks slightly puffed, he muttered, "Not as fun as dismantling corpses in the frozen river."
The pipa and zither faltered. The singer’s voice cracked. The dancer stumbled, nearly collapsing.
