Chapter 348 - 232: Using Public Office for Private Gain (Part 2)

Some brothels were even on painted boats in the river, and searching them one by one was incredibly time-consuming.

After all, finding Yuchi Jue wasn’t as simple as just having a few drinks in a brothel and looking around.

No matter how severely injured he was, Yuchi Jue had once been a Second Grade master, and he also possessed the Formless Divine Skill...

Therefore, he could be absolutely anyone in the brothel, and of any gender.

Furthermore, to see through his disguise, even a Gang Qi Realm expert wouldn’t suffice; it required the efforts of True Qi Realm masters like Zou Feng.

Zou Feng then explained his theory to Zhong Zhe and the others.

He tried to convince them that Yuchi Jue would likely use the environment of a brothel to engage in Visualization-type Cultivation.

Therefore, the focus of the search should be on the brothels. He suggested it would be best if they didn’t divide up search locations based on personal preference, but all focused on visiting the brothels.

Otherwise, if Zou Feng had to do it alone, it would take at least a month to search all the brothels, big and small, in Zhao Hua City.

Moreover, Yuchi Jue was likely to be constantly changing which brothel he frequented, which could easily lead to the awkward scenario of Zou Feng searching a place and finding it clear, only for Yuchi Jue to show up the very next day.

"Now that you mention it, that does make some sense..."

"Alright. Instead of randomly trying our luck everywhere, we might as well focus on the brothels."

Zhong Zhe and the others quickly agreed to Zou Feng’s proposal.

They then began to discuss the specific details of the brothel search.

Unlike Zou Feng, who planned to simply act as a patron, Zhong Zhe and the others had different ideas about how to investigate the brothels.

For example, Leng Jing planned to focus his observation on the attendants, handymen, thugs, and even the kitchen staff within the brothels.

Zeng Xiuyuan, on the other hand, was preparing to apply to be a courtesan...

When he proposed this idea, Zou Feng and the others naturally stared at him, speechless.

’So he couldn’t go to jail, but he was still dead set on getting railed every day, huh...’

Leng Jing was the first to object. "Wait, Brother Zeng, if you become a courtesan, you’ll be stuck in one brothel. If you don’t find anything, you can’t just go to the next one and continue, can you?"

If a courtesan kept hopping between establishments every day or two, it would be a miracle if Yuchi Jue didn’t realize something was amiss.

Zeng Xiuyuan, however, shook his head. "Which brothel I become a courtesan at isn’t the point. The point is to integrate into their circle!"

"If I remember correctly, Zhao Hua City’s monthly courtesan parade is coming up. It’s a perfect opportunity to see if Yuchi Jue will try to blend in."

"And if Yuchi Jue is visiting brothels as a patron, using Visualization or replenishment to heal his injuries, then he ought to be very interested in a courtesan like me..."

Upon hearing this, Leng Jing was at a loss for a rebuttal.

But while Zeng Xiuyuan’s reasoning was sound, it was clear he was using his official duties for personal gain, hoping to reap some personal benefits on the side.

By the time their discussion concluded, the fish soup in the pot had simmered into a rich, white broth, its aroma filling the air.

The boatman, a Rakshasa Sect Outer Disciple, hadn’t uttered a single unnecessary word from start to finish. He acted as if Zou Feng and the others didn’t even exist.

With four True Qi Realm masters plotting something important, he didn’t dare to hear a single word and had consciously been Cultivating to block his sense of hearing.

Each of them drank a large bowl of fish soup before leaving the small boat one by one.

Zou Feng didn’t forget to toss the boatman a large piece of broken silver.

"Thank you, sir!"

To play the part of a rich young master and spend money like water in the brothels, one certainly needed money.

When he arrived in Zhao Hua City, Zou Feng naturally hadn’t brought any silver or gold with him.

Biyou Palace didn’t provide expense accounts for missions.

But for a True Qi Realm Martial Artist, obtaining such worldly possessions was naturally no trouble at all.

Thus, on the very day he arrived in Zhao Hua City, Zou Feng inquired about the most notorious crooked merchant in town and promptly went to pay him a visit.

That night, Zou Feng visited the Shuyu Boat, one of the three great painted boats on the Jiayue River.

This establishment was famous for its ladies, all of whom could play musical instruments, filling the air with non-stop music every night.

He chose to investigate this painted boat first partly because he was drawn by the music.

’If Yuchi Jue is using Visualization,’ Zou Feng reasoned, ’then having musical accompaniment might enhance its effect and speed up his recovery.’

After taking a small boat to the painted boat, the sharp-eyed Madam spotted Zou Feng’s priceless attire at a single glance.

From his expression, she also determined that this greenhorn was the type who didn’t think twice about money.

Thus, she immediately came forward to welcome him personally.

Zhao Hua City had a huge influx of people, with wealthy men from all over the world drawn by its reputation arriving daily. As such, Zou Feng didn’t need to contrive a plausible identity for himself.

He was led into a semi-open private booth, where an orchestra composed entirely of beautiful women immediately provided a delightful feast for the eyes and ears.

’Still,’ Zou Feng thought, ’the Shuyu Boat’s style isn’t intense enough. An atmosphere of this level doesn’t seem suitable for Visualization.’

"Sir, how about I have Miss Susu keep you company?"

"Susu is extremely skilled with the flute; her playing is a delight to hear..." the Madam recommended enthusiastically.

Zou Feng, of course, hadn’t forgotten his real purpose. He continued scanning his surroundings as he said casually, "Fine. Have her come over."

The Madam immediately cleared her throat and shrieked, "Susu—!"

A woman with a cool, distant look, dressed so plainly she seemed utterly out of place, floated into view.

Zou Feng looked up and nearly spat out the wine he had just swallowed.

The "woman" seemed equally stunned. An awkward expression flickered across her face for a moment before she quickly regained her composure.

Who else could this woman—or rather, this man in women’s clothing—be but Zeng Xiuyuan?

He had put on a simple Disguise, but they had just seen each other that morning. Adding in his reaction just now, there was no way Zou Feng could be mistaken.

’Uh, didn’t this guy say he was going to find a high-end brothel and become a courtesan? Why is he here at the Shuyu Boat to... play the flute?’

’But then again, we never did decide who would investigate which brothel, so a coincidence like this isn’t that strange.’

"I don’t care for this type. Get me someone else!"

Neither Zou Feng nor Zeng Xiuyuan had any intention of wasting time in front of an acquaintance.

Zeng Xiuyuan seized the opportunity to give a slight curtsy, then floated away.

After this little interlude, Zou Feng was even more convinced that Zeng Xiuyuan was unreliable. The man claimed to be investigating, but he was really just looking out for his own interests.

Zeng Xiuyuan’s plain attire was a deliberate choice, creating a sense of contrast with the other women that made him stand out.

This, in turn, would likely attract a certain type of clientele.

Zou Feng proceeded to call for several more groups of women, feigning dissatisfaction each time. This made the Madam so anxious she began to break out in a sweat.

She was terrified that this God of Wealth would simply storm off and take his business to another painted boat.

In reality, however, Zou Feng just wanted an opportunity to observe more of the women to see if any of them were suspicious.

He intended to stay the night regardless. After all, only by staying for the entire night could he thoroughly investigate every corner of the painted boat and ensure nothing was overlooked.

Although Zeng Xiuyuan was also investigating the Shuyu Boat, Zou Feng had already written him off as unreliable. He wouldn’t be able to rest easy unless he checked the place over himself.

After Zou Feng had rejected girl after girl, the still-charming Madam grew so desperate that she started to recommend herself. "Sir, what do you think of me?"

Zou Feng ignored her, his attention suddenly captured by the sound of a flute.

The music was not only beautiful, but it also stirred an unexpected feeling of homesickness within Zou Feng.

’There’s something to this...’

But just to be safe, he asked the Madam, "Who is playing that flute?"

"Er, that should be... Nong Yu playing!"

’Hearing that it wasn’t Zeng Xiuyuan playing makes it even more likely that something’s wrong,’ he thought.

After all, an ordinary Courtesan couldn’t possibly play a flute melody capable of affecting his mind.

"Have Nong Yu come here and have a few drinks with me!"

Unexpectedly, the Madam hesitated upon hearing this and stammered, "Ah, well... about that..."

Zou Feng immediately slammed a gold ingot onto the table. "Is this enough?"

The Madam hastily waved her hands. "More than enough, more than enough! But... but this Nong Yu... she’s rather plain-looking. I’m afraid she’ll spoil your good mood, sir."

’Plain-looking?’

’Doesn’t that just mean she’s trying not to attract attention?’

Zou Feng gave a sly grin. "No matter. Just have her come up!"