I Can See Your Combat Power - Chapter 148
Chapter 148: Chapter 144: Musician Square
Translator: 549690339
“Cousin, wait up for me-” Xu Laoying chased out of the dining hall, and once again hooked his arm around Tang Luo’s neck, attracting the curious glances of some patrolling guards.
Most of the guards had never interacted with Tang Luo, so in their impression, the young master was a cold and proud person who never joined others for holiday celebrations or playful gatherings.
But who would’ve thought, in just one day, he’d become so friendly with the aloof master, truly demonstrating the impressive skillset of someone from a noble family.
Tang Luo had already developed a certain immunity to the Xu Family’s overly familiar system, he looked at Xu Laoying with a face full of admiration, and asked weakly: “What is it this time?”
Xu Laoying enthusiastically patted Tang Luo’s shoulder with his hooked arm and praised: “Cousin, you’re the best!”
The thumb he extended was glittering with a seven-color light in the dark night, incredibly grand.
Tang Luo’s mouth twitched, not knowing how to respond. After many battles and use of many martial arts techniques and treasures beyond his realm, this guy didn’t seem to be lacking in spiritual power in the slightest, even adding a glow of spiritual power to a thumbs up gesture in the dark.
This wasteful attitude made him, a person who was unable to recover his spiritual power, immensely uncomfortable.
This was clearly a display of boasting. Tang Luo was annoyed, he pushed away Xu Laoying’s other hand that was patting his shoulder and asked: “Is this it?”
“Ah~hey!” Xu Laoying’s hand was pushed away, but he didn’t mind, his hand was still gleaming as he moved naturally.
“We had agreed, didn’t we, that I would take you to see the world at the Tianxiang Building.”
When did we agree on that! Tang Luo roared inwardly, casting a helplessly slanted glare at Xu Laoying, intending to dissuade him once and for all from taking him for a “worldly experience”.
“Do you know why I won’t go?”
Xu Laoying put on a knowing expression, chest held high, he chuckled and said with a look that all men would understand: “Isn’t it just because you’re shy? I understand your reluctance, that’s why I’ve come to invite you again-Come, follow your cousin and experience a different kind of night.”
As he spoke, he attempted to grab Tang Luo’s arm, leaving everyone speechless.
“The Tianxiang Building is owned by the Tang Clan.” Tang Luo looked at Xu Laoying’s gradually approaching hand and stated calmly.
“Ah!?” Upon hearing this, Xu Laoying was taken aback, his right hand, which he had extended towards Tang Luo, suspended in mid-air. He awkwardly explained: “I didn’t know about this. But it doesn’t matter, if we’re not going to the Tianxiang Building, we can go somewhere else. I’ve heard there are many quality places in the south of the city.”
After all, the Tianxiang Building belonged to the Tang Family. If the Pride of Xiling was recognized there, it would be so embarrassing. By that time, rumors about the young pride losing his virginity in a brothel would become the biggest gossip in Xiling. Xu Laoying realized why Tang Luo didn’t want to go with him, there were so many complex reasons behind it.
So, the thoughtful Xu Laoying made a new suggestion – go and check out other brothels.
Tang Luo gestured dismissively, saying: “It’s not because of that.”
“Then what is it?” Xu Laoying asked, puzzled.
“The Tianxiang Building is a property of the Tang Clan and is also the best place for entertainment in Xiling. Most of the girls there have been trained from a young age, and the place that trains them is the Musicians’ quarter in Xiling.”
“Most of these girls, trained from a young age, were sold there by their parents when they were young, and they learned songs, dances, the arts of the bedchamber, and how to please men from the matriarchs of the brothel.”
“Every year, the Musicians’ quarter takes in hundreds of young girls who endure harsh training. Although some are beaten to death for disobedience, and some manage to run away, most grow up without issue. Some becoming musicians, some dancers, but most of them become courtesans.”
“Courtesans, know music, are adept at singing and dancing, understand the arts of the bedchamber, all are gentle and demure, rare beauties. Some are more refined, proficient in poetry and songs. Therefore, every year the Musicians’ quarter holds various exams, the top ten girls are called the ‘Top Ladies’.”
“It means that these ten girls, no matter which brothel they go to, are the top choices to be courtesans. They are the ‘selling talent, not sellin bodies’ treasure of any establishment.”
As Xu LaoYing listened to Tang Luo’s detailed explanation, he struck his palm in sudden realization, amazed at the myriad of conditions of the courtesans in the Tianxiang Building. This was truly an eye-opener.
“Indeed, cousin Tian’s extraordinary talents are suitable for none but the courtesans, but where are these courtesans?”
Tang Luo chuckled, he ignored Xu LaoYing and continued: “Courtesans? They’ve long been taken away. Allow me to explain more.”
“Every year on the first day of September, the Musician’s Quarters holds its examination day. On this day, countless Heads and young masters from the various branches of the Tang Clan will go to the Musician’s Quarters. It is also commonplace for quarrels to break out over the selection of a new courtesan.”
“But there are only ten new courtesans, with the number of the Heads of the clan branches and the young masters being more than a hundred, there aren’t enough to go around. Are those who do not win a new courtesan supposed to wait until next year?”
Amid Xu LaoYing’s astonished expression, Tang Luo nonchalantly stated, “These clan heads and young masters, naturally, take the best girls from the remaining apprentices, to make their trip to the Musician’s Quarters worthwhile.”
“After this group of people selects from the pool, the remaining courtesans will then be sent to the Tianxiang building. Even these remaining girls can allure the poetic devotees of Xiling, receiving endless praise for the Tianxiang building being the best brothel in Xiling.”
“Even these remaining girls can accumulate such a good reputation. Can you imagine how incredibly captivating those chosen courtesans are? However, these alluring women are out of reach for the people of Xiling. They end up either becoming concubines or mistresses.”
“As for the remaining group of courtesans, there is no guarantee which one can become the top courtesan. Therefore, only the survival of the fittest is possible, and those who can attract the most wealth naturally become the new top courtesans.”
Xu LaoYing swallowed hard. Watching his shocked expression, Tang Luo casually gestured and continued, “Let’s talk more about the Musician’s Quarters.”
“Each year, the important figures of the Tang Clan are invited to the Musician’s Quarters to observe the ceremony, which actually boils down to selecting concubines.”
“To marry a wife is to marry virtue, to take a concubine is to choose beauty. What other place is better at cultivating beauty than the Musician’s Quarters?”
“Of course, the best of the offerings must be provided to members of the clan first.”
Xu LaoYing looked at the calm expression on Tang Luo’s face and stammered out, “So?”
“I, being of humble merit, was recently appointed an elder within the Tang clan, not too long ago I declined the invitation to this year’s viewing ceremony at the Musician’s Quarters.” Tang Luo saluted him with a casual tone.
He believed his message was clear. If he did not even care for the courtesans, why would he go to a brothel to look for girls?
This is not because his position as a clan elder is so significant, but according to the rules of the Musician’s Quarters, every year they send invitations to significant figures. In addition to the Sect Head who must attend due to his responsibility to manage this industry, they also invite three spectators.
The clan elders are old and do not have the desire. The next in line are various clan elders. This is also one of the benefits given to those who contributed to the clan.
Being a newly appointed clan elder, Tang Luo had been one of the three spectators invited this year.
After becoming a clan elder, many of the Tang Clan’s secrets were revealed to him. In addition to his own interest reading such secrets, his most frequent visits besides the Secret Arts Pavilion were to the Wind Media Department.
As the eldest son of the First Head of the Martial Hall and a clan elder himself, the individuals from Wind Media Department considered him an absolutely trustworthy clan member, hence were willing to share some gossip with him.
The Clan Leader, Mountain Head, Law Enforcer, and Sect Head, each year will receive picture albums from the Musician’s Quarters. Compared to the clan elders who need to observe ceremonies to choose concubines personally, those in high positions only need to browse through the albums to receive their favorite courtesans.
Power and beauty always run parallel to each other. The greater the power, the higher the level of beauty one can access. This is an unchanging truth since ancient times.
Not needing a concubine, not visiting brothels is not because Tang Luo is not lustful, but because he looks down on these women who have beauty but nothing else to offer..
