Chapter 1: Death's Door

Tianyu Continent

Great Yan Dynasty, Forget-Spring Tower

In the private room on the third floor, red silk curtains swayed, the fragrance of wine hung thick in the air, and the place was alive with noise and revelry. An air of decadent luxury soaked the room as a group of finely dressed young nobles surrounded a somewhat slender, richly dressed youth, watching several gorgeous women dance gracefully on the platform below. Their enticing bodies struck one provocative pose after another, teasing the diners in the hall.

Behind them, two clean courtesans were plucking soft, lingering notes from their zithers, adding still more of that languid, sensual atmosphere.

Come, come, everyone drink. Tonight, no one leaves sober!

The youth had a stunning woman in his arms. He raised his cup with one hand and laughed as he called out to the people beside him.

Young Master Xu has a great tolerance for liquor. We toast you!

The people around him lifted their cups at once and shouted back. Most of them were already wrapped around painted, half-dressed brothel girls, all of them laughing in unison at the man before them.

Xu Ping'an slipped his right hand into the half-open lapel of the woman in his arms, kneading her full, tender breasts wantonly. His index finger and thumb kept rubbing her bright red nipples.

Master... lighter. Yu'er... Yu'er can't take it.

The woman in his arms kept twisting her body, breathing in soft, sweet gasps. Her pale jade hands stroked the youth's thin chest, and beneath the slit of her skirt two long, slender legs kept rubbing against him. She ground herself against his lower abdomen as if trying to please him. Her white jade toes, painted with cinnabar, were distinct one by one, and her delicate, alluring face kept exhaling warm breath toward him.

Hahahaha!

Xu Ping'an was clearly pleased by her teasing, and his hand grew rougher.

Young Master Xu, look at the Chu sisters. They are truly top-grade. Aren't you tempted to sample them?

A young man smiled and pointed at the two fair, seductive figures in the center of the stage.

Eh, that's nothing. I heard this place still has a boss behind the scenes. Supposedly she's an incomparable beauty, far beyond these vulgar trinkets!

A somewhat fat young noble waved a hand and grinned slyly before the crowd.

Fatso, really? The young men around him all brightened at once and pressed him for answers.

Xu Ping'an was clearly interested too. His smile deepened, and he motioned for the man to continue.

I wouldn't dare lie to you. How could I dare lie to Young Master Xu? The fat man rubbed his greasy hands together, his eyes fixed on Xu Ping'an as he flattered him. That woman is mysterious as hell. I only saw her once behind a screen when I came with my father. But that figure... tsk, tsk, tsk.

It's just that I'm not qualified enough to see her, much less taste her.

Everyone present was an old hand at chasing women. They had seen countless beauties, if not ten thousand then at least eight thousand. Looking at the fat man's out-of-his-mind expression, they knew that woman had to be a true rare treasure among women.

Young Master Xu, you're the most capable one among us. Why not take her down and let your brothers have a look?

The crowd was obviously unable to restrain themselves and started egging him on.

Go... go get Madam Yu for me!

Xu Ping'an's heart was itching too. He could not help swallowing, and his grip tightened unconsciously, drawing a soft moan from the beauty in his arms. He hurriedly gave the order.

Madam Yu was the brothel madam of this place.

Not long after, a beautiful woman with the grace of a fading but still potent allure swayed over with her willow-like waist.

Oh my, my little ancestor, why did you call for Madam Yu?

The woman was clearly familiar with Xu Ping'an. She fanned herself with a round silk fan and, swaying her ample hips, walked to the youth with a hundred charms in every movement.

What, do you want to taste Madam Yu again?

She smiled coquettishly, her voice soft and sweet. Her lipstick-painted mouth made an inviting pop, and her eyes, lined with blue shadow, lifted slightly at the corners. Leaning forward a little, she deliberately pressed her own round, snowy breasts toward Xu Ping'an, and that coy, dripping voice made everyone around her itch inside.

The mixed scent of rouge and perfume washed over Xu Ping'an's mind, leaving him floating. As a regular at Forget-Spring Tower, he had naturally tasted this woman before and knew how shameless and seductive she could be, but even now he still stared blankly at the open front of her dress. Those two heavy, fertile mounds of white flesh shimmered with blue veins, and she was not even wearing an undergarment. He could even see the edges of the two rings of purple-red areolae, swaying under her slight movements.

He could not help reaching out to lightly grasp one. It was like a waterskin stuffed full of creamy white paste; it sank in almost without effort, and he kneaded and squeezed it in his hand, yet his face remained stern as he said, pretending to be serious:

I heard your place has a boss. I have come here so many times and never once seen her. Is she deliberately hiding from me?

Madam Yu's smile stiffened for a moment, but she forced it to stay in place. Not knowing where he had heard such a thing, she explained with a strained smile, How... how could that be? Young Master Xu is the biggest honored guest of our Forget-Spring Tower. Our boss is just too busy to spare the time to see you.

Then take me to meet her.

Xu Ping'an did not notice the strange look on her face and still smiled as he spoke.

All right...

Madam Yu had no choice at this point. She did not dare offend this little ancestor, so she could only brace herself and agree.

Then the two of them stood up, followed closely by the two men in black behind Xu Ping'an. They passed through the corridor, winding left and right until they reached a dark room. Faint light flickered, and a teleportation array appeared plainly before them.

Madam Yu took a crystal-clear jade token from her lapel and placed it gently into the array. Immediately, the whole room seemed to trigger some hidden switch, buzzing with a low hum, and then a flash of white light erupted.

Before Xu Ping'an could even react, the scenery before him changed abruptly. A set of ornate vermilion doors came into view, while all around them were black corridors in dead silence.

Before Xu Ping'an could make sense of it, Madam Yu beside him extended her jade hand.

Knock, knock.

A dull knock rang out in the silent corridor.

Come in.

A clear, yellow-bird-like voice sounded. The heavy wooden door opened slowly, and with it some hidden formation dispersed. A faint sandalwood scent drifted out.

The room was not large, but it was elegant and luxurious. The pale yellow walls were hung with paintings and calligraphy in rich, bold colors, and the carved beams and pillars had been coated in a layer of gold lacquer. Warm candlelight filtered through a screen, and beyond it a slender, graceful figure stood with her back to everyone, swaying into view.

Madam Yu, go down first.

The woman behind the screen spoke softly.

Madam Yu bowed her head and withdrew at once, lightly closing the wooden door behind her.

Young Master Xu.

The woman behind the screen spoke again, slowly. What brings you here to see me?

Xu Ping'an paused, surprised. You know me?

The woman behind the screen gave a faint, mocking laugh. Who in Forget-Spring Tower would not know the famous Young Master Xu?

Xu Ping'an stared dazedly at that alluring silhouette and swallowed. With his eye for women, sharpened by endless experience, he could tell at once what sort of peerless beauty stood behind the screen. Then why don't you come out and meet me? Do you look down on me?

The woman did not answer, and the room fell into silence for a moment.

It seems I have been rude.

The woman behind the screen let out a soft sigh and slowly rose. Her shadow fell across the screen, and her upright, full peaks trembled slightly with the movement, while her thick, generous ass lifted in a gentle arc, forming a mesmerizing S-shaped curve.

Then a face that could stun the entire world emerged slowly from behind the screen. A high elegant nose, cherry lips full and vivid, and a pair of phoenix eyes that sent the heart into a spin. Her pale skin gleamed in the flickering candlelight. Then the rest of her exquisite body stepped out as well. A white cheongsam embroidered with plum blossoms wrapped around her mature, luscious figure, its slit cut all the way up to her thigh, revealing two fair, plump legs. Her cold-white feet were set in a pair of slender red high heels carved with exquisite patterns. Her exaggerated curves tugged at the nerves at every moment, especially that deep, snow-white cleavage, which seemed able to smother a person to death as it trembled with every step, nearly bursting the front of her dress. She was so beautiful she looked like a fairy straight out of a painting, and the sight sent blood surging hot through his veins.

The cool and stunning woman walked unhurriedly up to Xu Ping'an. Looking at the dazed young man in fine clothes, her lovely face wore a faint false smile.

You...

Xu Ping'an was already dizzy from her seductive appearance. His eyes were fixed on that peerless beauty before him, and his heart pounded wildly.

The woman looked at his stupid, drooling expression as if she were already used to it. Her ruby lips parted slightly as she spoke slowly, Young Master Xu still has not answered my question.

Xu Ping'an nodded blankly. The cock under his robes stirred faintly. Forcing back the temptation, he rasped through a dry throat, Miss, may I know your honored name?

The woman before him smiled sweetly, that coy charm nearly stealing Xu Ping'an's soul. My humble name is Qin Mengrou.

Qin Mengrou...

Xu Ping'an murmured the name as if trying to carve it into his heart. What a good name.

His eyes rolled once, as though he had thought of something. A slight smile touched his lips as he feigned confusion. But Miss, I've come to Forget-Spring Tower so many times. How is it that I have never seen you?

Young Master Xu is joking. This humble woman is merely an ordinary girl in this tower. How could I ever be so fortunate as to meet Young Master Xu?

Qin Mengrou still smiled, though her tone carried a trace of barely perceptible coldness.

Since you did not come to see me, shouldn't you be punished?

Xu Ping'an suddenly leaned closer, heat blazing in his eyes. Breathing in the faint fragrance on her body, he felt himself growing intoxicated.

Punished?

Qin Mengrou frowned slightly and took a small step back. A flash of displeasure crossed her pretty face. She knew he was deliberately making things difficult for her, but because of his identity, she held herself back and did not explode.

Then how does Young Master Xu want to punish this humble woman?

Heh heh.

Xu Ping'an laughed when he heard that, as if his purpose had been achieved.

He immediately reached out to wrap an arm around her alluring waist, but she sidestepped and avoided him.

Young Master Xu, please respect yourself!

Qin Mengrou's once-soft voice now carried a trace of anger, and her pretty face, pale and pink, flushed slightly red.

Didn't the girl say you wanted me to punish you?

Seeing her refuse him, Xu Ping'an had already grown impatient. It was as if tender flesh was right in front of his mouth, there to be seen but not eaten. Much less in this Forget-Spring Tower, where when had anyone ever dared refuse him?

Qin Mengrou knew he was just being unreasonable. At this point, she no longer cared about his identity and said coldly, If Young Master Xu has nothing else, then please leave.

How insolent!

Xu Ping'an snorted and reached out to grab her, but she still slipped away nimbly.

Rejected again and again, the anger in his heart could no longer be suppressed. He snapped, A Da, A Er, seize her!

The two black-clad brutes behind him moved at the sound. Their bodies vanished at once, and in the blink of an eye they appeared before Qin Mengrou, one on the left and one on the right, moving to seize her.

How brazen!

A sharp cry rang out. Bang! The next moment, a burst of force rippled outward, shaking the paintings in the room. Two blurry figures flew backward like cannonballs, a spray of blood exploding through the air. The two men slammed heavily into the wall behind them, life and death unknown, while the woman before him remained expressionless, not even a single corner of her clothes disturbed.

Xu Ping'an's pupils contracted. He could not even see how she had struck. He knew very well how strong his two guards were, and being able to seriously injure both in a single exchange meant this woman's strength was already beyond what he could handle.

Young Master, Sixth Realm. She is at least Sixth Realm!

The two brutes, smashed into the wall, clutched their chests and bent over, coughing blood nonstop, yet still struggled to stand before Xu Ping'an.

Xu Ping'an glanced over. Both men had large holes torn through the fabric over their chests, their sternums caved in, and flesh and blood were a mess.

Miss, you injured my guards. Aren't you afraid of our Zhen'guo Duke Manor coming after you?

Having never suffered a setback since childhood, he still refused to lower his head, staring fixedly at the woman before him.

Qin Mengrou said nothing. She simply looked at him coldly, her pale fingers digging into her palm as though she were barely holding back.

Seeing her silence, Xu Ping'an was so furious that he almost laughed. Even that sliver of fear in his heart was swallowed up by rage, and his face twitched as he said viciously, Tomorrow not only will Forget-Spring Tower be shut down, you...

Oh, no... not just you. You're so beautiful, your mother must be a great beauty too, hahaha!

Xu Ping'an laughed wildly, as if he did not take the person before him seriously at all. In his mind, already there was a scene: two peerless beauties, one on each side, humiliated and serving him on his bed at the same time.

Thinking of that, he could hardly wait. His voice grew even more manic. Tomorrow night, I'll fuck your mother firs...

Before he could finish, Xu Ping'an suddenly felt the world go dark before his eyes.

Boom!

The entire Forget-Spring Tower shook violently. The towering upper floor was smashed apart by a force like that of gods and demons, as though it were made of paper. Bricks and stones flew everywhere, dust and debris billowed, and even the whole building began to sway violently. Cries for help and screams rose one after another.

A figure in torn clothes, covered in blood, flew straight out and plunged downward. It was only a few zhang from the ground, and it looked as though it was about to smash into the earth.

Who dares cause trouble in the capital?!

The voice came before the person did. A middle-aged man in the armor of an imperial guard commander caught the figure that looked like a rag doll in a steady grip. His rough, dark face was full of fury as he glared up at Forget-Spring Tower. Not far away, dozens of imperial guards broke through the air, the atmosphere quaking around them.

But when he brushed the man's long hair aside and saw the face of the ruined person in his arms, the entire man froze in place. His pupils contracted violently, and cold sweat instantly soaked his clothes.

Boss, what happened?

A young imperial guard who arrived moments later looked at the man in confusion. He had followed this superior for so many years, and this was the first time he had ever seen him show such an expression. The people behind him were all looking at one another in bewilderment.

Quick... quickly report to the Zhen'guo Duke Manor!

The man shouted the order as if he had lost his soul.

The young imperial guard still did not understand and stepped closer.

Xu... Xu Ping'an?!

His whole body went icy cold in an instant. He stared wide-eyed, then an indescribable chill crawled up his spine. He understood better than anyone the standing of the Zhen'guo Duke Manor behind this youth throughout all of Great Yan, and he could already foresee what would happen next.