Chapter 57: Saint or Courtesan?

“Who is the Wine Maiden?” Miss Ruoshui, of course, had no idea about the events Zhang Chi referred to, and asked in puzzlement.

Zhang Chi then explained in detail how the Wine Maiden had been abducted, recounting everything to Miss Ruoshui. Then, musing aloud, he said, “But the Wine Maiden bears little resemblance to you. Why would they want her to impersonate you?”

“When I was a child, my father, or rather, my master, was already killed. I escaped by luck, and all these years, apart from you, I have never told anyone about my true identity. If Sun Tai wished to find someone to impersonate me, he wouldn’t have to worry about the likeness,” Miss Ruoshui replied. “But why would they choose the Wine Maiden to play my part? The Celestial Master Sect has always acted in mysterious ways. This, too, is something I cannot fathom.”

She called her father “master” instead of “father.” From this alone, one could see how peculiar the ways of the Celestial Master Sect truly were, Zhang Chi thought.

But what Zhang Chi cared about most right now was not why the Five Bushels of Rice Sect had kidnapped the Wine Maiden, nor what they intended to do with her. What mattered most was how to rescue her. He asked, “Since you are the Saintess of the Five Bushels of Rice Sect, do you know where they might be hiding her?”

“Kuaiji Mountain has always been the sacred ground of the Celestial Master Sect. Now the sect has gathered its followers there, and it seems they harbor ambitions toward Shanyin City. The person you seek—since she is meant to impersonate the Saintess—most likely is also in Kuaiji Mountain,” Miss Ruoshui analyzed.

So it was as he suspected. If he wanted to save the Wine Maiden, he would have to venture up Kuaiji Mountain. Zhang Chi took a deep breath.

“You’re not planning to go up Kuaiji Mountain yourself, are you?” Miss Ruoshui saw the look on Zhang Chi’s face and guessed most of his thoughts, quickly counseling, “All the sect members from Jiangnan have gathered there. To go up the mountain now is most perilous.”

“Only by entering the tiger’s den can one seize the cub,” Zhang Chi replied, undaunted.

Zhang Chi had always cared only whether something was right to do, never whether it was dangerous. Once he decided on a course, not even blades and fire would make him flinch.

Miss Ruoshui could see this temperament in him.

She herself, from a young age, had experienced the world’s complexities, and in recent years, had hidden herself in the red-light district, meeting all sorts of people. In truth, many hold deep prejudices against courtesans, saying “actors are heartless, courtesans faithless,” but loyalty is a two-way street. If one only seeks to toy with courtesans, how can one expect loyalty in return?

Yet, many courtesans are, in fact, deeply loyal, even more so than most—such as Su San, or Lady Du.

This echoed what Zhang Chi had said in the main hall when speaking to Meng Feiyang: “Among butchers and knaves loyalty is often found; heroines often come from the world of dust.”

Miss Ruoshui, of course, was also a courtesan, but when she decided to follow Zhang Chi and serve at his side, she had already allowed herself to feel something genuine in her heart. She was gambling—gambling that Zhang Chi was also a man of feeling and loyalty. Fortunately, her gamble was right.

So now, seeing Zhang Chi willing to risk life and limb to save the Wine Maiden—a defenseless woman—she felt some concern, but even more comfort. She had not misjudged him.

Such a man could not be bound by profit, nor frightened by peril. For a man so carefree and unrestrained, the only thing that could sway his heart was loyalty and feeling.

Having seen so many men come to the brothel with honeyed words and false affection, now, although Zhang Chi ignored her overtures, she found herself liking him all the more for it.

“If you are set on venturing up Kuaiji Mountain, I wish to follow at your side,” she said.

Her words startled Zhang Chi. “Why come with me? I never said I would avenge you.”

“I choose to follow you, whether or not you avenge me is entirely your choice,” Miss Ruoshui said with a gentle smile. “Besides, you don’t know the customs and rules of the Celestial Master Sect. The moment you speak, they’ll know you’re an outsider. How will you save anyone then?”

This was a sound argument. He knew little of the Five Bushels of Rice Sect, and would likely be exposed as soon as he set foot there. And what hope would there be then? But as the sect’s Saintess, Ruoshui knew everything—her presence would indeed smooth over many difficulties.

Seeing Zhang Chi hesitate, Ruoshui gently took his arm and smiled. “It’s already late. Even if you wanted to ascend the mountain, you’d have to wait for daylight. Why not rest here with me for the night?”

Again? Zhang Chi had already taken Five-Stone Powder, and now, as Ruoshui took his arm, the touch of her skin sent a current through his body, making him tremble uncontrollably.

Though never shy about romance, Zhang Chi was always wary of women with too many schemes. When one accepts another’s favors, one inevitably incurs obligations, and intimacy with such women would mean becoming entangled in their affairs—hardly what his heart desired.

Moreover, this woman clearly had ulterior motives for inviting him to her bed.

Zhang Chi was a man, but not one ruled by lust. He would never let his desires cloud his judgment, so he withdrew his arm. “There are friends waiting for me downstairs.”

“Let them wait a bit longer,” Ruoshui teased. “Why don’t I arrange a few rooms for them on the first floor, and find them some pretty girls for company?”

Let Dao Xuan consort with courtesans? The thought made Zhang Chi want to laugh. Dao Xuan was a monk, after all. Even setting Dao Xuan aside, what about Santong—a big, burly man who had never known a woman—what would he be like in such a situation? The thought amused Zhang Chi greatly.

“Thank you for your kind offer, but I fear my friends are not so fortunate. Tonight, we must discuss the plan for rescuing the Wine Maiden. Perhaps you could arrange a larger room for us—we’ll all stay together.”

The “Worldly Paradise” was much like a modern high-end club. As long as one had money and status, any service could be had. Some guests even requested the company of several women at once, so large rooms were available. Yet in all these years, Ruoshui had never seen anyone come to the Paradise and not seek the company of women—let alone a group of men choosing to share a single room.

She covered her mouth, laughing. “If that’s your wish, wait here a moment. I’ll make the arrangements.”

She turned, called for a maid, and after everything was settled, returned to lead Zhang Chi downstairs.

On the first floor, a luxurious and lavish room had been prepared for Zhang Chi and his companions. Fully furnished, but with only one bed—which was no surprise, as this was, after all, a brothel despite its elegance.

When Ruoshui led Zhang Chi to the door, Dao Xuan, Santong, and Meng Feiyang were already inside. Outside stood six or seven beautiful women, waiting. Ruoshui smiled and said, “Since the gentlemen have business to discuss tonight, these young ladies will wait outside to serve you. Should you require anything, simply ask.”

So many lovely girls waiting at the door, ready to meet any need—this was truly the service of emperors. Zhang Chi could only shake his head in resignation. “If you prefer to stand, by all means. But if you tire, please go rest.”

With that, he entered the room and closed the door behind him.

Ruoshui, standing outside, gazed at the closed door and suddenly smiled, her heart light. She wondered to herself: What sort of man is he? Even the way he closes a door is so free and unrestrained, so unlike any other.