Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 177: “Good Brothers”
After lunch, Li Xian was pulled aside by Shangguan Guang for a conversation. This discussion was quite interesting, as Shangguan Guang shared some military experience and knowledge with Li Xian, while also trying to extract some ideas about industry and commerce from him. Nearby, Shangguan Yong was listening in, or rather, learning and trying to steal some of the knowledge.
As the evening sun began to set, Shangguan Guang suddenly asked Li Xian about military matters for the first time. “Xian nephew, the rebellion in Zhongshan County was suddenly quelled. There are many things about this that I don’t understand. I wonder… would you be able to point me in the right direction?”
Seeing the elder adopting such a humble attitude, how could Li Xian refuse? “Uncle, recently in Anyang, we’ve developed a new type of war device, one that can fly particularly high. To distinguish it from conventional war devices, the people in Anyang have named it ‘Flying Machine.’
During the last rebellion, we used the flying machine to transport several Golden Elixir experts and a large number of bombs over the enemy’s central camp, and we launched a surprise attack.
The rebels didn’t expect such an assault, and we were able to seize the opportunity.
I call this tactic: an airstrike.
Perhaps in future battles, airstrikes will become more and more common.”
Li Xian’s words were half-true, half-false.
Shangguan Guang, a capable general, frowned as soon as he heard this. After thinking for a while, he looked at Li Xian and asked, “Xian nephew, do you have any ways to defend against airstrikes?”
Li Xian naturally wanted to keep something to himself. “Uncle, at present, we have thought of two methods to counter airstrikes, both of which are early warning systems. The first is to assign people to monitor the skies around the clock. The second is to camouflage the central camp so that the enemy cannot identify the real target.”
Shangguan Guang nodded thoughtfully and then let Li Xian off the hook. “Alright, it’s already evening, you should be on your way now.”
As they sat in the carriage, swaying towards the so-called “Yun Zhi Jian,” Li Xian learned that Yun Zhi Jian was the largest “qinglou” in the imperial capital, Wuyang City. However, this qinglou was of a high class, with many talented women and strict restrictions, making it a place only for the refined; common people were not allowed to enter. It was a place where food, drink, entertainment, and accommodation were all available, and it even had its own business dealings.
There was, however, one issue: no one knew who owned Yun Zhi Jian, but no one dared to cause trouble there—two Golden Elixir experts stationed there were more than enough to ensure that.
When Li Xian and Shangguan Yong arrived at Yun Zhi Jian, it was already dusk. Looking around, Li Xian noticed that the colorful lights used by Yun Zhi Jian were all from the Brilliant Star Merchants. The entrance was adorned with two large pinkish-red crystal chandeliers.
As Li Xian and Shangguan Yong arrived, Zhang Quan was already waiting at the door. Next to Zhang Quan were Wang Ping from the Wang family and Kong Yingzhi from the Kong family.
Li Xian looked around and found that Yun Zhi Jian today seemed unusually quiet, lacking the usual lively atmosphere.
Zhang Quan was the first to greet them, “Xian brother, quickly get down, we’ve been waiting for you. Today, Shangguan Yong is treating us.”
Li Xian jumped down from the carriage, “There won’t just be the four of us today, right?”
“Of course not! Xian brother, it’s rare for you to come back to Wuyang, how could we not let you enjoy yourself? Tonight, the whole Yun Zhi Jian is ours. We can do whatever we want, don’t worry about leaving Shangguan Yong any face. Ha…”
Upon entering the main hall, Li Xian was immediately… dazzled! The first woman he saw was dressed in a pink outfit with her hair styled in a palace knot, dignified but slightly seductive, just the right balance. At first glance, Li Xian thought he was seeing a favored concubine; upon closer inspection, he realized it was the owner of Yun Zhi Jian, the so-called madam.
Behind the madam, there were dozens of beautiful women in various poses, some playing pipa, some playing bamboo flutes. At the back, and in the center, two graceful and pure twin girls sat elegantly, with a guzheng placed before them.
As soon as Li Xian entered, the madam slightly bent her body and smiled modestly, “Young Master Li, you’ve finally returned. The girls have been eagerly awaiting you.”
As the madam spoke, the surrounding beauties began to move, with the elegant sound of silk and bamboo instruments floating through the air, and seductive dancers swaying their bodies. A delicate mist drifted in from somewhere, making the bright main hall of Yun Zhi Jian seem to transform into an immortal palace in the sky.
This Li Xian was no longer the same Li Xian as before. Although his memories remained, they were just memories, like a book from the past. When faced with such a scene now, Li Xian, despite everything, adopted the demeanor of a “gentleman,” walking forward without a glance to either side.
Behind him, Zhang Quan suddenly burst into laughter. “I told you all, once our virtuous brother got himself a princess, he wouldn’t dare to mess around anymore. Come on, come on, ten taels of gold per person. A bet’s a bet—you lose, you pay.”
Li Xian’s steps froze instantly. This scoundrel actually bet on something like this!
Zhang Quan collected the gold, laughing heartily as he rushed into the crowd of beauties. In an instant, the place was filled with fluttering butterflies and joyous chaos.
Then Shangguan Yong also dashed in, and amidst the sound of silk and bamboo instruments, a few giggles were added. The serene and elegant atmosphere of the place was suddenly tinged with a sense of worldly frivolity and helplessness.
Wang Ping and Kong Yingzhi, standing nearby, had already rushed in as well. Except for the two women playing the zithers at the front, all the other ladies were chased around, laughing and giggling.
In just a short while, the dance and music had completely dissipated.
Li Xian looked around and suddenly sighed. “It’s like pigs visiting a brothel. These idiots… they’re just a bunch of pigs, with no appreciation for elegance at all!”
Nearby, the madam of the establishment, who stood close to Li Xian, twisted her waist and leaned closer upon hearing his comment. “Young Master Li, aren’t you going to join in the fun?”
Li Xian let out a wistful sigh. “Ha—where’s the joy in that?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized they were inappropriate for this setting. Quickly, he switched to a more “roguish” smile. “Actually, compared to these ordinary, mundane women, I prefer someone like you, beautiful, dignified, and enchanting—like Sister Caiyun.”
With that, he reached out to grab the madam.
The madam, Caiyun, let out a coquettish laugh and dodged Li Xian’s “wolf claws” with a twist of her body. “Oh, Master, I’m far from deserving the word ‘beautiful.’ I’m just an old woman past her prime. Those two beauties at the front, though—they’re clean courtesans and twins at that, prepared especially for you, Young Master.”
“Oh,” Li Xian responded nonchalantly, walked to the corner, pulled over a chair, and sat down. He said no more.
Li Xian’s behavior left the madam stunned. She watched him, unable to say any of the countless lines she had prepared.
As the madam stood awkwardly, Zhang Quan approached, holding a girl on each side who appeared to be only sixteen or seventeen years old. “Virtuous brother, don’t tell me you’re scared of the princess.”
To everyone’s surprise, Li Xian nodded seriously. “Yes, I am.”
Uh… now it was Zhang Quan’s turn to be tongue-tied. You really admitted it?
But Zhang Quan’s hesitation didn’t last long. Shangguan Yong came over too, with two young girls in his arms, his hands wandering freely. “Brother, come on, it’s not like it’s your first time in a place like this. What’s the big deal? Relax and have fun. If anyone dares gossip, I’ll lead troops to deal with them myself!
Oh, and brother, to welcome your arrival, I specifically instructed Yun Zhi Jian to prepare a pair of twins just for you. This is my token of goodwill—you can’t refuse! To be honest, seeing those twins, I’m envious myself. But for your sake, brother, I’m willing to part with them.”