Chapter 67: Yu Ruyan

"How dare you ask what this is about?" Mu Qingnan wore a furious expression, the oppressive might of his cultivation instantly cascading outward. "Hand over every last piece of my silver!"

Although the innkeeper possessed some martial arts prowess of his own, how could he possibly match Mu Qingnan, who had already stepped into the subtle realm of perception? Under this intense pressure, his body involuntarily took several steps back, and cold sweat beaded on his cheeks.

"Young master, this has nothing to do with me!" The innkeeper hurriedly waved his hands.

Mu Qingnan's anger only flared higher. The other party had clearly taken it, yet still tried to deny it.

He took a fierce step forward. "You had better hand it over immediately, or you won't even need to keep this inn open."

Facing absolute power, the innkeeper was genuinely terrified. Trembling, he stammered, "Young master, I truly didn't take it. It was Yu Ruyan who ordered me to confiscate it."

"How could it possibly be her!" Upon hearing those three names, Dongyun uttered them in disbelief. Clearly, Dongyun knew her.

"Dongyun, you know her?" Mu Qingnan turned his head to look at Dongyun.

Dongyun nodded. "She is the mistress of the Jade Spring Pavilion. She has always been upright and open in her dealings; she shouldn't stoop to such tactics. If she took it, there must be a reason."

"Innkeeper, if you dare to deceive me, I'll hang you from the roof beams of your own inn," Mu Qingnan threatened before turning around. "Dongyun, let's go. Take me to her."

Curiosity stirred within Mu Qingnan regarding the mistress of the Jade Spring Pavilion. One had to understand that the Vulture Sect was an undisputed overlord in this region, yet this woman paid them no heed. Just how formidable must her cultivation be?

Under Dongyun's guidance, Mu Qingnan entered the Jade Spring Pavilion once again, though this time he restrained his arrogance significantly, mindful that the person running the place possessed a might far superior to his own.

The procuress spotted the two of them the moment they entered and hurried over. She said anxiously to Dongyun, "Dongyun, you're finally back! The mistress has been searching everywhere for you these past few days."

Hearing this, Dongyun felt a tinge of embarrassment. She quickly led Mu Qingnan toward a quiet room on the second floor.

Dongyun knocked gently on the door and asked softly, "Sister Ruyan?"

"Since you're back, come in." A seductive female voice drifted out from within, sending a pleasant tingling sensation through Mu Qingnan.

Dongyun pushed the door open, and she and Mu Qingnan stepped inside.

A wave of rich fragrance instantly assaulted Mu Qingnan's nostrils. He inhaled unconsciously and felt his spirits immediately invigorated.

"Well, well, if it isn't the son of the divine general," the female voice chimed again.

Mu Qingnan looked toward the source of the sound. Seated beside a table ahead was a woman with a voluptuous figure. Her features were exquisitely delicate, and her pair of phoenix eyes seemed to speak as they fluttered open and shut.

A scarlet gown wrapped tightly around her mesmerizing physique. Her fingers idly twitched at a lock of cascading black hair as she looked at Mu Qingnan with amused interest.

One had to admit, she was an absolute peerless beauty, yet her allure differed vastly from Dongyun's.

Dongyun's temperament was ethereal, akin to a pristine lotus flower, whereas Yu Ruyan's beauty was intoxicating and bewitching, designed to capture men's souls.

Yu Ruyan chuckled softly. Like a water snake, her body instantly glided right up to Mu Qingnan. She extended a slender, jade-white finger to lift his chin and murmured, "So you're the one who seduced our little Dongyun away?"

Sensing the lingering fragrance drifting from her person, Mu Qingnan swallowed hard. Having never been in such close contact with a woman before, a flush of crimson spread rapidly across his cheeks.

Yu Ruyan's warm breath brushed against his face. Gazing at her breathtaking figure, Mu Qingnan felt an instant surge of heat.

With a light giggle, Yu Ruyan glided back to the table and seated herself before Mu Qingnan could recover his wits.

As the fragrance receded, Mu Qingnan finally regained his composure, remembering that this woman was a remarkably powerful martial artist.

"Well, speak. The renowned son of the divine general, what brings you to my humble establishment?" Yu Ruyan propped her chin on one hand and stared unblinkingly at Mu Qingnan.

Mu Qingnan stepped forward and sat down beside her. Remembering his earlier awkwardness, his face flushed slightly, but he still demanded, "Hurry up and return my silver."

"So that's what this is about." Yu Ruyan's gaze made Mu Qingnan self-consciously look away before she continued, "Young Master Mu, let me do the math for you. Dongyun is the premier courtesan of our pavilion. In a single day, the revenue she brings to the Jade Spring Pavilion is close to a thousand taels. Since you took her away for so long, I assumed she had permanently left the pavilion."

"Therefore—" Yu Ruyan picked up a box from the table and flipped open the lid, revealing stacks of silver notes inside—"consider this money as the redemption fee you paid for Dongyun's freedom."

"Redemption... fee?" Dongyun stared at Yu Ruyan, completely at a loss. "Sister Ruyan, are you asking me to leave this place?"

Mu Qingnan looked at Dongyun, thinking that if this could secure her freedom, spending tens of thousands of taels was well worth it.

Yu Ruyan's eyes remained remarkably calm as she said softly, "Dongyun, don't you want to leave this place?"

Internal struggle raged within Dongyun's heart. When she had first arrived here, she signed an indenture because she received protection from the pavilion. Initially, she truly detested performing for men and constantly dreamed of escaping this life.

Yet now, having spent a long time among these women—and with her deep enmity finally avenged and the Vulture Sect no longer daring to trouble them—if she truly left the Jade Spring Pavilion, she had nowhere else to go. Furthermore, Yu Ruyan had never treated her poorly; in truth, she treated her like a dearest sister.

"Since this can buy Dongyun's freedom, I'll let you keep these tens of thousands of taels," Mu Qingnan said, missing Dongyun's inner conflict and readily agreeing on the spot.

Hearing Mu Qingnan's words, Dongyun snapped out of her trance. She immediately blurted out, "No, I want to stay."

Yu Ruyan's eyes widened in shock. Although Dongyun only sold her artistry and not her body, this was still a house of pleasure after all, and she remained the top courtesan, attracting countless married men whose wives constantly tarnished her reputation outside.

Yet despite all this, she had chosen to stay. This meant Dongyun truly regarded her as a sister.

"Dongyun, have you made up your will? If you stay, people will continue to slander your name." As much as Yu Ruyan desired to keep Dongyun by her side, she felt compelled to dissuade her for the sake of her reputation.

Dongyun nodded with unwavering firmness. "If not for Sister, I would have long since fallen victim to that villain Ge Peng. You are my benefactor. To remain by Sister's side, what does a little gossip matter?"

"Since that is your decision, Young Master Mu, you may take your money back." Yu Ruyan pushed the box toward Mu Qingnan.

Seeing that Dongyun had made up her mind, Mu Qingnan raised no further objections. He accepted the money box and then said, "Dongyun, since things stand thus, I must take my leave. I need to find my eldest brother as soon as possible, but I will come back to visit you when I have time."