Chapter 19: Burning Everything to Ashes

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“Young master... why do you ask about this? I assume your visit to the House of Pleasures isn’t for carnal matters, is it?” Miaoyi spoke with some surprise, uncertain because Jiang Fan looked quite young.

“Just tell me—do you take customers or not?” Jiang Fan said sternly.

“I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed, young master. I sell my art, not my body. I’ll perform for you now, but please don’t blame me,” Miaoyi quickly replied.

“Speak plainly! How much to sell yourself?” Jiang Fan cut straight to the point. He wasn’t here for amusement; besides needing a meal, he came for Chen, the steward of this place.

Miaoyi clearly carried the scent of the red dust, and Jiang Fan wasn’t convinced by her claim of ‘selling art, not self.’ After all, she was a woman addicted to the Carefree Powder. Once hooked, how could she possibly control herself?

“Young master... if you truly wish, I must first ask ‘Mother.’ Only if she agrees can I accept your request,” Miaoyi finally admitted when money came up.

“That’s more like it. No need to ask. I have plenty of money here; she will agree,” Jiang Fan sneered. “Now, perform for me. It’ll also lift my spirits.”

“Yes, young master!” Miaoyi began to play, dancing alluringly. She moved gracefully, drawing nearer to Jiang Fan with captivating poses that stirred feelings he could not suppress.

“Very good! Keep dancing,” Jiang Fan chuckled.

No matter what, watching Miaoyi’s dance was a fine pleasure.

Soon, exquisite dishes and fine wine arrived. Jiang Fan drank and ate while admiring the beauty’s dance—truly an indulgence.

“The beauties at the House of Pleasures are exquisite, and the food suits my taste. Indeed, those with wealth and power can enjoy all pleasures here...” Jiang Fan mused.

His last life on Blue Star had been wretched. Now, in this cultivation realm, he was finally living well.

Though this was his first true enjoyment, he knew that by staying low-key and developing his strength with the Great Dao Tome, better days awaited endlessly.

Cultivation was about resources, partners, and magical techniques.

Cultivation defied heaven’s will; one must fight for resources, companions, powerful methods, and cultivation dens.

In the mortal world, these were the stakes as well.

But all depended on sufficient strength.

Jiang Fan’s meal lasted two to three hours. Throughout, Miaoyi performed tirelessly, utterly exhausted by the end.

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“Time’s about right!” As dusk fell, more guests arrived at the House of Pleasures, ready to begin their revelry.

“Young master! May I rest a moment first? I’ll serve you well afterward,” Miaoyi asked, worn out from her long performance.

“No need to serve me! I have urgent matters! Here—take this silver!” Jiang Fan said, tossing her one hundred taels, then headed straight for the kitchen on the first floor.

He had rifled plenty of silver from the sudden fortune at the casino earlier and wasn’t short now. Miaoyi hadn’t offended him, so she deserved pay.

Jiang Fan was a man of clear morals, unwilling to shortchange her.

“Thank you, young master, thank you... please visit again,” Miaoyi called after him with a coy voice, thinking he had left.

She hadn’t expected such generosity—one hundred taels could keep her well for nights. The dishes and drinks he consumed probably cost less than twenty taels.

Jiang Fan ignored her lingering voice and stormed into the bustling kitchen.

“Lend me some sesame oil and a firestick,” he said, snatching a firestick and a bucket of sesame oil, then prepared to rush to the fourth floor.

When he had scouted the third floor with Xiao Lan, he discovered that the ‘Carefree Powder’ the roving guests needed came from the fourth floor.

This time, he intended to strike hard.

“What are you doing, boy?” the head chef barked. “Someone, seize him!”

“Who dares touch me?” Jiang Fan roared, his fierce gaze silencing the crew immediately. “I am a disciple of Master Xu Xian. Even Chen, steward of this House, must treat me with respect. Anyone who moves against me will be killed.”

Hearing Jiang Fan’s ruthless words and icy stare, the kitchen staff dared not act.

They had heard Master Xu’s disciple was here and knew to treat him well. Now, faced with Jiang Fan’s threat, none dared breathe loudly—they only watched silently as he walked away.

Jiang Fan paid them no mind, grabbing a cleaver and the bucket of sesame oil, then headed for the fourth floor.

“Is he really Master Xu’s disciple?” someone whispered.

“He looks no different to me. But why bring oil and a firestick?” another wondered.

“Whatever he’s up to, we’d better keep cooking and not keep customers waiting.”

The kitchen resumed its bustle, unaware that chaos would soon engulf the entire House of Pleasures.

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“Whether the Carefree Powder harms or not, since it’s the House’s main source of income, I’ll destroy their entire stock... If Chen the steward finds out, he’ll be furious,” Jiang Fan murmured, seeing this as an excellent plan.

Returning to the third floor unnoticed, he swiftly moved to the fourth.

“As expected, guards are posted. Good, this will be easy!” Without sneaking, Jiang Fan drew the cleaver he brought from the kitchen and, to the shock of two guards, knocked them unconscious with the blunt side.

Crack!

He kicked open the heavy door.

Inside were dozens of wooden crates filling half the room. Jiang Fan opened one and saw it packed with blackish items.

“Carefree Powder—just as expected. I’m in the right place,” he sneered coldly and poured the bucket of sesame oil over the crates.

“Mission accomplished!” He then threw a lit firestick into the pile.

Whoosh!

Flames blazed fiercely in the dark room, quickly engulfing it in fire and thick smoke.

Jiang Fan swiftly fled the House of Pleasures. It was time to return to the Divine Blade...

“Fire! The fourth floor is on fire!”

“Someone, help! Help put out the fire!”

“Hurry! The fourth floor holds the Carefree Powder! If that burns, none of us will live long...”