Chapter 30.: Side Story: Being Creative (IV)
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After Huang Ruyan came down from her high, a long awkward silence, tomato red faces, and a lot of stammering, Lin Qingcheng finally explained her reason for coming to the inn.
Upon hearing that she would be saved, Huang Ruyan broke down and cried for a long time. Through the unceasing emotions, she slowly told her story and what had happened.
She was a land owner's wife from Shang Town. The kidnappers of Eagle's Peak sneaked into her home in the middle of the night, killed her husband, and took her away. She was then brought to Moonlight City and sold to Drunk Blossom Inn, where she had worked for over two years already.
It had been a difficult ordeal but she was lucky. Coming from a family that had money, she was able to learn from a local sect in her youth and then keep cultivating after marriage. Since she was at the 2nd Level of the Mind Focusing Realm, she had far more value than ordinary peasant girls and was sold to a reputable establishment.
Others suffered far worse fates. They were sold to whorehouses in slums or directly to pimps and forced to work the streets. Although Huang Ruyan's customers could be rough or violent, the inn still protected the working girls. The other girls faced the real danger of losing their lives at the hands of their customers or common street-thugs.
Upon hearing this, Lin Qingcheng wanted to save those poor girls but couldn't come up with a good solution. She was still new to the city and had no idea where to even look for pimps and these rapist gangs.
With nothing else she could do, she had the Zhou Clan negotiate with the Drunk Blossom Inn to buy out all the girls on the list. It came out to an average of ten gold per person. Huang Ruyan even helped identify ones that had hidden their real names out of shame and in total, twenty women were saved from the inn.
Lin Qingcheng met with the twenty confused and nervous women back at the Zhou Clan branch office. She told them that they were free to go back to their towns and villages. Shocked and elated, they cried a lot, thanked her profusely, and hugged each other.
What was surprising was that only eight of them ultimately chose to return home. The twelve that remained each had their own reasons. Some had nowhere to return to or were too ashamed to return. Others wanted to continue to work for the simple fact that selling their bodies in the capital city could earn them in one week what their parents earned in a year out in the country. But most importantly, they saw Lin Qingcheng, the prime disciple of an immortal, as their savior.
Huang Ruyan led the others as they bowed to Lin Qingcheng. "Mistress! We vow to heaven and earth, from this day forth, we will be your servants for life and will follow you to the ends of the world!"
Lin Qingcheng laughed in surprise and delight, "Quickly rise... I will accept you all, you're my people now. If anybody dares to harm you, I'll beat them up!"
"Thank you, Mistress!"
---
Lin Qingcheng found Zhou You a few days later for a chat. Her newfound followers had presented her with a proposal. She had thought about it day and night until she found the courage to bring it up.
"Uncle Zhou, I am wondering if the Zhou family is interested in supporting a prostitution business."
Zhou You choked on his tea.
"Cough... Miss Lin, what?"
The Zhou Clan was only involved with merchant trade and their presence in Moonlight City was very limited. The clan had never considered prostitution as a business opportunity.
Lin Qingcheng blushed, "I know such a business is a bit improper. But... my followers, the women we've saved, don't want to live off the Zhou family for free forever. They want to contribute but they have no other ways to earn money.”
"I see..." Zhou You stroked his beard.
He was a seasoned businessman and understood the dilemma. Prostitution was indeed very profitable. The only problem was it was rather unsavory.
"Miss, I cannot make this decision. I worry about the lord immortal's reputation if we get into this business. Perhaps, we should ask him."
Lin Qingcheng agreed and sent word using a message talisman. Chen Wentian arrived along with Zhou Ziyun and the three of them discussed the matter at length.
Lin Qingcheng explained her desire to save these women, not just those kidnapped from around Lin Town but all enslaved women in the city. After living with her followers, she understood their plight even more. She cried countless times for them, so much so that her eyes were still puffy and red.
Chen Wentian understood and didn't blame her. His first disciple was a kind girl with a pure heart. There was nothing more he could ask of her. He also had an innate dislike for the attitudes of the royal family and the nobles of the Bright Moon Kingdom. They were the kind of dirty men he hated with a passion. How dare they steal all the pretty women in his province? Audacious!
As for a prostitution house, he didn't mind something like that being associated with him. Immortals liked sex too and they often paid for them. Some people disparaged it but others embraced it. Cultivation was expensive and there was a lot of money to be made, especially for beautiful and handsome immortals.
The only issue left was the Zhou Clan.
"Qingcheng, I like your idea but we should think about Ziyun. Whatever you do will require the help of the Zhou Clan and it will affect their reputation." Chen Wentian said, "As master, I can't make such a decision to make her help you. Even though you are the first disciple and she is the second, I don't want to make her do anything against her will. So, you two should discuss it among yourselves."
He then left the room and let them two talk it out.
Lin Qingcheng quickly grabbed Zhou Ziyun's hands, "Elder Sister, please help me! I can give you all the gold master gave me. I just need to hire people from the Zhou clan. Elder Sister, those girls are so miserable, I have to save them!"
Zhou Ziyun impassive face broke into a smile, "Sister, don't worry. I agree with you. We should do our best to save them as well. Our master is noble and will not stand for evildoers in his domain. And as women, we should do our best to help when other women are being exploited and enslaved. I will also help you with additional gold."
"Really!" Lin Qingcheng squealed.
"Only..." Zhou Ziyun paused dramatically, "I would like to ask for something in return."
Lin Qingcheng nodded her head. "No problem!"
Zhou Ziyun continued, "Whenever we are both at the sect, your next ten nights of one-on-one training with master, can you give them to me?"
"Okay!" Lin Qingcheng said without thinking and gave Zhou Ziyun a grateful hug, "Thank you!"
Chen Wentian was outside listening in and was astounded. The irony made him burst out laughing. His first disciple had just sold him to his second disciple.
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After Huang Ruyan came down from her high, a long awkward silence, tomato red faces, and a lot of stammering, Lin Qingcheng finally explained her reason for coming to the inn.
Upon hearing that she would be saved, Huang Ruyan broke down and cried for a long time. Through the unceasing emotions, she slowly told her story and what had happened.
She was a land owner's wife from Shang Town. The kidnappers of Eagle's Peak sneaked into her home in the middle of the night, killed her husband, and took her away. She was then brought to Moonlight City and sold to Drunk Blossom Inn, where she had worked for over two years already.
It had been a difficult ordeal but she was lucky. Coming from a family that had money, she was able to learn from a local sect in her youth and then keep cultivating after marriage. Since she was at the 2nd Level of the Mind Focusing Realm, she had far more value than ordinary peasant girls and was sold to a reputable establishment.
Others suffered far worse fates. They were sold to whorehouses in slums or directly to pimps and forced to work the streets. Although Huang Ruyan's customers could be rough or violent, the inn still protected the working girls. The other girls faced the real danger of losing their lives at the hands of their customers or common street-thugs.
Upon hearing this, Lin Qingcheng wanted to save those poor girls but couldn't come up with a good solution. She was still new to the city and had no idea where to even look for pimps and these rapist gangs.
With nothing else she could do, she had the Zhou Clan negotiate with the Drunk Blossom Inn to buy out all the girls on the list. It came out to an average of ten gold per person. Huang Ruyan even helped identify ones that had hidden their real names out of shame and in total, twenty women were saved from the inn.
Lin Qingcheng met with the twenty confused and nervous women back at the Zhou Clan branch office. She told them that they were free to go back to their towns and villages. Shocked and elated, they cried a lot, thanked her profusely, and hugged each other.
What was surprising was that only eight of them ultimately chose to return home. The twelve that remained each had their own reasons. Some had nowhere to return to or were too ashamed to return. Others wanted to continue to work for the simple fact that selling their bodies in the capital city could earn them in one week what their parents earned in a year out in the country. But most importantly, they saw Lin Qingcheng, the prime disciple of an immortal, as their savior.
Huang Ruyan led the others as they bowed to Lin Qingcheng. "Mistress! We vow to heaven and earth, from this day forth, we will be your servants for life and will follow you to the ends of the world!"
Lin Qingcheng laughed in surprise and delight, "Quickly rise... I will accept you all, you're my people now. If anybody dares to harm you, I'll beat them up!"
"Thank you, Mistress!"
---
Lin Qingcheng found Zhou You a few days later for a chat. Her newfound followers had presented her with a proposal. She had thought about it day and night until she found the courage to bring it up.
"Uncle Zhou, I am wondering if the Zhou family is interested in supporting a prostitution business."
Zhou You choked on his tea.
"Cough... Miss Lin, what?"
The Zhou Clan was only involved with merchant trade and their presence in Moonlight City was very limited. The clan had never considered prostitution as a business opportunity.
Lin Qingcheng blushed, "I know such a business is a bit improper. But... my followers, the women we've saved, don't want to live off the Zhou family for free forever. They want to contribute but they have no other ways to earn money.”
"I see..." Zhou You stroked his beard.
He was a seasoned businessman and understood the dilemma. Prostitution was indeed very profitable. The only problem was it was rather unsavory.
"Miss, I cannot make this decision. I worry about the lord immortal's reputation if we get into this business. Perhaps, we should ask him."
Lin Qingcheng agreed and sent word using a message talisman. Chen Wentian arrived along with Zhou Ziyun and the three of them discussed the matter at length.
Lin Qingcheng explained her desire to save these women, not just those kidnapped from around Lin Town but all enslaved women in the city. After living with her followers, she understood their plight even more. She cried countless times for them, so much so that her eyes were still puffy and red.
Chen Wentian understood and didn't blame her. His first disciple was a kind girl with a pure heart. There was nothing more he could ask of her. He also had an innate dislike for the attitudes of the royal family and the nobles of the Bright Moon Kingdom. They were the kind of dirty men he hated with a passion. How dare they steal all the pretty women in his province? Audacious!
As for a prostitution house, he didn't mind something like that being associated with him. Immortals liked sex too and they often paid for them. Some people disparaged it but others embraced it. Cultivation was expensive and there was a lot of money to be made, especially for beautiful and handsome immortals.
The only issue left was the Zhou Clan.
"Qingcheng, I like your idea but we should think about Ziyun. Whatever you do will require the help of the Zhou Clan and it will affect their reputation." Chen Wentian said, "As master, I can't make such a decision to make her help you. Even though you are the first disciple and she is the second, I don't want to make her do anything against her will. So, you two should discuss it among yourselves."
He then left the room and let them two talk it out.
Lin Qingcheng quickly grabbed Zhou Ziyun's hands, "Elder Sister, please help me! I can give you all the gold master gave me. I just need to hire people from the Zhou clan. Elder Sister, those girls are so miserable, I have to save them!"
Zhou Ziyun impassive face broke into a smile, "Sister, don't worry. I agree with you. We should do our best to save them as well. Our master is noble and will not stand for evildoers in his domain. And as women, we should do our best to help when other women are being exploited and enslaved. I will also help you with additional gold."
"Really!" Lin Qingcheng squealed.
"Only..." Zhou Ziyun paused dramatically, "I would like to ask for something in return."
Lin Qingcheng nodded her head. "No problem!"
Zhou Ziyun continued, "Whenever we are both at the sect, your next ten nights of one-on-one training with master, can you give them to me?"
"Okay!" Lin Qingcheng said without thinking and gave Zhou Ziyun a grateful hug, "Thank you!"
Chen Wentian was outside listening in and was astounded. The irony made him burst out laughing. His first disciple had just sold him to his second disciple.
After Huang Ruyan came down from her high, a long awkward silence, tomato red faces, and a lot of stammering, Lin Qingcheng finally explained her reason for coming to the inn.Upon hearing that she would be saved, Huang Ruyan broke down and cried for a long time. Through the unceasing emotions, she slowly told her story and what had happened.She was a land owner's wife from Shang Town. The kidnappers of Eagle's Peak sneaked into her home in the middle of the night, killed her husband, and took her away. She was then brought to Moonlight City and sold to Drunk Blossom Inn, where she had worked for over two years already.It had been a difficult ordeal but she was lucky. Coming from a family that had money, she was able to learn from a local sect in her youth and then keep cultivating after marriage. Since she was at the 2nd Level of the Mind Focusing Realm, she had far more value than ordinary peasant girls and was sold to a reputable establishment.Others suffered far worse fates. They were sold to whorehouses in slums or directly to pimps and forced to work the streets. Although Huang Ruyan's customers could be rough or violent, the inn still protected the working girls. The other girls faced the real danger of losing their lives at the hands of their customers or common street-thugs.Upon hearing this, Lin Qingcheng wanted to save those poor girls but couldn't come up with a good solution. She was still new to the city and had no idea where to even look for pimps and these rapist gangs.With nothing else she could do, she had the Zhou Clan negotiate with the Drunk Blossom Inn to buy out all the girls on the list. It came out to an average of ten gold per person. Huang Ruyan even helped identify ones that had hidden their real names out of shame and in total, twenty women were saved from the inn.Lin Qingcheng met with the twenty confused and nervous women back at the Zhou Clan branch office. She told them that they were free to go back to their towns and villages. Shocked and elated, they cried a lot, thanked her profusely, and hugged each other.What was surprising was that only eight of them ultimately chose to return home. The twelve that remained each had their own reasons. Some had nowhere to return to or were too ashamed to return. Others wanted to continue to work for the simple fact that selling their bodies in the capital city could earn them in one week what their parents earned in a year out in the country. But most importantly, they saw Lin Qingcheng, the prime disciple of an immortal, as their savior.Huang Ruyan led the others as they bowed to Lin Qingcheng. "Mistress! We vow to heaven and earth, from this day forth, we will be your servants for life and will follow you to the ends of the world!"Lin Qingcheng laughed in surprise and delight, "Quickly rise... I will accept you all, you're my people now. If anybody dares to harm you, I'll beat them up!""Thank you, Mistress!"---Lin Qingcheng found Zhou You a few days later for a chat. Her newfound followers had presented her with a proposal. She had thought about it day and night until she found the courage to bring it up."Uncle Zhou, I am wondering if the Zhou family is interested in supporting a prostitution business."Zhou You choked on his tea."Cough... Miss Lin, what?"The Zhou Clan was only involved with merchant trade and their presence in Moonlight City was very limited. The clan had never considered prostitution as a business opportunity.Lin Qingcheng blushed, "I know such a business is a bit improper. But... my followers, the women we've saved, don't want to live off the Zhou family for free forever. They want to contribute but they have no other ways to earn money."I see..." Zhou You stroked his beard.He was a seasoned businessman and understood the dilemma. Prostitution was indeed very profitable. The only problem was it was rather unsavory."Miss, I cannot make this decision. I worry about the lord immortal's reputation if we get into this business. Perhaps, we should ask him."Lin Qingcheng agreed and sent word using a message talisman. Chen Wentian arrived along with Zhou Ziyun and the three of them discussed the matter at length.Lin Qingcheng explained her desire to save these women, not just those kidnapped from around Lin Town but all enslaved women in the city. After living with her followers, she understood their plight even more. She cried countless times for them, so much so that her eyes were still puffy and red.Chen Wentian understood and didn't blame her. His first disciple was a kind girl with a pure heart. There was nothing more he could ask of her. He also had an innate dislike for the attitudes of the royal family and the nobles of the Bright Moon Kingdom. They were the kind of dirty men he hated with a passion. How dare they steal all the pretty women in his province? Audacious!As for a prostitution house, he didn't mind something like that being associated with him. Immortals liked sex too and they often paid for them. Some people disparaged it but others embraced it. Cultivation was expensive and there was a lot of money to be made, especially for beautiful and handsome immortals.The only issue left was the Zhou Clan."Qingcheng, I like your idea but we should think about Ziyun. Whatever you do will require the help of the Zhou Clan and it will affect their reputation." Chen Wentian said, "As master, I can't make such a decision to make her help you. Even though you are the first disciple and she is the second, I don't want to make her do anything against her will. So, you two should discuss it among yourselves."He then left the room and let them two talk it out.Lin Qingcheng quickly grabbed Zhou Ziyun's hands, "Elder Sister, please help me! I can give you all the gold master gave me. I just need to hire people from the Zhou clan. Elder Sister, those girls are so miserable, I have to save them!"Zhou Ziyun impassive face broke into a smile, "Sister, don't worry. I agree with you. We should do our best to save them as well. Our master is noble and will not stand for evildoers in his domain. And as women, we should do our best to help when other women are being exploited and enslaved. I will also help you with additional gold.""Really!" Lin Qingcheng squealed."Only..." Zhou Ziyun paused dramatically, "I would like to ask for something in return."Lin Qingcheng nodded her head. "No problem!"Zhou Ziyun continued, "Whenever we are both at the sect, your next ten nights of one-on-one training with master, can you give them to me?""Okay!" Lin Qingcheng said without thinking and gave Zhou Ziyun a grateful hug, "Thank you!"Chen Wentian was outside listening in and was astounded. The irony made him burst out laughing. His first disciple had just sold him to his second disciple.
