Chapter 15: The Drunken Fragrance Pavilion

"Kid! Your cultivation technique only utilizes about thirty percent of the energy—it’s far too basic! Now that you’ve become your grandmother’s new master, you need to raise your strength quickly, or else if you’re bullied in the future, I’ll be dragged down with you!" After a round of conversation, just as Du Long focused his mind and resumed his cultivation, a crisp, girlish voice rang out in his mind, jolting him out of his meditative state.

On the verge of losing his temper, he suddenly remembered and feigned indifference. "This is the Du family’s secret, the Grand Heaven Steel Technique. How can you call it a low-level technique? Do you have something more advanced?"

"Obviously! Why else would your grandmother bother talking so much? Forget it, I won’t waste words with you. Watch closely—this is the first section of the Profound Heaven Technique. It’s enough to get you to the third rank. Remember, don’t let anyone know you’re cultivating the Profound Heaven Technique, or it’ll bring disaster upon your whole family!" For once, Ling’er’s expression turned solemn as she spoke the last words.

Before Du Long could question further, an image appeared in his mind: a diagram of the human meridian system, with a red line entering at the top of the head, passing through the Ren and Du channels, entering the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, then flowing along a mysterious elliptical route, finally gathering in the dantian.

"Is it possible to teach internal techniques like this?" Seeing the virtual cultivation diagram of the Profound Heaven Technique in his mind, Du Long was utterly stunned. At least in the entire Grand Heaven Empire, such a wondrous teaching method had never existed!

"Now you realize how far behind you are, don’t you? Hehe, when your grandmother said you were lucky to get this ring, someone didn’t believe it! Hmph!" Sensing Du Long’s amazement, Ling’er wrinkled her nose and snorted smugly.

"Incredible! Ling’er, this method of imparting cultivation techniques is unheard of. Now, during cultivation, I can reference the diagram in my mind, which greatly reduces the chances of making mistakes!" Knowing he should never be stingy with praise toward this ring spirit beauty, Du Long lavished her with compliments—the more he flattered her, the more benefits he received.

"Exactly! The Profound Heaven Technique can help you break through to the ninth rank, and its energy absorption and refinement efficiency reaches about sixty-six percent—more than double your current technique!" Ling’er nodded enthusiastically, brimming with pride.

Without further ado, Du Long immediately began cultivating according to the Profound Heaven Technique, drawing the Grand Heaven Steel Qi in through the Baihui acupoint at the crown of his head, channeling it down the Ren and Du meridians into the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, then circulating it according to the route specified by the Profound Heaven Technique, finally gathering it in the dantian’s energy core.

As time passed, he could clearly sense that, after one cycle through the elliptical meridian path, the efficiency with which he absorbed and refined the Grand Heaven Steel Qi was more than twice as fast as before!

…

In the east wing’s dining hall, the Du family of four rarely gathered together for breakfast.

"Grandfather, Father, Mother, I’ll soon be heading to Spirit Cloud Mountain for arduous cultivation. Each trip will last five or six days, and I’ll return for a day before heading back out," Du Long mumbled, mouth full of food.

"You can cultivate at home—why run off to Spirit Cloud Mountain? The New Year is just seven or eight days away. Even if you want to train hard, there’s no rush," Zhou Ruoxue looked at her precious son with concern.

"I feel my cultivation progresses faster at Spirit Cloud Mountain. If I want to break through to the ninth rank within a year, I have to start working hard now!"

"Spirit Cloud Mountain?" Old Master Du’s gaze deepened. "That’s where the dragon vein of the Grand Heaven Empire originates. The spiritual energy converges at the dragon’s head, so the Grand Heaven Steel Qi is indeed much denser than elsewhere. You have a good eye, Long’er. Go ahead and train there, but make sure you come home for the New Year!"

With the old master’s approval, Zhou Ruoxue could say no more, and Du Zhentian had no objections—so long as his son didn’t get into trouble, he was satisfied.

After breakfast, Du Long left the manor alone, wandered through the capital’s streets, and purchased a large quantity of outdoor necessities. Now, with a ten-meter-square storage space, he bought all sorts of supplies he’d previously found inconvenient to carry.

Just as he finished gathering almost everything he needed, two lovely figures emerged from Golden Dragon Trading House, where jewelry was sold. By force of habit, Du Long glanced at them. The moment he recognized their faces, his expression changed dramatically—he immediately wanted to turn and avoid them.

But it was too late. A melodious voice called after him, "Du Long, why do you always want to run away whenever you see your big sister? Am I that terrifying? Or have you done something bad you’re afraid I’ll discover?"

"Of course not! Heh… Fire Phoenix… Sister! In broad daylight, what bad thing could I possibly do?" Inwardly cursing his luck, Du Long turned around, scratching his head with a forced grin. He hadn’t expected to run into Princess Fire Phoenix and her maid on the street. Dressed as a regular young lady, it wasn’t appropriate to address her as ‘Princess.’

"Ninth Brother, Ninth Brother! It really is you! We haven’t seen you in days. Since we’ve met today, let’s head to Drunken Fragrance Pavilion together—my treat!" Before Princess Fire Phoenix could press him further, an ill-timed voice sounded from behind.

"Just my luck! I should’ve checked the almanac before going out…" Without turning, Du Long knew exactly who it was—Jin Gui, the son of a minor wealthy merchant in the capital, who used to frequent the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion with him before his rebirth.

Forcing a smile, Du Long turned to face Jin Gui and the two other young men behind him, all with a roguish air about them. Before the Du family’s downfall in his previous life, these three sons of lesser merchants had often hung around with him.

In the capital, these young merchant sons would fawn over an official’s son like Du Long, but they were only fair-weather friends. Once the Du family fell, they vanished without a trace—even if they ran into him on the street, they’d barely spare him a glance. They were certainly not friends to confide in, nothing like Yue Xiaoshan.

Even so, seeing these three rascals gave Du Long a faint warmth in his heart. After all, before his rebirth, when the capital’s elite circles shunned him, he’d spent most of his time with these troublemakers. Looking back now, he felt a strange mix of emotions.

"Oh? Du Long, are these the riffraff you usually hang out with?" Princess Fire Phoenix clearly didn’t think much of the trio, her words tinged with sarcasm.

"Hey, girl, what do you mean by that? How are we riffraff? Ninth Brother, do you know this young lady? For your sake, we won’t argue with her today, but usually—hmph!" Jin Gui was clearly miffed by Princess Fire Phoenix’s words, but seeing how Du Long deferred to her, he didn’t dare get angry—he just tried to salvage his pride with his words.

"And what would you riffraff usually do?" Princess Fire Phoenix, who wasn’t afraid of even her emperor father in the capital, glared at them, her phoenix eyes blazing.

Du Long, breaking out in a cold sweat, quickly slung his arms around Jin Gui and the others to smooth things over. "Heh, Fire Phoenix, these three are my good buddies. We were just heading to Drunken Fragrance Pavilion for a drink, so we won’t keep you from your shopping. Let’s go, guys!"

"Wait!"

They’d barely taken two steps before Princess Fire Phoenix’s clear voice stopped them. Du Long turned, feigning nonchalance, "Fire Phoenix, is there something else?"

"I, your grandmother, am coming with you to see this Drunken Fragrance Pavilion for myself! I’ve been shopping all morning and I’m getting hungry," Princess Fire Phoenix announced, to Du Long’s utter astonishment.

"Fire Phoenix… Sister! That’s a place for men. A young lady like you shouldn’t go! Besides, your maid wouldn’t let you, and if word got out… I can’t take responsibility. It’s really not a good idea," Du Long said awkwardly, trying to refuse.

"I don’t care! I want to go to Drunken Fragrance Pavilion with you today!" Pouting, Princess Fire Phoenix insisted, her curiosity piqued by anything new or exciting.

"Heh, Ninth Brother, you’re impressive. I hear you just broke off an engagement, and now beautiful women are throwing themselves at you. I’m so jealous!" Jin Gui, seeing Princess Fire Phoenix refusing to give up, shot Du Long a sly look. "Ninth Brother, the pavilion’s front hall is pretty discreet—if Miss Fire Phoenix wants to come, why not?"

What a situation! Dragged off for a drink early in the morning, and now having to bring Princess Fire Phoenix along. If the emperor ever heard of this, who knows what would happen? Du Long rolled his eyes but ultimately gave in—after all, it was still early, and hardly anyone would be at such a place at this hour.

Drunken Fragrance Pavilion appeared to be a music and dining house, but everyone in the capital knew it was a high-class brothel hiding behind a veneer of respectability.

"Well, if it isn’t Young Master Du! Haven’t seen you here in ages—what a rare guest!" Du Long tried to slip in quietly, but the familiar madam spotted him the moment he entered.

Seeing the flattering smile of the madam, Princess Fire Phoenix couldn’t help teasing, "Well, it seems you’re a regular here!"

"Heh, not at all," Du Long replied with an awkward laugh, then turned to the madam. "We have distinguished guests today—give us an elegant room overlooking the street."

The madam, an expert judge of people, immediately noticed the stunning beauty at Du Long’s side. Her attire might have been plain, but her bearing was unmistakably noble—not someone from an ordinary family.

"Of course! Let’s use your usual suite, the Drunken Wind Pavilion!" she called out loudly, then leaned in and whispered, "Young Master, should I have Qinglian come and play a song for you?"

Du Long instantly understood her meaning—Qinglian was the only woman in Drunken Fragrance Pavilion who sang and played music but did not sell her body. In the past, when Du Long came for drinks, he’d enjoyed her performances. Since he’d brought a woman with him today, the madam naturally wouldn’t let the usual girls disrupt their mood.

"That’ll do! I haven’t seen Qinglian in ages, and I’ve missed her music. Let her play a song to entertain my dear sister here," Du Long replied with a quick nod.