Chapter Forty-Two: The Celestial Court

“Going out to have some fun?”
Yilin looked puzzled. She was still inexperienced in the ways of the world and had no idea what it meant to go out and have fun.
“Sigh, you wouldn’t understand even if I explained. You’d better go back and get some sleep.” Linghu Chong waved his hand dismissively. “Brother Yang, let’s go.”
“No, wait…”
As Linghu Chong and Yang Wenhao were about to climb over the wall, Yilin suddenly called out to stop them.
“What is it now?” Linghu Chong was starting to lose his patience.
Wasting so much time here was clearly pointless. If it weren’t for Yilin, Linghu Chong would have simply slipped away over the wall without a second thought.
Although Yilin didn’t know what “going out to have fun” meant, when she saw that Yang Wenhao was going along, she felt an inexplicable desire to follow him.
Perhaps sensing Yilin’s thoughts, Yang Wenhao smiled faintly. “If you want to come, then just join us.”
“What?” Linghu Chong was left utterly baffled by Yang Wenhao’s suggestion.
They were going out to enjoy themselves—taking a young nun along hardly seemed appropriate.
Yang Wenhao said, “Brother Linghu, do you want your master to find out?”
“Of course not,” Linghu Chong replied.
“Well, if you don’t want that, then bring Yilin with us,” Yang Wenhao said. “That way, no one will know what we’re really up to.”
“That does make some sense,” Linghu Chong nodded. “But… is it really appropriate?”
Yang Wenhao shot Linghu Chong a glance. “We’re just going to have something to eat and a little wine. What else do you think we’re up to?”
“You’re right,” Linghu Chong agreed. “In that case, little Sister Yilin, you’d better come along with us.”
Yilin said nothing, but her actions spoke her consent.
All three of them were highly skilled, so climbing over the wall was the simplest of tasks.
They vaulted over the wall of the Liu family’s manor and emerged onto the busy street outside.
Night had just fallen, and there were still plenty of people on the road.
“Here we are,” Linghu Chong led the way to a restaurant.

Though it was called a restaurant, it was unlike any ordinary dining establishment; in truth, it was a brothel.
Those who came here were usually in search of pleasure, to drink wine with courtesans, trade witty banter, and enjoy all the earthly delights.
The moment she saw the place, Yilin was completely stunned. As a young nun, this was her first time in such a lively, colorful establishment.
“Come on,” Linghu Chong said, striding inside.
Yang Wenhao was about to follow when Yilin called after him, “Benefactor, this place…”
“If your heart is pure, then you remain pure. Let’s go,” Yang Wenhao said, stepping inside without hesitation.
Yilin hesitated for a moment, but in the end, she followed them in.
Inside, the atmosphere was a stark contrast to the coldness outside—inside, it was a bustling scene of merriment.
“Oh my, two gentlemen… eh? And a little nun?”
The madam of the house, holding a palace fan, greeted them with a bright smile. Her eyes lit up when she saw Yilin.
After all, Yilin was a real beauty—if she could be enticed to join them, she would surely become the star courtesan, adored by all.
Yilin felt uneasy under the madam’s scrutinizing gaze.
Yang Wenhao stepped protectively in front of Yilin and looked at the madam coolly. “She’s a friend of mine. There are some things you’d do well to understand.”
“My apologies, my apologies,” the madam said quickly, ever the consummate hostess. “Gentlemen, are you here for a particular lady? I’ll fetch her right away and have her apologize for any offense.”
The madam was skilled at smoothing over awkward moments with ease.
Linghu Chong waved his hand. “We’re not here for the girls, just for the food and drink. Bring us your best wine and dishes.”
The madam’s smile faded a touch when she heard they weren’t there for the girls, but she still responded graciously.
“Xiaomei, see to it that our guests receive the finest food and wine. Treat them well.”
As the madam left, Linghu Chong curled his lip and whispered to Yang Wenhao, “Places like this—they lose interest in you the moment they realize you’re not here for the girls. But just ignore them, let’s enjoy our drinks.”
Yang Wenhao chuckled quietly, finding Linghu Chong’s observation all too true.
After all, in a brothel, the main attraction was the company of the courtesans. If all you wanted was food and wine, you could go to any ordinary restaurant.
But fortunately, money was of no concern to Yang Wenhao.
They were quickly shown to a private room.

“Here, Brother Yang, let me drink a toast to you.” Linghu Chong raised his cup to Yang Wenhao. “If it weren’t for your help, I would have been gravely injured by now.”
Yang Wenhao nodded slightly and clinked his cup against Linghu Chong’s.
After taking a drink, Yang Wenhao said, “Linghu Chong, you really ought to work on your temper.”
“I’m all ears, Brother Yang,” Linghu Chong replied, looking at him.
Yang Wenhao said, “If you keep getting into trouble like this, one day it might cost you your life. I can’t always be there to save you, and you can’t count on someone else coming to your rescue every time.”
The only reason Yang Wenhao was offering this advice was because he had taken a liking to Linghu Chong. Otherwise, in the past, if a target appeared before him, he wouldn’t have hesitated to strike—good or bad, it didn’t matter, killing the target and coming home alive was most important.
Besides, Linghu Chong was naturally restless—how many times had his life been in danger already?
If he hadn’t been lucky enough to have others save him every time, he would have died a dozen deaths by now.
Linghu Chong gave an embarrassed laugh. “You’re right, Brother Yang. I’ll keep your advice in mind. Come, let’s eat!”
Yang Wenhao then turned to Yilin. “I know you monks abstain from wine and meat, so I’ve ordered plenty of vegetarian dishes. Eat as much as you like.”
“Thank you, Benefactor,” Yilin replied gratefully.
Monks were forbidden to drink or eat meat, as it would violate their vows. Linghu Chong had clearly overlooked this, but Yang Wenhao had not, which only made Yilin more grateful to him.
“Oh, by the way, Brother Yang,” Linghu Chong asked, “Your martial arts are so much better than mine, far superior even to Tian Boguang. May I ask which sect you belong to?”
A sudden chime sounded in Yang Wenhao’s mind: “Ding... Faction Quest Triggered: Every powerful cultivator must have a powerful faction behind him. As the host is a cultivator, you must establish the strongest faction. Completion: 0 percent.”
“Ding... Please choose a faction name.”
The unexpected system prompt caught Yang Wenhao off guard for a moment.
But thinking about it, naming things was never his strong suit.
After a moment’s thought, since this was to be a cultivator’s faction, and in his memory only one power ruled all immortals—the Celestial Court—he made his decision.
“The faction will be called the Celestial Court.”
(End of this chapter)