Entering the Path of Immortality, Mastering a Hundred Arts: Chapter Three – Taking Root in Anhe (Requesting Follows)

Anhe City was once a small kingdom called Tianqi. After being annexed by the Guiyuan Kingdom, it was renamed Anhe. It bordered the countries of Cixi and Luoshan. With a total population of about twelve million, it was a small city where mortals and cultivators lived side by side. Among them, cultivators numbered around one hundred thousand. There were over a dozen cultivation marketplaces scattered throughout the city.

In recent years, the fortunes of the Guiyuan Kingdom had waned, and its influence was no longer what it once was. Coupled with its unique geographical position, this created a mixed and chaotic environment.

Outside the city gates of Anhe at this moment, a young blind man holding a bamboo staff and wearing a bamboo hat was feeling his way toward the gate. The city guards were putting up wanted posters. The image on the poster showed a man with a handlebar mustache and a large black mole on his right cheek, his appearance comical and unsightly.

“Order from the Tianhe Sect: Any person who kills a member of the Blood Cloud Sect may exchange the head for spirit stones!” the guards shouted to every passerby, announcing the bounty.

As soon as the words were spoken, a crowd quickly gathered around the wanted poster, eager for gossip. The blind youth looked over, a faint smile curling on his lips.

“It seems the Tianhe Sect’s influence is considerable. Less than a month, and the bounty has already reached the border,” Li Feng mused as he read the notice, maintaining a calm demeanor as he entered the city.

For the past month, he had not rested even for a moment to evade the pursuit of cultivators from the Tianhe Sect. Finally, he had arrived at his destination.

Perhaps it was due to his cultivation that his pace was three days faster than during his previous simulation when he came to Anhe City.

Inside Anhe City, the streets were bustling with life—restaurants, teahouses, and a continuous stream of people. Various calls and shouts filled the air, painting a scene of prosperity and vitality.

Li Feng quickly found the Biyan Hall. Located at the northwest corner of Anhe City, it was a large establishment with three floors, elegantly styled. Luxurious carriages were parked outside, indicating many high-ranking officials and noble ladies frequented the place. Business was booming.

Li Feng tapped his bamboo staff and entered the hall. A delicate and pretty young woman hurriedly stepped forward to stop him.

“You’re in the wrong place. We don’t serve commoners here.”

“I’m here to seek a job,” Li Feng replied.

“Sorry, Biyan Hall isn’t hiring at the moment. You might want to try elsewhere,” she said.

At that moment, angry voices came from inside the hall.

“A bunch of useless people, don’t even have any strength in their hands.”

“Get out! All of you, get out!”

Several beautiful masseuses were being chased out of the luxurious private rooms. They looked wronged and went to complain to the madam.

“Sister Hong, you have to give us some justice. Madam Jin is too picky.”

The madam, dressed in a purple silk robe, gracefully emerged from behind a screen. Her face was veiled lightly by a sheer scarf, her skin as white as snow, and her slender waist delicate as a willow branch. Every gesture she made was full of charm.

“Madam Jin still isn’t satisfied?”

Biyan Hall’s reputation in Anhe City was considerable; everyone knew their massages were exceptionally skillful. But today, a particularly troublesome customer had arrived.

If it weren’t for Madam Jin’s special status, the madam would have already kicked her out and refused to tolerate such trouble.

Just as the madam was fretting, Li Feng seized the opportunity and stepped forward, volunteering.

“Sister Hong, I studied under a famous master and have years of experience in massage. May I have a chance to try?”

Sister Hong glanced at Li Feng. The young man had an ethereal aura mixed with a subtle, unsettling gloom.

“Who are you?”

The attendant Cuicui quickly stepped forward to explain.

“He’s here seeking work. I was about to send him away.”

The madam raised her hand to stop her.

“You look too young to be a skilled masseur.”

“Try me, and you’ll know,” Li Feng said confidently.

“Show me your hands,” Sister Hong instructed.

Li Feng raised his long, gentle hands. She felt them—soft yet firm, delicate yet strong.

She was secretly surprised. Without years of hard training, one could not have such excellent jade-like hands.

“If you can truly satisfy Madam Jin, Biyan Hall wouldn’t mind hiring you as a top masseur.”

Li Feng said no more and made his way into Madam Jin’s room.

Outside, some attendants were puzzled.

“Sister Hong, how can you let a stranger in? What if Madam Jin gets angry again?”

Sister Hong was anxious but secretly hopeful that something might change.

“Nothing to lose at this point,” she said.

Inside the room, Li Feng had already struck up a conversation with Madam Jin.

Madam Jin’s skin was exquisitely cared for, alluring and seductive. She lay on the bed in a bathrobe, her smooth, delicate shoulders and long legs exposed, the rise of her bosom partially visible, enticing.

Seeing a man enter, Madam Jin was surprised.

“When did Biyan Hall start hiring male masseurs?”

“I’m new here. Please be kind to me, madam.”

“Take off your bamboo hat so I can see you.”

Li Feng obeyed.

“Not bad looking, but a pity you’re blind,” Madam Jin said, her eyes sparkling with amusement as her mind stirred.

Li Feng deliberately put on an optimistic, simple-minded expression and smiled foolishly.

“Being blind is good—what the eye doesn’t see, the heart doesn’t trouble.”

“Get to work and show me what you’ve got.”

Without further words, Li Feng’s large hands began kneading with strength and skill. The years of simulated massage experience manifested vividly in his movements.

“Oh~” Madam Jin trembled deeply from within her soul. The moment the man’s hands touched her, she almost succumbed. This was exactly the feeling she wanted.

Outside the room, after anxiously waiting for an hour, the door finally opened.

Li Feng still wore his bamboo hat, holding his bamboo staff, expression calm.

Sister Hong hurried forward to ask, “Is Madam Jin satisfied?”

“She should be,” Li Feng replied modestly.

Madam Jin took her time inside the room, then dressed and sashayed out, her waist swaying seductively. Seeing the madam, she complained, “Why didn’t you call this young man sooner? Was it really necessary to make a fuss with us?”

Sister Hong smiled apologetically.

“Are you satisfied with him?”

“Very much so. Get me the most expensive annual card here. Also, I’m hiring this young man exclusively for myself starting today.”

With that, Madam Jin pulled out two gold bars and tossed them to Sister Hong, then approached Li Feng with all the charm in the world.

“Brother, look at those ragged clothes you wear—so ugly! Let me buy you something nice.”

Li Feng declined decisively.

“Maybe another day.”

“That’s fine too. I fancy you, so I’ll listen to you.”

Madam Jin’s eyes were like silk, her soft jade hand brushing Li Feng’s cheek before she laughed coyly and left.

Sister Hong politely saw them off and returned inside to question Li Feng.

“What’s your name?”

“Zhang San,” Li Feng answered simply.

Sister Hong frowned at such a common name.

“Where are you from?”

“An orphan, I grew up begging, roaming everywhere.”

“You must be pitiful too. Since Madam Jin likes you, prepare to enjoy a life of luxury from now on.”

Li Feng paid little mind and asked in return, “Is the corner room on the third floor still vacant? I want to stay there.”

“You’ve been to Biyan Hall before?” Sister Hong was surprised.

“Biyan Hall has quite a reputation; I’ve heard of it.”

“It’s still available. Cuicui will take you up.”

As Sister Hong spoke, she was inwardly curious.

“Before you go up, I need to tell you something. Madam Jin’s identity is unusual. Her husband is a renowned second-rank elite alchemist in Anhe City.”

“Serve her well, and you’ll enjoy endless wealth and honor for the rest of your life.”

Li Feng was surprised. This had not been mentioned during the simulation, nor had the matter of Madam Jin come up. He would have to ask the system about this later.

Thinking of how he had once died due to a problem with spirit herbs during simulation, a plan stirred within him.

If he could become an alchemist, he could not only avoid the risk of his meridians being damaged by the power of spirit herbs but also speed up his cultivation and accumulate vast networks of wealth and contacts.

To grow stronger, one cannot rely solely on solitary hard work.

Heavenly materials, spiritual veins, and cultivation arenas are equally important.

“Don’t worry, Sister Hong. I understand the rules.”

Cuicui led Li Feng to the corner room on the third floor. The room was simple and clean, furnished only with a bed, table, and stools.

Cuicui enthusiastically helped him make the bed, occasionally turning back to praise him.

“Brother Zhang San, you’re amazing. Madam Jin is known in Anhe City for being incredibly picky.”

Li Feng responded with a few polite words and then, citing the need to rest, gently ushered the curious Cuicui out of the room, hiding his secret thoughts.