I was a mineral prospector in Chengdu, who transmigrated into the body of a mortal sword immortal.

Li Bai stood on the east side of Zhuque Avenue, his gaze sweeping over the rows of shop signs and the throngs of people. The air was thick with the mingled scents of spices, food, livestock, and countless people, filled with the cries of vendors, conversations, and the clamor of carriages in various accents. He took a deep breath of the vibrant yet subtly treacherous air of Chang'an, determined his direction, and began to walk. The lights of Pingkang Ward began to twinkle in the deepening twilight; there lay his first destination, the only thread he could grasp in the heart of this vast empire. His blue robe brushed past the street corner as he merged into the eastward-bound crowd, his figure quickly swallowed by the prosperity of Chang'an.

Pingkangfang, located in the east of Chang'an, was a famous entertainment district. The walls of the district were not high, and the gates were wide open, making it even more lively at night than during the day. On both sides of the street, pavilions stood brightly lit. The sounds of stringed instruments, singing, laughter, and toasting wafted from the open windows, mingling with the aromas of wine, cosmetics, and incense, creating a pleasantly intoxicating atmosphere.

Li Bai walked on the main street inside the neighborhood.

His blue robe was faded from washing, with worn edges, and he looked travel-worn. Despite using his inner energy to protect himself, his clothes had inevitably accumulated dust from days of travel. Standing amidst the brocade and finery of Pingkang Ward, he appeared somewhat out of place. Several young men in fine clothes cast disdainful glances at him, and a woman looking down from her window, seeing his handsome features but shabby clothes, only gave him a fleeting look before looking away.

He needs to find a place first.

Pingkang Ward was vast, with dozens of brothels and entertainment venues. Back in Chang'an, Duan Qiniang frequented a brothel called "Drunken Moon Pavilion," which was quite famous in the ward. But that was several months ago. Was she still there? If she had left, where could one find her?

Li Bai stopped in front of a teahouse.

The teahouse was small, with a few tables set up outside, around which several idle men were sitting, drinking tea and chatting. The aroma of tea mingled with the smell of cheap tobacco. He walked over and sat down at an empty table in the corner.

"Sir, what would you like to drink?" The tea server was a thin, middle-aged man with a white towel draped over his shoulder.

"A pot of clear tea." Li Bai took out a few copper coins from his pocket and placed them on the table.

The tea was served quickly in a rough earthenware bowl; the tea was dark brown and bitter. Li Bai picked up the bowl but didn't drink it immediately. Instead, he listened to the idle chatter of the men at the next table.

"...That new Hu woman who came to 'Chunfang Pavilion' last night, wow, her waist, her dance moves..."

"I heard that Miss Liu from 'Lanyue Tower' has caught the eye of a military officer from the Jingzhao Prefecture, who wants to redeem her and make her his concubine."

"Joining the army is nothing! Duan Duzhi from 'Drunken Moon Pavilion' was invited by someone from the palace to sing a few days ago!"

Li Bai's fingers paused slightly.

He turned his head and looked at the group of idlers. The one who spoke was a man in a brown short shirt, about forty years old, with a smug look on his face, as if he knew some important news.

"In the palace?" another person exclaimed in surprise. "Duan Duzhi is so powerful now?"

"Of course!" The man in the brown shirt lowered his voice, deliberately making sure everyone around could hear. "I've heard even Eunuch Gao has heard of her. The current prestige of 'Drunken Moon Pavilion' is half thanks to Duan Duzhi. Those high-ranking officials and nobles who want to hear her sing have to book half a month in advance!"

Li Bai picked up his teacup and took a sip of the bitter tea.

Duan Qiniang became "Duzhi".

In Chang'an's entertainment circles, the "Duzhi" held an extremely high status, requiring not only exceptional beauty and talent but also a shrewd network of connections and skillful maneuvering. A woman who could become a Duzhi was no longer an ordinary courtesan but a figure of influence within the circle.

She is still at Zuiyue Tower.

Li Bai put down his teacup, the copper coin making a crisp sound on the table. He got up and left the teahouse, walking deeper into the neighborhood.

Zuiyuelou is not hard to find.

In the center of Pingkangfang stands a three-story pavilion with upturned eaves and bright lights. Two strings of large red lanterns hang in front of the door, bearing the words "Drunken Moon." Melodious music and graceful singing drift from inside the pavilion, while two burly pimps stand at the entrance, greeting guests with beaming smiles.

Li Bai walked to the door.

"Young master..." A pimp stepped forward, a professional smile on his face, but the smile faded slightly when his gaze swept over Li Bai. "Do you have an appointment?"

"I'm looking for Duan Qiniang," Li Bai said directly.

The pimp's smile vanished completely. He looked Li Bai up and down, his tone turning cold: "Duan Du knows we have guests today and won't see outsiders. If you wish to hear some music, young master, the other girls in the brothel are also excellent."

Tell her that Li Bai has arrived.

"Li Bai?" The pimp frowned. "Which Li Bai? There are at least eight or ten people in Chang'an with that name. Is Duan Duzhi someone anyone can just see whenever they want?"

Li Bai looked at him without saying a word.

The pimp felt somewhat uncomfortable under his gaze. The scholar in the blue robe had a calm look in his eyes, yet there was an inexplicable pressure about him, reminding him of those important figures who occasionally came to the brothel, unassuming yet commanding the manager's obsequious demeanor. But the man before him was poorly dressed and looked travel-worn, which was quite unlike him.

Just as the standoff was reaching its conclusion, footsteps were heard coming from inside the building.

A woman in a light purple dress descended the stairs. She appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a beautiful face and dignified demeanor. She was holding a booklet and looking down at it. As she reached the door, she looked up and her eyes met Li Bai's.

The woman was stunned.

The booklet in her hand fell to the ground with a "thud".

"Young Master Li...?" Her voice trembled slightly.

Li Bai recognized her—this was Duan Qiniang's maid, named Xiao Cui. When he first saw Duan Qiniang after his rebirth, this maid was serving him.

"Miss Xiao Cui." Li Bai nodded slightly.

Xiao Cui hurried forward, picked up the booklet, her face full of surprise: "It really is you! What brings you to Chang'an? When did you arrive? Why didn't you tell me beforehand? Seventh Sister has been talking about you every day!"

Her barrage of questions left the pimp beside her speechless.

"Just arrived," Li Bai replied briefly. "Is Seventh Sister here?"

"Yes, yes, yes! She's upstairs! I'll take you up right away!" Xiao Cui said hurriedly, then turned to the pimp and said, "This is Seventh Sister's honored guest. From now on, please invite her in directly and do not neglect her!"

The pimp nodded repeatedly, and the way he looked at Li Bai completely changed.

Xiao Cui led Li Bai into Zuiyue Tower.

The spacious and luxurious lobby on the first floor was carpeted with red carpets and furnished with dozens of tables and chairs. Many guests were already there, listening to a young woman playing the pipa on stage. The air was filled with the aromas of wine, incense, and cosmetics, and the soft lighting bathed everything in a warm, ambiguous glow.

Xiao Cui didn't linger and led Li Bai directly upstairs to the second floor.

The second floor houses private rooms, and the corridor is carpeted with thick carpets that completely absorb the sound of footsteps. The doors to the rooms on both sides are closed, but faint sounds of laughter and singing can be heard from inside. At the end of the corridor is a carved wooden door, slightly ajar, from which soft music can be heard.

Xiao Cui gently pushed open the door.

"Seventh Sister, look who's here!"

The music stopped abruptly.

The room was elegantly furnished, with a guqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument) placed by the window, behind which sat a woman. She wore a moon-white long dress with a light blue veil over it, her hair styled in a high bun, adorned with a white jade hairpin. Her beauty remained radiant, but her brows held a hint of composure and world-weariness.

It was Duan Qiniang.

She looked up and her gaze fell on Li Bai's face.

For a moment, she froze. Her fingers were still on the strings, her fingertips trembling slightly. The strings emitted a faint hum.

"Too...too white?" Her voice was very soft, as if afraid of disturbing a dream.

"Seventh Sister." Li Bai entered the room.

Xiao Cui tactfully withdrew and gently closed the door behind her.

Only the two of them remained in the room.

Duan Qiniang slowly stood up, her gaze carefully scrutinizing Li Bai. Her initial surprise gradually turned into a complex expression. She saw the weariness in his eyes, the dust on his clothes, and an indescribable change in his demeanor—the former gentle, scholarly air had faded, replaced by a sharper edge, a calmer presence, and a... unfathomable depth.

"You've lost weight," she finally said, her voice trembling slightly. "And you've gotten darker."

"It was due to my journey." Li Bai walked to the window and looked out. From this angle, he could see the street scene of Pingkangfang, with lights like stars and crowds of people.

Duan Qiniang walked to his side, remained silent for a moment, and asked softly, "Where have you been these past few months? I asked people in Sichuan to inquire, and they all said you disappeared after leaving Chengdu. Some say you went to the mountains, some say you went to Jiangnan... I'm worried about you..."

"I went to Mount Shu." Li Bai turned to look at her, "and visited some historical sites. I gained some insights."

"Mount Shu?" A hint of doubt flashed in Duan Qiniang's eyes. "Isn't it just Taoist temples and barren mountains? What could you possibly find there?"

"Some...opportunities." Li Bai didn't explain in detail, but instead asked, "Seventh Sister, I came to Chang'an on urgent business. Are you aware of the ongoing selection process in the palace? Especially for women from Shu?"

Duan Qiniang's expression changed.

She stepped back, sat back down on the piano bench, and unconsciously plucked the strings, producing a few out-of-tune notes.

"Why are you asking this?" Her voice became cautious.

"I have an old friend," Li Bai said carefully, choosing his words. "Her name is Yang Yuhuan, from Shu Prefecture, and she is fifteen years old this year. A month ago, she was selected to go to the capital to participate in the imperial selection. I want to know her whereabouts and how she is doing."

Duan Qiniang's fingers stopped.

She looked up at Li Bai, her expression a complex mix of emotions. There was surprise, understanding, worry, and a hint of... bitterness.

"Yang Yuhuan." She repeated the name. "So it was her."

"You know her?" Li Bai's heart tightened.

"I know," Duan Qiniang sighed. "There are probably not many people in Chang'an who don't know this name. This stunning beauty from Shu has already made her famous throughout the circles of the powerful and wealthy even before she entered the palace. I heard that even His Majesty has heard of her."

Li Bai's heart sank.

Where is she?

"The lodgings near Yichun Courtyard," Duan Qiniang whispered. "Those are places specifically for accommodating women awaiting selection. They are directly under the jurisdiction of the Inner Palace Secretariat and are heavily guarded. Ordinary people simply cannot enter. The women living there are all from respectable families selected from various regions. They are taught etiquette and palace rules by specialists, awaiting the final selection."

When will the final selection be held?

"Just in the next few days," Duan Qiniang's voice lowered, "I heard that the Inner Palace Secretariat has already drawn up a list, and His Majesty may review it personally. If selected, one will become a formal palace servant, and if one can gain His Majesty's favor..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear.

Li Bai clenched his fist.

The lights outside the window reflected in his eyes, dancing, but they couldn't penetrate the chill deep within them.

"There's one more thing," Duan Qiniang hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I've heard that the powerful minister Li Linfu is quite interested in this Miss Yang. He sent people to inquire about her family background and even specifically instructed the people in the Inner Palace to take good care of her. Some people in the court speculate that Minister Li might want to use this beauty from Shu to curry favor with His Majesty."

Li Bai closed his eyes.

Li Linfu.

He knew that name all too well. A treacherous minister, a man of honeyed words and a heart of stone, who had controlled the court for years, eliminating dissidents and forming cliques for personal gain. If he had his eye on Yang Yuhuan, things would become even more complicated. Yang Yuhuan would no longer be just an ordinary woman selected to enter the palace, but a pawn on a political chessboard.

"Taibai." Duan Qiniang's voice pulled him back to reality, "What is your relationship with that Miss Yang?"

Li Bai opened his eyes and looked at her.

Duan Qiniang's gaze was clear, filled with concern, but also with a hint of barely perceptible tension.

"She is someone I must protect," Li Bai said slowly. "In both this life and the last."

Duan Qiniang was stunned.

"Past lives and present lives?" she murmured repeatedly, her eyes filled with confusion.

Li Bai offered no explanation. He walked to the table, picked up the teapot, and poured two cups of tea. The tea was warm, and its aroma was delicate and fragrant. He pushed one cup towards Duan Qiniang and picked up the other for himself.

"Seventh Sister, I need your help."

Duan Qiniang stared at the tea leaves floating in her cup, remaining silent for a long time before softly asking, "What do you intend to do? Break into the palace to snatch someone? Taibai, that's the imperial palace, the most powerful place in the land. It's heavily guarded, teeming with experts. You may be talented, but..."

"I understand," Li Bai interrupted her. "I won't act rashly. But I have to try. Can you help me find out more details? For example, the specific selection process, who the eunuch in charge is, the guard arrangements in the residence, the daily schedule... any detail might be useful."

Duan Qiniang raised her head and looked at him.

His gaze was firm and unwavering. There was a light in it she had never seen before—not the romantic fantasy of a poet, nor the naive passion of a scholar, but a resolute determination that had been tempered and refined over time.

She suddenly remembered that a few months ago, when he left Chang'an, he was a somewhat timid and confused young scholar. Now that he has returned, he seems to have been reborn.

What exactly did he experience during his trip to Mount Shu?

"Alright." Duan Qiniang finally nodded. "I have some connections in the palace, so I can inquire. But it will take time."

"how long?"

"It will take at least two or three days," Duan Qiniang said. "You can stay here for the next few days. There is a quiet guest room in the back courtyard of Zuiyue Tower that is rarely visited. You can stay there temporarily. I will have the kitchen send you meals every day."

"Thank you very much," Li Bai said sincerely.

Duan Qiniang shook her head and said with a wry smile, "What are you thanking me for? If it weren't for you back then... Never mind, let's not dwell on the past. You should go and rest; you must be tired after traveling such a long distance."

She got up, walked to the door, and called Xiao Cui over.

"Take Young Master Li to the east wing of the backyard, clean it up, and prepare hot water and clean clothes," she instructed. Then she looked at Li Bai, "You should wash up and rest first. We'll talk in detail tomorrow."

Li Bai nodded and followed Xiao Cui out of the room.

After the door closed, Duan Qiniang stood alone by the window, looking at the night view of Chang'an outside.

The lights still shine brightly, and the music still plays melodiously.

But a sense of unease welled up inside her.

Taibai has changed.

It became unfamiliar to her, and it also made her... afraid.

That look in his eyes, that air about him—it was far beyond what an ordinary scholar should possess. What exactly is Mount Shu? And what exactly is this so-called "opportunity" he speaks of?

And then there's Yang Yuhuan.

Duan Qiniang sighed softly.

She had seen too many men go crazy for beautiful women, but she had never seen anyone like Taibai, whose eyes held a burning, almost destructive flame.

Will that flame burn others, or will it burn itself?

she does not know.

All she knew was that she couldn't refuse his request.

Just like back then, I couldn't resist that young man who woke up in the red curtains, his eyes clear yet confused.

***

The east wing of the backyard was indeed secluded.

The room wasn't large, but it was clean and tidy. There was a bed, a table, two chairs, and a wardrobe. Outside the window was a small courtyard with several clumps of bamboo; the bamboo leaves rustled in the night breeze.

Xiao Cui brought hot water and clean clothes, and also brought a bowl of steaming hot soup noodles.

"Young Master Li, please have something to eat first, then take a bath and change your clothes. Please feel free to ask if you need anything." After she finished speaking, she withdrew and gently closed the door.

Li Bai did not touch the bowl of noodles immediately.

He walked to the window and opened it. The night breeze carried the fragrance of bamboo leaves and the faint sound of music from afar. He took a deep breath, feeling the flow of his inner energy.

The journey over the past few days has taken a toll. Although I've taken a Rejuvenating Pill, I haven't fully recovered. Now, in Chang'an, a city fraught with danger, I must adjust my condition as soon as possible.

He sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and began to practice the Azure Lotus Sword Technique.

Within his dantian, the third-grade azure lotus slowly rotated, emitting a faint azure halo. True essence flowed like a stream through his meridians, nourishing his weary body. The sparse spiritual energy from the outside world was slowly absorbed and integrated into his true essence.

An hour later, he opened his eyes.

The fatigue had subsided considerably, and my vital energy had recovered to about 60-70%. Although I wasn't yet at my peak condition, it was enough to handle most situations.

He then got up and walked to the table.

The soup noodles had gone cold, but he didn't mind. He picked up the bowl and finished it in a few bites. The taste was ordinary, but the hot food still brought him some warmth.

Then he took off his travel-worn clothes and stepped into the bathtub.

The hot water enveloped his body, washing away the dust of his journey. He leaned against the tub and closed his eyes.

The image of Yang Yuhuan appeared in my mind.

The image of a fifteen-year-old girl turning her head and smiling in the Yang family garden. And the handwriting on those two sheets of paper, delicate yet filled with despair.

"I wish I could transform into a blue lotus petal, drifting on the wind to your side..."

Li Bai gripped the edge of the bathtub tightly.

The wood let out a soft groan.

He will not let her turn into a lotus petal.

He wanted her to live, to live freely.

Regardless of whether what lies ahead is the imperial palace, a powerful minister, the emperor, or the rules and regulations of the entire Tang Dynasty.

He was determined to take the plunge.

The water in the bathtub gradually cooled down.

Li Bai got up, dried himself off, and changed into the clean clothes Xiao Cui had prepared—a set of light blue robes, made of ordinary material, but clean and well-fitting. He folded his old clothes neatly, took out the two sheets of poetry from his pocket, and carefully kept them close to his body.

Then he walked to the window and looked up at the night sky again.

The night sky over Chang'an was tinged with a reddish hue by the lights, and few stars could be seen.

But Li Bai knew that the path he was to take lay beneath this very sky.