Dual-wielding! 100x proficiency, I'll grind my way to godhood!

The carriage stopped in front of a three-story wooden building in the east of town.

Large red lanterns hung high under the eaves, and the three gilded characters "Zui Xiang Ge" (Drunken Fragrance Pavilion) were on the door plaque. The sounds of string and bamboo instruments mixed with women's laughter drifted down from upstairs.

Several carriages were already parked at the entrance, and a group of young men in fine clothes were walking inside, followed by attendants carrying gift boxes.

Chen Mo lifted the curtain and got out of the car.

Zhao Yong was already waiting at the door, dressed in a crimson brocade robe with a fine jade pendant hanging from his waist. When he saw the carriage stop, he rushed over in two steps, his face beaming with joy.

"Brother Zhang! I've been waiting for you! My legs are aching from waiting!"

Chen Mo took two quick steps, smiled, and clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"Young Master Zhao, the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion is packed today, with every seat filled upstairs and downstairs. It's so lively!"

You even personally greeted me at the door. Brother, I have nothing else to offer but good fortune. Having made friends with Young Master Zhao means I benefit from his good fortune wherever I go.

Zhao Yong leaned closer, lowered his voice, and couldn't hide his smugness in his eyes.

"Good brothers don't stand on ceremony. The new courtesan won't be revealed until tonight, but good seats don't wait for anyone. I booked the best private room at Zuixiang Pavilion a long time ago. Let's have a few drinks first and wait patiently."

Two girls dressed in red and green at the door saw Zhao Yong and their eyes lit up. They came up to him and took his arm on each side, calling him "Young Master Zhao" this and "Young Master Zhao" that, their voices as soft as honey.

Zhao Yong, with women on his left and right, turned around and shouted at him:

"What are you standing there for? Come in!"

Chen Mo smiled and followed.

Zhao Yong went upstairs with ease and booked the most private room at the back.

The private room was small, with a low table, a few cushions, and shadowy figures moving behind a screen.

The two had just sat down when the madam swayed in, holding a roster in her hand, her eyes narrowed into slits with a smile.

"Young Master Zhao, you've come at the perfect time! The new courtesan has just been chosen, and all the guests are eagerly awaiting the announcement. Shall we follow the usual procedure?"

Zhao Yong took out a silver ingot from his pocket, slammed it on the table, and waved his hand dismissively.

"Same as always. Bring all the new girls here up for Brother Zhang to take a look at."

The madam's eyes lit up, she tucked the silver into her sleeve, glanced at Chen Mo again, and smiled even more broadly.

"This young master Zhang looks unfamiliar. Is this your first time here?"

Zhao Yong interrupted.

"He's my brother, just take good care of him."

Chen Mo turned his head, looked at the madam, and smiled.

"Young Master Zhao said this place is the best in town, and I didn't believe him. But when I came in, I saw that the furnishings in this private room are much more exquisite than other places. No wonder he keeps talking about it."

The madam was beaming with delight at being flattered.

"Young Master Zhang is quite the talker."

After saying that, he turned and walked out.

Zhao Yong leaned back on the cushion, relaxed, turned his head to look at Chen Mo, and his eyes were full of smugness.

"Brother Zhang, I know this place well. You can pick whatever you like later, it's on me today."

Chen Mo picked up his teacup, took a sip, and smiled.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Before long, the madam led seven or eight girls in single file.

Dressed in red and green, some slender and some plump, they stood in a row in front of the low table.

Some lowered their heads and wrung their handkerchiefs, while others secretly glanced at Chen Mo and Zhao Yong.

Zhao Yong casually ordered two people, one sitting on his left and one on his right. He was so pleased with himself that he took a sip of wine and then turned to look at Chen Mo.

"Brother Zhang, which one do you choose?"

Chen Mo glanced at it.

The girls were all beautiful, but their size was not as large as that of the master's wife.

The teacher's wife's beauty was a natural elegance, while the girls' beauty was a lively display created by excessive makeup.

He casually pointed to a girl dressed in plain clothes. The girl paused slightly, lowered her head, walked over, and sat down next to him, her movements so gentle as if she were afraid of disturbing something.

Zhao Yong laughed heartily.

"Brother Zhang has good taste. This girl is new; her name is Qingzhu."

Chen Mo glanced at her, picked up his wine glass, and raised it to her.

"Qingzhu, that's a lovely name. My name is Zhang Deshuai, you can just remember it."

Qingzhu paused for a moment, pursed her lips, lowered her head, and her ears turned slightly red.

"Young Master Zhang is joking."

The curtain was lifted from the outside.

A young man in brocade robes swaggered in, carrying a wine glass.

His steps were unsteady, he reeked of alcohol, and the slight intoxication in his eyes couldn't hide the gloom on his face.

Li Mingyuan.

Every time he came to the martial arts school, he was surrounded by a large entourage, and his eyes never fell on the ordinary disciples.

Li Mingyuan also came to reserve a spot.

But the best private room was booked by Zhao Yong, so he could only sit next to him.

After a few drinks, the fire burned brighter and brighter.

He recognized the unfamiliar face next to Zhao Yong; it was a newcomer to the martial arts school, dressed in coarse cloth, clearly someone who had come from some remote, impoverished place.

He and Zhao Yong were at odds, and he dared not do anything to Zhao Yong, but he couldn't control a mere country bumpkin.

The fire is getting stronger and stronger.

He didn't look at Zhao Yong, his gaze fell directly on Chen Mo, and then moved to Qingzhu.

Qingzhu's fingers were resting on the rim of the wine glass, just after she poured a glass for Chen Mo.

"I just ordered this girl."

Li Mingyuan pointed at the green bamboo, his voice low, but each word carried the smell of alcohol and a sense of oppression.

Why are you sitting next to someone else?

The madam's expression changed, and she quickly stepped forward to smooth things over.

"Young Master Li, Qingzhu is new here and doesn't know the rules. I'll get you a different one right away..."

Li Mingyuan remained silent, staring at Chen Mo.

The atmosphere in the private room suddenly became tense, and the two girls accompanying Zhao Yong dared not make a sound, shrinking back.

Qingzhu stood frozen in place, her fingers twisting the hem of her clothes, caught in a dilemma.

Chen Mo did not stand up.

He picked up the cup of wine that Qingzhu had just poured and took a sip.

"Miss Qingzhu, did Young Master Li mention you just now?"

Qingzhu paused for a moment, then shook her head.

"No, I came directly to Young Master Zhao's private room and did not go to Young Master Li's private room."

"Did you walk into this private room by yourself, or were you pushed in?"

"The madam let me in."

Chen Mo nodded, shifted his gaze from Qingzhu to Li Mingyuan's face, and smiled.

"Look, Young Master Li, you heard it too. She said she hadn't been to your place, and she didn't come in on her own. What's the meaning of you coming here to ask Young Master Zhao for her?"

Li Mingyuan's face turned ashen.

The wine glass was slammed onto the table, spilling wine onto the surface.

He stared at Chen Mo, but his words were directed at Zhao Yong.

"Young Master Zhao, the people you brought have quite the airs."

Zhao Yong remained silent, with the two girls pressed against him.

"Li Mingyuan, he's a brother I invited. I see you're getting bolder and bolder, have you forgotten who you are?"

Li Mingyuan clenched his fists on the edge of the table until his knuckles turned white. He stared at Chen Mo for two seconds, snorted coldly, turned around, flung the curtain, and walked out.

Chen Mo picked up his wine glass and raised it towards Zhao Yong.

"Young Master Zhao, this is my fault for causing you trouble today. I'll toast you with this cup."

Zhao Yong raised his wine glass to clink with his, then tilted his head back and downed it.

"Why say such things? You are the person I invited. Who does Li Mingyuan think he is?"

Chen Mo poured him another cup and smiled.

"I'll remember Young Master Zhao's kindness. Next time I go back, I'll ask the old hunter for some good stuff; I guarantee Young Master Zhao will be incredibly powerful after eating it."

"No problem, no problem."

Zhao Yong felt very comfortable after hearing those words, and he drank two more cups, his face regaining its rosy glow.

As the sun gradually set in the west, candles were lit one by one in the private room.

The lobby downstairs was filled with increasingly loud voices, and the music had changed, becoming softer and slower than during the day.

Qingzhu quietly poured wine for Chen Mo, occasionally glancing up at him before looking down again.

A commotion suddenly broke out downstairs.

Someone shouted, "The new courtesan has arrived!" Then came applause and cheers mixed with the clinking of glasses.

P.S.: Please urge me to update faster, add this to your bookshelf, and leave a good review!