In Qinglan City, night had fallen, and the festive lanterns were just being lit. Ye Fan wore a moon-white brocade robe, its cuffs and collar embroidered with delicate cloud patterns in silver thread. A dark jade belt was casually tied around his waist, and his long hair was gathered with a simple jasper hairpin. Unlike the fierce intensity of his earlier battles, he had now retracted all his sharpness, resembling a graceful young gentleman of a cultivated family returning from his travels—warm as jade and of extraordinary bearing.
He stood before a brilliantly lit pavilion with carved beams and painted pillars, looking up at the three gilded characters for "Wanhua Tower" shining brightly in the night. This was the most famous den of pleasure in Qinglan City and for a hundred miles around, as well as the place where information flowed most freely. Zhao Wuji had suffered a massive defeat this time and would certainly not let the matter rest. If he wanted revenge or was seeking more powerful backing, Wanhua Tower—a mingling of dragons and snakes—was bound to be one of the likely places for him to pass messages or seek refuge. Moreover, the clues pointing to the so-called "forbidden ground artifact," Jiuxiao Huanpei, vaguely led to this sort of pleasure quarter.
Taking a deep breath, Ye Fan stepped into Wanhua Tower. The lobby inside was indeed another world. Enervating music played endlessly, and the air was thick with the rich scent of cosmetics and alcohol. Skimpily dressed …
Chapter 31