My Sword Immortal Wife Has Gone Berserk - Chapter 22:

Chapter 22: Assassination

The second floor of the pleasure boat was ablaze with lanterns. Women of all kinds fluttered about, their laughter and chatter making the place lively and extravagant. Lin Ce was escorted forward, surrounded by women of every shape and style, laughing and teasing as they brought him into a private room.

In his previous life, Lin Ce had visited the Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion as well, but back then, he had used the Lin family’s connections to directly contact the Courtesan. Therefore, he had only ever met her during his visits. That Courtesan was said to have been raised by the Lin family from a young age, a hidden chess piece planted deep within Bianjing.

Now, having been reborn, Lin Ce hadn’t used the Lin family’s connections. That Courtesan likely didn’t know who he was yet. It was rash of him to come here like this, but Lin Ce couldn’t wait any longer. He had to find a way into the Directorate of Astronomy and obtain the Mountain Lord’s Blood.

“Young Master, may I serve you tonight?” a woman in a green dress asked coyly. She picked up a grape with two fingers and gently fed it into Lin Ce’s mouth. The other women in the room poured wine, massaged his legs and shoulders, and kneaded his waist—all their movements were graceful and pleasing, offering great comfort.

A chill radiated from Lin Ce’s body. The Frost Marrow Curse within him was about to flare up. Even so, these women showed no sign of retreat or fear. They were completely unfazed. As expected, those who could earn money here were capable of enduring a different kind of torment.

“Prepare a wooden tub and heat some water. I need a bath,” Lin Ce said, enduring the chill coursing through his body. If only Li’er were here—she would know exactly how to take care of him. But if he brought Li’er here, she’d probably complain about it for years.

“Of course, Young Master. I’ll get it ready now,” the woman in green hurried off to prepare, while the others got to work.

A graceful young woman, her eyes full of affection, slowly undressed and slipped behind a folding screen in the room. Several lanterns illuminated her silhouette clearly, highlighting her stunning curves. With just a glance, one’s imagination could run wild.

Though Lin Ce tried to maintain composure, he was still a normal man. A sudden heat surged through him, momentarily driving off the cold within. He was surprised. He’d never tried this method before. In his previous life, he had never indulged in such treatment. Every time he came to the Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion, it had been strictly business.

“What a waste,” Lin Ce muttered, twitching the corner of his lips. In his past life, he had gone straight upstairs to meet the Courtesan, always talking shop. But now, because of several changes in events, he was unexpectedly enjoying the pleasures here.

The women serving him clearly knew how to play with a man’s heart. With a few teasing gestures, they had Lin Ce’s heartbeat racing.

“Young Master, could it be… you’re still a virgin?” one bold girl asked. The others covered their mouths and giggled. Who would’ve thought they’d encounter such an innocent newcomer at the Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion?

Lin Ce may have looked pale, but his face was remarkably handsome. The women here were used to crude, burly men. So now, facing such a refined and beautiful youth, they could hardly resist the urge to devour him.

“What does it matter to you?” Lin Ce said coldly. Being teased by his own employees was a bit much.

“When will your Courtesan be available? I want to see her tonight,” Lin Ce asked, frowning. He’d heard Xue Yuzhang was upstairs—would that guy stay there all night?

“Why insist on the Courtesan, Young Master? We sisters are just as good,” the women giggled, pressing closer. But Lin Ce pushed them aside.

“When the Courtesan is available, give her this and have her come see me,” Lin Ce said as he took out a jade pendant engraved with the character ‘Lin.’ On the reverse side was the character ‘Ce.’

This was a token unique to the Lin family. Whichever name was engraved on the back showed whose token it was. Since the Courtesan was part of the Lin family, seeing this would let her know that Lin Ce had arrived.

“Young Master, are you sure you don’t want me to stay?” the woman in green returned as a few servants carried in a wooden tub and poured in hot water.

Lin Ce thought for a moment, then waved off the others. “You stay. Help me bathe,” he said calmly. He was used to Li’er helping him. Without someone around, he honestly wouldn’t know how to manage.

The wicked feudal customs had spoiled him. As the young master of the Lin family, he had always been waited on hand and foot. Even bathing had always been done by servants. It had become second nature.

The woman in green beamed with joy and stepped forward to help Lin Ce undress. Meanwhile, the girl behind the screen began to sing, her voice a gentle melody from Jiangnan.

Steam filled the room.

As Lin Ce stepped into the tub, a thick mist rose. His complexion improved slightly. The woman in green looked surprised. When she had touched Lin Ce’s body just now, it had felt like touching ice.

As the heat gradually soaked into his body, Lin Ce finally began to relax. The wine he drank earlier had helped warm him. Now soaking in hot water, the pain from the Frost Marrow Curse eased a bit. But tomorrow’s flare-up would likely still be hard to endure.

“I must find the Mountain Lord’s Blood as soon as possible…” Lin Ce murmured.

The woman in green pressed her delicate fingers to his temples, massaging gently.

“Is the pressure okay, Young Master?” she asked softly.

“Very good. What’s your name?” Lin Ce asked, nodding.

“I’m Lü Ying. The one behind the screen is my younger sister, Lü Yuan.”

Her voice was even softer now, almost magical. As her red lips moved, sleepiness swept over Lin Ce. His eyelids grew heavy. He felt like he was about to fall asleep…

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open.

Lü Ying had just let go—and in her hand was a dagger gleaming with cold light!

“The twenty-four members of the Lü family greet you, Young Master Lin!” she said, and the dagger shot toward Lin Ce’s neck.

“Wind Chant Magic Sound!” Lin Ce reacted immediately, but he couldn’t dodge the dagger. “Damn it… am I going to die?”

The blade was too close. There was no escaping it.

He never expected to be ambushed on his own turf.

Could this be the work of those people?

“Bang!”

A small sword shot through the room, piercing the door. The blade sliced Lü Ying’s wrist, making her face twist in pain.

At the same moment, the door burst open, and a slender figure rushed in. With a single strike, her longsword knocked the dagger away. A swift movement followed, and she pinned Lü Ying to the ground.

“Nanqiao?” Lin Ce turned and was momentarily stunned.

The woman in white who appeared was valiant and graceful, her sword aura fierce. Who else could it be but Su Nanqiao?

“There’s another one!” Su Nanqiao didn’t even look at Lin Ce. Her beautiful eyes glinted sharply. With a twist of her fingers, the small sword shot toward the folding screen.

With a swish, the screen split in two.

Behind it, the woman wearing only a sheer robe had a miniature crossbow mounted on her arm!

“What the hell is going on!” Lin Ce was stunned. Two assassins had infiltrated the Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion?

And why was Su Nanqiao here? Had she been following him all along?

That didn’t make sense!

Before Lin Ce could make sense of anything, Su Nanqiao was already glaring coldly at Lü Ying.

“Speak. Who sent you?”