Chapter 101: The Music Plays On, The Dance Continues!

The flower boat was immense, its cabins built like a multi-storied pavilion.

As the guest Xu Boqing and the host Zhao Xuanlang settled down for casual conversation, a few bashful and timid young ladies gracefully approached, carrying prepared wine and dishes.

Some were slender and delicate, like willows swaying in the breeze; others were voluptuous, their curves like rolling hills ready to be admired...

Some were tender and gentle, causing one’s cheeks to flush with even a glance; others had enchanting eyes like silk, their brows and features brimming with myriad charms...

After setting down the wine and dishes, the girls moved aside—some cradled pipa and plucked lightly, others sat poised at zithers, fingers tracing strings. As the music of silk and bamboo instruments began, some sang softly, while dancers accompanied the melodies with graceful movements.

The most captivating were a few exotic dancers with slender waists and ample hips, their eyes deep-set, clad in midriff-baring bodices, their cheeks veiled by sheer scarves...

Perhaps due to the rarity of their foreign allure, every movement they made seemed to stir the heartstrings.

Xu Boqing held his wine cup, watching with keen interest.

Though the Empress Zhang once performed a private dance for him, and he did not consider himself inexperienced in worldly matters...

The Empress’s sleeve dance appeared elegant but somewhat restrained, as if held back by decorum.

Yet, one could not deny that her imperial status, her cool demeanor, and that half-reluctant, half-compelled attitude were deeply enticing.

But the exotic dancers before him were quite the opposite...

Though their veils hinted at modesty and their movements seemed reserved, in truth, every tremble and sway boldly displayed their enchanting grace and allure.

It was a taste all its own.

The two men sipped fine wine, chatting leisurely while enjoying the music and dance.

Though young, Zhao Xuanlang had traveled extensively from a young age, his experiences broad, and with a fondness for mingling among cultured and refined gentlemen, his speech and knowledge were impressive.

Xu Boqing, though long confined to the imperial palace, had lived two lives—his thoughts were fresh and novel, and no matter the topic, he could always add insightful remarks. Some of his ingenious ideas even earned Zhao Xuanlang’s enthusiastic approval.

The host and guest were truly enjoying themselves.

At that moment, Xu Boqing’s gaze flickered subtly. Through the window of the boat’s cabin, he glanced out into the night and asked, “Brother Zhao, have you offended anyone recently?”

“Huh?”

Zhao Xuanlang was momentarily taken aback, his brow furrowing in puzzlement. “Brother Xu, why do you say that?”

Xu Boqing sipped his wine casually and said, “I noticed several hostile figures in the river, seemingly targeting your flower boat.”

“...”

Zhao Xuanlang and his steward, surnamed Zheng, exchanged surprised looks. The steward rose, his brows knitted tightly, and peered out the window. Finding nothing unusual, he shook his head slightly.

The steward then glanced at Xu Boqing, smiling wryly. “Young Master Xu, the wine may be good, but you mustn’t overindulge...”

“Heh heh, I’m not drunk…” Xu Boqing laughed and shook his head, setting down his cup and pointing outside. “They should be arriving soon—three warriors at the early stage of martial cultivation, and over ten at the later stage.”

“You...”

The steward’s face paled in alarm, though he remained skeptical.

Upon hearing about the three early-stage warriors, Zhao Xuanlang’s expression shifted slightly. He quickly said, “Uncle Zheng, dispatch someone to check outside. We wouldn’t want any thieves spoiling our mood.”

“Understood…”

Seeing his young master speak, Zheng straightened up and signaled. The guards concealed in the four corners of the pavilion nodded in understanding and stepped out.

Not long after they left, a scream pierced the air. Then a figure burst through the cabin door, collapsing lifelessly onto the floor.

With the sudden chaos, steward Zheng’s face turned ashen as he hurriedly shielded Zhao Xuanlang. The girls performing music and dance on stage shrieked in terror.

Yet Xu Boqing, still holding his wine cup, did not flinch and continued sipping. Even when he saw the exotic dancers cowering in a corner of the pavilion, his brow furrowed slightly.

Three masked figures clad in night attire stepped into the cabin’s entrance. Outside the window, faint glimmers of cold light flashed; evidently, more masked men had surrounded the entire flower boat pavilion.

“Who are you?!” Zheng drew his long knife, scowling as he barked, “Make your intentions clear. If you’re here for money, the Zhao family is willing to pay tenfold, even a hundredfold...”

The three masked men, seemingly confident, approached calmly. Their leader said, “Money? No, no, no. We have come for Zhao Xuanlang’s life!”

“...”

Zhao Xuanlang’s face darkened, and taking a deep breath, he used a secret voice technique to whisper to Xu Boqing, “Brother Xu, this turn of events was unexpected. I never thought it would drag you into it. I am truly sorry…”

“No matter…” Xu Boqing replied, taking another sip.

“No matter?” Zhao looked anxious. “Brother Xu, I know you have martial skills and lightness techniques, but there are too many of them. Two fists cannot fight four hands. Please don’t act rashly.”

He paused, then whispered, “I have some means as well. When the fight breaks out, Uncle Zheng and I will hold them off, giving you a chance to escape. Their target is me; they likely won’t pursue too far.”

“And what about these girls?”

“???”

Zhao Xuanlang’s face twitched. He was about to scold Xu Boqing for not understanding the gravity of the situation—thinking about the girls now was reckless, even suicidal.

But before he could speak, he suddenly turned to look at Xu Boqing and realized—this brother was also using the secret voice technique!

Xu Boqing noticed Zhao’s gaze but paid it no mind. He glanced at the three attackers approaching and then at the trembling girls huddled in the corner.

“I’m ruining my own fun. I’ll have to... compensate...” he murmured.

No sooner had he spoken than a mighty aura surged outward from him. Even Zhao Xuanlang and steward Zheng, both at the early cultivation stage, found themselves unable to raise a hand, their eyes full of confusion as they stared at Xu Boqing, who calmly continued drinking.

The night-clad masked men’s clothes and masks shattered as if gripped by an invisible hand. They floated midair, their faces blank with bewilderment.

In an instant, their confusion turned to deep terror.

Their energy faded rapidly; their faces withered with wrinkles. Unable to speak or move, unaware of what had happened, their inner strength drained completely, and they collapsed unconscious to the ground.

Outside, the other masked men suffered the same fate. Some faltered and even fell into the river.

“Alright, now that no one is disturbing us,” Xu Boqing clapped his hands and said to the girls trembling in the corner, “Ladies, continue the music and dance.”

“...”

Silence fell over the flower boat.

Zhao Xuanlang and steward Zheng exchanged a horrified glance. The girls who had been screaming were now silent, their terror replaced by deep confusion.

Noticing Xu Boqing’s slight impatience, Zhao took a deep breath and said, “Uncle Zheng, drag these thieves away. Don’t spoil Brother Xu’s enjoyment!”

“Yes, yes, of course…” Zheng’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he quickly dragged the unconscious men out, thoughtfully closing the door behind them.

Zhao Xuanlang faced the girls huddled in the corner. “The Zhao family has cared for you for years. Now that Brother Xu values you, is that not a blessing?”

“Continue the music, continue the dance!!”

“...”