A week later, the townspeople were all discussing the Love Sake House. Thanks to its publicity, its popularity soared, even alarming the "Gou Emperor" of the Land of Sake.
"Hey! Did you hear? The Love Sake House just hired three new geishas, and one of them immediately became the top courtesan. Tonight is her debut performance at the Love Sake House's first event. We have to go see her tonight."
"Ah, that matter. I already know. With the Love Sake House's massive promotion, it's hard not to."
At this moment, in a hot spring, two people were chatting about the Love Sake House. Jiraiya, who was trying to peek nearby, immediately's eyes turned into hearts. A courtesan? What a coincidence, to be able to witness the courtesan's first performance right after she arrived.
Meanwhile, Lixing was meticulously applying makeup, never once considering the possibility of encountering acquaintances tonight.
"Xing-kun, you look so beautiful tonight! You'll surely captivate all those lecherous men! The most beautiful in the world!" Karin praised from the side. Though Karin had always been full of praise for Lixing.
However, Yugito on the other side wanted to retort at Karin, especially since Karin had been mocking her for not being able to sing these past few days.
"I told you, his name is now Yunyun, and he's the top courtesan. Stop calling him Xing-kun all the time. You should call him Yunhime. That's why I say you little brats don't know any better."
"Instead of minding me, why don't you learn more from Xing-kun on how to sing and play the koto? Don't bring shame to our 'Xiangyun Cat' group. After so many days, you can barely play a few tunes. I'm truly embarrassed for you."
Seeing the two about to argue again, Lixing quickly soothed them: "Alright, don't argue. Yugito, being able to learn a few things in a week is already very good. Karin, don't say anymore."
"Also, Yugito, don't mind her. See, Karin just acknowledged you, right? After all, she hasn't denied that you and we are a group."
"Hmph!" x2!
Both turned their heads away and snorted simultaneously. At first glance, they seemed quite in sync. Lixing found this situation quite helpless.
...
Soon, the proprietress of the Love Sake House came to call Lixing to the stage. She also instructed that there was an extraordinary guest tonight and Lixing must not falter. However, Lixing would never falter.
Following the proprietress to a pavilion, Lixing saw that the area below the pavilion was completely packed with people. Yes, packed. Normally, there would be tables of guests below, but due to the Love Sake House's extensive promotion, the crowd tonight was overwhelming, leaving no space to sit.
Lixing, along with Karin and Yugito, ascended to the high platform, ready to begin their song and dance. Tonight was a trio ensemble.
However, the men below were displeased. It was supposed to be a courtesan, yet she insisted on performing with a mask. They immediately started to make a fuss.
"Esteemed guests, tonight is my first time. Wearing a mask is due to the rules. Please bear with me until the end. After the performance, I will satisfy everyone's wishes."
As soon as Lixing spoke, everyone in the audience fell silent. There was no other way; Lixing's voice was too gentle and beautiful.
Seeing the quiet audience, Lixing wasted no time, sat down, and began to play the shamisen, while Karin and Yugito provided accompanying vocals.
...
As the song concluded, Lixing gently put down the shamisen and looked at the audience. She saw that everyone's eyes were filled with tears. The piece Lixing had just played was an original composition to commemorate the people of her past life. Lixing's emotions were infused in the performance, and the guests could naturally sense that feeling.
"Wonderful! It's marvelous! Regardless of the face beneath the mask, I am willing to acknowledge you as the number one courtesan of the Love Sake House, no, of the entire Land of Sake!"
One person in the audience was the first to start clapping and praising. Lixing, however, didn't feel much. She was lost in memories. This person had made her cry... T_T.
It was only when Karin reminded her that Lixing snapped back to reality. It was time to remove the mask.
Lixing slowly took off the mask, revealing a peerless beauty. The tear tracks beneath her eyes added a unique allure.
...
Silence. Utter silence. The audience was incredibly quiet, everyone holding their breath. The reason was simple: Lixing's appearance in women's attire was incredibly stunning. Everyone was staring at her intently.
"Woohoo!! What a huge score! To be able to encounter such a beautiful courtesan!!" A white-haired old man suddenly jumped up from the crowd and shouted.
The good atmosphere was instantly shattered by one person, simultaneously igniting the crowd's excitement. They immediately began asking the proprietress how much it would cost to redeem the courtesan.
Upon seeing the white-haired old man, Lixing's composure broke. Jiraiya, that lecherous old man, was the same wherever he went.
For a perfect courtesan like Lixing, the proprietress naturally wouldn't allow anyone to redeem her easily. She quickly apologized to the crowd and let Lixing return.
...
"I never thought I'd run into an acquaintance while just performing. Luckily, that lecherous old man didn't recognize me," Lixing commented on the earlier events while resting in a room with Karin and Yugito.
"Acquaintance? Who was it?" Karin asked, confused.
"Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin. The white-haired old man who shouted earlier was him. You must stay away from him. He's a very lustful old man."
Just as Lixing was warning the two to stay away from Jiraiya, the door suddenly opened, and a man with a samurai-style haircut walked in.
Karin immediately stood in front of Lixing and Yugito, adopting a combat stance.
"The courtesan of the Love Sake House, I am very fond of you. Come back to my mansion with me and be my concubine." The man cut straight to the chase as soon as he entered, openly admitting his infatuation with Lixing.
"Calling yourself '朕' (zhen, I, used by emperors)? Are you perhaps the Gou Emperor of this country? However, based on my understanding, even the Gou Emperor cannot easily abduct women, can he? Would your generals agree?" Lixing took a sip of tea and looked disdainfully at the Gou Emperor. The fact that he barged into her room without knocking was enough for Lixing to sentence him to death.
"No, from the melody you played earlier, I could hear your emotions. You are very sad. Only I can understand you in this country. So come with me now!"
"Heh! On what grounds do you say only you can understand me? You can't even discern my gender, and you presume to understand me? You abandoned your protective ninjas to come to my room. Can I assume that you are willing to die for me?"
Hearing this, the Gou Emperor was shocked: "What!..."
But Lixing wouldn't give him the chance to speak further. She slowly extended a finger and gently waved it in the air. A few ice blocks instantly appeared around the Gou Emperor. The moment these ice blocks touched his body, the Gou Emperor met his end.
"Breath of Snow, Final Form: Absolute Zero!"
"How troublesome! I just became a courtesan and now I have to run away. It's all his fault for barging in. I've also slacked off, failing to detect him earlier."
Just as Lixing was about to leave with Karin and Yugito, Jiraiya suddenly leaped down from the roof.
"Who are you people? Why have you killed the Great Lord of the Land of Sake?"