Chapter 157: Chapter 116: Ghost Cultivator, Spring Dream Nightmare_2

The aristocratic young man spoke very clearly, and the merchant beside him was so frightened that he trembled.

Lin Chen sat in the corner, eating his meal while listening to the news and information.

Soon, the sky darkened.

The guests in the hall gradually left to return home, and soon there were less than ten people left.

Lin Chen remained seated, not getting up.

At this moment, a heavily made-up woman approached and inquired:

“Upper Immortal, are you staying overnight in the workshop… or returning home? It’s getting late…”

The woman seemed somewhat anxious.

Since the strange incident, even places like this brothel did not allow guests to stay overnight.

After all, if a guest got drunk and tried to go home at midnight, only to die tragically on the way… that would be bad for the brothel’s reputation.

Lin Chen shook his head and said, “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing…”

The woman opened her mouth to speak but ultimately said nothing.

After a while, several brothel guards closed the doors of the Celestial Envy Workshop.

According to the rules, once the doors are closed, no more guests are accepted, and current guests are not allowed to leave.

Seeing that the time was about right, Lin Chen stood up.

The Madam hurriedly came forward, fawningly saying, “Immortal Master, which girl in the building has caught your eye? Tonight, I will let her…”

Lin Chen nodded and said:

“Just now, I heard them say that Nan Lingling is quite beautiful. I wonder if I might have the pleasure?”

The Madam’s expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and she stammered:

“Immortal Master, perhaps you could choose another girl? I’ll have Ruyan, the head girl, accompany you!”

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow and asked with a smile:

“Oh? Is Nan Lingling occupied tonight, entertaining other guests?”

“Not at all…” the Madam shook her head.

“If she’s available, why can’t she accompany me? Do you look down on me?” Lin Chen raised an eyebrow, feigning anger.

The Madam panicked and hurriedly explained the situation.

It turned out that ever since Young Master Zheng of the Zheng Family died, Nan Lingling’s reputation had plummeted.

She had long lost the title of the number one beauty of Yanlai from three years ago…

Nowadays, she rarely entertained guests and mostly stayed in the backyard composing songs.

Occasionally, a few foreign guests would wish to see her beauty, but would fall seriously ill and suffer nightmares after leaving.

Though not fatal, such unfortunate events accumulated.

Over time, Nan Lingling lost her clients and was in a tough situation, even secretly called a witch…

After hearing the Madam’s words, Lin Chen’s curiosity grew even stronger.

So he took out three Spirit Stones and slammed them down on the table, snorting:

“Do you look down on me? Since I embarked on cultivation, I have known no fear!”

The Madam hesitated for a moment.

On one hand, she was tempted by the three Spirit Stones, but on the other, she feared angering Lin Chen.

After some thought, she finally said:

“If that’s the case, then Immortal Master, please follow me…”

…

Lin Chen followed the Madam to a small courtyard behind the Celestial Envy Workshop.

Two osmanthus trees were planted in the courtyard, and there was only one wing room.

It looked somewhat shabby but was very clean.

When Lin Chen reached the door, the Madam was unwilling to go inside, saying only:

“Lingling is in the wing room, Immortal Master, please go in yourself…”

She instructed two maids to bring wine and food into the courtyard.

After completing the task, the maids also hurriedly left…

In this chilly little courtyard, even the workshop maids didn’t dare to stay for long.

“It truly is as if the gates are cold and the visitors rare…”

Lin Chen chuckled, carrying a pot of wine, and knocked on the courtyard door.

Soon, a woman wearing a blue dress with light makeup opened the door.

She looked about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, her features exquisite and her skin exceptionally pale.

Especially her enchanting eyes, which seemed capable of captivating one’s soul…

“No wonder she was once famous throughout Yanlai; truly beautiful!”

Lin Chen complimented.

Nan Lingling blushed and opened the door further, saying:

“It’s been a long time since anyone visited the courtyard… Please come in, young master!”

Lin Chen carried the wine pot into the room.

Inside, the furnishings were old, showing their age.

But there was plenty of rouge and powder; Nan Lingling seemed to love beauty.

Even though she had few guests, she dressed up every day…

Perhaps this was her only joy in the cold little courtyard.

Lin Chen glanced around, finally fixing his gaze on Nan Lingling.

“I’ve long heard of Miss Nan’s fame; today, I finally get to witness your beauty!”

“It’s all in the past… What song would the young master like to hear?”

Nan Lingling’s eyes showed a hint of melancholy as she inquired softly.

“There’s no rush for a song; why not share a few drinks first?”

Lin Chen swirled the aged wine in his hand.

Thus, the two of them drank some wine in the room.

Nan Lingling couldn’t hold her liquor well and was slightly drunk after a few glasses.

She then stood up, saluted, and went to the zither to play.

With just a few strums, melodious tunes began to flow, sometimes joyful, sometimes forlorn…

Lin Chen listened with great interest, but in reality, he was observing Nan Lingling.

“She has no trace of cultivation… this woman indeed seems to be a mortal…”

Lin Chen thought silently.

With his Ninth Layer of Foundation Establishment cultivation, he couldn’t detect any cultivation.

Nan Lingling was most likely a mortal… of course, it didn’t rule out the possibility of being a Core Formation Old Monster.

But which normal Core Formation Old Monster would hide in a brothel?

“However, Nan Lingling seems to be somewhat weak… is it due to long stays in the courtyard?”

Lin Chen’s Divine Sense probing revealed something amiss.

People have Three Souls and Seven Spirits; the Three Souls are Tai Guang, Shuang Ling, You Jing.

And the Seven Spirits are Shi Gou, Fu Shi, Que Yin, Tun Zei, Fei Du, Chu Hui, Chou Fei…

They correspond to different functions of the person.

Lin Chen had learned some Qi Observation Skill, and though not proficient, he could still perceive the Qi of mortals.

But at this moment, in his perception, Nan Lingling’s “Shi Gou” Spirit was somewhat abnormal.

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