Jiang Wang simply couldn’t handle this, and for a moment, he didn’t know how to respond.

Seeing the great Qi’s pride, who had overshadowed Wang Yiwu, frozen by her one sentence, the beautiful woman covered her mouth and giggled.

Her eyes brimmed with spring, but as a madam of this kind of pleasure house, she knew best what it meant to stop at the right moment, leaving a lingering charm. Without saying more, she glanced at Jiang Wang with a graceful smile, and then, with a sway of her waist, she walked away.

It was as if a round, plump, and luscious peach was swaying left and right in his eyes, hooking his gaze, never willing to let go, and then suddenly turned a corner, disappearing into the end of the corridor.

Leaving one feeling a sense of loss.

Perhaps there was some truth to why Xu Xiangqian always came here to “gather inspiration.”

But Jiang Wang could dissect a person with the skill of a seasoned butcher, yet when it came to matters of romance, he was far less adept. He was oblivious to everything before him, thinking only about…

How to quickly gain the upper hand in a battle fought in such an environment.

He had only just considered two stances of the human path sword style and a move from the ‘Flame Finch Carrying Flowers’, when the beautiful woman swayed back into his vision.

Hmm, this sword should be aimed at…

Jiang Wang subconsciously glanced at the beautiful woman’s fair neck, and quickly dispelled the sword intent.

Forgive me, forgive me, he apologized in his heart.

The beautiful woman naturally noticed where Jiang Wang’s gaze had lingered, but she obviously misinterpreted it. Her eyes crinkled with a smile, and she intentionally or unintentionally tugged at her collar, but it seemed she didn’t do a very good job, instead revealing even more of her swan-like neck.

Alluring curves, fair skin extending into the collar…

Yet she maintained a dignified expression, “Young Master Jiang, my master invites you.”

“I am grateful,” Jiang Wang said.

“This way, please,” the beautiful woman turned to lead the way.

Her figure was exaggerated, as if she had a natural ability to hook gazes, pulling them along with the rise and fall of her curves.

Her aura was hidden, so it was impossible to tell what her cultivation level was – Internal Palace? Outer Building? What was the cultivation of the Water Pavilion’s owner, that girl Qin Lian? And Jiang Wuxie, as the Master of the Mind Cultivation Palace, a man qualified to contend for the Dragon Throne, must have a considerable amount of power at his disposal.

Jiang Wang followed behind, silently assessing.

The beautiful woman obviously didn’t know what it meant to cast a flirtatious glance at a blind man, because Jiang Wang’s eyesight was clearly excellent, his eyes clean, bright, and full of spirit.

Moreover, he knew how to appreciate beauty, even knowing to look at the neck.

Since he was friends with a scholar like Xu Xiangqian, who borrowed money to visit brothels, how could he be ignorant of romantic affairs? Those occasional moments of clumsiness were likely intentional touches of charm.

Young people these days have a sense of style.

“Young Master Jiang,” she walked ahead, displaying her charm to the fullest, seemingly casually saying, “We’ve gone from strangers to acquaintances, and now we’re quite familiar.”

She emphasized the word “familiar” very lightly and subtly, as if whispering in his ear.

Then she continued, “If you come to the Water Pavilion next time, you can come directly to me to chat. If I’m not here managing things, you can ask for me, just say you’re looking for Tao Niang. No matter how busy I am, I’ll come to see you.”

Tao Niang…

Jiang Wang searched his memory, trying to recall which sect or powerful figure in Qi State she might be connected to, but his search was fruitless.

He said, “I am deeply grateful for your hospitality, Jiang Wang.”

In his heart, he thought, Tao Niang’s attitude is so enthusiastic, which means that Jiang Wuxie is still giving him face. It seems that the matter of the Near Sea Islands can be discussed.

The Jade Water Pavilion was built on an enclosed lake, which was said to be fed by the living waters of the Zi River.

Pavilions and terraces overlooking the water, towers reflecting in the waves, it had a unique charm.

Following Tao Niang, he turned over a wooden ladder and wound through several water corridors, finally arriving at a private pavilion.

The heavy doors were tightly closed, with two fair-faced, beardless guards standing on either side, their posture relaxed. They nodded to Tao Niang when they saw her.

If they were ordinary experts, they would certainly not be so casual when guarding the Master of the Mind Cultivation Palace.

Thinking this, Jiang Wang followed Tao Niang and pushed open the door to enter.

Passing through the beautiful scenery, and going through two layers of doors, his eyes suddenly widened.

Three water corridors connected to a pavilion, evenly dividing the water.

The pavilion was right in the center of the water.

Jiang Wuxie, whose features were quite exquisite, was leaning lazily on a soft couch. On either side of him, two beautiful maids were massaging his legs.

Hearing the sound, he looked up in this direction.

First, he said to Tao Niang, “You’ve worked hard.”

Then, he waved intimately, “Jiang Qingyang, come over here!”

As if he and Jiang Wang were close friends, who could dispense with formalities.

Tao Niang stopped at the water corridor and only said to Jiang Wang, “Please walk carefully, Young Master.”

Her voice was extremely soft.

Judging from the two experts at the door and Jiang Wuxie’s own attitude, Tao Niang’s identity was not simple. It was unlikely that she was merely a madam in charge of welcoming and seeing off guests at the Water Pavilion.

Jiang Wang was very polite, “Thank you.”

Then he stepped forward and walked calmly towards the pavilion.

In Seven Star Valley, he had not been servile to Jiang Wuxie. Although he was here seeking help from him, he would not demean himself.

He was asking Jiang Wuxie for help, but not “begging”, but “exchanging”.

Using the value he could offer, in exchange for Jiang Wuxie’s current investment.

This was an equal transaction based on mutual respect, whether it would succeed or not depended only on how Jiang Wuxie weighed the pros and cons.

On Jiang Wang’s side, there was at most a “request”. That is, he would acknowledge this favor.

He walked to this water pavilion, calmly sat down on the large chair that a beautiful maid had brought over, and simply said, “Your Highness has a refined taste.”

Just from this large chair, it could be seen that Jiang Wuxie did not slight Jiang Wang. Because he could have just made Jiang Wang stand, or just given Jiang Wang a small stool.

This large chair was square and spacious, the wood was mature and the color was bright, worthy of a distinguished guest.

At this time, he was leaning on the soft couch, not being undignified, but rather expressing a closeness to nature.

Jiang Wuxie gently bit into a juicy, round, blue fruit that he couldn’t name, and said to the slender maid on the left, “Would you be willing to invite this great Qi prodigy to eat a fruit?”

The maid playfully slapped him, objecting, “Your Highness…”

Jiang Wuxie laughed, and turned to Jiang Wang gently, “Please forgive me, Qingyang, they are my beloved, and I cannot casually order them to entertain anyone. Just savor the river breeze.”

His words were full of affection.

It must be said that this slightly wicked but not at all lewd smile greatly increased his charm, and probably few women could resist it.

This could be seen from the intoxicated gazes of the two maids.

Jiang Wuxie’s attitude towards his maids did not surprise Jiang Wang.

The Master of the Mind Cultivation Palace was famous for cherishing and admiring flowers.

He only smiled wryly, “Jiang Wang was born into poverty, and is used to drinking on his own. I’m really not used to being served.”

He casually glanced at the empty water corridor, which seemed to only have the river breeze, retracted his gaze, and asked directly, “Is it convenient to talk?”

He had no time, nor the mood to chat idly with Jiang Wuxie. A person of Jiang Wuxie’s status could not possibly be as carefree and leisurely as he appeared.

Getting straight to the point was a sign of respect for each other.

Jiang Wuxie gently wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, sat up straight, and looked at Jiang Wang, “These are all my close confidantes, you can say anything without restraint.”