Journey to the End of the Night Chapter 1485: 929: Madam

Having succumbed to a profound slumber, oblivious to the world outside, Baili An was transported to an unfamiliar locale of festivity and made comfortable there.

Meanwhile, Ying Ji, Wen Hanwei, and their companions pursued the faint trail they had discovered, making their way to Liangshan City.

However, Liangshan City teemed with a dense population, and the ubiquitous crowd inevitably caused the scent of Baili An to dissipate, rendering the trail elusive.

As soon as they entered the city, that faint trace vanished, making it even more challenging to locate.

Concurrently, Bai Zhanji, Ji Yinyin, and their party were extricated from the deserted dwelling, although they remained afflicted by a peculiar venom for which no antidote had yet been found.

Consequently, they journeyed with the group to Liangshan City to reconvene with Wen Hanwei, harboring hopes of receiving treatment from the renowned physician, Wen Cong.

In the presence of formidable figures such as Wen Hanwei of the Taixuan Nine Classics and Lin Xi of the Cangwu Ten Hidden Palaces, Bai Zhanji restrained his ostentatious nature, refraining from any presumptuous actions.

Perceiving that they were engaged in a search for someone, he could not resist offering a suggestion:

“Our Bai Family possesses a treasure adept at locating individuals, termed the Thousand Fragrance. Given that this person shares a blood connection with Young Master Ji, being mother and son.

A mere drop of blood introduced into the fragrance would suffice to guide us to the young master’s present location.”

Li Jiujiu had previously heard of the Thousand Fragrance, a distinctive scent meticulously crafted in recent years by the celebrated Lan Sheng.

Lan Sheng, in reality, is the refined pseudonym adopted by Bai Yuanduo, the eldest scion of the Bai Family, famously known as the First Young Master of Jiangzhou.

He is widely acknowledged amongst the younger generation within the Immortal Sect as a gentleman of exceptional charm and romantic disposition.

The Thousand Fragrance is exceptionally valuable, and it stood to reason that Bai Zhanji would not carry it on his person. To obtain it, would it not necessitate a special journey to Jiangzhou?

Bai Zhanji chuckled and proclaimed, “There is no need for such an arduous undertaking. Prior to our departure for Yundu Villa, I dispatched a letter to my brother.

He acknowledged receipt and indicated his intention to visit a nearby border city to convene with me, after which we would proceed together to Shifang City for matters of significance.”

Yundu Villa is situated in proximity to the border city, which represents the most extensive territory within the Liangshan region.

Bai Yunduo, a man characterized by ambition and a sophisticated bearing, would naturally eschew confinement within a modest mountain settlement.

Ji Yinyin articulated her bewilderment: “Even assuming First Young Master Bai is indeed located within Liangshan City, given the sheer vastness of this urban expanse, to what specific location should we direct our search for him?”

They had yet to locate the grievously wounded and missing Ji Xinnian, and now the quest extended to finding First Young Master Bai?

Still suffering from their poisoning, from where would they muster the necessary vitality for such endeavors.

Experiencing a degree of embarrassment, Bai Zhanji paused briefly before conveying, “To be entirely candid, although my brother is known as the First Young Master of Jiangzhou and presents himself as a paragon of gentlemanly conduct, he does harbor certain proclivities.

My brother cherishes three passions above all: wine, music, and captivating women; thus, I surmise his whereabouts should be readily ascertainable.”

A collective silence befell the group.

Wine, music, and alluring women.

In what other venue could one possibly find a place embodying all these three elements if not a house of ill repute or an establishment dedicated to pleasure.

Within Liangshan City, the preeminent establishment of this nature is the Anle Workshop.

Ying Ji harbors an aversion to such worldly establishments, moreover, her son had consistently exhibited the refinement of a gentleman, never lingering in such amorous haunts.

She certainly had no inclination to sully herself by venturing there merely for the sake of a fragrance.

Yin Baishuang remained engaged in her search within the mountainous terrain and had not yet returned.

Li Jiujiu, being a daughter hailing from the martial arts world, possessed an uninhibited spirit and readily agreed to undertake the expedition.

The subsequent day dawned with radiant and pleasant weather, prompting the women within the group, disguised as men, to embark in contingents of three or five towards the Anle Workshop.

Bai Zhanji appeared most conversant with the route; he presented a calling card to signify his identity and, after proffering two substantial gold ingots, the Anle Workshop's promptness proved remarkably efficient.

Following a brief period of inquiry, Bai Zhanji substantiated the adage that one knows their brother better than anyone else.

Indeed, this First Young Master of Jiangzhou, a figure of considerable prominence among the younger generation, had seemingly adopted the brothel as his domicile, awaiting their arrival at the Anle Workshop for several days.

Upon Bai Zhanji's arrival to locate Bai Yuanduo, his chambers were already occupied by a visitor.

A plush divan adorned with intricate brocade and ethereal gauze, exuding an atmosphere of extreme luxury, perfectly harmonized with Lan Sheng’s aesthetic sensibilities.

Visible through a delicate jade screen, Bai Yuanduo could be faintly discerned seated with distinguished posture upon a cushion.

A delicate, warm incense emanated from a nearby table, his unadorned blue and white robes hung loosely, and a simple wooden hairpin secured his locks.

Were one to overlook the fair-skinned beauty nestled beside him on the opulent divan, drawing warmth from his proximity, he undeniably possessed an air of gentlemanly grace.

Opposite him sat a youth exuding an aura of gentle refinement, exceptionally handsome, with a composed mien that rendered his precise age indeterminable.

Adorned in flowing robes and a jade crown, his demeanor radiated a refined spiritual aura, unmistakably marking him as nobility.

As a servant guided Bai Zhanji and his companions into the chamber, Bai Yuanduo observed his brother's travel-worn appearance. A dark miasma clung to his brow, a clear sign of the demon poison's grip, his life hanging by a thread.

Bai Yuanduo, leisurely sipping his tea, remarked with a touch of feigned surprise:

"Yundu Villa certainly holds peculiar secrets. It's a blessing I heeded my caution; else, I might have been the one facing this venomous plight today. How fortunate, how very fortunate."

His tone held a discernible undertone of glee.

Bai Zhanji felt a prickle of embarrassment, managing a strained smile. "Brother, please refrain from jesting. This tale is complex, and I come with a pressing request, hoping to borrow the Thousand Fragrance from you."

To those on the outside, the true depth of the bond between the Bai brothers remained a mystery.

Upon this unexpected encounter in a strange land, Bai Yuanduo offered no preamble, no pleasantries. Instead, he produced a stick of deep purplish-red incense from his robes, seemingly eager to conclude the meeting.

He advised with a soft cadence: "This incense is difficult to craft, exacting a heavy toll on the Divine Soul. Use it with profound moderation."

The Thousand Fragrance, notoriously scarce and highly sought after in the marketplace, had evidently been created only recently.

Bai Yuanduo's own complexion seemed pale, betraying a weariness born from insufficient rest.