86 Performance in Dancing Night
Trevon couldn't believe he heard the classic. He had read the words in the novels and even practiced them to the max in his restaurant gallery. However, he finally saw someone used the famous line live.
[Cool!] He thought. [Do I finally become a real main character?]
Trevon looked around to the voice's source. A group of five young masters and three young ladies had entered the door. They all adorned themselves with luxury robes. While the young masters tied their hair with glamorous hairpins. The ladies wore heavy makeup to make them looked like a fairy. Each lady wore tall hairpin. He didn't know the insignia, but they brought some bodyguards.
Those young masters and ladies walked toward one of the best tables in the room while leaving Trevon's table. They arrogantly walked and laughed. The one who shouted was a handsome young man in beautiful white and blue robes. He looked toward a table with only one patron on it.
Most warriors would prefer to watch from the secret VIP boxes. The older and stronger warriors with more money would prefer exclusivity. Trevon had heard his grandfather, Douglas also had his own private rooms in those pleasure houses. His grandfather even had permanent VIP boxes.
Outside the special VIP box, some tables were highly sought after by the patrons. Those tables were the frontmost tables. You could directly watch the ladies and gentlemen performed directly on the stage. Sometimes, the performers would invite you to dance together or play music together.
[It is not me.] Trevon felt a bit bitter seeing those young masters and ladies passed his table. He had hoped he would experience the main character's experiences.
"Perhaps you still aren't officially accepted as the main character. Gwahahaha." Master Rabbink laughed. [This Rabbink is the main character.] It secretly thought.
"What did you say?" A young man with a huge scar on his cheek slammed his wine gourd toward the table. He wore a black robe and had been drunk non-stop. Trevon had seen the many wine gourds and pots on his table. His face couldn't be seen since he allowed his messy hair to cover his eyes. Only his huge scar made him easy to remember.
If this was Bluestar and he didn't have the Scout skill, Trevon himself would also try to intimidate the young man for the table. However, he had scouted everyone in the room. Most were common people, with some Rank 1 warriors sitting at the foremost tables in the room.
This young man's only fault was that he looked weaker compared the other tables which had several people sat on them.
[Name: Jesmond Ungerer]
[Age: 31 Years]
[Sex: Male]
[Species: Human]
[Potential: 24/43]
[Determination: 95]
[Cultivation Speed: 76]
[Loyalty: 25]
[Decision Making: 45]
[Talent: Fighting - Sword, Poison Making]
[Affiliation: Ungerer Family]
[He is a genius.] Trevon thought about Jesmond. It was hard to reach Lv 24 without a cheat cultivation technique like Destiny Path. Normal people would be around forty-six years old when they reached this level.
Trevon hadn't heard his family name. Heavenly Phoenix had many small cultivation families, they might be hidden power or very weak. However, his actual power made Trevon didn't dare to forcefully take the table from this lonely young man.
"I want this table. Name your price!" The young master came closer to the messy-haired young man. He took his money pouch.
[Name: Fourcout Downbridge]
[Age: 54 Years]
[Sex: Male]
[Species: Human]
[Potential: 18/25]
[Determination: 45]
[Cultivation Speed: 86]
[Loyalty: 80]
[Decision Making: 11]
[Talent: Fighting - Spear]
[Affiliation: Downbridge Family, Heavenly Sword Mountain Sect]
[This young master is at least a cultivator. Not bad.] Trevon judged. As a Middle Rank 1 warrior, Fourcout was allowed to act with pride in Hillbridge. That was a huge achievement in front of common people.
[Wait! He is the young master of Downbridge Family?] Trevon felt confused. He checked another person in the group. Three of young masters were also from Downbridge. The others were from different families.
"One million spirit stones." The messy-haired young man showed one finger. "No negotiation. Pay if you can! Hahaha." He didn't want to sell. As a cultivator, he also had his pride. A Peak Rank 1 warrior also deserved to act more arrogantly.
"Are you playing with me? Don't you know who am I? I am a young master of Downbridge family."
"Oh..." The young man still emptied his wine gourd. "Waitress! Give me more wine gourds!" He put several spirit stones on the table. This entertainment establishment was money eating activity for the patrons.
"You must be new!" One of the other young masters in the group said. "Downbridge family is one of the founders of this city over a few million years ago. It is the top five families in Hillbridge."
"Who is stronger? Downbridge Family or Eastbridge Family? Hahaha." The young man laughed, perhaps had been influenced by alcohol. He didn't seem to care about the conversation.
Trevon heard some patrons started to speak to each other.
"He is looking for trouble. That is pouring salt into an injury." A muscle man with a pierced ear commented.
"Yes. Why did he bring Eastbridge Family?" A thin man in a golden robe asked his friend.
"That Eastbridge family suddenly disappeared yesterday. Their disappearance turned all top local ancient families into a joke." A handsome man with silver hair in the table answered his friend.
"Who are they, Brother?" A young man with black lips asked the silver-haired men. Their tables were next to each other.
"Fourcout Downbridge and his friends. They are frequent patrons of this establishment." The all-knowing silver-haired man answered.
"Is the Downbridge family strong?" A fat person with big lips next to the previous man asked the all-knowing person.
"Yes. You shouldn't mess with them. Their backing is the sect. Some of the sect's elders are also the elders in the family." The knowing person whispered.
"Eastbridge really made the other families embarrassed." A long-haired patron in blue robe said.
"Perhaps this young master from Downbridge come today to show off. The local families want to bring their prestige back. I heard from my brother whose friend is a neighbor of a Downbridge's family servant. This Fourcout should still do a cultivation as punishment. He could come here tonight for a reason." The all-knowing commented again.
"Hmph... Nobody was as cowardly as Eastbridge Family. Running away before a fight!" A handsome warrior with long hair cursed the runaway family.
"Yes. Everyone thought the other family as bad because of them." Even the attendants gossiped the loser.
Most people in the world valued brave people. If Trevon hid from the demon beast waves in Redwood, no family would marry their daughter to him. Forget about his status as a cultivation family descendant. Even commoners would look down on him.
In this world, cultivators valued three things. They were power, face, and bravery.
This was why Trevon enjoyed being a spoiled young master. He could enjoy his family money and prestige. Being a silkpant, as long as he bravely traded a few blows with a chosen, people would praise him to be brave. Winning or losing was normal. Most people already expected him to be the loser.
Since people also expected that a silkpant was weak and useless, stronger people would lose face if they challenged him. As long as he didn't provoke the wrong person, he was safe.
Meanwhile, he believed he could win against other same-generation spoiled young masters. He also frequently showed his face hunting some common animals with his friends. His hunt was a good enough to paint his bravery image for common people while actually he had many bodyguards protected him. This position was the safest balance for Trevon.
Fourcout Downbridge lost control of his emotion. This young man intentionally compared his family with the coward Eastbridge Family. He had to protect his family face.
"What do you mean?!!! I need to teach you some lessons! We, the Downbridge, are not the same as the coward Eastbridge family. There are some people who you must not offend!!!" The young master shouted in a harsh and loud voice. He couldn't stop himself from clenching his hand while his face turned red from anger. Other members of Downbridge family also turned red from anger.
[Wow! That sentence! Cool!] Trevon praised the model arrogant young master. [This Fourcout had a great personality.]
"What?" Master Rabbink couldn't believe Trevon thought that it was cool. "Haven't I lent you my tablets to teach you? Provoking a child of God is never a good idea."
[Eh?] Trevon felt a bit surprised with Master Rabbink's words. He looked to Jesmond more carefully.
"I am not interested to fight with a man. If the beautiful ladies in your group interested to fight me. I am ready for two versus one or three versus one. You can just come to my room tonight. Hahahaha." Jesmond drank the last drop of his wine.
[Gah! This Jesmond is also a cultured man!] Trevon thought about this man. [Three versus one. I have to travel more often.]
"Where is my wine? My wine?" Jesmond started to scream. The drunk man didn't care about Fourcout's anger.
"Let's get outside!" Fourcout still had some reservation. Fighting in the public was fine until the patrol came. However, fighting inside this establishment would involve high-ranking warriors who guarded the place.
"Who is afraid? Beautiful lady, this table is still mine." Jesmond put some spirit stone on the table, while winking at the lady who waited for his table.
"What kind of fighting?" Jesmond stood from his seat. "Who could pee the furthest? Who could finish more wine?"
"With the sword of course!" Jesmond drew his swords. Some of his friends started to draw their swords too.
"No fight in this premise!" A hoarse voice suddenly heard in the air. "My sword will talk with anyone who fights in this premise."
Trevon could feel the aura pressure. It was the sign of a Rank 3 warrior.
"If you are not a chicken, follow me!" Fourcout retreated. While he would prefer to slash this annoying man, he knew what he could and shouldn't. Even his family leader wasn't a Rank 3 warrior. He and his group left the room.
"Heh." Jesmond laughed. "This table is mine. I will return soon."
The crowds started to gossip.
"Holy God! Even Rank 3 warrior appeared!" The fat person with big lips shouted.
"Will they continue to fight outside?" The patron with blue robe asked.
"This is more interesting than the dancing. This seat is mine." A warrior with big swords went outside to watch.
"Let's follow them!" Some people would prefer to watch a live fight. It was the number one entertainment in the world. Even better, it was free.
"This young man is dead." The young man with black lip commented.
"Yes. While they were just silkpants. Those Downbridge's young masters were very strong. Each performed above average during the yearly hunting." The all-knowing silver-haired man agreed. He had more and more information. The Rabbink's main body somehow managed to give this person an empty table a few hours before.
"I have heard that. I believe Fourcout is the strongest of that group." The blue-robed patron said.
"Yes, I heard he is a Middle Rank 1 warrior. He would be an elder in Downbridge family for sure." All knowing silver-haired man once again showed his usefulness. The Rabbink felt satisfied. It would give him an extra one second lifespan.
[So, the killer of Eastbridge and killer of Downbridge family is different?] Trevon only watched the battle using his spiritual energy. Few cultivators also looked into the match using their own spiritual senses. Most came outside to watch.
"This is why you are heartless." Master Rabbink said. "You can always help if you want."
[That only attracting troubles for me. I don't think this Jesmond is weak. You have said that yourself.]
Master Rabbink chuckled.
Jesmond and Fourcout stood facing each other in the street.
"Heah!!!" Fourcout attacked and attacked with many slashes.
While at the other side Jesmond had a lazy smile on his face. He didn't even take his weapon and used his movement technique to evade Fourcout's attacks.
[Egh...] Fourcout retreat. He knew he kicked a hard stone. However, he couldn't retreat. "I need your help brothers."
"Yes." The other three young masters from Downbridge family jumped next to Fourcout.
Fourcout and his brothers pointed their sword toward Jesmond.
On the other hand, Jesmond only laughed before he took a strange weapon.
[What is that?] Trevon frowned. Jesmond's weapon was similar to an old grandpa's cane. The difference was it had an axe head and a spear tip on the other end. It was a combination of a spear and a small axe.
"Axe Head Cane!" Trevon heard an old cultivator started to comment.
"I can't believe we can see a remnant of Ungerer Family." His friend on the table commented. He was also silver-haired.
"Yes. If I was him, I would never show my head in Hillbridge. This was especially with Downbridge family around." The old cultivator said.
[So, the Ungerer family was famous around here.] Trevon thought.
Fourcout quickly used a sword technique. He slashed there while his friends covered his attacking position. Jesmond could only jump and rolled around to avoid the attacks.
[They aren't only common young masters. They have some skill to back their ego.] Trevon thought. All used a similar sword technique.
"Hehehe. You have practiced in Heavenly Sword Mountain Sect. Not bad." Jesmond started to look serious. A spiritual energy glowed on his body, his reddish face turned white. He used his spiritual energy to remove drunkenness.
Jesmond jumped toward the combination. He used the axe part of his cane to hook one of Fourcout friends' sword. After the move, he quickly flipped his cane and stabbed the person. Then Jesmond kicked him back to the incoming three people giving him the chance to retreat.
"Zirco!" His friends screamed. Fourcout became tensed. He never thought this four versus one fight would turn this serious. The young master bodyguards came to help their injured young master. They couldn't intervene since Fourcout who wanted to fight.
"Prepare for combination!" Fourcout shouted. He found this annoying man was powerful, but he can't run away for his family's face.
"Ha!!!" Fourcout and the rest two young masters moved into a set of form. A combination was a living formation. This was a temporary movement formation to combine their power. Another one of his friends joined the battle, while the injured one was taken to the side by the ladies.
"He isn't as strong as the injured one. Hehehe." Jesmond laughed.
"Tiger Trapping Combination!" Fourcout commanded.
Trevon enjoyed the show. [This Fourcout is even capable to direct a formation.]
Based on his guidebook, Heavenly Sword Mountain Sect was famous for their sword combination. With this combination, each person could protect his friends' unprotected area. This allowed the warrior to focus on attacking.
"Do you know the weakness of a combination?" Jesmond laughed.
"Huh? Attack!!!" Fourcout only wanted to kill this pest.
"It is only as strong as the weakest member." Jesmond attacked the new person who joined the fight. He wasn't as powerful as his friends. A stab to his body ensured the new member disabled.
Jesmond easily hacked the next member who had to be protected by the disabled member. Another member injured again.
"Hahahaha!" Jesmond didn't continue his attack. He lazily evaded the attack from Fourcout by jumping backward while his strange cane blocked the sword slashes.
"Too slow!" Jesmond used the chance to counter Fourcout with a stab. The last person also got injured with the axe slash. He played with those young masters.
"Ah! This is boring. I am better waiting for the beauties' performance."
Jesmond stopped his shallow attacks. Those young masters' bodyguards came to protect their young master from an even worse accident.
From the beginning, Trevon could see the difference in power. Jesmond was a Peak Rank 1 warrior. He was even more powerful than those bodyguards.
"This should be my answer to you. Now go from my sight! If you are coward, tell you elders to come!" Jesmond returned to his table. "Even Downbridge is weak. You should run too. Just like the Eastbridge! Hahahaha." He left a taunt to the injured young masters.
Some city patrols had arrived at the place, but they only found five injured young masters with crying ladies. They asked around for information about the event which had happened.
Since it was a public fight, which was agreed by both participants, the patrol couldn't capture Jesmond. They took the injured young masters to a clinic. It would be the family's problems.
"I am sorry, Young Master." Ivetta returned. "There is no patron who wants to sell the VIP box."
"Fine. However, Miss Ivetta could accompany me, right?" Trevon smiled bitterly. He couldn't do his painting in public.
The aspiring painter learned from his teacher. He had to maintain his secret profession from the public else he would be too popular. Similar with Grand Master Vale was the fake persona to protect the real Grand Master Byeontae.
"Of course, Young Master. That would be Ivetta's pleasure." The girl started to perform a tea ceremony for Trevon.
"Teng... Teng... Teng..." Trevon heard a small gong rang. It was the sign that the performance would be shown.
"This is your tea, Young Master. Do you want to order anything else?" Ivetta asked.
"Give me all the best foods and snacks in the house! I want the local wine." Trevon said.
Master Rabbink couldn't wait to put its small claws on those delicious foods. It had been busy teleporting to Jonathan and took many foods, but a Rabbink would never reject extra foods.
"And... Make it ten times the normal portion. My bodyguards ate a lot." Trevon said to Ivetta.
While Ivetta talked to some maids, twenty beautiful dressed ladies appeared on the stage. Ten ladies prepared the musical instruments. While the other ten moved into dancing position.
"Who are they?" Trevon asked Ivetta next to him.
"They were my senior sister. The first one..." She tells about the ladies' name and their talents. Since the Dancing Night ladies didn't sell their bodies, she didn't explain the physical appearance.
Trevon continued to enjoy four performances in the stage that night. They were two performances from the ladies and two from the gentlemen. The men performed a dancing and a sword dance, while the ladies performed singing and a qin performance. Trevon enjoyed the show while Master Rabbink enjoyed the foods.
It was Ivetta who felt strange, this young master and bodyguards managed to reduce the foods on the table. She didn't see anyone taking that many foods, yet all the foods disappeared. However, she stayed silent and requested new foods to be added.
Trevon enjoyed the performance. Some were similar with performances in Bluestar's pleasure houses. Nevertheless, different performers brought different feelings.
"Thank you for your visit our beloved patrons." A mature lady in a dark blue robe appeared on the stage. She was the mother of the Dancing Night pleasure house. The lady continued to make some opening speech.
The lady appeared around thirty years old. She had a charming yet seducing look. Her small and pointed nose with the smooth white skin like a boiled egg would tempt even the loyal husband, a beauty which could topple a kingdom. A smile bloomed from her red painted lips luring weak-willed people. She also painted her strong eyebrow and powdered her cheek with some light pink hue. It made her beautiful face becoming strong and seducing.
"Ahuk... Ahuk... Ahuk..." Trevon choked on his wine. It was loud since the premise was silent when the beautiful lady took the center stage.
People disparagingly looked into him. [This must be a new person here. He couldn't drink wine.] They silently laughed.
"I know young master couldn't wait to see the performance of our star." The lady helped Trevon from embarrassment. "Then, this old lady will give the stage to call our Isemeine. Please give a clap for her!" The mature lady started to lead the clap.
"Clap... Clap... Clap..." The audience couldn't wait to see the performance.
Trevon was given a glass of spring water by Ivetta. Trevon wasn't chocked by the wine. He had used his Scout skill on the mature lady on the stage.
[Name: Yootha McArthur]
[Age: 384 Years]
[Sex: Female]
[Species: Human]
[Potential: 41/42]
[Determination: 67]
[Cultivation Speed: 76]
[Loyalty: 89]
[Talent: Fighting - Spear]
[Affiliation: Dancing Night Pleasure House, McArthur Family]
Trevon wanted to cry. [Is every pleasure house around Bluestar owned by my family?]
Trevon finally knew why his family didn't complain when he visited Eternal Night. All were secret bases of his family.
"Perhaps. Gwahahaha." Master Rabbink laughed.
Trevon knew the pleasure houses were great moneymaking ventures. Other than that, a pleasure house was a good place for making connections. The young master actually dreamed to have his own pleasure house one day.
However, the best factor was for information gathering. It was easy for powerful people to unconsciously brag when they tried to seduce the ladies or gentlemen. [I should be more careful.] Trevon drank more wine.
"Gwahahaha." Master Rabbink laughed.
"Ring..."
"Ring..."
"Ring..."
A sound of small bells could be heard when a beautiful pair of legs walked into the stage. People's eyes were drawn into the long and thin jade-like legs. Even the ladies couldn't stop their eyes from wanting.
A lady appeared on the stage, while some gentlemen and ladies came and prepared the instruments behind her. She was as beautiful as the mother of the house. However, her charm was the youthful and bright look.
Isemeine had a tiny pointed nose. A sharp feminine chin decorated her face. Clear and bright eyes looked toward the audience. While a sweet smile bloomed from her thick lips. This made her look approachable, but distantly beautiful.
Her robe was very beautiful. It was the celestial style often wore by the princess during a public event. Its color was blue with patterns of flower, birds, and mountain drawn on it.
[Name: Isidiora]
[Age: 30 Years]
[Sex: Female]
[Species: Human]
[Potential: 12/17]
[Determination: 67]
[Cultivation Speed: 56]
[Loyalty: 79]
[Talent: Dancing]
[Affiliation: Dancing Night Pleasure House, McArthur Family]
Isemeine didn't start by talking to the audience. The lady directly made her opening pose. She froze on the pose while the musicians prepared. They stayed at the very back of the stage and left the large stage for the star alone.
The patrons could enjoy the beauty of the God's creation on the stage. They could peer through the translucent part of her heavenly robe to see the white jade-like skin. It wasn't vulgar, but still inviting imagination.
"Bang!" A gong was hammered waking people from the daze.
"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"
[Wow! This isn't the soft music. It is a powerful performance.] Trevon was surprised.
Isemeine danced very aggressively. All spaces on the stage were owned by her and her alone. This was why the musicians stood behind.
Trevon couldn't stop enjoying the performance. A powerful dance and music made the dazed patron felt energized. That was only her opening performance. She took a time to go behind the stage before changing her robe into a body fit robe with phoenix painting on the outer robe.
This time, the star of the house danced with a fan. The performance was hotter and more seducing. Trevon could feel his breath turned short while his heartbeat fastened.
She continued to perform three more dances before she spoke to the audience. "Isemeine wished to invite an audience to dance with me."
Trevon knew this was the moneymaking time in the day. Unlike common performers who would invite some audience to the stage for free, one had to pay for a performance with the star.
A young man came to the stage with the mother. He would present the auction. This was the meaning of selling their talents only. The man tried to hype the situation.
"We only have five chances for tonight performances. Who will have her special performance?"
A maid came onto the stage and whispered to the mother.
"We have an offer of one hundred spirit stones." The mother said.
"Listen! One hundred spirit stones. One hundred stone and you will perform with the star. Don't you want it? I want it. Unfortunately, I am the MC. Hahahaha."
Another maid soon came toward the mother and whispered.
"We have an offer of two hundred spirit stones from the private box." The mother said. People seemed unhappy when a VIP Box patron bid. However, they didn't dare to curse. Those people were people with power.
"Do you want to participate, Young Master Trevon?" Ivetta asked.
"One thousand spirit stones." Trevon said. He was rich. In the past at most he could only bid during the low attendance night.
"Eh?" She was shocked. Most the time the winner was a cultivator in VIP boxes.
Some patrons would invite the lady to perform together in a private room. Of course, they had to pay double for making the show lost one performance. While the brave patrons would dance in the public.
Trevon was usually the first type, but sometimes he also enjoyed to be seen in public. Heavenly Phoenix didn't judge people who only danced. However, not all people dared to dance on the stage.
Ivetta went on the stage. "We have a patron with one thousand spirit stones." The mother looked a bit surprised.
Suddenly people clamored. [Who is bidding that high early in the auction?]
While normally Isemeine could sell the chance for over than one thousand spirit stones. That number would appear after the powerful people allowed some people to enjoy participating in the bidding. The competition was too soon. A bidding war would happen today.
Another maid entered the stage. The main thing for this auction was the face. People didn't only purchase for the chance to dance together. They also wanted to showcase their capabilities. This was the fight of one's wealth and musical talents.
"We have another bidder of one thousand and five hundred spirit stones."
"Increase the number by five hundred spirit stones." Trevon ordered Ivetta. He didn't like someone who challenged the number one young master.
Ivetta went back into the stage again.
"We have a bidder with two thousand spirit stones."
"We have a bidder with three thousand spirit stones." The competitor didn't want to lose.
"We have a bidder with three thousand five hundred spirit stones." Trevon continued to attack.
...
The war continued.
Ivetta came onto the stage. People already could see it was Trevon since Ivetta sat next to Trevon before. "We have a bidder with six thousand spirit stones."
"A bid of seven thousand spirit stones." Suddenly the mother said. No maid came onto the stage, which meant it was one of the cultivators. Most likely a VIP box patron. The time for rich people to enter the bidding war.
"This is crazy seven thousand spirit stones for a dance." A patron drank his wine. It was over for him.
"Rich people are different." Another losing patron could only accept.
Trevon finally could only accept his loss. While that money wasn't big, it was a substantial amount. He would become too famous in the city for spending too much money. The winner spent ten thousand spirit stones for a dance. That would be double since he was a VIP box patron.
Isemeine danced in a VIP box with the patron. Meanwhile, some beautiful ladies and gentlemen performed on the stage. The house would let the other patrons without entertainment. They would spend more money on the wine to wash their sorrow of losing.
After that was the second dance. Trevon competed again. He lost.
[F*ck! Are the people in Hillbridge that rich?] He cursed.
Third dance bidding started, Trevon lost again. He could only bid until six thousand spirit stones. The winner chose to perform together on the stage.
The audience clapped for both performers. People who dared to dance in public usually had their own talents. Other patrons loved those brave winners since that was a free performance of Isemeine.
The young master really wanted to take his universe budget money to win the auction. [I have to win the next one.]
The next round continued.
"We have a winner with six thousand spirit stones." Finally, Trevon won.
"Hahaha. It is my win." Trevon couldn't sleep if he couldn't perform with such fascinating lady. Winning some auctions was the best way to get a VIP status.
"Please come to the stage, Young Master Trevon." Since he didn't stay in a VIP room, Trevon's win meant that he would perform on the stage. Ivetta couldn't believe her patron would win an auction. It was rare for table patrons to win. This showed Trevon was a rich young master.
Trevon came onto the stage. The other patrons had seen that the attendant for this young master had always stood next to the stage until six thousand spirit stones. This showed Trevon's determination.
Trevon smiled when he stood before the beauty. He finally could enjoy the night in Hillbridge. [This trip to the capital is fun.]
"Gwahahaha." The Rabbink laughed.
