Chapter 5: On the Benefits of Joining the Monster Race
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Welcome to Traveling the World of “The Way of Inquiry,” everyone! I’m your host, Xiao Ai.
Previously, we showcased the stunning scenery and delectable cuisine of the world in The Way of Inquiry. Today, however, we will focus on a topic that piques the interest of our male compatriots the most.
That’s right: the uniquely ancient style brothel!
Unlike the modern world, brothels are a standard feature here. You can’t even imagine how boring a historical costume world would be without brothels, courtesans, and famous prostitutes. They represent not just a lifestyle but a whole culture.
Countless poets and scholars have penned timeless classics in these establishments, and many noblemen have performed heart-wrenching love stories.
Indeed, only brothels possess such allure that players from modern society find themselves irresistibly drawn to them.
Today, Xiao Ai will take you inside a brothel to experience what has made countless heroes bow down before its charms.
This time, Xiao Ai is fortunate to have City Lord Li Xiaocong, a well-known lifestyle player from Sky Sword City, as a VIP guest of Yihong Courtyard, the city’s top brothel.
He seems like the right person to enlighten us.
……
At this point, you might think this episode is just a typical brothel introduction video.
But hold onto your horses, because soon you’ll discover we’ve captured an unknown side of this gaming world.
Before entering Yihong Courtyard, Xiao Ai and Lord Li ran into two passersby, leading Xiao Ai to interview a slightly chubby player.
However, his words immediately infuriated Lord Li.
It’s simple: the brothel girl he’s infatuated with, Lady Siyan, was referred to by the chubby guy claiming to be one of her regulars!
As Lady Siyan’s benefactor, Lord Li was understandably annoyed.
Thinking he could escape that loudmouth by entering Yihong Courtyard, they were shocked when those two slobs followed him in!
Keep in mind, just the entrance fee is 1000 Spirit Coins.
Common players have probably scraped together just a few hundred Spirit Coins by now!
Unless you’re a super-rich player, stepping inside Yihong Courtyard is practically a pipe dream.
Lord Li didn’t want to deal with that chubby guy anymore. After entering the private room, he ordered Lady Siyan.
But wait, to his utter disbelief, Lady Siyan was taken by someone else!
How could he bear that?
Xiao Ai rushed out after him, and the punchline? It was that chubby guy!
Lady Siyan was genuinely sitting next to him with a bright smile on her face.
Dear audience, if you thought this was heading towards a cliché dramatic showdown, you’d be mistaken.
Lord Li and the chubby guy were just about to throw down when a previously silent player unexpectedly chimed in, asking if Lord Li and Lady Siyan were true love.
If so, he claimed he could make a decision and completely sever their ties with Yihong Courtyard.
Friends!
Don’t think he was joking.
The upcoming scene unfolded like an annual tear-jerking blockbuster, but I assure you,
this was all real.
Though he kept his name hidden, he was indeed a player.
I was baffled, too, wondering how a player could hold such power in a place filled with NPCs like Yihong Courtyard.
Stay tuned for the analysis after this emotional drama.
……
Did you see that?
This player possessed absolute authority in Yihong Courtyard, not only kicking away the interfering Madam but even scaring off the bodyguards who dared not lay a hand on him.
They could only watch helplessly as Lord Li and Lady Siyan left.
I initially planned to film more, but I had no reason to linger, so I had to follow Lord Li out of Yihong Courtyard.
At that moment, Lord Li was still in shock,
unable to comprehend that the stunning lady standing shyly beside him was indeed Lady Siyan.
Congratulations to you both!
I never imagined I’d witness a beautiful love blossoming between a player and an NPC.
Though, due to the age rating, Lord Li might not be able to show any substantial affection towards an NPC, their hearts are undoubtedly ablaze with passion.
I hope more people can find true love in the game!
But wait, this episode isn’t over yet!
Next, I’ll make a completely unsubstantiated guess: why did that player, who kept his name hidden, have such high authority, even enabling him to become the ‘owner’ of Yihong Courtyard?
After some online digging, I discovered that these two were actually Lin Nan and the chubby guy, the protagonists from the recent final test of the Heavenly Sword Sect’s Master Sister, Luo Ying.
Could it be that Yihong Courtyard is secretly linked to the Heavenly Sword Sect?
However, this logic doesn’t add up. Yihong Courtyard is too big; how could they ever let two newly registered disciples take control?
The only explanation is Lin Nan must have received an extraordinary opportunity.
In other words, it’s likely part of a hidden mission.
I’m not a professional game streamer, so I won’t analyze too much—just throwing out some food for thought. If you’re interested, please like, follow, and comment!
……
Most players, upon reading this, feel a mix of envy for Li Xiaocong securing a beauty and curiosity about how Lin Nan became the ‘owner’ of Yihong Courtyard.
What incredible luck he has—he must be riding a lucky streak!
First, he stumbled upon the hidden quest with Master Sister Luo Ying, and shortly thereafter, through some crazy opportunity, he ends up managing Yihong Courtyard. Who else could claim to be luckier than him?
“I still don’t get how Xiao Ai’s video connects to the Heavenly Sword Sect’s monster verification incident.”
“Yeah, apart from solidifying my resolve to roast that spoiled brat to defend the glory of Team FFF…”
By the way, that supportive little brother, I actually like the girls in Yihong Courtyard too. Do you think I still have a chance?”
“Get lost!”
“Get lost!”
However, the next segment of the video rocked the players, quickly revealing why we needed a two-part broadcast to uncover the details.
The clip began by showcasing a post recently pinned to the forum:
“The Inn at the Ten Thousand Flower Valley has been attacked by bandits; we desperately need 50,000 Spirit Coins for help!”
Then, the camera switched to a scene with Lord Li and Lady Siyan engaged in a brawl against some black-clad disciples near the inn.
……
The commentary echoed:
Players familiar with the Heavenly Sword Sect recognized these black-clad disciples as the enforcers’ exclusive skins.
They were the very bandits from that help post!
Clearly, Lord Li was the one who posted it.
But why would the Heavenly Sword Sect send their enforcement team miles away to hunt regular players and a brothel girl? Are they just bored?
Keep watching.
In the midst of the melee, Lady Siyan unexpectedly transformed into a silver-white monster beast to escape the enforcers’ encirclement with Lord Li in tow!
And just like that, the video wrapped up.
The subsequent battle was too fast-paced for me as a noob player to keep up with!
However, from this we can deduce:
Since Lady Siyan, the star of Yihong Courtyard, can morph into a monster beast,
could it be that Yihong Courtyard is a spy organization planted by the Monster Race right in Sky Sword City?
And Lin Nan, as a player, could become the ‘owner’ of Yihong Courtyard. It’s as if he’s living a double life!
Although he comprises an inner disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect, he is secretly working for the Monster Race.
The reason this incident of monster verification didn’t catch him may root from players naturally being humanoid, yet somehow they can squeak into the Monster Race.
You’ve got to admire the vast freedom in this game.
It implies that even if we can’t choose the Monster Race at birth, we can still lean towards them in-game.
Certainly, compared to the Human Race, it’s undeniably MAX difficulty—but isn’t that a testament to the thrill of challenging gameplay?
……
Yet, now players seem to be predominantly focused on the transforming Lady Siyan.
“Beast-eared girls! Lord Li is incredibly lucky!”
“Right? I never expected such a hidden setting in the game—if only we could think more outside the box like Lord Li!”
“Exactly! Long live beast-eared girls!
Have you ever considered that the so-called Monster Race could include countless varieties based on plants and animals?”
“The thought of beast-eared girls with various ears kneeling before me, wagging their tails and calling me ‘Master’ is simply too much!”
“Whoa, joining the Monster Race even has so many hidden benefits!”
“No wonder that double-crossing disciple from the Heavenly Sword Sect would betray top human sects to join the Monster Race; if I were him, I’d do the same!”
“Enough banter—I’m gearing up to head to Chaos Forest right away. The Cold Moon Witch is waiting for me!
Don’t worry, this time I’m not going just to capture her.
I’m here for the great revival of the Monster Race!
To support the Monster Race! To restore its former glory!
So, where can I get a dozen of those beast-eared girls?”
“Isn’t it hilarious? The Heavenly Sword Sect uncovered a bunch of NPC traitors, only to find the greatest traitor is actually a player.”
“Shall we report this?”
“Go to the enforcers, and say, ‘I’ve got video evidence and forum posts to back me up’?
Let’s see if they don’t squash your head like a watermelon.”
“Ha! With a player as an inside man, the Heavenly Sword Sect is finished!”
Li Hanbo shot up and bolted towards the enforcers.
As a player with soul, passion, and a sense of justice, he cannot allow such shameless double-crossing to go unpunished!
Even players have their limits!
Especially since he’s considered the ‘Master Brother’ among Heavenly Sword Sect followers.
He must stand up during this reversal and bring Lin Nan and his ilk to justice.
He cannot allow this traitor to continue harming the Heavenly Sword Sect!
Outside the enforcers’ hall, Li Hanbo strode with a righteous aura,
with several lackeys shouting slogans behind him.
“Lin Nan colluding with the Monster Race and seizing control of Yihong Courtyard is a grievous crime! He must be the mastermind behind the main peak attack!
Elder Wang, please dispatch your men to apprehend him immediately!”
Before long, the enforcers’ doors swung open.
Li Hanbo beamed with joy and grew more fervent in his demands.
But what happened next? A gang of black-clad disciples charged out of the hall, swinging their clubs and launching an all-out assault on Li Hanbo’s crew.
“Dark plot, what a dark plot!”
Could it be that the enforcers are also in cahoots with Lin Nan?
Before Li Hanbo was knocked out by a flurry of sticks, that was his final thought.
