The Lustful Mansion
‘That’s a pretty nice place’
Anoteros sat upon a rock protruding amidst a wide open field. He was under the shade of a solitary tree, admiring what looked like a fortified city with gorgeous walls, a crystal-clear moat, and an entrance gate so well-carved that it would seem more appropriate to see it exposed in a museum than anything else.
He drank from his hyotan and slapped the rear end of his mount, making the Hoult stand up and follow him as he approached the gates of the city that actually wasn’t one at all. These were the sect grounds of Red Mansion…
Unlike what one might expect from the name of the sect, red wasn’t a predominant colour around–Though the place was definitely very colourful. The stone was painted with varying colours, and art was even painted on the side of the ramparts facing outward into the fields.
This time, Anoteros had come with a male mount, but nonetheless, pearly elixir was visible, slowly sipping from the Hoult’s secret entrance... When it came to just the two of them, there was only one real stallion.
In any case, he swiftly gained entry as the gate guardians recognised him almost instantly.
“Welcome to our sect, Young Master Zixuan!”
“What can we do to help you, Young Master Anoteros?”
Since Edrick had dealt with Red Mansion in the past–Be it by visiting Paradiso cities or by getting assistance from them to deal with Xiao–The people here were already a bit more used to calling him Anoteros instead of Zixuan... But the scion didn’t really care. Both names were correct.
“I would like to speak with Sect Leader Siludis”
“We’ll show you the way, Young Master A-”
“Settle down, disciples. You are swarming over the Young Master”
The excited disciples dispersed almost immediately, and an old man with long white hair and golden teeth approached instead. He and Edrick shook hands.
“It is a pleasure to see you again, Young Master. You wish to speak directly with Sir Siludis this time?”
“Indeed, Mister Gongran. As you might have heard, I have been visiting many vassals of my clan in recent times, and I thought that I would do the same with Red Mansion. Even with our past interactions, we’ve never taken the time to speak of the future and how we could collaborate in the long term”
“Ah, yes, I understand. Long-term cooperation, you say? That is quite unusual indeed. We usually do work based on demand. Normally, all is done once the task is completed”
“I know, and I think it is a huge misopportunity. Even if basic, I am certain that there are things we can work together on to better both the Elt clan and Red Mansion”
“Alright! I won’t waste your time, Young Master. Let me take you to the sect leader”
The elder led the way.
Anoteros had actually never had a proper conversation with the sect leader of Red Mansion. They had only exchanged a few words in passing in the past when Anoteros had received the assistance of Bedi and Alilah.
Speaking of those two, this trip would be a good time to see them again… Including a certain girl whom he had marked with a Servant Crest and instructed to join this sect…
For now, though, he was going to focus on the matters at hand.
Gongran left once they reached the sect leader’s office.
“Young Master Anoteros! What could bring you here today? Would you like to sample some of our newer disciples? I am sure they would be honoured to have their purity taken away by you”
Siludis was a youthful-looking man with long hair tied behind his back and a very well-groomed moustache. Like everyone in the sect, he was dressed in a specific shade of red, which he actually possessed in his eyes.
Much different from the typical red, this one was softer and was actually prominently featured inside his office. The ground was soft carpet, and there was a rather large couch placed in an unusual manner. There was ample space behind it for someone to walk.
Of course, this was weird for a typical couch, but this was the office of the leader of Red Mansion. This couch was here with the purpose of seeing all sorts of carnal activities–Hence the redness of the room.
This particular shade that Red Mansion favoured was called ‘Amorous Red’. It thus had the purpose of getting people in the mood more easily.
“Please take a seat, Young Master”
Siludis sat behind his desk and leaned forward, a joyous smile on his face.
“I have heard about your recent visits. Would it be presumptuous of me to presume that your presence today is about the same topics you discussed with my contemporaries?”
“You would perfectly correct, Mister Siludis. I am here to speak mostly about business and mutual assistance. I think it goes without saying that I will do my best to assist in the recruitment of new disciples, but… Unlike some of the previous sects I visited, you aren’t really starved for newcomers, are you?”
“If anything, there are too many, Young Master. We have to refuse hundreds every year, if not more. Dual cultivation is a very alluring discipline. Who doesn’t love having sex and more sex, after all? We do our best to redirect as many of those who are refused to our fellow vassal sects, but I am afraid that it is not too effective…”
“...Most of those we refuse, we deny entry because they are simply here to get their sticks or pits wet. As enjoyable as dual cultivation might be, it is still cultivation. It is especially important since we focus on dual cultivation alone. Hence, if someone only views it as a way to enjoy themself… They simply won’t make a good disciple”
Edrick nodded. This made sense.
“Well, if they agree, those who are denied are offered work in Paradiso cities, be it as guards or as products. They can show then if they are capable of taking things seriously”
The sect leader threw his hands up in the air.
“But I am just babbling now... I am certain you already know exactly what you would like us to partner upon, Young Master”
“Indeed… You were right not to expect me, as I somewhat struggled to find things to actually offer. I want my collaborations with vassal sects to go both ways. It is better to cultivate friendship and business, but as you were probably made aware by my Valdre, there are certain things going on nowadays”
“Do you refer to the possibilities of war, Young Master?”
“Precisely. Things are shifting, and while war can quickly turn nasty, the shifting opens countless opportunities”
The scion lifted one hand.
“Paradiso cities in other countries–Dens of pleasure and information gathering. We would begin near the borders, and then start expanding into foreign land… We would hire locals and import delicacies from elsewhere”
“Mmh… This would indeed be good for business, but... Information gathering, heh? If I am not mistaken, you don’t just want to expand our revenues, but you also want Red Mansion to deploy our other talents?”
“Yes”
“I would normally sweep such an idea under the rug, as it is too complicated to deal with the norms and regulations of other nations... But during or following a conflict? We could definitely implant ourselves very nicely. I do not doubt that Leynlornd would win the war, too, so after all is said and done, they wouldn’t dare to say anything to us”
The sect leader rubbed his chin with a wide smile.
“If planned well… This could be big”
Anoteros tapped his fingers against the wooden desk.
“You’ll have my full support in this endeavour”