Double Trouble
“I had heard about it, but it truly seems like the idea of male beauty in Journomanp is just being a twink, huh?”
Edrick spoke as he stretched his arms above his head. The lesson he had taught the invaders had actually been a rather mild one, as he had been quite gentle with them, but he didn’t really care much about this. He was just trying to make conversation.
Chang Sheng shrugged.
“Indeed. To Journomanpian cultivators, a handsome male is one with soft skin without any blemish, long hair, and soft features. That is quite different from how we view things here in Leynlornd. Thus, unless they are aged, most male cultivators from Journomanp do look like twinks to us… In fact, due to these beauty standards, you are likely to run into twinks even amidst the regular population, or as they call them, ‘Mortals’...”
Indeed, although both countries would refer to their idea as ‘manliness’, Leynlornd definitely had what Edrick would qualify as the most accurate idea of virility. Muscles, great height, base strength, and the like were considered attractive attributes in both men and women.
Of course, the women had an average height of one meter and sixty centimeters, so most people didn’t expect much in this regard. Nonetheless, as a result, the women of Journomanp instead looked like frail dolls, since they needed to make sure to be feminine when the men were all twinks with pale skin.
Unfortunately, none of the groups Anoteros had encountered had featured any female cultivators... Probably because they expected what he had done to the group just before to happen to the girls. Alas, Journomanpians were highly likely to become prey for Anoteros due to their view on beauty.
Not that it mattered much. He had the Twink-Master's Ring and a few pills from Patriarch Guild with him. So there really was no one who could claim to be safe from him in this regard.
“Mmh… A land of twinks and frail women… Quite alluring, don’t you think?”
“I suppose it is alluring for some, but I must really stress that I really do not like the idea of Viotting anyone”
“It doesn’t have to be Viot. Once this war is done and over, we’ll have the occasion to infiltrate Journomanp. We could rule over regions of their country, especially since it is so freaking huge. I am told that they have many kinds of biomes within their borders”
“Well… Journomanp is indeed a huge country, probably the largest on the continent, but it is a heavily divided land. Even their emperor can not be said to have great control over certain parts of the nation. It is pretty much split between sects, clans, independent cities, tribes, and the emperor himself. That is without mentioning the wild lands crawling with fierce beasts and the like”
“Journomanp might be enormous, but it is frankly lacking in many aspects. This is why it is so bizarre that they are attacking us. They have managed to stay afloat mostly because of the trade deals they have with us. A large portion of their economy depends on our goodwill”
Anoteros shook his head.
“They are warmongering people, but I suppose that they might have either found a better deal elsewhere somehow, or perhaps they discovered natural resources that convinced the emperor that relying on us was no longer beneficial… Frankly, Journomanp is a bit unpredictable. Its culture is unusual and could lead them to make awful decisions that they’ll definitely regret”
Edrick marked a small pause before continuing.
“I am more curious about what the deal with Heldeorlt is, to be honest. I don’t see what could push them to act in the way that they have so far. They seemed more strategic and intelligent, so they should know that maintaining a good relationship with us should be a priority, regardless of how much their situation has changed”
Chang Sheng rubbed his chin.
“You’re right”
In the midst of discussions regarding the geopolitical situation of their nation, the duo arrived in a small city without much in the way of defence, but Chang Sheng immediately noticed that something was off.
Edrick chuckled as he saw the golden-eyed scion narrow his eyes.
“Your senses might be even sharper than your sword, Chang. This is not an actual city, or rather, it is a city without many citizens that aren’t cultivators”
Anoteros began explaining.
“There are actually a lot of these places throughout the entire nation. They are mostly inhabited by graduate disciples of our vassal sects. They are lodged, fed, and paid to live here as guards and lookouts. A sweet deal considering that threats are normally incredibly rare”
“Although they are basically military camps, they operate much like a normal city. There is an array of fine conception that conceals the fact that most people here are skilled cultivators, and if they have to come out, they even have refined tools to do the same job… Anyway, you probably heard of them a few times. They aren’t a secret to the other great clans”
Chang nodded. He had indeed heard of these, but had never seen one for himself. They were usually situated in spots that made travelling through them a subpar route, but most people who came by wouldn’t be able to even feel that even a slight thing was off.
The Sheng scion himself hadn’t been able to tell immediately what he found was weird about this place, so the array was clearly a powerful one.
“Why are we here, though?”
“It operates like a city, but is run mostly by members of my clan’s vassal sect… So there is obviously a brothel run by people from Red Mansion. I like to visit nearby cities anyway, so you don’t have to worry about our visit putting suspicion on this place. Especially when the brothel is not a hidden one”
“Most of these cities try to be as discreet as possible, but not every place is the same. Since this city is quite close to a main road, it is far from weird that a brothel would be present for weary travellers”
The duo gained entry without even being asked a single question, and Anoteros led the way to a small but cosy-looking establishment that did not hide what it was in the slightest.
A woman standing just in front of it winked at them, but having to act like she wasn’t a cultivator, she pretended not to recognise them.
“Good sirs, how may I help you today?”
“Are the Foppoofs that were there last time still here?”
“Yes, good sir”
“Perfect, my friend and I would like to take them”
“I’ll take care of it, dear customer!”
Chang looked a bit nervous.
“You said that you would be willing to try a Foppoof, right?”
“Mmh… I am more worried about Alilah, to be honest…”
The Elt scion slapped his fellow’s back.
“Don’t worry about that. You know she would be cheering for you to do it if she were there”
Chang could only sigh, knowing that Edrick was correct.
“Dear customers, they are ready for you. Would you like to book separate rooms?”
“Just one–The biggest”
Edrick casually slid the payment alongside a tip for the girl.
It was time to see how Chang Sheng would fare with his first Foppoof.