As the two women vied to be the bait, the onlookers couldn't help but marvel.
What brave and chivalrous female heroes!
"Wang Long remarked, "They say that besides the elder Liu Rusi of Baiyun Sect, who has sunk into debauchery and gambling, the other disciples and elders are all courageous and righteous. Today, seeing is believing!"
Hearing his words, the two women paused and exchanged strange glances.
They then looked over at Ling Feng, who still wore a faint smile and didn't seem angry.
Wang Long, unaware that he had misspoken, continued, "In fact, I believe that whether it's one of you ladies or the other, you would both make excellent bait, but for this operation, we must strike decisively! Therefore, the choice of bait must be made with care! I think that compared to you two, this young brother is more suitable to be the bait!"
He gazed intently at Ling Feng, an unusual gleam in his eyes.
The two women blinked in surprise upon hearing this.
What do you mean? Are you suggesting a man to attract the flower thief?
"Ha! I know what you're all thinking, but I, Wang, have seen countless people and have never been wrong. This young brother has exceptional charm. If he dresses up a bit, he would definitely outshine all! He could absolutely attract the elusive Hua Liuxiang! Young brother, you wouldn't want your two senior sisters to take risks, would you?"
Ling Feng twitched the corner of his mouth.
What the hell.
Are they really suggesting I cross-dress?!
Absolutely not! No way!
But then he glanced at the two senior sisters again. He felt uneasy about letting them take risks, especially since they were now looking at him with anticipation.
What are you all expecting from me?!
"Junior Brother, how about you give it a try?" Gu Linglong asked tentatively, her eyes sparkling.
Letting Junior Brother cross-dress?
Just thinking about it is thrilling!
It felt as if something strange awakened within her!
"Esteemed sir, for the sake of countless innocent young women in Yan City, we hope you can take action!" the city lord of Yan City said earnestly.
"I also represent the court and the Flying Tiger Division to implore you, esteemed sir," Wang Long added, cupping his hands.
Ling Feng took a deep breath, "Then I'll give it a try."
"You're truly a person of great virtue! No wonder you're a disciple of Baiyun Sect. By the way, may I ask which elder you learned from in Baiyun Sect?"
"Oh, I learned from that elder Liu Rusi, who is known for her indulgence in alcohol and gambling, as mentioned by the captain earlier," Ling Feng replied calmly.
"What?"
Wang Long was taken aback, then quickly said, "It seems the world has misunderstood Elder Liu too deeply! To teach such a noble young man, Elder Liu must also be a person of integrity and righteousness!"
"Hehe…"
Ling Feng chuckled but said nothing further.
The next day, a sudden announcement spread throughout the brothels of Yan City.
They declared a joint selection of the top ten brothels to choose a flower queen!
The news spread quickly, causing numerous talented young men to be captivated by the excitement.
In no time, the streets of Yan City buzzed with discussions about it.
That night, aboard a grand flower boat in Yan City, famous courtesans gathered to showcase their talents, all eager to earn the title of flower queen.
For these renowned courtesans, the title of flower queen meant a steady stream of wealth.
On the flower boat, many dignitaries and charming young men were present.
As they watched each courtesan perform on stage, they critiqued and picked their favorite candidates for the flower queen.
"I think the Iris lady from Baihua Pavilion is the most captivating. She's not only beautiful but also a master of the qin!"
"I believe the best is the Hongdan lady from Qunfang Pavilion. Wow, her looks and figure are absolutely stunning, and she can compose poetry too!"
"No, no, no! The best is the Liu Ji from Hongfen Pavilion."
The crowd was abuzz with opinions.
At that moment, suddenly, petals floated in the air.
A figure descended gracefully from above.
Dressed in a white gown with a thin veil covering her face, she had enchanting phoenix eyes and an extraordinary presence.
Under the moonlight, she resembled a celestial maiden descending to the mortal realm.
Landing at the back of the stage, the woman brandished twin swords and began to dance elegantly.
The sword shadows danced, exuding masculinity yet containing hints of softness.
She was as graceful as a dragon soaring high, and as tranquil as the still sea reflecting moonlight.
The audience was captivated.
"This—who is this courtesan?"
"Oh my heavens, she's so beautiful…"
"Is this what it means for a celestial maiden to descend to earth?"
"She's absolutely stunning."
Everyone gazed at the dancing woman on stage, their eyes filled with fervor.
As her sword dance concluded, the woman bowed gracefully to the audience.
At this moment, an old matron stepped onto the stage and smiled at everyone, saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce our new courtesan, Ling Shuang, from Qunfang Pavilion. She has just debuted, and we hope you will all support her in the future."
"Of course, of course!"
As the cheers and praises from the audience echoed in the air, Ling Shuang stood on stage, absorbing the attention and admiration directed toward her. The performance had captivated everyone present, and she could sense the admiration in their eyes.
The old matron continued, "Ling Shuang is not only beautiful but also possesses extraordinary talent. Tonight, she will be competing for the title of flower queen, and I hope everyone will support her."
The crowd erupted in applause, their enthusiasm palpable. Some started chanting her name, while others whispered amongst themselves, speculating about her talents and background.
Among the audience, a few notable figures exchanged glances, recognizing Ling Shuang's potential and beauty. A young master with a flashy attire leaned forward, eager to get a closer look. "She's truly remarkable! The competition just got tougher," he remarked, turning to his companion.
Another young man, dressed in refined robes, nodded in agreement. "With such grace and skill, she has every chance of winning the title. But let's see how she performs against the other contenders."
As the night continued, various courtesans took the stage to showcase their talents, each hoping to impress the audience and secure their spot as the favorite. Ling Shuang watched intently, mentally preparing for her turn.
Finally, it was her moment again. Ling Shuang stepped forward to perform a piece that highlighted her swordsmanship, combining dance and martial prowess. The audience watched, entranced, as she executed each move flawlessly, her body flowing like water, each swing of her sword harmonizing with her movements.
After her performance, a hush fell over the crowd before it erupted into thunderous applause. The matron clapped her hands, calling for order. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have several talented contestants, but Ling Shuang has set the bar high!"
The competition proceeded with more performances, but Ling Shuang's presence lingered in the minds of everyone who had witnessed her. As the judges deliberated, she found herself surrounded by admirers who praised her skill and beauty.
However, amidst the flattery and attention, Ling Shuang remained focused on her goal. Winning the title of flower queen would not only elevate her status but also provide her with the means to protect her loved ones from the threats lurking in the shadows of Yan City.
As the night wore on, the anticipation built, and the time came for the judges to announce the flower queen. Ling Shuang's heart raced as she stood among the finalists, each of them equally beautiful and talented.
The head judge stepped forward, holding a golden tiara adorned with shimmering gems. "After much consideration, we have reached a decision. The title of this year's flower queen goes to…"
Ling Shuang held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest.
"...Ling Shuang from Qunfang Pavilion!"
The crowd erupted in applause, cheers ringing out as Ling Shuang stepped forward, accepting the tiara with a gracious smile.
Her moment had arrived, and with it came not just recognition, but an opportunity to take control of her destiny.
As she placed the tiara upon her head, she felt a surge of determination. This title would serve as both a shield and a sword in her upcoming battles against the forces threatening her world.
Ling Shuang's journey was only just beginning, and with each challenge ahead, she would prove that a flower queen could also be a fierce warrior.