"So I guess the transaction method between the chief courtesan and the courtesan is the same. They are all treated as playthings between the nobles, given away or traded at will."
"Can I understand it this way? That is... Brother Jinnian has no substantial evidence to prove that those top courtesans were being traded as playthings?"
Gu Qingze summarized succinctly.
"Probably...right." Song Jinnian felt inexplicably guilty when answering these words.
Gu Qingze sighed.
"Forget it, Brother Jinnian, didn't you say that two of the three who were found dead were still alive? Did you find the bodies of the two who died?"
Song Jinnian shook his head. "No, I heard it from other monsters when I was asking around, but I don't think they would lie about such things."
"That's not necessarily true. The demon's mind is hard to predict."
Gu Qingze thought for a moment, "Brother Jinnian, when you leave the brothel this time, can you please help me find the only surviving former chief courtesan?"
"Is that the one who...can't speak and is crazy?"
"Yes, it seems now that she is our only chance of breakthrough."
Gu Qingze said seriously.
"We need to make appropriate and reasonable speculation based on the evidence, rather than completely fanciful speculation..."
When Gu Qingze said this, he suddenly felt that his words were ambiguous, and seemed to have a hidden meaning for Song Jinnian. Although it was unintentional, he still smiled embarrassedly.
Then he changed the subject and said, "Actually, Brother Jinnian's speculation just now was very good, but he was just a little stuck in inertial thinking."
Song Jinnian remained silent, and it was unclear whether he had heard it or not.
However, Gu Qingze couldn't care less and had to continue talking.
"The only real, unspecified information we have now is that of a woman who has gone mad and cannot speak."
"The bodies of the two deceased courtesans were not found, so they don't count. The fact that the others were used as playthings by the nobles is purely speculation."
Song Jinnian nodded, but looked embarrassed.
"But when I saw her, she was completely crazy. Anyone who came close to her would be bitten by her. Moreover, she couldn't even speak because her tongue had been cut off..."
"It's very difficult to get information from her."
Gu Qingze took the initiative to shake his hand and encouraged him with a smile.
"That's why we need Brother Jinnian to take action. I'm not sure about other monsters, but Brother Jinnian is so powerful, I believe you will have a way."
"Brother Qingze..."
Song Jinnian's eyes reflected the trust that Gu Qingze showed in him, and he was stunned for a moment.
"So Qingze-nii trusts me so much...?! Are you deliberately flattering me so I have no choice but to agree?"
Song Jinnian asked suspiciously.
Oops, guessed right...!
Gu Qingze was instantly guessed by him, but he still pretended to be wronged and shook his head innocently.
"Of course not. I always thought that Brother Jinnian was the most capable, and you helped us a lot before this."
"If I hadn't met Brother Jinnian, Lingxiao and I might not have gotten familiar with the rules of the demon world so quickly."
"Although I may be saying this with a hint of blind admiration, I always feel that Brother Jinnian will definitely have a way."
"...Okay, I promise you." Song Jinnian looked at Gu Qingze, hesitated for a moment, and nodded.
Although he could see that Brother Qingze's purpose was not simple, he didn't care too much. He said that just now because he wanted to see how interesting Brother Qingze's expression would be.
When Gu Qingze heard his agreement, his smile became more sincere.
"I knew that Brother Jinnian was the best. It turns out that my vision has always been good."
Song Jinnian smiled and asked, "Brother Qingze, is there anything else you want me to check?"
Gu Qingze thought for a moment and shook his head, "Not for now."
Then, he slowly closed the distance between himself and Song Jinnian and asked in a whisper-like manner.
"Speaking of which, Brother Jinnian, how much did you spend this time at the brothel? I don't think the madam would be so respectful if it were just an ordinary customer."
Song Jinnian seemed surprised that he would ask this question, but he still answered truthfully.
"It's not that much. Normally, to order an Oiran from a brothel's brothel and spend a night with her, you'd need at least a thousand 'demon coins'. I paid ten times that price."
"Ten times? Ten thousand 'demon coins'?!"
Gu Qingze's eyes widened. "No, Brother Jinnian, won't this arouse suspicion?"
"Don't worry, some other guests will also give extra money, and some will give more. If it weren't for my current status and this being my first time here, I would have directly given 20 to 30 times more."
Song Jinnian patted his shoulder and then became serious.
"Brother Qingze, I think we need to change our strategy and make a move. We can't be so cautious anymore."
"What's the meaning?"
Gu Qingze was a little confused.
"The competition among the courtesans in the brothels is too fierce these days. Brother Qingze, you are currently ranked 23rd on the brothel's oiran list. Although this is a good result in the eyes of ordinary courtesans, we need to be number one."
"But those courtesans ranked above Qingze-geun all have regular sponsors. If we continue to disguise ourselves as different customers every time we come, as before, it won't work."
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