4 Chapter 4
The clan leader was first startled by his daughter's obviously abnormal tone and outrageous words, and then he touched Ning Shu's forehead with a worried look on his face:
"Shu'er, are you sick? Why are you talking nonsense?"
It is a great fortune to meet a lover who treats you sincerely like that in hundreds of years. How can you want to have tens of thousands of them at once?
How is that possible? I can't even talk to one person in a day.
"Mother, that's not what I meant!" Ning Shu shook his head to avoid his mother's palm, and jumped up from the stone bench with shining eyes:
"We don't necessarily have to talk about love, right? What if there are many people who admire and love us? Although the feelings may not be as pure as love, the accumulation of small amounts can still be a great achievement!"
What's more, there are already many girlfriends and boyfriends among the fans. Although most of them are just talking nonsense, there must be at least one or two hundred true fans among the thousands of fans, right? Isn't this much more efficient than dating?
And I've finally been freed from the fate of the H-novel heroine! It's the best of both worlds!
Of course, the Sect Master couldn't understand Ning Shu's idea of "daring to enter the entertainment industry". The more she listened to her daughter's words, the deeper her frown became:
"Perhaps those pretentious sects may have famous elders or disciples who can gain some loyal admirers, but the reputation of our Hehuan Sect..."
I still admire you, it's good enough that you don't despise me.
"It's okay, mother. Reputation and name are all created through publicity. Those unreasonable old Taoist priests can smear our Hehuan Sect everywhere, but I can clear the name of our Hehuan Sect!" Ning Shu patted his chest loudly, looking full of fighting spirit:
"Besides, this way I can practice without, ahem, dual cultivation, and you won't have to worry about this issue anymore. I think this is a great idea that gets the best of both worlds!"
"But..." The sect leader hesitated to speak.
She didn't want to discourage her daughter's enthusiasm, but although those old Taoist priests were rigid, they were indeed famous in the world of cultivation. Each of them was a powerful figure in the sect, and their disciples responded to his call. How could a little girl in the Qi training stage defeat them?
Ning Shu didn't know her mother's worries, so she deliberately softened her voice and moved closer to act coquettishly:
"Mom, just let me give it a try. It won't hurt to try. If I fail, I can come back later."
Anyway, the reputation of the Hehuan Sect cannot get any worse, so we don’t suffer any loss at all!
After hesitating for a while, the Sect Master finally gave in, unable to resist his daughter's constant nagging. "Okay, let Xiao Cui and Zi Xiao go with you."
Before Ning Shu could be happy, she added worriedly, "You are only allowed to move around in the city that never sleeps by the lake. You are not allowed to sneak off to other places!"
The City That Never Sleeps is located in the lower reaches of Acacia Lake. There is a similar satellite city near every major sect, which serves as a transportation hub connecting the sect with the outside world.
"Okay, I promise I won't run around!" Ning Shu, who had finally gotten an opportunity, was overjoyed. She threw herself into her mother's arms and said, "Don't worry, Mom! I will definitely be able to raise this sacred tree! I will also cultivate to become the most powerful female immortal in the entire cultivation world!"
So, a few days later.
The white-bearded old man who was shouting and cursing at the door was ignored even though his voice was hoarse. He was even belittled by a hot-tempered elder of the Hehuan Sect. He couldn't win the argument, and couldn't beat him either, so he had to leave in disgrace.
Ning Shu was overjoyed when she heard the news. She immediately asked Xiao Cui to pack her luggage, and then she and Sister Zixiao set off on the journey to the City That Never Sleeps.
This was the first time Ning Shu had traveled far away since she was a child. In the past, she was confined in the sect most of the time and was not allowed to go out. Even if she went out for a ride occasionally, she was followed by a large group of guards, and she could not see anything clearly as they flew in the sky. This time she finally got the chance. She and Xiao Cui ran around excitedly all the way, and finally calmed down when they saw the outline of the City That Never Sleeps.
Seen from a distance, the City That Never Sleeps is nestled between beautiful lakes and mountains. There are no city walls blocking its view. Instead, there is a faint barrier that shines above the city like the shimmering surface of a lake. The well-organized buildings beneath the barrier carry the beauty and prosperity of the Jiangnan water towns, and there are many beautiful and gorgeous ships and boats shuttling back and forth on the lake.
It's finally here! This is the first step in my grand mission! I must seize this opportunity to turn the tide and become a serious and wholesome heroine in a cultivation novel!
Ning Shu barely suppressed his excitement and pretended to be calm as he followed Sister Zixiao into the city. When the guards at the door saw that they were from the Hehuan Sect, they did not dare to be negligent and let them in very respectfully.
It was not until he entered the city that never sleeps that Ning Shu realized that the city in front of him was a little different from what he had imagined.
It's so quiet here, without any of the hustle and bustle of big cities during the day.
Although the streets are spacious, clean and spotless, and the buildings on both sides are bright and neat, there are few pedestrians on the road, and many shops have their doors and windows closed. Occasionally, you can see a few open shops, and the clerks and shopkeepers inside are dozing lazily on the counter, looking like they have not woken up yet.
"Sister Zixiao, this isn't right?" Ning Shu felt increasingly puzzled as she walked. Finally, she looked at the purple-clad woman who was clearly stifling a smile, her face filled with questions: "Why is the entire city so deserted? It's already noon, and why do people still look like they're still half asleep?"
Zixiao chuckled, narrowing her foxy eyes. She casually smoothed the gauze that had slid down her shoulders. "Of course, that's because everyone stayed up late. Guess why this city is called the City That Never Sleeps?"
Ning Shu, filled with passion: ...
Ah, it really is worthy of being the Hehuan Sect. Even the folk customs of the cities under its jurisdiction are so "heroic".
Seeing Ning Shu's expression change from anticipation to speechlessness, Zi Xiao smiled even more happily. She gently fanned the round fan in front of Ning Shu, creating a fragrant breeze, and spoke softly and gracefully: "How is it? Young Sect Master, this is your first time going on a long journey. Do you want me to take you out for some fun?"
Damn it! Sooner or later, I'm going to conduct a crackdown on pornography and illegal publications here, and get everyone in the Hehuan Sect to join me in building a civilized city! Although Ning Shu was reluctant, he gritted his teeth and agreed: "I want to go and see!"
"Oh? Are you serious about this?" This time, Zixiao, who was teasing her, paused, and even a hint of surprise appeared on his cunning face.
"It's essential to conduct market research before expanding into unfamiliar markets." Ning Shu clenched his fist and made up his mind: "I need to understand the entertainment life of the people here, so that I can create popular entertainment products!"
Although Zixiao could not understand the strange words that the young sect leader said, she perfectly understood that Ning Shu wanted to understand the night activities in the city that never sleeps, so she took the two of them to the courtyard set up by the Hehuan Sect to rest for a while, planning to go out for fun at night.
The house that was favored by the Hehuan Sect was of course located in the center of the City That Never Sleeps. Ning Shu was not actually very tired along the way. She was anxious at the moment and had no mood to explore the new house. She just sat in the yard and waited until the sun set and the sky darkened. Ning Shu, who was sitting in a rocking chair thinking about future plans, finally felt that this sleeping city was gradually waking up.
The streets are dotted with yellow, pink, red and all kinds of brightly colored lanterns and signs. Various lighting spells gather in the sky like stars to form a brilliant galaxy. In the direction of the lake, there are continuous fireworks blooming in the sky. All the lights gather together to illuminate the entire city as bright as day, without any trace of the loneliness of the night.
"Miss, please wait for me, there are so many people here..." The maid Xiao Cui was pushed around by the crowded crowd. One could tell from the way people were dressed that they were tourists who came from all corners of the world. From time to time, there were vendors setting up stalls and hawking their wares on the roadside. The whole street, no, the whole city was as lively as New Year's Day.
No wonder it's called the City That Never Sleeps. The atmosphere here looks almost like a night market. Ning Shu has been kept on the island of the Hehuan Sect for all these years. The last time she saw such a lively scene was in her previous life. She looked around curiously while casually pulling back Xiao Cui who was about to run away. Suddenly, she noticed a few flashy women standing at the door of a building not far ahead, soliciting customers. Her eyes lit up: "Sister Zixiao, Xiao Cui, let's go there!"
Of course, the other two had no objection. Ning Shu just grabbed Zixiao and Xiaocui by the hand and rushed into the brothel along with the crowd. They walked to the door and stopped hesitantly.
"What's wrong? You're already at the door, but you don't want to go in?" Zi Xiao looked at her back as she suddenly stopped, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly: "Are you regretting it?"
"That's not the case..." Ning Shu's brows knitted together in confusion. She looked back at Zixiao with some embarrassment: "Sister Zixiao, can a woman enter a place like this? How about going back and changing into men's clothes? Do you have any men's clothes?"
I remember that's how it was played out in TV dramas, right? Women couldn't just walk into a brothel; they'd either be kicked out or molested. They'd have to dress up as men and pretend to be customers.
Zi Xiao couldn't help but burst out laughing after hearing what Ning Shu said. She stretched out her fingers and pinched Ning Shu's fair cheek, her eyes showing concern for the fool: "With your little face, do you look like a stinky man when you put on men's clothes? Do you think we are blind?"
Ning Shu: ...
It’s all because of the TV dramas I watched in my previous life. I subconsciously thought that as long as my hair didn’t let down, no one would notice me dressing up as a man in this life.
"What should we do? Sister Zixiao, do you know the magic of transformation?" Ning Shu was dumbfounded and looked at Zixiao with confusion.
Unexpectedly, Zixiao didn't hesitate at all. He walked straight to the middle, holding Ning Shu and Xiao Cui in each hand and walked in. What was surprising was that none of the women at the door stopped him. On the contrary, several handsome men ran over from the other side and surrounded them enthusiastically.
"Sir, you are so good-looking that I feel so ugly!" A handsome young man in white clothes looked at Ning Shu with sparkling eyes, his cheeks flushed like a young man who met his sweetheart.
Ning Shu: Eyes as big as bells.jpg
"I want a quiet private room with the best food and wine!" Zixiao generously threw down a few high-quality spirit stones. His familiar look showed that he was a regular customer.
So the attitude of those men became more enthusiastic. They almost surrounded Zixiao and the other two and walked into the innermost room on the third floor. They had just sat down for less than half an incense stick of time when plates of delicious food and wine were brought up like water. The men were very diligent in pouring wine and serving dishes. Even if no one paid attention to them, they could still act attentive and gentle, which made people feel pity for them.
Zixiao naturally picked up the filled wine glass and brought it to his lips, throwing a coquettish glance at him: "How is it? Is it possible for a woman to come in and have some fun?"
"You...I...they..." Ning Shu was so shocked by the scene that she couldn't speak. She stammered, pointing at herself and then at those men: "This...this...ah?"
After sitting there and mumbling for a long time, Ning Shu finally regained his composure and asked a completely unrelated question: "Then why are all the members of the Hehuan Sect women?"
Since it's like this, why not just accept some male disciples? Then we can just divide the disciples among ourselves, and we won't be scolded by other sects for having love affairs all the time!
"Hahaha..." Zixiao tapped her forehead with her index finger and chuckled a few times. She tilted her head back and drank the wine in the glass in one gulp. Then she looked over with smiling eyes, and her bright red lips smiled in a contemptuous arc: "Because those stinky men are not worthy!"
Ning Shu: ...
Oh no, I've become a conservative.
【Author’s words】
Why is it that in period dramas, the heroine's hair is always revealed when it's loose? It's really a mystery that the world has never solved! [狗头]
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