The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 191 - 140 Huawei Building

Chapter 191: Chapter 140 Huawei Building

Huawei Building got its name for a reason.

During the prosperous Tang Dynasty, Emperor Ming, out of respect for his elder brother who had abdicated in his favor, specially constructed the Huawei Building within Xingqing Palace for revelry with his siblings, including drinking and making music together, and even sharing the same sleeping quarters.

At that time, this building ranked even higher than the four famous buildings, hailed as the top building under heaven; later, it also became the long-term residence of Emperor Ming and the imperial concubine.

However today, while the four famous buildings have been repeatedly repaired after being ravaged by wars and still stand, the Huawei Building has completely disappeared into the dust.

The former Xingqing Palace is now Prince Chang’an’s Mansion.

Out of caution, Prince Chang’an only reconstructed fragments of the palace, wary of overstepping boundaries, let alone replicating this supreme building of the world.

Among the common folk, however, the story took another turn.

Emperor Ming held another identity, that of the founder of Pear Garden.

The so-called "Pear Garden" was once a song-and-dance institution exclusive to the court during the Tang Dynasty, gathering masters from all over Divine State, and Emperor Ming, being a polymath, even personally took on the role of conductor.

During the Lantern Festival in Chang’an, with the bright lamps mirroring the snow, gossamer clothes fluttering, imaginations of numerous scholars and artists are still captivated to this day.

Emperor Ming liked to call himself "Third Son," and often reprimanded during rehearsals, "Everyone practice well, don’t disgrace me!"

In many dialects, "old" is a term of endearment for "young."

Thus, Emperor Ming was also venerated as the God of Old.

Followers of Pear Garden, generation after generation, worshipped him.

To choose the name "Huawei Building" was naturally no ordinary matter...

"Please come inside, young master."

Even before entering the door, a young servant came up with a smile.

Though Li Yan was in a plain dark cotton military outfit that looked beneath his status, the other party’s greeting felt as warming as the spring breeze.

In this profession, referred to as "big teapot" in the North and "turtle public" in the South, holding a status so low that once one assumes the role, one is looked down upon for life.

Among them, some were genuinely ill-fated; their mothers were brothel women, born and raised within the brothel walls and accustomed to the cold stares of the world.

Others were street rats, cultivated by madams from scratch, cruel and cunning, having more or less stained their hands with human lives.

"Thank you."

Li Yan habitually said.

The young servant paused briefly with a surprised expression, but quickly recovered, presenting an even more respectful attitude and gesturing for Li Yan to follow.

Upon entering the building, Li Yan stopped in his tracks.

This Huawei Building’s layout was truly extraordinary.

As he entered the main gate, he was immediately met with a huge stage, covered with a Persian red carpet, where musicians played and sang, and women danced.

To Li Yan’s surprise, the female dancers, with their pale skin, golden hair, and blue eyes, were all stunningly beautiful Western women.

With passion in their brows, they extended their jade arms, their snow-white bare feet spinning as light thin dresses fluttered with their dance steps.

"Young master, this is the Hu Dance."

The nearby "big teapot," in no rush, smilingly introduced, "Back in the heyday of Tang Dynasty, Hu Dance swept through Chang’an. These girls were personally selected by the owner from the Western Regions."

"Whichever girl catches your eye, you can later ask her to perform just for you in your room."

"No rush,"

Li Yan shook his head, "I’ll find a seat first, and then invite someone..."

"Brother Yan!"

A familiar shout came from a distance.

The main hall of Huawei Building was large, with a huge water pond behind the stage, featuring a pear tree wooden sculpture in the middle. All around the hall, there were three red buildings with many rooms, bustling with people.

Li Yan looked towards the source of the voice and saw a disheveled man leaning against the railing on the second floor of the right side, a wine flask swaying in his hand, accompanied by a woman beside him, her eyes bleary and filled with playful mirth.

It was "Cry-in-the-Night" Shen Sanyou.

Li Yan was stunned, then could not help but burst into laughter.

The place was crowded and heavy with the scent of makeup, which is why, without activating his Divine Skills, he had failed to notice that Shen Sanyou had come earlier.

Following the young servant upstairs, Li Yan was even more dumbfounded.

The layout of this floor in Huawei Building was also unusual.

The corridor and rooms were spacious, covered with a red carpet, and each separate sitting area was divided by screens.

Some were empty while others were occupied with women accompanying guests for drinks.

The table in front of Shen Sanyou was already full of wine flasks and various delicate dishes, but everything was in disarray.

He looked at Li Yan, scratching his head embarrassingly and laughing, "Li, my young brother, I’ve been longing for the drink I owed you."

"This morning when you sent someone with a message, I couldn’t wait for another moment, thinking it’s too improper to make you wait, so I came a bit earlier..."

Pff!

The woman beside him, well into her years but still charming, covered her mouth with a fan, laughing out loud, "Shen, you didn’t come just a bit earlier, you’ve been drinking since morning."

Li Yan didn’t get angry and smiled, shaking his head, "Elder, weren’t you worried I’d stand you up and leave you here?"

"No problem!"

Shen Sanyou, slightly drunk, waved his hand, "As long as someone arrives to pay, it’s all fine."

"Hahaha, that won’t do."

Li Yan laughed out loud, then looked around, "Elder, this place is full of prying eyes, how about we find a private room to continue drinking?"

...

"Opening a private room isn’t appropriate."

Shen Sanyou directly shook his head, looking up and laughing, "Look around here, beauty is everywhere, bright and airy."

"Opening a private room not only costs more, but if you want to see a beauty, you have to spend extra, isn’t that foolish?"

"And... I have an even more cost-effective method!"

He chuckled, leaning close and whispering, "Here in Pingkang Square, there are many empty mansions of Chang’an nobles."

"If you fancy any girl, I can take you there to stay for a night; it’s much more interesting than here."

"Especially that Prince Chang’an’s mansion, tsk tsk, truly tastefully decorated, it really captures my heart!"

Li Yan: "..."

"What’s wrong, ashamed?" Seeing Li Yan’s expression, Shen Sanyou suddenly seemed a bit disgruntled.

Li Yan said exasperatedly, "We already live in that mansion, and we promised the mansion to keep watch at night and expel pugilistic world guests."