Chapter 192: Chapter 192: The 12 Beauties of Jade Capital, Let Me Tell You a Secret

’Sword Intent really is a good thing. It’s like enchanting a weapon, making it more powerful, and that’s just one of its uses.’

From what he knew, when Sword Intent reached a certain level of power, it alone could immobilize people. It was like a powerful aura, an intangible form of attack, but Sword Intent was even stronger and more substantial.

’Demon Suppressing Sword Intent. Looks like I’ll have to find more Demon Intent to improve it. Just relying on Potential Points isn’t enough; I need to work harder.’

Yang Chan mused, sensing the Sword Intent within his Long Sword.

He was a hardworking person, so naturally, he couldn’t rely solely on the panel for his advancements. After all, the benefits of building proficiency couldn’t be wasted. The advantages were especially obvious in the early stages, and having experienced them firsthand, Yang Chan had no intention of passing them up.

Yang Chan glanced at the sky. Between leveling up his Demon Suppressing Swordsmanship and the appearance of a new profession, he was running nearly an hour later than usual today. This was not a good habit to get into.

He couldn’t let this continue. Staying up too late was bad for his health, and he’d feel the sting of losing even a single day from his Lifespan.

It would be utterly ridiculous if something as unlikely as heart palpitations were to happen.

’I haven’t even started the Inner Refining of the Five Viscera, let alone the heart. I really shouldn’t stay up late.’

’No, that’s not the right order. Either way, I’m not staying up. It’s bad for my body.’

With that, Yang Chan walked out of his secret chamber, blew out the candles in his room, and lay down on his bed to sleep.

In the eyes of the Cyan Yuan Sect’s Hidden Guards, however, the scene looked quite different. They saw Pharmacist Yang staying up late to study Alchemy Texts, preparing for the upcoming triennial Pharmacist Exchange Conference.

Yang Chan didn’t know what they were thinking, nor did he care. Right now, he just wanted to go to sleep, fall into a deep slumber, and make up for his lost rest. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

After all, deep sleep was several times more restorative than light sleep.

...

"Pharmacist Yang, since you’re going to White Jade City for the Pharmacist Exchange Conference, are you planning to check out the Twelfth Floor?"

"I hear this year’s Jade Capital Twelve Beauties are exceptionally gorgeous. They’re said to be the most beautiful courtesans the Twelfth Floor has seen in a decade. Each one excels in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, song, and dance—far surpassing the beauties of previous years."

Zhao Yi hurried over to Yang Chan’s side and whispered conspiratorially.

He was supposedly whispering, but his voice wasn’t quiet enough. A few other Pharmacists glanced over, clearly having overheard and very much interested in the topic.

The Jade Capital Twelve Beauties were chosen once a year. Only the most outstanding courtesans from the twelve largest brothels in the Jade Capital were eligible. For the entire year following their selection, the fame of these celebrated beauties would spread throughout the city.

All the dashing, talented men would vie to become their patrons. Fights often broke out just for a chance to win a beauty’s smile. Every year, stories of these events would circulate, further enhancing the reputation of the Jade Capital Twelve Beauties and stirring up curiosity about just how stunning they truly were.

A courtesan could never be chosen as one of the Jade Capital Twelve Beauties twice. One of the conditions for selection was that the woman had not yet "left the pavilion"—that is, she had to be a virgin.

Once selected, their "debut" would take place, meaning they were no longer eligible for the title. Thus, these famed beauties had to work hard during their year in the spotlight to secure their futures.

As for how they "worked hard," that was up to them. The best option was to become the concubine of a high-ranking official or nobleman and gain their protection.

The reputation of the Jade Capital Twelve Beauties was so great that even Zhao Yi, who had never left Qing State, had heard of them. His keen interest was a testament to the effectiveness of their "promotional model."

The few Basic Level Pharmacists listening nearby were also clearly intrigued. If they were to go to White Jade City, they would undoubtedly visit the Twelfth Floor to see these famous courtesans.

"This trip to White Jade City isn’t for fun," Yang Chan said. "We’re going to the Pharmacist Alliance for the Pharmacist Exchange Conference. Traveling with Elder Yan and Pharmacist Xu, I doubt we’ll have time for that."

Yang Chan wasn’t surprised by Zhao Yi’s question. Zhao Yi had brought it up several times; ever since he found out Yang Chan had secured a spot for the conference in White Jade City, he’d been extremely curious about the city’s more famous attractions.

’He even suspected that if there were any missions available in White Jade City, Zhao Yi would be the first to sign up, with the other Basic Level Pharmacists right behind him.’

’Their motives wouldn’t be complicated. They’d just figure that the missions in White Jade City needed manpower, that they were a perfect fit, and that they could, you know, relax a little in their off-time.’

’As Pharmacists of the Cyan Yuan Sect, they had plenty of silver coins. It was useless just sitting around, so why not use it to "sponsor" those poor women who had fallen on hard times and help them "escape their sea of suffering"?’

’Such a noble goal. The philanthropic spirit of saving the world, really.’

"Pharmacist Yang, let me tell you a secret," Zhao Yi said, suddenly lowering his voice and leaning closer. "Don’t you dare tell anyone!"

"They say that whenever Elder Yan and the others go to White Jade City to meet up with their old friends, they always go to the Twelfth Floor. As for whether they’re just drinking and catching up, or... something else... well, that’s open to interpretation."

Zhao Yi’s voice was low, but it was nothing to the other Pharmacists nearby. They were all masters at the External Refining Copper Skin Level, with hearing far superior to that of ordinary people. At this distance, they could easily hear everything.

Yang Chan noticed and was left speechless. ’What was the point of lowering his voice that much?’ he thought. However, he also saw that the other Basic Level Pharmacists showed no surprise, which meant they had clearly heard such rumors before.

It made Yang Chan consider a possibility. How else would the names of White Jade City’s Twelfth Floor and the Jade Capital Twelve Beauties have spread all the way back here? It must have been from the disciples who’d been there, or perhaps even from the very Pharmacists who attended the conference.

It was just gossip fodder, the kind of thing people brought up in conversation. It was actually quite normal.

Besides, the Pharmacists of the Cyan Yuan Sect were no monks. Most of them kept numerous Maids and concubines, who were often sent over by others seeking to curry favor.

Take Medicine Hall Master Gu An’s residence, which Yang Chan had visited before; it was filled with young women. The same went for Xu Gaocen’s home. One could easily guess their role in those households.

The Cyan Yuan Sect was an Overlord Level power in Qing State, so there was no shortage of people willing to latch onto it.

And the Pharmacists of the Cyan Yuan Sect, in particular, could bring considerable benefits.

In contrast, the fact that Yang Chan had no young Maids in his own courtyard was a rarity. It wasn’t for lack of offers; he simply refused to accept them. His residence contained many secrets, and anyone who entered his bedroom uninvited would likely die on the spot.

Even when he was choosing a Pharmacist’s Assistant, beautiful women from Noble Families had vied for the position, all hoping to establish a connection with him. Han Bingyu was one such case, but Yang Chan had chosen not to select her simply to avoid trouble.

In the end, however, Gu Shitong—who had ties to Medicine Hall Master Gu An—still became his Pharmacist’s Assistant.