After everyone regrouped, Ivy Shen took the lead, with Nina Xu walking beside her. The eight men followed behind, and with every step they took, they drew attention from all around.
Ivy smiled. People are always more curious about what they can't see, more eager to uncover the mystery.
Now, she and Nina—two women veiled, black hair flowing—were followed by eight men with extraordinary bearing. Even though all wore masks, their powerful aura made many people stop and stare, whispering among themselves.
“Look at them, they're so mysterious! What sect do you think they're from? Maybe they're from the Mask Sect?” Gossiping onlooker A speculated.
“Who knows? Wow, this Martial Conference is really lively this year—so many mysterious sects showed up!” Onlooker B was confused but still super excited.
Elsewhere, girl C tugged girl D’s sleeve and whispered, “Senior Sister, those guys behind look so handsome!”
D rolled her eyes. “What part of them looks handsome to you? For all we know, they might be ugly. Why else would they wear masks?”
“No way! Look closely—even with masks, their eyes are so dreamy. I don’t believe they’re ugly.” C pouted, clearly not agreeing with D.
D just rolled her eyes again. “Enough, enough, stop drooling already! You’re embarrassing our sect.”
All along the way, their appearance was the hottest topic of gossip, making them the center of attention.
It didn’t take long for them to arrive at the front entrance of Li Manor. The manor itself sat on prime real estate—right in the heart of the city, a huge, sprawling estate. Outside was a bustling main street, packed with people and martial artists, with merchants hawking their wares everywhere you looked.
You could tell this was the golden zone—step out the door and you’re right at the busiest intersection!
The moment they showed up, they immediately drew a ton of attention. Ivy Shen sauntered forward, fanning herself, while several armed guards standing outside the gate eyed them warily.
“What do you want?” The guard on the left glared at them, his eyes so sharp you’d think he could kill with a look.
“Looking for a place to stay,” Ivy replied coolly.
Her words instantly caught the attention of everyone nearby. A middle-aged pear vendor, seeing her, kindly warned, “Miss, I’d advise you not to look for lodging here. This is the City Mistress’s house—she never lets outsiders stay here. And beware her male concubines; those guys are martial arts masters, seriously dangerous!”
“Oh?” Ivy raised an eyebrow, amused.
“Didn’t you hear? Get lost! Our City Mistress never lets outsiders stay here, so don’t make trouble!” The guard on the right clenched his fist and tried to look intimidating.
Hearing that, Butterfly Rogue—ever the hothead—was about to rush forward and teach them a lesson, but Ethan Chu quickly pulled him back.
“Sixth…” Butterfly Rogue frowned, confused. After all, these people were being pretty rude to his beloved Ivy!
But Butterfly Rogue still looked confused, and Ethan Chu just stared coldly at the manor’s gate, not saying a word. No one could guess what he was thinking.
Adrian Night finally spoke: "Ivy wants to get in smoothly, no force. That's the rule." He glanced at Ethan Chu, puzzled. Sure, he knew Ethan had suffered here before, but there was something off in his eyes. Was there some secret hidden in this manor?
"Don't worry. Trust her," Eli Crane said calmly, and somehow, everyone relaxed a little.
At last, Ethan Chu, who’d been silent all this time, finally spoke: "If we can’t get in peacefully, absolutely don’t try to force it." His words made it clear—there was more to this place than met the eye.
Ivy Shen smiled to herself. She’d already suspected this manor was trouble. Ethan Chu’s silence had its reasons, but now that he’d spoken up, it was proof enough: Li Manor was no ordinary place.
"Hey! Didn’t you hear me telling you losers to scram?" The left guard stomped forward, looking ready to bite someone’s head off.
Instantly, everyone shopping, selling, or just passing by stopped what they were doing and drifted over, drawn by the guard’s shouting.
"I told you, we’re here to seek lodging. Go tell your City Mistress—I want to see her." Ivy’s voice was calm, like she was talking about the weather. But to everyone listening, this was insane—asking to stay at Li Manor? That was pure fantasy!
Everyone knew the City Mistress never let outsiders stay. Even her closest relatives had to use inns. Only servants and her male concubines lived inside.
"See the City Mistress? Who the hell do you think you are?" The guard strutted forward, face full of arrogance. He clearly thought they were beneath him—classic bully with power.
Ivy didn’t get mad. She just led the group aside and gave Eli Crane a little nod.
Eli Crane pulled out his green flute and started playing, softly at first.
The gentle notes floated out, and everyone—shoppers, vendors, passersby—stopped in their tracks to listen. In Lark City, music is everything. Beggars and street performers sing for their supper; it’s the local way.
Then Ivy Shen began to sing: "The me who met you, the you who met me, both writing the same diary in the same deep night. The me watching you, the you watching me, both asking the same question in the same moment—who’s waiting for you, who are you waiting for, who’s waiting for me, who am I waiting for…"
This body of Ivy’s had a voice to die for—she could hook anyone, make the whole crowd feel what she wanted. Listening close, everyone felt like the noise of the world faded away, leaving only her heavenly voice.
The song needed a voice like hers—pure, soft, and ethereal. People closed their eyes, caught up in the moment, listening with every bit of their hearts.
Everyone in Ivy’s group—even those who’d heard her sing before—were stunned all over again. Only Eli kept playing, but the rest were breathless, hearts pounding.
The lively street seemed to fall asleep under Ivy’s song. It was like she’d swept everyone away to a magical world—mountains, rivers, flowers, butterflies, green grass, white clouds, and even fairies dancing in the air, blessing their souls.
Inside Li Manor, Yvonne Li was lounging when she suddenly sat bolt upright, startled by the music. Her two male concubines, who’d been massaging her legs, nearly jumped. "Mistress, what’s wrong?"
"Listen!" Yvonne Li was stunned by the sound coming from outside. Born with freakishly sensitive ears, she could pick up any beautiful song in Lark City. If there was music worth hearing, she’d always notice.
"Wow, what a gorgeous voice!" gasped the blue-robed concubine, eyes glued to the doorway. How could someone sound that good?
"Mistress, wait up!" The green-robed concubine called, watching Yvonne Li suddenly stride out. The two hurried after her, and as she crossed the hall and corridor, more and more concubines joined, trailing after her to the gate.
With a loud creak, the inner doors were flung open by the concubines, and Yvonne Li’s plump figure appeared in the doorway.
Just then, Ivy’s song came to an end.
"City Mistress!" The two outer guards quickly bowed and called out when they saw Yvonne Li.
Yvonne Li hurried straight up to Ivy Shen, eyes wide with curiosity. "Was that you singing just now? And the flute, was it him?"
"That’s right," Ivy replied, cool and confident.
"Oh my god, that was incredible! The song and flute were a perfect match—like they were made for each other!" Yvonne Li gushed, absolutely loving it. Sure, her favorite genre was dirty songs, but this one was truly beautiful too.
"Thank you," Ivy said politely.
"Could you sing another one?" Yvonne Li asked, barely able to contain her excitement. The crowd, finally snapping out of their trance, all looked at Ivy with wide, hopeful eyes—the last song had been just that good.
Ivy raised an eyebrow. "I can, sure, but I actually came here for something else."
"Oh? What is it?" Yvonne Li asked, straight to the point.
"We’re here for the Martial Conference, but we arrived late and couldn’t find anywhere to stay. So, we were hoping to crash at your place—if you don’t mind?" Ivy said with a cheeky smile.
The crowd erupted, and Yvonne Li’s twenty-something male concubines all shouted, "No way! Outsiders aren’t allowed in here!"
"Miss, I really admire your singing—it blew me away, honestly. But, sorry, we don’t let outsiders stay here," Yvonne Li said, sounding genuinely regretful.
Ivy shrugged like it was no big deal. "Alright, different roads, different travelers. Shame, though—I wanted to gift the City Mistress a peerless ‘yin song,’ but I guess there’s no hope now." She turned to her group. "Let’s go!"
"Wait!" Yvonne Li suddenly called out. "You really have a peerless yin song? Something even more shocking than Huluwa? Ever since I heard Huluwa, every other ‘yin song’ just feels weak—no spice at all!"
"I can’t say. Everyone’s taste is different. Only you can decide if it’s better," Ivy said, fanning herself coolly.
Yvonne Li grinned. "You’re fun. Alright, if you can sing something more shocking than Huluwa, I’ll let you all stay here—and treat you like VIPs. Deal?"
"Deal!" Ivy said, bright and decisive.
The crowd surged closer, while some busybodies ran off to spread the news—something big was about to go down. Ivy leaned in to Eli Crane, humming the tune in his ear. With his freaky memory, Eli just nodded, the score already in his head.
More and more people crowded in, and soon the place was packed to bursting. Lark City folks have wild tastes—some like it bland, some want it spicy, but if it sounds good, they’re all in.
The eight men (besides Eli) all stared at Ivy, brows furrowed. Huluwa had traumatized them enough—was there really a song out there even crazier than that? No way, right!?
Yvonne Li’s male concubines scrambled to bring over chairs, fruit, and fans, fussing around her like she was some mafia boss. She sat down, getting pampered while her attendants kept her cool.
Ivy just laughed. "Let’s get started."
"Alright!" Yvonne Li waved her attendants away—no distractions while she listened! The crowd held their breath, afraid to miss a single wild moment.
Ivy nodded to Eli Crane, and his flute played a soft, tender melody. The crowd broke into a sweat—how could such a gentle tune possibly lead to a dirty song?
(Lick, lick) your kitty, you smile while I (lick, lick) your kitty. It’s like that thing blooming in your lips, blooming in your lips, where is it, where is it? (Bang, bang) you, your smile so beastly, I just wanna get hard. Ah, in my dreams, my dreams, I go wild (bang, bang) you, your smile so (lick, lick) sweet—it’s you, it’s you, you’re the one I want to bang, ah~~ harder~~ don’t hold back~~
"Pffft—!" The crowd was so shocked by the song that grapes went flying everywhere, and six of Ivy’s husbands choked and sprayed fruit too. The place erupted in chaos, with shouts and laughter echoing all around.