The Grandest Pavilion in Kaifeng, Manhwaru

In front of the grand main gates of Manhwaru.

Behind the gentle, coaxing voices of courtesans dressed in splendid silk robes, fierce-looking guards with bulging muscles kept a sharp, watchful eye on everyone entering and leaving.

Oh, so this is the famous Manhwaru.

As we approached, the eyes of the guards stationed at the main gate locked onto us in unison. The moment my eyes met those of the swordsman standing at the very front, his eyes went wide.

"...!"

One by one, even the courtesans and patrons near the entrance began stealing glances at me. Surprisingly, however, the guards didn't ask any questions or demand an explanation; they simply parted and silently made way.

Huh? Just like that? No ID check or anything?

I was about to stroll right past the main gate without any trouble when a sudden noise behind me made me glance back.

"Hold on."

The guard who had been standing like a statue just moments ago stepped right in front of Soso, blocking her path.

"Not you."

"Huh?"

Soso blinked in confusion, her eyes darting back and forth between me and the guard.

"Wait a minute! Why can she go in, but I can't?!"

"That lady... possesses a beauty worthy of Manhwaru's prestige. She is a distinguished guest."

The guard bowed politely in my direction, then looked Soso up and down, his voice trailing off awkwardly.

"But you... hmmmm..."

"What's with the 'hmmmm'?!"

As Soso stomped her feet in frustration, I cleared my throat and took a step toward the guard.

"Excuse me, sir. This girl is with me. Would it be alright if she came inside as well?"

When I asked with a soft, sweet, and slightly coquettish tone, the guard's stern expression instantly melted away.

"Ah, oh... She's with you? I-I see. Very well! Just leave your cart over there and head on in!"

The man scratched his head and nodded readily. Soso's jaw dropped at his blatant double standard.

"Wow... Talk about unfair."

"Stop grumbling and get in here."

I grabbed the pouting Soso by the scruff of her neck and dragged her inside Manhwaru.

"Ha, the power of beauty. But seriously, did we even need that letter of introduction Hongbi wrote for us?"

I asked triumphantly, prompting Soso to pat the letter tucked into her robes as she replied.

"Come on, we definitely need it. Your looks might have gotten us past the front door, but if we want to meet the Great Mother, we have to show this to the Chief Manager first. It's not like she just meets with any random person."

"Well, I suppose that's true."

Chatting idly, we made our way deeper into Manhwaru. But the moment we passed through the lavishly decorated corridor and stepped into the massive main hall where the stage was set—

"...!"

"Whoa...!"

Soso and I fell silent, freezing in our tracks. A dumbfounded gasp escaped my lips.

The exterior reflecting the lights of the Red Light District had been spectacular enough, but the interior was on a completely different level.

Shimmering silk drapes hung in layers, and in the center, a cascading chandelier of crystal beads sparkled with a soft, elegant glow. On the first floor, lavish banquets were already in full swing, with the boisterous laughter of men and the coquettish songs of courtesans drifting out from various private rooms.

Up on the balconies of the upper floors, courtesans clad in fluttering, gossamer robes held fans, looking down at the patrons with suggestive, knowing smiles.

Damn... This isn't just a brothel. It's like a Wuxia version of a Macau casino.

Unlike me, who was just staring blankly at the grandeur, Soso's eyes were sparkling as she tugged on my sleeve.

"Sister, isn't this place amazing?"

"It sure is."

I took a soft breath to compose myself. Then, I approached a middle-aged Chief Manager who was busy guiding guests in one corner of the hall.

"My, my! What brings such a dazzlingly beautiful young lady to our Manhwaru? Are you perhaps looking for someone?"

He asked with a warm, welcoming smile, and I thrust the letter of introduction toward him.

"I'm here to see the Great Mother."

The moment the Chief Manager took the letter, his eyes shifted. A subtle hint of wariness and curiosity flickered in his previously soft gaze.

"The Great Mother? Pardon my intrusion, but may I ask what business you have with her?"

I didn't feel like beating around the bush, so I decided to get straight to the point.

"I am Yeonhwa, the 32nd Sect Leader of the Divine Maiden Sect. I have some matters to discuss with the Great Mother personally."

"...The Divine Maiden Sect... Sect Leader."

A low murmur escaped the Chief Manager's lips.

"I-I see. First of all, we are deeply honored by your visit."

He immediately corrected his posture and bowed deeply, his attitude far more respectful than before.

"The Great Mother is an incredibly busy person, so it might be difficult to see her this very instant. Would you mind waiting here for a short while?"

"Sure, why not."

When I nodded, the Chief Manager reached into his robes, pulled out an exquisitely carved jade ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠plaque, and offered it to me with both hands.

"This is Manhwaru's VIP Jade Plaque. As long as you hold this token, all facilities, food, and rooms within our establishment will be entirely free of charge."

Huh?

I took the Jade Plaque in a daze.

Considering Wolryeong's reaction at the pawnshop earlier, I expected them to throw salt at me and kick me ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠out the moment they heard the name of the Divine Maiden Sect. Instead, they handed me a free, all-access pass.

Wait, why is the treatment so completely opposite? Wolryeong loathed the very mention of the Divine Maiden Sect, but here they're treating me like royalty. Talk about extreme reactions.

Something smelled fishy, but I wasn't nearly noble enough to turn down free stuff.

"Since you offer it as a token of your gratitude, I shall accept it without hesitation."

"I will inform the Great Mother of your arrival immediately. Please, enjoy yourself while you wait. If you require anything at all, do not hesitate to call the servants."

The Chief Manager bowed politely and scurried off toward the upper floors. The moment he was out of earshot, Soso, who had been watching the whole exchange, stared at me with eyes so wide they looked ready to pop out of her head.

"Oh my god...! Sister! Is that really the Jade Plaque?!"

"What's all the fuss about? Is this thing really that big of a deal?"

"Is it a big deal?! In Manhwaru, this Jade Plaque is only given to VIPs who receive the absolute highest tier of treatment, like royalty or the Alliance Leader of the Wulin! With this, all the alcohol, food, and gambling are completely free!"

Soso's eyes began to sparkle like stars in the night sky. Wiping the drool from the corner of her mouth, she clung tightly to my arm.

"Sister, sister! Let's go upstairs and order the most expensive dishes! And drinks! And let's watch the courtesans perform from the absolute best seats in the house, please?!"

Looking at her sly, pleading face, I let out a chuckle and lightly flicked her forehead.

Flick!

"Ouch!"

"You're too young to be acting so spoiled. What do you mean, 'drinks'?"

Watching Soso rub her forehead with a deeply wronged expression, the corners of my mouth curled upward. A glittering Wuxia casino lay right before my eyes, and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in my pocket was a VIP pass that made everything absolutely free.

"But well... there's no reason to say no to free stuff. Shall we see what a night at Manhwaru is really like?"

If I had to wait for this Great Mother anyway, it was only polite to milk this luxury Wuxia casino-hotel for every single penny it was worth.

"Sister! Order this, this one too! And that!"

"Alright, let's order until the table legs snap!"

Starting light with a culinary feast, we rented out the most expensive luxury suite in Manhwaru and ordered a ridiculous spread of delicacies that the two of us couldn't possibly finish. Once our bellies were full, we headed straight for the gambling den.

"Go! Evens! Hell yeah, won again!"

"Whoa! You're the best, sister! Sweep the board!"

After cleaning out the gambling tables, we rode our high back to our suite. Just for some eye candy, we summoned a whole screen of Manhwaru's finest, most beautiful courtesans to line the room.

Ah... This is literal heaven. Wait, what did we come here to do again?

The original goal of fencing our stolen goods had long since been completely erased from my mind.

"Who cares? Bottoms up!"

Drunk on the immediate pleasure and the thrill of free luxuries, we ate and drank like there was no tomorrow. Who knew how much time had passed? By the time we dismissed all the courtesans and were left alone in our private suite, empty bottles of premium liquor littered the table.

"You know, you're supposed to learn how to drink properly from a proper adult. Got it?"

"Hehehe... Yes, sister."

Soso held her cup with both hands and gulped down the liquor. Having long since exceeded her limit, her eyes were half-closed, and her usual cheeky demeanor was nowhere to be found, replaced by a silly, goofy grin.

"Hehehe... My sister... is seriously the best..."

Clack.

Soso set her empty cup down, then stumbled forward, collapsing right into my arms.

"Hey, are you drunk?"

"Your chest, sister... it's so warm and squishy... and you smell so good..."

I tried to playfully push her away, but Soso only wrapped her arms tighter around my waist and looked up at me.

"I'm not drunk... But your chest is really warm and squishy..."

Large, hazy, unfocused eyes. Fair cheeks flushed bright red from the alcohol. And just below them, her moist, cherry-red lips parted slightly in a daze.

"..."

The moment I looked down at that defenseless, seductive face, my throat tightened, and I swallowed hard, a thick gulp of saliva sliding down.

...God, this is driving me crazy.

The lingering regret of not going all the way with Soso at the hot springs last time, combined with the pent-up lust from last night's interrupted encounter with that nameless pervert outside the wall, and the decadent atmosphere of Manhwaru—it all swirled together into a potent cocktail.

The taut thread of reason in my mind snapped with a clean ping. There was no longer any reason to hold back. No, I couldn't hold back even if I wanted to.

I gently lifted Soso's chin as she lay cradled in my arms.

"Soso."

"Mmh...? Sister...?"

Without a moment's hesitation, I pressed my lips firmly against hers as she blinked up at me, completely oblivious.

"Mmph...!"

Soso's petite shoulders flinched and tensed. To keep her from pulling back, I wrapped one arm tightly around her slender waist while my other hand cupped the back of her head, hungrily grinding my lips against hers.

Chup... slurp, chu...

I slid my tongue deep into the gap of Soso's lips, which had parted slightly in her surprise.

The sweet aroma of the premium liquor she hadn't fully swallowed mingled with Soso's naturally soft, sweet saliva, tangling wetly at the tip of my tongue.

"Mnh...! Sis—mmph... sluuuuurp..."

Though she had been frozen in shock at first, as I swept my tongue across the roof of her mouth and tangled our tongues together, Soso slowly closed her eyes. She wrapped her arms around my neck, clinging to me.

Chup, slurp. Squish. In the quiet room, only the lewd, wet friction of our saliva tangling echoed stickily.

"Mnnnh... haah, sister... I can't... I can't breathe..."

After a relentless, breathless kiss that seemed to last forever, I pulled back slightly. Soso gasped for air, resting her head against my chest.

Her red lips glistened with saliva, her half-lidded eyes were wet with moisture, and her neck was flushed crimson from the alcohol and rising heat.

Wow... I'm seriously going to lose my mind.

I scooped Soso up by her waist and thighs.

"Ah... Sister?"

Suspended in the air, Soso instinctively wrapped her arms around my neck in surprise. I strode over to the plush bed lined with premium silk blankets, laid her down gently, and crawled on top of her.

"Si-Sister... what are we doing...?"

Even as Soso asked in a slurred, drunken voice, she didn't push me away. Instead, she gently wrapped her legs around my waist.

"What else? We're playing an adult game."

I whispered softly, claiming her lips once more. At the same time, my hands worked quickly, unraveling the tie of Soso's robes without hesitation.

Slide. The fabric parted, fully exposing her fair, smooth skin.

Though petite compared to my own massive breasts, Soso's cute, beautifully perky chest rose and fell like gentle waves with every breath she took.

"Ahhh...! Ah, sister, there... it feels weird..."

The moment I took her flushed nipple into my mouth, lightly biting and swirling my tongue around it, Soso arched her back like a bow and let out a sweet, high-pitched moan.

"Mnh, ah! It feels... it feels so good..."

At her passionate whimpers, my own body caught fire, the heat that had built up earlier in the streets erupting once again. Down below, slick, transparent ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠juices were already oozing out, soaking my undergarments.

Should I... should I really go all the way right now?

I stroked Soso's smooth thighs, slowly sliding my hand downward. The moment I slipped my hand inside her clothes and brushed against her most private, sensitive spot—

Twitch!

"Haang...! Si-Sister..."

Soso's wetness had already drenched her folds, slick and dripping against my fingertips. I let out a wicked chuckle and whispered in her ear.

"Well, look at that. Our little thief is already soaking wet, isn't she?"

"I don't know... It's because you keep, mnh... touching me so weirdly..."

Soso wrapped her arms tightly around my neck, her face burning red. Having finally made up my mind, I plunged my finger deep into her slick, dripping pussy in one swift motion.

Squish!

"Ahhh-!!"

Soso let out a scream of mixed pleasure and pain, her hips bucking upward.

Ngh...!

The vaginal walls swallowing my finger were incredibly hot and tight beyond anything I had imagined.

The sheer, crushing pressure clamping down on my finger made my eyes burn with lust.

The same unfamiliar, almost violent pleasure I had felt when my body first transformed into a woman and I had explored my own depths now surged back, transmitting directly through my fingertips.

"Hnghh... mm, it hurts..."

With tears welling in her eyes, Soso tried to push against my chest.

To ensure she wouldn't hurt but would instead feel mind-melting pleasure, I focused entirely, slowly and gently swirling the tip of my finger inside her.

Squish. Squeltch.

"Ah... ah... mm...?"

As my finger accurately located her sensitive G-spot and began to firmly rub against it, Soso's hands, which had been trying to push me away, flailed in the air before wrapping tightly around my back.

"Haaang...! There, it feels so weird there...! Ah, sister...!"

Summoning all the knowledge I had gathered from countless videos in my past life and my own hands-on experience with my female body, I gradually increased the speed of my thrusts.

Matching her breathless, high-pitched moans, my finger gently yet fiercely raked and plunged through her tight walls.

Squish! Splat! Squeltch!

"Ahhh! Ah, ah! Th-There...!"

Soso's body began to tremble violently like a leaf in the wind.

Her inner walls contracted frantically, clamping down hard on my finger, while a waterfall of hot juices gushed out, completely drenching the back of my hand.

"I-I feel weird...! Sister, I think I'm gonna cum...! Ahhh...!"

"Do it, Soso. Just let go and cum."

The moment I curled my finger one last time, hooking and driving hard against her G-spot—

"Ahhhhhhhng!!"

Soso threw her head back, letting out a piercing shriek. Her legs shot straight up and went rigid as a torrential fountain of fluid sprayed out from between her thighs.

Squirrrrrt! Splaaash.

"Haah... haaa... mnh..."

Having reached a massive climax, Soso lay completely limp on the bed, her eyes unfocused as she panted heavily. She lay trembling and gasping beneath me, drenched in sweat and her own juices.

Looking down at her, utterly defeated and surrendered to pleasure, a throbbing ache pulsed in my lower abdomen, threatening to burst.

The sheer sense of dominance and accomplishment from completely conquering this cute little thing was enough to bring me to the brink of my own climax.

"Haah... Soso."

I slowly withdrew my dripping finger and looked down at her with eyes burning with lust.

"Now... it's your turn to satisfy me. You can do that, right?"

"Mmm... m-me...?"

Soso mumbled, her eyes half-closed. Instead of answering, I began to untie my own robes, preparing to expose my burning, aching body—when suddenly.

Knock, knock, knock. A sudden knock on the door shattered the silence of the room.

"...!!"

I nearly rolled right off the bed in shock.

"Lady Yeonhwa. Are you inside?"

From outside the door came the voice of the Chief Manager, the same man who had handed us the Jade Plaque on the first floor.

Ah... fuck. Of all the goddamn times?!

I furrowed my brow and gritted my teeth. My turn was literally just about to start!

"...What is it?"

I asked coldly, doing my absolute best to suppress my boiling rage and ragged breathing. The Chief Manager's voice filtered through the door.

"My deepest apologies, but the Great Mother has heard of your arrival and wishes to see you immediately. I shall escort you as soon as you are ready."

Does this goddamn brothel have absolutely zero respect for guest privacy?!

I cursed up a storm in my head, letting out a hollow sigh. The fire had just been lit, and now I had to go meet the Great Mother?

"Haaah... Very well. Give me a moment."

After replying, I looked down. Soso was already breathing softly beneath me.

"...Soso?"

This sly little brat had fallen fast asleep, the sudden exhaustion of her intense climax combined with the alcohol knocking her out cold in an instant.

"...This little brat, seriously!"

Getting all the pleasure for herself and then sleeping like a baby. I let out a helpless chuckle and pulled the blanket over Soso's disheveled body.

Then, I calmed my ragged breathing and adjusted my messy clothes.

Right. As if my life would ever let me have nice things.

Biting my lower lip in frustration, I circulated the true qi in my dantian, forcibly suppressing the heat coursing through my body.

Leaving the passed-out Soso behind, I took my deeply unsatisfied self toward the top floor of Manhwaru, where the Great Mother awaited.