The two of them had quite an appetite, each eating seven or eight bowls of lamb stew, leaving the stall owner stunned.

This was not ordinary lamb, but wild mountain goat hunted on the mountain.

For regular folks, one bowl would fill them up, but these two easily ate seven or eight bowls, polishing off nearly all the lamb hanging in the large pot.

Di Renying rushed to pay the bill, rubbing his belly with satisfaction, "It’s been a long time since I had such a hearty meal."

Long Fei asked, "Is there any place in this West Market that men usually visit?"

Di Renying thought he misheard and, with a look of puzzlement, said, "What do you mean?"

Long Fei laughed and said, "I mean the Brothel Alley!"

Di Renying stared wide-eyed and said, "No way, brother? You’re into that too? If your wife finds out, she won’t beat me to death!"

Long Fei rolled his eyes at him and said, "What are you thinking? I’m planning to investigate a case in such a place. You should know, these places are usually hubs for all kinds of news."

Di Renying scratched his head and suddenly realized, "Oh, that’s the idea! If you hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have thought about it. Someone did tell me once that if something happens in the Capital City, these places would be the first to know. I always found them dirty and have never visited."

Long Fei reprimanded him, "As an investigator, how can you think like that? You have to see yourself as a machine, maintaining a nonchalant attitude no matter the environment."

Di Renying chuckled awkwardly, "Brother, your advice is spot on. I’ll definitely change in the future."

Long Fei glanced around and lowered his voice, "No need to tell your wife about this, got it?"

"Of course."

Di Renying nodded repeatedly.

Long Fei asked him, "Do you know which place in Chang’an City has the most famous girls?"

Di Renying thought for a moment and said, "It should be the Fairy Pavilion. It has a big backing, I heard it’s opened by Wu Shansi, the nephew of Empress Wu. Our Chang’an City’s north and south are royal restricted areas, but this Fairy Pavilion is located on a small island near the Imperial Garden. From morning till night, it’s teeming with tourists. Now there’s a curfew, but this place stays open at night."

Long Fei’s lips curled up as he said, "Alright, we’ll go there."

He stood up, looked around, and said, "Today, we’re the talented scholars of romance, let’s first change into some attire."

"Alright!"

Di Renying chuckled awkwardly, following someone into such a place for the first time in his life.

If Long Fei hadn’t mentioned it was to investigate a case, he wouldn’t have gone even if forced.

The two went to find a tailor shop on the street and each ordered a scholar-like outfit.

The material was ordinary, the linen commonly worn by the populace.

It’s often said that people rely on clothes as horses rely on saddles.

After putting them on, they deliberately concealed their presence, instantly losing all their aura.

Each of them truly looked like a poor scholar who had just entered the city.

Chang’an City’s waterways were well-developed, and the two took a small boat to the south.

This small island where Fairy Pavilion is located sits in the center of Rosy Clouds Lake.

A hundred-meter-high hill stands atop, with a dozen-story Red Mansion built on it, visible from afar.

The entire island is filled with blooming flowers and lush greenery.

Various grand halls and corridors are built around the mountain, just after a snowfall, the cold mist surrounds the island.

Against the backdrop of snowflakes, the island blends reds, whites, and greens, resembling a landscape painting.

Standing at the bow with a folding fan, Long Fei couldn’t stop praising, "The Fairy Pavilion indeed has its charm."

Di Renying remarked with a smile, "It’s even more fun when you get on the island. I heard there’s everything for leisure and entertainment. There’s stone gambling, bird-watching, and even demonic beast battles. The chefs on the island are the Imperial Chefs from the palace, the taste is definitely different."

Long Fei queried him, "Such a good place, and you’ve resisted coming all this time? Are you even a man?" 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Di Renying coughed twice and said, "To be honest, brother, firstly, I don’t like places that can erode one’s roots, and secondly, because I’m broke. This place isn’t for the common folk. Without at least ten thousand Spirit Stones, one can’t afford to leave. As a mere Fifth-Grade Minister of Dali Temple, my yearly salary isn’t nearly enough."

Long Fei nodded and said, "Seems like having money makes things easier, even in officialdom. Being too upright and righteous isn’t always a good thing."

Di Renying replied, "Each person has their aspirations. The path I chose might be difficult, but at least I’m true to my conscience."

Long Fei laughed and said, "Alright, just for those words, I’ll cover the case expenses this time. Once we’re up there, we’ll eat and play to our heart’s content, and spare no expense."

"Then I won’t stand on ceremony with you, brother."

Di Renying knew Long Fei was wealthy, once spending ten billion Spirit Stones in Shu State City—a vast fortune.

He just didn’t understand why Long Fei dressed them as poor scholars, a look unwelcome at the Fairy Pavilion.

As their little boat moved past, the pier was crowded with luxury boats, clearly belonging to wealthy families.

The boat hulls were made of redwood or fragrant wood, some even over a hundred meters with dragon figureheads, capable of flying through the air.

In the Cultivation World, dragons are not exclusive to the Royal Family.

Various cultivators’ powers often have plenty of magical treasures with dragon heads.

Having never seen such scenes before, the boatman nervously shouted to Long Fei and Di Renying, "Honored guests, shall we end our journey here?"

Di Renying turned back to ask, "What’s wrong?"

The boatman responded, "Honored guests might not know, but boats like ours are not allowed to get close to this island. If we go there, we’ll surely be beaten."

Di Renying laughed, "No worries, go ahead with confidence. If anyone dares to give you trouble, I’ll teach them a lesson."

As he spoke, he tossed a Spirit Stone casually.

With the Spirit Stone in hand, the boatman mustered the courage to take them forward.

A single Spirit Stone could cover a year’s income for the boatman.

The pier was huge, over a hundred feet wide.

Once their boat arrived, indeed, someone stared at them from above.

A dozen servants came over at once, angrily pointing at the boatman, "Where did these paupers come from? Get lost immediately!"

Di Renying frowned and shouted, "How rude, do you know who we are? Dare to speak to us like that?"

The servant glanced at their attire and laughed disdainfully, "May I know which gentry do you belong to?"

Di Renying was about to announce his identity, but Long Fei stopped him and tossed a token to them.

The servant caught the token and, seeing it, turned pale and quickly offered a respectful welcome, "Didn’t know it was the Immortal Gate emissary, forgive our offense!"

Long Fei and Di Renying went up and instructed the servants, "Treat our boatman well. If there’s any complaint, watch out for your heads."

The servants nodded repeatedly, "Rest assured, Daoist, naturally, naturally."

Returning the token respectfully to Long Fei, the servant immediately had someone moor the boat securely and invited the boatman ashore to rest.

The boatman was intrigued, secretly thinking it was no wonder those two had such confidence; they must be high officials.

Following behind Long Fei, Di Renying, equally curious, asked, "Brother, what’s that token you have that scared them so much?"

Long Fei, smiling, handed him the token, "Take one, and later, we’ll be disciples of Jin Ting Mountain."

"Jin Ting Mountain?"

Di Renying’s eyes widened in shock.

He was well aware of the Twelve Sects of Exposition Sect.

These sects were imperial in the Cultivation World, even the Imperial Court had to show some respect.

He never expected Long Fei to have a token from this sect?

Di Renying, somewhat uneasy, said, "Brother, isn’t it wrong for us to impersonate them?"

Long Fei laughed, "Who uses their real name for shady dealings? If word gets out tomorrow, would you still want to serve as the Minister of Dali Temple?"