Chapter Ninety-Three: Heavenly Fragrance Tower

The boundless heavens above and the endless earth below; the crescent moon caressing the lonely phoenix. Unable to endure the laughter of mortal vanity, in the desolate northern wastes one forgets the sorrow of love and loss. I dance alone upon the high tower; who there is a soul friend to share this aching heart? Since ancient times, kings prevail and the defeated become nothing but prey; the Overlord’s name shall resound through the ages.

This poem was naturally written about the Western Chu Overlord, Xiang Yu, and Yu Ji. Yet the years were too distant for anyone to know who had composed it. In the lands of the Central Plains, it was all but impossible to hear such a piece, and yet here it appeared in the Northern Desert. Who knew which idle soul had sweetened the verses and set them to music, shaping them into such a melody? The woman’s plaintive, lingering voice intertwined with the ancient, weathered sorrow of the tune. Though it lacked a little of its heroic force, it gained a different grace, as if the woman were waiting for something. Even passersby could not help but pause for a moment, let alone the people within the building.

North and south had always been vastly different. In the Central Plains, green-tiled houses stood everywhere, nothing unusual at all. When the misty rain fell, the drizzling streets formed a perfect painting of a water town, vivid as if it had sprung to life before one’s eyes. But in this Northern Desert, such tenderness was rare; what abounded instead was the boldness of sandstorms sweeping across the sky. By night, the fierce wind would arrive on cue, driving sand and gravel against one’s skin with a faint sting. So after dark, even in a great city, few people walked the streets, and the place seemed somewhat empty.

Of course, there were always exceptions, and Shuo City was one of them. Because the Twin-Horn Mountain stood to its north, sand and wind could not erode the city at all, for they were blocked on the far side of the mountain. If one chose a fine day and stood atop the summit looking out to both sides, the contrast would be unmistakable. To the northwest stretched a land covered in rock and sand, a vast yellow expanse with no visible end. Even the mountain itself, battered year after year by wind and grit, had become bare, leaving only smooth stone surfaces behind. Twin-Horn Mountain rose sheer and high, spanning more than a thousand paces; gazing down from above was like looking into a great canyon, enough to make one dizzy. Those especially afraid of heights would be unable even to stand steadily, their legs going weak from fright.

But to the southeast lay a luxuriant forest. Seen from high above, it looked like a river woven entirely of green, an equally magnificent sight. Shuo City stood at the southeastern foot of Twin-Horn Mountain, wrapped in a deep forest stretching for several miles. Blessed with such an advantageous terrain, and tempered by the hard work of generations, it had become the most important market in the Northern Desert.

By now night had fallen. Exchanges of goods and the business of trade naturally had to be somewhat restrained, so the city had regained the quiet proper to it. If there was still any special place worth mentioning, it was probably the row of pleasure houses in the southeastern quarter. These establishments existed, of course, to give traveling merchants and wealthy patrons a place to unwind, and they relied on the hours after dark. Most who came to do business were not short of money, and there was nowhere better in Shuo City at night for amusement. Drinking, dining, indulgence of all sorts—one came here precisely for reckless pleasure. Besides, the girls of the Northern Desert were naturally very different from those of the Central Plains, and their exotic charm alone was enough to serve as an excellent excuse.

The crescent moon was bright and smooth at this moment, its light pure and clear. Mixed with the lanterns and glowing signs hanging thickly along the street, it created a flavor all its own. Where there were crowds, there was life, and even the small vendors took advantage of the occasion to set up one or two stalls, selling handmade embroidery and curious local specialties. The important thing was this: the carefree, pleasure-seeking gentlemen were willing to part with a few loose coins as long as something pleased their eye. Even if one raised the price two or three times over, no one would so much as frown. Restaurants, wine shops, and inns were all present in abundance, and every waiter in every shop stood at the door, calling out to customers.

If one were to ask which place did the best business on the whole street, it would certainly be Heavenly Fragrance Tower. Even its name sounded refreshing. The drifting perfume of rouge and powder, mingled with the scent of wine, spread through the air before the tower like a living advertisement. Anyone passing by who merely paused would immediately feel drawn in, their feet seeming unable to resist stepping inside. What was more, the soft rise of silk and bamboo instruments, the lingering notes floating up, and the exquisite singing all combined to make people lose themselves completely. The three words Heavenly Fragrance Tower were carved across its three stories, and even amid such noisy surroundings, they stood out brilliantly. Its decorations were lavish to the extreme, with intricate carvings and fine ornamentation full of ancient elegance. Compared with the buildings inside prince’s mansions or imperial palaces, it did not fall short in the slightest.

Good, good, good!

When the song ended, praise erupted from beneath the stage in a roar so loud it seemed it might even suppress the still-fading sound of the instruments. On the stage, a woman was veiled in gauze. Her features were delicate and exquisite, unmistakably the face of a peerless beauty. She was tall and slender, with every trace of northern air about her. A smile played on her lips, and there was a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. Since the stage was already somewhat elevated, it was as though she were looking down upon the men below. The pleasure of having conquered them at last was clearly something she thoroughly enjoyed. Even the slightest flick of the silk handkerchief in her hand, a movement that made it swing downward, could provoke a burst of jostling and scrambling below.

“You have all honored me with your presence today by coming to Heavenly Fragrance Tower. That is because you think highly of me, Madam Thirteen. I, Madam Thirteen, thank you all first for your kind support!”

As she spoke, the woman’s gaze swept across the scene below the stage. She was a businesswoman through and through, and naturally shrewd beyond measure. Though in her heart she felt an indescribable disgust toward these lustful men, she kept that feeling locked away within. On the surface, she still had to present a smile of utter sincerity, giving each and every one of them his due. Such words and gestures only stirred the men’s ardor all the more, and in an instant the uproar grew even louder, so loud it nearly drowned out Madam Thirteen’s voice.

There were always certain people who were different, and under such circumstances they were the very ones most likely to draw attention. Just now, under Madam Thirteen’s gaze, there seemed to be something distinctly unusual in one corner. A man could be seen there quite clearly, unlike the others around him. He sat quietly by himself, drinking alone. His movements were slight, and even his wine cup was rather small. On the table there was nothing else at all, only a wine jug, leaving it looking somewhat bare. His appearance was somewhat shabby too; his hair was disheveled, and his clothes seemed faintly torn. Perhaps because of this, no one wanted to sit too near him, let alone share a table. Yet even so, a trace of unhidden bearing still flowed across his face. Madam Thirteen opened her doors for business and had naturally seen countless people; in a single glance she felt that this man was not ordinary.

With that thought in mind, she slowly came down from the side of the stage. At such close range, the men were even less able to control themselves. As desire surged upward, there was inevitably a strong urge to crowd around her. Of course, it was only an urge. In front of so many people, even if a wild little devil lived in one’s heart, one still could not possibly make a scene. There was a bottom line no one could easily cross, and for Madam Thirteen, that was perhaps a good thing. All she needed to do now was follow the path that had been cleared before her and move forward without worrying about too much else.

Her destination was naturally that corner. Though her steps were not fast, the distance was not far, and even at a slow pace it would not take long. Soon her gaze settled upon the odd man. Up close, she could see him more clearly. He looked to be only twenty-two or twenty-three, his expression and features slightly pale, yet with an air of maturity faintly revealing itself. That, however, did not quite suit his age.

If it were anyone else, having a person stand so near would surely have made them feel uneasy, let alone if the person approaching were a beauty like Madam Thirteen. Even if one tried to appear calm with eyes and gestures, it would still be hard to maintain such composed indifference. But the youth simply kept drinking his own wine, cup after cup, as though he had never once thought to stop. Only after every two or three cups did he begin to cough slightly.

Madam Thirteen had never encountered such a scene before. In the Northern Desert, perhaps there were people who did not know her, but within Shuo City itself, there was likely no one who would remain unmoved at the mention of Madam Thirteen. More importantly, this was Heavenly Fragrance Tower. Countless people had come precisely for her reputation, and of course for that single stunning dance. Now the song was over, the dance was finished, and yet this man seemed not to have seen or heard any of it at all. That alone was strange enough to make one pause.