AUBTN -Chapter 139 The Immortal in the Painting

Thick fog blanketed the river. The rippling water reflected the dazzling lights and revelry from both banks.

At the center of this decadent, dreamlike scene, a massive pleasure boat was quietly moored.

The vessel stood as tall as a three-story building. Only a few dim red lanterns hung from the upturned eaves of its ornate roof, swaying gently in the wind.

A small, seemingly plain boat slowly approached it.

Today, Shen Jue had changed out of his usual embroidered official robe. Instead, he wore a dark purple cross-collared merchant’s robe. His fingers were covered with gold rings, a jade pendant hung from his waist, and in his hand he idly rolled two polished walnuts.

He looked as if he had brought his entire fortune with him—almost afraid people wouldn’t realize how rich he was.

The image was unmistakable.

A coal tycoon from Shanxi.

Behind him followed Lu Yan, dressed in tight black clothes. A vicious fake scar had been pasted across his face, and he walked silently behind Shen Jue like a personal bodyguard.

“Commander Lu,” Shen Jue glanced sideways at the expressionless man behind him, the corner of his lips curling in a teasing smile.

“Could you try not to look like a walking corpse? Right now I’m supposed to be a wealthy merchant out for pleasure. With that murderous look on your face, aren’t you worried people will guess you’re from the Imperial Guard?”

The veins on Lu Yan’s hand bulged as he gripped the hilt of his blade.

Through clenched teeth he replied, “Say one more word and I’ll cut you down first.”

“Seriously? At a time like this you two are still flirting and bickering?”

Inside the cabin, Yu Qing had changed into coarse linen clothes. Her face was smeared with soot, and she carried a basket full of fresh fruit on her arm, dressed like a delivery boatwoman.

She rolled her eyes at the two men.

“We’re here on a mission. Can you be a little serious? The dungeon’s about to start!”

Su Hewan wore a pale moon-white gauze dress, a veil covering her face so that only a pair of cool, calm eyes could be seen. In her hand she held the black invitation stamped with gold characters, her expression composed.

“Enough joking. We’re here.”

The four of them abandoned the small boat and boarded the larger one.

On the deck of the Wangyou Pleasure Boat, two burly men dressed in black stood guard. Their waists bulged suspiciously—clearly hiding weapons.

When they saw someone coming aboard, one of them stepped forward and raised a hand to stop them.

“Stop! We’re not taking unfamiliar guests today.”

Shen Jue looked arrogantly at him. From his sleeve he pulled out a gold ingot and tossed it over with a casual flick of his wrist, his movement carefree and extravagant.

“Where did this blind dog crawl out from? Can’t you see this is Master Su?”

He shifted slightly aside, revealing Su Hewan behind him.

Su Hewan said nothing. She simply held the fragrant black invitation between two fingers and handed it over.

The guard took it, sniffed the scent on the card, and his expression eased slightly, though he remained cautious.

“The invitation is correct. But we still need to verify the passphrase.”

His murky eyes swept over the group before finally settling on Shen Jue.

“What night is tonight?”

It was a coded challenge.

If Yu Qing’s information had been wrong, they would be riddled with holes this very moment.

Shen Jue’s expression didn’t change. The walnuts spun rapidly in his hand as a faint, meaningful smile appeared on his lips.

Slowly, he replied:

“When the clouds part, the moon emerges—and flowers cast dancing shadows.”

The guard froze for a moment. Then his face immediately broke into a flattering grin, his back bending in an instant.

“So you’re honored guests! Please come in! Tonight’s Bliss Banquet has been waiting for you!”

The heavy cabin doors slowly opened.

A thick, cloying fragrance rushed out—mixed with alcohol, perfume, and cosmetic powder.

Even though Su Hewan had been prepared, the smell still made her head spin for a moment.

Shen Jue quietly reached out and steadied her by the waist.

“Careful,” he whispered softly beside her ear, his voice low but reassuring.

The group stepped into the cabin.

At this sight, even Lu Yan—who had seen countless scenes in his life—couldn’t help but have his pupils contract slightly.

This was no pleasure boat of the mortal world.

It was clearly a debauched den of indulgence.

The enormous cabin had been hollowed out and covered with thick Persian carpets.

The surrounding walls were inlaid with countless bronze mirrors, endlessly reflecting the scenes within the cabin, creating a bizarre and distorted spectacle.

Dozens of scantily dressed men and women lay sprawled across the carpets without any semblance of dignity.

Some stared blankly, drool hanging from the corners of their mouths.

Some waved their arms wildly, laughing maniacally at empty air.

Others tangled together like beasts, the scene utterly indecent.

A faint pink mist filled the air, blurring one’s vision.

“Hahahaha! I am the emperor! I am the Jade Emperor!”

A disheveled young noble suddenly jumped up from the floor, grabbing a handful of gold leaves and tossing them into the air. His eyes were unfocused yet feverishly excited.

“Fly! All of you, fly! I have plenty of money! I want to become an immortal!”

With his sharp eyes, Lu Yan immediately recognized him.

He was the son of the Assistant Minister of Works who had gone missing a few days ago.

Damn… Is this what they call demons dancing in chaos? Would a scene like this even pass censorship?

Yu Qing, meanwhile, was mixed in among several maids delivering wine and drinks. With her head lowered, the corners of her eyes quickly scanned the entire hall, a chill running through her heart.

“Honored guests, this way please.”

A heavily made-up madam, no longer young but still coquettish, swayed her hips as she approached. Her gaze lingered on Su Hewan for a moment, her smile meaningful.

“You must be Shopkeeper Su, the one who created the Jade Beauty Ointment, yes? Our master has been waiting for you for quite some time in a private seat on the third floor.”

Su Hewan gave a slight nod, her gaze passing through the layers of smoke toward the staircase leading upward.

The stairs were shrouded in darkness.

“Lead the way,” she said calmly.

Shen Jue and Lu Yan exchanged a glance, moving to either side of Su Hewan, guarding her closely as they prepared for anything.

As the group stepped up the stairs one step at a time, the cloyingly sweet fragrance in the air grew increasingly intense.

“This madam—our master came here for pleasure, not to watch a bunch of walking corpses go mad.”

Lu Yan lowered his voice, the scar pasted on his face making him look even rougher. His tone was thick and coarse, playing the role of a tough bodyguard to perfection. His hand rested on the hilt of his blade as he subtly positioned himself beside Su Hewan.

Blocking the probing and murky gazes from the surroundings.

The madam didn’t take offense. She covered her lips with a handkerchief and laughed, the crow’s-feet at the corners of her eyes filled with shrewdness.

“Oh my, such a fiery temper, sir. What’s downstairs are merely appetizers. The true realm of immortals is naturally on the top floor.”

Twisting her slender waist like a water snake, she led the way ahead. The hair ornaments on her head swayed gently, releasing another wave of dizzying fragrance.

Following behind Shen Jue, Su Hewan quietly observed their surroundings.

The structure of this place was strange.

Though it was clearly a pleasure boat, the interior had been remodeled into something resembling a maze shaped like the character ‘回’.

At every corner of the staircases were concealed ventilation holes, and behind those seemingly decorative carved panels, faint sounds of gears interlocking could be heard.

Just as the group reached the corridor of the third-floor private seats, a long and heavy bell suddenly rang.

The sound pierced through the noisy chatter and struck directly at the eardrums.

The once raucous pleasure boat fell eerily silent for a brief moment.

“Midnight has arrived—welcome the Immortal in the Painting—”

Along with a sharp, shrill announcement, the central platform on the third floor—previously concealed behind red gauze—slowly opened to both sides.

There was no vulgar performance of singing and dancing as one might expect.

There was only a solitary lamp, a censer releasing curling purple smoke, and a pitch-black ancient guqin.

Behind the guqin sat a woman.