Chapter 2: Verifying the Ability
Translated by algoo| Proofread by algoo
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Lin Xiu clenched his fists, feeling a surge of power coursing through his body. It was a powerful sensation he had never experienced before.
Lin Xiu was still in shock. Just now, it seemed as if he had copied the square-faced man’s ability into his own body. He clearly remembered the sensation; after their bodies touched, a force surged from within him, circulating through the square-faced man’s body…
It seemed that with the arrival of his soul, this body had undergone some changes. He had awakened a Mystic Art, and his ability was—copying the abilities of others!
This ability would have been useless on Earth. He had no inherent abilities of his own and could only copy others’. If others had no abilities, he would forever remain an ordinary person.
But this world was different. It was a world teeming with Mystic Artists.
What ability could be more impressive than this?
However, Lin Xiu was still unsure whether this ability was a one-time occurrence, or if he could use it twice, thrice, or perhaps—an infinite number of times?
Lin Xiu needed to find other ability users to verify this.
From his previous attempt, Lin Xiu knew that the other party was completely unaware when he copied their abilities. However, being new to this world, he hadn’t fully familiarized himself with the surroundings. He could only wait for the square-faced man to return. This wait lasted two full hours.
Two hours later, the square-faced man stood outside the Lin Mansion, cautiously peering inside. Just then, a voice that made him tremble came from behind.
“Sun Dali.”
Sun Dali shuddered, then turned around and took two steps back before tentatively asking, “Young Master, what is it?”
Lin Xiu looked at him and asked, “Besides yourself, do you know anyone else who has awakened a Mystic Art?”
After what had happened earlier, Sun Dali was clearly keeping his distance from Lin Xiu. He thought for a moment and said, “Most people who awaken Mystic Arts are recruited by the imperial court as protectors…”
Lin Xiu couldn’t access the imperial court’s protectors. Even if he could, he wouldn’t have a suitable reason to maintain prolonged physical contact with them. However, while the imperial court recruited many who awakened Mystic Arts, not everyone who did was recruited.
One possibility was that the abilities they awakened were too useless to be valued by the imperial court. For example, there was once a boy in Daming Prefecture who awakened a Mystic Art that accelerated his aging. The ten-year-old boy died of old age less than half a month after his awakening.
There was a woman in Ningshan Prefecture who, at the age of sixteen, awakened the ability to make her hair fall out. The blossoming young girl had been bald ever since.
It was also rumored that in the Great Luo Dynasty, a man, after awakening his Mystic Art, could make his body glow in sunlight. However, without sunlight, he was no different from an ordinary person.
Although these were unusual abilities, they were ultimately impractical. It would have been better not to have awakened them at all, allowing them to live peacefully as ordinary people.
The second possibility for awakening a Mystic Art and not being recruited by the imperial court was like Sun Dali; the Mystic Art awakened too late, their talent wasn’t high, and their future growth potential was limited. The imperial court wouldn’t waste time and resources nurturing them.
Speaking of which, Lin Xiu also fell into the second category. Although he had awakened a Mystic Art, his ability was still weak, far inferior to Sun Dali, and even more so compared to the renowned young geniuses of the capital.
He only copied the abilities of others, not their strength. For instance, Lin Xiu at this moment, although stronger than ordinary people, was far from being a match for Sun Dali.
Sun Dali asked with some confusion, “Young Master, what do you need these people for?”
Lin Xiu waved his hand. “Nothing, I’m just curious.”
Sun Dali scratched his head, as if recalling something. “I heard that there’s a girl at the Pin Fang Pavilion who can understand animal language. I don’t know if it’s true or not…”
It was difficult to tell whether someone claiming to understand animal language was telling the truth, since no one else understood animal language and couldn’t verify it with the animals themselves.
However, for Lin Xiu, the truth could be discovered with a single touch.
Lin Xiu, eager to verify his ability, didn’t want to wait a moment longer. He stood up and said, “Let’s go to Pin Fang Pavilion!”
Sun Dali’s face was filled with astonishment. “Young Master, are you sure?”
Lin Xiu was absolutely certain. He wouldn’t be able to sleep at night until he figured out his ability.
A short while later.
Standing in front of the Pin Fang Pavilion, Lin Xiu finally understood Sun Dali’s earlier expression. The Pin Fang Pavilion was a brothel. Several flamboyant women stood at the entrance, scantily clad, swaying their waists to attract customers.
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Sun Dali’s eyes swept over the skimpily dressed women, and he swallowed hard. He said to Lin Xiu again, “Young Master, I advise you not to go in. If the master finds out, both you and I are finished…”
“If you don’t tell, and I don’t tell, who will know?” Lin Xiu glanced at him. “You wait outside; I’ll be out soon.”
With that, he stepped into the Pin Fang Pavilion.
Sun Dali leaned against the outside wall and muttered, “Soon… Is the Young Master that fast?”
Although the Lin family had declined, a declining noble family was still a noble family. Lin Xiu himself was handsome, well-dressed, and exuded an air of nobility. As soon as he stepped through the door, the madam, accompanied by a group of girls, came forward to greet him.
“Young Master, please come inside!”
“What type of girl do you prefer, Young Master? Tall, short, plump, slender, I have them all!”
“Young Master, take a look at me…”
…
Lin Xiu took a step back, dodging the two women who tried to cling to him. This was the first time in both his lives that he had been in such a place. Firstly, he felt resistant, and secondly, with his previous life’s circumstances, he had never lacked for female companionship.
He had come to the brothel for serious business.
Lin Xiu looked at the madam and said directly, “I heard you have a girl here who understands animal language?”
The madam was taken aback for a moment, then laughed. “Young Master, you mean Haitang? She happens to be free right now. Shall I take you to her?”
Haitang was indeed one of their girls, but whether she understood animal language, the madam didn’t know. She said she did, and there were indeed some curious customers who liked to request her. The madam simply regarded it as a little trick Haitang used to attract customers.
Lin Xiu followed the madam to a room on the second floor. The madam pushed the door open, led Lin Xiu inside, and said to a woman standing by the window, “Haitang, this distinguished guest has specifically requested you. Be sure to put forth your best effort and entertain him well…”
A birdcage hung by the window. The woman, dressed in a green dress, was teasing the bird inside the cage. Hearing the voice, she turned around and glanced. Seeing the madam bringing in a handsome and elegant young man, her eyes brightened.
The men who came to brothels were mostly old and ugly. Such a young, handsome, and elegant guest was rare, maybe only encountered once a year.
Serving such a guest was a pleasure for her. Even if he didn’t pay, she would be willing.
She smiled charmingly and said softly, “Don’t worry, Mama. I will definitely satisfy this young master.”
The madam chuckled and said, “Then take your time. I’ll leave you to it.”
With that, she withdrew from the room and closed the door behind her.
The green-dressed woman named Haitang smiled at Lin Xiu again. “How about I play a tune on the zither for you first, Young Master?”
Lin Xiu waved his hand. “No need.”
Haitang was taken aback. Was this young master in such a hurry? She had prepared so much foreplay…
Lin Xiu asked directly, “I heard you can understand animal language?”
Haitang was stunned again, then nodded. “It’s just a useless Mystic Art. Is Young Master also interested in such things?”
Among the usual customers, there were quite a few who came out of curiosity. She had seen many over the years.
The thrush in the birdcage by the window chirped. Lin Xiu pointed at the thrush and asked, “What is it saying?”
Haitang smiled. “It’s praising Young Master for being handsome.”
Lin Xiu twitched the corner of his mouth. “A bird’s eye can’t possibly be the same as a human’s. Don’t try to fool me, Haitang.”
Haitang looked at Lin Xiu helplessly. “It really did say that. If Young Master doesn’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do.”
Lin Xiu didn’t continue on this topic. Whether she was lying or not, he would know with a touch.
Lin Xiu walked to the table and sat down. Haitang walked over slowly, picked up the teapot, and poured him a cup of tea. Lin Xiu suddenly reached out and grasped her hand.
Her heart leaped with joy. This young master really was in a hurry…
At the same time, Lin Xiu’s heart also leaped with joy. The moment he grasped the woman’s hand, the power within him reacted again!
This woman truly was a Mystic Artist!
At this moment, Haitang wriggled her body, feigning shyness. “Young Master, don’t be so impatient…”
Lin Xiu didn’t release her hand. He pointed to the stool beside him, motioning for her to sit.
Haitang originally wanted to take the opportunity to sit on the young master’s lap, but it seemed he had no such intention. Disappointed, she sat on the stool beside him.
Lin Xiu continued to hold her hand, letting the power seep into her body. He smiled at her and asked, “Where are you from, Haitang?”
Haitang didn’t expect the young master to make small talk. Although surprised, she responded with a smile, “I’m from Jiangning Prefecture.”
Lin Xiu asked, “Jiangning Prefecture is quite far from the capital. How did you end up here?”
This question seemed to trigger her memories. After a moment of silence, Haitang said, “When I was young, my family couldn’t afford to raise me, so my parents sold me. After being passed around several times, I ended up here…”
…
Outside the brothel.
Sun Dali squatted on the steps, waiting for his young master to come out. He was slightly surprised. Almost a quarter of an hour had passed, and his young master still hadn’t come out, unlike the “soon” he had mentioned.
Out of boredom, he leaned against the wall, resting his hands behind his head for a nap.
Suddenly, a fragrant breeze blew past. Sun Dali opened his eyes. Before him, a woman in white stood looking down at him.
The woman’s skin was as white as snow, her features exquisite, her figure tall and slender. There was no doubt that the legs hidden beneath her long skirt were incredibly long.
However, Sun Dali couldn’t appreciate the woman’s beauty. The moment he saw her, he shuddered and jumped up from the ground, stammering, “Se… Second Miss, wh… why are you here?!”
The woman glanced at him indifferently and asked, “What are you doing here? Where is Lin Xiu?”
Sun Dali glanced nervously at the brothel and said, “I don’t know…”
His small movement was caught by the woman in white. She furrowed her brow slightly and asked again, “Where is Lin Xiu?”
Sun Dali shook his head. “I really don’t know.”
The woman in white looked at him coldly. “You are his personal guard. Wherever he is, you should be there. How can you not know?”
Noticing Sun Dali’s evasive gaze and occasional glances to the side, seemingly guilty, the woman in white shifted her gaze towards the brothel. Her voice was icy cold, as if emanating from hell. “Don’t tell me Lin Xiu is inside…”
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