World-Ending Demon Emperor-Chapter 31 - 30 Big Money Moves Grand Scene!_2

31: Chapter 30: Big Money Moves, Grand Scene!_2

31 -30: Big Money Moves, Grand Scene!_2

“What does Young Master Suo Lun and Yi Manman want us to do by calling us here, and why haven’t they shown up yet?”

“Exactly, if it weren’t for Young Master Suo Lun’s sake, I wouldn’t have bothered to come.”

“Right, right, right, what qualifications does Yi Manman have to summon us all?

We’re all popular– she’s not that much more famous than us.”

All Manman did was send out invitations to the various ladies, without explaining the reason.

There was just one extra name on the back of the invitation—Suo Lun.

He was truly worthy of being called the ancestor of pleasure-seekers, a superstar in the world of brothels—his fame knew no bounds.

With just a single invitation from him, everyone showed up, even those who weren’t invited.

In the center of everyone’s attention, Lanling and Manman stepped out and appeared at the top of the staircase on the second floor.

Instantly, hundreds of beautiful eyes turned toward Suo Lun, cooing and pouting.

“Young Master Suo Lun, I’ve missed you to death.”

“Young Master Suo Lun, you’re really heartless, not even coming to see us for several months since you’ve been back in the royal city.”

“At least you have the conscience to invite us all for a drink.”

The hall of Yuhua Pavilion was packed full by hundreds of girls.

For Lanling, it was his first time seeing so many beauties—it was absolutely dazzling.

According to what Yi Manman said, a quarter of the girls below had been graced by Suo Lun’s presence.

Lanling shivered at the thought.

If that bastard Suo Lun were to continue living, he would no doubt become a man who’d bed a thousand women, ready to challenge the records of legendary playboys on Earth.

“Alright, let’s not wait for anyone else.

Close the door,” Yi Manman said.

So, a few helpers stepped forward and shut the door.

Looking at the crowd, Yi Manman said, “Surely, you’re all curious why Young Master Suo Lun and I have invited you here?”

As soon as she spoke, the myriad of women became incredibly curious, though many of them were just there for show, they still wanted to find out what was going on.

“Today, we’re not here for a meal or a drink.

The purpose is for everyone to see a painting,” Yi Manman explained.

“Pfft…” Many of the women showed their disappointment immediately.

What’s so interesting about a painting?

They had seen plenty.

Yi Manman continued, “This painting is the work of Young Master Suo Lun.

It is not just a painting, but a masterpiece bestowed by the heavens, capable of captivating one’s soul.”

As these words were spoken, everyone was skeptical.

Despite their affection for Suo Lun, many were aware of his painting skills.

They were decent, but not to the extent of captivating one’s soul.

“Manman, although we all love Young Master Suo Lun, if we’re talking about the level of portrait painting, Mr.

Lang is the highest,” one of the girls said.

“Even the royal portraits were done by him.”

“I know you don’t believe it,” Yi Manman said.

“But after you see it and don’t scream in astonishment, I will leave the world of brothels and give up my position as the top courtesan.

This isn’t just any painting; it is a revolutionary treasure of the era, a revolution in the art of painting.

After this painting is revealed, all other portraits can be burned to ashes.”

At those words, all the women were filled with boundless curiosity.

Yi Manman rolled out the scroll, saying, “Everybody, look closely.”

All the women’s eyes widened, focusing intently on the scroll in Yi Manman’s hands.

Without unfolding it inch by inch, Yi Manman surprisingly unfurled the entire scroll at once.

“Whoosh…”

In an instant, a two-foot-long portrait was unveiled in front of everyone.

All at once, the eyes of all the women in the room lit up.

Their mouths opened wide in shock and couldn’t close again.

This portrait was simply too stunning, almost identical to a real person, even more beautiful.

How is this possible?

Such a technique exists in this world that can render a portrait to resemble a real person so closely, capturing every strand of hair, the glimmer in the eyes, the luster of lips with minute perfection?

How, how was this achieved?

Never seen or heard before, indeed.

Truly, it was a divine skill, truly a revolution in painting.

Yi Manman was right; with this painting revealed, all other painters might as well pack up, all other portraits could be set aflame.

First, there was complete silence, followed by a chorus of exclamations from the girls.

They looked toward Lanling with disbelief—could this really have been painted by Young Master Suo Lun?

They knew he was skilled, but not to the extent of this godly, outstanding craft.

“Ladies,” Yi Manman asked, “what is it that we women fear the most?”

“Of course, youth is no longer.”

“Time has slipped away.”

“Beauty fades with age.”

The women below shouted one after another.

Indeed, for women in this profession, the greatest fear isn’t death, but losing beauty and being ignored.

Yi Manman said, “Exactly, to sum it up in six words: Better dead than without beauty!”

These words struck directly at the hearts of all the young ladies there.

Yes, better dead than without beauty.

Yi Manman continued, “However, we will inevitably grow old and die.

But this painting can preserve your beauty forever in this world.

When you’re old, you can reminisce in front of the portrait.

When you’ve passed away, your descendants can admire your beautiful visage.”

This speech touched the hearts of all the women.

They suddenly felt an immense longing for such lifelike portraits.

One might grow old, or even die, but one’s appearance could be eternally preserved in this manner.

Yi Manman pointed at the portrait and said, “Such a painting represents a revolution in the art of painting, unparalleled by the past, and unmatched in the future.

It shall be known as ‘Soul Reflection.’

The name carried an air of prestige, perfectly apt.

The many young ladies agreed with the name wholeheartedly.

The title was strikingly accurate, as if it truly captured a person’s entirety.

Yi Manman asked, “For a painting like this, how much are you willing to pay?”

“One gold coin!”

“Two gold coins!”

“Three gold coins.”

The ladies below called out their bids, the highest being three gold coins.

They were eager, almost everyone wanted one, but most were only willing to pay one or two gold coins, which was already a high price.

Yi Manman glanced at Lanling as if to say, “See, I wasn’t wrong.”

Such photo-realistic sketches had a strong impact, but selling them as mere paintings would be limited to, at most, two gold coins each.

Therefore, by just selling paintings, it was impossible to earn three thousand nine hundred gold coins in two days.

…

Lanling took a deep breath and stepped forward.

Instantly, all the young ladies’ eyes were focused on him.

He took a deep breath; whether he could earn three thousand nine hundred gold coins depended on his performance now.

“Ladies, among you, there are those who are popular and those who are not.

The popular ladies can ask for two gold coins to accompany a patron and still wait arrogantly for men to fawn over them.

But the less popular ladies only ask for a few silver coins, yet have to desperately please those men who make you sick,” Lanling yelled with fervor.

“Tell me, ladies who are not popular, is it because your looks are inferior?”

“No!” shouted the many pretty but unpopular ladies below.

In this line of work, those who made it to the top few hundred were all extraordinary beauties.

“Then why aren’t you popular?” Lanling shouted out.

The ladies below shouted in response.

“No one pushes us!”

“No one supports us!” freeweɓnovel.cøm

“No one hypes us up!”

Lanling loudly said, “Exactly, because no one pushes you, no one hypes you up.

In your profession, what’s most important?

Popularity, for with popularity comes value.

In the world of brothels, the most crucial thing is the economic interest generated by attracting eyeballs.”

Lanling looked at the many young ladies and said, “And who am I?

I am the patriarch of the pleasure realm, the leader of the revelers.

I understand these men’s psyche best, and I know exactly how to make a lady popular.

Soon, I will launch the grandest courtesan contest in the history of the royal city, ‘Nineteen Hairpins of the Royal City!’

“Nineteen Hairpins of the Royal City?”

Lanling said, “I will select nineteen among you.

I will use completely new methods, with styles and attire you have never seen before, to advertise each and every one of you, ensuring an unprecedented impact on the men of the royal city.”

“No matter what your previous status was, I guarantee that as long as you enter the ranks of Zhi Du’s Nineteen Hairpins, your value will skyrocket by at least ten times after my promotion and hype.”

…

Note: A mega-chapter of four thousand words, begging for bookmarks.