Chinese History is a Treasure Trove

Miao Yue's face alternated between red and white. He had already made his declaration in public, claiming he wanted an explanation from Xue Mu. If he were to shrink back now just because he heard the name "Xue," how could he ever walk the pugilistic world again?

Seeing the colorful expressions on his face, Xue Mu suddenly chuckled, "Chan'er, this Heart Intent Sect is actually quite interesting."

Yue Xiaochan didn't grasp his meaning, but played along, "How so?"

"They pride themselves on 'following the heart's intent,' right?"

"That's right."

"Following the heart—isn't that just being a coward?"

"Pfft..." Yue Xiaochan doubled over with laughter, and the girls of the Star Moon Sect all burst into unbridled mirth.

Miao Yue was so furious he pointed a finger, shouting, "You insolent brat, how dare you!"

Xue Mu rolled his eyes. What is there to be afraid of? On Star Moon Sect turf, he wondered how Miao Yue could possibly touch him. Even setting aside their personal connection, he had just killed people for the Star Moon Sect. The sect had its own reputation to maintain; would they really let someone come here to settle scores?

Sure enough, a cold, clear voice drifted in from nowhere: "How truly tiresome." The voice seemed to come from the distant sky, lingering and ethereal, yet it carried a chill that penetrated to the bone when it reached the listeners' ears.

Miao Yue's expression turned to one of horror.

Following the voice, the sky suddenly lost its luster. A streak of light, like a shooting star chasing the moon, tore through the space and arrived in an instant. Miao Yue gathered all his internal energy and struck out, colliding with that radiance. With a heaven-shaking boom, Miao Yue was sent flying backward, spitting a mouthful of blood in mid-air before crashing heavily to the ground, where he lay clutching his chest and vomiting blood.

The seemingly formidable elder of the righteous path had been casually one-shot by Xue Qingqiu from who knows how far away... Xue Mu couldn't help but gulp, finally understanding where her fearsome reputation came from.

After a long while, Miao Yue managed to choke out a sentence: "So... it was Sect Master Xue's presence here... cough, cough... Let's go."

Someone came over to help him up, and they slowly departed. As they passed the main gate, Miao Yue suddenly seemed to remember something and turned to glance at Xiahou Di. Xiahou Di remained expressionless. Miao Yue seemed to realize something, his expression turning into one of resentment.

Xue Mu also understood this pantomime. Miao Yue hadn't known Xue Qingqiu was in the Capital City and had expected to throw his weight around... but after being beaten like a dog, he started resenting Xiahou Di for not warning him.

Xue Mu shook his head. If you're going to resent anyone, it should be Xue Qingqiu for not giving you face. What's the point of resenting Xiahou Di? Is the righteous path really like this? Or is it just their 'Heart Intent' sect?

Forget it, I'm safe now. Better swallow a pill first. Look at how the girls are keeping their distance—this feeling of being shunned really sucks... Xue Mu fished out his medicine bottle, swallowed a pill, and surveyed the scene.

The current situation was quite interesting. The group of righteous disciples who had arrived so aggressively were now limping away, supporting one another. A few corpses were left on the ground, and several girls had been captured, clearly about to be stripped of their clothes. They looked pitifully at Xiahou Di, the only person present who could save them.

Xiahou Di hadn't come here to intervene in the conflict between the righteous and demonic paths. She could only turn her head away to avoid the girls' gazes, sighing softly, "Whose malicious idea was it to use other people's clothes? Was it yours, Chan'er?"

The eyes of the entire Star Moon Sect, including the girls, involuntarily turned toward Xue Mu. Xiahou Di's gaze followed suit. She twitched her lips, unable to figure out what kind of background this man had, but she decided to treat him as Xue Qingqiu's brother. She said, "The Six Fan Gates has no interest in your righteous-demonic feuds. As long as your girls return the Six Fan Gates uniforms and never use them again, this seat will turn around and leave."

Xue Mu spread his hands. As if I could decide that.

Yue Xiaochan pitifully took up the conversation, "Since you have commanded it, we should obey. But our Martial Uncle is so pitiful in prison; could you please show some mercy..."

Xiahou Di said indifferently, "Have your master come to discuss this. You aren't the one in charge."

Xue Qingqiu's voice drifted in, "As long as Yin Ye remains in the Six Fan Gates for even one day, the girls of the Hundred Flowers Garden will continue to let the guests of the Capital City experience the 'constable' style."

Xiahou Di was furious, "Xue Qingqiu, don't go too far!"

Xue Qingqiu's voice turned icy, "We only caused you a little loss of face, but you have imprisoned a pillar of my sect. And Yin Ye clearly committed no crime. Who is really going too far, you or me? Does the Six Fan Gates really think the Star Moon Sect is easy to bully?"

Xiahou Di replied, "I have already said, Yin Ye's ability is too terrifying. Seeing that her divine skill is nearing completion, I absolutely cannot allow her to roam the pugilistic world, or the world will surely fall into chaos."

Xue Qingqiu sneered, "What a joke. I could just as easily say that the world is in chaos because you, Xiahou Di, are wearing clothes. Why don't you take them off and run a lap around the Capital City? I'm sure the world would be at peace."

Xue Mu was left with nothing but a string of "6666" in his heart...

Xiahou Di's face was full of rage, "As the master of a great sect, aren't you ashamed to lose your dignity with such rogue-like talk!"

Xue Qingqiu couldn't be bothered to argue, "Enough talk. I truly don't believe the Six Fan Gates is run by a madwoman like you. Chan'er, see our guest out!"

Xue Mu finally understood where the crux of the issue lay. He also understood why Xue Qingqiu called Xiahou Di a madwoman—arresting someone for something that hadn't even happened yet. How to put it... it wasn't necessarily wrong to be cautious, but it depended on whose side you were on.

"Young Sect Master, no need to see me out." Xiahou Di turned away in anger. Just as she was about to leave, she caught sight of the captured righteous path girls. Feeling that ignoring them entirely would look too unsightly, she finally softened her tone, "Although I won't interfere in your grudges, I still advise you not to harm the innocent. At least release those few."

Yue Xiaochan smiled charmingly, "That won't do. I still need to find two pretty ones to serve our Master Xue."

It was just a casual excuse to brush off Xiahou Di, but Xue Mu spoke up to advise, "Actually, letting them go is fine. Otherwise, the righteous path will come to cause trouble every day, and we'll never have peace. You beat the small ones, the old ones come—how are we supposed to do business? Releasing them provides a buffer. We can let them come and negotiate the matter of the clothes properly; it's not like it can't be discussed." He lowered his voice, "We have other plans in motion; the clothes are just a transition."

Yue Xiaochan was slightly startled, then happily said, "I'll listen to you. Strip them of the uniforms and let them go."

Xiahou Di had already reached the door. Hearing these words, she turned to look at Xue Mu, her eyes filled with deep meaning.

Xue Mu returned the smile and suddenly said, "Chief Constable Xiahou..."

Xiahou Di arched a brow, "Hmm? Does Young Master Xue have any advice?"

Xue Mu pointed to the street outside, "There are many people on the street about to commit lewd acts. Will the Six Fan Gates manage that?"

Xiahou Di had never imagined Xue Mu would say such a thing. She was stunned, "Where did you get that idea?"

Xue Mu blinked, "Because they all have 'lewd tools' on them. You absolutely cannot let that slide; you must arrest them all just in case."

Xiahou Di finally understood what he was talking about. This analogy left her pondering for a moment, unable to find a rebuttal. After a long while, she threw out, "The situations are different and cannot be compared," before striding out the door.

Over there, Yue Xiaochan released the people and beamed as she leaned toward Xue Mu, "Oh my, our Master Xue really has a way with words. A madwoman like Xiahou Di was actually left speechless."

Xue Mu smiled, "The logic was on our side to begin with."

Another "our." Yue Xiaochan was even happier hearing it. She pointed to the line of tragic heroines leaving in their undergarments and laughed, "Is it really not a pity to just let them go? If you want two to play with, I really can make the decision for you."

Can you stop bringing this up all the time, you little brat? Xue Mu was speechless. He replied, "With beauties like you all by my side, those mediocre ones are like fireflies compared to the bright moon—utterly tasteless."

This remark made the Star Moon Sect disciples beam with joy. Yue Xiaochan was also smiling, but there seemed to be a hint of jealousy in her expression—perhaps because he had said "you all" instead of "Chan'er."

Just then, Xue Qingqiu's voice drifted in, "Chan'er, bring Xue Mu to see me. Tell him about the situation on the way."

Xue Mu let out a breath. He knew that starting from the killing earlier, he had gained Xue Qingqiu's basic trust. His words to Xiahou Di just now had been interesting enough to make her decide to discuss things with him.

Thanks to Imperial Uncle Liu, thanks to Jian Yong... Although the history of a different world couldn't be applied directly here, history itself was a treasure trove, providing endless inspiration. A simple allusion could be put to good use.

This was a "job interview" far more important than the one in the carriage. It could already be considered a consultation. Whether he could step into the core of the Star Moon Sect from here depended on this moment.