But Xue Mu knew that what they considered normal was the pursuit of martial arts, not the mindless spouting of lewd words. They often used their beauty to beguile others, but that was merely because they had spent years on the run and had learned to exploit that advantage. Over time, it had become second nature. In truth, they didn't approve of wanton pleasure-seeking. That was why, despite their seductive, flirtatious manner, they insisted that they could only toy with other people's feelings and must never get emotionally involved themselves.
Unfortunately, it was all too easy for things to become corrupted. They often truly needed someone to sacrifice herself and offer up her body; they couldn't all be saints. Meng Lan had given herself up so readily back then, and Xue Qingqiu hadn't thought it unusual. After a thousand years, Xue Mu figured that most of their disciples had long since grown accustomed to it. By now, many of them were probably no better than the Joyous Union Sect...
Even their inner circle had become rather twisted. Xue Mu was sure that if he'd really wanted to have his way with two righteous women after they'd captured them that day, Yue Xiaochan would have sent them to him without a second thought. She wouldn't have considered it a big deal. That sort of behavior hardly squared with their lofty martial principles.
They were becoming more and more demonic.
He suddenly understood why they no longer accepted male disciples. In an environment like this, male disciples would be liable to sleep around indiscriminately. It would be perfectly normal for those in high positions to sleep with hundreds or even thousands of people at a whim, creating a filthy mess and ruining many talented prospects capable of cultivating the sect's core techniques. Some upheaval in the past must have been related to this. The male disciples had been purged, but since they still studied the mysteries of yin and yang in principle, they hadn't explicitly established a rule forbidding men from joining. They could only leave the decision to the Sect Master.
Being the Sect Master wasn't easy.
Whatever the case, the corruption and distortion were another matter. Taken on its own, their "Dao" suited Xue Mu's tastes very well. It was quite modern.
Thinking about it the other way around, if "righteous" and "demonic" were defined by whether the mainstream approved, then his idol-making business in the modern world was also looked down upon by the mainstream. In other words, he'd been part of the demonic path even in the modern world.
The demonic path of the modern world had met the demonic path of another world. Their brain waves kept falling into sync, so no wonder he was growing closer and closer to them.
Xue Qingqiu suddenly laughed beside him. It wasn't her usual faint smile or sneer; she seemed genuinely happy. "With your intelligence, you shouldn't have failed to see the difference. But you don't feel the slightest discomfort about it... That can only mean you think it's perfectly normal. No wonder you get along so well with people from my sect. If I'd met you years ago, I might really have made an exception and let you join."
Xue Mu smiled too. "Exactly. So, as I said, if you're demonesses, then I'm a demon of a man. We're made for each other. Don't go claiming my words have some ulterior motive again."
Xue Qingqiu smiled brightly. "You're my little brother. You've been a demon of a man for ages."
At this moment, Xue Qingqiu found Xue Mu more agreeable than ever before. A man who completely approved of the Dao she'd devoted her life to was truly a once-in-a-thousand-years rarity. She might not meet another in her entire life, and yet one really existed.
For people like them, who struggled and climbed in their pursuit of martial arts, having someone recognize their Dao was a pleasure that reached down to the soul. It was more gratifying than any sweet talk. This time, when she called him her little brother, she meant it sincerely, unlike before, when she'd had other considerations.
Too bad he was so weak. Otherwise... Uh, never mind.
"All right, all right..." Xue Mu really didn't want to keep arguing with her about being brother and sister. He laughed and said, "Now I know there are some things I'm allowed to say. For instance... when is Sister going to teach me dual cultivation?"
Xue Qingqiu couldn't help laughing. This rascal really knew how to seize an opening. She'd just said that discussing and studying such things was normal, and now he was turning his attentions to her. She wasn't angry at all, and answered quite naturally, "Once we find a way to clear the poison from your body and establish your martial foundation, if you want to learn dual cultivation, your big sister can teach you."
Xue Mu's heart melted halfway. The demoness was formidable. His words had been ambiguous, with a hint of teasing, and Xue Qingqiu's answer was just as ambiguous. When she said, "Your big sister can teach you," did she mean simply to instruct him in theory, or did she mean something else? It was the risqué remarks slipped in without a second thought that really made a man's heart stir and left him itching. Xue Mu had actually found himself feeling a little like he was trading barbs with modern-day older women over drinks.
A cold voice came from ahead. "How utterly shameless."
Xue Mu looked up sharply. After walking through several streets and alleys, they'd reached the innermost part of a narrow lane. It was a dead end, with a somewhat dilapidated little building at its far end. Xiahou Di stood by the entrance, casting a scornful sidelong glance at the brother and sister.
Xue Qingqiu said lazily, "Does the Six Fan Gates control everything under heaven? Do you think you can dictate how I speak with my little brother?"
It was obvious that with Xue Qingqiu's skill, she couldn't have failed to notice Xiahou Di listening nearby. And yet she'd chosen to answer her "little brother" with such a suggestive double meaning, utterly revealing her demonic nature.
So much for the stern solemnity of a sect leader. That was all for her disciples' benefit. This was her true nature in the martial world...
Xiahou Di clearly couldn't be bothered to argue with her about it. She spun around, leaving only the sight of her cloak billowing behind her. "Come in."
Xue Qingqiu led Xue Mu inside and said coolly, "This is her residence. I can't tell whether that shabby appearance is a show of frugality or the real thing."
"Since she's a woman of conviction, it's probably genuine, isn't it?" Xue Mu said.
"Not necessarily. No one lives on air and dew." Xue Qingqiu gave a cold laugh and strode into the main hall. Without waiting for Xiahou Di to speak, she sat down on her own, brazen as ever. Xue Mu sat beside her.
Xiahou Di took the seat of honor. She didn't even offer them tea, and said coolly, "Sect Master Xue once said she didn't believe the Six Fan Gates was under my thumb. So why send word asking to meet me? What is there left to discuss?"
Xue Qingqiu sneered and was about to speak, but Xue Mu gave a slight shake of his head. Xue Qingqiu paused, then swallowed the sarcastic remark she'd been about to make. She merely snorted and closed her eyes without a word.
They'd agreed before coming that Xue Mu would handle the negotiations with Xiahou Di. Xue Qingqiu accepted that arrangement. Given the sparks flying between her and Xiahou Di over the past two days, they'd probably have come to blows within three sentences, never mind negotiating.
Still, if Xue Mu hadn't inspired such overwhelming respect and affection in her just now, she wouldn't have indulged him so readily.
Seeing that a mere gesture from Xue Mu had made Xue Qingqiu fall silent, shock flashed through Xiahou Di's eyes. She pressed her lips together, at a loss for words. Even if the sect leaders of all Eight Great Sects of the Righteous Path were sitting here together, they couldn't have achieved that. It seemed this so-called "little brother of Xue Qingqiu" had far more influence over her than people had previously suspected. They ought to overestimate him as much as possible.
Xue Mu cupped his hands toward Xiahou Di and smiled. "Whatever happened before, my sister and I are your guests now. Chief Constable Xiahou, your hospitality leaves something to be desired."
Xiahou Di fell silent for a moment, then finally said, "Bring tea."
An old servant soon brought tea. Xue Qingqiu kept her eyes closed and ignored him, while Xue Mu inclined his head to thank the servant, then lifted his teacup and took a small sip.
It wasn't as good as the tea he'd had at Xue Qingqiu's place... It seemed that the life of the Six Fan Gates' chief constable—equivalent to the head of the Ministry of Public Security—wasn't as comfortable as that of the Star Moon Sect, which was losing money everywhere...
When Xiahou Di saw Xue Mu thank the old servant, another flicker of surprise crossed her eyes. Only after he'd taken a sip of tea did she speak. "Now, can you tell me why you two came?"
Xue Mu set down his teacup and smiled. "I'd like to make a deal with Chief Constable Xiahou."
Xiahou Di said coolly, "If you're going to offer something in exchange for Yin Ye, don't bother."
Xue Qingqiu's eyes flew open, and a razor-sharp glint shot from them.
Xue Mu had been watching her reaction the whole time. Seeing this, he hurriedly tugged at her. Xue Qingqiu glared at him, as if to say, "Do you think I have no sense of the bigger picture?" Xue Mu just looked at her without speaking. Xue Qingqiu gave another snort and closed her eyes again.
Xiahou Di found the exchange rather amusing. The way this brother and sister communicated was quite entertaining. She'd never imagined Xue Qingqiu had this side to her, as if she'd stepped out from beneath the Demon Sect leader label Xiahou Di had attached to her for years and grown a little more human, a little more down to earth.
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