Long-Term Scheme

In truth, Chief Constable Xiahou knew even more than Xue Mu. Xue Mu's understanding of the Star Moon Sect's structure was limited, based only on logical deduction; however, given Xiahou Di's position, she was well aware that the Star Moon Sect relied on a network of brothels spanning the entire realm, having long since formed a sophisticated intelligence web. As one of the most chaotic and bustling hubs of the martial world, brothels were places where, with enough intent, one could gather an endless amount of information and keep a finger on the pulse of every locality. There was no shortage of high-ranking officials among the regular patrons, and famous courtesans, moving between these elites, had surely gleaned countless secrets from behind the curtains of their beds.

The Star Moon Sect's success in recent years was largely due to this head start in intelligence; the revenue from their brothels was merely secondary. As the soul of the Star Moon Sect's formations, Yin Ye had hurried south to tinker for several months before her cultivation was even complete. Xiahou Di did not believe for a second that she was merely playing around; she had likely been strengthening certain aspects of their intelligence gathering, though she could never get a straight answer out of her.

Yet, it had never occurred to Xiahou Di that intelligence could be utilized so openly...

What Xue Mu proposed was simple, but his underlying motives ran deep. This was, in fact, the prototype of entertainment media. By using the creation of celebrity figures as a selling point, it would inevitably evolve in many ways as it developed... What kind of branches might grow from this different cultural soil remained to be seen.

The power of media was not something the people of this world could yet comprehend. For instance, given the current sluggish speed of information dissemination, a major event that shook the martial world might not even reach the Six Fan Gates' official records for two years... If, in the future, news could be produced with real-time urgency, the terrifying shifts in the martial world's landscape would be impossible to predict in the short term—even Xue Mu could not foresee the outcome.

Furthermore, while martial artists currently only cared about martial affairs, what would happen when this began to touch upon their private lives? With a media outlet that had established sufficient credibility in a world yet unpolluted by paparazzi... one could easily elevate trash to the status of a saint, or cast a true hero into the dust. This concept of the pen being mightier than the sword was something no one in this world of light literature had yet considered, and Xue Mu would certainly not reveal such a vision at this moment. To overturn the heavens and the earth with a stroke of a pen—this was the deepest ambition hidden within his scheme.

Setting aside such distant matters, the current proposal for a shortcut to fame for newcomers was already enough to make Xiahou Di's heart race.

This was truly easy for the Six Fan Gates to execute. Their status made them the perfect candidates for such an endeavor, the resistance from the court and the public would be minimal, and with the foundation of the official records already in place, they could act immediately. The potential utility was immeasurable; it was a strategy tailor-made for them.

Xiahou Di also knew that Xue Mu wasn't offering guidance out of the kindness of his heart. Regardless of whether he had further schemes, he was at least here to save Yin Ye. If she wanted to pursue this, she truly couldn't do it without the Star Moon Sect's cooperation. Even if there were other sources of intelligence, she would still have to rely on Xue Mu's specific planning. Yin Ye would have to be released, whether she liked it or not... This was a fair and square exchange, and she couldn't find a single fault in it. She could hardly believe such a scheme had come from a disciple of the Demon Sect—weren't they notorious for being sinister and ruthless?

Beside them, Xue Qingqiu watched Xiahou Di's clearly moved expression and sighed softly.

Initially, she had been unwilling to let Xue Mu help the Six Fan Gates develop. Once the Six Fan Gates grew stronger, they would become a sword hanging over the heads of the Demon Sect, a source of endless trouble. But for the sake of rescuing Yin Ye, she could not afford to look that far ahead.

Yet, she only now realized that Xue Mu's brilliant idea was far from simple. If this strategy were truly implemented, while the Six Fan Gates would benefit, the gains for her Star Moon Sect might be even greater—so great that she couldn't even fully grasp them for the moment.

Or perhaps, one could say that Xue Mu's starting point from the very beginning was not to help the Six Fan Gates, but to serve the Star Moon Sect, a plan long in the making.

"If, to you, Madam, developing the sect is more important than spreading a plague, perhaps the role I can play far exceeds your imagination." This was what Xue Mu had said on the day she had picked him up. Recalling the scene of him descending from the sky, Xue Qingqiu was momentarily dazed... Could this man truly have been sent by the heavens to help her?

Thinking of that scene, a long-forgotten memory suddenly surfaced in her mind...

At that time, both she and Xiao Chan had been completely naked while bathing...

Xue Qingqiu was lost in thought, a faint, imperceptible blush rising to her cheeks.

This was perhaps a spectacle that had never occurred in her entire life.

"This matter involves cooperation with the Demon Sect, and its implications are far-reaching. I must report to His Majesty first. If he nods, then we can discuss the details of our cooperation." Xiahou Di stopped pacing and said quite politely, "Mr. Xue's insights are thought-provoking. Regardless of whether this succeeds or not, Mr. Xue will always be an honored guest of mine."

Xue Mu cupped his hands and smiled, "I am equally grateful for the Chief Constable's appreciation. Even if the deal doesn't go through, we can still be friends."

Xue Qingqiu, who had been lost in her own thoughts, suddenly snapped back to reality and blurted out, "What are you two selling each other? Xiahou Di, do you want to be my sister-in-law?"

"..." Where did that come from? Xiahou Di froze for a moment, then burst into laughter. Instead of refuting it, she deliberately said, "That's a decent proposal. I look forward to it."

Realizing she had lost her composure, Xue Qingqiu quickly returned to her normal state. She eyed Xiahou Di's long legs with a suggestive gaze, and after a long while, she clicked her tongue and laughed, "I never noticed, but the Chief Constable is actually still a maiden. You might just be qualified to serve my brother."

Xiahou Di was a serious high-ranking official of the imperial court and a chaste maiden; how could she possibly be a match for this demoness when it came to lewd talk? Xue Qingqiu's words made her face flush so red that the veins were almost visible, and she looked ready to erupt with fury.

This is getting out of hand. Do we still want to cooperate or not? Xue Mu awkwardly pulled on Xue Qingqiu and quickly said to Xiahou Di, "Then we shall wait for the Chief Constable's good news. Furthermore, there will be no more girls wearing constable uniforms in the Hundred Flowers Garden tonight. Consider it a small token of our sincerity."

Xiahou Di was a Chief Constable after all, and she managed to regain control of her emotions. Distracted by Xue Mu's change of subject, she forced a smile and added, "For Mr. Xue's sake, I have a token of sincerity in return."

Xue Mu smiled, "I am all ears."

Xiahou Di said, "The First Prince is preparing to join several high-ranking officials in submitting a petition, claiming that the attire at the Hundred Flowers Garden corrupts the hearts of the people and disturbs the peace of the court, and that it should be banned and shut down. If it weren't for your sake, Mr. Xue, if I were to add my name to that petition, it would likely be a done deal. His Majesty would not reject the opinions of so many high officials for the sake of one small business of yours."

Xue Qingqiu raised an eyebrow, "I humiliated the righteous path, what does that have to do with Ji Wuyong? Is he truly not afraid of dying an unexplained death one day?"

Xue Mu almost choked on his own blood. What did you say that First Prince's name was? Ji Wuyong (Chicken Useless)? The Emperor certainly knows how to name his children... I'm impressed. I'm even more impressed by this sister of mine, casually declaring her intent to assassinate the First Prince right in front of the Chief Constable of the Six Fan Gates... I can only say that the peak combatants of this world are truly unscientific. 'A sword that topples cities' and all that... As long as they don't care about their businesses, they can do whatever they want. It's really not the court's fault that they can't maintain their dignity.

Xiahou Di said leisurely, "It not only has to do with him, it has everything to do with him. Do you know who is behind the Pleasure-Seeking Pavilion of the Joyous Union Sect?"