The Greatest Demon in the World?

What made Mu Jianli shake her head inwardly most was that, at this moment, the men's eyes weren't merely sizing her up. They were making a far more lewd comparison.

Behind Mo Xuexin, the Valley Master of Seven Profound Valley, stood a young female disciple about Mu Jianli's age. Her features were stunningly beautiful, her expression aloof and cold. In response to the male gazes cast her way, she wore a distant smile that kept everyone at arm's length. She had likely cultivated a frigid technique as well, for a faint chill lingered around her. She looked as cold and beautiful as could be.

Many of the men whispered among themselves. Even Miao Yue of Heart Intent Sect, seated beside the place of honor, couldn't help glancing from Mu Jianli to the young woman, instinctively comparing them.

Both wore white. If Mu Jianli was a sword, then the other woman was a block of ice.

The difference was that her white clothes were woven from fine brocade, perfectly complementing her beauty and bearing. They were worlds apart from Mu Jianli's plain, coarse clothes, which even had patches.

And so, if one ignored the boost her strength gave her, Mu Jianli was indeed outmatched in looks alone.

Mu Jianli's gaze never fell on the other woman. Though she knew perfectly well that countless people were looking her over, her expression remained unchanged from beginning to end. "I've only just arrived and don't yet know the full circumstances. What exactly happened? Why did Star Moon Sect suddenly resort to such a strange method...?"

Miao Yue said gravely, "Star Moon Sect has produced a demon named Xue Mu, who claims to be Xue Qingqiu's younger brother. No one even knows where Xue Qingqiu got a brother, and the clothing affair was his scheme."

Mu Jianli's mind swiftly flashed back to the man beside Yue Xiaochan—the strange man without a trace of cultivation, who had somehow stirred a fighting spirit in her sword heart.

Miao Yue handed her a small booklet. "And that's not all. Look at this demon. He keeps producing obscene, depraved works that muddy the hearts of people throughout the land. In my view, he's even more dangerous than the Blood Hand Demoness."

Mu Jianli skimmed through the booklet. When she saw the graphic bedroom scene between the swordsman and Qianqian, even her steadfast sword heart couldn't help but falter. No one in this world had ever read such a thing before; its impact was extraordinary.

At that moment, the cold beauty behind Mo Xuexin spoke up. "Such a demon disgraces women and takes pleasure in lewd acts involving them. His crimes are utterly unforgivable."

A large crowd of supporters immediately cried out in righteous indignation. "Miss Chen Yao is right! A demon like this deserves to die at the hands of anyone who sees him!"

Having finished the erotic tale, Mu Jianli found herself unconvinced. From what she had read, the demon had no intention of disgracing women or treating them as objects. On the contrary, he seemed to feel considerable sympathy for women forced into the demimonde. And wasn't the swordsman's struggle a reflection on how much the world valued a woman's reputation?

She looked up at Chen Yao and couldn't help asking, "And this senior sister is...?"

Mo Xuexin smiled. "Jianli, don't flatter her. Chen Yao is an inner disciple of Seven Profound Valley. She's only here because her family lives in the Capital City, and she happened to come home for a visit. She should be calling you senior sister, if anything."

No wonder she wore white and hadn't earned the Seven Profound Colorful Garments. Mu Jianli understood. Someone without a core position normally wouldn't have the standing to take the lead and speak at an occasion like this. She was stirring up the crowd to show off, most likely hoping to catch the Valley Master's eye and earn a path to advancement.

Mu Jianli sighed softly. This was the Righteous Path. Over a thousand years, it had grown bloated with vanity and empty pageantry. They had long forgotten what martial cultivation was meant to pursue.

Master Yuan Zhong, who had remained silent until now, smiled. "Nephew Jianli, why not share your thoughts? After all, this is Sword Inquiry Sect's home ground."

Indeed, the mansion belonged to Sword Inquiry Sect. It was overseen by a steward surnamed Xie, one of the sect's external affairs stewards. He wasn't particularly strong, and was responsible for liaison work in the Capital City. He had organized this gathering of the sects.

Mu Jianli inclined her head. "In my view, Star Moon Sect's killing was legally justified, so it would be difficult to hold them accountable. The clothing affair is the real crux of this matter. Since Star Moon Sect has already withdrawn the clothing, we should be going after the Joyous Union Sect instead."

Master Yuan Zhong fell silent, deep in thought.

Miao Yue sneered. "The law? Nephew Jianli, do you think you're a member of the Six Fan Gates?"

"If we of the Righteous Path act as we please, how are we any different from demons?" Mu Jianli said evenly. "When we stand on the side of reason, our spirit is upright; when our spirit is upright, our swords are unyielding. I'm merely staying true to the sword in my heart."

Miao Yue was about to say something, but Mo Xuexin raised a hand to stop him. "Junior Brother Xie, do you share this opinion?"

Uncle Xie, who had been standing quietly to one side, glanced at Mu Jianli. Of course he had to back the sect's pillar. In truth, as an external affairs steward, he had known from the start what would be most advantageous. "I share my niece's opinion."

Mo Xuexin smiled and nodded. "Then it's settled. Today, at the hour of the Monkey, we'll suppress Pleasure-Seeking Pavilion."

She had agreed so readily that it seemed she had already held the same opinion. Once the dignified Valley Master made the call, the matter was settled. Miao Yue was no match for the powers that be; he left in disgruntled silence, flicking his sleeve.

The crowd dispersed. As Chen Yao passed Mu Jianli, she gave her a deliberate look, something hidden in her cool phoenix eyes.

Mu Jianli paid her no mind. She slowly left the hall and followed Uncle Xie to her lodgings.

On the way, Uncle Xie smiled. "I thought you devoted yourself wholly to the sword, with no room for anything else. Seeing you today, I realize you understand strategy, too."

Mu Jianli paused. "What do you mean, Uncle?"

Uncle Xie stroked his beard and smiled. "If Xue Qingqiu went all out, the moon would sink, the stars would fall, the earth would cave in, and the sky would collapse. Mo Xuexin couldn't possibly protect everyone. If there were heavy casualties, how would she answer to the various sects? But the Joyous Union Sect has no one like Xue Qingqiu. It's obvious which one to target. So Mo Xuexin never wanted to pick a fight with Star Moon Sect in the first place. You gave her a perfectly sound reason, and she couldn't be happier."

Mu Jianli fell silent.

Uncle Xie continued, "Xue Qingqiu's deterrent power was already there, so that much is no surprise. What impresses me more is that demon from Star Moon Sect, Xue Mu."

Mu Jianli looked up at him. "What do you mean?"

"If I'm not mistaken, it was that demon who arranged for Star Moon Sect to withdraw the clothing. He gave us an excuse to turn around and deal with the Joyous Union Sect. We couldn't refuse to take it, and there he is, standing off to the side as though nothing had happened."

Mu Jianli thought it over. "Uncle, could you be reading too much into it...? If so, he's a master of strategy and timing, playing both the righteous and demonic paths like pieces in the palm of his hand."

"I'd say it's about eight or nine parts certain." Uncle Xie smiled. "That man is quite something. With a mere turn of his hand, he made a famous courtesan the talk of the capital. Miss Qianqian has such high standards now that she won't see anyone who isn't a renowned master. Think of it: those people have practiced hard for twenty years, yet they're on the same footing as a mere courtesan. How does that feel? Even I can't get an audience with her these days..."

Uncle Xie continued rambling, sounding rather envious of Miss Qianqian. As Mu Jianli listened, she suddenly stopped in her tracks.

She suddenly understood: the fighting spirit stirred in her sword heart wasn't just the joy of meeting a swordsman of equal skill. There was another reason. It wasn't joy. It was a warning.

What if there were someone who could unsettle the hearts of all the world's swordsmen and extinguish the desire to pursue martial prowess?

That would be the greatest demon in the world, the enemy of all under heaven!

Was she being too sensitive? He was a man with no cultivation at all, who had simply done a few things to promote his own girl. How had her thoughts run so far? Had her recent training been too exhausting?

Mu Jianli shook her head, stepped into her room, and sat in meditation to calm her mind, preparing for the Joyous Union Sect battle that night.