The World's Greatest Demon?

What made Mu Jianli shake her head inwardly was that at this moment, the men's gazes were not merely appraising her, but were engaged in a far more vulgar comparison.

Standing gracefully behind Mo Xuexin, the Valley Master of Seven Profound Valley, was a female disciple of similar age to Mu Jianli. Her features were breathtakingly beautiful, her expression indifferent and cold. Regarding the male gazes cast her way, her lips always curled into a distant, icy smile. The cultivation technique she practiced was likely of the frost variety, as wisps of cold air lingered around her, making her appear peerlessly cold and elegant.

Many men whispered among themselves; even Miao Yue of the Heart Intent Sect, sitting beside the main seat, could not help but glance between Mu Jianli and that female disciple, subconsciously comparing them.

Both were dressed in white; if Mu Jianli was a sword, then she was a block of ice.

The difference lay in the fact that her white robes were woven with exquisite embroidery, perfectly accentuating her beauty and temperament—a world of difference from Mu Jianli's simple, even patched, coarse cloth garments.

Precisely because of this, if one ignored the boost from cultivation strength and looked only at appearance, Mu Jianli was truly being outshone.

Mu Jianli's gaze, however, did not linger on her. Even though she knew countless people were appraising her, her expression remained unchanged from start to finish: "I have just arrived and am not yet familiar with the situation. May I ask for the details of this matter? Why did the Star Moon Sect suddenly employ such strange tactics..."

Miao Yue replied sternly: "The Star Moon Sect has produced a deviant named Xue Mu, who claims to be Xue Qingqiu's younger brother. No one knows where this brother popped out from, and this clothing affair is his scheme."

A flash of the man beside Yue Xiaochan crossed Mu Jianli's mind—that strange man who possessed not a shred of cultivation, yet inexplicably stirred a desire for battle within her sword heart.

Miao Yue handed over a small booklet: "Not only that, look at this deviant; he produces nothing but lewd and corrupting materials, stirring up the hearts of the world. In my opinion, this person's danger far exceeds that of the Blood-Hand Demoness."

Mu Jianli flipped through it briefly. Seeing the explicit bed scenes between the swordsman and Qianqian, even her incredibly firm sword heart could not help but be stunned. No one in this world had ever seen such a thing; the impact was far from ordinary.

At this moment, the cold beauty behind Mo Xuexin spoke up: "Such a deviant, ruining the reputation of women and taking pleasure in female lewdness, is truly a crime that warrants death."

A large crowd of supporters immediately echoed her with righteous indignation: "Lady Chen Yao is right! Such a deviant deserves to be executed by all!"

Having finished the erotic literature, Mu Jianli felt differently. Judging from the text, the deviant not only had no intention of ruining women's reputations or treating them as mere objects, but actually showed sympathy for women who had fallen into the pleasure quarters. Was the swordsman's struggle not a reflection on the world's excessive obsession with reputation?

She looked up at Chen Yao and couldn't help but ask: "Who is this fellow disciple..."

Mo Xuexin smiled kindly: "Jianli, don't be too modest. Chen Yao is an inner disciple of our Seven Profound Valley. She is only here because her home is in the Capital City, and she is visiting her family. She should be calling you Senior Sister."

No wonder she wears white but cannot wear the Seven Profound Colorful Garments, Mu Jianli thought, understanding the situation. A non-core member would normally have no place to stir up trouble on such an occasion. Inciting the crowd like this is likely just to show off and gain the Valley Master's favor to secure a path for advancement.

Mu Jianli sighed slightly. This was the Righteous Path; for a thousand years, it had become bloated with vanity and superficiality. They had long forgotten what the martial path should truly pursue.

Master Yuan Zhong, who had remained silent until now, smiled: "If Junior Niece Jianli has any thoughts, feel free to share them. After all, this is the home turf of the Sword Inquiry Sect."

That was true; this mansion belonged to the Sword Inquiry Sect. The person in charge was a steward surnamed Xie, one of the sect's external affairs managers. His martial strength was not high, and he was responsible for liaison in the Capital. He was the one presiding over this gathering of sects.

Mu Jianli bowed slightly: "Jianli believes that the Star Moon Sect's killing this time was grounded in legal principle, making it difficult to hold them accountable. Furthermore, the clothing incident is the crux of the matter. Since the Star Moon Sect has already withdrawn the clothing, we should be targeting the Joyous Union Sect instead."

Master Yuan Zhong pondered in silence.

Miao Yue sneered: "Legal principle? Does Junior Niece Mu think she is a member of the Six Fan Gates?"

"If we of the Righteous Path act recklessly, how are we any different from the demonic?" Mu Jianli said indifferently: "When the principle is straight, the spirit is upright; when the spirit is upright, the sword is firm. Jianli merely does not wish to violate the sword within her heart."

Just as Miao Yue was about to retort, Mo Xuexin waved her hand: "Does Uncle Xie share this opinion?"

Uncle Xie, who had been standing quietly to the side, looked at Mu Jianli. He naturally had to support his own sect's star. In fact, as an external affairs manager, he had long known what course of action would be most advantageous: "I share the same opinion as my niece."

Mo Xuexin smiled and nodded: "Then it is settled. Today at the hour of Shen, we shall suppress the Pleasure-Seeking Pavilion."

It was so straightforward; it seemed she had held this opinion all along. With the Valley Master herself making the call, the matter was settled. Miao Yue, unable to fight the current, flicked his sleeves and left in a huff.

As the crowd dispersed, Chen Yao passed by Mu Jianli, looking at her intently with deep meaning in her cold, phoenix-like eyes.

Mu Jianli paid her no mind, slowly leaving the main hall and following Uncle Xie to her quarters.

On the way, Uncle Xie smiled: "I thought you were solely focused on the sword, with no distractions. Seeing you today, I realize you are also well-versed in strategy."

Mu Jianli was startled: "What does Uncle mean by this?"

Uncle Xie stroked his beard and laughed: "If Xue Qingqiu were to strike with all her might, the moon would sink and the stars would fall, the earth would collapse and the heavens would tilt. Mo Xuexin could not protect everyone. If there were heavy casualties, how would she answer to the various sects? But the Joyous Union Sect does not have a Xue Qingqiu. It is obvious who to choose as the breakthrough point. Mo Xuexin never wanted to clash with the Star Moon Sect; she was likely very satisfied that you provided her with a righteous excuse."

Mu Jianli fell silent.

Uncle Xie continued: "Xue Qingqiu's deterrent power is a given, but what I admire more in this matter is that deviant from the Star Moon Sect, Xue Mu."

Mu Jianli looked up at him: "What do you mean by that?"

"If I am not mistaken, the Star Moon Sect's sudden withdrawal of the clothing was also that deviant's arrangement. He gave us an excuse to turn and deal with the Joyous Union Sect, and we were forced to accept it with a smile, while he stood aside as if nothing had happened."

Mu Jianli thought for a moment: "Is Uncle overthinking it... If that is the case, this man is a master of strategy and momentum, playing both the Righteous and Demonic paths in the palm of his hand."

"It is highly likely," Uncle Xie laughed. "This person is very interesting. With a flip of his hand, he elevated a common courtesan to the height of fame in the Capital. That Lady Qianqian's standards are so high now that she refuses to see anyone who isn't a master. You tell me, how does it feel for those who have practiced hard for twenty years to be on par with a prostitute? Even I cannot get an audience with her now..."

As Uncle Xie continued to ramble, sounding quite envious of Lady Qianqian, Mu Jianli suddenly stopped in her tracks.

She realized that the battle intent stirred in her sword heart was not just because she was happy to encounter a worthy swordsman; there was another reason. It wasn't joy, but a warning.

What if there was a person who could corrupt the hearts of the world's swordsmen and extinguish the spirit of martial arts?

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

Am I being too sensitive? A man with no cultivation doing a few things to promote his own girl—how did I get to such a far-fetched conclusion? Is it because my training has been too exhausting lately?

Mu Jianli shook her head, entered her room, calmed her heart, and closed her eyes to meditate, preparing for the battle against the Joyous Union Sect that evening.