Charm

"What kind of strange look is that? What's wrong with running a brothel?" Yue Xiaochan shot him a sidelong glance. "A sect this large—where do food, clothing, and shelter come from? Where do cultivation resources come from? Are you going to rob for everything?"

Xue Mu thought about it. She had a point. In those fantasy worlds where it was all leveling up, looting treasures, fighting, fighting, fighting—how did sects develop? People usually mentioned hunting demon beasts or fighting over mineral veins, but in truth, every society was made up of many different aspects. Whether money or cultivation resources, there were countless ways to obtain them. A world that relied solely on fighting, plundering, and auctions would be fundamentally deformed; humanity's foundations would collapse completely, and it could not possibly endure for long.

Yue Xiaochan continued, "The brothel is only one of our businesses. Those girls aren't sect disciples. We merely run the place, no different from other sects running other businesses. Don't go thinking our sect sells itself. That look of yours is really annoying."

Xue Mu raised both hands in surrender. You were the one constantly exuding that seductive air, and at such a young age, you talked about men and women as if it were nothing. Was it my fault for getting the wrong idea?

Then again, your values were clearly screwed up. Running other businesses and running a flesh trade were the same damn thing? Did you really think human trafficking and forcing decent women into prostitution were no different from collecting land rent and selling grain? No wonder you were the Demon Sect.

Naturally, Xue Mu had no intention of debating this with her as though he had eaten too much and had nothing better to do. In fact, from this angle, someone working in entertainment like him was no saint either; he had done plenty of pimping himself. So he simply kept quiet.

Only when they arrived did Xue Mu realize that Hundred Flowers Garden truly deserved to be called the property of a major sect. It was not some lowly single flower tower as he had imagined. Instead, it covered several qing of land, with pavilions and towers rising one after another like fish scales, gardens, artificial hills, and murmuring streams hidden throughout. Had no one told him it was a brothel, Xue Mu would probably have taken it for the residence of some prince or noble lord upon first arriving.

The so-called brothel was merely the several-story building closest to the street. Behind it lay many different sections, such as courtyards where guests stayed overnight and residences for guards and protectors. Beyond the courtyards was a bamboo grove, and deep within that grove, in a heavily guarded area, was where the Star Moon Sect disciples were stationed.

They did not enter through the brothel directly, but went in through a rear gate and entered the bamboo grove. There was an array within the grove. Xue Mu watched a female guard step forward and manipulate some mechanism. The fog-shrouded bamboo grove immediately became clear, while the faint ringing of bells drifted through the air, rather like a doorbell.

Xue Mu pondered secretly. Arrays should involve calculations and mathematical arts. Since the Star Moon Sect understood arrays, they should not have acted as though they could not even do addition and subtraction. Perhaps each disciple had their own specialty, each handling a different field?

Seeing him deep in thought, Yue Xiaochan seemed to understand what he was thinking. She curled her lip. "If Martial Uncle Yin Ye had not been trapped in the Six Fan Gates, why would Master have to calculate the accounts herself? Once we rescue Martial Uncle, she will probably have plenty to talk about with you."

Xue Mu nodded without saying anything. Sure enough, everyone had their own duties. A sect could not possibly be so simple.

A graceful, beautiful married woman led several other women out of the bamboo grove and bowed toward the carriage. "Greetings, Sect Master."

Xue Qingqiu's voice came from inside the carriage. "Qingqing, what is the situation at the Six Fan Gates?"

"Martial Uncle Yin Ye was personally taken back by Xiahou Di, so she should not suffer any abuse. This disciple investigated it. Martial Uncle is currently held in Heaven Grade No. 3 Prison, where the guards are strict and strange arrays lie everywhere. If we attempt a prison break... the chances of success are not high."

"Xiahou Di..." Xue Qingqiu seemed to have a headache. "When that madwoman has personally claimed the credit, getting someone out becomes much more troublesome."

"Sect Master need not worry. The Six Fan Gates are not entirely Xiahou Di's domain. There are still ways to consider."

"Mm... See to the arrangements first. We will discuss it later."

"Yes." The married woman, Qingqing, let her gaze fall on Xue Mu. A flash of surprise passed through her eyes, and she seemed somewhat hesitant.

Their entire sect consisted of women. Where had this inexplicable man come from? What standard of accommodation should be arranged for him? Besides, this man did not seem to possess the slightest cultivation... Since when had the sect had someone like this?

Seeing her confusion, Yue Xiaochan said, "This is Xue Mu, the accountant personally appointed by Master."

Surname Xue, managing accounts... Qingqing seemed to understand something at once. She stopped dwelling on it and smiled. "Please follow me."

Xue Mu knew she had misunderstood. Perhaps she had taken him for Xue Qingqiu's relative? He turned to look at Yue Xiaochan, who made a face at him.

That girl... She did it on purpose, didn't she? Yet Xue Mu felt a trace of warmth in his heart. This deliberate guidance was quite important.

Whether he was treated as an honored guest or as a servant depended entirely on that one sentence. The strange thing was that Xue Qingqiu did not object either. He did not know whether she simply did not care or spoiled Yue Xiaochan too much to brush aside her wishes. With that tacit approval, everyone's gaze toward him immediately changed...

Taking an opportunity, Yue Xiaochan leaned close to his ear and said with a giggle, "No need to look at me like that. I just think you're different from those servants. If you really want to thank me, tell me a few more stories."

Xue Mu smiled faintly. "You can hear as many as you want."

As a man, Xue Mu was ultimately housed separately from the Star Moon Sect disciples. A young girl named Meng Lan led him there. She had been standing beside Qingqing earlier, so she was evidently an important disciple responsible for matters here as well. Xue Mu did not casually strike up a conversation with the girl. He followed her in silence until they reached a small, independent courtyard.

A small Bamboo Pavilion built from green bamboo stood there, exquisite and elegant. Unknown little flowers bloomed in the courtyard, their fragrance pleasant and soothing. Xue Mu fell in love with the place at first sight. Even those modern farmhouse resorts could not compare to such fresh authenticity. Unfortunately, there could be no internet here. Nights would surely be terribly boring.

Meng Lan stopped and gave a slight bow. "Young Master, we have arrived."

Xue Mu, silent all the way, finally spoke. "Thank you, Miss Meng Lan."

Meng Lan lightly bit her lower lip, and a seductive smile surfaced on her face. She gently pressed close, her snowy white softness seeming to brush against Xue Mu's arm by accident. In a honeyed voice, she said, "The place is simple. I hope Young Master will not find it lacking..."

Soft jade and warm fragrance, gentle words assailing him. Xue Mu tilted his head slightly and met Meng Lan's face, faintly surprised. What exactly were you doing here?

This girl was only seventeen or eighteen, with a face of peerless beauty. Perhaps because she had cultivated the Star Moon Sect's arts year-round, she carried a hazy aura about her, much like the traces of presence that Xue Qingqiu and Yue Xiaochan occasionally revealed. It gave her an elusive, mysterious quality. This was surely a characteristic of their lineage—like stars and moonlight, like dreams and illusions. It was a very special kind of beauty, a fantastical aura Xue Mu could never have seen in modern society, and he had always found it deeply appealing.

But at that moment, Meng Lan's aura changed completely. Spring ripples filled her peach-blossom eyes; her sensual red lips seemed half-open and half-closed. A faint floral scent seeped into his nostrils, and her breath was like orchids. The most primal desire in a man's heart was drawn in by those senses that had fallen from mystery into the mortal world, wanting only to tear away a little more of the veil and see more clearly.

Xue Mu was no innocent young man inexperienced with women. On the contrary, he had played around far too much. Yet at that moment, his eyes still drifted uncontrollably toward her chest, and he felt a primitive urge surge up from the depths of his heart.

Xue Mu believed himself battle-hardened. No matter how beautiful she was, he could not possibly react like this from a casual tease. She must have secretly employed the legendary Charm Technique, right? He sighed softly, moved half a foot away, and smiled. "I'm very satisfied with this place. Thank you, Miss." As he spoke, he pointed to his bathrobe. "Could you help me find a change of clothes? I want to bathe."

Although he had seen plenty of strange outfits on the streets, this bathrobe was not particularly eye-catching. Still, walking around in a bathrobe was unbearably awkward. The first thing Xue Mu wanted after getting settled was a normal set of clothes.

Seeing how calm he remained as though nothing had happened, an almost imperceptible flicker of surprise passed through Meng Lan's eyes. Then she stroked Xue Mu's chest again and said softly, "That is only a small matter. How about Meng Lan serves Young Master in his bath instead?"

Xue Mu smiled. "Miss, the sect's Charm Technique should not be used on one's own people."

Meng Lan froze for a moment. Her seductive smile finally faded, and she stepped back half a pace. "Though Young Master has no cultivation, your willpower is extraordinary. Meng Lan was too forward." After a pause, she smiled radiantly again. "Meng Lan will take her leave. Someone will bring clothes shortly."

With that, she drifted away. As her lovely figure disappeared, the surging desire Xue Mu had been suppressing instantly ebbed away. So it really was the Charm Technique. This silent, invisible Charm Technique was truly easy to fall prey to. She must have feared hurting him and had not used her real skill; otherwise, if she casually added some internal energy or something, he would have been finished. Or if it had been some young man who had barely interacted with women, this level alone would have been enough to leave him utterly infatuated. Luckily, he had been through countless battles and was not easily ruled by a pretty face.

He had only just arrived in this place, and he did not even know where his future lay. What mood did he have for chasing girls? Besides, he was not truly Xue Qingqiu's relative. What gave him the nerve to mess around? It was not as though he were some idiot ruled by his dick.

But why had she tried to charm him? And at their very first meeting, why had she been so impatient?