In truth, Xiahou Di possessed far more concrete knowledge regarding the matter than Xue Mu did.
Xue Mu’s understanding of the Star-Moon Sect’s organizational framework was still limited, causing him to rely on basic deductive logic.
Xiahou Di, given her high-ranking official status, was acutely aware that the Star-Moon Sect had long since constructed a massive, highly sophisticated intelligence network by leveraging their brothels scattered across the realm.
As one of the most chaotic, fast-moving environments in the martial world, a brothel—if managed with intent—could harvest an unfathomable wealth of local data.
Furthermore, their regular clientele across various regions included high-ranking figures; the elite courtesans mingled among prominent scholars and martial experts, extracting countless critical state secrets behind closed doors.
The Star-Moon Sect’s remarkable growth over recent years was primarily a direct benefit of having access to information a step ahead of everyone else; the direct revenue generated by the brothels was merely secondary.
As the spiritual anchor of the sect’s grand arrays, Yinye had hurriedly traveled south to orchestrate operations for several months before her divine cultivation was even complete.
Xiahou Di refused to believe she had simply gone down there for leisure; the girl had likely been fortifying their intelligence operations in some capacity, though The Six Gates had failed to extract the exact details from her.
Yet, it had never once crossed Xiahou Di’s mind that intelligence assets could actually be utilized openly like this…
The concept Xue Mu laid out sounded remarkably straightforward, but his underlying calculations ran infinitely deeper.
In essence, this was the raw prototype of the entertainment media industry, using the creation of celebrity icons as its primary selling point.
Allowed to develop steadily over time, it would naturally trigger countless industrial evolutions.
Exactly what kind of unique branches and fruits this system would bear on this alternate cultural soil remained entirely to be seen.
The true societal leverage of mass media was far beyond what the inhabitants of this era could comprehend.
For instance, given the world’s currently primitive speed of information transit, a cataclysmic event capable of shocking the entire martial world took a staggering two years just to be verified and printed in The Six Gates’s official chronicle…
If he could eventually find a way to deliver time-sensitive, hot-off-the-press news, the terrifying geopolitical evolution it would trigger across the martial landscape was completely beyond anyone’s ability to calculate in a single evening.
Even Xue Mu himself couldn’t accurately predict the ultimate outcome.
Furthermore, while the martial artists of this era focused their attention strictly on grand martial affairs, there would come a day when the media began encroaching upon their private personal lives…
Armed with an information network that already commanded absolute public credibility, operating within a virgin world entirely unpolluted by modern tabloid paparazzi culture…
you could effortlessly elevate a piece of human garbage into a revered saint, or cast a genuine, honorable hero straight into the dirt.
This terrifying reality—that a simple pen could slaughter lives just as easily as a blade—was a concept that absolutely no one in a world that heavily neglected literature could possibly fathom just yet.
Xue Mu naturally harbored zero intention of dropping that specific aspect of his master plan out in the open tonight.
To effortlessly flip the clouds and summon the rain with a single stroke of his pen—this was the ultimate, deeply hidden ambition behind his entire strategy.
Putting those distant future operations aside for the moment, the sheer, immediate utility of this young talent ranking shortcut was already more than enough to make Xiahou Di’s heart race with intense excitement.
Executing this operation would be incredibly simple for The Six Gates.
Their official status made them uniquely qualified for the task, meaning political resistance from both the Imperial Court and the common populace would be practically nonexistent.
Combined with their existing foundation from publishing the yearly chronicles, they could mobilize immediately.
Given its unfathomable strategic utility, this plan truly was a masterpiece tailored specifically for them.
Xiahou Di was well aware that Xue Mu hadn’t come here out of the goodness of his heart to offer guidance.
Even leaving aside any potential long-term schemes he might be harboring, his immediate objective tonight was to secure Yinye’s release.
If she wanted to implement this plan, she simply could not do it without partnering with the Star-Moon Sect.
Even if she could source local intelligence from other channels, she would still be entirely dependent on Xue Mu’s specific operational blueprints.
She had no choice but to let Yinye go…
This was a completely aboveboard, legitimate transaction—one that defied any political criticism.
She could barely bring herself to believe that such a brilliant, pristine strategy had actually originated from a member of the dark path.
Weren’t they supposed to be notoriously underhanded, sinister, and vicious?
Beside them, Xue Qingqiu let out a quiet sigh as she traced the clear look of intrigue written across Xiahou Di’s face.
Initially, she had harbored a lingering reluctance about Xue Mu assisting The Six Gates’s development.
If the Constabulary grew too powerful, it would ultimately become a lethal blade hanging over the heads of the dark factions, bringing endless future trouble.
Yet, for the sake of rescuing Yinye, she hadn’t been in a position to worry about such distant consequences.
However, listening to the end of his pitch, she finally realized that Xue Mu’s brilliant concept was far from simple.
If this strategy were truly put into motion, The Six Gates would certainly benefit, but the advantages reaped by her Star-Moon Sect might be infinitely greater—so vast, in fact, that she couldn’t fully map out the structural details in a single evening.
To put it bluntly, Xue Mu’s starting point from the very beginning had never been to assist The Six Gates; his true, long-term calculations were entirely centered around the Star-Moon Sect.
“If expanding your lineage is more important to you than unleashing a biological plague, the utility I can provide might far outperform anything you can imagine.” This was a declaration Xue Mu had delivered to her on the very day she picked him up off the side of the road.
Reflecting on the scene of him falling directly from the heavens, Xue Qingqiu temporarily found herself lost in a daze…
Could this man truly be a savior sent down by the heavens specifically to aid her?
As that memory resurfaced, a highly distinct detail that she had completely pushed to the back of her mind suddenly flashed across her consciousness…
Back then, she and Xiaochan had both been completely naked, bathing in the pool…
Lost in her thoughts, an almost imperceptible, delicate blush slowly crept across Xue Qingqiu’s face.
This was a rare, miraculous sight that had likely never occurred before in her entire life.
“Since this operation directly involves a partnership with a dark sect, the geopolitical implications run incredibly deep.
I must first formally report this strategy to His Majesty.
If the Emperor gives his nod of approval, you and I can sit down to negotiate the specific operational terms of our joint venture.” Xiahou Di paused her pacing, her tone turning remarkably courteous.
“Young Master Xue’s insights are truly profound.
Regardless of whether this operation ultimately succeeds, you will always be a highly honored guest in the home of Xiahou Di.” Xue Mu cupped his hands with a calm smile.
“I am equally grateful for the Chief Constable’s appreciation.
Even if the transaction falls through, we can still be friends.” Suddenly jolting awake from her daze, Xue Qingqiu blurted out, “What are you two doing acting so cozy?
Xiahou Di, are you trying to become my sister-in-law?!” “…” Where on earth did that come from?
Xue Mu thought.
Xiahou Di froze for a moment before bursting into laughter.
Instead of refuting the claim, she deliberately teased, “That’s actually quite a decent proposal.
I’m looking forward to it.” Realizing she had briefly lost her composure, Xue Qingqiu swiftly reverted to her imposing demeanor.
She cast a highly suggestive gaze down Xiahou Di’s long legs, staring for a long moment before letting out a knowing chuckle.
“Well, I’ll be.
I hadn’t noticed earlier, but Chief Constable Xiahou is actually still a virgin.
I suppose you do possess the necessary qualifications to serve my younger brother.” Xiahou Di was a high-ranking court official and an innocent virgin; how could she possibly match this supreme enchantress when it came to trading bedroom banter?
Xue Qingqiu’s single remark left her face flushing so violently that the veins on her neck were practically visible.
She instinctively pressed her long legs tightly together, her eyes spitting fire as she stood on the verge of an absolute explosion.
This conversation is deteriorating way too fast, Xue Mu thought in panic.
Do we want to partner up or not?
He awkwardly yanked at Xue Qingqiu’s sleeve, swiftly addressing Xiahou Di.
“Then we shall eagerly await the Chief Constable’s good news.
Furthermore, starting tonight, not a single girl at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion will wear a constable’s uniform.
Consider it a small token of our sincerity.” Xiahou Di was a Chief Constable after all, so she managed to reign in her explosive temper.
Seizing the lifeline Xue Mu threw to change the subject, she forced her face into a stiff smile and replied, “For the sake of Master Xue’s face, I shall return the gesture with a token of my own.” Xue Mu smiled.
“I am all ears.” Xiahou Di explained, “The First Prince is currently preparing to join forces with several high-ranking ministers to submit an imperial petition.
They intend to argue that the uniforms worn at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion corrupt public morality and destabilize the capital, demanding it be banned and shut down permanently.
If it weren’t for Master Xue’s face tonight, the moment my name joined that petition, the matter would have been entirely settled.
His Majesty would never reject the consensus of so many heavy-hitting ministers just to protect a single, minor asset of yours.” Xue Qingqiu arched an elegant brow.
“I was merely slapping the faces of the Orthodox sects.
What does that have to do with Ji Wuyong?
Is he truly not afraid of dying an untraceable, mysterious death one of these days?” Xue Mu nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.
Wait, what did she say the First Prince’s name was?
Ji Wuyong?
‘Useless Dick’?
The Emperor truly possessed a magnificent talent for naming his children…
Fascinating, truly fascinating.
What was even more awe-inspiring was his “elder sister”—casually declaring her intention to assassinate the First Prince of the empire right in front of the Chief Constable of The Six Gates…
He could only conclude that the absolute peak powerhouses of this world completely defied all scientific logic.
With the strength to casually devastate a whole city, as long as they ruthlessly abandoned their public businesses, they could act as lawlessly as they pleased.
It really wasn’t the Imperial Court’s fault that they couldn’t maintain their supreme authority.
Xiahou Di noted languidly, “Not only does it concern him, but the connection runs incredibly deep.
Tell me, do you have any idea who exactly is the true backer behind the Joyous Union Sect’s Pleasure Pavilion?”