“What is with that bizarre look on your face?
What’s wrong with running a brothel?” Yue Xiaochan shot him a sharp side-eye.
“Where do you think a massive sect gets its money for food, clothing, shelter, and transportation?
Where do you think cultivation resources come from?
Do you expect us to just rob people for everything?” Xue Mu thought about it for a second.
Fair point.
In those typical fantasy worlds where it was all about grinding levels, hunting loot, and constant warfare, how did the sects actually sustain themselves?
Novels usually mentioned hunting magical beasts or fighting over mineral veins.
In reality, any functioning society was built on multiple economic facets.
Whether it was money or cultivation resources, income streams had to come in many shapes and forms.
A world that relied solely on combat, pillaging, and underground auctions was fundamentally broken; its societal foundation would collapse, making it impossible to survive in the long run.
Yue Xiaochan added, “Besides, the brothels are just one of the many industries under our banner.
The girls working there aren’t actually disciples of our sect.
We simply manage the establishments, just like any other sect runs its own businesses.
Don’t go assuming our sect is in the business of selling bodies.
That look in your eyes is seriously irritating.” Xue Mu raised his hands in mock surrender.
You’re the one who keeps turning on the seductive charm at the drop of a hat, talking about adult matters without blinking an eye at your age.
Is it really my fault for misunderstanding?
Then again, her moral compass was completely skewed.
How on earth is running a flesh trade the same thing as managing any other business?
Do you honestly believe human trafficking and forcing women into prostitution carry the exact same weight as collecting land rent and selling grain?
No wonder people call you a demonic sect.
Of course, Xue Mu wasn’t stupid enough to pick a philosophical debate with her.
Fact was, as a veteran of the modern entertainment industry, he wasn’t exactly a saint either; he had pulled his fair share of sketchy strings back in the day.
He wisely chose to keep his mouth shut.
It wasn’t until they actually arrived at their destination that Xue Mu realized the true scale of their operations.
The Hundred Flowers Pavilion wasn’t some cheap, tacky pleasure house out of a low-budget drama.
The estate spanned several acres, featuring a breathtaking layout of terraced pavilions, elegant high rises, pristine gardens, decorative rockeries, and winding artificial streams.
If someone hadn’t explicitly told him this was a brothel, a newcomer like Xue Mu would have easily mistaken it for the palatial estate of a royal prince.
The actual brothel part only consisted of the massive, multi-story buildings facing the main market street.
Behind those lay distinctly zoned sectors, including private courtyards for overnight guests and living quarters for the security guards.
Bypassing the courtyards led to a dense bamboo forest.
Hidden deep within this heavily fortified thicket was the true headquarters where the disciples of the Star-Moon Sect were stationed.
Their convoy didn’t enter through the public brothel entrance.
Instead, they cut directly through the back gate into the bamboo forest.
The woods were anchored by a defensive formation array.
Xue Mu watched with his own eyes as a female guard stepped forward to trigger a hidden mechanism.
The dense, choking fog blanketing the bamboo forest instantly cleared, accompanied by a distant, echoing chime that sounded remarkably like a doorbell.
Xue Mu cataloged this information silently.
If they understand array formations, they should logically be well-versed in mathematics and arithmetic.
A sect capable of engineering tactical arrays shouldn’t be struggling with basic addition and subtraction.
Perhaps different branches specialize in different fields, each managing their own specific department?
Noticing his contemplative silence, Yue Xiaochan seemed to read his thoughts.
She curled her lip and said, “If Martial Aunt Yinye weren’t currently trapped in the The Six Gates, why would Master ever bother auditing the books herself?
Once we break her out, she’ll probably have plenty to talk about with you.” Xue Mu nodded without a word.
As expected, everyone has their own assigned roles.
A grand cultivation sect was never going to be that simple.
A graceful, seductive woman led a handful of female disciples out from the bamboo thicket.
They bowed deeply before the primary carriage.
“Greetings, Sect Master.” Xue Qingqiu’s voice echoed from within.
“Qingqing, what is the situation over at The Six Gates?” “Martial Aunt Yinye was personally captured and escorted back by Xiahou Di, so she shouldn’t be subjected to any mistreatment.
My investigations show she is currently being held in the third Heaven-Grade cell.
The security is exceptionally tight, anchored by a series of lethal arrays.
If we attempt a prison break…
the success rate will be dangerously low.” “Xiahou Di…” Xue Qingqiu sounded like she was nursing a massive headache.
“Since it was that crazy woman’s personal capture, pulling our people out is going to be far more troublesome.” “Sect Master need not worry too much.
Xiahou Di doesn’t hold absolute power over the entire Six Gates; we still have angles to work.” “Mm…
Get everyone settled first, and then we shall discuss this further.” “Understood.” The woman, Qingqing, shifted her gaze onto Xue Mu, a flash of surprise cutting through her eyes.
She seemed a bit hesitant.
Their entire sect consisted solely of women.
What was the deal with this random guy popping out of nowhere?
What standard of accommodation should they provide him?
On top of that, he didn’t seem to possess a single shred of cultivation…
Since when did their inner sanctum allow people like him inside?
Sensing her confusion, Yue Xiaochan chimed in, “This is Xue Mu.
Master personally appointed him as our new head accountant.” Shares the surname Xue, manages the finances…
Qingqing’s expression cleared instantly, as if she had suddenly put the pieces together.
Dropping her hesitation, she smiled warmly.
“Please follow me, everyone.” Xue Mu immediately recognized the misunderstanding.
She had likely pinned him as a relative of Xue Qingqiu.
He glanced over at Yue Xiaochan, who merely stuck her tongue out and made a funny face.
This kid…
she did that on purpose.
Xue Mu felt a wave of warmth in his chest.
This deliberate piece of misdirection was actually incredibly vital to his survival.
Whether he was going to be treated like an honored guest or a low-ranking servant entirely hinged on that one casual sentence.
The strange part was that Xue Qingqiu hadn’t voiced any objection.
He couldn’t tell if the Sect Master just didn’t care about the rumor or if she simply spoiled Yue Xiaochan too much to correct her.
Either way, this silent endorsement instantly changed the way everyone in the area looked at him.
Catching a brief moment when the others weren’t paying attention, Yue Xiaochan leaned in and whispered with a cheeky grin, “No need to look at me like that.
I just think you’re a whole lot more interesting than those mindless servants.
If you really want to thank me, just tell me a few more of your stories.” Xue Mu smiled faintly.
“You can have as many as you want.” As a man, Xue Mu was ultimately assigned quarters separate from the female disciples of the Star-Moon Sect.
The girl leading him introduced herself as Menglan.
She had been standing right next to Qingqing earlier, proving she was a core disciple trusted with heavy responsibilities at this location.
Xue Mu didn’t try to force cheap small talk with her, choosing instead to follow her silently until they arrived at a secluded, private courtyard.
The small, elegant bamboo pavilion was crafted entirely from green stalks.
Unnamed wildflowers bloomed across the courtyard, filling the air with a sweet, pleasant fragrance.
Xue Mu fell in love with the place at first sight.
He thought to himself that none of those modern eco-resorts or country escapes back home could ever replicate a setting this refreshing and authentic.
The only tragedy was the complete lack of internet access; the nights were bound to be incredibly boring.
The young lady, Menglan, stopped in her tracks and offered a slight bow.
“Young Master, we have arrived.” Xue Mu, who had been silent throughout the walk, finally spoke up.
“Thank you, Miss Menglan.” Menglan bit her lower lip gently, a sudden seductive smile gracing her lips.
She glided closer, her rich, pale cleavage seemingly inadvertently brushing against Xue Mu’s arm.
Her voice dropped into a syrupy purr.
“The accommodations are rather modest.
I do hope Young Master will not mind…” Faced with this sudden onslaught of soft skin and intoxicating whispers, Xue Mu tilted his head slightly to meet Menglan’s gaze.
He felt a wave of confusion.
What on earth is she trying to pull?
The girl looked about seventeen or eighteen, her features possessing a pristine, unparalleled beauty.
Likely due to her long-term training in the Star-Moon Sect’s core techniques, she radiated a faint, hazy aura—remarkably similar to the energy that occasionally leaked from Xue Qingqiu and Yue Xiaochan.
It carried a elusive, shifting sense of mystery.
It was clearly the trademark charm of their lineage, beautiful as the stars and the moon, ethereal as a dream.
This was a mythical grace completely absent from modern society, and Xue Mu had deeply appreciated it up until now.
But in an instant, Menglan’s aura flipped completely.
Spring ripples danced in her bedroom eyes, her seductive red lips parted invitingly, and a faint floral scent drifted from her breath.
The most primal desires of human nature were instantly triggered by this sudden descent of a mystical goddess into raw, carnal temptation.
It made one yearn to tear away her remaining veils to see her even clearer.
Xue Mu was no inexperienced virgin.
On the contrary, he had played around with far too many women back home.
Yet, at this exact moment, a primal urge erupted from the depths of his soul.
His eyes dropped uncontrollably toward the smooth expanse of flesh at her collar, a sudden, vicious impulse screaming at him to rip it open and sink his teeth in.
Xue Mu trusted his own extensive experience.
No matter how gorgeous a woman was, it was impossible for a casual tease to trigger such a violent reaction.
She must be secretly channeling that legendary charm magic, he realized.
Letting out a soft, silent sigh, he stepped back half a foot.
He smiled calmly.
“I am highly satisfied with this place.
Thank you, Miss.” He then pointed to his terry-cloth robe.
“Would it be possible to fetch me a set of clean clothes?
I would like to take a bath.” Although he had seen plenty of eccentric outfits out on the main street, walking around in a bathrobe was still incredibly awkward.
The first order of business upon settling down was to swap it out for standard attire.
Seeing him remain completely composed as if nothing had happened, a flash of astonishment cut through Menglan’s eyes.
Quickly recovering, she lightly stroked Xue Mu’s chest, murmuring softly, “That is a trivial matter.
Why don’t I assist Young Master with his bath instead?” Xue Mu chuckled.
“Miss, your sect’s charm magic shouldn’t be deployed against your own people.” Menglan froze, her seductive smile completely vanishing.
She took half a step back.
“Young Master does not possess a shred of cultivation, yet your mental fortitude is extraordinary.
I have been impudent.” Pausing, she flashed a bright, standard smile.
“Menglan shall take her leave.
Someone will deliver your garments shortly.” With that, she glided away.
The moment her shapely figure vanished from sight, the roaring tide of desire that Xue Mu had been tightly suppressing evaporated instantly.
Yep, definitely charm magic, he thought.
This silent, invisible technique was far too easy to fall prey to.
The girl had likely held back out of fear of causing him actual harm; if she had infused even a drop of internal energy into the technique, he would have been completely doomed.
If a young, inexperienced man had taken his place, this basic level of seduction would have been more than enough to turn his brain to mush.
Fortunately, Xue Mu was a veteran who wasn’t easily mastered by raw lust.
I just arrived in this foreign land, and my future is completely up in the air.
Who has the energy to chase girls right now?
He reasoned internally.
Besides, I’m not actually related to Xue Qingqiu.
What gave me the right to fool around?
I’m not some brainless idiot ruled by his hormones.
But why did she try to charm me?
And right at our very first meeting, with such desperate urgency?