The woman’s mouth curled into a slight arc. “Am I so terrifying?”
“No…”
It’s just that I’m a coward, alright?
Fu Yunmo rolled her eyes where the woman couldn’t see. Seeing that the ointment had been applied, she said, “It’s done.”
The woman deftly pulled her clothes back up and tied her belt, every movement fluid and efficient. Just then, she turned her head. Fu Yunmo happened to look up at that exact moment, and their eyes met.
Fu Yunmo finally saw her face. That pale countenance possessed a beauty that made one’s soul yearn. Even the dim yellow glow of the candle couldn’t penetrate the ethereal, cold perfection of her features; she looked like a celestial being who had never touched the mortal world. Yet, the corners of her eyes and brows held a hint of laziness—a natural, breathtaking allure.
Fu Yunmo was starstruck.
If Mo Lixi’s beauty was like water—gentle and rippling—this woman’s beauty was like a poppy: one glance, and you were addicted forever.
“Am I truly… that frightening?”
The voice was cold, but it carried a trace of playfulness. It was the clearest emotion Fu Yunmo had heard from her yet.
“No… not at all…”
Her heart was thumping wildly. Fu Yunmo felt like she was going to die. This was truly a beauty so extreme it was demonic.
But then, a cold splash of reality hit her. She had seen this woman’s face… would she…
“Now that you have seen my face…” the woman began. The candle flickered ominously, making the atmosphere even more terrifying.
“Don’t… don’t kill me!” Fu Yunmo lowered her head, not daring to look. She was a coward, okay?! she just wanted to keep her little life!
“…Who said anything about killing you?”
After a long pause, the woman spoke slowly. By the time Fu Yunmo looked up, the mask was back on.
“Now that you have seen my face, consider it my thanks for your help tonight. Leave.”
The woman clearly didn’t want to say more. Fu Yunmo breathed a sigh of relief, but a thought crossed her mind: Where does she get this confidence? You think seeing your face counts as a ‘thank you’ reward?
Well, fine. You are indeed peerlessly beautiful… I’ll accept this payment.
“Understood.”
Fu Yunmo retreated immediately. Only then did she realize she was drenched in a cold sweat.
Downstairs, Young Manager Li was still at the counter. Fu Yunmo greeted him and prepared to head to bed. Her legs were still weak from the night’s frights.
“By the way, Sister Mo, your handwriting is excellent,” Young Manager Li noted.
Fu Yunmo stopped. “My grandfather was a scholar. He taught me to write.”
Thinking back, that was a history of blood and tears. To make her master the brush, her grandfather used to pace behind her with a ruler; any mistake was met with a sharp crack on the knuckles. How could her writing not be good?
“I see… so you are quite literate?”
Fu Yunmo nodded, gave a massive yawn—body language being more effective than words—and was promptly sent off to rest.
She fell asleep almost the moment she hit the bed. Just before drifting off, she wondered: Am I actually starting to get used to this place?
In her dreams, a figure in blue turned around, revealing the face from Room Earth-Three.
Beautiful like a demon… beautiful like a demon…
In the silent front hall, the clicking of Young Manager Li’s abacus created a faint, rhythmic melody.
The guest from Room Earth-Three walked out and approached the counter. “A jar of wine.”
Young Manager Li looked up with a gentle smile. “Cult Leader Ye, you are injured. This humble one suggests you refrain from drinking.”
The woman narrowed her eyes, her gaze cold. “You are no ordinary person.”
Ye Xihan (the “Female Devil”) was certain. This seemingly weak scholar knew her identity at a glance despite her mask. That wasn’t just eyesight; that was information.
“Ordinary, extraordinary… we are all just fools in the mortal world,” Young Manager Li smiled, entirely unfazed by her chill. “Cult Leader Ye, shall I brew you a pot of tea instead?”
“I only want wine.”
“Very well.” Young Manager Li sighed, handed over a jar, and said, “That will be half a tael of silver.”
As she turned to leave, he spoke again. “Cult Leader Ye.”
She stopped.
“Sister Mo is a new employee. If she has been lacking in her service, I hope you will not take offense.”
Ye Xihan offered no response and headed upstairs.
“Cult Leader Ye… why exactly have you come?” Young Manager Li murmured to himself, ending with a soft laugh at his own curiosity.
The day of the Great Martial Arts Assembly finally arrived.
For the last three days, Ye Xihan and Mo Lixi had been busy, only calling Fu Yunmo for wine or tea before dismissing her. On the day of the event, the Sihai Pavilion was empty of guests but buzzing with the staff’s excitement.
“I want to go see the experts!” “I want to see Fairy Mo!”
Everyone wanted to go, but no one dared leave their posts. The assembly was held at the “Platform of the Gods” in Tianji City—a magnificent structure with statues of the Four Heavenly Kings at the corners and the four mythological beasts carved into the floor.
“Fu girl.”
Li the Human Spirit called her over and handed her a document. It was an “Invitation.”
“Master Mo told me to give this to you.”
Fu Yunmo’s eyes lit up. In the original story, Nan Kunlun got to see the assembly because Mo Lixi gave him an invitation.
“Can I bring Nan Kunlun?”
“Go on, you brat!”
Fu Yunmo grabbed Nan Kunlun and dragged him toward the back door. “Come on, kid! I’ve got an invitation!”
“How did you get that?” Nan Kunlun asked, eyes wide.
“From your ‘wife’! Let’s go!”
“My what?!”
They reached the Platform of the Gods just before the start. The area was packed with disciples from various sects, lone wanderers, and… a distinct lack of hygiene. Who hasn’t showered?! Fu Yunmo grumbled.
They squeezed to the front, where the representatives of the Three Great Sects and Two Great Manors sat. Fu Yunmo immediately spotted Mo Lixi. Coincidentally, Mo Lixi looked over, her eyes curving into a beautiful bridge behind her veil.
She’s smiling at me… so beautiful…
An elder took the stage to announce the start: “In accordance with tradition: Etiquette before force. Discussions first, then the martial competition.”
The assembly grew quiet.
“Here it comes!” Fu Yunmo shook Nan Kunlun’s arm, but noticed he was staring blankly at the stage.
Was he looking at Mo Lixi? No—he was looking at the Cangyun Sect’s section. Specifically, at a girl standing beside Sect Leader Ning Buqu. That had to be Ning Min’er.
Fu Yunmo squinted. Wait, Nan Kunlun! You’re supposed to be looking at Mo Lixi! Why does it feel like the plot is going off the rails?
“Let us settle the etiquette first,” Mo Lixi’s voice rang out, instantly capturing Fu Yunmo’s soul.
Mo Lixi stood up. “As you all know, the Cangyun Sect previously attempted to humiliate my sect members using drugs.”
The crowd erupted into whispers.
“We did no such thing!” a Cangyun disciple shouted, but Ning Buqu silenced him with a wave of his hand.
“To resolve this,” Mo Lixi continued, turning toward the Cangyun Sect, “I have conducted a personal investigation.”
The members of the Yueluo Manor looked nervous at the word “investigation,” but relaxed when she turned her focus to Cangyun. Especially the young manor lord, Yue Loufeng.
“Regarding this matter… the Cangyun Sect…”
Everyone held their breath.