For World Peace

Wanchunting Garden was designated as the lodging place for the Hundred Flowers Sect.

During the gathering, Huang Donglai had already gone around to notify everyone, so by now, people were arriving one after another and settling into Wanchunting Garden.

The first thing Tu Yan did upon entering her room was open the window.

And just then—

Li Mo, having just shown the distinguished guests around the newly renovated Fengyue Pavilion, stepped out alone.

Mentally tallying up the returns on his investments, his grin was wider than a pig’s during New Year celebrations.

"?"

Tu Yan raised a delicate eyebrow, her eyes narrowing like crescent moons.

Wasn’t that the renowned "Wife-Blessing Battle Soul"?

He... came out of Fengyue Pavilion?

As someone with half a foot in the profession, how could she not know what kind of place that was?

The top-ranked young prodigy of the Hidden Dragons List, emerging from such a place, and looking so pleased with himself...

"No matter how exceptional, men are still just men..."

Tu Yan froze for a moment, her gaze flickering.

All crows under heaven are equally black—she’d seen plenty of them. The only difference was that some men didn’t bother hiding it, while others were harder to read.

For her, this was actually ideal...

As she pondered, another woman hurried out from inside and handed something to Li Mo, who glanced at it before pocketing it.

"His lover?"

Tu Yan scrutinized the woman.

Her attire was simple, but every movement carried an innate sensuality—not deliberate, but a habit unconsciously cultivated over time.

Yet even by Tu Yan’s standards, the woman’s face was undeniably stunning.

Tu Yan and the other disciples from the Harmony Sect couldn’t help but compare themselves.

"Isn’t that Hua Nongying?"

"Look at her demeanor—could she be trying to reform after meeting the Little Overlord?"

"Doesn’t he already have someone? Rumor has it he and the Cold Fairy are a match made in heaven."

"What cat doesn’t sneak a bite? No matter how beautiful the flowers at home are, the wild ones by the roadside always smell sweeter."

"Hua Nongying is an untouched courtesan. She might rival Senior Sister Tu in looks, but when it comes to real skill? She’s miles behind."

The junior sisters giggled like a chorus of songbirds.

"Looking for a beating?" Tu Yan pretended to scold them, but her chin lifted slightly.

Before, she hadn’t been confident.

Now, she was certain—with just the slightest effort...

"Senior Sister, should we create an opportunity for you to meet him today?" asked a junior sister in pale purple robes.

"Not yet. The comrades from the Yin-Yang Hall have sent word. Let’s discuss official matters with them first."

Snap—

The window closed.

...

Below, on the dimly lit street.

"Someone was watching me just now?"

Li Mo’s senses were exceptionally sharp—he’d detected a gaze laced with ill intent.

Turning around, he caught sight of a window shutting.

Seeing him pause, Hua Nongying seized the moment, stepping closer with even more deliberate grace, her eyes shimmering like stars in the night.

Who could resist such allure?

Born with a seductive charm, paired with her modest attire, the contrast only heightened her appeal.

She’d put thought into this outfit.

What did men love most?

Corrupting the virtuous and redeeming the fallen... Her "reformed" appearance made her all the more captivating.

"Master, the night is deep. Why not rest here? Don’t you have business with the owner of Wanchunting Garden tomorrow?"

"?"

Li Mo leaned back slightly.

Then, leveraging the footwork of the Hidden Dragons’ top ranker, he maintained a safe distance.

Was Hua Nongying beautiful?

The top courtesan of the Imperial Capital, a peerless beauty on the Hundred Flowers Ranking—how could she not be enchanting? But truthfully, after spending so much time with the "Ice Block," she was merely "pretty, but uninteresting" in his eyes.

Especially since the Ice Block wasn’t just a bad Ice Block anymore.

Li Mo had discovered she’d unlocked a darkened version!

The Phoenix Heavenly Empress, the sole holder of a crimson destiny—if she fully embraced the darkness, what would become of him? What would become of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths?

"No!" Li Mo refused without hesitation, his tone final.

"This servant will prepare—Huh?"

Hua Nongying was stunned. She hadn’t expected even this to fail.

So she blurted out:

"Is this servant not...?"

"Sis, you’re beautiful."

"Then why...?"

"For world peace."

...