Lily Carter glanced at him with a half-smile, her expression unexpectedly alluring, and her voice took on a teasing tone: "Oh? What's this, our Mr. Smith is interested? Should I call a few girls over to keep you company? Consider it a reward for telling such a good story."

John Smith pinched his forehead, still at a loss for words.

You all go on and on about your powerful sects, the future, the foundation of strength—I thought you were so high-end, but in the end, you’re just running a brothel!

So I thought I was applying to be a mafia accountant, but it turns out I’m just the bookkeeper for a Dongguan bathhouse?

Chapter Six: Enchantment

"What’s with that weird look? What’s wrong with running a brothel?" Lily Carter shot him a sidelong glance. "A huge sect—where do you think food, clothing, shelter, and transportation come from? Where do cultivation resources come from? Are you going to rob everything?"

John Smith thought about it and realized she had a point. In those so-called fantasy worlds full of leveling up and treasure hunting, how do sects actually develop? Usually, it’s all about hunting monsters or fighting over mines, but in reality, any society is made up of many aspects. Whether it’s money or cultivation resources, there are all kinds of sources. A world that relies solely on fighting and auctions is fundamentally twisted; the human foundation would completely collapse and couldn’t last long.

Lily Carter continued, "The brothel is just one of our businesses. The girls aren’t our disciples. We just run the place, same as other sects run other industries. Don’t think our sect is in the business of selling bodies—your look is really annoying."

John Smith raised his hands in surrender. You’re the one who keeps acting all seductive, talking about men and women like it’s nothing at your age, and I’m the one to blame for misunderstandings?

But seriously, your worldview is clearly off. Running other businesses and running a flesh trade are not the same thing! Do you really think human trafficking and forcing good women into prostitution is the same as collecting rent or selling grain? No wonder you’re a demonic sect.

Of course, John Smith wasn’t about to start a debate with her about this. In fact, being in the entertainment business himself, he wasn’t exactly a saint either—he’d done plenty of pimping. So he just kept his mouth shut.

It wasn’t until they arrived that John Smith realized the Hundred Flowers Courtyard truly lived up to its reputation as a major sect’s property. It wasn’t just a single gaudy building as he’d imagined, but rather sprawled across several acres, with pavilions, towers, gardens, rockeries, and streams. If you didn’t know it was a brothel, John Smith would have thought it was some noble’s mansion.

The so-called brothel was just a multi-story building facing the street. Behind it were various areas: courtyards for guests to stay, residences for guards, and so on. Beyond the courtyards was a bamboo grove, and at its deepest, most heavily guarded part was where the sect members of Xingyue resided.

They didn’t enter through the brothel itself, but went in through the back, into the bamboo grove. There was a formation there—John Smith saw with his own eyes as a female guard activated some mechanism, and the previously misty bamboo forest instantly became clear, with a distant bell ringing out, like a doorbell.

John Smith thought to himself, if there’s a formation, it must involve calculations. If the Xingyue Sect is skilled in formations, they shouldn’t be so bad at arithmetic. Maybe each disciple has their own specialty?

Seeing him deep in thought, Lily Carter seemed to guess what he was thinking and said with a pout, "If it weren’t for Uncle Baker being stuck at the Six Gates, why would Master have to do the accounting herself? Once we rescue Uncle Carter, she’ll probably have a lot to talk about with you."

John Smith nodded, saying nothing. Sure enough, everyone has their own role; a sect can’t be that simple.

A graceful, beautiful woman led several girls out of the bamboo grove and bowed deeply to the carriage: "Greetings, Sect Leader."

Emily Smith's voice came from inside the carriage: "Grace, what’s the situation at the Six Gates?"

"Uncle Baker was personally brought back by Edward Baker, so she shouldn’t be mistreated. I’ve looked into it—Uncle Carter is currently in the Number Three Heaven Cell, heavily guarded and full of strange formations. If we try to break her out... the chances of success aren’t high."

"Edward Baker..." Emily Smith sounded a bit troubled. "If that crazy woman handled it herself, it’ll be much harder to get our person out."

"Sect Leader, don’t worry. The Six Gates isn’t completely under Edward Baker's control. There are still ways."

"Mm... Get everyone settled, then we’ll discuss further."

"Yes." The beautiful woman, Grace, glanced at John Smith, a look of surprise flashing in her eyes, as if she was a bit hesitant.

Their whole sect was made up of women, so what was up with this random man? How should they arrange his accommodations? And he didn’t seem to have any cultivation at all... When did the sect have someone like this?

Noticing her confusion, Lily Carter said, "This is John Smith, the accountant personally appointed by Master."

Surname Smith, in charge of the accounts... Grace seemed to understand instantly and stopped worrying. She smiled, "Everyone, please follow me."

John Smith realized she’d misunderstood, maybe thinking he was a relative of Emily Smith? He glanced at Lily Carter, who made a funny face at him.

This girl... she did it on purpose. John Smith actually felt a bit warmed by it. That little nudge was pretty important—whether he was treated as an honored guest or just a servant all depended on that one sentence. Strangely, Emily Smith didn’t object either. Maybe she didn’t care, or maybe she just spoiled Lily Carter and didn’t want to go against her. With that tacit approval, everyone’s attitude toward him changed instantly...