Lily Carter wasn't thinking about any of that. The industry was on the verge of collapse, and now the disciples were actually supposed to go out and sell themselves?

If they really did that, what difference would there be between Xingyue Sect and Hehuan Sect? At least in the eyes of the world, there would be no difference at all.

This was no small matter—it was a major issue of “different paths”!

But no matter how clever the little girl was, she was, after all, trained in martial arts. When it came to running an industry, she was completely out of her depth and had no ideas at all. Even Emily Smith herself might not have any good ideas, let alone her. Lily Carter stared blankly at her wine cup, silent for a long time.

The atmosphere was stifling, with only the sound of John Smith eating breaking the silence. Lily Carter glared at him: “All you know how to do is eat! How can you still be in the mood for this?”

“It’s just developing a brothel…” John Smith said lazily, “That’s why I say, if all you know is fighting and killing, you’ll never get anywhere. I even told your master the same thing.”

Lily Carter pouted, “Just? If you’re so great, why don’t you come up with an idea?”

“Actually, there are plenty of ways to make money without running a brothel…”

“That’s all you ever say?”

John Smith put down his chopsticks and casually wiped his mouth with a wet napkin: “Of course, if you think a distant solution can’t quench a present thirst, then I can use a little trick to bring Baihua Courtyard back to life.”

Chapter 11: The Temptation of Uniforms

Maybe it was because from the very beginning, John Smith had repeatedly shown that he could “help your sect develop,” or maybe it was his generous confidence and infectious charisma. Lily Carter didn’t doubt that he was bragging; instead, she eagerly poked his hand with her chopsticks: “Let’s hear it.”

Sarah Miller lowered her head slightly, her expression a bit odd. To be honest, she still couldn’t figure out where John Smith came from. Even if he was a relative of the sect leader, the young sect master shouldn’t be treating him so casually… She guessed that her earlier flirting was probably a death wish—did it look like she was trying to steal the young sect master’s man…?

“First, I need to clarify a few things.” John Smith held up a finger. “First, are all the brothels in the capital pretty much the same? Just showing off their looks and talents, nothing else?”

Sarah Miller replied, “Pretty much. Of course, some claim to sell art but not their bodies, but sooner or later, they all end up the same.”

John Smith nodded. “Second… are you afraid of offending the righteous sects?”

Sarah Miller was taken aback. Why bring up offending the righteous sects? If you’re competing with others, aren’t you just offending your peers?

Before she could answer, Lily Carter jumped up: “Who do you think we are! How could we possibly be afraid of offending those hypocrites! I just wish they’d die faster! Besides, even if we don’t offend them, won’t they still cause trouble? There was just a big incident in the south, and you still expect to make money peacefully?”

“All right then…” John Smith leaned in closer to Lily Carter and beckoned her over.

Lily Carter instinctively leaned her little head over, and John Smith moved in to whisper. The man’s breath was closer to the little girl’s ear than ever before, and Lily Carter suddenly felt as if electric currents were crackling all over her body. Her heart started pounding, and a wave of heat seemed to come from nowhere, instantly making her cheeks burn.

That crystal-clear little earlobe, right under John Smith’s eyes, started to change color, turning pink and then spreading to her face and neck. John Smith was momentarily stunned, swallowing unconsciously.

He really couldn’t tell—this girl was so innocent… No wonder she was so upset about the earlier misunderstanding. She really is a pure novice… That tender earlobe at this moment seemed to radiate endless allure, so fresh and cute that John Smith felt a strong urge to kiss it. But reason told him that would be way too perverted—she was only thirteen, after all. No way should he be having thoughts about a girl who hadn’t even grown up yet…

Maybe a girl’s natural shyness is more charming than any seductive technique?

It was as if the air between them had frozen. Off to the side, Sarah Miller rested her chin in her hand, watching with great interest.

Their sect didn’t practice the Hehuan Sect’s dual cultivation methods; in fact, they still had some expectations about love. But the Demonic Sect was still the Demonic Sect—using a woman’s natural advantages to drive men crazy was second nature. The young sect master was hailed as a once-in-a-century genius, and she was supposed to go out into the world at sixteen to enchant the masses and win over the world… Who would have thought, before she even set foot in the world, she’d already been made so shy by a man at this tender age? If the sect leader saw this, she’d probably cough up blood.

Noticing Sarah Miller’s amused expression, Lily Carter hurriedly sat back down, glaring furiously at John Smith: “If you’ve got something to say, just say it! Your plan needs senior sister’s help anyway, so why are you whispering? Are you deliberately teasing me?”

Once she moved away, John Smith let out a quiet sigh of relief: “I’m not interested in little girls.”

Lily Carter glared at him: “You!”

John Smith quickly changed the subject: “By the way, I forgot to ask—do the major righteous sects have uniforms? Uh, I mean, standardized sect attire.”

Lily Carter knew he was changing the subject, but had no choice but to go along, grumbling, “Most of them do. Why?”