“Who cares if it’s real or not? Wearing that Xuantiansong Daoist robe just feels so cool when you play. Oh, and there’s someone claiming to be from the Sword Inquiry Sect, called Olivia Turner... She really is dressed in white, outshining the snow, with a sword like a rainbow—she really looks the part.”

“Don’t tell me she’s Charles Turner’s junior sister.”

“Who cares if she is or not, just treat her as such, right?”

“Good point. I definitely have to meet this Miss Qianqian. I’ve been longing to meet a swordswoman from the Sword Inquiry Sect for ages.”

“I want to visit Jin-hye!”

……

Thanks to Lily Carter’s knack for drawing inferences, Baihua Courtyard’s new uniforms now included far more than just one or two sects—almost every righteous sect in the martial world was covered, except for those too lowly to even have uniforms. The righteous sects were all hit, and even nunneries weren’t spared.

You could play as a heroine from any sect in Baihua Courtyard. This news spread like wildfire throughout the capital. At first, Baihua Courtyard was quiet and deserted, but by around the hour of the pig, it suddenly became packed, with crowds nearly bursting through the doors.

The visitors included wandering martial artists, ordinary merchants, and even government officials in disguise, all joining the fun. Dozens of girls couldn’t meet the demand, and countless guests jostled and shoved in the main hall, almost breaking into fights...

The girls were all well-trained and excellent at acting. That Miss Qianqian really did have a cold and sharp look, rarely letting anyone get close. Only after being stuffed with silver would she reluctantly sit next to someone.

There were also nuns chanting scriptures in private rooms, Daoist priestesses reading Daoist texts—everything imaginable, performing a grand tableau of martial world beauties.

Watching the lively scene below from the rooftop, Lily Carter, the mastermind behind this farce, was grinning from ear to ear, her mouth nearly unable to close. With business like this every day, wouldn’t Baihua Courtyard be raking in money hand over fist?

Once the news got out, who knows how many people would be furious—that would be even more fun.

At this moment, Lily Carter was truly in awe of John Smith, even thinking that it wouldn’t have been so bad if he had really kissed her ear back then... Suddenly, she remembered that John Smith had called Sarah Miller to hide away in his bamboo lodge for who knows what, and Lily Carter’s smile suddenly froze, a wave of discomfort rising in her heart. She didn’t even know what kind of feeling this was.

Logically, even if they really got together, it had nothing to do with her... It’s not like she could be falling in love with anyone at this time, and it’s good for a sect disciple to have a strategist on their side... So why did she feel more and more annoyed the more she thought about it?

Her beaming smile turned into restlessness. Lily Carter paced back and forth a few steps, giving herself an excuse: Sarah Miller is one of the people in charge here. With Qingqing accompanying Master to the Six Gates, Sarah Miller is the primary person in charge. How could she be hiding away, leaving the young sect leader to watch over things? That’s not right—she must go and switch her out!

Having made up her mind, Lily Carter darted off toward John Smith’s bamboo lodge.

Even under the suppression of the capital’s law enforcement formation, with only half her strength available, Lily Carter still arrived at her destination in the blink of an eye. The bamboo lodge was lit by candlelight, warm and gentle in the quiet night.

Lily Carter didn’t even know what she was thinking. She slowed down, quietly floated to the edge of the bamboo lodge, and peeked through the eaves into the window.

In front of John Smith was a scroll of paper, and he was writing furiously with a brush, looking even more handsome than usual... Sarah Miller was standing gracefully by his side, quietly grinding ink. Her pretty face was a bit flushed, and her gentle gaze occasionally fell on John Smith’s face. It was hard to tell what she was thinking, but Lily Carter couldn’t help but feel it was full of affection.

It really was a peaceful and harmonious scene—a beautiful woman adding fragrance to the red sleeves, a couple working together... The uncomfortable feeling in Lily Carter’s heart grew even stronger, and she finally couldn’t help but appear before them with a “whoosh.”

John Smith didn’t even look up, continuing to write, as if he was already used to her sudden appearances. Sarah Miller, on the other hand, straightened up and gave a graceful salute: “Young Sect Leader.”

Lily Carter’s eyes darted around their faces, as if searching for something suspicious, but finding nothing, she forced a question: “What are you two doing?”

John Smith kept writing as he spoke: “Didn’t I tell you? This trick won’t last forever. Even if your master is invincible, she can’t hold down the fort forever. Besides, what if the righteous sects make such a fuss that the court shuts us down? So this is just a temporary measure—we still need to move on to the second step.”

“Oh, oh.” Lily Carter pretended to be casual as she leaned in closer. “What’s the second step?”

“Hmm... Earlier, while you were out stripping people’s clothes, I had Sarah Miller take me for a walk around the bookshops. Just as you said, aside from martial world tales and history, there were only generic secret manuals and even books on agriculture and mining, but hardly any literary works.”

“What does that have to do with the second step?” Lily Carter curiously lowered her head to look at what he was writing.

John Smith stopped his brush and glanced at her. “Kids shouldn’t look at this.”

Lily Carter snorted, “I want to see it anyway.”