Given the education Lily Carter and the others received from a young age, they had seen spring palace pictures and studied dual cultivation techniques. Even they would blush at such stories, so the other newbies would have even less resistance.

John Smith continued, “As for that kind of complex, taboo mentality, it’s because the background of Baihua Courtyard is like this, which makes it feel real. Using tragedy to evoke sympathy and lamentation is, in a subtle way, whitewashing the reputation. When people mention Baihua Courtyard, when they mention Qianqian, it becomes a poignant love story, no longer just a brothel for selling laughter. In the future, I’ll write a few more short stories about Baihua Courtyard. Once everyone’s first reaction to ‘brothel’ is Baihua Courtyard, it’ll be hard for you to lose money.”

“I see.” Lily Carter looked at John Smith with renewed curiosity. She really couldn’t figure out how this man’s mind worked—so many layers of consideration in a single piece of writing, and every point made perfect sense. She asked for advice, “So should we take it to the bookstore for block printing now?”

“No, have the girls copy a few by hand and give one free to every guest. Given how few stories there are here, I estimate that within three days, the capital will spread it on its own, no need for us to print it.”

Sarah Miller was extremely impressed: “Please, young master, sign your name.”

Signing one’s name was also a very important thing for people in this world. Martial artists love fame; making a name for oneself is everyone’s first goal when stepping into the jianghu, and after becoming famous, they’re even more careful to protect their reputation. In Sarah Miller’s view, such a wonderful story was enough for the young master to make a name for himself.

“Sign my name? Not necessary.” John Smith waved his hand. “This is to make Baihua Courtyard famous, not me.”

Actually, John Smith just felt that signing his name on an erotic story was a bit LOW, and it wouldn’t bring him any good reputation anyway, so what’s the point? But when Sarah Miller heard this, she was instantly moved, and Lily Carter’s eyes sparkled. After a long while, she softly said, “I know you’re not doing it for yourself, but still, sign your name. Otherwise, I won’t use your story.”

“All right then…” John Smith picked up the brush, pondered for a moment, and wrote four characters: “San Hao Xue Sheng” (Three-Good Xue Sheng).

“Is that a nickname you gave yourself?” Lily Carter asked curiously. “What does it mean? Which three goods?”

“‘Hao’ means ‘fond of’,” John Smith tossed the brush aside. “Fond of ample bosoms, fond of long legs, fond of slender waists. In the jianghu, they call me Three-Good Xue Sheng.”

“In the jianghu, huh? Have you no shame?” Lily Carter was amused by him, shot him a glare, and said in a sweet voice, “Are you really into that? I couldn’t tell.”

John Smith looked expressionlessly at her flat chest and said nothing.

Lily Carter covered her chest and ran off in tears: “Anyway, senior sister’s are huge!”

Lily Carter ran off in tears, and John Smith’s gaze instinctively fell on Sarah Miller. Sarah Miller didn’t mind at all, showing off her curvaceous figure and even gave him a flirtatious wink: “Young master…”

“Hmm?”

“Although I’d be happy to satisfy your three ‘goods’, I’m more afraid of the young sect leader making things difficult for me.” Sarah Miller smiled as she put away the manuscript and gracefully left. At the door, she looked back with a smile: “I’d better go take care of business.”

She didn’t use any seduction techniques this time, but her natural charm was still utterly bewitching. John Smith didn’t react much, just smiled and gestured for her to go. A hint of disappointment flashed in Sarah Miller’s eyes as she turned again, but suddenly John Smith called out to her: “Has the sect leader returned from the Six Gates?”

“No idea.” Sarah Miller said in surprise, “Are you looking for the sect leader, young master?”

John Smith pursed his lips and didn’t answer.

No matter how you put it, Xingyue Sect was absolutely ruled by Emily Smith with absolute martial strength and prestige; anything done required her approval. If he could gain Emily Smith’s trust the way he had gained Lily Carter’s, then with Xingyue Sect as his backing, the sky would be the limit.

He also harbored some unspeakable thoughts… Lily Carter was too young, Sarah Miller was just an external affairs disciple with no real power, but if—just if—he could win over Emily Smith…

He was daydreaming when suddenly a violent explosion sounded in the distance, accompanied by tremors that shook the ground, with aftershocks faintly felt even from here. Sarah Miller’s expression changed dramatically: “That’s the direction of the Six Gates! Could it be the sect leader is fighting someone?”

John Smith couldn’t sit still either. He and Sarah Miller rushed out the door, and at the entrance of Baihua Courtyard, they saw Lily Carter holding onto that Qingqing Shishu, saying something.

“What happened?”

Lily Carter turned and saw it was him, snorted unhappily, but still explained, “The Six Gates wouldn’t release our people, so Master got angry, tore down their outer prison, and let a few criminals escape. She said if they don’t release our people in a day, she’ll tear down one cell every day.”

John Smith was dumbfounded.

Previously, he’d felt that the demonic sect and the righteous path were openly at odds, but with the imperial court, they must have reached some kind of understanding. Even if there was conflict, it should be in secret. Besides, they had businesses in the capital—shouldn’t they be even more careful not to offend the authorities? Why go head-to-head with the Six Gates like this? Don’t they care about their businesses anymore?

Had he misunderstood something before?

After a while, Emily Smith floated over, tossed over a set of constable’s clothes, and said with a perfectly calm expression, “Chan’er, go find a girl to put this on and tell the guests that we now offer a ‘Six Gates Constable’ experience here.”