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

　　James Carter 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 actually, I’m just the bookkeeper for a Dongguan bathhouse, right?

Chapter Six: Enchantment

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

　　James Carter thought about it—she had a point. In those fantasy worlds full of leveling up and treasure hunting, how do those 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 only on fighting and auctions is completely distorted; the human foundation would collapse and couldn’t last long.

　　Emily Grant 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."

　　James Carter 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 values are way off. Running other businesses and running a flesh trade are not the same thing! Do you really think human trafficking and forcing women into prostitution is the same as collecting rent or selling grain? No wonder you’re a demonic sect.

　　Of course, James Carter wasn’t about to start a debate with her about this. Honestly, 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 James Carter realized the Hundred Flowers Courtyard, as the sect’s property, was nothing like the low-class brothel he’d imagined. Instead, it covered several acres, with pavilions and towers in neat rows, gardens, rockeries, and streams. If you didn’t know it was a brothel, James Carter would have thought it was a 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 spot 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 in the bamboo; James Carter 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, like a doorbell.

　　James Carter 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 member has their own specialty?

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

　　James Carter 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."

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

　　"Uncle Carter was personally brought back by Robert Hayes, so she shouldn’t be mistreated. I’ve investigated—Shishu is currently in Cell Number Three, Heaven Division. The guards are tight, and there are strange formations everywhere. If we try to break her out... the chances aren’t good."

　　"Robert Hayes..." Alice Carter sounded a bit troubled. "If that crazy woman did it herself, it’ll be much harder to get our person out."

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

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

　　"Yes." The woman, Grace, glanced at James Carter, 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, Emily Grant said, "This is James Carter, the accountant personally appointed by Master."

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

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

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