Chapter 8

However, speaking of it, enticing people to lose their minds and then not giving them what they want, this is something Xue Mu is very familiar with...

What does he do? He is an idol group operator, a creator of idols... Creating female idols, selling personas, selling purity, selling images, what is the essence of it all? Fans treat idols as lovers, crying their hearts out when they break up, but are the idols really related to you? After taking your money, have they ever given you anything? Just a handshake meeting gets you so excited that you don't wash your hands for days...

Giving anything is giving it to others, when has it ever been your turn as a fan?

Is the Demon Sect = Idol Group? This discovery made Xue Mu find it very interesting. Although the methods are different, the essence is really quite similar. So, in a way, we are colleagues, and after all, I am also a part of the Demon Sect, right?

Yue Xiaochan huffed, "Forget it, we demonesses are like this, no matter what you think."

"If I say I like demonesses more," Xue Mu smiled mischievously. At this moment, looking at Yue Xiaochan, he had a professional perspective. Clearly, with her demonic qualities, if she were to be launched as a solo artist, she might become a national-level superstar...

Yue Xiaochan had no idea what he was thinking and sneered, "Words don't match your heart."

Xue Mu didn't know how to explain the essence of their shared profession, so he changed the angle, "Actually, you saved my life, treated my injuries, and provided me with a place to stay... No matter how you act, even if the world calls you demonesses, to me, you are the closest people in this world. If any righteous hero were to fight you, I would help you kill him."

Xue Mu's words were truly heartfelt. In this world, the closest person to him was indeed this little girl. If they really clashed with the righteous path, he wouldn't even need to think about whom to help.

Yue Xiaochan laughed, "You helping us fight? A puff of wind would blow you away."

Despite her words, her voice was clearly much lighter, "Since your heartbeat didn't change when you said that, I'll take it as genuine."

"More genuine than anything," Xue Mu seized the opportunity, "I don't know martial arts, but you can teach me."

Yue Xiaochan, hearing that he was dressed, turned around. She seemed to want to say something else, but her eyes suddenly lit up, "Hey, you look really handsome in this brocade robe."

Just now, Xue Mu had only flipped through it casually, but now that he wore it, he saw the full picture. This was a style of clothing he had never seen before, somewhat similar to the attire of martial artists in ancient costume dramas—tight sleeves, narrow cuffs, and fitted pants, making movement very convenient, unlike the loose, flowing robes of scholars. However, the fabric was expensive, embroidered with intricate patterns, and a jade belt around the waist added a touch of nobility. The white collar stood up, giving it a clean and refined look. Combined with Xue Mu's modern, efficient, and free-spirited demeanor, it was different from the generally martial and fierce aura of this world, yet not the kind of delicate and weak elegance. In short, it was a particularly handsome and dignified appearance.

As the saying goes, clothes make the man. The bathrobe he had worn before was clearly too casual, but now, dressed like this, Yue Xiaochan's eyes almost sparkled.

Xue Mu looked at himself in the mirror, quite satisfied, and smiled, "I didn't expect I would look so handsome in this."

Yue Xiaochan asked from behind, "What does 'handsome' mean?"

"It means handsome," Xue Mu turned and struck a pose, "Look at me, so handsome, can't you teach me some martial arts? Or is your cultivation method only for women?"

"Vain." Saying he was vain, Yue Xiaochan still looked him up and down, clearly very fond of this handsome appearance, and replied, "Our sect's cultivation method is not limited to gender, but the ones that can be taught outside are just basic techniques. If you want to learn real skills, you need to join the sect. Our sect hasn't taken male disciples for many years due to an incident, but there is no explicit prohibition. As long as the master agrees, you can join. You can ask her yourself, and I can put in a good word for you."

Xue Mu smiled, "So nice to me? Not really charmed by me? Not afraid I'm a spy trying to steal your sect's secrets?"

"If you have the ability, go ahead and steal. At your age and with your current state, starting from zero, and with the poison in your body that can't be removed... Forget it, let's not talk about that." Yue Xiaochan said indifferently, smiling like a flower, "We're all women in the sect, and we're tired of it. Having a handsome man around is a treat for the eyes."

Xue Mu was speechless.

Whether it was the effect of his earlier loyalty or the advantage of being handsome, Yue Xiaochan was now very enthusiastic, pulling him by his clothes and leading him out, "Are you hungry? Let's go to the Hundred Flowers Garden."

"Hey, you little girl, are you taking me to a brothel?"

"Do you think brothels only sell women and not food? Master was right, handsome men are all grass in the head."

Is this the male version of the "big chest, no brain" stereotype? I admit I'm weak in fighting, but you, a girl who can't even do basic math, dare to say I'm all grass in the head... Xue Mu was both amused and exasperated, but he was also very interested in their business model, so he followed Yue Xiaochan enthusiastically.

When they arrived at the Hundred Flowers Garden, Meng Lan greeted them, looking at Xue Mu with a mix of worry and resentment, then bowed her head, "Young Sect Master, Mr. Xue."

It seemed this girl didn't know her flirting had been live-streamed. Yue Xiaochan didn't expose her, just smiled, "Arrange a private room for us."

Xue Mu added, "Preferably one where we can see the main hall."

"Huh?" Yue Xiaochan tilted her head and looked at him, "You're really preparing to take over the accounts?"

Xue Mu smiled slightly, "Trust me, I can do more than just the accounts."

Even a bathhouse, I can turn it into a heavenly place, right?

Following Meng Lan to a private room upstairs, Xue Mu's eyes were immediately drawn to the calligraphy and paintings hanging on the wall.

Ink landscapes, freehand flowers and birds... and poems. These things still exist... However, the quality of these poems and paintings was quite rough. It's unclear whether it's because the development is just that poor or if the Hundred Flowers Garden's standards are low.

Looking down at the main hall, the sound of a guqin floated up. Xue Mu stood by the door, listening intently.

Compared to appreciating calligraphy and paintings, music was his specialty...

After listening for a while, Xue Mu was somewhat shocked. Not by the poor quality, but by how incredibly high the level was. It was far superior to the poems and paintings!

Instrumental solo has its limitations, so modern music places great emphasis on accompaniment and harmony. But the qin player downstairs, with just a seven-stringed qin and a sweet, soft voice, vividly portrayed a gentle and romantic atmosphere, like a spring breeze caressing the heart, making one feel tingly.

This was a high-level combination of composition, performance, and singing, reaching a soul-stirring melody that was hard to find in the present world.

The cultural foundation was abysmal, but they were proficient in singing, dancing, and playing instruments. This isn't just like an idol group; it's a super-strong idol group!