The crimson carpet unfurled across the cold, moonlit street, and on it danced the most bewitching of women—twelve in ornate palace robes, moving with a sinuous elegance that seemed to blur the line between art and indecency.
But it was the four in yellow who stole every breath from the onlookers. As the music deepened, their robes slipped away like silk drifting in water, until pale skin shimmered naked under the lantern's lurid glow. Entwined like white serpents, they danced together—not with swords, but with lips and fingers, each movement a silent gasp of seduction.
Their moans wove into the music, not crude, but haunting—like the whisper of sin carried on the wind. Their gazes shimmered with tears and longing, sometimes bashful, sometimes bold, always dangerously alive. Under the velvet red lights, their performance became not just dance, but dark incantation.
From the sidelines, the men watched—half in awe, half in disbelief.
"This is outrageous!" barked Qiao Wei, his eyes wide, though clearly unwilling to look away. "Debauchery at its peak! A disgrace to the realm!"
Uncle Li gave him a sidelong glance, voice dry: "Then wipe your mouth before preaching morals."
Startled, Qiao Wei scrubbed at his chin. "Well—look at you! What's that sticking out of your pants? A new kind of sword?"
Uncle Li scowled. "What fool would hide a weapon down there?"
Qiao Wei smacked him where he pointed. "Then what do you call this?"
Uncle Li doubled over, groaning in pain, as the others averted their eyes, torn between embarrassment and hilarity.
Du Xiaoyan and Li Xiaoye turned away, cheeks scarlet. The former muttered, "Who are these women? How do they have no shame? So many men watching, and they're still dancing like—like that?"
Tie Xuanxuan didn't bother looking away. "Please. With figures like that? They should be paying us to look."
Qin Ren glanced at her with a subtle grin. "Jealous?"
She huffed. "Seen better."
"I have too," he said with a nod, lips twitching in amusement.
Tu Hong was squirming, hands rubbing together, unsure where to look. "This… doesn't feel right. But the dance—it's, well, quite—graceful, you know? Just maybe a bit too much skin. Ahem."
Qin Ren smirked. "You could always look away."
"Yeah, yeah—just this once. Rare chance, after all!"
Then Qiao Wei said something that drew all eyes to him.
"This is no ordinary dance. It's the 'Heart-Mesmerizing Dance' of the Demon Sect's Mi Xin Cult. Beautiful, yes—but deadly. Keep watching, and you'll lose more than your mind."
Tu Hong paled. "Then why are you watching?"
"We," Qiao Wei pointed at himself, Qin Ren, and Uncle Li, "have faced far worse. Strong minds, strong bodies. Not so easy to fool."
He gestured to Du Gongfu, who stood still, eyes fixed firmly on the ground.
"Even girls aren't safe from this spell," Qiao Wei continued. "Just look at Du Xiaoyan and Li Xiaoye—they barely dared to look. But… hmm? What's with Miss Tie? Still watching?"
Tu Hong gave a worried nod, then spun around and stuffed cloth in his ears.
Then Qin Ren stepped forward, voice loud and clear:
"Save your strength for the bedroom! No one here is falling for your tricks!"
In response, the twelve robed dancers formed a circle and slowly reclined, while the four naked ones knelt, heads bowed low, arms outstretched in ritual pose.
Suddenly, a gust of wind cut through the night.
Four dark figures descended from the shadows, cloaked in black robes, their faces obscured by masks of azure, crimson, indigo, and violet. Each landed atop one of the robed dancers—feet pressing upon their hips with eerie precision.
Then came her.
From the darkness floated a vision in scarlet—her robes crimson as blood, her face veiled in silk. She landed like falling plum blossom on the backs of the kneeling women, her bare feet resting on their faces like a queen seated upon living cushions.
Qin Ren's eyes narrowed.
Even veiled, there was no mistaking her—the Scarlet Saintess of the Nine Yin Sect.
Her very presence stirred the air with lust and poison. Even without sorcery, her body spoke a language more powerful than spells.
"Qin Ren," she said, voice misty as dream smoke, "how fortunate we are to meet again so soon."
She held a crystal blossom between two fingers, her words weaving a net of silk and shadow.
"I regret fleeing so abruptly earlier. Your charm haunted me through the hours. When word reached me of your presence, I came without delay. And just now… your words… so bold, so true to a man's spirit. My heart, alas, is already yours."
With each syllable, she swayed like a reed in wind, fingers brushing the air, body shifting subtly. By the end, her hand fell lightly upon her chest, where the fabric barely contained her curves.
Even Du Xiaoyan and Li Xiaoye looked stunned, a strange emotion flickering in their eyes. Only Tie Xuanxuan remained unmoved, crossing her arms.
"Men," she muttered. "Throw a little perfume and leg at them, and they forget their names. Hmph. As if a woman needs to act like that to—"
She stopped abruptly and glanced sideways at Qin Ren.
What came next was silence—and tension.
Qin Ren didn't call upon his Shura Eyes. There was no need. He had seen her true power once, and now, he studied her not as a threat, but as a riddle.
A beauty forged of poison and silk… a natural-born siren. Even Da Ji and Bao Si of ancient times may have only approached her level. Of all the women I've met—only Zhen Luo comes close. But Zhen Luo is still young. This one… this one is danger incarnate. Just the way I like it.
He bowed deeply, his tone mock-gentle.
"My lady graces us with her presence. I fear I have not prepared a worthy welcome. May I ask—are you here to kill someone, or to save one?"
The Scarlet Saintess laughed, soft as a breeze among reeds.
"Oh, what terrible things you assume. Me? Harm you? You're the only man to resist my dream-spell. I'd sooner wound my own heart."
Her smile lingered, sweet and deadly. "I only wish to ask you a single question, dear Qin Ren. Indulge me, and I shall be… ever so grateful."
He returned the smile. "For beauty such as yours, I offer my words freely."
She tilted her head.
"Today, even Qiao Qitian and Li Guding fell to my 'Nation-Felling Dream.' Yet you—infamous across the realm for debauchery—broke free with ease. Some say you're a lecherous fiend, the greatest scoundrel alive. They whisper of all the maidens you've seduced… yet you resisted me. Why?"