Chapter 178: The Beauty Trap

The courtyard runs deep, the lute's melody soft and faint.

Lin Kuan, head of the Lincang Prefecture Garrison Office, sat flanked by beauties, laughing and teasing them, while wine and delicacies filled the table before him—a scene of lavish excess.

At that moment, a trusted subordinate rushed into the courtyard, heedless of disturbing his superior's merriment, and whispered urgently into his ear.

Lin Kuan's smile froze instantly; his mood vanished. He waved his hand, impatiently dismissing all the beauties and servants.

"Is the information reliable? Has Chen Mu truly arrived?" Lin Kuan asked, his expression shifting between dark and light.

"Absolutely certain, my lord. He has revealed his identity and entered the prefectural office; he is now reviewing the Juan Sect records." The subordinate replied respectfully, a trace of worry on his face.

The arrival of an Inspector was never good news for local Garrison officers—especially for their lord, whose hands were far from clean.

Lin Kuan paced the courtyard, his brow tightly furrowed.

He was greedy and lustful, his cultivation built entirely on resources; he held his position as head of the prefectural Garrison Office not through merit, but through scheming and connections.

Now came a Dragon Pool prodigy, famed for his iron-fisted integrity and unshakable backing, as Inspector—how could this not trouble him?

"I must find a way to stall him—or… drag him down with us."

Lin Kuan muttered to himself, his eyes glinting with calculation.

After a moment's thought, he halted and ordered his subordinate, "You can activate 'Meiniang.' Tell her tonight she will serve a distinguished guest—ensure the guest is 'satisfied!'"

"My lord, I don't have a woman named Meiniang…" The subordinate's gaze flickered.

"What, reluctant to part with her?"

Lin Kuan smirked, "You've been secretly hoarding a beauty for yourself—do you really think I don't know?"

*Pūtōng~*

The subordinate dropped to his knees at once, sweat beading on his forehead, voice trembling, "L-Lord, spare my life!"

"Enough."

Lin Kuan lifted his hand.

"A woman is nothing—keep her if you wish. I'll pretend I never knew about your past. But this is a critical moment!"

Lin Kuan's face darkened, barking, "Chen Mu is young, a Dragon Pool prodigy—he's surely proud and aloof. Ordinary wealth won't impress him. But no hero escapes the beauty trap. If your Meiniang can bewitch you so thoroughly, no other man will resist her. Send her to Chen Mu. If he accepts her, the rest will be easy!"

"Y-yes, my lord, I understand!"

The subordinate gritted his teeth and nodded firmly.

…

Night fell.

Inside the Lincang Prefecture Garrison Office, Chen Mu had spent the day reviewing Juan Sect records and gained a preliminary understanding of the prefecture's situation.

At that time, Wang Jianzhong, Yang Xue, Xie Ning, and Zhang Yaoqi came to invite him to dinner.

Chen Mu politely declined.

After tidying up, he left the Garrison Office and returned to the inn.

He ate something simple, washed up in his room, and was just about to sit in meditation when a soft knock came at the door.

*Dong dong~*

Chen Mu frowned slightly—who could it be at this hour?

He did not rush to open the door, but asked in a low tone, "Who is it?"

"Young Master, it's your servant."

A soft, melodic voice, sweet enough to melt bones, came from outside.

"... I don't know any servant." Chen Mu replied calmly.

"..."

Silence outside the door.

Then, gentle knocking resumed—persistent and unceasing.

Chen Mu frowned.

He walked over and opened the door, finding a woman of graceful figure and exquisite beauty standing there.

She wore a gauze dress as thin as a cicada's wing, outlining a breathtaking silhouette; her glances carried an intoxicating allure.

"Miss, who are you seeking? Did you mistake the room?" Chen Mu regarded her with calm eyes, his tone indifferent.

Meiniang smiled sweetly, curtsying slightly, "You must be Chen Mu, Elder Chen? I am Meiniang. Lin Kuan, Lord Lin, sent me to attend you tonight."

Her voice was sugary, naturally seductive.

"Lin Kuan?"

Chen Mu's eyes flickered with understanding—it was him, indeed.

"No need. I require no attendants. Miss, please return." Chen Mu said coolly.

At this, Meiniang's smile froze, then she suddenly dropped to her knees, tears welling instantly in her eyes, pleading pitifully, "Young Master! Please, have mercy! Let me in! If I return like this… if I return empty-handed, they'll beat me to death!"

Her voice cracked—no pretense.

Chen Mu watched the weeping woman kneeling before him and silently sighed—Lin Kuan's control over people was indeed formidable.

"Come in." Chen Mu stepped aside.

Meiniang, as if granted pardon, thanked him profusely and entered the room.

Chen Mu shut the door and pointed to a round stool inside, "Sit there for the night. Leave tomorrow on your own."

Meiniang froze. She had absolute confidence in her charm—she never expected this young Inspector to be so unmoved.

But she dared not defy him, so she sat obediently and whispered, "Thank you, Young Master, for taking me in. I… I can sing. If you don't mind, may I sing for you to pass the time?"

Chen Mu gave no reply, "Do as you please."

Meiniang cleared her throat, parted her crimson lips, and a tender, winding melody began to flow.

Her voice was indeed exquisite—but stranger still, the song carried an invisible force, tugging at the heartstrings, lulling the listener into relaxation and stirring hazy, sensual thoughts.

However, Chen Mu's spiritual platform was clear and lucid, his mental strength far exceeding that of ordinary people; the moment he sensed a faint odd dizziness, he immediately became alert!

A flash of cold light flashed in his eyes; Chen Mu's body shot forward like lightning, appearing instantly before Meiniang, his right hand clamping down like an iron vice around her snow-white neck!

"Mmm~!"

Meiniang's singing ceased abruptly; her beautiful eyes filled with terror and disbelief.

"Speak! Who are you really? This enchanting melody is not something an ordinary courtesan could possess!" Chen Mu's voice was icy, brimming with lethal intent.

Choked and struggling to breathe, Meiniang's face flushed red, tears streaming down her cheeks, yet she dared not resist—only begged incessantly, "Young Master… spare my life… your servant… doesn't know…"

"If you don't speak, you die!"

Chen Mu slightly tightened his fingers; Meiniang's eyes rolled back, and she felt the true threat of death.

Seeing Chen Mu's murderous intent show no sign of fading—he truly meant to kill—Meiniang finally broke down, squeezing out a few words through her clenched teeth, "I… I'll tell… I… I'm from the Baihuo Sect… Deputy Head of the Purple Flame Hall… my real name… Lu… Lu Ziyi…"

Lu Ziyi?

Baihuo Sect?

Chen Mu's gaze sharpened; he loosened his grip slightly. "What Baihuo Sect? It's clearly the Baihuo Sect!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Ziyi fell silent.

The Baihuo Sect was a force that had existed for centuries, yet remained extremely reclusive.

It followed neither the righteous path nor the demonic path.

It seemed to merely wish to hide at home, worshipping fire every single day.

No one knew what exactly they worshipped…

Memories of the Baihuo Sect flashed through Chen Mu's mind; he barked sharply.

"Continue!"

"Yes… yes…" Lu Ziyi gasped for breath, speaking in broken fragments, "I… I infiltrated Lin Kuan's troupe of courtesans… to get close to him… to… to seek revenge… He… he destroyed my entire Lu family years ago… to seize a treasure…"

"But… but Lin Kuan's trusted aide… never gave me… an opportunity…"

"That bastard… didn't want to present me to… Lin Kuan…"

Any man would find it impossible to give up a beauty like you!

Chen Mu silently thought to himself, released his grip, and watched coldly as Lu Ziyi collapsed on the ground, coughing violently.

He hadn't expected that Lin Kuan's "gift" concealed such a secret.

The next moment, Chen Mu recalled something and asked calmly, "Was the treasure Lin Kuan seized a pair of uniquely shaped leg guards?"