Star Martial Soaring Cloud

Yan Zixi's gaze swept over Wang Xiao's lower body seemingly casually, and the teasing smile in her eyes made Wang Xiao suddenly come back to his senses.

He glanced down—

Above the water, the "sword" held its head high, forming a sharp arc. Its blade was straight, and its tip was raised, as if it were announcing its existence to the heavens and earth.

Wang Xiao: "..."

He suddenly felt embarrassed, and his face flushed slightly.

Recalling her murderous demeanor just now, an indescribable sense of embarrassment welled up inside her.

He abruptly sat back down in the hot spring, leaving only his upper body exposed, the water barely concealing his embarrassment.

He casually placed the Seven Star Sword on the rock beside him, the cold glint of the blade still visible, though most of its killing intent had dissipated.

Seeing Wang Xiao's drastically different appearance, Yan Zixi burst out laughing. It turned out that he himself hadn't understood the situation either!

That smile, like a spring breeze and gentle rain, instantly dispelled the somber atmosphere that filled the valley.

She raised her hand to cover her cherry lips, her eyebrows and eyes curving as she laughed so hard that her breasts swayed and rippled.

Wang Xiao's expression remained unchanged, and she asked in an icy tone, "Then why did you dance this dance?"

Yan Zixi said with a rare seriousness, "Fengyuxuan is the largest merchant alliance in Kyushu. You should know that."

Wang Xiao nodded.

"Since it's a business alliance, then profit should come first. As long as the price is right, anything is negotiable," Yan Zixi said slowly. "This 'Jinghong' dance was originally choreographed at great expense by the Xuanyuan family. They provide the money, we provide the personnel; it's a win-win situation, nothing more!"

Wang Xiao frowned slightly: "That's why this dance pays tribute to the Xuanyuan family and even sings praises to the Daqing Dynasty."

"So what?" Yan Zixi chuckled. "The Ministry of Rites of the Great Qian Dynasty is now entirely controlled by the Xuanyuan family. They can easily promote whatever they want, publicize whatever they want, and make people remember whatever they want."

Wang Xiao remained silent.

All six Ministers of Rites during the Great Qian Dynasty came from the Xuanyuan family.

The Ministry of Rites was in charge of matters concerning rites, music, education, and religion throughout the realm.

"Since Young Master Wang can discern the intricacies of this dance, he must also understand that during the Great Qing Dynasty, literacy was a luxury for ordinary people. Arts and dances, in particular, require a great deal of time, money, and energy. How could ordinary people have the opportunity or means to learn them?"

"The Great Qian Dynasty overthrew the Great Qing Dynasty and wanted to reform the old and establish the new, setting up schools to educate people. But what could they do? Throughout the entire Nine Provinces, those who understood literature and art and could read were all trained by the Xuanyuan family. If they wanted to promote new things, they could only cooperate with the Xuanyuan family."

"Therefore, the rules and works of art in the Great Qian Dynasty are ultimately inseparable from the Xuanyuan family—over time, matters of art have become the family affairs of the Xuanyuan family. The teachers who taught me singing and dancing were all from the Xuanyuan family. I dance this dance simply according to what I have learned, without any intention of advocating anything."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiao's brows remained furrowed, his doubts unresolved: "The Daqing Dynasty is so unpopular, isn't the Xuanyuan family afraid of provoking resentment among the people of the Nine Provinces by promoting and praising it so blatantly?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Zixi's smile faded slightly, and a hint of indescribable mockery and helplessness flashed in her eyes.

She gently stirred the water's surface, her voice drifting slowly, each word carrying a chilling absurdity: "Does Young Master Wang overestimate the common people? They don't care about the truth; they care more about their own emotions."

"But the winds of time are the most ruthless and deceptive. They blow away many things, even those deep-seated unpleasantness and heart-wrenching pain. As long as we are willing to guide them, we can always find points that resonate with the people."

"When the people long for peace, they loudly proclaim that the Daqing Dynasty once defended its territory and maintained peace for a time, and then talk about the chaos and turmoil of other dynasties; when the people yearn for food and clothing, they say that the Daqing Dynasty once cultivated many fertile fields and fed many people, and then talk about the displacement of thousands of common people when the Daqing Dynasty was no longer in power; when the people envy family reunion, they say that the Daqing Dynasty once stopped the fighting for a few days, but never mention that the fighting was started by them."

"In this way, within three generations, through subtle influence and constant exposure, many people have forgotten the cruelty of Daqing and only remember the glorified 'glory,' which also makes many people dream of returning to Daqing."

She paused, her gaze fixed on the distant mist, her tone even more absurd: "They don't even realize that, given their status, if they were to truly dream of returning to Daqing, they would be nothing more than pigs and sheep to be slaughtered. Yet even so, they would still regard Daqing as the kingdom of their dreams."

Ridiculous?

absurd.

But that's reality.

After listening, Wang Xiao remained silent for a long time. His enemy was far more terrifying than he had imagined!

He finally understood why this dance had spread throughout the land and why so many people were captivated by it.

Because the dancers are beautiful, those who watch the dance naturally feel that the story behind it must also be beautiful.

Because nobody knows what "carrying a bird in a cage" means.

Because no one will remember the darkness that once existed, and countless voices may even tell you that only by forgetting the darkness can you embrace the light.

because--

As Wang Xiao pondered this, a chill rose from the depths of her heart.

This is the most terrible.

It was not killing, not oppression, not bloody suppression.

Rather, it makes people forget.

Wang Xiao took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions in his heart. His gaze towards Yan Zixi was less cold and more complicated.

"Thank you for your explanation, Miss Yan. I also apologize for my rudeness!"

Yan Zixi smiled slightly and didn't say anything more.

The two remained silent, the steam from the hot spring swirling around them, and the moonlight casting a hazy glow over the entire valley.

A moment later, Yan Zixi suddenly spoke, her tone as charming as ever, but with a hint of confident amusement: "Young Master Wang, after today's encounter, I've become increasingly interested in you. I'd like to make a bet with you; do you dare to accept?"

"A bet?" Wang Xiao looked up, his eyes still heavy with melancholy, tinged with doubt.

"What? A man of your stature, Young Master Wang, dares not accept a bet from a mere young woman?" Yan Zixi smiled charmingly. Even though it was a provocation, the way she spoke, with a hint of coquettish provocation, sent a shiver down one's spine.

He smiled faintly: "What kind of bet?"

Yan Zixi didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "The bet is simple. It depends on whether you can help Sister Qinhe defeat me on Demon Island. If you win, I will naturally not force you and will never mention trying to win you over again. But if you lose, Young Master Wang, you will have to switch allegiance and join my Flower Shadow Sect to serve me."

Upon hearing this suggestion, Wang Xiao fell silent.

The people of Fengyuxuan are truly remarkable.

In the battle to win over others, Yan Zixi has already lost time, and even all possibilities.

Her gamble completely reversed her disadvantage and gave her a chance to get back to the table.

He allowed Wang Xiao to help his opponent on the Demon Island and have a fair duel with him.

Not only does it demonstrate one's magnanimity, but winning also showcases one's strength and earns Wang Xiao's unwavering support, without causing any sense of disgust.

Get more in one fell swoop.

After a moment of silence, Wang Xiao laughed: "Miss Yan, are you using me as a bet? You're not even putting in any of your own capital!"

"Young Master Wang, you speak with utmost sincerity," Yan Zixi blinked. "Is it possible that Young Master Wang lacks confidence in defeating a weak woman like me?"

Under the moonlight, she leaned lazily against the rock, her gauze dress clinging to her body, revealing her exquisite curves and exuding a seductive charm.

But in those peach blossom eyes, besides her charm, there was also shrewdness and calculation.

"Okay, I'll take the bet."

A hint of surprise flashed in Yan Zixi's eyes: "Young Master Wang, is it true?"

"really."

"Good! A gentleman's word is his bond—"

"What is done cannot be taken back."

Yan Zixi smiled, a bright and beautiful smile.

She slowly rose, water droplets falling from her gauze skirt, shimmering in the moonlight.

"Then I will await your good news, Young Master Wang."

She turned around, her gauze skirt fluttering gently in the mist, her figure gradually disappearing into the thick fog.

"Oh, right."

Her voice suddenly came from the mist, carrying a hint of laughter and a touch of provocation.

"Young Master Wang, I saw the changes in your body just now very clearly."

"Next time we meet, Mr. Wang, remember to dress properly!"

As soon as she finished speaking, her figure disappeared completely into the mist, leaving only a string of silvery laughter echoing in the valley.

Wang Xiao paused for a moment, then gave a wry smile and shook his head.

This woman is really...

He glanced down at the still-proud "sword" beneath the water's surface and sighed helplessly.

"This is... terrible."