Why me?

Chen Ming was very puzzled. Was it because his aura was too outstanding?

He had been quite low-key. Ever since the appearance of this courtesan Mudan, he had not uttered a single word, yet she had singled him out with just one glance.

Unless she, like Yu Haitang, had some other motives for him...

Regardless of the reason, he now found himself in a precarious situation.

He couldn’t afford to offend either Qin Changyuan or Pan Dingqian right now.

Just as he was contemplating how to decline, Pan Dingqian beside him burst into laughter, "Hahaha... Brother, you’re quite fortunate with ladies. What are you hesitating for? Since this is Mudan’s rule, I’m sure that brat Qin won’t do anything to spoil the mood."

Qin Changyuan’s expression wasn’t pleasant, his eyes flashed with a trace of fierceness, but in the end, he restrained himself and downed the wine in his cup, "Let’s go."

He left with his entourage.

Pan Dingqian laughed even more heartily, "Hurry up, don’t keep Mudan waiting."

What could Chen Ming do? He could only drink the wine on the tray under the envious gaze of others, and then follow the maid into the room.

"Please bathe and change, Young Master."

Several young and beautiful maids surrounded him, leading him to an inner room where a large wooden tub was filled with water. A touch confirmed the water was still warm.

Since I’m already here...

Thinking of this famous phrase, Chen Ming let the maids help him undress and soaked in the tub, enjoying a comfortable bath.

After bathing, he changed into a set of clean new clothes.

Then, following the maid’s lead, he entered a lady’s chamber, immediately greeted by a faint fragrance of orchid and musk.

"Please sit, Young Master. The lady will arrive shortly."

The maid had him sit by the table and then left, closing the door behind her.

Chen Ming noticed several delicate snacks on the table, tried one, found it delicious, and then ate a few more pieces.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed from outside the door.

The door creaked open, and Mudan entered draped in a thin, gauzy veil, exuding an ethereal grace. Her exquisitely cold face and deeply expressive eyes reminded him of a once-popular term from a previous life, the ascetic type.

Seemingly ascetic, yet inherently seductive.

Few men could resist such a contrast.

She sat across from Chen Ming and gently adjusted the wick of the oil lamp on the table. Her red lips parted, "Do you know why I chose you?"

The confusion in Chen Ming’s eyes cleared instantly, and he replied, "I do not know."

Mudan’s lips curled into a peculiar smile, "I wanted to see what kind of man could become Junior Sister Su’s Heart Demon."

Junior Sister Su?

Chen Ming’s mind buzzed, suddenly realizing where the faint sense of familiarity from this woman came from.

It was Su Zhining.

The same icy complexion, the same cold demeanor.

Their eyes were different, one pure and innocent, the other filled with subtle emotion.

Moreover, one acted with righteous ideals, a somewhat naive disciple of the Celestial Dao Alliance. The other, a courtesan of the brothel.

No matter how vivid his imagination, he would never link these two together.

He swallowed with difficulty, "The Junior Sister Su you mentioned, could it be Su of the Celestial Dao Alliance?"

Mudan watched his shocked expression, her smile growing more pronounced, "You think a brothel woman like me is unworthy of training a celestial-like Su Fairy?"

"Of course not... I just never imagined. How is Su now?"

Chen Ming naturally wouldn’t admit to such thoughts and swiftly steered the conversation.

Ever since their last encounter, where Su Zhining was defeated by his sword for the second time, she hadn’t appeared. No matter how he tried to reach out, there was no response from her.

He had no idea where she’d gone.

Honestly, he was a bit worried. Although Su Zhining was powerful, her lack of experience in the martial world might put her at risk in a place full of hidden dangers like Jiangzhou City.

Mudan ignored his question and instead posed one of her own, "Do you know the name of the cultivation technique practiced by our Celestial Dao Alliance?"

Chen Ming shook his head.

He felt an inexplicable tension, sensing he was about to uncover an enormous secret.

Mudan said, "The foundation of the Celestial Dao Alliance is a technique called the ’Celestial Heart Technique’. At its peak, the Heavenly Heart becomes one’s heart, allowing one to walk the Celestial Path alone. Hence, the sect includes the words Celestial Dao in its name.

"To master the ’Celestial Heart Technique’, one must possess a flawless, sincere heart. However, this cultivation technique has a major bottleneck, and one can never reach the Third Grade through secluded meditation alone, because it centers around the heart.

"Therefore, once disciples of the Celestial Dao Alliance reach Fourth Grade, they’re required to enter the world and hone their hearts with the red dust of the mundane world."

As she explained this, her smile grew complex, "Since you’ve interacted with Junior Sister Su, you certainly know that she’s pure-hearted, sometimes even a bit silly."

Chen Ming kept silent; it wouldn’t be appropriate to speak about her junior sister in front of her.

The courtesan Mudan continued, "Throughout history, the purer something is, the more easily it gets contaminated. In this mundane and filthy world, trying to maintain a pure and unblemished sincere heart is no easy task. Once the heart of the Dao is sullied, naturally one loses the right to inherit the Dao lineage of the Celestial Dao Alliance."

Only upon hearing this did Chen Ming suddenly realize.

So, this courtesan Mudan had her Dao heart contaminated while training outside, which led to her current situation.

No wonder the disciples of the Celestial Dao Alliance always have to train outside; despite being assassinated so many times three hundred years ago, they have not changed. It turns out there’s an unavoidable reason for them to train outside.

He finally understood the Celestial Dao Alliance’s method of cultivating disciples. After reaching the Fourth Grade, they are sent outside to hone. Those who fail, like the courtesan Mudan, become part of the peripheral forces.

Only those who successfully pass the trials can become core disciples.

Su Zhining’s master letting her follow him must also be a form of training.

Wait a minute...

Chen Ming suddenly thought of something and quickly asked, "What do you mean, when you said I became Miss Su’s Heart Demon?"

The courtesan Mudan, seeing he’s finally reacting, smiled and said, "That’s exactly what it means. If she can’t overcome it on her own, she’ll end up like me."

End up like you?

Surely she won’t have a mental breakdown and end up as a courtesan in a brothel?

It seemed the courtesan Mudan guessed his thoughts from his eyes, her smile disappearing, eyes slightly narrowed, "Do you look down on prostitutes?"

Chen Ming suddenly felt his scalp tingle, and he responded solemnly, "Of course not. In this world, everyone is equal in terms of dignity, just with different roles. Many prostitutes have fallen into the dust because of the injustice of fate, having no other way out. This cannot be blamed on them. There are no trivial matters except death; to live, they have no other choice.

"There are also a few who love vanity and voluntarily engage in this profession. This is also understandable. Everyone has the right to choose their own profession, as long as they do nothing to harm the world."

The courtesan Mudan listened to his words and stayed silent for a long time.

Chen Ming felt somewhat uneasy; he couldn’t sense any cultivation power from this courtesan Mudan at all. Either she really was just an ordinary person, or her strength far exceeded his.

He thought it was most likely the latter.

She herself admitted that her Dao heart was dusted, who knows if she might suddenly go mad and attack people.

It’s best to be cautious.

After a long time, the courtesan Mudan’s gaze gradually became gentle, "No wonder Junior Sister Su said you often speak surprisingly. Just based on what you just said, I would like to grant you an opportunity."

"This—"

Isn’t necessary?

Before he could finish, Chen Ming found himself unable to move, unable to speak.

This feeling was identical to the time at Prince Zhenhai’s Mansion when Elder Shang subdued him.

What on earth is her cultivation level?

He heard the courtesan Mudan say, "Junior Sister Su’s aptitude is also extremely rare in our sect, never defeated since entering. In the same realm, no one could rival her, establishing an invincible heart. Who knows, defeated twice by you, exactly when she’s at the critical juncture of breaking into Third Grade. Thus, giving rise to a Heart Demon.

"Removing this Heart Demon isn’t difficult; she only needs to kill you to resolve this crisis. Are you willing to fulfill this for Junior Sister Su by dying?"

Of course not.

Unable to speak, Chen Ming could only widen his eyes, conveying this emotion through his eyes.

The courtesan Mudan continued, "I reckon you naturally wouldn’t be willing. However, Junior Sister Su is the disciple highly valued by the Alliance Master of our sect. Even if you’re unwilling, you would have to face death."

Chen Ming then understood why she chose him; it was to save Su Zhining.

And what does that make me?

Offering myself up?

She shifted her tone, "However, this is the worst-case scenario. If she can’t defeat you through her own abilities, her Dao heart will always have a flaw."

As she spoke, Chen Ming was already taken to another room, soon seeing Su Zhining sitting cross-legged on the bed, her condition visibly abnormal to the naked eye.

The mosquito net over the bed moved without wind, red blood vessels surfaced under her facial skin, while Gang Qi surged with her breathing, at the edge of losing control.

The scene made him somewhat apprehensive. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

The courtesan Mudan was not exaggerating at all; Su Zhining’s situation was already quite precarious.

The courtesan Mudan said, "To save her, there’s another way. Are you willing to try?"

Can I refuse?

Chen Ming felt helpless, unable to move even a finger, nor use the Sword Jade containing Shang Jianfei’s Sword Intent within him.

Involuntarily, he was placed on the bed, sitting about one meter from Su Zhining.

The courtesan Mudan said, "As the saying goes, ’the one who ties the bell must untie it,’ her Heart Demon originates from you, only you can dispel it."

As she spoke, she took out two Jade Pendants from her bosom, gently caressing them, her face full of reluctance.

Ultimately, she placed the two Jade Pendants on Chen Ming and Su Zhining’s foreheads respectively, saying, "These two Jade Pendants are Lingxi Jade, allowing you to share a silent bond. What you need to do is find a way to eliminate her Heart Demon..."

Chen Ming only felt her voice becoming more and more ethereal...