While Hua Yi cursed nonstop, Guo Nu and Pei Wei remained silent, simply waiting for her tirade to end. Meanwhile, Ye Wen was led by the Tianle Gang members to a room fully equipped with toiletries, even featuring a bookshelf stocked with all sorts of volumes.

"There's a separate partition inside for bathing! If Sect Master Ye requires hot water, you need only summon a maidservant to attend to you. Attendants are waiting just outside!" The gang member, apparently having received prior instructions, was exceedingly respectful to Ye Wen, as if serving a respected elder relative.

Ye Wen found nothing amiss with the arrangement. He nodded and dismissed the man, adding, "Bring some hot water; I need a bath. There's no need for a maidservant..." He was still nursing lingering shock from the previous incident; if the Tianle Gang had tried something similar again while he was naked, it would have been an utter humiliation, with no chance to cover up.

"That fragrance was potent; if I hadn't been seated, I fear I would have made a fool of myself..." Satisfied with his narrow escape, Ye Wen casually picked up a book from the shelf to pass the time while waiting for the servants to fetch the hot water.

However, flipping through the books, he noticed that while the collection was varied, Buddhist texts vastly outnumbered Daoist scriptures—not a single Daoist canon was readily apparent.

"Why is it all Buddhist scriptures? Never mind, I'll just read them like novels!" He had no idea that Guo Nu himself hailed from the Chan (Zen) lineage, his entire martial art derived from it, and he was an avid scholar of Buddhism, holding little interest in Daoist texts, which explained the lack of collection. Most of the books on that shelf had been moved from Guo Nu's own quarters, naturally resulting in an abundance of Buddhist volumes.

As he engrossed himself in Guo Nu's Buddhist texts, Guo Nu himself was engaged in a serious discussion with the other two elders: "Regarding today's probing, what are your thoughts?" Pei Wei shook his head. "We still can't discern Ye Wen's depth!" Ever since he had been misled by Ye Wen at Mount Shu, Pei Wei held the young man in extremely high regard, and since today's attempt failed to uncover Ye Wen's bottom line, his conviction in his own judgment only strengthened.

Guo Nu understood Pei Wei's mindset. Initially, he hadn't believed it, but today's probing left him utterly unable to gauge Ye Wen's true power. If Ye Wen possessed formidable strength, engaging him directly would be an exceptionally unwise choice.

He had genuinely hoped Hua Yi could uncover something, perhaps even using her arts of seduction to bind this newly emerged young master, but it seemed her techniques had no effect on the boy.

With a glance, Guo Nu caught Hua Yi's attention. Without needing to ask, she knew what was running through Guo Nu's mind: "...Hmph! Either that brat has some hidden ailment, or he simply doesn't like women!" She would never concede that she had failed to enchant the man. In her view, these two explanations were the only suitable ones.

Recalling the events of the day, the amount of effort she had expended achieving absolutely no result—she couldn't even make the boy linger his gaze on her for a moment longer—Hua Yi was seething, wishing she could rip off Ye Wen's trousers right then and there to see if he was even a man.

"Actually... I think Elder Hua could have gone a step further!" Guo Nu coughed lightly, offering his suggestion.

To his surprise, this remark was met with an eye-roll from Hua Yi: "What do you know? Sacrificing one's looks to seduce a man is merely the lowest form of charm arts. True mastery is evident in every gesture and movement, radiating allure that drives men wild. If this Elder hadn't failed to cultivate the Mèi Xīn Huò Shén Dà Fǎ (Soul-Bewitching Grand Method) to its peak, how could that boy have escaped so calmly? I'll certainly make him recognize my might!" With that, she snorted again, outwardly displaying immense pride in her arts, yet inwardly she pondered: I have practiced this technique since I was cognizant, following my master. Coupled with medicated baths prepared using secret methods, the charm is already ingrained to the bone, emitting an alluring fragrance constantly. When I perspire, the scent becomes incomparably richer, rivaling the most magical aphrodisiacs, utterly captivating. Combined with the Soul-Bewitching Grand Method, seducing a man becomes twice the result with half the effort! Ordinary men couldn't withstand it; barely maintaining a shred of clarity would be difficult. Yet today, Ye Wen was completely unfazed. Could my master's claim that this art can bewitch all living beings be an exaggeration? No, it must be that I haven't reached the absolute pinnacle! Moreover, there was a period during the confrontation when he was affected by my art, but he suddenly snapped out of it. So, where did I go wrong to allow him to regain his senses?" She fell into deep thought, ignoring Guo Nu's and Pei Wei's inquiries. Even when Guo Nu addressed her, she offered no reply, just keeping her head down in silence.

After questioning her a couple of times, Guo Nu ceased. He turned to Pei Wei and said, "We must depart in a couple of days. This journey concerns the status of the Tianle Gang in the martial world for the next few years. We will entrust all matters concerning the Pingzhou Branch to Elder Hua!" Pei Wei nodded, but noticing Hua Yi’s preoccupied state, he glanced at Guo Nu, his look clearly asking, Are you sure about handing it over to her? Guo Nu also glanced over, about to inquire, when Hua Yi suddenly stood up and declared, "I must find Ye Wen again to test him, to see exactly what ability allows him to resist my charm arts."

Saying that, she waved dismissively at Guo Nu and floated directly out of the window, vanishing as she spoke. She was still wearing the same white gown from before; a flash of white shadow disappeared, and if an ordinary person had witnessed it, they might have thought they saw a ghost.

The sun was already setting, casting the surroundings into shadow. With no moonlight or starlight tonight, visibility was barely maintained by the dim glow from a few hanging lanterns. A white shadow flashing past one's eyes in such an environment would make even the bravest heart tremble. Several Tianle Gang members were thoroughly terrified by this display, causing a minor ruckus.

Fortunately, Guo Nu heard the commotion and came out to investigate. After learning the situation, he let out an exasperated reprimand: "What are you all seeing specters for? That was Elder Hua practicing her skills, stop making a fuss! Everyone disperse and return to your posts!" Only then did the disciples realize that the ghostly white figure was Elder Hua, who would soon be commanding them. They grumbled among themselves and returned to their duties. However, such an incident was bound to create more gossips.

None of this bothered Ye Wen. He was sitting in the spacious bathtub, engrossed in reading a Buddhist scripture.

It wasn't that he had suddenly developed an interest in Buddhism; he was simply reading the various passages as if they were short stories. And indeed, viewing them this way made many dry sections quite amusing—he treated the parts dedicated to sermons and teachings as mere plot exposition.

But the bathtub was filled with steam, and Ye Wen was leaning over the edge to prevent the vapor from damaging the book. Suddenly, his vision blurred, and a living person materialized before him.

There stood Hua Yi, still clad in her white garments, the thin fabric rendered slightly more transparent by the steam rising from the tub. Hua Yi paid it no mind, simply blinking her large eyes, looking at Ye Wen’s peculiar posture, and then bursting into a fit of laughter.

"What are you laughing at?"

Ye Wen glanced down, confirming that his entire body was submerged in the water, the moisture preventing any accidental exposure, before speaking.

"Sect Master Ye’s posture is so strange, leaning over the edge like that—isn't it tiring?" As she spoke, Hua Yi’s eyes flickered, as if struck by an idea, and she asked with ill intent, "Or perhaps Sect Master Ye is already accustomed to it?" "Accustomed?" The word 'pure' could never be associated with Ye Wen’s thoughts. He only needed a moment to recall his posture and immediately understood the insinuation in Hua Yi's words. "Damn it, you wretched woman, calling me a bottom?!" His face contorted, and his cheeks trembled with anger. No man could tolerate such an insinuation, especially from a woman, even one who was clearly hostile.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Ye Wen retorted, "I certainly can't compare to Elder Hua's familiarity!" Hua Yi had mocked him as a gigolo, and Ye Wen immediately retaliated by implying she was a common prostitute tasted by thousands. Against an ordinary woman, this line would incite a life-or-death struggle from those who valued their reputation. But for a woman like Hua Yi, who practiced charm arts, it was meaningless.

"Does Sect Master Ye wish to try?"

As she spoke, she suddenly leaned forward, propping herself against the edge of the wooden tub and swaying her prominent, curved backside slightly to ensure Ye Wen caught a good look: "Does Sect Master Ye like this?"

It would be a lie to say Ye Wen felt no wicked heat stirring within him. Even the profoundest Daoist arts could not entirely defy the body's primal instincts. Ye Wen felt a warmth rise in his lower abdomen, and his vital energy surged toward a specific point.

"Ha... haha... Elder Hua visiting late at night, may I ask the reason?" He chuckled dryly. Ye Wen felt that dwelling on this matter any longer would likely result in his defeat, especially since he detected that familiar, deeply unsettling fragrance the moment Hua Yi entered.

Yet, he had already inspected the room and even the hot water; there were no apparent issues. The only explanation left was the scent Hua Yi carried. But he saw nothing extra on her—just the thin white robe and the white silk undergarment concealing the alluring landscape beneath.

"Could it be a natural scent? But it's far too extraordinary?"

Unknowingly having guessed the answer, Ye Wen remained unaware that this natural fragrance was one of Hua Yi's main lethal weapons. Under the influence of the steam, sweat beaded on Hua Yi's forehead, and as she moved closer to Ye Wen, the scent intensified slightly.

Seeing that Ye Wen seemed affected, Hua Yi felt a surge of triumph: "So he was just putting on a brave face at the banquet!" With a sorrowful expression, she continued, "The night is long and sleep evades me. This humble girl wishes to find someone to pass the time with. Does Sect Master Ye deign to grant this pleasure?" Ye Wen shook his head. "If Elder Hua cannot sleep, I suggest you return to your room and count sheep. Count a few million, and you'll surely drift off..." Hua Yi had been so sure she would completely enchant Ye Wen, stripping him of his senses, yet to her surprise, he flatly refused her invitation. What angered her further was his suggestion: return to count sheep? A few million? How could anyone finish counting that many?

She didn't know that Ye Wen was exceedingly wary of her and dared not remain alone with her any longer. If this continued, he couldn't guarantee he could maintain his composure.

"It would be truly shameful if I lost my wits to the Tianle Gang's enchantments!" Seeing Ye Wen refusing to take the bait, Hua Yi's eyes shifted, and she finally settled on another approach: "Since that is the case, let's discuss the issues between our two factions, Sect Master Ye!" As she said this, she adopted a serious and proper demeanor, no longer leaning against the tub edge but standing upright, her hands clasped naturally before her—a posture that conveyed a subtle, yet inherent, authority of a superior. Only at this moment did she resemble a true elder of a gang, rather than a courtesan from a lawless district.

This bearing wasn't fabricated by Hua Yi's charm arts; it was an innate quality. Although she had only served as a Tianle Gang elder for a few years, her prolonged experience in positions of command had long cultivated an authoritative presence. Ye Wen, having met her only twice, was naturally unfamiliar with this side of Hua Yi.

At this moment, even Hua Yi’s gaze upon Ye Wen lacked the unrestrained flirtatiousness from before; instead, it was cold, seemingly capable of deciding his fate, like looking down at a subordinate.

The drastic contrast made Ye Wen quite uncomfortable. Since she proposed to discuss serious matters, he couldn't refuse. But in his current state: "Elder Hua, could you please step out first..."

Hua Yi curled her lip disdainfully: "This Elder has seen the world; I don't mind. Sect Master Ye, please come out!"

"You don't mind, but I do!" He cursed inwardly. Ye Wen’s rogue nature flared up, and he hardened his resolve: She's a woman and isn't afraid, what the hell am I afraid of? My treasure isn't something shameful! He stood up from the wooden tub and stepped directly out.

His movement was startlingly swift; even Hua Yi was caught off guard, without any time to react. The sight was utterly clear—she froze momentarily, then instantly flushed bright red.

She was just about to chastise him, but she had just declared she didn't care. She hadn't expected Ye Wen to actually step out of the bath because of her few words. Her plan had been to tease him a bit more after he emerged, allowing her to retreat gracefully—both resolving her frustration and leaving Ye Wen flustered.

Unexpectedly, Ye Wen emerged directly and made no attempt to conceal himself. His manhood swayed visibly before her eyes, especially as he stepped out of the tub—she nearly covered her face and fled in fright. If not for her exceptional self-control, forcing herself to remain composed, she would have suffered a crushing defeat yet again. Caught between scolding and remaining silent, she could only stand there, red-faced and at a loss.

Ye Wen, too, felt awkward, but as soon as he noticed Hua Yi’s utterly flustered demeanor, he realized that Elder Hua had, until now, only won verbal skirmishes and likely lacked any real experience. This unexpected display had clearly thrown her into disarray.

Thinking back, while Hua Yi had been overtly seductive at the banquet, she hadn't gained any advantage over him; at most, she displayed her slender leg and delicate foot. As for the crucial areas, they were meticulously concealed, revealing not an inch.

"Damn, I was hoodwinked by a novice! What a disgrace!"

Understanding this, Ye Wen regained his confidence. He stopped panicking and instead adopted a look of annoying roguishness (Hua Yi's words). He slowly turned to put his clothes on. He didn't care much; having lived in dorms in college, he'd changed clothes in front of roommates' girlfriends before—he was long past caring, though today he’d exposed perhaps just a tiny bit more.

"Elder Hua, please," Having dressed, Ye Wen gestured toward the main area and calmly walked out of the partition, taking a seat at the square table to wait for Hua Yi.

Unbeknownst to him, the moment Ye Wen left the partition, Hua Yi let out a long sigh and muttered resentfully, "I thought he was some honorable gentleman, but he turns out to be a complete scoundrel! Who can stand naked in front of another without changing their expression?" Recalling what she had just seen, Hua Yi’s face burned again. She quickly calmed her breathing, forcing her expression back to normal. She realized she had lost her composure too severely and might have been underestimated by Ye Wen. However, at this moment, she finally understood her master’s words: "You are too young and lack experience. If you truly encounter a rogue, you might instantly lose your balance!"

When she composed herself and emerged from the inner room, Ye Wen had already poured tea and was observing the stunning beauty with an amused expression: "Elder Hua, you took quite a while!" Just as Hua Yi was about to offer an excuse, Ye Wen cut in: "Let's get down to business. Why has the Tianle Gang invited this junior? Do you wish to discuss things peaceably? Or are you ready to fight to the death?" Hua Yi, forcibly silenced by Ye Wen, was deeply annoyed. She rarely encountered situations where the topic of conversation was completely controlled by the other party. Normally, upon realizing this, she would quickly withdraw, but now she felt there was no escape.

Ultimately, Hua Yi conceded. Since that was the case, she would discuss the matters between their two sects with Ye Wen; after all, that was the primary reason she was here.

"Can Elder Hua make decisions?" Ye Wen's new question finally prompted Hua Yi to speak, and what she said next surprised Ye Wen: "Elder Guo and Elder Pei are departing for the Central Plains in a few days. All matters concerning the Tianle Gang's Pingzhou Branch will be handled by this Elder. Issues involving your Shushan Sect will naturally fall under my purview as well..."

This statement stunned Ye Wen, and simultaneously, he understood why the Tianle Gang had gathered its three elders yet still treated him with such extreme caution, probing and re-probing instead of acting decisively.

"Departing for the Central Plains?"

"That is correct. That matter concerns the Tianle Gang. Let us discuss the issues between our two sects. Speaking of which, you killed one of our branch leaders and one hall master. This is something we must discuss thoroughly!"