Chapter Sixty-Three: Outplayed

Baili Feihong tossed the tiger leg bone in his hand to the ground and asked a question.

This woman possessed a wild, sensual allure, but the murderous aura clinging to her was impossible to conceal. She was no kind soul.

“Bone Refinement stage?” Qiu Mulan’s eyes lit up. This man gave her the impression of pure, vigorous blood and masculine energy, making him a perfect partner for dual cultivation. If she could absorb all of his vital essence, she would surely surpass her elder brother and become a martial artist at the Marrow Refinement level. Then, in cultivation, she could stand shoulder to shoulder with her brother Fei Fengxue.

Her gaze, brimming with greed, lust, and hunger, fixed upon Baili Feihong.

Baili Feihong frowned slightly. The woman’s wild charm was matched by a strange aura emanating from her, quickening his heartbeat. Was this a seductive technique?

“You’re quite the fair-faced gentleman. The beasts on this Black Dragon Island are ferocious, yet you managed to drive them away. You must be rather skilled, which pleases me. Why not come back to my camp with me? We could enjoy a candlelit conversation through the night.” Qiu Mulan licked her crimson lips, her allure reaching its peak.

Those who practiced yin-yang dual cultivation naturally exuded an inexplicable attraction to the opposite sex. For the weak-willed, a mere smile or glance from her was enough to make them fall hopelessly into her beauty. As for her imposing build, Qiu Mulan never considered it a flaw—in her eyes, it only enhanced her wild appeal. Those accustomed to demure, delicate women would find themselves drawn to her unique magnetism.

Men liked pitiable women—that sprang from their instinct for protection. Yet, they also loved wild, vigorous women—an urge born of their desire to conquer. Hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of men had perished beneath her sheets. She understood men’s desires at a glance.

Baili Feihong studied the woman before him. Her wild demeanor was unlike typical women of the Great Yuan Empire; she even reminded him a little of modern women from his own era—with an untamed, sexy aura. Her large frame and robust figure were not drawbacks; on the contrary, they only added to her distinctive charm. A gym enthusiast, perhaps? It seemed so.

A candlelit chat by night? The sky was already brightening—was she inviting him to spend the night?

“My lady, wouldn’t that be improper?” Baili Feihong replied with a touch of resistance.

“Don’t worry. We’re merchants passing by Black Dragon Island. When we saw a fire here, my brother sent me to invite the honored guest ashore,” Qiu Mulan said, lowering the massive sword resting on her shoulder and doing her utmost to appear friendly.

A young master at the Bone Refinement stage—if she accidentally broke him, she’d be quite upset. Back at the cave, she had just received a bottle of marvelous aphrodisiac; a single drop would set him ablaze with desire. Everything would follow naturally, with no need to waste energy. With his sturdy bones, he should last her a whole month.

Baili Feihong sighed inwardly. Clad in his dark robe embroidered with pythons, the woman before him did not recognize him. She was wholly intent on seducing him into her bed, having dropped her guard completely. Were all pirates nowadays like this?

“Then, please lead the way,” Baili Feihong said, lifting his blade, eager to proceed.

A flash of delight crossed Qiu Mulan’s face. She shouldered her great sword and marched ahead.

Black Dragon Island was only thirty nautical miles from Dongbin City, a mere hour’s journey with a favorable wind. No merchant would ever stop at Black Dragon Island. Judging by the woman’s attire, she could only be a pirate.

This woman was now blinded by lust, her mind clouded by passion. Given that he had only displayed the Bone Refinement realm, she was certain he’d be easy prey.

The Demon Compass had failed to find the pirates’ lair. Black Dragon Island was vast, its forests treacherous. If the pirates wished to hide, he’d have to spend ages hunting them down. But now, one had come to him, personally guiding him to their den. It was as if a pie had fallen from the sky—he’d be a fool not to eat it. All those skill points, ripe for the taking!

Besides, Baili Feihong wanted to confirm how he could earn skill points by dealing with pirates. He had verified his theory in Dali Town and the Chu family village. If killing pirates also granted him skill points, it would prove that killing could indeed provide them.

Yet, there were two prerequisites he hadn’t confirmed: first, the target must be guilty of evil deeds; second, he must kill them personally. These were difficult to verify—he couldn’t bring himself to kill innocent people for no reason. That would be wanton slaughter.

The pirates’ lair was not far. Both of them used a movement technique across land, making great speed. Qiu Mulan, eager to test Baili Feihong’s strength, went all out. Yet the young man trailing behind seemed unable to keep up, forcing her to slow down, her smile growing wider. How fortunate—she had always dreaded those martial artists whose speed bordered on the supernatural. Once, she had met a noble scion whose strength was meager but whose speed was blinding—he vanished from her sight in a blink, skimming over the waves.

“My lady, please slow down,” Baili Feihong called out breathlessly. Lying came naturally to him. He saw through her schemes easily enough. Whatever answer she wanted, he’d provide. Once aboard the pirate ship, he’d deal with them. After all, there were no good men among pirates.

Rape and pillage were their nature. For a pure-hearted youth like him, only sixteen and not yet of age, to be so brazenly seduced and targeted—it was clear what she intended. Though the aura of corruption was not strong on her, she likely practiced some form of yin-nourishing, yang-supplementing technique, a tradition originating from Daoism and later spread by Buddhist sects. Followers of the Path of Joy were all fox spirits in human guise.

Qiu Mulan looked at the cave before her, momentarily stunned. The Dragon-Severing Stone had been lowered—re-entering would require smashing it apart.

“What’s wrong with Brother?” she muttered to herself. “Is there really need for such caution? With the two of us united in yin and yang, we could stand against a top Marrow Refinement master.”

Her confusion cleared her mind a little. Perhaps her brother had sensed danger—he was never one to flee otherwise. Usually, he enjoyed crippling foes, leaving the men for her and the women for himself. Maybe, though, this was her chance.

“My lady, is this your camp? It appears deserted,” Baili Feihong said, halting, his expression wary as he scanned the area, as if fearing an ambush.

“This is just our caravan’s temporary camp. They’ve probably returned to the ship,” Qiu Mulan replied, leaping toward the shore.

At the water’s edge, a hundred yards from the island, three ironclad ships floated side by side on the horizon.

“Look, sir, they’re on the ships,” Qiu Mulan said, pointing from the cliff toward the distant vessels.

But in the next instant, her face changed drastically. “No! That’s not our merchant flag—that’s the Bloodstorm Pirates’ banner!”

Her expression fell, but determination quickly replaced it. “Sir, you must leave at once. I’m going aboard to rescue them!” With that, she leapt into the sea.

Baili Feihong was left amazed. Had he guessed wrong?

Qiu Mulan never resurfaced. After waiting a moment, the surface of the sea remained calm.

Baili Feihong opened his mouth, but no words came. When had her attitude changed? Had she really given up on this prize of fresh meat? The camp? That was it—the camp.

“Are you using my hand to break your shackles?” he thought, shaking his head in resignation. He’d tricked others all the way, only to be outplayed at the final moment.