Chu Li observed her and nodded . “Are you a dancer?”
He noticed how well-endowed Yue Ru’s figure was . Her graceful steps possessed a sort of rhythmic charm, a testament to the years of rigorous training she had experienced . Dancing had become her second nature and she was undoubtedly skillful in it .
“Yes, I had dance training . ” Yue Ru smiled .
Chu Li looked at her . “Very well, dance for me then . ”
Miss Yue Ru was beautiful and her eyes occasionally gave off a hint of mischief and shrewdness .
“Yes . ” Yue Ru grinned . “What sort of dance would you like to see, Master Zhao?”
“I’m not familiar with this . Just show me what you do best and allow me to broaden my horizons . ”
“Alright . ” Yue Ru let out a soft laugh .
The women sitting behind the curtain began to move . The music played and the calming tune resounded across the area .
Yue Ru moved around to the rhythm of the music elegantly like a delicate spirit crane spreading its wings . She was composed and lovely . Chu Li was stunned by her performance .
It was his first time realizing that a person could achieve great heights in dancing . If he cultivated Six Forms of Spirit Crane, he believed his progress would be much faster .
He focused on Yue Ru attentively .
Yue Ru’s movements changed constantly with the music . Sometimes, her movements were gentle while at other times, her movements became intense .
Chu Li’s heart fluttered along with her dance steps too .
He peeked at Kou Qiong behind him and frowned .
Kou Qiong’s eyes lit up and he bore a mesmerized expression . His body moved along slightly to the beat . Although it was just a slight gesture, it was obvious that he was fully engrossed with the performance .
Chu Li reached out an arm and waved it before Kou Qiong’s eyes . There was no reaction from Kou Qiong as his eyes were fixed on Yue Ru .
Chu Li let out a quiet sigh . Indeed, the Tian Luo Sect showed its capabilities . The dance resulted in an effect that messed with one’s mind and judgment . It would have been a piece of cake if someone wanted to kill Kou Qiong at that moment .
Yue Ru swayed along to the music in a limber and gentle manner . Her gaze shifted according to each action, displaying excitement and despair at times, passion and coldness, and longing and rejection at other times .
At first, the music was soothing . Later, the music altered gradually and had a tinge of discordance .
Chu Li raised an eyebrow .
Yue Ru’s movements became more powerful and explosive and her pace quickened . Her expression turned to one of terror and sorrow as if she was trapped in the middle of a battlefield .
Chu Li squinted his eyes and studied her . He did not move a muscle but the Omniscient Mirror was observing Kou Qiong . His emotions were affected by the music, rising and falling like fluctuating waves as his inner energy pulsated .
Chu Li did not notice anything strange about himself .
He possessed the Omniscient Mirror and MahVairocana’s Immobility Scripture . The Tian Luo Sect’s dance and music had no effect on him . They were no different from regular dances .
Yue Ru was completely devoted to her performance and ignored Chu Li and Kou Qiong’s condition . She believed that both men would lose the ability to resist after one song .
As the music crescendoed, her dance became more energetic and her movements were more forceful . She was like a man in the center of a sandy battlefield bracing himself against the onslaught of thousands of soldiers on horseback . There was no way of escaping and no chance of survival, yet the man steadied himself and fought until his last breath .
Then, the music stopped .
Yue Ru slowed down to a halt and ceased moving .
She panted as perspiration clung to her body . She curtsied to Chu Li and exited the area .
Yue Ru noticed Chu Li was still clear-headed and unaffected by the performance . Deep down, she was appalled but she kept her composure and retreated without hesitation .
The other maidens who played musical instruments retreated slowly as well . Soon, silence enveloped the residence .
Chu Li turned around and patted Kou Qiong .
Kou Qiong spat out a mouthful of blood and his face was pale .
Chu Li pouted in disgust . “Useless fellow!”
Kou Qiong regained his consciousness after he spat blood . He exclaimed apologetically, “Clan Leader, I lost control of myself!”
Chu Li asked, “Is this a martial art of the Tian Luo Sect?”
Kou Qiong nodded . “Musical Assassination Technique; an invisible form of attack!”
Chu Li snorted . “Why weren’t you on guard when you know full well that this is the territory of the Tian Luo Sect?”
“I couldn’t help myself . ” Kou Qiong shook his head and winced . “I’ve been on guard all along but I didn’t expect to be mesmerized by the music . ”
Chu Li remarked, “Looks like you’ll get attacked again next time . ”
Kou Qiong nodded helplessly . “That’s how frightening the Tian Luo Sect is . We all know it’s a killing skill, yet we can’t protect ourselves against it . ”
“Miss Yue Ru is rather intriguing,” Chu Li said . “Is she very famous in Phoenix Goddess Brothel?”
“Yes,” Kou Qiong replied . “Miss Yue Ru is particularly notable in the whole of Gale City . ”
Chu Li scoffed . “It seems that she’s well-prepared and here to test us . ”
Kou Qiong chuckled . “This is a good thing . It shows that they hold high regard for the Clan Leader . ”
“Hmm, you’ve got a point . I want to know what the Tian Luo Sect is up to . ” Chu Li waved his folding fan .
Yue Ru glided in delicately . She had already changed into a light green gown and her hair was wet . A faint, fragrant smell of soap emanated from her body . She greeted courteously, “My apologies for keeping you waiting, Master Zhao . ”
Chu Li inquired, “Miss Yue Ru, what was that musical composition just now?”
“Formation Rupture Composition . ” Yue Ru smiled . “I didn’t expect you to have such a high level of concentration, Master Zhao . You weren’t affected by the composition . ”
Chu Li pouted . “I know nothing about melodies . ”
Yue Ru spoke, “The less one knows about melodies, the greater his reaction towards the composition . I believe your follower knows nothing about melodies too, am I right?”
Kou Qiong cleared his throat and nodded . “Mm, I know nothing . ”
Chu Li snorted . “Do you have a composition that is more complex and powerful? The one just now sounded rather appealing . ”
“Oh?” Yue Ru was surprised . Her curved eyebrows twitched and she smiled . “Aren’t you worried about getting hurt, Master Zhao?”
Chu Li scoffed . “I haven’t come across a composition that can hurt me yet!”
“Since you’re so enthusiastic, Master Zhao, I shall comply . ” Yue Ru chuckled and clapped her hands once .
A maiden carrying an exquisite pipa entered and handed it to Yue Ru .
Yue Ru sat on the embroidered stool on the opposite side of the room and half-covered her lovely face, showing only her seductive eyes . She let out a gentle laugh . “I shall play a musical piece for you, Master Zhao . ”
“Good . ” Chu Li nodded his head eagerly .
“Dun dun dun dun…” A barrage of the pipa’s strumming sounds bombarded the men menacingly like a herd of stampeding horses .
Kou Qiong sat up straight and his eyes brightened .
Chu Li nodded . It was undoubtedly the work of an expert . When Yue Ru strummed the pipa, the sound waves were enough to make a person’s heart beat frantically .
Like the sound of rain, the sounds of the strums were rapid and intense . One wave arrived after the next, causing one to go out of breath . After all, each note penetrated the bottom of one’s heart and resulted in violent palpitations .
Chu Li’s expression was normal but Kou Qiong’s face went red . His eyes were illuminated and he could not suppress his murderous intentions which were about to make him get up and start slaughtering people .
As Yue Ru played on, Kou Qiong’s face turned a greater shade of red .
“Phish!” A line of blood was spat out and Kou Qiong’s expression turned gray .
Chu Li shook his head .
Yue Ru closed her eyes and her slender fingers plucked gently on the strings . Her fingers moved around nimbly as if they were dancing on the strings .
“Phish!” Kou Qiong spat out another mouthful of blood and his face turned ugly .
He had already regained his consciousness but he was still incapable of resisting the pipa sounds’ attacks . His organs vibrated along with the rhythm and his blood flow and heartbeat were controlled by the tune of the pipa .
“Clap! Clap!” Using the folding fan, Chu Li tapped on his palm twice .
Kou Qiong was jolted back into reality and he exhaled a pent-up breath . Once again, the fire in his eyes was rekindled .