Internal strife again?

The Hut Master sighed, rising and walking to Lu Yunling.

When this disciple first entered, she had taken an immediate liking to her.

But Lu Yunling had insisted on being an ordinary disciple.

Ordinary? Training with forty or fifty others? A waste of talent.

No matter how she pleaded, Lu Yunling refused to become a direct disciple—yet still wanted to learn her technique.

Wasn’t that absurd?

Still, the Hut Master had agreed.

She chalked it up to youth and naivety.

“What do you mean, ‘heart already belongs to another’?

Who is this person—someone worthy of your repeated refusals?”

Lu Yunling couldn’t possibly name her Master.

The Sword-Steering Hut and Heart-Sword Hall were already at odds.

Revealing it would only invite trouble for her Master.

“I…”

Before she could speak, a knock came at the door.

The Hut Master glanced at it, then returned to her straw mat and sat cross-legged.

“Enter.”

It was Elder Wang Cheng.

“Hut Master, Wang Cheng greets you.”

“Greeting? Am I that old?”

“Wang Cheng may have cultivated a century, but you are both a senior and an elder…”

“Cut the flattery.”

“Yes.”

Wang Cheng paused, glancing at Lu Yunling.

“Yunling, the Hut Master and I have urgent matters to discuss…”

“Is there something you can’t say in front of a disciple?

Or are you hiding some underhanded deed you don’t want overheard?”

The Hut Master’s eyes flashed with anger.

She had just been figuring out how to claim Lu Yunling as her disciple, and now Wang Cheng was spouting nonsense to drive a wedge.

Seeing her Master defending her, Wang Cheng dropped the pretense.

“Then I’ll speak plainly.

It’s about that Gong Ning.

Does the Hut Master remember her?”

“How could I forget?

After the last incident—making our Sword-Steering Hut look bad, humiliating us—now you’re back for more?”

“The last time… was an accident.

You know well—Gong Ning lacks for nothing in resources.

With her family’s wealth, supporting a disciple is nothing.”

The Hut Master’s gaze turned icy.
“Are you implying I am stingy—unwilling to provide Yunling with resources?”

“No, not at all—”

“Wang Cheng, you’ve been to the Sword-Steering Hut before.

Say what you mean. Stop dancing around.”

“Yes.”

Wang Cheng finally got to the point.
“The Tianjian Pavilion has inquired—whether we’re interested in cooperating on a matter.”

“You spend your days running messages for Tianjian Pavilion.

Have you forgotten who you serve?”

“Hut Master, forgive me. I do this for the Sword-Steering Hut.

Among the seven sects of Xuantian Sword Sect, even Zangfeng Hall is growing stronger.

Our Sword-Steering Hut has no one but you as a pillar.

And the disciples below…”

“And the last payment? Even if we cooperate, my Hut won’t work for free.”

Wang Cheng replied, “Tianjian Pavilion agrees to sponsor a batch of resources—under the guise of an exchange program.”

“Not bad. And this time?”

“This time, they’re willing to hand over a spirit stone mine.”

The Hut Master paused.
“So generous? What do they want in return?”

“Because of the recent Xuan Yuan Sect incident, Yuqing Sect has formed an alliance with Xuantian Sword Sect.

Especially the Heart-Sword Hall—they’ll receive fifty percent of the resources.”

This was significant.

Yuqing Sect wasn’t just physicians.

Just as Xuantian Sword Sect wasn’t just swordsmiths, Yuqing Sect excelled in alchemy.

Each sect had its own system and processes.

Senior alchemists chose their sects carefully.

Yuqing Sect was a master in this field.

Many sects today relied on their pills.

This bond had been claimed by the Heart-Sword Hall.

That meant their resources went far beyond what the sect provided.

Even the laziest pig would fatten with enough to eat.

The Sword-Steering Hut and Heart-Sword Hall had always been rivals.

How could they fall behind now?

“Tell me the details.”

“The focus is still on Gong Ning.”

The Hut Master raised an eyebrow.

She knew Tianjian Pavilion’s schemes too well—always after that technique.

Their goals differed, but didn’t conflict.

Wang Cheng continued, “Gong Ning’s disciple is a descendant of Great Yuan.”

“Oh?”

The Hut Master leaned forward, now fully interested.

“And she has ties to the Xuan Yuan Sect—she’s even cultivated two heretical arts.”

“Never mind her lineage. Cultivating heretical arts isn’t a crime—so long as it’s reported. It doesn’t matter.”

“True. But what if she uses those arts to commit crimes?”

“And how would that implicate Gong Ning?

Even if it did—what does it have to do with the Heart-Sword Hall?”

“Gong Ning is deeply loyal and affectionate.

She won’t abandon her disciple.

And she was once a close senior-junior with Jiang Yuyao.

If Gong Ning is drawn in, Jiang Yuyao will follow.”

The Hut Master pondered.

“True.”

Hearing this, Lu Yunling—who had been silently listening—instinctively gripped the hilt of her sword.

This hadn’t happened in her past life.

Tao Lingling must have stood out too much this time.

Tianjian Pavilion had investigated her, exposing many secrets.

This was far more urgent…

Yet the Hut Master’s eyes sharpened.
“However! The Heart-Sword Hall is still a branch of Xuantian Sword Sect.

Are you asking me to cut off my own arm?

I didn’t hear a word of this. Leave.”

Lu Yunling exhaled in relief.

Unfortunately, she hadn’t learned their full plan.

She didn’t know what Tianjian Pavilion would do next.

Wang Cheng left, disappointed.

Lu Yunling said, “Hut Master, your wisdom is unmatched.”

The Hut Master smiled faintly.

“Naturally.

Friendly competition between sects is normal.

But internal strife?

Hmph.

In my view, the old dogs of Tianjian Pavilion can’t even control their juniors.

They’ve forgotten the five virtues: propriety, righteousness, integrity, shame, and trust.”

She waved it off.
“Enough of that.

Come, Yunling. Take these.

Even if you’re not my disciple, those with talent deserve more.”

Lu Yunling was speechless.

She preferred her Master’s approach—treating everyone equally.

Yet the Hut Master’s generosity and boldness still moved her.

It was just… too late.

Her heart already belonged to someone else.

After leaving the Hut Master’s residence, Lu Yunling looked at the spiritual merits in her hand, wondering how to spend them.

She found a ferryman and headed to Xuantian Peak.

As she walked, she thought about how to properly contact Tao Lingling.

She looked up—and saw three women walking side by side, blocking the path.

Lu Yunling didn’t mind.

She recognized the middle figure instantly.

That back could only belong to her Master.

“Jingzhi, since you bought a hairpin, why not get some earrings too?

Delicate dingxiang flowers—against your porcelain skin—I can’t even imagine how beautiful you’d look.”

Gong Ning shook her head.
“I wore the pin just to tie up my hair.

Jewelry is too much.

Plain-faced is more comfortable.”

“Ah, but I want to see!

If everything is only about practicality, how dull would life be?

Come on, come on—I’ll pay.”

“Fine, I’ll buy it.

Saves you from wasting money…”

Lu Yunling didn’t speak.

She didn’t interrupt.

She just followed at a quiet distance.

Though so much was different from her past life—more challenges, more danger—her Master was happier now.

As long as her Master was happy…

Every hardship was worth it.