A Calculated Gambit

Qiu Yan sat in the main hall of the Heavenly Spirit Sect, holding the intelligence report on Xia Niansheng that she had just had someone collect.

‘Fifth place in last year’s sect competition, gentle disposition, handsome appearance…’

These were all insignificant, utterly worthless details.

The only crucial point was…

Duan Xi Shen’s sole disciple.

Knowing he was that woman’s personal disciple, Qiu Yan had previously kept an eye on Xia Niansheng, certain he couldn’t be an ordinary individual.

Yet, apart from his striking looks, the young man’s talents were far from exceptional.

It made one wonder if that wretched woman, Duan Xi Shen, had taken him as a consort.

Later, she discovered he was quite close to Senior Aunt Xue’s disciple, Wen Zhi, and even after Wen Zhi became crippled, their connection remained unbroken.

At the time, she felt a prickle of unease, fearing Duan Xi Shen had deliberately sent Xia Niansheng to approach Senior Aunt Xue.

However, recalling Duan Xi Shen’s possessiveness, which rivaled her own, it seemed utterly impossible that she would send a man to get close to Senior Aunt Xue.

Consequently, she ceased her vigilance towards him.

Unexpectedly, with the incident involving White Snow Jade, he had once again entered her purview.

‘Could this be connected to Duan Xi Shen?’

Qiu Yan, Duan Xi Shen, and Senior Aunt Xue had all shared the same master, the former Sect Leader of the Heavenly Spirit Sect, and their bond had initially been as deep as sisters.

However, their relationship grew strained when both Qiu Yan and Duan Xi Shen simultaneously revealed their unusual affections for Senior Aunt Xue, who, in turn, remained coldly indifferent to same-s*x relationships.

Their intricate relationships and stances became fraught with tension, eventually erupting into open animosity and a frigid estrangement that lingered.

And so it had remained, even until now.

Qiu Yan furrowed her brow, then subtly shook her head.

‘Duan Xi Shen holds no interest in power, and my relationship with Senior Aunt Xue has made no progress. She has no reason to send someone to approach Yao’er.’

According to White Snow Jade’s account, it truly seemed more like a coincidence.

Nevertheless, Qiu Yan could not allow her guard to drop.

‘A man… so refined and gentle, yet his mind is undoubtedly filled with nothing but sordid thoughts.’

While he had indeed saved White Snow Jade.

‘But if this were to lead him to believe there could be any connection between myself and Yao’er, or if it were to alter Yao’er’s perception of men…’

Her inherent possessiveness meant she would not hesitate to personally sever such possibilities.

As these thoughts swirled, footsteps echoed from the entrance of the main hall.

Qiu Yan lifted her gaze towards the doorway.

As the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Spirit Sect, she had naturally encountered Xia Niansheng before, and his otherworldly handsome appearance had certainly left an impression.

The young man, clad in white, slowly entered the hall, light and shadow dancing around him, the dazzling sunlight behind him lending an almost divine quality to his exquisite features.

Witnessing this, a cold sneer formed in Qiu Yan’s heart.

‘How utterly ridiculous! Does such a repulsive man truly deserve to possess such an untainted aura?’

Qiu Yan’s expression remained impassive.

Xia Niansheng approached, standing at the foot of the steps, and looked up at Qiu Yan’s cold, indifferent face.

On his face was an expression of… utmost reverence.

Such a saintly aura he had exuded moments before, now replaced by such a subservient, humble demeanor.

“This disciple, Xia Niansheng, greets the Sect Leader!”

‘Yet, in his heart, countless venomous thoughts and hatred brewed.’

‘In his previous life, she hadn’t deceived him; she had directly persecuted him.’

‘After Senior Aunt Xue fell in battle, the Heavenly Spirit Sect underwent a drastic change, and he, like a forgotten tea, was cast aside.’

‘Qiu Yan had sought him out.’

‘Without any pretense, she had ripped off her Sect Leader’s mask and directly imprisoned Xia Niansheng in the dungeon.’

‘She had used him as a tool for cultivation, even torturing him relentlessly.’

‘Endless humiliation and exploitation… days indistinguishable from nights.’

‘However, even the most meticulous plan can have a flaw, and Xia Niansheng had managed to escape.’

‘But he had then shockingly discovered that while he was imprisoned, she had already spread rumors far and wide to prevent this very day.’

‘He had become a disgrace, a traitor who had betrayed his master and annihilated his ancestors, an outcast hunted by all.’

‘No one had believed him; even White Snow Jade had severed ties with him.’

‘He had almost broken down.’

‘As a protagonist, blessed with immense destiny, Xia Niansheng knew that even with rebirth, he couldn’t simply kill her.’

‘If he sought revenge, he could only meticulously plan.’

‘Qiu Yan was one of the main courses in this grand revenge, and for this meeting, Xia Niansheng had prepared extensively; he would not reveal any weakness.’

Qiu Yan narrowed her eyes, observing the seemingly subservient Xia Niansheng.

‘Hiss…’

In that instant, a subtle satisfaction unexpectedly welled within her.

After all, despite being a cultivator, her ambition for power was considerable.

A significant part of this stemmed from her profound enjoyment of being revered.

Regardless of sincerity, the utterly respectful expression on Xia Niansheng, who had moments ago appeared so ethereal, was deeply gratifying to her.

‘Moreover… he was the disciple of that wretched woman, Duan Xi Shen.’

‘That woman, who so despised men, actually took a man as a disciple. It was clear that Xia Niansheng held a truly special place in her heart.’

This realization only intensified Qiu Yan’s sense of satisfaction.

For Qiu Yan, however, her emotions were never legible on her face.

She maintained her detached expression, radiating an imposing aura that would have likely intimidated the former Xia Niansheng into slight nervousness.

“I have heard of your actions,” Qiu Yan stated. “To help a fellow disciple, sacrificing a medicinal pill of Composite Pill caliber, the Heavenly Spirit Sect rightfully owes you the highest reward.”

Xia Niansheng, a master of his craft, displayed a look of apprehension.

“This disciple would not dare…” Xia Niansheng demurred. “Assisting a fellow disciple and saving a life are simply my duties… they are not merits worthy of reward. I dare not even contemplate such a thing.”

This perfectly matched the gentle, honest image depicted in the intelligence report she had just reviewed.

Yet, to Qiu Yan, this reaction appeared both fake and foolish, only reinforcing her impression of Xia Niansheng as merely “blessed with good looks” and possessing a “useless gentleness.”

This was precisely the impression Xia Niansheng wished to cultivate.

Qiu Yan frowned slightly.

“While I commend your willingness to assist fellow disciples, it would be improper to treat all deeds equally,” Qiu Yan declared. “If you incurred such a significant cost to save someone without receiving any reward, would that not make others mock this Sect Leader?”

Xia Niansheng showed a hint of hesitation.

“Do you wish for this Sect Leader to be ridiculed?” Qiu Yan raised an eyebrow, her aura commanding.

“No, no, never!” Xia Niansheng hastily clarified, a reaction that greatly pleased Qiu Yan.

“Very well, tell me what you desire,” Qiu Yan said, though she betrayed no emotion, merely waving her hand dismissively.

Xia Niansheng wore a hesitant expression, remaining silent for a few seconds before finally speaking, as if finding it difficult to articulate: “To be frank… actually…”

‘Qiu Yan scoffed inwardly.’

‘Hypocritical and vile, a self-important fool.’

‘He pretends not to want a reward, but what he truly desires is already clear in his heart.’

Xia Niansheng appeared to have come to a decision.

“The position of the Heavenly Spirit Sect’s Saint Son is currently vacant…” As he spoke, Xia Niansheng glanced up at Qiu Yan, whose eyes were narrowed, her expression terrifyingly cold.

Xia Niansheng immediately adopted an air of profound trepidation.

“This disciple, this disciple does not mean to imply that a small merit alone would make me presumptuous enough to aspire directly to the position of Saint Son. This disciple merely… merely wishes for the Sect Leader to consider me more closely! At the very least, to include this disciple within the scope of consideration.”

Qiu Yan gazed at Xia Niansheng, her eyes narrowed, the small mole at the corner of her eye accentuating her formidable aura.

Faced with such an expression, Xia Niansheng showed a hint of fear.

“Forgive me, Sect Leader! This disciple was simply too carried away…”

Qiu Yan’s aversion to men was innate, deeply ingrained, which was why the position of Heavenly Spirit Sect’s Saint Son had remained vacant since her ascension.

‘However…’

‘The young man’s appearance was undeniably pleasing to the eye, and his status as Duan Xi Shen’s disciple was significant.’

Observing his obsequious demeanor, Qiu Yan, for a rare and unprecedented moment, felt no aversion.

‘As for his strength… he was considered one of the sect’s elites.’

‘If he were truly chosen as the Saint Son, it would also silence some dissenting voices.’

Qiu Yan crossed her legs, her ample thighs overlapping beneath her long gown. This seemingly unladylike posture, when adopted by her, carried no hint of impropriety; instead, it only enhanced her formidable presence.

“Why do you aspire to be the Saint Son? Is it because of White Snow Jade?”

‘This was a matter she cared deeply about.’

‘If he harbored any designs on what belonged to her, it would be best to eradicate them swiftly.’

‘Furthermore, she genuinely disbelieved in the existence of truly good people in this world; the only reason faces weren’t torn was because personal interests hadn’t been threatened.’

‘Willing to offer a Composite Pill to save Yao’er?’

‘He was merely coveting her beauty, and his timid, cowardly nature left him no other recourse but to curry favor through such actions.’

Upon hearing this, Xia Niansheng first froze, then hastily denied it.

“No, no, no…” Xia Niansheng shook his head frantically. “My desire to become the Saint Son has absolutely nothing to do with Senior Sister White. It’s simply because…”

At this point, Xia Niansheng again appeared to struggle for words.

Qiu Yan’s gaze sharpened, her indifferent tone brooking no defiance.

“Speak.”

As if summoning immense courage, Xia Niansheng finally spoke:

“It is because… because of the Sect Leader.”

Qiu Yan froze for a moment upon hearing these words.

A surge of anger immediately followed.

‘When had anyone ever spoken such words to her?’

‘It was an absolute affront.’

Xia Niansheng quickly tried to salvage the situation: “This disciple had no intention of offending the Sect Leader! It is merely this disciple’s genuine sentiment, and even my offering of that Composite Pill to save Senior Sister White was for this very reason…”

Indeed, this was the first time in Qiu Yan’s life she had heard such words.

Yet, the explosive rage she anticipated did not materialize; instead, a flicker of curiosity arose within her, wondering why he harbored such feelings.

Seeing that she had not yet spoken, Xia Niansheng continued:

“In truth, this disciple has always held the Sect Leader in the highest esteem. Becoming the Saint Son and assisting the Sect Leader with affairs has long been my aspiration. It is simply that this disciple’s aptitude is too poor… it would be difficult to catch the Sect Leader’s eye with strength alone, which is why I…”

“So, you’ve cultivated the image of a ‘good Samaritan’ within the sect to enhance your reputation?” Qiu Yan interrupted Xia Niansheng, her expression questioning.

Xia Niansheng’s face, however, lit up with surprise.

“The Sect Leader noticed all that?!”

This sudden burst of delight utterly bewildered Qiu Yan.

‘He was so thrilled just because she had noticed?’

‘This young man, whose appearance and demeanor were unparalleled, and more importantly…’

‘He was Duan Xi Shen’s disciple.’

‘Such profound admiration for her, to this extent?’

‘He was practically a dog wagging its tail.’

‘Did Duan Xi Shen know about this? Or rather, did he hold Duan Xi Shen in such high regard?’

Truthfully, Xia Niansheng’s wildly fluctuating emotions greatly satisfied Qiu Yan’s vanity.

She even began to consider what benefits might arise if this young man were indeed to become the Saint Son.

‘However…’

‘She was Qiu Yan, perpetually cautious in all matters, and thus, it was impossible for her to easily trust the young man before her.’

‘Nevertheless, the young man before her certainly possessed significant utility.’

‘Filling the vacant Saint Son position, thereby silencing public speculation, was merely the most basic advantage.’

‘He desired to be the Saint Son, did he not? At least, that was what he projected.’

‘He admired her, did he not? At least, that was what he projected.’

‘Therefore, with merely a subtle lure, he could prove to be a useful pawn in certain circumstances.’

Simultaneously, a faint, unexpected anticipation stirred within her.

‘How would Duan Xi Shen, who had vied with her for a lifetime, react upon seeing her beloved, only disciple transformed into a loyal hound, wagging its tail and panting at her sight?’

Meanwhile, Xia Niansheng, facing Qiu Yan, sneered inwardly.

‘Though he knew Qiu Yan’s wariness towards him hadn’t lessened, she had already taken his bait.’

‘Wretched woman.’

‘He would absolutely return every ounce of humiliation.’

Xia Niansheng’s expression was sincere.

Qiu Yan’s expression was hesitant.

Both harbored their own ulterior motives.

****