Everything Was Under His Control

To be perfectly honest.

* * * *

The two people under the bed had never imagined that their master could make such delicate, charming sounds, so full of humanity’s primal desire.

And… seriously, Junior Brother is so fierce!

It seemed like Junior Brother was in complete control the entire time!

And Master, how could you just throw all dignity to the wind and shout out anything?

‘Daddy’?

If I recall correctly, your own father passed away many years ago…

Even I, a modern person, couldn’t bring myself to say that!

Master, you really play on a whole different level!

* * * *

Qi Xiao confirmed one thing: her previous judgment of Li Wangyan was flawed. She had once kissed Li Wangyan, and he had reacted like a pure, bashly young man.

But who could have guessed that was all an act?

He was a wolf in sheep’s clothing! And come to think of it, he was the one who invited them to witness this situation in the first place. What did he mean by this? Was he trying to tell them that this is who he truly is, so they must meet his demands… even to this extent?

And seriously, did you two need to go on for so long?

…

* * * *

“Master! Let’s just pretend today never happened. I cannot wrong Senior Sister Qi any further.”

Slumped limply in Li Wangyan’s arms, Dao Sword True Master’s face showed a sorrowful expression. “But… you just promised me you would love only me… Are you going back on your word now?”

“Master, can the words a man says in bed ever be trusted? Obviously not. My words are naturally no exception.”

This scoundrel, he wasn’t even human anymore. Both Qi Xiao and Lin Wushuang were about to rush out and confront Li Wangyan.

“Besides, can what you say, Master, be considered true either?”

Dao Sword True Master’s body trembled slightly. “You… what do you mean?”

“Master, I must say, you are indeed somewhat different from before. If in the past you could have treated me like this, perhaps I wouldn’t have ended up in my current predicament. You could have been my good master, and I could have been your good disciple. We might have even become a heartwarming tale in the cultivation world. But Master… to only remember now, at this late hour, to protect your disciples… isn’t that a bit too late?”

Both Qi Xiao and Lin Wushuang wore looks of confusion. They didn’t fully understand what Li Wangyan meant by “protect your disciples.”

“I know what you’re thinking, Master. Your Dao is reflected within my Mystic Maiden’s Mirror. I am clear on what you intend to do. Your plan is simply this: you are on the verge of entering the Oblivious Meditation state, where your heart holds only the sword. Since I’ve already done these things to you, you might as well try to make me devoted to you alone. That way, you can prevent me from targeting Senior Martial Sister, Second Senior Martial Brother, and Senior Sister Qi… Moreover, if I truly become devoted to you, perhaps it could also help you break free from Oblivious Meditation, aiding you in achieving ‘Forgetting the Self to Attain the Self,’ and reaching the Deity Transformation stage.”

He gave a sharp slap to Dao Sword True Master’s plump rear. “You’ve calculated this quite well, haven’t you, my dear Master? What do you take me for? A fool obsessed with lust? Someone you can casually manipulate?”

He… he knows everything.

This terrified Dao Sword True Master. She knew Li Wangyan was extremely clever, not someone easily deceived or quick to trust others. Yet this still filled her with dread because it didn’t make sense.

Even if Li Wangyan knew she was about to enter Oblivious Meditation, he shouldn’t know the specifics of her thoughts. Besides, wasn’t this act of hers exactly what he had always wanted?

And wasn’t his earlier ferocity proof of that…?

“Master, do you have any idea that your current expression makes you seem a bit adorable to me?” Li Wangyan spoke as if he held all the cards. “When will you finally understand? Everything is under my control.”

“I…”

“Master, have you ever considered one thing?”

Li Wangyan suddenly shifted the topic. He pinched Dao Sword True Master’s nearly flawless face. “Have you truly considered the possibility that once you enter Oblivious Meditation, you may never return?”

“…What?”

Her eyes revealed bewilderment.

“The Ruthless Sword, the True Path Sword, the Only-Self Sword, the No-Self Sword—using these four sword intents to pull you back from the state of Forgetting the Self. That’s your plan, isn’t it? Actually, it’s not hard to figure out… if one knows who the compiler of the Ten Thousand Swords Compendium is.”

Qi Xiao immediately realized this must be information provided by that powerful figure hiding behind Li Wangyan.

That person knew who created the Ten Thousand Swords Compendium.

“So, Master, from the very beginning, you took us on as disciples solely to help yourself break through to a higher realm. It’s just that—your feelings underwent a slight change. And after I placed you within the Mystic Maiden’s Mirror, you found an even more secure method. Because the Mystic Maiden’s Mirror is an immortal artifact, a clear Immortal Path laid out before you is much more reliable than the method you conceived yourself, which might be complete or might have flaws.”

He sneered coldly. “That’s why you began to harbor some ‘affection’ for your disciples. That’s why you wanted to fulfill your responsibilities as a master. I’ll ask you just one question… Master, if I couldn’t help you return from the state of Forgetting the Self, would you let them help you? Would you not exploit them?”

Dao Sword True Master fell silent. She knew Lin Wushuang and Qi Xiao were under the bed. She knew Li Wangyan was saying this precisely for those two to hear. But at this moment, lying was meaningless.

“Witnessing my Sword Dao would also be… greatly beneficial for them.”

“Master, you really have a way with words. I almost think you should go into diplomacy. You conveniently omit mentioning that they could also become lost in the state of Forgetting the Self!”

Dao Sword True Master whispered, “Everything carries risk.”

“That, you are correct about, Master. I know what you’re thinking. However, what I told you before wasn’t entirely false either. My revenge against you is essentially complete, so I won’t do anything further to you. As for you entering Oblivious Meditation, that is your own affair. You becoming a puppet-like existence at the late Nascent Soul stage isn’t a loss for me. After all, where else could I find a late Nascent Soul stage puppet?”

He chuckled. “I will not let you return from Oblivious Meditation. Because if you reach the Deity Transformation stage, it would indeed introduce too many variables for me. I’m also uncertain if the Mystic Maiden’s Mirror, with my current strength, could truly restrain a Deity Transformation cultivator. That frightens me.”

“Therefore, I will shatter Senior Martial Sister’s Ruthless Sword Dao. I will transform Second Senior Martial Brother’s True Path Sword into a Path of Righteousness and Evil Sword. I will ensure Senior Sister Qi’s Only-Self Sword is not solely her own… I will ensure your Dao never achieves completion. As for your state after entering Oblivious Meditation, I know you will have made some preparations. But you can try to guess whether I can alter those preparations, making you my private possession instead.”

“You… you would sever my Dao?”

Finally, not a trace of tenderness remained in Dao Sword True Master’s eyes. In Li Wangyan’s gaze, she saw only ice. “My achieving Deity Transformation would be…”

“I said, a Deity Transformation cultivator is not easy to control. I cannot take such a risk by letting you reach Deity Transformation. For me, it’s best if you remain a late Nascent Soul stage puppet. Of course, this isn’t necessarily permanent. Once I break through to the Deity Transformation stage myself, I might let you return. Given my talent, that should take less than a hundred years. That shouldn’t be a problem for you, right, Master?”

A hundred years?

If a full hundred years truly passed…

Would he still see her as human? Lost in Oblivious Meditation for a century, could she truly still return? He might have forged bonds with Lin Wushuang, or perhaps with Chu Jiao… or maybe with Qi Xiao. They might lead a happy life together. By that time—would they truly want her to return?

Or perhaps, after a hundred years…

She couldn’t even imagine. Her own lifespan was merely a hundred years. She had thought she could accept it.

She had even told the Sect Master she would make arrangements, that the righteous path would gain another Nascent Soul stage puppet… But it seemed she wasn’t that resolute, not that determined after all.

She could say those words because she was confident she could return. But Li Wangyan’s words carried weight. He didn’t need to prove anything. Just by saying it, Dao Sword True Master had to believe him, because Li Wangyan was capable of doing exactly that.

“Why don’t you think it over carefully, Master?”

Li Wangyan dressed neatly and stepped down from the stone bed. “I have some matters to attend to and will head to the Peak Lord’s main hall first. As for you, Master, don’t forget to clean up a bit before you leave.”

And with that, he left.

For a moment, the three master and disciples were left alone in Li Wangyan’s cave dwelling.

Qi Xiao and Lin Wushuang knew that Dao Sword True Master knew they were there, but they weren’t sure if they should come out.

Dao Sword True Master silently used a water-element spell to cleanse her body, then dressed herself. Finally, she let out a faint, sorrowful sigh.

“You two, come out.”

Lin Wushuang and Qi Xiao crawled out from under the bed.

They didn’t know how to interact with their master now, nor what they should say.

“You heard everything… That is the full truth.” Dao Sword True Master’s tone held an indescribable, ambiguous quality, making it impossible to discern what she was truly thinking.

“You now know my true nature. You know why I initially took you as disciples. You know how I am manipulated by Li Wangyan. You know how powerless I am before him. You know how… lowly and filthy I am. He wanted you to know all of this.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Qi Xiao finally asked, “Master… will you truly enter Oblivious Meditation?”

“Having cultivated the Dao to this point, there is no longer any way to stop.” Dao Sword True Master gave her answer. “You are no match for him. It would be easy for him to shatter your cultivation. He is serious. To him, my only value is likely as a Nascent Soul stage bodyguard. Beyond that… I possess nothing he needs.”

“I had wished to do something more for you all. Now it seems that was merely a naive and foolish fantasy. Everything was within his sight all along… If you do not wish to be ruined by him as I have been… your only path is to submit to him. That is the sole way forward.”