The Tale of the Painted People

Fangyuan, facing Sect Leader Murong, spoke with an unhurried cadence.

“Sect Leader, have you ever heard the tale of the people in the painting?”

“Oh?”

Sect Leader Murong regarded Fangyuan, her expression remaining placid, seemingly awaiting Fangyuan to continue.

“Imagine a farm girl, toiling in the fields from dawn till dusk, her life bounded by the rhythm of the sun.

For her, everything revolved around her kin: her husband, her children, and the villagers surrounding her.

Her memories, good and bad, from childhood onward, were etched vividly in her mind—the first time she married, the birth of her first child, the heavy taxes levied by the officials, or the disputes over land with her neighbors…”

“This was a masterpiece painted by a cultivator, a genius of the painting dao, imbued with such profound spiritual charm that it was truly breathtaking.

It fetched tens of thousands of spirit stones.”

Having spoken this much, Fangyuan fell silent.

Qin Yan listened intently to the story, then shifted his gaze to Sect Leader Murong.

The placid expression that had previously graced her face was gone, replaced by a subtle furrow between her delicate brows.

From an outsider’s perspective, Fangyuan’s words clearly alluded to the people and events within this secret realm.

For them, the Northern cultivators who had entered the realm, both the humans and the demons within were nothing more than the so-called ‘people in the painting’.

“Are you saying that I, and this entire Sword Sect, are merely characters in this painting?”

Sect Leader Murong’s chest rose and fell dramatically as she stared at Fangyuan, her inner turmoil palpable.

As a Golden Core realm cultivator, she had vaguely discerned this truth some time ago, owing to certain circumstances.

However, she had never quite dared to believe it, but now, the evidence before her left no room for self-deception.

Qin Yan watched the Sect Leader, whose face was etched with emotion, yet he couldn’t fathom why Fangyuan would deliberately reveal such a truth to her.

“Yes!”

Fangyuan nodded, her reply crisp.

“I…” Sect Leader Murong began, but then abruptly ceased speaking.

Regaining her composure, she looked at Fangyuan and Qin Yan.

“Then you two must be the ones from outside the painting.”

“In that case, I finally understand the motives of those foreign cultivators.”

“Is this merely a secret realm in your eyes?”

“And the benefits of this secret realm must be tied to slaying demons?”

“That would certainly explain all their actions.”

Having articulated her thoughts, Sect Leader Murong gazed at Fangyuan and Qin Yan once more before speaking again.

“Why have you told me all of this?”

“Are you not afraid I might accuse you of spreading demonic lies and, in a fit of rage, kill you?”

“You lack the power to kill me,” Fangyuan replied with a slight smile upon hearing this.

“You are merely a Golden Core initial stage cultivator.”

“While the two of us may not be able to slay you, we can certainly protect ourselves from your grasp.”

These words momentarily stunned Sect Leader Murong.

She hadn’t detected any probing from Fangyuan, yet Fangyuan knew her cultivation level.

“If that’s the case, why have you specifically come to my Sword Sect?”

“Is it merely to inform me of this matter?”

“There’s no logical reason for that, as your objective is simply to slay demons.”

Sect Leader Murong questioned.

“We are here to seek your cooperation,” Fangyuan responded.

“These Northern prodigies are far too arrogant; they disdain your identity as a person in the painting.”

“But I am different.”

“I come bearing sincerity, and I offer this…”

From her storage ring, Fangyuan produced a sheet of paper and extended it to Sect Leader Murong.

Sect Leader Murong took the paper from Fangyuan’s hand.

The handwriting on it appeared remarkably fresh, and as she read it carefully, her eyelids twitched involuntarily.

‘This is…”

Qin Yan observed Sect Leader Murong’s solemn expression, having no idea what Fangyuan had given her.

He then watched as the Sect Leader’s face contorted with internal struggle before she ultimately accepted the paper.

It seemed Sect Leader Murong had made her decision.

“What do you require of me?”

Sect Leader Murong asked, looking at Fangyuan.

Since she had accepted the item, it signified her agreement to Fangyuan’s proposition; there was no need for extensive probing or discussion between intelligent individuals.

“I require the Sword Sect to cooperate with us Northern cultivators to eradicate the entire demon race here.”

Fangyuan stated.

She had never stooped to using schemes or tricks.

Having lived a lifetime already, she understood many things intimately.

What need was there for cunning plots to achieve her goals?

Only the foolish resorted to such methods.

This applied equally to Qin Yan, and naturally, to Sect Leader Murong before her.

She had planted the love gu on Qin Yan, then revealed her identity.

While the former act might have caused displeasure, the latter could entirely negate its effects.

Planting the love gu was a display of her sincerity, and so was revealing her identity.

Moreover, both these actions were well within Fangyuan’s control, a testament to the magnanimity of a great cultivator.

As for Sect Leader Murong, in her previous life, she had somehow managed to leave the secret realm.

Now, Fangyuan was merely lending her a hand, yet in return, she secured the power of the Sword Sect.

It was evident that Sect Leader Murong had no reason to refuse her.

In the matter concerning Qin Yan, Fangyuan had gained his favor, and Qin Yan had received her assistance—a win-win situation for both.

Similarly, for Sect Leader Murong, she gained a method to leave the secret realm, while Fangyuan acquired the strength of the Sword Sect.

This, too, was a mutually beneficial strategy.

This was an overt strategy.

An overt strategy ensures everyone wins, compelling others to join your game.

“My Sword Sect naturally has no issues with this.”

“The problem lies with your Northern cultivators,” Sect Leader Murong stated.

“I can sense that there is no unity among you.”

“It would be good enough if they simply refrained from fighting each other, let alone uniting,” Fangyuan remarked, a hint of disdain gracing her lips.

Her gaze then shifted to Qin Yan.

“The one standing before you is our Northern lands’ newest heaven’s favored son,” Fangyuan declared, a note of almost intoxicated pride in her voice.

“My status prevents me from leading these Northern cultivators, and you, naturally, are even less suited.”

“But he can.”

‘I can?’

Qin Yan heard Fangyuan’s words, yet he wasn’t even sure if he himself was capable.

Upon hearing this, Sect Leader Murong turned her gaze to Qin Yan.

He was indeed a handsome male cultivator, but how could mere good looks command the respect of the masses?

However, a thoughtful glint appeared in Fangyuan’s eyes regarding this matter.

She had long since considered these details, and revealing her identity to Qin Yan earlier had also been for this very purpose.

Without Qin Yan’s trust and assistance, her plan simply could not proceed.

“I already have a plan for this matter; your Sword Sect merely needs to cooperate with me,” Fangyuan said to Sect Leader Murong, who wore a look of suspicion.

Qin Yan watched Fangyuan, whose tone remained placid, still wondering what exactly she had given Sect Leader Murong.