Power, Drama of Tianjian Pavilion

The next day.

When Gong Ning woke, her cultivation had already reached Qi Refining Layer Four.

Jiang Yuyao was no longer beside her.

As she walked into the main hall, she saw Tang Qiaohuan sitting in a chair, a flatbread in her mouth.

She could actually cook now?

She already knew about Gong Ning and Jiang Yuyao—no need to hide anything.

But seeing her first thing in the morning, instead of Lingling, stirred mixed feelings.

“Where’s Yu’ao?”

“Xu Yun Jian Si… went to the Punishment Sword Division to get her back.”

She mumbled unclearly, then spat out the bread before speaking properly.

Gong Ning was shocked.

She hadn’t expected Jiang Yuyao to act so boldly—just going to take her back?

But then again, with her cultivation level—she was a rare powerhouse in both Xuantian Sword Sect and all of Great Yan.

Rules bent before such beings.

This could easily lead to chaos.

Everything required procedural justice.

Even if someone was innocent, if the process was wrong, the system itself was flawed—inviting doubt, eroding trust.

“I have to go see.”

“No need. I already told her what to do.”

Tang Qiaohuan pointed at the plaque on the wall.

“Yuqing Sect—don’t you have good relations with them?

Have her exiled to Yuqing Sect.

She won’t be humiliated, and she’ll live well.

And don’t worry about my father—I’ll have my mother whisper in his ear.”

Now Gong Ning’s emotions were even more complex.

Everything this girl did somehow benefited her.

But her motives were unclear.

Was she after her body? It didn’t feel like it.

She seemed to just want to amuse herself with Gong Ning—teasing, provoking, but never crossing the line.

“Thank you.”

“Thanks? I don’t accept words.

Give me something more practical.”

Gong Ning looked at the girl.

After a pause, she sat beside her and slowly began unbuttoning her robe.

Tang Qiaohuan’s eyes widened.

“What are you doing?”

“You said… you wanted something practical.”

Tang Qiaohuan had only said it casually.

She never expected her Master to actually submit.

But why did she feel so angry now?

Because she hadn’t done it for herself.

She’d helped to save Tao Lingling from disaster.

“Going to me after spending the night with another woman?

Don’t be in such a rush.

Eat first.

Even my father hasn’t tasted my pancakes.”

Now Gong Ning was completely confused.

And embarrassed.

She stopped unbuttoning mid-motion.

Really, this child was impossible to like.

She sipped some porridge, took a bite of the pancake.

It was actually delicious—like someone who’d cooked for years.

But she’d said even her father hadn’t eaten it…

Had she been cooking for years but never served her own father?

That seemed… problematic.

Ah, well.

The Sect Master didn’t care.

Not her place to meddle in their family affairs.

Meanwhile, at the Punishment Sword Division.

Jiang Yuyao had talked with the Yuqing Sect elder late into the night.

The elder hadn’t left yet—so at dawn, she brought him and the Sect Master into the discussion.

The Sect Master was reasonable.

But bound by his position.

Like with the freshman competition contract—he couldn’t openly favor anyone.

Yet he could make exceptions.

This time, he had to.

Because Jiang Yuyao would force her way through.

And this wasn’t bad.

Jiang Yuyao was finally using her authority.

That benefited Xuantian Sword Sect.

Yuqing Sect agreed without hesitation.

This elder was just here for routine exchanges—yet he immediately said they’d take her in.

At best, Yuqing Sect couldn’t bear to see injustice—especially with the Sword Immortal’s guarantee.

At worst, Gong Ning was close to the Sword Immortal—and she was Su’e’s heir.

Either way, it was a good outcome.

The Punishment Sword Division had no objections.

Just a change in procedure.

Exile to a wealthy land or a remote town—it all depended on the powerful.

As long as justice wasn’t visibly broken, no one could say anything.

Tao Lingling had spent one night in prison.

Due to her special status—her guilt not yet confirmed—she was in a private cell.

Depressed, she’d cultivated her soul all night.

When she opened her eyes, she saw the Sword Immortal’s face.

“Why you? Where’s my Master?”

“You can’t see her.

You have many suspicions.

I can’t allow contact.

From now on, you’ll go to Yuqing Sect with this elder.

Your Master will be working hard to save you.”

The Sword Immortal rarely showed her kindness.

But Tao Lingling focused on the words.

She didn’t ask why she was going to Yuqing Sect.

But seeing the gentle face of the female elder beside her, she knew—she wouldn’t have to stay in this wretched place.

“Can I return to my Master?”

Yes. And soon.

If things went well, she’d return to Xuantian Sword Sect as an exchange disciple.

All rumors would vanish.

But Jiang Yuyao couldn’t comfort her.

“That depends on how fast your Master acts.”

When Tao Lingling, still in chains, left with the Yuqing Sect elder, Tianjian Pavilion finally learned the news.

Young master Gong Chengyun sat on the main seat, his face dark with fury.

“Gong Changqian, why did you fail again at what I asked?”

Gong Changqian suffered in silence, his face twisted in agony.

“Master, I did my best…

But they were too cunning.

Yesterday, in court, they already severed the master-disciple bond.

I couldn’t force a connection.

And this was clearly Jiang Yuyao’s doing…”

An elder beside him—the true master of Tianjian Pavilion—spoke slowly:

“Chengyun, don’t blame or punish your subordinates for what they cannot do.”

Gong Chengyun took a deep breath.

“But then, we can’t pressure Gong Ning.”

Tianjian Pavilion needed that technique.

When it appeared on Gong Ning’s coming-of-age ceremony, they had desired its value.

The only known cultivation method that had produced an immortal—anyone who didn’t want it was a fool.

To protect it, Tianjian Pavilion had worked hard—giving Gong Ning benefits, fine carriages, beautiful women, attractive senior sisters.

But she was too sharp.

From childhood, she resisted all temptations.

She only spent money she earned.

Disliked romance.

Always tinkering with strange things.

And she had Jiang Yuyao—a genius beauty by her side.

Who could compete?

Finally, a chance came.

Their master left Xuantian Sword Sect.

They subtly widened the gap between the two.

Then slowly suppressed Gong Ning.

One day, they’d show her Tianjian Pavilion’s kindness—and the technique would be theirs.

But who could’ve predicted Gong Ning would become a woman—and reignite her bond with the Sword Immortal?

Just as they elevated her to Elder—before they could show their kindness—she ran back to the Sword Immortal.

The Gong family understood how to control people.

Now, Gong Ning only remembered others’ kindness—and Tianjian Pavilion’s cruelty.

Any “kindness” scheme was useless.

There was also personal grudge.

Tianjian Pavilion and Heart-Sword Hall had once stood equal in Xuantian Sword Sect.

He naturally favored that genius.

He believed the Sword Immortal would surely choose him as her disciple.

But she chose the side-branch Gong Ning.

And Jiang Yuyao grew closer to her.

It made no sense.

This personal grudge led to one mistake after another.

“Chengyun, since it’s like this, stop dwelling.

Think of your disciples.

Think of your duty.”

“I understand.”

The new disciples’ trial—was about to begin.