Plans

Thus, Gu Bei returned to Nanshun Tower once more.

From the window-side room, the expansive Jingchuan River was visible at a glance.

The name ‘Sanchuan‘ itself was derived from its location at the confluence of the Jing, Chu, and Yun Rivers.

Yet, as he gazed at the quietly flowing river, Gu Bei felt little emotion, nor was he moved to poetic inspiration like some sentimental scholar or poet.

Not that he knew how to compose poetry anyway.

He simply watched the renowned river in silence, his gaze distant and profound.

At this moment, Sanchuan Prefecture bore a striking resemblance to the Jingchuan River.

Both held tumultuous undercurrents beneath their calm surfaces.

Having failed to extricate himself, Gu Bei had now become a pawn in Ning Wanzhuang’s intricate game.

While not quite a discarded piece, he was likely nothing more than a casual move.

Upon agreeing to become Ning Wanzhuang’s pawn, Gu Bei had immediately inquired about her objective.

He had also pressed her on the specific outcome she desired from him.

Even now, he recalled the fleeting trace of surprise that had crossed Ning Wanzhuang’s languid, elegant features.

Gu Bei knew perfectly well that if he wished to leave a favorable impression on Ning Wanzhuang, he ought to anticipate the thoughts of this Immortal Ning himself.

He should have neither sought her assistance nor questioned her about anything.

Instead, he had done neither; he had simply asked directly.

It was as if he were utterly oblivious to how one might curry favor with her.

He was an ordinary man, and any successes he achieved were merely the fruit of countless past failures, which had granted him ample experience.

‘Even a fool’s thousand thoughts will yield one gain.’

Considering himself a fool, he harbored no intention whatsoever of impressing this peerless beauty, capable of toppling kingdoms.

His sole desire was to accomplish what she asked of him and then withdraw.

Anything beyond that was not something he should dare to covet.

‘Self-awareness is a precious virtue.’

He had always confronted his own weaknesses and mediocrity head-on.

It was this very frankness that earned him Ning Wanzhuang’s reluctant remark: ‘Simply ensure that the Imperial Astronomical Bureau is forced to intervene.’

Having a task was always preferable to having none.

Not having to guess was always better than being forced to.

As for what reward he might receive after achieving Ning Wanzhuang’s objective, he hadn’t bothered to consider.

After all, his master was a constant source of trouble, perpetually failing to grasp her own status and provoking others.

If Immortal Ning could simply overlook his master’s antics, he would already be profoundly grateful for her immense benevolence.

“Life rarely goes as one wishes, with eight or nine out of ten things going awry…” He sighed deeply.

“That Ning Wanzhuang… could it be… the Ning Wanzhuang?” Yun Qingyi murmured softly.

Only then did she recall where she had heard the name Ning Wanzhuang before.

“Yes, it is that Ning Wanzhuang,” Gu Bei affirmed with a nod.

Their exchange resembled a game of charades.

Yet, the information had been conveyed with perfect clarity.

“How did you become entangled with such a figure?”

“I don’t know either, Elder Sister…”

Yun Qingyi’s brows furrowed slightly, that address of ‘Elder Sister’ stirring a peculiar ripple in her heart.

She paid it little mind, merely asking, “What do you intend to do next, then?”

“We’ll see,” Gu Bei replied, a hint of helplessness in his voice. “Since I’ve entered the game, the first priority is to understand the situation thoroughly. The good news is that Sanchuan boasts numerous ranked sects, and unranked martial arts schools are as plentiful as ox hair. The bad news, however, is precisely the same: any local power with even a slight foothold is perfectly aware of our every move.”

“In that case… how do we proceed?”

“It’s fine,” Gu Bei waved a dismissive hand. “We’re merely nobodies. Even if those influential figures can easily track our movements, they won’t pay us much mind.”

“That’s as good as saying nothing at all,” Yun Qingyi’s tone grew perceptibly colder.

“My apologies.”

“Hmph,” Yun Qingyi snorted, a cold breath escaping her nostrils.

“In truth, I don’t have a plan myself. Even if it draws attention, I can only proceed for now.” Gu Bei offered a wry smile.

Yun Qingyi’s expression softened slightly. “Given your extensive connections, why do you still rely on me to run around to other sects seeking cooperation?”

“Ah?” Gu Bei looked somewhat bewildered. “Why do you say that? Just because I know many people doesn’t mean I command respect from them.”

“I can only earn meager, hard-won money, the kind one scrapes off a blade’s edge, and even then, it’s the more low-end sort. As for business matters, I understand neither the cost of elixirs nor the intricacies of talisman crafting. I don’t know where market demand lies, nor how to persuade others to cooperate with us, nor even what the strengths of our Minor Sword Sect truly are.”

Gu Bei spoke with complete sincerity.

“Furthermore, with my cultivation — not even at Foundation Establishment — how could I possibly command respect wherever I go, or secure business deals like Guest Elder Yun? Naturally, I can only rely on you.”

“A mere pittance that slips through Ning Wanzhuang’s delicate jade fingers would easily surpass what I could earn by tirelessly rushing about for years,” Yun Qingyi remarked indifferently.

“But she has no reason to offer me sustenance, does she?” Gu Bei was unsure what had come over his Guest Elder, but his immediate priority was to appease the sect’s sole source of wealth. “How… how could you say such a thing? If I truly possessed the capabilities you describe, our Minor Sword Sect wouldn’t have been barely scraping by before your arrival…”

Yun Qingyi herself was unsure what had come over her.

It seemed she had overreacted somewhat.

“It’s nothing, just casual talk.”

“That’s good then…” While Gu Bei didn’t truly believe it was just casual talk, he simply went along with Yun Qingyi’s words.

He had never understood the thoughts of young women, and the mind of a Golden Core Immortal was even more inscrutable to him.

When one didn’t understand, it was best to speak less and ask less.

In any case, even if he asked, he likely wouldn’t be able to solve it.

Yun Qingyi lowered her gaze, and before her eyes, Ning Wanzhuang’s peerless, kingdom-toppling beauty once again appeared.

A flicker of irritation crossed her.

“Make me a cup of tea.”

“Alright.” Only upon hearing her words did Gu Bei finally breathe a sigh of relief.

At the very least, his Guest Elder’s willingness to order him around meant she wasn’t planning to pack up and leave anytime soon.

To be honest, his only two methods for retaining her were ensuring sufficient profit shares and providing emotional support.

While many sects could offer ample profit shares, a sect chief who was utterly dedicated, working tirelessly and complying with every request, was unique to their sect.

Therefore, in a sense, the Minor Sword Sect’s core competitiveness lay in its Chief Senior Disciple Brother (?).

As he brewed the tea, Gu Bei gradually surmised the thoughts of his Immortal Yun.

It was likely because Ning Wanzhuang, though not much older than her, was at the Nascent Soul stage while she was merely Golden Core, making their disparity in handling affairs starkly evident.

Coupled with her seemingly close relationship with Gu Bei, his Guest Elder had developed a sense of crisis.

Gu Bei wasn’t so deluded as to think his Guest Elder harbored feelings for him; he believed she was simply worried that Ning Wanzhuang might usurp her position as the Minor Sword Sect’s patron of wealth.

‘But, my dear Guest Elder, to be brutally honest, what caliber is our Minor Sword Sect that it would warrant her investment?’

Gu Bei shook his head, a soft, self-deprecating laugh escaping him as he continued brewing the tea.

He suddenly found Yun Qingyi somewhat…

How to describe it?

In short, he suddenly found her rather endearing.

As if sensing his thoughts, Yun Qingyi looked towards the sect chief, who was shaking his head with a soft laugh while brewing tea.

“What are you laughing at?”

“Ah?” Gu Bei’s heart leaped, and his hand trembled.

A few drops of tea spilled.

Under Yun Qingyi’s expressionless gaze, he guiltily averted his eyes and mumbled, “Er… just thinking of something pleasant?”

“Heh…” Yun Qingyi’s intuition told her that the ‘pleasant thing’ he was thinking of was, in fact, her. “Come here.”

She beckoned to Gu Bei.

“Ah?” Gu Bei looked up at her again.

“Come.”

“Oh.”

Obediently, Gu Bei moved closer.

“Massage my shoulders.”

“Ah?”

“What do you mean, ‘Ah‘?” Yun Qingyi shot him a chilling glare.

“Nothing,” Gu Bei chuckled awkwardly. “So, um, light pressure or heavy?”