"Are you tired?" Qian Gongyu brought over so pastries and warm tea, pulling 'Jiang Ten' to sit on the grass nearby. "Take a rest."
"Tch?"
"No sparring, no sparring!" Qian Gongyu quickly shook her head. "I don’t have your energy. I’m exhausted from fighting demons today!"
"Do you need sothing?"
"Can’t I look for you without a reason?"
"I need to continue training."
"Wait a minute!" Qian Gongyu quickly pulled her back and took out a hairband from her bosom. "I saw you’ve been tying your hair with grass ropes. I thought... I’d give you this hairband. My mother gave it to when I was little. Do you think it looks good?"
"It’s average."
"This is the ti when you should at least pretend to say it looks good out of politeness." Qian Gongyu was half amused, half helpless. "I have no doubt you’ll offend a lot of people in the future."
"Thank you."
"I wasn’t complinting you!" Qian Gongyu sighed helplessly and walked behind 'Jiang Ten.' "Let help you tie your hair."
The setting sun slanted westward, the woodland dimd, and a girl tied the hair of another girl who was sweating after exercise.
The camp began to light braziers. Various fragrances wafted from the kitchen. So sang loudly; others drank and danced.
"It seems it’s because we can leave tomorrow, so they’re holding a bonfire party tonight." Qian Gongyu said, "But I think they’re just looking for an excuse to party. I used to think people from noble families must be extraordinary in conduct, but now I’ve realized—forget being better than you, they’re not even as good as . They’re just a bunch of second-generation nobles living off their family na... Many of them actually used manuals to change class and never trained in any technique. Can you believe it?"
"I was strictly trained by my father since childhood. I had to wash my face with cold water and walk the plum blossom stakes at dawn. When I got older, I practiced finger techniques. My fingers would blister, heal, and blister again... Actually, I liked swordsmanship more. It looks graceful and elegant. Finger techniques just look like a shrew fighting—they’re neither pretty nor gentle. But my father said, our family token is the Silk Thread Glove. I could only learn finger techniques to suit that weapon."
Getting no response, Qian Gongyu didn’t mind. She was used to the other being a silent listener. "When I finally beca a Martial ssenger at fifteen, my father was very happy. He solemnly gave the Silk Thread Glove and a hundred pieces of Spirit Jade. But he still warned not to be arrogant, not to misuse the token, and absolutely not to bully the good. The Qian family is a prestigious lineage—we must not produce any spoiled heirs... What he cared about most in his life was the Qian family. He was always out earning contribution points. When my mother died, he didn’t make it back. When I was sick, he wasn’t ho either. When we t, he only asked about my progress or talked about the clan..."
"I probably resented him a lot back then. But then he suddenly died, and I beca the head of the Qian family."
"Many ca proposing marriage. A lot of people inside and outside the clan advised to marry while the Qian family still had so standing. Otherwise, after the five-year mourning period, if I couldn’t earn enough contribution points, the court would delist the Qian family. If I married early, the clan’s contribution shares would beco my best dowry, sothing I could exchange for support from my husband’s family... Luo Weijin was one of those suitors. When he ca to my house, he acted all high and mighty. Naturally, I didn’t show him any respect, and that’s when we beca enemies." Official source is NoveIＦire
"Honestly, I don’t really want to hold onto the Qian family na. It’s exhausting and aningless. I always thought, if so noble young master proposed, I’d marry him. I’d live the life of a noble lady in Jiangnan City instead of practicing finger techniques and footwork every day... But clearly, noble families look down on small households like mine. So, I remained the Qian family’s matriarch till now."
"It’s not like no one wants , okay! Just last year, the second son of a prestigious noble family proposed. His family is currently very favored by the court and qualifies to live in Jiangnan City as a 'lesser noble house.' I knew that was the highest branch I could ever climb. Even Uncle Lin ca to persuade to consider it. I was moved because he was exactly my type."
"But I still wanted to carry on the Qian family na."
Qian Gongyu finished tying the hair and placed her hands on 'Jiang Ten’s' shoulders.
"Maybe one day I’ll regret it—but not today, and not here." Qian Gongyu leaned forward, gazing at 'Jiang Ten’s' profile. "Do you know why I’m telling you all this?"
"Why?"
"Because earlier, Lu Wangji—the rude uncle from noon—ca to talk with . He said, as long as I could persuade you to side with the court, they would elevate my family to fourth-rank noble status for fifty years. He also promised we could serve the court together. They’re willing to invest resources in training us. Even if I refuse, I can still move to Jiangnan City. The court is willing to gift a residence." Qian Gongyu sighed. "Kidnapping you onto that carriage three days ago might be the best investnt I’ve ever made in my life."
"Did you agree?"
"That’s why I had to explain so much first." Qian Gongyu wrapped her arms around 'Jiang Ten’s' neck, giggling. "Jiang Ten, I turned down so—many benefits for you! I rejected a once-in-a-lifeti rise to a fourth-rank noble, I rejected state-sponsored training, I even rejected a mansion in Jiangnan City. Jiang Ten, don’t you think you owe sothing?"
"You should have accepted. I don’t mind working for the court."
If even Ye Si could be a foot soldier in Great Qi, Jiang Ten could easily be a vanguard for Great Liang. As long as the benefits were good enough, Yan Qing didn’t mind working for anyone.
"Really?" Qian Gongyu was stunned. "What if soone from the court offends you?"
"I’ll kill them."
"...Please, I beg you, don’t pledge allegiance to the court."
"Alright."
Qian Gongyu sat next to 'Jiang Ten,' resting her chin in both hands, gazing up at the moon.
"But Lu Wangji doesn’t look like a good person. The Qun and Chen families probably won’t let this go either. What if they target you?"
"Kill them."
"Can’t you give a second option..." Qian Gongyu sighed, tilting her head as she looked at the girl beside her. "After Mansu Woodland ends, where do you plan to go?"
"Accept veneration from the Jie or Shang families, and visit the various Secret Realms."
Qian Gongyu nodded. "That’s a pretty good plan."
After a brief silence, just as Yan Qing was about to drive her away to resu her AFK training, Qian Gongyu said again, "Great Liang is vast. Without a carriage, traveling will be tough."
"The Shang or Jie families should provide one."
"But a personal carriage is still more comfortable. You can decorate it however you want, make it feel like ho." Qian Gongyu tried to pitch her case. "Besides, you’re not good at speaking and you’re really pretty. If you had soone with high emotional intelligence by your side, you could avoid a lot of trouble."
"I’m used to being alone. I don’t want to bring you."
Qian Gongyu imdiately clung to 'Jiang Ten' like a little raccoon, pitifully saying, "Please let follow you. I’ll do whatever you ask to!"
"What about your Qian family?"
"I earned more family points following you in one Mansu Woodland than I did in years. Sticking close to you is the only shortcut to strengthening the Qian clan!" Qian Gongyu buried herself in her chest, wriggling nonstop. "Let co with you, I’ll be good and do whatever you say..."
"You said you’d do anything I ask?"
Qian Gongyu blinked, her face rosy—whether from the sunset glow or blushing was unclear. "Mhm, mhm!"
"Then spar with —using a token."
"I don’t want to spar..."
...
…
Outside the camp.
Lu Wangji handed a letter to a swift rider, watching as he raised a torch and galloped through the forest like a spark.
"Lu Xiaoqi, couldn’t this be said inside?" Qun Yushu approached, glancing around. "It’s so late and remote—people might think we’re plotting sothing shady."
"Or perhaps here to brag about good news?" Chen Linchuan said. "I heard you’ve privately approached the Qian girl. Has the court recruited Jiang Ten?"
"She refused." Lu Wangji replied. "She said she couldn’t make the decision for Jiang Ten."
"The court really tried to recruit Jiang Ten?" Qun Yushu asked curiously. "I thought you’d be wary of the Power of Calamity."
"Wary, yes—but His Majesty is deep and far-sighted. How could he not tolerate soone as minor as Jiang Ten? Besides, Jiang Ten rely has potential. She’s nowhere near the legendary 'Calamity appears, and the world collapses' stage." A hint of pride appeared on Lu Wangji’s face. "Throughout history, many have possessed the Power of Calamity, but those who truly triggered a calamity were one in a hundred."
"Moreover, Great Liang needs a calamity." He said. "Unifying the world requires a calamity."
Chen Linchuan narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint smile forming. "That’s a double-edged sword."
"In the glorious age of Shen Zhou and Shengxuan, who didn’t unify the Central Plains through ruthless calamity? If we want to surpass the legacy of Shengxuan, people like Jiang Ten are indispensable." Lu Wangji sighed. "For hundreds of years, the world has been in chaos. Heroes rise in waves, Sixth-Stage cultivators abound, yet who has unified the world? Heroes fall and turn to dust, and the people suffer a century of hardship."
Qun Yushu crossed his arms, fingers gently tapping—his thinking gesture. "The court wants to cultivate Jiang Ten? You’re seeking our families’ approval?"
"No."
Lu Wangji slowly shook his head, looking at the two with sincerity. "rit through mistakes is better than by success. Adding flowers to brocade is less worthy than giving coal in the snow."
"The danger of the Calamity is undeniable. To control Jiang Ten, we must break her pride, nurture her feelings—only then will she beco a ssenger of Liang, not a Calamity for the enemy."
"Like training a dog," Chen Linchuan laughed.
"Like training a dog," Lu Wangji nodded.
"But it’s not your place to be her master." Qun Yushu said. "The Jie and Shang families have already built ties with her. Even we have to queue up. Why do you think you have the right to offer her charcoal in the snow?"
"I’m not here to offer charcoal," Lu Wangji said. "My mission is to throw her into a blizzard, to plunge her into fire and water."
Qun Yushu and Chen Linchuan paused briefly before understanding what Lu Wangji ant.
"You’re not afraid she’ll beco hostile to the court?"
"When that happens, I’ll be pushed out to atone. The court belongs to you. As long as you befriend her, how could she be an enemy?"
"Why are you telling us this?"
"If you don’t step in to counter the Jie and Shang families, Jiang Ten will simply accept their olive branch. But if you cooperate with , you’ll have at least three years to make peace with her. The court will even help 'punish' you, giving you a chance to fight by her side." Lu Wangji said. "I’m just making a suggestion. If you don’t agree, it’s fine. Whether Jiang Ten belongs to Jie and Shang or to Qun and Chen—it’s the sa to the court."
With that, he ignored Qun Yushu and Chen Linchuan’s reactions and turned to walk back to camp, reciting as he went:
"When Heaven is about to bestow a great responsibility upon soone, it first tests their will, exhausts their bones and muscles, starves their body, deprives them of their possessions, disrupts all they do—so as to awaken their spirit, strengthen their resolve, and enhance what they lack..."
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