Chapter 196 (Part 2): Yo, Old Friend.

Such key information, she would definitely share with her allies.

The Qian Family was Wanhuagu’s ally, and Yaochi was the Qian Family’s ally, so was there anything wrong with telling both?

As for whether to tell Wanhuagu, after a moment of thought, Hua Jian decided she would.

If Tianmomen was in cahoots with Wanhuagu, then telling them or not would be the same.

If not, then she was helping the current alliance.

No loss, only gain.

Why not do it?

Back at the Red Flower Building, Hua Jian tossed the fish she had caught to the kitchen and ordered the cook to make a Full Fish Feast for her.

Then she found the manager of the Red Flower Building and reported the sighting of Youye.

“I have Xinrui tailing her. Is this part of the elders’ plan? If so, I’ll call Xinrui back.”

“I haven’t received such an order,” the manager shook her head.

People like them didn’t know many secrets.

What they did in Frozen Winter City was just routine intelligence gathering.

Only at special times would they receive direct instructions from Wanhuagu’s upper echelons to focus on collecting specific intel.

They had no idea what the intel would be used for.

Wanhuagu’s intelligence network covered nearly the entire northern border.

Cultivators in each stronghold didn’t know the locations or missions of other strongholds; they could only do what they were assigned.

Some seemingly useless intel they collected might combine with other intel within Wanhuagu to become part of a crucial piece of information.

But they would never know about that crucial intel.

“Fair enough. So, how would you usually handle this situation?”

“Report it, then maintain surveillance.”

That was indeed the standard process.

Hua Jian nodded.

Since Wanhuagu already had a plan, she’d call Hua Xinrui back and let Wanhuagu’s people here take over.

“Alright. Let me know if anything happens. There’s some bad blood between that girl and me…”

“Understood!”

“The fish has taken the bait.”

Hanging the jade token back on her waist, Qian Feixu said calmly to the two Yaochi cultivators following her.

Both Yaochi cultivators exuded Ling Emperor realm auras.

They were the real leaders of Yaochi’s support team this time.

Linglong was just a figurehead; she didn’t actually manage things.

The collaboration with the Qian Family was handled by these Ling Emperors.

Today, they were discussing the details of their cooperation.

As for Linglong, she was currently visiting various places in the Qian residence as the Saintess, making appearances.

“Oh? Tianmomen has made a move?”

“Yes. Someone spotted a genius Ling Wang from Tianmomen entering Frozen Winter City today. Unless it’s something big, that person wouldn’t appear.”

Qian Feixu nodded, without revealing the source of the intelligence.

Bringing up the cooperation with Wanhuagu in front of Yaochi was a bit too much.

Still, she felt a little envious of Hua Jian’s luck—how did a simple fishing trip land such a big fish?

“Then, what’s the next step?”

“Pretend we didn’t notice her. Lure Tianmomen into the trap through various means, then catch them off guard inside the Secret Realm. If we can draw out the Venerable behind Tianmomen…”

Qian Feixu narrowed her eyes, her lips curling into a dangerous smile.

“Even better.”

In short, this Secret Realm was the bait for Tianmomen.

The Qian Family was waiting for them to bite.

Wanhuagu had put in considerable effort too, even providing the bait.

“Will they fall for it so easily?” one Yaochi Ling Emperor asked doubtfully.

Tianmomen was cunning.

Getting them to walk into a trap was no easy task.

At this stage, Yaochi couldn’t make any big moves.

They had to act as if nothing was amiss to fool Tianmomen’s eyes.

That meant only the Qian Family and another unnamed ally could act.

“That side is professional at deception. We can trust them.”

Qian Feixu chuckled.

The two Yaochi Ling Emperors exchanged glances.

Indeed, who in the world could deceive better than Wanhuagu?

To be on the same side as Wanhuagu pulling a scam in their lifetime was something they found quite novel.

They wanted to see what charm Wanhuagu truly possessed.

“Then let’s wait and see.”

Just as Qian Feixu was waiting to watch a grand show, an unexpected guest arrived at the Red Flower Building.

A black-haired girl stood at the front desk, her voice demanding a room echoing through the hall.

Behind her, an embarrassed Hua Xinrui stealthily blended in among the Red Flower Building girls.

Following until you reach your own home—that was a strange feeling.

Even stranger was how Hua Jian felt.

She was holding a plate of dried fish as a snack, playing with a cat, when Youye burst through the door.

She had nowhere to hide.

Seriously, you, a Tianmomen spy, dare to walk into Wanhuagu’s territory?

Don’t you know Wanhuagu is cooperating with the Qian Family to develop the Secret Realm?

Aren’t you afraid we’ll tie you up and hand you to the Qian Family for a reward?

The girl at the front desk didn’t recognize Youye.

She quickly prepared a room and subtly asked if she needed any special services.

Youye refused directly.

Then her gaze fell on the conspicuous figure in the hall.

“Hua—”

“My dear sister, you’ve finally come! Come, come, your little sister has prepared a Full Fish Feast. Let’s go upstairs and enjoy it, how about?”

Seeing that Youye was about to call out her name, Hua Jian dashed over, grabbed her wrist, and forcefully dragged her upstairs.

As she pulled, she asked the front desk girl which rooms were vacant.

Upon hearing the answer, she told the girl to have the kitchen send her Full Fish Feast to a private room, then personally escorted the honored guest, Youye, there.

Compared to their first meeting five years ago, Youye had improved significantly.

She was now a mid-stage Ling Wang, a minor rank higher than Hua Jian.

This made dragging her a bit of an effort, but Hua Jian still managed to pull her into the upstairs private room.

With a glance, she signaled Youye to guard the door and not let anyone else in.

Hua Jian closed the door firmly and looked Youye up and down.

Compared to the disguise she wore earlier, now Youye wasn’t even trying.

Her clothes were entirely black in the unmistakable Tianmomen style.

As if she was afraid someone wouldn’t recognize her.

Anyone with even a little knowledge of Tianmomen could probably identify her.

Even Hua Jian, who had only been given two crash courses by Wanhuagu, could tell at a glance.

“Why are you here in Frozen Winter City? Weren’t you from Tianmomen?”

Hua Jian pretended she had only just noticed and immediately demanded an explanation.

Her anger was understandable.

After all, the Red Flower Building was Wanhuagu’s stronghold.

Youye was essentially throwing a bomb directly into Wanhuagu’s hands.

“This is the Qian Family’s territory. Coming in dressed like this—are you trying to get us killed?”

“Tch. I don’t believe the Qian Family doesn’t know about this place.”

Youye crossed her arms and snorted.

She knew Wanhuagu’s methods well.

The fact that Wanhuagu operated such a large establishment in Frozen Winter City while openly cooperating with the Qian Family was hardly a secret.

Who would believe they hadn’t reached an understanding?

She had come here looking for Wanhuagu on purpose.

Running into Hua Jian was merely an unexpected bonus.

She had been stunned when she first spotted Hua Jian.

Then she immediately felt fate was on her side.

Originally, obtaining what she wanted from Wanhuagu would have required considerable effort.

Those Wanhuagu cultivators would probably distrust her, report her identity upward, and eventually charge a hefty price for cooperation.

Now things were much simpler.

At the very least, Hua Jian had already confirmed her identity.

They could skip the awkward introductions and proceed directly to bargaining.

“Ha? Don’t talk nonsense. I’ll have you know, I’m now—”

“I know. The Wanhua Saintess. Where’s your saintess outfit? Why aren’t you wearing it?”

Youye’s interruption instantly gave Hua Jian a headache.

Since when were they close enough to joke around?

They weren’t.

Back in the Secret Realm, Youye had bullied her plenty.

Hua Jian still remembered that grievance clearly.

Bang!

Hua Jian slapped the table.

“Stop changing the subject. The Red Flower Building doesn’t welcome you. Eat your meal and get the hell out!”

“Fine. Then I’ll go outside and spread the news that the Wanhua Saintess is hiding in the Red Flower Building. Let’s see if the Qian Family and Yaochi come capture you together.”

Youye delivered the threat with complete confidence.

From her perspective, it was a devastating move.

Even if the Qian Family didn’t want trouble, Yaochi certainly had reasons to force the issue.

After all, Hua Jian had fooled them badly four years ago.

And among everyone currently in Frozen Winter City, there was one person with perhaps the greatest grudge against Hua Jian.

The Yaochi Saintess, Linglong.

Surely she hated Hua Jian to the bone.

After all, Hua Jian had deceived her feelings.

Hua Jian’s expression immediately stiffened.

Annoyingly enough, that threat actually had some weight.

She knew the revelation wouldn’t cause a disaster.

But she definitely wouldn’t be allowed to continue staying comfortably in the Red Flower Building.

The Qian Family would have to investigate.

She would need to cooperate and give them face.

That was simply how alliances worked.

“You dare threaten me? Fine. Then I’ll capture you right now and hand you over to the Qian Family as a gift!”

Hua Jian rolled up her sleeves.

The room’s atmosphere instantly froze.

It seemed as though a fight could erupt at any second.

“A few years apart, and you’ve developed quite the temper.”

“Heh. Back then you bullied the weak while stronger than me. Now we’re both Ling Wangs. I’m not afraid of you.”

Petal-shaped Spiritual Power bloomed within Hua Jian’s palm.

Youye showed no intention of backing down.

The black markings spreading across her exposed right hand began glowing faintly.

Just as the confrontation reached its peak—

Knock. Knock.

A gentle knock sounded at the door.

“Milady, your Full Fish Feast is ready.”

The tension vanished instantly.

Hua Jian dismissed the petals and replied calmly:

“Send it in.”

The door opened.

Hua Xinrui led several serving girls into the room.

Dish after dish of fish prepared from Hua Jian’s catch was arranged across the table.

As Hua Xinrui passed by, Hua Jian quietly transmitted an order.

“Inform the Qian Family that a Tianmomen spy is at the Red Flower Building.”

A flicker of confusion crossed Hua Xinrui’s eyes.

Still, she lowered her eyelids slightly to indicate understanding.

Whatever Miss Hua Jian wanted done, she would simply do it.

Once the feast had been arranged and everyone departed, Hua Jian used a vine to pick up a piece of white fish meat from the largest platter.

She tasted it.

Not great.

Apparently not every spirit beast tasted delicious.

“Finish your meal and leave quickly. I don’t have the information you’re looking for.”

“You’re the Wanhua Saintess. How could you not know?”

“I’m guessing you came because of the Secret Realm. Unfortunately, the Qian Family and Yaochi have sealed everything tightly. Even I can’t uncover much.”

As she spoke, Hua Jian began listing her efforts.

Naturally, she once again used a certain little fan as a convenient tool.

“I’ve already become close friends with Qian Feixu of the Qian Family. Don’t ruin my plan.”

Using friendship to gather intelligence sounded believable enough.

Youye reluctantly admitted that.

“So what information have you gotten?”

“Even if I had any, I wouldn’t tell you. Do you think I’m stupid?”

Hua Jian sneered.

“Everyone wants the treasures inside that Secret Realm. If I told you, I’d just be creating another competitor.”

Back in the Secret Realm, their strength gap had been enormous.

At that time, Hua Jian could only endure Youye’s arrogance.

Things were different now.

She was the Wanhua Saintess.

A Ling Wang.

Someone standing on equal footing.

Where exactly did Youye get the confidence to make demands?

“Anyway, sit down, eat quietly, and leave afterward.”

Hua Jian pointed toward the extravagant feast.

“I don’t have time to entertain guests like you.”

Then she stood and headed for the door as though she couldn’t tolerate another second in the same room.

The moment she stepped into the corridor, she immediately addressed Xia Qin and Hua Xinrui.

“We’re slipping away.”

“Huh?”

Both girls stared blankly.

Why should they run?

Wasn’t this their own headquarters?

“It’s not safe here anymore. We need a new safe house.”

Hua Jian pointed toward the room behind her and gave an entirely reasonable explanation.

“The Qian Family is going to raid this place soon. If we stay, we’ll just get restricted. Better to leave early.”

That was the real reason she had asked Hua Xinrui to tip them off.

After all, she had never intended to stay trapped inside the Red Flower Building forever.