Volume 2, Chapter 114 – Whoever Falls First, Loses First

Giving the other party a bit of hope, maintaining a certain elusive sense of distance with them, making them feel like they could succeed when in reality not giving them any substantial opportunity.

This was an art.

For Lu Zhuxin to string along an immortal might be a very dangerous thing for someone else.

However, Lu Zhuxin didn’t plan to string her along forever either.

The specifics would depend on the results from Hu Xian’er’s side.

Lu Zhuxin herself couldn’t be certain exactly what things were inside the ruins of the Yin-Yang Hehuan Sect.

At the very least, Lu Zhuxin needed to hold on until that time.

Before everything was ready, Lu Zhuxin had to ensure that the Venerable Saint wouldn’t act recklessly.

As for what would happen after, Lu Zhuxin didn’t have a complete plan yet.

This was a very dangerous thing.

In order not to arouse that immortal’s suspicion, Lu Zhuxin needed to get close enough to her.

And this was while not knowing the other party’s true purpose.

How to gain that immortal’s trust while also ensuring Lu Zhuxin herself didn’t fall into the trap.

The measure of this could only be gauged by Lu Zhuxin’s own feelings.

Moreover… does the Immortal Venerable truly like her?

…

Qu Qingtang kept watching Lu Zhuxin flutter away like a butterfly.

The expression on her face gradually faded.

“Can you check for changes in the target person’s favorability?” Qu Qingtang asked.

‘Target person, currently no change in favorability.’

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“No change?” Qu Qingtang furrowed her delicate brows. “Then what did she mean by saying all that to me just now…”

‘The target person’s inner emotional changes are complex. The favorability quantification detected by the system is only for reference and cannot completely digitize the target person’s inner values.’

“…” Qu Qingtang remained silent.

She could roughly guess part of what was in Lu Zhuxin’s heart.

“Her inner feelings toward me haven’t changed.”

“But her actions just now and her words between the lines were hinting to me that she’s willing to give me a chance to pursue her.”

“Is it for some reason that she’s willing to compromise with me?”

Qu Qingtang thought about it and came up with a reason.

“Is it because of Song Shiyuan?”

That little fox’s change clearly began after seeing Song Shiyuan.

“Our little fox doesn’t want to drag Song Shiyuan into this anymore?”

Qu Qingtang chuckled softly.

“Can you check the target person’s favorability toward Song Shiyuan?”

‘Sorry, currently no permission to reveal this data.’

Qu Qingtang wasn’t surprised.

“Is the target person’s favorability toward Song Shiyuan the highest among everyone?”

‘Yes.’

“Then exactly how high is it?”

‘Currently no permission to display this value.’

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“Tsk…” Qu Qingtang clicked her tongue.

“It seems our little fox really wants to treat Song Shiyuan as her exclusive possession.”

‘What do you plan to do?’

Qu Qingtang chuckled lightly. “Of course, fulfill that little fox’s wishes.”

“The little fox has already given me the steps down. If I don’t follow her intentions, she’ll hate me again.”

“She’s willing to accept my approach, but that doesn’t mean she likes me.”

“What she wants is just to bring me under her control.”

Qu Qingtang supported her chin.

“However, this suits me perfectly too.”

“If she never gives me a chance to get close to her, how can I conquer her?”

‘Aren’t you afraid it’s a trap?’

“Then we’ll see who can do better in this game.”

Qu Qingtang muttered to herself.

…

Qu Qingtang returned to her own courtyard.

Within the quiet Fox Palace, only their courtyard seemed out of place.

“Immortal Venerable, you’re back.” Liu Funing, dragging her pale and weak body, stood at the entrance.

Her face carried a trace of worry. “Your disciple has been poisoned too deeply by the fox demons. Won’t you think of a way to persuade her?”

“Immortal Venerable.” Huang Xifeng stood in the distance, hugging her ancient golden sword and leaning against a pillar. Only when she saw Qu Qingtang return did she straighten her body and clasp her fists toward her.

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Qu Qingtang nodded slightly at these two.

In the small courtyard, four people lived.

Whether or not it was Hu Xian’er’s twisted sense of humor, when she arranged lodgings for these people, she deliberately arranged all those staying at the Fox Palace as maids into the same courtyard.

One immortal, plus two sword sect masters, and Song Shiyuan. All four people were crammed into one small courtyard.

Such an arrangement greatly displeased Qinglan Sword Sect Master Liu Funing.

Especially on the first day, as soon as Liu Funing went out, she was met with Song Shiyuan’s murderous gaze.

She wasn’t the one who killed that fox!

Huang Xifeng just hugged her sword, saying nothing and doing nothing.

To her, it seemed nothing was worth her concern except for her daughter.

Qu Qingtang had discovered early on that this room full of cellmates didn’t get along particularly well.

At this moment, Qu Qingtang could only smile helplessly.

She said to Liu Funing, “I understand.”

“Immortal Venerable.” Liu Funing’s expression was serious. “The harm of fox demons cannot be underestimated. If she continues to be so obstinate, perhaps we should…”

Qu Qingtang looked at Liu Funing with a smile.

Liu Funing’s words stopped short. “Immortal Venerable?”

She felt an inexplicable pressure.

“Sect Master Liu.” Qu Qingtang said gently, “Regarding the matter between Shiyuan and the fox demons, Qingtang has her own judgment.”

“Moreover, Shiyuan is Qingtang’s disciple. Qingtang understands her nature.”

“She has justice in her heart. She won’t commit unforgivable wrongs out of selfish desire.”

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Liu Funing was speechless, her delicate brows knitting. “But Immortal Venerable, Song Shiyuan did indeed draw her sword against her fellow sect member for the sake of a fox demon. Sect Master Jiang and I witnessed this with our own eyes.”

“Sect Master Liu.” Qu Qingtang shook her head again. “Have you asked Song Shiyuan about her reason for drawing her sword?”

Liu Funing shook her head. “I haven’t.”

Qu Qingtang said, “Since you haven’t, then how do you know that Song Shiyuan’s swing at Song Shixuan wasn’t for another reason?”

Liu Funing was stunned. “Is the Immortal trying to show favoritism to her own disciple with these words?”

Qu Qingtang chuckled lightly. “Sect Master Liu, you’ve forgotten that Song Shixuan is also my disciple.”

Liu Funing was at a loss for words again. She pressed her lips together, still wanting to say something more.

But Qu Qingtang waved her hand, interrupting her words.

“This matter may be disputed, but in the future, the truth will become clear.”

Qu Qingtang passed by the dumbfounded Liu Funing and walked in.

She saw Song Shiyuan standing in the courtyard, holding a broom in her hands, silently sweeping the fallen leaves on the ground.

Although she was a maid, the fox demons hadn’t sealed Song Shiyuan’s spiritual power.

The fallen leaves on the ground could be cleaned up with just a simple spiritual technique.

However, Song Shiyuan chose to carefully sweep them bit by bit with a broom like an ordinary person.

It wasn’t until Qu Qingtang approached that Song Shiyuan raised her head.

“Master.” She called out softly.

“You heard what Liu Funing said just now?” Qu Qingtang looked at her.

“Mm.” Song Shiyuan nodded, her face showing neither sorrow nor joy. “Thank you, Master, for speaking up for me.”