Beneath the dim candlelight, Lord Yu paused, then turned to the shadowy figure cloaked in black.
"Respected One," he said with a faint smile, "this game is becoming more intriguing by the day. Tell me—when will your Saintess of Nine Yin make her move?"
A chilling grin spread across the Respected One's hidden face."No need to rush, My Lord. There are still eight days before the Martial Assembly begins. The Saintess is our final trump card. Until the critical moment arrives, she must remain hidden. But perhaps… a small interaction between her and Qin Ren wouldn't hurt."
Lord Yu nodded in agreement."Wise words. However, this game seems to be slipping from our control. Does that not concern you?"
The Respected One let out a low, sinister laugh."Concern? This is merely a game. The struggle for the world far outweighs the squabbles of the martial realm. The Xiaoyao Manor may appear powerful, boasting three thousand elite disciples, but what of it? In the grand scheme of things, they are nothing. If we cannot tame them, then they must be eliminated. All of them. Except for Qin Ren… who bears the Shura Demon Eyes. Tell me, My Lord, do you intend to kill him or keep him?"
Lord Yu fell silent, pondering."That ancient prophecy… 'He who possesses the Shura Demon Eyes shall command the world.' Even after all these years, no one has fully deciphered its meaning. To kill or to spare him—either choice carries grave risk. What is your view?"
The Respected One answered coldly."For now, he may live. We shall watch and weigh his worth. As for the other martial sects—Xiaoyao Manor, the Ironblood Fortress… if they yield, they may serve. If not, they shall be destroyed. This time, I've brought the Wind, Rain, Thunder, Lightning Quartet, the Sinbound Four, the Misty Rain Hundred Blades of Jiangnan, and the 366 Flash Blades of the Northern Desert. Once the Martial Assembly descends into chaos, we will swoop in and cull the survivors. The remnants of these sects, once leaderless, will pose no threat."
Lord Yu's eyes gleamed."And Qin Ren?"
"We'll play it by ear. If the second interpretation of the prophecy proves true, we'll eliminate him. But if we keep him within our grasp, his fate will rest in our hands. Let him stir no waves."
Lord Yu narrowed his eyes."But the boy's gone missing. If he doesn't appear at the Assembly, the storm won't rise. How do we force him out?"
The Respected One's voice turned eerily soft."There's no need. He'll come on his own."
There was a pause before he continued:"One of the Four Demon Lords who betrayed our order long ago—Old Joe, the Shadowless Master—has surfaced beside Qin Ren. I sent men to investigate. None returned. No doubt, Joe killed them. I allowed him to remain at Qin Ren's side precisely for this reason—to incite him."
Lord Yu raised an eyebrow."He's still alive? That madman was the most dangerous of the four. But how will he incite Qin Ren?"
"Old Joe is cunning. He'll recognize that Qin Ren has fallen into a trap—my trap. With his hatred for me, he'll seize this chance. He'll push Qin Ren to fight, to defy, to join the Martial Assembly. Qin Ren is young, inexperienced—he won't resist the pull. Once he enters that battlefield, the wheels of fate will spin beyond his control."
Lord Yu gave an approving nod."Marvelous insight, Respected One. But what of Du Xiaoyan? The daughter of Lord Du has already fallen into Qin Ren's orbit. Could she complicate things?"
The Respected One sneered."Du Gongfu is just a dog—he bites, but the world has many dogs. Let him bark at the Assembly. When he loses face before the martial world, his rage will turn to Qin Ren. We won't have to lift a finger; his humiliation will fan the flames for us. Otherwise, his reputation for fairness would make it hard to stir the crowd."
Lord Yu nodded again."Indeed. Yet I worry… the boy is not easily controlled."
"That's what the Saintess is for," the Respected One said calmly."Whether he wins or loses at the Assembly, I'll ensure he survives. Then, I'll place the Saintess at his side. No matter how cold or heartless he is, he won't resist her charms."
Lord Yu smiled coldly."Then I leave it to you. My charms have waned, but with your guidance, how could our plans possibly fail?"
The Respected One bowed slightly."It is my honor to serve, My Lord."
A cruel smile curled on Lord Yu's lips as he pointed to the final rays of sunset in the sky."This world—how could it belong to a fool like Ah Hai? The martial realm is only the prologue. When all heroes fall into our net, the true game shall begin… Hahahaha!"
The Respected One stood silently beside him, offering neither approval nor dissent.No one knew what he was thinking. No one could see the expression beneath that fog-shrouded veil...
Scene Transition: Morning Mist and a Sleeping Hero
Dawn crept across the sky.
The garden was soaked in dew. Tiny droplets shimmered like pearls as they slid off the blades of grass and shattered against the cobbled path. A light fog drifted in, wrapping the courtyard in a dreamlike veil. With rare pines, vibrant flowers, and curious plants imported from distant mountains, the scene resembled a celestial paradise.
This unassuming estate on the western edge of Dingzhou City didn't seem unusual from the outside. No one would guess that it belonged to one of the Four Demon Lords of old—the once-feared "Phantom Demon Lord," now known as the Thousand-King Bandit of Yan Province—Master Li Guding.
And here, hidden from the world, lay the missing Third Young Master—Qin Ren.
Inside a refined chamber in the western wing, fragrant with incense, a bed of the finest sandalwood and silk cradled a sleeping figure. Qin Ren lay shirtless, his wounded shoulder still wrapped in bandages, breathing softly.
He was curled up on his side, his face buried against the snowy white chest of Qiu Ruomei. One arm clung tightly around her shoulders, the other rested on her chest.
He looked like a child, seeking warmth, refuge—protection. His body language, like a babe craving its mother's milk, expressed a deep, unspoken fear of abandonment.
Qiu Ruomei had long been awake.
One hand gently stroked his hair, while the other massaged his injured shoulder with a special healing technique, easing the tension in his muscles and blood.
She gazed at him, heart aching."You sleep like a child... Are you afraid? Is that why you cling to me like this? Do you want me to protect you?"
She recalled something her master once told her: If someone buries their head in your chest while sleeping, they carry a deep sense of unease and crave comfort.
But why, she wondered, would Qin Ren feel insecure?
He was the Third Young Master of the Qin family, son of the legendary Zhetian Hand, brother to the Sword Saint of the Stars and the Mad Thunder Blade God. His mother was Tie Ling'er; his uncle the Iron Palm Grandmaster.
He himself was a once-in-a-generation genius who had never lost a battle.
He had more wealth than entire kingdoms. His brothers bore the weight of the family's duties. What did he have to fear?
Shouldn't he be the one holding a woman in his arms, offering her safety and warmth?
"You're still just a child," she thought, her fingers pausing on his chest.
With a silent sigh, she gently moved his arm away, slipped out from under the covers, and pulled the blanket back over him. Dressing quietly, she took her bundle and sword, preparing to leave.
At the door, she looked back.
He was still facing the wall, motionless.
"Leaving already, Sister Mei?" came a sudden voice from behind.
She turned. He hadn't moved an inch.
Was she imagining it?
"Leaving already, Sister Mei?" he repeated.
She sighed."Ah Ren, I only promised to care for you until you healed. Now you're better."
"You won't stay because of who I am?" His voice was calm, almost emotionless. "Because a woman of the jianghu doesn't suit someone like me?"
She didn't answer. After a long silence, she whispered,"Didn't you once say, 'Rather than cling to one another in hardship, better to part and forget each other in the rivers and lakes?'"
Another silence followed. Then:"Very well, Sister Mei. Safe travels. Close the door on your way out—I'd like to sleep a bit longer."
She bit her lip, seeing he still wouldn't turn to face her."Take care," she murmured and fled the room, vanishing into the morning mist.
After running several yards, she suddenly stopped and turned back.
The window was tightly shut. Not even a sliver of light escaped.