Firmament Sword

Huang Yan felt somewhat uneasy. Plotting against a clever girl from the Secular Royal Family, a spirited and mischievous one at that, left her feeling utterly unconfident.

If Jiang Hanhai hadn’t approached her personally, she never would have done something like this. After all, she and Huangfu Shishi had the best relationship in the sect.

Jiang Hanhai had not only promised her a slew of conditions but had also revealed most of the plan to her. This made Huang Yan instinctively feel that even if the plot were exposed, it would have little to do with her. Besides, she didn’t like that young man Xu Luo either!

Xu Luo had made Jiang Hanhai lose face, and she liked Jiang Hanhai.

Although a sense of guilt still gnawed at her, Huang Yan comforted herself inwardly: ’This is for Shishi’s own good. What kind of future would she have with Xu Luo? No matter how impressive he is, he’s just a secular youth with no background. The proper path is to marry a promising young genius from a sect, like Jiang Tianhai!’

As Huang Yan thought this, her face suddenly flushed. ’If Shishi really marries Jiang Tianhai, and I... I marry Jiang Hanhai, wouldn’t I become Shishi’s sister-in-law? Wouldn’t we be sisters-in-law? Then we’d truly be one family! That’s right! One family! And it’s only right for family to help family! Yes... I’m helping Shishi!’

People, especially when faced with a guilty conscience, love to find all sorts of reasons to justify their actions.

Huang Yan was no different.

Just then, Huangfu Shishi entered from outside, her steps as graceful as a lotus.

Huang Yan instinctively sensed a change in Huangfu Shishi’s aura. She seemed... even more beautiful!

Her pretty face, already so delicate it looked like it might break at a touch, now seemed so supple you could squeeze water from it...

’It’s only been a short while, how did she suddenly get prettier?’ Huang Yan was baffled, faintly feeling that something wasn’t quite right.

”Senior Sister, what brings you here?” Huangfu Shishi gave Huang Yan a small smile and sat down across from her.

Huangfu Shishi had a very good impression of Huang Yan. She had known her since the day she joined the Kaiyang Sect. Huang Yan had always acted with the grace of a senior sister, showing her great care, so their relationship was quite good.

So, despite the unpleasant falling-out between her family and the Kaiyang Sect, Huangfu Shishi couldn’t refuse Huang Yan’s request for a meeting. She didn’t want to hurt a friend’s feelings.

”I came to see you. Anyone would be heartbroken after experiencing something like this, and with the Sect Leader and the others...唉.” Huang Yan sighed softly and continued, ”The affairs of the sect, the thoughts of those important figures... we can’t understand them, nor can we influence them. But I hope that no matter what happens, you stay strong. I believe the Sect Leader won’t really do anything to you. After all, you’re considered a top-tier genius in the sect...”

”Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister.” Huangfu Shishi smiled gently. ”I know what to do.”

”That’s good. By the way, I’ve never been to the secular world before. These next couple of days... could you find some time to show me around the city?” Huang Yan said, looking a little embarrassed. ”I know it’s a bit much to ask right now, especially since... you haven’t recovered from your grief. But I’m only doing this for your own good. I don’t want you to be stuck wallowing in sorrow.”

In truth, being with Xu Luo had already minimized Huangfu Shishi’s pain. But now that Huang Yan kept bringing it up, the deep sorrow and the grief of never seeing her parents again surged back. Huangfu Shishi’s eyes immediately turned red.

”Look at this big mouth of mine. It’s all my fault, I shouldn’t have brought it up.” Huang Yan’s tone was sincere, her face full of self-reproach.

”It’s not your fault, Senior Sister. It’s just me... whenever I think about it...” Teardrops trickled down Huangfu Shishi’s cheeks. Then, she forced a smile and said, ”Let’s not talk about this anymore. It only brings more sadness. Senior Sister wants to tour the Imperial Capital City, so as the host, I should do my part. It was my oversight before. How about tomorrow? Tomorrow morning, I’ll send someone to pick you up, Senior Sister, and I’ll give you a proper tour of this secular capital.”

”That’s wonderful!” A look of pleasant surprise appeared on Huang Yan’s face. She then added, ”By the way, about you and that Xu Luo... never mind, pretend I didn’t ask. It’s your private business, Junior Sister. I was just curious...”

At the mention of Xu Luo, a trace of tenderness flashed in Huangfu Shishi’s eyes. She said softly, ”Brother Xu Luo and I have been childhood sweethearts. Besides, I was in a wheelchair for many years. If it weren’t for Xu Luo, I’m afraid I’d still just be a useless cripple.”

Huang Yan actually already knew what Huangfu Shishi was talking about before she came, so she wasn’t too surprised. However, the expression on Huangfu Shishi’s face when she mentioned Xu Luo made her a little uneasy.

Although she was still an inexperienced maiden, a girl’s intuition made Huang Yan instinctively feel that the relationship between her junior sister and Xu Luo wasn’t as simple as Jiang Hanhai had made it out to be.

In truth, Huang Yan wasn’t a bad person at heart. She was just a bit vain and had a huge crush on her Senior Brother, Jiang Hanhai. She had impulsively agreed to his request. But now, seeing Huangfu Shishi’s expression, it was clear she and Xu Luo were deeply in love. If that was the case... Huang Yan hesitated several times, wanting to speak but holding back. In the end, she chose to trust Jiang Hanhai.

After all, the Kaiyang Sect was her home, and Jiang Hanhai was the man she liked. In Huang Yan’s view, even if something did happen to Xu Luo, Huangfu Shishi would only be sad for a while. Since both her parents were gone, if Xu Luo died too, she would have almost no ties left in this secular world!

At that point, if she didn’t choose to return to the Kaiyang Sect, where else could she go?

’As for that Supreme Emperor Huangfu Chongzhi... he’s just a low-born commoner, the son of a Palace Maid!’

Having made up her mind, the uneasiness in Huang Yan’s heart vanished completely. She chatted idly with Huangfu Shishi for a few more minutes, then took her leave.

「By now, night had fallen.」

Watching Huang Yan leave, Huangfu Shishi didn’t think much of it. She also didn’t notice a small, ghost-like shadow following behind Huang Yan as she left.

It was Master Mao!

After Xu Luo and Huangfu Shishi had entered her chambers, the two of them were being lovey-dovey. Master Mao, of course, wasn’t going to stick around and watch, so he went for a stroll around the Imperial Palace on his own. These days, Master Mao and Xu Luo shared a telepathic connection. For many things, he didn’t need Xu Luo’s instructions to know what to do.

After absorbing the blood essence of the Thundering Saint Beast, much of the bloodline within Master Mao’s body had awakened. As a Spirit Beast, he was naturally sensitive to auras. After quietly following Huangfu Shishi to the reception hall and seeing Huang Yan, Master Mao sensed that something was off with this ”little chick.” Thus, without needing any orders, Master Mao began tailing Huang Yan on his own, wanting to see if this ”little chick” had ill intentions.

’No matter what, Xu Luo is my, Master Mao’s, little brother. And the Princess, this little lady, is now my little brother’s wife. As the big brother, I’ve got to look out for them. Can’t let my brother’s wife get taken advantage of, right?’ Master Mao thought to himself as he followed Huang Yan all the way back to the sprawling posthouse.

Huang Yan was in a lighthearted and somewhat excited mood. Although it was late at night, the lights were still on in the private residence where Jiang Hanhai was staying.

’He must be waiting for me!’ Although she knew Jiang Hanhai was waiting for her because of the plan, a sweet feeling still welled up in Huang Yan’s heart.

”Senior Brother, are you asleep?” Huang Yan asked softly as she arrived at the door of the residence.

’This little chick’s voice sounds like she’s in heat, AHHHHH!’ Master Mao thought, silently following behind. His figure blended almost perfectly with the night, not a hint of his presence leaking out.

”Is that you, Junior Sister? Come in. I’ve been waiting for you,” came Jiang Hanhai’s steady voice from inside the room.

Blushing, Huang Yan pushed the door open and subconsciously glanced back over her shoulder.

After she entered the room, Jiang Hanhai asked impatiently, ”How did it go? Did you succeed?”

Seeing Jiang Hanhai’s eager face, Huang Yan felt a little disappointed, but she still nodded obediently. ”She agreed to take me shopping tomorrow. But Senior Brother, will this really work? It won’t hurt her, will it?”

”Don’t worry, Yan’Er,” Jiang Hanhai said gently, looking at Huang Yan.

”Senior Brother...” Huang Yan blushed, completely flustered. Being called ”Yan’Er” by him made her feel like her soul was about to fly away.

Jiang Hanhai walked over, placed his hands on Huang Yan’s shoulders, and gazed at her. ”We are all fellow disciples of the same sect. How could I hurt her? Besides, if I did harm her, Jiang Tianhai would kill me! I’m doing this for the benefit of our sect, and more importantly, for us!”

”For us?”

”That’s right. Think about it. The Sect Leader, given his status, can’t easily move against Xu Luo. But as long as Xu Luo is alive, controlling the Cangqiong Royal Family is just empty talk. As disciples, we naturally have to solve the Sect Leader’s problems for him. This is for the benefit of the sect.” Jiang Hanhai pulled Huang Yan into his arms and said coolly, ”As for your feelings, I’ve always been well aware of them. You and Huangfu Shishi are also the best of friends. In the future, you’ll be my woman, and Huangfu Shishi will be Jiang Tianhai’s woman. We... we’ll be a real family then! Imagine how happy you’ll be! Think about it—living forever with the man you love and your best friend. Isn’t that... happiness?”

”It is!” Huang Yan felt as if her heart was melting.

’AHHHHH! Goddammit, this shameless couple is so despicable!’ Master Mao roared silently from outside.