Chapter 81: The Old Fox Pope
"Uncle Qian, has my face really healed?"
Tang Yuehua looked up and asked after seeing that Qian Xunji and Ah Yin had finished the treatment.
"Why don't you check with a mirror?"
Tang Yuehua took a mirror from her storage soul tool, activated her innate domain to brighten the surroundings a bit, and looked at her reflection. Confirming that her face had returned to its stunning, elegant beauty, she was so moved she nearly burst into tears.
Qian Xunji, however, had his attention fixed on the faint-gold Clear Sky Hammer in her hand—clearly a mutated martial soul enhanced by her innate domain, the Noble Ring. He was a little surprised. Tang Yuehua's martial soul wasn't a harmful mutation—it was, in fact, a beneficial one, just like Yu Xiaogang's. But perhaps due to some innate deficiency, it had been suppressed.
After all, a normal Clear Sky Hammer didn't come with a domain. The fact that hers did meant her hammer was of a higher quality than standard ones.
Had she received an immortal herb in childhood to fix her innate flaws, the Clear Sky Sect might have ended up with a "Three-Star Clear Sky" formation, and she could have surpassed even Tang Xiao and Tang Hao—possibly becoming the sect's first female sect master.
Qian Zhen must have done something truly extraordinary in his past life to be blessed with three children of such potential. No wonder their mother had died young—perhaps all her life force had been drained by Tang Yuehua's mutated martial soul.
Still, Qian Xunji had no intention of helping Tang Yuehua compensate for her deficiencies. Let her stay as a profitable tool.
He had to admit—the Clear Sky Sect's brainwashing techniques were admirable. Otherwise, the original Qian Xunji from the canon would've long since been beaten to death by the deranged Tang Hao. The only reason Tang Hao hadn't killed him was fear of Spirit Hall's retaliation—only for Bibi Dong to benefit in the end.
"Mom, Dad, since this auntie is healed, let's go back now."
Qian Renxue tugged on Ah Yin's sleeve, pouting. She had absolutely no interest in seeing Tang Yuehua any longer.
Tang Yuehua's face darkened. Auntie? Sure, she was nearly forty, but she looked as youthful and refined as a woman in her twenties!
Ah Yin gently patted Qian Renxue's head. "Alright, let's go back."
"You too, come with us. We'll drop you off on the way."
Qian Renxue's eyes widened in protest. "Dad, why are we bringing her along?"
"Xue'er, the Clear Sky Sect is in a breathtaking mountain range—misty peaks and spiritual energy all around. With such scenery, how can we not have a tour guide?"
Qian Xunji shot Tang Yuehua a casual glance, smiling faintly. "Besides, this delicate little lady—what if she gets attacked again on the way back? That would mean all our effort was for nothing."
Hearing that, Qian Renxue had no choice but to tolerate the fact that their lovely family trip now included an outsider.
Tang Yuehua had no choice either. If men had targeted her while she was disfigured, she definitely couldn't risk going alone now with her beauty restored.
Qian Xunji kept his smile. "I heard Lady Tang Yuehua ran Moon Pavilion, teaching noble children in Heaven Dou City about etiquette and music. Our little group just happens to be missing a music master. How about you take that role?"
"I shall follow Your Holiness's orders."
Tang Yuehua responded politely. She needed Qian Xunji's help to return to the Clear Sky Sect safely, so whatever requests he made—so long as they weren't too excessive—she'd agree.
Qian Renxue glared. "Hey! Don't you dare get any funny ideas about my dad!"
Ah Yin ruffled Qian Renxue's hair. "Sorry, Xue'er's spoiled by me."
"It's alright, it's alright."
Tang Yuehua smiled with forced politeness. I'll endure. Falling for Qian Xunji? Never. Just let me get back to the sect, and I'm free.
Later, Qian Xunji assigned her official duties: one nightly music performance before bed, and at other times, she'd play if someone felt like hearing it.
Three tents stood outside the campfire—originally just two. The new one was for Tang Yuehua.
Outside the tents, beside the campfire, Tang Yuehua took out a harp from her storage soul tool. Her Noble Ring's power silently flowed into the strings as she began to play.
The elegant notes soothed the listeners, dispelling irritation, calming thoughts, and relieving fatigue.
Even Qian Renxue, initially full of complaints, felt her anger fade and sleepiness wash over her.
"This really does help with sleep…"
Qian Xunji leaned back against his pillow. Even he had to admit it—Tang Yuehua's music wasn't just soothing, it helped with cultivation, especially for light- and holy-type martial souls.
It benefited Qian Xunji the most. At level 95+, breakthroughs required deep insight. But with his mind constantly spinning schemes and plotting betrayals, how could he possibly find peace to connect with the Six-Winged Angel?
Ah Yin suddenly spoke. "Husband, are you falling for Tang Yuehua?"
"What nonsense," Qian Xunji replied calmly. Falling for Tang Yuehua? Maybe for the profit she could bring. But without soul ring-enhancing hormones, she was no match for the likes of Ah Yin or Bibi Dong in either beauty or body.
"I could tell. The moment you heard her name, you stared right at her."
Qian Xunji flicked Ah Yin's forehead. "You really haven't grown much over the years. You said I stared when I heard her name. Do you think I have such low standards to fall for a scar-faced woman?"
"Then what do you see in her?"
"Some things… you'll understand later."
Ah Yin saw the grin curling at his lips and silently pitied Tang Yuehua. She knew that smile—it meant Qian Xunji was about to play his next move.
Their route back to the Clear Sky Sect wouldn't be direct. Qian Xunji had mapped out everything. No one could possibly think this trip was just for leisure.
After five days, the terrified Tang Yuehua had slowly begun to relax. After years in noble society, she was adept at reading people.
The Qian family trio were genuinely good to each other. Only Qian Renxue still took shots at her every now and then.
Qian Xunji wasn't arrogant. He treated those around him kindly, much like Ning Fengzhi. He took care to guide Qian Renxue and showed affection to Ah Yin. If not for their immense strength, people might have assumed they were just a rich, noble family on vacation.
But Qian Xunji's demeanor didn't make Tang Yuehua let her guard down. On the contrary, it made her even more wary.
The more he resembled Ning Fengzhi, the more she was reminded of how smoothly he had manipulated the Seven Sects Conference and how ruthlessly he crushed Tang Hao.
This man… was a cunning old fox.
With a pope like Qian Xunji opposing them, Tang Hao was already crippled, Tang Xiao was no match, and their grandfather was missing.
Against Spirit Hall, the Clear Sky Sect had no choice but to tread carefully, very carefully—lest one day, Qian Xunji squeeze them dry and they wouldn't even see it coming.
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