"This time, I'll make sure she wishes she were dead." A cold glint flickered in Liu Yao's eyes as he took out a message talisman and sent it out.
"Brother, who was that for—"
"Shh." Liu Yao cut her off with a finger to his lips, then cast a wary glance outside the room before closing the door tight. "You absolutely cannot breathe a word of this. If anyone finds out, we'll both be finished."
"I understand. Don't worry!" Liu Yiyi quickly mimed zipping her lips shut.
Her hand brushed against her swollen cheek. "As long as she dies, even getting slapped like this was worth it."
"You better not go soft when the time comes," Liu Yao said coldly, narrowing his eyes.
"I won't. I wish she'd drop dead right now. How could I feel sorry for her after everything?"
"Good. You're thinking clearly now. Don't forget, in this world, the only people we can rely on are each other. Everyone else will turn on us the first chance they get."
Hearing this, Liu Yiyi finally relaxed. A sly smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
"I've already had people spread some rumors. They say she has a fiancé but still flirts with you in secret. That's the only way we can salvage your reputation."
After what happened back then, everyone in Wentian Sect had seen it. Someone had even recorded it with a memory stone. Now, the footage was being passed around like wildfire. Their faces had been completely trampled.
Smearing Song Wanníng was the only way to minimize the damage. At her words, Liu Yao's expression twisted, the memory of that humiliation stirring something violent in him.
He clenched his jaw. "Don't worry. Once this plan succeeds, she'll be drenched in shame. No one will remember what I did. They'll be too busy condemning her."
He leaned in close and whispered the rest of his scheme into Liu Yiyi's ear. The more she listened, the brighter her eyes became. Her lips curled, and even the muscles in her face trembled from excitement.
"This is perfect, Brother!
This time, that vicious woman is going down!"
...
Though the demonic cultivator who faced heavenly tribulation had caused quite the stir after the beast tide, the rest of the cultivation world quickly returned to its usual rhythm.
But things inside Wentian Sect were anything but peaceful.
It all started a few days earlier when a piece of news sent ripples through the sect: a rogue cultivator calling himself "Taiyi Zhēnrén" had nearly beaten the Li Clan's heir to death. Then, he boldly claimed that he was acting under the protection of Wentian Sect's very own sect master.
Enraged, the Li Clan's patriarch stormed off to demand an explanation.
The disciples were stunned when the rumor spread.
"Is that even true?"
"Sounds fake. Who would expose their own backer like that? But then again, maybe the guy's just an idiot who thinks he's invincible."
"Could be. The Li patriarch looked furious. He might actually lose it."
"I mean, wouldn't you? If your beloved heir was beaten half to death, wouldn't you want blood too?"
"Sigh. Our sect master... what can you even say at this point?"
"No kidding. Is there another sect master anywhere like him? Sometimes I wonder how he's even still in charge."
"Seriously. He's dragged our sect into the dirt. I heard even Elder Song was threatening to leave recently!"
"For real? Why?"
"Wasn't it during the beast tide? Something happened—"
The disciples' frustration had been building for a long time. Now they no longer bothered hiding it. Whispers about replacing the sect master were growing louder, and though such thoughts were forbidden, no one could stop the rumors from spreading.
Inside the Sect Master's Hall, the man himself was so furious his vision went black. Yet, he had no idea how to defend himself.
Because that so-called "Taiyi Zhēnrén" was... his brother-in-law.
Not officially, of course. The sect master had never taken a formal dao partner, but he had plenty of women around him. At least seven or eight had some status. As for fleeting romances, they were too many to count.
The moment anyone learned his identity, they would throw themselves into his arms. He barely had to lift a finger.
As sect master, he had enjoyed years of wealth and privilege. Lavish spending only made his admirers more eager.
The sister of that "Taiyi Zhēnrén" was his favorite among them—gentle, understanding, and wild in bed. She had completely bewitched him.
But to maintain his image as a dignified sect leader, he had kept this secret from everyone. Even the Seventh Elder had no clue. And now, thanks to that idiot's antics, his whole secret teetered on the edge of exposure.
"I expect Wentian Sect to give me an explanation!" The Li patriarch stood below the dais, his eyes sharp and unrelenting. He might have led only a small clan, but he could not be ignored.
The sect master suppressed a groan. "There must be a misunderstanding. I've only met the man once. He likely used my name to bluff his way out of trouble."
"Is that so?"
The patriarch seemed unconvinced, but the explanation wasn't entirely implausible either.
After all, "Taiyi Zhēnrén" was just a rogue cultivator. Even if he was at the Golden Core stage, that didn't give him ties to Wentian Sect.
"It's absolutely true. If you still doubt it, I am willing to confront him in person."
That gesture—offering to face the man directly—eased the patriarch's suspicion.
"My apologies. I was simply blinded by rage. Please forgive me."
"No harm done, no harm done." The sect master laughed and saw the patriarch out.
The two of them had looked quite cordial as they left, and that seemed to settle the disciples' nerves. If the patriarch was satisfied, it must have been a misunderstanding after all.
Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.
But the moment the guest was gone, the sect master's expression turned dark.
He returned to his chambers and immediately sent a message to "Taiyi Zhēnrén."
Sect Master:Brother-in-law, what the hell did you do? I was in Li City a few days ago too, and now the patriarch's here demanding answers. Did you really beat up his heir and drop my name? Are you trying to get us both killed?
Taiyi Zhēnrén:What? No way! I didn't lay a finger on anyone from the Li Clan, I swear!
Sect Master:Don't lie to me. The Li patriarch came to my door! He said you specifically mentioned my name! Are you out of your mind?
Taiyi Zhēnrén:I'm innocent! I've never once used your name outside! You told me not to, and I've always kept my mouth shut! I swear it on a heart demon oath if I have to! Someone's framing me, I'm telling you! If I find out who did this, I'll tear them to pieces!
The messages kept coming in, but the sect master barely registered them. His hands trembled. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. If his brother-in-law wasn't lying... then someone had deliberately set him up.
Who?
Who would go to such lengths to ruin him?
He couldn't sit still. He paced the room in circles, his thoughts racing.
"Who have I offended recently...?"
His mind jumped to a name.
"Song Wanníng?"
He froze. But then quickly shook his head.
Impossible.
Junior Sister Song could be domineering, yes, but she always acted openly. If she wanted revenge, she would have come storming in, not worked from the shadows.
...Right?