Cheng Junyi was a Refining God expert.
That level of cultivation was far beyond the Yang Cheng of his past life.
So, his understanding of Cheng Junyi was limited. He truly had no idea what unresolved issues she had with the Wasteland Realm.
But it was clear—something about that unresolved grudge made Cheng Junyi hostile toward the entire Wasteland Realm.
Still, this wasn't a problem for Yang Cheng.
He had already noticed that Cheng Junyi's emotions had been unsettled the past few days.
He hadn't thought much of it before. But now, he suspected it had something to do with her inner demons.
After all, in his previous life, Cheng Junyi had left the Wasteland Realm during these exact few days.
"Tangtang, Teacher doesn't seem to be in a good mood?"
Yang Cheng asked Tang Xingyu.
Tang Xingyu spent nearly every moment with Cheng Junyi, so she probably knew more than he did.
"It's because of that man."
Tang Xingyu spoke in a grown-up tone.
"That man?"
Yang Cheng was instantly intrigued.
"Chengcheng, this is Teacher's secret. I'll tell you quietly."
Tang Xingyu leaned close to Yang Cheng's ear. "Teacher brought me to the Wasteland Realm because this is the homeland of her master and her senior brother. Teacher and her senior brother grew up together and were very close. She trusted him a lot. But lately, Teacher discovered that he may have deceived her."
"How could her senior brother deceive Teacher?"
Yang Cheng asked.
If he could figure that out, he might understand how to complete the mission.
He had to admit—Tangtang really was his most thoughtful little helper.
"The Tai Sui Breathing Technique actually has a forbidden gate. Once that gate is opened, the speed of cultivation skyrockets."
Tang Xingyu said, "But Teacher once told me that the forbidden gate is a path of evil. Both she and her senior brother promised their master they'd never open it. Recently though, Teacher discovered in secret that some people had been drained of their blood and qi. That happens only when the forbidden gate of the Tai Sui Breathing Technique is activated. The one most likely to be behind it—is her senior brother."
Yang Cheng's expression changed. He hadn't expected such a secret hidden within the Tai Sui Breathing Technique.
Then he remembered—Cheng Junyi's cultivation was so high. Even though she wasn't yet a Refining God expert like five hundred years later, she was already a Martial Sovereign.
There was no way she hadn't heard what Tang Xingyu was saying.
Which meant—Cheng Junyi was silently allowing Tang Xingyu to tell him.
By the afternoon, Yang Cheng asked Cheng Junyi directly before leaving, "Teacher, why did you let Tangtang tell me about the secret of the Tai Sui Breathing Technique?"
"You're also a member of our sect. This secret shouldn't be hidden from you."
Cheng Junyi replied.
"But Teacher, aren't you worried I'll follow in your senior brother's footsteps and walk the evil path?"
Yang Cheng asked.
"Would you?"
Cheng Junyi looked at him steadily.
Yang Cheng smiled. "Of course not. I wouldn't stoop that low."
He had a system. Just lying down could boost his cultivation quickly.
That forbidden technique from the Tai Sui Breathing Technique still required effort to absorb human blood and qi. Yang Cheng thought that was just not worth the trouble.
Hearing this, Cheng Junyi's face finally relaxed just a bit. "I trust you and Tangtang completely."
Back at the palace, Yang Cheng kept thinking about it.
'Looks like resolving Teacher's inner demon all comes down to that senior brother.'
Yang Cheng frowned. 'Too bad I didn't pay much attention to Teacher in my past life and don't know anything about this senior brother.'
Still, that wasn't a big issue.
Since Cheng Junyi had left the Wasteland Realm during these few days in his past life, that meant the senior brother would definitely show up soon.
No need to search. He just had to wait for the rabbit by the tree.
Radiant Sunlight Hall.
After lying low for days, Noble Consort Zhuang suddenly became excited again.
"Mother, what's going on?"
Yang Xiu asked, puzzled.
Noble Consort Zhuang spoke with renewed energy. "My son, hope has returned for both of us."
Yang Xiu was even more confused.
"A great man has arrived in Fengtian. He has close ties with the Zhuang clan. With his support, we can once again challenge the empress and her son."
Yang Xiu was shocked. "Mother, right now the empress and the crown prince have Marquis Champion behind them. Who could rival that kind of influence?"
"It's Master Su."
Noble Consort Zhuang answered.
Yang Xiu was stunned, then his expression changed. "Mother, do you mean Master Mingxin, who promotes 'education for all,' 'universal love and non-aggression,' and 'the people as the foundation of the nation'?"
"Exactly, him."
Noble Consort Zhuang said, "Thirty years ago, Master Mingxin began traveling among nations. Over the years, his words reached all corners of the world. Monarchs from every land have been influenced by his teachings and treat him as an honored guest.
Even the Emperor of Western Luo shows him great respect and once tried to hire him as a national advisor.
But Master Mingxin refused and returned to Great Zhou instead.
He has a close relationship with the Zhuang clan. After hearing about your situation, he became very interested and wishes to take you as his disciple."
Yang Xiu asked, "Would Master Mingxin really accept me?"
"Don't worry. Master Mingxin owes the Zhuang clan a big favor."
Noble Consort Zhuang was full of confidence. "Besides, Lady Cheng is Master Mingxin's junior sister and holds him in high esteem. Who knows, maybe he can even bring Lady Cheng to our side."
"Then I'll leave it to you, Mother."
Yang Xiu said seriously.
Right now, Marquis Champion was in his prime. But his influence was mainly within the military.
Once his current momentum faded, the people would soon forget him.
At court, Marquis Champion didn't hold much sway.
Master Mingxin, though, was different.
He had massive influence among the scholar-official class.
If Yang Xiu could become his disciple, he'd inherit that influence in the future.
Late at night.
Autumn Water Courtyard.
A refined, elegant middle-aged scholar appeared in front of Cheng Junyi.
"Junior Sister, it's been three years. I hope you've been well."
The middle-aged scholar greeted her.
"You still dare show your face?"
Cheng Junyi stared at him coldly.
The man sighed. "Junior Sister, you and I are closer than anyone in this world. Why wouldn't I dare?"
Cheng Junyi laughed. "Closer than anyone? The moment you broke our master's teachings and opened the forbidden gate, you and I became mortal enemies."
The man shook his head. "Junior Sister, our master has already fallen. Why cling so stubbornly to the rules? If he hadn't been so rigid, if he had opened the forbidden gate early on, his cultivation would've been stronger. That battle back then might not have cost him his life."
"Even though Master fell, I only admire him more."
Cheng Junyi said, "Unlike you—pretending to be the righteous and kind Master Mingxin, but actually feeding on human blood and qi like a demon. No matter how strong you are, I only find you disgusting."
This man was none other than Su Yan, the famed Master Mingxin.
Su Yan frowned slightly, then said, "Junior Sister, don't say that just to vent. I came today to help fulfill your greatest wish."
"My greatest wish?"
Cheng Junyi sneered coldly.
"I know your biggest wish is to recover the sect's lost treasure, the 'Tai Sui Sword,' which vanished when our master died."
Su Yan said, "I already know where the Tai Sui Sword is. As long as you agree to make peace and work with me to support the Zhuang clan, I'll help you find the sword together."
Cheng Junyi's expression darkened, but she didn't speak right away.
"The power behind the Zhuang clan is far beyond what you imagine. Not even the Yun clan or Emperor Qian Yuan can match them."
Su Yan said, "Following me is your smartest choice. You'll even achieve your dream. Why not?"
"Su Yan!"
Cheng Junyi interrupted. "I'm not taking action against you today only for the sake of our former bond as senior and junior disciples. But the next time we meet, we'll be mortal enemies."
Su Yan's face turned ugly.
He hadn't expected to be rejected like this after saying so much.
"Leave within ten breaths, or I'll make my move."
Cheng Junyi warned.
Su Yan stared at her for several breaths, but in the end, he turned and left.
He wasn't afraid of Cheng Junyi, but he didn't want a full-blown fight with her—not yet. It would make things irreparably worse.
Before long, Su Yan returned to a refined courtyard arranged for him by the Zhuang clan.
"Junior Sister, what made you so determined to turn your back on me?"
He couldn't believe Cheng Junyi was truly willing to become his enemy just because he'd opened the forbidden gate.
"Is it because of you?"
He looked down at an intelligence report.
Before meeting Cheng Junyi, he had of course gathered intel on her.
Right now, the two people she cared about most were Tang Xingyu and Yang Cheng.
Tang Xingyu's presence wasn't a threat to the Zhuang clan's plans, so that factor could be ruled out.
Which left only Yang Cheng.
The Yun clan behind Yang Cheng and the Zhuang clan were practically sworn enemies.
And Cheng Junyi had always been someone who cherished bonds.
"Very well."
A flash of cruelty passed through Su Yan's eyes. "Junior Sister, since you can't make a clean break, let me help you. I'll sever your tie with the Yun clan myself."
As he said this, his eyes fixed on two characters in the report—Yang Cheng!
He wasn't someone who acted on impulse. He was someone who saw through the illusions of the world—a true strategist.
That's why he understood better than anyone: the fastest and most effective way to resolve things was elimination.
Kill Yang Cheng, and every problem he faced now would vanish.
With his strength, killing Yang Cheng was effortless.
But Yang Cheng's identity was too sensitive.
If he killed him openly, the backlash would be terrifying. That wasn't something he was ready to face.
Then Su Yan smiled.
He flipped his palm, and from his void ring, took out a human-skin mask.
This mask was a divine artifact called "Jade Face."
"If Master Mingxin Su Yan can't kill you, then let Madam Jade Face do it."
He pressed the human-skin mask to his face. Instantly, his appearance transformed into a stunningly beautiful noblewoman.
It wasn't just the face—his entire aura changed.
Even Martial Sovereigns wouldn't see through the disguise. They'd believe he was a real woman.
By then, no one could possibly link him to Master Mingxin.
All these years, this was the identity he had used to secretly feed on human blood.