“If not for the Poison Sect’s Ancestor backing you, you wouldn’t dare act so arrogantly before me,” Bian Suwen responded sharply to Shao Wanwan’s challenge, her tone calm but laced with warning. Then she softened ever so slightly, adding, “Just think about my offer.”
Shao Wanwan gave a cold snort. “You’re not the only smart one here. Don’t dream of stalling for time so you can grow stronger. I owe the Poison Sect everything. If sacrificing myself serves the sect, then so be it. The Ancestor will avenge me.”
As soon as she spoke, she drew a dagger from within her robes and raised it to her neck without hesitation. The cold gleam flashed past her pale skin, ready to draw blood and end her life.
Bian Suwen’s face drained of color. If Shao Wanwan died here, the feud between the Poison Sect and Yixian Valley would deepen beyond reconciliation. She instinctively reached out to stop her—but there was no time.
Clang! A burst of formless energy shot in from an unknown direction, knocking the dagger clean from Shao Wanwan’s grasp. It skittered across the floor and clattered to a halt, leaving everyone momentarily stunned.
No one in the room had seen where the attack came from. The timing was too precise, too sudden.
A soft cough broke the silence.
Bian Suwen turned at once and rushed to the bedside. “Haoran!” She quickly propped him up and pressed her fingers against his back, stimulating key acupoints to help regulate his breath.
“Ol—ol—ol…”
Before she could finish, Wang Haoran met her gaze briefly and gave the barest shake of his head.
She froze, then instantly understood. The word Ancestor caught on the tip of her tongue was swallowed back. In that moment, she realized the one who had just saved her in secret… was him.
Her heart thudded with awe. To think—he was right here, in this very room, yet none of them had sensed him act. To intervene with such precision and remain undetected…
Truly worthy of being the Ancestor!
【Ding! Female lead Shao Wanwan’s Favorability toward Host has increased by 10. Current Favorability: 30 (Very Friendly).】
【Ding! Host has altered the plot’s trajectory. Villain Points +600!】
Wang Haoran couldn’t help but smile to himself. His bluff had worked. Shao Wanwan had completely fallen for it.
Bian Suwen remained unaware of their silent exchange. All her focus was on Wang Haoran. “How do you feel? Better now?”
“Much better,” he replied, flashing a faint smile.
“Here, drink some water.” Qiu Qianwei brought a glass to his lips and gently helped him take a few sips.
With his complexion looking more normal and the coughing gone, Wang Haoran turned to Bian Suwen and, as if noticing someone unfamiliar, asked with a slight frown, “Who’s that?”
He wasn’t really asking, of course—it was a message to Shao Wanwan: We don’t know each other. Don’t blow my cover.
“She’s Shao Wanwan, a bad woman. If you ever see her again, keep your distance,” Bian Suwen answered without hesitation.
Shao Wanwan immediately caught on. Not only did she stay quiet about recognizing him, but she leaned into the role with a venomous smile. “You seem rather protective of him, Little Medicine Fairy. Looks like you’ve fallen. But he doesn’t seem like much—just an ordinary man.”
Bian Suwen’s eyes flared with anger. “He’s not of Yixian Valley, but if your people lay a finger on him, don’t blame me for throwing decorum aside!”
Shao Wanwan noted her reaction and smirked inwardly. Bian Suwen had no suspicions about their prior encounter. Satisfied, she softened her tone. “Relax, I’m just teasing. I still know the rules.”
Only then did Bian Suwen’s guard ease slightly, though she didn’t let herself relax entirely.
“I’d like to rest for a while. Could you ask her to leave?” Wang Haoran said to Bian Suwen, but shot Shao Wanwan a subtle glance as he did.
“Mm.” Bian Suwen nodded and turned to Shao Wanwan. “We’ll settle the duel another time. You can leave now.”
“Hmph. Don’t get too smug. We’ll meet again.” With that, Shao Wanwan left with a cold snort, saying nothing more.
Of course, it wasn’t fear that drove her away—it was the Ancestor’s silent directive. She didn’t understand his reasoning, but since he’d hinted she should go, she obeyed without question.
As her footsteps faded, Bian Suwen finally let herself breathe more easily.
“What’s all this talk of Poison Sect and Yixian Valley? That woman seemed dangerous. What kind of grudge do you two have?” Wang Haoran asked, playing the part of the confused outsider.
To him, both women were female leads. He didn’t want either of them harmed—he certainly didn’t want to help one kill the other. The best solution would be peace, but to mediate, he needed to understand the history between them.
Bian Suwen hesitated. “You really shouldn’t get involved. Knowing too much could put you in danger.”
Wang Haoran pressed on. “Just tell me. Who knows? Maybe I can help.”
She gave a helpless laugh, then started to speak—but caught herself. Her gaze softened. “This isn’t something money can solve. But just knowing you want to help… that means the world to me.” With a sigh, she leaned into his embrace.
Wang Haoran needed to gain her trust to draw out the truth, but talking wasn’t his only method.
He lowered his head, his lips brushing hers with deliberate gentleness.
Bian Suwen’s eyes widened, but then fluttered shut.
“Don’t you dare be disrespectful to my—” Divine Doctor Xue turned to scold Wang Haoran but froze mid-sentence.
His eyes landed on Bian Suwen, who had hooked her arm around Haoran’s neck herself. He cleared his throat, looked away, and pretended to see nothing.
Beside them, Qiu Qianwei puffed up her cheeks.
【Ding! Host has made the female lead Qiu Qianwei jealous. Villain Points +100!】
【Ding! Host has made the female lead Qiu Qianwei jealous. Villain Points +100!】
After a long, lingering moment, Wang Haoran finally drew back and looked into Bian Suwen’s flushed face.
“Be good. Tell me everything.”
Overwhelmed with emotion, she nodded and began to recount the entire feud—everything between Yixian Valley and the Poison Sect, from ancient grievances to personal vendettas.
Only then did Wang Haoran finally grasp the full scope of their enmity.
After she finished, Bian Suwen grew quiet, her tone sorrowful. “It’s a shame. The Ancestor still lives. Even though I won the duel today, Yixian Valley will never truly be free. It won’t be long before his fury descends upon us—and we’re destroyed.”
“I’ll return to the Imperial Capital tomorrow. I won’t risk dragging you and Qianwei down with me.”
Qiu Qianwei gasped. “Sister Suwen, you already agreed to stay. Why are you suddenly leaving?”
Bian Suwen gave a faint sigh. “I let myself be swayed by emotion, but I can’t ignore the danger. If the Poison Sect’s Ancestor breaks the rules, there’s no one left to stop him.”
Wang Haoran, of course, wasn’t having it.
He had just gotten both women on the same page—he wasn’t about to lose one now.
He smiled. “Maybe things aren’t as hopeless as you think.”
“What do you mean?” Bian Suwen looked puzzled.
“They’ve got their Ancestor. But didn’t Yixian Valley have an old master too? You’ve got the Medicine Immortal. Maybe he’s still alive, watching from the shadows.”
“My senior brother passed away long ago,” she said quietly.
Wang Haoran’s voice turned logical, persuasive. “The Poison Sect’s Ancestor is still around despite his age. Why can’t your senior be alive too?”
“Think about it—how else do you explain the sudden recovery from that poison? Do you really believe the Poison Sect’s Ancestor would help you?”
“…I…” Bian Suwen faltered, her mind beginning to shift.
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