Volume One, Chapter 18: A Belly Full of Schemes

“Those words you just said, sister?”

Li Shiyao, a pure and innocent maiden, could never have imagined such a brutal scene—that her sister, whose beauty was like that of a celestial fairy, was subjected daily to the torment of demons!

“It was all what Master instructed me to say…”

At this moment, Ye Qinghan was fully immersed in the role, her expression like a bird trapped in a cage, a fish caught in a net—her eyes devoid of any light, her gaze fixed on endless suffering and humiliation, truly pitiful.

Though none of it was true, Ye Qinghan’s vivid performance made it seem real in Li Shiyao’s eyes!

“You’re already like a clay Bodhisattva crossing the river; how could I bear to watch you throw yourself into the trap? My earlier outburst was because I couldn’t bear your stubbornness. Please, don’t blame your sister!”

“How could I ever blame such kindness from my sister?”

One dared to speak, the other dared to believe!

Only these two—if you replaced anyone else on Ye Qinghan’s side, they wouldn’t believe such things, for Ye Qinghan was not the type to endure grievances quietly.

Similarly, Li Shiyao wouldn’t believe most others, but such a beautiful and kind sister? She believed without hesitation!

Yet, these two girls happened to come together—

One full of ill intentions, the other pure to a fault.

“What must I do to save you, sister?”

Li Shiyao was on the verge of tears, frantic with worry; she wanted to rescue Sister Qinghan but had no idea how.

“Don’t worry, sister has her own way to get out. But listen carefully—never get involved with that Su Cheng!”

“All right, sister, rest assured. Shiyao dislikes him now! Even if he is charming and graceful, a heartbreaker and a thief of beauty—I… don’t like him!”

“That’s more like it!”

Ye Qinghan’s mind was already scheming wildly.

Such a little brat! Trying to snatch a man from me? I’ll make you regret it!

“Good then, I can even recommend someone to you.”

“Who?”

Li Shiyao blinked expectantly, waiting for a long while as Ye Qinghan kept silent, nearly driving her mad.

“Sister, please tell me!”

“Sigh, never mind. Although you’re somewhat beautiful, this person may not even fancy you.”

“Who is it? Not to hide anything from you, sister, I’m actually the holy maiden of the Sacred Mountain. The elders say there’s no man in the world who wouldn’t like me!”

Ye Qinghan chuckled to herself. She had once thought the same.

Later, she realized that to win over Master, natural charm alone was far from enough.

“Do you know the head of the Heavenly Dao Pavilion? He is strikingly handsome, supremely powerful—a true hero descended!”

“I’ve heard a bit. Isn’t that the rather sleazy-looking man over there? I don’t like him; his gaze always sends chills down my spine.”

Ye Qinghan was momentarily taken aback. Though silly and dull, this girl’s taste in men seemed somewhat sharp!

But no, Master is mine!

So Ye Qinghan began to fabricate.

“You don’t know, that’s Headmaster Cheng observing your potential, reading your fate. If so, he must like you too!”

“Really?”

“Of course! Headmaster Cheng is young yet firmly holds his position. If you follow him, isn’t that a sure path to immortality? Besides, he’s humble and kind, treats disciples with care, and the whole sect is harmonious.”

“But sister just said he’s very cold to his top disciple!”

“That was Master’s orders! If I don’t say so, I’ll get whipped again!”

As she spoke, a wave of grievance welled up inside Ye Qinghan, and Shiyao nearly cried alongside her.

Shiyao glanced back at Su Cheng, then at Cheng Liang in the distance, feeling a swirl of emotions…

But truly, this Cheng Liang wasn’t as handsome as Su Cheng!

Indeed, the elders were right—no handsome man is truly good!

And he even whipped sister!

Meanwhile, Ye Qinghan regretted letting Master come along. Such a handsome Master deserved to be tied to her bedside, for her eyes only!

The bigger the tree, the more it attracts the wind. Master’s good looks only drew envy.

“Anyway, did you remember what sister said?”

“Mm, Shiyao remembered everything!”

Though Su Cheng was still so handsome, Shiyao wanted to rush forward and kick him a few times!

But thinking of sister still in that villain’s hands, she held back…

Soon, the secret realm was about to open. Ye Qinghan ended her torturous babysitting session; next, she would explore the realm with Master.

She slowly approached Su Cheng, tugged at Master’s sleeve, signaling the secret realm’s imminent opening.

Su Cheng smiled, rubbed the fox’s head, and followed Ye Qinghan away; he had no desire to linger and chat with these old, stubborn people.

“What’s this? Miss Qinghan still not weaned? Why no nanny accompanying you?”

Ye Qinghan smiled, turning her head with a “friendly” expression.

“I advise you not to enter. If I catch you, I’ll chop off your feet and stuff them in your mouth!”

“I look forward to meeting Miss Qinghan inside. Last time, her performance was mediocre. This time, I hope you improve.”

Su Cheng glanced at the woman talking to Ye Qinghan, startled upon seeing her…

[Shouldn’t have come! Why are all these troublesome women here? The one just now was the holy maiden of the Sacred Mountain, and this one is even more formidable—a princess of the kingdom, the eldest daughter of the Emperor!]

[Dongfang Jue!]

[You can’t kill that one! Nor touch her! Why does every woman have some connection to Cheng Liang?]

[If it were just the holy maiden, killing her might be acceptable, but the princess can influence world affairs—she must remain untouched. Otherwise, just from the way you speak to my disciple, I’d chop you to bits and feed you to the dogs!]

Ye Qinghan was stunned. How did Master know everyone?

Though she had suspected for a while, Master seemed able to foresee the future.

At the initiation ceremony, she had wanted to join the Heavenly Dao Pavilion, but Master already knew.

The holy maiden too—Master saw at a glance what she would experience in the future, a fate beyond mere destiny charts.

According to Master, Dongfang Jue would also become one of Cheng Liang’s concubines?

Heh, Cheng Liang truly is fortunate!

“Heh, little bitch, see you inside~”

Before Ye Qinghan could think of how to deal with the princess, the reckless Shangguan Rou passed by and suddenly threw out that line.

Ye Qinghan narrowed her eyes and smiled lightly, turning to Master.

“In that case, Master, you wait outside. I will handle everything thoroughly.”

At this moment, Ye Qinghan found it amusing—aren’t they all people who change the world’s pattern?

Who isn’t?

Heh.

[Ah! No! Qinghan’s smile, life and death are unpredictable!]

[It’s over! Everything’s gone haywire!]

[According to world development, Dongfang Jue will encounter danger inside the secret realm; Ye Qinghan saves her, they reconcile, and Dongfang Jue gets to know Cheng Liang!]

[From then on, Dongfang Jue flirts with Cheng Liang and eventually falls in love with him!]

[But now, Ye Qinghan is my disciple! Seeing her expression, she might kill Dongfang Jue—what to do now!]

Ye Qinghan’s fox-like eyes narrowed slightly. So that’s how it is~