"What a massive splash."

"Quite the dive. An ordinary person couldn't have made a splash that large."

"..."

Ning Fan clapped his hands in genuine admiration, the astonishment in his eyes entirely unfeigned. He was truly surprised by the sheer scale of the splash.

That girl had a petite figure, yet when she plunged into the lake, the water she displaced far exceeded normal proportions.

It was truly remarkable.

Zhao Qishuang was so infuriated her True Qi nearly destabilized. What in the world? When Ning Fan praised how "massive" it was, he was not talking about her figure, but the actual splash?

Where exactly was his attention focused?

"Young master..."

Zhao Qishuang called out to him in a pitiful, aggrieved tone. Ning Fan, however, ignored her completely. Once the ripples on the surface smoothed out, he simply turned and continued on his way.

Save her?

What a joke.

He had never heard of a martial artist drowning. As for her floundering in the water, she was probably just playing around.

"Young master! Young master!"

Ning Fan's figure receded into the distance, and her cries gradually faded behind him until they were completely lost to the wind.

Seeing that Ning Fan had truly abandoned her, Zhao Qishuang stopped thrashing. She swam swiftly to the bank and climbed ashore in a few deft movements.

Gritting her teeth, she glared at his retreating back, huffing and stamping her feet in frustration.

Confound him!

How utterly infuriating!

This Ning Fan...

Was he a block of wood or what?

No.

She absolutely had to win him over.

Thus, Ning Fan encountered various strange trials on his journey back. Either a young maiden was being coerced into a dual cultivation partnership by thugs on the main path, or a girl lay unconscious in the thickets with her garments disheveled.

At one point, a maiden invited him to share some wine; at another, a damsel afflicted with aphrodisiac poison desperately required an antidote.

Yet without exception, Ning Fan chose to walk right past them.

The reason was simple-

He was a man who cherished his peace!

When he finally arrived back at his cave dwelling, Ning Fan scratched his head, a faint sense of absurdity rising in his heart. Weren't there a few too many mishaps along the road today?

Whatever.

He needed to return to his cultivation chamber. He still had to practice dual cultivation with his wife.

However, upon entering the cave dwelling, he discovered an unfamiliar presence. Yun Qingyao was sitting across from another young woman.

The two were conversing happily, their clear laughter ringing out like silver bells.

"Wife, who is this?"

Ning Fan stepped closer and inquired.

When did Yun Qingyao make a friend? He had no inkling of this.

"Husband."

Yun Qingyao rose, drawing Ning Fan down to sit beside her. Facing the young woman, she introduced her with a warm smile.

"This Junior Sister is planning to join our Sect during the next recruitment. We happened to cross paths, so she is seeking my guidance regarding the entry matters."

"Oh."

Ning Fan nodded, measuring the young woman with a steady gaze. Curiously, she looked somewhat familiar. He blurted out, "Have we met somewhere before?"

"..."

Zhao Qishuang's lips twitched slightly. She had already prepared an elegant speech while waiting for his arrival, yet it turned out none of her elaborate setups along the road had left an impression on him.

How insulting.

"No, I do not believe so," Zhao Qishuang replied, forcing a smile.

"Since you are Qingyao's friend, you are my friend as well," Ning Fan offered, extending his hand. "If you encounter any difficulties, do not hesitate to ask."

Zhao Qishuang tilted her head, a trace of astonishment flickering across her features.

Her earlier schemes had failed completely, yet this direct approach through Yun Qingyao had allowed her to close the distance effortlessly. It was an unexpected stroke of luck.

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

"Senior Brother is so kind to me. Unlike my brothers and sisters at home, who never spare a thought for my well-being," Zhao Qishuang murmured softly, casting her eyes downward in a display of melancholy.

"Then your siblings sound utterly wretched," Ning Fan remarked with an earnest nod.

Zhao Qishuang was at a loss for words. Was this man incapable of normal conversation?

How exasperating.

Nevertheless, she continued to converse idly with the couple. Thanks to Yun Qingyao's presence, the atmosphere remained amicable, and she successfully established a rapport with Ning Fan. At the very least, they were now on speaking terms.

"Senior Brother Ning, Senior Sister Yun, Qishuang has imposed upon your hospitality for long enough. I shall take my leave."

Zhao Qishuang rose.

This was sufficient progress for one day; pressing further would only arouse suspicion.

Yun Qingyao and Ning Fan escorted her to the entrance of the cave dwelling. Just as she turned to depart, Ning Fan spoke up as if suddenly remembering something.

"Lady, I have yet to ask your full name?"

"Qishuang. Zhao Qishuang."

She looked back and offered a parting smile.

"..."

Ning Fan's brow furrowed instantly.

Zhao?

That surname...

Before he could ponder the connection, Zhao Qishuang walked away, her figure vanishing into the mountain mists.

Zhao Qishuang made her way toward Qianyang Cave.

As she passed through a secluded, narrow path, a figure materialized soundlessly before her, blocking her advance.

"Who goes there?"

"Ah... Ancestor Qian?"

Startled, Zhao Qishuang quickly recovered her composure upon recognizing the figure. She cupped her hands and bowed deeply in salutation.

The man standing before her was Zhao Qian, the authority who wielded control over half of the Zhao family.

"How went it?"

"Your interactions with that Ning Fan."

Zhao Qian stood with his back to her, keeping his expression completely hidden from view.

"It went reasonably well,"

Zhao Qishuang answered smoothly. "Though there were some minor complications initially, the outcome was favorable. I have disclosed my surname to him, and he did not show any overt hostility. With a few more encounters, I am confident I can bring him to our side."

"No."

"That is not how the tale unfolds."

Zhao Qian's ancient, raspy voice echoed through the clearing.

"What?"

Zhao Qishuang froze in confusion.

What did he mean by that? Approaching Ning Fan was the task assigned to her, and she had reported the situation accurately. What was the old ancestor implying?

"The matter transpired thus-"

"Ning Fan is arrogant and dismissive of all conventions. Upon learning of your identity as a member of the Zhao family, he immediately turned hostile. Relying on his exceptional talent, he insulted our clan."

"Furthermore, he struck out against you."

"Slaying you with a single blow."

"..."

Zhao Qian's ancient voice was devoid of warmth, sounding as cold as winter frost. As his final word echoed, he slowly turned around.

The gaze he leveled at Zhao Qishuang was entirely detached and merciless.

In that single instant, Zhao Qishuang understood everything.

"Ancestor Qian..."

Before she could utter another word, she felt a sudden warmth spreading across her face. Reaching up to touch her cheek, her hand came away drenched in crimson.

A piercing agony erupted from the center of her brow.

"Thud."

Zhao Qishuang collapsed heavily onto the earth, her life force instantly extinguished.

"Grandfather."

A voice called out from the shadows as the Ninth Elder, Zhao Bo, stepped into the light. He glanced casually at the cold corpse on the ground, his expression completely unfazed.

"Bo'er, you understand your duties?" Zhao Qian asked, narrowing his weathered eyes as he looked at his grandson.

"Perfectly."

"This was entirely the handiwork of Ning Fan. Arrogant and lawless, he ruthlessly slaughtered the innocent orphan of our clan's fallen hero. His crime is beyond forgiveness!"

A feral excitement gleamed within the Ninth Elder's eyes.

Heh.

Did Zhao Wuqing's faction truly believe they could force the Zhao family to remain submissive and slide into obscurity? He would like to see how they intended to maintain their silence now.