Ian Song was just about to head out when a knock sounded at the courtyard gate. He opened the door, and to his surprise, it was Snow Yue. Despite the 'Snow' in her name, she always preferred black clothes.
"When did you arrive at the Blood River Battlefield, Snow?" Ian asked, inviting her in and pouring a cup of hot tea.
Snow Yue sat down, her expression a little gloomy. "Just a few days ago," she replied, clearly in low spirits.
Ian noticed her mood and joked, "What's wrong, Snow? Something bothering you? Why not tell me and let your little brother cheer you up?"
Snow Yue shot him a glare, clearly annoyed. "You know I'm in a bad mood, but instead of comforting me, you tease me. If I'd known, I wouldn't have come to you!"
Ian quickly put on a pleading face. "Forgive me, Snow! I won't dare do it again!"
Snow Yue waved her hand. "Alright, adults don't hold grudges against kids, so I won't bother arguing with you!" But Ian's joking had already eased her mood.
"Thanks, Snow!" Ian cupped his hands in a timely gesture of thanks.
Snow Yue suddenly suggested, "How about a game of Go?"
Ian grinned. "Sure! Since you challenged me, Snow, your skills must have improved a lot. Don't let me down!" As he spoke, he took out a Go board and pieces from his Masterwork Storage Ring.
Snow Yue made a fist and threatened, "I'll crush you so hard you'll run for cover!"
Ian couldn't help but laugh. He took the white stones, and Snow Yue took black.
After several months apart, Snow Yue's skill had indeed improved, but she was still far behind Ian.
After half an hour of intense play, Snow Yue finally gave up, frustrated. "You never let me win."
Ian quickly flattered her, "Does Snow need anyone to let her win?"
Snow Yue puffed out her cheeks. "Of course! If I win, I want to win fair and square!"
Ian laughed, "Snow, you're not someone who needs handicaps. Winning or losing, you do it with style!"
Snow Yue rolled her eyes, then suddenly looked at Ian with a sly glint. "Leon, if your big sister needed your help, would you help me?" she asked in a pitiful tone.
Ian grew wary—he'd read enough wuxia stories to know making open-ended promises was a trap. He replied, "That depends on what it is, Snow."
Snow Yue pretended to be mad and got up to leave. Ian just sat there, refusing to play along. She huffed, "You're really something, Leon! I'm about to leave and you won't even try to stop me?" Ian chuckled, "It means I respect you, Snow. Whether you stay or go is entirely your choice!" Hearing this, Snow Yue gritted her teeth in frustration but couldn't do anything about Ian. "Fine, Leon, I guess I misjudged you!" she said indignantly.
"Exactly!" Ian nodded in agreement. "Alright, Snow, now you should tell me what's been bothering you lately, right?"
A hint of hesitation flickered in Snow Yue's eyes, but she finally sighed, "Sigh, not long after I returned to my sect last time, my master arranged a marriage for me."
For some reason, hearing this made Ian feel uncomfortable. But he knew this was a common male flaw—whenever a beautiful woman is involved, men want to possess her, or at least make sure no one else can.
Still, Ian wasn’t one to be petty. He quickly adjusted his mood and smiled, "Oh? Who is it? Are you satisfied with him, Snow?"
"If I were satisfied, I wouldn’t be so depressed!" Snow replied gloomily. "I’ve met him once—he’s William Nangong!"
"Him?" Ian’s eyes immediately turned cold. "Snow, do you want me to help you get rid of that brat?"
"Don’t!" Snow quickly urged, "Don’t be impulsive. William Nangong’s status is extraordinary. Even if you could kill him, the trouble that would follow would be endless!"
"Come on, he’s just a Martial Soul Army commander, right? It’s not the first time I’ve gotten on the military’s bad side!" Ian said, unconcerned.
Snow Yue shook her head. "It’s not the same. Before, it was only Councilor Chase targeting you. But William Nangong is Elder Nian’s personal disciple. If you kill him, Elder Nian will never let it go. Elder Nian is the longest-serving elder, and he’s so smooth he never offends anyone—so all the other elders give him face. If he calls for the military to go all out against you, do you really think you could handle it?"
"Who’s Councilor Chase? Why is she after me?"
Ian frowned. If Snow hadn’t pointed it out, he would have thought the whole military was targeting him.
"You mean you didn’t know?" Snow looked surprised.
"Of course not," Ian replied.
Snow thought for a moment and explained, "Councilor Chase is the only female among the nine elders. Vanessa Nangong is her grand-disciple. Vanessa went to the Martial Soul Hall aiming for the Emperor-Rank Martial Soul, but you snatched it from her. How could she be willing to let that go?
And you’re stubborn, refusing to leave Sanctum Martial Academy and join the military fully. So Councilor Chase took the chance to target you."
Unexpectedly, you’re pretty capable—you kept defusing Councilor Chase’s schemes and even cost her nine Martial Saints. That made her furious. She tried convincing the other elders to join forces against you, but Councilor Bu didn’t agree, and the others didn’t want a huge war over a mere Grandmaster. Still, once Councilor Chase recovers, she’ll probably come after you again. So, don’t ever offend Elder Nian, or no matter where you run, the military will hunt you down."
"So that’s how it is."
Ian finally understood the whole story.
"What else did you think?"
Ian grinned awkwardly. "So, Snow, what are you planning to do?"
Snow Yue shook her head in disappointment. "I really don’t know. I don’t like William Nangong at all, so I deliberately escaped to the Blood River Battlefield. But that guy actually followed me here! It’s so frustrating!"
"Why not just tell William Nangong directly that you don’t like him? Let him give up early!" Ian suggested.
"You think I haven’t tried? But that guy is way too arrogant—he actually said I’ll fall in love with him sooner or later! Just thinking about his smug face makes me sick!" Snow said angrily.
There’s no way to dodge him, no way to avoid him.
It really is infuriating.
"So are you just going to resign yourself, Snow?" Ian asked again.
"Of course not." Snow raised her eyes to Ian, her gaze sparkling with mischief.
Suddenly, Ian felt a bad premonition.
"Leon, if your big sister here needed your help, would you help me?" Suddenly, Snow’s tone turned pitiful.
"Depends on what it is," Ian replied, sharp as ever. He wasn’t about to fall for the trick where someone promises three things and ends up forbidden from marrying the woman he loves, like in those old wuxia stories.
"Forget it then."
Snow got up as if to leave.
Ian stayed seated, not budging—he wasn’t falling for it.
"You… How can you be like this? I’m about to leave and you won’t even ask me to stay?" Seeing Ian unmoved, Snow grew annoyed.
"That just means I respect you, Snow. Stay or go, it’s entirely up to you!" Ian said with a smile.
Hearing this, Snow was so frustrated she could grind her teeth, but there was nothing she could do about Ian. She huffed, "Fine, Leon, I really misjudged you!"
"Don’t be mad, Snow." Seeing she’d reached her limit, Ian relented. "Just tell me what it is. If I can help, I absolutely won’t hesitate!"
"You definitely can help!" Snow’s smile returned, her mood flipping so fast Ian couldn’t help but marvel—women really were born actresses.
"So what do you need, Snow?"
"I want you to cooperate with me so William Nangong will give up." Snow said, a little shyly.
"How do you want me to cooperate?" Ian asked, pretending not to know. He already understood Snow Yue's plan: she wanted him to act as her boyfriend so William Nangong would give up.