Chapter Eleven: How Could He Let Himself Be Led by the Nose

Su Jian temporarily set aside thoughts about his partner; for now, all he could do was wait for her to arrive at the service area. Although his partner wasn't physically present, as long as she continued to cultivate, he could still benefit from shared cultivation gains. Whether they could meet in person was, to him, no longer of great importance. After all, he wasn't particularly obsessed with her physical company.

...

Not long after night fell, Su Jian suddenly sensed Su Henli’s arrival. Yet it was clear her purpose was not him, but rather she went straight to Zhao Qianxue’s room and lightly knocked on the door.

Su Jian sneered inwardly. In Su Henli’s eyes, he had always been little more than a background figure. But this suited him perfectly—discretion was the true path to survival. He cared little for empty reputation; what mattered was only what he could truly grasp.

Cautiously, he pressed his ear to the wall, but their conversation was too muffled to make out. Disappointed, he gave up and lay back down. Since he couldn’t hear, he might as well not listen at all. Anyway, once Su Henli left, he could simply ask Zhao Qianxue directly.

A short while later.

As soon as Su Henli departed, Su Jian sensed another presence outside his door. Who else could it be but Zhao Qianxue?

This spared him the trouble of going to her himself.

“Little Jian, are you asleep? I’m coming in!” she called.

Su Jian wasted no time, opening the door and welcoming Zhao Qianxue inside.

She entered, face full of grievance, and couldn’t help but vent her frustration as soon as she crossed the threshold, fuming, “I’m so angry I could burst! Like a tiger fallen to the plains, bullied by dogs—how dare she treat me this way? Little Jian, you must avenge your beloved master’s wife!”

Feeling the torrent of indignation directed his way, Su Jian was momentarily stunned. Clearly, she had suffered no small humiliation.

This also implied that Su Henli was desperate to obtain the Vajra Circlet. If so, the time when their cordial facade would be torn away was not far off.

But Su Jian had another pressing task: within three months, he had to eliminate Su Henli. If he failed, his dear partner He Hansu would leave him. Yet, with his current abilities, he truly couldn’t do much to Su Henli—at most, he could keep her at bay.

To kill her wasn’t truly impossible, but it wasn’t simple either. In the end, it all boiled down to two words: make money!

If he could exchange enough wealth in the system for a treasure capable of destroying a cultivator of the Nascent Soul stage, then catch Su Henli off guard, his goal could be easily achieved.

After a moment’s silence, Su Jian spoke slowly: “She came again to ask about the whereabouts of that item, didn’t she? But it’s been only half a day since she last questioned you—her impatience is unusual, almost irrational.”

Normally, one would never rush such matters; only by proceeding step by step could you gain true trust.

Zhao Qianxue replied sullenly, “Exactly. According to her, the Alliance of Righteous Paths has already arrived in Lingzhou City, though they don’t yet know where we’re hiding. Still, with their spies everywhere, we’ll be exposed before long. If I truly had that item, I couldn’t afford to hide it from her—otherwise, disaster would surely follow.”

Su Jian sighed. “Just empty threats. The Alliance’s movements are not so swift. If I’m not mistaken, there are already several pairs of eyes watching us from outside right now.”

Nevertheless, one could not afford to disregard the Alliance; perhaps they would indeed use great teleportation talismans to hasten their pursuit. And as for those who’d survived their last escape, they had likely also followed them to Lingzhou City. Not a real threat, but being hounded by so many flies was, at the very least, nauseating.

“Damn it! I was only kind to her because she seemed beautiful and trustworthy. Now her wings have hardened, and she dares to plot against me!” Zhao Qianxue felt a surge of grievance.

Su Jian raised an eyebrow. He was tempted to ask if this woman was drawn to his own looks as well, but in the end, he couldn’t be bothered with idle chatter. He offered simple comfort: “People may look honest, but who can truly know another’s heart? If things have come to this, it merely proves how well she’s masked herself. There’s no use regretting now—if we’d known, we wouldn’t be here.”

Yet as the saying goes, it’s not the thief who steals, but the thief who covets that you must fear most.

Su Henli had set her sights on them from the start. In the end, one can hide for a while, but never forever.

Zhao Qianxue recalled her own confident assurances, just days before, that Su Henli was trustworthy, and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

“So what do we do? We can’t just sit here and wait for doom, can we?”

As she spoke, Zhao Qianxue, not the least bit bashful, heavily lay herself down on Su Jian’s bed, still warm from his body.

Yes… this was much more comfortable.

Su Jian said offhandedly, “No need to rush. Worrying solves nothing. Since you have time, why not support me with some spirit stones? I need to go out tomorrow, but my purse is woefully light.”

Hearing this, Zhao Qianxue’s eyes lit up. She knew Su Jian well; if he was so unhurried, he had likely already formulated a plan. In that case, what was there to fear?

After so many restless nights, she longed for nothing more than a good sleep, free of care.

With that in mind, she didn’t hesitate—she promptly yanked the bedding over her graceful figure.

Su Jian’s eyes widened. Was she planning to occupy his bed entirely?

He couldn’t help but ask, “Don’t tell me you’re planning to stay here all night?”

If so, things would be cramped. He minded, but some people’s shamelessness knew no bounds.

Zhao Qianxue snorted lightly, “Of course not. But with so many eyes outside, I’m utterly unsettled. And with certain ill-intentioned people lurking about, who knows if someone might try something tonight? Can you really bear to watch your master’s wife be bullied again?”

Su Jian couldn’t help but silently retort, “If I weren’t only at the Golden Core stage, I might actually believe you.”

Just as he was about to climb in, Zhao Qianxue stopped him.

She laughed, “Little Jian, if I’m to sleep in the bed, you’ll just have to make a small sacrifice.” As she spoke, she took another quilt from her storage ring and handed it to him.

Su Jian’s face darkened. Was she telling him to sleep on the floor?

No way! He refused to be led by the nose.

He smiled and replied, “Master’s wife, my back has been giving me trouble lately—I really can’t sleep on a hard surface. Since you like it here so much, I’ll be magnanimous and let you have it. I’ll take the other room.”

The rooms were identical; there was no need to compromise.

Zhao Qianxue was momentarily stunned, then relented, “Fine, you can stay—but you mustn’t cross the line, understand?”

Su Jian knew when to quit, and without hesitation, lay down on the side she vacated. He had no other intentions; it was simply that the floor was far too cold.