Shangguan Chuxue's residence.
In a dimly lit secret chamber, a faint smell of blood lingered in the air.
Shangguan Chuxue was wiping a slender, blood-stained silver Western sword while coldly surveying the figure hanging by chains behind her.
"Wu Cheng, are you saying... that Su Muwan discovered you were sent by me?"
Though Shangguan Chuxue's lips bore a smile, to Wu Cheng, that smile felt as piercing as ice.
Hanging in mid-air, Wu Cheng shivered as the wounds on his body continued to throb with pain.
With a trembling voice, he answered, "Y-yes, my lady. She... she quickly saw through my identity."
"And she even told me to send you her regards..."
Upon hearing this...
"Oh? Did she really say that?"
"Interesting."
"Su Muwan is quite beyond my expectations."
Shangguan Chuxue spoke while slowly walking toward Wu Cheng.
The sword's edge gleamed coldly in the dim light as she gently caressed the blade.
Hearing these words, cold sweat broke out on Wu Cheng's forehead, his heart filled with unease.
He knew that whenever Shangguan Chuxue showed this expression, it usually meant something unpleasant was about to happen.
"My lady, I... I did my best, but Su Muwan was just too cunning..."
Wu Cheng hurriedly explained, hoping to secure a chance at survival.
Shangguan Chuxue stopped her movements and coldly looked at Wu Cheng, a flash of indifference in her eyes.
Turning the sword handle, she asked slowly, "Did your best? Heh, Wu Cheng, do you know what I hate most?"
Wu Cheng's heart tightened as he swallowed hard, carefully answering, "It's... failure."
"Correct, what I hate most is failure."
Shangguan Chuxue said coldly, suddenly swinging the silver Western sword!
Swoosh!
The sword tip grazed Wu Cheng's cheek, leaving a thin line of blood.
"Ugh—!"
Wu Cheng trembled in fear, his voice almost tearful: "My lady, please give me one more chance, I will definitely complete the mission!"
Shangguan Chuxue gave a cold laugh and sheathed her sword, turning her back.
"Very well, I'll give you one more chance."
"Black One has already been sent to War God Teng Ao's side."
"And what you need to do... is just one thing."
"That is to use whatever means necessary to turn Tang Wenyu to our side."
"Relax, this task is very simple, after all... as long as they're human, everyone has something they care about."
"However, if you fail again, next time only your head will be visiting this place."
Wu Cheng felt relieved upon hearing this and quickly nodded: "Thank you, my lady, thank you! I won't disappoint you again!"
Shangguan Chuxue didn't look at him again, just waved her hand, signaling the others in the secret chamber to let Wu Cheng down.
She walked out of the secret chamber, the smile now gone from her face.
Her gaze penetrated through layers of shadows, as if seeing Su Muwan in the distance.
She enjoyed the cat-and-mouse game, loved being in control of everything.
But...
She hated when her plans, or even people she considered mere pawns, were discovered or seen through.
Interesting.
Su Muwan, you really are different from the others.
Although Shangguan Chuxue had never met Su Muwan.
But... she could already sense that the other person was a terrifying character on par with herself!
Even now, the other party was probably already devising plans to guard against her.
Interesting, truly interesting.
Su Muwan, rest assured, our game has only just begun.
....
.....
Early the next morning.
Su Muwan walked downstairs looking exhausted, her eyes half-open, like a salted fish just pulled from water.
Yawning, she stumbled toward the bathroom and began brushing her teeth.
"Gurgle gurgle~~~"
"Ptui~"
Last night she had kept busy until late before finally being satisfied enough to stop, resulting in feeling completely drained this morning.
However, the tools of her deed had been cleaned thoroughly, ensuring no one would discover them.
Mmm~ how refreshing, it'll probably be a long time before the next time.
Su Muwan brushed her teeth contentedly.
Just as she was immersed in her own little world, a crisp greeting came from the doorway: "Good morning, young miss."
Qin Luo walked over, smiling as he watched Su Muwan brush her teeth.
"Mmph, Qin Luo, morning~"
Su Muwan responded indistinctly with toothpaste in her mouth, white foam dripping onto the sink like a light snowfall.
Qin Luo stepped forward to help clean it up, then deliberately asked as if unaware: "Young miss, didn't you go to bed early last night? Why are you still so tired?"
At these words, Su Muwan's expression immediately changed, a wave of shame and embarrassment washing over her. Her tooth-brushing slowed as she stammered: "Uh... I was practicing cultivation..."
"Oh, cultivation."
Qin Luo feigned sudden understanding, sighing: "Young miss works so hard, practicing until late at night, even taking a bath afterward - you must have been exhausted."
"Mm... huh?"
Su Muwan caught the key information, her expression freezing as she quickly turned to look at Qin Luo: "Qin Luo, were you still awake that late last night?"
No way? Did Qin Luo know she was up until late?
Hearing this, Qin Luo smiled and nodded, saying: "If young miss isn't sleeping, how could I, as your attendant, sleep? But... why is young miss reacting so strongly?"
Su Muwan's heart relaxed, and she coughed lightly, gurgling out the toothpaste before reaching out to pat Qin Luo's shoulder.
Seriously, she said: "Mm! You're right!"
That was scary, she thought he had found out.
Qin Luo smiled, taking a nearby towel to wipe Su Muwan's face, casually mentioning: "By the way, young miss, I found a pair of white gloves drying in your bathroom... they looked quite familiar..."
!!
Su Muwan froze upon hearing this, immediately breaking into a cold sweat: "Uh... you must have seen wrong, those must be mine."
"Oh, perhaps I was mistaken then."
Qin Luo smiled and put down the towel. Just as Su Muwan was starting to relax, he suddenly added: "I thought they were the gloves you gave me at the clothing store last time."
"!!!"
Thump! Thump!
At these words.
Su Muwan's delicate body trembled violently, her heart racing, eyes shocked.
No! How do you still remember that time?!
It can't be! Could Qin Luo have discovered something?!
Ah?
If Qin Luo discovered her such perverted behavior, would he... would he...
Ah! That kind of thing, no way!
Seemingly sensing Su Muwan's internal panic, Qin Luo smiled again and said: "I guess I really must have lost them myself. What a shame, young miss."
Hey! Could you not be such a tease! This is really scary, you know!
Su Muwan gradually relaxed and comforted him: "Oh, don't worry about it, don't worry! This young miss has plenty of money, whatever you want, I'll buy you new ones."
"Yes, young miss."
Qin Luo left with a smile.
Su Muwan's expression finally crumbled, her face turning red as her heart rate reached terrifying levels.
She was shocked.
Really! Giving me a horror movie first thing in the morning!
Meanwhile, Qin Luo smiled with satisfaction.
[Daily Dog-walking Task: Make Your Master Fall for You]
[Congratulations on successfully disturbing the villain's target's state of mind, reward: 1 attribute point!]
Mm, daily dog-walking task, complete!