As soon as Tu Longjian returned to his residence, he bumped into Fang Milu, who had lost a lot of weight.

Fang Milu's eyes reddened, and the food box she was holding fell to the ground, scattering some not-so-delicate but cleverly conceived food all over the place.

She tried to pick it up with a pained expression, only to find it was already covered in dust.

That was something she painstakingly made after countless failed attempts, even after blowing up the oven...

She pouted, tears of grievance welling up in her eyes, but froze when she saw who it was.

Fang Milu's expression turned to surprise and delight, and she stammered, "I...I won't cry!"

She still remembered that Tu Longjian had forced her not to cry, and she blurted it out immediately, as if to prove something.

Tu Longjian was a little confused. What was wrong with this spoiled little darling? Why was she crying?

"No, no, that's not what I meant."

"I've never been in the kitchen before; I've been doing this for a long time."

Tu Longjian felt a little regretful, seeing that he had put a lot of thought into it, so he apologized.

"I'm sorry, I'll buy it for you another day when I go down the mountain, or you can give me the spirit stones in return?"

"Oh, don't apologize, it was for you in the first place..."

Fang Milu blushed, somewhat embarrassed, "...No, you were supposed to get a share too."

After she finished speaking, a hint of annoyance appeared on her face. What was she even saying?

That was something she had painstakingly prepared to take to visit Tu Longjian.

Although the man, who was said to be a Daoist master, did not allow any outsiders to visit, and she could not send him in, it was still a way to make up for her guilt.

A haughty female voice pierced through her lie.

“Chunhyang, that’s something she made especially for you. She cried so bitterly after you went missing.”

Poonana leaned against the door frame and spoke.

His demeanor remained confident and assertive, but he was no longer as arrogant as before.

Fang Milu looked at her with embarrassment and anger, and said angrily:

"Young Miss, could you please stop interrupting?"

Poonana spread her hands and shrugged. "Alright, shy little lady, I'll come back later. I won't disturb your conversation."

Fang Milu calmed herself down and stammered as she spoke to Tu Longjian:

“After you went missing, I was very, very worried.”

"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have been so love-struck. I made you come here to comfort me, and then this happened."

"And I'm sorry for exposing your shortcomings at school before!"

She bowed deeply in apology, feeling ashamed.

“I inquired about the plight of the women in brothels and learned that most of them were unfortunate people who had been abducted. I shouldn’t have said that to you, causing you to suffer strange looks.”

"I'm so sorry, I apologize for my naivety and spoiled nature."

Tu Longjian raised an eyebrow. She hadn't expected that "saving" their lives back then seemed to have changed so many things. So she said seriously:

"It's good that you realize it. Don't mock those poor people who are stuck in the mud in the future."

“We are all women, and women already face many difficulties in this world. We should not maliciously belittle each other.”

"As for feeling guilty, there's no need. You don't owe me anything; it was what I should do. I can't explain why, but it's none of your business."

After all, it was she who secretly provoked the Blood Hand Purple Iron Spider, and Fang Milu and Peng Nana were just innocent bystanders.

Although she stepped forward to save them, the cause was hers, so it can't really be called saving them; it's just that it can't be said so explicitly.

"Thank you for your concern and care."

"But what I'm more concerned about is, what do you think of that bet?"

Tu Longjian counted them off one by one on his fingers.

"The pampered green plum seeks dew, the down-on-her-luck courtesan Chunxiang, and the proud heiress Peng Nana—Gan Xiuming is surrounded by three confidantes; what a blessing!"

Do you want to grow big or small?

Fang Milu was not angered by Tu Longjian's sarcasm, but muttered her dissatisfaction:

"Not just three, a fourth one has arrived."

"But that would be too undignified. I don't want to be his woman."

"Desert in the face of battle, fickle and unpredictable."

"I've decided to cultivate diligently, uphold justice, and become a legendary female cultivator."

Fang Milu clenched her fists, her gaze resolute.

Tu Longjian patted her shoulder with satisfaction, "Young lady, you have a good understanding! What's more appealing than a career!"

"But what about the fourth one? Tell me, and we'll figure out a way to break them up."

Fang Mi looked puzzled and asked a simple, soul-searching question:

"Chunxiang, you taught me how to build a career, so will you leave Gan Xiuming?"

It struck Tu Longjian squarely on the knee, and she smiled bitterly to herself.

Who wants to act every day? It's all just a stupid system.

Her life was full of hardships; as a business tycoon, she had to grovel and fawn over those arrogant and domineering men.

Those who did not die, those who did not die, Goujian endured hardship and humiliation, and his three thousand Yue soldiers were able to conquer Wu.

Just be patient, and things will turn out great; you'll regain your good fortune.

Tu Longjian then began to act mysteriously, trying to persuade Fang Milu to join him in the "Dragon's Arrogant Harem Runs Away, Leaving Only a Vicious and Black-Hearted Beauty to KO the Scumbag at the Crucial Moment" plan.

She rolled up a slender bamboo leaf (stolen from her master) and made it into a pipe shape, pretending to enjoy it with a bossy air as she puffed on it:

"Young lady, have you heard of Attorney Longfei?"

"Lawyer? What is that? A mage skilled in music? I've never heard of Longfei's Taoist name."

"That's not important, what's important is that you need to know."

"There is a type of woman who lurks around a scumbag not because she loves him, but because she wants to maximize her benefits and then dump him ruthlessly."

"We secretly broke up all the romantic relationships around him."

"Use his connections and resources to improve yourself, and finally return successfully, giving that scumbag a good slap in the face."

"This is your sister Chunxiang's plan."

Tu Longjian certainly couldn't tell Fang Milu the truth; those things were too dark, and she should bear them alone.

Just spout a bunch of feel-good novel tropes like the allure of returning home to fool naive and innocent girls into joining your side.

Fang Milu was indeed very excited when she heard this.

Gan Xiuming's selfish abandonment when facing life and death had shattered her beautiful illusions about her senior brother.

Although she couldn't bring herself to harm him because of their past camaraderie as fellow disciples in the mortal realm, thwarting his feelings would be a good way for her to get revenge.

Seeing Fang Milu's expression, Tu Longjian smiled with satisfaction. He had successfully turned one of them to the enemy's side!

"Then I must tell you all about the new woman so that our plan can proceed smoothly."

Let's rewind to the time when Tu Longjian disappeared.

Gan Xiuming's face was red and swollen from Peng Nana's bounty, and he slunk away from the crowd to collect the points by himself.

It is said that the women who once admired him have begun to curse him, and some even chase after him to beat him up even if they cannot get the reward for the Qi Refining Pill.

Then, during a period of low spirits and solitary struggle, he encountered Ye Yuchun.

Ye Yuchun didn't care about his past at all. Instead, she praised him for valuing his life and knowing when to advance and retreat. She said it was just a wise move to protect himself and there was no need to feel guilty.

Although, according to Fang Milu, Ye Yuchun is just a cunning green tea with poor skills, and it is obvious that she has ulterior motives, which she does not even as well as Tu Longjian.

But beneath her seemingly gentle charm, Gan Xiuming unexpectedly succumbed to her advances.