Outside the temple, it was drizzling, but inside, it was vibrant and full of life.

Once everything had calmed down, Jing Zhe embraced Mu Qingren, affectionately stroking her head, and asked, "How was it? Did you make a breakthrough?"

Mu Qingren was stunned for a moment, then looked up: "I... I didn't really do it for practicing martial arts!"

When Mu Qingren decided to entrust herself to Jing Zhe, she must have followed her heart, not like before, when she wanted to become stronger by practicing martial arts.

She didn't want to, and even more so, want Jing Zhe to misunderstand her.

What is inherently a beautiful thing becomes beautiful when it is mixed with such utilitarian factors.

Even as a woman, Mu Qingren, the head of a pavilion, still shows the anxious and insecure side of a young woman as she transforms from a girl into a woman.

Jing Zhe chuckled: "Your Highness, don't overthink it! Actually, I asked the same question when I was with the Garden Master. I like you, which is why I want you to get better and better. If you can break through because of me, that would be great."

I like you…

This was the first time Mu Qingren had heard these words from Jing Zhe's mouth, and her mood instantly brightened. Like a woman in love, sometimes just a simple word from him could make her cheer with joy.

He immediately checked himself and exclaimed excitedly, "I really...I really broke through! Sixth level...This is amazing!"

Jing Zhe smiled and said, "If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have bothered stealing that Broken Realm Flower. What was the point?"

Mu Qingren remained silent, her eyes slightly narrowed. She was still thinking that if it weren't for those two accidents and the life-and-death situation they had gone through, how could her mindset have changed, and how could she have agreed to... practice martial arts with him?

She didn't answer, but just held him tightly, as if she were holding the whole world in her arms.

...

Although the temple was quiet and cold, the two huddled together by the campfire. Mu Qingren insisted that Jing Zhe's back be to the campfire, while she pressed herself tightly against him, so that Jing Zhe could not feel the cold at all.

It has to be said that after becoming a woman, being caring for others seems to be an essential skill.

As the two whispered to each other, Mu Qingren realized that she knew very little about Jing Zhe. She didn't even know that he had a sect or an older sister, let alone his background or anything else.

This won't work...

So she asked.

Jing Zhe naturally didn't hide anything and briefly recounted his complicated background, mainly focusing on the connection between the Jing family and the Prince of Jin. Mu Qingren frowned after listening.

"You came here this time... actually to deal with the Prince of Jin?"

Jing Zhe nodded: "Yes, it's a blood feud, an irreconcilable enmity. If Prince Jin stays obediently in Jinxi, even if I wanted to take revenge on him, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to. After all, he is a prince, and if I really mess with him, the consequences would be too troublesome."

Mu Qingren nodded at him without saying a word, remaining quiet and obedient.

"Unfortunately, he's not honest! Moreover, his actions have made His Majesty feel threatened, which is why he sent me here! Firstly, to hinder his plans, and secondly, to win over your four major sects, so that he doesn't issue orders through the martial arts alliance leader. If all the major sects submit to him, given their influence in various regions, the court will be in complete chaos!"

Mu Qingren glanced at him: "What, are you acting like this with me... just to win over our Wuxian Pavilion?"

"Don't you think so?"

Mu Qingren pouted and didn't say anything, her expression clearly telling him: Hurry up and coax me, I'm angry, and I won't be able to get away with it unless you coax me.

Jing Zhe flicked her nose and then laughed, "Before I came here, I did think about winning over the major sects, and I even tried it yesterday."

"Tried it once? Where?"

Jing Zhe smiled bitterly: "At Qingyun Sect, I thought that with my third sister's connections and the benefits I promised, things would go smoothly, but I didn't expect to be met with such a cold shoulder."

"Giggle..."

Mu Qingren chuckled twice: "Qingyun Sect and Kunlun Mirror are the two most powerful sects. Besides, no matter how powerful your third sister is, she's just a disciple. Do you think she's the sect leader of Qingyun Sect? How can she be so easy to talk to?"

"Oh? So if my woman is the head of the Wuxian Pavilion, does that mean it'll be easier to talk to her?"

Mu Qingren chuckled twice, but shook her head and said, "You're dreaming! Although I am the head of the Wuxian Pavilion, I am responsible for so many disciples in the pavilion. How can I accept the court's attempts to win me over? However, I will also not allow the Wuxian Pavilion to become subservient to any other person or sect, or do anything that would be detrimental to me as a man!"

Upon hearing Mu Qingren address him in that way, Jing Zhe instantly perked up again, and Mu Qingren immediately sensed his change as they were pressed close together.

She blushed and pressed her hand on his chest: "I was just talking to you... why are you being naughty again?"

"Hehe," Jing Zhe chuckled, "It's not that the younger brother was too impulsive, it's just that the younger sister is too charming!"

"..."

Mu Qingren didn't say anything, but pinched him hard in protest.

Jing Zhe smiled, then said seriously, "So I've discovered that the main reason your sect is so resistant to the imperial court, besides your deeply ingrained old ideas, is that you're afraid that if you submit to the court, you'll end up like Tongtianque, becoming a tool of the rulers, isn't that right?"

Mu Qingren, being the head of a pavilion, acknowledged that Jing Zhe's words were indeed within her considerations. She nodded and added, "I didn't tell you before... Actually, from my personal perspective, I think what you said isn't entirely unreasonable. With the protection of the imperial court, it will be much smoother for our Wuxian Pavilion to open Wuxian Gardens in other places. Plus, with the publicity from your newspaper, whether we're the leader of the alliance or not doesn't really matter... But people from other sects don't know that!"

Mu Qingren's meaning was also very clear: she and Jing Zhe had become the closest lovers, so she naturally understood and trusted Jing Zhe. However, people from other sects probably didn't think that way.

"They don't understand now, but they will in the future!"

Jing Zhe said confidently, "I've decided not to actively try to win over the four major sects. Instead, I'll take the position of Martial Arts Alliance Leader myself. Then the other sects will have to listen to me, right? That way, I'll have more time to interact with them!"

This is Jing Zhe's new plan.

Taking down the leader of the martial arts alliance would not only thwart the Prince of Jin's plans, but also deprive him of the support of other sects, making him hesitant to act rashly.

In addition, as the leader of the martial arts alliance, he helped other sects expand their influence, and over time, he was able to subtly win them over.

"You... have become the leader of the martial arts alliance?"

Mu Qingren covered her mouth as she looked at him.

"What, you think I'm not good enough?"

Mu Qingren thought about it for a moment, and finally nodded seriously.

"Fine, so you think your man isn't good enough? I guess I'll have to let you experience what I'm capable of!"

"Didn't we just try it?"

"Let's try again!"

"..."

After saying that, Jing Zhe started groping him again...

————

(Yesterday was too fast, it finally got censored... but it's been edited down, 800 words have been cut... luckily I had a backup plan... please subscribe again, please subscribe to the whole thing, thank you so much, everyone!)