Chapter 229: Chapter 190: Laying Down Chess Pieces

Although he had already guessed Bai Ling’s intentions, when such an impactful scene unfolded before him, Lu Qian still fell into a brief stupor, holding his breath involuntarily.

Such a sect leader, in such a disordered posture, speaking words of self-deprecation, like a puppy seeking approval beneath one’s knee...

Lu Qian scrutinized the jade-like body from top to bottom. Feeling Lu Qian’s gaze, a blush spread across Bai Ling’s smooth, fair skin, making her appear even more charming and alluring.

She cast a bewitching glance at Lu Qian, and seeing that he made no move, she bit her red lips, her slender, pale hand already climbing up Lu Qian’s calf, slowly raising her face.

However, Lu Qian had already come to his senses. As he looked at Bai Ling, who was trying to curry favor, his heart was very complex. Three parts desire, three parts vigilance, and four parts pity.

He gently stepped back two paces, shaking his head: "Sect Leader Bai, there’s no need for this. If you have a request, please speak first."

Bai Ling had not at all expected that in such a scenario, someone could refuse her. She hesitated for a moment, then let out a coquettish laugh: "Why do you say that, my lord? You are a true disciple of the Upper Sect, with a prominent status. It would be my good fortune to serve you."

Lu Qian sat down in the chair, changing the subject: "Has the Yuehua Sect of Bailu Mountain always received guests in this manner?"

This statement instantly left Bai Ling breathless, both ashamed and angry. She tightly held that piece of light gauze, her eyes misty, and after a while, she trembled as she spoke: "Fellow Daoist Qi, do you despise me, despise the Yuehua Sect as unclean?"

But Lu Qian sighed and spoke with utmost sincerity: "No, I just find Sect Leader Bai very pitiable."

Upon hearing this, Bai Ling froze on the spot. She detected the genuine compassion in Lu Qian’s words, staring at Lu Qian’s unreadable face fixedly, covering her chest with the light gauze, as tears suddenly began to fall from her eyes.

The next moment, the Yuehua Sect Leader suddenly broke down, crying uncontrollably.

Lu Qian was somewhat at a loss, wanting to assist her, but the sect leader was nearly bare, leaving him nowhere to put his hands. Helplessly, he waved his hand, and a large cloud of mist enveloped Bai Ling’s body.

Bai Ling cried even louder, using her hands to gather the ethereal mist, trying to cover herself more completely, as if by doing so, she could reclaim her lost dignity and propriety.

And so, in this woman’s boudoir, Lu Qian waited quietly on the side, waiting for the owner of the room to vent her grievances and pain.

After a long while, Bai Ling finally ceased her crying. Lu Qian handed her a few towels from the table.

Bai Ling gave Lu Qian a grateful look, wiping away the chaotic traces on her face while sobbing.

Then, she spoke in a trembling voice: "Fellow Daoist Qi, I wish to change my clothes, please allow me the convenience..."

Lu Qian nodded, stood up, and left the room, closing the door properly, suddenly feeling somewhat sentimental.

The woman who had just actively offered herself and used seduction, had at this moment regained her self-respect and dignity.

A moment later, Bai Ling invited Lu Qian back inside. Once he entered, Bai Ling, now properly dressed, blushed and bowed again: "Thank you for your compassion, Daoist."

Lu Qian spoke earnestly: "As a sect leader, I understand your difficulties completely. But maintaining one’s self-respect and self-love, always being cautious, is the correct path. If you hope to gain others’ pity through a fleeting encounter, it will not last."

Bai Ling’s eyes reddened again as she choked up: "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Qi, for your kind words. It’s just that our sect’s cultivation method is more suited to the female body, so we almost exclusively recruit female disciples. The sect is not strong and is all women, naturally enduring bullying and covetousness from powerful neighbors."

"If not for self-preservation, for the sect’s inheritance, who would willingly debase themselves for others’ pleasure?" Bai Ling sighed, "Over the years, being left with no choice, I personally sent disciples I raised since childhood to other houses as concubines. Only then did I understand my master’s bitterness back then."

"The Yuehua Sect has already had a two-hundred-year-old lineage, but I fear all these years, Quyang County has regarded our sect as nothing more than a joke and a plaything."

Saying this, Bai Ling bowed once more: "I apologize for sharing my woes with the Upper Sect Daoist and beg your pardon for any disrespect."

Lu Qian nodded and suddenly asked: "Sect Leader Bai, sacrificing yourself for the sect is admirable. If today we truly had a night together, what would Sect Leader Bai seek to gain?"

This question was very straightforward, but after the prior episode, Bai Ling now felt that this Upper Sect disciple before her was very reliable. She blushed but did not hide it, and whispered: "A fleeting relationship, how could I ask for much, just hope that in the future, the true disciple of the Upper Sect can remember Bai Ling and provide some assistance if the opportunity arises. If... if it were possible, after you reach Foundation Establishment, could you take me around the surrounding sects, just say... just say I’m Daoist friend’s Dao companion... that would be best."

Seeing Lu Qian remain silent, Bai Ling hurriedly explained, her voice getting quieter: "Even if Daoist already has a Dao companion, they’re far away in Cangzhou, and such a play here won’t reach home, surely it wouldn’t trouble Daoist. If you ever tire of being at home, just come to Bailu Mountain, and I will always welcome you at any time..."

Such a beauty indeed! Lu Qian was truly shocked at this, it was almost like she was teaching him how to maintain both primary and secondary relationships!

Nonetheless, with a shift of divine thought, Lu Qian has suppressed the ripples in his heart. Bai Ling’s ingratiation, half of it also stemmed from his own disguise as a Golden Core Sect true disciple, he must not become complacent and lose himself.

With the situation clear, recalling the territories occupied by the Qingling Sect at Yun Mountain, the Wang Family, Ziluo Mountain, and Bailu Mountain’s geographical locations, as well as the overall situation of Quyang County, Lu Qian pondered for a moment, and a plan quietly formed in his heart.

Perhaps, a chess piece could be planted in Quyang County.

"Sect Leader Bai, as I said before, it’s better to rely on oneself than on others. If I were an unscrupulous person who would deny everything after taking what I wanted, wouldn’t Sect Leader Bai’s efforts be in vain?" Lu Qian chuckled lightly, "The Yuehua Sect lending me a place for my Foundation Establishment is a fate in itself. I admire as Sect Leader Bai is willing to sacrifice herself for her sect’s continuation."

"Since that’s the case, I am willing to offer a helping hand in other ways for the development of the Yuehua Sect. Perhaps with Sect Leader Bai’s diligent effort, you will not need to depend on others in the future."

Bai Ling’s eyes widened abruptly, her face full of joy.

...

Late that night, Lu Qian and the Yuehua Sect reached a preliminary aid agreement. Bai Ling also discovered this so-called "Qi Kun" fellow Daoist from the Golden Core Major Sect wasn’t as aloof as he initially seemed. In fact, he is a person of careful thought and far-sighted plans, with elegance in speech, someone gentle yet strong, humble and courteous.

After a long conversation through the night, she realized that Lu Qian was well-versed in sect affairs, often offering valuable insights, greatly enlightening her. Coupled with the respect and pity earlier, her enchanting eyes were filled with admiration and affection.

Soon, an unremarkable day passed, and night fell, with the cultivators of the Shuangye Alliance already fully alert.

There were only a few hours left before the auspicious hour for Lu Qian’s Foundation Establishment.