9009

Bai Choufei was inherently a deeply contemplative man. The resume Zhu Xiaoyao provided was precisely the record of various attempts he had made in his youth to seek fortune and fame. What he said during their casual chat on the river before arriving in Bianjing was also true: if a man cannot establish a lasting legacy and make a name for himself, then living this life is no different from dying without having lived at all. According to the late Master Fan Wenzheng, Bai Choufei was a man who “would rather cry out to live than die silently.”

Unlike Wang Xiaoshi, who still retained the youthful chivalry and innocence of a young man newly entering the martial world, Bai Choufei not only sought to stand out but also aspired to immense wealth and high status.

Shi Qingruo’s words about an “irreplaceable position” struck him like the most precise arrow hitting the bullseye. She went on, “The Golden Wind and Gentle Rain Pavilion has been established for a long time. Even counting only from when Leader Su took over, there are countless loyal followers under her command. Within the pavilion, the Five Spirits of East, South, West, North, and Center each possess their own strengths, commanding the members. The Six-and-a-Half Halls originated from the Jiangnan Thunder Hall and have long been renowned in the martial world. Each hall leader under them is a formidable figure in the capital’s martial circles.”

“Without fate and coincidence, why would they choose people with unknown backgrounds like you to be their arms and support? It is naturally more fitting to entrust matters to one’s own trusted confidants.”

But—

“I am different.”

The more Wang Xiaoshi listened, the more he found the transformation in Miss Shi difficult to imagine. Even now, without the other members of the Misty Sky Alliance nearby, Shi Qingruo spoke with an air of commanding authority, making one overlook a crucial fact: what she stated as her advantage in recruiting talent was also her weakness. Her foundation was ultimately too shallow.

Yet, as she said, this shallow foundation was uniquely sufficient for Bai Choufei and Wang Xiaoshi.

“Many of the Misty Sky Alliance’s top fighters have gathered here because of my husband. But my husband suffered misfortune earlier, leaving the alliance fragmented. Now that everything starts anew, we need someone skilled in martial arts and strategy to rise. If Young Master Bai and Young Master Wang are willing to humble themselves, the alliance will show its sincerity in recruiting you.”

She paused, her expression softening somewhat. “Besides, even if it’s not for alliance affairs, you both once saved me. I owe you a debt.”

Her words were sincere, yet Wang Xiaoshi quickly waved them off. “No need to mention what happened before. If anything, Miss Shi helped us a lot.”

He was rash in action, and Bai Choufei proud and arrogant. Most of the work of settling the kidnapped children had been done by Shi Qingruo, who had always behaved with grace, unlike a child of the wilderness. But there was no point dwelling on the past now; better to focus on the present.

After a moment of thought, he asked, “I won’t ask why, Miss Shi—”

“Madam Shi,” Shi Qingruo corrected earnestly.

Wang Xiaoshi continued awkwardly, “Madam Shi can represent the Saint Lord Guan in deciding to recruit the two of us into the alliance and entrust us with important tasks. I just want to know, since we are mere strangers to you, why do you believe we can be of great use?”

Mastery and martial skill alone could not be the sole criteria. Otherwise, he and Bai Choufei would not have been so constrained throughout Bianjing.

Shi Qingruo smiled gently. “If that’s the case, does that mean you’re willing to accept my invitation?”

Wang Xiaoshi said nothing, but surely he had an answer in his heart. If it had been anyone else besides Shi Qingruo—someone with no past connection—he would have asked many more questions before choosing a faction to serve.

For years, the Misty Sky Alliance had been leaderless, full of mixed characters, deterring truly talented people. But now, at least he knew Shi Qingruo’s character.

Therefore, judging Wang Xiaoshi’s attitude was not difficult. Though his words seemed probing, if he had no interest in staying in the alliance, he wouldn’t have asked what use they could be to her.

The sword he carried on his back—the Retaining Wonder Blade—was renowned in the martial world, comparable to Lei Sun’s Forbidden Treasure Saber and Su Mengzhen’s Red Sleeve Saber. Using it to break through or escape the alliance’s grasp would not be difficult. Yet he did not move; instead, he asked how they might be useful.

Shi Qingruo replied, “It’s still uncertain what role you’ll play in the alliance because before officially joining, I have one test for you. If you succeed, it will silence the endless gossip within the alliance and help you understand your purpose.”

Following her gaze, Bai Choufei saw her lazily scanning the surroundings. The implication was clear: there was no need to fear eavesdropping now. What she was about to entrust was a matter of great importance.

Though his face betrayed no emotion, his heartbeat quickened once more. If he missed this opportunity sent by an old acquaintance on the way, it might truly require him to undertake riskier endeavors to gain another chance in the limelight.

Shi Qingruo’s mention of a test only made Bai Choufei feel the matter was all the more appropriate.

Before Wang Xiaoshi could answer, Bai Choufei took the initiative, “May I know what this test, Madam Shi, entails?”

Shi Qingruo slowly countered, “Based on what you and Young Master Wang have seen in Bianjing these past months, comparing the Misty Sky Alliance to the Golden Wind and Gentle Rain Pavilion and the Six-and-a-Half Halls, what is their greatest weakness?”

Bai Choufei was startled.

He had mixed in with gangs before. When it came to analyzing the development of factions and the correctness of their commands, he was far more experienced than most. Since arriving in the capital, aside from selling paintings and calligraphy, he had observed the strengths and weaknesses of various forces.

The Misty Sky Alliance had not been his choice, so he naturally judged them more critically.

Before Shi Qingruo’s sudden appearance restored some order to the alliance, it was fair to say it was a chaotic mess.

Now she wanted him to pinpoint the greatest weakness.

He looked straight into her deep eyes, about to say “people,” but swallowed the word.

No, that wasn’t the answer Shi Qingruo wanted.

Taking the example of the Second Saint Lord who had sought him and Wang Xiaoshi, and the martial world’s peerless Saint Lord Guan, the Misty Sky Alliance was not short of talent. It lacked coordination.

To put it plainly—

“It’s money.”

As the words left his mouth, he saw Shi Qingruo smile approvingly.

He continued, “By money, I don’t mean just coins. Any established faction relies on natural resources to survive—mountains for mountains, water for water. They need economic sources to support food, clothing, shelter, medicine, and weapons for their members. Larger gangs cooperate with salt merchants, grain transporters, or escort services. Even larger ones lease manpower to the government for escorting supplies or guarding borders. To be self-sufficient, they maintain blacksmiths, carpenters, bricklayers, and farmers. While the Misty Sky Alliance has such personnel, they are too few to matter.”

“The Six-and-a-Half Halls already have various guilds willingly handing over a portion of their profits, but the Misty Sky Alliance... to put it bluntly, some members are still engaged in water piracy.”

Shi Qingruo clasped her hands in praise. “Exactly as you said.”

Though the Misty Sky Alliance’s wedding banquet appeared grand, with Shi Qingruo personally involved, it was hard not to notice the many flaws beneath the surface.

If they couldn’t even manage their finances, no matter how well they counted their people or expelled spies, they could not establish a foothold in Bianjing.

This was not something Guan Qi could solve. If you told him, “We need to compete with Lei Sun for business,” he’d probably think it meant “We need to fight Lei Sun.”

“What does Madam Shi want us to do?” Bai Choufei frowned after his analysis.

Undoubtedly, business and financial affairs were not matters resolved overnight.

For a faction without deep roots, rising required countless coincidences.

After analyzing, he even doubted whether the Misty Sky Alliance’s uniqueness alone was worth his choice.

Shi Qingruo seemed to read his doubts and calmly replied, “Young Master Bai, having sold paintings in Bianjing, you should know this: no matter how excellent your artwork is, if local dealers are determined to exclude outsiders, you will struggle to get a good price. The same is true of gangs.”

“Like you said, salt merchants, grain transporters, blacksmiths, taverns, and teahouses have been divided between the Six-and-a-Half Halls and the Golden Wind and Gentle Rain Pavilion, leaving little room for development. If the Misty Sky Alliance blindly intervenes, it will not generate income or assign tasks effectively, but only stir trouble.”

Moreover, this was not something achieved in a day or two.

“So, what do you mean, Madam Shi—”

She handed a scroll from the nearby desk to Wang Xiaoshi and Bai Choufei.

“Most difficulties lie at the start. To solve the alliance’s financial issues, I want to do something special first. I ask you to obtain a windfall.”

Wang Xiaoshi unrolled the scroll, curiously seeing not instructions but a portrait of a woman.

If the painting resembled the person well, she was undoubtedly a beauty.

But what was her identity?

“Her name is Shangguan Feiyan,” Shi Qingruo explained.

“Recently, the alliance’s informants discovered that this woman claims to be a descendant of the Golden Roc Dynasty, operating outside with the intent to settle an old score. But our people found that those she deals with are not simple. Though she calls it debt collection, she is actually doing tasks for others.”

“I want you two to take a trip and uncover the treasure behind this.”

Wang Xiaoshi was puzzled. “But, as Madam says, her background is complicated. Could it be that there is no treasure at all?”

Wang Xiaoshi’s limited experience in the martial world did not mean his master had not told him about such matters. This indeed sounded like a trap.

Shi Qingruo looked meaningfully at them. “And who told you this windfall must be that treasure? In the martial world, if those involved are wealthy enough, there are always ill-gotten gains. Now that Saint Lord Guan has just married, both the Six-and-a-Half Halls and Golden Wind and Gentle Rain Pavilion focus on the capital’s key areas, leaving us free to send people elsewhere. Isn’t this the best opportunity?”

Wang Xiaoshi wanted to ask more, but Shi Qingruo added, “I know you have your principles. Joining the Misty Sky Alliance doesn’t mean you must consort with parasites. You are free to decide as events unfold. I have only one request.”

She looked seriously at the two. “Though this is a test, once you leave here today, you represent the Misty Sky Alliance. I do not want you to disgrace us outside.”

“Also, I have two more words to remind you.”

When Wang Xiaoshi and Bai Choufei left, their expressions were somewhat dazed.

It was not the mission Shi Qingruo assigned that caused this, but her final words.

She said she could transform from a martial arts-lacking orphan girl into the Saint Lord’s wife. Others they knew could likewise have other identities.

The not-so-gentle “Gentle” heroine wore her identity plainly on her face. After arriving in the capital, she quickly sought out her senior brother, Su Mengzhen, leader of the Golden Wind and Gentle Rain Pavilion.

The “Tian Chun” girl they saved on the river, if called by a more accurate name, should be called Lei Chun, the only daughter of Lei Sun, chief of the Six-and-a-Half Halls.

The moment they joined the Misty Sky Alliance, they and those two were, at least openly, enemies rather than friends. They must not do anything treacherous.

That was her advice.

...

“Do you really believe they will be your capable aides?” Zhu Xiaoyao asked as she watched the two disappear from view.

“Judging from their resumes, Bai Choufei’s ambition is too great. Wang Xiaoshi is loyal but somewhat blunt...”

“I know,” Shi Qingruo nodded.

She had seen this clearly during her earlier dealings with them before coming to the capital.

Moreover, Zhu Xiaoyao could not understand how deeply Shi Qingruo knew them.

Before crossing over, in her first playthrough targeting Su Mengzhen, she had dealt extensively with Wang Xiaoshi and Bai Choufei.

However, in that timeline, they did not join the Misty Sky Alliance.

During the assassination attempt on Su Mengzhen by the Six-and-a-Half Halls, Wang Xiaoshi and Bai Choufei cooperated with Su Mengzhen to break through, earning his favor and brotherly regard.

The former nearly became the successor to lead the Golden Wind and Gentle Rain Pavilion after Su Mengzhen’s death.

The latter, unwilling to be subordinate, opposed Su Mengzhen solely to seize power.

From this perspective, Bai Choufei was utterly unsuitable as a subordinate under her command because his swollen ambition would soon make him refuse to follow any orders.

But so what?

For now, he was the most suitable candidate to push forward Shi Qingruo’s plans.

“I only want one result. What comes after, I have my own plans,” she replied. “You have only two tasks.”

“One is to keep an eye on Bai Choufei, to prevent him from acting rashly ahead of time. The other…”

Shi Qingruo’s sudden pause caused Zhu Xiaoyao to instinctively brace herself, expecting something much weightier.

Instead, she heard, “Unlike you, I don’t have internal energy to sustain myself when hungry. Send me some lunch.”

Zhu Xiaoyao was speechless. “...Yes.”

Shi Qingruo swept her sleeve and walked toward her quarters.

Having arranged places for Bai Choufei and Wang Xiaoshi, a weight lifted from her heart. Yet she knew this was not enough to establish herself here.

She still needed to find more useful subordinates.

Whether her experience across three playthroughs would help her find the right people, and whether the current conditions of the Misty Sky Alliance could fool others into joining, was uncertain.

Difficult indeed...

Lost in thought, she pushed open the door to her small building.

Suddenly, her movement halted sharply, her eyes flashing fiercely in one direction.

“Who’s there!”

This had nothing to do with internal energy.

The moment she entered, she clearly saw a gray figure dart up to the beam, swift and light, yet inevitably stirring the air.

Someone had broken into the room!

Her shout immediately brought the Misty Sky Alliance guards outside rushing forward.

Almost simultaneously, Shi Qingruo saw the figure perched on the beam and exchanged glances with her.

It was a ragged beggar.

Yet even in the dim light, Shi Qingruo’s sharp eyes discerned that this was a disguised girl about fifteen years old.

She was no ordinary beggar.

Beneath the grime on her face was skin paler than that of most martial world wanderers.

Even when caught, her expression was not embarrassment but amazement tinged with shyness.

“Big sister, I heard there was a wedding banquet here, but I didn’t expect the leftovers to taste so bad.”

Shi Qingruo tugged the corner of her mouth.

Taste aside, she clearly saw the girl hiding a piece of cake behind her back.