Xiang Laner couldn't figure out what exactly this senior brother wanted to discuss. As an onlooker, she still sensed an earth-shattering impact from his words—words that were mundane and straightforward yet somehow touched the soul in an inexplicable way.

She couldn't help but turn her head to look at him, reassessing him once more.

Mulan Qingqing also gazed at him intently, finding his statements refreshingly new and confirming that he was indeed different from disciples of other sects, and even different from those of her own Su Yuan Sect. Those people couldn't speak such words.

His words were arrogant, yet she could feel they came from the heart.

Viewed from the perspective of a large sect or the Cultivation World, this man was insignificant, but at this moment in her eyes, his insignificance took on a spatial quality. A tiny person standing between the vast heavens and earth conveyed an indescribable sensation.

After composing herself and organizing her thoughts, she didn't accept his request. Instead, she countered, "State all your conditions at once."

Shi Chun: "I want half of Xuan State's forces!"

Xiang Laner was again bewildered.

Mulan Qingqing tilted her head, full of confusion, and asked, "Half of the forces currently gathered from Xuan State for the meeting?"

Shi Chun: "Yes."

Mulan Qingqing naturally asked, "What are you planning to do?"

What was he planning to do? Shi Chun had plenty in mind, but of course, he would claim something else, "It's not what I want to do, it's what you've forced me into. You've backed me into a corner with no way out, so I must fight for myself—struggle to get a guarantee from the Domain Master of Xuan State for Youxia Mountain."

Linking his demand for forces to the newfound understanding, Mulan Qingqing exclaimed in surprise, "You aim to become number one in Xuan State?"

Shi Chun: "It's thanks to Hu Yan Dao's reminder. Since I'm going to clash with you all regardless, why not go for the biggest victory? Why should everyone have to fight for your Su Yuan Sect to be number one?"

Mulan Qingqing: "Because Su Yuan Sect is already number one in Xuan State, number one in Shengshen Continent, because Su Yuan Sect has this rallying power. I can't just hand over these forces to you. You won't win their hearts, and they won't follow you even if I assign them to you."

Shi Chun: "You just need to transfer them, the rest isn't your concern."

Mulan Qingqing pondered curiously, "Then you might as well ask me to let Su Yuan Sect directly give you the number one spot, or even give you all the forces. What's the logic in asking for just half?"

Shi Chun was refreshingly decisive, "Fine, if you can do that, I have no objections. Can you really give up the number one spot so easily?"

If such an opportunity really existed, it would ease his burden, and he wouldn't have to risk pondering so many possibilities.

Mulan Qingqing fell silent; words were easy to say, but putting them into action was another matter—this decision wasn't hers alone to make. The collective gains of Xuan State's forces ultimately boiled down to a communal effort in recognising contributions and assigning ranks. She could strive to secure the top spot for Su Yuan Sect, but she couldn't arbitrarily appoint another to stand first. If a change was indeed to happen, Youxia Mountain would certainly not be the first in line.

Shi Chun continued, "The first place you concede, how can Youxia Mountain lay claim to any achievement? Why would the Domain Master of Xuan State give Youxia Mountain any guarantee? If you transfer all the forces to me, how is it any different from conceding the first place?"

Sure, he would like all the forces, but reality was harsh—if all forces were given to him, then it would effectively mean they weren't his at all. They really wouldn't listen to him, and any major sect could usurp his position with a single call to action.

After a moment of silence, Mulan Qingqing said, "If you are merely seeking self-preservation, simply wishing to keep Youxia Mountain safe, there's no need for such a complex plot. I have a better way here, one that can give everyone peace of mind."

Really? Shi Chun pondered and couldn't think of any better method that would satisfy everyone; he tried to inquire, "What way?"

Mulan Qingqing spoke shockingly, "You and I shall become husband and wife."

Shi Chun was instantly perplexed.

Gradually regaining his composure and wondering if he misheard, he turned to look at Xiang Laner beside him, seeking confirmation in her eyes.

Xiang Laner was already dumbstruck, staring blankly at the woman opposite her.

Observing their reactions, Mulan Qingqing remained calm as if discussing someone else's affair, "Neither of us trusts the other. Therefore, there is no better solution—direct and effective. You and I will marry publicly in the West Pole, announcing our happy news. In doing so, neither you nor Youxia Mountain will have any more worries, and I won't be concerned about you tarnishing Su Yuan Sect's reputation. However, those who have broken away from Hu Yan Dao's side, you must cooperate with me to completely eliminate them. As for Hu Yan Dao's side, I will ensure their disappearance too."

She left out another benefit—that it would save the life of her junior brother, Chao Zhilin.

Previously, the other party had stated Chao Zhilin's life was not open for discussion, but once the two sides became husband and wife, what was not open for discussion? Naturally, the person would be released.

After confirming that he hadn't misheard and grasping the other party's intent, Xiang Laner quickly lowered his head and raced through his thoughts, considering from the standpoint of the Demon Path whether it was more beneficial for Shi Chun to get involved with the Bowan Building or the Su Yuan Sect.

Unfortunately, she wasn't astute enough to calculate the best outcome, and since there was no way to make contact with her superiors, she could only feel helpless in secret.

At the same time, she had quite the admiration for Mulan Qingqing's resolve and ruthlessness. To maintain the reputation of the sect, she would even sacrifice herself, something Laner wasn't sure she could do.

Shi Chun swallowed hard, not knowing whether his saliva was induced by the sight of a great beauty, and then suddenly dropped the act of being foolish, "No, I can't do it, I am not part of the Su Yuan Sect, and cannot bring myself to harm my own people. Since those dozens of people have followed me, I cannot betray them."

It was merely an excuse. He already had someone in mind, so how could he carelessly determine his entire life here?

And this woman was too ruthless, too. Who would dare to marry a woman who so casually trades her life like this?

Besides, he was a fake disciple of Youxia Mountain. If he were exposed the moment he stepped out, and truly became husband and wife with the other party, that would be suicide.

Xiang Laner had also guessed that his refusal was due to having someone else in mind, and instinctively thought of Miao Yilan. Then, considering the consequences of fake marriage while impersonating a Youxia Mountain disciple, she saw how frightened this "senior brother" was and tried hard not to let the corners of her mouth curl up.

Listening to his reasoning, Mulan Qingqing conceded a point, "If you are not afraid of being blackmailed with this after marriage, and if you have a better way to eliminate the threat forever, you don't have to kill them."

Shi Chun quickly raised his hand to stop her, "It's not like that. Although I'm not a gentleman, I definitely won't coerce someone into marriage."

Mulan Qingqing, "I am the one coercing you into marriage."

Xiang Laner could hardly keep her face straight. What was going on? What should have been a life-and-death matter turned into marriage talk?

Hastily, Shi Chun said, "It's the same thing, there's no need. I'm genuinely not worthy of you and wouldn't defile you. Besides, there are many solutions; there's no need for this.

What I'm thinking is this, give me half of your people, and also give half of the Insect Extreme Crystals we've obtained to us. Let our forces compete to see who can find more Insect Extreme Crystals in the end. Whichever side finds more, that side's contribution is greater, and all the Insect Extreme Crystals will belong to that side, to be divided among them based on merit.

This way, the grudges between us turn into positive competition, and it won't affect Xuan State's chances of winning. If I win in the end, then I would have earned merit for Xuan State with my abilities, at which point I'll speak to the Domain Master, and he surely will understand my concern about Youxia Mountain outshining the Su Yuan Sect and ensure our protection."

Mulan Qingqing size him up with a cold gaze, noting his rapid-fire reactions, and found the man who had previously been so poised was now frightened at the idea of becoming husband and wife, spilling solutions like beans from a bamboo tube.

She found it both exasperating and amusing. Was marrying her so terrifying? It was a great fortune that many sought but could not obtain.

It made her seem as if she could really fancy him, not even considering checking his own reflection in the mirror.

Yet her face revealed no reaction, calmly she said, "What if you lose?"

Shi Chun, "If I lose, of course I'll have to accept my defeat. By that point, we also wouldn't dare to reveal the truth. After causing such a big scene, could we afford the consequences if the reason is simply because we couldn't accept defeat? Once this wager is set, the matter will essentially be put to rest, don't you think?"

Mulan Qingqing hesitated for a moment, then said, "It's indeed a solution, but too troublesome. To be honest, it's not as reliable as my solution. Are you even marriageable?"

Shi Chun, "It's not a question of whether I'm marriageable or not, it's that I won't do something so utterly base. I'd rather go through some trouble."

Mulan Qingqing, "It's not just a matter of being troublesome, it's about not acting within the rules. I have no authority to just allocate thousands of people to you; they won't listen to me."

Shi Chun, "I've already thought of a way for you. There are limited places for ranking at the great assembly. Many people won't be happy just exerting effort without reward. Those dozens who escaped from Hu Yan are your excuse. I don't need your elite soldiers; just give me half of the people you don't value. Think of it as sparing them and letting them slack off under me. Many people are simply there because they can't disappoint Su Yuan Sect, but would be happy to come over for a peaceful end."

Mulan Qingqing thought it over, and it seemed reasonable, but she was skeptical, "You want to compete using inferior manpower against my superior forces?"

Shi Chun snorted inwardly, thinking that when 'I' was leading soldiers on campaigns north and south, 'you' didn't even know where to daydream.

He calmly said, "There's nothing inferior or superior about manpower; it's all about how you use it. To you, they are a bunch of good-for-nothings, but in my hands, they'll eagerly rush out to bite."

Openly disdained, Mulan Qingqing was speechless with a cold face. After staring at him for a while, she slowly said, "Still can't do it. Your idea might be good, but I lack a reason why they should follow you and not someone else. I have no rationale for assigning them to you. Youxia Mountain doesn't carry that kind of weight, unless..."

Shi Chun, "Unless what?"

Mulan Qingqing calmly said, "Unless we announce that you are my fiancé."

"..." Shi Chun froze, his eyebrows gradually knitting together, "I'm saying, here you go again, aside from a romantic relationship, can't you..."

Mulan Qingqing interrupted, "It's fake. This can just be a temporary excuse."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.