Chapter 94: Serving Cao, Heart with Han?

Rejecting charming temptations, focusing wholeheartedly on the righteous path.

Amitabha~

The River Crab God is merciful and benevolent; as a citizen of the Great God, how could I be swayed by a bit of lustful temptation?

Impossible.

My heart is like iron, my will like steel.

Chen Xiaoyan could only tearfully close the private chat window.

Wiping away the nonexistent tears on her face, she opened the friend channel and privately messaged Mu Qingxue.

Time to get serious.

The dozen or so trash-talking players killed by Shen Qingqing had mostly dispersed after being persuaded by other friendly and harmonious players.

Only a few stubborn trolls remained.

Six in total.

Reasoning with trolls was useless; violence was the only way to handle them.

***

After discussing with Mu Qingxue, Chen Xiaoyan decided to dispatch several clever Snow Smoke Pavilion members—who shared the same sect—to track these trolls.

As soon as they left the safe zones (the sect, major counties of Datang), the Plan of Justice from Heaven would be put into action.

Among the six, two belonged to Shenzhou factions.

Mu Qingxue personally approached the gang leader, Zhen Buyaojian.

What they discussed remained a mystery to Chen Xiaoyan, but in any case, those two players were kicked out of Shenzhou by Zhen Buyaojian.

Another was from Lunhui Hall; the rest were lone wolves.

Lunhui Hall?

Chen Xiaoyan was very curious about this new gang.

Recently, the Immortal Realm saw several newly established factions, not just Lunhui Hall.

Yet, a newly formed faction with popularity comparable to first-tier gangs like Snow Smoke Pavilion and Peerless Tower was impressive.

The leader of Lunhui Hall must be quite capable.

At this rate, with time, it wasn’t impossible for them to become a second Snow Smoke Pavilion.

[Mu Qingxue: Lunhui Hall’s strength is roughly on par with Shenzhou’s, but it’s not a casual faction—it’s a battle gang. Their weakness is only due to how recently they were founded.]

[Chen Xiaoyan: Who is the leader of Lunhui Hall?]

[Mu Qingxue: Unknown. The leader is extremely mysterious; all faction matters are handled by the deputy leader.]

[Mu Qingxue: Xiaoyan, I want to form an alliance with Lunhui Hall. What do you think?]

[Chen Xiaoyan: You’re the leader, why ask me?]

[Mu Qingxue: You’re a deputy leader too.]

[Chen Xiaoyan: Uh… just decide as you see fit.]

[Mu Qingxue: Got it. Like a married couple—you manage external affairs, and I manage internal, right?]

[Chen Xiaoyan: I manage nothing, only lead people through dungeons.]

[Mu Qingxue: Then what if your dear Snowxue gets exhausted?]

[Chen Xiaoyan: I’ll take her place.]

[Mu Qingxue: …]

[Mu Qingxue: Yanbao, you’ve changed—you’re not the person you used to be.]

[Chen Xiaoyan: Ahem, enough chatter. Qingxue, you said so many people from Snow Smoke Pavilion ran through Abyss Canyon. There should be a lot of gear drops, right?]

[Mu Qingxue: What are you thinking again?]

[Chen Xiaoyan: Help me check if any Tianxiang gear dropped for the faction.]

[Mu Qingxue: No problem, but you have to work hard and lead all members through the dungeon first.]

Right now, nearly half of Snow Smoke Pavilion players haven’t even passed Monster Village, let alone Abyss Canyon.

Chen Xiaoyan could already imagine how exhausted she’d be in the coming days.

Not just at Snow Smoke Pavilion; Sword Pavilion also needed attention.

No matter how strong she was alone, there were limits.

She’d have to speed up training a group of big healers.

The first to come to mind were Chongchong and Xianyun.

Those two were a bit stretched thin; adding two more would make a solid five-man team.

But how to find those two healers?

If you asked which faction’s players were the biggest slackers, Tianxiang would be second, and no faction dared claim first.

Not that other factions had no slackers, but their proportion was low.

Tianxiang was all female players, most of whom naturally lacked competitive spirit, resulting in very few top-tier players.

Finding a few skilled players among a hundred might be difficult.

Whatever, take it one step at a time.

If none appeared, just go with the flow. These things couldn’t be rushed.

[Mu Qingxue: Yanbao, baby, baby, did you abandon your Snowxue?]

Not even a minute after closing the private chat, the girl messaged again.

Chen Xiaoyan sighed and replied with a “?”

[Mu Qingxue: Look at world chat.]

World?

Chen Xiaoyan opened the world channel. ID Dao Jishi Kong was spamming wildly.

“Sword Pavilion is aggressively recruiting!!!”

“Join our faction for a chance to be personally led through dungeons by Tianxiang’s number one, Chen Xiaoyan! Plus more salary benefits and a warm home. What are you waiting for? Click my avatar and PM now!”

A crowd of players echoed below, presumably Sword Pavilion members.

“Sword Pavilion, have some shame! Chen Xiaoyan is ours from Snow Smoke Pavilion. Since when did she belong to you?”

“Dao Jishi Kong, at least respect the top True Martial expert. Is it okay to use someone else for ads like this?”

“Whoa, what’s happening? So many juicy rumors today?”

“Chen Xiaoyan goes a day without world chat, and she’s uncomfortable all over?”

“World channel: Chen Xiaoyan? I know her, a regular visitor.”

“I was going to join Sword Pavilion, but after hearing this, I’m scared now.”

“I joined just for Chen’s dungeon runs. You’re telling me it’s fake?”

“Joining Sword Pavilion? Sure, but you gotta pay extra.”

Thanks to Snow Smoke Pavilion and some random players stirring the pot, Sword Pavilion instantly became the talk of the town.

Liu Yue had to post a clarification in the world chat to avoid bad rumors.

“Regarding the free dungeon runs upon joining Sword Pavilion, this was not fabricated by me but personally authorized by Chen Xiaoyan herself. So friends wanting to join Sword Pavilion, don’t worry.”

Reading this, Chen Xiaoyan understood why Mu Qingxue was so excited.

[Chen Xiaoyan: I was just about to tell you this.]

[Mu Qingxue: You really promised in person?]

[Chen Xiaoyan: Yes.]

[Mu Qingxue: You’ve changed, Xiaoyan. Didn’t expect you to play the ‘Serving Cao, Heart with Han’ trick.]

[Chen Xiaoyan: What nonsense? I will always be Snow Smoke Pavilion’s. That won’t change.]

[Mu Qingxue: Then why agree to them?]

[Chen Xiaoyan: Because as long as I’m here, Sword Pavilion won’t be Snow Smoke Pavilion’s enemy.]

This statement was like deafening thunder, making Mu Qingxue’s head buzz.

She was stunned for a long moment before snapping back.

[Mu Qingxue: Is it for Snow Smoke Pavilion? You’re just…]

[Chen Xiaoyan: Of course not just that, Qingxue. I see through your every move—you want to dominate the Immortal Realm, right? So I’m joining Sword Pavilion, making it a never-betraying brother-sister alliance with Snow Smoke Pavilion. With Sword Pavilion by our side, no faction in the Immortal Realm can stand against us.]

[Chen Xiaoyan: Besides, Liu Yue is also a good friend. Helping out casually is a win-win, right?]

[Mu Qingxue: Yanbao, you’re so kind. But if that woman Liu Yue ever asks you to do something difficult, even if it means breaking the alliance, you have to refuse, okay?]

[Chen Xiaoyan: Got it.]

Chen Xiaoyan nervously closed the private chat window, wiping nonexistent cold sweat from her forehead.

Fortunately, her quick tongue saved her this time.

For the future of Snow Smoke Pavilion?

Sorry, that wasn’t even on her mind.

She was purely hoping to get closer to that girl.

Jade Emperor, gods of the heavens above, please bless.

Little Yue can’t possibly be a yuri.