An essence of time was that moments of fun and games tend to pass as fast as a time skip in a story...

  Propping his head up and watching the raven slip on her midnight-black uniform, the seated Bubai let out a sigh.

  Wu Ya didn’t even bother sparing his direction a glance, but her complaint still reached his ears.

  “You did it so many times inside. Still not enough?”

  "What can I say? You’re too good. How could I ever get enough?"

  Bubai smacked his lips, but his face quickly became wistful.

  "Alas, all good memories must come to an end. I’ll admit... I’m just a little sad. After parting this time, who knows when we’ll meet again?"

  Wu Ya paused, but still calmly slotted her mask back in place. The blunt Wu Ya was gone. The distant Miss Raven returned.

  “Don’t hold onto any hopes you shouldn’t have. I am a shadow who will only belong to the Saintess. Always.”

  “Oh…” Bubai laughed hollowly, but that ruthless shutdown didn’t surprise him much.

  Who was she? A raven in flight, sleek and dark, impossible to catch.

  From the start, Bubai knew there was no way he could convert her into a loyal traitor willing to spill all her secrets.

  Give him an entire day and it might not be possible, let alone in a mere hour.

  This wasn’t some cultural anime where the victim acts like they’re hypnotized by fleshly pleasure to the point of surrendering their body and soul.

  Reality was colder, sharper.

  After getting what they wanted from the deed, everybody just goes their own ways.

  He to his awaiting fate. She back to turn in her mission.

  This meant... another witness to his secret.

  She will undoubtedly report back her findings, but that won’t ruin his plans.

  The secret on his essence was like a dammed river. Everything will come out eventually.

  It was just a matter of how he leaks it and in what perspective.

  For other clans, Bubai still wanted to hold this trump card close to his chest for as long as possible in order to give them all a big surprise.

  When the time to become a blockbuster came, he didn’t want a stone that will cause a mere ripple in a pond, but a flood that will sweep the board clean!

  But for the Feng Clan? That’s a different case.

  Their status was quite special, like a bird perched on a higher branch.

  While other clans duke it out, their family of law enforcers were essentially exempt from the upcoming chaos.

  Even if he gets involved with them first, Bubai was pretty sure they won’t disclose any details to the rest.

  Clans within this sect weren’t monolith, let alone a women-only clan that stood apart like a lotus blooming in a swamp ruled by men.

  The Feng Clan wasn’t completely isolated from the rest, but they definitely weren’t close enough to give each other a heads-up.

  In truth, the other clans would count themselves lucky if the Feng Clan didn’t actively help set up the stumbling block, especially since there’s still a Royal Faction playing chess behind the scenes!

  Bubai hasn’t forgotten: Granny Shu has long been privy to many of his secrets!

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  But these big clans were still groping in the dark. That says a lot.

  Naturally, this works to his benefit, giving him the perfect backdrop to play all these fishing games, both big and small.

  Clearly, the fisherman didn’t fail to catch the current opportunity brought by the raven.

  Since no prying eyes can peek into this dark dome, it was the perfect den to pull off yet another miracle using his oh-so-mysterious dew.

  The clever little raven hooked on this mysterious line was just another impromptu gambling table opened by Bubai the Seedy Dealer.

  So far, the returns weren’t bad.

  After letting her try both the hard and the soft, she spilled plenty even when in silence.

  Of course, information exchanges goes both ways.

  The cost was some leaks on his part. But the wholesome snippets of intel he reeled in were worth every drop.

  Internal rankings, backstories, three sizes- Ahem.

  Undoubtedly, their truthfulness still needs verification.

  Misinformation is just a part of espionage. She did to him just like he did to her.

  But that wasn’t the point.

  The true prize was the opening of another possible branch in his network of connections!

  Will a lady ever forget her first? Beats me.

  But will a sharp, analytical woman ever let go of an unsolved mystery?

  Haha. Who knows. Who knows. A women’s heart is the true greatest mystery.

  But another line cast, another fish hooked. For now, that was enough.

  After hooking her black veil back in place, Miss Raven pulled out an ointment box from her pocket and tossed it over.

  “Your medicine for surface wounds. Internal injuries from lightning aren’t covered under your Bronze Blessing.”

  “Thanks?” Playing with the ointment box, Bubai gave the ever-composed raven, who was still pretending like everything was perfectly normal, a funny look.

  Outsiders don’t know, but…

  During their intel exchange activity, some parts of his charred, dead skin have flaked off, letting the healthy, fresh skin peek out.

  She had to be blind if she didn’t see those clues!

  Clearly, she’d noticed, and what she saw was probably enough for her to write a ten-thousand-word essay once she gets back!

  Hey, he wonders if a line of her report will be: Target exhibits a physique capable of accelerating healing through dual cultivation...

  Hahaha! Bubai almost couldn’t hold himself back from cracking up!

  “What’s with that face?”

  Feeling that observant stare pinning him down, Bubai did his best to keep a straight face. “Oh nothing. I’m just happy because I got paid… in all sorts of way. There’s even this little bonus.”

  After giving the free box of Healing Marrow Cream a simple toss and pocketing it, Bubai blinked back innocently.

  Miss Raven turned away as if she didn’t see anything.

  A surge of Qi spiraled toward her belly, and Bubai almost thought he heard a faintly-audible crack.

  The shadow realm doming them in began slowly warping and unraveling...

  Just after Miss Raven took a few steps to leave, she paused. “Almost forgot. She told me to pass on a message.”

  Getting up, Bubai dusted off his booty and stretched lazily. “Hmm. What does Senior Sister have to say?”

  Miss Raven threw a glance back. “One word: forbidden.”

  Bubai: “???”

  The duo stared at each other in silence.

  Bubai’s lips twitched. “No clarification?”

  “I’ve said enough. If you understand, you understand.”

  Miss Raven turned away. This time, she didn’t linger. She didn’t look back.

  He watched her go, merging back into the shadows of the corridors like a raven melting into the night.

  Bubai combed his fingers through his freshly-grown hair and grumbled, “Hey, what am I supposed to understand from one word?”

  Shaking his head, Bubai put away the lucky chair that got front row seats to the secret exchange and took out his handy-dandy broom.

  “Well, there should be enough time to sweep this spot squeaky clean and do some last minute preparations...”

  Above.

  Picking up a tracking brand on his radar again, Ma Pei trained his divine sense on the listless sweeper below.

  “Hohoh? All healed up again, are we?”

  Ma Pei glanced over at the two ladies from the Feng Clan. “Didn’t expect you women to be so generous to a man. What good medicine did you feed that cheap brat?”

  Feng Luping furrowed her brows ever so slightly and subtly exchanged a quick glance with her similarly confused sister before measuring out a response.

  "It’s difficult to say without reviewing the report. Perhaps the policies of the Holy Blessing Proposal are overly lenient... but know this: we do not have full authority over that matter."

  Grand Elder Jia Wunan’s eyes twinkled. “Could it be…?”

  He looked around, but after a moment, he simply shook his head and sighed.

  The other elders exchanged knowing glances but didn’t mention the topic further.

  Mo Badao gazed up at the early evening skies and shook his head, sighing, “Ah, heaven, oh heaven, always likes to give us surprises, just like in the legends.”

  The brawny Jia Gufan laughed it off. "Kahahaha! Isn’t it better this way? At least we’ll be spared from another one-sided, childish fight between kids!"

  The scarecrow Tai Yinjun leaned back lazily. “Aye, let’s hope that jumpy dollie won’t croak too early. Would be a shame after that little wait.”

  Snap. Catching the hovering gemstones, the younger Tai Yinsu who almost had no sense of presence chimed in. “Yoh, this round shouldn’t be too boring. Fair game, no excuses.”

  That reminder made Tai Yinjun sit up straight. “That’s right! Old Fart, don’t you start bawling about my shamelessness when your dollie goes down! Gawahaha!”

  Ma Pei shot a glare back over. “Old Thief, don’t laugh too early!”

  “Gah! Old Fart, this time, the last laugh will be mine!”

  The smiling Grand Elder waved his hand to ignite the incense and passed down the long-awaited announcement.

  “Sun Snake List, Ninth Seat, Qiu Feng challenging... Inner Disciple Mo Bubai!”