338. Scheme Against Star Luo

Led by Bibi Dong, they approached the family home.

By now, the golden crown on Qian Renjue’s head had been replaced with a flower crown. It was already afternoon.

Hu Liena, returning from training, heard familiar voices and excitedly ran out to greet them.

“Teacher, Senior Brother—and…” she stammered in surprise, “Miss Xue?”

Staring at the woman on Qian Renjue’s back, Hu Liena was taken aback by her beauty but quickly became respectful.

“Nana, it’s been a while,” Qian Renxue said warmly.

Hu Liena, slightly nervous, bowed respectfully. “Miss Xue…”

Qian Renxue gave a small nod, her eyes gleaming as she noted Hu Liena’s still intact purity, then instructed her brother, “Jue, put me down.”

“Let’s at least get inside first,” Qian Renjue chuckled, seemingly unbothered by the extra weight.

He turned to Hu Liena with a smile, “Let’s head inside. We’ll talk more there.”

“Alright,” Hu Liena said, her short orange hair bouncing as she nodded, preparing to follow. Just then, Bibi Dong stepped forward, holding a flower crown with a soft, tender smile.

“This one’s for you, Nana.”

“Thank you, Teacher!” Hu Liena smiled brightly, linking arms with Bibi Dong as they all entered the courtyard together.

Once they reached the pavilion by the lotus pond, Qian Renjue finally set Qian Renxue down and looked around, seemingly searching for someone.

Qian Renxue noticed his distraction and asked, “Jue, what are you looking for?”

“Probably for Ling Yuan,” Bibi Dong replied, giving Qian Renjue an amused smile.

As Jue’s older sister, she had the right to know, and Bibi Dong made a mental note to tell her about some of the women Jue had been spending time with.

“Ling Yuan?” Qian Renxue asked with curiosity.

“I took her with me on a recent trip. We just returned, but then I had to rush over to Douluo Hall,” Qian Renjue said, somewhat evasively, keeping certain moments with Ling Yuan to himself.

“I see,” Qian Renxue responded with a small nod. “I nearly forgot that your external spirit bone has the ability to teleport.”

Bibi Dong huffed lightly. “Ever since he gained that ability, he’s always out and about.”

“That’s true! Senior Brother barely stays home these days,” Hu Liena joined in, uncharacteristically siding with Bibi Dong.

“I’m not just wandering around. I’ve had actual business to attend to,” Qian Renjue defended, though he shot a playful glare at Hu Liena, who pouted in return.

Qian Renxue chuckled, finding a familiar warmth in the scene. Everyone around her felt the same as they always had; the atmosphere was comforting.

Bibi Dong ruffled Hu Liena’s hair affectionately, amused by her spirited demeanor. “If it weren’t for his work, I’d have long tied him down in the Pope’s Hall.”

With some curiosity, Qian Renxue asked, “What kind of work has you out so often, Jue?”

“Senior Brother took on a disciple!” Hu Liena quickly announced with a delighted smile. As his junior, she was perhaps the most thrilled about his new role as a mentor.

Qian Renxue’s eyes widened in surprise. “You already took on a disciple?”

“Her name is Zhu Zhuqing. She’s the second daughter of the Zhu family from Star Luo Empire,” Bibi Dong chimed in, taking a sip of tea with a knowing smile.

“Mom!” Qian Renjue said, exasperated, as if hoping to explain himself.

Hu Liena giggled softly. Qian Renxue, however, knitted her brow thoughtfully.

She recognized Zhu Zhuqing’s name—it belonged to a member of the Seven Shrek Monsters, though nothing seemed especially remarkable about her.

“Jue, why would you go all the way to Star Luo and take her as your disciple?” Qian Renxue inquired.

Qian Renjue hesitated briefly, “It was…fate. I just happened to end up in her room by accident.”

“Fate?” Qian Renxue gave him a skeptical look, sensing there might be more to the story.

Bibi Dong took another sip of her tea. “If the Zhu family knows what’s best, they might become a dagger we can point directly at the heart of Star Luo Empire.”

Surprised, Qian Renxue shook her head. “That seems unlikely. As far as I know, the Zhu family has long been deeply entwined with the Star Luo royal family. It would be hard to turn them.”

Bibi Dong smiled, handing her cup to Qian Renxue. “Perhaps, but I’m only speculating about Jue’s intentions.”

Qian Renxue took a small sip, passing the tea to Qian Renjue before asking, “Do you think you’ll succeed, Jue?”

Qian Renjue accepted the tea and took a thoughtful sip, “Honestly, at first I did consider her family connections as an opportunity, but as time went on, that motive started to fade.”

After another sip, he added, “Recently, I’ve had other ideas in mind, but it may take time to put them into action.”

“Can’t you just tell us plainly?” Bibi Dong chided him, but her tone was affectionate.

“Well, my plan is similar to what you’re doing in Heaven Dou, Sister,” he replied with a smile, handing the tea to Hu Liena, who received it eagerly.

“Directly targeting Star Luo’s royal family?” Qian Renxue frowned thoughtfully. She knew from experience how powerful they were—stronger, perhaps, than the royals of Heaven Dou.

She had already given two of the Soul-Control Pills to use on Xue Qinghe, the heir of Heaven Dou, and was considering her next target: the powerful Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. However, the defenses of the Sword and Bone Douluo around him had deterred her.