Inside the residence of the Ruo family, Ruo Nan stood before her father with a trace of unease.
"I heard you met that boy from the Gan family today," said Ruo Yuntan in a stern tone.
Ruo Nan nodded quietly. "Yes, but he fought with young master Yang."
Ruo Yuntan narrowed his eyes, his voice cautious. "He fought Yang Jin?... Did you intervene?"
Ruo Nan shook her head. Though her face remained calm, a flicker of fear flashed in her eyes. "Of course not. After all, young master Yang is benefactor Mo's disciple."
Ruo Yuntan stroked his beard slowly. "That's good. The boy from the Gan family… one could say he's just a parasite feeding off his clan. He lacks talent and cultivation, and at the same time, he's nothing more than a wastrel. Being the only son, the Gan family is surely doomed to decline in the future."
Ruo Nan lowered her head. "This daughter understands, father." She then turned and quietly left.
At the same time, her maid followed behind with a worried expression. "My lady..."
Ruo Nan gave her a gentle smile. "I'm fine, Mei Ling."
Still, the maid couldn't hide her concern. "My lady, I know you still hold feelings for young master Gan, but—"
Ruo Nan raised her hand, stopping her. "That's enough. How much is one person's happiness worth compared to the fate of an entire family?"
Ruo Nan was bound by a political marriage and thus could not go against her father's will.
After all, this was one of the ways to expand influence—either cling to a powerful family or attract a talent that could elevate their status.
And so, Ruo Nan was trapped—between following her heart or burying her emotions completely. It was clear which path she chose.
Mei Ling looked at her with eyes full of worry. "My lady, I only wish that you find happiness and peace of mind. That's the greatest wish of this humble servant."
Ruo Nan paused for a moment and looked at her maid tenderly. "Thank you, Mei Ling, but things aren't that simple. The interests of my family must come first."
Meanwhile, Zhang Yong, who was observing quietly through his astral projection, watched the scene with mild amusement.
"Heh, seems that boy still has a chance with her," he murmured before returning to his body on the hill.
Then he calmly made his way back to the others in the dining hall.
"So? What did you find?" asked Su Ming.
Zhang Yong rubbed his chin, thinking quietly. "Let me think… yes, I believe I have an idea."
Both Gan Li and Su Ming watched silently as Zhang Yong explained his plan.
The next morning, at dawn, Gan Li rode his horse swiftly out of his family's estate.
From afar, he saw a figure standing in the middle of the road—and his eyes widened slightly when he recognized her. It was Ruo Nan.
He quickly reined in his horse. "Ruo Nan, step aside. I'm heading toward the newly appeared ruins."
Ruo Nan looked at him with clear worry and walked toward him with steady steps. Her voice was calm yet firm. "Gan Li, you can't go. That place is dangerous—it only appeared yesterday. Don't you find that suspicious?"
Gan Li scoffed coldly. "Why do you care? You've already made your choice. Once I return, I'll personally visit your family to annul the engagement. I wish you happiness."
He lashed his whip, urging the horse forward, and rode past her without looking back.
Ruo Nan could only stand there, watching him disappear into the distance, anger and sorrow etched on her face.
Nearby, Zhang Yong and Su Ming observed the scene. Su Ming couldn't help but smirk.
"So that's why you spread the rumor about the ruins and said he was heading there? Just to make her try to stop him?"
Zhang Yong leaned against the wall and smiled. "Exactly. Though it was quick, human emotions are something you can't control. They can build you up—or destroy you. But because of them, you can call yourself human. Now, let's go meet him."
The two quickly left and caught up with Gan Li after ensuring they weren't followed.
Gan Li stopped his horse and dismounted calmly. "Alright, I did my part. What's next?"
Zhang Yong grinned mischievously. "Next? You'll disappear."
Both Su Ming and Gan Li looked at him in confusion. "Disappear?"
Zhang Yong chuckled. "Don't worry. We'll make sure you vanish from sight. During this time, you'll enter seclusion to raise your power."
Gan Li nodded slowly. "So that's why you asked me to tell my father I'd be gone for a few days?"
Su Ming frowned slightly. "Wait, Zhang Yong, are you planning to use our store's resources to help him?"
After all, the store was their lifeline—a source of income, even if secondary.
Zhang Yong raised his hands helplessly. "Are you stupid? Of course not. I'll use my own funds."
Then he turned to Gan Li. "Don't worry. Just follow what we say."
Gan Li sighed and shrugged. "You're the mentor here."
After Gan Li agreed to the plan, Zhang Yong led him to a secluded cave—an area close to both the sect and the city, but one that would be impossible to find without knowing the route.
Outside the cave, concealment arrays were placed, and inside, energy-gathering formations had been set up. Bottles of pills were neatly arranged on the side.
Gan Li looked around carefully. "You really prepared everything."
Zhang Yong cleared his throat. "Gan Li, I want you to sign this paper." He lifted a document in his hand.
"What's this?" asked Gan Li, puzzled.
"It's a form allowing me to intervene in your affairs—mainly so your father doesn't get mad at me for meddling between your and Ruo Nan's families. Shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Gan Li smiled in understanding. "Of course, if it's just that "
He pricked his finger and signed the document with blood. "Here you go."
Zhang Yong's eyes flickered with a trace of surprise, though he hid it well. He stored the document away calmly.
Then he placed his hand on Gan Li's shoulder with a sly grin. "Now we're ready. Let's begin."
He pushed Gan Li into the cave and rolled a massive boulder to seal the entrance. "You're at the fifth stage of the Master Realm. Don't even think of leaving until you reach the seventh."
With Gan Li sealed inside, Zhang Yong stepped back, smiling confidently. Everything now depended on Gan Li himself.
It wasn't uncommon for cultivators to enter seclusion for days, weeks, or even years—but few dared to do so purely to seize an opportunity.
As they walked back, Su Ming glanced at Zhang Yong with hesitation. "Don't you think that was a bit harsh?"
Zhang Yong's tone was cold and firm. "On one hand, it's for his own good. On the other, he needs to disappear. Now, it's time for the next step."
That night, Zhang Yong silently approached the Ruo family mansion.
Moving through the shadows, he reached the area outside Ruo Nan's room undetected.
Quietly, he released his mental power through his soul bone,then sending it toward Ruo Nan—plunging her into a nightmare.
For a whole week, Zhang Yong came every night without her ever realizing.
Each night, she suffered three bouts of terrifying nightmares, to the point she couldn't sleep anymore.
Dark circles formed beneath her eyes, and her mind grew foggy and unstable.
On the eighth morning, her maid Mei Ling entered the room—and froze upon seeing her mistress's condition. "My lady, what happened to you? Your skin is pale, and there are black bags under your eyes!"
Ruo Nan lifted her head slowly, eyes heavy with exhaustion, and tried to smile to reassure her maid. "It's nothing, Mei Ling… I just couldn't sleep."
But in truth, it went far beyond sleeplessness—Ruo Nan's mind was fraying, her thoughts scattered and unclear.
"So, what is it? Why did you come?" she asked weakly, on the verge of collapse.
Mei Ling, who had momentarily forgotten her purpose, quickly clasped her hands. "Young master Yang Jin has come to visit. I came to inform you—but should I tell him to come another time?"
Ruo Nan took a deep breath, trying to suppress her tension. "No, if he came, I should see him. I must."
She left the room with Mei Ling and headed toward the reception hall, where Yang Jin was waiting with a composed smile.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," said Ruo Nan softly, trying to maintain her poise.
Yang Jin's eyes immediately caught the pallor of her skin and the dark shadows beneath her eyes. "Are you alright? You look exhausted."
Ruo Nan forced a faint smile. "I'm fine… I'm just not in the best mood. Sorry for worrying you, young master Yang."
He looked at her with genuine concern. "If you're tired, you should rest. How about we go to a nearby restaurant? A good meal might lift your spirits a little."
Ruo Nan hesitated. She did feel she needed some air. "Alright… that might be nice. Thank you, young master."
He waved his hand. "No need to call me that. Just call me Yang Jin."
"Alright… Yang Jin," she replied softly, forcing a faint smile.
Satisfied, Yang Jin led her out of the estate toward the restaurant he'd chosen. Along the way, he tried to keep the conversation light, while Ruo Nan struggled to maintain her composure.
When they arrived, the aroma of delicious food filled the air. They sat in a quiet corner with soft lighting and gentle music.
Yang Jin looked at her kindly as he ordered. "Have you heard about those ruins that appeared recently?"
Ruo Nan smiled faintly. "Yes, they appeared about a week ago. The timing seemed suspicious."
"I was planning to investigate. Why don't we go together?" he suggested, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm.
Hearing that, Ruo Nan tensed. She swallowed hard and replied hesitantly, "I… don't think I can. That place is dangerous."
Yang Jin's expression darkened. "Is this because of Gan Li? I heard he went there first. Don't worry, if we meet him, I can take care of it."
While they were talking, two young women approached their table, dressed elegantly with charming smiles.
They leaned in close to Yang Jin from both sides , hugging his arms and pressing their chest against it
"Young master Yang, why did you leave us? It's been so long since you last came," said one of them sadly.
"Are we not enough for you, young master? And who is this girl? A new one?" teased the other with a sly smile.
Yang Jin's face turned red. "W-who are you? I've never seen you before!"
The two women looked at him with exaggerated disappointment. "Ah, young master Yang Jin, is that how you treat us after that night?"
"That's cruel of you, young master," the other added, pretending to wipe away tears.
At that moment, Ruo Nan, furious and hurt, slammed her hands on the table and stood up.
"It seems young master Yang is busy. I'll take my leave."
She turned and left immediately.
Yang Jin quickly stood up to stop her. "Wait, let me explain!" But the two women clung to him, preventing him from moving.
From the second floor, Zhang Yong watched the scene unfold, laughing quietly, while Su Ming stood beside him in silence, unsure of what was happening.
"It seems young master Zhang is satisfied with the result," said a mature woman approaching them.
She wore a light purple robe, holding a long-stemmed pipe that emitted violet smoke. Her long purple hair flowed down her back, and her closed eyes gave her the aura of a cunning fox.
She was Man Qing, the mistress of the Red Lotus Pavilion.
Zhang Yong nodded. "I couldn't be more satisfied. My thanks, Lady Man Qing."
Man Qing chuckled softly. "No need for thanks. You paid, so I did my job spreading the rumors. Though I must say—I'm curious why you wanted these two girls in particular."
Zhang Yong shrugged. "Who knows. Anyway, thank you again, Lady Man Qing. My friend and I will be leaving now."
"So soon? Why not stay a while? I can promise you the finest hospitality," she offered with a sly smile.
"No need for that. We still have some business to attend to," Zhang Yong refused firmly, dragging Su Ming away before anything strange could happen.
Once outside, Su Ming couldn't help but ask, "Didn't you say Ruo Nan needed to get along with Yang Jin to win him over? Then why did she end up angry instead? At max she should at least pretending to have no problem"
Zhang Yong smiled faintly and began to explain. "It's not that she doesn't want to—it's that she can't. You see, the human mind is like a machine. The gears turn smoothly, but sometimes, rust builds up or the gears jam. That's what happened here."
Su Ming blinked in confusion. "Gears? Machine?"
Zhang Yong sighed inwardly. This world had no concept of modern science. He elaborated, "Su Ming, have you ever stayed awake for a whole week without sleep? That's what she's been through. Lack of sleep affects the mind—it can make you feel like nothing matters, not even life or death."
Su Ming nodded slowly, though uncertainty still lingered. "That only explains part of it."
Zhang Yong chuckled and shook his head. "Hehe… people often forget that the line between sanity and madness is thin. And of course, I've pushed that line to its limit. Heh, that poor girl—she's probably wondering if this is just another dream."
Su Ming didn't understand his words, so he simply followed quietly, saying nothing more.