Chapter 46: Revealing Identities

Chapter 46: Revealing Identities

As Wang Si gazed at the area marked on the map by Qian Renxue, he couldn't help but sigh.

"Such a vast territory? All for me?"

Qian Renxue had anticipated Wang Si's astonished expression and felt a sense of satisfaction.

"This is the result of pressure exerted by both the Tian Dou Empire and the Wu Hun Temple, but more importantly, it's due to the Xing Luo Empire's interest in your second soul skill."

On the map that Qian Renxue presented, a region along the border between Tian Dou and Xing Luo had been circled.

This region was to be Wang Si's future territory, situated at the western-most border of the continent, overlooking the sea.

Wang Si was momentarily stunned when he saw the location.

To the far east of the border lay the Xing Dou Great Forest, an area that no power could easily traverse.

Wu Hun City was also located along the border and appeared centrally on the map, at a considerable distance from both the forest and the western coastline.

In the event of a war between Tian Dou and Xing Luo, the only breakthrough point would be this western coastal position, as it provided a sea route that bypassed the border directly to the empire's interior.

Undoubtedly, if a large-scale battle were to occur between the two countries, his territory would be a highly contested area.

"There's no way I can defend this territory by myself," Wang Si blurted out. Qian Renxue nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, you can't defend this territory alone. However, the Tian Dou Empire's intention is not for you to take over this land directly. They want the Wu Hun Temple to assume control here.

If the Wu Hun Temple takes charge, their informants will spread along the entire border, and if the Xing Luo Empire ever plans to invade Tian Dou, they will first have to get past the Wu Hun Temple."

Wang Si nodded slightly as he listened to Qian Renxue's analysis, but his gaze drifted further west, out towards the ocean.

That was the direction of the Sea God Island.

Moreover, to reach the Sea God Island, one would have to pass through his territory, providing him with future strategic advantages.

After conveying this information, Qian Renxue handed the map to Wang Si.

"Emperor Xue Ye intends to officially grant you this territory when you turn sixteen. In the meantime, the Tian Dou, Xing Luo, and Wu Hun Temple will jointly manage the area. I assume you have no objections?"

Wang Si tucked away the map, secretly rolling his eyes at the thought that his opinion probably held little weight in this matter.

Noticing Wang Si's expression, Qian Renxue couldn't help but chuckle.

"What's the matter? Are you unhappy because you don't have any tangible benefits in hand right now?"

Wang Si remained silent, simply looking at Qian Renxue. Since she had brought it up, he knew there would be something in it for him.

"Your territory is rich in fisheries along the coast. Ning Zongzhu plans to do some business there, and I know you'll agree. So, I've already negotiated a price on your behalf.

Here are the cooperation details, and this is the deposit from Ning Zongzhu. You'll receive payments annually, and for now, it's the only source of income for this manor."

As Qian Renxue pushed a rolled-up sheepskin scroll towards Wang Si, she also presented him with a storage soul guide device.

Wang Si put away the scroll and turned his attention to the soul guide device.

Inside, he found not only a dazzling amount of gold soul coins but also a small yet extremely valuable batch of resources and spices, which were precisely what his manor needed at the moment.

Qian Renxue observed Wang Si's delighted expression and discreetly canceled the disguise soul skill that hid her true identity.

"These things..."

Wang Si looked up, his face filled with satisfaction, only to find Qian Renxue restored to her original female appearance, eyes closed.

Wang Si leaned in and gave her what she desired. During this, Qian Renxue frowned slightly but said nothing.

Afterward, she gently pushed Wang Si away and stared at him intently.

Wang Si offered no explanation; he merely looked at her calmly.

"Before I came here, I told Emperor Xue Ye that I would be staying with you for a few days. The Emperor also hopes that we can grow closer.

So, for a long time, I'll be living here with you. I hope that's not a problem?"

Qian Renxue emphasized the words "not a problem," drawing them out slightly.

"On the contrary, I'd be delighted. How could I possibly find your presence disturbing?" Wang Si replied.

Qian Renxue let out a cold huff, her eyes scanning the room before settling on Wang Si's shadow.

"She Qing and Zhu Tong have been secretly protecting you, so there's no need for this guy to continue lurking in your shadow, is there?"

Qian Renxue's gaze was piercing, and her tone held a hint of teasing.

"Zhu Ming, for a while, leave the manor and go out to explore. With your strength, you shouldn't have any problems as long as you don't enter Tian Dou City."

A voluptuous figure slowly emerged from Wang Si's shadow—it was Zhu Ming, who had been hiding within his shadow all this time.

Zhu Ming glanced at Qian Renxue, surprised by her identity and appearance, but she asked no questions and said nothing. She simply turned and left the manor.

As Qian Renxue watched the soul fighter depart, she secretly rolled her eyes before turning her attention back to Wang Si, who was looking away. She propped her chin on her hand, gazing at him curiously.

"How did you manage to win over that soul fighter? According to She Qing, you gave her a thousand-year-old soul bone, and then you... did that? Was it that simple?"

Qian Renxue didn't fly into a rage or act embarrassed. She had known for a long time that they weren't meant to be together, and she didn't expect Wang Si to give up his path for her.

At Wang Si's words, Qian Renxue nodded. She understood that there were indeed some things he couldn't reveal.

For instance, what exactly had her grandfather said or given to Wang Si that made him treat her so well for three years?

Or, what was the secret behind Wang Si's soul bone, which, according to Snake Lance Douluo, seemed to be increasing in age, yet they found no traces of him practicing any special cultivation technique?

Qian Renxue wanted to know these answers, but if Wang Si didn't tell her, she wouldn't be upset.

"Aunt Yuehua misses you. Do you want to go see her?"

Noticing Qian Renxue's distracted expression, Wang Si prompted her gently.

Hearing Wang Si mention Tang Yuehua, Qian Renxue offered a bitter smile.

"Have you told her my true identity?"

After her successful infiltration, the person she felt most guilty about was Tang Yuehua—her godmother, who had given her the warmth of family without knowing her true self.

"I haven't told her your true identity yet. She only knows that you're also from the Spirit Hall," Wang Si replied.

At this, Qian Renxue slumped powerlessly onto the table and shot Wang Si a reproachful look.

"Why didn't you just tell her my true identity?"

She really didn't want to be the one to reveal her identity to Tang Yuehua.

If Tang Yuehua found out that her second brother, Tang Hao, was Qian Renxue's father's murderer, and that it was her grandfather who forced the Haotian Sect into seclusion, she would surely be very disappointed in Qian Renxue.

"If you don't want to tell her, you don't have to. And if you don't feel like facing her alone, I can come with you," Wang Si said.

He sat next to Qian Renxue and mirrored her posture, leaning on the table.

Qian Renxue glanced at him, her gaze conveying a hint of disdain.

"Why don't you just tell Aunt Yuehua my true identity yourself? Why bring me here? Are you expecting me to cry so you can play the comforting male lead?"

Wang Si frowned at her words and pulled her into his embrace.

"Who's playing a comforting male lead? I just don't want you to have any regrets. There are some things you'll have to face eventually, and you might not always make the same choices as you did in the beginning.

Three years ago, if you hadn't acknowledged her as your godmother, would you have made a different choice if given the chance three years later? And now, if you don't clarify your relationship, what about in the future? When your relationship grows distant, and you try to explain things then, the outcome won't be ideal.

You'll regret it and blame yourself for not making a choice earlier. Over time, these thoughts will become a burden on your heart."

Wang Si held Qian Renxue in his arms and kissed her forehead, giving her an encouraging look.

"Go on. No matter the outcome, at least you won't have any regrets."

Wang Si brought Qian Renxue to Tang Yuehua's room door and didn't give her time to react before knocking.

"Wang Si, is there something you need? And who is this?" Tang Yuehua asked as she opened the door, looking at Wang Si and then at the girl beside him.

In the three years, Tang Yuehua had only interacted with 'Xueya,' the identity Qian Renxue had assumed, so she had never seen Qian Renxue's true appearance.

"Aunt Yuehua, you wanted to see Xue'er, didn't you? I've brought her to you," Wang Si said as he pushed the hesitant Qian Renxue into Tang Yuehua's embrace.

Before Tang Yuehua could react, he closed the door.

Sitting by the front door, Wang Si pressed his ear against the wall to listen to the conversation inside.

The soundproofing in the estate's rooms was excellent; he couldn't hear much even with his ear to the wall, or perhaps nothing eventful was happening inside.

After about half an hour, Wang Si heard sobbing. It seemed like both of them were crying.

It was good that they were crying.

There was nothing that a good cry couldn't solve for women.

And if one cry didn't do the trick, then cry some more.

Convinced that everything was fine between them, Wang Si sent a message to Zhu Ming, who had already left Tiandou City, via their soul communication:

"Head to the Sunset Forest and collect soul rings from various soul beasts. They don't need to be too old or too young—three to four hundred years will do.

Avoid causing large-scale massacres and try not to draw attention."

Zhu Ming quickly responded, assuring him that she would be careful.

With the ability to enhance soul ring ages and swap them out at will, Zhu Ming knew exactly what to do as soon as she gained this ability: replace some unsuitable soul rings and not worry about the ages of certain soul beasts!

She knew of many soul beasts whose soul skills were excellent, but due to their species, they were generally younger and thus overlooked. Now, she could collect them without hesitation.

As for Wang Si's instruction to maintain a low profile, no one understood the importance of stealth better than an assassin...

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end