The Decisive Strategy Often Comes in an Instant

"Alright, those are merely trivial details. Now it's time for you to perform."

"Come on, continue refining pills. I'll deepen the punishment a little more."

"If you fail to finish within an hour, take off one piece of clothing. That'll give you more motivation."

Su Qing spoke as he walked.

Qin Lan Shan: "..."

After hearing that, she looked as if she wanted to cry but had no tears.

Whether it increased her motivation remained unknown, but the pressure had certainly increased.

"Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Think of it another way—I'm doing this for your own good."

"In such a hot room, wearing too much isn't good for your performance either."

Su Qing said righteously.

"I'll definitely work hard."

Qin Lan Shan immediately made her stance clear.

Whether for Tang State Residence or for herself, she had to succeed!

Before the Alchemy Furnace.

Qin Lan Shan's expression was grave, her mind intensely focused.

She could clearly feel the young man's gaze resting upon her.

Previously, such a look would have put her under some psychological pressure.

But now, she had completely let it go. Her heart remained utterly unmoved.

Could it really be because of the concentration training from before?

She could not tell, nor did she dwell on it too much.

Her foremost task now was to successfully refine the pill!

Time passed second by second, and batch after batch of medicinal ingredients went to waste.

Pill refining required more than determination. It also required talent.

The pill's grade was not low; even talented alchemists had to rely on luck.

Dusk was approaching, yet not a single finished pill had emerged.

"Just a little more, just a little more..."

Qin Lan Shan muttered to herself.

She had already grasped the trick, yet she still felt she was one step short.

Because she was so focused, she had even stopped caring about her own state.

At this moment, Elder Sister had already removed her outer skirt, along with her short socks and shoes.

Her snow-white skin carried a faint, enticing flush.

With only her final undergarment left, she would have nothing else on.

"Come back to yourself. Drink some water and rest. Don't let your condition slip."

Su Qing kindly reminded her.

Removing clothes was merely a method. The crucial goal was still to produce the pill.

Only then did Qin Lan Shan come back to her senses and pick up the cup to drink.

She had sweated a great deal, so naturally she needed to replenish her fluids.

Tiny beads of sweat could be seen on her flushed skin.

At this moment, her charm was countless times greater than before.

Su Qing did not hide his gaze in the slightest, watching with great interest.

A feast for the eyes indeed.

Once Qin Lan Shan left her focused state, she noticed Su Qing's gaze.

Then, belatedly, she realized the state she was in.

She only had one piece of clothing left.

If he made her remove that too, the consequences would be simply unimaginable...

Logically, she should still have a dudou beneath it.

But after moving in here, the ones she had worn before had been washed, and she had not found one in the right size, so she...

If he discovered that she was completely bare underneath, what would he think of her?

At that thought, Qin Lan Shan, who had moved away from the furnace, blushed even more deeply.

The hand clutching her water cup trembled slightly, and a few drops of water could be seen falling.

They did not fall onto the floor, nor onto her body, but toward the deep valley below.

Su Qing's hand twitched.

As a good master, he felt he seemed to have a reason to help wipe it away.

Just then, the room's door was abruptly pushed open.

A figure hurriedly rushed in, opening her mouth to say something.

But upon seeing the scene inside, Lian Yin was utterly stunned.

She stared blankly at the sight before her, witnessing that unbelievable play.

The urgent matter she had come to report was instantly thrown to the back of her mind.

Pretty Maid clenched her fists, her entire body entering a state of furious trembling.

Fine, fine, fine. So this is what you've been doing behind my back?!

She was merely a newcomer, yet she dared act so brazenly!

Qin Lan Shan finally reacted and hastily reached out to grab her clothes.

She did not even have time to put them on, merely throwing them haphazardly over herself.

After completing that series of movements, she turned around and shrank into a corner.

Clearly, her embarrassment had reached its limit, leaving her unable to say anything at all.

Compared to Elder Sister's shyness, Su Qing remained extremely calm.

"Why are you here?"

The young man took a sip of tea and asked.

Only then did Lian Yin remember the important matter. She hurriedly stepped forward and whispered into his ear.

As she spoke, she continued to watch Qin Lan Shan with wary eyes.

Clearly, the other woman had become Pretty Maid's enemy!

"Sister Qin, continue refining pills. I have something to take care of outside."

"Lian Yin, close the door when you leave. Don't interrupt the important business."

After saying that, Su Qing rose and left directly.

Lian Yin let out a heavy snort, but could only leave helplessly as well.

At this moment, within the Council Hall.

A group of burly figures gathered around the table, and the atmosphere appeared extremely solemn.

These men carried a fierce aura, and many wore armor.

Their seating arrangement displayed a clear hierarchy.

The closer one sat to the seat of honor, the more oppressive the pressure became.

If any perceptive person were present, their jaw would surely drop.

Because half of the capital's military generals had gathered here!

The moment Su Qing entered, he instantly felt a heavy pressure.

A fierce, white-haired general of considerable status slammed his hand onto the table.

"Brat Su, do you know what you're doing? You're being far too foolish!"

Although the others said nothing, their eyes conveyed the same meaning.

"Greetings, uncles and elders!

Uncle Anling, it's been a long time."

Su Qing was not affected in the slightest by the verbal blow. He merely bowed in salute.

Though his posture appeared respectful, it somehow gave off a very casual impression.

That display caused several people present to reveal puzzled looks.

This brat... seemed to possess more bearing than before?

As Su Qing greeted everyone, a trace of contemplation appeared in his eyes.

Realm Protectorate itself could be considered extremely thin in numbers. Three generations had passed down through a single line, and the entire family had been loyal martyrs.

He could be considered the only male descendant, the sole surviving heir.

Meanwhile, his sister outside commanded Great Yu's most elite army and was known as the Town Protectorate Female War God.

It was precisely she who maintained Realm Protectorate's prestige, making countless people wary of them.

As for himself?

He did not have any particularly complicated background connections. After all, he was basically part of the game's background scenery.

The setting was lazily made like this. How could it possibly give a minor character so many connections?

These generals before him were not connected to him personally, but they had deep ties with Realm Protectorate.

Looking across the capital and beyond, any renowned general had been taught by Realm Protectorate.

Most of them were old subordinates who had followed the previous generation, and their influence was immensely powerful.

This was Realm Protectorate's true value—the glory of the army!

The achievements forged by their predecessors had become the people's faith and absolute public trust.

Take the uncles and elders before him, for example. From top to bottom, they were all his people.

Quite a few of them held military power in their hands, making their influence terrifying.

So—if you didn't die, who would?

Realm Protectorate could not be allowed to remain!

It simply made too much sense.

Besides, they were all warriors. How could they possibly outplay those people who used their brains?

Their little schemes came one after another, leaving you unable to cope. They could easily divide them and prevent them from joining forces...

For instance, in the game, Su Qing's wavering mostly stemmed from being unable to act.

He was swayed by these elders, thinking this one made sense and that one was right.

After going back and forth like that, how could there possibly be a good ending?

Without a core, this was what happened. They were nothing more than a rabble.

After he finished greeting them, a chorus of chaotic arguments began echoing through the room.

"Brat Su, well done! That's exactly what you should have done. It was truly satisfying!"

"Satisfying, sure, but wasn't that openly opposing the Yan Emperor?"

"You never consider the consequences of your actions. What are we supposed to do now?"

All kinds of voices echoed throughout the Council Hall.

Su Qing listened calmly and did not immediately defend himself.

They were completely incapable of reaching a unified opinion, and their words were disorderly.

Responding to them would feel like arguing with people at a marketplace.

Perhaps realizing this, some of the generals stopped talking.

Their gazes turned toward the old general at the head of the table, whom they clearly trusted greatly.

Zhang Anling was the Flying General with the greatest authority among them.

"Brat Su, accepting the Duke of Tang's adopted daughter and punishing those sour scholars were both right."

"We have spent our lives on the battlefield. How could we allow those people to ride roughshod over us?"

"But... you acted at the wrong time and drew too much attention. Realm Protectorate is now at the center of the storm."

Zhang Anling's expression was stern as he looked sharply at Su Qing.

"Uncle Anling, those were simply things that had to be done."

Su Qing spread his hands and said.

Though he had always treated others kindly, he could not let people bully him without consequence!

"Now isn't the time to discuss that. We need to deliberate on a solution."

Zhang Anling did not dwell on the matter and spoke solemnly.

"What does Uncle Anling suggest?"

Su Qing asked.

"No matter what you intend to do, this matter ends here."

"To preserve the Duke of Tang's final bloodline, we can support the son he has outside in the future."

"Otherwise, not only Realm Protectorate, but everyone may be implicated."

Zhang Anling's voice was heavy.

This Flying General, who had served as a commander for many years, carried an innate authority. He appeared utterly unquestionable.

Outside the room, a set of footsteps abruptly stopped.

Qin Lan Shan had originally come over with delight on her face, intending to bring good news.

But after hearing those powerful words, she froze completely in place.

The warmth in her heart rapidly cooled, turning icy cold.

Indeed... that was the truth.

No matter what, she was only an adopted daughter.

If Foster Father's true bloodline could survive, why would he need to devote himself so wholeheartedly to her?

At a time like this... he would definitely accept the proposal and give up on her, wouldn't he?

Qin Lan Shan's heart turned cold, and she even felt that he ought to do exactly that.

Then, immediately afterward, she heard a firm, resounding reply from inside—

"The proposal is very good,

but I refuse!"