Hearing Shi Xuanfei's words, Yang Ning knew perfectly well that even if they both understood certain things without saying them aloud, he absolutely couldn't admit to them.
He didn't reply. He simply kept quiet and continued pressing Shi Xuanfei's brow with his fingertips, neither too hard nor too gently. His movements remained as precise as if he were carrying out a task.
"Peak Master Shi," he said evenly, without a ripple in his voice, "I still don't understand what you mean."
As Shi Xuanfei tilted her head slightly, a few strands of her waterfall-like hair brushed lightly against Yang Ning, bringing a faint ticklish sensation.
"Enough, Boss Yang. It's fine if you won't admit it." Shi Xuanfei wasn't attached to his answer and casually changed the subject. "To be honest, if keeping some male disciples in the outer sect weren't a tradition passed down through generations of Jade Maiden Peak, I'd have sent them all packing long ago. Jade Maiden Peak really ought to be filled entirely with women." She paused, drawing out the last syllable. "Of course, you're the exception, Boss Yang."
While massaging her, Yang Ning's gaze was inadvertently drawn to the Display Shelf beside them. It was a fine nanmu cabinet, with all kinds of little objects arranged neatly across it: finely woven scarves, uniquely shaped ornaments, tea sets with a warm sheen to their glaze... There was a wide variety. Yet a plush puppy doll in the corner looked completely out of place among the items of the Cultivation World.
Yang Ning remembered clearly: Dong Xiaojie had bought it from his shop at the beginning of the year, saying it was a birthday gift for someone. He hadn't expected to see it in Shi Xuanfei's bedchamber.
Meanwhile, Shi Xuanfei still had her eyes closed in comfort. As if making idle conversation, she spoke again. "Boss Yang, let's return to what we were discussing earlier. How about becoming an advisor to Jade Maiden Peak?"
"Not interested." Yang Ning's answer was as cold and blunt as before.
Shi Xuanfei wore a completely relaxed expression, enjoying the service, but began laying out her reasoning for Yang Ning. "You're a clever man. You should be able to see this clearly. My senior sister simply isn't suited to the position of Sect Master. She's too cold, doesn't know how to adapt, and lacks tact in dealing with people."
"Back then, the Sect Master put her in charge of the Law Enforcement Hall because he valued her impartiality and strict adherence to principle. But qualities like those become fatal flaws in the leader of a sect, who has to balance the interests of all sides.
"Her nature makes it inevitable that she'll struggle to balance the tangled interests among the various peaks. If things continue like this, tensions will surely escalate. In time, Sword Sect could end up divided against itself, perhaps even... collapsing into ruin."
Yang Ning remained silent, offering no rebuttal. He had seen the flaws in Yun Zishan's character too. If she didn't change, she really would struggle to take on the role of Sect Master. But at the time, he'd had no choice. He had to enter the Law Enforcement Hall as an advisor to complete his task of silencing witnesses.
Shi Xuanfei seemed to see through his silence and continued, "You probably know about the history between my master and the Sect Master. My senior sister is too fixated on the past. It's as if she's locked herself in a cage, and she may never get out in this lifetime. Why waste your energy helping someone who's imprisoned herself?"
Seeing that Yang Ning still didn't speak, Shi Xuanfei felt her words were having an effect, so she decided to Strike While The Iron Is Hot and added fuel to the fire.
"Actually, I have little interest in competing for the position of Sect Master." Her tone turned calm. "I'm completely satisfied with everything here at Jade Maiden Peak—my disciples, every blade of grass and tree, the layout of the pavilions and halls, even the spirit pets I raise. I love every bit of it from the bottom of my heart.
"Why would I abandon all this to move into the cold, empty Cloudsky Main Peak and spend my days dealing with the sect's endless affairs?"
"It's because last year, the Sect Master came to me in person and asked me to run. Peak Master Sun of Dan Peak is the Sect Master's junior fellow disciple; to put it plainly, he's just there to make up the numbers and ease the pressure of public opinion. The real contest is between my senior sister and me."
"As I said, my senior sister isn't suited to leading the whole sect. Don't be fooled by how Sect Master Lei always looks dead drunk—he's actually clearer-headed than anyone. He wants a successor who's capable, even-tempered, good at judging the situation, and tactful in handling matters. So he came to me, hoping I'd take over."
Shi Xuanfei recounted all this in a steady, unhurried voice, without a trace of pride or self-satisfaction. She simply sounded utterly confident.
Hearing this, Yang Ning asked in return, "By your own account, Peak Master Shi, Sect Master Lei has already chosen you to be the next Sect Master. So why would you still need a nobody like me to help you?"
"Because sitting securely in the position of Sect Master requires more than the current Sect Master's approval. You also have to win the support of the entire sect." Shi Xuanfei sighed softly, and for the first time, a note of worry entered her voice. "I have to admit, my senior sister did an excellent job this time by capturing the Demon Cult Undercover Agent. And when your... unusual promotional methods came afterward, even here at Jade Maiden Peak, many disciples began praising the Law Enforcement Hall for acting decisively and protecting the sect."
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