One Breath, Two Taken!

"Yes! We must force the issue!"

Zhang Xu stood rooted to the spot, watching his father's retreating back. His chest heaved violently, and his eyes gradually revealed a ruthless, desperate resolve and a burning ambition.

This thought was like a poisonous vine; once it took root, it spread wildly, strangling his reason.

Since his father had already spoken so plainly, he couldn't just do it—he had to do it cleanly and decisively!

Otherwise, in his father's eyes, how could he—a son who failed to break through to the next realm and couldn't even handle a small task—hope to compete with his steady, successful older brother for the family's power in the future?

He forced himself to calm down, casting aside the shame of his failure and his fear of the chaotic times, pouring his entire focus into this sinister and sordid plan.

The panic in Zhang Xu's eyes faded, replaced by a cold, almost pathological gleam of calculation.

The greatest difficulty of this plan was how to create an opportunity to be alone with Liu Yiyi.

He knew that woman's temperament all too well: cold, aloof, and always disdainful of him. A personal invitation was absolutely impossible.

Strike directly? The Martial Academy was full of eyes and ears, and Liu Qingshi was a master of Dark Strength; one slight mistake would mean total ruin.

What should he do?

Zhang Xu began to think rapidly.

His mind might be flighty when it came to the martial path, but in the world of pleasure, in the art of pondering human desire and calculation, he was truly gifted.

Soon, his furrowed brows relaxed slightly, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes.

"Hu Tian... Yes, that brat Hu Tian!"

A clear path to breaking the deadlock emerged.

Wasn't his newly recruited lackey, Hu Tian—whom he had been "investing" in heavily with favors—the perfect pawn?

"Have Hu Tian set up a banquet to thank Liu Yiyi, using the excuse of celebrating his entry into the path of fist techniques and expressing gratitude for her guidance!"

Zhang Xu's mind raced, a cold smile curling his lips. "I've fed that poor brat so many scraps; it's time for him to wag his tail and do my bidding."

However, his smile immediately faded.

He understood Liu Yiyi; she appeared cold, but she was actually sharp and highly guarded.

Even if Hu Tian came forward, citing a celebration among fellow students, she might not agree to attend alone.

A rash invitation would only alert the prey.

"What if... Hu Tian invited Su Yan as well?"

Zhang Xu frowned again, his fingers tapping the table unconsciously.

Although Liu Yiyi and Su Yan had vastly different personalities, they were among the few women in the Martial Academy who could speak to each other and maintained a decent relationship.

If Su Yan accompanied her, Liu Yiyi's guard would surely drop, and the chances of her attending would increase significantly!

Thinking of this, a more insane, more greedy thought slithered into his mind like a viper, making his breath hitch!

Kill two birds with one stone!

Since he was going to make a move, why not simply... take Su Yan as well?!

Once this thought surfaced, it spread like a wildfire, impossible to contain.

Zhang Xu felt a surge of heat, a mixture of extreme excitement and trembling, rush to his head. Two unnatural flushes appeared on his pale face, and his eyes burned with naked lust and ruthlessness.

"Yes! That's it! Kill two birds with one stone! As long as it's arranged properly, I can have them both..."

He seemed to see the blood-pumping scene already, and he couldn't help but swallow hard, his Adam's apple bobbing.

In his view, while this plan was audacious, it was not without a chance of success.

The key lay in secrecy, speed, and... control after the fact.

He knew well that in this Zhou Kingdom, no matter how noble a woman's background or how outstanding her talent, her reputation and purity remained the heaviest shackles upon her.

Once the deed was done, the wood would be carved into a boat.

Even if they harbored immense hatred, for the sake of their family's face and their own reputations, they would likely have to swallow their teeth along with the blood, forced to accept their fate—or even, to cover up the scandal, be forced to submit to his control!

This was the source of his confidence in such madness, and one of the cruelest rules this world imposed upon women.

"Hu Tian is the bait. The location must be safe and clear of bystanders... Lake Heart Pavilion would be perfect."

"The drugs must be prepared perfectly to ensure they have no power to resist... I'll use that forbidden drug—Beauty Drunk!"

"How to appease them afterward, how to negotiate, how to maximize the benefits..."

Zhang Xu was completely immersed in his sinister plotting, one poisonous scheme after another forming and connecting in his mind.

The gloom brought by his failure to reach the Dark Strength realm seemed to vanish, replaced by the exhilaration of an impending, dangerous "hunt."

He felt as if he could already see himself not only regaining his father's favor but also capturing those two...

"Hahahahahaha!!!!!!"

The more Zhang Xu thought, the more excited he became. He quickly summoned a trusted subordinate and ordered him to go to the Martial Academy immediately to give Hu Tian his instructions.

"Hmm? Isn't that Zhang Xu's lackey, Zhang Wang? What is he doing here?"

Jiang Ye sat at the main entrance, conserving his energy, his eyes narrowed slightly.

He saw a man dressed in black martial attire with a rather sinister expression hurrying toward the Martial Academy.

This person was none other than Zhang Xu's right-hand man, Zhang Wang, a skilled practitioner who had reached the Great Completion of Bright Strength.

Zhang Wang looked hurried; he didn't even glance at Jiang Ye as he strode directly into the Martial Academy.

In the most secluded corner of the Inner Courtyard.

"Brother Hu Tian, Young Master Zhang Xu... has a small matter he would like to ask for your help with."

Zhang Wang lowered his voice and spoke softly to Hu Tian.

Having spent the last few days hanging around Zhang Xu, Hu Tian was already familiar with Zhang Wang. Upon hearing this, he immediately puffed out his chest, his face lighting up with a warm, slightly flattered smile:

"Brother Zhang Wang! You're being too formal! If there's anything you need, just say the word! As long as it's within my power, I won't hesitate!"

"Good! Straightforward! You truly are someone the Young Master values!"

Zhang Wang praised him, looked left and right, then leaned closer to Hu Tian and lowered his voice further:

"It's like this... the Young Master previously, due to some unintentional slips, may have slightly... offended Senior Sister Liu Yiyi and Senior Sister Su Yan with his words."

"This has been weighing on the Young Master's heart, becoming a knot he can't untie."

"The Young Master has been looking for a suitable opportunity to host a banquet, apologize to the two Senior Sisters in person, and clear up the misunderstanding so things won't be awkward in the Martial Academy later on."

He paused, observing Hu Tian's expression, and continued:

"But you know the Young Master's temperament... if he invites them directly, he's afraid the two Senior Sisters won't give him face, which would only make things more awkward."

"And look, it just so happens that today you've mastered your fist techniques and joined the Inner Courtyard—this is a joyous occasion!"

"The Young Master was thinking, could you... use this as a pretext to 'thank your mentors and celebrate your entry,' and invite the two Senior Sisters to a small gathering at Lake Heart Pavilion?"

"When the time comes, the Young Master will 'coincidentally' appear, offer his apologies in person, and clear the air."

Seeing that Hu Tian was listening intently, Zhang Wang patted his shoulder, his tone becoming increasingly earnest:

"Don't worry, your only task is to invite the two Senior Sisters to Lake Heart Pavilion."

"Once they arrive, the Young Master will handle the rest properly; he won't let you be put in a difficult position."

"If this succeeds, the Young Master will remember your kindness, and the bond between us brothers will be stronger than ever!"

Hu Tian suddenly realized what was going on and nodded repeatedly. "So that's it! I always felt that Senior Brother Zhang Xu and Senior Sister Su Yan seemed a bit... at odds with each other. It turns out there was a misunderstanding!"

He wore an expression of being duty-bound to help and patted his chest in assurance: "Brother Zhang Wang, don't worry! Leave this to me! I will definitely find a way to invite the two Senior Sisters!"

If it were before, he wouldn't have dared to speak to core disciples like Liu Yiyi and Su Yan.

But today, after mastering his fist techniques, he was filled with confidence, as if he had already entered the ranks of the core disciples and could converse with them as equals.

"Good! Young Master Zhang Xu truly didn't misjudge Brother Hu Tian; no wonder the Young Master has always treated you like his own younger brother!"

Seeing Hu Tian accept the task with such confidence, Zhang Wang nodded slightly. He then reached into his robe, pulled out a neatly folded banknote, and insisted on pressing it into Hu Tian's hand.

Catching a glimpse of the "one hundred taels" written on the bill, Hu Tian's heart skipped a beat. However, he suppressed his excitement and feigned refusal: "Brother Zhang Wang! What are you doing? Doing things for Senior Brother Zhang Xu is my duty! I can't take this money, please take it back!"

"Hey—Brother Hu Tian!" Zhang Wang applied pressure, firmly pressing the banknote into Hu Tian's palm, and laughed, "It's precisely because you are close to the Young Master and one of our own that I can't let you work for nothing! Consider this small sum a red envelope from the Young Master to celebrate your mastery of the fist techniques; you must accept it!"

Hearing this, Hu Tian felt a surge of warmth, lamenting that he had indeed chosen the right person to follow. He stopped feigning hesitation and accepted the banknote.

About the time it takes to brew a cup of tea later.

Hu Tian glanced at Liu Yiyi and Su Yan, who had finally finished their training not far away. He took a deep breath, feigned composure, walked up to them, and cupped his fists slightly, trying to keep his voice steady: "Hu Tian greets the two Senior Sisters."

Upon hearing him, Liu Yiyi merely glanced at him indifferently, with no intention of speaking.

Su Yan, however, had always been tactful. Seeing Hu Tian suddenly come over to talk, a flash of surprise crossed her beautiful eyes, and then a gentle, refreshing smile bloomed on her face. Her voice was crisp: "What is it, Junior Brother Hu Tian? Is something the matter?"

Hu Tian steadied himself and, following the script Zhang Wang had given him, spoke clearly, word for word:

"Senior Sisters, I was fortunate enough to join the Martial Academy, and today, by some stroke of luck, I mastered my fist techniques, all thanks to Master Liu's careful guidance. I feel grateful and have no way to repay him, so I thought... I would host a modest banquet to express my thanks. I would like to invite the two Senior Sisters to grace me with your presence..."

"Oh?" Su Yan's delicate eyebrows arched. Her smile remained, but her tone carried a hint of playfulness. "If it is to thank Master Liu, you should be inviting Master Liu. Why come to invite the two of us?"

Hu Tian had been prepared for this and quickly said: "Master Liu is of noble status and busy with many affairs; I dare not disturb him lightly. I thought... I would invite Master Liu's beloved daughter, Senior Sister Yiyi, to convey my respects on his behalf."

"It's just that... if I were to invite Senior Sister Yiyi alone, a man and a woman alone might invite gossip and damage her reputation. Therefore... I dared to invite Senior Sister Su to join us as well, so that there would be company, which would be more appropriate."

His words were a bit stumbling, but he managed to convey a sense of thorough consideration and a fear of being presumptuous.

Su Yan looked at Hu Tian with some amusement. "So I'm just an afterthought, then."

"No, no... Senior Sister, that's not what I meant."

Hu Tian replied, feeling a bit flustered.

Watching his green, earnest attempt to appear sensible, Su Yan's guard lowered slightly.

If it were before, she truly wouldn't have paid any attention to a lackey like Hu Tian who hung around Zhang Xu.

However, Hu Tian had shown the potential to master fist techniques within seven days; as long as he didn't perish prematurely, he would certainly be a core member of the Martial Academy in the future.

Furthermore, this was not limited to the Martial Academy.

Although she had no intention of forming a deep bond, maintaining a good relationship and leaving some face was always beneficial and never harmful.

As a young lady from a wealthy family, she always had more things to consider.

"Since you have invited me so sincerely, it would be remiss of me to decline your kind intentions, Junior Brother."

Su Yan said, turning her gaze toward Liu Yiyi beside her, and whispered, "Yiyi, what do you think? Shall we go have a meal? It has been a long time since we last ate out."

Hearing this, Liu Yiyi's gaze flickered. From start to finish, she did not spare Hu Tian a single glance, instead focusing on Su Yan as she gave a slight nod. "It does seem like it has been quite a while since we dined out together."

Seeing that both had agreed, a look of wild joy instantly appeared on Hu Tian's anxious face. "Many thanks to both Senior Sisters for gracing me with your presence!"

The sky grew dark.

It was time to close the gates again.

Most of the disciples had already left. Jiang Ye opened his drowsy eyes, a flash of sharp light glinting in their depths. Tonight, I can finally attempt to break through to the Dark Strength realm!

Just then.

"Old Man Jiang!"

A voice full of vigor and customary respect rang out.

Shi Lei walked quickly from within the courtyard, sweat stains from his grueling day of practice still on his face, yet his eyes were brighter and more resolute than ever.

"Hmm."

Jiang Ye nodded slightly, acknowledging him.

To his surprise, Shi Lei did not leave after bowing as he usually did, but instead walked up to him and stopped.

The youth then carefully retrieved that familiar small celadon bottle from his robes—the very Blood Replenishing Pill gifted by Liu Qingshi earlier that day.

Shi Lei pulled out the cork and, without hesitation, poured two dark red pills that emitted a faint medicinal fragrance into his palm, extending them toward Jiang Ye.

His movements were somewhat clumsy, but his expression was exceptionally earnest. "Old Man Jiang, this medicine... I heard it can replenish blood and strengthen the bones. You are getting on in years, and your body needs nourishment... please, take these."

Jiang Ye recognized the pills at a glance. His heart skipped a beat, followed by a surge of complex emotions.

For a disciple like Shi Lei, who came from a poor background and relied entirely on his own blood and sweat to struggle forward, the value of these two Blood Replenishing Pills could not be measured in mere silver.

Yet, this child was actually willing to take them out and give them to him, a "dying" old gatekeeper?

Jiang Ye shook his head slightly and pushed the pills back. "Why would an old man like me need such things? You are at the critical moment of tempering your blood and preparing to break through to the Bright Strength realm; these pills are vital to you. Take them back quickly, do not waste them."

"Old Man Jiang, if you hadn't enlightened me last night..."

Shi Lei tried to insist, his eyes filled with genuine gratitude.

"Little Shi, for an old man like me, a bowl of Blood Strengthening Soup is enough to nourish the body. Any more, and I would be unable to absorb the excess."

Jiang Ye spoke with a firm attitude.

Hearing the phrase "unable to absorb the excess," Shi Lei paused. Looking at the old man's aged yet exceptionally calm and resolute eyes, he seemed to understand something.

After a moment of silence, he stopped insisting. He solemnly returned the two pills to the bottle, corked it carefully, and tucked it back into his robes.

Then, he took half a step back, bowed deeply and earnestly to Jiang Ye, and only then turned around, disappearing with long strides into the thickening night.

Jiang Ye watched the direction he had left in, standing still for a long moment.

Outer Courtyard.

Lin Xiaohe did not return home early like the other disciples.

She deliberately stayed until the very end, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her skirt, her gaze frequently darting toward the moon gate leading from the Inner Courtyard.

She was waiting for Hu Tian.

Hu Tian had officially been accepted into the Inner Courtyard today, and his status was no longer the same. The sense of crisis in her heart grew like vines; she had to seize the time to push their relationship further, preferably to finalize something.

Then, she saw a scene that made her heart suddenly contract.

Hu Tian wore a look of fawning, respectful deference she had never seen before, following closely behind two figures emerging from the Inner Courtyard.

Those two were the most dazzling and unattainable pearls of the Martial Academy.

The cold and snowy Liu Yiyi, and the gentle and radiant Su Yan.

As her gaze swept over them, a trace of inferiority flashed obscurely in Lin Xiaohe's eyes.

Fortunately, she had always been thick-skinned. After a moment of stunned silence, a bright smile bloomed on her face as she called out to the three of them:

"Senior Sister Liu Yiyi, Senior Sister Su Yan, Hu Tian..."

The words had barely left her lips; she hadn't even finished speaking.

Hu Tian reacted as if stung by a needle. He whipped his head around to see her, his expression instantly darkening.

He lunged toward her in a flash, grabbing her and dragging her into a more secluded corner without a word, his force so great that Lin Xiaohe stumbled.

"Lin Xiaohe! Why are you still here?!"

Hu Tian's voice was kept very low, yet it carried an undisguised sense of displeasure and irritation. His brows were tightly knitted, and his eyes were filled with blame, as if she were some sort of shameful trouble he wanted to hide.

Lin Xiaohe was stunned by his sudden hostility; the smile on her face froze, like a flower caught in a sudden frost.

She looked at Hu Tian, feeling somewhat at a loss, her voice becoming timid and aggrieved against her will:

"Junior Brother Hu Tian, I... I was waiting for you. Didn't you say before that you wanted to taste the sesame flatbreads I make myself? My mother specially prepared the best flour and sesame seeds today, and I..."

"What flatbreads? I have no interest in them!"

Hu Tian impatiently cut her off. Catching sight of Liu Yiyi and Su Yan in the distance, who seemed to be looking their way, his tone became even more hurried and cold:

"Lin Xiaohe, listen well: stay away from me from now on. I'm afraid the Senior Sisters might misunderstand."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiaohe felt as if she had been struck by lightning, standing there petrified and dazed.

The face she had been carefully maintaining in a sweet smile drained of all color, leaving only a deathly pallor and a look of incredulous bewilderment.

How was it that these words felt so familiar?

Why were they so recognizable? And so piercing?

In a flash of lightning, she suddenly remembered!

Under the watchful eyes of everyone at the Outer Courtyard, hadn't she used that same cold, mean-spirited tone, so eager to distance herself, to say almost the exact same words to Shi Lei, who had stood there with a scarred face and dead, hollow eyes?

But how, in the blink of an eye...

Did these words become a poisoned boomerang, returning to strike her back with even greater cruelty and humiliation, word for word?!

Was it retribution? Reincarnation? Or was this world simply this absurd and cruel?

Lin Xiaohe stood there blankly, watching Hu Tian turn away without a hint of reluctance. He immediately plastered a smile back onto his face and trotted over to Liu Yiyi and Su Yan, whispering explanations with a posture that was servile and eager.

The two graceful figures didn't even spare her another glance, as if she were nothing more than an insignificant speck of dust by the roadside. With a light step, they continued walking toward the gate of the Martial Academy.

Hu Tian followed closely behind, like the most loyal of lapdogs.

"Old Man Jiang, we're leaving. Get some rest early."

Su Yan walked to the entrance and, as usual, offered a gentle smile to Jiang Ye, who was sitting on a small stool, greeting him with a crisp, clear voice.

She was always like this—perfectly polite, making others feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze.

"Elder Jiang."

Liu Yiyi merely gave a slight nod, her cold gaze lingering on Jiang Ye for a brief moment as a form of greeting.

Her temperament had always been this way—frugal with words—but she always maintained basic respect for this old man who had guarded the gate for decades.

Seeing that the two most prominent Senior Sisters of the Inner Courtyard had taken the initiative to greet Jiang Ye, Hu Tian, who was following behind, dared not be negligent. He quickly squeezed out a smile and bowed politely toward Jiang Ye: "Old Man Jiang."

Immediately after, the figures of the three soon merged into the sparse lights and the deepening night of the long street outside, drifting further away until their outlines gradually blurred.

"Something isn't right. Zhang Wang, that lackey of Zhang Xu, came to the Martial Academy this afternoon, and tonight Hu Tian is taking them out to eat."

Jiang Ye watched their blurred backs, a cold, icy glint appearing in his eyes.

Based on his seventy years of life experience, there was a nine-in-ten chance that something was wrong with this situation.

If Hu Tian had only invited Su Yan, Jiang Ye wouldn't have bothered to interfere, but with Liu Yiyi involved, the matter was entirely different.

Liu Qingshi had treated him well; twenty years of shelter and protection, a rare stability in these chaotic times—these were genuine debts of gratitude.

And Liu Yiyi, though cold in temperament, was someone he had watched grow up.

Regardless of his own position.

He would not watch as harm came to Liu Yiyi.

"I'd like to see exactly what kind of tricks this Zhang Xu is trying to pull."

A cold, sharp curve tugged at Jiang Ye's aged face.