Forced to Work

Ning Huan ignored the two girls' silent or helpless expressions and headed toward the training ground's gate without looking back.

He'd said everything that needed saying—and nothing that didn't.

What they did from here was up to them.

He'd done all he could.

At least he'd done right by Ning Hao's investment and Chen Xin's trust.

That was enough.

Of course, if Wu Feng still insisted on going her own way and became a destabilizing element in the team,

then she couldn't blame him if, in the future, he dealt with the problem at its source.

Along the quiet path paved with bluestone bricks, the young man walked steadily, his expression relaxed.

As he admired the scenery, he repeatedly went over his interactions with Ning Hao and the others over the past two days.

Only after confirming there were no major oversights did he let out a long breath and sigh with feeling:

"Sigh~ If I weren't trying to clear a few obstacles for the future, I'd never meddle in something that leaves both sides unhappy."

"Good thing that hot-tempered little sister may be crazy, but she's still young. She hasn't yet developed the stubbornness to smash through a brick wall like she had in the original story."

Recalling the few private words he'd accidentally overheard just before leaving the training ground, Ning Huan finally smiled.

"Sure enough, feelings are just too hard to control. It's better to guide them than tear them apart."

But as he strolled through the woods, lost in thought, a familiar voice interrupted him at just the right moment.

"Xiao Huan? There you are! We were just about to come find you!"

"Uncle Ning? Sword Douluo?"

"Weren't you going to Heaven Dou City today? You're back already?"

Ning Huan snapped out of his reverie, visibly surprised.

There was no doubt that the two newcomers were Ning Hao and Sword Douluo.

Their travel-worn appearance and exhausted faces clearly showed the strain of a long journey there and back.

"For the sake of the sect's cause, I naturally wouldn't dare waste time. We simply kept the trip as short as possible."

Noticing that Ning Hao seemed entirely sincere, Ning Huan's favorable impression of him shot up.

Though Ning Hao had always had a choice, in truth, Ning Huan had subtly forced him to make it.

Even if he refused, it wouldn't have made much difference to the sect.

The outcome would have been no different from before.

The sect would be crushed beneath the threats of the various powers, but would face no danger of annihilation.

So from the very beginning, Ning Huan hadn't thought his plan could be implemented so quickly.

At the very least, the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect would have to take another hit first.

Who could have guessed Ning Hao would be so decisive?

He'd given Ning Huan support and trust without holding anything back.

Whatever his motives, his actions alone were enough to put Ning Huan completely at ease.

"Uncle Ning, your devotion is admirable. I'm impressed."

"Enough of that. I have important business with you! Come with me to the hall, quickly!"

With that, Ning Hao hurried forward.

Completely disregarding rank and etiquette, he grabbed Ning Huan on the spot and ran toward the Nine Treasures Hall.

"It's rare to see the sect master so emotional he can barely contain himself..."

"But, Ancestor Chen Xin, was it really a good thing to bring Ning Huan back to the sect...?"

Sword Douluo murmured under his breath, his usually sharp eyes now filled with confusion.

But in the blink of an eye, his gaze cleared again.

"I've spent my whole life practicing the sword. How could I ever see through the minds of two foxes?"

"Best to focus on my own business."

As his muttering faded, the old man moved.

In the blink of an eye, he caught up with Ning Hao and Ning Huan, no longer giving thought to anything unrelated to the sword.

A moment later...

"So, in the space of a single morning, you made a round trip between the sect and Heaven Dou City."

"You even spent a fortune to buy a plot of land not far from Heaven Dou City from the Heaven Dou Emperor."

"You've already settled on the construction plans, arranged the contractors and suppliers, and are preparing to launch a massive building project?"

As his summary grew more and more incredulous, the shock on Ning Huan's face deepened.

What was he supposed to do when his sect master's execution was off the charts?

"Exactly! You said so yourself last night—some things shouldn't be put off!"

Ning Hao calmly lifted his teacup and took a small sip.

His air of composure made it seem as if none of this had anything to do with him.

"Hiss~ That's so you!"

Ning Huan still hadn't recovered from his surprise. His face stiff, he nodded blankly.

Then, as if something had suddenly occurred to him, he blurted out a question.

"Wait! If the plan's already underway, why did you call me here?"

"Because there are still parts of the plan we haven't covered!"

As he spoke, Ning Hao secretly pursed his lips, thoroughly dissatisfied with the young man's hands-off attitude.

You came up with the idea, but you've dumped the planning, coordination, and implementation on me. That's not fair!

Since you don't need to cultivate Soul Power yourself, and all your strength comes from your Spirit Body...

Rather than letting you slack off, you might as well come help me with some work.

As for making a Contract with a Spirit Body, if all else fails, I'll have Uncle Feng do the capturing for you when he gets back!

Wind Douluo: Thanks a lot!

Thinking this over, Ning Hao made up his mind, his smile turning rather playful.

"Xiao Huan, for the next few months, you'll stay by my side. You can learn how to manage the sect and help me come up with plans."

"...?!"

"Hold on a second!"

Ning Huan was so startled that he forgot to maintain his formal manner. His eyes filled with disbelief.

"Since when was any of that my job?!"

"Yesterday you said I didn't have to worry about anything and should focus on cultivating!"

Unfortunately, Ning Hao had already anticipated this reaction when he made the decision.

He also knew exactly how he'd answer.

"You don't want to?"

"Then let's talk about why the Tianluo City branch keeps losing money and property."

Ning Huan: "..."

Oh, come on!

So this was a threat!

He was a peerless prodigy—how could he let himself be pushed around?!

And so, Ning Huan immediately stood up and shouted with righteous indignation:

"What are you talking about? I was just surprised! When did I ever say I wouldn't do it?"

"Are you sure you mean that?"

"I serve the sect, and the sect serves me!"

Sword Douluo: "..."

What a thick skin!

Was it really worth all this just to save a little money?

Why had Ancestor Chen Xin approved of this kid?

He couldn't make sense of it!

But since they'd come this far, and the kid had shown such 'dedication,' they had to go along with it.

"Good! Then let me start by giving you a problem to solve."

With a look of despair, Ning Huan watched as Ning Hao cleared his throat and solemnly voiced the worry that had troubled him all night.

"With Uncle Feng's abilities, he'll soon find a suitable secluded place for the sect."

"But how do we send the disciples we've chosen there without drawing the attention of the other powers?"

"In other words, how do we explain the disappearance of disciples who seem to have vanished into thin air?"

Ning Huan understood immediately. He cursed inwardly:

Is he crazy? Going to all this trouble just to make a bowl of dumplings for a splash of vinegar!

Why not just ask me directly?!

But since this concerned his own future, no matter how unhappy he felt, he couldn't hold anything back.

"I have a solution!"

"The question is whether you can bear to give up this vast family business!"

Ning Hao: ...

He had a bad feeling about this...