Seven Treasures' Hidden Watch Arrives at Nuoding, Ning Rongrong Chooses to Stay

"You're certainly direct when it comes to asking whose side I'm on."

Xiao Wu leaned against the table, her toe tapping lightly against the stool leg.

"If she hears you, she's bound to make a scene again."

Su Hang tucked the diary into his drawer.

"Let her make a scene; the choice has to be hers to make."

A faint noise drifted from the side room, then quickly faded into silence.

Xiao Wu glanced toward that direction and lowered her voice.

"So, do you want her to stay?"

Su Hang stood up and smoothed the talisman paper by the window back into place.

"Wanting is useless. Whoever stays must first be able to shoulder the trouble."

Early the next morning, a small merchant caravan entered the south gate of Notting City.

The carts were loaded with cloth and medicinal herbs, guarded by only a few men. The leader was a middle-aged man with an ordinary iron badge hanging from his waist, though his boot soles were suspiciously clean.

Outside Xiao Chenyu's small courtyard, Wang Sheng was squatting by the entrance, gnawing on a flatbread.

The middle-aged man stopped at the mouth of the alley and casually held out a copper coin.

"Little brother, let me ask for directions. Which way to Notting Academy?"

Wang Sheng looked him over.

"You're already standing in the alley behind the academy, and you're still asking how to get there?"

The man paused, then corrected himself quickly.

"Then where does Su Hang live?"

Wang Sheng immediately tucked his flatbread back into his robes.

"You have to get in line to see Boss Su. Who are you?"

The courtyard gate opened from the inside.

Ning Rongrong walked out, her dress changed and her hair neatly combed, though her face still held a sleepy, languid expression.

"Uncle Ning Chuan, stop the act. That routine of yours only works on Wang Sheng."

Wang Sheng was immediately displeased.

"Seven Treasures Little Princess, that's hurtful."

Ning Chuan unhooked the iron badge from his waist, revealing a small Seven Treasures Pattern on the inside.

"Young Miss, the Sect Master sent me to bring you home."

The courtyard fell silent.

Xiao Wu had just walked out with a cup of tea; hearing this, she immediately set the cup down on the table.

"Taking her back? That's great. Hurry up and go."

Ning Rongrong turned to look at her.

"Are you that eager for me to leave?"

Xiao Wu crossed her arms.

"You live in the side room and steal my snacks, so of course I am."

Ning Rongrong huffed.

"Then I'm going to take my time leaving."

Su Hang stepped out of the room, his gaze sweeping over the Seven Treasures Pattern at Ning Chuan's waist.

"Sect Master Ning reacts quite quickly."

Ning Chuan bowed to Su Hang, his manners impeccable, yet he kept a distinct distance.

"Young Friend Su, the Sect Master asked me to convey his thanks. The Seven Treasures has noted your care for the Young Miss last night."

Xiao Chenyu had just walked in with a tea tray and paused in his tracks.

"The Seven Treasures noting a favor—that carries quite a bit of weight."

Wang Sheng added a quiet jab.

"Don't try to cozy up to them; you're liable to get knocked out by a Gold Soul Coin."

Ning Chuan looked at Ning Rongrong, his tone softening.

"Young Miss, the Sect Master's intent is clear. You are to return to the sect first."

Ning Rongrong didn't respond.

Ning Chuan continued.

"The sect will continue to investigate Su Hang and Tang San, and our hidden agents will remain in Notting City. Your staying here only makes it easier for outsiders to harbor ulterior motives."

Xiao Wu sat down beside Su Hang, her words tumbling out quickly.

"Did you hear? It's safe back there, you'll have protection, good food, and Sword Grandpa and Bone Grandpa to dote on you."

Ning Rongrong looked at her for a moment.

"Why are you so persuasive today?"

Xiao Wu nudged the teacup closer to herself.

"I'm afraid you'll linger and refuse to leave."

But after she spoke, she pushed half a pastry from her hand towards Ning Rongrong.

Ning Rongrong looked down at the half-pastry, not taking it immediately.

Ning Chuan saw these small actions and cupped his hands towards Su Hang again.

"Young friend Su, my young lady is still young. If she has offended you, please do not take it to heart."

Su Hang sat down by the stone table.

"If she wants to go back, I won't stop her."

Ning Rongrong immediately looked up.

"That's your reaction?"

Su Hang poured a cup of tea.

"After you return, you will still be the Seven Treasures Little Princess. Your food and clothing will be arranged, and Sect Master Ning will help you clarify many things."

Ning Rongrong placed the Seven Treasures Token on the table.

"And then?"

Su Hang lifted the lid of his cup.

"If you stay, you will have to bear the consequences yourself. Tang San will be watching you, Yu Xiaogang will try to approach you, and the Seven Treasures' hidden agents will be involved."

Ning Chuan's hand paused at his sleeve.

"Young friend Su is quite frank."

Ning Rongrong stared at Su Hang, so angry she pushed the pastry back onto the plate.

"Can't you say even one nice thing?"

Xiao Wu immediately chimed in.

"He's always like this, is this your first day knowing him?"

Ning Rongrong was unconvinced.

"I'm vouching for him, and he won't even say a couple of sweet words to me?"

Su Hang put down his teacup.

"Those who want to save their sect cannot just listen to pleasantries."

Ning Rongrong was about to retort, but the words stopped at her lips.

The wind blew through the courtyard, and the papers on the table flipped twice.

Ning Chuan sighed softly.

"Young lady, the Sect Master is also afraid you will suffer."

Ning Rongrong picked up the Seven Treasures Token, her fingertip pressing on the character 'Ning' on the back.

"When I was in the sect, all I heard was 'Don't be afraid, Dad is here, Sword Grandpa and Bone Grandpa are here.'"

Xiao Wu didn't interrupt this time.

Ning Rongrong looked at Ning Chuan.

"But Su Hang told me that the Seven Treasures will bleed, Tang San will use resources, and Immortal Herbs can help the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda evolve."

Ning Chuan's expression became cautious.

"Young lady, you cannot believe such words casually."

Ning Rongrong nodded.

"That's why I want to see for myself."

Ning Chuan took a step forward.

"The Sect Master's order is that you must return to the sect first."

Ning Rongrong held the Seven Treasures Token up to him.

"Then I will also issue an order with the Seven Treasures Token. Go back and tell Dad that I am staying for now."

Ning Chuan looked at the token with difficulty.

"Young lady, this token cannot be used like this."

Ning Rongrong straightened up a little.

"In the past, my willfulness meant you all had to clean up after me, but this time, I will bear the consequences myself."

Xiao Wu picked up the half-eaten pastry and placed it back in front of Ning Rongrong.

"Fine, seeing as you've got a bit of backbone, I'll give this piece to you."

Ning Rongrong picked up the pastry and took a bite.

"Don't think this means I won't fight you for the position."

Xiao Wu glared at her immediately.

"Just try it if you dare."

Su Hang tapped on the tabletop.

"Stop arguing for now. After Ning Chuan returns, don't leave too many Seven Treasures people in Notting City."

Ning Chuan looked at him.

"Why?"

Su Hang's tone remained steady.

"The more people there are, the more Tang San and Yu Xiaogang will want to cling to us."

Ning Rongrong chimed in quickly.

"Listen to him. Keep only the necessary covert lines; don't let Tang San get a handle on the Seven Treasures' methods."

Ning Chuan was silent for a moment before finally bowing his head.

"This subordinate will report truthfully to the Sect Master."

Not far outside the courtyard, Tang San stood in the shadows of the trees, having witnessed the entire scene.

The Seven Treasures' covert guards were polite to Su Hang and difficult with Ning Rongrong, yet they showed not a shred of contempt.

This indicated that the Seven Treasures had already placed Su Hang in a position that required serious investigation.

Yu Xiaogang walked up from behind, his sleeves still damp with the morning dew.

"Did you see it?"

Tang San replied in a low voice.

"The Seven Treasures people have already begun to listen to Su Hang's suggestions."

Yu Xiaogang stopped at his side.

"The resources of the Seven Treasures are extremely valuable. Their materials, intelligence, and spirit master channels can all save you a great deal of trouble."

Tang San lowered his hands, his sleeves feeling much emptier than before.

"Now that my Hidden Weapon has been registered, I need new proof of my ability."

Yu Xiaogang lowered his voice.

"If Ning Rongrong wants verification, then show her your true control."

Tang San looked toward the training grounds, his footsteps gradually coming to a halt.

"Since Ning Rongrong wants to see clearly, then I will let her witness a true display of control."