Chi Xuntian looked at his Master, unease stirring in his heart. "Master... can your disciple truly keep someone like Qing Chen under control?"
Xuanji True Lord's fingers paused on the fishing line. When he turned to look at him, the lake's light filled the smile lines at the corners of his eyes.
"With your Master here, I have my ways of letting you wield the Sect's power. But the time for those methods has not yet come, nor can I tell you about them."
He raised his hand and lightly flicked the fishing line, its silver thread cutting through the thick mist. "Just remember, this game can be played on the board, but also beyond it."
As Chi Xuntian listened to his Master's words, the sweat on his palms gradually dried.
The True Lord watched the Blade-Whiskered Pythonfish swim past at the bottom of the pond, his voice deepening. "Destroy Lesser Cold Temple, then take down the Eight Serpent Sect, and the Sect will have the makings of prosperity.
"When that time comes, what we will need is to rest and recuperate, not take up arms again. By then, Qing Chen's usefulness will have run its course. You could say he will have been worn out through use.
"And it will be time to sheath the blade."
He tapped his fingertips against the fishing rod. "With this old man here, which of the surrounding Sects would dare invade?
"Just settle your mind on cultivation, devote yourself to good governance, thoroughly comprehend the Jade Soul Body's divine ability, and consolidate your Golden Core realm.
"Once your cultivation reaches full fruition, who in the Sect will still dare refuse to submit? You will be the rightful successor to the next generation."
Chi Xuntian abruptly raised his head, some of the hesitation fading