Shu Yue's raven eyebrows furrowed. "Black Moon Sect? The demonic cult that was annihilated seven years ago?" Realization flickered through her features. "Oh, that's possible! If that's the case, then that's all the more reason she's here, trying to live like a normal disciple; Dishan must have found and helped her."

"Which is risky. What he did could endanger not only his tribe, but also the the Ophiuchus Clan itself!"

Shu Yue didn't argue with that. Xiao Ran had a point. She let out a small sigh and sipped her tea.

The emperor dispatched his troops seven years ago to eradicate the Black Moon Sect with the help of a Celestial King, Qinglong. According to what Shu Yue had heard, there was a traitor from the sect who exposed their identity in the hopes of receiving a reward from the emperor. However, after the sect was destroyed, the traitor was executed alongside the sect leader.

"So, what will you do about her?" Xiao Ran questioned. "How will she participate in your plan?"

Shu Yue remained silent for a moment, contemplating. She folded her hands on the tabletop, looking as relaxed and calm as she always did. "I need her to join the imperial court."

Xiao Ran's eyes widened. "You'll bring her with us?"

Shu Yue could only smile. She understood why Xiao Ran seemed so surprised. The imperial court is teeming with highly skilled officials and disciples. It was a dangerous place for a demonic practitioner. Joining the imperial court was like walking right into their enemies' lair. But Shu Yue believed the woman was talented and smart; she wouldn't have survived this long and remained undetected if she wasn't.

The woman's cultivation level was still low, which was why Shu Yue was able to detect her aura through the wind. But it was faint she almost missed it, which meant the woman was close to reaching a certain level where she could conceal her aura without flaw. To be fully undetectable.

And Shu Yue would help her with that.

Xiao Ran finished his tea and looked at her. "How about Dishan, Young Mistress?"

"Dishan will have to join as well; he's a talented martial artist, and it would be a shame if he couldn't cultivate more skills."

"You mean, you need him to be strong."

Shu Yue let out a soft chuckle, and then a sly smile curved across her lips. "You knew me well, Xiao Ran. Of course, he had to be competent enough to be useful to me."

After Shu Yue met Dishan and the woman, a vague plan formed in her mind. Their skills might be inferior to those of other Zodiac Clan disciples, but that didn't mean they were hopeless. They would learn high-level martial arts once they were recruited to the military. However, their skills weren't what Shu Yue was after, but rather their identity. They were suitable pawns that, once controlled, would be extremely useful.

Shu Yue would definitely need their help in carrying out her plan to find and steal the soul of the Celestial Spirit Ophiuchus, the 13th Zodiac, which was sealed and hidden in the Imperial Palace.

And revive her.

That was her main goal: to retrieve their clan's greatest possession.

But, of course, before starting a game, she must first set up the playing board by arranging the pieces. In that way, she could reduce the potential problem she might encounter in the future.

Shu Yue sighed. "All right, that's enough for now; once we arrive at Beargrove Village, we'll look for more information."

Before Xiao Ran could respond, the door swung open and a young boy burst into the room.

"Big sister!"

"Ru'er?" Shu Yue said and stood up.

Clad in a green robe with short, dark brown hair was a little boy named Chen Ru. He was missing a tooth from up front, but that didn't stop him from flashing a wide smile.

"Big sister, how was the fight?" Chen Ru said, his eyes twinkling.

"Fight?"

Chen Ru nodded. "Yeah. Big Fox said that you fought a big guy and stabbed his eye! Is that true?"

Shu Yue cast a glance at Xiao Ran, who quickly averted his gaze and sipped his tea, his eyes closed. Sighing, Shu Yue returned her attention to Chen Ru and found him still looking at her with sparkling round eyes.

"That's true," Shu Yue said with a smile.

"Really? That's cool. I wished I had seen it. I've never seen you fight anyone except for Big Fox. But you never hurt him. I want to see you actually fight and hurt someone!"

"Ru'er!" A woman in a white silk robe entered the room, a slight frown on her face as she scolded little Chen Ru. "When did you learn to talk like that?" She looked at Shu Yue and smiled apologetically. "Please excuse his behavior, Chen Hui."

Shu Yue turned to her and bowed. "Mother."

Under the name Chen Hui, Shu Yue posed as the daughter of Chen Lanqi, the woman in front of her. Apart from Xiao Ran, Chen Lanqi was the only one who knew of Shu Yue's true identity, and someone that the Ophiuchus Clan leader genuinely trusted. Even though Shu Yue's relationship with them was based on a lie as part of a scheme, she still treated Chen Lanqi as if she were her real mother. After all, Chen Lanqi was the one who raised her.

But, did Chen Lanqi see Shu Yue as her own daughter for the entire eighteen years she pretended to be her mother? Or have things really changed since Shu Yue's mistake twelve years ago?

Does she ever blame me the way I blame myself?

"How are you feeling now?" Chen Lanqi asked, her voice and expression softening with concern.

"I've recovered half of my strength now, mother."

Chen Lanqi studied her face with narrowed eyes for a second, and then sighed. "All right, then. Xiao Ran told me what happened. Please be more careful next time, okay?"

"I will, mother."

A satisfied smile touched Chen Lanqi's lips, and nodded once. "Let's go, Ru'er. Chen Hui needs to recuperate for a while. Let's leave her alone for now until she's fully recovered."

Chen Ru frowned and pursed his lips into a pout, but he did not argue.

Shu Yue smiled and ruffled his hair. "Mother is right, Ru'er. Big sister needs some rest. I'll tell you more about the fight tomorrow, okay?"

With that Chen Ru's face brightened. He nodded enthusiastically and turned to face Xiao Ran, who was sipping his tea in silence. "Big Fox, please look after Big Sister."

Xiao Ran stifled a snort as he put his cup down on the table. "You don't have to tell me that; I'll look after her without being told-"

"Xiao Ran," Shu Yue interrupted in a soft but firm voice.

Xiao Ran glanced at her, then at Chen Ru. He forced a smile. "Don't worry, I'll look after her."

Shu Yue sighed inwardly. Sometimes her bodyguard simply forgot to be nice to anyone.

Chen Ru beamed at Xiao Ran and bid them goodnight before rushing out of the room. Chen Lanqi sighed and shook her head.

"Well, then, I'll leave now so you can rest. You, too, Xiao Ran," Chen Lanqi said.

"Good night, mother," Shu Yue told her.

Chen Lanqi smiled warmly. "Goodnight." She paused and then added, "Yue'er. "