Huang Rong from The Return of the Condor Heroes: Brother Jing, let's get a divorce.

Night fell. Chongyang Palace fell completely silent.

Yang Guo sat at the table in the main room. There were more than a dozen booklets piled on the table. These were recently sent by several grandmasters, containing personnel transfer lists and storeroom accounts from various branches of the Quanzhen Sect.

He held a calligraphy brush, quickly flipping through the pages, occasionally sketching a few lines on them.

Lu Wushuang stood beside the table. She held an ink stick in her hand and was slowly grinding it in the inkstone.

She was unusually well-behaved today. During the day, Yang Guo had stood up for her in public and severely punished the three Taoist priests who had mocked her for her lameness. She didn't say anything, but she remembered this kindness. At this moment, she was grinding ink very gently, even slowing her breathing, as if afraid of disturbing Yang Guo.

Yang Guo put down his brush, picked up the teacup beside him, and took a sip. The tea was warm, just right.

"You were quite well-behaved today. You didn't talk back to me." Yang Guo leaned back in his chair and looked up at Lu Wushuang.

Lu Wushuang paused. She glared at Yang Guo, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"I'm just doing my duty as a maid. Don't push your luck," Lu Wushuang replied curtly.

Yang Guo smiled. This girl is just stubborn.

"Alright, that's enough ink. Go out and rest." Yang Guo waved his hand.

Lu Wushuang put down the inkstone and wiped her hands with a cloth. She turned and walked out, closing the door behind her.

Stepping into the courtyard, Lu Wushuang sat down on a stone bench in the corner. She knew that the imposing leader of the Beggars' Sect would arrive soon.

An incense stick later, the courtyard gate was pushed open.

Huang Rong was dressed in casual blue clothes, her hair loosely tied up with a wooden hairpin. She walked briskly into the courtyard. As she passed the stone bench, she glanced at Lu Wushuang, nodded slightly, and said nothing.

Huang Rong walked straight to the front of the main house, pushed the door open, and went inside.

The candlelight flickered inside the room.

Just as Huang Rong turned around and bolted the door, Yang Guo stood up from his chair. He strode over, stretched out his arms, and wrapped them around Huang Rong's waist.

Having circulated the Kanli Technique for an entire day, Yang Guo's body was now brimming with Qi and blood. The Yin and Yang energies flowed continuously through his meridians. He felt not only no fatigue, but also an abundance of energy.

He lowered his head and brought his lips close to Huang Rong's profile.

Huang Rong reacted extremely quickly. She reached out and pressed down on Yang Guo's head, forcefully pushing him away. Then, she placed her hands on Yang Guo's chest and pushed him back into the chair.

"Stop fooling around. Let's get down to business." Huang Rong straightened her clothes, pulled up a chair, and sat down opposite Yang Guo.

Yang Guo leaned back in his chair and spread his hands.

"Sister Rong, it's late at night. You're about to return to Xiangyang. A moment of bliss is worth a thousand pieces of gold. What important matter could be more important than our affair?" Yang Guo asked with a smile.

Huang Rong rolled her eyes at him. She lowered her voice and her expression became serious.

"Regarding Lu Wushuang. I told you during the day that this girl has someone else in her heart. This is a big variable. We must reconsider."

Yang Guo stopped smiling and sat up straight.

"Indeed. You can't force a relationship. This girl has a terrible temper. If I try to force her, she'll probably draw her sword and fight me. That would backfire." Yang Guo nodded in agreement.

"Yes." Huang Rong tapped her fingers twice on the table. "So, the previous plan needs to be slightly adjusted. Simply relying on becoming your woman to bind her is not a reliable strategy. She has reservations, and no matter how tightly you bind her, she will rebound. If her lover comes knocking one day, she might just turn around and bite you."

Yang Guo touched his chin.

"So what brilliant idea do you have?" Yang Guo asked.

Huang Rong's lips curled into a smile, and a shrewd glint flashed in her eyes.

"Let's change our approach. Shift from physical binding to binding based on a sense of mission, and then add emotional dependence on top of that," Huang Rong said, enunciating each word clearly.

Yang Guo raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue.

Huang Rong explained it in detail.

"The first step is to give her a title. Not a title as a woman, but a title of power. Didn't you just establish new rules for the Quanzhen Sect this morning? Take this opportunity to make her your personal envoy as the sect leader. Let her legitimately and deeply participate in the affairs of the Quanzhen Sect."

Yang Guo's eyes lit up. This move was brilliant.

Huang Rong continued, "She used to wander the martial world, living hand to mouth. What she lacked most was a sense of security and status. Giving her power is like giving her the foundation for a stable life. It binds her to the core of power within the Quanzhen Sect. Once she gets used to this feeling of wielding power and being respected, her social identity will be completely secure. At that point, even if you want to drive her away, she won't want to leave."

Yang Guo gave a thumbs up.

"Sister Rong, it's a real shame you're not an emperor with a brain like that. You're so good at scheming and manipulating people's hearts," Yang Guo exclaimed.

Huang Rong ignored his teasing and continued with the second step.

"Secondly, we'll use Cheng Ying as an emotional asset. I'll occasionally send her news from Xiangyang. This is the bond that maintains her trust in us. We'll make her feel that only by following you wholeheartedly can she have a chance to see her cousin. With this two-pronged approach, she won't be able to escape."

Yang Guo nodded repeatedly after listening. This plan was indeed much more reliable than a purely romantic relationship.

"What about our physical relationship? Are we just going to leave it like this?" Yang Guo asked.

Huang Rong rolled her eyes.

"She won't escape sooner or later. What's the rush?" Huang Rong snorted coldly. "Just make her feel comfortable, give her enough face and confidence. Occasionally show your authority as the leader of Quanzhen Sect and your protectiveness. In time, a woman's natural tendency to admire strength will take effect. The rest will fall into place naturally."

Yang Guo chuckled.

"I understand. Boiling a frog in lukewarm water, I'm good at it." Yang Guo rubbed his hands together.

After discussing Lu Wushuang's matter, Huang Rong's expression became even more solemn. She leaned closer and lowered her voice considerably.

"There's another matter concerning the state of the world. Ten days ago, a top-secret message came back from a Beggars' Sect scout." Huang Rong stared into Yang Guo's eyes.

Yang Guo suppressed his smile and listened attentively.

"The Mongol court has been making frequent moves lately. They are trying their best to win over the martial arts sects in the Central Plains. Kublai Khan's men have already been secretly contacting major sects like Shaolin, Emei, and Kongtong, promising extremely generous terms," ​​Huang Rong said seriously.

Yang Guo frowned. He knew the general trend of the world. It was only a matter of time before the Mongol cavalry marched south and swept across the Central Plains.

Huang Rong continued, "The Quanzhen Sect is located in the Zhongnan Mountains. This is the heart of Guanzhong, which is controlled by the Mongols. A tall tree catches the wind. Sooner or later, they will target the Quanzhen Sect. You are now the sect leader, and you must prepare for this in advance. One wrong step, and the Quanzhen Sect will be wiped out."

Yang Guo countered, "Sister Rong, what do you think I should do?"

Huang Rong gave eight words.

"Hide your talents and bide your time, don't be the first bird to stick its head out."

She explained her strategic plan in detail.

"For the time being, absolutely do not provoke the Mongols. If they send envoys to win you over, play along and stall for time. Try to get benefits, but don't express your stance. At the same time, absolutely do not openly side with the Southern Song court."

Huang Rong sighed: "The Southern Song court is corrupt and incompetent. Although Brother Jing defended Xiangyang to the death, he couldn't hold it up alone. The Quanzhen Sect is too weak right now and can't withstand any major storms. You must stabilize the situation. Once your new rules have taken effect and the overall strength of the Quanzhen Sect has improved, you will have enough trump cards before you consider turning the tables."

Yang Guo nodded emphatically.

This perfectly aligned with his thinking. What he needed most right now was time. If he were given two or three years to master the Kanli Technique to a high level and then forge the Quanzhen Sect into an impenetrable fortress, he wouldn't fear anyone.

"I'll keep an eye on the Mongols' movements in Xiangyang for you. I'll send you a message immediately if there's any sign of trouble," Huang Rong added.

"Thank you for your hard work, Sister Rong." Yang Guo reached out and grasped Huang Rong's hand.

With the important matters settled, the atmosphere in the room instantly changed.

Huang Rong glanced out the window. Night had fallen. Every day she spent with Yang Guo was precious. Who knew when they would meet again?

At that moment, her reluctance, grievances, and strong possessiveness surged up simultaneously.

Huang Rong grabbed Yang Guo's wrist with her other hand. She bit her lower lip, her eyes becoming sharp, yet carrying a hint of womanly resentment.

"After I leave, if you dare to touch another woman..." Huang Rong said fiercely, her tone full of warning.

She hadn't finished speaking.

Yang Guo stood up abruptly. He grabbed Huang Rong's arm and pulled her into his embrace. He lowered his head and accurately silenced Huang Rong with a kiss.

Huang Rong let out a sob. She instinctively pushed him away twice with both hands, then completely went limp. She wrapped her arms tightly around Yang Guo's neck, responding passionately.

Yang Guo exerted force with his arms. He picked Huang Rong up and turned around to press her down on the large desk.

The roster, brushes, and inkstone on the table were swept to the floor, making a series of crisp, clattering sounds.

The candlelight flickered violently in the wind.

The temperature inside the room rose rapidly.

At this moment, outside the main house door.

The night breeze carried a slight chill.

Lu Wushuang squatted in the corner of the courtyard wall. She hugged her knees and looked up at the stars in the sky.

One, two, three.

She counted very carefully, trying to distract herself in this way.

But the noise coming from the main room grew louder and louder. The creaking sound of the table shaking violently, along with Huang Rong's voice, clearly reached her ears.

Lu Wushuang's face instantly turned bright red. The redness spread all the way to her ears and neck.

She gritted her teeth and covered her ears tightly with both hands.

"Shameless. You big bastard. You have no shame."

Lu Wushuang cursed Yang Guo and Huang Rong a thousand times in her heart.

She thought the two of them were completely insane. During the day they'd solemnly discuss world affairs, and at night they'd lock themselves in and act like idiots. They didn't act like proper people at all. How could she, the dignified leader of the Beggars' Sect, become like this in front of Yang Guo?

Lu Wushuang changed her posture. She buried her head deeply between her knees.

Her left leg started to ache and go numb from squatting for so long. But she dared not stand up and move around. She was afraid of making any noise that might disturb the people in the room, which would be embarrassing for everyone.

As she listened to those sounds, her body grew uncontrollably hot. The image of Yang Guo touching her head during the day, and the image of Yang Guo shirtless last night, kept swirling in her mind. She couldn't shake it off.

Lu Wushuang shook her head vigorously. She patted her cheeks, forcibly banishing these chaotic thoughts.

She looked up again and continued to stare at the night sky.

"Forty-five, forty-six, forty-seven..."

She muttered to herself, dutifully guarding the door through the long, dark night.