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

Lu Wushuang felt a pang of sadness upon hearing this.

She understood all too well. Ever since Li Mochou massacred the entire Lu family, she had lived in constant fear. She feigned a fierce and ruthless demeanor, brandishing a willow-leaf dagger and hacking at people everywhere, but it was all a bluff. She was merely masking her inner terror.

Huang Rong sensed the change in Lu Wushuang's emotions. She stopped what she was doing and sighed.

"When I was young, I was on Peach Blossom Island," Huang Rong's voice carried a sense of melancholy. "Back then, my father was the only one on the island. He was consumed by grief over losing my mother. He completely ignored me. I was all alone on the island, with no one to talk to. I understand that loneliness and fear."

Lu Wushuang was stunned.

She turned her head and looked at Huang Rong.

She never imagined that the dignified leader of the Beggars' Sect, the head of the number one sect in the world, and the female strategist revered by thousands, would have such a pitiful past.

This shared background further lowered Lu Wushuang's guard against Huang Rong. She felt that the Huang Rong before her was no longer the aloof leader of the gang, but an older sister who understood her suffering.

Huang Rong changed the subject.

"Don't let Yang Guo's usual sharp tongue, lecherousness, and crude talk fool you," Huang Rong said, picking up the cloth again to wipe Lu Wushuang's shoulders. "He's the kind of person who never abandons those around him when it matters."

Lu Wushuang's heart skipped a beat. She didn't know why Huang Rong had suddenly brought up Yang Guo.

Huang Rong continued, "I heard about what happened in the square today. Those three Taoist priests were mocking you, and Yang Guo stood up for you in front of hundreds of disciples. He knocked out one of their teeth with a slap and punished them by making them clean the latrines."

Lu Wushuang lowered her head. Her flushed cheeks were reflected on the water.

She remembered clearly the scene of Yang Guo protecting her during the day. At that moment, she truly felt a sense of security she had never felt before.

"You had a nightmare last night," Huang Rong leaned closer, her voice low. "He got up in the middle of the night to warm a towel for you and wiped your face with his own hands. He told me about it too."

Lu Wushuang suddenly raised her head.

She had no idea that this had happened last night. She only remembered sleeping soundly. It turned out that Yang Guo had taken care of her in the middle of the night.

"This kind of man may talk a big game, but he's responsible at heart." Huang Rong looked into Lu Wushuang's eyes. "You won't regret being with him."

Lu Wushuang gripped the towel in the water tightly with both hands. She didn't know how to respond.

Seeing that the time was right, Huang Rong delivered the key line.

These words, seemingly casual, were actually a carefully designed psychological trap.

"He's a soft-hearted man when it comes to women," Huang Rong said, wiping Lu Wushuang's arms. "As long as you treat him sincerely, he will never mistreat you. But Wushuang, remember this: if you continue to have only a master-servant relationship with him, you'll always be an outsider on this mountain. Anyone can bully you. Do you understand what I mean?"

Lu Wushuang heard it clearly.

Huang Rong was making this clear to her.

To truly establish herself within the Quanzhen Sect and gain Yang Guo's genuine protection, she had to change her identity. She could no longer be a maidservant; she had to climb into Yang Guo's bed and become his woman.

Lu Wushuang blushed and her heart pounded. Her breathing became rapid.

Her mind was in turmoil. She admitted that she felt gratitude and dependence on Yang Guo. But there was another person hidden in her heart—an old acquaintance she dared not speak of.

She didn't give Huang Rong a clear response. She simply lowered her head even further.

Huang Rong didn't pressure her to give an immediate answer. Pushing her too hard in this kind of situation would only backfire.

Huang Rong reached out and scooped up a handful of water, pouring it onto Lu Wushuang's shoulder.

"I am the leader of the Beggars' Sect. There are still a lot of military affairs waiting for me to handle in Xiangyang." Huang Rong sighed. "I can't always be by his side. I'm leaving in a few days."

Lu Wushuang raised her head and looked at Huang Rong.

"After I leave, you'll be the closest person to him." Huang Rong held Lu Wushuang's hand. "He can be a bit slow-witted sometimes and acts impulsively. Keep an eye on him for me, and make sure he doesn't act recklessly or cause any trouble."

Lu Wushuang nodded subconsciously.

Seeing this, Huang Rong immediately played her last card.

She stood up and picked up an object from the pile of clothes on the wooden shelf next to the bathtub.

Huang Rong sat back down in the water. She opened her palms.

A warm, lustrous jade pendant lay in the palm of his hand. It was of excellent quality and carved with exquisite patterns.

Huang Rong handed the jade pendant to Lu Wushuang.

"This is Junior Sister Cheng's jade pendant," Huang Rong said, looking into Lu Wushuang's eyes, enunciating each word clearly. "She gave it to me. I'm giving it to you now."

Lu Wushuang stared intently at the jade pendant.

She recognized it. It was indeed an item that her cousin, Cheng Ying, had worn close to her body since childhood.

Lu Wushuang's hands trembled as she reached out of the water. She carefully took the jade pendant from Huang Rong's hand.

The jade pendant feels warm and smooth to the touch.

Lu Wushuang's eyes instantly reddened. Large tears welled up and spilled onto the water's surface.

"Once you've taken good care of Guo'er for me," Huang Rong said solemnly, "I'll personally take you to Peach Blossom Island to meet your cousin."

Lu Wushuang gripped the jade pendant tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force.

She understood completely.

Huang Rong paved all the way and blocked all the escape routes.

This is a transaction, and also a decision.

On one hand, there was the old acquaintance she dared not speak of in her heart. On the other hand, there was the affection of her cousin, and the strong practical protection provided by Yang Guo and Huang Rong.

She was a lame orphan, burdened with a blood feud. She had no choice. If she refused, she would not only be unable to gain a foothold in the Quanzhen Sect, but she would also lose her only chance to see her cousin.

Huang Rong reached out and touched Lu Wushuang's wet hair.

"Wushuang, you are not his maid." Huang Rong's tone was extremely gentle, yet possessed an irresistible charm. "You are my sister. From today onwards, take good care of him."

Lu Wushuang took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and let the tears flow.

A moment later, she opened her eyes. Her eyes held less stubbornness and more of a resigned resolve.

"Sister Rong, I understand," Lu Wushuang said in a hoarse voice. "I will take good care of him."

Huang Rong smiled with satisfaction.

This girl has been completely won over.

Huang Rong leaned against the edge of the bathtub, closed her eyes, and enjoyed the hot water soaking in.

Lu Wushuang held the jade pendant to her chest. Looking at the mist on the water, her mind was filled with images of Yang Guo.