Why do I have so many masters?

Master Huai Die let out a sigh of relief, then her breathing became uncontrollably rapid.

It took dozens of moments for her to calm the tension and fluttering in her heart, then she looked at the stone wall beside her. Because she hadn't been away for long, only a small portion of the sandalwood had burned, and its faint fragrance had just begun to diffuse into the air, calming her soul.

She felt slightly relieved in her heart and put down her final worries as if she were truly meditating in seclusion, taking elixirs, looking inward to guide her energy, but was disturbed by Xu Sixing's downfall and whether she was interested in becoming a steward of the organization, stirring her mind into unrest.

Even so, she still waited for a full two hours before getting up from the meditation mat, proactively opening the mechanism door, and asking the maid to prepare food and hot soup for her to bathe and change clothes.

The maid, who looked somewhat simple and friendly, smelled the scent of sandalwood in the room and saw the slightly sunken meditation mat, but did not have any doubts, only bowing in acknowledgment.

In the Shaolin Temple, it wasn't until Master Huai Die's figure disappeared that Wang Anfeng relaxed, raising his hand to remove the mask from his face, playing with it in his hands, curiously asking, "Sir, was that just now...?"

The scholar in green casually recounted the main points of the matter with him, and only then did Wang Anfeng realize his big mistake. He understood that he had only guessed that Master Huai Die and Xu Sixing were in the same organization, without knowing the deeper connections behind them.

Famous Swords Organization...

While Wang Anfeng furrowed his brow in thought, his hands did not pause as he placed the mask on the table, making tea for the scholar beside him. The latter picked up the tea set, blew on the hot tea, and then spoke calmly:

"What are your thoughts on this matter? Feel free to speak up..."

Wang Anfeng wasn't surprised to have his thoughts seen through. He got up and stood opposite Mr. Ying, pondering for a moment before saying:

"Sir's intention is for me to assassinate those behind the ambush on me, the Famous Swords, and then find a way to have Master Huai Die fill that organization's upper ranks?"

The scholar in green did not respond, only continued drinking tea.

Wang Anfeng was familiar with his temperament, knowing he hadn't guessed wrong, and the scholar's reaction was encouraging him to continue, so he expressed his thoughts:

"This move is certainly feasible, but Master Huai Die ultimately has no foundation in that organization. Sudden promotion might draw too much attention and risk exposure."

"We might as well discard it."

The cold, calm interest on the scholar in green's face finally showed a hint of curiosity. He raised his eyes to look at him, holding a teacup with one hand and gently brushing the cup's lid over the rim with the other, saying:

"Go on."

"Yes."

Wang Anfeng nodded, organizing his thoughts, and continued:

"According to what Master Huai Die said, the purpose of this Famous Swords Organization is to promote either 'Qiong Qi' or Xu Sixing. This time, Xu Sixing is out of the question, having no hope whatsoever, and 'Qiong Qi' is implicated, unable to command authority, with not a shred of a chance."

"Instead of letting strangers ascend to the organization's upper echelons, why not choose 'Qiong Qi,' this old acquaintance, whose methods are known, also allowing Master Huai Die to exert influence on him."

Mr. Ying said indifferently, "But he can no longer command authority."

Wang Anfeng nodded, feeling that under Sir's guidance, his own thoughts were becoming clearer, and said:

"Therefore, we must give him a 'credit.'

"For instance... as the 'murderer' responsible for Xu Sixing's downfall, capable of escaping in an extreme situation where a Grandmaster pursues his life due to a colleague's error, and learned some truth about the situation, he could offset crimes with merit."

"If the opportunity permits, I would seriously injure him, then let Master Huai Die rescue him, so that he would have a life-saving debt owed, avoiding major issues while weighing down Master Huai Die's importance."

Mr. Ying nodded, saying:

"Then I leave this matter to you."

"I think that so-called murderer role, you've already decided in your heart."

Wang Anfeng nodded agreement.

Thinking of the two previous sieges, it was impossible to say there were no qualms left. For others, he could let bygones go, but for the one giving the orders, 'Qiong Qi,' he could unhesitatingly plunge his sword into that person's heart.

The Master said, repay grievances straightforwardly, virtue with virtue.

The scholar in green placed the cup he had taken only one sip from on the table, tapped the rim, seemingly idly saying, "You seem to have a certain goodwill towards Master Huai Die."

Wang Anfeng was slightly taken aback, nodded, then shook his head, frankly saying:

"Although she and I were at odds before, that was just loyalty to our respective masters. She and I have no real grudges. Although I am slow-witted, I cannot be unwilling to tolerate such a person."

"But should she attack me again someday, I will strike without a moment's hesitation, testing life and death."

"So it cannot be called either malice or goodwill."

The scholar in green chuckled softly, expressing neither agreement nor disagreement.

But seemingly reminded by what Wang Anfeng said, the scholar spoke again, with a faint mocking smile on his lips, saying:

"Master Huai Die, earlier, was willing to obey orders only for revenge for that Iron Pagoda. Her intentions were simple, full of hatred, but now, within just a few months, she has changed considerably."

"This time, her actions are partly for her own life and limb, and partly for her ambition and greed. As for the vow she secretly made at the Iron Pagoda's tomb, I fear even she herself might be starting to forget it."