Jiang Xuan often found himself pondering if his lack of, well, let’s say “sufficient insanity,” was the reason he felt out of place in this female-dominant world.
The eccentric patrons and people around him seemed to have ideas that were light-years ahead. For instance, now, Xiao Hong Xin knew full well what Jiang Xuan had gone through, yet instead of having any sympathy for him…
She actually intensified the pleasure she sought from him.
“Dear Pavilion Master, am I not far more skilled than those others?”
“I never thought I’d see the mighty Pavilion Master make such a face; I really like it.”
“It’s too late now, even if you beg me, I won’t stop.”
“This is what you owe me; even though I came first, you gave it to someone else.”
……
Jiang Xuan could sense that Xiao Hong Xin’s feelings towards him were complicated—an odd blend of love and hate. Her recent retaliatory actions clearly stemmed from hatred clouding her judgment.
Just then, being forced back to his non-sage mode, Jiang Xuan noticed that Xiao Hong Xin’s fondness for him had plummeted to an astounding -6666. He felt quite ripped off.
If someone eats you dry and leaves a negative score, it must mean they’ve decided to be a real piece of work, right?
Jiang Xuan never was one to just take a loss.
Quickly, he came up with an idea, deciding to test the hidden feature of the System for the heck of it.
First on his list: boost Xiao Hong Xin’s affection to 10000.
Superficially, the once dispirited Jiang Xuan suddenly grinned—a grin dripping with despair and a hint of release.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Hong Xin above frowned slightly.
“Pavilion Master, what do you mean? Do you think I haven’t fulfilled you?”
Before the words were fully out, Jiang Xuan responded weakly:
“Sister Red Xin, if doing these things makes you feel better, then please continue.”
“Huh? Isn’t the Pavilion Master everyone’s favorite toy? Now you’re playing the victim card, aren’t you? Oh, right—the Pavilion Master is just a fragile man yet manages to earn so many spirit stones. They can’t all come from there, right?”
Hearing this, Jiang Xuan extended his trembling hand and gave Xiao Hong Xin a light slap.
The smack was soft but hit Xiao Hong Xin where it mattered, allowing some of her frenzy to be quelled.
At this moment, Jiang Xuan’s eyes sparkled with tears, his expression deeply despondent.
“Others misunderstanding me is fine, but I didn’t expect you, Sister Red Xin, to also misinterpret me this way. After all our years together, you never truly understood who I am.
That year, I sneaked out to play beyond the city walls and stumbled upon you in the snow. Sensing your faint life force, I thought perhaps this meeting was destiny. Even as a stranger only known by a single encounter, I resolved to spare no effort to save you.
To dig you from the snow, my fingers froze, yet I felt no regret. With all my might, I took you to a small courtyard, where I cared for you for two days until your condition improved, and you awoke.
Through subsequent conversations, I came to understand your plight, leaving me in dismay. You, a precious daughter of an imperial dynasty clan, born into unimaginable status, yet embroiled in familial conflicts and betrayal.
Your mother risked everything to help you escape the family, hoping you would find a fresh start elsewhere, forever away from that heartless clan.
I had assumed you would remain blinded by vengeance, seeking to storm home and destroy your family. Yet, you were wiser, heeding your mother’s advice and starting anew, even becoming a warrior.
With sword and will, roaming the land, fighting injustice, striking down evil forces. But, due to your boldness, your enemies eventually found you. You used every trick to eradicate them despite yourself falling gravely wounded and incapacitated.
After regaining consciousness, you told me you wanted to repay my kindness by staying at my side.
Initially, I thought to just appoint you as my personal guard. But after understanding your past, I realized how narrow-minded I was. Carefully contemplating, I proposed founding the Xuantian Pavilion, which you wholeheartedly supported without reservation.
But due to my weak strength, I could only contribute by offering spirit stones to the Xuantian Pavilion. You may believe I didn’t do much for the pavilion, thinking the sect would merely provide me ample spirit stones with only my presence needed.
You were wrong. I’ve never relied on lineage or appearances, and I have many more talents than you realize.
Calligraphy, music, chess, cooking, medicine… all tools I use to earn spirit stones. But, never with looks; you forgot about that, right?
Our first meeting, I wore a mask; only now, when deemed worthy, did I take it off. As for the Xuantian Pavilion, I always entrusted it wholly to you, believing in you to lead it to glory.
You know, most of the Xuantian Pavilion members were once vigilantes or lost souls. The Xuantian Pavilion gathers such heroes and aims to protect everyone—so no one ends up like you and faces retribution for standing against evil.
This is a bit selfish, part of why I created the pavilion. Your heroic spirit and righteous wrath have always captivated me.
But I’ve always been clear: due to my circumstances, we were fated to drift apart.
Since nothing has a true ending, not starting anything avoids pain. So, I never expressed my feelings outright, carefully keeping a distance, calling you Deputy Pavilion Master.
I hoped we’d maintain this harmony, growing the pavilion together. Yet, you broke it, questioning me, threatening, even taking control… never understanding me.
You don’t know: I didn’t tell you of my imminent marriage because I couldn’t fathom facing you.
You don’t know: enduring all the injustices, I’ve never spoken of them, scars on my body left by the holy maiden asserting dominance.
I kept your intentions unclear, knowing I’m unworthy. But now, you’ve exposed my deepest wounds, verbally shamed me, ignoring my feelings while inflicting more harm.
You’re venting anger, retaliating to my refusal to return your feelings. Happy now? I owe you no more…
Upon saying this, tears streamed down his reddened eyes.
At this point, Xiao Hong Xin felt the sky collapsing.
Looking down at the pallid Jiang Xuan, regret washed over her heart.
“What have I done!?”
“You’ve known me the longest, my character…”
“Jiang Xuan established the Xuantian Pavilion to gather information, with its members fiercely opposing evil… never harming the innocent.”
“The spirit stones he continuously invests in the pavilion aim to change this chaotic world.”
“With such resources, he could’ve lived a carefree life, yet chose this selfless path…”
His original goal was purely to help people like me…”
“I know, I’ve always known…”
“But upon seeing his marks, a demon took hold of my heart.”
“Even though I felt guilty, seeing his marks, that guilt vanishes; now it’s sheer madness. Why can others touch him, yet he refuses me, a person who has devoted herself? Is all my effort in vain?”
“Turns out, he’s harbored feelings for me all along, simply too shy to act…”
“Whereas I, impatient and cruel, hurt him…”
“I didn’t even consider how he got hurt; I branded him reckless.”
“My pride blinders ignored his compassionate nature…”
“What have I done? Yet, even after harming him, he doesn’t despise me; instead, he smiles and says he’s done… What resolve is in that statement!”
Xiao Hong Xin trembled, tenderly touching Jiang’s face. Words overwhelmed her, yet only one escaped, “Sorry…”
During this, the System in Jiang Xuan’s mind chimed:
“Beep! Detected objective affinity value reaching 10000, would master like to activate affinity replication function?”
“Yes!”
“Beep! Function activation failed, please retry next time.”
Jiang Xuan: “??????”
Now, closing his eyes in sadness, he ignored Xiao Hong Xin’s apologies, too exhausted to speak.
Clearly regretting her actions, her fondness soared from negative to full.
In truth, his heartfelt speech wasn’t exactly untrue, merely slightly exaggerated.
The Xuantian Pavilion recruits loyal knights and refugees; he values loyalty.
He didn’t want strong-background individuals; their loyalties were questionable. These people would drag the pavilion into trouble, making it an easy target.
Yet, framing it as aiding righteous warriors wasn’t entirely false.
Focused on the System space now, after finally using the affinity replication function, he eagerly anticipated enhanced cultivation. Yet, the system failed. Irritating!
If only she had given him a chance earlier!
Without the system’s aid, Jiang resorted to basic exercises to strengthen his body, lest he break down. If the deputy pavilion master’s remorse hadn’t stopped her torment, he’d still be in peril.
Now, liberated from the wisdom state, Jiang returned to savior mode, clear-minded.
He realized how fierce the competition was, especially among women.
He’d avoid triggering rivalrous tendencies again.
Inevitably, in this ruthless world, weakness and lack of power spell doom.
Realizing, Jiang vented to the System:
“System, you can’t keep letting me down!”
“Beep! Replication function has only a 50% success rate due to its extreme nature. Perhaps luck isn’t with you today. Maybe try tomorrow.”
“No, d*mn it…”
“Ah, of course not… Is there anything that could strengthen the body?”
“If my body doesn’t get stronger, you might lose your cool host! Consider your options.”
“Bleep. Host requested impossible feature scan.”
Frustrated, Jiang cursed and exited.
Relying solely on himself, he turned to his top-notch medicinal knowledge.
Worried about the patron’s impatience, he checked the note left behind.
“Pavilion Master, I’m sorry for hurting you. Forgive me, I’ll spend my life mending my deeds. I never owed you, rather it’s I who owes you.”
“I left to gather the pavilion members outside the Great Jiang Capital. Use the healing elixir; it’ll amplify your physical strength. Take extra precautions before I return.”
Relieved, seeing Xiao Hong Xin hadn’t abandoned him, he swallowed an elixir instantly feeling rejuvenated.
The imperial treasures weren’t mere trinkets; he felt revitalized, gaining significant improvement.
Leaving the room, confident his new strength could match martial apprentice level, he tested himself in the courtyard.
“System, see, others could offer such perks, whereas you fail me!”
Scan System: “…”
Desperate to provoke the system, a crash interrupted—someone had broken the barrier. A figure descended.
“Ha, finally found you, my dear Emperor.”
