clergé

Chapitre 22

Pang Wan was overjoyed and followed him around excitedly.

Maid A, with a calm demeanor that seemed to say "I knew it would be like this," stood back in her former place, her face glowing and her bearing heroic.

Pang Wan followed Bai Xiaosheng to a small pavilion, where enough pastries to fill her stomach had already been prepared. Pang Wan first grabbed a piece of drunken chicken with the force of a tiger descending the mountain and threw it into her mouth, then picked up a stack of osmanthus cakes and held them in her arms with the grace of a crane spreading its wings.

She was happily munching away, and after devouring three pieces of sweet cake, she realized something was amiss—Bai Xiaosheng hadn't left; he was still standing there watching her.

Pang Wan, with a shy and hesitant expression, handed over a stack of red bean pastries to the other person: "Would you like some?"

Bai Xiaosheng shook his head.

So Pang Wan picked up a piece of red bean pastry and put it in her mouth, chewing it with relish: "Speak your mind if you have something to say, it's not good to keep it bottled up."

Bai Xiaosheng smiled, then said meaningfully, "Miss Wanwan, do you know that the Alliance Leader treats you very well?"

Without a second thought, Pang Wan nodded vigorously: "He has indeed treated me very well." Presumably, this table of pastries and drinks was specially prepared by him after he heard his stomach rumbling. He truly is a thoughtful and superior person.

Bai Xiaosheng looked at her, his smile widening: "Has that girl ever wondered why the Alliance Leader treats you so well?"

Pang's long, curved eyelashes fluttered as she put down the pastry in her hand and sighed.

—Of course I've thought about it! With her sensitive Mary Sue-like constitution, she's thought about it countless times! But she knows in her heart that the answer will never be the one she hopes for, so she simply stops thinking about it.

"The leader has a great fondness for talent." After a long while, she reluctantly gave the correct answer, complaining about the cruelty of reality.

Bai Xiaosheng pursed his lips. He was originally a handsome young man with fair skin, but when he pursed his lips, he appeared somewhat wicked.

"Although the young lady is spoiled and willful..." He paused here, deliberately glancing at Pang Wan. Seeing that she was expressionless and had no adverse reaction, he continued, "she is also a reasonable person. In addition, the young lady's internal strength and martial arts are far beyond those of ordinary people. The leader of the alliance really needs such a talent to help him."

Pang Wan didn't speak. She thought that Gu Xiju's martial arts skills were already unparalleled in the world, so why would he need the help of others?

As if seeing through her thoughts, Bai Xiaosheng said slowly, "Although the Alliance Leader possesses unparalleled martial arts skills, he ascended to the supreme position at a young age. Such an extraordinary experience will also cause him to face many difficulties in the future."

Pang Wan originally intended to remain silent. She thought it wasn't strange for someone in their twenties to become the leader of the martial arts alliance. There were countless examples of people becoming universe leaders at the age of sixteen on the Mary Sue Continent. However, seeing Bai Xiaosheng's earnest gaze, she had no choice but to bite the bullet and flatter him, saying, "A talent like the leader is probably one that hasn't appeared in over a hundred years." Although the Mary Sue Continent was thriving and producing talents every day.

Bai Xiaosheng nodded before continuing, "As you can see, while all the sects outwardly show great respect to the Alliance Leader, some harbor rebellious intentions." He frowned slightly, "For example, the Kunlun and Shaolin sects, though they verbally acknowledge the Alliance Leader, have never sent anyone to participate in any gatherings, always making excuses to avoid it..." He gritted his teeth, "deliberately giving others ammunition to criticize them!"

"The leader of the martial arts alliance has earned this position through his own abilities, but many people are waiting to see him make a fool of himself. Some have even started betting on when he will step down from the throne." Bai Xiaosheng smiled bitterly. "After all, the leader of the martial arts alliance not only needs superb martial arts skills, but also the ability, shrewdness, and achievements to keep the thousands of fierce and evil people in the martial arts world in check."

Pang Wan finally understood—it turned out that Gu Xiju's position as the leader of the alliance was not secure because of his young age and lack of experience, and there were still many people eyeing him covetously!

He only cared about the thief eating meat, but never saw the thief being beaten. Thinking that for months he had only focused on Gu Xiju's calm and composed and influential side, but never thought about the suffering behind his glory, Pang Wan felt a surge of tenderness in his heart.

"Why don't we just have the alliance leader do a few big things that can silence the masses?" she suggested to Bai Xiaosheng.

“That’s true,” Bai Xiaosheng sighed. “But given the current situation, the Alliance Leader can only shut everyone up by doing two major things.”

"Which two items?" Pang Wan asked curiously.

"Bring the Lonely Palace forces under our control, or..."

A ruthless and resolute glint appeared in his eyes: "Completely eradicate the Moon Worshiping Demonic Cult!"

Using lotus as paper

"Let's try to win over the forces of the Lonely Palace!"

Pang Wan made the decision for Gu Xiju without hesitation.

"Ah?" Bai Xiaosheng was surprised to see her answer so quickly. "Why do you say that, young lady?"

Pang Wan said with a serious face, "Eliminating the Demonic Sect is just removing one of many enemies, while winning over the Lonely Palace is gaining an ally that others can't have. You see, if we have to spend the same amount of effort and resources, isn't the latter deal much more worthwhile?"

Bai Xiaosheng looked her over and nodded: "That makes sense."

Pang Wan breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that he seemed to agree with her explanation.

—Are you kidding me? How could I just stand by and watch you all gang up on my family? Wouldn't that be asking for trouble?

Having finished discussing the demonic sect, Pang Wan began to happily eat her taro dumplings. Seeing her carefree demeanor, Bai Xiaosheng suddenly asked, "Miss Wanwan, do you like the Alliance Leader?"

Pang Wan stopped chewing, looked up at him and smiled sweetly: "I like it."

Just as Bai Xiaosheng was about to reply, he heard Pang Wan puff out his cheeks and mutter, "Like liking my brother."

Bai Xiaosheng then said nothing more.

After dawdling over his food, Gu Xiju returned to the hall. The banquet was already ending. He stood at the door, bidding farewell to the various sect leaders one by one, his back as straight as a pine tree.

Pang Wan silently walked behind him and stood there, mimicking his smile, nodding, and waving, looking every bit the virtuous little wife.

After seeing off the last sect leader, Gu Xiju turned around and gave her a faint smile.

"Why are you being so well-behaved?" he asked.

"To share the burden of the Alliance Leader!" Pang Wan stood still, his expression serious.

Gu Xiju glanced at her, then suddenly stretched out his right hand and wiped her lips with his thumb: "Why didn't you remember to wipe your mouth after you finished eating?"

Even the usually composed maid A started to have her eyes pop out of their sockets.

Pang Wan hastily wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his face flushed red, when he caught sight of Bai Xiaosheng's ambiguous smile.

She glared at him fiercely, then lifted her skirt and walked away.

Back in her room that night, Pang Wan tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

She recalled what Bai Xiaosheng had said and felt uneasy. Her uncle, the cult leader, wanted her to depose Gu Xiju and take his place, but Gu Xiju wanted to take her as his confidante and planned to eradicate the cult. Was the situation bad or bad?