Chapter 513 - 254: Avoid Her Spearhead?

Chapter 513: Chapter 254: Avoid Her Spearhead?

In her heart, the position of Co-Wife was already taken; she would never allow an outsider to lay claim to it.

If he were just taking a concubine, she might have been able to turn a blind eye.

But a Co-Wife... That was absolutely out of the question!

Taking a few deep breaths, Sun Yuzhi forcefully suppressed her anger and turned to face Chen Sheng directly, her gaze as sharp as a blade.

"So, what are you planning to do? Are you really going to openly marry a woman known as ’another man’s widow’ and make her your Co-Wife?"

Chen Sheng met her gaze and slowly shook his head.

"I haven’t agreed."

Sun Yuzhi’s heart eased, and the taut strings of her nerves loosened slightly.

If Chen Sheng had really agreed to such terms just for a Gu King, then all of her devotion and her many sacrifices would truly be a joke.

She understood that Chen Sheng’s marriage alliance with the Nie Family was imperative—it was for the greater good.

She truly wanted what was best for Chen Sheng.

But Lan Yufei... What right did she have?

What could she possibly offer Chen Sheng?

"Then what are you thinking?"

Sun Yuzhi’s voice grew calm, but her gaze remained fixed on Chen Sheng.

Chen Sheng reached out, taking her cool hand in his palm. He pondered for a moment before saying:

"Taking her in, even giving her a formal title, isn’t out of the question. But the position of Co-Wife... I can’t give her that. What do you think?"

Sun Yuzhi frowned.

"And she’ll agree to that? She wants to resolve her Gu affliction through cultivation with you, and she wants the security of a title. Why would she be content to be a concubine?"

"Let’s try, at least. Perhaps we can persuade her,"

Chen Sheng said in a low voice.

After the intense resonance between the Gu Kings during the day, he knew that the backlash Lady Lan had suffered was far more severe than his own.

If she wanted to pursue the great path to the Golden Core, resolving this affliction was a must.

In a sense, he still held the upper hand.

The tricky part was how to make this proud and arrogant Sect Leader accept a position lower than she expected.

Sun Yuzhi was silent for a long moment. A resolute glint flashed in her eyes, and she said through gritted teeth,

"If she insists on fighting for the position of Co-Wife... tell her to come find me. If she can defeat the spear in my hands, then I, Sun Yuzhi... will give her the position!"

Her words were forceful and resonant, filled with an unshakeable resolve and pride.

.....

「Deep within the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect, inside a study.」

The study was brightly lit by candlelight, illuminating Lady Lan’s slightly weary yet still stunning profile.

Lan Yufei, dressed in a pale blue palace gown, leaned back in a large mahogany armchair. Her brow was clouded with a faint hesitation and doubt that eventually settled into a complex, sorrowful expression.

Her heart was in turmoil, and she found it impossible to be calm.

Especially after confirming that Chen Sheng had successfully subdued the Dragon Yang Gu King, her once-clear train of thought had dissolved into chaos.

To be fair, Chen Sheng was a true prodigy, a dragon among men and the pride of Yunzhou.

But as for her feelings for him, Lan Yufei had, at most, some admiration and a favorable impression. It was a far cry from being deeply in love.

’We’ve only met a few times. How could I entrust my entire life to him so easily?’

However, reality had pushed her to a crossroads where a choice had to be made.

The Dragon-Singing Celestial Cicada in Chen Sheng’s hands was the one and only key to resolving the hidden danger of the Simurgh Phoenix Jade Butterfly within her—and even helping her advance further.

If Yin and Yang did not Complement Each Other, she would be forever subject to an increasingly ferocious backlash, and her path to the Dao would be cut short.

Her wish for a long life, her dream of reaching the Golden Core—it would all become an unattainable illusion.

She could never forsake her path.

As such, marrying Chen Sheng seemed to be the most direct and effective option available.

Lan Yufei didn’t dare to dream of becoming his principal wife. The status of the Nie Family’s legitimate daughter and the marriage contract were as immovable as a mountain; there was no way Chen Sheng would abandon them for her.

Therefore, the position of Co-Wife was the very least she could strive for.

Although slightly inferior to the principal wife, it was still a formally recognized and respected position, one of his three major consorts.

Lan Yufei believed Chen Sheng had no reason to refuse.

They both stood to gain from cooperation and lose from conflict.

Besides, not only was she still a maiden, but she also held the title of Nanzhao’s greatest beauty.

In terms of appearance, status, and Cultivation, she was more than a match for Chen Sheng. Marrying her would be no disgrace to him.

Now, only one major obstacle lay before her.

’How am I going to tell my adopted son, Ouyang Ke?’

’His ’mother’ is about to marry, and the man she’s marrying is Chen Sheng—someone of his own generation, someone he calls a ’brother’...’

’How can I possibly broach the subject?’

The mere thought of that scene made Lady Lan’s cheeks burn with shame and embarrassment.

’Would Ouyang Ke be able to accept it?’

’How would he react?’

At this moment, she had no idea.

"Sect Leader, the Young Master is outside and wishes to see you."

The respectful report from the maidservant outside interrupted her train of thought.

Lady Lan composed herself and straightened her posture.

"Let him in."

"Mother."

Ouyang Ke pushed the door open and entered, a slightly forced smile on his face.

Lady Lan keenly sensed his low spirits, and her heart tightened.

’Could Ke’Er have already heard some rumor?’

’No, that’s impossible.’

"What’s wrong? You look like you have something on your mind," Lady Lan probed gently.

"It’s... it’s about the marriage alliance with the Nie Family."

Ouyang Ke sighed and recounted, word for word, the advice and analysis Chen Sheng had given him that day.

At the end, he lifted his head. Though reluctance lingered in his eyes, it was overshadowed by a sense of responsibility and decisiveness.

"Mother, I’ve thought it through. Since Nie Lingshan has no interest in me, there’s no point in forcing it. To resolve the sect’s crisis, I am willing to form an alliance by marrying another suitable legitimate daughter from the Nie Family.

The Ten Thousand Poisons Sect is currently beset by dangers from within and without. As the Young Master, it is my duty to bear this responsibility!"

Lady Lan listened quietly, her heart a whirlwind of emotions.

This proud, sensitive child she had raised from infancy had suffered a setback in love, yet he was able to put the greater good first and adjust his mindset so quickly. It made her feel both pleased and heartbroken for him.

"Ke’Er, you’ve... you’ve really grown up."

Lady Lan fell silent for a long time before letting out a soft sigh.

"Oh, by the way, Mother."

Ouyang Ke seemed to want to change the subject, but also as if he were sharing an interesting tidbit. A smile returned to his face as he said,