Han Shuang had completely dropped her usual brash manner, instead fixing Jiang Chen with a gaze heavy with meaning, as though she were trying to divine something from his words.
"So, you two — what are your plans going forward?" Han Shuang asked with a soft sigh.
"You're the sect master. You go first." Jiang Chen smiled faintly.
"Hmph!" Han Shuang seemed to think Jiang Chen was stringing her along, but then, as though struck by sudden realization, her face snapped back to that sharp, spirited look. Like a gust of wind, she strode out the door. "We'll talk about this another time. You two get some rest early."
This woman — at a critical moment, she pulled a stunt like this.
Jiang Chen watched Han Shuang leave with an amused smile, then turned to Jiang Huan with the same expression.
Jiang Huan looked thoroughly innocent. "What are you looking at me for? You two were flirting and completely ignored my existence. I played my part as the third wheel perfectly — didn't say a single word from start to finish."
Jiang Chen said flatly, "Alright, there's no one else here now. You're getting too deep into character. That's enough."
Jiang Huan gave a sly chuckle, and his expression shifted immediately — that shrewd, calculating look returning to his face.
"Young master, that woman is no ordinary person. She's concealed her strength, just like us. And she clearly has her own ambitions. Only, her ambitions are probably very different from ours. My guess is they have something to do with the Crimson Water Celestial Pool."
Jiang Chen pondered for a moment. "If it's related to the Crimson Water Celestial Pool, then it doesn't seem to conflict with our goals. Should we just leave it alone and let her do her thing?"
Jiang Huan considered this for a time as well.
But Jiang Chen quickly shook his head, dismissing his own earlier thought. "No, we can't just let her do whatever she wants. If she stirs up too much trouble at the Crimson Water Celestial Pool and alerts the Divine King's Manor, getting the Evil Star Sect expelled — then the Feudal Lords' Divine King Assembly will have nothing to do with us."
"Good point. Looks like we'll need to keep an eye on this madwoman when necessary. We can't let things escalate too far and derail our plans." Jiang Huan nodded in deep agreement.
Jiang Chen looked Jiang Huan up and down and grinned. "Uncle Huan, since your public image right now is that of a carefree, unrestrained playboy, why not sacrifice a bit of your charm and test the waters with our Lady Han? Your handsome-man stratagem might just work, you know."
Jiang Huan rubbed his nose. "Young master, when it comes to the handsome-man stratagem, this subordinate is past his prime. You're in your prime — you're the perfect candidate. Besides, that little firecracker is clearly more interested in you. She wouldn't look twice at this old man. I've noticed it too — she looks for excuses to chat with you whenever she can. There's definitely something going on there!"
The two exchanged banter for a while, but neither took the matter seriously.
The handsome-man stratagem was, after all, nothing more than a joke. Still, it was necessary to keep an eye on Han Shuang.
If she caused too big a stir at the Crimson Water Celestial Pool, it could genuinely jeopardize the grand plan.
Even if she wanted to make waves, she shouldn't do it before the Feudal Lords' Divine King Assembly. After the Assembly was over, Jiang Chen wouldn't care what she did.
All he wanted was to secure a legitimate qualification to participate in the Feudal Lords' Divine King Assembly.
Without that qualification, he couldn't get in — no matter how powerful his Divine Ability might be, he couldn't force his way through. After all, the defensive measures around the Feudal Lords' Divine King Assembly were beyond obvious.
After successfully securing a foothold, the Evil Star Sect began extensive construction at the Crimson Water Celestial Pool, laying the groundwork for a permanent base. After all, this victory meant they could remain inside for ten thousand years.
Ten thousand years wasn't particularly long in the martial world, but it was still a fairly considerable stretch of time.
Major construction was absolutely necessary.
The area around the Crimson Water Celestial Pool was, in every respect, remarkably superior. As a place for cultivation and establishing a sect, it was truly ideal.