With what Where does your confidence come from

Yun Ting was a rather difficult person to judge.

She considered herself clever, but in reality, she wasn’t quite as sharp as she believed.

Perhaps it was a case of having countless petty smarts but lacking any real foresight?

Growing up listening to her impoverished parents bickering endlessly over trivial matters…

She had sworn to herself that she would never end up with a penniless man.

In the end, she got her wish.

But her marriage into the Yun family couldn’t be dismissed as mere luck.

She had played the emotional card—her years of standing by Yun Huang’s father as he built his empire from nothing.

Back then, she had been gambling.

She knew she couldn’t simply marry into "wealth" on her own merits.

Her only way out was to place her bets early—to endure hardship alongside a man with potential, to rise with him into "high society."

In the early years, she had fought side by side with Yun Huang’s father in the Source Realm, drenched in blood and battle.

That was why his old comrades, the Yun family’s former allies, still gave her some face out of respect for the past.

It was the only reason the Yun family hadn’t completely collapsed amidst the storms.

But…

Just like in ancient dynasties, where some emperors were wise and mighty in their youth but made blunder after blunder in their twilight years…

Yun Ting, though hardly comparable to an emperor and never particularly wise to begin with, had fallen into a similar state.

She had watched the Yun family’s grand tower rise, seen its halls filled with guests—how could she stand by and watch it crumble?

This was a tower she had poured nearly thirty years of her life into building…

Favors, however, eventually run out.

When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter.

And as for her…

Mid-stage Ninth Rank.

Only achieved through the resources Yun Huang’s father had shared with her, stumbling her way up.

Add to that years of cushioned living, long stripped of her fighting spirit.

In a real life-or-death battle, even an early-stage Ninth Rank would have a decent chance of cutting her down.

She couldn’t possibly defend this vast legacy on her own.

So yes, she could be ruthless, even foolish at times—but she wasn’t completely brainless.

If she had truly been fooled by Su Qi’s clumsy tricks…

The Yun family would have long been torn apart by the wolves lurking in the shadows.

Yun Ting calmly placed the card on the tea table, her dark red nails tapping lightly against the surface, glinting coldly.

She studied Su Qi’s face, then suddenly chuckled. "Is this your idea, or Guardian Jiang’s?"

Su Qi countered, "Does it matter?"

It actually did.

If Su Qi’s title had been "Guardian Jiang’s personal disciple" instead of "Guardian Jiang’s nominal disciple,"

the treatment would have been entirely different.

Plainly put, she judged people by their worth.

She might have even tried to pair him with Yun Huang—so long as it didn’t interfere with her cultivation.

In Jiangxia, clinging to a Guardian’s influence wasn’t as grand as the Yun family’s former glory, but it was an acceptable outcome.

As for Yun Huang?

A simple, "Mom only wants what’s best for you."

Followed by, "I was wrong all these years. I regret it. Can you forgive me?"

And that would be that.

She had been through the same as a child.

Even if children had the power to defy their parents, most would only sever ties—how many would actually dare raise a hand?

Even if Yun Huang inevitably surpassed her one day, would she really kill her own mother?

Yun Ting didn’t think so.

…

Su Qi wasn’t close enough to Guardian Jiang to drag his name into this. "It’s my own idea."

Yun Ting exhaled in relief.

If Guardian Jiang had come to take a slice of the pie, the Yun family would have been powerless to resist.

Fortunately, Guardians were required to uphold a certain standard of integrity.

Satisfied with the answer,

she leisurely lifted her teacup, the clear liquid reflecting her narrowed eyes. "Then what makes you think a mere Sixth Rank Cardbearer can meddle in the Yun family’s affairs?"

The cup met the table with a soft click.

A signal.

From the shadows of the marble pillars, several figures emerged soundlessly.

Their auras were steady—all at least Sixth Rank.

Any one of them could easily overpower Old Li.

Last time, she had been civil because of Su Qi’s status and his supposed ability to aid Yun Huang’s cultivation.

But now, it seemed he was only hindering her progress.

No reason to be polite anymore.

Su Qi noticed the encirclement but remained unshaken, even amused.

Liu Yuan, though unaware of the hidden figures, sensed the tension and subtly edged closer to Su Qi.

The fluffy pom-pom on her ankle bristled like a spiked ball.

Of course, Yun Ting wasn’t actually planning to kill Su Qi here.

The Yun family had no need for unnecessary trouble.

She just wanted him to understand the stakes and back off. "Do you really think I knew nothing about last time?"

"Su Qi, out of respect for your ties to Guardian Jiang, I’ll let it slide today. But if you keep pestering my Huang’er, don’t blame me for being harsh."

"But I’m not unreasonable. Let’s compromise—500,000. Leave the card, and you can go."

Su Qi seemed to have anticipated her reaction. "I’ll leave, but only if Yun Huang comes down and says it herself."

"I don’t think she should be shackled by your expectations. She has the right to choose her own path—including her friends."

Yun Ting’s expression darkened. She hadn’t expected Su Qi to challenge her so directly.

Last time, he had only been sneaking around, flaunting his petty cleverness…

What gave him the nerve to expose her so brazenly now?

What was his leverage?

Guardian Jiang?

Plenty knew about her forcing Yun Huang to cultivate relentlessly.

But no one dared say it outright.

To Yun Ting, Yun Huang was her daughter—she should live according to her plans.

Su Qi was like a thorn, piercing through her carefully woven web.

She had rarely met someone so reckless and meddlesome.

"You—" She barely started before Su Qi cut her off.

"Truth is, we don’t actually have conflicting interests."

"You want to preserve the Yun family. I want Yun Huang."

The moment the words left his mouth, Su Qi felt a sharp pinch at his waist.

Painful, but he maintained his air of unshakable confidence.

Not now, little sister. Tactics, tactics—understand?

Thankfully, Liu Yuan obeyed, staying quiet after that small protest.

Yun Ting’s heart wavered slightly.

"Easier said than done," she scoffed, masking her hesitation. "If Guardian Jiang said that, it might carry weight."

…

As for Yun Huang herself?

She was currently cultivating in her private chamber on the second floor.

The walls shimmered with intricate crimson patterns—not only soundproof but enhancing Source energy absorption by roughly 30%.

The only drawback was that its range wasn't as extensive as that special card from the Cardholders' Association.

Yun Huang closed her eyes, straining to catch...

To catch the voices from downstairs.

Her ears practically perked up.

If not for the surveillance on her, she’d probably have pressed them against the wall by now.

As they say, if you don’t hold onto hope, you won’t be disappointed.

But when hope knocks again, how could anyone resist embracing it?

Only...

The soundproofing was too good, leaving her with only broken fragments of conversation...

Too scattered to piece into complete sentences.

Eventually, Yun Huang gave up on cultivation entirely.

Not only did she stop gathering source energy, but she also channeled all her focus and spiritual power into eavesdropping on the voices below.

At last, a few coherent phrases reached her ears.

"Madam, surely you wouldn’t want Yun Huang to underperform in the martial exam, would you?"

"You? What makes you so confident?"

"No matter what you pull out, I—"

"...How do you even have this?"

"Give it to me—"