Three Women Discuss an Alliance at Night They End Up Outmaneuvered by Wang Hao

Wei Zhongxian was taken aback.

Not going?

He originally thought that given this person's temperament, he would at least personally go next door to watch the fun.

"The most interesting part of this kind of scene is that they think they are talking behind my back." Wang Hao picked up his tea, blew on the hot steam, his eyes filled with a gentle wickedness. "If I actually went, the flavor of the drama wouldn't be pure enough."

Wei Zhongxian lowered his head, feeling deeply that he had learned something new again.

Sometimes the most brilliant manipulation is not getting personally involved to stir things up.

Rather, it is to first build a stage for others, let them think they are in control of the situation, and wait until they finally muster the courage to take that step before suddenly pulling the stage out from under them.

His Majesty was truly wicked.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the camp.

Inside the old medicine tent on the north side, the lighting was very dim.

The main lamp in the tent was not lit; only a small warm jade lamp burned. The light was yellowish and dim, not particularly bright, but just enough to see each other's expressions clearly.

The first to arrive was Ren Mingyue.

She wore a light-colored fox fur cloak, her steps very light. When she lifted the curtain to enter, her gaze first swept around the surroundings to confirm no one was there before she sat down unhurriedly.

She was not surprised that someone would come.

Nor was she surprised that she was the first.

Because in this kind of gathering, the first to arrive often seemed more like the one in control.

But not long after she sat down, the tent curtain moved again.

Shen Xue, dressed all in white, walked in.

The two exchanged a glance.

There were no pleasantries, no politeness, not even bothering to put on a superficial smile.

They both knew all too well why the other was here.

Ren Mingyue spoke first, her voice steady. "I thought the Holy Maiden of the Ice and Snow Divine Palace would be more cautious."

Shen Xue said indifferently, "I also thought the Empress would be more composed."

As soon as they spoke, the smell of gunpowder hung in the air.

But neither of them turned to leave.

Because hostility was one thing, and their purpose was another.

They both knew that tonight was not about arguing for the sake of it.

After a dozen or so breaths, a third set of footsteps stopped outside the tent.

Yun Meng stood outside the curtain, her expression a bit cold and somewhat awkward.

She had actually come twice.

The first time, halfway there, she remembered Ren Mingyue's words from earlier in the day, "It seems I have come at a bad time," and her mind grew hot, almost turning back right then and there.

The second time, she thought of how that scoundrel Wang Hao had been treating her, Shen Xue, and Ren Mingyue lately. The more she thought about it, the more wrong it felt.

It wasn't right.

It was very wrong.

This dog emperor looked like he was just flirting, but in reality, every step seemed deliberate, as if he was using their reactions to test, scheme, and provoke.

If she didn't come, she might end up being sold by him one day and still help him count the money.

Thinking of this, Yun Meng lifted the curtain and walked in.

Thus, the tent fell completely silent.

Three women, three identities, three stances, three people who were not to be trifled with, were now sitting around the same low desk. The atmosphere was momentarily as subtle and volatile as a pot of unboiled poisonous soup.

Everyone knew this pot of soup was not clean.

But everyone wanted to see what the others had put into it first.

The first to break the silence was surprisingly Yun Meng.

"I'll speak first." She crossed her arms, her face cold, clearly not intending to beat around the bush. "I'm not here to play loving sisters with you."

Ren Mingyue smiled lightly. "What a coincidence, neither am I."

Shen Xue's expression was aloof. "In that case, there is no need for nonsense."

The three exchanged glances, and the faint hostility in the tent actually faded a bit.

Because once hostility is brought out into the open, it is no longer as dangerous.

What is truly dangerous are the hidden calculations.

"Then I'll be direct." Yun Meng took a deep breath, as if finally exhaling the breath she had been holding for a long time. "Haven't you noticed? The three of us lately... have all been led by the nose by that person."

This "that person" did not need to be named.

All three in the tent knew exactly who it was.

Ren Mingyue did not answer immediately.

Because she realized that although Yun Meng seemed the most explosive on the surface, she was actually the most clear-headed right now.

At least on this point, she was very clear-headed.

Shen Xue lowered her eyes for a moment and said slowly, "He did it on purpose."

"Of course it's on purpose," Yun Meng said through gritted teeth. "When he finds me displeasing, he blocks me with words; when my mind is in turmoil, he acts like nothing happened. He clearly made the first move, but in the end, he makes it look like I'm the one overthinking things."

Ren Mingyue couldn't help but let the corners of her mouth twitch up slightly.

She resonated with those words far too much.

Not just Yun Meng, even she herself felt a similar stifling frustration.

The most infuriating thing about Wang Hao was never just him simply taking advantage.

It was that after taking advantage, he could sit there with a perfectly composed face, casually making you doubt whether you had misunderstood him.

His shamelessness had incredible depth.

"What are you laughing at?" Yun Meng immediately glared at her.

"Laughing that you finally said something sensible." Ren Mingyue said unhurriedly. "I thought Fairy Yun would remain stubborn to the very end."

Yun Meng sneered. "At least I'm better than some people. Knowing full well he is no good, yet always acting like a spectator watching a play."

Ren Mingyue raised an eyebrow. "My watching a play is still better than someone panicking and trying to explain themselves just because he held their hand."

"You—"

Seeing the atmosphere about to explode again, Shen Xue finally spoke up.

"Enough."

Her voice was not loud, but it was very cold, like the wind above the snowline.

Yun Meng and Ren Mingyue both paused.

Shen Xue raised her eyes. There was no smile in them, only a kind of almost restrained clarity.

"If we continue like this, we will truly be playing right into his hands."

As soon as these words came out, the tent fell quiet again.

Because those words were too accurate.

So accurate that they couldn't refute them.

Did Wang Hao want to see them fight?

Of course he did.

He might even be happily watching it right now.

The more they fought among themselves, the more relaxed he would be; the more they suspected each other, the easier it would be for him to strike.

"So?" Ren Mingyue asked.

Shen Xue was silent for a moment before saying, "At least before we leave the Yan Mountain Secret Realm, let's stop undermining each other."

Yun Meng frowned. "That's it?"

"That's it." Shen Xue looked at her. "Do you think we can truly open our hearts to each other overnight? Impossible. But if we don't even have the most basic understanding, then no matter what situation we face later, he will defeat us one by one."

Ren Mingyue did not argue back this time.

Because she admitted that Shen Xue was right.

They did not trust each other, and this was something that could not be changed in a short amount of time.

But a lack of trust did not mean they could not cooperate temporarily.

Truly smart people never seek an absolutely reliable alliance.

Instead, they first ensure that they will not be stabbed in the back by their own people at the most critical moment.

Yun Meng pursed her lips, her expression changing several times.

In the end, she still nodded.

"Fine."

Ren Mingyue smiled and also said slowly, "I have no objections either."

And so, an alliance as fragile as paper was reluctantly formed in the old medicine tent.

There were no oaths, no guarantees, and no one truly believed the others.

They merely agreed on three things.

First, they would no longer easily allow Wang Hao to manipulate their individual pacing.

Second, no matter who got close to Wang Hao, the other two would not rush to fall out with her.

Third, if a major situation like the battle for the core of the Yan Mountain Secret Realm arose again, they would not trip each other up and would first unite against outsiders.

After saying all this, even Yun Meng herself felt it was a bit absurd.

When did she ever sink so low as to discuss "not being divided by that dog emperor" with these two?

Looking at them, Ren Mingyue also felt a very subtle sensation.

It was as if three highly intelligent people suddenly realized they were facing someone even more devious.

That wasn't embarrassing.

What was embarrassing was that even after realizing it, they still kept falling for his tricks.

The atmosphere inside the tent eased slightly.

Yun Meng even asked with rare seriousness, "Then what if he deliberately tries to sow discord again later?"

Ren Mingyue said flatly, "Don't believe it right away."

Shen Xue added, "At the very least, confirm it with each other first."

Yun Meng nodded, her expression turning more serious. "Alright. If something similar happens again, whoever hears anything first should come and ask, instead of letting their imagination run wild."

When she said this, her tone was firm.

So firm that it sounded like an oath to never do something stupid again.

What a pity.

At the same time, in a small tent not far away, spirit runes glowed faintly. A sound-recording array was steadily capturing every word they said.

Wang Hao sat on a soft couch, laughing for a full half cup of tea's time after listening to it.

"Brilliant."

He gave it the highest praise.

Wei Zhongxian stood to the side, no longer knowing what expression to wear.

"Your Majesty, it seems the three of them... really plan to hold back this time."

"Hold back?" Wang Hao's smile deepened. "That depends on whether I give them the chance to."

Wei Zhongxian silently sighed for the three girls in his heart.

Running into His Majesty was truly a sin.

"Cut it," Wang Hao raised his hand, his tone as light as if he were ordering the kitchen to slice a plate of fruit. "Divide their conversation into three parts."

"Ah?"

"For Yun Meng, only let her hear the segment: 'I also thought she would be more composed', 'Me watching the show is still better than someone panicking and explaining themselves after holding his hand', and 'I have no objections either'."

Wei Zhongxian: "..."

Obviously, edited like this, the effect Yun Meng would hear would probably become: Ren Mingyue and Shen Xue treating her like a joke at first, and then condescendingly "reluctantly accepting" her later.

"For Ren Mingyue, send her: 'I am not here to play sisterly bonds with you', 'Knowing full well he is no good yet always acting like you are watching a play', and 'If something similar happens again, whoever hears anything first should ask, instead of letting their imagination run wild'."

This edit was even more ruthless.

It sounded like Yun Meng was attacking Ren Mingyue the entire time, with Shen Xue subtly siding with Yun Meng in the middle.

"As for Shen Xue—" Wang Hao's lips curled up, "Let her hear the parts before and after 'he did it on purpose', plus 'no matter who gets close to Wang Hao, the other two shouldn't rush to fall out', and 'if the big picture is at stake again, do not trip each other up, but unite against the outside first'."

Hearing this, Wei Zhongxian was thoroughly convinced.

Because this way, the version Shen Xue heard would sound very much like Ren Mingyue and Yun Meng saying they wouldn't fight, but actually tacitly agreeing that "whoever gets close to Wang Hao first gains the advantage," and trying to rationalize it.

Too wicked.

So wicked that even the Eastern Depot would feel like gentlemen in comparison.

"Your Majesty..." Wei Zhongxian couldn't help but say, "Isn't this a bit too—"

"Too what?"

"Too unkind."

Wang Hao looked at him in surprise.

"When have I ever been kind?"

Wei Zhongxian was instantly speechless.

Makes sense.

And impossible to refute.

Early the next morning.

The camp was peaceful on the surface.

The wind and snow had lessened significantly, soldiers were changing shifts, depot guards were shuttling back and forth, and the supporting disciples from the two sects were making final preparations to enter deeper into the secret realm.

Everything looked perfectly normal.

Except for three people, who were not quite normal.

Shen Xue was quieter than usual, her expression even more detached, as if the fragile consensus they had barely reached last night had frozen over with an even colder layer of frost by daybreak.

Yun Meng, on the other hand, was clearly annoyed.

Whenever she thought about how she had earnestly suggested "confirming with each other first" last night, only to turn around and hear Ren Mingyue mocking her "don't misunderstand" behind her back, her anger flared up in waves.

And Ren Mingyue's smile was even gentler than usual.

Falsely gentle.

It was a classic "I won't lash out right now, but you'd better not fall into my hands" kind of smile.

Therefore, when the three women met again outside the central camp, the scene was spectacular.

"Did Fairy Yun sleep well last night?" Ren Mingyue spoke first, her voice as soft as spring water.

Yun Meng looked at her and smiled, the amusement not reaching her eyes in the slightest.

"Thanks to the future Empress, I managed to stay clear-headed."

Standing to the side, Shen Xue's gaze shifted slightly at these words, but she remained silent.

Her silence didn't mean she didn't understand.

Precisely because she understood, she remained even more silent.

Catching her reaction from the corner of her eye, the thirty-percent suspicion in Ren Mingyue's heart instantly swelled to fifty percent.

Oh.

It seemed she wasn't the only one who wanted to keep a backup plan last night.

And seeing Shen Xue still looking so aloof and silent, Yun Meng became even more certain—these two really hadn't told the whole truth last night.

There were no knives in the air.

But it felt as if the air was filled with them.

Right at this moment, Wang Hao lifted the tent flap and walked out.

His gaze swept over the three women, pausing for a moment before he revealed a perfectly measured, gentle smile that said, "I haven't noticed a thing."

"You're all here?"

The three women looked at him simultaneously.

In that instant, Wang Hao actually saw the exact same emotion in three pairs of beautiful eyes.

The urge to kill.

Of course, their intended targets weren't entirely the same.

But at least a portion of it was highly consistent.

Wang Hao was blooming with joy on the inside, but he kept a perfectly straight face.

"It seems everyone rested quite well," he said with a smile. "Perfect timing. The outer restrictions of the secret realm's core are just about ready to open."

The three women: "..."

They suddenly felt a very familiar sensation.

It was as if all their clarity, restraint, and attempts to band together last night were being ruthlessly mocked by this man's innocent-looking smile.

Yet they couldn't grasp any evidence.

They could only suspect each other and sulk in silence.

At this thought, Yun Meng almost ground her teeth to dust.

The hands inside Shen Xue's sleeves tightened slightly.

The smile on Ren Mingyue's face grew even gentler.

The harem bloodbath had originally just begun to rear its head.

Now, with Wang Hao's editing, broadcasting, and instigating, it immediately leveled up on the spot.

And it was version 3.0.

Colder, more nuanced, and much more adept at stabbing people in a roundabout way.

Standing to the side watching this scene unfold, Wei Zhongxian had only one thought left in his mind.

His Majesty was truly wicked.

But strangely enough—

The wickedness was effective.

Because just as these three women were maintaining superficial harmony while seething with murderous intent, a very low yet incredibly heavy rumble suddenly echoed from deep within the Yanshan Secret Realm ahead.

It sounded like some ancient restriction that had slumbered for far too long was finally being slowly pried open by something.

The next moment, the earth trembled slightly.

Several blood-red pillars of light shot up into the sky.

The entire camp went quiet for a second.

Everyone looked up simultaneously, gazing toward the core of the secret realm.

Wang Hao narrowed his eyes slightly, and the "watching a good show" smile on his lips finally faded away.

"It's here."

The true main course of this game was finally served.