The Chosen One and the Defiant One

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Che held Yu Wan'er in his arms.

The little girl who had been grumbling earlier was now fast asleep, curled up snugly against him, occasionally smacking her lips as if dreaming of something delicious.

Jiang Che reached out and pinched the soft, tender cheek of the little loli.

Suddenly, he remembered the 'Custom System' he had just obtained.

Maybe... he should test it out on Yu Wan'er first?

Give her a 'Miserable System'? One where she earns 'Miserable Points' by enduring hardships, which could then be exchanged for small rewards in the system shop?

Despite her petite size, Yu Wan'er was full of defiance. If not for Jiang Che's overwhelming strength keeping her in check, she’d probably flip over and sit on his face in an instant.

"Never mind, I’d hate to see these little shoes of hers worn out," Jiang Che thought.

Though he had his twisted side, scheming against his own woman was where he drew the line.

...

"What? Jiang Che has been targeting me all along?"

Ye Qing was utterly stunned upon learning the truth.

To be honest, he didn’t even know who Jiang Che was.

Though there had been some friction at the Jiang family in the capital, he hadn’t directly clashed with Jiang Che, so the name barely registered in his memory.

"But we’ve never had any conflict. Why would he come after me? And what exactly is this 'Destined Ones Association'?"

Ye Qing was completely lost.

Ever since leaving the Immortal Prison, he’d been in a constant state of confusion.

Ye Fanchen chuckled. "Even if you don’t clash with Jiang Che, he’ll still target you. It’s simply a matter of opposing stances."

"You are a 'Destined One,' while Jiang Che... is a 'Heaven-Defying One.' Whether you oppose him or not, he’ll scheme against you. It’s just the way things are—no personal grudge, just opposing sides."

Ye Qing, who had some knowledge of fortune-telling and aura-reading, roughly grasped Ye Fanchen’s meaning.

"If you’re so powerful, why not just kill Jiang Che outright?"

Ye Fanchen’s lips twitched. "The higher-ups have their own considerations. Besides, Jiang Che is just one Heaven-Defying individual, and his fate is tied to the nation’s destiny."

Ye Qing blinked in bewilderment. "So... what should I do now?"

Ye Fanchen patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Don’t worry. Once you join the Destined Ones Association, you’ll be safe. I’ll introduce you to the others soon."

"Just... don’t be too shocked. What you’re about to see is merely the tip of the iceberg."

Soon, Ye Fanchen led Ye Qing to a towering skyscraper, where a middle-aged man in black emerged.

He glared at Ye Fanchen. "Ye Fanchen, you didn’t even notice someone tailing you? If the Deputy Pavilion Master hadn’t spotted him, the entire 'Human Pavilion' might’ve been exposed!"

Ye Fanchen paled.

"Someone was following me? Who? I didn’t sense anything!"

"According to the Deputy Pavilion Master, it was likely a Shattering Heaven-stage expert. Be vigilant—the mortal realm seems restless lately..."

Ye Qing listened in a daze. Human Pavilion? Deputy Pavilion Master?

Yet, it felt like a door to an entirely new world had just swung open before him.

...

"Jiang Che... you... you actually comprehended the Taiji Martial Path?"

Chen Ningshuang was so shocked she could barely keep her composure.

Of course, Jiang Che wouldn’t miss a chance to flaunt his achievement—he’d mastered a complete Taiji Martial Path.

Bragging to Yu Wan'er or Qin Qiaoqiao was pointless; the girls wouldn’t appreciate it.

But Chen Ningshuang, hailing from the ancient martial Chen family and trained in Taiji herself, understood its significance. How could she not be stunned?

"Hah... it’s just a Taiji Martial Path. What’s the big deal?"

Jiang Che thoroughly enjoyed Chen Ningshuang’s awestruck expression.

"'Just a Martial Path'? Give it to me if it’s no big deal!"

Chen Ningshuang felt Jiang Che was blatantly showing off, but she had no proof.

Even the founder of the ancient martial Chen family had spent his entire life failing to forge his own complete Martial Path.

"Ningshuang, my Dual Cultivation technique doesn’t just boost strength—it can also transfer martial insights."

Jiang Che grinned mischievously, and Chen Ningshuang’s face flushed instantly.

She threw herself into his arms without hesitation. Before the allure of the Taiji Martial Path, all maidenly shyness vanished.

Few had ever witnessed just how captivating a girl could be when she took the initiative.

"Ningshuang, truthfully, you’re the reason I comprehended the Taiji Martial Path."

Jiang Che held her waist as he spoke.

"Huh? My doing? How?"

Chen Ningshuang’s innocent eyes brimmed with confusion.

"Of course it’s because of you."

Jiang Che smirked. If not for her provoking her brother Chen Hao, his karmic luck wouldn’t have crumbled so swiftly.

And without Chen Hao’s downfall, where would this 'Taiji God' reward have come from?

Ah, Chen Hao, you’re truly my old pal.

What a family you are—gifting me such a delicate little sister and dropping so many incredible loot along the way.

I owe you one!

......

Just as Jiang Che was musing about Chen Hao...

Chen Hao, who was currently on guard duty, suddenly shuddered.

A chilling sensation of being watched crept over him.

"What’s this? Did I overdo it with the late-night 'training'?"

Unbidden, his thoughts turned to Jiang Che.

"Thank goodness I’ve made peace with Young Master Jiang. Otherwise..."

He wiped the cold sweat from his brow.

The sheer terror of hindsight!

He’d seen that Lin Yu guy not long ago—everyone who opposed Young Master Jiang ended up in misery.

To think he’d once dared to bark at Jiang Che?

"I need to call Ningshuang. Maybe she can put in a good word for me with the young master. Who knows? He might even grant me an opportunity!"

Without delay, he dialed her number.

...

"Jiang Che, my brother’s calling!"

Chen Ningshuang panicked on the other end.

"Perfect timing, actually."

Chen Ningshuang: "..."

She could only roll her eyes at him.

"Ningshuang, what are you up to?" Chen Hao immediately sensed something off.

"Brother, why are you calling so late? I was cultivating! You nearly caused me to qi deviate!"

Chen Ningshuang scolded him sharply.

The old Chen Hao would’ve exploded in rage, but now...

"Heheh, Ningshuang, could you do your brother a favor? Put in a good word for me with Young Master Jiang? I’ve grown stronger lately—maybe he’d consider taking me under his wing?"

"I’m desperate to climb higher."

Chen Hao’s groveling left Chen Ningshuang speechless. Since when had her brother become so... spineless?

But after some thought, I decided to let it go. I was no different—that once proud and haughty girl had now nearly become the Joy Union Sect's holy maiden...