Category: Transformed into a Female Villain, But Captured by My Beautiful Girl Disciples

47. When the Battle Begins

 

Indeed, Gong Yiling felt she had some talent for writing novels.

Her lies were truly masterful!

What was her plan?

Shangguan Qingyun coveted the throne and wanted more power, so he secretly contacted the Immortal Master, and they reached an agreement.

The Immortal Master would provide support, and the First Prince would offer financial and resource aid, along with empty promises of establishing a friendly relationship between the Heartflame Empire and the Cloud Rainbow Sect.

Of course, Shangguan Qingyun couldn’t do this alone, so he also involved Shangguan Yaochang, a powerful royal prince.

This fabricated story was… plausible.

Why plausible?

Because it was based on actual events.

Gong Yiling simply replaced Shangguan Yaochang’s accomplices, the Myriad Demons Palace, with herself.

Yes, herself.

In a sense, this was self-sabotage, a truly impressive feat.

“See those twin guards over there? They’re our people. And those two cultivators? Also ours.”

Gong Yiling was being “honest.” She was indeed pointing at cultivators from the Myriad Demons Palace.

“On my command, we’ll launch a three-pronged attack. One to kill Shangguan Qingyun, one to kill Shangguan Yaochang, and one to assassinate that Immortal Master’s two disciples.”

“What about the Immortal Master herself?”

“We don’t know her location. And as you saw, Senior Ghost, we’re short-handed. We can’t cover everything.” Gong Yiling sighed dramatically.

Her words made Ghost Lord Nine’s lips twitch.

They were the ones who chose to launch an assassination attempt in the imperial palace.

This wasn’t just an assassination; it was practically a full-frontal assault.

But this sounded exactly like something that ridiculously ambitious Young Palace Master of the Myriad Demons Palace would do.

As a fellow leader of the Five Demonic Abysses, he couldn’t interfere directly, so he just frowned and said, “You’re short-handed?”

“Yes.”

“Then,” Ghost Lord Nine offered, “I can handle Shangguan Qingyun and Shangguan Yaochang. Just leave two of your men with me. The rest can track down the Immortal Master. I’ll provide further assistance if needed.”

Perfect!

Gong Yiling almost burst out laughing.

This was an unexpected bonus.

She had intended to distract the other demonic sects and deal with the Myriad Demons Palace separately, but she had somehow roped in Ghost Lord Nine.

And… she wouldn’t make things too difficult for this apple enthusiast.

She would have him kill the traitors within the Heartflame Empire, avoiding any accusations and giving the Myriad Demons Palace no grounds for complaint.

—*You were the ones who leaked your secret code. And did I kill your people? I killed righteous cultivators. What does that have to do with you?*

She could even imagine what Ghost Lord Nine would say.

Now, everything was ready.

As Gong Yiling discussed the plan with Ghost Lord Nine, the second round of the competition began.

Surprisingly, Shangguan Long didn’t pair Qiu Shui with Shangguan Qingyun, but with Lu Xinyao instead.

And Qiu Shui, with incredible luck, faced another one of Ghost Lord Nine’s puppets.

The outcome of these matches was predictable, probably within half a minute.

The first match was between Young Master Xuli and an ordinary contestant.

And this ordinary contestant was almost beaten to a pulp.

Young Master Xuli, ruthless as always, crippled his opponent’s hands and kicked him out of the arena.

Although competitions were supposed to be ruthless, there should be some restraint.

But Young Master Xuli, with his “my daddy is Li Gang” attitude (a reference to a spoiled rich kid in China), had no limits.

Although everyone was disgusted, Emperor Shangguan Long didn’t intervene.

The next match was between Shangguan Qingyun and Lu Xinyao.

As soon as he stepped onto the arena, Shangguan Qingyun chuckled. “We had a misunderstanding during the first round. As compensation, I’ll go easy on you. I’ll even let you have three moves. If you can’t win, just surrender.”

Today was an important day for him. He didn’t want to waste too much energy or lose face in the arena.

Unfortunately for him, his opponent was Lu Xinyao—Shangguan Ziyuan.

With new and old grudges, she had been waiting for this opportunity.

So many of her loved ones, and even she herself, had died at his hands.

Only Gong Yiling and she knew how important this chance was!

“Let me… have three moves?”

Lu Xinyao’s eyes narrowed.

She had never heard such an absurd request.

“Actually, I suggest you surrender now—”

Suddenly, Shangguan Qingyun felt a terrifying surge of hostility.

It wasn’t just hostility; it was pure killing intent!

“What…?”

He froze, then felt the temperature around him rising rapidly.

The increase was dramatic. Within seconds, it reached a scorching one or two hundred degrees, and even the audience felt the heat.

“First move.”

A giant fireball suddenly appeared, engulfing Shangguan Qingyun.

The fireball, like molten lava, dripped onto the arena floor, creating clouds of steam.

Such a powerful technique right from the start made everyone gasp, worried for the First Prince.

But the next moment, Shangguan Qingyun punched a hole through the fireball’s outer layer, the force of his attack sending Lu Xinyao’s hair flying, almost blowing off her hat.

But clearly…

He had broken his promise. He used a martial skill.

“I underestimated you.” He sneered. “I take back my words. Let me see how strong this fire-wielding spiritualist truly is—”

His response wasn’t a long-range fire attack, but a sudden, powerful punch from Lu Xinyao, appearing right before him.

“Bam—!!!!”

 

 

 

46. It’s Ghost Lord Nine!? 

 

Of course, the matter of the Yan family wasn’t Emperor Shangguan Long’s main concern.

So, he quickly changed the subject to what he truly wanted to discuss. “If my daughter is still alive, I will entrust her with the command of the Southern Eleven States. She will receive everything Qingyun currently has.”

“Is that so?” Gong Yiling smiled noncommittally.

Inwardly, however, she had already accepted this offer on Ziyuan’s behalf.

One couldn’t become a fat cat overnight. It had to be done gradually.

The Emperor’s words clearly indicated he was grooming Ziyuan as his heir.

This could be considered the first stage of the system’s quest.

As for what came next, it depended on how well Shangguan Long could set his trap.

Back in the present, Gong Yiling didn’t know the extent of the Emperor’s preparations, but it didn’t matter.

She held the most important trump card.

Instead of relying on the Emperor, Miss Gong trusted herself more.

So, while Shangguan Long oversaw the drawing of lots, Gong Yiling quietly approached one of the twin sisters, the one Qiu Shui had defeated, and pressed a dagger against her waist.

“You…?”

“I know what you are. No need for pretense.” Gong Yiling whispered in the puppet’s ear, “I know you’re not with the Myriad Demons Palace, but tell me, what is your purpose here?”

The controller hadn’t anticipated this.

But he was clearly not an ordinary person. Even now, his tone remained arrogant.

“Who are you?” he spoke through the girl’s mouth. “Why should I tell you?”

“If I expose this girl’s identity, you won’t have another chance to speak to me.”

Gong Yiling said calmly, “So, think carefully before you answer. What is your purpose?”

“You’re also from a demonic sect. We don’t interfere with each other. Why do you need to know?”

This special technique was a rare secret among the demonic sects.

Since she exposed it so easily, could she also be a demonic cultivator?

“We, the Myriad Souls Hall, have our own mission.” Gong Yiling said.

She was almost certain this person wasn’t from the Myriad Demons Palace. The relationship between the Five Demonic Abysses was terrible. They rarely cooperated, often even sabotaging each other.

So, she decided to impersonate a member of the Myriad Demons Palace…

—No, wait!

That was ridiculous!

What did she mean “impersonate”? She *was* a member of a demonic sect, just not the Myriad Demons Palace.

“You’re from the Myriad Souls Hall?” The controller seemed surprised. “Do you have the secret code as proof?”

“Heaven did not create my soul, eternity is like a long night.”

It was real!

This person also knew there were multiple demonic factions in Yanlie City, but they were also from the Five Demonic Abysses. This was interesting.

“To ensure our mission isn’t interrupted, we must confirm your identity, even if you’re from a demonic sect.”

Hearing this, the controller initially didn’t want to reveal his identity.

But they had to identify themselves to each other, as fellow members of the Five Demonic Abysses.

So, he said, “Pear Blossom Blood Orchid Palace, Ghost Lord Nine.”

Gong Yiling: “………”

???

Wait a minute.

Who did he just say he was?

Pear Blossom Blood Orchid Palace… Ghost Lord Nine!?

What the fuck!?

Why would he leave his precious little apples and come to Yanlie City?

What a coincidence!

Of course, Miss Gong didn’t realize this wasn’t the biggest coincidence yet. There was more to come.

“Why are you here, Ghost Lord Nine?” Gong Yiling couldn’t help but ask.

“Why should I tell you?” Ghost Lord Nine, annoyed at having his identity exposed, retorted, “Shouldn’t you tell me your purpose first?”

This…

Gong Yiling’s eyes flickered, and she had a brilliant idea. “We’ve heard about the Great One Engineering Sect and the Cloud Rainbow Sect, so we infiltrated this place to assassinate their members.”

“What!?” Ghost Lord Nine was shocked.

Good heavens!

Why was he here? Wasn’t it because of the Hehuan Sect leader’s orders, to eliminate anyone related to the Great One Engineering Sect and the Cloud Rainbow Sect?

They had… the same goal as the Myriad Souls Hall?

“You also want to target them?” Ghost Lord Nine asked for confirmation.

This made Gong Yiling realize something.

Was this why her reputation and affection level with her own sect had plummeted? They had even sent someone to kill her.

This was a huge misunderstanding!

Uncle Nine, Mom! It’s me!

This was like friendly fire!

Although Gong Yiling wanted to complain about this ridiculous situation, she said seriously, “It seems the Blood Orchid Palace has received the same intel as us.”

“However, based on our assessment, the Great One Engineering Sect and the Cloud Rainbow Sect have close ties with the Heartflame Empire’s royal family.”

Ghost Lord Nine nodded. “I’ve heard about that. It’s said that Immortal Master even cured the Grand Elder’s chronic illness.”

“Not just that,” Gong Yiling continued, “according to our sources, they’re building connections with the Shangguan family, and some members of the royal family have already started practicing the Cloud Rainbow Sect’s techniques, as part of a deal to help them re-establish their sect.”

“Is that so?”

Although Ghost Lord Nine felt something was amiss, he couldn’t pinpoint it.

And he thought…

He was alone here with two puppets. Although he had his own information network, it couldn’t compare to the Five Demonic Abysses’ resources.

“However, it seems Emperor Shangguan Long is unaware of this. The one involved should be his eldest son.”

“Shangguan Qingyun.”

What a masterful storyteller!

 

45. The Origin of the Suggestion

 

Rewinding to Gong Yiling’s first visit to the palace, when she diagnosed Emperor Shangguan Long’s poisoning:

“This poison… are you certain it’s unique to the demonic sects?” Shangguan Long didn’t want to suspect those he was reluctant to suspect.

Although the young eunuch was dead, and no clues could be found from him, and Head Eunuch Gao’s story about the Baiyao Dynasty spices was a lie…

If this poison truly came from the Myriad Demons Palace, then only a few could have access to it.

Either this was a plot set up by the Young Palace Master during his visit to Yanlie City, but Shangguan Long couldn’t believe he would act alone.

It was simple. What would the Myriad Demons Palace gain from his death?

The one who would benefit directly was his own son, who had been consolidating power and acting increasingly arrogant.

So, the first person Shangguan Long suspected was his own son.

“Other demonic sects and the Four Kingdoms might also be able to obtain this poison, but Your Majesty, compared to your death, wouldn’t Shangguan Lingyue be a greater threat to them?”

Gong Yiling’s words were blunt.

Simply put—did you think your life was more valuable than the general’s? They wouldn’t waste so much effort just to kill you.

But the Emperor understood.

He took her words to heart, slamming his hand on the table. “That rebellious son!”

“And Ziyuan’s disappearance must also be his doing! By eliminating me and Ziyuan, does he think he can secure the throne?”

“I have no evidence to prove whether the First Prince is the mastermind, and I wouldn’t presume to influence Your Majesty’s judgment.”

Gong Yiling took a sip of tea. “However, I do have a way to make the fox reveal its tail.”

“What do you mean…?”

“The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Whether it’s the First Prince or someone else, or perhaps both, Your Majesty can set a trap to expose them.”

Gong Yiling put down her teacup, a thoughtful expression in her eyes.

—She had a cheat, after all.

Of course, this cheat wasn’t the useless system. She still didn’t understand its purpose, whether it was to give her strange items or just to annoy her to death.

Her cheat was her omniscience.

She knew who the traitor within the Shangguan family was, the locations of the demonic sects’ hideouts in Yanlie City, the identities of the twin spies, the Myriad Demons Palace’s plans, and Shangguan Yaochang and Shangguan Qingyun’s schemes.

This was the advantage of being the “protagonist.” She knew about the upcoming bloodshed in this city and how to prevent it, how to lay her traps, and how to turn the tables on them.

And her knowledge was something Shangguan Yaochang couldn’t defend against.

Later—

“Your Majesty actually agreed to this plan.” The Grand Elder said, concerned, “But Immortal Master, isn’t this too dangerous? The Myriad Demons Palace is not to be trifled with. Isn’t this leading the wolf into the house?”

“If it doesn’t lure the wolf in, what’s the point?” Gong Yiling said confidently. “The demonic sects have been lurking in the shadows for too long. If you don’t force them out, the empire will crumble from within. Grand Elder, do you intend to be a sinner alongside His Majesty?”

Yan Chuyue and Gong Yiling’s final treatment for the Grand Elder was on the day before the competition.

While Yan Chuyue treated him, Gong Yiling found Emperor Shangguan Long in the back garden and asked directly, “Your Majesty, are you thinking about Shangguan Ziyuan?”

Shangguan Long paused, then chuckled. “Can you even see through my thoughts, Immortal Master?”

“A father’s gaze is unique. I recognize it.” Gong Yiling said, “Do you still believe she’s safe?”

“Her life token is still intact. Although she might be suffering somewhere, at least she’s still alive.”

He then looked at Gong Yiling thoughtfully.

Muttering,

“If Qingyun is the mastermind, he will lose the throne.”

“Then, to whom shall I entrust the command of the Southern Eleven States?”

Miss Gong understood his meaning.

The only expert near the forest at the time was Gong Yiling. If Shangguan Ziyuan was rescued, then the one who saved her…

It was practically spelled out for her.

“I believe General Yan’s daughter would be a good choice.” Gong Yiling, undeterred, brought up a sensitive topic. “That girl isn’t having a good time at the Yan Estate. Doesn’t Your Majesty care?”

Shangguan Long was speechless.

If it weren’t for Gong Yiling being their savior, and possibly his daughter’s savior, plus her mysterious background with the Great One Engineering Sect, his attitude wouldn’t be so polite.

“Old Yan was indeed my most trusted advisor, but I can only grant Chuyue the title of princess, allowing her to leave the Yan Estate. I can’t entrust her with military command.”

“Is that so?” Gong Yiling said pointedly, “It seems Your Majesty is concerned not about Chuyue’s competence, but about the Yan family’s influence.”

This struck a nerve.

The Heartflame Empire valued martial prowess, evident from their admiration for Shangguan Lingyue.

Although the Shangguan family held absolute power now, in the past, especially when General Yan was still alive, Shangguan Lingyue’s influence wasn’t as great.

Every soldier in the empire, even if they didn’t know the Shangguan family, knew of General Yan’s reputation. Even Shangguan Lingyue could be said to have lived under his shadow.

Shangguan Lingyue, a martial arts fanatic, didn’t care, but others did.

Did Shangguan Long truly want the Yan family’s influence to surpass the Shangguan family’s?

Only he knew the answer.

 

 

 

44. Whose Scheme Is This?

 

“Unless the demonic spirit in my hand…”

Gong Yiling continued the woman’s sentence, then suddenly realized something was wrong.

Where did this woman come from?

Looking up, she saw Yan Chuyue sitting before her, also examining the number cards.

“Wait, how did you get in here?”

Yan Chuyue stood up and showed her her attire.

It was a palace maid’s uniform.

With Shangguan Lingyue’s connections, it wasn’t difficult for Yan Chuyue to sneak into the palace.

However, she was now wearing Gong Yiling’s high-quality disguise, her stunning beauty only slightly concealed by some added blemishes.

If you looked closely, she looked more like a princess than a maid.

“You snuck in here without being noticed?”

“I didn’t sneak in.” Yan Chuyue placed some pastries on the table, taking a walnut cookie for herself.

“You’re delivering late-night snacks?”

“Yes. The Head Eunuch said all participants would receive snacks, but Qiu Shui and Xinyao’s are more… refined.”

“As for you, you…”

Gong Yiling also took a pastry, her mouth full. “Anything is fine. This young lady isn’t picky.”

“But what did you mean earlier?”

Yan Chuyue clapped her hands and explained, “Demonic spirits are different from demonic beasts. You can’t treat them as ordinary creatures.”

“They can exist as the insects you mentioned, or as something you can’t even imagine. Like an earthworm splitting into two after being cut, each becoming an independent individual, although one’s lifespan will be greatly reduced. That’s how some demonic spirits exist, and it can be even more bizarre than that.”

“So, the spirits in these cards are fragments of a larger spirit?”

Gong Yiling searched her memory for similar demonic spirits, but none fit this description.

“There are many spirits with similar existence modes.” Yan Chuyue, seeing her confusion, explained, “Like the Dream Eater, which can enter people’s dreams, or the Bewitching Nightmare, which can control others from afar. And there are also spirits that can numb pain and boost morale.”

“It could be any of those, but none seem quite right.” Gong Yiling muttered, “But how do you know so much?”

She was puzzled by the extent of the Divine Physician’s space’s knowledge.

She didn’t remember it being an encyclopedia. How did Yan Chuyue know so much?

“Ahem…” Miss Author coughed. “Books hold a house of gold, and books hold beauties. I learned it from books. What’s wrong with that?”

Was there anyone who knew more about demonic spirits than her, the author? Impossible.

“Your reading material is quite interesting.”

“Hmph, you too.” Yan Chuyue quickly retorted. “The spirits you listed aren’t common. Only those with specialized knowledge would know about them.”

“Yeah, I also learned it from books.” Gong Yiling parroted her, “Books are the ladder of progress, a wooden staircase. I love reading. Reading makes me happy.”

Their next lines were almost simultaneous—”Are we reading the same book?”

They exchanged a knowing smile, then Gong Yiling said, “Perhaps I haven’t reached that part of the book yet, so I don’t know much about the later content. I should learn more from Miss Yan.”

“Not at all. Miss Lü’s ability to deceive so many sect elders is also a form of talent. I should learn from you.”

Gong Yiling: “Why does that sound like an insult?”

Yan Chuyue: “You too.”

Yan Chuyue took a pastry, then stood up, clapping her hands and smiling. “Alright, I’m leaving. Eat if you want, or don’t. I wish you good luck tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

After Yan Chuyue left, Gong Yiling picked up the number cards again and shrugged.

Perhaps the truth wasn’t as complicated as she thought. These cards were indeed demonic spirits and the keys to some treasures. She had simply overthought things.

More importantly, she needed to plan her next move.

Especially—she took out a note hidden beneath the pastries. It read:

*Investigation reveals that some contestants’ identities have been replaced. Please be careful, Immortal Master.* Signed, Mo Ke.

The meaning was clear.

Recalling the events of the competition, Gong Yiling already had a suspicion.

The next day…

When she arrived at the palace with the other contestants who had lost, the security was much laxer than the previous day. This was because they also had to guard the royal secret realm, inevitably weakening the palace’s defenses.

—The current situation depended on who was more cunning and far-sighted.

On the surface, Emperor Shangguan Long was the mantis, and Shangguan Yaochang and the demonic sects were the sparrows.

But it couldn’t be that simple. Otherwise, the Emperor wouldn’t have reigned for so long, mainly because—he was also a cunning fox.

Perhaps he had already seen through Shangguan Yaochang’s scheme and was playing along, deliberately revealing his plans to force his brother and son to expose themselves, staging a heartwarming family drama of filial piety and brotherly love.

Well, of course…

Regardless of their intentions, it had nothing to do with Gong Yiling.

If they were part of the food chain of schemes and counterschemes, then she was the one who created the food chain.

Her true plan began when she entered Yanlie City… or perhaps even earlier, when she first met Emperor Shangguan Long.

 

 

 

 

43. What a Slacker!

 

Since they were causing trouble, they might as well go all out. This was Miss Gong’s plan for Lu Xinyao, also known as Shangguan Ziyuan.

And she had made ample preparations for the girl’s grand entrance.

Shortly after they entered, the tournament officially began.

Twenty participants, ten matches on the first day, to narrow it down to ten.

Emperor Shangguan Long personally oversaw the drawing of lots. He gave Gong Yiling, Qiu Shui, and Lu Xinyao the strangest matchups.

Lu Xinyao vs. Bao Qijin, and Qiu Shui vs. one of the twin sisters.

The other matchups were normal, without the awkwardness of teammates fighting each other.

However… this was exactly what Miss Gong wanted.

She only participated to protect the two girls from being targeted. She could have withdrawn during the second round.

After all, the demonic core she obtained contained enough energy to last her a while, and she didn’t need the treasures from the secret realm, which she might not even be able to open.

Even if they lost today, the top twenty could stay in the palace for another day and watch the remaining matches.

So, the first match of the tournament presented a rather dramatic scene.

“Ahem.”

After stepping onto the arena, Gong Yiling took out her loudspeaker and coughed loudly.

“I have an announcement.” She declared, “I admit I can’t defeat this young lady, so I’ll just give a motivational speech instead!”

Shangguan Long: “Who is this?”

Grand Elder: “Is this allowed?”

Shangguan Yaochang: “Huh?”

Shangguan Lingyue: “I shouldn’t have given her any points! This is outrageous!”

Qiu Shui: “Master, you…”

Lu Xinyao: “Pfft.”

Other contestants: “Is there an… idiot among us?”

Officials: “What kind of cultivator is this?”

Everyone looked at Gong Yiling as if she were an idiot.

But Miss Gong, unfazed, began her speech, “Listen up, everyone! We must unite, use the double cheese strategy, apply the vector addition method, and then—”

And then there was nothing.

Before she could say anything more, two guards dragged her away.

They didn’t even kick her out of the palace. That was considered lenient.

“See? You guys don’t understand humor.”

Gong Yiling shook off the guards’ hands, crossed her arms, and returned to her seat, sulking.

Then, she winked at Lu Xinyao, who was still standing on the arena, dumbfounded.

“So…” Shangguan Lingyue, the referee, sighed, “The first match, Lu Xinyao wins.”

Qiu Shui’s match was even simpler.

Although her opponent, controlled by a demonic cultivator, was much stronger than she appeared, there was a problem.

A problem even the demonic cultivator hadn’t anticipated.

When Qiu Shui’s technique affected her…

The girl became unresponsive.

Yes, completely unresponsive.

Her reactions were slow, and her movements sluggish.

—This was the biggest weakness of that demonic technique.

When it encountered the Cloud Rainbow Sect’s unique technique, it became ineffective.

Like a puppet with its strings cut.

If the puppet could even move, it would be considered a miracle.

On the first day, only Qiu Shui and Lu Xinyao’s matches ended within ten seconds. The others at least lasted a minute before being defeated.

That evening, Emperor Shangguan Long hosted a banquet for all the participants.

He even asked if they still had their number cards from the first round.

Strangely, although these cards were used for scoring, Shangguan Yaochang didn’t collect them after the first round.

According to the Emperor, these cards were spoils of war for the victors and would have another use in the final round, within the royal secret realm. Only those who lost would forfeit their right to the treasures, meaning they lost their cards—this rule only applied to the first two rounds.

Later that night, back in her assigned quarters, Gong Yiling took out the number cards, intrigued.

They still couldn’t be stored in her Universe Ring.

“If they can’t be stored, they must be spiritual objects.”

Gong Yiling stared at the three cards on the table, lost in thought.

She carefully recalled the details from the book, especially those related to wooden objects.

Finally, she listed over a dozen special creatures on her talisman paper.

Like the Woodcarving Worm, which inhabited wood and imbued it with wind spiritual energy.

Or the Bark Bug, which looked like bark but was actually an insect, crispy and delicious. (A reference to a popular internet meme.)

Or the Fire-Starting Worm, which could make any wood spontaneously combust.

These were all insects, a reflection of the author’s peculiar taste—or perhaps a form of revenge for childhood trauma involving falling out of a tree after being startled by a worm while picking bayberries.

Then there were the rarer demonic spirits.

Unlike demonic beasts, demonic spirits usually didn’t have physical bodies. In the book, they were described as either mist-like entities or taking the form of objects they possessed.

Although they could only possess objects and didn’t seem threatening, their powers were often troublesome.

For example:

There was a demonic spirit that could inhabit trees and hypnotize everyone nearby, making them run around naked and spout nonsense like, “Officer, you have to believe me! We’re just learning English! The money on the bed is for tuition, not for any illegal activities! You have to believe me!”

Ahem.

Regardless of what they were actually doing, if someone overheard that, it would be a social death scene.

However…

Gong Yiling compared the cards to several possible demonic spirits, but they all had one thing in common: a detectable spiritual energy presence.

Even the most elusive spirits would leave some traces.

But she couldn’t sense any true essence from these cards.

“Unless…”

“Unless the demonic spirits in your hand are just fragments of a complete spirit.”

 

 

 

42. The Curtain Rises

 

Shangguan Lingyue, being a straightforward person, wouldn’t challenge the master after being defeated by the disciples.

However, the arena, severely damaged by her own attacks, required professional repairs, temporarily halting the matches on her side.

Everyone’s attention turned to Shangguan Yaochang.

Unlike his sister, he was a cunning strategist.

He wouldn’t engage in direct combat, but used long-range techniques to suppress his opponents, gradually cornering them.

Due to his fighting style, the average scores in his group weren’t low. A pair of twin sisters even reached a score of 150 each, rivaling the First Prince and Xuli.

After Shangguan Yaochang finished his matches, the rankings remained largely unchanged.

But when he glanced at the scoreboard, he almost couldn’t believe his eyes.

“A thousand points!?”

To achieve a thousand points using the original method, one would have to last at least half an hour, and that was the total team score, not an individual score.

With an individual score of a thousand, and a total team score of two thousand two hundred and fifty, Shangguan Yaochang couldn’t comprehend how his sister had calculated the scores.

Until someone told him that Shangguan Lingyue had actually lost!?

“Your disciples are truly exceptional, Immortal Master, intelligent and talented.”

The flattery arrived.

“You’re too kind, Prince Changning.” Gong Yiling, stroking Lu Xinyao’s tail with a satisfied expression, asked casually, “Have you figured it out?”

“Figured out what?”

“I cured Emperor Shangguan Long’s poison. I’m also aware of the demonic cultivators infiltrating Yanlie City.”

Gong Yiling didn’t hide anything. There was no point.

He would eventually target her anyway.

“We are eternally grateful for your kindness towards the Shangguan family.”

“I was paid for it. No need for gratitude. Instead of wasting your time on me, you should focus on finding those demonic infiltrators.”

Gong Yiling casually replied, then scanned the crowd, her gaze finally landing on the twin sisters.

They seemed normal at first glance, but she couldn’t sense any vitality from them.

Others might think they were just expressionless, but Gong Yiling knew it was a special demonic technique.

By using a specific method to nurture twin siblings, they could utilize righteous cultivation techniques with the demonic cultivator’s power.

Of course, this method was incredibly cruel. Those nurtured this way lost their emotions, becoming puppets.

Some high-ranking members of each demonic sect knew this technique, and the information was highly classified. Even now, the righteous cultivators were unaware of it, which would cause great trouble for the Heartflame Empire in the future.

However…

She wasn’t familiar with these twins.

She remembered the two pairs of twins who acted as spies during the Heartflame Empire’s final battle. They were in their twenties.

Not these seemingly harmless teenagers munching on apples.

“I already have some suspects in mind, Immortal Master.”

Seeing that Gong Yiling wasn’t looking at anyone he knew, Shangguan Yaochang wasn’t worried.

“Whether you do or not is none of my concern.” Gong Yiling sneered. “But I know my two disciples were wronged in the forest. Is Prince Changning aware of this?”

Shangguan Yaochang immediately cupped his fists. “I’ve received the report and have launched an investigation.”

“However… the assassins’ bodies were apparently torn apart by demonic beasts in the central area. There’s no way to identify them. I only have their heads. The investigation is slow, please forgive me.”

Sending assassins and then investigating them himself… what a convenient way to cover things up.

Even if she took over the investigation, it would be fruitless.

These assassins were clearly expendable. With Shangguan Yaochang’s methods, he wouldn’t leave any traces.

Although Miss Gong practically had an omniscient cheat, she needed sufficient evidence to accuse him.

Otherwise, even if Shangguan Long suspected his brother and son of plotting something, he could easily talk his way out of it.

What she truly needed to prepare for…

Was the upcoming confrontation with the Myriad Demons Palace.

—

—

The third round, unsurprisingly, was a one-on-one duel in the main hall of the imperial palace.

The twenty finalists from the second round would engage in a final tournament.

Qiu Shui’s team, the First Prince, Young Master Xuli, the strange twins, some renowned young geniuses, and a few unknown dark horses were among the twenty.

As for the demonic infiltrators, they were among the unknown contestants, confirmed by Shangguan Lingyue and Shangguan Yaochang.

So, Emperor Shangguan Long had his imperial guards and Prince Changning’s troops hidden among the officials watching the competition.

And the Grand Elder, supposedly recuperating from his injuries, had actually recovered most of his strength and was also hidden among the crowd.

Everything was in place, waiting for the demonic cultivators to act.

Of course, before the official competition began, there was a rousing speech.

After days of recuperation, Shangguan Long looked perfectly healthy.

Wearing his crown and robes, he spoke of the Heartflame Empire’s future and his expectations for the participants.

After his long-winded speech, a carriage slowly entered the inner city.

Gong Yiling, disembarking, glanced at the familiar palace and said to the two girls behind her, “Let’s go.”

She looked at Lu Xinyao and asked, “Are you ready?”

“Yes, I’m ready.”

“Then…” Gong Yiling looked at the main hall, her eyes narrowing slightly.

 

 

 

41. Two Hundred and Fifty for Third Place

 

Originally, Emperor Shangguan Long’s rules didn’t specify the score for defeating an examiner.

—He hadn’t anticipated any examinees actually defeating the examiners!

Even those demonic cultivators hiding their strength wouldn’t reveal their full power.

And yet, Shangguan Lingyue was defeated by two girls who only seemed to be at the Return to Origin realm.

Although…

They had tricked her into falling off the arena, not defeating her directly, but that was still incredibly difficult.

“Scores don’t really matter for you two,” Shangguan Lingyue said with a smile. “No one else can replicate what you did.”

“I’ll give you a thousand points each, a score no one else can reach.”

That was true.

Before them, most scores were around seventy, with a few reaching eighty. The First Prince and Xuli had a score of one hundred and sixty.

A thousand points each was a completely different level.

“Uh…”

The ignored Gong Yiling raised her hand. “I have a question. How many points do I get!?”

She had been completely disregarded!

Even when she asked Shangguan Lingyue directly, the general’s eyes were still on Qiu Shui and Lu Xinyao, discussing their scores.

Seeing this, Qiu Shui and Lu Xinyao couldn’t help but laugh.

—This useless master, claiming she wouldn’t help, really didn’t do anything but cheer from the sidelines.

Although her cheering was actually quite helpful.

“You…?”

Shangguan Lingyue finally looked at her. “What did you even do?”

“What do you mean ‘what did I do’?”

Gong Yiling said confidently,

“I was standing right there. You could have chosen to stay and fight them, but because I was cheering, you thought fighting me was pointless, and you fell for their trap.”

The more she spoke, the more she believed her own reasoning. It was the truth!

“So, I deserve at least half the credit… no, that’s too much. Maybe a third. Yes, a third.”

Of course, no one, not even Qiu Shui and Lu Xinyao, believed her.

It was like saying, *I, along with Shangguan Long, am the most powerful person in the Heartflame Empire.*—What did that have to do with anything?

However, that was how the rules worked.

As long as they were a team, even if she did nothing, she would receive the same score.

Having strong teammates was also a form of strength, a special skill requiring a high level of…

Shamelessness.

And Gong Yiling had plenty of that.

“I think I deserve some points. Otherwise… why don’t you ask these two… uh, these two strong teammates?”

Gong Yiling shamelessly pushed the question to Qiu Shui and Lu Xinyao.

—Knowing her identity now, they couldn’t refuse to give her face.

Master was supreme!

So—

“I think she deserves some points.”

“Ah, I… I also think… she deserves some. Maybe… half of half?”

Since they had no objections, Shangguan Lingyue didn’t say anything more.

And she followed Lu Xinyao’s suggestion, giving Gong Yiling half of half.

What was half of half of a thousand?

“Let me confirm one last time,” Shangguan Lingyue said, “you two get a thousand points each, and this girl who did nothing gets two hundred and fifty.”

Yes, two hundred and fifty.

She didn’t know if the number had any special meaning in this world.

Although this score practically guaranteed her third place, leaving the fourth place far behind…

Seeing it on the scoreboard made Gong Yiling feel like a monkey on display.

—*Look, the third-place winner is a fool!*

Something like that.

But it wasn’t a big deal.

As soon as they left the arena, while Qiu Shui and Lu Xinyao were surrounded by excited spectators, Miss Gong quietly slipped away.

When she reappeared, she had transformed.

From an unremarkable, shameless slacker to an elegant, immortal-like Daoist nun in just five minutes.

She was getting quite good at this.

“Master!”

Her attire stood out in the crowd, and Qiu Shui spotted her immediately, finally able to share her excitement.

“We’ve completed the mission!”

But Lu Xinyao, or rather, Little Heehee, was even more dramatic.

Although the duel had little to do with her, her joy overflowed, and she took control, clinging to Gong Yiling.

“Big Sister~”

Seeing this, although Qiu Shui felt a twinge of something, she smiled wryly and walked over. “Just as you predicted.”

“As the Immortal Master predicted?” Shangguan Lingyue, also approaching, asked, puzzled, “What did she predict?”

“Nothing much.” Gong Yiling said, “I just mentioned that General Shangguan, under the influence of the Bloodthirst Aura, tends to be straightforward and predictable. Just make her lose track of her surroundings, and she’ll fall for the trap.”

“Ahem…”

This wasn’t exactly a compliment for a martial arts enthusiast.

On the battlefield, she and the late General Yan were polar opposites.

With the Bloodthirst Aura, she could single-handedly take on an entire army. Her strength was monstrous.

So… she didn’t need any tricks. If you didn’t submit, she would beat you into submission.

Simple as that.

“I actually considered that a strength.” Shangguan Lingyue sighed, slightly troubled. “But to be outsmarted by Qiu Ming and Xinyao… I feel like Yaochang will laugh at me.”

“An examiner being defeated by examinees is indeed a miracle.” Gong Yiling shrugged. “So, Miss General,”

“Before you defeat my disciples again, don’t mention sparring with me.”

Just as planned.

A perfect victory.

 

 

 

40. Do You Want to Win?

 

While everyone held their breath, only one person continued cheering.

Yes.

Gong Yiling, apparently bored, had tied a red cloth to her chopsticks and was waving them like cheering sticks.

“Qiu Ming, go! Xinyao, go!”

Her lone voice echoed through the arena, making her stand out.

Someone even questioned her, “Are you a contestant or a spectator?”

“Contestant.”

“Then why aren’t you fighting with them? What are you doing?”

Gong Yiling replied confidently, “I’m helping them! Cheering for them!”

“Cheering?” The person was dumbfounded. “That’s all you’re doing?”

Gong Yiling smiled and countered, “What else should I be doing?”

Her nonchalant attitude stunned everyone.

“They can handle the general. Me joining would only hinder them.”

Her words, although seemingly reasonable, made everyone think, *I could do that too!*

However…

The dust and flames were quickly dispersed by Shangguan Lingyue’s powerful aura.

The general stood there, unscathed, her aura unchanged. The previous attacks seemed to have barely scratched her.

“This general is truly something else.”

Gong Yiling smiled wryly, but her eyes gleamed with confidence.

How to stall Shangguan Lingyue to earn more points? The answer was simple.

Qiu Shui alone could handle it, while the other two protected her.

However, during dinner the previous night, Gong Yiling had asked them a question.

“Do you want to advance, or do you want to win?”

To most, there was no difference.

Winning and advancing meant lasting longer, right?

But Lu Xinyao understood her meaning.

“Big Sister, do you mean… we can defeat Auntie?”

How was that possible…?

The two of them, plus Gong Yiling, whose true strength was unknown (actually negligible, as Miss Gong only wanted to watch from the sidelines)…

How could they possibly defeat Shangguan Lingyue?

“This is a sparring match, not a deathmatch. Anything is possible.” Gong Yiling poked at the fish on the table with her chopsticks. “I’ll tell you why you can win, but not how.”

“Figure out the method yourselves.”

So…

From the moment they stepped onto the arena, their goal was to defeat Shangguan Lingyue, not just stall for time.

And now…

Gong Yiling looked at the two girls and waved her red flags. “Go! Go! Go! Go!”

Shangguan Lingyue ignored her and focused on Qiu Shui.

In the general’s eyes, the fire-wielding Lu Xinyao wasn’t the threat. The more versatile Qiu Shui was the one to watch.

Before attacking, Shangguan Lingyue used a similar tactic as Shangguan Qingyun, shattering the ground around Qiu Shui with a powerful gust of wind.

Debris flew, flames erupted, creating a chaotic scene.

However, as she stepped forward, dispelling an illusion with a punch, she paused.

“This is…”

She looked around, then chuckled softly and said calmly, “I lose.”

Her words stunned everyone.

This was supposed to be a battle of attrition. No one expected anyone to win against such a powerful opponent.

And Shangguan Lingyue was clearly unharmed. Why did she suddenly surrender?

“So… you two had this in mind all along.” Shangguan Lingyue deactivated her technique, jumped onto the debris-covered arena, and praised them. “Was this the Immortal Master’s idea?”

Then, finally, someone realized.

The arena had boundaries!

Although the area where Shangguan Lingyue stood was now a mess, making it difficult to distinguish from the rest of the arena, there was a clear difference in elevation.

Shangguan Lingyue had stepped out of bounds.

“Master told us we could defeat you this way, but Xinyao came up with the specific method.” Qiu Shui, reappearing from the dust cloud, was panting, covered in minor cuts from the debris.

“Oh?” Shangguan Lingyue glanced at Lu Xinyao, who seemed relatively unharmed, a look of surprise in her eyes.

How did they do it?

As the saying goes, know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. Lu Xinyao knew Shangguan Lingyue’s abilities well.

When Gong Yiling suggested making her fall off the arena, Lu Xinyao devised a plan.

With their strength, they couldn’t damage the special tiles of the arena.

These tiles had self-repairing abilities, both incredibly durable and capable of quickly recovering from any damage.

However… that was only for them.

If a powerful martial cultivator were to destroy the arena, creating chaos…

Undoubtedly, that person would be Shangguan Lingyue, empowered by her Bloodthirst Aura.

So, everything before was a setup.

Their initial barrage of attacks was to pressure Shangguan Lingyue into activating her technique, accelerating the destruction of the arena.

And Lu Xinyao’s subsequent attacks were meant to disorient her, making her lose track of her position.

Finally, Qiu Shui used her illusion to lure Shangguan Lingyue to the edge.

What a flawless plan, perfectly executed.

“Hahahaha.” After understanding their strategy, Shangguan Lingyue laughed heartily. “This was quite entertaining. Now I’m even more eager to witness your master’s strength, but she has refused me several times.”

“Sob…”

“For defeating me with a perfect score, I’ll give you both 100 points.”

“Wait!” Gong Yiling suddenly raised her hand weakly. “There’s a third person in our team.”

 

 

39. VIP Seats 

 

“Young Master Xuli, what are you doing here?”

Just as Gong Yiling was contemplating how to further her scamming career, Shangguan Qingyun’s voice interrupted their conversation.

Young Master Xuli’s expression immediately turned serious, and he glared at Gong Yiling. “I haven’t settled the score with you yet, bitch. Watch your step, and don’t let me catch you.”

This guy’s face-changing skills were truly impressive.

Gong Yiling shrugged and watched him leave, then walked towards the two girls.

“What did Young Master Xuli say?”

“He gave me a warning that even a playboy wouldn’t understand.” Gong Yiling flicked their foreheads. “More importantly, are you two ready to deal with our landlord?”

“Yes!” “Yes.”

Seeing their confidence, Gong Yiling smiled. “I’m looking forward to it.”

—

—

The matches outside had occasional highlights, but most were disappointing.

Watching the competition required an entrance fee.

Yes, a fee.

Although it wasn’t much, the audience expected exciting battles.

However, since survival time determined their scores, most participants adopted the same strategy:

Avoidance, stalling, running. Lasting as long as possible.

Only a few teams directly confronted Shangguan Yaochang, and most of them were quickly defeated. Only a handful lasted longer.

But besides the First Prince and Young Master Xuli, who lasted seventeen minutes (possibly due to Shangguan Yaochang going easy on them), those who fought head-on didn’t score as well as those who ran and dodged.

Gong Yiling and her team entered the arena when the audience was already losing interest.

No one had high expectations for them.

Qiu Shui’s control abilities were well-known. Others simply ran around aimlessly, but she was strategic.

And then…

“Boom—!”

A series of explosions and giant vines erupting from the ground immediately caught everyone’s attention.

Although ordinary flames couldn’t harm Shangguan Lingyue, Lu Xinyao’s fire contained the power of her demonic bloodline.

Bathed in firelight, the girl was surrounded by blazing flames. Even without fully unleashing it, the third-level Phoenix fire essence was enough to force Shangguan Lingyue to use her true essence shield.

“She forced the general to use her shield right from the start?”

The audience murmured in surprise.

Even the First Prince and Young Master Xuli, the strongest team so far, had to test her a few times before Shangguan Lingyue got serious.

For her to be so cautious against these seemingly weaker opponents was surprising.

And Qiu Shui’s vine technique was even more astonishing.

Compared to her fight against the First Prince, the vines were now as thick as several people, and there were dozens of them.

And the vines were covered in illusionary flowers that blurred vision, restricting Shangguan Lingyue’s movements.

Their powerful and wide-ranging techniques were on a completely different level, so impressive that everyone forgot…

There was a third member in this team.

As for that third member…

Ahem, she was slacking off.

“Yes, that’s it! Go, go, go!”

Gong Yiling, holding two candied hawthorn sticks (yes, she had somehow finished two skewers during the competition!) like cheering batons, did nothing but yell encouragement.

It looked like she had bought a VIP ticket to cheer for her idols.

With Qiu Shui and Lu Xinyao’s cooperation, their wood and fire techniques, normally incompatible, managed to trap the much stronger Shangguan Lingyue.

Blazing flames amidst the vines, a truly memorable scene.

However…

This was all based on the premise that Shangguan Lingyue wasn’t using any martial skills.

“Whoosh—”

With a loud bang, a gust of wind erupted, scattering the flames and snapping the vines. The two girls were thrown back ten meters, almost falling off the arena.

“Hoo—”

At the center of the windstorm, Shangguan Lingyue opened her eyes.

She was no longer calm and restrained.

Her eyes burned with a fierce battle spirit, and she let out a series of hearty laughs, her aura exploding like thunder.

“Although I knew that person’s disciples would be strong, I never expected you two to force me to use my martial skills.”

The previous matches weren’t worth the ticket price because—they were all Shangguan Lingyue’s loyal fans.

Paying to see their idol display her battlefield prowess was a treat, but if they couldn’t even see her martial skills, it would be a disappointment.

And now…

A crimson aura enveloped Shangguan Lingyue, like a shield of true essence, but different.

This was the signature technique of the Shangguan family.

Martial Skill: Bloodthirst Aura.

It drastically increased her speed and the power of her attacks and techniques. The amplification was so significant that a single punch cleared all obstacles.

This drew cheers from the crowd.

“Let me see what you, as that person’s disciples, are truly capable of!”

With a series of sonic booms, Shangguan Lingyue appeared before Qiu Shui in a flash.

Then, a rumbling sound came from the ground.

“Spiritual Art: Earth Bind!”

A giant wooden hand emerged from the ground, attempting to drag Shangguan Lingyue down.

However, her blood-infused true essence formed a tough shield, shattering the wooden hand upon impact.

Of course, this was all within the girls’ expectations.

Lu Xinyao took a deep breath and chanted softly, “Spiritual Art: Embrace of a Hundred Flames!”

The wooden fragments were infused with Lu Xinyao’s fire essence. As they scattered, dozens of miniature explosions erupted, amplified by the dense wood energy, their combined power several times greater than a single explosion.

Boom—!

The fiery explosions created a shockwave, filling the arena with dust, obscuring everything.

 

 

 

38. Young Master Kidney Deficiency

 

The groupings for the second round were similar to the first.

The previously established teams remained largely unchanged, while the lone wolves from the first round formed new teams.

This time, there wouldn’t be any backstabbing. The previous round’s betrayals were apparently too traumatic. Dozens of teams had engaged in psychological warfare with their own teammates.

As a result, many still suffered from teammate PTSD, hoping this round would be less stressful.

After explaining the rules of the second round to her disciples, Gong Yiling immediately launched a series of “training” activities.

Taking them out for meals, watching shadow puppet shows, strolling through the night market, shopping, and so on.

Yes, pure leisure.

Miss Gong called this her “Double Cheese Happy Training Method.”

She wasn’t worried about facing Shangguan Lingyue.

Qiu Shui’s abilities, although not advantageous in one-on-one duels, were incredibly effective in team battles, especially against a single opponent.

All she needed to do was adjust Qiu Shui’s mentality, allowing her to unleash her full power, gaining valuable experience for the inevitable arena battles later.

Finally, the official competition began on the third day.

“I trust you have all prepared yourselves,”

Shangguan Yaochang announced from the central arena, his speech resembling a pre-battle pep talk.

“Based on the submitted lists, nineteen teams have chosen me, and eleven have chosen Lingyue. The matches will take place simultaneously in two arenas.”

“Those not selected will wait in the designated area until called. Any questions?”

The rules this time were much simpler than the complicated number cards.

Seeing no one asking questions, Shangguan Yaochang instructed the guards to escort the waiting participants to a nearby building.

As soon as she entered, Miss Gong was confronted by Young Master Xuli.

“You’re that bitch who screwed me over at the auction house!”

He had apparently bribed people with money and influence to corner Gong Yiling.

“Who is this?”

Gong Yiling wasn’t fazed, even wanting to laugh. “Oh, right, isn’t this… Young Master Kidney Deficiency? Is that your name?”

Young Master Xuli almost choked. “Who are you calling kidney deficient!?”

“Look at you,”

Miss Gong sized him up. “Unsteady gait, sluggish posture, clearly weak in the knees and lacking in vitality. And your sunken eyes, the foul odor, signs of decline… I bet you frequently urinate at night.”

“And you say you’re not Young Master Kidney Deficiency.”

“You…!” His reaction was strange, quickly covering his face with his fan and stammering, “How… how dare you slander me!”

Huh???

Two question marks almost appeared above Gong Yiling’s head.

His reaction wasn’t one of indignant denial, but of someone whose sore spot had been poked.

This was interesting.

“Come here, come closer.”

Gong Yiling beckoned him. “I have something to tell you.”

The scene became awkward.

Young Master Xuli’s face turned pale, and his entourage didn’t know what to do.

Finally, he said, “Heh, let me see what you’re up to!”

When he approached, Gong Yiling whispered in his ear, “Kidney deficiency has nothing to do with cultivation. Even if you’re at Heavenly Soul realm, you’re still a kidney-deficient Heavenly Soul cultivator.”

“What!?”

His shocked outburst attracted everyone’s attention.

Noticing their stares, he snapped, “What are you looking at? Shouldn’t you be discussing your strategies? Keep staring, and I’ll gouge your eyes out!”

His threat silenced them.

He coughed and asked awkwardly, “So… you really think I’m kidney deficient? Am I really?”

—*Why are you asking me if your kidneys are deficient?*

She almost said it.

“I just see the signs. Hasn’t any physician mentioned it to you?”

“Who goes to a physician?”

“Who goes… huh…”

Although Gong Yiling wanted to retort, she didn’t know where to start.

Normal cultivators didn’t see physicians. If they had a problem, they just took more pills…

Wait!

What normal cultivator suffered from kidney deficiency!?

“You…” she hesitated. “What have you been doing? Normal cultivators don’t get kidney deficient.”

“Uh… does sleeping with six women a day count?”

“Six women???”

“…Yeah.”

“When?”

“Every day.”

“Every day!?”

Holy shit!

This guy was truly impressive. Six women a day? No wonder he was kidney deficient. His nickname was well-deserved.

“If you keep this up, you won’t just be kidney deficient. People will think you’re being used as a cauldron.”

“Without women, what’s the point of cultivating? It’s boring.”

This guy had reached the pinnacle of lower-body thinking.

—Why don’t you just evolve your brain out of existence?

“Find a physician to treat you. Why are you wasting my time?”

“I can’t do that!” Young Master Xuli said, “If people find out I’m kidney deficient, how can I maintain my reputation?”

“Do you have to go yourself? Can’t you use a disguise? Can’t you say ‘a friend of mine’ is kidney deficient?” Miss Gong retorted.

Her three consecutive questions enlightened Young Master Xuli.

“I see.” He nodded thoughtfully. “Then I’ll have my two attendants pretend to be kidney deficient and ask around.”

*Whatever makes you happy.*

Miss Gong, seeing his expression, had a mischievous glint in her eyes.

This guy wasn’t very bright. Could she scam him again?