'Spying on my Dharma Method is quite novel.'

'One could guess the motive, it must be to secretly assess whether I, as a new partner, am qualified or not.'

'So, what does Lady Zhushan care about? Or rather, what is she assessing?'

Song Cheng worked hard to think of all the information he had about Lady Zhushan.

Hong Juguang and Shi Zhongjian's words reappeared in his mind one by one, combining with his own understanding.

Subjective judgments and information naturally emerged:

One, Lady Zhushan needs the Medicinal Human to be completely under her control; thus, she cares a lot about rules, about her orders being executed;

Two, Lady Zhushan's original Medicinal Human died, so she must want a stronger partner.

Three, Lady Zhushan has not yet made a move against the Barbarians. What is she waiting for? Is she still not recovered from a serious injury, or is there another reason?

Four, if Lady Zhushan's Illusionary Realm and his "Black Sky Trick" follow the same path, then Lady Zhushan must be insane.

Because Song Cheng knew all too well what the "Black Sky Trick" was.

It is a weakened version of the forbidden "Reappear," basically "let you feel my pain as well."

He is "exempt from the price," so his mind is quite stable.

But for those who are not... it's hard to say.

Lady Zhushan might be one of them.

After some thought, Song Cheng had a general understanding of Lady Zhushan in his mind.

'In that case...'

Song Cheng thought for a moment and came up with a plan.

No matter what, with the situation in the four-way chess game already locked, he had to take the initiative to explore this only untried path. It could very likely be his and the entire An Family's way out.

First, he had to pass Lady Zhushan's assessment.

...

...

"I'm so tired."

At dusk, Madam Tong, who had been practicing martial arts all day, was too tired to sit on the stone steps.

Song Cheng suddenly appeared and asked, "Madam, do you need me to do anything?"

"No need for anything, just rest well." Madam Tong looked at him tenderly, wondering why her man was so tender toward women? He had just returned from a battle this morning, and now this.

Song Cheng went on trying to find a "woman who could assign him tasks," but... Madam Tong, Miss An, even Ying and Ling, none of them even hinted at wanting him to do something.

Fortunately, night came.

Unbeknownst to her, Madam Tong issued her first command.

"Song, aren't you coming to bed yet?"

Song Cheng was practicing martial arts, but upon hearing this, he knew... the opportunity to demonstrate "traits that meet Lady Zhushan's needs" had arrived, and he immediately responded, "Coming now."

Immediately after, he stopped practicing martial arts and returned to the house.

The spying sensation disappeared, or rather, was blocked.

Madam Tong moved closer, helped him untie his laces, stripped off his clothes, and said softly, "I heard that people who have been on the battlefield are especially repressed; don't ruin yourself... today, I allow you..."

Her voice grew softer and softer.

After casting a spell, Song Cheng gently talked about his plan while embracing his wife.

Madam Tong was stunned, but under Song Cheng's patient explanation, she got a general understanding of the situation.

She chuckled, her face alight with novelty.

Thus...

That night, the couple secretly "conspired". The next day, they started to "act".

With the cooperation of Madam Tong, Song Cheng effortlessly and naturally displayed those characteristics that "theoretically met the interview requirements of Lady Zhushan".

Later in the afternoon, he alone quietly exhibited a bit of his "hidden power" in the courtyard, moving his hands and feet, the Gang Qi flowing, showing the second form other than the White Snake in the "True Form of Xuanwu".

A masculine physique paired with fierce strength and an "obedient nature".

Song Cheng didn't know the result of his "interview", but he could feel that prying gaze continuously watching him.

...

...

In the distance,

In an old mansion, wrapped in red gauze, lay Lady Zhushan, voluptuously beautiful to an unreal extent, on an ancient gold-inlaid jade couch that, while luxurious, clearly showed its age.

This nation-toppling beauty, with power in her hands, should have led a happy and unrestrained life, yet her beautiful face was marked with a trace of melancholy and disdain for everything in the world.

At that moment, she was looking at an ancient metal mirror that was beginning to show spots of dark green tarnish, reflecting a blind young boy with his eyes covered in black cloth.

The lady didn't realize what she was seeing was just "the acting of the young couple"; she watched for a long time and couldn't help but comment, "Not bad."

She pondered, propping her chin, seemingly resolute, then raised her hand and the mirror returned to its original state.

Looking at her nearly perfect visage, her disdain reached its peak, and the pain in her eyes climbed to the summit.

She casually flipped the mirror face down, then got up.

First, she took a very conservative robe that covered all skin from the luxurious rack and wrapped it around her body, then casually scooped some ointment from a black jar with her pinky finger and applied it to her face.

Instantly... the exquisite face vanished, replaced by a pockmarked, chubby face.

The pockmarked, chubby-faced lady looked at this unattractive visage with a trace of nostalgia and gentleness in her eyes.

She carefully picked up an old medicine box wrapped in chains from the table edge, her expression serious and solemn, then walked out of the old house.

Outside the mansion stood four gloomy Martial Artists, immobile like ancient statues.

The lady said, "Da, lift the palanquin, to the west of the city."

She decided to find that young girl named Tong Jia.

It was evident that the girl was also a Physician.

Thus, she could use "teaching the young girl" as a bargain to have that girl order her man to team up with her.

Madam didn't trust any man, nor did she want to establish a connection with any man beyond that of "strangers".

She only trusted those completely under her control, the Medicinal Humans.

However, since the young man was so virile and met her requirements so perfectly, she would make an exception this time.

Even if she partnered with the young man, it would still only be a "stranger" relationship.

For the young man, it was merely "the lady's command".

For safety, she would also call the young man's other lady master.

Double commands, even more secure.

Lady Zhushan acted this way primarily because she no longer had time to wait for other options.

She had to find a new partner immediately.

Time was running out.

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