Chapter 21: Hidden Truths and Shifting Loyalties
"Tell me, what else are you hiding from me?"
Seeing Qin Chuan's uneasy expression, how could Qian Renxue not sense it? There was something more—something he hadn't told her.
Qin Chuan grew more conflicted.
Should I really say it?
At this moment, two versions of himself seemed to be battling inside his mind—one urging him to speak, the other warning him to stay silent.
"Hurry up."
Qian Renxue pressed again, fanning the flames of his hesitation with a deliberate strike.
"If you don't tell me, I won't trust you anymore."
"I'll say it… but you're not allowed to laugh."
Qin Chuan could no longer hold it in. The composure and indifference he usually wore were crumbling fast.
"Of course not," Qian Renxue replied sincerely.
But inside, she couldn't help thinking—Unless it's actually really funny.
With no way out, Qin Chuan began to speak, revealing the part of his story he'd been reluctant to share.
When he finally confessed that he and Bibi Dong had been married for more than ten years but had never once been physically intimate, Qian Renxue's eyes went wide.
"You what? You've been married for over ten years and… nothing happened?"
Her disbelief was quickly replaced by a strange light sparkling in her gaze. She looked both excited and relieved—like something had finally clicked into place.
So everything is still clean?
Perfect.
"You said you wouldn't laugh."
Qin Chuan's face darkened, clearly annoyed. He could see the amusement hidden in her eyes.
"Brother Qin Chuan, of course I'm not laughing. You've had it so hard these years."
Qian Renxue said that with a smile she couldn't suppress, her tone laced with teasing warmth.
Qin Chuan's expression only grew darker.
"So… is that why you want to divorce her?"
Qian Renxue asked the question that had been weighing on her. If this was truly the reason, her opinion of him might shift.
"No. It's more than that."
Qin Chuan shook his head slightly and recounted what had happened recently in the Pope's Palace.
"What did you just say?"
When she heard it, Qian Renxue stood up in shock.
Her eyes widened even more, stunned by what she was hearing.
"Too despicable," she muttered, pacing back and forth in the suite.
"Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting… God, how could she do such a thing?"
She suddenly turned and looked at Qin Chuan, her gaze dark, uncertain.
"Brother Qin Chuan… are you sure you're telling the truth? You're not lying to me, right?"
She didn't like Bibi Dong—never had. But as a woman, a powerhouse, and a blood relative, she struggled to believe her mother could stoop so low.
"Do you really think I would lie to you about something like this?"
Qin Chuan shot her a look.
That was enough.
As he finished speaking, the glimmer in Qian Renxue's eyes grew even more intense.
As expected.
She took several deep breaths, calming the storm of emotions that surged in her chest, and sat back down.
With seriousness in her eyes, she looked at Qin Chuan and said,
"Brother Qin Chuan, if this is all true… then I support your decision to divorce her."
"She's not worthy of you. For her to treat you like this—just hearing it makes me feel wronged on your behalf."
Qin Chuan rolled his eyes.
Even though her words were supportive, he could still hear the amusement and teasing in her tone.
Still, it was true—he had completely severed ties with Bibi Dong.
"Then what about that leg she gave you? What was that supposed to mean?"
Qian Renxue suddenly thought of another important detail.
"She never agreed to the divorce," Qin Chuan replied flatly.
From beginning to end, it had only been his demand. Bibi Dong hadn't given her consent. Sending Yu Xiaogang's leg to him was her twisted way of trying to appease his rage—hoping he would come back to her.
She always did things this way.
She would never admit fault.
She believed that treating him a little better would make everything go back to the way it was.
But this time, she was wrong.
Qin Chuan had truly given up.
"So that woman actually thought Brother Qin Chuan would forgive her because she cut off the master's leg and gave it to him?"
Qian Renxue was stunned again.
What kind of twisted logic is that?
"It's pretty much like you guessed."
Qin Chuan nodded.
Qian Renxue's expression turned strange.
"But doesn't the master seem kind of… pitiful? Like the ultimate victim in all this?"
Qin Chuan froze for a second.
Then he realized she was right.
He had personally destroyed Yu Xiaogang's dantian and broke his leg. After that, Bibi Dong chopped off the same leg and sent it as a gift.
No matter how you looked at it, Yu Xiaogang was the biggest victim in this tangled mess.
But they didn't dwell on it long.
Soon after, Qian Renxue asked seriously,
"Brother Qin Chuan, be honest with me. You're really not going back to her, right?"
"You mean… to experience those ten years again?"
Qin Chuan asked, raising an eyebrow.
Qian Renxue was momentarily stunned. Then, a soft, relieved smile blossomed on her delicate face.
"Then what do you plan to do next, Brother Qin Chuan?"
"That woman's already made her move. If we don't respond, there's no telling what she'll try next."
No one knew a woman better than her daughter.
In truth, Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong shared many traits—especially their stubbornness when pursuing what they wanted.
Qin Chuan shook his head.
"After this tournament ends, I'll return to the Heaven Dou Empire with you. Once we retrieve the Hanhai Qiankun Cover, we'll set out to sea."
Out at sea, Bibi Dong's reach would end. No matter what she plotted, she would no longer be able to touch them.
Upon hearing that, Qian Renxue's expression grew complicated.
"Brother Qin Chuan… I can go with you."
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door.
"Who is it?"
Qian Renxue's expression changed instantly. The angelic mark between her eyebrows lit up with a brilliant golden light, wrapping her body in a soft glow like cotton.
The golden aura flickered violently, soul power surging and transforming in waves—soon shifting into a light blue hue.
In that instant, her figure changed completely.
Her beautiful face, graceful figure, and flowing golden hair all faded. Her hair darkened and shortened from the roots.
All of it happened in a single breath.
In her place stood Xue Qinghe once again.
Elegant and calm, his demeanor composed and noble.
"Your Highness, someone from the Spirit Hall has come to invite you to the mountain to discuss the finals."
A voice spoke from outside the door.
Qian Renxue glanced at Qin Chuan instinctively.
"Understood. This prince will be there shortly," she responded from within the room.
She stood up, then turned to see Qin Chuan frowning as he rose.
With a slight smile tugging at her lips, she said,
"She's making another move."