Chapter 515

Wang Haoran’s mind shifted into overdrive as he searched for a way out of this situation. Although Bian Suwen had clearly set him up, it didn’t feel like something unbearable. In fact, a small part of him even thought she was unexpectedly adorable for pulling something like this.

All things considered, he leaned toward just going along with it.

But the real problem was what came next—how was he supposed to face Shao Wanwan afterward?

He had been pretending to be the Poison Sect’s Old Ancestor. Even if Shao Wanwan doesn’t retaliate directly, there was no way she would forget this. Her Favorability was only at 40, and after what happened, she would definitely start suspecting that he had acted on purpose.

From her perspective, how could a high and mighty Old Ancestor of the Poison Sect possibly get played by Bian Suwen? The only explanation she’ll come up with would be that he wanted things to turn out this way.

She’d probably think, “I respected and revered you as my Old Ancestor. I did everything I could for the Poison Sect, and this is how you repay me?”

Just like that, his carefully crafted image as a lofty, untouchable master would collapse.

He was still counting on her to keep playing her part—especially when it came to monitoring Gu Yurou. If Shao Wanwan held a grudge over this, she might just wash her hands of the whole thing and walk away.

And then what? Who else would he send to spy on Gu Yurou?

Jiang Gaoxuan was still somewhat useful, but he wasn’t really needed for keeping tabs on Ling Nanxu. And besides, Jiang Gaoxuan was a man. Even if he had no ability in that area anymore, it still felt wrong to have him watching over Gu Yurou.

Even if Haoran was only pretending to be the male lead of a female-focused story, it just didn’t sit right having another guy monitor the heroine. What if she got taken advantage of? Wouldn’t that loss be his in the end?

So no matter what, he needed to preserve his relationship with Shao Wanwan.

Of course, he would also have to detoxify her.

As these thoughts swirled in his head, Bian Suwen approached, still carrying the dazed Shao Wanwan in her arms.

Without revealing himself, Wang Haoran silently activated a strand of Internal Energy and struck Bian Suwen with it.

Just as she finished unsealing Shao Wanwan’s acupoints, a wave of dizziness hit her, and her strength drained away all at once. She staggered, about to collapse alongside Shao Wanwan.

She blacked out completely.

Now unafraid of being exposed, Wang Haoran leapt forward and caught both women, preventing them from crashing to the ground.

He laid Bian Suwen gently on the bed and covered her with a blanket, then pressed his palm to Shao Wanwan to suppress the poison coursing through her veins with his Qi.

Her misty eyes, still shimmering with confusion, slowly began to regain clarity.

“Old Ancestor…?” she murmured in surprise.

“How could you be so careless? Letting Bian Suwen capture you like this? You’ve completely embarrassed our Poison Sect,” Wang Haoran said sternly, faking outrage with a straight face.

“She had help. That person must’ve been at least a Minor Grandmaster in internal strength. I let my guard down.” Shao Wanwan looked ashamed, but she quickly noticed something strange. Just moments ago, she had been wondering who Bian Suwen’s partner was, and now she realized—the one brought in to deal with her was her own Old Ancestor.

“I’ve only managed to temporarily suppress the poison. You have the antidote with you, don’t you? Hurry up and take it,” Wang Haoran said coolly.

Shao Wanwan’s face went pale again, her lips trembling. “I… I didn’t bring it.”

“You didn’t have it last time either, and now again? You’re hopeless,” Wang Haoran scolded, though in truth, he already knew she didn’t have it. He was just playing along for appearance’s sake.

“I didn’t think I’d get poisoned…” she said miserably, then glanced up with faint hope. “Old Ancestor, did you bring it?”

Wang Haoran said nothing.

She instantly understood. She asked a similar question the last time—when it had been Mu Nanzhi who was in trouble. But this time, it was her.

Panic welled up inside her. She knew exactly how potent this poison was. Without the antidote, death was a certainty.

Her gaze, once scattered by fear, focused again and landed on her Old Ancestor.

Wang Haoran pretended to misunderstand her look. His face solemn, he said, “Wanwan, after you die, I’ll avenge you. I’ll wipe out Bian Suwen and bury the entire Yixian Valley with you. Rest in peace.”

At first, Shao Wanwan was moved. She thought to herself, Old Ancestor really does care about me. He’s even planning revenge.

But then, something felt wrong.

She wasn’t dead yet. She still had a sliver of hope.

Who would willingly die if they still had a chance to live?

“Old Ancestor… I don’t want to die. Isn’t there some other way? Something that won’t take everything from me?” she asked, her voice trembling with desperation.

“If there was, don’t you think I would’ve used it on Mu Nanzhi back then? Do you really believe I did that because I desired her?” Wang Haoran frowned, adopting the aloof demeanor of a true master untouched by worldly lust.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” Shao Wanwan quickly shook her head.

“Dying from this kind of poison is a slow and painful process. If you want, I can give you a quick death,” Wang Haoran said flatly, his eyes flickering with a ruthless glint that made him look like a cold-blooded Poison Sect patriarch through and through.

“I’m still young—I don’t want to die!” Shao Wanwan shouted in alarm, terrified that he might really send her off just like that.

“Then what do you mean? Are you asking me to detoxify you?” he asked without a hint of emotion.

She struggled inside for a moment, then straightened her neck and said, “Old Ancestor, I know it’s a great offense to ask this of you. But for the sake of my loyalty to the Poison Sect… please, save me.”

That’s what I was waiting for! You could’ve said that earlier! My mouth’s about to go dry over here! Wang Haoran cheered inwardly, but he kept his expression stoic. After a few seconds of silence—just long enough to make her heart pound with anxiety—he finally nodded.

“Very well. You are, after all, the Saintess of the Poison Sect. Losing you would be a real blow to us.”

Shao Wanwan let out a long breath of relief. But almost immediately, a complicated sadness filled her chest.

Still, survival was more important than pride. She shut her eyes tightly and braced herself for what was to come.

【Ding! Host has taken female lead Shao Wanwan’s first time. Gained 4000 Villain Points. Shao Wanwan’s Female Lead Halo -200. Host’s Villain Halo +200!】

【Ding! Shao Wanwan’s Favorability toward Host increased by 10. Current Favorability: 50 (Budding Affection)】

【Ding! Host has altered the plot’s trajectory. Gained 1000 Villain Points!】

Beyond the window, the sky had begun to pale with the soft light of dawn. Before he realized it, it was already morning.

Wang Haoran quietly moved Bian Suwen to the floor, unsealed her sleeping acupoint, then returned to the bed and feigned sleep.

Bian Suwen slowly came to. Her eyes were dazed for a moment before panic surged through her chest.

How did she pass out like that? Did Shao Wanwan poison her?

In a panic, she checked her body’s condition but found no sign of toxins.

Her eyes darted around the room and soon landed on Wang Haoran and Shao Wanwan, both lying motionless. Only their steady breathing gave any hint they were alive.

She thought for a moment and assumed the most logical explanation—after she unsealed Shao Wanwan’s acupoints, she must’ve taken advantage of her momentary carelessness to strike her pressure point and knock her unconscious.

Judging by the messy state of the room, something clearly happened.

She figured Shao Wanwan had been in too much of a hurry to detoxify herself after knocking her out, so she hadn’t had time to do anything more.

Bian Suwen breathed a silent sigh of relief, then quickly realized something else—she hadn’t recorded anything.

Without footage, how can she blackmail Shao Wanwan?

But then she reassured herself—Shao Wanwan was confused and drugged. She might not even remember that Bian Suwen passed out.

So long as she stayed quiet, Shao Wanwan might never know what happened.

Moving quickly, Bian Suwen got up and carried Shao Wanwan to the room next door.

Before leaving, she even sealed Wang Haoran’s acupoint, just in case he wakes up too soon.