In another guest room, Blazing Days Sect, Dongu Village

Jinhai paced around, wrecking his brain over the situation. Mount Hua Sect was in serious trouble now since Princess Huangshu literally had one of the most important metal mines in her hands and could easily mine it. This could overturn the political balance, yet his heart didn’t allow him to send this information back home. He felt completely torn.

Jinhai’s loyalty to Mount Hua Sect was undeniable, but so was his dedication to Princess Huangshu. He had watched her grow from a curious child into a formidable and wise young woman. He remembered her first steps, her first words, and all the times he had stood guard during her childhood adventures. His heart ached at the thought of betraying her trust. She was not just a princess to him; she was almost like family.

He ran a hand through his hair, which was tied back in a neat topknot, and let out a frustrated sigh. The room felt smaller with each passing moment, the walls closing in as the weight of his decision pressed down on him. The flickering candle on the table cast long shadows, mirroring the conflict within him.

He paused by the window, looking out at the serene landscape of Dongu Village. The moonlight reflected off the calm waters of Hin Lake, casting a silver sheen over the entire scene. The tranquility outside seemed almost mocking, given the storm raging within him.

He finally decided to send a letter telling the mount hua sect about Princess Huangshu’s purchase of the Dongu Village but not about the Red Black Steel, he was going to protect her highness secret and also do his duty.

He knew that this was just a temporary solution, he will have to choose to side in the future inevitably but for now this is the best he can do.

Two Days Later in the Morning, In Edina’s Guest Room, Blazing Days Sect, Dongu Village

Senior Edina stirred under the bed sheet, slowly waking up. As her eyes adjusted to the dim morning light, she looked around the room. She sighed in relief, recognizing that she was no longer in the guest room of the Shining Blade Sect. The view outside the window confirmed her location; the sight of the vast lake indicated she was at the Blazing Days Sect.

A smile spread across her face as she scanned the bed for Junior Edina’s customary letter. She found it beside her pillow, written in Leonese, as always. The letter detailed everything that had transpired in the past week. Senior Edina was pleased to read about Princess Huangshu joining their endeavor and was intrigued to learn that the princess was attempting to start her own faction. This was a development that hadn’t occurred in her past life, though she vaguely recalled hearing about Princess Huangshu’s faction being the weakest in the imperial palace.

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Relieved that the mining technique had worked and that they could extract Black Red Steel with ease, Senior Edina moved on to read the financial accounts. Junior Edina had spent a total of 9 gold teals to buy the Dongu Region and Blazing Days Sect: 8 gold teals for the sect and village, and an additional gold teal to help the sect with day-to-day operations. Princess Huangshu had matched this amount, making the total cost for the Dongu Region 18 gold teals, a sum far higher than any evaluation by the imperial ministry of finance.

Senior Edina smiled and nodded at this, recognizing that both Junior Edina and Princess Huangshu, despite their maturity, were still young and driven by a desire to help. Their decision to spend more than the official evaluation out of pity for the sect was endearing to her.

Folding the letter, she reached for her cane and got out of bed. As expected, Lian Hua, her personal maid, opened the door. “Young Mistress Edina, you are awake. Let me help you get ready,” she said.

After a refreshing bath, getting dressed, and enjoying breakfast, Senior Edina and Princess Huangshu found themselves at the gate of the Blazing Days Sect. They were waiting for Lian Hua, Jinhai, and other servants to load up their carriage with supplies and belongings for their journey.

Princess Huangshu smiled warmly at Senior Edina, who returned the smile as they watched the activity around them. Nearby, some of the sect’s workers were busy replacing the old signboard at the entrance. The board that once read “Blazing Days Sect” was being taken down and replaced with new characters.

Senior Edina read the new sign slowly, “Eternal Will Sect,” and smiled. Seeing this, Princess Huangshu also smiled and said, “You seem to be quite proud of the new name you selected for the sect.”

This confirmed to Senior Edina that this name was selected by Junior Edina.

The new name encapsulated the essence of Senior Edina’s determination to protect her loved ones in this life, a stark contrast to the challenges she had faced in her previous life. Nodding at Princess Huangshu, Senior Edina felt a deep sense of satisfaction and purpose.

As they waited, the morning sun climbed higher, casting a warm glow over the serene landscape of Dongu Village. The waters of Hin Lake shimmered in the light, reflecting the promise of a new beginning for the Eternal Will Sect. The air was filled with the sounds of nature, the chirping of birds, and the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze, adding to the peaceful atmosphere of the moment.

In the bustling marketplace in front of the sect entrance,

The former head maid of Jinwei Mansion of the Blazing Dawn Sect, Xiao Min, was carefully selecting vegetables from a vendor. The lively market was filled with the sounds of haggling merchants, chatting customers, and the occasional clucking of chickens. The air was rich with the scent of fresh produce and the faint aroma of nearby food stalls preparing breakfast.

As she handed a few wooden coins to the vendor and placed the vegetables into her basket, her eyes wandered towards the entrance of the sect. There, in the distance, she noticed a line of imperial carriages. This sight was not particularly unusual, as inspections by imperial officials were a common occurrence. However, something about the scene caught her attention and made her pause.

Amidst the array of formal black and gold carriages, a flash of a familiar red color stood out. Her heart skipped a beat as she strained to see more clearly. The vibrant red hair was unmistakable. Xiao Min had only ever known one person with such distinctive hair, a color so unique that it was memorable to anyone who had seen it.

It was Edina Cha Ling Von Nemesis.