True Heir of Chaos: From Villainess to Empress

"This matter also concerns the reputation of our Heavenly Demon Palace. Since Clan Leader Ma is here, let us resolve this issue through discussion. There's no need to let a person who's no longer with us spoil our relations."

The Palace Master Mo Lie understood Jian Dan's intent immediately and played along, redirecting the issue with practiced ease.

Jian Dan caught the signal from the Palace Master's eyes and rose to speak.

"Among these thirty-something female cultivators, some have agreed to return with Patriarch Ma voluntarily. You may arrange that as you see fit. As for the others, they only wish to leave this place as soon as possible."

She paused, then continued with a faint smile.

"Being taken and used as cauldrons is not something they want widely known. I'll offer them compensation and help them recover the cultivation they've lost. In exchange, I trust they'll keep their mouths shut."

The Palace Master nodded. This method of mixing mercy with authority was typical of Mo Yue—it turned major problems into minor ones, and minor ones into none.

Behind Ma Wen, Ma Chengjun's mind was racing. He had seen those female cultivators too, each one unique and of decent cultivation. Yet Mo Yue had stepped in and taken away those with the most potential. That felt like a waste.

He wanted to claim them for himself, but now was hardly the right time.

Unfortunately for him, his shifting gaze had already betrayed his thoughts. Jian Dan caught the cue, and she knew it was time to act.

She beckoned toward the hall entrance, summoning all of Ma Feijun's concubines and favored attendants. Turning to Ma Wen, she said:

"Patriarch Ma, these were all beloved by your former Peak Lord, those who served him closely. I don't have the authority to decide their fate, so I'll leave it to you."

Her tone was light, but her meaning was anything but.

The look in Jian Dan's eyes practically said it aloud: "These are the people Ma Feijun kept by his side. Now that he's gone, Mo Ying Peak has no obligation to support them. You raised them, you take them back."

Ma Wen's expression turned sour with embarrassment. He couldn't find a way to respond. Even Ma Chengjun kept his mouth shut.

Jian Dan continued.

"Also, these are several Ma clan stewards who were quite diligent in serving Ma Feijun. However, they used his power to do shameful things. If I dealt with them using sect rules, it might seem that we're being petty, targeting the former Peak Lord's people. But if I leave them unpunished, it undermines my authority as Peak Master. Since you're here in person, I'll hand them over to you instead."

As she spoke, she passed over a set of jade slips detailing their crimes.

Ma Wen said nothing. He simply waved a hand, causing the jade slips to fly into Ma Chengjun's grasp. That was as good as accepting the responsibility.

Jian Dan nodded in satisfaction. She had worked tirelessly for three sleepless days to gather that evidence. It would've been a waste otherwise.

Her task was now complete. The rest would be left to the higher-ups to spar with words. As far as she was concerned, her mission was finished.

"Chengjun, take these people and go make the necessary arrangements. I'll stay and discuss a few things with the Palace Master."

Ma Wen finally spoke, sending his grandson away.

"Yes, Grandfather."

Ma Chengjun understood the signal. He bowed and left the main hall without delay.

"Since the Palace Master and Clan Leader Ma have matters to discuss, I shall take my leave and return to Mo Ying Peak."

Jian Dan glanced at Ma Wen's weathered face, the calculations hidden behind his expression. She smiled politely, offered a respectful salute, and exited the hall with elegance.

She didn't care what the two venerable ones discussed behind those doors. As she walked away, she noticed Ma Chengjun still lingering near the entrance, surrounded by stewards of the Ma clan who were complaining to him in hushed tones. The moment someone spotted Jian Dan approaching, all chatter stopped as if their throats had been pinched shut.

Ma Chengjun also saw her and turned to face her.

"Junior Sister Mo Yue," he said coolly, "some things shouldn't be done too ruthlessly. After all, we will cross paths again."

Jian Dan merely smiled at his shameless warning and asked plainly:

"When are you leaving?"

Her bluntness caught Ma Chengjun off guard, but he quickly recovered and responded with feigned calm.

"Once my grandfather finishes his discussion with the Palace Master, we'll leave. There's no need for you to rush us. The Heavenly Demon Palace isn't yours to command."

Jian Dan's blue eyes shimmered. Light rippled through her gaze like waves, ready to overflow, and she said slowly:

"I hope you live long enough to see that day."

By the time Ma Chengjun snapped out of it, Jian Dan had already vanished.

Furious, he turned to his clansmen, but they all wore blank, confused expressions.

As Jian Dan left, she took several of the abducted female cultivators with her. While flying on her light shuttle, she tossed each of them a mid-grade storage pouch.

"I'll send you out of the Heavenly Demon Palace right away. If you have family, return to them. If you have a home, go there. Focus on recovering your cultivation. What you choose to do after that is up to you."

"Senior, why won't you help us get justice?"

The one who had lost the most cultivation asked tearfully.

"Justice?" Jian Dan scoffed.

"Why should I fight for you, instead of you fighting for yourselves?"

"Our strength isn't enough!" said a girl with round cheeks, head bowed.

"At least you're not stupid," Jian Dan replied.

"Then build your strength. Not every member of the Ma clan is in Divine Transformation."

Her words carried meaning beneath the surface, and the women understood her implication.

Those who left the Heavenly Demon Palace followed Jian Dan's advice. They scattered among the passing cultivators, blended in, and began to quietly rebuild themselves. Within ten years, many had recovered their strength. What followed was a silent but relentless campaign. Over the span of a century, they hunted down nearly every Ma clan cultivator who practiced dual cultivation through coercive means. The once-prominent Ma clan was reduced to a third-rate family.

Back in the present, Jian Dan had only planted the seed. Whether it would grow, she did not worry. The women she had taken still had fire in their eyes. She believed they would act when the time came.

Upon returning to the main hall of Mo Ying Peak, she summoned Gong Yi.

"Most of the Ma clan members have been dealt with, yes?"

Gong Yi looked at the casually reclining Mo Yue and replied cautiously.

"Almost all. A few were more discreet. We haven't caught them doing anything incriminating."

"Either they've really done nothing dirty, or they're deeply planted spies."

"Understood."

"Send them out on external missions or find an excuse to transfer them. Don't waste time probing. It's tedious."

"Yes."

"Also, assign competent people to take over peak duties. Let's not waste this golden opportunity."

"Yes. I'll handle it right away."

"Jūnshàng, Jūnshàng, bad news!"

One of Jian Dan's attendants rushed into the hall, pale with urgency.