In the novel, Ning Shao was initially seen as an enemy by the protagonist, and their relationship was far from amicable. However, after the protagonist saved her and resolved her issues, they grew a little closer.
Being a very clever girl, she always found countless ways to manipulate Yang Lie to her advantage, ensuring she gained without losing anything in return.
In just ten years, Ning Shao will be renowned across the Sleeping Dragon Continent as the Heavenly Strategist. Kings and Emperors alike will revere her, treating her as the most honored of guests.
She will be sought after by Great Kingdoms and Dynasties alike, offered unimaginable sums of gold coins and spirit stones to act as a Supreme Guest Strategist in their wars against the Demon Worshipers—a barbaric group that knows only to spill blood across the lands and worship demons as their lords, seeking to make Blood Contact with them.
So, of course, I know she'll eventually uncover everything about Gao Jin's suspicious behavior, no matter how carefully he tries to explain it. Such remarkable insight is only to be expected from the future Heavenly Strategist, even if she is still in her formative years.
Still, I let them go. Why? Because I didn't want this bastard sending a spirit letter to Niu Ling. More importantly, I knew Ning Shao wouldn't expose them—she serves Niu Ling not out of loyalty, but because she has no other choice; her service is forced upon her.
The Niu Family annihilated her entire clan after they refused to serve them. Following her clan's defeat, her remaining family was coerced into servitude, becoming a servant family of the Niu Family in exchange for a pittance of financial support. Ning Shao herself was forced into servitude as Niu Ling's maid to secure their survival.
But deep down, she would be the happiest person if Niu Ling were to die at someone else's hand.
After all, she neither has the ability to kill him and escape the wrath of the Niu family, nor can she disobey his commands.
Stripped of her freedom, she's not even allowed to join the sect and is reduced to the humiliating role of a mere maid. It's clear she wouldn't risk doing anything unnecessary to aid him.
But the problem is, if Niu Ling sees the recording of me killing his people in the Shadow Recording Stone, he'll act like a fool and send stronger forces after me. That would be a real pain in the ass. So, I was waiting for this bastard to make his move.
"Don't worry, Ning Shao," Reon thought inwardly, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "I'll tame you in the future. After all, I'll need a valuable pawn to deal with the true backer behind Niu Ling and that Golden Core Disciple."
Returning his focus to the present, Reon addressed the young man coldly. " Hey, fool. Tell me, how did you end up here? Weren't you being chased by Yang Lie?"
The young man's face contorted in shock. "H-How do you know that too!?"
Reon's smirked as his thoughts raced. "Of course, I knew it from the novel. In the story, Yang Lie couldn't intercept the spirit letter, but he killed this guy on the spot. So how did he end up here? Things are starting to diverge from what I know."
Reon smirked widened slightly, his confidence unshaken. "Of course, I know everything about you. Now answer my question."
The young man's thoughts raced in desperation. "I underestimated him. I thought his cultivation level was weak and that he lacked extraordinary abilities like Yang Lie. His Dark Sword Aura might be a little strange and possess devastating force, but with my incredible agility, I could easily dodge it.
He doesn't even seem to have any advanced sword techniques. I only feared his monstrous beasts, which he hides in his Inner Beast Domain. But… how did he discover me so easily?"
The young man hesitated, gritting his teeth before spitting out, "Fine, I'll tell you. But first—how did you know I was there? Even Yang Lie, with his Divine Insight Eyes, couldn't detect me at first.
He didn't even realize I had sent a spirit letter, let alone that I was recording everything. Your cultivation level is far beneath his, so how did you find me and know I was recording everything?"
Unbeknownst to the young man, Reon had already pieced it all together. "Of course, I wouldn't have been able to detect his stealth so easily under normal circumstances, but..."
Reon thought, his lips curling into a smirk. "When those six attacked me earlier, I felt another sharp and intense killing intent emanating from the shadows, directed straight at me. My Instinctual Awareness picked up on you immediately. Then, I used my Identify skill to confirm everything. But will I tell you this? Hell nah!"
Reon's expression darkened. "Why should I tell you my secret, you shithead? Now, answer me or come at me quickly. Stop wasting my time."
"You... you bastard!" the young man snarled. "Fine! Prepare to die by my hand! Did you really think cutting off my fingers and taking my storage ring would save you? I'll reclaim that ring after I kill you!"
The young man gritted his teeth, his mind racing. "I thought I was safe. Even Yang Lie couldn't easily see through my stealth techniques, yet this bastard has been toying with me from the start! I wasted my most prized Grade-2 Teleportation Talisman to escape from Yang lie, and now I have nothing left. I'll have to fight him to the death."