"Yang Qianrou, with your current strength, joining the Heavenly Sword Sect should not be difficult. After you join, you will have the Heavenly Sword Sect's protection and can also improve your strength..."
"But if you choose to follow me, you must think clearly about the consequences. I cannot give you anything, nor can I even guarantee your life."
Ning Beichen said to her.
"I've already thought it through, Boss. I still want to stay by your side."
Yang Qianrou said very seriously.
"Alright, as you wish. What about the others? What are their thoughts?"
Ning Beichen asked her.
"Cao Shuo wants to try his luck at the Heavenly Sword Sect. The others have similar ideas. If they can get in, that would be best. If not, they still want to come back and follow Boss."
Yang Qianrou said, lowering her head, somewhat afraid to look at Ning Beichen's expression.
"Tell them for me, I am not their parents, nor their elders. The path ahead is theirs to walk."
Ning Beichen said to Yang Qianrou.
"Yes, Boss."
Yang Qianrou lowered her head and retreated. She didn't know if Ning Beichen was angry, but in her understanding, Ning Beichen was their boss, and he had led them all the way here, enduring hardships to reach the central continent. Now they were abandoning their boss to join the Heavenly Sword Sect. If it were her, she would definitely be furious. Although Ning Beichen had told them to go earlier and hadn't stopped them, words were one thing, actions were another. In Yang Qianrou's heart, this was betrayal.
In the end, everyone except Yang Qianrou chose to leave. When they came to bid farewell to Ning Beichen, he didn't say anything, only wished them success. However, just as Yang Qianrou had thought, although Ning Beichen didn't mind and even personally encouraged them to go, it would likely be difficult for them to return after they left.
In reality, Yang Qianrou had not guessed Ning Beichen's thoughts correctly, because he had no intention of creating any faction at all. Otherwise, he wouldn't have let them leave. Before he had contacted Hai Tang and the others, Ning Beichen might have had such thoughts, but after reconnecting with Hai Tang and the others, he no longer did. Or, more accurately, Ning Beichen had no sense of belonging to this world at all. It was like playing a game; he never intended to stay here or gain anything from it.
However, looking at the empty courtyard with only him and Yang Qianrou left, Ning Beichen found it much quieter.
"Boss, I'm sorry."
Yang Qianrou looked at Ning Beichen, feeling extremely guilty. Before this, she had also tried to persuade them to stay, but it was clear that the allure of being a disciple of the top sect was stronger. Even Cao Shuo could not be persuaded to stay. Perhaps Cao Shuo truly admired Ning Beichen, and Ning Beichen was even his belief, but the Heavenly Sword Sect was too dazzling in his heart. It couldn't be blamed on Cao Shuo and the others, as very few people in this world could resist the temptation of the foremost sect on the central continent. It was like Qinghua and Beida in Ning Beichen's original world; how many students could resist their allure? As long as one became a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect, they could soar to great heights. Let alone their beliefs, even their own fathers couldn't stop them.
"Sorry for what?"
Ning Beichen seemed distracted, his mind occupied with his own thoughts. Hearing Yang Qianrou's words, he responded casually.
"I... I didn't make them stay."
Yang Qianrou said guiltily, including not only Cao Shuo but also a few of her original subordinates who had also left.
"Why should you make them stay? I told them to leave."
Ning Beichen came back to his senses, speaking with some surprise.
"But they betrayed you..."
Before Yang Qianrou could finish, Ning Beichen interrupted her.
"You're mistaken. They didn't betray me; they simply chose their own path."
Ning Beichen replied.
"But you painstakingly brought them from the Northwest Border City, guided them meticulously along the way, protected their safety, and greatly improved their strength."
"Without Boss, they would never have reached the central continent. Now, as soon as they had a better option, they left immediately. I feel it's unfair to Boss."
Yang Qianrou said anxiously, speaking quickly.
"No, without me, they would still be the elites of the Northwest Border City and would have come to the central continent sooner or later. As for protecting and guiding them, that was my own business, unrelated to them. I actually hope they all join the Heavenly Sword Sect; it wouldn't be a waste of them following me. As for you, Yang Qianrou, with your strength and intelligence, you have a greater chance of joining the Heavenly Sword Sect than they do. You shouldn't have stayed by my side."
Ning Beichen said to Yang Qianrou.
"Boss, I don't care about the Heavenly Sword Sect at all. Being able to follow you is what I desire most."
Yang Qianrou immediately explained.
"I hope you don't regret it."
Ning Beichen gave her a strange look, wondering why this woman insisted on following him. Ning Beichen knew that by staying by his side, Yang Qianrou would be in great danger, as his personality would undoubtedly offend many people on the central continent. However, even though this was the logical reasoning, Ning Beichen was genuinely happy that Yang Qianrou had chosen to stay. Although he had persuaded those like Cao Shuo to leave, their actual departure had left him feeling somewhat down. But at least one person was willing to stay for him, which made Ning Beichen very happy.
"Alright then, Yang Qianrou. Since you've chosen to follow me, you must be mentally prepared for anything, including death."
Ning Beichen said to her.
Yang Qianrou nodded solemnly, without the slightest hesitation or regret.
Furthermore, the very next day after everyone had left, someone showed up at their door. Ning Beichen had killed so many people in the Northwest Border City, and eventually, he was found. The reason was that the three people Ning Beichen had subdued earlier were found by their people not long after they left. They had no choice but to reveal Ning Beichen. Ning Beichen was not surprised by this at all. He knew this day would come sooner or later. Even if it wasn't the three of them, they would have found him eventually. After all, he had killed so many people and stolen the airship. As long as the force behind the airship wasn't foolish, they would definitely find him to seek revenge. When the three men saw Ning Beichen, their faces showed guilt. They truly didn't want to do this, nor did they want to expose Ning Beichen, but they had no choice. If they didn't speak, they would lose their lives.