Chapter 29: Hand Over Ye Zhao Zhao
Under Lin Qing Ling’s piercing gaze, Manager Qiu broke into a cold sweat. Quickly wiping his brow, he waved his hands in panic. “No, no, that’s not…”
“Manager Qiu, what causes you such fear?” True Immortal Ling Xu interrupted, his voice steady. “Spirit Artifact Pavilion has stood strong in the Market for a hundred years. Everyone in our Sword Sect has traded with you at some point. While others might doubt you, I have full trust in your honor.”
He turned to Lin Qing Ling, eyes glinting with satisfaction. “If Manager Qiu himself has stepped forth, Li Shuang’s reputation must indeed be tainted.”
True Immortal Ling Xu felt pleased. Having already discarded Li Shuang, he now eagerly sought proof of her faults, reassuring himself his decision had been correct.
“Oh?” Lin Qing Ling’s tone was cold, her eyes narrowed dangerously at Manager Qiu. Her hand rested firmly on the sword at her waist, ready to draw at a moment’s notice.
“Peak Master Lin,” True Immortal Ling Xu sneered, “do you truly intend to protect her openly?”
Lin Qing Ling answered with conviction, “I do not believe Li Shuang has committed any wrongdoing.”
“If she is innocent, why would Manager Qiu seek her out?” True Immortal Ling Xu asked confidently, raising an eyebrow.
Seizing this chance to speak clearly, Manager Qiu quickly explained while still nervously wiping his forehead. “No, no! I’m not here because of Celestial Maiden Li.”
He cast a cautious glance at Li Shuang, trying to appear reassuring. “This situation arose entirely due to my own greed. The Clear Heart Jade Pendant truly belongs to Celestial Maiden Li. Far from committing any wrong, she has instead awakened me from my greed-driven error.”
Lin Qing Ling, who had been ready to unleash her blade, blinked in surprise, and the fierce aura surrounding her sword eased.
Li Shuang, too, stared at Manager Qiu, stunned.
[He’s not here for me?]
A subtle confusion filled her eyes. It was strange—just recently in the Market, Manager Qiu had shown her open hostility. After she had acquired the Clear Heart Jade Pendant, causing a great loss to Spirit Artifact Pavilion, his animosity seemed to have vanished?
True Immortal Ling Xu narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Manager Qiu. “Could it be that Peak Master Lin has frightened you into silence? Fear not! If justice is on your side, our entire Sword Sect will support you!”
Manager Qiu glanced carefully at True Immortal Ling Xu, asking calmly, “Then True Immortal Ling Xu, will you truly stand with me?”
True Immortal Ling Xu nodded firmly, replying, “Of course.”
Manager Qiu gave a slight bow before decisively declaring, “Then, True Immortal Ling Xu, please hold your little disciple accountable!”
His sharp gaze immediately shifted, falling coldly upon Ye Zhao Zhao.
Ye Zhao Zhao trembled, panic clearly visible in her eyes.
Li Shuang’s heart tightened.
[Ye Zhao Zhao?]
It turned out Manager Qiu had been aiming for Ye Zhao Zhao all along.
Thinking back to that figure she had glimpsed on the second floor, Li Shuang’s mind began to swirl with speculation.
“I… I don’t even know you. What could I possibly have done wrong?” Ye Zhao Zhao stammered weakly, unable to conceal her guilt.
True Immortal Ling Xu furrowed his brow. “Manager Qiu! Zhao Zhao has not been to the Market for days. Could you be mistaken? Li Shuang was my chief disciple before—perhaps you’re confusing them?”
Still, True Immortal Ling Xu stubbornly tried to shift suspicion back onto Li Shuang.
Manager Qiu’s eyes flashed icily at Ye Zhao Zhao, a sinister smile curving on his lips.
“Impossible! Several years ago, a rogue cultivator surnamed Ye approached Spirit Artifact Pavilion, proposing a partnership. She provided ideas, we implemented them, and she took a share of the profits.”
“Indeed, many clever schemes came from her. The Double Eleven event five years ago, the Red Packet Spirit Stones event four years ago—both were her ideas! I admit Spirit Artifact Pavilion has thrived in recent years, and as promised, I’ve faithfully given her a share of the profits.”
As Manager Qiu spoke, the faces of those gathered darkened like clouds before a storm.
Meng Yi Fei turned to glance once more at Ye Zhao Zhao. Over the years, the Spirit Artifact Pavilion had continuously unveiled fresh tactics to draw in customers. He had often marveled at such cleverness, like hidden sword techniques revealed in sudden brilliance.
[So these cunning arts were all from Zhao Zhao’s hand?]
“If what you say is true,” True Immortal Ling Xu spoke sternly, his brows knit like crossing blades, “my disciple greatly increased your profits. Yet you now speak as if you wish to accuse her. What exactly are your intentions?”
Manager Qiu clenched his jaw tightly, his voice sharp as a dagger. “Indeed, Ye Zhao Zhao’s strategies brought wealth. She herself taught me subtle tricks. During the ‘Buy One, Get One Free’ promotion, she instructed us to secretly reduce the potency of the free pills by half. For the Double Eleven sale, she advised us to slowly raise prices beforehand, only to lower them on the final day, creating the illusion of a great bargain. Our earnings soared—but at what cost? In just five years, the Pavilion’s hundred-year honor has crumbled!”
True Immortal Ling Xu’s gaze hardened like cold jade. “Nonsense! Zhao Zhao would never propose such dishonest methods! Clearly, your greed led you astray, and now you seek to shift blame onto her!”
Manager Qiu laughed bitterly, eyes narrow and venomous, like a serpent poised to strike. “I admit my errors and have already reported my misdeeds to Retainer Hong. I await my punishment from Spirit Treasure Pavilion. Yet, does Ye Zhao Zhao think she can simply escape?”
His gaze locked onto Ye Zhao Zhao, filled with malice. “Let us forget the past for now. Just two hours ago, she approached me again with a new scheme—the blind box. But this time, she asked for no payment.”
Chang Le An stepped forward instantly, shielding Ye Zhao Zhao. “My Little Junior Sister offered you an idea freely, yet you still accuse her?”
Manager Qiu’s tone became colder, each word cutting sharply. “She had one condition: she wanted me to set a trap to swindle Celestial Maiden Li out of her entire fortune!”
A wave of disbelief washed through the crowd, eyes shifting toward Li Shuang.
Yet Li Shuang remained unmoved. From the moment she saw figures lingering on the second floor, suspicion had sprouted in her heart. Manager Qiu’s words simply confirmed her fears.
“Utter nonsense!” Chang Le An trembled in anger. “Zhao Zhao has been on Spirit Void Peak tending Second Senior Brother. How could she possibly have met you two hours ago at the Market? Confess! Did Li Shuang bribe you to tarnish Zhao Zhao’s name?”
Sheng Yuan glanced quietly at Ye Zhao Zhao, noticing her hands trembling slightly. His heart tightened.
He, too, did not wish to believe it.
But…
If Ye Zhao Zhao had truly never left, how had Second Junior Brother’s inner fire suddenly spiraled out of control?
Two hours ago—had they not just left Spirit Void Peak?
Little Junior Sister promised she would care for Shen Yue carefully.
Yet—had she instead gone secretly to the Market?
A sharp pain twisted within Sheng Yuan’s chest.
[Impossible. It simply cannot be!]
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation