Chapter 182: Li Jing Rang, Let’s Break the Engagement
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Su Ming returned to his room, still sulking. No matter how much he thought it over, he couldn’t let go of his frustration. Deciding to vent his feelings, he headed toward Little Junior Sister’s room. But as he arrived, he saw Li Jing Rang standing outside Ye Cong Xin’s door. His brows furrowed deeply.
“Senior Brother Li, why are you here? This is my Little Junior Sister’s room,” Su Ming said sharply.
Li Jing Rang looked embarrassed upon seeing Su Ming. “I just came by after composing a poetic verse and wanted to discuss it with Junior Sister Ye.”
“Little Junior Sister has been traveling and working tirelessly these past few days. She’s utterly exhausted and resting now. Senior Brother Li, you should leave,” Su Ming replied, almost outright asking him to get lost.
Li Jing Rang hesitated but had no choice but to leave, despite his reluctance. “Very well, I’ll visit again in a few days.”
Without waiting for Su Ming to rebuff him again, Li Jing Rang turned and walked away swiftly.
“Third Senior Brother.”
As soon as Li Jing Rang left, Ye Cong Xin opened her door, gratitude flickering in her eyes. She had been troubled by Li Jing Rang’s lack of boundaries, and Su Ming’s timely intervention was a relief.
“Little Junior Sister, you should avoid associating with people like that in the future. Li Jing Rang is engaged, yet he came to you when no one else was around. That clearly shows he’s untrustworthy,” Su Ming advised.
Born in the royal city, Su Ming hadn’t experienced romantic relationships himself, but he had seen enough to recognize such behavior. Li Jing Rang’s actions betrayed ulterior motives under the guise of scholarly discussions. Su Ming felt certain he wasn’t a decent person.
Ye Cong Xin nodded gently, showing no hint of displeasure on her face.
Su Ming immediately thought of the ever-stubborn Yu Zhao and began pouring out his grievances.
“Little Junior Sister, why can’t Yu Zhao be as sweet and gentle as you? We used to get along so well. If she felt wronged, she could’ve just said so. Master or Eldest Senior Brother would’ve stood up for her. But no, she chose to keep everything bottled up. How are we supposed to know what she’s thinking?
“Now that we’ve realized our mistakes, Eldest and Second Senior Brothers have both apologized to her repeatedly. Even Fourth Senior Brother gave up becoming a Master Alchemist just to earn her forgiveness. What more does she want? Does she expect us to kneel and bow to her in apology before she’s satisfied? Isn’t that going too far…”
Su Ming rambled on, spilling every ounce of dissatisfaction, while Ye Cong Xin listened quietly. Occasionally, she’d echo his sentiments, but inwardly, she was scoffing.
This is the so-called heaven-blessed protagonist? An utterly clueless fool.
Even now, Su Ming didn’t understand why Yu Zhao had left. Yu Zhao wasn’t someone who cared for material possessions; otherwise, she wouldn’t have lent him all her spirit stones back then.
All they ever demanded was Yu Zhao’s obedience, treating her like a pet who came and went at their beck and call. But they never stopped to truly consider what she wanted. After pouring her heart out for over ten years, all she received in return was indifference.
Ye Cong Xin almost pitied Yu Zhao. If it were her, she would’ve long since schemed to win their trust and then drained their fortune entirely, sparing herself from their stupidity.
Suddenly, Ye Cong Xin froze. Could it be that Yu Zhao wasn’t playing hard to get but had genuinely decided to cut ties with them?
The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed. An unsettling sense of annoyance swelled within her. Yu Zhao had abandoned these fools, but she still had to endure them. Did that mean Yu Zhao now looked down on her for picking up the trash she discarded?
Her breathing grew uneven.
Yu Zhao had always been better than her in every way, and the only way Ye Cong Xin could suppress her was by stealing the affection of people like Fang Cheng Lang. But now that Yu Zhao was free of restraints, wasn’t she soaring freely?
No wonder Yu Zhao’s cultivation was advancing so rapidly lately… everything suddenly made sense.
In a secluded room, Su Ming’s calls snapped Ye Cong Xin back to reality. He looked at her with concern.
“Little Junior Sister? Little Junior Sister? What’s wrong? Are you even listening to me?”
Ye Cong Xin forced a smile. “Third Senior Brother, I’m sorry. I’m feeling a bit unwell.”
Her complexion was pale, and her eyes seemed unfocused. Su Ming, though slightly displeased, muttered something under his breath before stomping away.
Now alone, shadows cloaked Ye Cong Xin’s face, concealing her expression. Yet, the whitened knuckles of her clenched fists betrayed her turmoil.
“Yu Zhao,” she whispered into the silence, her voice trembling with determination, “don’t think you can escape me. I’ll catch up to you soon. Very soon…”
As the grand competition among the sects drew near, cultivation sects from all over the realm gathered at the Aspiration Pavilion. Among them, Yu Zhao encountered Mo Ci and Jing Nan of Hundred Flowers Valley, as well as Ji Han Zhou from the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Mo Ci and Jing Nan greeted Yu Zhao with their usual warmth, even inviting her to visit their sect’s lodgings to introduce her to their fellow disciples. Days later, Yu Zhao could still catch traces of the sweet fragrance that seemed to linger wherever the Hundred Flowers disciples went.
Unlike their enthusiasm, Ji Han Zhou’s demeanor suggested unease. Though he tried to hide it, Yu Zhao noticed the cracks in his composed facade.
She quickly deduced the reason: Li Jing Rang’s antics. With the competition looming, Li Jing Rang had been spending his time visiting other sects’ quarters, singing endless praises about Ye Cong Xin. The news had reached the Heavenly Sword Sect, where Senior Sister Liu Zheng, known for her decisiveness, was already on her way to confront him.
Indeed, Yu Zhao’s assumption proved accurate. When Liu Zheng approached Li Jing Rang, he was swaggering as always, his fan flicking dramatically with every step. Confidence radiated from him as he assumed his fiancée couldn’t wait to meet him.
“Li Jing Rang,” Liu Zheng’s voice cut like a blade, “let’s annul our engagement.”
“What?” Li Jing Rang froze, his fan slipping in his grip. “Liu Zheng, are you out of your mind?!”
Their engagement had been arranged by the heads of their respective sects. Such agreements weren’t so easily broken. Moreover, Liu Zheng showing up to end things unprovoked was a blatant affront—not just to him but to Tai Bai Academy as well.
No man would stand for such humiliation!
Liu Zheng’s sharp gaze pierced him. Her stance was rigid, her aura fierce, like an unsheathed sword ready to strike.
“You admire Junior Sister Ye so deeply. I’ll grant your wish. The engagement ends here. My master, Sect Leader Chong Yang, will handle the rest with your academy’s head.”
“This is ridiculous! I refuse!” Li Jing Rang’s face contorted in anger. “My relationship with Junior Sister Ye is pure and innocent! You’re the one with ulterior motives, trying to slander me! Dream on!”
He couldn’t let the engagement dissolve. If word spread, his reputation as the Eldest Senior Brother of Tai Bai Academy would be in shambles. He had done nothing wrong and wouldn’t allow anyone to frame him.
Liu Zheng tilted her head, studying him with curiosity. “Your admiration for Junior Sister Ye is common knowledge now. Why deny it? If you’re worried about the embarrassment of the annulment, I can clarify the situation on your behalf.”
In truth, when Liu Zheng first heard the rumors, she wasn’t angry. Rather, she felt relieved. Her engagement with Li Jing Rang had always been a strategic alliance. They had only met twice and shared no real bond. If he fancied someone else, it provided the perfect excuse to dissolve the engagement. Liu Zheng welcomed the freedom and couldn’t fathom why Li Jing Rang opposed the idea.
“Who says I admire Junior Sister Ye?” Li Jing Rang’s tone became defensive. “My interactions with her are upright and respectful! How dare you tarnish our names with such baseless accusations! You’re a woman, too—why are your thoughts so malicious?”