Chapter 080
Chapter 80: Big Brother Still Cares for Her
At the same time.
Front mountain, the Great Hall.
A woman dressed in exquisite robes stood proudly, looking no more than twenty or thirty. Her long, scarlet gown swept the ground, adorned lavishly with pearls and jade, her entire being exuding grandeur. Her beautiful yet icy features shared four or five points of similarity with Xing Lan, impatience flickering through her sharp brows, giving her a slightly harsh appearance.
As Xing Lan approached leisurely, the hall entrance had already become lively.
Xu Zhou Ye’s group of five disciples, Nan Rong Wen Jin’s entourage, and Sect Master Meng along with numerous venerables all stood waiting.
Noticing the increasingly fierce aura surrounding Xing Lan, Sect Master Meng spoke up gently, “Your disciples said you summoned us here to witness something.”
A fleeting trace of guilt flashed through Chu Zhi Rou’s eyes.
But thinking of what was about to happen, she quickly steadied her heart.
[We’re just helping Master, preventing him from being deceived by that wandering ghost!]
Xing Lan didn’t even spare them a glance, his voice icy, “In all my life, nothing disgusts me more than those who lie.”
Before Xu Zhou Ye and the others could plead for mercy, Xing Lan continued into the hall, declaring coldly, “Since you’ve shown such disrespect to your elders, get out of Vigilance Peak.”
Initially, he’d intended to leave their punishment to Jiu Jiu. But demoting them to inner disciples wouldn’t prevent Jiu Jiu from dealing with them herself.
Sect Master Meng felt the approaching event wouldn’t be simple, especially after spotting Nan Rong Wen Jin.
[I just hope we can still hold tonight’s banquet. Let this event conclude smoothly!] Sect Master Meng silently prayed.
“Sect Master, ring the bell tomorrow to announce their demotion to inner disciples,” Xing Lan’s voice drifted from inside.
Sect Master Meng quickly returned to his senses, acknowledged the order, and stepped inside first.
Moments later, the hall filled again, though fewer juniors were present this time.
Xu Zhou Ye’s group stood inside, their expressions mournful, like those mourning a dead parent.
Nan Rong Wen Jin, having aggressively taken the foremost seat on the left, lifted her head defiantly, glaring at Xing Lan on his high throne, her tone unpleasant, “Big Brother, where’s your precious disciple?”
Xing Lan looked at her with cold detachment.
“I know Big Brother especially adores that little wretch—”
A crisp slap echoed loudly. Nan Rong Wen Jin clutched her face, screaming in disbelief, eyes wide with anger as her voice sharpened, “Nan Rong Jun, how dare you strike me?!”
Hearing his full name spoken, Xing Lan replied coldly, “Your mouth is filled with filthy words and no manners. Why wouldn’t I teach you a lesson?”
“I’m your own little sister! Your blood relative!” Nan Rong Wen Jin shouted hysterically, red-eyed and deeply hurt.
Xing Lan gazed at her indifferently from his seat, his calmness making her appear even more like a madwoman.
Xing Lan’s coldness provoked her further into madness.
“You struck me for an outsider?! Can you face our father and mother like this? Nan Rong Jun, have you forgotten their dying words?!”
Her agitated accusations failed to shake Xing Lan’s composure even slightly.
Suddenly, Xing Lan raised his gaze toward the hall’s entrance.
“Miss Nan Rong! The only one disappointing your late parents has always been you!”
A gentle yet determined voice echoed clearly.
Shi Zi Chu held her skirt, swiftly stepping over the threshold, hurried yet graceful, quickly positioning herself protectively in front of Xing Lan, her calm face revealing fierce protectiveness.
Ye He Qi casually found a seat and sat down.
Meng Xi Yu and Jiang Wan Sheng were summoned by a subtle glance from their own father.
Xing Lan’s cold demeanor noticeably softened as he watched the slender figure standing protectively before him.
Nan Rong Wen Jin trembled with jealousy upon seeing Shi Zi Chu’s fiercely protective stance. After several distorted facial twitches, she took a deep breath to calm herself.
[I must kill Shi Zi Chu!]
Only she could hold Big Brother’s favoritism! She was his true little sister!
Having calmed slightly, Nan Rong Wen Jin sneered, “Who gave you, little wretch, the right to speak here?!”
“It is you who has no right to speak,” Xing Lan stated coldly.
This statement shattered not only Nan Rong Wen Jin but also Chu Zhi Rou and the others completely.
Xu Zhou Ye suddenly stepped forward, cupped his fists respectfully, and pleaded, “Master, please reconsider! This disciple had reasons for my actions—give me one chance!”
Shi Zi Chu stepped aside, glancing curiously at Xing Lan.
Xing Lan returned her glance faintly.
He then turned away, ordering coldly, “Speak.”
Xu Zhou Ye raised his hand, pointing accusingly at Shi Zi Chu, “Master, she’s not Shi Zi Chu!”
Confusion rippled among the venerables watching this unfolding drama.
If she wasn’t Shi Zi Chu, then who could she possibly be?
Shi Zi Chu blinked innocently, pointing at herself, a puzzled look in her eyes, “Huh?”
“She’s a vicious ghost who’s possessed Second Junior Sister’s body!” Xu Zhou Ye declared loudly, his voice confident as though he had irrefutable proof.
Shi Zi Chu let out another baffled “Huh?” Her neck shrank slightly as her eyes nervously darted toward Xing Lan, seemingly checking his reaction.
Xing Lan remained silent for a moment, then tilted his gaze toward Shi Zi Chu, “Do you have anything to say?”
[What choice do I have?]
Jiu Jiu was extremely hard to soothe; if he didn’t play along now, he might not appease her afterward.
Shi Zi Chu softly dropped to her knees, placing both hands on Xing Lan’s armrest and lifting her innocent eyes toward him. Her voice trembled, sounding pitifully aggrieved, “Master, don’t you believe me anymore?”
[See how cooperative she is!]
Ye He Qi wasn’t surprised by Shi Zi Chu’s act; rather, he was astonished by Venerable Xing Lan’s cooperation.
Yes—cooperation.
How could a mighty tribulation-crossing cultivator not discern whether Shi Zi Chu had been possessed?
Yet Venerable Xing Lan asked anyway, clearly cooperating with her.
Shi Zi Chu’s pitiful display only solidified Xu Zhou Ye’s group’s suspicions.
“Master! We have solid proof!” Xu Zhou Ye eagerly interjected, fearing Shi Zi Chu would deceive Xing Lan again.
Before she could respond, Xu Zhou Ye turned sharply, confronting Shi Zi Chu, “Second Junior Sister once embroidered a handkerchief herself and confessed her feelings to me. Tell me—what did she embroider on it?”
Shi Zi Chu’s vision darkened, and she nearly stumbled head-first into the carved armrest.
[Why couldn’t embarrassment just kill her?!]
[Ahhhhh!]
[She doesn’t want to live anymore!]
Xing Lan subtly released a strand of spiritual power, steadying her to prevent her from hitting the armrest.
At that moment, he noticed her delicate fingers gripping the armrest tightly, knuckles turning white.
Jiang Wan Sheng saw Shi Zi Chu’s bowed back and smiled softly, eyes full of sympathy.
Ye He Qi smiled gently, eyes curved innocently.
Seeing Shi Zi Chu unwilling to reply, Xu Zhou Ye hid his joy, loudly accusing, “You can’t answer! Because you’re not Shi Zi Chu!”
“You’re noisy.”
Without even a glance, Xing Lan flicked his fingers, striking Xu Zhou Ye to the ground. Half his face swelled instantly.
Hua Ting Li glared coldly at Shi Zi Chu, “Second Senior Sister might’ve been malicious and foolish, but never cunning like you!”
Shi Zi Chu lowered her eyelids helplessly, looking weak and innocent. Yet beneath this façade, everything was under her control.
Ming Xi Su pulled out a sword tassel from his storage ring, holding it high, “Second Senior Sister truly forgets easily! You personally made this sword tassel when confessing to me!”
Compared to the exquisite sword tassel woven from ice silkworm thread embedded with spirit essence stones, Ming Xi Su’s appeared plain and unimpressive.
Ye He Qi’s gentle voice interrupted suddenly, “Judging by the weaving technique, it doesn’t seem like they were made by the same person.”
If he didn’t step in now, Shi Zi Chu might truly die of embarrassment.
Chu Zhi Rou, surprised by Ye He Qi’s sudden defense, felt warmth surge within her.
[Big Brother still cares for me after all.]