Chapter 083
Chapter 83: You Are Not Worthy to Be Master’s Personal Disciple
“No! I don’t believe it! You wretch must have colluded with Clan Chief Jun beforehand!”
Nan Rong Wen Jin’s sharp voice echoed through the grand hall, and the blinding white light that still lingered stung her eyes, causing blood vessels to burst. Her vision blurred, and her eyes reddened.
How could she be Shi Zi Chu?!
She absolutely could not be Shi Zi Chu!
Nan Rong Wen Jin’s bloodshot eyes fixed on Shi Zi Chu, her gaze brimming with chilling malice.
Jun Yue Hua glanced at the scene with a cold detachment, his calm demeanor showing a subtle sense of being unaffected by the turmoil around him.
Shi Zi Chu watched Nan Rong Wen Jin’s menacing glare with a hint of innocence in her almond-shaped eyes. Yet, her lips curved into a faint smile that was both teasing and provocative.
At the age of twenty-one, Shi Zi Chu had been abducted to the Nan Rong Clan by Nan Rong Wen Jin. Though their time together was short, they had left a lasting impression on each other. Nan Rong Wen Jin could not possibly fail to recognize her, but she insisted that Shi Zi Chu was merely a soul-possessed wandering ghost who had been reborn.
What did this imply? It only showed that Nan Rong Wen Jin feared her.
Facing Shi Zi Chu’s playful smile, Nan Rong Wen Jin could not remain unmoved.
“You slutty, shameless…”
Xing Lan’s slap echoed through the air, cutting off Nan Rong Wen Jin’s filthy curses.
Nan Rong Wen Jin tumbled off her chair in a disheveled heap, her hairpins and ornaments clattering to the floor.
Standing beside Xing Lan, Shi Zi Chu looked down, her demeanor serene and calm, yet her bearing carried an unmistakable air of superiority.
As Nan Rong Wen Jin raised her head to speak, Shi Zi Chu suddenly touched her delicate, white neck, and in that instant, Nan Rong Wen Jin froze. She seemed to recall some terrifying memory. Her throat closed up, her voice caught, neither rising nor falling.
Shi Zi Chu’s lips curled into a mocking, contemptuous smile.
Xing Lan’s eyes darkened with growing distaste, his patience running out. “Leave, before I’m forced to act.”
His tolerance for today’s drama had reached its breaking point.
Nan Rong Wen Jin struggled to stand, her once-dominant attitude completely shattered. She gazed at Xing Lan, her eyes teary as she stammered, “Big brother, I was wrong.”
Seeing Xing Lan’s still-cold indifference, Nan Rong Wen Jin pulled out her final card.
She revealed the other half of her porcelain-like face, her expression tragic and pleading as she spoke, “If I leave now, what will they think of me? I’m your little sister, big brother. Even if you don’t care about me, did you forget mother’s last words?”
This trick always worked!
After all, she looked nearly identical to their late mother.
Looking at her face, Xing Lan felt a pang of loss, the memory of their mother’s final moments rising within him. He grasped the armrest tightly, and cracks began to form along its surface.
Shi Zi Chu noticed the cracks in the armrest and her gaze shifted subtly.
Xing Lan, for all his power, was still human, and even he could be bound by familial ties.
Their mother’s dying words had been the imperial pardon medallion Nan Rong Wen Jin wore.
“Master, Miss Nan Rong seems truly remorseful,” Shi Zi Chu said softly, bending down to look up at Xing Lan. Her voice was gentle, like the sound of a flowing stream—pure and clean.
Xing Lan glanced down at her, and the frustration in his heart seemed to ease as he met her calm, caring gaze.
Favoritism toward Jiu Jiu, of course.
Seeing Xing Lan’s gaze, Shi Zi Chu smiled warmly and said, “Miss Nan Rong is your blood-related sister, master. It would be harsh for you to be seen as cold and unfeeling.”
Xing Lan did not respond but simply reached out and helped Shi Zi Chu to her feet.
With one move, Shi Zi Chu found herself lowering her head to look at him.
Xing Lan looked up.
Shi Zi Chu smiled and, with a tone as soft as water, said, “Adding one more person to the banquet won’t make a difference. After all, it’s been years since master and Miss Nan Rong have seen each other. There’s no lasting grudge between siblings. At most, let Miss Nan Rong drink three cups of wine to apologize.”
“You’re too kind.”
What Jiu Jiu suffered, he would make Nan Rong Clan pay for!
Shi Zi Chu smiled, her expression warm and elegant, and said, “I am not wronged.”
How could she be wronged?
Xing Lan’s concern wasn’t just empty words. In less than three days, she would receive a substantial amount of resources.
An inconsequential drama, and she was getting a huge benefit—she was practically profiting from it!
With a graceful smile, Shi Zi Chu spoke again, “Since the disciple has confirmed her identity, there’s nothing more for the disciple to do. I will take Miss Nan Rong to clean up.”
Xing Lan nodded, and a surge of spiritual power entered Shi Zi Chu’s brow.
Nan Rong Wen Jin was a late Nascent Soul cultivator. Who knew whether she might go mad again? For Jiu Jiu’s safety, caution was always a wise choice.
Seeing that Xing Lan had actually agreed to let her stay for the banquet, Nan Rong Wen Jin let out a breath of relief. Yet, her jealousy of Shi Zi Chu only grew.
This little wretch, all she knew was seducing men with her fox-like charm!
She was determined to find a way to make sure her big brother wasn’t deceived by this little vixen!
As the farce was about to end, Hua Ting Li suddenly spoke, “Shi Zi Chu! You are not worthy to be master’s personal disciple!”
The venerables, who had just exhaled in relief, immediately tensed once again.
Sect members fighting among themselves—this was turning into quite the spectacle!
Shi Zi Chu raised her hand, signaling for Xing Lan to halt his movement.
She was curious to hear what kind of absurdities Hua Ting Li would utter next.
“Junior sister has already reached Core Formation, yet you, as second senior sister, are only at the late stage of Foundation Establishment!” Hua Ting Li sneered with disdain. “You are a useless waste—no cultivation, no talent. What gives you the right to be master’s personal disciple?”
Shi Zi Chu took a step forward, her gesture even more obstructive.
Xing Lan looked up slightly but said nothing.
Fine, Jiu Jiu had endured enough today. It was time for her to vent some frustration.
Jiang Wan Sheng fixed Hua Ting Li with an amused gaze.
Qing Qing lacks ability? This was the funniest joke he had ever heard.
“I’m not worthy?” Shi Zi Chu laughed, her voice soft. “Then who is?”
“Of course, it’s…” Hua Ting Li faltered, his face darkening. Then, his voice grew harsh, “Do you dare to compete with me in a contest? If I win, you’ll leave Jade Void Sect! If you win, you may choose whatever you wish!”
Sect Master Meng’s interest suddenly shifted from casual to serious.
Shi Zi Chu did not answer immediately but looked back at Xing Lan.
Xing Lan spoke, “If you want to play, then play.”
In the worst case, the master and disciple would leave Jade Void Sect together.
Of course, that was an impossible scenario.
Sect Master Meng widened his eyes at Xing Lan. “Xing Lan, are you sure you’re only playing?”
Would he really leave with Shi Zi Chu?
Before Xing Lan could respond, Sect Master Meng spoke again, his tone grave. “Let me make myself clear. Even if Zichu loses, she cannot leave! If anyone should leave, it’s them!”
He knew what was important.
Forget Xing Lan—what about Xi Yu, the debt collector?
If Xi Yu followed Shi Zi Chu out, then he would lose his son!
Without Xing Lan and without his son—how could he survive?
Hua Ting Li’s face darkened at Sect Master Meng’s words, but he found himself unable to intervene.
But it was fine. He was sure Shi Zi Chu would agree!
Once she was out of Jade Void Sect, the master would wake up!
Then, he would be master’s personal disciple once more!
Hua Ting Li wasn’t the only one with such thoughts—Xu Zhou Ye and others shared the same idea.