Chapter 183
Chapter 183: I Am Not Deceiving Two Sides
A storm of anger raged within Chu Zhi Rou’s heart, though her face betrayed none of it. Her eyes, filled with sadness, turned toward Pei Qing You.
Just as Chu Zhi Rou opened her mouth, ready to express her grievances, Shi Zi Chu’s soft, melodious voice broke through the tension, tinged with a hint of loneliness: “Junior Sister Zhi Rou, I don’t blame you for not lending me the gown, but why is it that you won’t let Sect Master Pei sell me one?”
Pei Qing You froze.
His gaze flickered back and forth between Shi Zi Chu and Chu Zhi Rou, his expression shifting from a desperate need for explanation to one of deep confusion.
He stared at Chu Zhi Rou, her face full of sorrow. Opening his mouth, he asked, “Rou Rou, did you meet Shi Zi Chu before I did?”
Given Shi Zi Chu’s striking appearance and the harsh treatment she likely faced in the ruins, why would Rou Rou refuse to lend her even a single gown?
Was it because Rou Rou had unresolved feelings and didn’t want to lend it? But hadn’t she said she wanted to mend her relationship with Shi Zi Chu?
Pei Qing You’s mind became a tangled mess.
Chu Zhi Rou’s heart raced. She quickly spoke up, her voice urgent. “It’s not like that! I was about to lend it to Senior Sister, but she just grabbed Young Master Jiang and left without letting me say anything!”
With that, Chu Zhi Rou turned her tear-filled eyes toward Shi Zi Chu. “Senior Sister, please, say something!”
“I was wrong,” Shi Zi Chu murmured, lowering her lashes, a sorrowful and self-effacing expression gracing her face. “But Junior Sister Zhi Rou, why do you have control over Sect Master Pei’s relationships? What exactly is your relationship with him?”
Upon hearing this, Chu Zhi Rou’s heart sank, realizing she was now in an extremely dangerous situation.
As expected, Chu Zhi Sheng, who had always regarded her as his possession, was enraged. He immediately began to shout, “Shi Zi Chu, stop with your insinuations and slandering Rou Rou! What does it have to do with Rou Rou if Sect Master Pei shamelessly flatters her!”
The moment those words hit her ears, Chu Zhi Rou’s scalp tingled in fear.
Shi Zi Chu’s eyes flashed with a playful glint.
Hadn’t the fish pond just exploded?
“You shameless?!”
Pei Qing You, infuriated, laughed in frustration, then snapped, “Rou Rou and I have mutual affection! Who do you think you are, Chu Zhi Sheng?!”
This shameless old fool! Relying on his position as Clan Chief Chu to bully others!
Only thanks to Rou Rou’s good temperament could she still tolerate dealing with him!
Chu Zhi Sheng had always disliked Pei Qing You. On this journey, he had nearly wished for Pei Qing You’s death. Now, with Shi Zi Chu’s provoking words, he could no longer hold back.
“What do you mean ‘who am I’? Rou Rou and I are connected by heart! But you—you’ve been shamelessly clinging to her! Today, I’ll teach you a lesson on behalf of Sect Master Pei!” Without hesitation, Chu Zhi Sheng drew a magic artifact and attacked.
Pei Qing You, equally unwilling to back down, drew his spirit sword and lunged forward.
Both men were at the peak of Golden Core level, neither superior to the other in status or strength.
As they clashed, the disciples of Chu Clan and Returning Cloud Sect were naturally unable to remain idle.
In an instant, the scene descended into chaos.
Caught in the middle, Chu Zhi Rou could only weakly shout, “Please stop! Stop fighting!”
Ye He Qi quickly grabbed Shi Zi Chu, pulling her to a safer place to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
Shi Zi Chu raised a hand to cover her face, her gaze flicking to Ye He Qi.
Ye He Qi leaned in, lowering his voice. “What are you staring at me for? You should learn from this.”
Venerable Xing Lan and Young Lord of the Jiang Family were no saints—such scenes were bound to unfold for Shi Zi Chu.
With her delicate fingers hiding half her pale face, Shi Zi Chu’s voice was low and laced with amusement. “Clan Chief Ye, I’m not deceiving two sides.”
Chu Zhi Rou’s predicament was entirely of her own making.
In her efforts to maintain the image of a pure, innocent flower, she had criticized Pei Qing You in front of Chu Zhi Sheng and condemned Chu Zhi Sheng’s arrogance in front of Pei Qing You.
This was the outcome.
With a few well-timed sparks, two men, each believing themselves to be Chu Zhi Rou’s destined partner, would clash over her affection.
In the warm gaze of Ye He Qi, Shi Zi Chu smiled softly, “This is the result of trying to have it both ways.”
Since Chu Zhi Rou wanted to make things difficult for her, she would first set her harem ablaze!
Ye He Qi understood.
Chu Zhi Rou wanted the pure and innocent image, but also desired to entangle herself with several men, basking in their affection. The result was deception on both sides.
As for Shi Zi Chu, she was singular in her desires—money and power. Venerable Xing Lan and Jiang Wan Sheng surely knew what kind of person she was, so she never worried about such situations.
After all, for them, the priority was winning Shi Zi Chu’s affection.
“What if?” Ye He Qi asked softly.
What if Venerable Xing Lan grew tired and took back his feelings?
What if Jiang Wan Sheng turned his back on her?
Shi Zi Chu smiled. “But isn’t Clan Chief Ye still here?”
Even if such a possibility existed, she would never allow herself to fall into a precarious situation.
Ye He Qi glanced toward the fierce battle raging among the others, continuing his low conversation with Shi Zi Chu. “Feelings are the most volatile thing in this world. You seem very confident.”
Before Shi Zi Chu could answer, she noticed a group of people approaching. “We’ll talk more after we return.”
Ye He Qi nodded.
At that moment, another group surged into the entrance.
Ye He Qi took a quick look.
The three sects, five schools, and seven clans were mostly present, along with some top-tier families and sects.
The newcomers surveyed the scene, where Chu Clan and Returning Cloud Sect were embroiled in battle, their expressions varied.
After a moment, they understood the situation.
It was hard to believe. Chu Zhi Rou wasn’t exactly stunning, but who could deny her charm?
In a cultivation world full of beauties, Chu Zhi Rou’s delicate and pure looks were only average.
Pei Luo Xiu, clutching the nian qin sword, felt his dignity slip away.
“Pei Qing You, are you insane?!”
With a harsh curse, Pei Luo Xiu unsheathed his sword and slashed.
The fighting crowd was forcibly separated.
Chu Zhi Sheng’s eyes narrowed in a deadly glare at Pei Qing You, a look full of malice.
Seeing this, Chu Zhi Rou let out a silent sigh of relief.
“Did you forget the purpose of this trip?” Pei Luo Xiu’s voice was frigid as she scolded, “Is this a place for petty jealousy?!”
Pei Qing You opened his mouth, then closed it, only to stand there and take the scolding.
This time, he had indeed been wrong.
Pei Luo Xiu took a deep breath, calming her temper before continuing, “And you’re still a sect master? You don’t care at all about the lives of your disciples?”
Pei Qing You lowered his head, regret washing over him.
“Senior Sister Pei, this isn’t entirely Sect Master’s fault,” one of the disciples nervously tried to defend Pei Qing You. “It was Clan Chief Chu who started by insulting Sect Master, saying he was shamelessly trying to curry favor.”
Pei Qing You couldn’t hold back and shot the disciple a glare.
Did he have no shame?
“Did Clan Chief Chu say anything wrong?” Pei Luo Xiu scoffed, seeing Pei Qing You about to snap again. She quietly drew her nian qin sword.
“Pei Qing You, I truly suspect your brain was damaged by me. Knowing you have an fiancée, you still have unclear dealings with others. Some people’s character is just problematic!”
Pei Luo Xiu sheathed her nian qin sword and waved for the other disciples to return to their ranks.
“You don’t understand…” Pei Qing You began to protest, but the words stuck in his throat. After a long pause, he muttered, “We can’t help ourselves.”
“You’re all just bad people.” Pei Luo Xiu shot back, “Go lead your team. Am I a sect master?”
“Aren’t you?” Pei Qing You shot back, “You’re more commanding than I am, Pei Luo Xiu, stop right there! Do you believe I’ll report you when we get back?”
As Pei Luo Xiu chased Pei Qing You back with her sword, Shi Zi Chu’s almond-shaped eyes twinkled with mirth.