Chapter 58

Chapter 58: Her background is so strong, we can’t mess with her!

No word came from the Flying Cloud Sect, which meant Shen Sang Ruo had left the sect alone.

Tian Yuan Shan figured she was not an important person. The sect would never be this careless if she mattered. Most likely she was a nameless Outer Disciple who dared to use the Flying Cloud Sect’s name to act proud in front of him. [If that’s true, then I might as well end it and kill her so she never speaks again.]

Besides, Tian Yuan Shan would not easily forgive anyone who hurt his son inside his own city.

Tian Hao Tian understood his father’s intent and grinned in a sly way.

Tian Yuan Shan pressed down the cruelty in his eyes, put on a false, kindly smile, and spoke very politely: “So you are a disciple of the Flying Cloud Sect. My boy was reckless. Little Fellow Daoist, may I ask your name, and under which Peak Master or Elder you study?”

He already guessed Shen Sang Ruo’s status was not great, but to be safe he still tested her with sweet words. He had seen this kind many times. Only by lifting her high and then dropping her hard would she taste despair. He waited for Shen Sang Ruo to say a name he had never heard, so he could put on a dramatic face change right there.

“Shen Sang Ruo,” she said, lifting a brow and giving her name directly.

Tian Yuan Shan might not know every person in the Flying Cloud Sect, but he knew the details of the Sect Master, Shen Dao Chen, by heart. Sure enough, she saw the killing intent surge in his eyes, then get forced back the moment he heard her name.

She looked at him and asked on purpose: “City Lord, what is it? Why do you look so upset?”

Tian Hao Tian also could not understand why his father was not following the plan by killing this “Shen Sang Ruo” on the spot. He only knew how to waste time and chase pretty girls, so of course he had never heard of Shen Sang Ruo’s name. “Father, what’s wrong?” he said, waggling his brows hard to signal: kill her, now!

Tian Yuan Shan ignored him and stared at the calm young woman who stood there smiling. “Little Fellow Daoist, how do you write your name?” he asked, still clinging to a sliver of hope. [Maybe it’s just the same sound? Could there be such a coincidence?]

Shen Sang Ruo answered and crushed his hope: “It is the ‘Shen’ from Sect Master Shen.”

Tian Yuan Shan’s heart went cold. She really was Shen Dao Chen’s adopted daughter, the one he had raised for many years. If she were just an ordinary disciple, he could attack without worry. But she was the Sect Master’s daughter. Even if not by blood, she had still been raised by him. If she left the sect, how could her father not know where she went? She had even studied under Master Ling Xiao. People stood behind her. Her backing was strong.

What he did not know was that there was actually no one behind her at all. [Good, let him keep thinking that.]

Tian Hao Tian was still lost. He only saw that the moment she mentioned Sect Master Shen, his father’s face grew very complicated. “What does Sect Master Shen have to do with you?” he grumbled to his father, rolling his eyes. “Do you want to become his relative or something? As if you could.”

Already irritated, Tian Yuan Shan slapped Tian Hao Tian on the head.

“Ow! Father, why hit me? Shouldn’t you be hitting her?” Tian Hao Tian yelped.

“Shut up!” Tian Yuan Shan snapped, veins jumping. [Useless brat. It is bad enough you fool around all day, but you just had to tease the daughter of the Flying Cloud Sect’s Sect Master.] He then looked at Shen Sang Ruo. [She isn’t easy either. The Sect Master’s daughter, dressed so simply, not even caring about the image of a great sect disciple. And she sneaks into my Jade Tower City without a word. What is she, an Emperor on a secret visit?] The more he thought, the more annoyed he grew, but on his face he could only force a smile and focus on ending things quietly. Sweat slid from his temple at the thought of the sect’s revenge.

“I didn’t expect you to be the daughter of Sect Master Shen,” he said smoothly. “I failed to greet you from afar and have offended you more than once. Please don’t hold it against us.”

Only now did Tian Hao Tian realize she really was Shen Dao Chen’s daughter. He understood why his father reacted that way, and his heart sank. [I’m finished. If she tells the sect I tried something improper, the Flying Cloud Sect will never let me join the training trip.] Regret stabbed him. [If only I could go back and stop my lust-crazed self.]

Shen Sang Ruo gave a cold laugh and spoke evenly: “I had just entered the city when the City Lord’s son blocked me, harassed me, and planned to violate me. Does the City Lord think one polite line can cover it up?”

She kept going, each word steady: “Your son acts without fear and dares to target any girl in the city at random. I doubt this is his first crime. I wonder what role the City Lord plays in all of this. Will you hide his crimes again this time?”

“Of course not,” Tian Yuan Shan said awkwardly. “My son lost his mind for a moment. It is my fault for failing to teach him.” He turned and barked, “Come apologize to Miss Sang Ruo at once!”

Once so arrogant, Tian Hao Tian could only mumble, face burning: “I apologize. I didn’t recognize your status and offended Fellow Daoist Shen.” He could not say more. This was the lowest he could bow. [If I had known who she was, I wouldn’t have touched her. If it were a common girl, I still would have.] He was apologizing to her identity, not for what he did.

Shen Sang Ruo had no plans to accept such a hollow apology. But before she could speak, Tian Yuan Shan rushed in, words neat and pretty: “This unfilial son has truly repented. You already taught him a lesson and dragged him back to the City Lord’s Manor yourself, making him lose much face. That seems punishment enough. Next, I will arrange a proper place in the city for Miss Sang Ruo to stay and make sure you are well treated. As for this son of mine, I will take him down and punish him harshly. Please rest assured, I will not let him off lightly.”

The lines were perfect, like a neat seal closing the case. They sounded fair, but in truth, Tian Hao Tian would get no real punishment. Tian Yuan Shan even called people over, ready to cut things off quickly and have Shen Sang Ruo led away.

Shen Sang Ruo did not budge: “Wait,” she said with a cool smile. “City Lord, do you think a few sentences can fool me?”