Chapter 136: What a Little Drama King — This Seat Absolutely Loves You
Lin Xuan's calm and composed demeanor finally cracked.
He had originally believed that Jiang Yu's support for Gu Qing was only a formality, not worth taking seriously.
So, he had waited in peace, expecting Gu Qing to take the initiative to challenge him.
He was confident in his disciples — certain they could defeat, or even kill, Gu Qing.
Once that happened, Gu Qing's coronation as Divine Son would naturally collapse.
But no matter how long he waited, Gu Qing neither came to provoke him nor even appeared.
Instead, what he received was the shocking news that Jiang Yu was openly supporting Gu Qing's ascension.
That was when Lin Xuan finally lost all patience.
He looked at Jiang Yu — her face as stunning as ever, her beauty enough to topple nations — but those gentle eyes of the past were now as cold and sharp as blades.
Lin Xuan's fury instantly vanished. The words at the tip of his tongue were swallowed back down.
"Xiaofeng, what are you waiting for? Pay your respects to your Martial Aunt," he said instead.
He knew well enough — Jiang Yu was angry.
With her "soft over hard" temperament, if he dared to question her now, she might well turn against him.
And for Gu Qing of all people, falling out with Jiang Yu was simply not worth it.
"Hmph."
Gu Qing's gaze swept toward Lin Feng.
The plain-faced Lin Feng was currently staring at Jiang Yu and the Liu sisters with a lecherous, slack-jawed expression.
Gu Qing would never waste such an opportunity. He snorted coldly, and twin streaks of blade light shot from his eyes.
"Hiss—!"
Completely unprepared, Lin Feng was struck as the two blades pierced into his Purple Mansion, like heavenly swords intent on cleaving both his soul and core apart.
At the last moment, Lin Feng's soul-bound bell artifact burst into radiant light, barely blocking the attack.
Even so, the terrifying divine power detonated inside him, severely injuring his Purple Mansion — it nearly cracked open.
Clutching his head, Lin Feng bled from all seven orifices, letting out a pained groan.
Seeing this, Jiang Yu and the Liu sisters' knitted brows finally relaxed. Their hearts felt much lighter.
"What a pity…" Gu Qing thought with faint regret.
He had intended to kill Lin Feng outright, so he had used his full power — the Soul-Slaying Secret Art.
Unfortunately, the brat had a soul-protecting artifact, and so survived — barely.
Lin Xuan's temples throbbed furiously. Lin Feng's lustful, piggish behavior had utterly disgraced him.
He took a deep breath, fed Lin Feng a few drops of Three-Light Divine Water, then turned toward Gu Qing. His tone was icy, every word resonating with Dao power.
"As expected of that witch's disciple — ruthless, venomous, and fond of underhanded sneak attacks."
Gu Qing's brows furrowed. His voice boomed coldly in return, "Lin Xuan, your disciple defied hierarchy and dared to offend the Hall Master. According to Temple Law, that is punishable by death. Are you truly trying to shield him?"
Inwardly, he sneered. Nothing disgusted him more than a "pig-headed" protagonist who ogled women under the excuse of "appreciation without lust."
There was simply no defending that kind of hypocrisy.
Lin Feng's usual tricks might have worked on others — but not today. Today, fate itself decreed his calamity.
He had to die.
Jiang Yu's eyelid twitched as she quietly rolled her eyes. What a little drama king, she thought.
Now she finally understood why Gu Qing had wanted to "learn formations" from her earlier.
He hadn't been studying at all — he'd been setting her up as a shield.
But… she found it adorable.
After all, this was her own favorite little drama king. How could she not indulge him?
Besides, Lin Xuan and his disciple had brought this upon themselves.
Lin Xuan, a Divine Fire Realm cultivator, personally stepping in to target someone beneath him — did he have no shame?
And that disgusting, greasy look in Lin Feng's eyes… if not for maintaining her image, she would've gouged them out herself.
So Gu Qing's forceful retaliation fit her mood perfectly.
"Hiss—" Lin Xuan drew in a sharp breath, his cold composure cracking slightly.
Damn it. His disciple had just been ambushed, and now Gu Qing was even accusing him of disrespecting authority.
This could easily escalate — one misstep, and Lin Feng might lose his life, while he himself could end up at odds with Jiang Yu.
Thinking that, Lin Xuan's expression turned grave. His gaze deepened as he stared at Gu Qing.
This one was different — utterly unlike any arrogant genius he'd encountered before.
A mind as deep as the sea, cunning, and dangerously calculating.
One wrong move, and Lin Xuan knew he could lose everything.
"Xiaofeng was merely stunned by his Martial Aunt's unparalleled beauty," Lin Xuan said coldly. "He meant no offense. You are all fellow disciples — yet you attack without warning. Do you still recognize the rules of the Temple?"
Gu Qing let out a cold snort and scolded sharply, "What a convenient excuse — 'unintentional offense,' was it? If your disciple knows nothing of rank or respect, then Elder Lin should keep that foolish child locked up, lest he embarrass the sect further."
Lin Xuan felt as if he were suffocating.
Gu Qing's words were nothing short of a direct slap to both master and disciple — and the worst part was, he couldn't even refute them.
If he argued, he would be admitting Lin Feng's stupidity and lack of discipline.
If he didn't, then Lin Feng became an insubordinate, lustful fool.
Either way, Lin Xuan was condemned — painted as the indulgent master who failed to restrain his disciple.
The more he thought about it, the darker his expression grew, his anger burning hotter.
He had never imagined that after breaking through to the Divine Fire Realm, he would be humiliated this badly by a cultivator from the Venerable Realm.
If he didn't teach this brat a lesson, how could he ever show his face again?
"Hall Master, look!" Gu Qing suddenly cried out, feigning panic. "He's about to bully the weak with his power — he wants to kill me!"
As Lin Xuan's eyes flashed with killing intent, divine energy began to ripple through the air. Gu Qing instantly darted behind Jiang Yu for cover.
Lin Xuan: …
By the heavens — he had never seen someone so shameless in his life.
He was a Divine Fire Realm cultivator — and he still had his pride. He'd only intended to give Gu Qing a minor lesson, not kill him! How had that turned into attempted murder?
Jiang Yu: …
You little drama king — this seat absolutely loves you.
Grinding her teeth inwardly, Jiang Yu maintained a frosty exterior as she said coldly, "Lin Xuan, you truly are regressing with age. Again and again, you raise your hand against your juniors. Do you feel no shame?"
Lin Xuan: …
His heart sank, and his expression turned wounded — as if betrayed.
Was Jiang Yu truly scolding him for another man's sake?
Could it be that she had fallen for that pretty-faced Gu Qing?
The thought made Lin Xuan's scalp prickle with humiliation. His chest felt tight, his heart twisted in agony.
He took a deep breath and said gravely, "Junior Sister, that boy is no innocent. He's as cunning and deceitful as Zhi Meng herself — treacherous, ruthless, manipulative. You mustn't be fooled by his sweet words."
Jiang Yu was far too gentle, far too pure. Having never known love, she didn't understand how dangerous the human heart could be.
Lin Xuan was convinced — Gu Qing must have bewitched her with his glib tongue.
Otherwise, why would Jiang Yu — Zhi Meng's lifelong rival, who had fought her for thousands of years — side with Zhi Meng's disciple again and again?
"Lin Xuan," Jiang Yu's tone turned glacial, "are you suggesting that I can't tell right from wrong?"
That was the final straw. Whatever lingering camaraderie she felt toward Lin Xuan as a fellow disciple vanished completely.
Of course she knew Gu Qing was provoking deliberately — but Lin Feng had indeed offended her and her two disciples first.
And Lin Xuan, instead of disciplining his pupil, tried to twist the facts and pin the blame on Gu Qing.
That, to her, was open disrespect.
If Lin Xuan was going to defend his own no matter what, then she wouldn't be outdone — she would defend hers as well.
This matter, she would not let go.
"N-no, Junior Sister, you misunderstand, please let me explain—"
But faced with Jiang Yu's frigid expression, Lin Xuan could only let out a bitter laugh, his heart bleeding.
No matter what he said, it was useless. Even invoking Zhi Meng's name hadn't helped.
Jiang Yu had truly chosen Gu Qing's side.
Then what did all their past affection mean?
Everyone watched silently, waiting for Lin Xuan's excuse.
Yet though he opened his mouth, no words came — only that same pitiful, forced bitter smile, as if he were the victim of some profound injustice.
What was he trying to do?
Was he hoping they'd pity him into forgiving him?
Liu Ruyan couldn't stand it anymore. "Elder, are you all right? What's with that creepy smile?"
Beautifully done, Gu Qing thought, resisting the urge to pinch her cold, aloof little face.
The "Main Character's Ultimate Skill" — the timeless, tragic, thousand-year bitter smile — usually worked on everyone, men and women alike.
But against these three? Not a chance.
Jiang Yu was beyond manipulation. Liu Ruyan, with her own destiny, could dumb down others but never herself.
And Liu Ruyi — a deranged, obsessive type whose world revolved around her sister — was immune to everything else.
So Lin Xuan's performance was, in the end, wasted on the blind.
Lin Xuan: …
His forced smile froze mid-face. Truth be told, he didn't see what was wrong with it.
But hearing Liu Ruyan's blunt question, a wave of humiliation surged through him — and for a brief moment, he wanted nothing more than to explode on the spot.
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