Free Web NovelChapter 169: Chapter 168: Taiyi Pavilion
"Yuerou, look." frёewebηovel.cѳm
Zhang Xiaoyun looked at the two blades in her hands. They were as white as jade and fascinating to toy with. The blades moved as if they were her own hands, an extension of her own arms, exceptionally agile and natural.
Gao Yuerou watched from the side as Zhang Xiaoyun danced the two blades around, her heart filled with envy.
"That’s amazing," Gao Yuerou said with a smile.
"Mm."
Realizing this was the first gift Wen Qingye had ever given her, Zhang Xiaoyun found herself growing fonder of the blades the more she looked at them, the corners of her lips naturally curling into a faint smile.
"Aunt, this should be the place."
Suddenly, the sound of soft footsteps reached Zhang Xiaoyun’s ears. She hastily tucked the two jade-like blades into her sleeve, and she and Gao Yuerou both turned to look toward the entrance.
Three people walked through the doorway: a middle-aged woman, the same young man from the night before, and an old servant.
"The aura of the Flame Bird!" The middle-aged woman’s eyes landed on Zhang Xiaoyun, who was standing by the courtyard, and she spoke with excitement.
When the young man saw Zhang Xiaoyun, he froze. Her exquisite face and alluring aura were captivating enough, but what drew him in most was her pair of eyes, as clear and bright as autumn waters. His breath hitched in his throat.
"Wh-who are you?" Zhang Xiaoyun asked, puzzled.
Hearing Zhang Xiaoyun’s question, the middle-aged woman instantly composed herself and said hurriedly, "Don’t be afraid, little lady, don’t be nervous. I am Shen Junru, an Elder of the Taiyi Pavilion. This is a disciple of the Taiyi Pavilion, Huangfu Tian. He’s also my nephew."
The young man hurriedly nodded at Zhang Xiaoyun.
Gao Yuerou, standing to the side, heard the name Taiyi Pavilion and was puzzled. ’Why does that name sound so unfamiliar?’
Zhang Xiaoyun asked curiously, "Are you here looking for my husband?"
"Your husband?" Huangfu Tian’s eyebrow shot up.
"No, no, we came for you," Shen Junru said with a smile.
"For me? But I don’t know you," Zhang Xiaoyun said, confused as to what these people could possibly want with her.
Shen Junru asked with a radiant smile, "I can see you have excellent aptitude. Are you interested in joining my Taiyi Pavilion?"
"No, thank you. I don’t want to leave this place," Zhang Xiaoyun said, shaking her head and instinctively taking a few steps back.
Shen Junru laughed. "Don’t be so quick to refuse. It’s impossible for ordinary people to even dream of joining the Taiyi Pavilion. Let’s put it this way: even the most gifted individuals in the entire Celestial Martial Country would, at best, only qualify to be menial servants in my Taiyi Pavilion."
Zhang Xiaoyun couldn’t have cared less about any of this, but Gao Yuerou, listening from the side, was secretly dumbfounded. ’This Taiyi Pavilion sounds incredibly powerful.’
Without hesitation, Zhang Xiaoyun lowered her head and shook it. "I don’t want to leave my husband, and I’m not interested in your Taiyi Pavilion."
"Your husband?" Shen Junru’s smile vanished. "Your aptitude is one in a million. Not joining my Taiyi Pavilion would be an utter waste of such a gift. This world is vast and boundless. Is a quiet life tucked away in some forgotten corner truly what you want?"
"I’m not interested," Zhang Xiaoyun said, retreating several more steps.
At this, Huangfu Tian, who was standing beside them, also chimed in with a smile. "Miss, my aunt is right. With your aptitude, if you join our Taiyi Pavilion, you will surely have a bright and limitless future. Why languish here in obscurity?"
"I’m not going to the Taiyi Pavilion." No matter what they said, Zhang Xiaoyun remained firm, just shaking her head in refusal.
Shen Junru watched Zhang Xiaoyun, her heart racing with anxiety. ’This is someone with the remnant soul of a Flame Bird in her body! A one-in-a-million talent! The Taiyi Pavilion hasn’t seen a prodigy this monstrous in years. No, I absolutely must take her back with me.’
Shen Junru gritted her teeth, suddenly taking a step forward. "Young lady, come with me to the Taiyi Pavilion. I promise you won’t regret it."
Gao Yuerou saw this and sensed Shen Junru’s ill intent. She quickly moved to stand in front of Zhang Xiaoyun. "What do you think you’re doing? This is the territory of the Celestial Martial Country! Are you planning to kidnap her and force her to join your Sect?"
Shen Junru gave a dry laugh. "Don’t worry, little girl. In the future, she won’t blame me. She will only thank me for giving her such a great destiny."
"Destiny?"
A figure appeared at the entrance and slowly walked in.
"Husband!"
"Qingye!"
Both Zhang Xiaoyun and Gao Yuerou’s faces lit up as they looked at Wen Qingye.
Hearing Zhang Xiaoyun’s cry, Huangfu Tian’s gaze shifted to Wen Qingye, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
Wen Qingye felt Huangfu Tian’s stare but remained expressionless. He walked to Zhang Xiaoyun’s side and said, "My wife is unwilling to go to your Sect. Are you planning on taking her by force?"
Shen Junru sized up Wen Qingye and couldn’t help but laugh. "A mere Martial Artist at the Ninth Heaven of Refining Essence dares to speak to me like that?"
Before Wen Qingye could respond, Shen Junru continued, "Your aptitude is far too poor. You’re not worthy of her. You’ll only hold her back for her entire life."
"What nonsense are you spouting! No matter what you say, I am not going to the Taiyi Pavilion with you!" Zhang Xiaoyun’s face flushed red with anger as she spoke.
"I’m afraid that’s no longer up to you."
As she spoke, Shen Junru waved her hand. A flash of pale golden Primordial Qi shot out, and before Wen Qingye could even react, Zhang Xiaoyun was pulled to Shen Junru’s side.
A determined glint shone in Shen Junru’s eyes. ’In my eyes, her body is a priceless treasure. I believe she won’t hold this against me. She is destined to become the most outstanding disciple the Taiyi Pavilion has seen in a thousand years. This current unpleasantness is merely a passing cloud; with time, she will naturally forget all of it.’
"Let go of me!" Zhang Xiaoyun cried out in alarm, feeling her limbs suddenly go numb and unresponsive.
Wen Qingye took a deep breath, his face darkening. "Let her go."
Huangfu Tian sneered at Wen Qingye. "And what are you going to do about it, kid? Rely on your Refining Essence cultivation?"
With that, Huangfu Tian unleashed a wave of Primordial Qi, crushing down upon Wen Qingye. Although Gao Yuerou was standing right beside him, she couldn’t feel the pressure at all.
Wen Qingye’s expression remained unchanged, but the stone slab beneath his feet slowly began to sink.
Shen Junru thought to herself, ’Impressive. The boy’s got a strong backbone.’
Fine lines of blood began to seep from Wen Qingye’s skin, but he remained utterly expressionless.
"Taiyi Pavilion? I’ve never heard of it. But if you take my wife away today, don’t blame me"—Wen Qingye paused, his cold gaze sweeping over Shen Junru and Huangfu Tian—"for bathing your Taiyi Pavilion in blood."
"Hahaha!"
"Haha!"
Upon hearing Wen Qingye’s words, Shen Junru and Huangfu Tian both burst out laughing, as if they had just heard the most ridiculous joke in the world.
"Bathe the Taiyi Pavilion in blood? Do you have any idea what kind of Sect we are?" Huangfu Tian took a step forward, his expression turning sharp. "You’re trying to fight against Heaven itself, you know that?"
"Heaven?" Wen Qingye repeated coolly.
Huangfu Tian sneered. "The Celestial Dao is eternal. You don’t even understand that, yet a mayfly like you thinks it can shake a great tree?"
"Enough, Tian. Don’t waste your breath on him. Let’s go," Shen Junru said, frowning as she glanced at Zhang Xiaoyun.
"No!" At these words, all the color drained from Zhang Xiaoyun’s face.
But no matter how desperately she struggled, her body wouldn’t budge an inch.
Shen Junru smiled. "Don’t worry. A day will come when you not only won’t hate me but will be grateful to me for the rest of your life."
