Xingluo arrived at Yanzhu’s side and scanned the area. Everything was fine.
After all, Yanzhu was a member of the Yan family; if anything were to happen to her, it wouldn't be easy to answer for it.
Yanzhu scratched her head. "Big sister, are you here to see the magic tricks, too?" Inside, Yanzhu screamed: *Heaven is my witness, I really didn’t mean to lie!*
Hearing Yanzhu’s words, Luomingjing’s mouth twitched: *Magic tricks! Zhuzi, there’s no need to be so insulting!*
Gaoshu’s eyes crinkled with amusement as he cast a teasing glance at Luomingjing.
Luomingjing: *I have been insulted.*
Luomingjing leaned in close to Gaoshu and pinched the soft flesh at his waist. Gaoshu’s face contorted in an instant, a mask of agony appearing as he grimaced. Afraid of making a scene in front of others, he fought to keep his composure.
Luomingjing released him after a few seconds and transmitted her voice: "It's fine for Zhuzi to say that, but you aren't allowed to laugh."
Gaoshu rubbed his waist and muttered under his breath, "Tomboy."
Luomingjing shot him a threatening look, and Gaoshu shut his mouth immediately.
"Think about why you can't even beat me, you little weakling."
Gaoshu didn't reply, but he gave Luomingjing a meaningful look.
A smile appeared on Xingluo’s cold face. "Yes and no. I'll take you home in a bit."
*Magic tricks*—that was her take on the Tianyan Art everyone else was scrambling for. A unique perspective indeed. Since she was the Yan family’s cherished younger sister, one couldn't be too cold to her; the girl really was quite adorable.
Xingluo turned to face Wenzhi and the others blocking the path, her brows knitting together with a touch of irritation.
"Is this how Tici'an from your Wen Family bullies people? If you have the guts, come for our Xing Sect, instead of picking on a young girl."
"We are only looking for Master Luo to ask a few questions. This has nothing to do with your Xing Sect."
"The person you are blocking belongs to my family. What do you think?"
Xingluo’s words were sharp, her gaze piercing and her stance firm. Every syllable made it clear: *Know your worth and don't touch my people.*
Wenzhi dared not respond, and his subordinates remained frozen. Xingluo stood for the entire Xing Sect; they didn't dare act rashly. If *that* thing were to awaken, the consequences would be more than they could bear.
Yanzhu studied everyone around her. She no longer recognized most of the faces from Tici's Xing Sect; there had been another massive turnover in the last thirty years. How time flies.
The surrounding commotion died down.
Xing Yi’s eyes widened. That was her boss—and her younger sister? That foster daughter!
*Shouldn’t wealthy elites just watch the drama when they meet? Shouldn't enemies meet with jealousy, trade insults, and sabotage each other?* But one thing was undeniable: the boss's younger sister was truly beautiful. Still, the more beautiful they were, the better they were at deception. *Surely the boss isn't being tricked, is he?*
Yanzhu savored the name Tici'an and smiled faintly: *I’ll remember you, Tici'an.*
Jiang Yinhuai, who had been sitting calmly watching the show, panicked the moment he saw Xingluo. He hurried over to Sheng Xiuhan and said, "Xiuhan, stay here. I have something to handle, don't wander off."
"Just stay put and absolutely do not show your face. I’ll be right back."
Sheng Xiuhan’s identity was sensitive; even with his disguise, Jiang Yinhuai feared something might go wrong, so he warned him repeatedly not to move.
Sheng Xiuhan spread his hands helplessly. "Got it." *Does he treat me like a child?*
For the past few years, Jiang Yinhuai had treated Sheng Xiuhan almost like a cripple—don't show your face, don't act, just wait for him to solve everything.
*But how long can you keep me sheltered this way? One day, I will still have to face them and truly settle all of this. It’s only a matter of time.*
He, Sheng Xiuhan, would never bear these false accusations. Everyone who had moved against him or hurt him would pay.
After Jiang Yinhuai left, Sheng Xiuhan crossed his arms and watched his figure melt into the chaotic crowd.
*Oh, oh, oh, so he’s fallen for her—a cold-faced little lady at that. With this stance… Jiang the Second, so this is your fate!*
"What’s this? Starting to bully a little girl?"
"This voice—it's Jiang Yinhuai of the Jiang family!"
"Why is he here too?"
"There really are a lot of people here today."
Jiang Yinhuai was dressed in a sharp black suit, looking cold, austere, and untouchable. He walked forward step by step, his spiritual power leaking out and creating a wave of pressure.
Seeing the situation turn, Wenzhou had no choice but to step forward. He hadn't expected the Xing Sect to arrive, let alone that madman Jiang Yinhuai.
"Yinhuai, you're here too. These are all just little misunderstandings. We just wanted to ask about the whereabouts of Master Luo."
"'Just'?" Jiang Yinhuai savored the word. "'Just'—and yet you dared to block her?"
Wenzhou gestured, and Wenzhi waved for his men to stand down.
The past history between the Jiang family’s second young master and the Xing Sect’s young sect leader was known to all, but in this situation, had they gotten back together?
Others followed orders and retreated.
Jiang Yinhuai peeked toward Xingluo, only to see her cold back.
Yanzhu looked at Jiang Yinhuai and then back at Xingluo. There was definitely a story here; her inner gossip spirit was burning. She could see the longing, the reluctance, and the sense of a long-awaited reunion in Jiang Yinhuai’s eyes as he looked at Xingluo.
Xingluo didn't speak. She took Yanzhu's hand and headed downstairs, Yanzhu following slowly.
The crowd watched them leave. Even though they knew Master Luo was likely one of them, they couldn't stop them. It was one of life’s great tragedies: the duck you’d been craving was right in front of you, within arm's reach, but due to irresistible forces, you could only watch it fly away.
A wave of desolation washed over Jiang Yinhuai. *Still ignoring me, then.*
Sheng Xiuhan looked down at the situation from above. He was more curious about the girl in traditional clothing; if they hadn't intervened, they would have likely started fighting today. The girl had already been gathering her strength.
Sheng Xiuhan couldn't help but sigh. "Everyone’s a hidden master these days. What to do?" *But anyone who blocks my path can go see their ancestors.*
Sheng Xiuhan stared blankly at his own hands. He hadn't expected his own malice to reach this level; it seemed that trying to cultivate his heart had been of little use since then.
*Big sister, what should I do?*
*You once said: If they don't believe in you, it's because you haven't yet found the ability to forge your own path. Once you do, what right do they have to criticize you? Don't be afraid; your journey is still long.*
"You said you were going to the edge of the Aberration, you said you would return, but I never waited for your return," Sheng Xiuhan murmured to himself.
*That girl really looks like you.*
Yanzhu had originally thought she’d have a chance to act, but it had all fizzled out. Still, that was fine—it was better not to draw too much attention.
Yaojiu lay down, speechless. He had expected to see Yanzhu fight and had spent so long looking forward to it, but it turned out everyone had someone protecting them. It was just him, all alone.
Sheng Xiuhan and Jiang Yinhuai left the scene. If they stayed any longer, they would likely clash with the Special Operations Team.
The Special Operations Team: formed by members of the Hidden Realm working alongside some from the Mortal Realm to manage issues involving cultivators in the Mortal Realm.
Sheng Xiuhan didn't want to confront them; he just felt they were "a bit shameless."
You can't outdo a shameless person!