The Alioth Star-Lord looked exactly the same as how he did years ago.
The only difference was that he had grown a bit older and looked more mature.
In fact, Lu Mingshu could barely remember what he looked like in the past. When they first met, she was just a kid. The only impression she had of him was that he was a good-looking youngster.
âC-CousinâŚ!â the junior sister of Yu Kuang stuttered.
âImperial Tutor didnât give you that item so you could use it in such a way.â
The automatic wheelchair slowly came into the ally. Xie Lianzhen glanced over them, âGet back to the mountain and stay in the Red Fountain Cave for a month.â
âCousin!â she moaned in despair. By the time she was released, the Qilin Festival would already be over!
âSenior Brother Xie-â Yu Kuang began.
Before Yu Kuang could continue, Xie Lianzhen cut him off, âYou too. Jia Yanâs still young, but what about you? You should be taking care of her instead of creating more trouble.â
âItâs not like that, Senior Brother XieâŚ!â Yu Kuang tried to defend himself, but he couldnât come up with an excuse. It was Jia Yanâs own fault for trying to harass Lu Mingshu in the first place.
âDonât blame Senior Brother Yu!â Jia Yan interrupted. âIt was my decision. He only came because he was worried about me.â
âYeah, sure. He was worried,â Xie Lianzhen glanced at Yu Kuang. Even though he sounded calm, it was obvious that he was blaming everything on Yu Kuang. âIf you were worried for Jia Yan, you shouldâve stopped her instead of joining the fight. The Qilin Festival is almost here, and yet youâve injured Lu Mingshu. How is she supposed to fight now?â
âCousin!â even though Yu Kuang remained silent, Jia Yan felt indignant, âWhy are you siding with her? Yu Kuang didnât cause any serious injury; itâs just a small cut.â
âJunior Sister!â Yu Kuang tried to interrupt.
However, Jia Yan chose to ignore Yu Kuang, âAm I wrong? We did all of this for you, yet you⌠I wouldâve ignored it if it was Ling Wuxia, but who is she?â
Xie Lianzhen furrowed his eyebrows upon hearing that and bellowed, âShut up! Why are you spouting nonsense when youâre not a kid anymore? Behave, and donât slander her!â
âReputation? What the hell?â Jia Yan muttered, âDo you think Iâm dumb? She doesnât appreciate you! The Nine Jade Palace is just making use of you!â
She turned toward Lu Mingshu and gave a deadly stare, âWhat, are you scared of getting exposed?â
âShut the fuck up!â Xie Lianzhen bellowed. âWhat does it have to do with you anyway? So what if Iâm your cousin? Who do you think you are?â
âYouâŚ!â Jia Yan burst into tears.
âSenior Brother Xie!â Yu Kuang burst out. âHow could you say such things to her? You may not be related by blood, but sheâs done so much for you since you were kids. Why are you always so unappreciative?â
âJunior Brother Yu. You are always finding excuses for her when she gets into trouble; thatâs why sheâs getting more and more out of control. Your reason is that sheâs doing it out of goodwill for me, but what if she accidentally kills someone? Goodwill canât be exchanged for life â whatâs wrong will always be wrong.â
âI never thought of it that way!â tears muffled her voice.
âAnd yet you keep repeating the same mistake again and again. Jia Yan, by doing this, youâre just embarrassing me,â Xie Lianzhen sighed. He paused for a while before continuing, âI know â you did all of this for me, and I donât wish to see people hating you because of me. Besides, she may not be the one that wants to make use of me.â
âIf not her, then who?â Jia Yan cried even more. âI am so angry because everyone looks down on you!â
Xie Lianzhen smiled at her warmly, âNow, now, not having the intention to marry me does not mean that she looks down on me. Her parents forced her into this, so how could you blame her?â
âStepmother,â Lu Mingshu corrected, interrupting the heartwarming conversation between the cousins.
The three of them turned to her.
As soon as Xie Lianzhen appeared, she hadnât spoken, as if it had nothing to do with her.
âNothing to do with my mother,â Lu Mingshu said firmly.
Jia Yanâs mouth widened in shock, âNot your mother?â
âYes.â
Silence took over.
The happiness was all gone, and so were the heartwarming moments. Silence took over, and everyone just stood there.
âErm,â Yu Kuang coughed slightly, âErm, Miss Lu, I apologizeâŚ.â
Silence once again took over.
âMiss Lu?â Yu Kuang called out.
âWhat?â
âIâm sorry.â
âI heard you the first time.â
âOh⌠then, shouldnât you respond?â
âHell no!â Lu Mingshu rolled her eyes, âWhat do you want me to say? âItâs alright, I donât mindâ? Sorry, but I do mind.â
âUhâŚâ
Yu Kuang bit his lips. It wasnât a rule that an apology would be automatically accepted.
âHeh,â Xie Lianzhen chuckled. âNevermind. You two arenât to blame for being so impulsive anyway. It was his idea after allâŚ.â
âIs Junior Brother Xie talking about me?â a deep voice cut Xie Lianzhen off, as a man strolled into the alley.
He was tall and buff, and he took heavy steps. Even though he was young, he gave off a mysterious aura.
âSenior Brother Wei,â Xie Lianzhen plastered a smile onto his face, âI didnât expect you to be here. Arenât you busy cultivating?â
âThe Qilin Festival is the day after tomorrow. I should have enough time to prepare,â he stopped right by Yu Kuang. âWhat about you, huh? You rarely go out, yet youâre here in Tianyun City today. Iâm surprised.â
Xie Lianzhen nodded and smiled at him, âItâs merely a coincidence. I came because the queen called me. What about you? Are you here just to make things difficult for a young girl? Surely Senior Brother Wei isnât so petty, am I right?â
Smiles were plastered on both of their faces, but sarcasm filled their conversation.
Lu Mingshu raised her eyebrows. This seems weird.
The identity of this Senior Brother Wei was now abundantly clear to Mingshu.
Wei Chunqiu! The top disciple of the Seventh Truth Platform!
Wow, interesting. Just by competing in some arenas, I gained the attention of the disciples of the Seventh Truth Platform, including Wei Chunqiu. How popular am I?
âCousin, itâs all my fault, Iâm too much of a busybody. Donât blame it on Senior Brother WeiâŚ.â
âYeah!â Yu Kuang added on. âWe chose to do this. Senior Brother Wei even helped defend Lu Mingshu just now.â
When that fist was broken, the sparkle was caused by Xie Lianzhen, but the sword energy was because of Wei Chunqiu.
Xie Lianzhen turned to them and gave them a death-stare, âDid I ask for your explanations? Go and reflect on what youâve done wrong!â
Both of them lowered their heads in silence.
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âHah!â Wei Chunqiu laughed out loud. âItâs not surprising that Junior Sister Shi would do something like this, but itâs surprising that you would. Seems like you are very pleased with the girl chosen for you!â
âAnd itâs surprising that Senior Brother Wei would poke your nose into somebody elseâs business. So, what brought you here?â
âYou could say⌠curiosity,â Wei Chunqiu smiled. âIf everything comes to fruition, our Seventh Truth Platform would definitely be affected, and to a rather great extent, no?â
Xie Lianzhen burst out laughing, âSenior Brother Wei, are you not confident in me, or are you overly confident in her?â