Chapter 12

As Luo Han heard this shameless remark, anger surged within her. Ye Zinan’s expression also turned gloomy. Earlier, when Ling Zhongyu’s followers had attacked to stop them from picking the Crane Orchid, most attacks were directed at him. Although Luo Han often mocked him, Ye Zinan wasn’t actually weak at all.
Whether considering status or cultivation, he was far from ordinary.
Not to mention, Ye Zinan was the legitimate heir of the Zhuque Clan's Yunzhou Royal Family, already tens of thousands of years old. Even among the younger generation, dragons included, they'd need to respectfully address him as "Senior Ye." For Ling Zhongyu to attack him unprovoked and from behind was incredibly disrespectful.
Ye Zinan’s expression quickly darkened, and he placed a hand behind his back, looking coldly at Ling Zhongyu. “Young Master Ling, your words are rather strange. In the cultivation world, the rule has always been 'first come, first served.' This Crane Orchid was clearly found by us, and the Snow Demon guarding it was also slain by our team. You came later and shamelessly attacked me from behind. Is this how your Zhongshan Ling Family teaches courtesy? It seems that after wandering around carefree for thousands of years, I’ve missed the part when the Heavenly Realm’s etiquette changed so drastically. Perhaps I should bring our Yunzhou Zhuque Clan’s hundred-thousand troops and personally discuss this matter with the Ling Clan Master someday.”
Ling Zhongyu was merely a thousand years old and thus didn’t recognize Ye Zinan. Only after hearing Ye Zinan reveal his identity did Ling Zhongyu realize that this seemingly idle, flamboyant bird was actually someone from the powerful Yunzhou Zhuque Royal Family.
Ling Zhongyu’s face sank as he shot a cold glare toward his subordinate, who immediately broke into a cold sweat, hurriedly bowing to Ye Zinan. “Senior, please forgive me! It was this lowly one's fault for having eyes but failing to see Mount Tai. I offended Senior earlier, but this matter has nothing to do with our Young Master or Clan Master. Please, Senior Ye, do not blame them.”
Ye Zinan sneered disdainfully at the obvious scapegoating. “I’m in a hurry and don’t have the patience to waste my time on you juniors. Let's go our separate ways peacefully, lest you say I bullied you after we leave.”
But just as Ye Zinan reached for the flower, Ling Zhongyu interrupted again. “Hold on.”
Ye Zinan impatiently looked up. “What now? Are you looking down on my Yunzhou Zhuque Clan, or on me personally?”
“You jest, Senior Ye. Of course, this junior wouldn’t dare.” Ling Zhongyu spoke politely, though his expression revealed no genuine humility. “It’s just that this Crane Orchid was found based on intelligence gathered by our Ling family. Although you and my younger brother were slightly faster, the information originated from me. Moreover, my cousin is frail and urgently needs the orchid to heal her meridians. I’m willing to compensate you with other treasures, so please don’t fight us over this.”
Ye Zinan stared at Ling Zhongyu in astonishment, then turned to Luo Han before finally bursting into anger. “Nonsense! Who says we took your information? We knew about it from the start!”
“If Senior Ye refuses to admit it, there’s nothing I can do,” Ling Zhongyu replied calmly, clearly expecting such a reaction. “But my cousin’s condition can’t wait. If you refuse to give way, then I’ll have no choice but to use force.”
At that moment, Su Yinyue, who had fallen behind, walked over slowly. Her voice was weak and delicate. “Cousin, what happened?”
Yun Menghan followed reluctantly beside Su Yinyue, surrounded by guards. When Su Yinyue saw Ling Qingxiao, she appeared surprised. “Second cousin? Just now I heard that someone was trying to steal our treasure. Could it be…”
Su Yinyue’s voice trailed off naturally, carried away by the wind. Ling Zhongyu carefully supported her arm, gently reassuring her. “It’s nothing, don't worry. I’ll retrieve the medicine for you. The wind here is strong, quickly escort Miss Su back to the barrier to rest.”
When Ling Zhongyu turned and saw Yun Menghan standing nearby, he frowned and harshly reprimanded her in public, “Why are you here causing trouble again? Go back immediately.”
Yun Menghan playfully stuck out her tongue, completely unbothered. Though Ling Zhongyu was harsh, she knew deep down he genuinely cared for her.
After making her playful face at Ling Zhongyu, Yun Menghan suddenly became reserved when facing Ling Qingxiao, cautiously saying, “Second Young Master, are you also after the Crane Orchid? What a coincidence. Could you perhaps choose another one? Whatever you want, I’ll accompany you to find it.”
Such bizarre logic left Luo Han dumbfounded. Meanwhile, Su Yinyue gently held her chest, her face pale as paper. Seeing this, she weakly tugged at Ling Zhongyu’s sleeve. “Cousin, forget it. It's all my fault for being weak, causing trouble every time. It'd be better if I just died and freed everyone from worry.”
Su Yinyue immediately fell weakly, just in time for Ling Zhongyu to catch her in his arms. He spoke with deep pain and determination, “Yinyue, never say such words again. As long as I’m here, nothing will happen to you.”
Ling Zhongyu lifted his head afterward, his gaze sharp with determination. “To tell the truth, my cousin damaged her meridians upon entering this secret realm. Without the Crane Orchid, she'll suffer lasting injuries. This medicine rightfully belongs to our Ling family, and I’m willing to compensate Senior Ye with other rare materials. Please, don’t deliberately make things difficult for us.”
Realizing it was a family matter involving Ling Qingxiao’s legitimate cousin, Ye Zinan quietly turned to Ling Qingxiao. After a pause, Ye Zinan spoke, “The Snow Demon was slain by Ling Qingxiao, and he also found the orchid. I’m not the one deciding the fate of this Crane Orchid. Whether to give it to you or not is entirely up to him.”
Hearing that Ling Qingxiao had found the orchid first, Ling Zhongyu became even more convinced that Ling Qingxiao had stolen his intelligence. Anger surged within Ling Zhongyu, yet he maintained a calm front. He spoke coldly, “Second brother, you know how frail Yinyue’s body has been since childhood. Now her meridians are injured, causing her unbearable pain whenever she tries to cultivate. If you deliberately oppose me, I can overlook it, but are you really heartless enough to ignore even Yinyue’s life?”
The crowd turned expectantly towards Ling Qingxiao, awaiting his response. Since this was his family's private matter, Luo Han quietly stood aside, allowing him space to decide.
If Ling Qingxiao felt sympathy and chose to give up the Crane Orchid, Luo Han would accept it. After all, she knew the locations of several others; losing one wouldn't matter much.
Ling Qingxiao’s profile remained cold and indifferent. With his pale skin, colorless lips, and deep, striking eyes, he stood quietly amidst the wind and snow, his robe fluttering gently—like an immortal carved from ice and jade.
"Why don’t you just give it to your cousin?" Such familiar words.
Over these thousand years, Ling Qingxiao had grown numb to these demands of surrender. Let Ling Zhongyu have it. Give it to Su Yinyue. Over time, it had become so routine, even expected, that Yun Menghan didn’t hesitate to casually suggest it once more.
Ling Qingxiao had suffered countless cultivation injuries himself, and knew better than anyone that Su Yinyue wasn't truly injured. She was merely pretending, faking weakness to earn Ling Zhongyu's pity. Ling Qingxiao found such trivial dramas beneath him—if Su Yinyue wanted to compete with Yun Menghan for Ling Zhongyu’s attention, that was none of his business. But dragging him into their ridiculous farce was intolerable.
After a brief silence, his cold voice resonated through the snow-covered clearing:
"First come, first served. Such is the law of heaven."
His words meant a clear refusal.
Shock crossed the faces of Ling Zhongyu and Yun Menghan. Even Su Yinyue, forgetting her frail act, raised her head in disbelief, voice trembling slightly: “You...you really prioritize some rules over my life?”
Luo Han immediately felt relieved. Even though she’d prepared herself mentally to compromise, deep down, she didn't really want to yield. Instantly invigorated, she stepped forward boldly, saying, “All lives are equal. Your life matters—but so do ours. You talk about kindness, yet you demand others show kindness toward you. Miss Su, next time, please practice generosity yourself instead of insisting others show it.”
Ling Zhongyu’s expression grew dark. Struggling to contain his anger, he said, "Yinyue’s condition is critical."
“Ling Qingxiao’s condition is critical too,” Luo Han retorted firmly. “If you claim to be compassionate and righteous, prove it yourselves first. Ling Qingxiao’s meridians were gravely damaged. He urgently needs this herb; any delay could be fatal.”
Seriously injured? Ling Qingxiao glanced at Luo Han with faint amusement. He didn’t expose her exaggeration, allowing her to argue boldly on his behalf.
This little girl sure enjoyed a good verbal fight.
Yun Menghan staggered slightly upon hearing this, worry filling her voice. "Second Young Master, you…”
But Ling Zhongyu sharply interrupted, “Impossible! If he’s truly injured, how could he have defeated the Snow Demon alone?”
“Oh, so you do realize he was the one who defeated the Snow Demon!” Luo Han mocked, her voice dripping sarcasm. “Did you forget that he endured fifty bolts of Heavenly Tribulation Lightning meant for you? He fell into the Abyss of Absolute Spirits to save you, severely damaging his meridians. What right do any of you have to demand he yield anything to you?”
Her fierce rebuke left the members of the Zhongshan Ling family red-faced and speechless. They had assumed Ling Qingxiao dead, thus never attempted rescue. Who could’ve imagined he’d return alive?
Ling Zhongyu and Yun Menghan exchanged awkward looks. Yet, deep in Ling Qingxiao’s heart, something stirred lightly.
He realized Luo Han wasn’t arguing simply for argument’s sake—she was fighting for justice on his behalf. Perhaps, for the first time, someone actually stood in his corner.
The last lingering trace of bitterness faded from Ling Qingxiao’s heart. Whether these Zhongshan people lived or died—what concern was it of his? With a flick of his sleeve, Ling Qingxiao swiftly collected the Crane Orchid in a jade box. Before anyone could react, the precious herb had disappeared into his robes.
Calmly adjusting Luo Han’s veil—which had been blown askew by the wind—Ling Qingxiao offered a rare, faint smile. “Let’s go.”
Luo Han nodded dazedly, still unsure if she'd imagined that brief smile. Ling Qingxiao...had smiled?
Heavens.
Ye Zinan saw the two leaving again without calling him, cursed silently, and hurried to follow. Ling Zhongyu, face increasingly dark, suddenly shouted:
“Wait. Who exactly is that girl beside you? Why is she hiding her face?”
Luo Han didn’t even turn, gathering her fluttering veil and replying indifferently, “No particular reason. I simply prefer not showing my face.”
Before she could finish, a fierce gust of wind erupted behind her. No one anticipated Ling Zhongyu would launch a sudden attack. Luo Han, standing a distance from Ling Qingxiao and without cultivation herself, felt only a flash of cold wind as her veil was violently torn aside.
Snowflakes surged upward, carrying her veil into the icy wind. Her long, ink-black hair danced wildly, revealing a face breathtakingly exquisite—beauty beyond comprehension.