Chapter 22

After the ancient beast Yayou was captured, half the disciples lingered at the gate of Wentian Hall—some tending to the wounded, some helping clean up the aftermath, and others searching for their fellow cultivators. Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao stood at the edge of the ruined square, speaking quietly, while streams of people passed by, sneaking curious glances at them.
Ling Qingxiao had always been a living legend in Zhongshan. Both he and Ling Zhongyu had their share of admirers, especially among the female disciples. But while Ling Zhongyu was seen as charming and charismatic, opinions on him varied among the male disciples—some called him brother, others saw him as a rival.
Ling Qingxiao, however, was something else entirely. He had long transcended the realm of “peers.” No one, man or woman, could treat him as an equal. Every subject, every class, every trial—he held the highest scores. For over a thousand years, no one had come close.
When people spoke of him, they didn’t speak of a person—they spoke of records, of cold statistics. He wasn’t a fellow disciple. He was an unreachable benchmark.
Just when they thought he couldn’t possibly be more terrifying, today happened.
Ling Qingxiao being freakishly strong? That was expected.
But Luo Han?
They had watched her learn a wind technique on the spot, then immediately turn around and use its advanced form to help subdue an ancient beast. If someone had written this in a storybook, they would’ve been laughed out of the sect for making things too unrealistic.
But now, that exact impossible tale had come to life right before their eyes.
The coordination between Ling Qingxiao and Luo Han, his footwork and strikes, her timely control—every moment could be used in a lecture on combat mastery. And this was between a supposedly young girl and a cultivator who’d just undergone a thunder tribulation.
Where had Ling Qingxiao found this little monster?
But Luo Han, the current focus of all those stares, was anything but pleased.
She had considered many possibilities—but not this. She never imagined Ling Qingxiao would take things this far.
After sweeping the surrounding peaks with his spiritual sense, Ling Qingxiao said, “The Library Pavilion was untouched by the beast. It’s quiet now—ideal for study.”
Luo Han forced a smile. “Right now?”
“Yes,” Ling Qingxiao replied without missing a beat. “You missed today’s classes, but you can’t fall behind. It’s a good opportunity to borrow some jade scrolls while you’re at it. Best not to waste your free time.”
“That’s slander,” Luo Han muttered through gritted teeth. “Who said I had nothing better to do? I’m very busy, thank you.”
Ling Qingxiao sighed, looking genuinely troubled. “You’re at the age for diligent study. Focus on cultivation—don’t get distracted by play.”
Play?! This was called normal, healthy rest. Luo Han was about to defend herself when a soft voice suddenly called out, “Second Young Master.”
She turned her head. Yun Menghan.
Pale as a sheet, with blood still seeping from the wound on her neck. Beside her was a senior sister—sharp-featured, with a gentle expression that somehow made her look even more cutting.
Luo Han immediately quieted.
Ling Qingxiao showed no shift in expression. “What is it?”
Yun Menghan offered a faint smile, eyes drifting between Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao. “I saw you two speaking just now. I hope I didn’t interrupt anything...important?”
Ling Qingxiao’s gaze remained distant. “What is it you came for?”
That look made Yun Menghan’s blood run cold. “It’s nothing urgent...I just came to thank Second Young Master for saving me.”
The moment those words left her lips, Luo Han’s instincts screamed bad idea.
And sure enough, she heard Ling Qingxiao respond, in that same dispassionate, perfectly polite tone: “I wasn’t saving you. The beast was a threat to all. Whoever was in danger, I would have done the same.”
Luo Han had to avert her gaze—she couldn’t bear to watch.
Such a beautiful face. Such a calm, elegant voice. Why did he have to use it to crush people’s spirits like a robot?
Even if it was the truth, did he have to say it like that?
Sure enough, Yun Menghan’s smile faltered. She composed herself and replied, “Second Young Master is righteous and impartial. I admire your integrity. But regardless, I still owe you my thanks.”
Ling Qingxiao inclined his head with polite indifference. “If it’s just gratitude, there’s no need. I have other matters to attend to.”
Yun Menghan’s lips had lost all color. She lowered her head and quietly stepped aside to make way for Ling Qingxiao. Her senior sister frowned slightly and cast Yun Menghan a suspicious glance.
She had followed Yun Menghan here partly to see if she could speak a few words to the second young master—perhaps even catch his attention. But why did it seem that Ling Qingxiao treated Yun Menghan no differently than anyone else?
He looked nothing like the rumors—that he always yielded to Yun Menghan, silently shielding her from the shadows.
Luo Han sighed inwardly again. Some people were truly single by choice—and ability. She was now fully convinced that Ling Qingxiao was emotionally frostbitten.
Luo Han managed a polite, awkward nod at Yun Menghan, just about to follow Ling Qingxiao and leave, when another group of people came from the opposite direction.
Ling Zhongyu caught sight of Yun Menghan, and a cold gleam flared in his eyes. “Meng’er? I heard you were injured—what are you doing here?”
Yun Menghan turned her face away, tears glimmering in her eyes. “I’m just a lowly, ordinary disciple—how could I trouble the noble Young Lord with my petty concerns? As long as you protect your dear cousin, that’s enough.”
Luo Han had unintentionally wandered into a full-blown lovers’ quarrel. She wasn’t in a hurry to leave anymore. In the original story, the relationship between the male and female lead had always been one of chasing and dodging, full of unspoken feelings. It was generally sweet—until now.
After the beast arc, the angst truly began. The female lead was taken hostage by the feral beast, and in order to subdue it, the male lead released an arrow that grazed her. Though the beast was defeated, her heart was shattered by his cold ruthlessness. She began to distance herself. The malicious cousin seized the opportunity to sow discord, slandering her behind her back. Misunderstandings built, and the love between the leads soured into pain and punishment—one clung too hard, the other fled too far.
So this...was the infamous turning point from sweet to bitter? Luo Han curiously studied Ling Zhongyu and Yun Menghan, keeping an eye on Su Yinyue’s expression too.
Sure enough, when Su Yinyue saw Ling Zhongyu make a beeline for Yun Menghan the moment he had a chance, her fury flared. She shot Yun Menghan a venomous glare and instantly slipped into the role of the scheming cousin.
“Cousin…”
Ling Zhongyu turned. “What is it?”
“I don’t know,” Su Yinyue murmured weakly, clutching her chest. “It hurts here...perhaps the beast’s roar shook my meridians.”
Chest pains were no trivial matter. Ling Zhongyu immediately turned to comfort her in a low voice. Yun Menghan watched this with a sardonic smile.
Su Yinyue had been watching her carefully. She saw that smile and seized on it like prey, her voice fragile and soft: “Sister Yun, what are you smiling at? I’ve always admired your gentle nature...I never thought you’d mock a sickly person like me. Turns out, you look down on me too.”
Luo Han nearly clapped on the spot. Su Yinyue’s cultivation may be useless, but her mind games were top-tier. Ling Zhongyu had treated her like a blood sister for years and could never tolerate anyone speaking ill of her. His expression darkened, and when he looked at Yun Menghan, a trace of suspicion crept in.
Yun Menghan saw the shift and looked stricken. “You don’t believe me?”
“I didn’t say that,” Ling Zhongyu said grimly. “But if you have an explanation, I’ll listen.”
Yun Menghan shook her head, pain clouding her eyes. “If you truly trusted me, I wouldn’t need to explain. If you don’t, then no explanation would matter.”
Luo Han couldn’t take it anymore. “Your logic is flawed. By that reasoning, the entire justice system would collapse. Why have arbiters and judges at all? Let’s just rely on trust to solve every murder case.”
Everyone turned to look at her. Luo Han remained unbothered and went on, voice calm and clear: “Right is right. Wrong is wrong. If it’s the truth, why not speak it out loud? Heaven cherishes life, yes—but it won’t save those who refuse to save themselves.”
The implication in her words was obvious. Yun Menghan flushed, humiliated, and cast a glance toward Ling Qingxiao. She wasn’t sure what she was hoping to find—but when she saw him standing still, utterly unmoved, disappointment surged through her chest.
It was a tiny movement, but Ling Zhongyu caught it. He clearly saw Yun Menghan’s hopeful look toward Ling Qingxiao, and the bitter disappointment that followed. A thorn lodged in his heart. New grudges and old jealousies welled up together.
He looked at Ling Qingxiao with a sharp gaze, his tone openly hostile: “Second Brother, didn’t you say you had important business? Why are you still here?”
Ling Qingxiao glanced at him with icy indifference, then turned away, tone flat: “No one’s interested in you. I stopped—certainly not to wait for you.”
Luo Han was suddenly dragged into the mess and froze awkwardly. She pretended she didn’t hear and remained dutifully at her spot in this delicious drama.
Yun Menghan quickly spoke up, “It’s my fault. You two are brothers—don’t fight because of me.”
Ling Qingxiao looked at her as if she were saying something bizarre. “It’s not because of you.” He paused as Luo Han jabbed him hard in the side, then added, “I meant no offense. I was stating facts.”
Luo Han gave up. This man could kill any conversation stone cold. Su Yinyue let out a soft laugh, her voice mocking: “Sister Yun, it pays to know your place. Watching you...even I feel embarrassed.”
Yun Menghan had been pale to begin with. After holding it all in for so long, she snapped. “Of course I can’t compare to you, cousin. You’re a noble dragon by blood, yet your body is even frailer than a weed like me.”
Su Yinyue hadn’t expected her to fight back, let alone insult her dragon blood. Her expression twisted. “You dare call me weak?”
Ling Zhongyu frowned and barked, “Yun Menghan!”
Yun Menghan had always been meek. That outburst was the fiercest thing she’d ever said in her life. Now, scolded by both Su Yinyue and Ling Zhongyu, all her courage drained away. Tears welled up again as she looked at Ling Zhongyu and whispered, “You always side with her...but have you ever cared what I’ve been through? Let me ask you—if it had been her in the beast’s claws today, would you still have released that arrow?”
Yun Menghan’s eyes widened, tears brimming. Ling Zhongyu fell silent for a long moment, then said softly, “Yinyue has always been frail.”
Though he didn’t answer directly, everything she needed to know was written in those few words.
Luo Han silently bit her knuckle in her heart. Oh my god, this is straight out of a heartbreak drama. But Ling Qingxiao clearly had no patience left for this. He raised his wrist and calculated the time again with perfect seriousness.
Luo Han, still engrossed in the unfolding scene, leaned closer and whispered, “Let’s just wait a little longer—”
“A full incense stick has burned,” Ling Qingxiao replied coolly.
Their movement and hushed voices finally drew attention from the love triangle. Luo Han gave an awkward smile when all eyes turned to her. “Don’t mind us, carry on with your...dramatic misunderstanding.”
Ling Zhongyu frowned, clearly fed up with the interjection. “What exactly are you two doing?”
“She’s still young,” Ling Qingxiao answered without missing a beat, “She has lessons to get back to.”
Not giving Luo Han any chance to object, he added flatly, “Handle the rest as you will. I’ll be taking her back now.”
Luo Han was forcefully dragged away right as the drama reached its juiciest moment. She looked like her soul had left her body by the time she was seated in the library. “That was a once-in-a-millennium main couple argument! And you yanked me away before I could hear the ending!”
Ling Qingxiao calmly folded his sleeves and sat across from her. With a wave of his hand, a small stack of books appeared in front of her. “Main couple?”
Luo Han choked. “You know, like...romantic partners.”
“Romantic partners?” Ling Qingxiao frowned at her, puzzled and displeased. “You’re still young. This is the time for cultivation, not for indulging in frivolous distractions.”
Luo Han rolled her eyes. “First of all, I’m an adult. Secondly, it’s just ‘romantic partners,’ it’s not like I’m talking about dual cultivation or anything. Why are you acting like I said something unspeakable?”
“Nonsense.” Ling Qingxiao’s expression grew colder. “What kind of guardians did you have? Where did you even hear these things? You’re still a cub—this sort of knowledge is far too early for you.”
Luo Han was utterly shocked. “You’re seriously over a thousand years old, a dragon no less, and even you are squeamish about basic biological facts? Isn’t duality between yin and yang part of the Dao? Isn’t it all about harmony and natural balance?”
Ling Qingxiao looked slightly embarrassed. “Yes, the Dao honors balance. But you’re not of age to focus on that path yet.” He picked up a scroll and casually brushed his hand across it, sealing off the sections related to yin-yang theory. “I nearly forgot these parts were included.”
“You’re still a cub. It’s not good to be exposed to these things so soon.”
“I already told you I’m not a cub!”
Unmoved, Ling Qingxiao gestured to the books on the desk. “Start reading.”