Chapter 427 - 222: I’m Afraid Chen Sheng Will Misunderstand

Chapter 427: Chapter 222: I’m Afraid Chen Sheng Will Misunderstand

Qi Heng scoffed, his face full of disdain.

"Regardless, private duels are forbidden within the Nie Family’s territory. You two would do well to remember that."

The elder gave the two a cool glance, said no more, and turned to leave.

"Senior, may this junior request to see Miss Lingshan? There are some things... I wish to say to her in person."

Wei Jing asked hurriedly.

"Lingshan resides in the Simurgh Phoenix Pavilion. You may go and seek an audience yourself. But whether she is willing to see you is not something this old man can control."

The Nie Family elder’s footsteps never faltered as his voice drifted back on the wind.

With the delicate state of relations between the Nie Family and the Vast Sea Sect, he naturally saw no need to be overly polite.

"Thank you, Senior," Wei Jing called out in thanks.

"What a coincidence. I was just thinking of paying a visit to the Misses Lingshan and Lingxi myself."

The corners of Qi Heng’s lips lifted in a smirk that wasn’t quite a smile.

"Shall we go together?"

Wei Jing shot him a cold glance, said nothing, and left with a flick of his sleeve.

...

Outside the Simurgh Phoenix Pavilion, the courtyard was wide and empty.

Two figures darted and crossed paths at high speed, unleashing crisscrossing Sword Qi and churning up gusts of Gang Qi.

One, in fluttering green robes, and the other, in swirling blue silks, were none other than Nie Lingxi and Nie Lingshan.

But at this moment, their moves were sharp and fierce, their Qi Force surging. It didn’t look like their usual sparring at all; it seemed they had truly lost their tempers.

Flashes of Sword Light were like bolts of silk, and palm strikes cracked like thunder. Even with the courtyard’s Restriction muffling the sounds, the booming collisions could still be faintly heard outside.

"Stop! Both of you, stop fighting now!"

With a clear cry, Nie Xiangjun’s figure suddenly appeared in mid-air. With a light wave of her fair hand, a vast yet gentle pressure, characteristic of the Pill Realm, washed over them like a tide, forcing the two apart.

She then frowned at the two sisters, who were still glaring angrily, and chided,

"How can you be so reckless in a spar? Unleashing your full Gang Qi, using merciless Sword Skills... If one of you had slipped up for a moment, could either of you have borne the consequences?"

"It was Lingxi! She gathered her Gang Qi and launched a sneak attack first!"

Nie Lingshan, her eyes slightly red, was the first to point a finger.

Nie Xiangjun turned to look at Nie Lingxi, a trace of doubt flashing in her eyes.

’This girl has always been gentle, calm, and considerate. How could she be so impulsive today?’

"Nonsense! It was obviously you who secretly gathered Gang Qi, preparing for a sneak attack!"

Nie Lingxi retorted coolly, her breathing still uneven.

"Aunt, you know me. With my level of Cultivation, if I had truly intended to strike first, how could she possibly have had time to react?"

Nie Xiangjun’s gaze shifted back to Nie Lingshan.

"Aunt, you know me."

Nie Lingshan straightened her back, her tone stubborn.

"If I had really intended to strike first, how could Lingxi possibly have fought me to a standstill like this?"

Nie Xiangjun’s brow furrowed slightly. Her gaze suddenly lifted, settling on a slender figure leaning against the railing on the pavilion’s veranda.

"Aunt, you know me too."

Nie Zhijing met her gaze with an innocent look.

"I just arrived, and they were already fighting. As for the reason why, I really have no idea."

"Fine. Fine. Fine."

Nie Xiangjun laughed in exasperation.

"So according to all of you, it’s always someone else’s fault. The blame lies entirely with me, their aunt, for failing to discipline them properly?"

Nie Lingshan and Nie Lingxi glanced at each other, then simultaneously looked away, lowering their heads in silence.

"Then why didn’t you step in to stop them?"

Nie Xiangjun looked at Nie Zhijing again.

"The sisters often spar for fun. How was I to know it would get so out of hand this time..."

Nie Zhijing sighed softly and shook her head.

Nie Xiangjun’s gaze swept back and forth between the two sisters’ faces. A flicker of suspicion in her eyes vanished as quickly as it appeared.

Then, with a flick of her sleeve, she brought them both into a nearby pavilion and asked with a solemn expression,

"Speak. Why did you two start fighting out of nowhere? What conflict is there between sisters that cannot be discussed openly? Have you forgotten all the decorum and grace the Nie Family has taught you? If word of this gets out, what will outsiders think of our family’s reputation?"

Nie Lingxi bit her lip and said in a low voice,

"Aunt, you said Chen Sheng and I were a better match. When we met yesterday, I... I did feel a connection with him. But today, Lingshan secretly sought him out to give him a gift... Aunt, you be the judge.

Are such actions in line with our family’s code of conduct and etiquette?"

"Don’t you dare spout nonsense!"

Nie Lingshan immediately retorted,

"Who says Chen Sheng has to be with you? I think he and I are a much better fit! Besides, he sought me out because he had a favor to ask. If he was truly interested in you, why wouldn’t he have asked for your help?

It’s obvious you failed to catch his eye, and now you’re taking your anger out on me!"

"You two came to blows and disregarded your sisterly bond, all for a man?"

Nie Xiangjun’s brows were tightly knitted, the thread of doubt in her heart growing ever clearer.

’Could these two girls be putting on an act for her?’

"We didn’t come to blows... It was just a spar. We got carried away."

Nie Lingxi mumbled in her defense.

"Right, it was only a spar."

Nie Lingshan quickly agreed.

"Still trying to hide things from me?"

Nie Xiangjun’s gaze was like a torch as it slowly swept over them.

"If you have something on your minds, you might as well say it plainly."

"The family alliance through marriage is inevitable. Since you think Chen Sheng is suitable, Aunt, I... I also think he’s wonderful."

Nie Lingxi looked up, her tone firm.

"I am willing to accept this marriage."

"On what grounds?"

Nie Lingshan snorted softly.

"Why does it have to be you? There’s an order to these things. If we’re really choosing, I should get first pick."

"Stop!"

Nie Xiangjun raised a hand to rub her temples and sighed.

"Legitimate daughters of the Nie Family, fighting over a man to this extent! Do you even know the meaning of the word ’modesty’? Besides, Chen Sheng is not perfect. The other candidates are just as outstanding. Why must you be so fixated on him?"

"I don’t care for the others. I only want Chen Sheng," Nie Lingxi said bluntly.

"Me too!" Nie Lingshan immediately chimed in.

"You two..."

Before Nie Xiangjun could finish, a servant girl hurried forward, bowed, and reported,

"Misses, Young Master Qi of Zhenyuan Palace and Young Master Wei of the Vast Sea Sect are outside the courtyard seeking an audience."

"Send them away."

Nie Xiangjun, thoroughly annoyed, said with a wave of her sleeve.

"Wait."

But Nie Lingshan suddenly stood up.

"I’ll go see them."

A flicker of movement in Nie Lingxi’s eyes, and she stood up as well.

’This is the perfect opportunity to make things even more chaotic.’

...

In front of the Simurgh Phoenix Pavilion, Wei Jing stood with his hands behind his back, his expression grave.

Qi Heng, on the other hand, wore a faint smile, his demeanor calm and composed.

The Restriction opened, and Nie Lingshan and Nie Lingxi walked out side-by-side, their gazes falling upon the two men.

"Lingshan, it’s me."

Wei Jing took two steps forward, forcing a smile.

"Is there something you need, Young Master Wei?"

Nie Lingshan’s tone was flat, the distance in her voice obvious.

"I’ve come about the marriage alliance."

Wei Jing suppressed his anxiety, trying his best to sound sincere.

"There may have been some recent misunderstandings between the Nie Family and the Vast Sea Sect, but they are not insurmountable. They certainly shouldn’t affect us. If you are willing, I will return to the sect at once and do my utmost to persuade the elders..."

"Willing to what?" Nie Lingshan frowned slightly.

"To marry me, of course."

Wei Jing took a deep breath, his gaze intense.

"We are of similar age and our families are of equal standing. We are a good match. Ever since we first met, I have..."

"You’re overthinking things, Young Master Wei."

Nie Lingshan cut him off before he could finish.

"Lingshan has no intention of entering a marriage alliance with you. My heart already belongs to another."

"Who is it?!"

Wei Jing’s face fell, a cold glint appearing in his eyes.

"Chen Sheng." Nie Lingshan enunciated the two words, clear and distinct.

Wei Jing’s pupils constricted, his heart feeling as though it had been dealt a heavy blow.

He knew Chen Sheng, of course. They had met once in Ning’an Prefecture, and he also knew the Nie Family intended to take him as a son-in-law. But he never expected Nie Lingshan to admit her feelings for the man with her own mouth.

"Lingshan, that Chen Sheng is not a good man for you."

Wei Jing took a hurried step forward, his voice strained.

"He already has a woman by his side in Ning’an. Everyone knows this!"

"I know."

Nie Lingshan took half a step back, her expression distant.

"But I don’t care. It’s natural for a great man to have three wives and four concubines. Only incompetent men remain chaste. Besides, Young Master Wei, I must ask you not to address me so familiarly in the future.

I’m afraid Chen Sheng might get the wrong idea."

With that, Nie Lingshan didn’t spare him another glance and turned to walk back into the courtyard.

Wei Jing swayed slightly, feeling the qi and blood roil in his chest as a ringing filled his ears.

Staring at her resolute back, he opened his mouth to speak but found his throat was dry, unable to utter a single word.

Should he keep pursuing her?

Her words had been final, leaving no room for negotiation.

Should he give up just like that?

Was he really supposed to stand by and watch her marry Chen Sheng?

Qi Heng, who had been watching from the side, could no longer hide the smile on his lips.

He immediately stepped forward, let out a soft sigh, and said slowly in a feigned tone of regret,

"Don’t stare, Wei. Soon, you’ll have to start calling Miss Lingshan ’Madam Chen’."

"Piss off!"

Wei Jing whipped his head around, a cold light like a sword flashing in his eyes. The Gang Qi around him began to swell, as if he were about to lash out at any moment.

————