Chapter 40 – Instantly turn hostile
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He Lu followed Liu Shuang down the mountain, and just as they left Hongzun's cave abode, they ran into Xu Jie.
Seeing Liu Shuang and He Lu, Xu Jie greeted them proactively.
"Second Senior Sister, what brings you here...?"
"Someone from the Luoxia Sect claims to have a marriage contract with one of our menial disciples from Divine Sword Peak and has come to ask Master to annul it."
Liu Shuang replied indifferently. Upon hearing this, Xu Jie glanced at He Lu.
Faced with Xu Jie, who was dressed in white and exuded an extraordinary aura, He Lu blushed slightly, lowered her head, and said shyly, "He Lu greets Senior Brother."
Xu Jie nodded casually and then turned to Liu Shuang, saying, "Let's go together then, it's on the way."
Xu Jie was planning to go to the kitchen. Though it was still early, he thought it wouldn't hurt to go and secure a spot first.
Hearing this, Liu Shuang didn't object, and the three of them walked together. Along the way, He Lu kept sneaking glances at Xu Jie.
This is a direct disciple of the Dao Yi Sect, truly a young talent. He Lu thought to herself that her future Dao companion must also be such a distinguished person.
However, Xu Jie showed no interest in her at all.
When they reached the foot of the mountain, the dozen or so Luoxia Sect disciples who had accompanied He Lu were already waiting there.
They were inner sect disciples of the Luoxia Sect and naturally didn't have the privilege to enter Hongzun's cave abode, so they were arranged to rest in guest rooms halfway up the mountain.
Upon He Lu's arrival, everyone expressed their intention to accompany her, and some disciples even said recklessly, "Don't worry, Senior Sister. With us here, we'll make sure that guy knows when to back off."
"Exactly, a toad wanting to eat swan meat. How could a mere menial disciple be worthy of Senior Sister He Lu?"
Their words were full of disdain for Ye Changqing, but they didn't realize that this was the territory of the Dao Yi Sect, and they were openly insulting a Dao Yi Sect disciple on their own turf.
Even if he was just a menial disciple, he was still a part of the Dao Yi Sect.
Hearing these words, Liu Shuang snorted coldly, and a chill emanated from her body.
Sensing the sudden cold, the Luoxia Sect disciples realized they had misspoken and quickly shut their mouths. He Lu even took the initiative to apologize.
"Senior Sister, please forgive us. They didn't mean it that way."
"Don't let me hear anything like that again. Also, if you want to annul the marriage, you must offer compensation."
Hearing this, Liu Shuang gave He Lu a cold look. Initially, she had no particular thoughts on the matter, but now that He Lu wanted to annul the marriage, compensation was necessary.
He Lu nodded without hesitation and agreed, "Senior Sister is right."
Ignoring the Luoxia Sect disciples, Liu Shuang continued towards the foot of the mountain, while the Luoxia Sect disciples behind her were now silent, not daring to utter another word.
"I wonder why you're involved in this matter," Xu Jie said nonchalantly as he walked alongside Liu Shuang.
"Master's orders," Liu Shuang replied. She didn't want to get involved, but she had no choice when Master instructed her.
"Alright, at least Master didn't ask me to handle it," Xu Jie said, feeling relieved that Hongzun hadn't assigned him this task. Hearing this, Liu Shuang glanced at him with displeasure. Was he gloating?
Along the way, many disciples of Divine Sword Peak were hurrying, some even using agility techniques to travel faster.
The Luoxia Sect disciples found this scene puzzling. What was so urgent?
They didn't know that these disciples were rushing to the kitchen, even though it was still some time before meal time. Otherwise, as meal time approached, the sight of numerous disciples sprinting would be quite a spectacle.
It would be like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each showing their special skills.
As they arrived at the menial disciple area, Liu Shuang finally asked, "What's the name of that person?"
She had forgotten to ask about He Lu's betrothed earlier and only remembered now.
Some disciples passing by on their way to the kitchen stopped out of curiosity when they saw Liu Shuang and the others.
It was easy to tell that He Lu and her companions were from the Luoxia Sect, and they were curious about their purpose at the Dao Yi Sect.
Upon inquiry, they learned that the visitors were here to annul a marriage, and the betrothed was a menial disciple.
Under the watchful eyes of many Divine Sword Peak disciples, He Lu replied truthfully, "Ye Changqing, a disciple from the Divine Sword Peak kitchen."
It was a simple answer, but upon hearing it, Liu Shuang was taken aback, as were Xu Jie and the surrounding outer and inner sect disciples of Divine Sword Peak.
They were all stunned until they snapped back to reality. Liu Shuang continued, "Your betrothed is Ye Changqing? You want to annul the marriage with him?"
He Lu felt that Liu Shuang seemed colder than before, and there was even a hint of killing intent in the icy aura.
Maybe it was just her imagination, He Lu thought, trying to reassure herself, and she nodded in response, "Yes, my family and Ye Changqing's family have been close for generations. Our elders arranged the marriage when we were young."
"But now, he's just a menial disciple, and the marriage seems like a mistake in hindsight, so..."
He Lu tried to explain, but before she could finish, Liu Shuang interrupted, "Enough."
As she spoke, spiritual power surged from Liu Shuang's body, and a wave of cold energy swept around, causing the Luoxia Sect disciples to shiver from the extreme cold.
Not knowing why Liu Shuang suddenly reacted this way, the Luoxia Sect disciples were confused. He Lu was about to speak when Xu Jie, standing nearby, narrowed his eyes, a hint of danger in his gaze.
"So, it's Junior Brother Changqing. Are you saying that Junior Brother Changqing isn't worthy of you and you want to annul the marriage unilaterally?"
Hearing Xu Jie's words, He Lu hadn't yet reacted and nodded instinctively, "After all, there's a disparity in our statuses now..."
She wanted to explain further, but a Luoxia Sect disciple beside her kept tugging at her sleeve.
Annoyed, He Lu turned and whispered, "What is it?"
The Luoxia Sect disciple gestured towards the surrounding Dao Yi Sect disciples, signaling He Lu to observe their expressions.
Following the disciple's gaze, He Lu noticed that the Dao Yi Sect disciples who had gathered around were now looking at them with hostility.
It was as if there was some deep-seated grudge, and the coldness in their eyes made He Lu's heart sink, filling her with confusion.
What was wrong with the Divine Sword Peak disciples? Why had their attitudes changed so suddenly, as if they bore a grudge against her?
She hadn't said anything offensive, had she? She had only mentioned Ye Changqing.
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A Luoxia Sect disciple beside her whispered, "Senior Sister, is your fiancé really just a menial disciple?"
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