Chapter 234: Apologize to Her |
The next morning, Yu Ling woke up and stretched lazily.
It was still early, and the teenagers were still asleep.
She planned to sneak up the mountain.
…Today was the last day of the Tianxuan Gathering.
Tonight, the matter of the Immortal Venerable’s ruins would be decided, one way or another.
Either those parents would give in, or she would.
She wasn’t confident.
Although she had acted tough in front of her followers, she couldn’t guarantee the outcome.
As she was about to leave, she saw Chen Yin standing by the door.
He looked at her and smiled gently.
“I’ll go with you.”
“Why?” Yu Ling frowned. “Are you worried about me, like the others?”
“Quite the opposite.”
Chen Yin said seriously, “You’ll succeed today.”
Yu Ling was surprised.
She had thought he knew the true situation, that her chances of success were slim.
“But… you know…”
“Know what?” His smile remained gentle.
Yu Ling lowered her head and mumbled, “About the situation at the gathering…”
Chen Yin shook his head.
“I still think you’ll succeed.”
Yu Ling looked up at him, her eyes wide. “R-really?”
Chen Yin nodded.
“Why aren’t you confident, Big Sister?”
“Because…” Yu Ling’s head drooped slightly, her voice filled with a quiet sadness.
“…No one has ever said that to me before.”
“I have no one to turn to for help, and I’m afraid that if I show any weakness, the others will panic.”
“I have to do everything myself, and I can’t afford to make any mistakes, so of course I’m scared.”
She sighed softly.
Suddenly, she felt a warm hand on her head.
She looked up and saw Chen Yin, his small hand gently stroking her hair, his face youthful, yet his eyes filled with a calm reassurance.
He was standing on his tiptoes to reach her.
“Don’t worry.”
“You’ll succeed.” His voice was soft and gentle.
Yu Ling froze, then, flustered, she swatted his hand away.
“Wh-what are you doing?!” she said, her cheeks flushing. “Stop trying to act cool!”
“I-I don’t need your comfort!”
“Don’t you?” Chen Yin blinked innocently.
“Of course not!”
“Then why did you tell me about your insecurities, Big Sister? Why not the others?”
“I…”
Yu Ling’s face turned crimson, and she stammered, then slapped him playfully and stomped her foot.
“Mind your own business, little boy!”
With that, she turned and walked away.
Chen Yin rubbed his head, a faint smile on his lips.
As they walked up the mountain, Yu Ling didn’t say a word, still sulking.
Chen Yin tried to make conversation, but she ignored him.
He wasn’t sure if she was truly angry.
Halfway up the mountain, she suddenly turned to him, her voice sharp.
“Stop following me. I don’t want to see your face.”
Chen Yin just looked at her, his eyes wide and innocent.
“Are you deaf? I said stop following me!”
“Don’t you want me anymore?” His voice was filled with a childish petulance.
Yu Ling’s face turned even redder, but she couldn’t bring herself to scold him.
“I… I don’t need your company today. Go back!”
“Why?”
“No reason!”
She lifted her skirt and turned to leave, seemingly determined to shake him off.
But she stopped after a few steps.
Not because of Chen Yin.
A group of people stood before them.
…The elders from the Tianxuan Gathering.
Yu Ling’s eyes turned cold, and she said casually, “Well, well, what brings you all here? Admiring the scenery?”
Despite her nonchalant tone, she knew their intentions weren’t friendly.
She instinctively moved closer to Chen Yin, placing herself between him and the group.
The elder at the front of the group, his face creased with a forced smile, said, “Fellow Daoist Yu Ling, we have a small request. These young disciples have been with you for quite some time. It’s time for them to return home. Please, release them.”
Elder Wangzhe bowed slightly.
Yu Ling’s voice was filled with disdain. “What? They don’t want to go home. What can I do about it? It’s their choice.”
“They’re just children!” one of the parents protested. “They’ve been misled by you! They’re not even listening to their parents anymore!”
“Perhaps you should consider your own parenting skills.”
As the two sides were about to start arguing again, Elder Wangzhe intervened.
“Please, calm down.”
“Fellow Daoist Yu Ling, let’s not beat around the bush.”
“Please don’t interfere in family matters.”
Yu Ling narrowed her eyes. “What if I refuse? Are you going to kill me?”
“Haha, you jest, Fellow Daoist.”
Elder Wangzhe stroked his long white beard. “Not only are you a Grand Clarity Realm Immortal, but your ‘Forgotten Everlasting Heart Sutra’ grants you near-immortality. But…” he paused, his voice turning cold, “with our combined strength, we can trap you for a day or two.”
Yu Ling looked down and saw the faint glow of a formation activating beneath their feet.
Her eyes turned icy cold.
“…You’re asking for it.”
“Hmph,” a middle-aged cultivator sneered, “your fame has made you arrogant. You think you’re invincible? You’re just a spoiled brat! Don’t think everyone is as undisciplined and uncultured as you, with no parents or proper upbringing!”
A flash of anger flared in Yu Ling’s eyes.
But before she could react, a clear, youthful voice interrupted him.
The crowd stared at the small boy who stood before them, his gaze fixed on the middle-aged cultivator.
“Apologize to her,” Chen Yin said quietly, his voice carrying an unexpected authority.