Chapter 117: Love Rival
In the Azure Cloud Sword Sect, a large crowd had gathered in the main courtyard. Disciples, deacons, and deans who had been away on missions for extended periods mingled together, creating a buzz of excitement and confusion.
"What’s going on?" a disciple with travel-worn robes asked, glancing around at the unusual assembly.
"I don’t know, I just got here," another replied with a shrug, equally puzzled by the sudden summons.
Throughout the courtyard, cultivators exchanged greetings after long separations, clasping hands and trading stories of their adventures outside the sect. The atmosphere hummed with anticipation as more members continued to arrive.
Suddenly, a booming voice cut through the chatter. "Why am I not allowed in?"
The crowd turned toward the main gate where a massive shirtless man stood, his bulging muscles gleaming in the sunlight. His imposing frame towered over the guards who blocked his path. Beside him stood a shorter man, though his physique was equally impressive with well-defined muscles rippling beneath his robes.
This second man, Zhao Disheng, addressed the disciple guarding the entrance with poorly concealed contempt. "Can’t you see who stands before you?" When the guards merely stared back blankly, he elaborated with exasperation, "This is Zhao Tiangang, the Sect Master of Iron Spirit Mountain."
Zhao Tiangang nodded smugly at his subordinate’s introduction, arms crossed over his bare chest.
Murmurs spread through the gathered crowd. Everyone knew that Iron Spirit Mountain was one of the three dominant sects in the region, with its Sect Master equal in status to their own. Refusing him entry would be a grave insult, yet this gathering had been announced as sect members only. The disciples at the gate shifted uncomfortably, caught in their indecision.
"Hmph, how barbaric," a soft, melodious voice commented from behind the crowd.
Every head turned to locate the source of such a bold statement. Who would dare insult Zhao Tiangang so brazenly?
Standing there was a strikingly beautiful woman in flowing jade-colored robes, accompanied by an equally stunning female cultivator. Their elegant postures and refined auras provided a stark contrast to Zhao Tiangang’s rugged appearance.
"Are you insulting the Sect Master?" Zhao Disheng’s eyes narrowed dangerously, completely unmoved by the women’s beauty as he stepped forward with clenched fists.
"Zhao Disheng, how dare you speak directly to the Sect Master!" The beautiful attendant, Lin Binghe, vanished from her position only to reappear directly before Zhao Disheng. An ice sword materialized in her hand mid-swing, aiming for his throat.
But Zhao Disheng wasn’t to be underestimated. With ease, he raised his hand and caught the ice blade between his fingers. "Hmph, she dared to insult the Sect Master," he growled, applying pressure until the ice sword shattered in his grip.
"Looks like you’ve grown stronger since we last met," Lin Binghe acknowledged, not retreating a step despite her broken weapon.
"So have you," Zhao Disheng replied, muscles tensing as they prepared for another exchange.
Meanwhile, Zhao Tiangang approached the other woman, his massive frame casting her in shadow as he deliberately positioned himself to block the sun. "Yan Xuelian, what brings you here?" he demanded, looking down at her.
"Since when did my Lotus Jade Palace have to report to you?" she responded coolly, meeting his gaze without a hint of intimidation despite the significant height difference.
Zhao Tiangang simply stared at her, the tension between them almost palpable.
"Disheng!" "Lin Lin!" Both Sect Masters called out simultaneously.
The subordinates immediately ceased their confrontation and returned to their respective leaders’ sides, though they continued exchanging hostile glares.
Just as the situation threatened to escalate further, a familiar voice broke through the tension. "Sect Master Zhao, Sect Master Yan, you’ve finally arrived. The Sect Master has been waiting for you."
The crowd parted to reveal Elder Huang approaching with measured steps. When the disciples saw her, visible relief washed over their faces—an elder could properly handle this delicate situation.
Yan Xuelian and Zhao Tiangang exchanged surprised glances. "Waiting for us?" Their expressions revealed genuine confusion—had they been expected?
Elder Huang simply smiled at their reaction. "Follow me," she said, turning to lead them into the sect.
...
As the three walked through the Azure Cloud Sword Sect’s elaborate pathways, Yan Xuelian broke the silence with a contemptuous remark. "To think you’ve fallen so low, welcoming guests now," she said, her melodious voice laced with mockery.
Elder Huang merely turned around, maintaining her serene smile. "It’s only appropriate for someone of equal status to welcome the guests," she replied with deliberate emphasis on "equal status."
Yan Xuelian’s expression immediately hardened, how could she not understand what Elder Huang was implying. If it was indeed appropriate for someone of equal status to welcome guests, then logically the sect master should have greeted them personally. Yet here was Elder Huang performing the duty instead. Did this mean that they weren’t worthy of the sect master’s presence? They were clearly being looked down upon.
She glanced sideways at Zhao Tiangang, hoping to see if he’d caught the slight. The muscular giant merely continued walking, his face betraying no reaction. Yan Xuelian sighed internally. This brute didn’t even understand when he was being insulted. As expected, she couldn’t rely on him for anything.
"You seem brighter than you did before," Yan Xuelian pivoted to a different angle of attack, her tone deliberately mocking. "Did Guo Shantian finally confess to you?"
To her astonishment, Elder Huang’s hands flew to her cheeks, a genuine blush spreading across her face. "H-how did you know? Is it that obvious?" she stammered, hastily producing a small jade mirror from her sleeve to examine her appearance.
"What?" Yan Xuelian faltered mid-step, completely caught off guard by the response. This wasn’t the reaction she had anticipated at all. Was it actually true? The possibility was staggering.
"Dammit Shantian, you actually like this nerdy girl?" she thought bitterly, her expression darkening even more.
Through the reflection in her mirror, Elder Huang observed Yan Xuelian’s reaction with secret satisfaction. They had once been love rivals competing for the affection of the genius Guo Shantian. When Yan Xuelian had finally gathered the courage to confess, only to face rejection, she had left the sect entirely, joining the Lotus Jade Palace instead.
Rumors said the Lotus Jade Palace specialized in techniques that froze one’s heart, tempering emotions until they no longer interfered with cultivation. Yan Xuelian must have been devastated to resort to such extreme measures, Elder Huang reflected. As the sect master, she should have completely frozen all emotions by now.
Well, it didn’t matter now since she won in the end, Elder Huang thought as she tucked the mirror away.
After guiding them through several more courtyards and pavilions, they finally reached a section with ornate chairs arranged for viewing. "You can rest here," Elder Huang indicated with a graceful gesture.
"What? Aren’t we going to see the sect master?" Zhao Tiangang finally spoke up, his deep voice resonating with impatience.
"Don’t worry, you’ll see the sect master soon," Elder Huang reassured him with another enigmatic smile as she settled into a seat near them.
Yan Xuelian’s brows furrowed. "Why are you sitting here?" she asked, irritation bleeding into her carefully controlled voice.
"I’m entertaining the guests," Elder Huang replied simply, causing Yan Xuelian to click her tongue in annoyance.
Elder Huang studied her former rival with interest. For someone who should have all emotions frozen by her sect’s infamous techniques, Yan Xuelian seemed unusually irritable. Could it be...
...
Author’s Corner:
I really like these 4
For those wondering why just three, the two subordinates were left with the other disciples since they’re of the same generation.