Chapter 28: Poking Her Cheek Part 2

Someone burst through the gate. Lanterns illuminated the courtyard, casting mottled shadows on the ground, falling also on the clothes of the upright figure in the yard. Her shadow was calm, her snowy silk-like hair swaying in the air, lashes fluttering lightly, a bitter smile at her lips.

Patrolling disciples heard the clash of blades and hurried over, only to freeze at the scene—two chief disciples fighting. How were they to handle this? Looking at Wang Pingjun under the lantern light, his face was deathly pale amid the golden glow, blood on the ground suggesting he had lost to Wei Lingci.

Unfortunately, they hadn’t seen the fight.

Soon, Sect Leader Xu Ke arrived. Seeing his eldest disciple on the ground regulating his breathing, his eyes flashed with surprise. He hurried forward to check his pulse. At the same time, Xun Changqing emerged from the room and ran to Wei Lingci’s side, looking up at her worriedly. “Master.”

Once Xu Ke knew, would the situation change? Xun Changqing felt Wei Lingci had been too impulsive. One should reason first in such matters. Now that she had beaten Wang Pingjun, this was still his territory—she had to heed Xu Ke no matter what.

In her hesitation, Wei Lingci took her hand. The warm touch instantly sealed away her fear and anxiety.

Wei Lingci’s expression held a touch of pathos, her hand like congealed fragrance. She stepped forward slightly, released Xun Changqing, and glanced at the standing mountain disciples. With gravity, she said, “Master, shall I explain what happened?”

Xu Ke was furious—fellow disciples fighting was a grave taboo. He stood and stared at her. “I never knew you had such skill today, defeating your senior brother in mere moments.”

His words were sharp, already biased. Wei Lingci wasn’t surprised, merely tightening her grip on the sword hilt. “Aren’t you curious why he appeared at my Purple Ying Pavilion?”

“My study caught fire. What’s wrong with him patrolling the area?”

Wei Lingci sighed inwardly, looking at the bewildered disciples around. She declared loudly, “Wang Pingjun drugged my food at the banquet tonight, intending to assault me.”

Xu Ke’s eyes flickered. Hearing the murmurs from the onlookers behind him, he turned angrily. “Out! No one enters without my command.”

The Sect Leader’s stern tone frightened them. They fled without greeting, one dropping his shoe in haste while clutching his lantern. He tossed the lantern, grabbed his shoe, and ran off without putting it on.

Wei Lingci was aloof and terse; once she decided, she never turned back. Xu Ke glanced at his injured, unconscious eldest disciple—his successor, whom he couldn’t abandon lightly.

He knew Wang Pingjun fancied Wei Lingci. In matters of love, using some tricks wasn’t shameful; it even showed his devotion, which was good.

But Wei Lingci stood here unscathed, meaning Wang Pingjun had failed. He rarely meddled in disciples’ affairs, but this touched the sect’s honor, which he couldn’t tolerate.

He looked at Wei Lingci. “You’re fine now. Don’t make a fuss over nothing.”

He wanted to let it drop, but Wei Lingci wouldn’t. Her eyes held the night’s chill wind, slowly sweeping toward Xu Ke. “Master, you don’t believe me? My innocence concerns a woman’s reputation. I beg justice. If you refuse, I’ll handle it myself.”

“Insolent!” Xu Ke barked. Wei Lingci’s attitude was proud, as if she disregarded him. “You say he drugged you at the banquet—why are we fine? Only you claim harm. Now you’ve injured your senior brother and spin this tale. What do you intend? To kill him?”

Wei Lingci moved to speak further, but Xun Changqing pulled her back. Turning, she saw Xun Changqing’s clear eyes, her fan-like lashes trembling—as if saying, You can’t beat him; no need to push.

It was concern for her. Wei Lingci’s gaze softened. She disliked the aura in the dark courtyard and knew arguing further was futile. “Wang Pingjun is unconscious. Once he wakes and we confront each other, Sect Leader can decide.”

Having softened her tone, and Xu Ke no fool, he helped the man away from Purple Ying Pavilion. Before leaving, he noted the silent Xun Changqing nearby, his dark eyes sharp. Outside, he ordered men to escort Wang Pingjun back, then rushed to his study to investigate the arsonist.

Wei Lingci returned to the room, picked up the scabbard, and sheathed the sword. Her gaze lingered on Xun Changqing’s anxious face for a few breaths before shifting away. “How did you know about the drug?”

Xun Changqing had been watching her closely, catching a faint tenderness hidden in her eyes. Her heart raced. “Zi Jin told me.”

Wei Lingci’s expression froze. “Did you see anything?”

Xun Changqing’s fine brows furrowed slightly, shadows flickering in her eyes. Unsure of the meaning, she blurted, “See what?”

Her look was innocent, not feigned. Wei Lingci’s thoughts shifted rapidly. She shook her head slowly, looking weary, and said gently, “You’re tired tonight too. Go rest. We’ll talk tomorrow when you’re awake.”

After the night’s ordeal, they were both exhausted. Wei Lingci showed no signs of fatigue. Xun Changqing relaxed a bit and returned to her room.

Once alone, Wei Lingci collapsed onto the bed, too weary to undress. The moment she woke and saw Xun Changqing, her heart had been utterly calm, the frost in her eyes melting. Injuring Wang Pingjun tonight was to seize the initiative!

The lingering drug churned in her body. Forcing her inner energy had harmed her greatly, but she couldn’t afford to care. Tonight’s Xun Changqing astonished her—remaining calm amid chaos, bringing her back from the mountaintop was no easy feat.

Now, her poise reminded Wei Lingci of her past-life self before jumping into the sea: a tender girl like bamboo shoots after rain, facing life and death unflinchingly.

The tsunami roared in her ears again. She drowned in slumber, unable to escape. A nightmare—the eternal nightmare…