Caught off guard by this sudden outburst, Lin Huanhuan was completely stunned. She blinked and asked in confusion, “What are you talking about? I’m not crazy. Why would I try to do anything to you or Master?”
Ling Ling simply stared at her, her eyes filled with a bone-chilling coldness. “Don’t play dumb with me,” she said icily. “I know exactly what kind of person you are. Back in the outer sect, you frequently targeted other female disciples. You only got away with it because you cleaned up after yourself. I didn’t bother settling those scores with you then.”
“But now that you’ve taken Master as your teacher, you’d better remember what I just said. Otherwise, even if Lin Shuangye protects you, I will absolutely not let you off!”
Originally, after entering her new sect, Lin Huanhuan had intended to get along well with her Master and Senior Sister to facilitate her cultivation and improve her power. That was why, even though Ling Ling had been acting cold, she had planned to approach her and strike up a conversation to build some rapport. At the very least, she wanted to become a familiar face so she could potentially rely on that relationship in the future.
Who would have thought that before she could even start her plan, she would be accused of intending to betray her Master and destroy her lineage?
She understood in her heart that it was likely the bad rumors about her in the sect that were at work. Ling Ling must have heard them, which led to this situation. But understanding why it happened did not mean she could accept it.
‘Curse her. To be so impatient to give me a show of strength just because she heard some rumors… If she actually sees me do something in the future, won’t she just pull her sword and cut me down? If I don’t show my teeth, she’ll really think I’m a pushover!’
‘I absolutely cannot keep backing down. Otherwise, it will only encourage this behavior and let her keep pushing her luck.’
Thinking of this, Lin Huanhuan immediately snorted and laughed coldly. “Whether I do something or not, what does it have to do with you? Who do you think you are, trying to mind my business?”
“Hmm, looking at you closely, you actually do look quite good. I didn’t have those thoughts before, but looking at you now, it seems like it wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Since you already know what kind of person I am, I advise you to just surrender quietly. It’ll save us the unnecessary effort of a fight.”
Lin Huanhuan used a lecherous gaze to unscrupulously scan Ling Ling’s chest. Even though the loose black robes hid her silhouette entirely, this was an intimidation tactic, and it needed to be done.
That disgusting gaze filled Ling Ling with revulsion. The unscrupulous tone only added fuel to the fire, making the rage in her chest feel as if it were about to explode.
“You! You… you certainly have a lot of nerve to be so arrogant in front of me! Do you even know who I am?”
“Heh.”
Lin Huanhuan let out two cold chuckles and spread her hands, her face filled with disdain. “I’m not your father, so how would I know who you are? You should go ask your mother that. I think there might be something wrong with your head.”
If the other party had been friendly, there was no way Lin Huanhuan would have been so malicious. But since the other woman had shown nothing but hostility first, and since she wasn’t exactly a saint herself, she naturally wasn’t going to be kind in return.
As for mockery, that came easily to her. Not saying anything more insulting was already a courtesy, considering the woman was her Senior Sister.
“You!!! How dare you!”
Ling Ling fully opened her eyes, and a piercing chill rolled out from her. Lin Huanhuan felt as if she had been plunged into a glacier, feeling like she might actually freeze to death.
Even though her body was trembling slightly, Lin Huanhuan’s expression remained unchanged. She even crossed her arms over her chest and said indifferently, “Senior Sister, you certainly are majestic. In broad daylight, not only are you framing me, a Junior Sister who just joined, but you’re also planning to kill me?”
“Go ahead and do it then. My life isn’t worth much anyway. If you’re not afraid of violating the sect rules, Senior Sister, then go ahead and kill me.”
Her face wore a look of complete indifference. She stood tall, looking like a martyr who would rather die than submit, which made Ling Ling grit her teeth in hatred.
‘How bothersome. This Lin Huanhuan is actually so difficult to deal with. If I strike, I’ll definitely violate the sect rules and be punished, but if I don’t, she’ll just keep mocking me. What a dilemma.’
Ling Ling clenched and unclenched her fists several times. This sight only fueled Lin Huanhuan’s arrogance. Though she didn’t speak, her mocking expression intensified.
After a few minutes of stalemate, Ling Ling pointed a finger at Lin Huanhuan and threatened viciously, “I don’t care what you’re thinking! You had better seriously consider what I just said. If you truly dare to do something like that, I’ll make you pay the price even if I have to be punished by the sect.”
“Are you insane?”
Lin Huanhuan was full of doubt. She really didn’t understand why this Senior Sister named Ling Ling was so hostile toward her.
‘I don’t think I’ve actually done many truly bad things. If someone just bothered to look into those matters, they’d see those rumors are fake. Did I really run into an idiot who only listens to rumors?’
Right at that moment, Dong Yun’er finally finished cleaning the room and walked out. She saw the scene and made eye contact with them.
The three of them froze at the same time, not yet reacting.
Then, Dong Yun’er’s lips began to tremble as she said, “You… what are you two doing? In broad daylight, under the bright sun… why are you two standing so close? What on earth are you doing?”
Dong Yun’er felt completely stunned. She had only been gone long enough to tidy up a room, but when she came out, she found Lin Huanhuan and Ling Ling pinned against the wall, looking like they were about to kiss.
Just a moment ago, Lin Huanhuan had been discussing with her whether or not Ling Ling disliked them. Yet the moment her back was turned, this happened? Was this relationship developing at the speed of a flying sword?
If she weren’t so certain that Lin Huanhuan wasn’t the type of person to fall in love with everyone she saw, she probably would have hidden away to cry in secret and started planning some regrettable actions for the night.
***
After a long and difficult explanation from Lin Huanhuan, Dong Yun’er finally breathed a sigh of relief, burying those bad thoughts once again.
Ling Ling snorted, her gaze softening slightly when she looked at Dong Yun’er. “In short, keep a close eye on your Young Lady,” she said. “I can’t control what she does outside, but she had better behave herself within the sect—especially toward Master—or I will not be merciful!”
Dong Yun’er rubbed her head awkwardly, while Lin Huanhuan looked away, too lazy to explain further.
Dong Yun’er sighed softly and thought to herself, ‘I guess it still has to be me. Honestly, My Lady… without me, who knows how much more trouble she’d get into.’
Following that, Dong Yun’er spoke quite a bit to Ling Ling. Finally, Ling Ling nodded with half-hearted belief.
Dong Yun’er’s credibility within the sect was much higher than Lin Huanhuan’s.
“Fine, I’ll believe you this once. But I’ll still be watching both of you.”
With that, Ling Ling finally departed.