Chapter 11: I Want to Break Off the Engagement

This huge sum of money wasn’t so much a gift as it was an insult—a polite way to drive someone off, the implication couldn’t be more obvious.

Even outsiders could see what it meant.

“That’s just too much. You were obviously doing it to protect Xun Ran, and yet…”

This time, both Ji Shiyu and Ao Tian couldn’t stand it anymore.

It seemed that whether in the mortal world or the cultivation world, it was always easy to add flowers to a brocade, but hard to send charcoal in the snow.

Yun Liu didn’t pay much attention to these so-called plot kills in the game.

Instead, he unintentionally noticed Ji Shiyu’s swollen little face and was quite surprised.

There’s actually someone in Newbie Village capable of dealing with Huangmao and her servant?

How satisfying!

“Who did such a good deed? Tell me quick!”

The white-robed youth’s eyes widened in fury, as if he’d rush over to settle things if he didn’t like the answer.

Huangmao’s face flushed red, a little embarrassed.

She hadn’t expected this guy—beastly as he was—to actually have some sense of loyalty.

But Yun Liu’s next words were: “I should go deliver a few silk banners to thank them!”

Ji Shiyu stomped her feet in anger while Ao Tian giggled.

“Go to hell!”

Just thinking about that one blow—‘the fist of justice breaking a traitor’s face’—was enough to set Ji Shiyu off again.

She didn’t even care what Yun Liu had been up to these past few days.

“Come on, you’re just in time. Come with me and explain things clearly. And we’ll bring that corpse from the cave as a witness. Don’t let them say we’re colluding!”

“Alright, it’s time.”

Surprisingly, Yun Liu didn’t resist this time, letting Huangmao drag him by the hand.

“You’re sure about this?”

Ao Tian whispered a reminder. Some people never learned, always getting involved in the mess.

But the Phoenix Hatchling was even more curious about what kind of spiritual medicine Yun Liu had refined this time, to have triggered a Heaven and Earth Phenomenon.

Most importantly, could Shiyu eat it?

Could it eat it?

“Of course!”

With full confidence, Ji Shiyu pulled Yun Liu toward the Xiao Family Mansion.

This time, the three parties would meet face-to-face, and everything would be laid out in the open.

Little did they know, the whole city was abuzz at this moment.

Everyone had witnessed the Heaven and Earth Phenomenon, though none knew what kind of rare treasure had been born, or whose hands it had come from.

Right now, the Xiao Family Mansion was particularly lively.

The family banquet was packed with distinguished guests, clan juniors and elders all present.

Even some nobles from the dynasty, there to escort juniors to the Test of Shenhua Sect, had been invited.

The Xiao Mother was busy putting on a polite face, feeling awkward.

She’d thought it was just an ordinary family meal, so she’d taken it upon herself to send the Yun Clan a Spiritual Vein as an apology.

While it soothed things, it also sent another message—the marriage between the two families would end here. If handled quietly, everyone would forget with time.

She hadn’t expected Xiao Wang to make such a big scene for Xiao Xinran’s farewell, eager for the whole dynasty to know he had such an outstanding daughter.

Now, if they publicly broke off the engagement, wouldn’t that be a slap in the Yun Clan’s face?

Lifelong allies would become bitter enemies.

Not good, not good…

The Xiao Mother decided to wait and see.

Better to hold off until Xun Ran returned from her cultivation, more mature and ready.

At the seat of honor, a girl in splendid red attire drew all eyes—charming and beautiful, but with dim gaze and red-rimmed eyes, unable to lift her spirits.

Unaware of the truth, the old butler kept gently hinting to Miss Xiao on the Xiao Mother’s behalf, preparing her for what was to come.

Young Master Yun was a clever and understanding child; surely he’d appreciate the elders’ good intentions.

Unlike mortal families arranging marriages, a Dao Companion was crucial to a cultivator.

They should support each other, not be a burden.

“So you mean, Xiao Yun is just a burden?”

Xiao Xinran’s face darkened.

He hadn’t done anything wrong.

Ji Shiyu might have been the last straw, but Yun Liu’s transformation owed much to everyone else too.

Everyone had kept her in the dark, making decisions for her.

To Xiao Yun, she was just one of the crowd.

Kicking someone when they’re down—how could that not chill the heart?

“I wouldn’t dare, but surely Young Master Yun doesn’t want to hold you back, either.”

“What a joke. All along, it’s been me holding him back. Even if he lost an arm or a leg, he wouldn’t need you telling him what to do!”

Xiao Xinran gazed toward the door, anxiously awaiting, unsure if the one she longed for would come.

In just one night, the once willful and unruly girl had grown up a lot.

Only now did Xiao Xinran finally realize her true feelings.

She had so much she wanted to say to Yun Liu, but the first words would definitely be “I’m sorry.”

In this world, no one would ever treat her as well as that boy had…

As the servants led the way, a boy and a girl entered the mansion and stepped into the banquet hall.

The guests all fell silent, turning to the doorway, expressions varied.

The hall slowly quieted, the atmosphere subtle.

The elegant, white-robed youth was not a stranger.

The blonde girl at his side, though, seemed a bit mysterious—her natural spiritual aura no less than the clan leader’s daughter.

Instantly, the two became the center of attention.

But why was her face swollen?

Yun Liu was no nobody in the Zhusheng Dynasty, and the mysterious fall of a genius meant his decline was destined.

When past glory turns to shackles, and former cheers become humiliation, his suffering had only just begun.

“Uh, s-sorry to interrupt?”

Ji Shiyu’s scalp tingled.

It was far too late for regrets.

Heavens, so many people at this banquet!

How could she possibly clear things up about something so shameful in public?

“Did we come at a bad time?”

Ji Shiyu tugged at Yun Liu, but he didn’t budge.

“No, we came at just the right time.”

Xiao Wang was stunned for a moment, glancing at the calm Yun Liu, then at Ji Shiyu, who was clinging to his hand, and smiled.

“So Shiyu’s here too. We were just looking for you. Turns out you’re with Xiao Yun.”

“Mm.”

Huangmao kept her head down, not daring to speak.

Someone was glaring at her, eyes full of murderous intent.

Ji Shiyu could clearly feel Xiao Xinran’s gaze sparking in the air, her anger surging.

Only then did she realize and hurriedly let go of the youth’s sleeve.

Oh no, did I mess up again!?

Little Xun Ran was downright terrifying now—full of hostility and hypersensitive!

Whose stage was this?

Who was standing hand-in-hand with her man, out in the open, so proud and bold?

It was obvious what Ji Shiyu was in Xiao Xinran’s eyes.

The situation had quietly reversed.

Huangmao was still Huangmao, but would the main heroine become the tragic one?

Xiao Xinran gnashed her teeth, spiritual energy churning, and the “scheming green tea” label was nailed to Ji Shiyu’s forehead.

So, you were waiting here for me, you scoundrel.

Just got a beating, and now you’re playing the victim and badmouthing me behind my back!

“Yun-gege, I really tried hard to explain for you, but Xun Ran-meimei wouldn’t listen and even slapped me. Wuwuwu, it hurts so much!”

Xiao Xinran’s face went pale as she imagined Ji Shiyu acting all coy in front of Yun Liu.

So yesterday’s clinging was just to provoke her—a trap!

“We’re all family here. Why are you all standing there? Sit down. Today’s banquet is to see you three off. Xun Ran’s been waiting for you!”

Xiao Father pointed to the seats beside him, his plump face warm and kind.

In his heart, Yun Liu’s place hadn’t changed.

Even if he couldn’t become a son-in-law, he was still like a son.

“No need for all that. I’ll just sit at the widows’ table.”

Ji Shiyu muttered under her breath.

With Xun Ran angry, she didn’t dare go over.

“No, I’m only here for one thing. Once I’ve said it, I’ll leave.”

Yun Liu shook his head, calm from start to finish, but everyone could sense something was off.

“Aren’t you leaving tomorrow? Why so rushed? Whatever it is, can’t it wait?”

“Exactly.”

Xiao Wang was puzzled, but the Xiao Mother and Xiao Xinran’s faces changed, a sense of foreboding rising.

The truth was, the distance between Yun Liu and Xiao Xinran would only grow.

Even without Ji Shiyu, there would always be someone else.

If they followed the Main Quest, by the time everything collapsed, it would be too late.

Better to make a clean break now than let things fester.

So Yun Liu spoke calmly, cutting straight to the point.

“I want to dissolve my engagement with Xun Ran.”