Lin Dongming followed Bai Zhiqing’s gaze and spotted a figure flying behind Lei Long. Although there was some distance between them, the figure’s trajectory almost perfectly matched Lei Long’s path.
Moreover, Lin Dongming felt somewhat familiar with that silhouette.
“…That looks like Han Xiangjun from Tianjian Peak.” Lin Dongming’s expression turned puzzled. “What is she doing here?”
Han Xiangjun seemed to have noticed the two as well. Now it was too late for her to hide.
Han Xiangjun, hovering on her flying sword, looked down and saw Lin Dongming and Bai Zhiqing. Her expression stiffened. Why were these two here so late?
Had Lin Dongming stopped following her recently because he was spending time with Bai Zhiqing?
She maneuvered her flying sword to land in front of them. “Senior Brother Lin, Junior Sister Bai, what are you both doing here?”
“I was about to ask Senior Sister Han what she’s doing here so late,” Lin Dongming replied with a faint tone that carried a subtle hint of teasing, though it could have been imagined.
“You asked first,” Han Xiangjun’s expression visibly soured. Just a few days ago, Lin Dongming was her obedient loyal follower, always at her beck and call.
How had he suddenly been stolen away by someone else?
Though she had many admirers, few were as considerate and reliable as Lin Dongming, especially in critical moments.
“Before you ask others, perhaps you should explain your own purpose?”
Lin Dongming’s attitude was completely different from before. In truth, this was how he acted when he wasn’t catering to someone else; he wasn’t specifically targeting Han Xiangjun.
“Why are you being so harsh?”
Han Xiangjun became even more upset. “I was just out training at night and happened to see Lei Long wandering about. I wanted to feel the rhythm of his thunder techniques, so I followed him.”
“Couldn’t you just say that nicely? We’re just training here.”
Lin Dongming shrugged.
“But you’re from Heavenly Mirror Peak. Why come to Tianjian Peak to train?”
“There were some points I couldn’t understand in my practice, so I came to ask Junior Sister Bai,” Lin Dongming casually offered an excuse. He was well practiced in fabricating lies—just like any adult.
Han Xiangjun stared into Lin Dongming’s eyes. “Really? That sounds suspicious.”
“Are you hoping we’re doing something strange here?”
Bai Zhiqing, the little fox, seemed to sense Han Xiangjun’s mood. “Like practicing Hehuan Sect’s Demonic Arts or something?”
Lin Dongming twitched at the corner of his eye. What was this girl stirring up nonsense for?
She was just making trouble out of thin air!
Han Xiangjun’s cheeks flushed slightly. “Re-really?”
Lin Dongming rolled his eyes. “Junior Sister Bai was obviously teasing you. Who would openly admit to practicing demonic arts? That’s just asking for death.”
“Lin Dongming!”
Han Xiangjun’s anger flared at that face. “How have you changed so much in just a few days?”
“Let’s just say I hit my head.”
Lin Dongming spread his hands, not intending to argue further.
Han Xiangjun suddenly noticed that the spiritual energy concentration here was higher than in other places. Even without Lei Long’s nighttime roaming, this was a Fengshui treasure land for cultivation.
“The spiritual energy here is quite dense… Is that why you’re training here?”
Han Xiangjun’s eyes brightened like a child who had just uncovered a secret.
“That’s right.” The little fox praised her suitably. “Senior Sister Han is truly exceptionally wise.”
Han Xiangjun clearly enjoyed the compliment. “Mm, that’s what I thought too.”
Lin Dongming: “…………” He realized he was being led by the nose. Bai Zhiqing was likely trying to go with the flow and make Han Xiangjun an alibi for the two of them.
That way, if trouble came later, they’d have another way to handle it.
But Han Xiangjun stepped closer. “I know a place where the spiritual energy concentration is even higher. Why don’t you stop disturbing Junior Sister Bai here?”
Lin Dongming waved his hand. “No need. You can keep that place for yourself.”
“Hmph! Fine, I won’t come then!”
Han Xiangjun stomped in displeasure and turned to leave.
“Senior Sister Han.” Lin Dongming called after her.
“What is it? Even if I regret it now, it’s too late…” Han Xiangjun’s words were cut off by Lin Dongming. “Lei Long is flying this way. You’re going the wrong direction.”
Han Xiangjun was furious. “Mind your own business! I’m not chasing Lei Long anymore!”
She vanished from their sight on her sword, but soon reappeared from the clouds, pursuing Thunder Dragon Xuanting from another direction.
“What a spoiled, headstrong young lady.” Bai Zhiqing sighed softly. “Sometimes I envy the kind of upbringing where one doesn’t understand the hardships of the world.”
For Han Xiangjun, life was about studying mental techniques and swordsmanship, going on safe missions with the Elders and senior brothers, and occasionally heading down the mountain for what was called training but was really just play.
She had never faced much pressure growing up, nor had many people ever opposed her will. That was probably why she couldn’t handle Lin Dongming’s recent changes.
“The big matters are handled by the Sect Master and the Elders. The younger generation even has Senior Brother Yu Jianyi leading the charge.
She only needs to keep up appearances and assist a little. Naturally, there’s little pressure.” Lin Dongming said casually.
“…That’s not necessarily a good thing. Although she’s at the late Jiedan stage, her combat skills are probably not strong. If she encounters a difficult enemy, it could be a big problem.” Bai Zhiqing shook her head.
Lin Dongming agreed wholeheartedly. In his past life, the Nantang regime was just like that. Li Yu, a prince far down the line for the throne, spent his days writing poetry and painting.
Meanwhile, his elder brothers were either overthrown in palace coups or died unexpectedly. In the end, Li Yu had to take up the mantle and ascend the throne.
Nantang’s army couldn’t resist the Dashong’s iron cavalry, and eventually, the kingdom fell, and its people perished.
The old moon over the Huai River’s eastern banks still shone at night past the female wall. Though the bright moon remained the same, the old country was no longer the old country.
Besides, Li Yu at least fought desperately for months. But Han Xiangjun probably still didn’t know what a desperate fight meant.
“Trouble has already come.” Lin Dongming shrugged. “No one knows how she’ll handle it.”
Bai Zhiqing raised an eyebrow. “You mean the marriage proposal?”
“Exactly. The recent suitors have all been turned away. But I heard the Elders intend to push for a marriage between her and Senior Brother Yu Jianyi. That’s hard to refuse.”
Her previous suitors were at most at a cultivation level similar to Bai Zhiqing—who was already close to Nascent Soul. If anything escalated, Bai Zhiqing could fend off opponents with her cultivation and treasures.
But Senior Brother Yu Jianyi was the number one among the younger generation in both cultivation and swordsmanship. Even without treasures, his Nascent Soul realm and peerless sword skills could defeat her.
In other words, Han Xiangjun couldn’t say no to Yu Jianyi.
“But I heard Senior Sister Han doesn’t seem to like Senior Brother Yu Jianyi,” Bai Zhiqing touched on the crucial point.