C19 The Brother and Sister Relationship

When Wu Liang learned that Yang Zhangzhen had successfully advanced to the Unification of Martial Spirit realm after heeding Xia Yi's teachings on the 'Virtuous Path', the two became so engrossed in their discussion that they completely forgot about making the announcement.

Xia Ye was furiously tidying up the courtyard, having just cleared away stones and dead rats, when someone tossed rotten vegetable leaves over the wall. Infuriated, she ran to the gate, ready to confront the culprits, only to find the mischievous kids laughing as they scampered away.

Xia Yi, still weak, watched all this from his desk, seething with anger.

"Xia Ye, come here," Xia Yi called out, beckoning his sister over with a wave of his hand.

Being subdued and beaten was not in Xia Yi's nature, nor was he truly the 'Verdant Lord'. He wouldn't stand for the defamation by Su Ziqi and Zhao Jingjing without a fight.

Puffing her cheeks in anger, Xia Ye approached. Her good looks allowed her a certain leeway; even her anger seemed endearing.

"Brother, these people have gone too far. I'm going to report them to the academy!" Xia Ye's voice was gentle, and despite her anger, it was soothing to Xia Yi's ears, devoid of any real threat.

'Thank goodness her martial spirit is protective, with strong defenses. If she had an offensive martial spirit, it would be too much for her,' Xia Yi thought with relief.

"We must report them, but first we need to establish our moral high ground," Xia Yi instructed. "When we pass by Su Ziqi and Zhao Jingjing's school, inform their students that if they keep causing trouble, I'll reveal how the 'evil spirit' scared them into incontinence. I'll also share how they fainted from fear."

Hearing this, Xia Ye's eyes grew wide with astonishment as she gazed at her brother, her adorable mouth agape in shock, unable to fully close.

"Brother, they were really scared..." Xia Ye trailed off, the mere thought making her feel queasy.

Xia Yi maintained a stern expression. "Of course, I speak only the truth. Why would I lie to you?"

Xia Ye had unwavering trust in her brother. If he said it was so, she believed it without question.

"Humph! You dare to defame my brother? I'll reveal your true, hideous nature right now!" Xia Ye stormed off, fuming.

Xia Yi slumped in his chair, feeling no sense of triumph after what he had done. He found it bitterly ironic that he had to resort to such low tactics to confront his bullies.

A tumult of emotions wrestled within him. The more Xia Yi dwelled on it, the more suffocated and frustrated he felt. The indignation in his heart urged him to pound the desk in fury, but he sadly realized he lacked even the strength to clench his fists. His anger was driving him to the brink of madness.

"I must become stronger... stronger!"

In a fit of rage, Xia Yi's eyes locked onto the medicinal pills Yang Zhangzhen had brought him. He struggled to open the packages and, with the medicinal soup Xia Ye had prepared, he swallowed all the pills in one go.

Xia Yi tossed the soup bowl aside, still muttering, "I am the reincarnation of the Demon Suppressing Divine Lord." But before he could finish, he felt a violent bloating in his abdomen, as if his organs were about to burst. His body was a clash of heat and cold, like a realm of ice and fire. As the two forces collided, his consciousness shattered.

Xia Yi's world went dark, and he slumped over the desk, unconscious.

...

Still seething, Xia Ye hurried to the academy's elders to lodge her complaint. As she passed by Su Ziqi and Zhao Jingjing's classroom, she hesitated, not entering. Her good upbringing prevented her from uttering such obscenities in front of a crowd. She resolved to first seek the elders' intervention, then later decide how to confront Su Ziqi and Zhao Jingjing.

The elder who met with Xia Ye seemed indifferent to her grievances. The elders were preoccupied with investigating the 'evil spirit' incident at the Spirit Gathering Tower and were also negotiating with the Kisal royal family to approve the expansion of the sixth floor of the tower. In light of these pressing issues, the Xia siblings' squabble with the teachers paled in significance.

"You should head back now. We've thoroughly investigated the issue and will provide you with a response," Elder Zhang said with a dismissive wave of his hand, effectively showing Xia Ye the door.

"If it weren't for Xia Yi being one of the individuals involved in the Spirit Gathering Tower's 'evil spirit' incident, I wouldn't even bother with your affairs," Elder Zhang muttered under his breath, continuing his work, indifferent to whether Xia Ye, who had just departed, heard his remark.

Fuming with anger and feeling deeply wronged, Xia Ye couldn't understand why her brother, who had clearly performed a great service, was being treated so poorly. Even Elder Yang Zhangzhen had personally visited to express gratitude to her brother. How could they treat a hero this way?

The more Xia Ye dwelled on it during her walk, the angrier and more outraged she became. She recalled her brother's care and protection over the years. Now that he was being maligned and disrespected, she felt compelled to defend him, to honor the love and care he had shown her.

Lifting her head, Xia Ye realized she was standing right outside Su Zizhi's school. Su Zizhi was still recovering at home, while his students were engaged in various lessons inside. Some of the distracted students noticed Xia Ye at the door, recognized her, and began whispering and pointing, their youthful faces twisted into cruel smirks.

The sight fueled Xia Ye's anger even further. Gathering her courage, she strode forward and pushed the school's large door open.

The teacher, caught off guard by the sudden intrusion, was initially irritated. However, upon seeing the young and attractive girl at the entrance, his irritation quickly subsided.

"What are you doing? Disrupting the class will have consequences!" he warned Xia Ye, urging her to leave before she stirred up more trouble.

But Xia Ye was there precisely to stir up trouble!

With her striking eyes fixed on the snickering children, she raised her voice defiantly, "Go tell Su Zizhi that if he dares to slander my brother again, my brother will expose how he wet himself in terror of the 'evil spirit'! He's trying to smear my brother's name just to hide his own cowardice when faced with the 'evil spirit'. Su Zizhi is utterly shameless!"

Xia Ye's outburst echoed through the classroom, leaving everyone stunned into silence. Countless eyes were fixed on her as a profound stillness fell over the room.

Xia Ye was a gentle soul; even at her angriest, her voice lacked any real bite when she scolded.

The schoolroom erupted in laughter. The boys, barely eleven or twelve, were at that age where they were blissfully unaware of their own limits. Seeing Xia Ye's soft and adorable demeanor, they instinctively underestimated her, paying no mind to her words.

Surrounded and ridiculed by her peers, the typically reserved and timid Xia Ye shook with trepidation.

Unaccustomed to the spotlight and the scrutiny of so many, she felt an immense pressure. Yet, recalling how her brother, Xia Yi, withstood such pressure each time he stood up for her, she clenched her teeth and persevered, refusing to flee in panic.

"If Su Ziqiang has a problem with that, he can come and find me!"

"I am Xia Ye, sister of Xia Yi!"