C13 Helping Someone to Cancel the Engagement!

"Ye Chen is gone, and my dad had no choice but to send Uncle Hei in his place. But Uncle Hei is getting on in years; having him by my side just doesn't look right. People who don't know any better might even mistake him for my dad."

Lin Xiuxiu scrunched up her nose and huffed, "I don't care. I must have the person I want!"

"Lin Xiao, you're the one who took down Ye Chen. Now, Uncle Hei is right outside, and he was Ye Chen's master. If you refuse my demand, I'll have him take you out!"

"You shouldn't threaten me."

A lethal glint flashed in Lin Xiao's eyes.

Bang!

He shattered the iron chains with ease.

Surprise flickered in Lin Xiuxiu's eyes, quickly morphing into excitement.

Lin Xiao lunged forward, seizing Lin Xiuxiu's delicate throat.

"Fantastic, Lin Xiao! You're even stronger than I thought. Only someone at the Foundation Stage could break Uncle Hei's chains, and you've done it, you deceiver."

Lin Xiuxiu's voice trembled with excitement, "Now I see you're the right one to protect me. You should know, my physique is unique, and it's not yet time to unlock it. But once my abilities awaken, I can go straight to the core. You'll benefit from sticking with me."

"Your talent is indeed extraordinary," Lin Xiao thought, his intent to kill intensifying.

"It's not just talent. My father is the sect master! My status is unrivaled, far above Hsu Qingqing!" Lin Xiuxiu declared with pride.

Hmm?

Lin Xiao was taken aback. He had sensed that this girl had a significant background, but he had no idea it was this substantial.

With the sect master's protection, wouldn't he be free from Leng Yunxian's threat?

Yet, Lin Xiao could not forget this girl's past actions, which haunted him across two lifetimes—it was her bodyguard, Ye Chen, who had killed him!

"You can't hesitate any longer. You've insulted me. If you don't agree to protect me and make amends, I'll have my father punish you severely! I'm so overwhelmed right now, I feel like I'm on the brink of chaos. This situation is just too bizarre. I haven't even dared to tell my father, fearing he'll think I've broken the rules and will punish me to death." Lin Xiuxiu's words ended with her lips forming a sorrowful pout.

"That poison was Lee Si's doing, not mine. I'm a victim too, and you've insulted me on top of it all," Lin Xiao said with a furrowed brow.

"I'm aware it wasn't your doing, which is why I'm so upset. If you had been the one to use that despicable poison on me, I wouldn't have hesitated to have Uncle Hei take you out. But it wasn't you, and yet, the deed is done. If my father finds out, he'll kill me.

He always stressed that rules are sacrosanct. In my family, my father insulted my mother before they married, just as my grandfather did with my grandmother. You're neither my father nor my grandfather, but now you've insulted me, and I'm at a loss for what to do..."

Lin Xiao's head was spinning.

In that moment, he found himself letting go of much of his resentment towards Lin Xiuxiu from his past life.

He was a lackey, sure, but not brainless.

To think he was taken out by a bodyguard like this!

And to have held a grudge for two whole lifetimes!

This girl was nothing short of a genius.

"Ye Chen was taken down by me. If I were to follow you, what happens if I end up crippled? Would you just find a new bodyguard?" Lin Xiao inquired.

Lin Xiuxiu shook her head: "I don't even know what to say about Ye Chen. I can't say I like him, but I don't despise him either. I can't figure him out, but I suspect he has ulterior motives. He's always trying to impress me, constantly seeking my approval, which I find disingenuous.

You wouldn't understand, Lin Xiao. Because of my father, everyone in our place is obsequious towards me, and it sickens me. But you're different; you struck me." She touched her cheek as she spoke.

Lin Xiao broke out in a cold sweat.

"My dad says that anyone who tries to win me over is no good, but you're the exception. You saved me, defied Qin Hao's orders, and didn't seek my favor. Instead, you hit me, making me despise you. My mother always said that the best kind of person is one who does good without expecting gratitude or lingering thoughts from others."

Lin Xiuxiu spoke earnestly, "My mother is very wise; she wouldn't deceive me. I trust everything she says. She told me that I take after her, brimming with wisdom." As she said this, she flashed a triumphant smile, revealing an endearing canine tooth.

"You're quite intelligent," Lin Xiao acknowledged with a nod.

Lin Xiuxiu beamed, "You think so too? Unfortunately, my father's opinion differs from yours and my mother's. Sometimes, I think he's quite the fool."

Lin Xiao's head was spinning. No wonder he was the sect master; he definitely had some brains. If the entire family were like Lin Xiuxiu, the sect wouldn't have survived all these years.

He had an epiphany. In his past life, Ye Chen had treated him poorly. Now that Ye Chen was eliminated by his hand, why not go further and claim everything that was rightfully his?

Lin Xiuxiu had been drawn to Ye Chen's commanding presence, which had rapidly elevated his status, compelling even the sect master to defer to him.

"Ye Chen, from this moment on, what's yours is mine! And what's mine remains mine! Perhaps through Lin Xiuxiu, the sect master will show me favor, but I won't be like you, biding my time. I'm taking charge right now!"

Lin Xiao grasped Lin Xiuxiu's smooth chin firmly. "I agree, but from today, when I say go east, you don't say go west."

"But I'm the young lady, and you're the bodyguard, I—"

"Call me Brother Xiao!"

"Brother... Xiao..." Lin Xiuxiu's face contorted with a mix of reluctance and a peculiar fondness blossoming within her.

Upon exiting the dilapidated house, Uncle Hei stared at Lin Xiao in utter astonishment.

Lin Xiao was strolling shoulder to shoulder with the young lady, sharing laughs and conversation.

He even playfully pinched Lin Xiuxiu's cheeks several times.

"Insolence!"

Uncle Hei scowled, "You dare lay a hand on the young lady? Are you seeking death?"

"Is it my touching the young lady that upsets you, or is it that you're uncomfortable with me taking Ye Chen's place?" Lin Xiao quirked an eyebrow.

Uncle Hei?

Ye Chen's master?

In his past life, he was well aware that Ye Chen wasn't just gifted; he had a powerful patron who would reliably show up when faced with formidable foes.

Uncle Hei, whose real name was Ye Mohei, had always been quietly laying the groundwork for Ye Chen. To the world, he was a master, but in truth, he was Ye Chen's biological father.

It was he who had instructed Ye Chen to stay close to Lin Xiuxiu, harboring ambitions to "eat the swan meat" by having Ye Chen win her over.

In his past life, Lin Xiao had encountered Ye Mohei several times and was well aware of his formidable abilities.

He was a master in the Early Period of the Abstention Stage!

The Abstention Stage...

Only the core disciples of the Green Hill Sect could ever hope to reach such a level!

Ye Mohei was a familiar figure to Lin Xiao, but he had only met Lin Xiuxiu's father a few times, and that was later through Ye Chen.

He never imagined Lin Xiuxiu was the Sect Master's daughter...

"Uncle Hei, there's no need for you to intervene. Lin Xiao is my new bodyguard," Lin Xiuxiu said dismissively, waving her hand with impatience.

"As you wish, Miss."

Ye Mohei could only nod in agreement, yet his gaze remained fixed intently on Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiuxiu led Lin Xiao out of the sect, and he had to stick close by her side the entire time, lest Ye Mohei decide to strike.

Eventually, the trio reached a secluded spot far from the Green Hill Sect, where Ye Mohei had set up a tea shed along the road.

While Lin Xiao and Lin Xiuxiu sipped their tea, Ye Mohei busied himself with the tea preparation.

"Miss, I can accept serving you tea, but what has Lin Xiao done to earn this privilege? After all, I am a core disciple of the sect!" Ye Mohei protested, his dissatisfaction evident.

Indeed, he was a core disciple.

Lin Xiao made a mental note; core disciples were not to be trifled with by someone of his current standing.

"Father says you lack talent. At your age, you're still just an early period core disciple. Your peers have all become elders, provided they haven't died in battle. Uncle Hei, just follow orders. Once I awaken my true potential, I'll make sure to advocate for your promotion," Lin Xiuxiu said casually as she continued to drink her tea.

"Thank you, Miss," Ye Mohei replied, bowing respectfully, though a fleeting shadow of resentment crossed his face.

What good would a promotion do for him? He was merely an Early Period practitioner of Abstention, with no chance of becoming an elder in his lifetime. It was tragic that he had devoted his life to nurturing his son, Ye Chen, who was blessed with exceptional talent. If only he could survive, his future would be boundless. Who could have foreseen such a swift and sorrowful reversal of roles, with a father sending off his son so prematurely?

"Miss, I just can't let the Qin Family off the hook," Ye Mohei said through clenched teeth.

"I understand, and you have my word. Ye Chen has done his part for me, and I've reciprocated as best as I could. I even had Elder Leng treat him, but alas, his dantian is shattered, and he'll never cultivate again. Now that Qin Hao has taken his life, I refuse to let the Qin Family slide."

Lin Xiuxiu nodded and added, "However, today marks the second prince's journey from the Imperial Family of the Grigonn Empire. My informants tell me he'll be passing by here on his way to our Green Hill Sect. We should address this matter first; otherwise, it's like a weight on my chest that just won't lift."

"The Imperial Family of Grigonn?" Lin Xiao mused. He knew of them—one of the eight kingdoms on the North Continent. Their prestige might not match the four great sects, but they were populous, providing fresh recruits for the sects annually.

The Imperial Family was especially esteemed. Even those without the talent for cultivating spirit could find their way into the sects with ease.

"It's the weakest among the eight, which is just maddening. You might laugh, but my mother hails from the Wind Cloud Empire and was quite close to the Imperial Family. She left the empire when she married my father, but her heart always lingered on the Wind Cloud Empire and its royal benevolence. She even arranged a betrothal for me at birth."

Lin Xiuxiu's expression soured as she continued, "Lin Xiao, how could my intelligent mother make such a blunder? She promised me to the Wind Cloud Empire's second prince. He's not one of our kin. How could I possibly marry him?"

"So, what's your plan?" Lin Xiao asked, sensing trouble brewing.

With a carefree laugh, Lin Xiuxiu replied, "Oh, it's nothing really. I wouldn't have dared if you were here, but today's different. With Ye Chen in trouble and Uncle Hei assigned to protect me, I'm fearless. Even at his worst, Uncle Hei is a core disciple. Handling an average royal like the second prince shouldn't be too difficult. He may be royalty, but without the throne, the caliber of his entourage won't be overwhelming."

"So, what exactly is your plan?"

"Oh, it's nothing major—just a straightforward annulment of an engagement. Lin Xiao, you need to keep in mind to assert yourself later on. Be as quirky and unpredictable as possible. We're the daughter of the sect master; we don't cater to the whims of the Imperial Family of Grigonn. Others may fear them, but we don't. Stand tall and firm."