“Not all emotions invested will receive a response.
I have never felt even the slightest romantic affection for Jin Lin!
I do not deny Jin Lin’s kindness toward me, and I have always been grateful to him, but I simply cannot develop romantic love for him!
This is something I made clear to Jin Lin long ago!”
“Right! You did say that, but you also never explicitly refused his continued devotion.
It was precisely your non-rejection that made my master foolishly believe he still had a chance with you.
It made him pour his entire heart into you, sinking deeper and deeper until he couldn’t extricate himself!
And then you—you turned around and fell in love with the King of the Feather Tribe after meeting him just a few times!
Yun Qingxue, do you think you’ve treated my master fairly?!” Shui Liu demanded sharply.
“It’s my fault for failing Jin Lin! I should have cut all ties with him the moment I left the Water Tribe! I should have coldly rejected every kindness he ever showed me—ruthlessly refused him! Does that answer satisfy you, Guard Shui?” Yun Qingxue closed her eyes briefly, taking a deep breath to suppress the turbulent emotions surging within her.
“Hmph! Is the Flower Queen lashing out in shame?” Shui Liu sneered mockingly. “Or are you indirectly admitting your fickleness?”
“Shui Liu!” A sharp, icy glint flashed in Yun Qingxue’s eyes as her aura surged. She stared at him and enunciated each word coldly, “I, Yun Qingxue, will never forget Jin Lin’s kindness in this lifetime!
I swear on my title as Flower Queen—
Though I cannot return the love he desires, if Jin Lin ever needs me for anything else in the future, I will brave mountains of blades and seas of fire for him!
This is the bond between Jin Lin and me, and it is my debt to him.
But!”
Her tone shifted abruptly. “No matter what happens between Jin Lin and me in the future, it is a matter between the two of us—it has nothing to do with you, Shui Liu.
You may resent me on Jin Lin’s behalf, lament his unrequited feelings, and even use every means at your disposal to persuade him to stay away from me.
But the one thing you cannot do is presume to insult me repeatedly, relying on Jin Lin’s kindness to me!
Because while Jin Lin has shown me grace, you are nothing more than an insignificant figure in my eyes!
Do you remember what happened the day I left the Water Tribe?
Jin Lin ordered you to protect me, yet you allowed assassins to attack me—even helped one escape…
Tell me, if I were to inform Jin Lin of this, how do you think he would deal with you?”
“Are you threatening me?” A murderous glint flickered in Shui Liu’s eyes.
“Not a threat!” Yun Qingxue met his gaze with unwavering clarity. “Do you know why I’ve never told Jin Lin about this?”
“Why?” A trace of confusion crossed Shui Liu’s face.
Had Yun Qingxue not brought it up, he would have nearly forgotten the incident.
“Because despite your disapproval and hostility toward me, your loyalty to Jin Lin is absolute! Jin Lin has been kind to me, and I don’t wish to create a rift between him and a devoted subordinate because of me.
That’s why I’ve tolerated your repeated offenses.
But this will never become an excuse for you to push your luck!
Believe me—I am fully capable of dealing with you myself now!” By the end, her gaze had turned piercing.
Shui Liu scoffed dismissively. “If I recall correctly, one of the antidote ingredients for the Flower Queen’s recent poisoning was personally retrieved by me from the Water Tribe…”
“Swish!”
Before he could finish, several streaks of light flashed past.
By the time he reacted, thick vines had already bound him tightly to a tree.
“This is your punishment for your insolence.” Yun Qingxue cast him a cool glance before turning away.
“Come back!” Shui Liu fumed, never expecting Yun Qingxue to attack him so abruptly. He refused to believe that his cultivation at the Longevity Stage could be subdued by Yun Qingxue, who was only at the Great Demon Stage—especially while she was severely poisoned and shouldn’t even be using her powers.
He had only come to vent his frustration over his master’s unrequited love, never imagining he’d end up trapped instead of causing her distress.
“The spell will lift in two hours. This is only a minor lesson, out of respect for Jin Lin.
If you provoke me again next time, it won’t be as simple as being bound for two hours!” With that, Yun Qingxue strode away.
Behind her, Shui Liu suddenly smirked disdainfully. “Petty tricks—you think this can hold me?”
He channeled his spiritual energy, attempting to break free—but the more he struggled, the tighter the vines constricted.
Worse, they absorbed every ounce of power he released.
“Damn it!!” Realizing his underestimation, Shui Liu roared in frustration but could only resign himself to being trapped for the next two hours.
Returning to her quarters, Yun Qingxue felt restless.
She quickly attributed her unease to Jin Lin and Feng Zihuang.
Those two were clearly at odds, yet now they were forced to “cohabit.” She could only hope nothing disastrous would happen.
Silently praying, she couldn’t help but analyze the situation.
One was the King of the Feather Tribe, the other the King of the Water Tribe—their strengths were evenly matched. Even if they fought, it would likely end in a stalemate, with neither able to truly harm the other…
But given their hostility during their last encounter, would they fight to the death?
Though their powers were comparable, an all-out battle could have unpredictable consequences!
Lost in thought, Yun Qingxue tossed and turned until midnight before finally giving in.
She summoned Liuli and A’Dai, who slept in the outer chamber, and sent them to discreetly check on Jin Lin.
A’Dai bolted out the moment he received the order.
*Holy crap, two rivals under one roof—what kind of spectacle is this? Gotta see it for myself!*
Liuli, bewildered by his frantic enthusiasm, hurried after him.
*Of course, we should carry out our mistress’s orders promptly… but why is Brother A’Dai acting like he’s been pumped full of adrenaline?!*
The two arrived at Jin Lin’s residence, where the glow of luminous pearls seeped through the window paper.
A’Dai, with Liuli in tow, crept closer and pressed an ear to the door.
A faint breeze rustled—inside, the silence was eerie and unsettling.
Outside, the occasional whisper of wind through leaves could be heard.
But within Jin Lin’s quarters, it was as still as an abandoned tomb.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage