Early in the morning, something even more headache-inducing for the Violet Melody Sage than the minor demons seeking guidance at dawn occurred in the Luo Yun Mountain.
His beloved disciple, Yun Qingxue, had actually brought a man back from outside!!!
The man, of course, was someone the Violet Melody Sage recognized—Feng Zihuang, the King of the Feather Clan. His appearance was indeed handsome…
But seriously, who could tell him when this outsider, Feng Zihuang, had managed to “dig up” his precious little cabbage, Yun Qingxue?!
And what about Mo Changxing and Jin Lin? Weren’t those two usually full of schemes? How come these two home-raised little pigs couldn’t outmaneuver this outsider?
“Sage, my sudden visit may be presumptuous. I hope you can forgive my intrusion,” Feng Zihuang said with a humble and polite smile, sitting in the seat below the Violet Melody Sage.
“King Feng, you flatter me! Last time, my disciple Qingxue accidentally wandered into your Feather Clan. I’ve always remembered your kindness in taking care of her.”
“You are too courteous, Sage. Zihuang… and the Flower King have long been mutually devoted. Taking care of her was only natural!”
“That’s not quite right!” The Violet Melody Sage waved his hand. “King Feng’s care for Qingxue was a favor, but we of Luo Yun Mountain never take others’ kindness for granted!”
Though he didn’t know how Feng Zihuang had managed to charm his beloved disciple, and though the two home-raised little pigs weren’t exactly filial to him, one thing was certain—
No matter how you put it, home-raised pigs are always the best.
Only when your own tender little cabbage is “dug up” by your own little pig is it truly good.
As for outsiders… if there’s a chance to suppress them, do it. If there’s no chance, create one and suppress them anyway!
In short, one thing was clear—trying to dig up his little cabbage? Dream on!
Trying to cozy up to him? No way!
“Sage, you’re being too distant!” Feng Zihuang chuckled.
“A guest is a guest, and courtesy must be observed!” The Violet Melody Sage took a sip of tea and smiled.
“Master, Qingxue loves Zihuang. Please grant us your blessing!” Unable to bear her master’s deliberate formality toward Feng Zihuang, Yun Qingxue stepped forward and directly stated her stance.
This time, the Violet Melody Sage did not respond with his usual gentle demeanor. Instead, his expression darkened as he said sternly, “Qingxue, your master is speaking with King Feng. Do not interrupt!”
“Master!” Yun Qingxue immediately softened her tone. “Zihuang and I are in love—he’s not just a guest! No, at most, he’s only half a guest. Please don’t be so formal, or it’ll just make things awkward!”
For the first time, the Violet Melody Sage shot her an unhappy glare. Truly, a grown daughter is no longer her father’s girl…
Feng Zihuang, meanwhile, lowered his head slightly, suppressing a smirk. He seemed to be in an excellent mood.
Jin Lin, who had just returned to Luo Yun Mountain, immediately rushed to the Violet Melody Sage’s residence upon hearing of Feng Zihuang’s arrival.
Before even entering, he overheard Yun Qingxue’s blatantly biased words in Feng Zihuang’s favor, and his heart clenched with frustration.
“Master!” He pushed the door open, his gaze sharp and hostile as it landed on Feng Zihuang.
“Jin Lin, you’re here?” The Violet Melody Sage raised an eyebrow, instantly noticing Jin Lin’s stormy expression.
But he wasn’t the least bit surprised.
The little cabbage he had been eyeing for so long, yet never managed to “dig up,” had been effortlessly taken by an outsider. Who wouldn’t be upset?
“I heard a guest had come to Luo Yun Mountain, so I rushed over to see who this esteemed visitor might be!” Jin Lin’s voice dripped with undisguised hostility.
“Dragon King, we meet again.” Feng Zihuang stood up with a smile, greeting Jin Lin warmly.
The sight of that cheerful face made Jin Lin want to punch him immediately.
“Indeed. The more you don’t want to see someone, the more they show up,” Jin Lin sneered. “May I ask what brings King Feng to our Luo Yun Mountain?
As you know, my master has recently taken on new disciples. He’s very busy with teaching and has little time to entertain idle visitors!”
“Ah…” Feng Zihuang gave an awkward smile. The “idle visitor” Jin Lin referred to was clearly him.
“Senior Brother Jin Lin!” Yun Qingxue bit her lip, her heart tangled in conflicting emotions.
Jin Lin had helped her so much, shown her endless kindness, and she considered him one of the most important people in her life.
Yet Feng Zihuang was the one she loved. Seeing these two at odds left her torn—no matter whom she sided with, it would hurt.
“Zihuang came to see me, Senior Brother,” she finally said.
She wasn’t foolish. She had long sensed Jin Lin’s unrequited feelings for her.
Now, it seemed that despite her clear rejection when she was stranded in the Water Clan, Jin Lin still hadn’t let go.
This couldn’t continue. She had always seen Jin Lin as an elder brother, a friend, even a cherished family member—nothing more.
Since she couldn’t return his feelings, she couldn’t lead him on. It was time to cut things cleanly, once and for all.
In matters of the heart, the longer ambiguity dragged on, the deeper the wounds would be for the one who loved in vain.
“Dragon King, Qingxue and I are in love. Since the Sage is her master, I came to pay my respects.” As if reading her thoughts, Feng Zihuang turned to Yun Qingxue with a tender smile.
She returned it sweetly.
Their exchange stabbed deep into Jin Lin’s heart.
His fists clenched inside his sleeves as his beautiful eyes fixed on Yun Qingxue. “Xuexue, you’ve only met King Feng a few times. Do you truly know him? Do you understand what kind of person he is?”
“I can learn in time. Right now, the only thing I’m certain of is that I love him. It’s a love so fierce, I miss him even before we part!”
“Feng Zihuang! What have you done to Xuexue? Speak! What are your true intentions in getting close to her?”
Suppressing the dull ache in his chest, Jin Lin glared at Feng Zihuang with piercing intensity.
“Jin Lin!” Yun Qingxue frowned, guilt twisting inside her at the sight of his pain.
It was her… she was the one who had hurt him so deeply.
He had helped her endlessly, given her the most meticulous care. And now, she was the one wounding him.
But a clean break was better than prolonged suffering. Since she couldn’t give him what he wanted, she had to sever it all today.
“Jin Lin, in my heart, you’ve always been like an elder brother—my most important friend in this lifetime.
Beyond that, I’ve never had, nor will I ever have, any romantic feelings for you.
Not in the past, not now, and never in the future.”
Jin Lin staggered slightly but quickly steadied himself.
Hadn’t he already expected this outcome?
Back when Xuexue was stranded in the Water Clan, hadn’t she already rejected him so clearly?
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