Chapter 39

“Is Clan Leader Liu scared of me?”

Liu Yizhi lowered his gaze and looked at her still gentle smiling face. It seemed like he had been burned and hastily retracted his gaze, as well as his hand, taking a few steps back and looking elsewhere. He spoke with a stiff tone, “Clan Leader Qu, please don’t talk nonsense!”

He turned away and looked into the distance, fanning himself vigorously with the folding fan, as if trying to fan away the heat in his heart—a damn curse, he became like this every time he encountered her!

Qu Muqiu calmly glanced at the people on the bank to reassure them. Liu Yizhi’s sudden action had undoubtedly startled them, especially Qu Panyan, who must have been terrified.

Qu Panyan was indeed frightened, her fists clenched. She was afraid that Liu Yizhi might be one of those domineering CEO enthusiasts, apt to pin someone against a wall, lift her chin, forcibly kiss her, and then follow with the “woman” triple play in public. If he dared to treat Qu Muqiu like that in front of everyone…

Even if she couldn’t muster any spiritual energy, she would still figuratively skin him alive!!!

Feeling Qu Muqiu’s calm gaze, Qu Panyan calmed down a bit and slowly relaxed her clenched fists. Su Lingyu noticed the change in her hands and couldn’t help but look at her, whispering, “With Sister Lingyu here, there’s no need to worry.”

If Liu Yizhi dared to act rashly, her Thousand Frost Sword would immediately step forward to serve.

Finally relaxing, Qu Panyan subtly shifted towards Su Lingyu, nodding slightly in agreement, “Mm”

Yue Qianlang’s face was extremely grim. Liu Yizhi was indeed rude; how could he offend the head family of the Qu clan like this?!

Even though Qu Muqiu looked at them calmly, it couldn’t ease his frown. His gaze was fixed intensely on Liu Yizhi, and he dared not let his guard down.

Feeling a sudden chill behind him while fanning himself, Liu Yizhi inexplicably paused. It seemed as if there was a hint of killing intent. He stopped shaking the fan and heard Qu Muqiu speak from the side, “Someone who’s so sensitive to heat like Clan Leader Liu really shouldn’t be friends with the Ancestor of Fire. You might easily get tired from constantly wielding a sword.”

He almost broke his fan from shaking it so hard.

“Clan Leader Qu surely jests,” Liu Yizhi still had his back to her, but his words flowed more smoothly and he seemed more composed, “shouldn’t it be your Qu Clan who is the most sensitive to heat right now?”

Qu Muqiu’s smile was unwavering. “It seems that Clan Leader Liu has already firmly grasped this good knife, knowing exactly where to point its tip.”

Although Liu Yizhi didn’t look at her, he could imagine the kind of smile on her face. He chuckled softly, “Clan Leader Qu is indeed composed and unflustered, truly admirable.”

Qu Muqiu responded, “Panicking won’t solve anything, nor will it bring about a turning point. It’s just a waste of energy.”

All the Clan Leaders who had lived until now, which one of them would panic when faced with adversity? Even if the sky were to fall, they would remain unfazed.

“Then… a marriage alliance?” Liu Yizhi suddenly inquired.

Qu Muqiu was taken aback, thinking she might have misheard, “What?”

Liu Yizhi tightened his grip on the water-polished jade bone folding fan, his fingertips turning white as if drawing strength from it. He repeated, “A marriage alliance?”

Qu Muqiu immediately understood. He was attempting to make the Qu Clan submit to the Liu Clan. Perhaps his goal from the beginning was not to defeat the Qu Clan, but to make the colossal Qu Clan obediently bow down to the Liu Clan, never to rise again.

Liu Yizhi was indeed much smarter than she had given him credit for.

To not form a marriage alliance would mean destruction, while forming one would signify submission. Caught in this dilemma, as the family head of the Qu clan, Qu Muqiu began to contemplate. She suddenly wondered when A Yiduo would merge with the Heavenly Fire to become the Saintess.

She heard that the Holy Child of the Skyfire Tribe required the assistance of Divine Beasts for fusing with the Heavenly Fire.

So, when would this Divine Beast descend?

Did she have a chance to stop her from fusing with the Heavenly Fire?

Before Qu Muqiu could reply, Liu Yizhi presented another condition, “Is the marriage alliance with me not sufficient?”

Qu Muqiu looked at this junior, feeling somewhat perplexed. Was he so eager to achieve merit that he had to personally get involved in a marriage alliance?

Qu Muqiu shook her head and smiled while saying, “that would only disappoint Clan Leader Liu’s good intentions. Whether it’s Ye’er or Yan’er, I won’t interfere in their lifelong decisions.”

Liu Yizhi suddenly turned around, his handsome face flushed with a mix of urgency and anger as he fumed, “Qu Muqiu, why are you pretending to be stupid with me?!” 

“I don’t want them; I only want you, who are a perfect match for me!”

Frowning, Qu Muqiu replied, “Both Ye’er and Yan’er are from the legitimate lineage of the Qu Clan. How can they not be a perfect match?”

Liu Yizhi scoffed, “Being from the legitimate lineage doesn’t make them Clan Leaders. Only Clan Leaders should marry other Clan Leaders to be a perfect match.”

Qu Muqiu fell silent all of a sudden, raising her eyes to gaze at him, then turning away to fan herself furiously. In that moment, she realized that just as she could see through Yue Qianlang’s thoughts, she could also see through Liu Yizhi’s. He was suppressing the Qu Clan with his own selfish desires…

She thought that Liu Yizhi was still a bit too young. If he wanted to suppress the Qu Clan, he shouldn’t have fallen for her, the Qu Clan’s Leader. Even if he did, he shouldn’t have made it so obvious. Revealing weaknesses to the enemy voluntarily was the most foolish act—she didn’t know if he was too foolish or overly confident.

Maintaining her usual calm tone, she asked, “Has Clan Leader Liu made up his mind?”

Liu Yizhi couldn’t help but compose himself and said, “Yes, I’ve made up my mind.”

Qu Muqiu shook her head helplessly and smiled gently, “Then, Clan Leader Liu, allow me some time to think about it.”

Agreeing was impossible. What she needed to do now was stall for time, find an opportunity to capture A Yiduo, and if necessary, resort to extreme measures—killing A Yiduo.

As if guessing her thoughts, Liu Yizhi turned around, looked at her swaying lock of hair and said, “No matter what Clan Leader Qu intends to do, I advise you to give up. Marriage alliance is your only choice and the only way for the Qu Clan to survive.”

Qu Muqiu showed no sign of anger or annoyance. Instead, she smiled gently and replied, “The young are indeed formidable. Well then, I shall take my leave first. Clan Leader Liu, please excuse me.”

Liu Yizhi’s attitude was firm and clear, leaving Qu Muqiu with nothing more to say. She took a step forward and was about to leave the pavilion when she was pulled back—her wide sleeve was carefully held.

Liu Yizhi instinctively wanted to grab her hand but moved his hand away the moment he touched her.

Qu Muqiu stopped and turned her head to meet a pair of clear eyes.

Liu Yizhi asked, “Does Clan Leader Qu… see me as a child too?” Just like the elders of the Liu Clan…

Qu Muqiu calmly withdrew her sleeve, her face still gentle. “Children wouldn’t play with fire carelessly, nor could they become the Clan Leader of a clan.”

Liu Yizhi smiled faintly and completely let go of her hand. “This way please, Clan Leader Qu.”

Yue Qianlang watched as Qu Muqiu approached, her face seemingly calm, but her footsteps revealed a sense of urgency. He knew their conversation would not be easy. Judging from the current situation, it would undoubtedly be related to the life and death of the Qu Clan.

As Qu Muqiu passed him, he opened his mouth and said firmly, “The Yue Clan will not interfere; I promise you that.”

Qu Muqiu’s footsteps came to a halt. Her seventy percent certainty had reached a hundred percent.

She smiled slightly and replied, “Thank you.” Then, she walked straight ahead to face Su Lingyu. “There are still matters in the Qu Clan that need to be attended to, so I won’t linger. I’ll come find you for tea when I have the time.”

Su Lingyu said, “Sure, I’ll see you off.”

Qu Panyan also chimed in, “I’ll also see sister off too!”

Qu Muqiu warmly agreed, “Sure, Panyan, come along.”

Liu Yizhi leisurely approached the remaining three individuals, looking at Elder Changxing, and said, “I suppose you are the Revered Taoist Mengshan, whose name I’ve admired for a long time.”

Elder Changxing stood with his hands behind his back, his white eyebrows raised. “Oh, that’s all in the past. Now, I go by the name Changxing.”

Liu Yizhi went along with it and smiled. “Elder Changxing. I’m new to the Xianmeng Sect, and I find the scenery here delightful. I wish to explore around the sect, but I wouldn’t dare to trouble Elder Changxing. Could I ask your esteemed disciple, Sixth Miss Yue, to accompany me and show me around?”

Elder Changxing raised an eyebrow and looked at Yue Qianlang, who nodded subtly. Elder Changxing said, “That works out well. Xiaomeng’s brother is also here for the first time. Let her lead the way for both of you. If you young people have things to discuss, I won’t disturb you.”

In someone else’s territory, no matter how prominent a clan leader, Liu Yizhi wouldn’t dare to act recklessly. Moreover, if there were matters between their noble families to discuss, Elder Changxing was indeed not suitable to be present. Therefore, he left in a particularly leisurely manner.

Once Elder Changxing left, Yue Xiaomeng immediately hid behind Yue Qianlang. Seeing this, Liu Yizhi smiled amiably and said, “Sixth Miss Yue, I don’t bite.”

Yue Qianlang’s tall figure shielded Yue Xiaomeng, protecting her securely. He spoke solemnly, “Clan Leader Liu, my younger sister is still young and ignorant. If there’s anything, you can discuss it with me.”

Liu Yizhi raised an eyebrow, saying, “I really came to see Sixth Miss Yue and also take a look at the scenery of the Xianmeng Sect. I truly have no other intentions. Second Master Yue, please don’t misunderstand me.”

Recalling Liu Yizhi’s offensive actions in the pavilion towards Qu Muqiu, Yue Qianlang’s gaze turned chilly. “Clan Leader Liu, your conduct towards Clan Leader Qu just now was truly disrespectful.”

Liu Yizhi looked at him. “That was a matter between me and Clan Leader Qu. It’s not for Second Master Yue to interfere.”

As Yue Xiaomeng listened, she felt the tension in the air rising, fearing that the two of them might fight on the spot. She hurriedly interjected, “Th-then, what kind of scenery do you like? I can take you there!”

Liu Yizhi’s expression changed instantly, but he maintained a kind smile. “The kitchen.”

Yue Xiaomeng was taken aback. Since when did the kitchen become part of the Xianmeng Sect’s scenery?! With so many rare flowers and plants to see, he wanted to go to the kitchen to inhale the smell of cooking oil?

Yue Xiaomeng was utterly baffled. Was this Clan Leader Liu a lunatic?

Liu Yizhi shook his fan nonchalantly and made up an excuse, “Food is essential to people. I also want to see what the kitchen of the Xianmeng Sect is like and how it nurtures such excellent disciples.”

He wanted to see for himself what the person who A Yiduo deeply hated looked like. 

He had to recognize her face, so he could help A Yiduo kill her in the future.

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“Marriage?” Su Lingyu furrowed her brows involuntarily.

Qu Panyan’s expression became even more solemn. “A Yiduo has really formed an alliance with the Liu Clan?”

That arrogant and wilful A Yiduo was actually willing to form an alliance with someone? Was she serious? Was she no longer pursuing her position as the revered and beautiful Saintess?

Qu Muqiu brushed aside Qu Panyan’s hair, her gaze still gentle. “Yan’er, you don’t need to worry about these matters. Focus on getting through the Minor Heavenly Punishment and take care of yourself.”

Qu Panyan shook her head. “I am also a member of the Qu Clan. How can I just stand by and do nothing?”

Qu Muqiu touched her hair. “Yan’er has truly grown up.”

“Since you’re temporarily taking over Young Lord Kang’s position, then please take care of Miss Kang in case of her illness. That would be helping your sister, alright?”

Qu Panyan said, “Alright.”

But she still felt it wasn’t enough. She faintly sensed that if A Yiduo agreed to the alliance, she wouldn’t be able to distance herself from it. Suddenly, she felt a deep sense of guilt, feeling that she had caused great harm to the entire clan.

She thought that she should personally remove A Yiduo’s skull.

Although killing A Yiduo would result in enmity with the entire Skyfire Tribe, not killing her and allowing her to fuse with the Heavenly Fire to become the Saintess would lead to the downfall of the Qu Clan, and the same goes for the moment when Qu Muqiu would have to compromise and become someone else’s bride.

She didn’t want to see either of these outcomes.

If the Saintess was lost, they could have a new one, but not the Qu Clan.

After Qu Muqiu boarded the Heavenly Horse Carriage and left, Qu Panyan clenched Su Lingyu’s sleeve, her eyes burning with two flames. “Sister Lingyu, take me to see Elder Tianhong.”

“Today, I will begin learning the integration technique from him.”

A Yiduo has said that she would not let her go, so they would definitely meet again. In order to be prepared for that next encounter, she had to quickly overcome the Minor Heavenly Punishment!

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: iToon

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