Outside the ancestral hall, a deep scolding voice arose.
"Gu Shen! What do you mean?"
Han Dang saw that the Mu Family had no intention of making a move.
So he took it upon himself to step forward... His voice, carrying the "True Word," surged forth, but before it could spread far, it was sliced apart by an invisible gust of wind!
Above the Mu Family ancestral hall, there was a rustling of leaves!
Withered leaves whirled, sharp as knives.
Han Dang’s pupils constricted, as he saw that gust of wind assaulting his cheek, and he pressed out with a palm.
The sky-full of withered leaves shattered dispersingly.
One of them cut his cheek.
A tiny, almost imperceptible, trail of blood blossomed... It was not painful.
But it was extremely insulting.
"Is this... Lan Qie?"
The most famous user of the "Lan Qie" ability in Changye was Gu Nanfeng!
Han Dang felt a sinking feeling in his heart.
But then, he saw a woman clad in a black coat from the Judgement Institute, whom he hadn’t noticed appear not far behind him... This wasn’t Gu Nanfeng, but the chilling Sword Intent she wrapped around herself was equally sharp, compelling one to avert their eyes.
All the Transcendents of Changye... had almost forgotten the existence of this woman.
For over three hundred days at Fenglai Temple, the wooden sword hung in the air.
And it was only on this day.
That the wooden sword was sheathed and carried out of Fenglai Temple by Lu Nanjin.
She had come to the Mu Family Ancestral Hall with Gu Shen...
And none of those present had sensed her Spiritual Aura before the Sword Force was unsheathed.
"Is it the North Continent’s technique of concealing one’s presence?"
The practical factions in the North Continent developed many combat skills, concealing one’s presence being one of them. These techniques can’t help a Transcendent achieve a higher level of enlightenment in the deep water area’s assessments... but, without a doubt, they greatly enhance actual combat capability.
Han Dang vaguely felt a sense of danger from Lu Nanjin.
This woman, she only carried an ordinary wooden sword!
But she herself was the true sword!
One hand pressed to the forehead, "True Word" ready to surge once again—it was Han Dang’s instinctive preparatory action. If this madwoman struck again, he would launch the "True Word"... The fight between a strong offensive type and a Spiritual type is quite straightforward.
Once a strong offensive type is drawn into the Spiritual Domain, there is basically no chance of reversal.
If he were to get close to Lu Nanjin...
Given her chilling Sword Intent, it was unlikely he could turn the situation around.
"Do you want to try and make a move..."
Lu Nanjin felt the surging Spiritual waves at Han Dang’s forehead.
Her expression unchanged, she calmly said, "Let’s see who is faster. Within three steps, to cut you... only one strike is needed."
This is definitely a madman.
Han Dang did not know who was faster.
But from the way this woman was gripping her sword, it was obvious she was waiting for him to make a move.
The Great Elder of the Mu Family, with his deep and resounding voice, overshadowed the entire ancestral hall, shaking the old tree leaves to fall all over the courtyard, leaves fluttering everywhere.
His presence was extremely majestic.
Han Dang slowly lowered the finger that was pressed to his forehead.
Lu Nanjin also withdrew her hand gripping the sword.
She walked into the Quiet Pavilion, supporting Mu Ya—who over this year had become a good friend of hers. Indeed, it was for this reason that, after Gu Shen told her about the issue of the "marriage engagement," she took up the sword and left Fenglai Temple.
The marriage engagement today seemed to have turned into a farce.
The previously joyous and bustling ancestral hall now felt awkward and deadly silent.
Mu Ya, trembling, was helped out of the Quiet Pavilion. She looked at each of the "familiar" Elders, many of whom watched her grow up, benevolent seniors.
But now upon looking.
Those faces seemed so ugly, so unfamiliar!
"This is the Mu Family Ancestral Hall... a place of purity." Mu Zhong took a deep breath and said, "Gu Shen, you owe me an explanation."
"Gong Zi has canceled the marriage engagement with Duke Duanyang of the North Continent."
Gu Shen said calmly, "It won’t be long before she returns to Changye... Does the Mu Family really wish to finalize the marriage engagement today?"
As soon as these words were spoken.
There was silence all around.
And Mu Ya’s expression was one of shock.
It was as if in the darkness, she saw a blinding beam of light, her heart filled with incredulous astonishment.
Mu Ya’s voice trembled.
"Yes, it’s true." Gu Shen lowered his eyes slightly and spoke softly, "I apologize, this matter, I’ve known about it a year ago... but the annulment only happened yesterday. He said he wanted to give you a surprise, so I didn’t tell you."
Mu Ya, leaning on Lu Nanjin, barely managed to stand up.
When she heard this news.
Tears couldn’t help pouring out once again.
This time... she laughed softly.
Her northern journey, her experiences over the year... the scenes of their parting, and the flicker in Gong Zi’s eyes, all connected in her mind.
She still remembered, when she went to the Spring Rain Temple to seek a Divination, the hesitant touch in Gu Shen’s eyes... At this moment, all her confusion was gratifyingly resolved.
So that’s how it is...
So that’s how it is...
"Thank you... thank you..."
Mu Ya wept uncontrollably.
The Elders of the Mu Family, meanwhile, were silent.
They really had not expected that the Gong Family youngster would do such a thing.
Xu Yan had already paid a visit.
"Gong Zi has annulled the engagement with Duke Duanyang of the North Continent?"
Voices of discussion arose within the ancestral hall.