Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Pretending to Be Xu Yining’s Lover
Ye Jifeng furrowed his brows.
With the talent of a Ninth-grade Spirit Root, entry into the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion would be more than enough.
Entering the Green Cloud Sect would naturally pose no problem.
The issue was, Elder Li Qingfeng seemed unappreciative.
He actually dispatched senior disciple Zhong Qizhen to test Jiang Fan.
One had been cultivated in the Green Cloud Sect for years, while the other had just made an emerging mark.
The outcome of the contest was predictable.
He said, “Young Master Jiang, do you need my assistance?”
If necessary, he would personally visit the Green Cloud Sect and report the news of the Ninth-grade Spirit Root to Liu Qingxian face-to-face.
But going back and forth would waste a lot of time.
“Thank you for your kind offer, City Lord, but I’d like to try it myself.”
Having achieved the First Layer of the Wandering Dragon Palm, he was filled with confidence.
Everyone gradually dispersed.
On the way back to the mansion with her father, Ye Qingxue noticed he was continually sighing. Ye Qingxue asked in confusion, “Father, do you have something on your mind? Is it about the Zhong Family?”
Ye Jifeng glanced at her, then sighed deeply again: “It’s about you!”
Ye Qingxue was bewildered.
She had been independent since childhood, and though not exceptionally top-level, her performance had been excellent, right?
What was there for her father to worry about?
“What’s wrong with me?” Ye Qingxue asked, perplexed.
Ye Jifeng pulled the reins, gazing fixedly at Ye Qingxue’s face and figure, sighing more heavily: “Are you any worse than Chen Silin?”
“You have the looks, the figure, the status; your personality, speech, and knowledge are not inferior to Chen Silin’s.”
“But the concubine Jiang Fan accepted is Chen Silin, not you!”
“If it were you, how great that would be!”
Although he had taken Chen Silin as a foster daughter.
It couldn’t compare to being a real father-in-law.
Back when Chen Zhengdao, an Eighth-grade Spirit Root from Biliu City, ended up becoming the Vice Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.
With Jiang Fan’s Ninth-grade Spirit Root, how could he fare any worse?
This was a chance to rise to the top in one leap!
Unfortunately, his daughter did not have this fortune.
Ye Qingxue widened her charming eyes in shame and anger: “Father! What nonsense are you talking about? How could I marry Jiang Fan and become a concubine?”
Not to mention, she only admired Jiang Fan without any romantic feelings.
Even if there were, it would need careful consideration.
After all, becoming a concubine required great courage.
Seeing her reaction, Ye Jifeng checked that no one was around, then lowered his voice to reveal the truth: “Jiang Fan is the Ninth-grade Spirit Root that Liu Qingxian has been searching for!”
Ye Qingxue was so shocked she almost fell off her horse, exclaiming in astonishment: “Father, don’t say something so rash!”
“How could the Ninth-grade Spirit Root possibly be Jiang Fan?”
That was a prodigy the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion had been searching for throughout the ages.
Previously, Lu Zheng had already caused a tremendous blunder.
They couldn’t afford another joke like that.
Ye Jifeng said, “It’s the absolute truth! Otherwise, do you think the Chen Family gave up their century-old foundation in Lonely Boat City to marry their daughter to him as a concubine?”
“Would I throw away my dignity to flatter Jiang Fan and take Chen Silin as a foster daughter?”
One puzzling matter after another was instantly resolved.
She gasped, her heart filled with astonishment.
To marry such a person as a concubine, the Chen Family was definitely aiming high!
Suddenly, she thought of Xu Yining and couldn’t help but sigh heavily: “Xu Yining, you…”
She didn’t know what to say.
A husband with a Ninth-grade Spirit Root, given to her sister.
If she knew the truth, she would regret it to the point of suicide, wouldn’t she?
Suddenly, she remembered: “Oh no, I almost forgot.”
“Xu Yining has arranged to meet with No.1 Shadow Guard and Jiang Fan.”
She turned her horse around and rushed to the Xu Family.
Ye Jifeng frowned: “Keep an eye on them, both are Lonely Boat City’s pride; don’t let them fight. Losing either would be a loss for Lonely Boat City.”
Ye Qingxue twitched her lips, thinking that Jiang Fan was about to leave Lonely Boat City, there was no need to hide it any longer.
Without looking back, she said, “Jiang Fan is No.1 Shadow Guard!”
Ye Jifeng was dumbfounded.
The renowned No.1 Shadow Guard was actually Jiang Fan himself.
But upon further thought, it made sense.
How else could such an impressive figure suddenly emerge?
Jiang Fan had just returned when he saw Xu Youran looking for him everywhere.
“Where have you been? My sister has been looking for you for ages.”
Jiang Fan questioned in surprise: “Looking for me?”
Xu Youran said: “Yes, she even wants me to go together. She seems pretty anxious, but I don’t know why.”
Only then did Jiang Fan remember.
That morning, on Dragon-Rising Path, Xu Yining asked No.1 Shadow Guard—himself—to come to the Xu Family’s backyard.
She said it was to prove something to someone she disliked.
Now, she was so anxiously searching for him.
This made Jiang Fan’s forehead throb: “What’s with this woman? Have I offended her somehow?”
“Hasn’t she always been the one rejecting me over the years?”
“I haven’t even disliked her, yet she starts disliking me first.”
Xu Youran urged: “Stop asking. Change into something nicer and hurry up.”
He went into the house, changed his outfit, put on No.1 Shadow Guard’s mask, and quietly went ahead alone.
He would not give Xu Yining the chance to strut proudly with her head held high.
Having waited for long, Xu Youran, not seeing Jiang Fan, could only stamp her feet and went ahead herself.
Xu Family’s backyard.
By the pond, under the willow tree.
Ye Qingxue, who had arrived in time, persuaded: “Yining, stop this, or else…”
Xu Yining looked at her strangely: “Or what? Or Jiang Fan would be embarrassed, right?”
“I noticed you started thinking of Jiang Fan?”
“Could it be that you, like my sister, have fallen in love with him?”
Ye Qingxue was speechless.
She wanted to prevent her from being embarrassed.
Because No.1 Shadow Guard was Jiang Fan!
Jiang Fan, as No.1 Shadow Guard, had already arrived.
Seeing him, Xu Yining couldn’t help but get nervous: “You, you’ve arrived.”
Jiang Fan nodded slightly, standing nonchalantly by the side.
Xu Youran came running, out of breath, and apologized: “Sister, Jiang Fan… hasn’t returned yet.”
She could only find an excuse for Jiang Fan.
Xu Yining was greatly disappointed.
She needed to show off her relationship with No.1 Shadow Guard in front of Jiang Fan to satisfy herself.
“Sister, who is this gentleman?” Xu Youran asked in surprise, looking at No.1 Shadow Guard with a strange mask.
Jiang Fan not coming was fine.
She would let Xu Youran relay the message.
Xu Yining walked next to No.1 Shadow Guard, holding his arm and snuggling against his shoulder: “Sister, let me introduce you.”
“This is No.1 Shadow Guard, and you’ve seen our relationship.”
Xu Youran was shocked and moved: “He is the famous No.1 Shadow Guard?”
Then she showed genuine admiration: “Sister, you are so fortunate to be connected with such an excellent prodigy.”
“With him, I am relieved.”
Xu Yining said proudly: “Naturally, I am so outstanding, my other half certainly won’t be lacking.”
“So, make sure you tell Jiang Fan not to harbor any grievances.”
“It’s not because I looked down on him, but he truly isn’t a match for me.”
No.1 Shadow Guard Jiang Fan was speechless.
Who harbored grievances?
He didn’t care at all, did he?
Ye Qingxue discreetly glanced at Jiang Fan, embarrassed for Xu Yining: “Hugging Jiang Fan’s arm and saying Jiang Fan isn’t a match for herself?”
“Oh heavens, if the truth comes out, you’ll be so ashamed you’d want to die.”
“And besides, Jiang Fan has a Ninth-grade Spirit Root. Who really isn’t a match for whom?”
Xu Youran now understood that Xu Yining was showing off to Jiang Fan.
She thought to herself, thank goodness Jiang Fan didn’t come.
Otherwise, this situation would deeply hurt him, right?
A scene of “rival meeting” ended hastily because Jiang Fan did not show up.
Xu Yining felt like she had punched a pillow of cotton.
She tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.
Until the next day, a bird flew through the morning mist to the Xu Family.
Everyone was startled awake and got up promptly.
The day that would decide Jiang Fan’s fate had come!