Chapter Fifty-Eight: Hidden Motives

Ye Peng was repeatedly rebuffed by Lu Su Xue, making the atmosphere somewhat awkward. Yet Ye Peng was a man skilled in strategy; he quickly shifted the topic with a smile. Lu Su Xue responded only sparingly, as if unwilling to converse with Ye Peng, which left his expression quite sour.

Meanwhile, Ye Peng noticed that Lu Su Xue’s gaze often drifted towards Ye Yun. Irritation began to simmer within him. He turned a cold look toward Ye Yun, sending a secret message through his spiritual sense: “In the future, stay away from Lu Su Xue.”

There was no longer any pretense between them—hostility was clear, and Ye Peng’s warning was unmistakable. Ye Yun, who had been enjoying his drink in peace, suddenly frowned. He had never provoked Ye Peng, but the other always seemed to be picking a fight.

The ambush in Sunset Mountain by a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator had already proven Ye Peng’s involvement. Ye Yun had no idea what other tricks Ye Peng had up his sleeve. The possibility of the clan leader Ye Hai Yi intervening for him was slim, and among the elders of the Ye clan, some were undoubtedly close to Ye Peng. That was the real reason Ye Peng dared to act so brazenly after Wu Lie’s death.

Ye Yun smiled indifferently, utterly dismissing Ye Peng’s threats. In the entire Ye clan, only the clan leader Ye Hai Yi was a Golden Core cultivator. Even if Ye Peng had powerful backers, at most they were elders at the peak of Foundation Establishment. As long as Ye Yun could break through to the Foundation Establishment stage—even the early stage—he would have every confidence in his ability to protect himself, even if he wasn’t a match for those at the pinnacle.

Ye Peng grew even more furious at the calm smile on Ye Yun’s lips.

“Don’t think killing Wu Lie makes you so special!” Ye Peng’s eyes flashed coldly as he plotted how best to ensure Ye Yun wouldn’t live out the next two years.

“Rumor has it that Junior Sister Su Xue is skilled in dance. Might we be blessed with such a sight tonight?” At that moment, Ye Qian suddenly spoke up.

As the wife of the clan leader’s chief disciple, a prodigy among the younger generation, and with Elder Ye Min’s backing, Ye Qian’s words carried weight. Though Lu Su Xue was reluctant to dance before this crowd, it was hard for her to refuse.

“You flatter me, Senior Sister. I am not skilled, I merely learned a little in the past,” Lu Su Xue replied gently.

“No matter. Let’s dance together—let it be the highlight of our gathering,” Ye Qian said with a smile, rising gracefully.

“What is Ye Qian really up to?” Ye Yun frowned slightly, sensing that her actions were not as simple as they appeared.

He had never seen Ye Qian dance, but had heard she was exceptionally talented. Once, by pure chance, Ye Peng had witnessed Ye Qian dancing and was so captivated he asked Clan Leader Ye Hai Yi to arrange a marriage proposal.

“If you insist, I shall do my best,” Lu Su Xue said. She wanted to refuse, but did not wish to offend Ye Qian.

The two women began to dance. The young members of the Ye clan applauded, and Ye Peng’s eyes brightened. He had seen Ye Qian dance before and knew her movements were exquisite; yet Lu Su Xue, though less skilled, moved with a grace that was ethereal, otherworldly—like a fairy. In contrast, Ye Qian’s practiced skill now seemed almost clownish.

“How can such a celestial dance lack musical accompaniment?” Ye Peng laughed, waving his hand to reveal a zither on the table—a low-grade magical treasure, easily played by anyone with some musical knowledge.

Ye Qian had been confident she could outshine Lu Su Xue with her dancing, as she always had. Yet she soon realized that Lu Su Xue, though not adept, drew every eye among the young men to her. Ye Qian did not mind the others, but both Ye Peng and Ye Yun had not glanced at her once, leaving her feeling bitter.

Perhaps it was jealousy clouding her judgment; Ye Qian’s red ribbon suddenly changed direction, wrapping around Lu Su Xue’s ankle as she danced like a celestial maiden.

“Ah!…”

Even as cultivators, Ye Qian’s red ribbon had become a low-grade magical treasure after her Foundation Establishment breakthrough. The unexpected entanglement startled Lu Su Xue, causing her delicate figure to tumble toward the ground.

“Careful!”

Two cries rang out, and the guests saw both Ye Peng and Ye Yun dart forward like shadows. Ye Yun’s movement was more precise—he reached first, catching the frightened Lu Su Xue in his arms before she could fall and embarrass herself.

With her in his arms, a faint fragrance drifted to Ye Yun’s nose, leaving him with an indescribable feeling. He had never been so close to a woman, and his heart raced uncontrollably.

Lu Su Xue, though shielded by their clothing, could feel the heat of Ye Yun’s body and the powerful beat of his heart. She had never been so near a man, and her own heart was in turmoil, her cheeks flushed as if she were playing with fire.

Seeing Ye Yun arrive first and cradle the beauty, Ye Peng’s face darkened, glaring fiercely at Ye Qian—blaming her for giving Ye Yun such an opportunity.

Ye Qian realized she had gone too far and hurried over in distress. “I’m so sorry, I was careless. Are you all right, Junior Sister Su Xue?”

“Ye Qian, you’ve crossed the line,” Ye Yun said, glancing at her. He could tell her actions had been deliberate.

Lu Su Xue frowned as well, never expecting Ye Qian would plot against her. She blamed herself for being too trusting.

“I’m fine,” she replied coldly, her voice and expression distant and aloof.

Ye Yun released Lu Su Xue, leaving her suddenly feeling empty—Ye Yun’s strong masculine presence was intoxicating, almost magical.

“He really is remarkable. Grandfather’s judgment is excellent.” She thought to herself, her impression of Ye Yun deepening further.

The gathering ended in disappointment. Two mishaps in succession had left Ye Peng and Ye Qian humiliated.

“You’re only embarrassing yourself! You’ve let me down!”

“Who’s the one embarrassing themselves? And what about me? All you care about is Lu Su Xue!”

After returning home, Ye Peng and Ye Qian quarreled fiercely. Ye Qian, in tears, ran back to her family residence.

“Why was Sister Ye Qian so foolish to marry that heartless Ye Peng? Isn’t it too late now for regrets?” Ye Xian came to tell Ye Yun what happened.

“Everyone makes their own choices,” Ye Yun replied calmly. After this gathering, he felt the distance between himself and Ye Qian had only grown, and nothing about her could stir his heart anymore.

“That’s true. But, Brother Yun, you should be careful. Ye Peng seems to be scheming for Sister Su Xue—he’s becoming your romantic rival.” Ye Xian seemed to delight in stirring trouble.

“Him?…” Ye Yun smiled. From beginning to end, he had never regarded Ye Peng as a real opponent.

For such people are simply unworthy.

Life without flowers grows unbearable. Friends, please send flowers to Wang Qing when you read—he’s rolling on the floor, begging for your support.