"What... what do you want?"
Sun Yun was so scared she stammered, linking her arm through Qin Zhao's, trying to hide behind him. However, Qin Zhao, whether he hadn't thought it through or was simply too upright, gently dodged her.
"This idiot..." Sun Yun cursed inwardly, and had no choice but to brace herself and continue standing her ground.
Bai Shengyi was never one to let things go easily. Seeing Sun Yun’s fear, she became even more adept at intimidation.
"If you don't apologize, I'll beat you!" she added coolly. "I don't know courtesy anyway."
Sun Yun: ...These people are simply outrageous! They're like unreasonable bandits, and they even have the audacity to justify it!
But she dared not speak. She suddenly realized how unwise it was to bring Qin Zhao here to cause trouble for Bai Shengyi.
Sun Yun chickened out.
"I... I'm sorry." Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum.
"What did you say?" Bai Shengyi cupped her ear, pretending not to hear.
Sun Yun: "Bai Shengyi! Don't push it too far! Don't think that just because you're my sister's friend I won't dare..."
She saw the spiritual energy glowing in Bai Shengyi's hand and silently swallowed the rest of her words.
Fine! She couldn't afford to offend her now, but she would definitely teach Bai Shengyi a harsh lesson later!
While mentally steeling herself, Sun Yun closed her eyes and shouted loudly, "I'm sorry!"
"That's better."
Bai Shengyi truly had the potential to be a bandit leader. She waved her hand with a wild, unrestrained gesture, exuding a powerful aura of a boss.
What's more, Chu Tianle and the others were quite cooperative. Following her movements, they tacitly made way for Sun Yun and Qin Zhao.
Sun Yun quickly pulled Qin Zhao and hurried away.
Feng Wuya waved his small handkerchief, "Fellow Daoist Sun, your male companion is quite lacking. He has no spirit at all and needs you to protect him. Tsk, have you found yourself a pretty boy who lives off your support?"
Bai Shengyi added with a smile, "How can you say that? What if Fellow Daoist Sun just likes that kind of guy? Although, if I recall correctly, Fellow Daoist Sun is about to get married to someone from the Lou family, aren't you?"
Before Feng Wuya and Bai Shengyi could say another word, Sun Yun had already dragged Qin Zhao away at top speed.
It was too embarrassing.
"This Sun Ling is rather interesting. A few days ago, her sister wanted to help her boost her arena points and gave her many protective items so she could fight in more matches. But she turned around and gave them to that Qin Zhao." Feng Wuya rested his chin on his hand.
Bai Shengyi was not surprised by this. "Don't just look at Qin Zhao. You should know that a dog that bites doesn't bark."
No one knew the man's methods and hypocrisy better than Bai Shengyi.
Sun Yun appeared strong and self-centered, but it was often such young ladies who were more pure and simple. Moreover, Sun Yun's family situation was quite complicated. As a young girl who wasn't taught the Sun family sword by her parents and was neglected by them, she must have some emotional deficiencies.
In this way, facing Qin Zhao's gentle, considerate, and honeyed words, it was only natural for her to be completely charmed.
"Enough about her, Shengyi. Actually, I'm more curious about what you said to Zhou Yi in the end?"
Chen Qiyang carefully asked, "When we were fighting earlier, Zhou Yi used that 'kill a thousand enemies and harm yourself eight hundred' tactic, delaying until she couldn't concede. Then, when Zhu Wu and I were exhausted, she had Jin Ruyi's contract beast attack us."
In that battle, Chen Qiyang and Zhu Wu were both severely injured. He was lucky; he surrendered in time. Zhu Wu, however, was a split second slower in his response, and was struck by Jin Shishou, resulting in broken limbs. Fortunately, Feng Wuya was in their team, so he recovered quickly without any lasting effects.
Bai Shengyi said, "It wasn't much, really. I just felt that Zhou Yi's attitude towards Jin Ruyi was too abnormal, so I tried to trick her."
"I told her that if she died, she wouldn't get what she wanted."
Who knew Jin Ruyi would be so cooperative, immediately using Zhou Yi's brother to threaten her. Persistence is indeed a sign of a good teammate!
"No, you also thought of this." Chen Qiyang was full of admiration. At the time, he and Zhu Wu could only think of fighting head-on.
"The assessment is over, right? I wonder what the academy will arrange next," Zhu Wu asked softly.
Feng Wuya said, "We should know tomorrow. Let's rest well tonight."
The group walked towards their lodgings, chatting and laughing.
On the other side, Sun Yun took Qin Zhao to see Jin Ruyi. As expected, Jin Ruyi, who was in a fit of anger and pain, took the opportunity to lash out with sarcastic and abusive remarks.
Sun Yun felt stifled and annoyed.
"Jin Ruyi has such a bad temper! It was clearly Bai Shengyi and their fault. Not only did I scold Bai Shengyi for her, but I also went to cause trouble for Bai Shengyi on her behalf. Why is she taking her anger out on me instead?"
Qin Zhao gently consoled her, "Miss Yun is kind-hearted. Fellow Daoist Jin is probably just angry and doesn't understand your good intentions."
"Heh! Jin Ruyi is just a county princess. It's already a great honor for me, this young lady, to personally visit her. She clearly doesn't put me in her eyes. Ah Zhao, don't defend her!"
Sun Yun frowned slightly. "And Ah Zhao, whose side are you on? Why didn't you help me just now?"
As Sun Yun spoke, she couldn't help but recall what Bai Shengyi and Feng Wuya had said earlier, making her even more unhappy.
Qin Zhao remained calm, his voice as gentle as a breeze, "Of course, I'm on Miss Yun's side. It's just that the Miss Yun I know is tolerant, elegant, kind, and beautiful. She certainly wouldn't be unreasonable and take it out on me, right?"
Praised overtly and covertly, Sun Yun couldn't help but lower her head, becoming shy and blushing. Her previous unhappiness vanished completely.
"Since you've said that, I... I certainly won't blame you. Ah Zhao, you really know how to talk."
Qin Zhao's smile faltered for a moment, then he said softly, "I just hope you don't overthink things and don't be unhappy. Actually, it's just bad luck for Fellow Daoist Jin to have encountered Bai Shengyi. That Bai Shengyi person..."
He paused, "Never mind, it's all in the past, I won't say much. In any case, in the future, Miss Yun, you should still keep your distance from Bai Shengyi."
His hesitant words made Sun Yun even more critical of Bai Shengyi! She even attributed all the frustration she felt today to Bai Shengyi, believing that Bai Shengyi had caused her trouble!
Sun Yun outwardly agreed obediently, but in her heart, she resolved to teach Bai Shengyi a lesson before Bai Shengyi left Qianlian City.
As she thought this, she heard Qin Zhao casually say, "My aunt sent someone to Qianlian City. It seems Mingyu is in trouble. I need to see them tomorrow. Do you want to come?"
Princess Mingyu? Isn't that the one Bai Murong mentioned had enmity with Bai Shengyi? I heard she also coveted Ah Zhao in the past.
"I want to go! You have to take me." Sun Yun pouted, linking her arm through Qin Zhao's. After a moment's thought, she added, "My sister gave me some third-tier confinement formation talismans. If you take me tomorrow, I'll give you some."
Qin Zhao's eyes flickered. He was quite displeased with Sun Yun's condescending tone, but outwardly, he remained as distinguished as ever. "What are you talking about? As long as you wish it, I will take you."
This promise, sounding like a declaration of love, made Sun Yun happily hug Qin Zhao sweetly. Leaning against his chest, she didn't notice his dark and inscrutable expression.
By the time Bai Shengyi and her group returned to the inn, the moon was already high above the willows.
A cold wind swept past, and Bai Shengyi called out to Chu Tianle, "Chu Tianle, wait a moment."
Chu Tianle stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Bai Shengyi. "What is it?"