"Yun Ying, are you truly unwilling to acknowledge me as your mother?"
"Do I even have a mother? Madam Su, you'd best face reality. When have I ever had a mother?"
Each word was a dagger, piercing Yin Jiao'e's heart.
Seeing Su Yunying's impassive expression, Yin Jiao'e realized she had never truly controlled her daughter.
She took a deep breath, trying to reassure herself: *No, it can't be. She's already been removed from the clan registry, no longer recognized. If that's the case, I have no choice but to...*
In that instant, Yin Jiao'e dropped all pretense and laid her cards on the table: "If you want to sever ties with the Su Clan, you may! But you must give the Phoenix Blood within you to Xue Jiao."
Su Yunying sneered. "Madam Su, do you still think your standards can make me meekly comply? You dream if you think I'll give you my blood!"
"I gave birth to you. I have the right to claim what's yours. Otherwise..."
"Or what?" Su Yunying smiled, fearless. "Are you going to call me unfilial? Or use your family laws to punish me?"
"In that case, don't blame me for discarding our mother-daughter bond."
"We severed our mother-daughter bond long ago. If you wish to strike, try it."
As the words left her lips, Yin Jiao'e drew her sword and unleashed a strike from the Blazing Flame Sword Technique of the Fire Phoenix lineage.
With her cultivation nearing the peak of the Soul Sea, Yin Jiao'e was confident in her thrust.
If Su Yunying were to be struck by this sword, she would undoubtedly be gravely injured, significantly increasing Su Xuejiao's chances of victory the next day.
But...
*Clang!*
A sound like gold and jade shattering echoed through the air, accompanied by a strand of hair drifting down.
Su Yunying, using her finger as a sword, sidestepped Yin Jiao'e.
The ethereal sword light, condensed from Sword Intent, completely devoured the Blazing Flame Sword Qi. The entire exchange lasted only a second, after which calm returned.
In a single move, the outcome was decided.
Large beads of sweat dripped from Yin Jiao'e's forehead. During the clash, she had felt an invisible pressure enveloping her, pushing her to the brink of death.
She now understood the vast gulf between Su Yunying and herself—like comparing clouds to mud.
Yin Jiao'e didn't dare to speculate on Su Yunying's current realm, but it was clear she was far beyond her.
"That single move has severed our mother-daughter bond. From this day forth, we shall go our separate ways."
Unsurprised by her decisive victory, Su Yunying retracted her strike with a flick of her Rainbow Cloud sleeves. With her left hand, now holding her index finger in a sword-like pose, she tucked it behind her back and turned, leaving Yin Jiao'e standing there, bewildered and helpless.
***
As evening fell, Yin Jiao'e returned to the inn with a dejected expression.
Su Xuejiao, who had been waiting anxiously, rushed to meet her. "Mother, how did it go? Will my sister agree to help me?"
Yin Jiao'e couldn't meet her daughter's eager gaze and simply lowered her head as she sat down at the table.
Su Jinyi immediately poured her a cup of tea. "Mother, talking to that dead girl must have been exhausting. Drink some water to moisten your throat."
Yin Jiao'e remained silent.
Seeing her mother's expression, Su Xuejiao understood that the matter had failed, and her heart filled with resentment.
"She's truly useless. Since arriving in Great Liang City, she hasn't accomplished a single thing. It seems Orange Prefecture City is too small; the Su Clan can't gain any real influence here."
"No, I can't just sit here and wait. I must find another way. No matter what, I will join the Confucian Sage Sect."
Unaware of Su Xuejiao's thoughts, Yin Jiao'e sighed. "I truly didn't expect Su Yunying to be so strong. It seems those who can advance in the Grand Tournament are no ordinary people."
Su Jinyi scoffed. "That was just luck. Compared to our little sister, she's not even as significant as an ant."
Yin Jiao'e desperately wanted to tell him the truth: Su Yunying's cultivation was at least in the Profound Void Realm.
But fearing she would disturb Su Xuejiao's state of mind before the Grand Tournament the next day, she chose to keep silent.
"Xue Jiao, the Immortal Martial Grand Tournament is fair and just. Su Manor has nurtured you for years; you should prove your worth and join the Confucian Sage Sect."
Su Xuejiao sneered inwardly. *Just as I expected. She's completely incapable of resolving this. Heh, relying on strength? What a joke. If I had the strength, would I need help from you useless fools?*
But she replied, "Mother is right. I will certainly prove my strength and join the Confucian Sage Sect. Rest assured."
Without waiting for Yin Jiao'e's reaction, she turned and left the room.
"Xue Jiao, where are you going?"
"Just taking a walk on the street."
After Su Xuejiao left, Yin Jiao'e immediately turned to Su Jinyi. "Follow her and keep an eye on your sister. Don't let her cause any trouble at such a critical time."
"Yes, Mother."
Su Jinyi hurried out after her, leaving Yin Jiao'e sitting alone at the table, lost in thought.
Her mind was filled with the resolute way Su Yunying had treated her in front of the palace.
Suddenly, she recalled that night when a man had entrusted Su Yunying to her care before disappearing into the rain.
She remembered how the six-month-old Su Yunying had awkwardly called her "Mother" for the first time, and her heart stirred.
*She was my daughter too...*
At that moment, a tear of regret fell from the corner of Yin Jiao'e's eye.
***
Inside the Guest Gathering Hall, Shen Zhao sat among the members of the public trial committee, idly watching these fools pore over the personnel files for tomorrow's Immortal Martial Grand Tournament.
"This Wang Tang is quite good. He's a master of dual blades and reached the eighth stage of the Spirit Gathering Realm at such a young age. Not bad, not bad."
"Better than Zhang Si from the Soaring Sword Pavilion. He's a fourth-grade Talent Gathering Origin cultivator with a profound understanding of Sword Intent. Truly a rare talent. Given time, he'll undoubtedly leave his mark on the path of the sword."
The members chimed in, each offering their own assessments of the candidates' strengths.
Then, Kong Lian spoke up. "I think Su Xuejiao is a promising candidate. As a woman, she's managed to stand out among so many powerful cultivators. Her future potential is limitless. As men, we should recognize her merit. I propose we promote her directly to the top thirty-two. What do you say?"
On any other day, Kong Lian's proposal might have passed without objection.
But ever since Shen Zhao had deciphered his boxing techniques, the committee members—many of whom had suffered from his brutal fist styles—no longer showed him any deference.
"Elder Kong, are you joking? Su Xuejiao's performance was less than mediocre! Are your eyes working properly?"
"She's not the only woman to advance to the second round. There are plenty of more outstanding candidates. Why are you only mentioning her?"
Kong Lian's brow furrowed, and just as he was about to retort, a fellow committee member delivered a devastating blow.
"Talking so nicely... Perhaps you're taken with her looks? Or maybe you've already had 'close exchanges' with her? Otherwise, why defend her so strongly?"
Kong Lian slammed his hand on the table, rising to his feet. "You're spouting nonsense! When have I ever had 'deep exchanges' with her? As a dignified great Confucian, how could I stoop to such a despicable act? Be careful, or I'll sue you for slander!"
As he spoke, his eyes darted toward Shen Zhao, fearing the man might suddenly rise and humiliate him. After all, Shen Zhao held all the leverage.
The accuser, however, showed no fear, retorting with dripping sarcasm: "If you haven't, then you haven't. Why are you so defensive? Or has our guess hit a nerve?"
"Elder Kong, you're a venerable member of the Confucian Sage Sect. The Confucian School is renowned throughout the land, coexisting with Buddhism and Daoism. You must not tarnish such a glorious legacy."
"Who knows? Maybe he did do it. After all, these so-called great Confucians and venerable masters who boast in public are often rotten to the core in private."
"Exactly! Take the Sect Leader of the Azure Sea Sect, for instance. He's always had a thing for his female disciples. One night, fueled by alcohol, he summoned one to his room for... *activities*. What a disgrace to the sect!"
"As a Confucian, Great Confucian Kong should value propriety and etiquette above all else. He wouldn't commit such a shameful act, would he?"
Kong Lian's chest heaved with anger. Seeing the accusations growing increasingly outrageous, he immediately waved his sleeve. "I won't stoop to your level."
With that, he fled the scene like a cornered rat.
Shen Zhao, watching this, corked his wine gourd, rose, and followed.
***
In a high-end inn in Great Liang City, in a room marked "Heaven,"
"Master Kong, please help me. Joining the Confucian Sage Sect has been my lifelong dream. I beg you to make it happen, no matter what."
"Miss Su, it's not that I don't want to help you, but the public trial committee is watching closely these days. I can't openly show you favoritism."
Su Xuejiao had sought out Kong Lian, pleading desperately to join the Confucian Sage Sect.
Unfortunately, Kong Lian was currently under Shen Zhao's thumb, leaving him powerless to assist her.
"Miss Su, you should seek help elsewhere. Alas!"
Kong Lian rose to leave.
"Master Kong!"
Su Xuejiao suddenly blocked his path, pressing herself against the door to prevent his escape.
"Miss Su, what are you doing? I truly can't help you. Why are you forcing my hand?"
Kong Lian flicked his sleeve and sat back down at the round table, pouring himself a cup of tea.
Su Xuejiao's eyes twinkled. With a soft laugh, she approached Kong Lian and gently placed her hand on the teacup he held.
"Miss Su, what is this?"
Su Xuejiao smiled coyly and took the cup. "Master Kong, this plain tea lacks flavor. Why not let me brew you a proper cup to show my sincerity?"
Before Kong Lian could react, Su Xuejiao had already brought the cup to her lips and taken a small sip.
The next moment, her body suddenly went limp, slumping into Kong Lian's arms.
Under his shocked gaze, she transferred the tea in her mouth to his.
The unusual sensation, the exotic technique, momentarily left Master Kong, who had spent his life championing women's rights, completely blank.
After a long pause, Su Xuejiao looked up, gently wiped the tea from the corner of her mouth, and asked in a voice like silk against his ear, "Master Kong, how does this tea taste?"
Kong Lian took a deep breath, inhaling the faint scent of rouge beside him and savoring the sweet aftertaste of the tea in his mouth.
In that instant, he could no longer restrain himself. He swept Su Xuejiao into his arms and strode toward the bed.
"Gently..."
Su Xuejiao's whisper against his ear shattered his last shred of restraint.
*To hell with ethics, to hell with propriety and shame!*
Soon, the bed curtains were drawn, followed by the violent creaking and shaking of the wooden frame.
Meanwhile, Shen Zhao, hiding beneath the bed, watched the swaying frame with a single thought: *Regret, absolute, fucking regret.*
*This is too intense! Why did I have to hide under the bed?*
*If I'd known, I'd have just climbed onto the roof and lifted the tiles to watch openly.*
Fortunately, he had already hidden recording stones in various secret corners of the room. He had managed to secure a second piece of leverage against Kong Lian.
After skipping three thousand words of content no one wanted to read, Su Xuejiao's face glowed with contentment. She rested her head against Kong Lian's chest, her fingertips tracing circles on his skin.
Kong Lian, equally satisfied, had experienced something he'd never felt before. Everything about Su Xuejiao seemed perfect to him.
"Kong Lang, do you like it?"
"Yes, I do."
"About the Confucian Sage Sect..."
"Don't worry. I'll do everything I can to help you. You'll definitely have a place there."
"Kong Lang, you're so good to me."
Su Xuejiao nestled shyly in his arms, then slowly buried her head in the blankets.
"Hiss..."
Kong Lian's pupils constricted, and he couldn't help but gasp.
Shen Zhao, hiding under the bed, quickly covered his mouth.
It wasn't that he feared disturbing the couple, but rather that he was about to vomit from the overwhelming smell of roasted chestnuts.
"Damn it, I really regret this."
Two hours later, Kong Lian and Su Xuejiao finally dressed and left the inn, both looking thoroughly satisfied.
After confirming the room was empty, Shen Zhao scrambled out from under the bed, gathered the eight scattered recording stones, and immediately fled the scene.
Halfway out, he encountered a young inn servant just about to clean the room. He tossed the servant a spirit crystal.
"You've never seen me."
With that, he strode out of the inn, leaving the servant stunned and bewildered.
-----------------------
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