Chapter 214
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Chapter 214: The Regrets and Battle Plans of Palace-attired Young Woman Si Ye
"I see."
This casual reply made Yan Yunyu blink in surprise.
She considered herself a shrewd girl. Earlier, she’d deliberately shown concern rather than blind faith in Mu Lin’s victory because she genuinely believed his odds against Tian Yun and Blood Cherry looked bleak.
Blood Cherry needed no explanation – wielding the magical blade relic put her in a different league from ordinary youths like Mu Lin. As for Tian Yun, while Mu Lin had defeated her before, that was when everyone ganged up on her. Had Tian Yun unleashed her ultimate move first, the fight’s outcome might’ve flipped.
Yan Yunyu calculated that offering thoughtful concern ("winning or losing doesn’t define you") would earn more favor than empty cheers. Yet Mu Lin’s unshakable calm now made her second-guess:
"Was I wrong? Does Mu brother actually have better chances?"
…
Despite her doubts, Yan Yunyu moved swiftly. She soon departed to gather enhancing foundations resources.
Meanwhile, Mu Lin sat with closed eyes, resting while reviewing his exam performance.
"The proficiency panel makes me a genius, but I’m neither the strongest nor unbeaten among peers."
He sighed. Raw talent wasn’t the issue – the real problem lay with ancient powerful clans’ insane advantages. The Feather Tribe’s sacred land and the Ge family’s magical blade Blood Cherry represented superlative weapons beyond normal reach.
This realization curbed Mu Lin’s arrogance. Even the Yan and Chu families warranted caution now. After all, their current star disciples Chu Hongxuan and Yan Zhanpeng weren’t even the official heirs yet.
"If they become heirs, their rising value could skyrocket…"
Mu Lin’s scalp prickled, though he knew this made sense. A saying from his past life echoed bitterly: "How can twenty years of hard study compete against ten thousand years of inheritance?"
The cruel truth would crush most, but Mu Lin channeled it into drive.
"Can’t slack off. There are more powerful clans than Yan and Chu, more sacred lands beyond the Feather Tribe. Above them all? Royal families… forbidden zones…"
…
As Yan Yunyu scrambled for resources and Mu Lin rested, other powerful clans began making their moves.
While everyone was busy, a gowned young man had endured mockery for an entire day, his face ashen throughout. This man was none other than Chu Lingluo’s mother, Si Ye. Many from the powerful clans held him up as a cautionary tale, drawing peculiar glances from both foes and close friends alike. Though Si Ye’s expression remained stern in public, his emotions settled rapidly upon retreating to his chambers.
Unseen by his trembling maid who timidly offered comfort – "M-Madam, please don’t rage… Miss Lingluo will forgive…" – Si Ye’s demeanor transformed completely.
"Why should I rage?"
His tranquil tone froze the maid mid-sentence. Si Ye sipped tea leisurely before remarking, "Their mockery changes nothing. My Lingluo remains closest to Mu Lin. Cease opposing them, and they’ll wed properly. Those cackling hens’ daughters will never secure better matches."
A dry chuckle escaped him. "Mu Lin’s excellence proves me wrong – this pleases me. Far better than my daughter chasing some cold clan’s disciple."
Realization dawned on the maid. Though her master’s misjudgment of Mu Lin drew ridicule, this outcome surpassed the disgrace of Lingluo wedding a commoner. Hesitantly, she ventured: "If unbothered, why permit their scorn? We could counter…"
A light tap silenced her. "Precisely why we shouldn’t. This mockery serves purpose." At the maid’s confusion, Si Ye elaborated: "Without public humiliation, how would Mu Lin’s resentment fade? Only through this can he embrace Lingluo freely."
The maid fell silent, comprehending the twisted affection beneath Si Ye’s schemes – the doting that nurtured Lingluo’s guileless nature in their cutthroat world.
"Spread orders," Si Ye commanded. "Let the family amplify the ridicule. Declare me blind and stubborn. Leak that Lingluo clings to Mu Lin despite my opposition."
Alone, Si Ye’s mask shattered. Shame and regret twisted his features. No saint could bear such derision lightly. Worse yet, Lingluo’s standing hovered between salvageable and ruined.
"Without my meddling," he hissed, "that Yan Yunyu harlot wouldn’t have slithered between them. I strained their bond. This damage is my doing."
Rage and remorse warred beneath his practiced composure. Only when his jade pendant glowed did he recompose himself. The Chu family’s Seventh Elder materialized, spitting venom: "Brainless fool! See your blunders!"
Si Ye absorbed the tirade impassively. "Reprimands can wait. Let’s discuss damage control."
The elder faltered at his calm. "Meaning?"
"The rift’s reparable. Only I opposed them – Lingluo stays blameless in Mu Lin’s eyes. But my interference created distance. We must bridge it."
"Apologize then!"
"Gladly," Si Ye countered, "yet words alone won’t suffice. The family must invest in Lingluo – enhance her cultivation, elevate her status in Mu Lin’s eyes."
Silence hung as his gambit unfolded.
