Chapter 91
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Chapter 91: Yan Yunyu Joins the Battle
“Madam…”
“Let’s abandon this plan. The risk is too high. While this person cherishes Chu Lingluo deeply, he holds no such affection for me. Though I might succeed in scheming against Lingluo, the risk of death is greater. It’s better to focus on cultivation. Once I become powerful enough, I’ll gain everything in time.”
With this resolution, Mu Lin chose not to interfere further and decided to follow Madam’s arrangements.
Still, he asked her about the duration – he couldn’t maintain this charade indefinitely.
Instead of giving a specific timeframe, Chu Lingluo’s mother offered him an alternative.
“I heard you’ve been studying the art of puppetry recently?”
“…Yes.”
Mu Lin already sensed where this was heading.
Her next words confirmed his suspicion.
“The Puppet Master will return in a few days. While Dongfang Ya can only let you audit the classes, I can secure you a position as a registered disciple. Perform well, and you might even become an inner disciple. All expenses during your training will be covered by the Chu family.”
“Your task is simple – play the role of a philanderer during this period.”
“Ah, your other target should be Yan Yunyu. Meet her frequently and maintain a seemingly close relationship.”
This made Yan Yunyu shift uncomfortably in her seat.
The stalemate between Mu Lin and Chu Lingluo had already disrupted her schemes. Now Chu Lingluo’s mother wanted her to fake a relationship with Mu Lin, which would damage her reputation. She refused to suffer such losses.
“Aunt, shouldn’t we resolve Lingluo and Mu Lin’s situation swiftly? Their continued association poses risks.”
Chu Lingluo’s mother remained unmoved. “There’s no danger. The boy you chose understands propriety – he won’t overstep boundaries.”
The noblewoman then turned to Yan Yunyu with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Why the haste, little Yunyu? You showed such concern for Lingluo when she first arrived at the academy.”
The word “concern” carried an icy edge that made the air chill.
Yan Yunyu finally understood – this was punishment. By involving her, Chu Lingluo’s mother sought to tarnish her reputation as retribution for meddling in Lingluo’s affairs.
Swallowing her objections, Yan Yunyu yielded. For now, the damage was limited to her reputation. Defiance might bring worse consequences.
…
Thus, to avoid further upsetting Chu Lingluo, Mu Lin’s situation remained frozen.
They still trained together daily, and Lingluo continued preparing his meals. Yet her manner stayed frosty and reproachful.
Mu Lin could hardly complain – he’d arrived at the training grounds with Yan Yunyu the very next day. Their subsequent meetings fueled rampant rumors throughout the class.
These rumors further worsened Mu Lin’s already tarnished reputation.
The only comfort was that Yan Yunyu hadn’t been faring well either.
Her reputation suffered from the spreading gossip, and her inability to distance herself from Mu Lin infuriated Zhou Liang and others in her group.
They’d joined Yan Yunyu’s team aiming for both wealth and romance, only to see their target flirt openly with Mu Lin. How could they not rage?
That day, Zhou Liang stormed out of the team.
He could stomach taking orders from Yan Yunyu and competing for her favor to skip decades of struggle.
But being cuckolded? Never. As a top-tier talent, he had his pride!
Zhou Liang’s exit sparked unease among Yan Yunyu’s remaining members.
Thus, the once-celebrated Yan Yunyu teetered on becoming isolated.
This delighted Mu Lin.
His schadenfreude stemmed from realizing Yan Yunyu had orchestrated the discord—Chu Lingluo’s mother hadn’t bothered hiding the truth.
Even without Yan Yunyu’s meddling, Chu Lingluo’s mother would’ve intervened eventually. But the delay mattered. Seeing the schemer suffer? Satisfying.
Unbeknownst to Mu Lin, Yan Yunyu was discussing him too.
……
“Miss, Wei Le’s group demands you distance yourself from the disgraced Mu Lin. Otherwise, they’ll quit…”
“Let them leave!”
“Huh?”
Maid Xiao Xue hesitated before reminding, “Without them, your first-place hopes…”
“Hmph! What use are those Level 2 Spiritual Roots fools? With Zhou Liang gone, we’d still trail Ji Xue and Mu Lin.”
Chu Lingluo’s mother’s interference left Yan Yunyu unable to cleanse her ties to Mu Lin.
Yan Yunyu wasn’t just at risk of isolation—she’d become truly alone.
She seethed at Chu Lingluo’s mother, Chu Lingluo, and Mu Lin, blaming them for her downfall.
Her next words stunned Xiao Xue:
“Should I join Mu Lin’s team?”
“What?! That’d confirm the harem rumors! Your reputation—”
“Better ruined than failing my cultivation methods!” Yan Yunyu’s eyes hardened. “I schemed for first place not from pride, but necessity.”
Xiao Xue faltered. “But Mu Lin’s weakening momentum… Can he really help you win?”
“…We’ll take first. We must.” Yan Yunyu clenched her fists, gaze fierce.
……
True to her resolve, Yan Yunyu accompanied Mu Lin to the training grounds next day. When he settled in a corner, she joined him.
“???”
“What’s happening?”
Mu Lin blinked in confusion.
Beside him, icy-faced Chu Lingluo bristled like a territorial kitten, glaring at Yan Yunyu.
“Why are you here?”
“Joining the team.”
“You’re unwelcome.”
“Since when do you decide?” Yan Yunyu smiled behind her fan. “Captain Mu invited me. Unless you’re seizing leadership?”
“I wouldn’t!”
Pe551
Thanks for the chapter 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻