A Risky Gambit and a Master’s Ultimatum

The light in Lin Xingjian’s and Zhang Jingya’s eyes instantly faded.

Liu Jinyao, how could he…!

Lin Xingjian found himself at a loss, unsure whether to abhor Liu Jinyao or simply detest him.

Ultimately, Liu Jinyao’s actions, while preventing Zhang Jingya’s defection from the Xuantian Dao Sect, had simultaneously placed her in grave peril.

Regardless, Zhang Jingya undoubtedly harbored a profound hatred for Liu Jinyao.

As Lin Xingjian subtly glanced her way, he caught a flicker of immense disdain and repugnance deep within Zhang Jingya’s eyes.

“Zhang Jingya, your unauthorized departure from the Dao Gate Sect, coupled with the suspicion of defection, necessitates severe punishment.”

“Should you prove obstinate and unrepentant, even possessing the Righteous Body, your cultivation will be abolished, reducing you to a mere mortal, forever barred from the path of immortal cultivation.”

“None who sow discord within my Xuantian Dao Sect shall be spared.”

The moment these words left her lips, a shiver ran down Lin Xingjian’s spine, while Zhang Jingya felt an icy dread creep up from her very soles.

The young woman could never have imagined.

Her Master, who had always shown her such doting affection, now stood before the rules with an unyielding impartiality, leaving no room for leniency.

“Senior, might there be some misunderstanding?”

Lin Xingjian interjected.

“While it is true that Zhang Jingya departed from the Dao Gate Sect, it was merely because I had neglected to bid her farewell, prompting her to inconvenience herself by seeing me off.”

“What?!”

The white-robed woman couldn’t help but be taken aback, utterly unprepared for Lin Xingjian’s audacious declaration.

Zhang Jingya, equally fraught with tension, dared not even draw a breath, her heart silently pleading for Lin Xingjian to cease his assertions.

“What do you mean, ‘what’?”

Lin Xingjian pressed on.

“Senior, is there any impropriety in my words?”

“I concede that Ya’er, overcome with longing, did indeed transgress the rules by accompanying me a little further. Yet, by what reasoning have you so readily concluded that Ya’er harbors intentions of defection?”

“Moments ago, I merely twisted my ankle inadvertently, and Ya’er was simply holding me to assess the injury.”

“Moreover, your recent strike was executed with such merciless force, unleashing an oppressive aura upon us. Did it not occur to you that perhaps this very pressure caused Ya’er to lose her footing while holding me, prompting me to swiftly turn and steady her?”

“Yet you, without discerning right from wrong, simply unleashed a flick of your finger, nearly imperiling both of us.”

“Knowing full well that I am a Shadow Sect practitioner, you still dared to strike in such a manner. Do you not fear…” In that instant, a chilling glint flickered in Lin Xingjian’s eyes, “…the Shadow Sect demanding an explanation from you?”

Zhang Jingya was utterly terrified, a profound chill seeping into her very bones.

She hastily rose, intending to speak, only for Lin Xingjian to swiftly cover her soft, rosy lips with his hand.

“Heh.”

A soft chuckle unexpectedly escaped the white-robed woman’s lips.

“What an impressive junior from the Shadow Sect, capable of twisting black into white with such eloquent persuasion.”

“You members of the Shadow Sect are inherently secretive in your ways, and as the saying goes, ‘one takes on the characteristics of those they associate with’ (TL Note: A Chinese idiom, ‘jìn zhū zhě chì, jìn mò zhě hēi’). It’s no wonder Zhang Jingya shows no fear of me, daring to defy my orders.”

“While I may lack concrete evidence, I am an elder of the Dao Gate Sect. Should I choose to paint this matter in a favorable light, your boasted ‘black’ would appear rather meager and utterly insignificant.”

The white-robed woman’s eyes gently closed.

“Very well, I can readily overlook this matter and let bygones be bygones.”

A faint smile touched Lin Xingjian’s lips; it was precisely as he had anticipated.

His gamble had paid off!

The white-robed woman’s purpose in coming had been to apprehend Zhang Jingya.

As an elder of the Dao Gate Sect, she was bound to adhere to the explicit rules.

From Zhang Jingya’s prior words, it was evident that her Master doted on her immensely; thus, her sudden display of heartlessness seemed utterly incongruous.

The elder, it seemed, merely sought a graceful retreat, and any semblance of a plausible excuse would suffice.

“My deepest gratitude, Senior!”

“Should Senior have any stipulations, I humbly request you state them directly!”

Lin Xingjian reiterated.

The white-robed woman’s brow subtly arched, and the smile beneath her thin veil deepened perceptibly.

“Splendid! Truly splendid!”

She exclaimed admiringly.

“You, young one of the Shadow Sect, indeed possess a profound understanding of human nature and the sagacity to assess the opportune moment. To converse with such an astute individual as yourself is, in itself, a delightful experience.”

“While it is not arduous for me to pardon Zhang Jingya, you must, however, accede to one condition.”

“If you consent, I can guarantee Zhang Jingya’s safety, though a minor chastisement will regrettably remain unavoidable.”

“That is sufficient, Senior. I implore you to speak plainly.”

Lin Xingjian maintained his lowered gaze, bowing with clasped fists.

Zhang Jingya’s heart was already wrung with agony, and as her gaze shifted, her profound affection for Lin Xingjian surged like an unstoppable tide.

“Observing your bone age, you have cultivated for less than two years, a testament to your exceptional talent. I require you to achieve the Golden Core realm within three years, at which point I shall personally introduce you to cultivate within the Dao Gate Sect.”

“What?!”

Zhang Jingya’s face drained of color, utterly astonished that her Master would propose such a condition.

In that moment, Zhang Jingya’s regret over her attempted defection intensified exponentially.

‘If only she had brought her Jianlang to meet Master from the very beginning…’

‘Alas, there was no medicine for regret in this world.’

Her words at the time had merely served as a means to test Lin Xingjian.

She herself had endured the arduous assessment of the Dao Gate Sect, intimately familiar with its inherent difficulties.

Her Master’s sudden change of regard for Lin Xingjian must have stemmed from his fearless resolve, his courageous protection, and his ability to neutralize her Master’s strike.

This combination of dauntless spirit and sharp intellect had undeniably earned him her Master’s admiration and respect.

‘Yet… Lin Xingjian possessed no Innate Saint Body. Could he truly establish a precedent for the Dao Gate Sect and gain entry?’

“Very well, I agree.”

Lin Xingjian’s reply was immediate and unwavering, without a hint of doubt regarding the white-robed woman’s ability to fulfill her promise.

This elicited another flicker of surprise from the white-robed woman, though her eyes betrayed not the slightest ripple of emotion.

“Excellent! Truly excellent!”

The white-robed woman’s admiration for Lin Xingjian deepened considerably.

“To possess thunder in one’s heart yet maintain a face as placid as a lake (TL Note: A Chinese idiom, ‘xiōng yǒu jīng léi ér miàn rú píng hú,’ describing someone who remains outwardly calm despite turbulent emotions or profound thoughts within), you are truly an unpolished jade worthy of meticulous carving.”

Having spoken, the white-robed woman turned with a graceful fluidity, taking but two steps before halting once more.

“Zhang Jingya, what are you still lingering for?”

“Hurry and return with me to receive your punishment.”

“The ancient secret realm along the Southern Frontier is on the verge of opening, and the entire sect is in fervent preparation. Yet you, on the cusp of this crucial juncture, choose to act so carelessly… This junior from the Shadow Sect has saved you this once.”

“Should there be a next time, your fortune will not be so favorable.”

Zhang Jingya’s body trembled involuntarily, and she hastily scurried to the white-robed woman’s side.

Before departing, the white-robed woman did not cast a backward glance, maintaining a steady pace towards the grand hall. Zhang Jingya, however, who trailed closely behind, turned her head every few steps.

Her eyes brimmed with reluctance, tender concern, profound worry, and an endless, aching longing…

Gazing at that small, yet resolute figure, Zhang Jingya burst into tears, her face nonetheless graced with a tender smile.

They exchanged silent glances, their only communication the thousand streams of tears.

‘Having waited countless days and nights, a little more waiting…’

‘It wouldn’t hurt, would it?’