After My Faked Death Failed, My Ex-Wife Came Chasing After Me - Chapter 42

Lu Ting’an: If I have to marry, I’d rather marry Senior Sister, humph~

Hearing this, Lin Zheng was momentarily stunned, then shook her head decisively. “No. The Gathering of Heroes is different from the sect’s major examinations. The disciples of other sects will not show any mercy; you will get hurt.”

Lu Ting’an, however, was completely indifferent. She felt her progress lately had been rapid and didn’t believe she was inferior to others. She put her hands on her hips and said, “So what? Don’t worry, I won’t hold you guys back.”

Lin Zheng felt a cold sweat break out and sighed. “I’m not worried about that… you, sigh.”

Seeing that she couldn’t be persuaded, Lin Zheng straightened her expression and looked her directly in the face, saying in a serious tone, “In short, you are not allowed to go. Besides, Master would never agree to it.”

Lu Ting’an was a bit unhappy. She crossed her arms and thought to herself with a humph: Given Master’s habit of being completely obedient to her, as long as she insisted on going, Master wouldn’t dare refuse her.

Lin Zheng turned her head and looked at the shivering Bai Xiaowu by her side. Her eyes couldn’t help but show a bit of pity as she said, “The environment of Qianzhu Hall where outer disciples live is not as good as Guiyi Hall. It might be drafty at night. I’ll go get you a thicker set of bedding.”

Bai Xiaowu nodded gratefully and reached out to tug on her sleeve. Lin Zheng glanced at Lu Ting’an and said softly, “Please… help me ask Elder Luo for leave. I’ll return to Yingyue Pavilion later.”

Lu Ting’an’s gaze fell upon Bai Xiaowu’s thin clothing. Her heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly had an idea. She waved her hand at Lin Zheng and said, “Go ahead, don’t worry. I’ll tell Elder Luo.”

After Lin Zheng left with Bai Xiaowu, Lu Ting’an waited on the spot for a while. Soon, the disciples began to gather one after another. Several who were familiar with her immediately crowded forward to greet her, saying with a grin, “Eldest Miss, oh, what wind blew you here today?”

“Eldest Miss, how about I be in the same group as you for today’s arena match? Don’t worry, you can hit me all you want, I definitely won’t fight back.”

“Eldest Miss, after class is over, do you want to sneak down the mountain? Jinling City has a new wine called ‘Xiao Yao Hong.’ They say it’s a grape wine from Persia, even better than Chang Feng Zui!”

“Eldest Miss…”

Lu Ting’an was annoyed by their pestering. She gave each of them a knock on the head, making them cry out in pain while clutching their heads. She said crossly, “I am now following Lin Zheng and practicing diligently every day; I’ve already turned over a new leaf, okay? You guys, stop disturbing my Dao heart all day long.”

The disciples looked at each other, finding it hard to believe. They secretly whispered in their hearts: Does this Lin Zheng really have such skill that she can carve a piece of rotten wood like Lu Ting’an into fine timber? Could it be that the good days of following the Eldest Miss and causing trouble in the sect are gone forever?

Lu Ting’an gave them a sharp glare. Seeing that the people below were stammering and didn’t dare speak, she felt a bit more satisfied. She put her hands behind her head and said without looking back, “Tell Elder Luo that both Lin Zheng and I won’t be coming to class today… uh, wait, just say Lin Zheng.”

“Huh?” Several black lines appeared on everyone’s foreheads. After all that talk, she wasn’t actually being that diligent.

Lu Ting’an didn’t care what they thought of her and headed straight for Yingxian Pavilion.

Since the incident where Guo Jingchen stole the demon core, Sun Youqing had become much more withdrawn, staying inside Yingxian Pavilion all day. Only Lu Qingchen would occasionally visit to talk with him. If she went to look for him now, he would surely be in the pavilion.

She skipped to the outside of the hall and peeked inside. She saw Lu Qingchen standing by the fish pond with an unruffled expression, while Sun Youqing was speaking to him excitedly, waving his folding fan incessantly.

At this point, Lu Ting’an’s cultivation had improved significantly, and her five senses had sharpened as well. She concentrated slightly and heard a faint sound drifting with the wind, falling clearly into her ears—

“Senior Brother, didn’t you promise me that Su Jingyao wouldn’t leave Liulun Peak? Why did she suddenly end her secluded meditation to testify for Lin Zheng?”

Lu Ting’an was stunned, somewhat confused, but she couldn’t help but feel suspicious. How was Lin Zheng involved in this? She quickly leaned her ear closer.

Lu Qingchen spoke faintly: “What’s the rush? The Gathering of Heroes is about to begin. You’ll have plenty of opportunities then.”

Sun Youqing gave a light snort. “I’m afraid it won’t be that easy. Song Yanwu refuses to yield; how can it be easy to persuade him?”

A faint smile touched the corner of Lu Qingchen’s mouth as he said, “Who said that? You only need to…”

Lu Qingchen whispered the rest of the words into Sun Youqing’s ear. Even though Lu Ting’an tried her hardest, she couldn’t hear a single thing. Her foot accidentally moved half a step. In the next instant, Lu Qingchen suddenly raised his head, his eyes alert as he shouted sharply, “Who is out there?”

Lu Ting’an had no choice but to come out sheepishly, bowing to the two of them. “Father, Master.”

“An’an?” Both were startled. They exchanged an imperceptible glance before putting on kind and amiable smiles. “Why aren’t you in class at this hour? Are you being lazy again?”

Lu Ting’an scratched her head sheepishly. Her gaze shifted back and forth between the two of them, but she ultimately suppressed the urge to ask about their conversation. Instead, she spoke: “Master, Father, I came today with an audacious request. Now that Senior Brother Guo is grounded, a spot for the Gathering of Heroes has opened up. I was thinking that since I’ve been practicing hard lately but haven’t been able to test my results, I’d like Father and Master to agree to let me take Senior Brother Guo’s place.”

As she spoke, Lu Ting’an clearly noticed the expressions of Sun Youqing and Lu Qingchen change slightly. Sun Youqing coughed twice and said, “An’an, your foundation is not yet solid. If you go rashly, I’m afraid you’ll get hurt. If you cry on the field then, Master won’t be able to coax you.”

Lu Ting’an shook her head and said firmly, “I’m not afraid. I ask for Master’s permission.”

Sun Youqing was stunned. A strange sense of anxiety appeared in his eyes. Just as he was about to speak, Lu Qingchen waved his hand to interrupt him and smiled at Lu Ting’an. “My daughter is so motivated; I am very gratified. Since you are so insistent, then go along with your senior brothers and sisters. However, you are not allowed to participate in the matches; just watch from the side.”

Lu Ting’an couldn’t help but feel overjoyed and quickly replied, “Yes, thank you, Father!”

Sun Youqing seemed somewhat surprised and frowned as he looked at Lu Qingchen. “Senior Brother, you…”

Lu Qingchen gave him a cold glance, then dotingly patted Lu Ting’an’s small head and said to Sun Youqing, “Junior Brother, rest assured. Go back and rest for now; I will come to find you later this evening to discuss things in detail.”

Sun Youqing’s lips twitched slightly, but in the end, he said nothing. He bowed silently to him and withdrew from Yingyue Pavilion.

Once Sun Youqing was gone, Lu Ting’an’s mind was filled with clouds of suspicion. She became even more curious about what they had been discussing and couldn’t help but ask, “Father, what were you and Master talking about?”

Lu Qingchen smiled and shifted his gaze away, not answering. He simply pulled her to sit on the seat of honor in the hall, sighed, and said, “An’an, your father has traversed the immortal world for over forty years, but in the end, humans are not plants or stones. After I pass away, this grand century-old foundation of the White Cloud Deer Reflection Sect will all be left to you.”

Lu Ting’an didn’t know why Lu Qingchen was suddenly telling her this. She just pulled on his sleeve and comforted him softly, “Father, what nonsense are you talking about? I believe Father will surely ascend to immortality and protect his daughter in peace from the heavens.”

Lu Qingchen looked at her, his eyes full of affection, and couldn’t help but laugh. “I hope so. However, An’an, now that you have reached the age of hair-pinning, I wish to select a fine match for you within the sect—someone of good family, appearance, and cultivation—to settle your mother’s concerns. After thinking it over, I feel Yunxiao is the most suitable. He grew up with you and can be considered close…”

“No!” Lu Ting’an couldn’t help but shout. Lu Qingchen was stunned and asked in surprise, “Why is that? When you were little, you loved pestering Yunxiao the most. You used to tell me all the time that you wanted to marry him. Now that your dream is coming true, you aren’t happy?”

Happy my foot! She didn’t like such a double-faced, hypocritical villain! Lu Ting’an felt immense disdain in her heart, but she couldn’t let Lu Qingchen see any clues on the surface. she said with a forced smile, “Second Senior Brother is indeed perfect in every way, but those were things from childhood after all. I don’t like him anymore.”

Lu Qingchen frowned slightly, looking at her with an displeased expression as he advised her earnestly, “An’an, marriage is no joking matter. I have already spoken with Yunxiao. Once you return from the Danhe Gathering Immortal Bridge, I will witness your marriage.”

“Huh?!” Lu Ting’an jumped up, three feet high, and said anxiously, “Father, why didn’t you even ask for my opinion? I’m not willing!”

Lu Qingchen’s face darkened, and his patience seemed to have finally run out. He looked at her coldly. “A parent’s command and a matchmaker’s word are not for you to refuse. Stay home and wait for the wedding; stop mixing with Lin Zheng all day. Yunxiao has already reported to me that it’s now incredibly difficult for him to even say a word to you. From now on, you should put more heart into him. After all, for the rest of your life, Father has to rely on him to take care of you.”

When Lu Ting’an heard that Chen Yunxiao actually dared to file a complaint against her, she was furious. But as soon as she met Lu Qingchen’s gaze, she ultimately didn’t dare to defy him to his face. She could only say angrily, “Father, you don’t love me at all!”

Before her voice had even faded, she turned and ran quickly out of Yingxian Pavilion, leaving Lu Qingchen far behind.

Returning to Yingyue Pavilion with a stomach full of anger, Lu Ting’an saw from a distance that Lin Zheng was practicing her sword under a crabapple tree in the courtyard. Flower shadows covered the steps with a rustling sound. Lin Zheng’s posture was light as her sword moved like a swimming dragon. In the shifting cold light, a set of sword moves flowed like water, leaving Lu Ting’an stunned. For a moment, the gloom in her heart dissipated significantly.

Lin Zheng finished her stance. Seeing Lu Ting’an standing at the entrance staring at her motionless, she couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong?”

Lu Ting’an walked in dejectedly and sat down at the stone table next to the crabapple tree, remaining silent and sullen.

Seeing something was wrong, Lin Zheng paused, placed her sword on the table, and sat down beside her, asking softly, “Did Elder Luo criticize you?”

Lu Ting’an shook her head, sighed, and looked at her with a face full of misery. “Lin Zheng, I have one piece of good news and one piece of bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?”

Lin Zheng was startled. After a moment of hesitation, she said, “…The good news?”

Lu Ting’an propped her chin in her hands and smiled at her. “Master and Father have agreed to let me participate in the Gathering of Heroes with you. They just said I’m not allowed to compete, only to cheer from the sidelines.”

Lin Zheng nodded and said calmly, “That is good. And… the bad news?”

At the mention of this, Lu Ting’an pouted, her eyes turned red, and she felt like crying again. She covered her face and collapsed. “He said that after the Gathering of Heroes next month, he will have me marry Chen Yunxiao.”

Hearing this, Lin Zheng felt as if she had been struck by lightning, and her whole being suddenly froze.

Lu Ting’an cried for a long time. Seeing that she remained silent, she couldn’t help but get a little angry. She poked Lin Zheng’s forearm with her hand and said, “Hey! Say something! What should I do now?”

The fingers Lin Zheng had placed on her knees tightened slightly. She stiffly moved her gaze elsewhere. “Then… do you want to marry him?”

Before the words had even fully left her mouth, Lu Ting’an reacted as if she were being haunted by something filthy, immediately retorting loudly, “Of course not! A hypocritical phony—I, Lu Ting’an, will never marry such a person!”

Lin Zheng was stunned and let out an imperceptible sigh of relief. She turned her head, her gaze deep as she looked at her. “Then, what kind of… person do you like?”

Lu Ting’an paused. To be honest, she really hadn’t thought about it carefully. She couldn’t help but lower her head, stroking her chin and thinking for a while. When she looked up again, she happened to run right into Lin Zheng’s eyes, which were as calm as water. Her breath hitched, and she inadvertently turned her face away. “At least… at least it has to be someone like you—upright in conduct, of noble character, able to eliminate evil and uphold justice, and possessing compassion for the young and weak. Otherwise, wouldn’t I be getting a raw deal?”

Seeing her praise her for once, the corners of Lin Zheng’s brows rose slightly, and a surge of warmth rose in her heart. She said softly, “…Thank you, you flatter me. However, how do you plan to deal with this matter?”

Lu Ting’an thought for two seconds. She felt that assassinating Chen Yunxiao before the wedding probably wasn’t realistic, and she couldn’t possibly persuade Lu Qingchen. Looking at it now, there was only one path to take.

“Lin Zheng, run away from this marriage with me.”

Lin Zheng was shocked by her startling words and didn’t recover for a long while. She asked in disbelief, “You… what did you say?”

Lu Ting’an took a deep breath, her eyes burning as she looked at her. “I’ve decided, Lin Zheng. I can’t just sit and wait for death, marrying someone I don’t like. Take me away. To the ends of the earth, anywhere is fine. As long as I’m with you, I won’t be afraid of anything.”

Lin Zheng opened her mouth, her mind in turmoil. Her tightly clenched fingers trembled slightly, and she couldn’t say a single word.

Seeing that she hadn’t reacted for a long time, Lu Ting’an pushed her anxiously. “Do you agree or not?”

Lin Zheng pursed her lips and lowered her head helplessly, saying in a heavy voice, “It’s not possible… You are the noble Eldest Miss of the White Cloud Deer Reflection Sect; how can you follow me to become a wanderer in the martial world? You cannot endure such hardship. Moreover, the Sect Leader and Master have shown me kindness through their teaching; how can I fail them for the sake of my own selfishness?”

Lu Ting’an stamped her feet in anger, her eyes red as she said indignantly, “Am I that delicate in your eyes? Why couldn’t I endure it? I’m telling you, if you don’t help me, this White Cloud Deer Reflection Sect has plenty of mountain peaks and deep pools to jump from. If you have the ability, watch me twenty-four hours a day, otherwise I definitely won’t go on living in this world!”

Lin Zheng looked at her in a daze. In the end, she couldn’t bear it. She closed her eyes and gave a heavy sigh. When she opened them again, her gaze was full of resolve.

“Fine, I will help you.”

Only then did Lu Ting’an become happy. She even began to vaguely look forward to life after going into hiding with Lin Zheng. To be able to stay far away from the mess of the White Cloud Deer Reflection Sect and not have to spend the rest of her life with someone like Chen Yunxiao—at that time, they would practice together, live a simple life, and even if the system forced her to follow the plot or follow her destiny of being killed by the Female Lead of Destiny, she would accept it!