I'm Feng Aotian—And I’m Running Away from My Wedding - Chapter 4

The sun dipped westward before Li Baiying finally emerged from her meditative state.

Her depleted dantian had regained some respite, like a dried-up stream replenished by a trickle of water, no longer as exhausted as when she had first stepped off the arena.

She rose to her feet, swept a glance over the nearly settled arena, and turned away without a hint of reluctance.

“Young Mistress, won’t you stay to watch the rest of the matches?” a branch family disciple asked, unable to hold back his curiosity upon seeing her stand.

“No need. The outcome is already clear.”

Li Baiying gestured casually behind her toward the hesitant disciples still lingering nearby. “This spot has a decent view. If you want to watch, you can sit here.”

“Thank you, Young Mistress!” The disciple beamed, scurrying to take the seat she had indicated.

The highest tiers of the spectator stands were occupied by direct lineage disciples, the prime viewing spots. Li Baiying’s gesture was merely an act of extending an unused resource as a favor. But for branch family disciples, who often lacked cultivation resources, it was an unexpected boon.

Tap, tap.

She descended the steps for about a hundred meters, then abruptly halted and turned back.

“No need to hide. Why are you following me?”

Her voice, infused with inner energy, sent the falling leaves scattering into dust.

“…”

A young woman slowly emerged from the shadows. She still wore the same mud-stained clothes, her partially healed scars exposed unapologetically to the air. Under Li Baiying’s gaze, she blinked her long lashes and murmured:

“The poison from the Sun-Shattering Art requires a Clear Heart Pill to neutralize.”

“So, you came to deliver the pill to me?” Li Baiying raised an eyebrow, her expression relaxing, even teasing. “Is this what they call returning a favor?”

To her surprise, the girl shook her head seriously.

“I only came to pass on a message, since you taught those people a lesson for me.”

With that, she turned and headed up the mountain.

“Wait!”

Li Baiying couldn’t quite identify the emotion stirring within her, perhaps it was the unfamiliar sting of being ignored, or irritation at her own presumption. She leaped forward, blocking Qin Yixiao’s path. “Did I say you could leave?”

The other said nothing, merely watching her quietly, as if waiting for her to continue.

Confronted with that calm demeanor, Li Baiying found herself at a loss for words, as though nothing she said would ever change the girl’s expression.

“Tomorrow… will you come again?”

Qin Yixiao nodded, a trace of confusion crossing her face. “Aren’t you coming?”

“No.” Finally on familiar ground, Li Baiying spoke with confidence. “Today’s matches were the most thrilling, everyone pulled out all the stops to secure a spot in the top ten. But tomorrow, it’s more about the three great families flaunting their resources: whose pills are more abundant, who can last longer. Honestly, it’s rather dull.”

“Mm.” The girl listened patiently, then simply stepped around her and continued up the steps.

At that, Li Baiying’s frustration evaporated entirely. She hadn’t expected such a reaction, nor could she think of anything else to say. All she could do was stare blankly as the other’s figure disappeared from view.

This was more disheartening than deciphering the most intricate martial techniques.

“Young Mistress?”

Only when someone called her did she snap out of her daze. “What is it?”

Li Yue had found her expression odd earlier, but out of propriety, he didn’t press further. “Will you still lead our training today?”

“Of course.” Li Baiying had already returned to normal and answered smoothly, “We’ll gather in the backyard in half an hour.”

“Yes.”

…

Night fell.

Li Baiying straightened the last crooked training dummy, picked up the bundle containing medicinal supplies, and walked out.

In the distance, she spotted a figure standing somewhat stiffly by the courtyard wall.

“What’s wrong? Feeling like you haven’t trained enough and want more practice?” She raised an eyebrow, stopping directly in front of the other person.

Though Li Yue was about the same age, due to differences in meridian development, she stood a head taller than him.

“Young Mistress, there’s something I don’t understand.”

Li Baiying made an acknowledging sound, signaling for him to continue.

“I can understand you teaching us exercises to strengthen our bodies. But today you taught the clan’s core techniques. I feel like…”

“Like you’re not worthy to learn them?” Li Baiying casually finished his unspoken thought, chuckling lightly. “Or perhaps you’re overthinking because you haven’t trained enough.”

“You saw today’s martial arts tournament. Among the three great families, we only secured two spots in the top ten. Although those selected are the absolute elite of our Li family, we’re still outnumbered.”

“Moreover,” she paused, a shadow passing through her eyes, “you saw the results of the bone examination ceremony. If we wait another ten years, unless I compete personally, it will be difficult to find talent capable of standing on their own. Since that’s the case, those martial arts manuals in the archives will just gather dust sooner or later. Better to put them to use rather than let them go to waste.”

“I see.” Li Yue’s expression cleared with understanding. “Young Mistress has remarkable foresight. I admire that.”

“Enough with the flattery. Don’t forget to come for training tomorrow.” Li Baiying waved him off and headed straight toward the opposite courtyard.

If her guess was correct, her mother would definitely be waiting to confront her after today’s tournament.

Sure enough, before she even stepped into the courtyard, she could see the room brightly lit, flames flickering in the lamps.

“Mother, did you need to see me?” She decided to get straight to the point.

Seeing her still casual attitude, Li Anqing’s anger immediately flared up. “Do you have any idea how dangerous it was today! If that Qin girl hadn’t underestimated you, you would have been carried off that platform regardless!”

“Yes, that was a possibility.” Li Baiying accepted the scolding without argument, her attitude unchanged from before. “But I still had to compete.”

“You…”

“Even if there’s only a one percent chance, I have to try. With such a large gap in cultivation levels, there’s no shame in losing. Besides, I might not necessarily lose.” She appeared completely confident.

“Fine, you always have your reasons, and I can’t control you anymore anyway.” Li Anqing massaged her temples, giving up on the topic. “But by standing up for others today, you’ve thoroughly angered the Third Elder, who currently holds power in the Qin family. Just now, he was pressuring me, hinting that he wants you to have a rematch with Qin Zhili.”

“Did you agree?”

“Of course not! Anyone could see you won through clever tactics. I wouldn’t push you into a fire pit.” Li Anqing said irritably. Finally noticing her daughter’s relaxed expression, she felt another headache coming on. “Don’t take this lightly either. If they offer a high enough price tomorrow, I might actually send you.”

“That wouldn’t be bad either. It would be contributing to the family, honor in defeat.”

Li Baiying blinked and responded with a grin. Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, she blurted out, “How did I end up standing up for someone?”

“Oh, speaking of that, I was meaning to ask you: Since when have you become so close with that member of the Qin family? Her background is quite sensitive. Be careful not to let others use you as a pawn.”

Seeing her mother frown and stare at her, Li Baiying was about to retort indignantly, but the words took an unexpected turn as they left her lips. “I was merely upholding justice and lending a helping hand.”

“What helping hand? You almost bit off more than you could chew,” Li Anqing bluntly called her out. “Next time you get carried away and rush in to play the hero, take a good look at the emblem on your clothes. In public, every move you make represents the family!”

“…Yes.”

This time, Li Baiying obediently lowered her head.

“Seeing how you’re behaving, I’m considering whether to let you participate in the treasure hunt in the secret realm after the martial arts tournament.”

“I want to go!” Li Baiying’s eyes instantly lit up, and she declared resolutely.

“Really? And what if you encounter a similar situation again? Will you still disregard your own safety?” Li Anqing deliberately drew out her words, asking slowly.

“Of course not!”

With her mind entirely focused on the martial arts techniques in the secret realm, Li Baiying made her promise without hesitation. “I will never put myself in danger.”

Besides, with so many people around, she didn’t believe she would run into Qin Yixiao again.