Chapter 68 - Girls in a Matriarchal World Are Just Too Scary

The two opponents glared coldly at each other, the atmosphere crackling with tension, then things began to spiral out of control. “Are you seeking death?” “I think it's you who's courting death!” Without further disagreement, a fierce fight broke out. Tang Wan'er, being highly skilled, had the disciples of the Hehuan Sect rolling on the ground in agony, but... “It wasn't long before those guys found me. They shamelessly called for reinforcements. Although I'm strong, two fists are no match for four hands. My senior brother was captured by them, and I was severely injured. I could only desperately escape and finally passed out in an alley.” “Foolish!” Tang Wan'er shuddered violently. Stop scolding, stop scolding, any more and I'll be daft! Su Yan looked at the young girl covering her face with both hands. It was now very clear. Though the Yushu Sect wasn't the pinnacle of immortal sects, it was still a formidable force. Ordinary Hehuan Sect disciples typically wouldn't dare provoke them, and they wouldn't act lightly. But just because they wouldn’t act lightly doesn’t mean they wouldn’t act at all. Since they chose to act, they meant to root out every threat. Her fellow disciple was already captured; they just needed to deal with Tang Wan'er to make her vanish, and then the issue could be covered up, leaving no trace or trouble for them. Looking at the trembling Tang Wan'er, Su Yan advised earnestly, "I don’t know what your status in the sect is, but once you are out of the Yushu Sect and away from your family, no one will indulge you. Everything must be approached with caution. Don’t easily provoke those you shouldn’t." "…" Tang Wan'er didn't dare rebut, for she had already tasted the bitter fruit of her actions. Had she not been so unforgiving, demanding the other party kneel and apologize, how could such a thing have happened? She could only murmur, “I understand my mistake. I won’t repeat it in the future. I’ll stay quiet… endure insults without retorting, and keep a low profile...” “Calling you foolish is truly justified. That makes you a punching bag, allowing others to bully you?” Su Yan shook his head, saying, "What I mean is that if you can avoid a fight, do so. But if a fight starts, you must eliminate the root cause. If you hadn’t let them go back then, would this have happened?" Taking lives easily sounds terrifying, but that’s how the world of cultivators operates. A moment of mercy could lead to your own demise, a lesson learned through countless tears and blood. Ling Ling, a bit surprised, gave Su Yan a nuanced glance. For someone often seen as gentle, it was unexpected to hear him say this. “I understand.” Tang Wan'er wiped her tears, realizing that Su Yan had a point. Had she not shown mercy and let the others leave, the situation wouldn’t have escalated to this point. Not only was her senior brother captured, but she nearly lost her life too. “So, what do we do now?” After being reprimanded, Tang Wan'er now listened to his advice with the humility of a scolded wife. Su Yan said, "Don’t be hasty now. First, focus on recovering from your injuries. In your current state, there's nothing you can do." “But my senior brother...” “Don’t worry about that. As long as Hehuan Sect hasn’t captured you, they won’t dare harm your senior brother recklessly; moreover…” Su Yan didn’t finish the latter part. He was afraid that saying it might agitate the young girl again. Su Yan had two reasons for believing Tang Wan'er's senior brother was unharmed. One was that Tang Wan'er hadn’t been captured, acting rashly wasn’t wise on the Hehuan Sect's part. The second was having met her senior brother, who was undoubtedly beautiful with a delicate demeanor. The Hehuan Sect women, known for their sensuality, would hardly harm something so beautiful. They’d likely seek to communicate and interact instead. Losing chastity is better than losing life. Su Yan mumbled to himself. Tang Wan'er didn’t catch what he said and asked, “What did you just say?” Su Yan shook his head, “It’s nothing. By the way, do you have any means to contact the Yushu Sect?” If the Hehuan Sect could rally people, then so could the Yushu Sect. If their people came, it would solve the problem. Tang Wan'er’s face fell, “The communication talisman is with my senior brother. I didn’t bring it, and even if I did, it wouldn’t matter.” “Why is that?” Ling Ling interjected, “Junior brother, you haven’t considered the distance. The Yushu Sect is too far from here. By the time they arrive, it might be too late.” Tang Wan'er nodded in agreement. Su Yan said, “Why did you come so far? It’s really troublesome. Didn’t your master give you any life-saving items?” When he left, his master gave him a divine sense talisman. Given Tang Wan'er’s seemingly noble status, she should have something similar. “Of course not!” Tang Wan'er shook her head, “Experiences are meant to be real experiences. If I knew I had a life-saving charm, the sense of danger would be lost, defeating the purpose of honing one’s skills.” Ling Ling added, “I don’t have one either.” Su Yan was a bit surprised. Even the senior sister didn’t have one? Was this some sort of privilege for being a boy? Seems like Bái Shuǐxīn treated him quite well after all. “With the situation so urgent and no solutions immediately at hand, it seems you should just focus on healing first.” Su Yan concluded. Tang Wan'er nodded helplessly, knowing she could only do so given her condition. But… Tang Wan'er lowered her head, nervously fiddling with her fingers, contemplating how to repay this life-saving debt. Would an item of utmost quality suffice? “I have nothing left. Am I supposed to offer myself?” Typically, a man would offer himself to a woman, not the other way around. Moreover, the young man appeared so impeccably elegant and ethereal, she wondered if she was even worthy. Tang Wan'er snuck a glance. From what she could see, the formidable female cultivator beside the young man kept her attention on him, clearly harboring admiration. It seemed she had no chance. Su Yan said, “Now that you’re awake, I'm relieved. Don’t let your mind wander these days. Focus on healing.” Tang Wan'er nodded, “Thank you.” … Thus, the injured young girl settled in. Su Yan and Ling Ling continued to care for her, sharing occasional meals. After tasting Su Yan's culinary skills, Tang Wan'er’s eyes turned into heart shapes. “Is this really food? How can it taste so good? It’s simply too delicious!” Watching Tang Wan'er devour the food, Ling Ling felt an intense irritation inside. “Our junior brother’s cooking is, of course, delicious. That’s a given. You’re eating so fast the dishes will be gone in no time. You seem small, but who knew you could eat like a horse.” Inwardly, Ling Ling was grumbling to herself, but her face remained an expression of aloofness. As she watched the girl sitting across from her, she couldn’t help but consider secretly slipping into the girl's room and delivering a few sword strikes. The blame would naturally fall on the dreaded assassins from the Hehuan Sect. Amidst her joyous meal, Tang Wan'er suddenly felt a chill. She looked up to see both were engrossed in their meals. Had it just been her imagination?