Chapter 2
Zeng Xuangan's scalp prickled.
If everything Lou Yuqing had said was true... then he had personally delivered a future traitor straight to his martial uncle's door.
He immediately transmitted his voice to Qingxuzi.
—Sect Leader, save me!
Qingxuzi shot him a look full of sympathy.
—Good luck.
Contrary to Zeng Xuangan's expectations, Zixiao Immortal Venerable did not erupt in anger.
Based on Lou Yuqing's words alone, he felt no real emotional impact.
Setting aside how she knew Zeng Changfeng's past—the two were strangers—what mattered more was this: how could she possibly predict the future?
He hadn't even accepted Zeng Changfeng as a disciple yet. Everything she spoke of... lay ahead.
For now, the most important thing was to verify whether her words were true.
If they were false, there was no need to entertain them.
If they were true...
Zixiao Immortal Venerable's expression darkened slightly.
Just imagining such a future made his blood pressure rise.
Unacceptable.
He closed his eyes briefly, then spoke.
"Go ask the Zeng family's Grand Elder. Confirm everything."
Like the others, he found he could not speak directly about matters tied to those "thoughts." And more strangely, Zeng Changfeng himself seemed completely unaware—he could not hear a single word of it.
Zeng Xuangan immediately responded, "Yes, Uncle-Master. I will investigate thoroughly."
At the very least... he had to redeem himself.
And ideally—this entire mess would prove to be nothing but a misunderstanding.
[Zeng Changfeng returns to his old habits, causing chaos for his own master... Is this a moral collapse, or a distortion of humanity?]
Qingxuzi's lips twitched.
"Yuqing, little girl."
Lou Yuqing snapped back to reality. "Grandmaster? Did something happen?"
"...Nothing. Just don't let your mind wander."
I literally just interrupted your thoughts, he added silently.
Lou Yuqing stiffened.
Oh no. Busted.
"Yuqing understands," she said obediently, quickly closing the gossip panel—at least for now. She had to give her grandmaster some face.
Meanwhile, Zeng Xuangan activated a communication jade slip, his tone grave.
"Grand Elder, I have questions. Answer truthfully. No concealment."
On the other end, the Zeng family's Grand Elder immediately went cold.
He mentally retraced his entire life in an instant, searching for any mistake he might have made.
Nothing.
"Please ask, Patriarch," he said cautiously.
Zeng Xuangan's voice sharpened. "Explain exactly how Zeng Changfeng returned to the family. If there is even a hint of deception, you will answer for it."
Lou Yuqing perked up.
Oh? A twist?
In the hall, Zeng Changfeng frowned.
Why bring this up now? Had something been discovered? Even so, couldn't it wait until after he secured his position as a disciple?
A flicker of resentment stirred within him.
He didn't think he'd done anything wrong.
What he hated most was people judging him through the lens of so-called morality.
On the other end, the Grand Elder exhaled in relief.
When he had introduced Zeng Changfeng earlier, he had deliberately concealed those... unsavory details. That was how he'd successfully brought him back into the sect.
He'd known the truth would come out eventually.
He just hadn't expected it to spread this fast.
Even the Patriarch, all the way in the Wendao Sect, had heard about it.
Resigned, he spoke plainly.
"Patriarch, please understand. I found Changfeng at a cultivator's birthday banquet.
The situation was... somewhat awkward. But it wasn't entirely his fault.
The other cultivator failed to manage his Daoist partner properly.
As for Changfeng—he's young. Mistakes are normal.
There's no need to make a big issue of it. .."
Zeng Xuangan's heart dropped straight to the ground.
Not a big issue?
You've just handed me a disaster!
How could his martial uncle possibly accept someone like this as a disciple?!
[What a masterclass in victim-blaming. This Grand Elder is truly talented.]
Talented?!
The Zeng family couldn't afford this kind of talent!
"Grand Elder, you are relieved of your position!"
Zeng Xuangan cut the connection without hesitation, ignoring the still-glowing jade slip.
Then—he dropped to his knees.
"Please punish me, Martial Uncle."
The impact echoed heavily through the hall.
Lou Yuqing's account had been verified.
Which meant...
Her "future" predictions were likely true as well.
Had she not been present today, everything would have proceeded as normal—Zixiao Immortal Venerable would have accepted Zeng Changfeng... only to be betrayed, humiliated, and reduced to a laughingstock across the cultivation world.
The thought alone made Zeng Xuangan's chest tighten with guilt.
He had meant to offer a promising disciple. Instead, he had nearly delivered a calamity.
A hand reached out, steadying him.
"No need," Zixiao Immortal Venerable said calmly. "You meant no harm."
Lou Yuqing couldn't help glancing over.
This was the first time she had heard him speak.
[Refined features, composed presence... clearly someone long accustomed to authority. How did Zeng Changfeng manage to seduce his Daoist partner?]
[Even if Zeng Changfeng is handsome, he's nowhere near this level. Maybe it's a case of getting tired of delicacies and craving plain porridge.]
Silence.
A heavy, suffocating silence.
No one will think you're mute if you don't speak, the room collectively thought.
Qingxuzi coughed lightly. "Yuqing, what do you think?"
Lou Yuqing hesitated. "...Should I just... stand and watch?"
"No," Qingxuzi said gravely. "You must clear your mind and see the essence of things."
She nodded, looking enlightened.
Inside, however—her thoughts were running wild.
[I don't know about essence, but Zeng Changfeng shows zero remorse—even after his ancestor exposed everything. I'm honestly curious where he gets his confidence.]
Qingxuzi glanced over.
Sure enough, Zeng Changfeng stood there, self-righteous, unable to comprehend his ancestor's "humiliation."
Is this really that serious? he seemed to think. No murder, no arson, no kidnapping. Why blow it out of proportion?
If Qingxuzi could hear that thought, he'd probably drag him out himself.
No big deal? Go seduce someone else's wife again and see if that Golden Core cultivator doesn't beat you to death.
Zeng Xuangan's face was pale with shame. "I have caused trouble for you, Martial Uncle. I will take him away immediately. He will not remain in the Wendao Sect... nor will he remain part of the Zeng family."
It was both a declaration—and a final act of mercy.
As long as the future had not yet come to pass, there was still room to mitigate the damage.
But someone like Zeng Changfeng... could not remain.
Zixiao Immortal Venerable nodded faintly. "Your decision is commendable."
Relief flooded Zeng Xuangan.
"Ancestor—" Zeng Changfeng began.
"Silence!" Zeng Xuangan snapped. "Have you not embarrassed yourself enough?"
Just a day ago, he had been proud of this young man.
Now—only disappointment remained.
Zeng Changfeng clenched his fists.
Unwilling.
The position of disciple had been within reach—he was certain of it.
Why had everything changed so suddenly... over something so trivial?!
"Senior Zixiao, I—"
Zixiao Immortal Venerable looked at him, his voice like ice.
"We have no master-disciple fate."
Zeng Changfeng froze.
Rejected.
Just like that.
The path to the heavens—collapsed before his eyes.
His suppressed emotions surged violently.
"Why?!" he demanded, eyes reddening. "I want a reason!"
Zixiao Immortal Venerable smiled faintly, his aura pressing down like a mountain.
"My decisions require no reason."
A pause.
"But today, I am in a good mood."
His gaze sharpened.
"So I'll tell you—because I don't like you."
Zeng Changfeng went rigid.
"I... don't like you?"
The sheer bluntness crushed his defiance.
Cold sweat slid down his temples.
He dropped to his knees.
"Senior Zixiao, I... I spoke out of turn. I only lost control because I admired you deeply. I have always wished to become your disciple. Please forgive me."
[No need. Being admired by you is already his misfortune.]
Zixiao Immortal Venerable silently agreed.
Indeed. Utter misfortune.
Fortunately—it had been avoided.
Suddenly, he spoke.
"Tang Xueyao. You've arrived."
Zeng Changfeng flinched, instinctively turning—
No one.
The doorway stood empty.
He had been tricked.
Zeng Xuangan's expression darkened.
Told to leave earlier, yet he lingered—now he'd been exposed instead.
"You know Tang Xueyao," Zixiao said calmly.
Zeng Changfeng lowered his head.
Hatred flickered.
Then reluctance.
Finally—
"This junior... does not know her."
[Doesn't know her? With that reaction? Only an idiot would believe you.]
[I didn't expect this—Zixiao Immortal Venerable's Daoist partner is actually Zeng Changfeng's childhood sweetheart.]
[No wonder she chose him. First love filter is undefeated. So he wanted to steal his master's wife from the very beginning. Impressive.]
[I declare—Zixiao Immortal Venerable is the biggest victim here.]
Zixiao Immortal Venerable: "..."
"...I will judge for myself."
At that moment, a voice sounded from the entrance.
"Disciple greets Grandmaster Xueyao."
Everyone turned.
Another key figure had arrived.
Lou Yuqing's eyes lit up.
A woman in moon-white robes stepped inside.
[Ah—perfect timing. And look—they're wearing matching outfits. Definitely still in the honeymoon phase.]
Zixiao Immortal Venerable instinctively glanced at her robes.
Same color.
His expression stiffened.
"Husband," Tang Xueyao said sweetly as she approached, "why didn't you tell me you had left seclusion? If no one had informed me, I would still be completely unaware."
She walked straight to him, her tone intimate and natural.
She didn't spare Zeng Changfeng a single glance.
As if he didn't exist.
Zeng Changfeng's jaw tightened, teeth grinding.
Right now—he wished she wouldn't recognize him at all.
[Tsk. Brutal. Watching the woman you love dote on another man... that must hurt.]
Zeng Xuangan: Please. Stop talking.
He didn't dare look at his martial uncle's face.
Zixiao Immortal Venerable's expression turned cold.
"Didn't I tell you not to interfere in my affairs? Anyone who cannot keep their mouth shut will be expelled from Cangtian Peak."
Tang Xueyao froze for a heartbeat, then forced a smile.
"It's just a small matter. Sect Leader, Elder Zeng—you tell me. Do I not have the right?"
Qingxuzi and Zeng Xuangan exchanged glances.
Before, they might have agreed.
Now?
Her image had completely collapsed.
[Found it—why is this melon at the bottom? Never mind, let's eat first.]
[So Zixiao once owed the Tang family a favor. They used it to force a marriage. After marriage, she was neglected. Then she met Zeng Changfeng—and they hit it off instantly. And just like that... they cuckolded him.]
Silence.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
"So that's what happened..."
Their martial uncle's sudden marriage had always puzzled them.
No ceremony. No announcement.
Now it made sense.
Zixiao Immortal Venerable spoke, each word sharp.
"From today onward—you and I are no longer Daoist partners."
Tang Xueyao's composure cracked.
Then she forced a light tone.
"You're angry. Tell me what I did wrong—I'll change. You all, help persuade him."
No one moved.
No one spoke.
Persuade?
Who dared?
"Sect Leader!" she snapped.
Qingxuzi stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I do think Martial Uncle's actions are somewhat abrupt..."
Tang Xueyao brightened. "See? Even the Sect Leader—"
He continued calmly. "He should announce it to the entire sect. That would be proper."
Her smile froze.
"You... you're all in this together!"
Her tone turned sharp.
"Zixiao, the Tang family treated you well. Will you now repay kindness with ingratitude?"
Lou Yuqing rolled her eyes inwardly.
[If he's ungrateful, then no one in the cultivation world values loyalty.]
[Back when the Tang family faced destruction, he stepped in without hesitation. But their head insisted on marriage instead—so others would fear them.]
[Sounds reasonable? Total nonsense. He could've solved it alone, but they forced a marriage to tie him down.]
[And since then, the Tang family has prospered under his name. Honestly, he's too tolerant.]
Qingxuzi and Zeng Xuangan silently agreed.
Zixiao Immortal Venerable spoke calmly. "I have long repaid the Tang family's kindness."
"That's different!" Tang Xueyao snapped. "Was our marriage only about repaying favors? I refuse to believe you feel nothing for me!"
"I told you then," he said coldly, "if you could accept a life without interference, I would agree. But you never stopped."
Tang Xueyao shook her head desperately.
"No... that's not it..."
She had always believed she was his Daoist partner.
She had enjoyed everything that came with that identity.
If that bond were severed—everything she had... would vanish.