Chapter 130: You Don’t Want Your Sister to Be Expelled from the Palace, Right?
“Qiu Ju, you’ve misunderstood.”
Young Master Sang put on a warm smile and softly said, “Your sister is perfectly fine.”
“Just now, I noticed a few minor flaws in her swordsmanship during our sparring session, and I accidentally spilled some tea.”
Upon hearing this, Qiu Ju timidly raised her sparkling eyes.
“R-really?”
“Of course! If you don’t believe me, go ask your sister.”
Young Master Sang proclaimed with an air of righteousness, “If I bullied your sister, you can report me to Lord Gu, and I’ll be kicked down the mountain.”
Qiu Ju blinked and sighed as if relieved, patting her ample chest.
“Oh, I see… you scared me to death.”
…This girl really believes everything, huh?
At least throw some suspicion out there! I feel bad for tricking someone so pure!
Sang cleared his throat and said softly, “But your sister’s swordsmanship is quite interesting.”
“Exactly… why does it feel a bit off?”
Qiu Ju couldn’t help but say, “Sister’s swordsmanship was personally taught by the palace master. It’s very impressive.”
“It is impressive indeed.”
Young Master Sang frowned in thought, “However, I can’t help but feel that Miss Chun Lan’s sword techniques carry an ominous and fierce vibe, with some odd and twisted moves.”
“It doesn’t really have the grand and righteous air typical for a prestigious sect like Sword Flower Palace but instead feels… treacherous?”
Qiu Ju jumped in shock, shaking her head repeatedly.
“No, her swordsmanship has always been righteous—”
“That’s where I’m confused.”
Young Master Sang suddenly sighed, “When we were discussing techniques earlier, I think I heard Miss Chun Lan mumbling about hitting a bottleneck in her swordsmanship. She mentioned something about needing to practice forbidden techniques to not lose to her sister…”
With that, he discreetly glanced at Qiu Ju.
As expected.
Qiu Ju’s face instantly turned pale.
Practicing… forbidden techniques?
What if her sister was truly stuck at a bottleneck and didn’t want to lose to her in the upcoming palace sword competition?
So she secretly practiced the forbidden sword techniques that were clearly prohibited!
Those techniques are notorious for being taught by demonic sword cultivators who thrived on killing!
Even the palace master wouldn’t dare practice lightly, and it could change one’s temperament!
Could it be that her sister really did something foolish…?
For a moment, Qiu Ju couldn’t believe it.
But as a little sister, she vaguely felt that with her sister’s personality, she might indeed do such a thing.
After all, not to mention her sister.
Even she herself… had entertained such thoughts before.
To win against her sister, she even daydreamed about practicing forbidden sword techniques, surpassing her sister, and no longer hiding behind her…
Just thinking about that made Qiu Ju’s complexion grow even paler, completely drained of color.
“Qiu Ju?”
Young Master Sang slowly asked, “If you guys at Sword Flower Palace practiced forbidden techniques… it would be quite troublesome, right?”
“Oh dear, what a pity for such a good talent to go astray.”
He said regretfully, “Looks like when I practice sword techniques with Lord Gu in a few days, I’ll have to mention that one of her sword disciples—”
“Don’t!”
Qiu Ju suddenly exclaimed, frantically tugging at Young Master Sang’s sleeve, tears welling up in her beautiful eyes, pleading pitifully,
“Please… don’t tell the palace master!”
“Practicing forbidden techniques is a grave crime. If my sister is caught, she might be expelled from Sword Flower Palace!”
She earnestly begged Young Master Sang, nearly in tears.
“My sister… she must’ve just strayed for a moment, she’s not a bad person.”
“If she gets kicked out by the palace master, it would be worse than death for us.”
“So please, Young Master Sang, don’t tell the palace master…” she gazed at him with a heart-wrenching expression.
Oh.
It really is a grave crime, huh?
Doesn’t want to be kicked out of Sword Flower Palace?
Let me help keep this secret!
Isn’t this plot just ripe for the picking?
Young Master Sang nodded in satisfaction, looking at the delicate little girl next to him who was crying like a rain-soaked flower.
He couldn’t help but break into a smile reminiscent of a Japanese internet user’s grin.
“Qiu Ju, you wouldn’t want your sister to be expelled from the palace, would you?”
“Yikes!”
Qiu Ju seemed startled by Young Master Sang’s smile, timidly nodding her head.
“Well, if I were to make a request…”
Young Master Sang gently reached out, brushing a few strands of Qiu Ju’s hair, making her shyly avert her gaze.
“I wonder if you, Qiu Ju, would be willing to obey?”
“Um…”
Qiu Ju’s beautiful eyes were filled with grievance and difficulty.
She swallowed hard, her gaze wavering and moist, her face burning with shyness as she trembled and asked,
“Y-young Master Sang, what do you want me to do?”
“I’d like to strike a deal with you, Qiu Ju.”
Young Master Sang flashed a wicked smile: “I won’t tell the palace master.”
“But as a trade, I want you to come here every day, chat with me, and have some tea.”
“—And practice some sword techniques.” He leaned closer to Qiu Ju’s ear, whispering.
Qiu Ju felt a shiver run down her spine from his affectionate whisper, nearly letting out a moan.
Though she felt anxious, even a little ashamed,
the thought of Chun Lan being expelled from Sword Flower Palace made her panic.
They had grown up in Sword Flower Palace together.
This place was everything to them as sisters.
It meant more to them than life itself.
So no matter what, she couldn’t let her sister be kicked out.
As long as she could protect her sister… Qiu Ju took a deep breath.
Moments later, she weakly nodded, her gaze dropping.
“I… I understand.”
——
——
When Chun Lan returned to her residence, it was already completely dark.
She was exhausted, so once she got home, she didn’t even wash up, just collapsed onto her bed, burying her face deeply in the quilt.
…Her mind still lingered with the sword intent that made her entire body flush.
What to do… she couldn’t help but bite her lips tightly.
She honestly didn’t want that annoying brat to get his way.
But that treasure is really something else.
It allowed her to experience firsthand the sword techniques of great masters, a training method she had never heard of before.
With that item, she might really be able to relearn a fierce sword technique before the sword competition.
Could it be that she really had to go along with that annoying brat’s wishes and go back again tomorrow…?
Just thinking about that humiliation made Chun Lan curl up in a ball.
At that moment, the sound of a door opening suddenly came from the entrance.
Chun Lan quickly wiped her face and put on a smile, going to the door to say,
“Qiu Ju, you’re practicing sword techniques this late, too?”
“Uh…”
Qiu Ju’s beautiful eyes dimmed as she silently looked away.
“Did you soak in a hot bath today?”
“No, I’m a bit tired…”
“Alright then, I’m a bit tired too. Let’s rest early today.”
Chun Lan didn’t want Qiu Ju to notice her emotional state. So even though her heart was bitter, she still forced a smile in front of Qiu Ju.
Qiu Ju also didn’t want Chun Lan to notice her emotions.
The two exchanged awkward smiles, each harboring their own thoughts, and returned to their respective rooms.
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