It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Chapter 137: Ling Long Only Wants to Eat Cranes

Chapter 137: Ling Long Only Wants to Eat Cranes

Late at night, outside the Jade Glass Palace, an elderly man stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression calm. Beside him stood a young man with sharp eyes and a handsome face, his expression dark, his mind replaying the scene he had just witnessed.

“A mere family young master from Tianxuan City, daring to visit Miss at this hour…?” And she had actually let him in…

He remembered her softened tone as she had spoken about Mu Zhi’an, and his anger flared. He looked at the elderly man. “Shen Lao, is it truly wise to allow Miss to interact with other men her age, especially at this hour?”

Shen Lao chuckled, shaking his head. “You know her temper. Do you think she wouldn’t be furious if we interfered?” Ye Lingxuan might seem gentle and elegant, but she was the Holy Maiden of the Forbidden Zone. Beneath her polite demeanor lay a core of pride and power. Defying her would have grave consequences.

“Even so, we shouldn’t allow her to be alone with a man so late at night…” Zhou Cang said, his voice cold.

Shen Lao chuckled. “She has her own judgment. We can’t go against her wishes.” He paused, then added, “If you’re truly concerned, you can investigate this Mu Zhi’an. Find out what his intentions are.”

“He’s already gone,” he said.

Zhou Cang looked at him, surprised. “You’re suggesting we visit him now?”

Shen Lao nodded, smiling. “We’ll visit him. But remember, no violence within the sect.” They had been allowed to enter the Two Polarities Sect because of their background, but it didn’t mean they could act recklessly. They had been granted access as a courtesy to the Forbidden Zone. Attacking a disciple within the sect would be a grave offense. Zhou Cang understood. He nodded quickly. “Alright! Lead the way, Shen Lao.”

He didn’t need to resort to violence. The mere mention of Ye Lingxuan’s background, the Forbidden Zone, would be enough to deter most people, let alone a mere sixth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator.

…

“Ling Long truly is unconventional…”

Mu Zhi’an sat on the ground in the courtyard, watching the flames crackle beneath a roasting crane, the aroma filling the air. A normal person would be severely punished if Yi Hao found out they had stolen his Eight Treasures Cranes. Even another peak lord would face his wrath. He had raised those cranes for so long, spending countless treasures on them, and now, within a short period, three had been consumed. It was infuriating. But Yi Hao was facing Ling Long. He could only swallow his anger. Of course, it had nothing to do with him.

He heard footsteps approaching, and he turned to see Wei Mengrou, her yellow dress accentuating her alluring figure. “Mengrou, why are you still up so late?” he asked, smiling. “Are you concerned about my safety?”

She studied him, her eyes filled with surprise. She hadn’t concealed her aura, but it was still difficult to detect. Normally, he wouldn’t have noticed her, even if she was standing right behind him. But he had sensed her approach immediately. It seemed he had been diligent with his cultivation. She looked at him, her voice calm. “Where did you go tonight?”

He picked up a piece of crane meat, savoring the flavor, then placed it on a plate. He turned to look at her, smiling. “Why do you ask, Mengrou? Are you interested in my activities?”

“Did you go to Ye Lingxuan’s pavilion?” she asked, her gaze meeting his.

He glanced around, shaking his head, his voice serious. “Don’t be ridiculous. I have Ruoxi. Why would I visit another girl at night?”

She scoffed. “Don’t worry. Bai Ruoxi is meditating in her room.”

He nodded. “I went to see Lingxuan. I was missing her.”

She stared at him, speechless. After a moment, she said, “Someone entered the Garden of Heavenly Harmony earlier. They seem to be from Ye Lingxuan’s side…” As a sixth-level Core Formation cultivator, she was sensitive to any disturbances within the pavilion. She knew everything about him, including Ye Lingxuan’s background and her powerful connections.

“It must be those two servants who came to retrieve her,” he said, realizing.

“Be careful. One of them is half a step into Nascent Soul, and the other is a ninth-level Foundation Establishment genius,” she warned. They had entered the pavilion secretly. They were clearly not here for friendly reasons.

“They’re already inside?” he asked.

She nodded silently.

“Isn’t that good?” He smiled. “Guests should be treated well. Since they’re here, we should entertain them…”

…

“This is the Garden of Heavenly Harmony? The Two Polarities Sect’s Celestial Realm techniques are truly impressive…” Shen Lao entered the pavilion with Zhou Cang, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings, his voice filled with admiration.

Celestial Realm techniques were accessible to all Nascent Soul cultivators. He was half a step into Nascent Soul, but he could also create a Celestial Realm.

But a Celestial Realm like the Two Polarities Sect’s… it wasn’t something that could be achieved with mere Nascent Soul cultivation. It required special techniques and exceptional control over spiritual energy. Only a powerful force like the Two Polarities Sect could create such a perfect Celestial Realm.

Zhou Cang didn’t respond, his gaze distracted as he studied the pavilion’s layout. He had left the Forbidden Zone intending to pressure Ye Yu. But the situation was different from what he had expected.

The one she loved wasn’t Ye Yu, but a young man he had never even heard of… They had seen Mu Zhi’an in the study. A mere sixth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator… how had he captured her heart? He couldn’t understand it.

They strolled through the pavilion, and Shen Lao said, his voice calm, “This Mu Zhi’an… he actually has decent talent. He must have wasted some time in the past. Otherwise, he would be a prodigy…” A Nascent Soul cultivator could easily discern a person’s talent, and he had seen Mu Zhi’an’s potential.

Zhou Cang scoffed. “Even if he’s talented, so what? Our clan has plenty of geniuses. Are any of them inferior to him?” He shook his head. “No… Most of them are probably far superior…” He felt a surge of resentment.

Back in the Forbidden Zone, countless young disciples had admired Ye Lingxuan, but none had succeeded in winning her heart. And now, here in the Two Polarities Sect, she had fallen for someone… If word of this reached the clan, the younger generation would be devastated…

Shen Lao chuckled, nodding. “You’re right. There have been countless geniuses throughout history, but none have reached Dao Integration. So-called geniuses are just ordinary cultivators who appear every few years.” He added, “But Miss probably doesn’t care about his talent.” He understood the ways of love. Courting a woman didn’t require talent or ability. It required charm and the ability to please her. This Mu Zhi’an, he must possess those qualities.

But even if he had won Ye Lingxuan’s heart, he wouldn’t gain the approval of the Forbidden Zone’s disciples or elders.

Even if he was at Core Formation, it wouldn’t matter. They valued background and connections. Many geniuses fell because of enemies. Without a powerful force to protect him, he would be vulnerable as he traveled the Nine Realms, his potential snuffed out before it could fully bloom.

Shen Lao suddenly sensed a presence lurking in the shadows. He glanced towards it, his eyes widening with surprise, then he chuckled. “Sixth level of Core Formation… Impressive talent…” Even within the Nine Realms, reaching the sixth level of Core Formation at such a young age was a rare feat. No wonder he was surprised.

Zhou Cang followed his gaze, but he couldn’t see her, only sensing her presence. “What is Mu Zhi’an’s background? Why is he living with a sixth-level Core Formation disciple…?” Then he noticed something else, his gaze landing on a candlelit room. “Someone else lives here…?”

Shen Lao frowned, his voice laced with surprise. “Second level of Core Formation…?” Even he, who usually disregarded talent, was impressed.

“Where’s Mu Zhi’an?” Zhou Cang murmured. They hadn’t seen him since entering the pavilion, even though he had already returned.

Shen Lao didn’t answer, simply walking towards the back of the pavilion. He could sense another presence there. He reached the back and saw a candlelit room. And within that room, he sensed Mu Zhi’an’s aura.

The door opened, and Mu Zhi’an emerged, his handsome face filled with a sudden panic as he saw them. He quickly closed the door, then looked at them, his voice strained. “Who are you?”

Shen Lao smiled gently. “Don’t be alarmed, Young Friend. We’re servants from Miss’s family.”

“Who’s your Miss?” he asked, his voice still laced with suspicion.

“Ye Lingxuan,” Zhou Cang replied calmly.

He relaxed, nodding. “So you’re guests from Lingxuan’s side. What brings you to my Garden of Heavenly Harmony so late at night?”

Shen Lao shook his head, smiling. “It’s nothing important. We simply heard that you and Miss are close, so we wanted to see you before we leave.” He paused, then added, “Young Friend Mu, you already have so many female companions… It would be best to distance yourself from Miss. It’s for your own good.” The servant girl, the woman in the other room… they were all living in the same pavilion. He didn’t believe they were just friends. And Mu Zhi’an’s panicked reaction… it was clear that another woman was in this room. And the reason for his panic… he must have been…

“I don’t understand what you’re trying to say. Could you be more direct?” Mu Zhi’an asked, his voice laced with a feigned confusion.

Zhou Cang smiled, his gaze meeting Mu Zhi’an’s. “Stay away from Miss. Do you understand?” He had thought it would be difficult to persuade him, but he had discovered his secret as soon as he had entered the pavilion. He was living with other women. If Miss found out, they wouldn’t even have to do anything. She would know what to do.

Mu Zhi’an frowned. “Lingxuan is just my sister. You’re mistaken.”

Zhou Cang chuckled, his gaze cold. “Are you suggesting I should invite Miss to see what kind of man you truly are, Young Master Mu?” His gaze landed on the closed door.

Mu Zhi’an’s expression shifted, and he stepped in front of the door, his voice strained. “You can insult me, but don’t insult her. She’s not that kind of woman…”

“Then open the door and let us see,” Zhou Cang said, sensing his panic.

Shen Lao frowned, glancing at the door, his eyes filled with a sudden suspicion. He had sensed two cultivators within the pavilion: one at the sixth level of Core Formation, and another at the second. But he couldn’t sense any aura from this room. There were only two possibilities: either the occupant was an ordinary person, or they were a cultivator at a higher level than him, concealing their aura. Within the Two Polarities Sect, besides the sect master, the only ones stronger than him were the peak lords and elders. He knew several elders. This aura didn’t belong to any of them. And an elder wouldn’t be living with a disciple… “Could it be that Mu Zhi’an had even seduced a female elder…?”

“Who’s in there, Young Friend Mu?” he asked.

“It’s a girl I found recently, Senior,” Mu Zhi’an replied respectfully.

“A girl he found…?”

“Don’t you know it’s forbidden for non-disciples to live here, Young Master Mu?” Zhou Cang asked, his voice laced with a hint of mockery. “If someone finds out, you’ll be punished…”

Mu Zhi’an’s expression shifted, but he forced himself to remain calm. “She’s actually a member of the sect. She’s not an outsider…”

Zhou Cang chuckled. “Then open the door and let us see.”

“It’s not appropriate. She doesn’t like to be disturbed…” Mu Zhi’an said, frowning.

Shen Lao smiled gently. “Don’t worry, Young Friend Mu. We just want to see her. We won’t tell anyone.” He would only tell Miss. Three women living in the same pavilion with a man… She wasn’t a fool. She would understand what kind of person he was.

Mu Zhi’an hesitated, then said, “But she’s not presentable right now…”

“Don’t worry. We just want to see her talent. I’m friends with several elders. If she’s talented, I can recommend her to them,” Shen Lao said, his smile widening. He discreetly released a silver light, forming a paper crane that flew towards Ye Lingxuan’s pavilion. He would use this opportunity to summon Miss…

Mu Zhi’an hesitated, then sighed, stepping aside. “Alright, Senior. Please.” He lowered his eyes, his expression unreadable.

Shen Lao smiled, opening the door. He saw a silver-haired beauty sitting on a chair, gnawing on a roasted crane leg, her lips glistening with oil, her crimson eyes bright and focused, her posture unladylike…

Silence descended upon them. Zhou Cang stared at her, speechless. “This was what he meant by ‘not presentable?’ She truly wasn’t presentable… She wasn’t exactly graceful when she ate. But this wasn’t the scene he had imagined. He had expected…”

She seemed to sense their presence, glancing towards them.

BOOM!

It was like a thunderclap in Shen Lao’s mind. His eyes widened, his body breaking out in goosebumps, his scalp tingling.

And the peak lords, who had been watching from the sky, landed silently outside the pavilion.