NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 21:
Chapter 21: This Man… I Will Have Him!:
“Elder Xu, why have you brought people here to disturb Senior Brother’s peace? What is your intention?”
Instead of answering Xu Qingshan’s question, Meng Yu countered with her own.
Xu Qingshan awkwardly smiled, loosening his grip on his sword hilt.
Behind him, the disciples of the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect collectively sighed in relief.
Right now, rumors were spreading that Lu Chen had regained his cultivation. Even if he had only recovered a fraction of it, he was still far beyond their reach.
If they truly fought, even if Lu Chen showed mercy due to their shared sect background, they would still suffer a crushing defeat.
No matter how one looked at it, maintaining peace was the best option.
Within a few moments, Xu Qingshan had already gone through several calculations in his mind.
“Meng Yu, you misunderstand. We are here to invite Lu Chen back to the sect.”
Neither Meng Yu nor Lu Chen believed him.
Xu Qingshan let out a light cough.
The disciples behind him immediately fell to their knees, shouting in unison.
“Master Senior Brother, please return to the sect!”
Lu Chen remained indifferent as he responded, “No need.”
Xu Qingshan’s expression became solemn.
“Lu Chen, are you intending to defy the Sect Master’s command?”
Lu Chen lifted his head and retorted with equal force.
“Elder Xu, I am now a free man. I have no ties to the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect anymore. Please do not force this matter.”
“But if you refuse to return, I have no way of reporting back to the Sect Master. Please be considerate.”
Saying this, Xu Qingshan even bent at the waist in a deep bow.
Meng Yu let out a cold laugh, breaking the awkward silence.
“May I ask, Elder Xu, did the Sect Master personally order that Lu Chen be invited back?”
“This…”
Xu Qingshan’s expression became troubled.
The Sect Master had indeed ordered him to locate Lu Chen and bring him back.
However, there had been no mention of an invitation.
The reason Xu Qingshan used the word “invite” was simply out of fear that Lu Chen, harboring resentment, would insist on leaving.
But now, Meng Yu had exposed his deception outright.
Xu Qingshan’s face flushed red with embarrassment, leaving him at a loss for words.
Meng Yu continued.
“If this was not the Sect Master’s order, then Elder Xu is acting on his own accord by commanding sect disciples to bring Lu Chen back. Are you not going against the Sect Master’s will?”
“In that case, what right do you have to accuse Lu Chen?”
“Furthermore, Lu Chen has already crossed the Bridge of No Return. His severance from the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect is known across the world. How is it that Elder Xu remains unaware?”
Three sharp questions, delivered with unwavering conviction.
Xu Qingshan opened and closed his mouth multiple times, but not a single word came out.
Sect Master, what kind of impossible task have you assigned me?
Gathering intelligence was one thing, but expecting to bring Lu Chen back was nothing short of delusional.
“Elder Xu, please leave. Do not disturb the peace of the deceased in Blacksmith Town.”
Seeing that Xu Qingshan had no intention of leaving, Lu Chen’s expression darkened as he spoke coldly.
“Lu Chen, one must always remember gratitude. If not for the Sect Master taking you in, would you have achieved what you have today?”
“Even though you suffered hardships, it was your destiny.”
“Even if you have left the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect, you should not forget the Sect Master’s kindness.”
Just as he finished speaking, the crisp sound of clapping rang out.
Pa!
Pa!
Pa!
The claps were slow and deliberate.
“What a joke. I’ve seen shameless people before, but never to this extent!”
“I suppose the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect won’t last much longer. The Sect Master is blind, and the elders are senile!”
“Lu Chen leaving was the wisest decision he could have made!”
Xu Qingshan trembled with rage.
The disciples beside him turned toward the direction of the voice.
Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted.
“That’s someone from the Azure Sun Sect!”
“That’s their Holy Maiden, Bai Ningruo!”
Upon hearing this, Meng Yu’s face instantly darkened.
Ever since Lu Chen left the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect, numerous sects had gone to great lengths to invite him, even royal dynasties had joined in.
Lu Chen’s unparalleled talent made him highly sought after—this was expected.
But the Azure Sun Sect was an exception.
Their method of inviting Lu Chen was utterly disgraceful!
In their public notice, the Azure Sun Sect’s Holy Maiden, Bai Ningruo, had openly professed her love for Lu Chen!
Her words were affectionate, heartfelt, and sincere.
By the end, she had even sealed it with the Azure Sun Sect’s official sigil!
This meant that her sect’s leader fully endorsed it.
The world saw this as a romantic story.
But for some reason, Meng Yu felt unbearably frustrated.
Shameless!
Manipulative!
The Azure Sun Sect had always been the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect’s greatest rival. To recruit Lu Chen, they would stoop to anything!
Meng Yu let out a cold huff and rolled her eyes at Bai Ningruo.
Upon realizing her identity, the disciples of the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect, who had been kneeling, immediately stood up.
Xu Qingshan clenched his teeth, his glare filled with fury.
“Bai Ningruo, what are you trying to do?!”
“This is an internal matter of the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect. Your Azure Sun Sect has no right to interfere!”
“I advise you to leave at once. If you do, I’ll act as though this never happened. Otherwise—”
Before he could finish, Bai Ningruo let out a melodious laugh.
“Otherwise, what?”
“Are you going to spew more of your hypocritical nonsense?”
“People like you, who abandon their benefactors once they’re no longer useful, have no right to act so high and mighty!”
As she spoke, Bai Ningruo stepped toward Lu Chen.
Now, the disciples of the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect finally got a clear look at the Holy Maiden of the Azure Sun Sect.
Her lips were red like plum blossoms, and her brows arched like willow leaves.
Her skin was like smooth jade, exuding an otherworldly beauty.
As they stood in awe, Bai Ningruo suddenly drew her sword!
Her sharp, crystal-clear eyes flashed with killing intent!
No one could believe that such an ethereal beauty could possess such an intense aura of slaughter.
“I do not wish to fight, but if anyone tries to take Lu Chen away, they will have to get past me first!”
Bai Ningruo raised her Emerald Wave Cold Sword, standing protectively in front of Lu Chen.
“Bai Ningruo, you’re truly shameless! Just because you issued a public invitation, do you think Lu Chen will definitely marry you?”
Realizing he was no match for Bai Ningruo, Xu Qingshan resorted to verbal attacks.
If he couldn’t defeat her, he could at least humiliate her.
However, Bai Ningruo wasn’t fazed at all.
Instead, she smirked.
“If we’re talking about shamelessness, I would still come second. The Mystic Spirit Holy Sect definitely takes first place.”
“A mere accusation of sabotaging the spirit spring was enough for you to execute Lu Chen. Do you think the world is blind?”
“Lu Chen guarded your sect for over three hundred years, yet you claim he was jealous of his peers’ growth? If that were true, why would he have bothered defending the Demon Abyss?”
“If he really wanted to, he could have let the demon horde wipe you all out, down to the last bone! Wouldn’t that have been much easier?”
“You people have committed disgraceful acts beyond measure!”
Bai Ningruo shook her head with a mocking sigh.
Everyone was left speechless.
This Holy Maiden wasn’t just stunning—her words were razor-sharp!
She could utterly demolish someone with just a few sentences!
As the crowd was still in shock, Bai Ningruo suddenly declared—
“This man… I will have him!”