Chapter 95: Chapter 93: Scram, Blind to Gold-Inlaid Jade
「In a quiet forest.」
Song Ziwen bowed respectfully to Ning Jiang, his face filled with deep reverence.
"Hm? You know me?"
Ning Jiang glanced at him and said calmly.
"Reporting to the Sword Sect, this junior was also present for the battle at Star Moon Lake in Luoyang City. I witnessed the Sword Sect’s invincible prowess with my own eyes. One man, one sword, sweeping away all before him—a sight I’ll never forget for the rest of my life."
Song Ziwen said cautiously, excitement flashing in his eyes. Ever since that day, he had been hoping for a chance to meet Ning Jiang.
But how could he, a mere nobody, ever get close to a great figure like Ning Jiang?
In Baiquan Town, he was a renowned genius to whom everyone had to show respect. But compared to the young man before him, he was utterly insignificant.
The difference between them was like that of a firefly to the bright moon.
He had stayed in Luoyang City until the twentieth of the first month, when "Kunlun" was officially founded. He had hoped to enter Bamboo Sea Manor to offer his congratulations and find a chance to approach Ning Jiang, but he couldn’t even get past the threshold. In the end, he could only stare longingly from the outside.
On that day, a host of dignitaries from countless major factions had gathered at Bamboo Sea Manor to offer their congratulations. The sight filled him with envy and deepened his respect for Ning Jiang even further.
"So that’s how it is. I suppose we were fated to meet," Ning Jiang said casually.
But to Song Ziwen’s ears, those words sent him into a state of ecstasy.
’White Head Sword Sect. He’s the White Head Sword Sect, and also... the Lord of Kunlun!’
Meanwhile, Song Mu’Er was muttering to herself. Her delicate body trembled, and her beautiful face had turned deathly pale, completely drained of color.
The White Head Sword Sect.
The Lord of Kunlun.
Those two titles had been on her brother’s lips constantly ever since he returned from Luoyang City.
At the time, she hadn’t known what kind of person he was.
It wasn’t until she pestered Song Ziwen into recounting everything he had seen in Luoyang City that she finally understood just how astonishingly brilliant the White Head Sword Sect, the Lord of Kunlun, truly was.
On the fifteenth of the first month, at the annual gathering.
He arrived riding an eagle, stunning everyone present.
With a single roar, he shattered a death trap. With a single sword, he defeated the Ten Heroes.
Each of the Luoyang Ten Heroes was stronger than her brother, yet even when they joined forces, Ning Jiang had annihilated them all with just one sword!
And at that time, Ning Jiang’s cultivation was only at the Postnatal Peak!
After that battle, the Pavilion Master of the Tianya Pavilion branch believed Ning Jiang was worthy of first place on the Famous Family List.
This was a figure even more monstrously talented than Sword King Chu Bai or Young Master Soaring Dragon.
This was a peerless prodigy!
And also... the man she had come to admire.
Just think about it—what young woman wouldn’t be drawn to a young prodigy like Ning Jiang, who possessed both talent and power?
Song Mu’Er was proud and had high standards; no one in Baiquan Town had ever caught her eye. But after hearing Song Ziwen’s descriptions of Ning Jiang, she had instantly fallen for the White Head Sword Sect she had never met. Her heart filled with adoration, and her mind was consumed with thoughts of him.
She had even planned to go to Luoyang City after the new year to see this peerless prodigy, who had captured her heart, with her own eyes.
But she never, ever imagined that the White Head Sword Sect she had been obsessing over for the past few days was right in front of her.
"How could I have been so stupid..."
Song Mu’Er murmured, her face growing even paler.
’Looking at Ning Jiang now, his handsome face, his striking white hair, his transcendent aura—isn’t it exactly as my brother described?’
People are just like that. When you dislike someone, your eyes are often clouded, and you subconsciously ignore many things. Only when your mind is clear do you notice the brilliant qualities you couldn’t see before.
The Ning Jiang before her now seemed so towering that she could hardly look up to him.
"Oh, right. This is my younger sister, Song Mu’Er. She has always admired the Sword Sect. Mu’Er, what are you doing standing there in a daze? Hurry up and pay your respects to the Sword Sect."
Song Ziwen frowned. ’My sister has always been sharp as a tack. Why is she being so slow right now?’
"No need for introductions. We’ve already met," Ning Jiang said, his tone cold.
Song Ziwen was a clever man. Hearing that tone and seeing the look on Song Mu’Er’s face, he knew something was wrong. "Mu’Er, what did you do?" he demanded angrily. "Did you offend the Sword Sect?!"
He was furious. He had gone to such lengths trying to befriend Ning Jiang, and now that he finally had the chance, his own sister had somehow messed things up.
He knew full well that Ning Jiang was the type to kill without batting an eye.
After killing the Ten Heroes, not even the First-Class Noble Houses could do anything to him. If their Song Family offended Ning Jiang, and he killed them all in a fit of rage, no one would be there to seek justice for them.
"Get over here and apologize to the Sword Sect at once," Song Ziwen barked.
Song Mu’Er finally snapped out of it. She walked meekly before Ning Jiang and Ning Yu’an and said in a low voice, "I’m sorry."
She was dejected, and her eyes were a little red.
The man she admired and adored was right in front of her, but she had been blind enough to offend him. The moment she thought about it, she was filled with mortal regret. A sudden coolness traced her cheeks as a few tears fell from her eyes involuntarily.
The famous talented beauty of Baiquan Town was actually crying!
"Little Brother."
Ning Yu’an tugged on Ning Jiang’s hand. The sight of Song Mu’Er’s tears, making her look so pitifully lovely, made Ning Yu’an’s heart soften.
Ning Jiang knew Ning Yu’an had a kind heart. "Forget it," he said with a sigh. "I don’t blame you for what happened earlier."
Song Mu’Er had clearly learned her lesson, and besides, her attitude before hadn’t been that egregious. If Ning Jiang were to nitpick, he would just seem petty.
Song Ziwen secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He then said respectfully, "This junior is hosting a gathering today. I wonder if the Sword Sect would be willing to come and join us?"
He spoke with great anticipation.
In fact, tonight’s gathering was, in essence, held for Ning Jiang’s sake. He had gathered the young geniuses of Baiquan Town specifically to discuss the events in Luoyang City and to talk about the White Head Sword Sect.
Who would have thought that the man himself would actually appear? This was truly an unexpected gift from the heavens.
"There’s no need."
Ning Jiang flicked his fingernails, his tone cool. "I came here today to relax. I don’t wish to be disturbed."
"Also, don’t spread my identity around. I don’t want others coming to bother me. Understood?"
"Yes."
How could Song Ziwen dare to disobey Ning Jiang’s words? He quickly agreed.
"We respectfully see you off, Sword Sect," Song Ziwen said quickly as the two departed.
After the two had left, Song Ziwen sighed and said, his tone one of disappointed exasperation, "Mu’Er, what am I going to do with you? You’ve always been so proud, looking down on all the young geniuses in Baiquan Town. Now that you’ve finally met someone you like, you go and offend him, completely wasting this chance to get to know him."
Hearing this, Song Mu’Er bit her red lip, her eyes welling up with tears again. "Brother, what should I do? Do you think he’s still holding a grudge?"
"How did you end up offending him?" Song Ziwen asked.
"It’s all that Ning Feng’s fault."
Song Mu’Er ground her teeth in hatred and recounted what had happened by the shore.
If it hadn’t been for Ning Feng’s contemptuous attitude toward Ning Jiang and Ning Yu’an, how would she have ever offended Ning Jiang?
"Oh? So, the White Head Sword Sect isn’t on good terms with the Ning Family? And it seems the Ning Family doesn’t know his identity. This is interesting."
Song Ziwen’s eyes shifted. "Come on," he said. "Let’s go have a talk with that Ning Feng."
The brother and sister left the forest and hurried to the center of the island.
At Crescent Manor in the center of the island, many invited young elites were gathered.
Song Ziwen scanned the crowd and quickly found Ning Feng’s group. "Brother Ning," he called out.
"Brother Song."
Ning Feng quickly clasped his hands in greeting, a pleasant surprise in his heart. Being called "Brother Ning" was a sign of closeness.
He had come today hoping to befriend Song Ziwen as well.
"Brother Ning, I was wondering, do you know Bai..." Song Ziwen paused, then changed his words. "Ning Jiang?"
"Ning Jiang?" Ning Feng glanced at Song Mu’Er beside Song Ziwen. Seeing her icy expression, he assumed she was still angry about what happened at the shore. He quickly said, "Brother Song, that ill-mannered bastard offended your sister. I apologize to you on his behalf."
’Ill-mannered bastard?’
Song Ziwen’s expression instantly became a sight to behold.
Ning Ding, who was standing beside him, chimed in, "That’s right, that’s right. Although that Ning Jiang shares our surname, he’s actually a bastard we picked up from nowhere. He has nothing to do with our Ning Family."
’A bastard picked up from nowhere?’
Anger flashed in Song Mu’Er’s eyes. No matter what, Ning Jiang was the man she admired and liked; how dare they insult him like this?
"Haha, Brother Song, let’s not talk about such unpleasant matters. By the way, let me introduce you. This is Ning Shan, my younger sister. She has long admired you," Ning Feng said with a laugh.
Dressed in a green skirt, Ning Shan was nearly as beautiful as Song Mu’Er. She felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. Song Ziwen was the genius of the Song Family, famous throughout Baiquan Town, and she had admired him for a long time.
She gave a graceful bow, her smile sweet. "Ning Shan greets Young Master Song."
At this moment, all the gloom in her heart had vanished.
Before, at the Jadeite Pavilion, when Ning Jiang had lavishly bought jewelry for Ning Yu’an, she had felt a twinge of regret, but not true remorse.
’So what if he has a lot of Primordial Stones?’
’How could he possibly compare to the Song Ziwen standing before me?’
Song Ziwen had talent, strength, and a powerful background. He was far superior to Ning Jiang in every respect.
’If I could be with Song Ziwen, it would be ten, even a hundred times better than being with Ning Jiang.’
"Ning Shan, is it? What is your opinion of Ning Jiang?" Song Ziwen asked.
"Him?" Ning Shan thought for a moment before replying, "He’s arrogant and doesn’t know his place. That’s why he offended Miss Song."
"I see." Song Ziwen’s voice was now utterly freezing.
Then, he spat out a single word without a shred of mercy.
"Scram!"
At this word, Ning Feng, Ning Ding, Ning Qi, and Ning Shan all froze.
"Brother Song, what is the meaning of this?"
"I told you to scram!" Song Ziwen roared again.
"Scram."
Song Mu’Er’s pretty face was like ice as she echoed his cold command.
If not for them, how would she have offended Ning Jiang? She felt nothing but disgust for these people.
"If you don’t scram now, I’ll throw you out myself!"
Song Ziwen’s attitude was unyielding. As he spoke, he took a step forward, unleashing the oppressive aura of the Innate Realm.
Ning Feng’s expression changed. He had only reached the Innate Realm with the help of elixirs; he was nowhere near as powerful as Song Ziwen.
"Fine, fine."
The faces of Ning Feng and his group turned pale then livid. Knowing they couldn’t afford to offend Song Ziwen, they left with dark expressions, slinking away in disgrace.
"Hmph. A bunch of fools who don’t know what’s good for them."
Song Ziwen spat on the ground and cursed with a face full of disdain, "A pack of blind fools. You dare to insult the White Head Sword Sect, the Lord of Kunlun? You’re all so shortsighted, unable to recognize jade inlaid with gold."
If Ning Feng and his group were on good terms with Ning Jiang, he would have naturally befriended them.
But these people dared to insult Ning Jiang. If he got close to them, wouldn’t that be offending Ning Jiang as well?
"Right, the Ning Family’s annual meeting is coming up. When it happens, we’ll go with Father, bring a generous gift, and pay a proper visit to the White Head Sword Sect," Song Ziwen said.
「Meanwhile.」
After Ning Feng and his group left the gathering.
"Damn you, Ning Jiang! I hate you so much!"
Ning Feng let out a furious roar. His fists were clenched tight, his eyes looked like they were about to burst into flames, and veins bulged on his neck.
He had come today hoping to befriend Song Ziwen and even pursue Song Mu’Er, but he ended up being thrown out. It was a humiliating disgrace.
In his eyes, this was all Ning Jiang’s fault.
Ning Shan’s face was frosty. She had spent almost all her Primordial Stones on a necklace just to see Song Ziwen, but because of Ning Jiang, all of it had come to nothing.
’It’s all your fault,’ Ning Shan fumed internally.
