The Female Lead Always Comes Around [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 17

Li Xiao obediently knelt down.

The distance to Ning Shu’s room wasn’t far. If this got out and Ning Shu found out, she would definitely panic.

Li Zhou lowered his gaze at his daughter, a look of utter anguish on his face. He shook his head and said, “You’ve been obedient and well-behaved since childhood… how could you have any involvement with someone from the demonic sect? And… commit such shameless acts!”

Li Xiao wanted to argue, to tell him that there was nothing wrong with liking someone, and that two girls being together wasn’t indecent.

But she knew her father’s temper. If she obeyed him, she might still be able to handle things privately. If she defied him, the whole martial world would know in no time.

Seeing that she remained silent, Li Zhou’s anger deepened. He slammed the table. “I could see right away that that enchantress was no good. I tolerated it when you claimed not to know her earlier. But for her to set her sights on you… It’s utterly reckless!”

Hearing this, Li Xiao realized he must already be plotting how to deal with Ning Shu. She hurriedly said, “Father, I liked her first, it’s not her fault.”

“Silence!” Li Zhou shot up, the chair behind him screeching sharply. “I know your nature all too well! If she hadn’t seduced you, how could you have made such a grave mistake? An enchantress from the demonic sect deserves to be exterminated, and as Tian Shu’s heir, it is my duty!”

“Father, even though she’s from Yan Yue Palace, she hasn’t harmed the martial world. You can’t hurt her!”

Li Xiao was genuinely panicking. She was still inexperienced, and if her father rallied the major sects against Yan Yue Palace, there would be nothing she could do.

“She seduced the heir of Tian Shu! That’s far worse than harming the martial world itself!”

With that, Li Zhou swept his sleeve and left. The door locked behind him.

“Reflect properly, and don’t even think about seeking out that enchantress. I’ll personally keep an eye on you.”

Li Xiao slumped to the floor, utterly dejected. She didn’t doubt her father, he was a man of action.

The long night stretched on, clouds blocking the moon, and her mood matched the dark sky full of gloom.

She thought of countless plans, even attempting to force the door open. But the thought of her father waiting outside made her give up.

Since childhood, she had been patient and cautious, all to follow her mother’s wish and ensure the position of sect leader remained in the right hands.

If she openly defied her father now, she would lose the opportunity to inherit the position, and years of planning would be destroyed.

Her heart tangled with conflicting emotions, but in the end, she gritted her teeth and conceded. With Yan Yue Palace’s strength, even if the righteous sects mobilized fully, they wouldn’t suffer major losses otherwise, the other sects wouldn’t have feared them so much all these years.

After taking her medicine, Ning Shu slept soundly, oblivious to the sounds of Wu Yin and his companions sparring outside. In her dream, Li Xiao held her close, the faint scent of osmanthus drifting from her.

When she awoke, it was already Shen hour the next day, and the martial arts tournament was well underway. With her absence the previous afternoon, no one was surprised. After all, no one would be foolish enough to challenge Yan Yue Palace’s disciples they were overwhelmingly strong.

Ning Shu stretched and sat up. Aside from some soreness in her back, she felt completely well.

“Thanks to Li Xiao giving me those two bowls of medicine… how should I thank her? Maybe I should just take a nap?”

She covered her face shyly, calming herself before getting dressed and heading to the venue. Though her presence didn’t really matter, she still had to act properly. Most importantly, she wanted to see Li Xiao.

On the way to Yan Yue Palace, she passed Tian Shu and tried to exchange glances with Li Xiao, but Li Xiao didn’t look at her.

She sat down and grabbed a pastry, watching the smug faces of the Silver Whip Sect disciples after they won their bout. It grated on her.

“Those are Silver Whip Sect disciples, right? Didn’t their sect leader insult my master yesterday?”

Upon hearing this, the guards immediately understood. Mo Shang snapped his fan shut. “Just felt like testing them a bit.”

A hand stopped him from behind. Tan Fan twirled his dagger with interest, watching the bout with excitement.

“These little fish are mine to handle. Otherwise, people might say Yan Yue Palace is bullying the weak.”

Ning Shu raised an eyebrow and stuffed a pastry into her mouth. Though Tan Fan was the weakest of the guardians, handling these small fry was easy. If he went up, wouldn’t that technically be bullying too?

Tan Fan was impulsive and practical. In a few moves, he sent the Silver Whip disciples sprawling. If Ning Shu hadn’t signaled him, he wouldn’t have held back.

Li Zhou’s face darkened. He turned to Li Xiao. “You call this kind-hearted?”

Li Xiao remained silent, her long lashes lowering to partially hide her emotions.

The Silver Whip disciples were carried off. Tan Fan stood atop the platform, awaiting challengers. Dressed in black with a ponytail, his sharp eyes carried the pride and spirit of youth.

Li Zhou sipped his tea meaningfully. “Go. Remember your promise.”

Li Xiao’s grip tightened around her sword, knuckles whitening. She glanced at Ning Shu, who was looking at her. When their eyes met, Ning Shu’s bright smile made her heart ache.

Li Xiao quickly looked away, a thousand tiny pains prickling her chest.

“Tian Shu Sect is the top righteous sect, and the position of leader is crucial. If you’re not ready…”

“I can!”

Li Xiao said firmly, leaping onto the platform and drawing her sword to engage Tan Fan.

Ning Shu froze mid-bite. “Do the disciples of Tian Shu have mandatory bouts?”

Wu Yin’s eyes darkened, recalling last night’s events, an uneasy feeling rising.

Tan Fan wasn’t a match for Li Xiao. After a dozen rounds, he was defeated. Yet he was honorable, always showing respect to those stronger than him.

“I yield. Your skill surpasses mine.”

Li Xiao nodded slightly, and once he left, she stared rigidly at Ning Shu.

Ning Shu opened her mouth to speak, but Li Xiao’s voice rang out:

“Li Qing of Tian Shu Sect, challenge the Little Palace Master of Yan Yue Palace.”

Though soft, her voice carried across the entire venue. Everyone leaned forward, eager to watch the drama.

Ning Shu froze, slowly putting down her pastry and standing.

Could it be she intended to flirt with me openly on the platform?

Excited, Ning Shu twirled her sword in a flourish, striding onto the platform. She leaned close to Li Xiao and whispered, “Miss me?”

Li Xiao’s eyes flickered with struggle, her hands trembling on the sword. Seeing her pale face, Ning Shu asked, concerned, “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

Li Xiao gritted her teeth, swinging her sword, the sound of metal cutting flesh ringing clearly.

Ning Shu’s sword dropped in response. She looked down at the blade stuck in her chest, then slowly lifted her head, staring at Li Xiao in disbelief.

“Why?”