The new Junior Sister actually got to settle down beside the main hall?
That was a privilege Bai Yang had never enjoyed.
His fists clenched at his sides. Tremors ran down his arms as he stepped forward, teeth gritted, jaw locked.
Even with his injuries, his posture remained proud, graceful. The silver edge of his robe shimmered faintly as he moved, but it could not disguise the haggard lines around his eyes.
When he reached the courtyard, Song Wanníng was seated beneath the eaves, a teacup in hand. She smiled softly as Li Ruo, the child at her side, nuzzled close. Her slender hand gently stroked the girl's head, calm and affectionate.
Only when he approached did she finally turn to him.
"What are you here for?"
Bai Yang had a storm of accusations ready, but remembering why he came, he forced it all down.
His pride, already battered, crumbled further.
"…Master, I'm sorry," he said quietly. "It was my fault. I shouldn't have taken the pills without permission."
It was the first time in his life he had bowed his head so low.
He could barely breathe through the fear rising in his chest.
What if she never forgave him?
What if… she had already replaced him?
Song Wanníng blinked in surprise, then suddenly laughed.
Her eyes shimmered with mockery.
"People", she thought, "only cherish what they lose."
She had treated him with such care, and he never appreciated it.
Now that she turned cold, he came crawling back.
Her lips curled downward. The laughter faded.
What did Bai Yang take her for?
A pathetic woman at his beck and call?
Song Wanníng's expression darkened. "If it's just for pills, there's no need for this. If I wanted to give them, I would." She tossed a jade bottle at his feet. It rolled against his black, gold-trimmed boots, the porcelain clinking softly against the leather.
The sound struck deeper than any blow.
Bai Yang's head jerked up, stunned. He stared at her, eyes filled with disbelief, confusion, and fury.
His pride shattered.
He had humbled himself. Why did she still have to humiliate him?
Li Ruo's wide-eyed look of shock only made it worse.
Bai Yang's face flushed crimson. His eyes reddened, wolf-like with rage.
"What? Still not enough?" Song Wanníng didn't even acknowledge his fury. She threw another bottle. "This should do it."
Bai Yang lowered his head. His eyes followed the rolling bottle, brimming with hatred.
Blood welled where his palm had clenched too hard.
But beneath the anger was fear.
Fear of losing Song Wanníng's favor forever.
His emotions tangled together, turning his eyes red at the corners. The dark aura radiating off him sent chills down the spine.
Bai Yang looked at her one last time, then turned and left.
His steps were unsteady, but stubborn. Soon, he disappeared from the mountain peak.
"Master... Senior Brother..." Li Ruo looked up, puzzled. Why was such a kind person like Master treating Senior Brother this way?
"Do you think I'm a terrible person?" Song Wanníng asked softly.
Li Ruo shook her head. "No. Master is the best person in the world. Even though I beat him and shamed him?"
Song Wanníng pressed again.
Li Ruo looked up with her chubby cheeks and shook her head again.
"Master is good to me. So to me, you're the best."
"So innocent. So pure."
Like rain after a long drought, her words washed through Song Wanníng's heart.
Her expression eased. She reached out to gently pat Li Ruo's hair.
Even a child understood this much.
Yet some adults never would.
...
The Tianjiao Gathering was fast approaching.
This year, it would be held right at Wentian Sect.
Held once every ten years, the gathering welcomed cultivators from the Seven Sects and Four Clans.
As host, Wentian Sect had begun preparations early.
On Guest Peak, pavilions stood in elegant rows. The air was fragrant with flowers, the sound of birds clear and sweet. Disciples chosen to represent the sect were training intensely. With both Ye Chuxue and Bai Yang recently injured, others felt greater pressure to carry the team.
On Yunxiao Peak, Song Wanníng was just about to leave when she heard hurried footsteps behind her.
"Aunt Master!"
Ye Chuxue's voice rang out, and she rushed forward.
"Aunt Master, wait!"
Song Wanníng turned slowly, face calm but cold. She reined in the hostility behind her smile.
"What is it?"
Ye Chuxue hesitated, then bowed.
"Aunt Master, please don't be angry with Senior Brother Bai anymore. I… it's my fault he did what he did. He was only trying to help me."
She wasn't surprised at Song Wanníng's icy response.
Song Wanníng had always worn her emotions plainly. Only Gu Qingyuan could soothe her sharp edges.
Ye Chuxue felt a hint of annoyance. Song Wanníng was no different from those spoiled noble daughters. If not for her powerful background, what would she even have?
She pushed down her resentment and forced a smile.
"Senior Brother Bai only took the pills because I was dying. He didn't mean any harm…"
"Oh?" Song Wanníng interrupted, her tone crisp. "So it was you who ordered him to steal?"
"No... I didn't!" Ye Chuxue shook her head quickly. Senior Brother Bai had done it on his own. It had nothing to do with her.
"Then what business of yours is Bai Yang's punishment?" Song Wanníng's cold stare made Ye Chuxue flinch. Before she could react, Song Wanníng had already walked away.
If it weren't for the heaven-defying luck tied to the male and female leads, she would have killed them the moment she returned to the sect.
But perhaps keeping them alive would be worse.
Some pain lasted far longer than death.
...
Ye Chuxue watched her leave, a glint of cold light in her eyes.
She bit her lower lip, humiliated and resentful.
One day, she would surpass Song Wanníng.
Fixing her expression, she turned and climbed toward Bai Yang's courtyard.
Just as she reached the door, she saw him standing outside.
Was he waiting for her?
Her heart skipped.
"Senior Brother Bai, how are your injuries?"
She stepped forward and offered a small porcelain bottle.
"I heard Aunt Master cut off your supply. Take these. It was all my fault. If not for me, you wouldn't have angered her. But no matter how angry she is, she shouldn't have hit you so hard. Doesn't she care at all?" Worried, she looked up at Bai Yang.
But he seemed lost in thought.
"Senior Brother Bai?"
She waved a hand in front of his face.
He blinked and came back to himself.
"What did you say to Master just now?"
"Huh?" Ye Chuxue froze. A moment later, she realized he must have seen her talking to Song Wanníng.
She pressed her lips together and replied, "I apologized on your behalf. I asked her not to take it out on you, but... she seemed really angry. She said your affairs have nothing to do with me."
Her tone darkened. She and Senior Brother Bai had been through so many life-and-death moments. Their bond was practically romantic, if still unspoken. Why shouldn't she be involved?
But Song Wanníng, acting like some overbearing mother, thought she had the right to control everything.
Just a Master, not his entire world.
===
For more information about luck, you can visit link that I put on the Author's Thought. Or you can comment and I will put it again on the comment section