Immortal Sword Master

Chapter 369: Chapter 365: A Tea Party

One hour prior.

Inside the Nine Profound Sect’s assembly hall, a fierce argument was taking place.

”Father, have you gone mad? Who is this Jiang Ning? I’ve never even met him, so why are you making me marry him?”

Lü Qinghe stared at Lü Xingfan in disbelief. Just a short while ago, her father had summoned her, only for her to hear the most incredible thing.

Lü Xingfan actually wanted her to become a stranger’s fiancée.

To her, this was utterly devastating news.

”Insolent girl! Is that any way to speak to me? Do you still recognize me as your father?”

Lü Xingfan was, after all, a Sect Leader. He may have been meek and subservient before Ning Jiang, but now his full authority was on display. ”I’ve already told you, he is the descendant of a benefactor who did the Nine Profound Sect a great service. It’s your good fortune to become his fiancée.”

This so-called benefactor wasn’t a complete fabrication.

Ning Jiang had repelled the Mountain and Sea Sect and saved the Nine Profound Sect from ruin. He was, indeed, a great benefactor to the Sect. Lü Xingfan had simply added the ”descendant” part.

”I refuse! Father, you know perfectly well that I already have someone I like. I will not be with this Jiang Ning.”

Lü Qinghe’s face was clouded with displeasure.

”Absolutely not!” Lü Xingfan said adamantly. ”That person you like is too scheming and calculating. He is not a good match for you. Besides, compared to Ning—”

Lü Xingfan almost said Ning Jiang’s name and quickly corrected himself, ”Compared to Jiang Ning, that boy isn’t even fit to carry his shoes! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: it is your good fortune if you can be with Jiang Ning!”

”Father, just who is this Jiang Ning that you hold him in such high regard? Tell me! If he’s truly as outstanding as you say, then I won’t object. Otherwise, I will never agree.”

Lü Qinghe said firmly.

”You...” Lü Xingfan frowned, pondering for a moment before speaking. ”Fine, I might as well tell you a little. It might keep you from being foolish and offending him. He is the—of Qing Province’s Ten Thousand Swords...”

Just as Lü Xingfan was about to reveal Ning Jiang’s identity, a thunderous voice echoed in his ears.

”Lü Xingfan!”

It was Ning Jiang’s voice.

Ning Jiang’s Divine Sense blanketed the entire Nine Profound Sect, giving him a perfect grasp of everything that happened. Naturally, he had witnessed this argument.

Lü Xingfan’s expression changed in alarm. He instantly understood Ning Jiang’s meaning: he was to keep his mouth shut and keep his identity a secret.

Not daring to disobey, his expression hardened as he said angrily, ”This matter is settled. If you dare to defy me, I will disown you as my daughter.”

”Father, you...” Lü Qinghe was so furious she stomped her foot. ”Fine! I’ll go meet this Jiang Ning of yours and see for myself if he’s as outstanding as you claim.”

After she left, Lü Xingfan let out a long sigh. ’My foolish daughter, I’ve presented the opportunity to you. Whether you can seize it and soar to the heavens is up to you. That lord’s Divine Techniques are vast. He just stopped me from revealing his identity... it’s all up to you now.’

...

In a pavilion on the back mountain.

”I will never be with you. I suggest you abandon any delusions you might have.”

Lü Qinghe glared at Ning Jiang, annoyed. She could see absolutely nothing remarkable about him and couldn’t understand why her father held him in such high esteem.

Ning Jiang’s only redeeming quality was probably his handsome face.

Unfortunately, this was ultimately a world where strength reigned supreme.

In a place like Liang Province, Ning Jiang’s Divine Travel Realm Cultivation was nothing special. A true genius had to be at least in the God-Seizing Realm.

”Yes, I know.”

To her surprise, Ning Jiang’s response was very calm.

How could she have known that her entire argument with Lü Xingfan had been witnessed by Ning Jiang?

”You know?”

Lü Qinghe faltered, a little unsettled by Ning Jiang’s composure.

”Don’t worry. Just think of this as an act. Once this is all over, we’ll go our separate ways and forget we ever knew each other.”

Ning Jiang’s voice was faint, like the trickling of a clear spring.

He could easily see through Lü Qinghe’s thoughts. She simply looked down on him because she found his Cultivation to be mediocre.

He didn’t mind. This was exactly what he wanted. He had no desire to get deeply entangled with Lü Qinghe; a fleeting encounter was more than enough.

His current level of Cultivation was a result of him deliberately suppressing his aura to make himself seem more ordinary and avoid attracting attention.

”Is that so?”

Lü Qinghe looked at Ning Jiang with a touch of disdain.

She was, after all, the number one beauty of the Nine Profound Sect, with countless suitors. Furthermore, being with her was a stepping stone to becoming the next Sect Leader. She refused to believe Ning Jiang wouldn’t be tempted.

In her eyes, Ning Jiang’s current attitude was most likely an act of playing hard to get.

”I hope you remember what you’ve said today. And a final word of warning: if I find out you’re lying to me and have any improper designs on me, I won’t be polite.”

Lü Qinghe said coldly, her tone unfeeling.

”Alright. I have things to think about. You may go.”

Ning Jiang replied faintly. He closed his eyes, his thoughts already drifting to what would happen in seven days.

In seven days was the Extreme Heaven Sect’s grand event. ’I hope Liu Xianyu is safe...’

’What kind of person is he?’

Lü Qinghe, however, was thoroughly irritated by his indifferent attitude, and her opinion of him soured even further.

...

「The next morning.」

Ning Jiang was meditating in his room when a voice called from outside.

”Jiang Ning, get out here right now!”

Ning Jiang opened his eyes and walked outside. With his Divine Sense covering the entire Nine Profound Sect, he already knew why they had come.

Several figures stood outside his room, Lü Qinghe among them.

”Junior Sister Qinghe, is this the fiancé the Sect Leader found for you? He’s not all that.”

A woman standing next to Lü Qinghe sized up Ning Jiang for a few moments, then pursed her lips in disapproval.

Overall, Ning Jiang seemed far too ordinary, a world apart from the prominent figures of Liang Province she had met.

”Hmph, some nobody thinks he can marry Junior Sister Qinghe? Let me see what you’re made of.”

A cold voice rang out. It belonged to a man of about twenty-five, who was now striding toward Ning Jiang.

”This should be interesting. Fang Heng’s strength is already approaching the God-Seizing Realm, making him one of the top three geniuses in our Sect. He’s always admired Junior Sister Qinghe, so he’ll probably be ruthless this time.”

The woman from before watched with great interest, ready for a good show.

”Brat, take this!”

Fang Heng threw a vicious punch, its force ferocious and without mercy.

Even if Ning Jiang was someone the Sect Leader valued, Fang Heng was sure the Sect Leader wouldn’t say much if he was defeated.

Strength was, as always, the most important thing.

”Fang Heng, stop.”

But at the critical moment, it was Lü Qinghe who shouted coldly, stopping Fang Heng in his tracks.

She looked at Ning Jiang and said, ”There’s a tea party. Father wants you to come with us.”