Joining the Joyful Union Sect, My Life in the Grip of My Senior Sister

Chapter 273: Young Master Ye, can’t you like me?

Unable to hold back her guilt, Jun Yunshang grabbed Lin Fengmian’s hand and tried to use it to slap herself.

Lin Fengmian stopped his hand in mid-air and calmly said, “There’s no need to blame yourself. I’ve known all along.”

“You… you’ve known all along?”

Jun Yunshang looked at him incredulously. “Then why…?”

“I’m not an idiot,” Lin Fengmian replied evenly. “After learning your identity, it was obvious that the citizens of Kang City were killed by those pursuing you.”

His expression remained tranquil, devoid of anger or joy, with just the right touch of sorrow and reflection in his gaze.

Jun Yunshang was stunned for a moment. In a small voice, she asked, “If you knew that I caused the deaths of Kang City’s people and your family… why did you escort me to Junlin? Why not kill me to avenge them?”

Lin Fengmian’s tone was light. “When I took your Foundation Establishment Realm pills, I told you that I wouldn’t kill you. I always keep my word.”

“The real culprit, Jun Jueli, is already dead. Although you played a role, I promised not to harm you, and I won’t.”

Jun Yunshang hadn’t expected that the only reason she was still alive was because of his adherence to his word. Her expression grew complex, and she murmured a soft acknowledgment.

Seeing the faint melancholy in his eyes, she sincerely apologized, “Young Master Ye, I’m sorry!”

“I know that saying sorry doesn’t fix anything, but I truly regret what happened…”

Lin Fengmian scoffed lightly. “What’s the point of apologizing? Are you going to find me another wife?”

“I… I…”

Jun Yunshang lowered her head in shame, at a loss for words, though her quivering lips and misty eyes suggested that she was about to cry again.

Lin Fengmian quickly waved his hand. “All right, stop crying. Anyone who sees this might think that I bullied you.”

Jun Yunshang sniffled softly and nodded pitifully, her doe-eyed look making Lin Fengmian increasingly uncomfortable.

No wonder Luo Xue couldn’t handle it – he was struggling as well.

Once more, silence fell between them. Jun Yunshang continued to steal glances at Lin Fengmian, causing him to chuckle helplessly.

“Why are you stealing glances at me?”

Caught in the act, Jun Yunshang blushed furiously. “I wasn’t… I just feel guilty towards you.”

“What guilt? You don’t want to marry me, so what’s the point?” Lin Fengmian retorted, rolling his eyes.

“Do you… really want to get married again?”

Jun Yunshang nervously bit her lip, her voice hesitant as she ventured, “I… actually…”

Sensing the danger in her tone, Lin Fengmian quickly raised a hand to cut her off.

“I was joking. Look, I know I’m amazing, but don’t fall for me. It won’t end well.”

Jun Yunshang’s cheeks turned crimson as she stammered, “Oh…” Disappointment briefly flickered in her eyes.

Standing up, Lin Fengmian declared, “Alright, enough dilly-dallying. Let’s go. We must reach Chongming City by noon.”

Exiting the cave, Lin Fengmian summoned his flying boat, and the two of them sped toward Chongming City.

Breaking the lingering awkwardness, Jun Yunshang spoke up, “Young Master Ye, when we get to Chongming City, can I buy you a drink?”

Lin Fengmian glanced back at her, the corners of his lips curling slightly. “No.”

“Why not? Can’t you drink?”

Jun Yunshang pouted in disappointment, her dejection written plainly on her face.

Lin Fengmian shot her a sideways glance and quipped, “I won’t drink because I suspect you’ll try to get me drunk and take advantage of me.”

“I would never do that!” Jun Yunshang’s face turned scarlet.

“People can be deceptive. As a man traveling alone, it’s always better to be cautious,” Lin Fengmian replied with mock seriousness.

“Ugh! Who knows who might end up taking advantage of whom!” Jun Yunshang huffed, puffing her cheeks in frustration.

Lin Fengmian chuckled, dramatically flipping his hair. “That’s not even a question. Obviously, I’d be the one to lose out – I’m far too exceptional.”

Jun Yunshang had been feeling anxious, but watching Lin Fengmian casually sipping fake wine from his flask, his carefree demeanor brought an inexplicable sense of comfort.

As if all her worries melted away, she smiled – a radiant expression like flowers blooming in spring.

“Young Master Ye, can’t I really like you?”

“No,” Lin Fengmian replied succinctly.

“Why not?” Jun Yunshang asked, her voice tinged with hope.

“I don’t belong to this world. There’s no future for us,” Lin Fengmian said softly, a hint of melancholy creeping into his tone.

Jun Yunshang misunderstood his words, assuming that he was referring to their differences in background or cultivation aptitude. She thought that he looked down on her potential.

But Lin Fengmian’s mind was elsewhere, thinking of himself and Luo Xue. Weren’t they in the same predicament?

This realization only deepened his resolve to rewrite the future.

Since the Double Fish Pendant could transcend time, then as long as he grew strong enough, he could rewrite time itself.

No matter what the cost, he would bring Luo Xue back into his timeline where she belonged.

The three of them fell into a heavy silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

Breaking the silence, Luo Xue asked, “I almost forgot – did you gain anything from your journey back this time?”

Lin Fengmian honestly replied, “Not much about the Nine Dragons Struggle for the Throne, but I did learn who ultimately unifies the world.”

“Who?” Luo Xue asked.

“A woman – Empress Feng Yao. She’s a Sword Dao Saint and seems to have inherited the legacy of the Heaven-Soaring Sword Saint,” Lin Fengmian said with a serious expression.

Luo Xue was surprised. “So our journey here is destined to achieve nothing in this timeline?”

Lin Fengmian smiled bitterly. “If history follows its original course, then that appears to be the case.”

But Luo Xue’s gaze became determined. “Then let’s prove it wrong. Let’s see if we can rewrite this future!”

She cared little for personal glory; reshaping history was far more significant to her.

If they succeeded, it would mean that the future wasn’t set in stone.

Armed with foreknowledge, she could prepare in advance – save Qionghua Supreme and the sect itself.

“Are you afraid? Changing the future might not be good for you. After all, what you’re doing now is changing history,” Luo Xue said.

“Of course I’m scared,” Lin Fengmian joked. “What if I return to find myself in Qionghua instead of the Joyful Union Sect, with you chasing me around wielding a stick?”

“Ridiculous!” Luo Xue scolded, although there was no real anger in her voice. She didn’t press the matter further, but silently remembered his unwavering loyalty.

After pondering for a moment, she asked, “So there are only two female contenders this time. This Empress Feng Yao, could she be Jun Fengya?”

Lin Fengmian chuckled. “Empress Feng Yao is said to be an unparalleled tactician, ruthless and cunning, with unparalleled swordsmanship. Rumor has it that she even slew a Saint. She’s brilliant in every way.”

“Do you think this airhead Jun Yunshang could be the legendary Empress Feng Yao? Without us, she would have died a hundred times over by now.”

As if sensing their conversation about her, Jun Yunshang turned her head, looking at him with wide, blinking eyes as pure as spring water, yet tinged with an unmistakable naivety.

“She has absolutely nothing to do with being an empress,” Luo Xue said dryly.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Lin Fengmian said, nodding seriously.

Their conversation stopped as the distant silhouette of Chongming City came into view.

Lin Fengmian straightened up, putting himself on high alert.

If they continued, they might cross paths with the legendary Empress Feng Yao herself.

The prospect of meeting such a fabled figure filled Lin Fengmian with both curiosity and anticipation.

After all, this was the future Empress Feng Yao – renowned for her brilliance and unmatched prowess.

What would she be like in her youth?

The thought of showing off in front of her made his sword hand twitch with excitement.