However, Yun Zhonghe's expression didn't change. He said in a cold, hard tone, "A duel? It ended long ago. This Miss has already lost. You only signed a duel agreement, not a life-and-death agreement. Yet you just kept pressing, clearly wanting to put her to death."
Yun Zhonghe spoke each word clearly and forcefully, like a righteous messenger who loved to champion fairness.
And he was right. A duel agreement was not a life-and-death agreement; once a winner and loser were decided, one could not continue to make things difficult.
However, the Female Manager was used to breaking the law and perverting justice for personal gain. How could she admit it? Furthermore, no one was clearer than them about the loopholes in the Immortal Alliance's laws.
She immediately let out a cold snort: "What 'kept pressing'? Clearly, this little slut was deliberately stalling for time. She hasn't admitted defeat, so she hasn't lost!"
The atmosphere on the field became tense.
"Everyone stop! If anyone makes a rash move now, don't blame me for being impolite!"
Suddenly, a suffocating pressure descended from the sky. Everyone couldn't help but look up and see a streak of rosy light falling from above.
Within the rosy light, an immortal woman slowly descended, her moon-white long dress fluttering. Her dark hair was styled into a flying bun, adorned with a nine-tailed phoenix hairpin. She was graceful, noble, elegant, and holy.
The Female Manager and all the Immortal Alliance members were shocked upon seeing this immortal woman. They quickly bowed and saluted: "Greetings, Helm Master!"
This was the Immortal Alliance's Helm Master Li—Nascent Soul Stage expert, Moon Mist Spirit Immortal.
When Helm Master Li appeared, Tao Jiu'er also quietly ran to Yun Zhonghe's side: "Young Master, I invited Helm Master Li."
It turned out that Yun Zhonghe had already made arrangements before the two started fighting, inviting Helm Master Li to help.
Helm Master Li had a noble and cold demeanor. He looked down from above, surveying the entire scene. His gaze lingered on Yun Zhonghe for a moment, and he nodded, then looked towards the Female Manager.
Cold yet full of authority, his words fell, making people tremble with fear: "Manager Zhang, you can scram. From today onwards, you are no longer a member of my Immortal Alliance."
Manager Zhang was stunned upon hearing this: "Wait, Helm Master Li, I..."
Helm Master Li narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze seemingly able to cut through the air as he stared at Manager Zhang: "Do you think I didn't know about the rotten things you did while I was in seclusion? Don't worry, I will explain things to the main branch. You and the person who just secretly attacked Miss Lin Zhongyu can both scram. My Immortal Alliance doesn't keep people like you."
Exposed publicly without any consideration for Face, Helm Master Li acted as decisively as ever, earning admiration.
At this moment, many onlookers also understood. It turned out someone had just sneak-attacked Lin Zhongyu. No wonder Lin Zhongyu, who had originally held the upper hand, was suddenly crippled.
"Ugh, how despicable, to use such methods."
"Exactly, exactly! A Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator actually couldn't defeat a Qi Refinement Stage cultivator and had to rely on dirty tricks to win. How shameless!"
"So, does that mean Miss Lin Zhongyu could have actually won?"
Many people also realized this point, and their hearts were filled with increasing astonishment.
Could it be that this Miss Lin Zhongyu was no longer a waste? Was she about to return to her Peak?
Although Lin Zhongyu had fallen, everyone's gaze towards her became somewhat cautious. From now on, anyone who wanted to mock her as a waste would likely have to think twice.
At this moment, Manager Zhang gritted her teeth, her Face flushed. She couldn't accept this result, so she clenched her fists and looked at Helm Master Li: "Helm Master, you can't do this. My parents are also experts at the early Nascent Soul Stage..."
"Early Nascent Soul Stage? Very strong?"
Helm Master Li's voice was low and cold. Killing intent flickered in his eyes. Suddenly releasing his full pressure, his perfected Nascent Soul cultivation terrified Manager Zhang, making her tremble and unable to calm down for a long time.
Early Nascent Soul Stage, perfected Nascent Soul Stage. Although they were within the same major Realm, Helm Master Li could easily crush Manager Zhang's parents with a single hand.
Regret, anger, unwillingness—all these emotions flooded Manager Zhang's mind.
She silently lowered her head and gritted her teeth: "I... I'll leave now..."
Chapter 11: Huang Aotian's Regret Comes Too Late
Thanks to Yun Zhonghe's intervention and his 미리 asking Helm Master Li to step forward, this farce could finally end.
However, after this battle, many people felt that the former Genius Lin Zhongyu was coming back, and her reputation would be reversed.
And such a change was inseparable from Yun Zhonghe.
It was just that one person might fall into deep regret.
Mu Jixue felt so hateful. She felt so useless. Why didn't she step forward immediately when her childhood friend was being bullied?
Instead, someone else took the first step and stopped all of it.
Why! Why! Why didn't she do it!
Mu Jixue was so regretful she wanted to pound the ground. Her self-reproach and regret made her feel she had no Face to see Lin Zhongyu.
Mu Jixue's ashamed appearance was seen by Yun Zhonghe. It seemed that whenever he had free time, he would peek at Mu Jixue's reaction.
"All irrelevant personnel, please withdraw. The Immortal Alliance will be temporarily closed today. If you have matters to attend to, please come back tomorrow."
Helm Master Li waved his sleeve, ordering the onlookers to disperse. At the same time, he also ordered people to first help Lin Zhongyu into the Immortal League Branch for treatment.
In the past, the Immortal Alliance wouldn't have gone to such lengths, but Helm Master Li knew that this was someone Yun Zhonghe wanted to save. Since he was helping, he might as well help all the way.
Furthermore, this small amount of medical expense was not worth mentioning for the vast Immortal Alliance.
"Wait, wait a moment, can I go with her? We grew up together!"
Seeing the Immortal Alliance personnel preparing to carry Lin Zhongyu indoors, Mu Jixue ran out in a panic at this moment, wanting to accompany them.
Naturally, the Immortal Alliance's interior would not allow irrelevant personnel to enter. The people who came to carry away the injured person were just about to refuse when Yun Zhonghe stood up and respectfully said to Helm Master Li: "Helm Master, this Mu Guniang is Lin Zhongyu's childhood friend. Their relationship is very good, and this Mu Guniang is the designated personal disciple of an Elder within the Xuantian Sect."
Yun Zhonghe was speaking up for Mu Jixue. How could he miss such a good opportunity to gain favor?
As expected, after Yun Zhonghe's words, Helm Master Li nodded understandingly: "Then go together."
Mu Jixue breathed a sigh of relief and quickly thanked him: "Thank you, Helm Master."
Then she quickly left with the medical personnel. Only before entering the room did she turn back and glance at Yun Zhonghe with a complex look in her eyes.
"Did she just leave like that?"
Yun Zhonghe watched Mu Jixue's disappearing back and felt a little regretful. It would have been great if he could have gained Huang Aotian's gratitude at this moment.
It seemed his intervention this time didn't win Huang Aotian's favor.
But that was normal. In the original game, Huang Aotian only got close to girls. She kept her distance from any male characters. After all, she was a complete lesbian.
Yun Zhonghe didn't expect to get Huang Aotian's approval in one go.
"Let's take it slow. There are plenty of ways to gain favor."
Yun Zhonghe sighed inwardly.
"Young Master, I didn't expect you to have such a kind side. This servant is truly happy for you."
At this moment, Tao Jiu'er behind him gave a sycophantic compliment and even wiped away fake tears.
It seemed that in her view, Yun Zhonghe sticking up for Lin Zhongyu had ulterior motives.
Then she reminded him: "Young Master, it's fine for you to do other ridiculous things, but only when it comes to women, your Mother has issued a death order: you are not allowed to touch any woman before you get married."
Yun Zhonghe was speechless. Was he really that bad? Even his personal maid didn't trust him.
No wonder Huang Aotian ignored him.
Yun Zhonghe waved his hand: "Jiu'er Jie, you're thinking too much. I don't have that many ideas at all."
"Hmph~"
Tao Jiu'er drew out her nasal sound, staring at Yun Zhonghe with a meaningful look in her eyes.
As the crowd at the scene gradually dispersed, Helm Master Li slowly approached Yun Zhonghe after instructing his subordinates.
"Young Master Yun Shao, is it convenient to have a chat in the inner hall?"
"Of course." Yun Zhonghe smiled and cupped his hands. He had originally come on his Mother's orders to bring a gift to Helm Master Li.
Since it was giving a gift, it naturally had to be done in private.
...
In the late afternoon, the sun outside was a reddish-orange. The big setting sun was like a pancake, being eaten away by the horizon bit by bit.
Mu Jixue sat in the Immortal Alliance's sickroom. She had been nervously watching over Lin Zhongyu, not daring to relax at all during the process.
Finally, Lin Zhongyu's eyelids fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.
"Xiao Yu! You're finally awake!"
The moment Lin Zhongyu opened her eyes, Mu Jixue noticed. This time, she reacted immediately.
Before Lin Zhongyu could figure out the situation, Mu Jixue, with tears in her eyes, had already pounced into her arms and hugged Lin Zhongyu tightly.
This beautiful scene couldn't help but remind one of the blooming lilies in their hometown.
Lin Zhongyu sensed Mu Jixue's unease. Her lips curved slightly, revealing a gentle smile. While stroking Mu Jixue's white hair, she comforted her: "Xue'er, don't worry. I feel very good. There's nothing wrong."
Lin Zhongyu found that her injuries had healed, and even the spiritual power within her body was replenished. Her condition had recovered to its best.
This was not something ordinary healing medicine could do. Lin Zhongyu was very clear about the extent of her injuries before she fainted. Only profound-grade pills could repair them so quickly.
"Could it be him..."
Yun Zhonghe's figure suddenly flashed through Lin Zhongyu's mind. She remembered that before she fainted, it was Yun Zhonghe who had suddenly appeared and blocked her path.
"Xiao Yu, I'm sorry. I should have stepped forward to stop it then... but I didn't do anything..."
Mu Jixue didn't know what Lin Zhongyu was thinking. At this moment, she was immersed in self-blame. If she had a pair of cat ears, they would definitely be drooping.
At this moment, she really hoped Lin Zhongyu would scold her, blame her. This would make her feel a little better. But she also knew that Lin Zhongyu was a very gentle person.
It was precisely because of this that she felt very guilty.
As expected, Lin Zhongyu smiled and stroked Mu Jixue's slightly childlike Face: "Xue'er, it was right for you not to intervene. You're about to enter the Xuantian Sect. You can't cause any trouble; it would affect your future."
"But..."
"How could I possibly blame you? If Xue'er, you had caused trouble today, and I couldn't help you in time, would you blame me?"
Upon hearing these words, Mu Jixue shook her head without hesitation: "How could I? I would absolutely not blame you. I don't want you to suffer any harm because of me."
Lin Zhongyu smiled: "Then that's fine. I have the same thought."
Lin Zhongyu's forehead gently touched Mu Jixue's forehead. They were only a hair's breadth apart, able to feel each other's breath.
Lin Zhongyu: "We are the best of sisters."
A wave of warmth rippled through Mu Jixue's heart. Her small hand held Lin Zhongyu's hand, their fingers intertwined.
"Of course, we will always be fine."
"Oh, right."
Mu Jixue was just about to continue embracing Lin Zhongyu with her other arm, wanting to have a good moment of tenderness. However, Lin Zhongyu pulled away and propped herself up.
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Mu Jixue: "Xue'er, where is the person who saved me?"
Chapter 12: Do You Have Someone Else in Your Heart?
"Huh?"
Hearing Lin Zhongyu's question, Mu Jixue was startled at first. Instantly, a complex emotion surged into her heart.
I don't know who that was.
These words came to Mu Jixue's lips. She subconsciously wanted to say them out immediately, but the "honesty" that was essential for a protagonist made it difficult for her to pretend not to know.
Inadvertently, Mu Jixue bit her lip, her heart a tangled mess.
Fortunately, at this moment, the young immortal doctor responsible for guarding the Immortal Alliance's sickroom appeared. Seeing that Lin Zhongyu had woken up, he stepped forward and conducted a simple examination and inquiry.
This made Mu Jixue breathe a sigh of relief.
"Hmm, you've recovered well. There are no lingering effects. You can be discharged at any time."
The young immortal doctor smiled and said to Lin Zhongyu. Through conversing with the other party, Lin Zhongyu learned that she was in the Immortal Alliance's sickroom.
This startled Lin Zhongyu. No wonder she recovered so quickly. One had to know that any random medicine provided by the Immortal Alliance was of explosive quality within Cangzhou City.
However, logically speaking, someone of Lin Zhongyu's status wasn't qualified to receive treatment from the Immortal Alliance. Thus, she immediately thought of Yun Zhonghe. Even without knowing the details, she could guess that the Immortal Alliance had provided treatment out of consideration for Yun Zhonghe.
After the young immortal doctor finished the examination, he instructed Lin Zhongyu that it was fine to leave later, his attitude extremely good.
All along, in the impression of the people of Cangzhou City, the Immortal Alliance members were seen as high and mighty. How could they be so easy to talk to? That Female Manager was the most typical example, just a bit more extreme.
Actually, that young immortal doctor had simply kept in mind that "this patient was arranged by the Helm Master," which was why he was so polite.
Without a doubt, within Cangzhou City, there was no one else besides the Yun Family who had such great influence that the Immortal Alliance would be willing to show some Face.
After the young immortal doctor left, the atmosphere in the sickroom returned to quiet.