Chapter Fifty: A Monumental Misunderstanding (Part Two)
After letting his imagination run wild, Meng Xinglei suddenly understood a great many things. No wonder! He had never been able to figure out why the atmosphere between his father and the Supreme Demon of Myriad Forms was never tense, even though one was a righteous master and the other a demonic lord. Despite their opposing paths, they always seemed to have something to say to each other. Meng Xinglei had once assumed it was because the Supreme Demon was versed in all arts and his father excelled in divination, making them kindred spirits. But now, it seemed their relationship was far more ambiguous!
Didn’t he see how close their hands were? Even in front of him, their restraint was barely contained; who knew what happened in private? Both masters were strikingly handsome, especially the Supreme Demon, whose looks were so flawless as to be almost inhuman. Moreover, their every gesture carried the charisma of those who held his life and death in their hands. If they were attracted to each other, Meng Xinglei wouldn’t find it the least bit surprising.
Even the spells and elixirs the Supreme Demon was so skilled at now took on an entirely different significance in Meng Xinglei's eyes… Perhaps their bodies contained more than just his father's bloodline! Maybe the Supreme Demon had concocted some sort of elixir for men to bear children together? And surely the romance between a righteous master and a demonic lord could never be revealed to the world—it would cause an uproar! So they kept it from everyone, including Meng Meng and Meng Xinglei!
He could only wonder under what circumstances these two masters, seized by passion, left behind their bloodline…
Splash.
Meng Xinglei’s wild speculations caused the tea to spill over. Though he was a definite junior in the presence of the two, Meng Xinglei was the prodigy of his generation, his martial prowess and cunning unmatched among his peers. With sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, a gentle temperament, he was the very model of a righteous young hero from a story.
His slip was enough to make his father frown, worried he had guessed something, his expression becoming stern and familiar. Meng Xinglei felt all the more certain of his suspicions—yes, every time his father wanted to keep something from him, he wore this exact look!
After his father sent him away, Meng Xinglei was still at a loss as to how to handle the aftermath, but he quickly remembered something: his sister had gone looking for trouble with Zhang Ning! Though her ambush had been called off in time, her supposedly covert actions had nearly become the talk of the entire Azure Realm. Now she was off somewhere unknown, having shaken off her guards—if she caused even greater trouble, Meng Xinglei might well bang his head against the wall.
She could mess with anyone except Zhang Ning! The Supreme Demon doted on Zhang Ning so much—what if… what if Zhang Ning’s identity was questionable? Could he be their real brother?!
What should he do?
Family was Meng Xinglei’s only true weakness. Even if it was just suspicion, Meng Xinglei would never allow his sister to act against Zhang Ning, so he hurried to send a message. But, being just a youth, he clearly overestimated his own tolerance.
Ten-Thousand Mountains Range
Five-Deep Gorge Prairie
Meng Meng was lost in thought: What did brother mean? Could he be planning to marry me off to Zhang Ning? And it’s the will of Father and the Supreme Demon—decided long ago?! How could this be… Father has always doted on me!
It must be said that Meng Meng was truly her father Meng Qingchen’s daughter—a master of divination. Her breadth of thought was worthy of a divine master’s child, and it seemed only a matter of time before she inherited his mantle.
In truth, Meng Meng’s guess was the most reasonable development, but it was distressing for her. Given her lifelong pampering, only a handful of people could make things difficult for Meng Meng, and her father was undoubtedly one of them.
Father was fond of her, always teaching her that nothing in the world could bind her, that she could break the heavens if she wished—and he would always shield her.
But this very refusal to let his children bear any burdens made Meng Meng unconsciously impose restrictions on herself, secretly holding herself to the standards of a noble’s child, never letting herself fall short.
Now, hearing she might marry like any other noble daughter, she felt instinctive resistance, yet also tried to persuade herself.
Her family had invested countless resources in her over the years—she had lived a life of ease, never lacking for anything. Should she not repay her family? There were many ways to do so, but if everyone believed a marriage alliance would bring the greatest benefit, she must shoulder that responsibility, not use freedom as an excuse to evade it! But… she had only known Zhang Ning for a few days… though they had already shared a bed… Ugh! That didn’t count!
Meng Meng found herself torn.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn
“Miss Meng? You’re back.”
“Master Zhang…”
Meng Meng’s gaze was evasive, her cheeks tinged with red, hands unconsciously twisting her skirt.
Zhang Ning immediately sensed something was off. The emotional turmoil in girls caused by budding affection was usually quite obvious, and Meng Meng’s look sent shivers down his spine. He stuck out his tongue and thought: Surely not?! Have I been too kind, too attentive these past days? This look, this development… This can’t be good, this can’t be good. The trope of a spy-girl assassin falling for me is way too clichéd!
Though she was flawless in appearance, I’m only eight years old—I absolutely can’t consider such things, or Third Senior Brother would cripple me!
Besides, she looks to be fourteen or fifteen. The older girl-younger boy dynamic is another hurdle… Wait?! That’s not right. I was in college before I transmigrated, so technically I’m the older one! That’d make me… No, I can’t be a lolicon!
No, still not right!
Why am I seriously considering the feasibility of this? The urgent thing is to make this girl give up on her own!
Originally, Meng Meng was drawn to mysteries thanks to her father’s enigmatic nature, and Zhang Ning’s inscrutable behavior and extensive knowledge had inspired an unconscious fondness and yearning in her. But in the days that followed, that yearning turned to dread.
That brat Zhang Ning—what was he doing?!
He claimed some bug had six times the protein of beef, then munched away; praised scorpions as edible once the stinger was removed, then crunched through them; and then… smashed a snake into mince with a rock and roasted it… Couldn’t he use the Great Freedom Hand? Why pretend?
If Meng Meng could tolerate all that, today’s events were simply unbearable! Last time, Zhang Ning was on top and she was underneath; this time, Zhang Ning was underneath and she was on top! He’d escalated things even further?!