Ling Yin's whisper to Lie was laced with urgency. "I can't lie to Miss Xiao Mei, so I'm telling her the truth." Lie agreed, and Miss Xiao Mei asked again, "What proposal did you receive, Lie?"
They explained everything, and Miss Xiao Mei's expression turned from calm to angry. But she composed herself, her voice firm. "No deal, and no working with the Zhao family. Did you guys hear that? My son, you are the Supreme God's son. Don't put yourself in danger. We've had dealings with the Zhao and Wang families before, and they're all our enemies, so don't."
Lie nodded, promising his mom. The conversation left him with a sense of unease, but he pushed it aside, focusing on his training.
Later that evening, around 10:30, the Xiao family's gods were all asleep. Lie, however, was wide awake, cultivating his abilities in a cool, secluded spot. Suddenly, he heard footsteps coming from Ling Yin's room. He stopped his training, curiosity getting the better of him.
Lie walked quietly to his door and opened it slowly, peeking outside. That's when he saw her – a lady wearing a mask and a black jacket, sneaking into Ling Yin's room. Lie's instincts told him to follow her, to uncover the mystery.
He trailed behind the mysterious woman, his heart pounding in his chest. As he entered Ling Yin's room, he saw the woman communicating with Ling Yin. The woman's mask gleamed in the dim light, and Lie's eyes widened as he realized who she was – Ling Yin's sister, Yīn Mèi.
"Sister Yīn Mèi, what are you doing here at this time?" Ling Yin asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Yīn Mèi's response sent shivers down Lie's spine. "I bring information from the Wang family, and it's secret."
Lie's eyes grew wide with shock as Yīn Mèi revealed her face, and he whispered to himself, stunned. "They're twins... what a coincidence!"
Just then, Yīn Mèi's eyes flashed towards the door, and she threw a mental power pin. Lie ducked just in time, the pin breaking through the door and whizzing past his ear. He quickly hid, holding his breath, hoping he hadn't been discovered.
Ling Yin's whisper to Lie Renwǒ was laced with urgency. "I must tell Miss Xiao Mei the truth; I cannot lie to her." Lie Renwǒ agreed, and Miss Xiao Mei asked again, "What proposal did you receive, Lie Renwǒ?"
They explained everything, and Miss Xiao Mei's expression turned from calm to angry. But she composed herself, her voice firm. "No deal, and no working with the Zhao family. Did you guys hear that? My son, you are the Supreme God's son. Don't put yourself in danger. We've had dealings with the Zhao and Wang families before, and they're all our enemies, so don't."
Lie Renwǒ nodded, promising his mom. The conversation left him with a sense of unease, but he pushed it aside, focusing on his training.
Later that evening, around 10:30, the Xiao family's gods were all asleep. Lie Renwǒ, however, was wide awake, cultivating his abilities in a cool, secluded spot. Suddenly, he heard footsteps coming from Ling Yin's room. He stopped his training, curiosity getting the better of him.
Lie Renwǒ walked quietly to his door and opened it slowly, peeking outside. That's when he saw her – a lady wearing a mask and a black jacket, sneaking into Ling Yin's room. Lie Renwǒ's instincts told him to follow her, to uncover the mystery.
He trailed behind the mysterious woman, his heart pounding in his chest. As he entered Ling Yin's room, he saw the woman communicating with Ling Yin. The woman's mask gleamed in the dim light, and Lie Renwǒ's eyes widened as he realized who she was – Ling Yin's sister, Jǐng Xiǎo.
"Sister Jǐng Xiǎo, what are you doing here at this time?" Ling Yin asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jǐng Xiǎo's response sent shivers down Lie Renwǒ's spine. "I bring information from the Wang family, and it's secret."
Lie Renwǒ's eyes grew wide with shock as Jǐng Xiǎo revealed her face, and he whispered to himself, stunned. "They're twins... what a coincidence!"
Just then, Jǐng Xiǎo's eyes flashed towards the door, and she threw a mental power pin. Lie Renwǒ ducked just in time, the pin breaking through the door and whizzing past his ear. He quickly hid, holding his breath, hoping he hadn't been discovered.As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Ling Yin emerged from her chamber, her eyes scanning the surroundings with a mixture of trepidation and vigilance. Meanwhile, Lie Renwǒ, still reeling from the events of the previous night, had teleported to Ling Yin's room, seeking refuge beneath her bed.
As Ling Yin returned to her room, closing the door behind her, she resumed her clandestine conversation with her sister, Jǐng Xiǎo. The latter's revelation sent shockwaves through Ling Yin's very being: "The Wang family has unearthed three ancient artifacts of formidable living puppets, designed to vanquish anyone who dares to impede their mercantile ambitions, particularly the Xiao family."
Ling Yin's eyes narrowed, her voice trembling with a mix of astonishment and trepidation. "What? The Ancient puppets? How is this possible?" The air was heavy with foreboding, as if the very fabric of their reality was about to be torn asunder.
Just then, an alarm pierced the air, emanating from Jǐng Xiǎo's timepiece. "It's time for me to depart," she announced, her voice laced with a sense of urgency. As she took her leave, Lie Renwǒ succumbed to the allure of slumber, his weary body surrendering to the exhaustion that had been building up within him.
The morning sun cast its golden rays upon the Xiao family's estate, rousing its members from their nocturnal repose. Some stirred, intent on honing their martial prowess in preparation for the forthcoming tournament, a spectacle that would pit the seven most formidable families against one another. Others, like Lie Renwǒ and Ling Yin, were slated to oversee the family's mercantile interests.
However, Ling Yin still slumbered, oblivious to the burgeoning day, while Lie Renwǒ lay hidden beneath her bed, his somnolent form a testament to the nocturnal vigil he had kept.
The melodic chime of a bell pierced the air, signaling the commencement of a new day. Ling Yin stirred, rising from her bed to prepare herself for the day ahead. Lie Renwǒ, still heavy with sleep, emerged from his hiding place, his eyes bleary and his movements sluggish.
As he stumbled out of Ling Yin's room, he collided with Elder Guō, whose knowing gaze seemed to bore into Lie Renwǒ's very soul. The elder's enigmatic smile hinted at a deep understanding of the events that had transpired.
Lie Renwǒ's countenance turned a deep shade of crimson as he realized the compromising nature of his situation. His eyes locked onto Elder Guō's, and he felt an overwhelming sense of trepidation. "Eeiissh, am dead!" he exclaimed, his thoughts racing with the implications of his discovery.
In a desperate bid to deflect attention, Lie Renwǒ adopted a jocular tone, his words tumbling forth in a frantic attempt to dispel the awkwardness. "Oohh, it's not what you're thinking, Elder! Please, I implore you, don't breathe a word to anyone!"
Elder Guō's visage creased into a warm smile, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "Fear not, my young grandson. Your secret is safe with me." As the elder's words washed over him, Lie Renwǒ felt a wave of relief sweep through his being, and he joined Elder Guō in a hearty laugh, the tension dissipating like mist in the morning sun.
As the day unfolded, the Xiao family members dispersed, each attending to their respective pursuits. Lie Renwǒ and Ling Yin, clad in their finest attire, prepared to embark on their trading expedition to Jiangzhou City.
Just as they were about to depart, Miss Mei summoned Lie Renwǒ, her eyes shining with a deep affection. "May the ancestors watch over you, my child," she said, her voice laced with a gentle blessing.
As she spoke, she presented Lie Renwǒ with a small, shimmering sword. His eyes widened in awe as he recognized the Jade Spirit Sword, a legendary artifact rumored to hold immense power.
"Isn't this the Jade Spirit Sword?" Lie Renwǒ asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Miss Mei's smile was enigmatic. "Yes, it was given to me by your father. Keep it safe, Lie Renwǒ."
Ling Yin's voice interrupted the tender moment, reminding Lie Renwǒ that it was almost time to depart. They bid Miss Mei farewell, and with the Jade Spirit Sword secure at his side, Lie Renwǒ felt an surge of confidence.
As they arrived in Jiangzhou City, Lie Renwǒ donned a elegant hat adorned with the Xiao family symbol, and set out to attract customers. His charisma and business acumen proved to be a winning combination, drawing in a multitude of clients and amassing a small fortune.
However, their success was short-lived, as four warriors from the Zhao family emerged, their eyes blazing with hostility. "Well, well, well, what do we have here? A Xiao family member, I presume?" one of the warriors sneered.
Lie Renwǒ stood tall, his voice unwavering. "Yes, I am from the Xiao family, and the son of the Supreme God of this realm."
The warriors snickered, their faces twisted in malice. "Oohh, we see. So, you mean Mei Xiao is your mother? Then you have to pay for what he did to our older brother."
As the warriors closed in, their intentions clear, a sudden blast of energy sent them flying. An elderly man with flowing white hair and a majestic beard appeared, his eyes twinkling with a deep wisdom.
Lie Renwǒ's eyes widened in shock as he beheld the old man. "Tianyang!!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling with a mix of surprise and reverence.
Ling Yin's curiosity was piqued. "Who is he?" she asked, her eyes fixed on the elderly man.
Lie Renwǒ's response was barely above a whisper. "He's my ally, the one the three gods killed in my realm."