Zanxing

Chapter 10 - Breaking Off the Engagement (Part 2)

Outside the "Good Luck" Inn, a crowd of cultivators gathered to watch the spectacle unfold. The young girl stood quietly, unflustered by the sudden turn of events. 

The morning sunlight cast a soft golden glow on the camellia tree by the inn's entrance. The hem of her dress fluttered in the breeze, and her eyes, as clear and bright as a fawn's in the forest, were framed by long lashes. Her delicate nose and lips, red as sunset clouds, made her a true beauty—if not for the right side of her face.

On her right cheek, glaring black scars marred her fair skin, brutally shattering the beauty that would otherwise have captivated all.

Whispers rippled through the crowd.

"Is that Young Master Wang's fiancée?" Duan Xiangrao covered her mouth in mock horror, hiding behind Wang Shao. "This..."

"What's that on your face?" Wang Shao stepped back, avoiding Yang Zanxing's gaze as if the sight disgusted him.

"Young City Lord," Hong Su hurriedly intervened, "our young lady was injured by the demonic aura of a beast under the water. That's why her face is scarred. Could you take her to the medical pavilion? Maybe they can heal her."

"Injured by demonic aura?" Duan Xiangrao feigned surprise. "I've heard demonic beasts' cultivation can be as high as late Foundation Establishment. If she's been injured by a demonic aura, only high-level spiritual medicine can heal her. But... high-level medicine..."

Spiritual medicines of that caliber were invaluable, not easily purchased even with spirit stones. Any cultivator who obtained such a treasure would use it for their own breakthroughs, not waste it on healing someone's face.

"I've heard the Tai Yan Sect has countless spiritual pills and medicines..." Hong Su tried again.
"But even the spiritual medicine distributed monthly has its limits," Duan Xiangrao interjected smoothly.

Frustrated by being cut off yet again, Hong Su glared at her. "You, you woman! Why do you keep interrupting?" She glanced at Duan Xiangrao holding onto Wang Shao's arm, and a realization dawned on her. Outraged, she shouted, "I see it now! You little fox spirit, you're trying to seduce the City Lord's young master!"

Hong Su lunged at Duan Xiangrao.

Duan Xiangrao smiled faintly, not even bothering to look. She casually swatted at Hong Su, sending her flying without using her full strength, though her cultivation was at the second level of Foundation Establishment.

Hong Su crashed into the camellia tree, struggling to get back up.

It all happened too fast for Zanxing to react. Rushing to Hong Su's side, she helped her up and cradled her in her arms. "Are you alright?"

Hong Su glanced at Zanxing, her eyes lingering on the black scars on Zanxing's right cheek. Her gaze then shifted to Duan Xiangrao, who stood beside Wang Shao with a look of triumph.

 Growing more indignant, she cried out, "You... you mustn't forget your status! The City Lord's fiancée is our young lady, not some fox spirit like her!"

"Is that so?" Duan Xiangrao replied with a careless smile, leaning closer to Wang Shao's ear and whispering, "Young Master Wang, do you really want to marry this young lady?"

Wang Shao frowned, glancing at Zanxing, who was still holding the little maid.

Miss Yang was indeed beautiful, but her temper was another matter. In the past, he had been attracted to Yang Zanxing's beauty, which led to their engagement. However, now that he had experienced the gentle grace of Duan Xiangrao in Pingyang Town, Yang Zanxing's coarse and unruly manner seemed unbearable in comparison.

And now... her face was simply too revolting.

If he were forced to face such a woman every day, it would drive him mad. Not to mention, though her scars could potentially be healed, it would require high-level spiritual medicine. Obtaining even one piece of such medicine in Yue City was a matter of luck.

This engagement was clearly a losing deal.

"Young Master Wang," Duan Xiangrao's soft voice lured him from his thoughts. "The cultivators around us are all watching."

Suddenly realizing the attention they had attracted, Wang Shao saw the crowd eagerly watching, hungry for more drama.

Should he really marry Yang Zanxing?

Could he allow the entire cultivation world, not to mention his fellow disciples at the Tai Yan Sect, to know that his fiancée was an ugly, powerless woman?

No way!

Making up his mind, Wang Shao declared, "Yang Zanxing, the engagement between us was only a verbal agreement. There was no written contract. Let's call it off."

Hong Su trembled beneath the camellia tree. "City Lord's young master..."

Zanxing helped Hong Su lean against the tree trunk, then stood up and approached Wang Shao. "What did you say?"

Wang Shao opened his mouth to respond, but when his eyes met Yang Zanxing's, he suddenly felt a pang of guilt. If this had been the old Miss Yang, she would surely have thrown a tantrum by now. But today, she seemed strangely calm. Her bright eyes locked on him with a serene gaze, tinged perhaps with curiosity.

Curiosity?

The crowd of cultivators watching began to murmur:

"Hit him! Give that scoundrel a slap!"

"This poor girl, getting abandoned like this..."

"Whoever believes men's promises might as well believe pigs can climb trees."

Duan Xiangrao pinched Wang Shao's arm, her timing impeccable. "Young Master Wang..."

Snapping back to reality, Wang Shao cleared his throat and, with newfound determination, declared loudly, "I said, I want to break off the engagement!"

The four words rang out clearly, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

A hush fell over the crowd.

"You want to break off the engagement?" Zanxing asked.

"Yes," Wang Shao confirmed. "Out of respect for our past relationship, I can give you some spirit stones as compensation..."

Before he could finish, he heard the girl in front of him laughing.

The green-clad girl stood before him, her eyes curved in a genuine smile. Despite the situation, her laughter seemed sincere. But why was she laughing at a time like this?

"What... what are you laughing at?" Wang Shao snapped, clearly irritated.

"I just think..." Zanxing sighed, "Your lines sound a bit too familiar."

This tired, cliché breakup line from old cultivation novels was so overused, yet it wasn't happening to the male lead, Mu Chengxiao, but to her—a mere female side character? Was it because she had stolen the male lead's golden finger, the Xiao Yuan Pearl, and robbed him of his opportunity that even his plot armor was now falling on her?

"Miss Yang, we all know how difficult this must be for you," Duan Xiangrao spoke softly. "But lingering between men and women only causes harm. It's better to part on good terms."

Zanxing's gaze fell on Duan Xiangrao. This woman had been stirring the pot the whole time, embodying the perfect villainous supporting character.

Well, since the plot had come this far, everyone knew what was supposed to happen next.
Zanxing took a step forward, and Wang Shao eyed her warily.

"Very well," she said. "I agree to break off the engagement."