Feng Tianlan moved to one side and nodded nonchalantly at Lin Suyin. She remained aloof despite the girl’s enthusiasm. “Hello, Miss Lin.”
Lin Suyin quickly recovered from her embarrassment at the lack of reciprocation and smiled. “Miss Feng,” she said. “Let us combine our forces and merge into one team. As allies, not only do we stand a better chance of finding the herb, but we may even enter the Flying Frost Pavilion together!”
However, Feng Tianlan had no intention of agreeing and turned the invitation down flatly. “My apologies, but I’m not interested.”
Lin Suyin was again utterly embarrassed by Feng Tianlan’s rejection. How could Feng Tianlan reject her outright not once, but twice? Frustration brewed within her as she found Feng Tianlan’s behavior to be obnoxiously unacceptable. If Master hadn’t asked her to get into Feng Tianlan’s good books, she never would have lowered her pride and given in to this bullying.
Unable to tolerate Feng Tianlan’s behavior, a plain-looking man finally spoke up for Lin Suyin: “Feng Tianlan, Miss Lin has invited you, time and again, out of goodwill. She even sacrificed her safety to rescue you from danger. How can you speak to her in such a manner? Can’t you tell the chalk from the cheese when it comes to whom you should treat with respect?”
Miss Lin, such a selfless and generous lady, was at the mercy of Feng Tianlan’s cold shoulder. Feng Tianlan was too full of herself.
Feng Tianlan’s gaze landed on him. She replied coolly, “How is that any of your business?”
“You…” He was left speechless as embarrassment turned into rage. He pulled out his sword and charged at her, yelling, “I will teach this obnoxious b*tch a lesson today!”
He had long detested Feng Tianlan. How dare a woman with zero talent be so arrogant? He would teach her a lesson today!
We will see if her arrogance persists after a good beating. That’s precisely what she needs, he thought.
“Come back,” Lin Suyin ordered. Alas, he had launched his attack too soon, and his sword was already out of its shaft.
Feng Tianlan gripped her dagger. The long, shiny piece of silver was coming closer, taking deadly aim at her vital organs. She squinted and swiftly shifted her position.
In a split second, the sword was rent in two. Enraged, the man discarded the broken weapon and howled at Feng Tianlan. Then, his red eyes and fist came toward her face.
In the blink of an eye, Feng Tianlan caught the man’s fist in her slender hands. She turned it upward, twisting his wrist into an abnormal position. Crack! Everyone could hear the crisp, crushing sounds made by his fractured bones. His mind went blank from the pain, and he cried out uncontrollably and instinctively threw some kicks.
Feng Tianlan raised her slender legs and blocked the attack. She easily deflected his leg, forcing it to the ground. She stepped on his shin, crushing more bones and leaving him too injured to fight. The man then fell to the ground, groaning in pain.
Talentless, they said. But Feng Tianlan’s counterattacks were fluid, sophisticated, and effortless. In the snap of a finger, the tables turned, and Feng Tianlan emerged as the winner.
“Cheng Ping!” The crowd was overwhelmed by his defeat. They charged toward Feng Tianlan, ready to deliver payback for beating up their teammate.
“Whoever still feels that I deserve to be taught a lesson, you may come at me. All at once.” Feng Tianlan’s dagger hung loosely from her waist as she scanned the attackers coldly.
Suddenly, their footsteps halted. They looked around, waiting for a brave soul to lead the charge.
Lin Suyin seemed to have recovered from her shock as she icily ordered them, “You guys, come back!”
“Miss Lin, she has injured Cheng Ping.” One of her followers couldn’t swallow this humiliation. Not only had their man been beaten up, but he had been done in by Feng Tianlan, a talentless and obnoxious woman. How were they supposed to get over this?
Lin Suyin ignored them while she quickly checked on Cheng Ping. After feeding him a grade eight Quick Healing Pill, she instructed, “Take care of him, and let the teacher take him back to the Sect.”
With shattered knees, Cheng Ping was doomed to be bedbound for life. A single fight had made him a disabled man. Feng Tianlan was much more ruthless than she appeared.
