Chapter 126: My Legitimate Elder Sister, Ruoshuang

When the two sisters were still more than twenty meters apart, Yu Ruoshuang turned her face aside, a heartbreaking sorrow etched upon her delicate and gentle features. Bathed in the rosy glow of the setting sun, she was as beautiful as the dewdrops resting on the peony petals at the hem of a dress—fragile and fleeting like morning dew.

“Ninth Sister,” she called softly.

Before Yu Youwei could decide whether to address her as sister, Yu Ruoshuang’s voice rang out—soft and melodious, yet tinged with uncertainty.

“It’s rare that the sect master’s granddaughter recognizes me,” Yu Youwei retorted sharply, her tone laced with biting sarcasm.

“I—I’ve seen you before, at Uncle Eighth’s house,” Yu Ruoshuang stammered, failing to catch the mockery in Yu Youwei’s words.

Recalling the fleeting shadow she had glimpsed outside the door of the Yu family’s Eighth Uncle’s residence in Dongling, Yu Youwei realized it was her sister secretly spying. For some reason, her heart softened, and she restrained the sharp words poised on her lips, speaking coldly instead: “I heard you’re to marry Ling Yanfeng. I’m here to tell you—if you insist on marrying him, you will be marrying only a corpse. Listen carefully, this is a notification, not a plea.”

“Ninth Sister! I…” Yu Ruoshuang tried to explain, but tears choked her voice.

Yu Youwei’s tone grew indifferent. “I have no interest in hearing your excuses about being forced to marry. If you only know how to cry when bullied, then go cry yourself to death before your grandfather. On Lord Ying’s land, the only grandchild being trampled underfoot before his very eyes must swallow every insult without complaint; living in such a manner is a waste of food.”

“How dare you!”

A gray shadow appeared on the empty ground behind Yu Ruoshuang, a faint whirlwind swirling around it. Though it was close, Yu Youwei could not make out its true form, a chill running through her, yet she masked it with a cold sneer.

Yu Ruoshuang swiftly stepped forward, spreading her arms to shield the shadow. Half pleading, half commanding, she said, “Granny Qian, please go inside first. We sisters are talking; please don’t interfere.”

The gray shadow snorted coldly before vanishing on the spot.

“Ninth Sister, don’t rush to leave. Come, have some tea,” Yu Ruoshuang awkwardly invited.

Blood is thicker than water. Yu Youwei had meant to refuse, but the radiant glow that instantly brightened her elder sister’s face softened her mood, and she found herself nodding.

After crossing the stone bridge, they followed the elder sister toward the Yingxia Pavilion, nestled among flowering trees. Last night’s rain had weighed down the leaves and blossoms, which shimmered with a fresh, vibrant sheen. Several female disciples of the Sword Sect were trimming the trees in front of the pavilion. Upon seeing the sisters approach, they exchanged looks of surprise.

“They are all from the Yu family’s cadet branches. They work here and receive spiritual stones as payment,” Yu Ruoshuang suddenly explained, her expression a bit uneasy—clearly trying to make small talk.

“What about the Yu family’s main-line descendants?” Yu Youwei asked softly.

Yu Ruoshuang’s face flickered through several expressions before she covered her face and began to weep, “I don’t know.”

“Then you can continue not knowing,” Yu Youwei said coldly, turning to leave. Otherwise, she feared she might slap her sister’s face. Just as she turned, her sleeve was grabbed. She heard her sister sob, “I don’t know what to do. Mother is in seclusion, and grandfather is too. I can’t see them.”

“Then draw your sword and cut down that beast, Ling Yanfeng! How could Yu Tianming have such a cowardly daughter? If he knew in the afterlife, he’d surely jump out of his grave to strangle you!” Yu Youwei’s fury erupted uncontrollably, her dark eyes gleaming with a terrifying light.

Frightened by her sister’s gaze, Yu Ruoshuang suddenly fell silent. No one had ever spoken to her so harshly before. Even the matter with Ling Yanfeng was drugged; afterward, he had pleaded softly for forgiveness.

“Brother Yanfeng—”

“Don’t call him brother!” Yu Youwei snapped, staring down her sister with deliberate emphasis. “If you really are Yu Tianming’s daughter, then go kill that beast. Even if you die together, don’t disgrace Yu Tianming in the afterlife. If you die, at least do it with some dignity!”

The female disciples trimming the flowers around them had reddened eyes. A bold, round-faced girl suddenly rushed over and said, “The Yu family descendants are all locked beneath the One-Line Cliff. I can take you there!”

Yu Youwei brushed past her sister and said to the girl, “Good. Take me there.”

The two walked ahead, while the remaining disciples exchanged glances and silently followed. Seeing this, fragile as if she might shatter at any moment, Yu Ruoshuang gritted her teeth and hurried to catch up.

The gray shadow that had appeared earlier did not reappear, allowing Yu Ruoshuang to follow them down Yingxia Peak unhindered. Yu Youwei guessed that shadow truly supported Yu Ruoshuang and harbored at least some resentment toward Ling Yanfeng.

One-Line Cliff and Yingxia Peak stood on opposite sides of the main peak. To reach One-Line Cliff, one had to pass the main peak. With Yu Ruoshuang present, no one dared to block them. The group arrived at One-Line Cliff smoothly, only to be stopped by guards demanding to see a pass.

“Step aside.” Yu Ruoshuang drew a willow-leaf sword that shimmered with purple light and assumed a combat stance. Being the sect master’s granddaughter and the fiancée of Ling Yanfeng, the leading candidate for successor sect master, the guards hesitated momentarily before decisively stepping aside.

Descending to the bottom of One-Line Cliff, steep rock walls rose on both sides, ancient trees intertwined. Above, only a narrow strip of sky remained visible, while darkness cloaked the cliff floor. Yu Ruoshuang raised a Fire Dragon Pearl to light their way. In the pearl’s glow, they could see scattered stones and green salamanders crawling about—stepping on one of those repulsive creatures was all too easy.

No one spoke as they hurried along the cliff floor, traveling about ten miles before halting. Ahead was another checkpoint, guarded by a dozen or so sentries.

Yu Ruoshuang spoke plainly, “Release the Yu family descendants. I’m taking them with me.”

“Senior Brother Ling specifically—” one guard began.

A purple light suddenly appeared at the speaker’s throat. Yu Ruoshuang’s voice remained soft but firm: “I don’t care what Ling Yanfeng says. I’m taking them now. If you block me, I’ll kill you.”

A clever guard quickly said, “Junior Sister Yu, please don’t be angry. I’ll get them out immediately.”

The other guards considered Yu Ruoshuang’s status. Even if they killed them, they might not be punished. Why provoke her? Even the speaking guard thought it best to remain silent.

The Yu family’s main-line descendants, long accustomed to luxury, had been locked in the pitch-black, spiritless dungeon beneath One-Line Cliff. Released, they appeared disheveled and pitiful; two even began to cry.

“Stop crying! When all the Yu family is dead, you can cry all you want in the underworld! Move!” Yu Youwei snapped irritably before turning away. The crying ceased abruptly; all the Yu family descendants silently followed her.

Back atop the cliff, Yu Ruoshuang saw a group approaching and grabbed her sister’s sleeve in panic. “It’s Ling— that beast and his Second Uncle.”

Someone behind added, “Ling the Mustachioed Protector is from the Law Enforcement Hall.”

“They must have guessed I came to free the Yu family descendants and rushed over,” Yu Ruoshuang said anxiously.

“What’s there to fear? This is the Sword Sect. Your grandfather is only in seclusion, not dead. Why would anyone dare to harm you?” Yu Youwei said calmly.