Chapter 300 Sis-Con
A heavy silence fell after Bai Xueqing's declaration.
Faces that had been flushed with hope now paled with embarrassment. Some suitors shuffled their feet, unable to meet the eyes of those around them.
To be completely defeated like this, they had never expected it.
A few, though, still stubbornly refused to yield.
"This is unfair!"
One protested loudly.
"How can we defeat a Spirit Severing cultivator-that's impossible with our current strength?"
Others murmured agreement.
While they had given their word, they were unsatisfied because, looking back now, the conditions were impossible to achieve.
Bai Xueqing didn't bother with them. Not like they would be satisfied even if it was done otherwise either.
"Keep your word!"
She just commanded.
The crowd bristled; arguments tried to flare up, but-
"Accept it like men!"
Bai Zihan said coldly, stepping forward so his voice carried to every corner of the courtyard.
"Tsk! I even gave you an easier task, and you agreed that defeating me was better. It was your own choice and now you don't want to accept it just because you lost?"
The suitors looked away in guilt. Indeed, Bai Zihan had given them a much easier task, and even then they had complained.
They were doing it again when they failed, making them seem like losers who couldn't accept defeat. Well, they were indeed that.
But fools are rarely convinced until they get what they want.
Even with everything said and done, there were always those who felt they could try again next time.
Like hell Bai Zihan would let them do so. Dealing with them again and again would annoy the hell out of him.
If showing them the difference in strength wasn't enough, he now had to resort to threatening.
Not directly, but enough to make them think twice- no, thrice before attempting again.
"Listen carefully! Unless you think you can defeat me, don't even dream of coming to propose to my sister again. Otherwise-"
He paused, looking at the group of suitors. "-you're dead. I'm not kidding. I will not hold back like I did now."
This terrified them, especially since they had only a minute ago experienced what it was like to face Bai Zihan.
No one here wanted to face him, at least not yet.
"I have done what you asked. I will be going, and you can inform Father that none of these pathetic people deserve you."
Bai Zihan said to Bai Xueqing without any filter and all for to hear.
Not that any one of them could argue against his statement.
Even the Third Prince can only clench his hand in anger and humiliation.
Luo Qing followed Bai Zihan after bowing down to Bai Xueqing.
What was left behind was a mess that Bai Tianheng hadn't thought about.
He had only wanted his son to make connections, possibly to screen candidates for Bai Xueqing's marriage.
But instead, he left a warning that would make anyone daring to make a move on Bai Xueqing think twice about what they would have to go through.
The young maidens, however, looked at him with nothing short of admiration. "Ahh... Young Master Bai is so cool."
"To stand up like that, to protect his sister so fiercely-it's like something out of a story."
"Of course! Lady Bai deserves nothing less. Only the perfect man should be worthy of her hand, and clearly, Young Master Bai thinks so too!"
Their eyes sparkled, and even those who hadn't thought much of Bai Zihan before now found themselves enchanted by his sheer presence.
To them, his protectiveness wasn't just brotherly-it was noble, gallant, and impossibly charming.
Dreaming about how Bai Zihan would protect them like Bai Xueqing, they couldn't help but scream like girls in love.
The men, on the other hand, were seething in frustration.
"Hmph! Protecting his sister? More like guarding her like a dragon hoarding treasure."
"Exactly! He's just making it impossible for anyone to approach Lady Bai Xueqing. Do you really think he'll ever approve of anyone?"
"Don't you see? He's a complete Sis-Con! He doesn't want Lady Bai Xueqing to marry at all. He'll make every condition impossible until she grows old and
remains single forever."
The whispers grew louder as some of the rejected suitors nursed their bruised egos by twisting Bai Zihan's actions.
"Yes, that must be it! We must tell everyone-Bai Zihan is deliberately blocking
her marriage!"
"That's right. He's not protecting her-he just doesn't want to give her away."
"Then all of this was a sham from the start! That Sis-Con!"
Even as they spoke, though, none of them dared to say it too loudly, for the memory of his Spirit Severing aura still pressed against their hearts.
But news this bizarre doesn't take very long to spread-especially when it concerns the Bai Clan siblings.
Bai Zihan walked away, caring nothing about what kind of mess he left the courtyard with, though he felt like he was forgetting something.
(Well, if I can't remember it, it's probably not important.)
***
At the grand main hall of the Bai Clan, laughter and polite conversation
echoed.
Bai Tianheng, as the host, wore the dignified smile of a man greeting every
guest.
He had just finished discussing trade routes with a visiting elder from the Chu Clan when a shadow passed at the corner of his eye.
A guard, clad in Bai Clan armor, moved with deliberate quiet until he reached
his master's side.
He bowed deeply, leaning in to whisper.
Bai Tianheng's brows knit.
"What is it?" The guard's voice was hushed, but the urgency in it cut through the hum of the
hall like a blade.
He explained briefly what had transpired in the courtyard-the suitors' challenge, Bai Zihan's intervention, his threats, and the chaos that followed.
Crack!
The porcelain teacup in Bai Tianheng's hand shattered, shards and steaming tea
spilling onto the floor.
Conversations faltered as heads turned.
"That brat!"
Bai Tianheng's face darkened, veins standing out on his temples.
"Sorry everyone, something came up. I will be back soon!"
He rose sharply, his robes flaring as he strode from the hall.
The Bai Clan servants rushed to clean the spilled tea in his wake, while the
elders and sect leaders exchanged curious glances.
Whispers quickly followed.
"Did something happen?" "Did Li-Zhao Clan do something? They should just lay low for now."
"Yes! They already lost two important battles against the Bai Clan. Failing once
more can totally shatter trust from other people.
Seeing just how much of a hurry Bai Tianheng was in, they all thought a matter
of utmost importance must have occurred.
***
It didn't take very long for Bai Tianheng to reach the scene, where the younger generation guests were gathered.
In one place were lively people talking, while on the other stood the group of suitors, who seemed to have lost whatever interest they had.
While he couldn't see that unfilial son of his, his daughter was fortunately there
in his place.
The lively chatter quieted the moment Bai Tianheng stepped into the
courtyard.
"Clan Leader Bai!"
"Greetings to Patriarch Bai!"
"Greetings, Lord Bai!"
Everyone rose at once, cupping their fists respectfully.
Bai Tianheng gave them only a faint nod, his gaze sweeping briefly across the
groups before settling on the lone figure of his daughter. His eyes softened slightly.
He did not question the suitors, nor did he press the younger guests-doing so would only bring shame upon them and, by extension, the Bai Clan itself.
No, if there was someone he could ask, it was only one person here.
He strode forward until he stood before Bai Xueqing.
"Xueqing'er!"
At first, he wanted to have her explain the situation to him, but then he noticed
something different about Bai Xueqing.
It wasn't much, but the Ice Qi which Bai Xueqing normally suppressed-though
he could still faintly sense it-was now completely gone.
"You... Zihan'er gave you the technique?"
At his question, Bai Xueqing lowered her head lightly and nodded.
The tightness in Bai Tianheng's shoulders eased at once. His anger, though not
gone, was tempered by relief.
At least that son of his had done one thing right.
"And... does it help?" His tone was gentler now, tinged with something like
hope.
"Truly?"
Bai Xueqing's lips curved into a faint, serene smile.
"Father, it is not only helpful-it is surprisingly effective. It feels like the
technique was made for me."
To prove her words, she extended her hand.
From her fingertips, streams of frost coiled outward-not harsh or biting, but delicate and pure-shaping themselves into intricate forms.
An ice lotus unfolded in the air, each petal so fine it seemed carved by a Master
artisan.
Beside it, slender blossoms of plum and orchids bloomed in crystal, their stems arching with natural grace.
Soon, the courtyard was filled with translucent sculptures-flowers, birds, and curling vines-all wrought from ice so clear it caught the moonlight and
refracted it into shimmering rainbows.
It was not a display of power, but of artistry.
Every shape bloomed and faded without a hint of chill touching the air, proof of
the absolute control she had gained over her Ice Qi.
The guests gasped, admiration rippling through them.
"What exquisite control!" "Such elegance... like a Fairy descending." "This must be Lady Bai Xueqing trying to cheer me up!"
Bai Tianheng himself stood still for a long moment, his stern eyes reflecting the
icy blossoms that shimmered around his daughter. Then, slowly, he exhaled, a rare smile tugging at his lips.
"Good... very good. My Xueqing has truly grown!"