Fellow Daoist! That scoundrel has written a new book again.

Chapter 282 Truth and Falsehood

Song Kezi reacted quickly.

Seeing that Shen Xun had been beaten up but was still so unmotivated, he quickly racked his brains.

It was his idea to have Shen Xun bring up the old story again and again; his exact words were—

"Why don't you try it? Just mention a little bit about your past in front of her and see how she reacts. Is she filled with remorse, or is she harboring murderous intent? Then you can make your plans accordingly and avoid wrongly accusing someone!"

This suggestion seems perfectly reasonable from any perspective.

But Song Kezi had already guessed Zhu Wuyao's reaction.

Admitting mistakes is difficult, especially when right and wrong are hard to distinguish. And when the things you hold dear are brought to light, most people's first reaction is—

Uncomfortable, embarrassed, wanting to avoid, angry.

Therefore, Shen Xun's probing was destined not to yield the desired result.

Thinking of this, Song Kezi said:

"Where are you being sarcastic? She's clearly feeling guilty and everything she hears seems off! I'm just asking you—in all this time, has she ever apologized to you, even once?"

"Let me ask you again, when your grandfather died because of her, did she ever come to inquire about the location of his memorial tablet, or offer incense in his honor?"

Song Kezi sometimes felt it was strange, why had Shen Xun been able to endure it until now?

This kid isn't exactly a cheerful and optimistic person.

It's one thing if he sometimes can't keep up with Zhu Wuyao's train of thought, but his judgment of Shen Xun should be absolutely accurate.

Seeing Shen Xun's somewhat stunned expression, Song Kezi smiled and said:

"You don't want revenge at all, you just want an explanation."

"But she never gave you even these things."

"No wonder they say that a person who has been a beggar can never stand up straight for the rest of their life. Are you... kneeling and begging for pity?"

The words had barely left his mouth when Shen Xun grabbed his collar, and the next instant his back slammed against the wall. He heard Shen Xun's slightly clenched teeth voice in his ear:

"Senior Brother Song, I advise you to think it through before you speak."

"Hey, hey, don't get excited!"

Song Kezi looked directly into Shen Xun's eyes, without flinching, and said with a hint of mockery:

"You dare not lay a hand on her, but you dare to bare your teeth at me. So you're a bully who picks on the weak and fears the strong!"

"Also, put away your bewitching charm."

He examined it carefully and found it even more interesting. The power of bewitching wasn't that strong to begin with; Shen Xun usually chose to influence the malice in others' hearts.

It's like a sandstorm drifting down from a mountain.

I didn't feel anything at all.

Song Kezi, unusually serious, reminded him:

"Shen Xun, if you use your mind control on me again, I'll have a hard time not gouging out your eyes."

Upon hearing these words, Shen Xun suddenly lowered his head and smiled.

"Senior Brother Song, is this your—kindness towards me?"

He let go of her hand and took a few steps back, distancing himself from Song Kezi.

"I can't see you clearly, so I won't accept your help. Go away, I will fight for what I want."

Song Kezi knew she had made a mistake. This time, surprisingly, Shen Xun did not let his evil thoughts influence him; instead, he chose good thoughts.

No, it wasn't just a mistake, it was a missed opportunity.

Since Zhu Wuyao returned to Zhaixing Tower, things seem to have gotten a little out of control.

His expression shifted several times before finally settling back into his usual nonchalant manner, and he said:

"Fine.

"If you ever get beaten to your knees and beg for mercy, remember to come find me. I may not be a good person, but sometimes... bad people are more useful than good people."

This is the truth.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Zhu Wuyao was right; Shen Xun was indeed not the type to complain. If he were, he wouldn't have been bullied as a child despite having the right to do so.

We will not allow Song Kezi to seize the opportunity and take advantage of the situation.

Since beating up Shen Xun last night, she felt that she had become much more insightful about people.

She even thought that if Shen Xun ever pulled any more tricks or schemes in the future, she would beat him up again.

As long as your punches are fast enough, frustration can't catch up with her.

She walked briskly towards the classroom, a slight smile on her face, listening to the rumors escalate—

"Her? I even placed a bet on her before. Ha, these spirit stones have dirtied my hands!"

"In the battle of personal disciples, how dare such a thief of fortune have a seat? I am ashamed to be associated with him!"

Zhu Wuyao walked over.

Someone who had seen her before recognized her, but instead of immediately blocking her path and yelling at her, they quickly introduced her to those around them, saying:

"She is Luoye Yaoqiu!"

"Not even a hint of shame? Utterly shameless! If he had any sense of shame, he should have covered his face and run away. It's laughable that Shen Xun is so cowardly that he didn't dare to step forward and argue with him!"

“Who says otherwise? If Shen Xun has the guts, I will definitely cheer him on so that this thief will know that such actions will surely be punished.”

Xu San'er was indeed quick.

The wind was a bit louder than usual today.

Zhu Wuyao walked past the crowd without changing his expression, and soon heard what he wanted to hear—

"It's her...who can steal?"

"No wonder he was able to make such rapid progress with a low-grade five-element spiritual root back then, surpassing Xiao Qingyu and others to rank first on the list."

"I always thought 'changing luck' was just a legend, but the recent rumors..."

"You're not thinking of doing this, are you?!"

"Of course not! How could I possibly have any thoughts about such a despicable act!"

Zhu Wuyao slowly raised the corners of her lips.

After hearing Xu San'er's account, she felt something was strange.

Why is no one focusing on the important points amidst all this gossip?

What's the point of just spreading gossip?

Didn't you say I stole it?

Didn't I say that after I benefited from Shen Xun's luck, my progress was rapid and I had many opportunities?

This is the world of cultivation, what's most important here? Strength, of course!

How can such rumors of grudges and feuds satisfy you? Are you all so idle that you've stopped cultivating? Don't you want to improve? Aren't you in a hurry to become stronger? Aren't you afraid of falling behind?

In Zhu Wuyao's eyes, the most important issue in these rumors is not who is right or wrong.

It was "theft".

Rather, she has the ability to "steal luck".

If she doesn't have the ability to steal luck, then the rumors are just rumors and have no credibility whatsoever; but if one believes the rumors, then of course one must prove that she can indeed "steal luck".

So Zhu Wuyao was very curious at the time—wasn't anyone tempted?

What's the point of waging a propaganda war against Shen Xun?

If you throw dirty water at me, I'll smear mud all over you. In the end, neither of us will be clean. Wouldn't that be harming others without benefiting ourselves? That's pointless.

Zhu Wuyao always remembered her ultimate goal: to alleviate the pressure she would face when competing for a personal disciple.

Instead of fighting the rumors.

It's not about destroying Shen Xun while causing mutual destruction.

Therefore, he only went to beat him up to vent his anger, but he didn't try to turn the tables on Shen Xun regarding the rumors.

"Are you Luoye Yaoqiu?"

Someone stood in front of him.

Zhu Wuyao nodded slightly and asked, "What advice do you have?"