The Male Lead I Wronged Has Blackened

CHAPTER 7: Blind to the Obvious

　　Jiang Shuo didn’t use teleportation this time to send Si Yao and Yun Xiangxiang straight to Feng City. Instead, he had the servants bring a few carriages for their ride.

　　He deliberately placed Si Yao and Yun Xiangxiang in separate carriages. Si Yao knew he didn’t trust her and was probably worried she might take advantage of Yun Xiangxiang, so he made sure they were apart.

　　But when she saw Jiang Shuo climb into the same carriage as her, her face betrayed her unease.

　　Big shot, I’m just a lowly early Foundation Establishment, totally unworthy of having you watch my every move.

　　Yun Xiangxiang, upon seeing Jiang Shuo and Si Yao in the same carriage, paled slightly. She looked like she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.

　　The carriage wasn’t very spacious. Jiang Shuo sat upright, expression stern, while Si Yao faced him, sneaking glances every now and then. At that moment, the system’s voice echoed in her mind.

　　【Step One of the male lead strategy: Communicate to find common ground and strengthen your relationship with the target】

　　【Host, start a conversation with your target, beginning with his interests】

　　Si Yao rolled her eyes at the system. With their history as mortal enemies, how was she supposed to just sit and chat with Jiang Shuo?

　　Besides… his interests…

　　Si Yao racked her brain. To raise Jiang Shuo’s favor points, she had studied the entire book. But the story focused almost entirely on how Jiang Shuo became stronger and how he crushed his enemies afterward. As for his personal likes or hobbies, she had no clue.

　　Meanwhile, Jiang Shuo was deep in thought. That strange voice referring to the “target” had to be pointing at him, but what did this so-called strategy mean?

　　It almost sounded like it was guiding Si Yao to probe his weaknesses, maybe even act against him.

　　Knowing Si Yao’s nature, it was very possible she might try something like that. Jiang Shuo didn’t doubt it for a second. But he was curious to see who this hidden figure really was. That was part of why he allowed her to sit with him.

　　With that thought, Jiang Shuo suppressed his pondering and waited calmly for Si Yao to speak. No matter how she tried to probe for his weaknesses, he wouldn’t let her succeed. If she even hinted at a single scheming thought, he had plenty of ways to deal with her.

　　“Have you eaten?”

　　Just as Jiang Shuo was wondering how Si Yao might try to act against him, he heard those simple words.

　　Jiang Shuo: “?”

　　Si Yao thought for a long time but could not come up with anything she knew Jiang Shuo liked. After racking her brain, she finally managed to squeeze out a single question.

　　After all, who in the world doesn’t like good food, right?

　　Jiang Shuo raised his eyes and gave her a quick glance, but he did not let his guard down. Was she trying to poison him through food? Did she not know he had been fasting for years and no longer ate anything?

　　Seeing that Jiang Shuo did not show any sign of displeasure, Si Yao thought she might have found the right approach.

　　“Do you like shrimp dumplings?” Since it was morning, she casually asked about something people might eat for breakfast.

　　“……”

　　“Then how about stinky tofu?”

　　It quickly became clear that Si Yao’s plan was completely off. Jiang Shuo had no interest in talking with her.

　　System:【……】

　　Too heavy to pull, too heavy to pull.

　　—

　　The horses pulling Jiang Shuo’s carriage were no ordinary steeds. Their speed and stamina were incredible, and in just half a day, they reached Feng City.

　　Si Yao had spent the entire morning cooped up in the same carriage as Jiang Shuo. The feeling was suffocating, each second dragging on like a year. Once they arrived, she hurriedly jumped down to breathe in the fresh air.

　　The carriage stopped in front of the Yun Mansion, and the guards at the gate immediately opened it when they saw Yun Xiangxiang returning, ushering in the three of them.

　　Inside the main hall of the Yun Mansion, the patriarch Yun Xiao and the clan elders sat with worry etched on their faces, sighing heavily.

　　Yun Xiao sat in the center, letting out another long sigh. “I still do not know if Jiang Shuo can truly save Xiangxiang. This poison is so vicious that even our Yun clan is helpless.”

　　One elder spoke up to comfort him. “Please do not worry, Patriarch. Jiang Shuo is extraordinary. He already stood unrivaled by the time he came of age. He is both talented and brilliant. Since Xiangxiang was harmed because of him, he will surely find a way to neutralize the poison.”

　　“Let us hope so,” Yun Xiao muttered, though his mood did not lighten. Yun Xiangxiang was not only the most outstanding genius of the new generation of the Yun clan, she was his only daughter. If anything were to happen to her, he would use every last bit of his life to demand justice from Jiang Shuo.

　　“Miss is back! Miss is back!”

　　Just then, a hurried guard came to report the news. Yun Xiao, thrilled, immediately rose and went to the front hall to welcome Jiang Shuo and the others.

　　Yun Xiangxiang led the way, bringing Si Yao and Jiang Shuo into the mansion. The Yun Mansion was lavishly decorated, and every corner was reinforced with protective arrays to ensure the clan would not be attacked by enemies.

　　As the three entered the reception hall, a middle-aged man’s anxious voice called out, “Xiangxiang, are you alright?”

　　The man, with a black beard along his jaw, rushed forward upon seeing Yun Xiangxiang and began fussing over her, asking about her well-being.

　　It was none other than Yun Xiao, followed by the clan elders.

　　“I’m fine, Father, thanks to Brother Jiang,” Yun Xiangxiang reassured him.

　　Yun Xiao was overjoyed, repeating, “You’re alright, you’re alright.”

　　Hearing that Jiang Shuo had neutralized the poison, Yun Xiao turned to look at him. Taking in the young man’s impressive presence, he nodded repeatedly, unable to hide his admiration.

　　Yun Xiao cupped his fist toward Jiang Shuo, his tone full of respect. “Thank you for your help, Young Hero Jiang.”

　　“It was my responsibility. Miss Yun’s poisoning was caused by me, so I could not stand by,” Jiang Shuo said calmly, neither humble nor arrogant.

　　Yun Xiao paid no mind to Jiang Shuo’s indifferent tone. Jiang Shuo’s reputation had already spread across the Canglan Continent, and Yun Xiao was well aware of his character.

　　Yun Xiao asked Yun Xiangxiang to inform Madam Yun that she was safe. Before leaving, Yun Xiangxiang glanced cautiously at Jiang Shuo several times, her eyes shy and timid, her cheeks flushed. Yun Xiao immediately understood his daughter’s thoughts.

　　After Yun Xiangxiang left, Yun Xiao sat in the head position of the reception hall and invited Jiang Shuo and Si Yao to take seats. The clan elders who had come with him also took their places.

　　“Young Hero Jiang, your fame reached me long ago. Seeing you today, you truly are a rare talent of this era.”

　　Jiang Shuo sat upright, returning Yun Xiao’s gaze with calm eyes. His voice was equally composed. “Only an empty reputation.”

　　Yun Xiao’s gaze roamed over Jiang Shuo from head to toe.

　　As the head of the Yun clan, Yun Xiao had led the clan for thirty years. His cultivation was at the peak Nascent Soul stage. He had seen and experienced countless things, and high-level masters he had encountered were too many to remember.

　　Yet he could not detect Jiang Shuo’s true cultivation at all. That alone proved Jiang Shuo had long since surpassed him.

　　Jiang Shuo was just in his twenties, yet his speed of cultivation was terrifying, a talent that was almost unprecedented. Not only that, he faced the powerful Yun clan, facing Yun Xiao himself, and showed no signs of intimidation.

　　The more Yun Xiao looked at Jiang Shuo, the more satisfied he became. Only someone like this could be worthy of his precious daughter.

　　Noticing Yun Xiao’s approving gaze, Jiang Shuo felt a flicker of displeasure. He got straight to the point, stating the real reason for his visit. “I have other matters to attend to besides escorting Miss Yun safely home.”

　　Other matters? Yun Xiao’s heart leapt. It seemed Jiang Shuo intended to bring up his own business with Xiangxiang without needing any matchmaking from him. This young man had good eyes, indeed.

　　The clan elders present in the hall also showed pleased smiles, as if they had thought the same as Yun Xiao.

　　Jiang Shuo, however, had no interest in pondering the Yun clan’s intentions. He lifted his hand slightly, and a light flashed from the spatial ring on his finger. In the center of the hall, many spiritual tools and medicinal herbs appeared.

　　“Miss Yun was poisoned because of me. I feel guilt and unease. Aside from ensuring her safe return to the Yun clan, these spiritual tools and herbs are my compensation to your clan.”

　　The spiritual tools and herbs on display radiated extremely strong spiritual energy. There were about seven or eight tools, each one a priceless treasure that could cause disputes if brought into the outside world. The medicinal herbs were even rarer, each with endless uses, and some were so obscure even Yun Xiao could not name them.

　　The elders’ eyes shone as they looked at these treasures.

　　“This…” Yun Xiao had intended to win Jiang Shuo’s favor for the Yun clan and have him become Xiangxiang’s ¹Daoist partners, but he did not expect Jiang Shuo to be so generous. Even his clan could not match this level of precious gifts.

　　Suppressing his excitement, Yun Xiao pondered carefully. What was Jiang Shuo’s intention? Was he voluntarily submitting himself to the Yun clan?

　　“If there are no further matters, I will take my leave,” Jiang Shuo said coldly.

　　Before Yun Xiao could respond, he heard Jiang Shuo’s voice and instinctively tried to persuade him. “Young Hero Jiang, why not stay a few days at our residence? It would give me the chance to extend some hospitality.”

　　“I have urgent matters. I will not trouble you,” Jiang Shuo refused without a second thought.

　　Seeing how decisively Jiang Shuo declined, Yun Xiao felt a twinge of doubt. Had he misjudged? Was Jiang Shuo not here to express his sincere desire to marry Xiangxiang?

　　“Xiangxiang will be here soon. Young Hero Jiang, do you have nothing to say to her?” One of the elders quickly spoke up, trying to keep Jiang Shuo from leaving.

　　“Now that Miss Yun is safe and sound, I have nothing more to say to her,” Jiang Shuo replied, standing and preparing to leave.

　　Seeing Jiang Shuo rise, Si Yao quickly stood as well, ready to follow him.

　　Jiang Shuo’s way of addressing Yun Xiangxiang had been completely distant. Yun Xiao finally realized the truth: Jiang Shuo had no romantic interest in Xiangxiang at all.

　　His gaze shifted to Si Yao beside Jiang Shuo. The girl in the pale ocean blue dress had a delicate, charming face, her starry eyes like a painting. If judged by looks alone, this girl might even outshine Yun Xiangxiang. A face this striking had never gone unnoticed.

　　Jiang Shuo had been famous for years, yet no one had ever mentioned a girl like this by his side. Could it be that he was indifferent to Xiangxiang because of her?

　　Sadly, she was just a beautiful ornament. In the Canglan Continent, strength was everything. This girl was only at the early Foundation Establishment stage, while Xiangxiang had already reached the peak of the Golden Core stage. Jiang Shuo truly had no eyes.

　　He thought of Yun Xiangxiang’s unwavering devotion to Jiang Shuo, how she had endured severe poisoning for him, and anger flared in his chest. “Everyone says Young Hero Jiang is an unparalleled genius. I wonder if that mere early Foundation Establishment girl beside you can even keep up with your pace?”

　　Si Yao: “?”

　　What does that have to do with me?

________________

Glossary: 

¹Daoist Partner

A cultivation-world term for a romantic or marital partner. Basically the xianxia way of saying “spouse” or “significant other,” but with extra spiritual vibes.

 

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