The Male Lead I Wronged Has Blackened

CHAPTER 8: I Like Him for Who He Is

　　Si Yao was utterly baffled. Why was she suddenly dragged into this, and why was this man’s strange tone aimed at her?

　　An elder of the Yun clan stepped forward with a solemn expression and tried to persuade Jiang Shuo. “Our Yun clan has ruled Feng City for many years, and our strength is unmatched across the entire Canglan Continent. If Young Hero Jiang is willing to abandon this girl and marry into our Yun clan, then with our support, becoming the strongest cultivator of this era would only be a matter of time.”

　　The other elders quickly echoed his words. “For cultivators, strength is everything. Young Hero Jiang, you should think carefully. Do not sacrifice the greater path for something insignificant.”

　　Si Yao was dumbstruck. So the Yun clan wanted to pair Jiang Shuo with Yun Xiangxiang, he refused, and they somehow assumed she was the reason? They actually thought Jiang Shuo rejected Yun Xiangxiang because of her?

　　“Xiangxiang is the greatest talent born to the Yun clan in a thousand years. Across the entire continent, such a gift is exceedingly rare.”

　　“As for the girl beside you, she only has a pretty face. She is merely at early Foundation Establishment, her talent completely ordinary. Give it a few decades and that beauty will fade into bones. How could she ever compare to Xiangxiang?”

　　The Yun clan no longer bothered to hide their intentions. They spoke bluntly, confident in themselves and their power. They believed no one could refuse the full support of the Yun clan.

　　Yun Xiao did not object either. The elders had said exactly what he was thinking. One hand was clasped behind his back while the other stroked his black beard. He stood in the center of the hall, waiting for Jiang Shuo’s response.

　　Jiang Shuo’s face darkened. He had already made his stance clear. He did not want any entanglement with the Yun clan, yet they refused to let go. Their persistence was becoming difficult to tolerate.

　　His temper had always been bad, but he was not unreasonable. For Yun Xiangxiang’s sake, he held back, since she had suffered poison because of him.

　　“Since the Yun clan’s Young Miss is so extraordinarily gifted, she will surely achieve great heights with time and bring prosperity to your clan. If that is the case, why must your Yun clan desperately cling to Jiang Shuo?”

　　Si Yao finally spoke. She had done nothing, yet the Yun clan kept belittling her. If they wanted to matchmake, go ahead, but why insult her in the process? Did they think she was made of clay and didn’t have a temper?

　　Her question hit the mark, sharp and impossible to refute. For a moment, the Yun elders were stunned into silence.

　　Seeing this, Si Yao lifted her chin slightly. A sly smile curved on her delicate face as she added, “Could it be that… your Yun clan has another intention?”

　　“Nonsense!”

　　Yun Xiao’s eyes widened in fury. “The Yun clan has stood strong for countless years. What intention could we possibly have?”

　　He valued Jiang Shuo’s limitless potential, but he was unwilling to lower the Yun clan’s pride. Ideally, Jiang Shuo would be the one to take the initiative.

　　What intention could they have, indeed?

　　Si Yao let out a soft, mocking laugh. She stepped forward, her lotus-like steps light and graceful, stopping beside the pile of rare treasures Jiang Shuo had gifted to the Yun clan. She clicked her tongue in admiration. “These herbs and spirit tools are truly priceless. I wonder how many pieces the Yun clan can bring out to match them?”

　　Her words made the Yun elders flush with anger. She was clearly insinuating that they were coveting Jiang Shuo’s generosity and plotting to claim his treasures for themselves.

　　“You are right about one thing. Jiang Shuo will become the strongest cultivator of this era sooner or later, even without the Yun clan’s support.” Si Yao’s voice drifted lazily, yet carried absolute confidence.

　　Yun Xiao had met countless people in his life, and he naturally understood Jiang Shuo’s limitless potential. Although the treasures tempted him, his true intention was to tie Jiang Shuo to the Yun clan, so that in the future, Jiang Shuo could lead them and push their overall strength to a higher realm.

　　Si Yao standing up to the Yun clan was something Jiang Shuo never expected. He disliked the way the Yun clan behaved, yet he had no desire to argue with them. He never imagined Si Yao would speak up on his behalf.

　　He lifted his gaze toward the girl confronting the Yun clan. Despite her low cultivation, she showed no fear, her manner bold and spirited.

　　“To accuse my Yun clan of ulterior motives... and you, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, what are you after?” Yun Xiao, though exposed by Si Yao’s earlier jab, did not grow flustered. Instead, he questioned her coldly. “With your pathetic cultivation, how could you possibly walk alongside Jiang Shuo?”

　　In his eyes, a little Foundation Establishment girl daring to insult the Yun clan was simply courting death.

　　“I’m after him.”

　　Si Yao’s bright eyes shimmered, and she answered without hesitation.

　　At the same moment, the mechanical voice of her system echoed in her mind.

　　【Target's Favorability +5】

　　【Mission complete, points +10】