A terrifying pressure, like solid ice, instantly enveloped the entire ruins area.
The air seemed to freeze, and even the dust stopped moving.
Zhang Lingyun's dark purple eyes were no longer just cold; they burned with an almost tangible flame of anger, fixed intently on Zhang Yu and Xiao Meier, who was clinging to him.
She exuded not only an aura of power, but also a terrifying killing intent!
The chilling killing intent made Xiao Xuan and the others, who had just experienced the great battle with Jiang Pojun, instantly feel their hair stand on end, as if they had fallen into an ice cave, and even breathing became difficult.
They had no doubt that Zhang Lingyun was on the verge of exploding, and any slight provocation could cause her to completely lose control.
Of everyone present, probably no one could withstand a blow she delivered in a fit of rage!
If Zhang Lingyun were simply the introverted, reserved woman who harbored vague feelings for Zhang Yu yet was also insecure and timid, how would she fare in this situation?
Perhaps all they will feel is heartbreak, silent tears, and a dejected departure.
But at this moment, the dominant emotion in this body is largely that of Jiang Ling, a thousand-year-old vengeful Vengeful Soul who witnessed her biological father kill his wife to attain enlightenment, and who harbors a natural distrust and aversion to men, and whose personality is extreme and violent.
If it weren't for the deep affection Zhang Lingyun felt for Zhang Yu still trying to temper and restrain her urge to destroy everything, there would probably already be a bloodbath by now.
"They..."
Zhang Lingyun's voice was no longer just cold; it carried an extreme tremor, like the rumble of a volcano before an eruption, each word piercing Zhang Yu like an ice pick.
"Is she your woman?"
The dark red broken sword condensed again in her hand, its blade humming, and the surrounding space slightly distorted due to the terrifying Resentment Power and Killing Intent.
Her gaze, sharp as a steel blade, swept over Zhang Yu, Xiao Meier, and Xiao Fenghua, finally settling on Zhang Yu's pale, astonished face.
Faced with this fatal question, Zhang Yu broke out in a cold sweat. He had a feeling that a bad answer could be fatal.
Zhang Yu had no romantic experience during his university years, and he had always been passive in his relationship with Xiao Fenghua. How could he possibly know how to handle this situation?
Zhang Yu opened his mouth, feeling his throat dry and his mind blank.
His romantic experiences, both in his past and present lives, are almost nonexistent. Faced with this deadly questioning that feels like Asura Battlefield, he is completely helpless.
Explain?
Deny?
This will likely only make things worse and exacerbate the conflict.
At that critical moment, when the air seemed to freeze and explode—
They are not Zhang Xiaoyou's women!
An aged yet resolute voice suddenly rang out, breaking the almost suffocating silence.
Xiao Xuan stepped forward, blocking Zhang Yu and Zhang Lingyun.
His hair and beard stood on end, his face was filled with heartache and shame, and his voice carried a resolute determination:
"They are Zhang Xiaoyou's concubines!"
According to common customs, concubines were not considered women of the master's household, were not respected, and were treated like objects.
Upon hearing this, not only Zhang Yu was stunned, but Xiao Meier and Xiao Fenghua also showed expressions of astonishment.
But they quickly realized what was going on, especially Xiao Meier, whose beautiful eyes flashed with understanding and complexity before she lowered her gaze, tacitly accepting this explanation.
Xiao Fenghua pursed her lips, her face pale, but she did not refute him.
Before Zhang Lingyun could react, Xiao Xuan continued speaking rapidly, like beans pouring from a bamboo tube, his tone filled with self-reproach and repentance:
"Moreover, all of this is because our Xiao Family was blinded by greed and saw that young friend Zhang had unlimited potential and a limitless future."
So, disregarding all shame, he forcibly gave these two good-for-nothing girls to Zhang Xiaoyou as concubines.
Zhang Xiaoyou is an upright and loyal person, and he has always firmly refused.
It was our Xiao Family that had no shame. Seeing that he wouldn't listen to reason, they actually... actually secretly drugged him.
They used despicable and shameless means to forcibly... forcibly take away Zhang Xiaoyou's virginity.
"This is all the sin of our Xiao Family!"
It was I, Xiao Elder Xuan was senile, blinded by greed and ungrateful, and whose heart was clouded by greed!
It was my entire Xiao Family who, coveting young friend Zhang's potential, committed such a beastly act!
He became increasingly agitated as he spoke, even pounding his chest and stamping his feet, tears streaming down his face.
"Even these two girls, Xiao Fenghua and Xiao Meier, were forced into submission by threatening the lives of their parents and family members."
They were forced into this situation by their own circumstances; they were pitiful people forced into it by this old, disrespectful elder of mine.
"All the mistakes, all the sins, lie with me, Xiao Xuan, and with my Xiao Family."
We used coercion and enticement, we drugged and raped her, we were shameless.
Zhang Xiaoyou is innocent; he is a victim.
These two girls... they were forced into it too.
Xiao Xuan's words contained a great deal of information.
He portrayed himself and the entire Xiao Family as shameless scoundrels who would stop at nothing for profit, coerce their descendants, and even drug and rape their benefactors.
Zhang Yu was portrayed as a steadfast and unyielding victim who was ultimately forcibly defiled, while Xiao Fenghua and Xiao Meier were depicted as pitiful people coerced by their Lineage.
He has a clear mind and reacts very quickly.
He could see that the terrifying being before him, a fusion of Zhang Lingyun and a thousand-year-old Vengeful Soul, possessed an extremely strong possessiveness and emotional fastidiousness towards Zhang Yu.
I especially dislike Zhang Yu's tendency to actively pursue women or develop feelings for other women.
Therefore, the only way to break this deadlock is to completely extricate Zhang Yu from the moral issue!
They portrayed Zhang Yu as a perfect, forced, and sympathetic victim, while taking all the blame and stains on themselves and the Xiao Family!
Only in this way can we quell the other party's anger to the greatest extent, protect Zhang Yu, Xiao Fenghua and Xiao Meier, and even protect the Xiao Family!
As for Xiao Xuan and the Xiao Family's reputation?
What does mere reputation matter when faced with life-or-death situations and the future of Lineage?
Besides, this kind of statement is unpleasant to hear.
However, to some extent, this highlights the Xiao Family's determination to invest in Zhang Yu, suggesting that there may still be room for maneuver in the future.
Everyone was stunned, secretly thinking that experience truly matters.
He never expected that Xiao Xuan could come up with such a complete and logically consistent explanation in order to save the day!
That old guy... he's ruthless!
For the greater good, he even disregarded his own reputation and his Lineage's honor!
Xiao Xuan's shocking and self-deprecating statement had an immediate effect.
Zhang Lingyun's mind stirred slightly. Although the suffocatingly terrifying Killing Intent and pressure around her had not completely dissipated, it had clearly stagnated and weakened considerably.
Emperor Xiao Zhengfeng of the Wei Kingdom and his Xiao Family members all stared blankly at their Old Ancestor.
Their facial expressions were incredibly complex, a mixture of shock, bewilderment, and confusion.
They watched as their usually dignified, composed, and highly respected Old Ancestor Xiao Xuan, was now beating his chest, stamping his feet, and spouting nonsense with tears streaming down his face.
He passionately denounced himself and his Lineage for being greedy and shameless; the scene was so powerful that it almost made their minds go blank.
After their initial surprise, Xiao Meier and Xiao Fenghua quickly got into the zone.
Xiao Meier, as expected of someone with innate charm and a clever mind, understood the Old Ancestor's intention almost instantly and perfectly executed the performance.
Her beautiful eyes, which always held a captivating smile, quickly became misty, and her red lips pursed slightly, showing a hint of stubbornness mixed with undisguised sorrow.
She turned slightly to the side, seemingly unable to meet Zhang Lingyun's cold gaze, and her shoulders trembled almost imperceptibly.
She portrayed the pitiful woman who was used by her Lineage, coerced by her elders, and powerless to resist.
Especially her hesitant, pitiful expression, combined with her stunning beauty, was enough to evoke a strong protective instinct in anyone unaware of her true nature.
Although Xiao Fenghua was aloof and not good at feigning, she immediately understood the perilous situation and the Old Ancestor's good intentions.
She simply lowered her eyes slightly, avoiding Zhang Lingyun's gaze. Her already aloof demeanor was now tinged with even more loneliness and solitude.
Her tightly pursed lips revealed a hint of humiliation and helplessness. Although she didn't have Xiao Meier's vivid performance, her forced silence and vulnerability beneath her coldness made her seem more real and believable.
The two Favored Daughter of Heaven tacitly played the role of victims, forming a stark contrast with Xiao Xuan's shameless Old Ancestor, further confirming Xiao Xuan's statement.
Just then, a discordant, confused murmur came from the corner:
Was the main body forced into this situation?
I seem to remember... he always seemed to enjoy it?
He's Flower Monk!
No sooner said than done, a dark figure appeared beside him like a ghost the instant the Flower Monk finished speaking. It was the Black-robed Daoist who had been watching coldly from the sidelines.
Without a word, the Black-robed Daoist struck with lightning speed, one cold and powerful hand covering the still-talking Flower Monk's mouth, while the other hand pinched the soft flesh of his waist hard.
The Black-robed Daoist priest, expressionless, whispered to the Flower Monk:
"Shut up if you don't want your true self to die a horrible death."
But Zhang Lingyun heard these words, and the air instantly froze.