Chapter 135: with translation of chapter title

This damned brat!

"Tsk, you only became my disciple today, and you're already saying such outrageous words? Don't you know that one day as a teacher means a lifetime as a teacher?"

Ye Qingran turned her head back, the corners of her mouth slightly curling.

"I became your disciple because I lost to you in the archery contest; if I were stronger than you, would you still be qualified to be my master?"

Ye Qingran smiled, "What you say makes sense. I agree. How about this: from now on, you can challenge me once a year; if I lose, our master-disciple relationship will be dissolved."

"Good!" The youth clenched his fist with force, his expression resolute. Someday, he will surpass his master!

Ling Zhengrong heard that and let out a breath of relief. He thought to himself: Fortunately, fortunately, his grandson will be a disciple of the Medicine King Gu Gu Master for life!

Ye Qingran saw his battle intent soaring to the heavens, yet she still poured a basin of cold water on him, saying, "However, you probably have no chance!"

However, the young man's heroic spirit blazed, that fierce fire of fighting spirit—how could a basin of cold water extinguish it?

"Then let's wait and see!" he declared, his words lofty as to pierce the clouds.

Ye Qingran smiled, said no more, boarded the carriage, and quickly vanished into the vast night.

At the waning lights, the youth kept watching her depart until her carriage disappeared from sight.

At this moment, no one knows that one day this youth will stand atop the continent, his military exploits glorious and dazzling, countless elite generals willingly bowing before him. Yet no matter how many years pass or how strong he becomes, before this master he remains that same youth, respectfully calling her master.

The master and disciple's conversation reached Ling Zhengrong's ears, making him almost bite his own tongue.

"That brat… really deserves a beating!"

Though his words were harsh, a helpless smile played on his face.

Ling Shaoyang gazed at Ling Zhengrong with a deep look, making Ling Zhengrong's scalp tingle.

"Why are you staring at me? Do I have something on my face?"

"Grandfather, why did you suddenly change your mind?" Ling Shaoyang thought he understood his grandfather well; his decisions were not easily altered.

"Is it wrong for me to change my mind?" Ling Zhengrong stroked his beard and glared.

"Could Ye Qingran have some other identity?" Ling Shaoyang guessed, and the words made Ling Zhengrong's heart clench. Fortunately, since the Medicine King Gu Gu Master is seen as an elder in everyone's eyes, Ling Shaoyang didn't guess in that direction.

"What identity, no identity? I don't know what you're talking about! I agree, it's not because you made me kneel and kowtow, is it?!"

Anyway, Ling Zhengrong could never say that.

"If you won't tell me, I'll find out someday!" Ling Shaoyang snorted coldly and turned to enter the manor.

"Hey, you little brat!"

Ling Zhengrong pointed at Ling Shaoyang's back and cursed.

Ye Qingran won first place at the hunting gala and became the master of Xiliang City Tyrant Ling Shaoyang; these two events spread like a wildfire, and within days everyone knew.

"Ye Qingran took first place at the hunting gala? That's real skill!"

"In the archery contest she released seven arrows at once; reportedly everyone present was so shocked they couldn't speak!"

What's more, her team slew ten Four-Star Bloodline Lord‑Rank Spirit Beasts, all supposedly her doing. Moreover, she even shot down one of His Majesty's Guardian Beasts in front of the empress!

Good heavens, what terrifying archery! No wonder Crown Prince Ling became her disciple; her archery skill is likely beyond even the Archery Genius Crown Prince Ling, who would feel ashamed.

……

However, there are always some who cannot bear to see Ye Qingran do well.

East of the city, in front of a huge shop.

"Madam Ye, please stop coming to bother me; I will not agree to this marriage! Please leave, Madam Ye, you are seriously affecting our shop's business!"

A young man stood at the shop's entrance, his back straight, his expression cold.

Zhao Shi wept with tears like pear blossoms, "Young Master Xiao, are you really not reconsidering? Our Qingran is truly excellent; aside from lacking a Spiritual Root, being unable to cultivate, and her body being impure, she has no other flaws!"

Zhao Shi's words were sincere and heartfelt, matching her sobbing tone, making it hard to doubt her motives.

Yet hearing these words, passersby felt an involuntary repulsion.

In today's world, where martial prowess reigns supreme, for a woman the most important things are chastity and strength—but Ye Qingran has neither.

What capital does such a woman have to marry a good man?

"Madam Ye, you yourself said Ye Qingran lacks chastity and cannot cultivate; I, Xiao Ji of the Xiao Family, am young and talented, with matchmakers constantly coming to my door—why would so many excellent women in Xiliang refuse, yet you choose Ye Qingran from the Prime Minister's Residence?"

The young man named Xiao Ji wore a stern look, his words full of contempt.

Zhao Shi clutched her chest, "Because our Qingran likes you! She keeps telling me, Young Master Xiao of the Xiao Family, Xiao Ji, is handsome and well‑read, exceptionally talented; if she marries you, they will live in harmony, respecting each other, growing old together."

More and more people gathered, hearing Zhao Shi's words, they felt a sudden chill.

Although Xiao Ji is young, frankly he is not handsome; he's even a bit ugly, short and thin as a rib, utterly lacking any manly vigor.

Could Ye Qingran be blind?

"Good heavens, how desperate is Ye Qingran to marry off, already craving to this extent?"

"Exactly! But even if she herself is desperate, why choose Young Master Xiao? He's young and unmarried, just a bit ugly. Yet his family is rich—how could he fancy Ye Qingran, that fickle woman?"

Zhao Shi really goes all out for a stepdaughter who isn't her own—truly moving; she deserves the title of 'First Stepmother'!

……

"Please, Madam Ye, stop saying such things—it disgusts me. Go tell Ye Qingran that there is no chance between us! I, Xiao Ji, am a pure person; how could I marry a wanton woman? I swear, even if all women in the world died, I would not marry her!"

Xiao Ji flicked his sleeve, his attitude resolute.

Everyone shook their heads, thinking how tragic Ye Qingran is—she ruined a good hand. Born as the descendant of General Dingyuan, her betrothed was supposed to be Crown Prince Ling, yet now even the Xiao Family's good-for-nothing Xiao Ji looks down on her!

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shi felt as if struck by a heavy blow; she stepped back three feet, then sat down on the ground, beating her chest and stamping her feet, wailing to heaven and earth—her voice and demeanor made one suspect she was mourning a death.

"Qingran, what a bitter fate you have! Back then, I, your mother, failed to protect you, causing you to lose your purity—it's all my fault! Now you've taken a liking to Young Master Xiao, but he despises you because you're impure! Heaven, why are you so unfair? Why not let Qingran be a normal person? Even if her talent is low, at least let her cultivate!"

……

Zhao Shi's acting is truly top‑notch; that heart‑rending performance instantly aroused sympathy in the crowd.

At that moment, several more people rushed over.