Chapter 183: Hard to Speak

So it turns out Ye Qingran wasn't born without a Spiritual Root; it was ripped out five years ago!

The others reacted in unison, both shocked and angry. Only Wuhen showed little response; on the one hand because he had known about it for a long time, and on the other because he is a person who keeps his emotions hidden and rarely shows them on his face.

"So, the rumor back then that you possessed a rare Holy Spiritual Root was actually true?" Ling Shaoyang recalled some rumors he had heard many years ago and asked in a deep voice.

Ye Qingran nodded slowly; from the memories inherited from the original host, the pain of the Spiritual Root being torn seemed to spread again.

It was like a slow torture, pain unbearable.

"That's right."

"Where is your Spiritual Root now?" Ling Shaoyang's voice seemed to be forced out between his teeth, the murderous aura around him thick and terrifying; no one doubted that if the culprit were present, he would take their life to avenge his master!

Ye Qingran lifted the corner of her mouth like a frost, her voice as if Kun Shan jade shattered, "It's on Ye Huanhuan!"

Ye Huanhuan?!

Shock gave way to endless fury!

"I see!" Gu Dongliu snapped his Folding Fan shut, and a gust of frosty wind swirled around him.

Ye Huanhuan had once been obscure in Xiliang City, and even five years ago few remembered her. It seemed that from five years ago she began to emerge, and then she could not be stopped. Now, having pledged to the Qingyun Sword Immortal, she has become a proud Xuan Yuan disciple.

"So Ye Huanhuan's achievements today are all because of your Holy Spiritual Root!" Xia Zhimeng gritted his teeth, his expression twisted almost beyond recognition from anger.

To forge one's own glory upon one's sister's flesh and blood—such conduct is downright despicable!

"How shameless! I always said that Ye Huanhuan was no good, and now it turns out she's rotten to the core! How can such a despicable, scurrilous, snake‑heart person exist in this world?"

Ling Shaoyang suddenly rose to his feet. His aura was like a sword drawn from its scabbard—sharp, unstoppable, its edge fully exposed, and his murderous aura seemed about to take solid form.

Ye Qingran tapped the table rhythmically with her fingers and asked casually, "What are you about to do?"

"To take your Spiritual Root back for you!"

Ye Qingran smiled and shook her head, a faint emotion stirring within, "Don't act rashly; hear me out." Ling Shaoyang, however, pressed his lips tightly, his whole body taut, stubbornly refusing to sit down.

"You need not do that. Even if today you kill Ye Huanhuan, dig out the Spiritual Root and place it before me, I still wouldn't want it."

Those words caused another gasp among them.

Ye Qingran said, "You don't want the Spiritual Root?"

"But that's a Holy Spiritual Root!"

With the Holy Spiritual Root, she could resume cultivation, never again endure cold stares and ridicule, and her future would be bright!

Ye Qingran's face showed disdain, and she explained calmly, "What use is a tainted thing to me? However, the things I don't want, I'd rather destroy than let Ye Huanhuan have them. So I will reclaim the Spiritual Root, but not now."

I'm telling you this not because I expect you to help me. In my eyes, Ye Huanhuan is nothing but a circus clown; I can control her life and death at any time! However, I still have some mysteries that require her assistance to solve, and until then I will let her live properly.

Even though Xiao Hu has already been found, that night remains a blank for her. Moreover, her sixth sense tells her that the events of that night were not that simple. Before Lin Xueyan returned to Donglin, Ye Huanhuan was the only one who knew the secret of those years.

Ye Qingran's almost reckless words made the others' expressions shift slightly. They knew Ye Qingran was not as simply weak as rumors suggested, yet they did not realize she had already become so unfathomably powerful.

Only then did Ling Shaoyang sit back down.

Gu Dongliu said softly, "Rest assured, regarding Ye Huanhuan, we won't act rashly without your permission. But if you want us to do anything, just let us know at any time, and we will do our utmost..."

"Right, Sister Ran, if there's anything you need us to help with, just say it!"

No one noticed that Wuhen's hand, placed under the table, clenched tightly, a murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

Because the events of those years were too shocking, everyone's interest waned; after a short chat, the gathering ended.

After Xia Zhimeng and the other two left, only Wuhen and Ye Qingran remained.

"You called me here today; what is it?"

Wuhen turned around, looking at Ye Qingran. He was extremely tall; even standing before the already relatively tall Ye Qingran, he was still nearly a head taller than her.

Ye Qingran was not surprised by Wuhen's question. She knew Wuhen was clever, so she got straight to the point, "I would like to ask you for a favor."

"What favor?"

Ye Qingran bit her lower lip; the excuse she had prepared was now hard to utter upon seeing him.

She slightly lowered her gaze, her eyes flickered, a faint pink flush rose on her cheeks, making her already stunning beauty even more alluring. Wuhen's eyes darkened further; his silver‑tinged pupils swirled with a dark hue, harboring a terrifying lust. If one looked closely, it resembled many of National Master's reactions. Yet Ye Qingran was too embarrassed to look at Wuhen, so she didn't notice.

"Speak, and I will help you."

His sharp Adam's apple bobbed up and down, his voice hoarse to the point of being barely audible.

Ye Qingran lifted her face. She hadn't even said what the favor was, and he had already agreed?

Han Xing, seeing his lady was too shy to speak, stepped forward and explained, "The situation is this: National Master has taken a fancy to my lady; lately he occasionally claims to visit his son, goes to Ting Yu Xuan for a meal, and then spends time alone with my lady. Because of this, my lady has been greatly troubled... Therefore we hope you, Wuhen, can help my lady."

Wuhen was struck as if by lightning.

His occasional interruptions had already affected her so greatly? She simply refused to see him?

A stabbing pain spread across her chest, and with each breath the pain pierced her heart.

Wuhen inhaled deeply, striving not to show any sign, his gaze burning as he looked at Ye Qingran and asked, "National Master, did he truly trouble you so deeply?"

Ye Qingran lifted her eyes, seeing his complexion seemed off, and she hesitated before nodding.

Fu Hanxiu's heart felt as if struck by a massive hammer, a series of dull pains.

Ye Qingran, you're so ruthless!

Closing his eyes, Wuhen asked in a low voice, "How do you want me to help you?"