Volume 8, Chapter 531 – Today, This Young Master Demands Both (Part 1)

Upon hearing the middle-aged man’s words, the Cao family relatives on either side were stunned. They simply couldn’t understand how a descendant of an immortal with nine points bloodline purity could lose her title as Holy Maiden!

“Uncle, do you think this is true?”

Cao Yang, his face ashen, snapped out of his daze and turned to ask the man.

“It must be true. How would an ordinary disciple dare spread rumors about the Holy Maiden?”

The middle-aged man, Cao Yang’s maternal uncle, Yan Ping, reasoned.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Cao Yang turned to an elderly man beside him and ordered, “Uncle Wang, find me a disciple from the Huarong Sect. I want to ask them myself.”

“At once, Young Master!”

Uncle Wang bowed and swiftly fetched a female disciple from the Huarong Sect.

The young girl trembled under the overwhelming presence of the Cao family’s grand wedding procession, not daring to show the slightest hint of displeasure.

“This Young Master has heard that the Holy Maiden of your Huarong Sect is no longer Hua Yu. Is that true?”

Cao Yang asked, clinging to a sliver of hope.

“Yes… Ten days ago, she was stripped of her title as Holy Maiden,” the girl answered timidly.

Cao Yang’s last shred of hope shattered. His face darkened like the bottom of a scorched pot as he growled, “Why?”

“Because she violated sect rules… Naturally, she had to be removed as Holy Maiden.”

The disciple answered cautiously.

“So what if she violated sect rules? She’s a nine points bloodline descendant of an immortal! How could your sect just discard her?”

Cao Yang pressed aggressively, his tone sharp.

“P-perhaps… because there’s already a better candidate!”

The girl stumbled back two steps under his intimidating glare.

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“A better candidate?”

This was a possibility Cao Yang had never considered. His gaze swept around in bewilderment before he suppressed his fury and forced a gentler tone. “Who is it?”

“A newly arrived junior sister. Though her bloodline purity is only eight points, she possesses a secret technique that allows her to cultivate even faster than Hua Yu.”

The disciple steadied herself before explaining.

“Eight points bloodline? Faster cultivation than Hua Yu? What kind of nonsense is that?”

Cao Yang let out a cold laugh before waving dismissively. “Get lost! Go back to whatever you were doing!”

The girl fled as if granted amnesty.

“Uncle, what do you think?”

Cao Yang turned to Yan Ping for his opinion.

“Though an eight point bloodline is only one point less than nine point, that single difference is like the gap between heaven and earth. No secret technique could ever bridge it. I don’t believe her explanation.”

Yan Ping answered decisively.

“I thought the same. But if that’s the case, why would they lie?”

Cao Yang fell into deep thought.

“I suspect it’s to save face. If they didn’t provide a reason for stripping Hua Yu of her title, the sect’s rules would become meaningless. Not only would they lose all dignity, but they’d also have no grounds to train another Holy Maiden in the future.”

After careful consideration, Yan Ping offered his speculation.

“The future? Once they sever ties with Hua Yu, what future do they even have? Do they really think a nine point bloodline genius is so easy to find? That Hua Ruyi has truly lost her mind, she’d rather pin her hopes on some uncertain future than trust her own disciple.”

Cao Yang sneered and shook his head.

“Could it be that she found out about Hua Yu’s plan to ‘feast east and sleep west’?”

Yan Ping lowered his voice.

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“Hmph, so what if she knows? If Hua Ruyi had any sense, she’d continue placing her faith in Hua Yu. Even if she gets exploited, it’s still better than having no successor at all. Besides, becoming in-laws with the Cao family is an honor for them.”

Cao Yang snorted coldly.

“But from the looks of it, Hua Ruyi isn’t very bright. Not only has she led her sect into ruin, but she’s also left our Cao family in an awkward position.”

Yan Ping took a deep breath.

“Indeed. The invitations have already been sent out. If people find out the Young Master isn’t marrying the Holy Maiden, this situation will be difficult to resolve.”

Uncle Wang chimed in from the side.

“Uncle, what do you think we should do?”

Realizing the severity of the matter, Cao Yang sought Yan Ping’s advice.

“Our reputation is one thing, but more importantly, we can’t just let go of the Huarong Sect as a source of exploitation.”

Yan Ping pondered for a moment before his gaze sharpened. “It seems we’ll have to interfere in the Huarong Sect’s internal affairs. We must ensure Hua Yu regains her position as Holy Maiden.”

Not long after, the Huarong Sect’s bridal procession emerged, carrying Hua Yu in a grand eight-lift bridal sedan. Leading the group was none other than her master, Sect Master Hua Ruyi, flanked by high-ranking elders and relatives.

Though Qi Huang and Cheng Hongling did not participate, they had been observing the scene with their divine senses.

“Young Master Cao, this Sect Master has fulfilled her promise. Today, I send my disciple to you in a grand procession. I hope you will treat her well in the future.”

Hua Ruyi spoke earnestly, this was no empty courtesy. After all, they had shared a master-disciple bond, and she genuinely wished for Hua Yu’s happiness.

“Naturally!”

Cao Yang responded perfunctorily before cutting to the chase. “But before that, this Young Master has a question for Sect Master Hua. I’ve heard that Hua Yu is no longer the Holy Maiden of the Huarong Sect. Is this true?”

Hearing this, Hua Yu inside the sedan shuddered. She had known this deception couldn’t last forever.

“It is true. Our sect’s rules dictate that the Holy Maiden cannot marry. To fulfill your union, I had no choice but to revoke her title.”

Hua Ruyi explained tactfully.

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“Oh? Then this Young Master should thank you.”

Cao Yang smirked ambiguously before pressing further. “But tell me, Sect Master Hua, in your eyes, which is more important: sect rules, or the future of the Huarong Sect?”

“Without rules, what future is there to speak of?”

Hua Ruyi countered.

“Hua Ruyi! After decades as sect master, how can you not understand that a sect’s foundation lies in its people, not its rules? What use are rules without talent? How do you expect to grow?”

Cao Yang immediately launched his attack.

“Exactly! For the Hua family to produce a Hua Yu in this generation is a blessing earned over lifetimes. By cutting ties with her, you’ve single-handedly destroyed the Huarong Sect’s future. You are its greatest sinner!”

Yan Ping piled on the accusations.

“Cutting ties?”

Hua Ruyi smiled faintly. “You exaggerate. I merely revoked her title due to sect rules. I neither severed our master-disciple bond nor expelled her from the sect. How is that ‘cutting ties’?”

“Uh—”

Cao Yang and Yan Ping were momentarily speechless.

“Surely you don’t believe her connection to the Huarong Sect depends on a mere title? My disciple is not an ungrateful person.”

Hua Ruyi’s smile was diplomatic.

Cao Yang and Yan Ping were utterly dumbfounded, unable to refute her. Even Hua Yu, now burdened by this lofty praise, found herself unable to speak.

“Sect Master Hua’s silver tongue is truly impressive. To turn the tables so swiftly in such a situation…”

Cheng Hongling couldn’t help but marvel. As someone of few words, she deeply admired those with eloquence.

“Haven’t you heard that age brings wisdom? Given her long tenure in a high position, how could she lack the ability to think on her feet?”

Qi Huang replied nonchalantly. If it came down to a battle of wits, she was confident she could hold her own, years of acting had honed her skills.

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“Don’t be ridiculous. She doesn’t even look that old.”

Cheng Hongling retorted sharply.

“Ah, I only meant in terms of age. Appearance-wise, Sect Master Hua is still quite… graceful.”

Qi Huang quickly corrected herself, thinking inwardly, ‘Have you become her admirer or something?’

On the other side, unable to counter Hua Ruyi’s words, Cao Yang resorted to petulance.

“I don’t care! This Young Master declared he would marry the Holy Maiden of the Huarong Sect. Yet now you’re handing me an ordinary disciple. Isn’t this a breach of promise?”

“Indeed! The Cao family’s invitations have been sent. If we don’t marry the Holy Maiden, how will we save face?”

Yan Ping pressed aggressively.

“So what Young Master Cao desires is merely the title of Holy Maiden? How laughable. And here I thought my disciple held genuine affection for you.”

Hua Ruyi shook her head in disappointment.

Inside the sedan, Hua Yu’s face turned deathly pale, her heart clenching in pain.

“You’re wrong! Precisely because I care for her, I must fight for her rights!”

Cao Yang blurted out in a moment of quick thinking.

Hearing this, a faint trace of color returned to Hua Yu’s cheeks.

“How touching. Then what does Young Master Cao propose?”

Hua Ruyi probed.

“Today, this Young Master demands both, the person and the title! Reinstate her as Holy Maiden immediately, and have that new Holy Maiden step down!”

Cao Yang declared imperiously.