Chapter 4747 — Character Flaw

It was only because Wei Zhao had been gravely injured that this unease had been buried for the past half month. He had never expected today to bring such a turn of events, and only now did Ning Xuefei realize with a start that she was truly about to be bound by name to Wei Zhao. It had all come too suddenly—so suddenly that it caught one entirely off guard, leaving no idea how to react.

Yet now, though Ning Xuefei still did not know what the future held, she knew her own heart. For when she heard Wei Zhao speak those three words, she felt at peace, and she felt joy. That was already enough.

As they listened to Wei Zhao utter those three words, Han Jingyi and Shangguan Lan'er, clustered at his side, felt their hearts inexplicably turn a little sour—a feeling complex and hard to name, such as they had never known before.

By their natures, the two of them were rarely troubled by anything. Even Wei Zhao's grave injury this time had only worried them for a while at the start; once they knew he was safe, they had quickly returned to their former selves.

This time, however, they could not help but feel an indefinable bitterness, as though something beloved had been snatched away. Though they knew full well that Wei Zhao would not leave them because of this, a vague sense of loss lingered all the same.

Still, the matter would not truly trouble them. After all, it was they who had first urged the idea of making Wei Zhao Ning Xuefei's future husband, and their own day would come in the end—Ning Xuefei, their dear friend, had merely stolen a march on them for the moment.

Compared with Han Jingyi and Shangguan Lan'er, it was Huo Yudie whose heart was truly caught between hope and loss. Watching Wei Zhao in the arena, she could not help biting her lip, unsure how she ought to react—whether to congratulate Wei Zhao, or to resent this unfeeling wretch who could not read a woman's heart...

She could not even help a faint regret rising in her heart—regret that she had ever come out, that she had not simply stayed with Wei Zhao alone in the trial grounds, the two of them living and flying together. Would that not have been wonderful?

Once she came out, Wei Zhao would surely marry Ning Xuefei. That had been announced long ago, and Wei Zhao himself had told her so in person. How could she have put something so important out of her mind just now!

Beside her, Liu Ziqi sighed and patted her hand lightly. This treasured disciple she had raised from childhood was not her own flesh and blood, yet dearer than a daughter—how could she not know what was going through Huo Yudie's mind?

She had once thought it would be rather fine if Wei Zhao and her beloved disciple could become a pair. Fate, alas, played its tricks. Now that Wei Zhao was to be Ning Xuefei's future husband, he certainly could not take another wife—not only would West Island never permit it, even Liu Ziqi herself would not permit it.

Seeing Wei Zhao accept in front of everyone, Ning Shanghe was delighted and at once meant to formally seal the bond between the two. But before she could speak, two men suddenly stepped out from the crowd and cried aloud, "That will not do!"

The whole assembly was struck dumb, and all eyes turned to Li Yuzhou and Sun Baolu with strange looks. To dare interrupt even Ning Shanghe in public—were these two brains addled? Did they have a death wish?

"Who says it will not do? To dare make trouble on my West Island—seize them and drag them out!" Before Ning Shanghe could speak, Yan Xinlan at her side darkened and gave the order.

In a flash, four West Island disciples of overwhelming presence appeared around the pair. These were no ordinary guards; disciples who could take orders directly from Yan Xinlan, the deputy island lord, were the elite of the elite on West Island, at the very least of the Mystery Ascension stage. Against such strength, the meager powers of Li Yuzhou and Sun Baolu could offer not the slightest resistance.

The two were scared witless on the spot. If they were truly dragged out, they would be lucky to escape half-crippled, and they hurriedly cried out, "Wait! There is something seriously wrong with Wei Zhao's character—he is unworthy to be West Island's consort!"

At these words the whole hall erupted in uproar. Wei Zhao himself looked utterly baffled, eyeing Li Yuzhou and Sun Baolu sidelong with no recollection of either of them. Only when he saw them standing beside Ren Zhongyuan and his lot did he grow thoughtful.

"Oh?" Ning Shanghe showed no sign of taking offense. With a glance she halted the four West Island guards, then fixed her eyes on the two and gestured for them to continue.

This concerned Ning Xuefei's lifelong happiness, and no carelessness could be tolerated. Though Ning Shanghe was quite satisfied with Wei Zhao, if his character truly were as flawed as these two claimed, then the matter would have to be carefully reconsidered.

Ning Shanghe's gaze remained calm and gentle, and no one else present sensed anything amiss. Yet Li Yuzhou and Sun Baolu were instantly crushed beneath a mountain of pressure. The hidden majesty and dominance in that look was something outsiders could never fathom; though it carried no aura of oppression at all, the two of them dropped to their knees with a thud, unable to help themselves—their knees simply would not obey.

"During the trial earlier, we saw with our own eyes Wei Zhao and Huo Yudie coupling in broad daylight. To commit such an offense against decency—you can see just how vile this fellow's character is. How can such a man be West Island's consort?!" Sun Baolu blurted out, unable to bear the crushing pressure.

"Yes, yes, we have proof—everyone can see for themselves!" Li Yuzhou said, and produced the camera, openly displaying it for all present to witness.

In an instant the whole scene boiled over. There is never any shortage of lovers of scandal, and at the sight of such explosive photographs they whistled and jeered at Wei Zhao and Huo Yudie, a cacophony of crude remarks rising and falling on every side. The side courtyard of the island lord's own palace had become a common tavern, filled everywhere with obscene talk.

Ning Shanghe, ever dignified and magnanimous, now let her face darken completely. Though she sat rather far away, with her cultivation she could see at a glance—who else could the two in the photographs be but Wei Zhao and Huo Yudie?!

Ning Shanghe had long since had Wei Zhao thoroughly investigated, and knew he had many beauties about him: not only were Shangguan Lan'er and Han Jingyi involved with him, but there were quite a few others elsewhere, even in places like Middle Island and the Eastern Continent. Beyond doubt, this was a man whose romantic fortunes ran over.

As for this result, Ning Shanghe in truth showed no particular shock, nor any particular displeasure. In her view, it was only natural that a young man as outstanding as Wei Zhao should be favored by girls; if he had not a single one, that would be the real marvel. (To be continued...)