NOVEL NEXT Chapter 27 - Magic
The wedding ceremony’s interruption stunned everyone present.
A girl stepped out from the crowd. She wore a teal short skirt, baring long legs, her figure petite yet curvy. Long hair flowed, her demeanor sharp and spirited.
A sword hung at her waist as she pressed her lips tight, glaring coldly at the onlookers.
“Who’s this? Crashing a wedding?”
“No clue, but this’ll be a show.”
“I know her—she’s the Su Young Master’s childhood sweetheart.”
“Oh, that explains it. Still, look at the occasion—she’s toast…”
The sudden twist set the wedding abuzz with chatter.
Su Yu’s jaw dropped. Holy crap, she actually showed up!
Others might not know her, but how could he not?
Gu Yanran—his good friend.
Before the ceremony kicked off, he’d glimpsed her faintly. He’d chalked it up to tired eyes, clinging to a shred of hope. But now…
What now? What the heck do I do?
Pretend he didn’t know her? Too heartless.
Talk her down gently? What about Lin Qingyue’s feelings?
Su Yu bit his lip, at a loss.
He blamed his weak rejection that day—he should’ve been firmer. Then this wouldn’t be happening.
It wasn’t just his problem anymore. Even if Lin Qingyue let it slide, the Lin family’s pride was dented—would they let her off easy?
Su Muqing glared at the troublemaker, itching to bite her head off.
Her brother’s wedding, ruined like this—she’d put up with Gu Yanran long enough. This crossed the line; she couldn’t stay quiet.
But before Su Muqing could act, a busty older woman jumped in first.
She sneered at Gu Yanran with pure disdain. “Little brat, you’re out of line. Don’t you know this is my niece’s wedding?”
It was none other than Lin Qingyue’s aunt, Lin Fengyao.
A side-branch Lin family member, she had decent status but lousy talent, making her a nobody in the clan.
She’d tagged along shamelessly to this wedding to boost her profile, but chances were slim. Feeling down, she hadn’t expected someone to crash the party.
Unacceptable—where’d that leave her auntly dignity?
Time to slap some sense into her!!
Gu Yanran ignored her completely, gazing at Su Yu with mournful eyes.
She regretted it—truly regretted it…
All that talk of “green pastures overhead”? When push came to shove, she couldn’t stomach it.
Imagining her beloved Su Yu in another woman’s bed, writhing in bliss, stabbed her heart like a knife—agony beyond words.
“That night, I thought it over. I tried to bear it, but I couldn’t.”
“Couldn’t see you, letters ignored—they said you didn’t want me.”
“You’ve changed? I wouldn’t believe it, wouldn’t accept it! Yet a tiny fear nagged—what if you really had?”
“But now…”
“Seeing you again, I’m sure…”
Gu Yanran’s eyes reddened as she looked at him.
“It’s all lies—you still like me!”
Where’d you get that from?
Su Yu gave a wry inner laugh.
“Su Yu, I’ve figured it out. Our bond’s so strong—how could you switch off like that?”
“Is she forcing you? Lusting after your looks, threatening your family unless you marry her? You’re enduring this for them—your pained eyes prove it!”
Huh!?
Su Yu’s face twisted awkwardly. Pained eyes? Since when?
He wanted to say, “Girl, you’re overthinking—I’m just a tad reluctant, that’s all.”
But his silence, to Gu Yanran, screamed agreement. That dim profile as he turned, that forlorn back—lethal stuff.
Lin Fengyao’s face darkened. Ignored, huh?
“Guards, drag this brat out!”
Not just “drag”—dare disrespect the Lin family, disrespect her? Lin Fengyao was already plotting payback.
“You again, you annoying hag. I’m not in the mood, and you’re still yapping?”
Thrice interrupted mid-outpouring, Gu Yanran snapped. Clearly unhinged, she went full blast.
“H-Hag!? You little punk, you’ve got guts! I’ll rip you to shreds!!”
No woman, any world, took kindly to jabs at her looks. Insulted like that, Lin Fengyao lost it.
A yellowish glow flared in her hand, sending a ripple of dread through the crowd.
“Magic—it’s magic! She’s a cultivator!”
“Duh, look where she’s standing—Lin family, obviously no mortal.”
“She’s wielding spiritual energy so easy—close to Spirit Gathering, right?”
Martial artists had Acquired and Innate realms.
Cultivators had Spirit Condensation, Spirit Gathering, Golden Core…
A Spirit Condensation cultivator outclassed Innate—let alone one nearing the peak.
Worry flickered in Su Yu’s eyes. He’d rejected Gu Yanran’s feelings, but that didn’t mean he wanted her dead here.
He wanted to stop it, but powerless—would she just go down like this?
Lin Fengyao raised her left hand, index and middle fingers together, pointing at Gu Yanran.
Instantly, a massive stone spike erupted from the ground.
A killing blow—though Lin Fengyao held back a bit. At this strength, an Innate fighter might block it.
Gu Yanran’s face soured. She got the intent right away.
An attack from below—seemingly weak, but aimed to humiliate. If it hit, she’d lose all dignity here, maybe even keel over from rage.
“You’re shameless!”
Fury erupted. She stomped, cracking the ground, dodging the spike. In a blur, she charged Lin Fengyao and slapped her hard.
Smack!!
Su Yu barely processed it—just a shadow, then a crisp sound.
The yellow-glowing big sis spun 360 degrees, crashing face-first, cheek swollen.