Chapter 18: It costs money to break off the engagement

Climbing the cyan stone steps to Chui Xing Peak, Li Xingruo neared the summit and spotted sprawling herb and flower fields.

With a glance, she recognized several rare, precious plants.

Any one of them would spark a bloody scramble in the demonic path.

“The Huangji Sect’s pretty humane, letting a cripple monopolize such a spiritually rich peak,” she mused.

In the demonic path, without protection, not only would you lose a peak like this, but survival itself would be tough.

During her years in the Radiant Sect, Li Xingruo had witnessed such tragedies countless times.

She even thought that if the Demon Lord’s own son lost his father’s protection, he’d be torn apart by scavengers before the next day.

Used to the demonic path’s ruthless environment, she was shocked the Huangji Sect let Si Ruochen keep Chui Xing Peak.

“These rare herbs, if used on talented disciples, could produce several Foundation Establishment cultivators. Letting a cripple waste them—the Huangji Sect’s wealth is unreal…”

“Sigh, it seems Si Ruochen, though fallen, isn’t struggling. Canceling the engagement, I probably can’t offer anything he’d accept as compensation.”

“Forget it, no use thinking now.” Li Xingruo shook her head, smiling wryly. “I’m at the peak—gotta push for the cancellation. Damn Demon Lord and elders, I’m not obediently becoming a woman to marry and bear kids…”

Muttering, she finished the last steps, reaching the summit.

Looking ahead, she saw a lotus pond, over a hundred meters wide.

The pond wasn’t sealed; streams trickled from its corners, irrigating the surrounding fields.

Staring at the pond for half a minute, its water level didn’t drop, despite no visible source.

Whoosh!

As she studied the pond, a sudden gust came from behind.

“Who?!”

Heart racing, Li Xingruo dodged an attack from behind.

One hand clenched, the other forming a seal, she leaped several meters aside. Only then did she see her attacker—a pure white snake, over a meter long.

“Little beast, so fast! A split second slower, and you’d have bitten me!”

Noting the warning in its eyes, Li Xingruo huffed, “Just barely sentient, not even at Qi Refining, and you dare attack me? Believe I’ll turn you into snake soup!”

“Hiss~ Hiss!”

As if understanding, the snake raised its head, rapidly flicking its tongue, its tail slapping the ground loudly.

Rustle…

As they faced off, a sound came from the flower field.

Li Xingruo turned to see several rabbits hop out.

Like trained soldiers, they lined up beside the snake, giving her fierce warning looks.

“Huh, these bunnies seem sentient too.”

Observing the fluffy creatures, she thought the peak’s rich spiritual energy must be awakening the animals’ intelligence.

Smiling lightly, she dispersed her spell. “Cultivating as animals isn’t easy. Since you’ve gained some sentience, I’ll let it slide. Clear the way.”

Hearing her, the rabbits and snake huddled, chattering and hissing like kids deliberating.

Seconds later, they turned and scampered back into the field.

“Smart move, or you’d be tonight’s dinner!”

Li Xingruo grinned, satisfied, and turned to check behind the pond.

She’d noticed a small bamboo hut among the herb fields earlier.

It seemed the only livable spot on the peak.

Si Ruochen was likely there.

With this in mind, she quickened her pace, following the pond’s stone edge toward the hut.

Before getting close, she heard faint noises from inside.

The bamboo and reed gate creaked open.

Li Xingruo looked up to see a pale-faced young man step out.

“May I ask… are you the Chui Xing Peak master, Immortal Si Ruochen?”

Bowing slightly, she raised her voice.

While bowing, she stole glances at the frail-looking youth.

Tall and lean, his simple clothes accentuated his pallor.

Perhaps nourished by the peak’s spiritual energy, his eyes weren’t dull, and his hair was thick and black.

Yet, living atop this spiritually rich peak, his internal energy felt lifeless, clashing with the environment.

His unsteady steps confirmed the rumors.

Chui Xing Peak’s master, Si Ruochen, was indeed a cripple.

But he’s maintained pretty well for a wreck… Li Xingruo added silently.

“Yes, that’s me. And you are…?”

The youth’s voice was weak, matching her image of a “cripple.”

“Li Xianer of the Qinghe Li family.”

Hearing her false identity, Si Ruochen paused for two seconds, his expression unchanged.

He nodded faintly. “Oh, Miss Li. A pleasure.”

Stepping closer, he continued:

“No one visits without purpose. Miss Li, you’re here about our engagement, aren’t you?”

“Indeed.”

Seeing he’d guessed, Li Xingruo admitted openly.

“You’re here to persuade me to cancel it?” he asked.

He even guessed that?

Li Xingruo was stunned, her eyes meeting his calm, pale face, his serene demeanor sending a shiver through her.

She opened her mouth, but the words stuck.

Before climbing the peak, she’d imagined various reactions—anger, sorrow, even joy…

But she never expected Si Ruochen to show no reaction, as if he wasn’t the one being jilted.

Was his lack of response because, after losing his cultivation, he’d grown used to the world’s coldness?

A pang of pity welled up in her heart.

Having seen the demonic path’s cruelties, she rarely felt sorry for others.

But today, seeing Si Ruochen’s resigned expression, she briefly thought, “Maybe I shouldn’t cancel…”

As the former chief disciple of the demonic path, this guilt and pity was fleeting.

She quickly suppressed it and spoke:

“Yes, I’m here to discuss canceling the engagement.”

“Mm, Miss Li, canceling is fine.”

His first words eased her, but the next left her stunned. “But for me to agree, how much sincerity can you show?”

“I…”

Li Xingruo realized her earlier emotional turmoil was wasted—pitying him was unnecessary.

He wasn’t hurt or sad, showing no emotional ripple.

He’d clearly anticipated this and was waiting to negotiate terms.

The Hehuan Sect aunties were right—never pity a man!