The Masked Strength of the Sect's Trash chapter 53

Chapter 53 If You Eat This Table of Food, I Will Promise You

Xia Yu's lips curved into a smile as she gazed at Lu Shaoqing, her eyes as clear as a pristine lake. Her pure and sweet demeanor was disarming, yet had an underlying hint of danger.

“What?” Lu Shaoqing was momentarily stunned.

A glint of triumph flashed in Xia Yu's eyes as she spoke to him, "If I stay here, the Tianji agents will quickly find out."

"When the news spreads, I doubt Tianyu Peak will remain peaceful."

Lu Shaoqing dismissed her veiled threat with a shrug, clearly unfazed. "You can stay if you want. Let them interview you all they like. If I can't deal with it, I'll just avoid it."

He then turned to Xiao Yi and said, "Help Xia Yu prepare a room."

Xia Yu shook her head, unfazed. "Is that so? But when people ask why I'm staying here, I'll tell them it's because of you, Junior Brother Lu."

Her smile grew wider, filled with mischief. You hate trouble, don't you? If you don't help me, I'll create trouble for you. Let's see how you handle that.

Everyone present understood Xia Yu's meaning, and Lu Shaoqing felt a chill run down his spine.

Damn it! This woman is ruthless.

Xia Yu was the most beautiful woman in Qizhou, with countless admirers and suitors. If she claimed that she was here because of him, Lu Shaoqing would undoubtedly become the target of every man in Qizhou. Peace would be a distant memory.

The reason Lu Shaoqing didn't want to help Xia Yu in the first place was to avoid the complications that would come with being around her. If word got out, it would be a huge hassle.

As he stared at Xia Yu's serene, sweet face, he found himself unable to appreciate her beauty. Instead, he cursed inwardly.

“You’re one vicious woman,” he spat. “You really have no shame, resorting to threats.”

Xia Yu laughed softly, “I’m a woman. I don’t need to be a hero.”

“So, Junior Brother Lu, will you help me now?”

Lu Shaoqing turned to Shao Cheng, his master, and declared, “Master, I’m leaving the mountain and never coming back.”

Xia Yu immediately followed up, “Wherever you go, I’ll go.”

Lu Shaoqing couldn’t hold back. “Are you insane?”

“I get it now. You senior disciples are all nuts, and not just a little crazy.”

Ji Yan, who had been watching the exchange with amusement, couldn’t help but laugh. “Of course, we had to be crazy to handle you.”

He was clearly enjoying seeing Lu Shaoqing at a disadvantage. “You might as well give up resisting; she’s got you.”

Lu Shaoqing shot back angrily, “You think this is some curse? You really think she’s got me?”

He turned to Xia Yu, his expression fierce, as he pulled out his Tianji tablet. "Sister Xia, have you already contacted the Tianji agents? Need me to call one for you?"

"Dan Yue, stationed in Lingxiao City, is quite good. She’s a top-notch Tianji agent. Shall I contact her for you?"

Xiao Yi, curious, tugged at Lu Shaoqing's sleeve. "Second Brother, aren’t you afraid of trouble?"

Lu Shaoqing snorted, “Afraid? Who dares to mess with me? I’ll destroy them.”

“What if you can’t win?” Xiao Yi’s eyes sparkled with admiration at her second brother’s bravado.

“If I can’t win, I’ll move into the sect leader’s quarters. Let’s see who dares to cause trouble then.”

Xiao Yi’s admiration quickly turned to disdain. “You can’t even keep up that tough act for more than three seconds.”

Xia Yu was taken aback. Even her last resort hadn’t worked?

She couldn’t help but view Lu Shaoqing with newfound respect. He really was as obstinate as she’d heard.

But the secret realm was too important to her. She couldn’t let this opportunity slip away. Her gaze shifted to Ji Yan, silently pleading for help.

Ji Yan noticed her look and subtly moved his lips, whispering advice to her.

With Ji Yan’s guidance, Xia Yu regained her confidence. She straightened her expression and solemnly bowed deeply to Lu Shaoqing.

“Junior Brother Lu, this secret realm is incredibly important to me. I sincerely ask for your help.”

“If you have any requests, please don’t hesitate to ask. As long as I can fulfill them, I will.”

“All I ask is for your assistance.”

“Senior Sister, you…” Bian Rourou was shocked. She had never seen Xia Yu act so humbly before. Her growing dissatisfaction with Lu Shaoqing turned to outright anger.

She glared at him. This despicable man—how could he be so awful?

Lu Shaoqing fell silent. Xia Yu’s serious and sincere demeanor made it hard for him to respond with his usual sarcasm.

He wasn’t afraid of threats or stubbornness, but he found it difficult to reject such an earnest request.

He turned to Ji Yan, his tone accusing, “This is your doing, isn’t it?”

Xia Yu had been ready to threaten him just moments ago, but now she was asking for help so earnestly. Lu Shaoqing didn’t believe for a second that she’d come up with this on her own.

Ji Yan knew Lu Shaoqing better than anyone, perhaps even more than his own master.

Ji Yan crossed his arms, looking nonchalant. “Do you have any proof?”

Lu Shaoqing’s eyes flashed with anger. “Even without proof, I still want to beat you up.”

Ji Yan smirked, “I’m in the Nascent Soul stage.”

Lu Shaoqing’s frustration boiled over. “Damn it! All you ever say is ‘Nascent Soul stage.’ You think that makes you untouchable?”

“Just wait. One day, I’ll pin you to the ground and wipe that smug look off your face.”

Xia Yu interjected, “Junior Brother Lu, this has nothing to do with Senior Brother Ji Yan.”

“I really do need your help.”

Lu Shaoqing sighed, rubbing his temples. He couldn’t handle such a sincere request. It was hard to refuse.

He finally responded earnestly, “Senior Sister Xia, please spare me. I’m really not the right person for this.”

Xia Yu shook her head, her voice full of conviction. “I trust my judgment. You’re the best person for this.”

Out of options, Lu Shaoqing’s eyes landed on a nearby table. An idea struck him.

Pointing to the food on the table, he said, “Fine. I’ll help you, but only if you eat all the dishes on that table.”

As soon as Lu Shaoqing said this, Shao Cheng’s face turned red with alarm.

He quickly scolded, “You brat, don’t cause trouble!”

Then he turned to Xia Yu, speaking urgently, “Niece Xia Yu, don’t pay any attention to him.”

The three women were puzzled by Shao Cheng’s reaction. The request seemed simple enough.

The food on the table smelled delicious—they had noticed the aroma as soon as they entered the room.

But why was Shao Cheng reacting so strongly?