Sword God Supreme

Chapter 3: Wife Li Qingyue

Li Jingxue’s initial excitement faded as she suddenly noticed something. Her clear, lake-water eyes swept over Chen Mo, scrutinizing him anew. "Brother-in-law," she said, "since joining our Li family, you’ve been shut away, wallowing in despair, listless and joyless. I’ve been so worried, terrified you might do something... drastic." She studied him, puzzlement creasing her brow. "But now, after just a month apart, it’s like you’ve become a different person."

Chen Mo felt a flicker of surprise. This girl’s intuition is sharp!It had indeed been a month since their last meeting – a monthly two-day break from Qingyun Sword Academy. He hadn’t expected Li Jingxue to detect the change immediately upon seeing him.

"I’ve simply understood a few things during this time," Chen Mo replied calmly, a faint smile touching his lips. "I won’t be like that anymore."

"Really?" Li Jingxue’s face blossomed into a radiant smile, her earlier icy demeanor at the Academy completely vanished. "That’s wonderful! I likeyou like this. There’s a certain... feeling. Like the books say: standing like a jade tree in an orchid garden, smiling like the bright moon embracing the heart – graceful, noble, transcendent!" The young girl clasped her hands behind her back, her green robes pristine, her joy genuine and unguarded. Her Academy classmates would have been stunned to see this transformation, a sight that would surely dim their own spirits.

Chen Mo chuckled softly. A person’s transformation could happen overnight. And now, armed with memories and perspectives from a past life, his mindset and temperament were fundamentally different!

​The Li Family Compound - Northwest Linfeng City​

The sprawling Li family compound, one of Linfeng City’s three great clans, covered over a hundred acres, a maze of courtyards and imposing residences. Night had fallen when Chen Mo and Li Jingxue returned. Waiting anxiously by the main gate was Qin Wan, Chen Mo’s mother-in-law. Though older, she retained striking beauty and a distinct, mature charm, clearly a great beauty in her youth.

"You useless, freeloading wretch!" Qin Wan snapped, glaring venomously at Chen Mo. "All I asked was for you to fetch Jingxue from the Academy! How could you be this late?" Merely seeing him stoked the fire of resentment in her heart. This son-in-law had become the source of endless ridicule and gossip.

Chen Mo remained impassive. After a year as an indentured son-in-law, he knew well the sharpness of Qin Wan’s temper. He also understood that she had vehemently opposed his marriage to Li Qingyue from the outset, voicing fierce rejection and dissatisfaction. However, the marriage decree came directly from the Old Matriarch of the Li family. Qin Wan, unable to defy the matriarch’s order, had ultimately been forced to swallow her objections.

"Mother, it was my fault, I was delayed after class..." Li Jingxue began, rushing to Chen Mo’s defense.

"Enough! Off to dinner with you," Qin Wan cut her off brusquely, waving a dismissive hand. She turned her frosty gaze back to Chen Mo. "You! Come with me. The Patriarch and the others are waiting in the Ancestral Hall!"

Li Jingxue’s eyes widened. "The Ancestral Hall? Waiting for my brother-in-law? Why?"

"Stop poking your nose where it doesn’t belong!" Qin Wan’s tone was sharp. "Stay put right here. Don’t you dare follow! Understood?"

Li Jingxue mumbled an assent, "Oh." She cast a quick, almost imperceptible glance at Chen Mo, a flicker of concern in her deep, crystalline eyes.

Chen Mo offered a reassuring smile. "Go on, eat. I’ll be fine."

Only then did Li Jingxue turn and enter the compound gates.

Qin Wan, having witnessed the exchange, grew instantly suspicious. Her face darkened. "Jingxue is still young," she hissed, stepping closer to Chen Mo, her voice low and dangerous. "If you dare entertain any improper thoughts about her, I swear, I’ll have you crippled myself!"

Chen Mo’s lip twitched. Would Chen Xuanyuan stoop to that?"Follow me," Qin Wan commanded, not giving him another glance. She turned sharply, unwilling to risk unleashing another torrent of anger at her unwanted son-in-law.

​Ancestral Hall​

The Ancestral Hall blazed with light, opulent and imposing. Patriarch Li Changming and the most influential elders of the Li family had assembled, seated in rows on either side of the hall. Their conversations filled the air with relaxed laughter and a sense of occasion.

Yet, the moment Chen Mo followed Qin Wan through the grand doors, all conversation ceased. Every gaze swung towards him. The eyes of the powerful elders held a spectrum of emotions – amusement, disdain, pity, mockery. The previously convivial atmosphere instantly grew strained.

Though the stares were directed at Chen Mo, Qin Wan visibly stiffened under their collective scrutiny. "Wait here," she hissed under her breath before hurrying to take her seat beside her husband, Li Chang'an.

Chen Mo stood alone in the center of the hall, seemingly unfazed. His gaze swept over the assembled Li family luminaries. Suddenly, his eyes paused, locking onto a familiar, strikingly beautiful figure.

She sat with an innate grace, her posture perfect. Her features were exquisite – delicate brows like distant mountains, bright eyes, white teeth. She wore a simple, pale blue gown, devoid of jewelry, resembling a pristine lotus emerging from clear water. Utterly captivating. But her expression was one of pure ice, her star-like eyes radiating coldness and an aloof pride that seemed etched into her very bones.

Li Qingyue.

This was his wife in name only. Renowned as Linfeng City’s peerless beauty, her martial talent was exceptional, the object of admiration for countless young talents. Ah, so that’s it,Chen Mo realized. Jingxue’s icy demeanor at the Academy was clearly an imitation of her elder sister.Li Jingxue’s coldness was an act; Li Qingyue’s was real, an intrinsic part of her being.

At the same time, Li Qingyue registered Chen Mo’s gaze. A slight frown creased her brow, vanishing almost instantly. Her cold eyes swept past him without acknowledgment, dismissing him entirely. A year since their marriage, husband and wife reunited, yet as distant as strangers.

"Chen Mo," the resonant voice of Patriarch Li Changming cut through the silence, drawing all attention. Seated on the central throne, clad in purple robes, his demeanor was imposing, his white hair and beard adding to his aura of authority. His hands rested on the carved armrests like mountain peaks. "We have summoned you to inform you of a matter concerning Li Qingyue."

He spoke casually, his gaze detached as he regarded Chen Mo. "Qingyue’s talent is extraordinary. During her year at Bishui Sword Academy, she gained the attention of a significant figure. This patron has recommended her for acceptance into Tianshu Academy."

"In other words," Li Changming continued, his voice devoid of warmth, "Qingyue is now an official disciple of Tianshu Academy."

"Having once been the Outer Academy Chief of Bishui Sword Academy yourself," he added, a trace of condescension in his tone, "though you are now... diminished, you should understand the sheer magnitude of Tianshu Academy. For our Li family, Qingyue’s entry into such an institution is nothing short of a heaven-sent opportunity."

So that’s it.Chen Mo finally understood the reason for this gathering. Tianshu Academy was the paramount institution of Tianshu Prefecture. Those who gained entry were the most elite geniuses of the region. For Li Qingyue to be recommended after only one year at Bishui Sword Academy spoke volumes about her exceptional talent. This was indeed a monumental boon for the Li family. For Chen Mo, however, it meant his nominal wife would likely vanish from his life for a very long time.

His eyes drifted again towards Li Qingyue. She remained a statue of ice, expressionless.

"Does the Patriarch and the esteemed elders wish to hear my opinion on this matter?" Chen Mo inquired calmly.

The assembled elders paused, exchanging glances filled with incredulity.

A derisive snort shattered the silence. "Chen Mo, flatter yourself much?" Li Changyun, Li Qingyue’s second uncle, sneered. Dressed in fine brocade, his face pale and beardless, his eyes held a predatory sharpness. "This decision is not open for debate! Whether you agree or not, Qingyue’s brilliant future will not be shackled by a worthless burden like you!"

A ripple of barely suppressed laughter ran through the hall. The idea of this indentured son-in-law presuming to offer an opinion? Did he truly not grasp his insignificance in the eyes of the Li family?

Yet, Chen Mo’s reaction stunned them all. He remained preternaturally calm, exuding an unnerving detachment, as if observing events from afar. His composure, so out of place amidst the intended humiliation, caused a ripple of discomfort among those gathered.

"If the decision is already finalized," Chen Mo asked matter-of-factly, "why summon me at all?"

"Iwished to meet Senior Brother Chen on this occasion."

A clear, confident voice rang out from the hall’s entrance. A young man strode in, clad in elegant white robes with wide sleeves. Handsome, with an imposing aura, he radiated confidence.

Instantly, Patriarch Li Changming and the other elders scrambled to their feet, their faces transforming with effusive warmth.

"Young Master Wei! Please, take a seat!"

"Young Master Wei! We intended to have Chen Mo present himself to you! Your presence honors us beyond measure! Please forgive our lack of preparation!"

Their voices choked with flattery and undisguised sycophancy, each trying to outdo the other in their welcome. Patriarch Li Changming personally escorted the "Young Master Wei" into the hall.

Chen Mo watched the spectacle unfold internally, shaking his head. Such groveling theatrics... truly nauseating.

"Senior Brother Chen," the white-robed youth declared, stopping directly before Chen Mo. His posture was arrogant, his gaze challenging. "It has been too long."