Chapter 4: A Single Hand Can Overturn Winds and Rain
831 Words
Wei Feng.
An outer court disciple of Bishui Sword Academy. A direct descendant of the Wei Clan, a top-tier family in Qinghe County City.
This status alone commanded respect throughout the Li Family.
"So it's Junior Brother Wei," Chen Mo acknowledged with a slight nod.
During his three years at Bishui Sword Academy, Wei Feng had seen him as a rival. Yet, no matter how hard Wei Feng struggled, Chen Mo had always suppressed him. Wei Feng had lived entirely in Chen Mo's shadow!
Wei Feng's gaze swept over Chen Mo before he sighed dramatically. "Who could have imagined," his voice echoed, "the former Outer Academy Chief of Bishui Sword Academy would fall so low? Stripped of cultivation, reduced to a live-in son-in-law! How pitiable! How lamentable!"
The expressions in the hall shifted uneasily.
Chen Mo smiled faintly. "Seems Junior Brother Wei forgot past lessons. Need a reminder?"
The words struck a nerve. Wei Feng's face darkened instantly.
"Chen Mo! You will not disrespect Young Master Wei!" Clan Leader Li Changming shot up, voice sharp, eyes icy.
Chen Mo felt a flicker of surprise. The Li Clan Leader publicly threatening his own son-in-lawfor an outsider? He scanned the other elders. Their faces held thinly veiled scorn. Clearly, the live-in son-in-lawwas just an ornament to them.
So be it.Chen Mo's expression grew serene, but his heart severed ties with the Li Family.
"Chen Mo!" Wei Feng's voice cut coldly, emboldened by the Li Family's disdain. "I didn't come from Qinghe County to watch your pathetic display!"
"Oh?" Chen Mo replied lightly. "Then why?"
A predatory smile touched Wei Feng's lips. He raised two fingers. "Two reasons.
"First: Tomorrow, Li Qingyue and I leave for Tianshu Academy. Rest assured," his tone turned possessive, "I will take excellentcare of her. She'll suffer no hardship!
"Second: Remember your place. A man stripped of cultivation, a mere live-in son-in-law— unworthy of Li Qingyue! When I return, I'll dissolve the marriage contract. You, Chen Mo, will be cast out! Starving?" Wei Feng finished contemptuously, "Beg to be my servant. I'll spare coin for a uselessthing."
His words rang with absolute confidence. Silence fell thickly. The Li elders shifted uncomfortably. Wei Feng's claim over Li Qingyue was a blatant insult, yet his status as Wei Clan heir silenced objections. Qin Wan, however, eyed Wei Feng covetously, bitter regret washing over her.
Chen Mo's unruffled calm unnerved everyone. Isn't he angry?
Wei Feng frowned. His intended humiliation felt like punching cotton. Frustration gnawed.
Chen Mo observed them, serene as a deity watching mortal farce.
He's fallen this far... how this detachment?Unnoticed, surprise flickered in Li Qingyue's icy eyes.
Chen Mo spoke, his calm voice commanding attention. He scanned the elders. "While the marriage contractstands, I am Li Qingyue's husband. The Li Family's son-in-law.
"Now, an outsider stands in your Ancestral Hall, declaring he'll care for mywife.
"Esteemed Elders," Chen Mo paused, "if this spreads, how will the world view the Li Family? How will they view... Li Qingyue?"
His words landed like thunderbolts!
Li Changming and the elders paled. Family reputation was paramount! Qin Wan and Li Chang'an flushed with shame. Li Qingyue's icy mask cracked, fury igniting in her eyes.
Wei Feng's heart sank. Bad move!He had to explain!
Chen Mo gave no opening. His tone held pity. "Junior Brother Wei, if your Clan learns their heir pledged to steal a wife... what would they think? Once Qinghe County City hears Wei Feng likes snatching wives..." Chen Mo's gaze chilled. "That reputation is indelible. Even as heir, could you bear the consequences within your Clan?"
He patted Wei Feng's shoulder dismissively. "Food for thought."
Silence returned, thick with dread. Faces cycled through shame and anger. Wei Feng flushed crimson, then paled, veins bulging, trembling with rage.
"You..." he choked.
Li Qingyue rose abruptly. Her glacial eyes fixed on Wei Feng. "Senior Brother Wei, are you finished?"
Wei Feng panicked. "Junior Sister Qingyue! Don't misunderstand! I swear! I merely thought... as friends from Bishui... we'd support each other at Tianshu!"
"I retire." Li Qingyue's voice was ice. She left swiftly.
Passing Chen Mo, surprise flickered in her eyes. He faced humiliation, overturned the situation... perhaps not utterly useless...She dismissed it. He is him. I am me. Strangers bound by a name. Best never meet again.
Wei Feng stood frozen, consumed by dread.
Chen Mo watched coldly. He cared little for Li Qingyue's opinion, but her association with Wei Feng while married meant c*******y—an intolerable stain. Hence his intervention.
Later, eliminate Wei Feng,he decided coldly. Remove the threat before it greens me.
Bored now, Chen Mo turned. "Esteemed Elders, continue. I retire."
"Chen Mo! Halt!" Wei Feng roared.
Chen Mo waved dismissively without turning. "Junior Brother Wei, heed advice. Calamity from a loose tongue... is inevitable."
In the candlelit hall, uneasy shadows danced on angry, ashamed faces.
Outside, the moonlit breeze invigorated Chen Mo. Unburdened. Composed.
A minor farce.
A single hand can overturn winds and rain.
- Writer
