22 The Occasional Womanly Fright is Real.

Liu Yan.

The daughter of Liu Xin and the granddaughter of Liu Fang. Grandmaster Lin Feng, who serves as the Chief of the Thunder Cloud Summit, a Peak nestled in the Eastern Mountains of the Dragon's Peak range, is part of her family lineage; her Grandfather.

Liu Yan possessed a maturity beyond her years, as well as an irresistible allure. Her attire left little to the imagination, exuding a sensual and irresistibly enticing charm.

With long, fair legs and a plump, curvaceous buttocks that demanded a second glance, she wore a Daoist robe – a tight-fitting white dress adorned with striking red trims.

With such a voluptuous and shapely body covered by a tight dress, it always felt like she would burst out of them at any moment.

To complement her provocative ensemble, she wore glasses and sported short, black hair in a Gong Zhu Liu style, lending her more mature sophistication, similar to a seductive motherly figure, despite not being one.

While her stern facial expression wasn't conventionally described as beautiful, its inherent charm was undeniable.

Her green eyes held an almost hypnotic quality. Her unintentional seductive stare left lookers wanting more.

Actually, Liu Yan never purposely attempted to entice others, yet her stern gaze, for some reason, left men aching for her to look at them like trash— as they oddly found it arousing.

By a normal sense, Mu Lingxi and Ling Meiyan were often debated as the number one beauties. But in terms of sexiest body or sheer sensuality, it was Liu Yan.

She was also a Core Disciple of the Thunder Cloud Summit.

Mu Zhong scratched the back of his neck as he realized he hadn't properly introduced everyone. "Oh, I guess I should introduce everyone then," he said, before placing a hand on Yang Wei's shoulder. He turned to Ling Meiyan and Liu Yan, motioning towards them. "This is my friend, Yang Wei. He was recruited by Lingxi into the sect."

Yang Wei acknowledged the introduction with a slight nod.

His gaze fixed on Liu Yan's green eyes, the two locking eyes for what seemed like an eternity. Suddenly, Liu Yan broke the eye contact, folding her arms and looking away with heavy nonchalance that left Yang Wei puzzled.

"Huh?" he uttered, unsure of her reaction.

Wasn't this the same woman that didn't bear him any ill will after their "accident" earlier, and yet here she was giving him the cold shoulder. He was a tad confused if she was offended by his earlier statement or not.

Mu Zhong gestured towards Ling Meiyan.

"And this is Ling Meiyan, the niece of the Third Matriarch, Yuèhuī Ménglóng, and an Honoured Disciple of the sect."

Ling Meiyan chuckled lightly, waving off Mu Zhong's explanation. "You don't have to tell him all that, it's not important," she replied.

Yang Wei pointed at Ling Meiyan, his tone slightly teasing. "Stuck-up matriarch's niece, huh? Must be difficult."

Mu Zhong nudged Yang Wei as a way to warn him to correct himself and as well, limit the things he said. It was a singular action that spoke hundred words.

However, Yang Wei defended himself. "What? It's the truth."

Ling Meiyan awkwardly chuckled and adjusted her hair, admitting, "Yeah, I guess she's a little difficult to communicate with sometimes."

Yang Wei, looking self-assured, placed his hands on his waist and sighed as he agreed, "Yeah, tell me about it."

I usually have a good connection with women, and yet that matriarch gave me the cold shoulder, the same thing with this Liu Yan... Still, I can't say I don't like it— attitude, mature and sexy blend well together to make a nice woman, heh.

Smiling both in his thoughts and externally, Yang Wei's train of thought was long gone.

However, Ling Meiyan paused, narrowing her eyes as she connected the dots. "Wait, Yang Wei?" she mouthed his name while her voice took on a more thoughtful tone. "Yang Wei..." she repeated the name several times, as though she was trying to remember something.

Out of nowhere, she snapped her fingers and said, "Aha! I thought you looked familiar. Aren't you the one Miss Lingxi brought to see the Matriarchs some days ago, yes?"

Yang Wei confirmed her suspicion. "Yes, that's right," he admitted.

After confirming the truth, Ling Meiyan walked purposefully towards Yang Wei.

There was a discrepancy she had to confront him about.

She poked her index finger against his muscular chest and said, "So I was right after all."

Noting the scene, Mu Zhong rubbed his chin and looked up thoughtfully, musing, "I guess Miss Meiyan would know about Yang Wei, being the personal assistant of the Matriarchs and all."

Ling Meiyan raised an eyebrow and stared up at Yang Wei, who was well taller than her. "Wait a minute," she exclaimed, "it's barely been a week since you were allowed to stay on sect grounds. And, Miss Lingxi told me you should be training for the Outer Sect competition."

As Ling Meiyan spoke, a bead of sweat rolled down Mu Zhong's forehead, and he swallowed hard, slowly edging back.

Surely she couldn't have found out so quickly, right?

He was already bothered and was considering taking his chances by running away.

Yang Wei responded, "Yes, I'm training for the competition," as Ling Meiyan continued to poke his chest with her soft index finger.

"Why then, are you wearing the Spirit Harmony Peak's official uniform?" Ling Meiyan pressed, prompting Mu Zhong to retreat even further.

Yang Wei sheepishly explained, "I just wanted to see how well it sized me so that when I won, I'd be able to make the best choice."

I don't expect her to fall for this... But, eh, what do I care?

His thoughts were unbothered by the possibility of her figuring out what him and Mu Zhong were scheming.

Ling Meiyan paused, then smiled. "Oh, I see," she said. "No problem."

At the same time, Yang Wei and Mu Zhong said, "Eh?" as both were heavily confused by how she actually fell for such a lazily thought out lie.

With a visible sense of relief, Mu Zhong wiped the sweat from his forehead, muttering, "Phew, safe."

Ling Meiyan announced, "Well then, if there's nothing else, Junior Sister and I should get going. We have a few things to take care of."

Mu Zhong commented, "Ah, it's about the Outer Sect competition, right? It makes sense that you would be busy during this time."

Sighing heavily, Ling Meiyan slouched her shoulders. "Yes," she replied, "the Sect Masters need me to take care of a few things, but I'll likely get some free time and have the opportunity for closed-door cultivation after the competition."

Mu Zhong folded his arms and remarked, "That's quite stressful."

Ling Meiyan tiredly nodded and replied, "At least, Liu Yan is helping me organize a few things..."

Mu Zhong smiled at Liu Yan and then lightheartedly remarked, "Sometimes I forget that you're one of the nicest people in the sect, even with how scarily serious you can look at times..."

Liu Yan maintained her stern expression as she sarcastically remarked, "Wow, you think so highly of me."

Mu Zhong laughed heartily and replied, "Come on, I didn't mean it that way. Don't you remember the times when you, me, and Meiyan all worked together to improve our cultivation? You always gave me great tips."

Liu Yan retorted, "Yeah, I remember that, even then you had a really bad memory."

Mu Zhong chuckled even harder and insisted, "Hey, I've gotten way better."

"Sure, whatever," Liu Yan said, shifting her gaze away from Mu Zhong to focus on Yang Wei.

Lifting an eyebrow, Ling Meiyan interjected, "Anyways, we need to get going. We have a lot to speed through today, and our time is limited."

Mu Zhong raised his hand in greeting and said, "Alright, don't let us stop you."

As Ling Meiyan was about to leave, Liu Yan added, "Before we go, I have a question." Ling Meiyan turned back and asked, "Hm? What's that?" Liu Yan turned to Yang Wei and asked, "If all I've heard is right, and your name is Yang Wei, that would make you the unidentified individual who appeared in our sect a few days ago and fought and wounded some of our fellow disciples, including my younger sister, Liu Jing."

Yang Wei furrowed his brow and asked, "Wait a minute? Younger sister?" He rubbed his chin, thinking deeply, and then snapped his fingers, exclaiming, "Oh, the girl with that dragon fighting technique, right?"

Liu Yan replied with a brief, "Indeed."

Ling Meiyan interjected and reminded Liu Yan, "We agreed that we weren't going to bring that up. If the Sect Masters are fine with it, then it means he's already forgiven."

Yang Wei placed a hand on Ling Meiyan's shoulder and assured her, "It's fine, I'll speak for myself." Stepping forward, he addressed Liu Yan, "The Matriarchs didn't forgive me— and that's because I didn't do anything wrong. When I came to the Dragon's Peak range, all I wanted was to ask some questions, but instead, I was attacked several times by disciples of the sect. I was simply acting in self-defense. Besides, I didn't harm Liu Jing. Mu Lingxi had it harder,and we're still on talking terms."

Even if she hasn't visited me or sent any messages to me in what, like almost a week or so? It's not like I did anything wrong either... He thought to himself in-between speaking.

"In conclusion," Yang Wei cleared his throat. "I don't expect Liu Jing to hold a grudge against me for simply protecting myself. But, if she does, then good for her."

Liu Yan let out a deep sigh and looked at him with her usual calm expression; there was reasonable understanding in her eyes. "You don't have to explain everything," she said softly. "I understand. I just needed some clarity on it, that's all."

Yang Wei nodded, still remotely the same expression wise. "Okay, good to know," he replied.

Ling Meiyan chimed in. "Can we get going now?"

Liu Yan nodded in agreement and started walking away, with Ling Meiyan following close behind.

As they walked past Mu Zhong, Ling Meiyan halted and leaned in close to his ear. "I don't know what you're plotting with Yang Wei, but make sure neither Mu Lingxi nor I find out," she whispered, with a warning tone edging her voice. "It won't end well for you, especially if I choose to get personally involved. Watch your steps carefully."

Mu Zhong chuckled, turning his gaze towards Ling Meiyan. "There's no need to worry," he said confidently. "It's nothing too serious."

Creating some distance between them, Ling Meiyan narrowed her eyes. "It better not be," she responded firmly.

As she prepared to leave, Ling Meiyan gave Yang Wei an angelic smile and bid him goodbye. She waved and added, "I hope your training pays off!"

Yang Wei simply nodded, waving back calmly. "Sure, it will," he said plainly.

Women... Always so scary, it reminds me of Wu Mingyu. That woman was crazy.