NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: Etiquette?
Lei Ying sipped his tea, his demeanor calm and indifferent. His half-closed eyes gave the impression of a man utterly detached from the chaos unfolding around him. To the onlookers, it seemed as though he hadn't even noticed the commotion.
In truth, Lei Ying's attention was focused elsewhere. Within his mind, a translucent screen flickered—a gift from the heavens for a transmigrator like him. He was meticulously analyzing the functions of his system, familiarizing himself with its intricacies.
Every protagonist had their cheat, and as a transmigrator, Lei Ying had his golden finger.
According to the original plotline, this was the moment the "arrogant Young Master" Lei Ying should flare up, boasting and ridiculing Yun Xiao. That would give the righteous Yun Xiao the perfect opportunity to challenge him to a duel.
Once provoked, the original Lei Ying would have no choice but to accept, to save face. In the ensuing battle, Yun Xiao would triumph spectacularly, delivering a stinging humiliation to Lei Ying and the Azure Cloud Sect's Elders. It was the quintessential face-slapping scene, designed to cement Yun Xiao as a rising star and righteous hero.
But Lei Ying had no intention of playing the role of a stepping stone. He had already set a new plan in motion. This time, there would be no grand victory for Yun Xiao. Instead, Lei Ying intended to end the matter in a single move, shattering Yun Xiao's Martial Heart before eliminating him entirely. A flawless execution would not only ensure his survival but also earn him significant rewards from the system.
At that moment, Yun Xiao's indignant voice rang out, shattering the uneasy silence of the hall.
"Lei Ying! Do you dare lay claim to our Young Miss? Just because you come from a powerful background doesn't mean you can have whatever you want! If you had chosen any other woman in the sect, I might have overlooked your arrogance. But since you covet our Young Miss, I have no choice but to challenge you!"
The hall fell deathly silent. The audience's faces paled as they processed Yun Xiao's words.
Fear flickered in the eyes of the onlookers. Everyone present knew the weight behind the name Lei Ying. He wasn't just an Inner Sect disciple—he was a scion of the Lei Family, a lineage so powerful that it rivaled, if not surpassed, the authority of the Southern Desolate's royal family.
Yun Xiao, a mere Inner Sect disciple, had just insulted him.
If Lei Ying became truly enraged, this would no longer be about a personal grudge. The entire Southern Desolate could be dragged into the inferno.
The Elders of the Azure Cloud Sect exchanged furtive glances, their nerves fraying. They could have stopped Yun Xiao—should have, even—but they hesitated. Though none of them dared admit it openly, they shared a secret resentment toward Lei Ying.
The Young Miss was a rare gem, a treasure of their sect. Her potential alone was enough to elevate their status among the great powers. But if she were to marry into the Lei Family, the sect would lose her forever, reduced to a pawn in the Lei Family's vast schemes.
If Lei Ying had been the leading candidate for family head, the Azure Cloud Sect might have acquiesced to the match, unwilling to offend the Lei Family. But Lei Ying's reputation within his clan worked against him—he was known as an arrogant, spoiled youth of little talent. A scion whose strength lay not in himself, but in the family that supported him.
The Sect Leader had no intention of sacrificing his daughter for such a match.
In truth, the Elders had subtly manipulated Yun Xiao into provoking Lei Ying, hoping the young man's impulsiveness might create an opportunity to humiliate the Lei Family's Young Master. But as Lei Ying continued to sip his tea, ignoring Yun Xiao's taunts, the plan began to unravel.
The Elders grew restless. If Lei Ying chose to dismiss Yun Xiao entirely, their carefully orchestrated scheme would crumble.
Unaware of the intricate schemes surrounding him, Yun Xiao stood tall, his righteous anger unwavering. He had no idea he was merely a pawn in a larger game.
Yun Xiao felt a bundle of fury unfurling inside his heart as he thought about that fact. He wished to kill Lei Ying by ten thousand cuts, tearing him into millions of pieces right then and there.
Meanwhile, Lei Ying remained silent, his calm demeanor unbroken. His fingers tightened slightly around the teacup as a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Let them play their games, he thought.
Soon, he would deliver his answer—and with it, an outcome no one in the hall would forget.
___
Lei Ying slowly lifted his gaze, his piercing purple eyes locking onto Yun Xiao. They remained cold and indifferent, devoid of any emotion. His long white hair cascaded gracefully over his shoulders, framing a visage of serene detachment. To him, this was nothing more than a mildly amusing show, one he had no intention of interrupting prematurely.
The tension in the hall thickened as the Azure Cloud Sect Leader finally broke the silence. His voice was steady, but the faint edge of frustration betrayed his emotions.
"Young Lord Lei, I hope you don't take offense to this disciple's actions," he said, inclining his head slightly in deference. His expression was grim, the faintest shadow of gloom darkening his features.
"This Yun Xiao…does not understand etiquette."
The Sect Leader's words carried the weight of authority, but they did little to erase the embarrassment spreading across his face. He glanced sideways, his eyes flickering with a subtle signal toward the Elders of the Sect—a silent command to rein Yun Xiao in.
The Elders stiffened, understanding the message, but none dared act rashly. The tension between Yun Xiao and Lei Ying was now under the watchful eyes of countless guests.
Around them, the gathered audience buzzed with hushed whispers, their excitement palpable. The Azure Cloud Sect, long seen as a paragon of strength and discipline, had never endured such a public humiliation.
Lei Ying's lips curved faintly into a smirk, so subtle it was almost imperceptible. He didn't respond to the Sect Leader's words, nor did he deign to acknowledge the apology. Instead, he leaned back slightly, his posture exuding confidence and disregard.
The room seemed to hold its breath, waiting for his reaction.
The Sect Leader's brow furrowed as the seconds stretched into what felt like an eternity. Every guest was fixated on Lei Ying, wondering whether he would erupt in fury or dismiss the insult entirely.
To everyone's surprise, Lei Ying finally spoke, his voice calm and unhurried, yet laced with an undertone of menace.
"Etiquette?" He chuckled lightly, the sound devoid of warmth. "It seems your Sect has a peculiar interpretation of it. But no matter… I've always been entertained by the antics of small men with big dreams."
His words were like a blade, slicing through the heavy silence and leaving a chilling aura in their wake.
The Sect Leader clenched his fists under the table, his expression growing darker. Around him, the Elders exchanged uneasy glances, sensing the storm that was about to break.
Lei Ying's purple eyes returned to Yun Xiao, who stood rigid, his righteous fervor undimmed despite the oppressive atmosphere.
"I hope," Lei Ying said softly, his voice dropping to a near-whisper that carried across the hall, "you're prepared to bear the consequences of your performance, little monkey."
The hall erupted in murmurs, the tension spiraling toward its breaking point. Yun Xiao's defiant expression faltered for the briefest moment before his resolve returned, burning brighter than ever.
The farce had reached its crescendo, and all eyes were on Yun Xiao and Lei Ying. One held righteous indignation, the other an unfathomable confidence born of power and lineage.