Chapter 134: Never Surrender

The sword radiance above the Sword Sect dissipated, replaced by a gathering of gray rain clouds that swirled like the beating wings of countless jays. The low, ominous tremors of the spatial disturbance were overwhelming for many of the lower-ranked disciples, who felt as though their hearts were making a final, frantic beat before shattering under the strain.

The sect’s leadership had gathered in the main hall of the central peak. Members of the Ying and Ling factions—usually at each other’s throats—were now engaged in enthusiastic discussion about the "Sword Art of Defeating the Barbarians," which had finally been brought to light. The hall was filled with an atmosphere more joyous than any festival.

At the head of the hall, Patriarch Ling and the black-robed Patriarch Ying sat on either side of Sect Master Ying Xuanwu. The Sect Master looked radiant, appearing at least ten years younger. Every generation of sect masters had viewed the recovery of the "Sword Art of Defeating the Barbarians" as their most important goal; that it had been achieved under his tenure was his crowning legacy.

In the hall, the only two juniors, Yu Ruoshuang and Ling Yanfeng, were forgotten by all.

Standing quietly by the wall, Yu Ruoshuang watched her elders, who had shed their usual mask of solemnity. An ancestral pride stirred within her; the delicate, fragile aura she usually projected faded, replaced by a brilliant, unbridled spirit flashing in her eyes. The unfortunate Ling Yanfeng, meanwhile, was being held up by the Supreme Elder of the Ling family, the old man seemingly oblivious to the fact that his favorite descendant was unconscious.

The two Patriarchs turned their gaze toward Yu Ruoshuang in unison.

With a soft, surprised sound, Patriarch Ling laughed delightedly: "This girl has quite the fortune!"

Patriarch Ying, in his black robes, also asked with a look of approval: "Whose disciple is this girl?"

Sect Master Ying only then noticed the change in his granddaughter. Startled, he smiled happily: "This is Ruoshuang, Ximei’s daughter."

"Ximei’s daughter?" Patriarch Ying frowned, his thick brows knitting together as he asked in dissatisfaction: "Don't tell me you still haven't managed to father a son?"

Patriarch Ling let out a strange laugh, drawing the attention of the juniors in the hall. "Carry on, pay us no mind," he said, waving his hand before teasing Patriarch Ying: "Let this girl marry into our Ling family; she can take her pick of the Ling men."

"Not a chance!" Patriarch Ying flatly rejected him, declaring imperiously: "If this girl is to marry, she marries into the Ying family. We shall keep the kin close."

"The Ying family's men are few in number—"

"Even if the Ying family's men are few, picking a husband for this girl is hardly a problem." Casting a sharp, icy glare at the sweating Sect Master, Patriarch Ying commanded, "This must be done immediately. If you fail, see how I deal with you!"

The crowd, surprised to see the two Patriarchs bickering over such a triviality, fell silent. Officially, Patriarch Ying was one of the two pillars of the sect. Privately, he was the most venerable ancestor of the Ying family. The Sect Master dared not disobey his words. He glanced awkwardly at the bewildered Yu Ruoshuang and said, voice lowered in submission, "Ruoshuang’s marriage has some complications. Later, Xiwu will explain in detail."

"What is there to hide that even I cannot hear?" Patriarch Ling demanded with dissatisfaction.

A glint of calculation flashed in the eyes of the Ling Supreme Elder: "Ruoshuang is betrothed to our boy, Yanfeng."

Patriarch Ling slapped his thigh and laughed like a common ruffian: "Well done! Where is the boy Yanfeng? I must reward him!"

Patriarch Ying shot a resentful glance at Patriarch Ling, then turned his gaze—sharp as a blade—toward the Sect Master. Sweat beaded on the Sect Master’s forehead, yet he dared not deny the betrothal in public.

The color drained from Yu Ruoshuang’s face. A firm, resolute expression took its place on her beautiful features. Amidst Patriarch Ling’s laughter, she spoke loudly: "That betrothal is void. I am going to kill that beast, Ling Yanfeng!"

The laughter came to an abrupt halt. Patriarch Ling asked in confusion: "What did the girl say? I didn't hear clearly."

Patriarch Ying turned his anger into joy, chuckling: "Girl, tell us, did the Ling boy bully you?"

Blood rushed to her head, and her pale face flushed a deep, vivid red. Tears welled in Yu Ruoshuang’s eyes, but she could not find the words to speak.

The irreverent Patriarch Ling rolled his eyes and smirked lecherously: "Old Ying, it looks like even if you object, this girl is already a daughter-in-law of my Ling family."

Both were old monsters who had lived long enough to become devious; Patriarch Ying and the others in the hall who were not privy to the situation guessed the truth. Even if Patriarch Ying were displeased, he remained silent.

Must she be forced to acknowledge that shameful betrothal? The image of her sister’s angry face appeared before her. In her ears, she seemed to hear her sister’s roar: "How could Yu Tianming have a daughter as cowardly as you! If he knew this in the afterlife, he would jump out of his grave and strangle you!" Biting her lip hard until it broke and bled, she asked, word by word: "Sect Master, you once said you would issue new regulations."

Patriarch Ling was not only the sect’s greatest master but also the ancestor of the Ling family. Now that he had brought the "Sword Art of Defeating the Barbarians" back to life, the Sect Master, even if he had other thoughts, did not want to cross him. Putting the greater good above all else, he could only wrong his granddaughter. He squeezed out a smile and said, "Shuang'er, don't be willful."

"My sister is right." With a tragic smile, Yu Ruoshuang’s face set with determination: "I will not marry that beast. Even if I die, I will not let my father’s name be shamed in the afterlife!"

Patriarch Ling’s expression stiffened. The Ling Supreme Elder hurriedly used his mental sense to relay the events to him—naturally, with embellishments, particularly emphasizing that the Ling family had officially sent the betrothal gifts.

The Sect Master also used his mental sense to brief Patriarch Ying.

As the two Patriarchs remained silent, everyone else held their breath. The joyous atmosphere in the hall was swept away, replaced by a heavy, tense gloom. With the resolve to die rather than marry, Yu Ruoshuang showed no panic. She ignored the signals her grandfather was sending, standing like a lonely lotus on an icy peak, radiating a chilling aura.

Tapping his fingers on the armrest of his chair, Patriarch Ling’s expression grew dark. His gaze shifted from the Supreme Elder to the unconscious Ling Yanfeng, and finally to Yu Ruoshuang, remaining silent for a long time.

Under the gaze of Patriarch Ling, the invisible pressure nearly caused Yu Ruoshuang’s spirit to collapse. "If you are to die, die with some backbone!" Her sister’s roar echoed incessantly in her ears. The tears in her eyes vanished, replaced by streaks of crimson blood. Her overwhelmed legs began to tremble, yet she struggled to remain standing.

The Sect Master grew anxious, attempting to speak, but was suppressed by the spiritual pressure surging from Patriarch Ying, rendering him unable to utter a sound.

Not knowing how much longer she could endure, Yu Ruoshuang felt as if she were disappearing. Her body grew translucent and formless, on the verge of becoming a wisp of mist, a speck of dust, until she vanished entirely from the world.

*Will I die?* she asked herself softly, though no sound escaped her lips. Fear sprouted from the depths of her heart. She wanted to beg for mercy, but the image of her sister’s black eyes—filled with condemnation and contempt—emerged, instantly banishing the thought. Her unyielding will took root in her heart like a seed, breaking through the soil and rapidly growing into a towering tree.

*I can die, but I will never yield!*