The Lu Clan Patriarch's eyelids twitched as he hardened his tone once again.
After all, in this matter, the Lu Clan was clearly in the right. If Song Wanníng refused to offer compensation, then he'd simply blow the whole thing wide open.
"So, it seems Song Zhēnjūn intends to wash her hands of this affair? If that's really your stance, then don't blame me for showing no mercy—"
He was ready to press the threat further, but Song Wanníng suddenly let out a disdainful, mocking laugh.
"Go ahead. The bigger the scene, the better. Let the entire cultivation world see what kind of trash your Lu Clan has raised."
"What's that supposed to mean?" His voice rose, bristling with accusation. "Everyone knows Lu Nanfeng died after witnessing Gu Qingyuan and Ye Chuxue's affair. You're his own master, and yet you're smearing him now?"
There was an edge of suspicion behind his words. The Lu Clan Head could feel something was off, and that only made his temper rise further.
But before he could say more, Song Wanníng casually produced a shadow stone and activated it.
The scene it revealed was shocking: Lu Nanfeng, violently tearing at Ye Chuxue's robes.
The rest of the Lu Clan Patriarch's sentence caught in his throat like a stone.
His fingertips trembled. His qi surged wildly in his chest.
What was real anymore?
Lu Nanfeng… really did such a thing?
And just moments ago, he'd been standing there righteously threatening Song Wanníng? The humiliation burned deeper than any wound. His face darkened, so gloomy it could drip ink. But alongside the shame, resentment flared even hotter in his chest.
She had that shadow stone all along, yet chose not to reveal it right away—clearly just to watch him make a fool of himself.
How devious.
"Now do you understand what I meant, Lu Clan Patriarch?"
Song Wanníng smiled, eyes dancing as she watched his expressions shift.
In her past life, this man had been all pleasantries and fake smiles. Quite unlike the flustered clown standing before her now.
When Lu Nanfeng had pretended to argue morals with her back then, this very clan Patriarch had scoffed and told him not to waste his breath.
She remembered everything.
All of it.
The families had clearly worked together behind the scenes… but who was the real mastermind? That part remained unknown.
Song Wanníng's thoughts turned inward for a moment before returning to the present.
"After discovering the affair, Lu Nanfeng was filled with rage and assaulted Ye Chuxue. With such depravity in his heart, how could he ever be worthy of being my disciple?
I've already done more than enough by keeping this incident quiet. Wouldn't you agree, Lu Clan Patriarch?"
Her smile was dazzling, but the words cut like blades.
The Lu Clan Patriarch's fists clenched tight, fury roaring in his chest. He cursed Lu Nanfeng inwardly. That useless idiot. Even in death, he had no value left.
Still, a thought flashed through his mind—Song Wanníng wasn't completely innocent in this either.
"Song Zhēnjūn, Lu Nanfeng became your disciple at the age of five. If he ended up this way, doesn't that reflect poorly on your teachings as well? If word gets out, won't the public also point fingers at you?"
He was convinced now that he had found Song Wanníng's weak spot.
After all, who in this world didn't care about their reputation?
Surely, she'd want to avoid a scandal as much as he did.
Shameless, truly shameless.
Song Wanníng clicked her tongue in mild amusement. She wasn't the least bit surprised by his response.
Everyone wanted more benefits. Greed was human nature.
But when they tried to manipulate her? That's where she drew the line.
"Lu Clan Patriarch, it seems you're still dreaming. Right now, what you should be considering isn't how to squeeze compensation out of me, but how to convince me to keep this secret.
Gu Qingyuan was willing to risk the scorn of the entire world just to be with Ye Chuxue. That's how deep his feelings run. If he finds out that Lu Nanfeng defiled Ye Chuxue… well—"
She clicked her tongue again, shaking her head slowly.
"He's got nothing to lose now. I'm just his Junior Sister, so he'd never kill me. But whether he'd spare your clan… now that, I wouldn't bet on."
"!!!!!!!"
The Lu Clan Patriarch's eyes widened in shock, rage and fear washing over him in equal measure.
Shameless. Utterly shameless!
"You—you—
You have no shame! Lu Nanfeng was still your disciple—"
"And so what?"
Song Wanníng folded her arms, crossed her legs, and leaned back with a nonchalant expression.
"I'll give you ten breaths to think it over. One…"
She hadn't even reached three before the Lu Clan Patriarch caved.
"I… what does Song Zhēnjūn want in exchange for her silence?"
His face was flushed red with fury. If looks could kill, Song Wanníng would have been torn limb from limb.
"Hmm… I won't make it hard for you. Just prepare what's on this list."
She tossed him a slip of paper. The items on it had been prepared long in advance.
She hadn't asked for too much. After all, while Gu Qingyuan posed a real threat, demanding too high a price would only push the Lu Clan to fight back rather than yield.
As expected, the Lu Clan Patriarch's face twisted the moment he scanned the list. But after a moment, he gave a stiff nod.
His hand clenched tightly around the paper, veins bulging, voice thick with resentment.
"I'll have these things prepared when I return. I trust Song Zhēnjūn will honor her word."
"Of course. Once I receive the goods, I'll destroy the shadow stone right in front of you. You have my word."
Song Wanníng wore a gentle, demure smile that only made his blood boil.
He had come hoping to gain the upper hand—and instead walked straight into a trap.
Furious, he turned to leave.
Song Wanníng walked him to the door, just in time to run into several elders from the sect.
Everyone was concerned about the compensation owed to the Lu Clan.
"Junior Sister Song, was the matter settled?" asked the Seventh Elder.
"Yes, it's settled," Song Wanníng said with a smile, then glanced meaningfully at the Lu Clan Patriarch before continuing aloud:
"I've taken the liberty to decide on behalf of the sect. We'll be compensating the Lu Clan with two hundred thousand mid-grade spirit stones, along with several magical artifacts and medicinal herbs."
"What? Why so much?"
The elders' expressions changed instantly, their eyes filled with disapproval.
Meanwhile, the Lu Clan Patriarch gaped in stunned confusion.
When had Song Wanníng ever agreed to give him anything?
Then he caught the subtle look she gave him and finally understood.
With a pitiful sigh, Song Wanníng turned to the elders and said, "What can I do? Lu Nanfeng was the most promising disciple of the Lu Clan's younger generation. His death has deeply affected their future. The Lu Clan Patriarch was unwilling to compromise, and my hands were tied.
Isn't that right, Lu Clan Patriarch?"
She winked at him with a playful smile.
The Lu Clan Patriarch nearly choked on his breath, his face turning a deep shade of purple.
The elders were already casting judgmental glances his way, and he felt like coughing up blood on the spot.
Song Wanníng…
She had gone too far this time!
But what could he do?
Gu Qingyuan was powerful and now exiled from the sect. He was reckless, dangerous. If he really turned on the Lu Clan, the losses would be immeasurable.
Better to lose a bit of wealth than face that nightmare.
Besides, the sect would be footing the bill anyway…
Still, why did it feel so infuriating? So… humiliating?
The Lu Clan Patriarch's heart ached as he forced out a bitter, "Yes… yes…
I have other matters to attend to. I'll be going now."
He couldn't stand another moment. If he stayed, he'd surely die of rage.
He fled the scene in a flurry, leaving the confused elders behind.
Song Wanníng watched his retreating back, her smile deepening.
The Lu Clan…
This was only the beginning.
She turned away and said nothing more, heading straight for the sect's treasury to collect what was owed.
They had wasted so many resources on Lu Nanfeng. Now, it was time to take it all back.
Song Wanníng smiled faintly.
Lu Nanfeng's death?
Utterly perfect.
===
I've just finished translating The Villainess Refuses to Repent up to the latest serialized chapter!
(๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧
Right now, I have one free slot open. I'm thinking about picking another short novel this time — something with either short chapters or a smaller overall word count. It could be another xianxia or maybe a modern story.
I'll share my final choice later in a little blurb about the novel I pick. Stay tuned! (・ω<)