Chapter 4: The Beloved of the Genius Summoner 4

"No, no, that is absolutely not what I meant."

Old Yang was filled with regret. Had he known this woman was Yu Xuan's contracted spirit, he would have treated her like royalty; he never would have dared to lay a hand on her.

"Yu Xuan, this is my fault. I shouldn't have attacked her. As long as it vents your anger, I will do anything you ask. I won't resist at all."

"How do you want to vent?" Yu Xuan turned his head to ask.

Lu Ningshi turned toward him, malice practically dripping from her eyes. She smiled and said, word by word, "Then destroy his foundation. Let him become the very thing he looks down upon the most."

Old Yang's expression shifted violently. The look he cast at Lu Ningshi no longer held its initial awe; it was now filled with terror, along with a trace of imperceptible fury and resentment.

"You heard her."

Yu Xuan spoke with the same casual tone one might use to discuss lunch, prompting him, "You can begin now."

"Yu Xuan, the Association has rules! You cannot attack a Summoner in private without authorization, let alone destroy one. Aren't you afraid of trouble when the Association finds out?"

Old Yang’s nerves were taut; his body stood rigid, refusing to move. He could apologize, he could even humiliate himself by kneeling and kowtowing, but to be reduced to a commoner? He would rather die.

The clamoring woman, clutching her face, darted her eyes around and suddenly realized she had kicked an iron plate. Her eyes rolled as she quickly said, "We have an emergency. I won't hold it against you for hitting my son. Old Yang, let's go."

With that, she acted as if nothing had happened, grabbing Old Yang’s arm and pulling their child away.

"Did I say you could leave?"

Lu Ningshi’s cold, chilling voice echoed from behind. The moment a sense of foreboding rose within her, her entire body went numb and painful; she swayed, nearly losing her footing. The two, big and small, were not spared either. Old Yang could still endure it, but the child could not last even a second.

"Daddy, Mommy, I'm itchy! It hurts and it's itchy!"

"Waaah! I can't take it anymore!"

He clawed at his body with both hands, leaving bloody streaks across his tender skin.

Yu Xuan’s gaze fell upon the red pollen on the backs of their necks. He raised his right hand, his thin lips parting slightly. "Green Vine."

The green branches transformed into sharp spears, piercing through flesh with a soft, cutting sound. Old Yang’s eyes widened suddenly, and he slowly looked down.

His dantian was shattered into dust. Once the task was complete, the branches dissipated into green light, vanishing with the wind.

"Ah—Old Yang!" The woman’s eyes were bloodshot as she shrieked.

"No... no!" Old Yang clutched his chest, shaking his head frantically. Unable to accept the shock, his eyes rolled back and he fainted, leaving behind his wailing son and his wife, who was crying for help.

Lu Ningshi was stunned. She turned to the person standing beside her. "Why did you act?"

Shouldn't Yu Xuan have stood by coldly, disgusted by her vicious nature, allowing her to run wild until she became a threat to Summoners, only to execute her in the name of justice?

"You are mine. To insult you is to insult me." Yu Xuan said expressionlessly, adding, "Besides, you talk too much."

Lu Ningshi’s face twisted. She pointed at herself, asking in disbelief, "You say I talk too much?"

"Strikes must be ruthless and fast. Never leave your opponent a chance to counterattack." Yu Xuan glanced at her coldly. "If you keep this up, you'll suffer on the battlefield."

"Little Man, don't be too kind. Some people aren't worth it."

Wait, which one of them was actually the villain here? Lu Ningshi felt a desperate urge to pull up the original script, read it from cover to cover, and not miss a single detail.

"Perhaps you are powerful within your clan, but this is not your home. There are many who are stronger than you. You cannot rely solely on poison when you encounter trouble. After all, poison takes time to act, and during that process, a Summoner has plenty of time to force you to provide an antidote or even kill you."

Seeing her silent, Yu Xuan assumed he had been too harsh and continued, "I don't mean that you are weak. What I mean is..."

"Alright, you don't have to say it. I know you're absolutely right," Lu Ningshi quickly interrupted.

Yu Xuan paused for a moment, seemingly surprised that she hadn't retorted but instead generously acknowledged her shortcomings.

Lu Ningshi clenched her fists, declaring with high spirits, "Villains always die because they talk too much. So, next time, I'll just strike first and then deliver the ruthless lines."

Yu Xuan placed his right hand on his forehead and silently closed his eyes.

"Let's go home."

In the backseat, the Green Vine occupied half the space. It stole a glance at Lu Ningshi and quickly looked away. After repeating this several times, Lu Ningshi noticed. When it looked over again, she turned her head rapidly.

The Green Vine’s dark green eyes widened in alarm, and the flower bud atop its head tightened, curling into a tiny lump.

Lu Ningshi smiled and pulled out a lollipop, offering it. "Want some candy?"

"It's orange flavored."

Seeing it didn't take it, Lu Ningshi waved it again, moving closer.

The Green Vine hesitantly extended a twig, wrapping it around the lollipop. "Th... thank you."

"Your name is Green Vine, right? Your flower bud is so cute."

To praise the blooming flower of a plant is like lavishing praise on a beauty's peerless face; the Green Vine shook shyly. It peeked again and whispered, "You're pretty, too."

"Oh my, little sister Green Vine, I like you so much. Can I call you little sister?"

The tightly curled bud suddenly relaxed, blooming more brilliantly and gorgeously than ever before. The pale pink petals were gradually stained with a shy red, and even the green leaves looked more dazzling and eye-catching.

Its branches slowly curled, and it gave a slight nod.

Seeing this, Lu Ningshi shifted her bottom, nearly pressing against the other. "The other-dimensional space is so dark. Aren't you afraid staying in there all day?"

The Green Vine shook its head slightly, thought for a moment, and added hurriedly, "I sleep. It restores energy."

"You just sleep the whole time?"

The Green Vine nodded obediently and said a soft, "Mm."

Lu Ningshi’s fingers moved slightly. Her eyes drifted downward as she continued to ask, distracted, "Do you fight with the others when you live together?"

"No."

"Your bud blooms so beautifully and smells so fragrant. Can I touch it?"

The Green Vine’s bud turned bright red all at once. It blinked its clear eyes, its branches curling into a ball. "If it's you, big sister..."

"Green Vine, return."

The person in the front seat, who had been silent until now, suddenly issued a command.

Lu Ningshi’s hand was halfway up, just about to touch it, when the Green Vine was sent back.

She turned around, glaring at him in dissatisfaction. "Yu Xuan, are you looking to die?"

"Green Vine has been through a battle and is very tired. It needs a good rest." Yu Xuan glanced at the rearview mirror indifferently. "You like it so much, surely you wouldn't want it to feel uncomfortable, would you?"