I Ruined the Long Ao Tian Script

Lu Beichen didn’t believe Xu Shulou could take on a hundred opponents alone, but he also couldn’t bring himself to ask his junior disciples to gang up on his fiancée.

As for fighting her himself, the likelihood of humiliating himself was far too high, and Lu Beichen had no taste for such self-inflicted misery.

He smiled gently. "Shulou, you misunderstand. Given the relationship between Dustless Island and Lingxiao Sect, and our betrothal, how could I ever raise a hand against you?"

Xu Shulou tucked away the bloodstained handkerchief and gave him a faintly mocking look. "So, you all plan to stand here and watch us claim the treasure?"

With practiced grace, Lu Beichen raised a hand in invitation. "We’ll take our leave. After you, everyone."

The others were less than pleased. The Lingxiao Sect had flourished in recent years, and its disciples were accustomed to pride, rarely needing to yield. Many of the younger ones weren’t even aware of Dustless Island’s history with their sect, though they knew Xu Shulou was Lu Beichen’s fiancée. Out of respect for their senior brother, they stifled their discontent and followed his lead.

Before departing, Lu Beichen cast a glance at Bai Roushuang, who was still standing atop a fallen cultivator, several money pouches dangling from her hand. She blinked back at him, confusion written across her face as if asking, *What?*

He sighed inwardly. He should have advised Bai Roushuang to join Lingxiao Sect long ago—Dustless Island’s influence clearly hadn’t done her any favors.

Bai Roushuang, oblivious to his thoughts and utterly uninterested in deciphering them, cheerfully prepared to distribute the spirit stones she’d collected among her fellow disciples.

A little fox, temporarily allied with her, darted between the fallen cultivators, retrieving pouches and dropping them at her feet.

"Help…" one of the defeated men groaned weakly, having hoped the Lingxiao Sect would punish Xu Shulou. Seeing them leave, he pleaded, "Save us… They’re robbing us…"

Lu Beichen frowned slightly. He had no desire to involve himself in this mess. But then a voice spoke up from behind him: "Senior brothers and sisters of Dustless Island, these men sought the treasure, so your retaliation is justified. But must you humiliate them for such petty gains?"

Xu Shulou blinked. "Ah. Would you like to pay on their behalf?"

Bai Roushuang, still gathering pouches, perked up at the question.

The speaker stepped forward—a slender woman with sharp cheekbones that lent her an unintentionally severe air. She wore the outer disciple robes of Lingxiao Sect, a yellow jade hook dangling at her waist.

Xu Shulou recognized her instantly from the novels she’d read. *Ah, isn’t this Huang Yinghe, my supposed ally in those stories?*

Even the worst people had friends, and in the novels, Huang Yinghe had been one of Xu Shulou’s few supporters. When the entire world turned against Xu Shulou for targeting Bai Roushuang, Huang Yinghe had schemed alongside her.

Of course, Huang Yinghe hadn’t truly been on her side—she’d wanted Lu Beichen for herself, playing both sides by advising Xu Shulou while mimicking Bai Roushuang’s delicate charm to catch Lu Beichen’s eye.

Her clumsy tactics were quickly exposed, and she was expelled from Lingxiao Sect.

Though both were unsavory characters, their fates diverged. As far as Xu Shulou’s dreams had shown, she herself was still alive, but Huang Yinghe had already been torn apart by demonic wolves at the foot of Lingxiao Sect’s mountain.

Xu Shulou still didn’t understand why nearly every named woman in the novels harbored feelings for Lu Beichen. She studied him again, searching for some hidden virtue she might have missed.

Lu Beichen, mistaking her gaze for a plea for intervention, suppressed a sigh. Back when Lingxiao Sect needed Dustless Island’s influence, Xu Shulou’s arrogance had been tolerable. But times had changed—why couldn’t she learn to be more deferential?

Before he could speak, Huang Yinghe dipped into a slight bow. "My apologies. Senior Brother Lu is noble and principled, so I assumed his betrothed would share his virtues. Yet here I see you trampling on others’ dignity for mere trifles. Forgive my bluntness."

In the novels, the two had been allies, but without Bai Roushuang as a shared enemy, Huang Yinghe’s barbs were now aimed at Xu Shulou.

Xu Shulou opened a pouch to display the spirit stones. "Not exactly *trifles*. They’re quite generous."

Huang Yinghe’s mouth twitched. Upon seeing the amount, she couldn’t help a flicker of envy.

Her words, however, struck a chord with Lu Beichen. He hesitated, wanting to caution Bai Roushuang against picking up bad habits, but his pride held him back.

But Bai Roushuang was the novels’ premier white lotus. Huang Yinghe’s tactics were all too familiar to her. *Daring to mess with my senior sister?* She gritted her teeth, then turned a pale, fragile gaze on Lu Beichen. "Senior Brother Lu, do you think so too? That my actions are… *dishonorable*?"

Huang Yinghe had targeted Xu Shulou, but Bai Roushuang made it about herself. Lu Beichen faltered. "Of course not."

Huang Yinghe opened her mouth. *Who said ‘dishonorable’?!* Though that *was* her implication, the word choice felt calculated. "I never said that! Don’t twist my words!"

Bai Roushuang didn’t argue. She simply lowered her head, silent, her body trembling faintly.

Lu Beichen, predictably, was swayed. "Sister Huang spoke too harshly. Don’t take it to heart."

Huang Yinghe paled. "Senior Brother Lu, I—"

Xiao Ya, tired of the drama, cut her off. "Shut up already."

Huang Yinghe shrank back. As an outer disciple, she had no standing against Xiao Ya, a direct disciple of a Lingxiao Sect elder—not to mention the princess of Xiao Kingdom, known for her temper. She’d only spoken up earlier because the group’s discontent seemed unanimous. Now, she fell silent.

Xiao Ya turned to Lu Beichen. "Senior Brother, are we leaving or not?"

"...We’re leaving." Lu Beichen remembered his father’s old jest—never get involved in women’s quarrels. *Now I understand.* With a wry smile, he led the group out of the ice cavern.

Xiao Ya gave Xu Shulou a stiff nod before departing.

Once they were gone, Bai Roushuang shed her fragile act and sighed. "So annoying. I really wanted to rob them too."

Xu Shulou chuckled. "Next time, maybe."

Bai Roushuang glanced at her sideways, beginning to wonder whether the senior sister had spoiled her too much, to the point of even wanting to fulfill such an unreasonable wish for her.