The Attack of the Wastrel

Everyone around Gu Lingzhi looked at her as if she was an idiot. They all knew that Gu Linglong had water- and earth-based Spiritual Roots and would not drown. 

Isn’t that why no one had gone to save her?

When two Gu Clan disciples crossed paths with Gu Rong, they pretended to accidentally speak about what had happened on the bridge that day, exaggerating the situation. Gu Rong’s face immediately darkened. His initial plans to handle internal clan affairs were immediately put on hold as he headed towards the Martial Arts Training Grounds.

After yesterday’s scolding, how could she just ignore his words completely? 

But who would have known that when Gu Rong stomped ferociously onto the bridge, he would see Gu Linglong looking wet and pitiful instead?

Gu Linglong’s eyes immediately reddened as she jumped into Gu Rong’s embrace.

“Father, you have to help me. Gu Lingzhi, that bitch, pushed me into the lake. She wanted to drown me!”

The anger in Gu Rong immediately became directed at Gu Lingzhi and started to question her.

“Lingzhi, how could you push your younger sister into the water?”

Although Gu Lingzhi was talented at Alchemy, Gu Rong had doted on Gu Linglong for many years, and in his heart, Gu Linglong always occupied a higher position than Gu Lingzhi.

Once he saw the pitiful state his favorite daughter was in, Gu Rong’s heart softened. He chose to side with Gu Linglong even though he knew that the situation might not have been exactly what she had described. He also wanted to put Gu Lingzhi in her place and show her that she was not above everyone else just because she possessed extraordinary talent. 

Gu Lingzhi felt that it was extremely absurd upon seeing how easily Gu Rong had turned on her. 

“Father, I did not push her, she fell in because she was not careful.”

“That’s rubbish! I am a Level Six Martial Student, how could I fall in by accident?” Gu Linglong argued back as she looked at Gu Lingyue. 

“Lingyue, did you see her push me in?”

Gu Lingyue looked a little troubled as she looked at Gu Linglong. She then glanced back at Gu Rong’s face and forced herself to nod.

“Clan Leader, it is true that Gu Lingzhi pushed Gu Linglong into the water, everyone here witnessed it.”

She then used a threatening gaze to look at the people around her. Most of the people that were present had been bullied by her and Gu Linglong before and did not speak up out of fear. They had no choice but to agree with her.

Gu Linglong then looked at Gu Lingzhi arrogantly.

“Big Sister, what was your motive behind pushing me into the water?”

Gu Rong also looked at Gu Lingzhi with a stern gaze.

“Lingzhi, even if your sister had said some nasty words to you, how could you be so ruthless?”

“Ha, this is hilarious. It was obvious that Gu Linglong wanted to push Lingzhi into the water but fell in herself because she was stupid, yet here she is trying to blame it on Lingzhi. Clan Leader, the conduct of your own family certainly is worrying.”

“How dare you! Is this how you speak to a Clan Leader?” Gu Rong retorted angrily. It was embarrassing being lectured by a kid in front of a crowd.

Even though Gu Lingzhi knew that Gu Chengze would stand up for her, she never thought that he would dare to do it in a way that challenged Gu Rong’s authority. She looked at him with gratitude before calmly turning to Gu Rong, “Father, I would like to ask you a question. Do you know what kind of Spiritual Roots Linglong possess?”

“Of course,” Gu Rong bellowed, “But even if your sister has water-based Spiritual Roots, you cannot push her into the water!”

Gu Lingzhi casted her eyes downwards in defeat. She did not want to admit it, but she knew that her father would never see how outstanding she was, neither would he dote on her the way he did with Gu Linglong. She guessed that in Gu Rong’s heart, she would only ever be a chess piece used for the clan’s benefit.

How could a chess piece like her ever be more important than his daughter?

Taking a deep breath, she controlled her emotions, trying not to let her vulnerable side show. She looked up directly into Gu Rong’s furious eyes and demanded, “Father, how can Level One Martial Student be stronger than a Level Six Martial Student? I have just started cultivating, how could I possibly push a Level Six Martial Student into the lake in front of everyone?”

When she had come up with the plan to let Gu Linglong fall into the water, Gu Lingzhi had already thought of her excuse. Even without Gu Chengze’s help, she would be able to back herself up. After all, only she knew that she was already a Level Four Martial Student.

That’s what she thought, but a certain attentive royal prince had already figured that out. 

As expected, Gu Lingzhi’s excuse had put Gu Rong into a slightly awkward situation.

It seemed like he was aware that Gu Linglong might have distorted the truth, but he just wanted to stand up for the daughter that he favored more.

“That’s right, Clan Leader Gu, you should explain to us how a Level One Martial Student was able to push a Level Six Martial Student into the water. I, for one, am very curious.”

In a light tone, Rong Yuan appeared on the bridge and looked at Gu Rong with interest.

“Third, Third Prince... why have you come?”

“Oh? I did not know that the Gu Clan’s Martial Arts Training Grounds were out of bounds to outsiders. I apologize for trespassing if that is the case,” Rong Yuan said, but his face showed no hint of remorse. 

“Haha… you must be joking, Your Highness. How can our Martial Arts Training Grounds be out of bounds?” Gu Rong said before he turned to look at the crowd around Gu Lingzhi.

“Why are you all still standing here? Don’t you have to train today?”

In a flash, everyone who was watching the scene dispersed like a flock of birds. Gu Rong then turned to Gu Linglong and Gu Lingzhi and said, “You two should leave as well.”

Gu Linglong look at Gu Rong reluctantly as she acted coy, saying, “Father, aren’t you going to help me get some justice anymore?”

Gu Rong’s head turned sharply. “Justice? If you did not purposely try to anger your sister, would she have pushed you? You can’t even beat a Level One Martial Student, what is there to feel wronged about?”

Did she not sense the mocking tone in the Third Prince’s voice? He feared that the Third Prince’s impression of him would worsen if he remained biased towards Gu Linglong. 

On the other hand, Gu Lingzhi simply curtsied and then turned around to leave. However, Rong Yuan called out to stop her. In an enticing voice, he asked, “First Mistress, I wonder if you are interested in studying at the Royal School? I can use my authority to enroll you in.”