The First Summoner - Chapter 19

Early the next morning, Shen Yan ate breakfast and left the Shen estate.

She boarded the carriage Shen Tianhao had prepared in advance, accompanied by Hongri, Yinyue, and five or six guards.

The carriage was spacious, so Shen Yan invited both maids inside. The gesture left them flattered.

Shen Yan thought nothing of it.

One of the guards edged closer and called through the curtain, “Second Young Miss, where would you like to go?”

“Drive around for now,” she replied.

In truth, she had come out to investigate the area around Lingyan Forest. She wanted to see whether there might be some way to slip inside unnoticed.

But if she ordered the driver to head there immediately, word would certainly reach Shen Tianhao. That would only make matters more troublesome.

She would wait until they were some distance from the Shen estate before changing their destination.

The imperial capital of Nanxiao Kingdom bustled with activity. Crowds flowed along every street.

Shen Yan lifted the gauze curtain beside her and looked outside. Many passersby carried the restrained auras of cultivators, while others were clearly visitors from afar.

They had probably come because of the Qiutian Sect’s upcoming competition.

Hongri stole a glance at Shen Yan’s exquisite, palm-sized face and nearly lost herself in the sight.

Now that Second Young Miss was no longer simple-minded, the cool indifference of her bearing complemented her beauty perfectly. The effect was breathtaking.

And she seemed to resemble Young Master Shen Huai more and more.

Coming back to herself, Hongri asked tentatively, “Miss, would you like to get out and walk for a while?”

Shen Yan had intended to refuse, but her keen eyes caught sight of a weapons shop. Her interest stirred.

“All right.”

Hongri’s charming face lit up. She immediately raised the carriage curtain and called to the driver, “Stop the carriage! Miss would like to walk.”

The driver pulled over at once.

Hongri and Yinyue climbed down first. They placed a small step beside the carriage, then thoughtfully held the curtain open for Shen Yan.

The scene attracted quite a few gazes.

When the people nearby noticed the Shen family crest on the carriage, they assumed Shen Xue had arrived. The moment a pale-purple hem appeared, several pairs of eyes fixed on it.

A young woman bent slightly as she emerged, then straightened with easy balance.

She was slender, dressed in pale purple, her smooth black hair spilling over narrow shoulders. Her features were refined and arrestingly beautiful, but her expression was cool. Dark eyes shone like starlight on a cold night, their remoteness warning others not to approach.

She looked like an immortal maiden who had descended into the mortal world.

For a moment, no one recognized her.

Shen Yan stepped down from the carriage.

“Is that…”

“Shen Yan?!”

Disbelief swept through the crowd. Several people rubbed their eyes, desperate to confirm the identity of the purple-robed beauty.

“She—she—” someone stammered in shock. Shen Yan clearly no longer looked the least bit foolish. “Could she have regained her senses?”

“It really is that useless Shen Yan! Who knew she was so beautiful?”

“Shen Huai is already stunning, and they’re twins. How could Shen Yan possibly be plain? But her entire presence is different now!”

Shen Yan was exceptionally famous in the imperial capital.

She had been born into a family of Summoners, yet she was the only member of that family who could not cultivate spiritual power.

Then there was the gulf between her and her younger brother, Shen Huai.

Finally, Shen Yan was the fiancée of the noble heir, Nangong Yu. He had looks, strength, and status. Countless young women in Nanxiao Kingdom dreamed of marrying him, yet he was tied to a good-for-nothing.

For that alone, many women resented Shen Yan.

Shen Xue’s admirers disliked her just as much.

Shen Yan merely swept an indifferent glance across the watching crowd. Then she led Hongri and Yinyue directly into the weapons shop.

The onlookers fell still.

How had that useless girl changed so completely?

Whispers spread among the pedestrians. Gradually, they reached Nangong Yu, who was drinking in the restaurant next door.

Bang!

He slammed his cup onto the table, splashing wine everywhere.

His face darkened with spite.

“That useless pest simply refuses to leave me alone! She knew I was drinking here, so she deliberately came to the shop next door. Shameless!”

The blue-robed young man sitting beside him, Hou Yuanjia, laughed and teased, “Ah Yu, now that the fool has regained her senses, taking her as your wife might not be so terrible. She’s a real beauty. Her only flaw is that she can’t cultivate.”

Nangong Yu sneered. “My wife can only be Xue’er. No other woman in Nanxiao Kingdom is worthy of me.”

Hou Yuanjia’s expression shifted.

Meaning well, he warned, “Shen Xue is indeed one of the greatest talents of our younger generation. But I should remind you—she has more than one admirer. His Highness the Crown Prince and Young Master Lu both favor her.”

Nangong Yu only laughed.

“Don’t worry. Xue’er loves me alone.”

Hou Yuanjia choked on his response.

He did not know whether he should tell Nangong Yu that Shen Xue maintained very close ties with both the Crown Prince and Young Master Lu, among others.

Remembering the sweet promises Shen Xue had made him, Nangong Yu’s smile deepened. He raised a hand and patted Hou Yuanjia on the arm.

“Yuanjia, Xue’er and I love each other. Once I deal with Shen Yan, we can finally be together.”

“Deal with her?”

Hou Yuanjia’s face changed.

Realizing he had let too much slip, Nangong Yu hurriedly corrected himself. “End the engagement.”

Hou Yuanjia remained doubtful. “I see.”

Two other young men sat at the table. They raised their cups to Nangong Yu and flattered him eagerly.

“Then we wish the noble heir a swift end to the engagement and freedom from this misery! That wretch Shen Yan was never worthy of you! Hahaha!”

Nangong Yu should have been pleased.

But the thought of Shen Yan inside the weapons shop next door grated on him.

His eyes narrowed as he remembered her imprisoned in the dungeon. He had already killed her…

No.

He had to see what Shen Yan was like now.

Nangong Yu shot to his feet. “Come. Let’s go meet that useless girl.”

Hou Yuanjia was curious about Shen Yan’s transformation himself, so he readily agreed.

The group set out.

Meanwhile, Shen Yan entered the weapons shop and calmly surveyed the weapons displayed across its racks.

The shopkeeper had been surprised to see her. After catching fragments of the conversation outside, however, he realized that Shen Yan had recovered her senses.

A customer was a customer.

He greeted her with a broad smile. “Second Young Miss, what kind of weapon would you like?”

Before Shen Yan could answer, a spoiled female voice rang out behind her.

“Hah. What use could a weapon possibly be to a good-for-nothing?”