The First Summoner - Chapter 6

Why was she here?

Unease churned inside Shen Xue. She lowered her lashes and took a deep breath, forcing herself to regain her composure.

It would be fine.

Shen Yan was an idiot. Even if she told everyone the truth, no one would believe her.

As though only now recovering from her surprise, Shen Xue let worry spread across her delicate, peach-blossom face. She hurried toward Shen Yan.

“Sister Yan’er, how did you suffer such terrible injuries?”

Her voice was full of heartache.

Shen Xue approached with a show of concern and reached for Shen Yan’s hand. Before she could touch it, Shen Yan caught her wrist in a backhand grip.

The icy touch against her skin made Shen Xue’s eyes widen. A sudden chill crawled down her spine.

“Sister Yan’er…”

Crack!

The crisp sound of breaking bone cut her off, followed by Shen Xue’s piercing scream.

By the time anyone saw clearly, Shen Yan’s hand had closed around Shen Xue’s throat.

She had moved with astonishing speed.

Everyone present was stunned.

The Shen family’s Grand Elder came back to his senses and roared, “You good-for-nothing, what are you doing? Release Xue’er at once!”

Shen Yan sneered. “Release her? When did she ever spare me? Every wound on my body is her work. She stole my bloodline and conspired with the noble heir, Nangong Yu, to murder me. If I hadn’t been so resilient, I never would have escaped their grasp.

“Family Head, Elders—how should the Shen family punish someone who attempts to murder its legitimate-born daughter?”

Her words struck the courtyard like a thunderbolt.

The Third Elder plainly did not believe her.

“Shen Yan, you are so young, yet your mouth is already full of lies! How dare you slander your elder sister?”

Shen Yan’s gaze darkened.

She decided to deal with Shen Xue first.

Her sharp eyes swept toward the girl. She tightened her hand, intending to snap Shen Xue’s neck—

An otherworldly azure wolf suddenly appeared from thin air.

The beast sprang at her in a wild frenzy, jaws snapping toward her arm.

Surprise flashed across Shen Yan’s face. She released Shen Xue and began gathering her fire ability to blast the wolf, but a tall figure stepped in front of her.

The man struck the beast with his palm.

Bang!

Spiritual power surged. The azure wolf was sent flying and crashed to the ground, gravely wounded.

Its pained whimpers filled the courtyard.

Shen Tianhao lowered his hand, his expression cold. Without sparing the beast another glance, he turned to Shen Yan.

“Yan’er, are you hurt?”

Shen Yan was not accustomed to such pure, unguarded concern.

She shook her head. “I’m fine.”

“Yan’er, have you truly regained your senses?” Shen Tianhao’s eyes filled with tears of joy.

He had been watching her words and actions from the moment she arrived. She no longer possessed the innocence of a very young child. She spoke as clearly as any ordinary person.

A thought occurred to him, and his heart sank. Still, he kept his expression gentle as he asked, “Was everything you just said true?”

“Every word.”

Shen Yan met his gaze calmly.

“I’m sorry.” Shen Tianhao’s heart trembled as he took in the wounds covering her. Rage swelled in his chest until it threatened to spill over. His eyes reddened again and again.

“Father did not know how much you had suffered. But whoever dares harm my child will answer to me. I, Shen Tianhao, will never let them go!”

He turned toward Shen Xue, his eyes filled with cold killing intent.

“Shen Xue, how have I ever wronged you? How has the Shen family ever wronged you? You dared torture my Yan’er like this. I will have your life!”

Tears pooled in Shen Xue’s eyes. Combined with the red marks around her throat, they made her look pitiful beyond measure. She shook her head, her expression full of grievance.

“No, Father. I never hurt Sister Yan’er. I don’t know why she would say such things…”

Shen Tianhao’s gaze sharpened. “Then why can you use the Summoning Arts?”

Shen Xue shuddered.

Panic entered her face. To save herself, she had just used the Summoning Arts to call an azure wolf from another world.

The evidence was undeniable.

“I… I…” She stammered, then seemed to think of something.

Turning to the Shen family head and the gathered elders, she dropped to her knees with a thud. Her eyes reddened.

“Grandfather, Elders, I wanted so desperately to become one of the Shen family’s Summoners. I wanted to truly belong here and bring honor to the family. I once mentioned it in front of the noble heir, Nangong Yu. I never imagined he would take it to heart, much less discover a forbidden blood-exchange technique.

“He abducted Sister Yan’er and drained her blood. Then he knocked me unconscious and exchanged our blood without my knowledge. By the time I learned what had happened, it was already done…”

She wept as she spoke, and the apparent sincerity in every word made her difficult not to pity.

“I have failed Sister Yan’er. I have failed the Shen family as well.”

The Grand Elder had always favored Shen Xue. The moment he heard her story, he began consoling her.

“Xue’er, none of this was your fault. The blood has already been exchanged, and Shen Yan merely suffered a few injuries. The Shen family can compensate her. More importantly, you have entered the path of a Summoner so quickly. Such talent has truly opened my eyes! You will surely bring great honor to the Shen family.”

The other elders voiced their agreement.

With a handful of words, they erased every bit of Shen Yan’s suffering and praised the person who had harmed her instead.

Shen Yan gave a cold laugh.

“Shen Xue drained my blood herself. I nearly died by her hand. You would all protect her simply because she can bring honor to the Shen family? Don’t forget—I am its legitimate-born daughter.”

The Grand Elder’s voice hardened.

“You may be the legitimate-born daughter of the Shen family, but you have brought shame upon us time and again! What right does a good-for-nothing like you have to speak here? You did not die. You merely lost some blood. If that blood allowed Shen Xue to become a Summoner, you should consider it your honor!”

The other elders nodded in agreement.

In their hearts, it would not matter even if Shen Yan had died, so long as her death made Shen Xue a Summoner.

“Grand Elder!” Shen Tianhao roared, veins bulging at his temples.

The Grand Elder trembled, fear rising in his heart.

Shen Tianhao looked toward the Shen family head, who had remained silent throughout.

“Father,” he asked, enunciating every word, “what do you believe should be done?”

The family head glanced at Shen Xue first, then turned his gaze to Shen Yan.

There was no fluctuation of spiritual power anywhere on her body. Her mind might have returned to normal, but she truly could bring no glory to the family.

After a moment’s thought, he spoke slowly.

“Shen Yan, what compensation do you want? Grandfather will grant whatever you ask.”

With that single offer, he had indirectly absolved Shen Xue of all guilt.

Shen Xue lowered her head.

The corner of her mouth curved upward.

*Shen Yan, even if you’re no longer a fool, you still can’t beat me.*