Ouyang Zhen looked at the newly reborn Linghe City with satisfaction, striding around with his head held high, clearly considering the city and its inhabitants as his possessions.
Little did he know that these people were secretly observing him. Most of those who had been given positions by Song Xia already knew Song Xia's current attitude towards him, so they mostly watched with amusement.
What a talented person Master Song is! How could a rough and uncouth man like Ouyang Zhen be worthy of him?
If he wholeheartedly assists Valley Master Song, he would be a good partner. After all, he is decent in appearance and martial arts. Back then, the old Valley Master personally arranged their marriage. However, if Ouyang Zhen wants to overpower Valley Master Song and become the master of Linghe City, then that will not work.
You should know that they all came for Valley Master Song, and the changes in Linghe City are all because of Valley Master Song. What right does Ouyang Zhen have to order them around?
"Didn't I tell you to go and inform them? Why hasn't Song Xia come to greet me personally yet?" Although Ouyang Zhen was satisfied with the changes in the city, he was not satisfied with Song Xia's attitude, so he roared without any politeness.
The Linghe Valley disciple bowed slightly: "Valley Master Song is waiting for you inside the valley."
Upon hearing this title again, Ouyang Zhen glared at the disciple with a sinister look: "She is merely the deputy valley master temporarily acting as the valley master. Don't call her by the wrong title again."
The disciples remained silent, but secretly scoffed inwardly, thinking, "After today, it's still uncertain whether you'll still be a member of Linghe Valley!"
He only knows how to show off his power and doesn't care about the safety of the Linghe Valley disciples. He's far inferior to Valley Master Song! Now, Valley Master Song is the one everyone supports!
Upon learning that Ouyang Zhen had returned to Linghe Valley, many curious martial artists gathered outside the valley to watch the spectacle. Song Xia was sitting in the main seat, and she did not get up when Ouyang Zhen entered.
"You're back." Song Xia looked at him indifferently. "I heard about the martial arts tournament. What happened? You weren't selected?"
Ouyang Zhen's doubts were now confirmed, and he became even angrier: "Who gave you this position? Song Xia, I am the true master of Linghe Valley!"
"That was then. Now everyone respects me as the Valley Master. Ouyang Zhen, now that you've returned but haven't become the leader of the martial arts alliance, you'll serve as an elder in the valley. Recently, the valley has taken in many new disciples, and you'll be in charge of teaching them."
"Insolence!" Ouyang Zhen roared. "Who gave you permission to speak to me like that? Song Xia, don't be ungrateful. Considering you've managed Linghe City well, I won't hold it against you for not reporting to me these past few days. Quickly hand over all the changes in the city to me."
Song Xia scoffed at him: "Linghe City has changed because of me, and everyone came here because of me. Why should I hand it over to you?"
"Because I was the Valley Master personally appointed by your father back then."
“My father was old back then, and he was bound to make wrong decisions sometimes. Linghe Valley was originally founded by my Song family, so it should naturally return to the hands of the Song family. Ouyang Zhen, look at the disciples in the valley now, who still respects you?”
Ouyang Zhen scanned them one by one, and sure enough, no one avoided his gaze anymore. Ouyang Zhen immediately drew his sword.
"If that's the case, then don't blame me for not showing any mercy. Song Xia, I will set things right and let everyone in the martial world see who the true master of this place is!"
Song Xia, also wielding a sword, said: "Ouyang Zhen, in terms of interpersonal skills, you are not as good as me; in terms of managing miscellaneous affairs, you are not as good as me; in terms of talent introduction, you have made no contribution whatsoever. Today, I will show everyone that in terms of martial arts, you are no better either."
Such remarks immediately drew applause, and everyone's gaze toward her became even more fervent.
Why follow her? Besides what she has shown, there is also her personal charm. As a woman, she is easily questioned, and only by being strong can she win people's sincere support.
Everyone has pride. They can accept a woman, but they absolutely cannot accept a man who is inferior to her being superior to the woman they follow. This would make them feel insulted.
The more assertive Song Xia is towards Ouyang Zhen, the deeper their sense of identification with him becomes.
Ouyang Zhen was amused by everyone's reactions. Very well, he would remember their true colors. Once he defeated Song Xia, he would teach them a lesson!
Sword energies intertwined instantly, and Song Xia led them to the training ground of Linghe Valley. In no time, the area was surrounded by people, with Linghe Valley disciples surrounding the inner side to ensure everyone's safety.
At first, Ouyang Zhen was full of confidence, but it wasn't until he stepped onto the martial arts training ground that he gradually began to realize that Song Xia was different from before.
The two grew up together and practiced martial arts together. It could be said that Ouyang Zhen knew Song Xia very well in the past. But now, he had doubts. Song Xia's talent was clearly not as good as his, so how could he have reached such a level in just a few years!
Moreover, many of their sword techniques and light-body skills were different from his own, almost catching him off guard.
Could it be that what the professor taught him back then wasn't the real Linghe Sword Technique and Linghe Lightness Skill?
Ouyang Zhen's eyes immediately filled with rage: "I knew that old man didn't treat me, the Valley Master, as one of his own back then. The one he taught you was the real Spirit Crane Sword Technique, wasn't it? Song Xia, don't think you can defeat me like that."
Song Xia looked at him coldly: "How my father treated you back then is known not only to me, but to all the disciples of Linghe Valley. How dare you question him? Even the heroes of the martial world present know the moves my father used when he roamed the world. Ouyang Zhen, you are arrogant that your martial arts talent is stronger than mine, but have you ever improved the shortcomings of my Linghe Valley's techniques? You have no ambition. So what if your talent was stronger than mine in the past?"
"Impossible!" Ouyang Zhen shouted in denial. "How could you possibly have that ability?"
Song Xia's attacks were sharp and his words were equally impolite: "You always look down on this and that, Ouyang Zhen. Tell me, in what way can you compare to me? Not only in the management of Linghe City, but also in the disciples within the valley, I have been the one teaching them all these years. Besides your seclusion and your eagerness to become the leader of the martial arts alliance, what else have you done? Now the selection of the martial arts alliance leader has become a joke. Ouyang Zhen, if you respect me as the valley master, then Linghe Valley will still have a place for you."
"You're dreaming! Song Xia, now that you've revealed your ambitions, don't blame me for showing no mercy."
“When have you ever shown any mercy? Ouyang Zhen, stop making excuses for your defeat. If you’re not convinced, and you’ve lost this battle, you’ll leave Linghe Valley from now on. You’re not allowed to act under any name from Linghe Valley anymore. From this moment on, we are no longer husband and wife.”
"If it weren't for your father, do you think I would have tolerated your childlessness for so many years? Song Xia, it's your turn to leave."
Song Xia remained calm and composed: "I have no offspring, and it's hard to say whose fault it is! But that's not important. My heart is in the great cause of the world, not in having children."
Although she said she was unimportant, the onlookers who overheard their conversation couldn't help but chuckle. Indeed, how could the lack of children be considered the woman's problem?
And didn't you, Master Ouyang, always say you didn't care? So it turns out you were just pretending for the sake of your reputation in the martial arts world! Now you've shown your true colors as soon as you turn your back on me?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com