Chapter 101 The Dark Truth

"She told me back then—cripple her, kill her, it doesn't matter. And now she dares to deny it all, to wash her hands clean? Were it not for her words, I would never have laid a hand on anyone in this place."

"Lies!"

"Lies? You venomous woman, don't you know in your own heart whether I speak the truth? You even deceived me, claiming she was merely a Five-Star Martial Warrior. You nearly got me killed, you snake-hearted vixen!"

Young Master He was trembling with rage, humiliated and furious at his ill fortune and the public disgrace he now endured.

"It's true! I can testify for our boss—it happened exactly as he said! These two women conspired to maim the Sixth Miss of the Gu family, afraid she'd take their place in the upcoming Youth Tournament. They said crippling her would be ideal—and even paid our boss fifty thousand gold coins! Not a single coin of it has been spent!"

One of Young Master He's followers immediately stepped forward in defense of his leader. Since the truth was already out, there was no reason to hold back.

All around, disdainful glances were cast at Gu Qinglin and Li Ke'er. So it was all truly because of this.

"Heh. I could still understand Li Ke'er, after all, the Gu and Li families are rivals. But Gu Qinglin? I simply can't fathom how the Gu family raised such a treacherous ingrate."

Sikong Ran's words, laced with chilling mockery, drained all color from Gu Qinglin's face.

And in truth, he had merely voiced what many were already thinking. On the continent of Shengu, the bonds of clan and bloodline run deep. Though internal strife is common within great families, when facing outsiders, unity is paramount—for in glory, they rise together, and in shame, they fall as one.

For one to collude with an enemy to destroy a family's own prodigy—such betrayal was rare indeed.

"That vile wretch Gu Qingli stood in my way! Only I, Gu Qinglin, am worthy of being heir to the Gu family!"

Gu Qinglin, irrational with fury, could no longer bear the accusatory whispers and contemptuous stares. Her eyes reddened as she shouted defiantly.

"Well done. I truly underestimated you, Gu Qinglin."

A cold voice echoed from the entrance.

All heads turned—there stood Gu Qingli and Gu Qingche, who had seemingly departed only moments before.

Gu Qingli's phoenix eyes were sharp as blades, her gaze wrapped in an icy frost.

"Qinglin… You've disappointed me far beyond words. What transpired today—I will report it in full to the family head."

Gu Qingche's voice was heavy with disillusionment. Though he'd always disapproved of her arrogance and willfulness, he'd thought it merely a result of poor upbringing—not malice. He'd treated her as a sister.

Now, even the branch family girls who had accompanied Gu Qinglin hung their heads in shame, too afraid to stand at her side.

"I—I only wanted to compete in the Youth Tournament! It was Li Ke'er who brought them, not me!"

Who would've thought the people Li Ke'er recruited would be so incompetent—worse than useless.

"You shameless liar! If you hadn't come to me first, why would I ever have thought of harming the Sixth Miss of the Gu family? And it was you who arranged for Gu Qingli and Gu Qingche to be lured out of the Gu estate!"

Gu Qinglin, long favored and spoiled by the Gu family, was no less than a jewel in their crown—just as Li Ke'er was the beloved darling of the Li family.

And now, these two high-born heiresses were hurling insults at each other like common fishwives on the street.

The assembled crowd could hardly believe their eyes. These two had always been regarded as the finest young ladies in Loulan City—and now they had reduced themselves to this pitiful spectacle.

Gu Qingli watched it all with a cold and distant gaze. Whether it was Gu Qinglin or Li Ke'er, neither would escape the reckoning that was to come.