In the small courtyard, there seemed to always be a fragrance of flowers.

It matched well with the tea in front of them.

"Jinyu, the reason you invited Shen Han to a duel, is it because of those recent rumors?

Do you want to use this to clear things up and silence the gossiping mouths?"

Shen Ye looked at Su Jinyu, and easily pointed out her purpose in his words.

It must be said, Su Jinyu's fundamental reason was indeed like this.

She could ignore those rumors, but she was always a bit worried, would the rumors become more and more true like a lie repeated often enough...

But as Shen Ye had easily pointed out, he clearly understood.

Su Jinyu nodded, revealing her thoughts.

Hearing this, Shen Ye slightly stood up, looking at Su Jinyu with a doting smile on his face.

"The Fairy Jinyu, who severed the Siam River with one sword, is actually troubled by these rumors.

Things in the world always have some unpleasant aspects.

Rumors are like grains of sand, falling into the eye, they are irritating.

But when held in the hand, they can be easily blown away.

Jinyu, do not be impatient with the matters of the world, things rarely go as planned.

There are always some regrets in there.

Especially these rumors, treat them as fleeting clouds, and pay them no mind."

Shen Ye spoke like a guide, offering Su Jinyu reassurance.

As his words fell, the scholar beside him also added.

"Fairy Jinyu, just as my master said, rumors often spread in the area, saying my master is not as good as someone, or someone has surpassed my master overnight.

If he had to prove each of these rumors, he would be busy every day.

And would have no time for anything else."

Su Jinyu nodded slightly, hearing this, she seemed to calm down a lot.

"This invitation to duel, Jinyu, your biggest mistake was placing yourself on the same level as him.

In doing so, you have lost the pride in your heart.

Your eyes, Jinyu, should be on Liu Xilan, on Ye Tianxing.

On the number one swordsman in Great Wei.

Inviting Shen Han to a duel, it's even an insult to your sword."

Shen Ye paused at this point, then turned to look at Su Jinyu.

"In the future, when you climb to great heights, if someone brings up these rumors again.

And you look back on them, perhaps by then, these rumors will carry some amusement with them.

Like a joyous joke."

Hearing this, Su Jinyu's delicate brows finally relaxed.

"Thank you, Brother Ye, I was indeed at a loss before.

This matter ends here, I don't think Shen Han will accept the duel."

The scholar and maid Qingcao beside her wisely left.

Leaving the two to chat in the courtyard.

Not long after, the scholar and maid Qingcao rushed back.

Shen Han has accepted the duel...

...

The news spread quickly, and within half a day, everyone knew about it.

Su Jinyu, carrying the title of the Su Family's Pride, was also exceptionally beautiful.

A woman like her, wherever she went, was always a focus of attention.

Moreover, with the previous rumors, Su Jinyu was already a topic of conversation during tea and meals.

This duel naturally attracted a lot more attention.

Besides, Su Jinyu's reputation as the Su Family's Pride was not unfounded.

The previous year in the Capital City, her Cyan Peak sword almost overwhelmed the young sword cultivators.

One could say that swordsmen bowed their heads upon seeing her.

Having issued this challenge, anyone wielding a sword in the capital would certainly come to watch.

Thus, the attention on this duel was extraordinarily high.

Tianyi Academy.

Shen Han pulled up a chair and sat in the courtyard.

Beside him, three classmates were all frowning, seemingly more anxious than Shen Han.

"Brother Shen... did you really accept the duel?"

Hearing this, Shen Han smiled wryly.

"Brother Chai, you've already asked me twice..."

Chai Haifu frowned, still wanting to persuade Shen Han further.

"Brother Shen, all of us classmates know you are very excellent.

Even better than when you defeated Dugu Tian.

But the Su Family's Pride is truly not easy to deal with...

I've seen her wield her sword before, and it's an imposing force not of the same generation.

If you lose, you might have to lie down for half a year or more."

The other two classmates beside also advised that not accepting the duel wouldn't be a disgrace.

Shen Han still just smiled: "If I lose, it means I haven't learned well, and getting hurt would teach me a lesson."

This attitude really left the three at a loss for words.

The duel venue was set at the Martial Arts Arena in Tianyi Academy, reportedly because Su Jinyu didn't want to take advantage.

She chose a familiar place, so Shen Han could perform better.

The date was set for two days later, the fifth of May.

For the past two days, Su Jinyu left the Rain Listening Pavilion early every day to go to Shen Ye's courtyard.

With Shen Ye, she always felt more at ease.

At the same time, she was avoiding her father and second brother.

After sending out the invitation letter, the Su Family's effort to win over Shen Han almost collapsed.

In recent days, Shen Ye did not close himself off to train.

He and Su Jinyu discussed matters of the heart and mind in the courtyard.

The pride against pride, in the eyes of outsiders, this was a match made in heaven.

At noon, the once proud child walking in came, Shen Ao.

Su Jinyu hadn't seen Shen Ao for nearly four months.

It's said children change quickly, looking different every month.

But Shen Ao seemed unchanged, not having grown taller at all.

However, there was a notable change, Shen Ao, who used to be lively and playful.

Today, Shen Ao walked in with his head slightly lowered, seemingly burdened by worries at a young age.

Once fearless, he seemed to have lost all his pride.

"What's up with Ao'Er..."

With a hint of worry in her eyes, this was not the Shen Ao she knew.

Beside her, Shen Ye also turned his head to look at Shen Ao.

"The child went back to Yun'an City at the beginning of the year for family appraisals.

Had some conflict with Shen Han, seemingly due to a difference in strength, and was bullied a bit.

After returning, he became like this."

Hearing this, Su Jinyu couldn't help but show a hint of anger.

"Bullying a cousin five years younger than him? He really is shameless!"

Hearing Shen Ye and Su Jinyu discussing him, Shen Ao quickly interjected.

"He didn't bully me, I just became more mature..."

For such a young Shen Ao to say something so mature, made them both feel a bit of heartache.

"Ao'Er, don't worry, Sister Jinyu will teach him a good lesson and make him apologize to you on the ground~"

As Su Jinyu finished speaking, Shen Ye also took two steps forward and nodded.

"Ao'Er, your path in cultivation was one of arrogance, losing that pride in your heart made your cultivation slow down.

Take this opportunity to break through the shackles in your heart and regain the pride."

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