Chapter 13: The Distraught Chu Ruyan

Hearing the voice, Chu Li turned around—and couldn’t help but be stunned.

Standing behind him was someone equally suspicious-looking: wearing a bamboo hat and dressed in black. Anyone who didn’t know better might think they were together.

But unlike the visibly leaner Chu Li, this figure was unusually tall and broad—almost as big as that pig demon he had fought before, easily standing over two meters tall.

Such a towering figure was rare even in the Martial Academy, so there was no mistaking who it was.

“Jiang Ying? It really has been a long time.”

“About three months, right? I haven’t seen you since the last tournament. Did you go on a demon-slaying mission?”

Chu Li asked in a friendly tone. Hearing this, Jiang Ying simply nodded vaguely.

“Mm… something like that.”

“I see.”

Faced with that answer, Chu Li didn’t press further.

Within the Martial Academy, both Chu Li and Jiang Ying were known for being mysterious.

Chu Li did so to keep his identity as the Chu family’s eldest son a secret, often wearing a bamboo hat. But Jiang Ying was even more enigmatic.

At least Chu Li occasionally showed his face—but Jiang Ying never did, even skipping the academy’s internal competitions to avoid revealing it.

Yet despite this, Jiang Ying still held the top record for demon-slaying accomplishments in the entire academy—so no one dared question it.

Tall, mysterious, and always silent, Jiang Ying had almost no close friends.

But Chu Li was an exception.

Maybe it was because they both had secrets, or perhaps out of shared sympathy; Jiang Ying would often start conversations with Chu Li. Over time, they had become familiar with each other.

Thanks to this, Chu Li had faintly noticed a few of Jiang Ying’s little secrets.

Lightly sniffing the air, Chu Li understood.

“Just as I thought… though very faint, there’s a subtle fragrance coming from Jiang Ying.”

“Such a large build, yet always so thoroughly wrapped up, and that deliberately muffled voice…”

“This person… is probably a woman, isn’t she?”

Realizing this, Chu Li didn’t say much more—he could even understand Jiang Ying.

After all, women with such a physique were rare; it was inevitable they’d attract gossip, and traveling the martial world like that wouldn’t be convenient.

Instead of that, it was better to disguise oneself a little, treat each other like brothers, and still be able to talk openly.

“Chu Li, your health seems to have worsened.”

“You noticed? Haha, yes, it has. That’s why I came back this time—to ask the deputy dean for some pills.”

Chu Li was briefly surprised but then gave a warm smile, as if it didn’t bother him at all.

Seeing this, Jiang Ying hesitated for a moment but didn’t ask further, changing the subject instead.

The two continued chatting as they walked, almost reaching the inner courtyard.

But just then, noise erupted outside, and before long, a stunning young woman led a large entourage into the Martial Academy.

It was none other than the Chu family’s second daughter, Chu Ruyan!

“Wait—Chu Li!”

“Hm?”

Turning around to see Chu Ruyan, who had hurried over from who-knows-where, Chu Li’s brow instantly furrowed.

Yet the surrounding Martial Academy students reacted completely differently: when they saw Chu Ruyan approaching, many of them were instantly dazed, and some even let out cries of amazement.

Which was only natural—Chu Li’s looks came from his mother, and even Nangong Shi would blush slightly seeing him; how could his younger sister Chu Ruyan, born of the same mother, be any less beautiful?

In fact, several years ago, Chu Ruyan was already known as one of the great beauties of the imperial capital. Unlike their eldest sister Chu Wanling, Chu Ruyan had a gentle, scholarly air, appearing delicate and soft.

Compared to the cold beauty Chu Wanling, she seemed to have an extra touch of feminine charm.

“My goodness, who is that?”

“She’s stunning! I heard the most beautiful woman in the capital is the current Imperial Princess—could it be her?”

“Impossible! Why would the princess come to the Martial Academy?”

The nearby students whispered and buzzed with excitement—but Chu Li’s gaze had turned icy cold.

Why had Chu Ruyan appeared here?

Chu Li had never told anyone in the Chu family that he had entered the Imperial Martial Academy; even within the academy, he always wore a bamboo hat.

Yet now Chu Ruyan had shown up here—what did that mean?

“So… I was being watched by my own family all along. Hmph.”

Thinking of this, Chu Li let out a cold laugh.

At that moment, many martial instructors from the academy stepped forward, led by an elderly man with white hair who moved to block Chu Ruyan’s path.

It was none other than the Deputy Dean of the Imperial Capital Martial Academy: Bai Bo!

“Young lady, this is the Imperial Capital Martial Academy. Please do not trespass!”

Bai Bo spoke sternly, and a powerful aura rose from him, instantly suppressing everyone’s momentum.

Seeing this, Chu Ruyan halted, her anxious gaze turning to Bai Bo as she quickly explained her purpose.

“No, sir, I’m not trespassing! I just want to bring my younger brother home!”

“Younger brother?”

“Yes. I am Chu Ruyan of the Chu family, and I am Chu Li’s biological sister.”

As she said this, Chu Ruyan reached out to point toward Chu Li at the back. Bai Bo’s expression didn’t change at all; he merely raised his brows slightly.

“Oh? The Chu family?”

“That’s right.”

“In that case, I need to ask properly.”

Bai Bo turned to look at Chu Li, who was dressed in a straw raincoat, wearing patched-up clothes that were even worse than those of an ordinary commoner.

“Chu Li.”

“Student present.”

“This woman claims to be your elder sister. Is that true?”

Bai Bo asked sternly, clearly showing he didn’t believe Chu Ruyan—and had no intention of letting her pass so easily.

And the reason was simple.

The Martial Academy itself had always stood somewhat opposed to the great noble families. In the past, there had been cases where highly talented Martial Academy students were tricked by noble families and met their end outside.

Now, suddenly, a woman appeared claiming to be Chu Li’s sister—how could Bai Bo not be cautious?

And besides, the excuse sounded almost laughable.

Others might not know, but how could Bai Bo be unaware of a student as outstanding as Chu Li?

Speaking of Chu Li, he was famously frugal within the academy. In all these years, no one had seen him wear good clothes even once.

For the sake of cultivation resources that those great clans wouldn’t even look at, he never missed a single academy tournament!

Even when his health was so poor that he coughed up blood just walking, he still gritted his teeth and fought. His determination moved even many teachers, making him an icon and inspiration for countless students from struggling backgrounds in the Martial Academy.

Such a student, and you tell me he’s from the Chu family?

What a ridiculous joke!

“Chu Li, is this woman your sister?”

Looking at the frail young man, Bai Bo asked once again. Upon hearing this, Chu Li immediately shook his head.

“I don’t know her.”

“What? Chu Li, how can you say that!?”

Hearing those words, Chu Ruyan was deeply shaken. Her eyes widened in shock.

But Chu Li simply smiled.

How could I say that? And what did you all say about me before?

Trash, ruthless, scheming, deserves to die—weren’t those your words? And now you ask me why I say this?

Besides, what’s the point of recognizing each other now? He had already left the Chu family and didn’t want to be entangled with them anymore.

Thinking this, Chu Li shook his head, turned around silently, and walked away.

“Wait! Chu Li, Chu Li!”

Chu Ruyan still tried to chase after him—but a hand suddenly appeared in front of her, belonging to Bai Bo.

“Heh… Miss Chu of the Chu family, it seems that our academy’s student Chu Li doesn’t know you.”

“I must ask you to leave immediately!”