Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 168 Xie Jue

Chapter 168: Chapter 168 Xie Jue

Fang Chuning casually twirled his sword in a graceful arc and sheathed it, the silver-white blade with its golden accents swallowed by the scabbard that concealed its deadly aura. "Commander Lin, such bold words—has this matter now fallen under the jurisdiction of the Forbidden Army?"

"Matters within the Imperial City are all managed by the Forbidden Army." Lin Cheng smiled faintly. "We merely ask the Second Young Master to visit the Forbidden Army’s prison. We wouldn’t dare make things difficult for him. Junior General Fang, please don’t make things difficult for me either."

Fang Chuning asked with elegance, "And what if I insist on making things difficult?"

Lin Cheng faltered, and that single sentence drew him back into memories of those years at the Imperial College, where he had been ostracized.

They were of similar age and had both studied at the Imperial College. Fang Chuning was the very type of young noble from the Capital City’s eminent families that people loathed the most.

He was mischievous and unruly, constantly stirring up trouble, teasing classmates, and even playing tricks on the tutors. While others burned the midnight oil, studying tirelessly, he would sleep drunkenly under the tree branches, attracting bees and butterflies. With his half-hearted attitude, he should have been at the bottom of the rankings in the Imperial College’s exam on the Six Arts, yet somehow he consistently hovered between second and first place. Except for Xie Jue, no one could surpass him.

This kind of universally disliked student should have been alienated, yet Fang Chuning was the center of attention, adored by all the noble youths. During his years dominating the Imperial College, Marshal Fang received innumerable complaint letters from the heads of the noble families, begging him to discipline his son and ensure he wouldn’t lead others astray.

Fang Chuning had a vast network of friends, and now, among the second-generation rulers of noble families, nearly all were his close confidants. Lin Cheng, Fang Chuning, and Xie Jue had been of the same grade in the Imperial College, yet Lin Cheng found it impossible to integrate into Fang Chuning’s social circle. Fang Chuning was friendly with everyone—except him, toward whom he harbored not a shred of kindness. Lin Cheng could never figure out why.

Years later, he heard the truth from others: it was all because of one incident during horse and archery practice, where he had mocked Xie Jue.

The Second Young Master Xie, at a mere age of one, had suffered a severe cold that almost claimed his life. His recovery left his body frail, and despite years of nurturing, he had missed the prime age for martial training. His skills in horseback riding and archery paled in comparison to his father, brothers, and younger siblings. During his initial years at the Imperial College, he was perpetually at the bottom of the rankings.

In the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion, prowess in battle was a given. From the Old Marquis Zhenbei to the younger generation, they were born robust and were naturally gifted in both civil and martial disciplines. Xie Jue, however, was the exception. Between the ages of six and eight, he was constantly ridiculed as a "cripple" and a disgrace to the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion. In the Capital City, noble youths who struggled with martial arts were usually mocked, but Xie Jue—born into a family of loyal warriors and legendary heroes—faced even harsher scorn.

What made matters worse was his half-Sannan bloodline, which set him apart from the pure-blooded noble offspring of the Capital City.

Lin Cheng, driven by youthful arrogance and pride, challenged Xie Zhang in archery and swordsmanship, only to be thoroughly defeated.

Xie Zhang’s fame eclipsed that of all other noble sons. His reputation was universally acknowledged, his character, appearance, knowledge, and demeanor without flaw. Lin Cheng, consumed by resentment, vented his frustration on Xie Jue, going so far as to mock him as a useless "cripple" to his face.

After finishing last in an examination, Xie Jue had stayed behind at the archery field to practice alone. Lin Cheng mocked him there, deliberately breaking his bow and arrows. The incident had left no witnesses, and Lin Cheng had blamed Xie Jue for tattling.

Fang Chuning disliked someone? That person’s chances of forming connections with the noble youths were effectively severed. Everyone deferred to Fang Chuning, who naturally became the leader among the elite noble offspring. This group, now the second-generation rulers of noble families, remained close-knit, leaving Lin Cheng an outlier.

In simple terms, just because Lin Cheng had mocked and kicked Xie Jue’s belongings, Fang Chuning had made him a social pariah.

Among the second-generation rulers of noble families, not a single friend was counted under Lin Cheng’s name.

Lin Cheng never understood why Fang Chuning detested him. He had gone to great lengths to curry favor, yet Fang Chuning remained unmoved, spending all his time in the company of Xie Jue. Fang Chuning was the shepherd of noble youths, leading them—and they followed him—to revolve around Xie Jue.

During his youth, Lin Cheng had felt wronged, hated, enraged, and deeply frustrated, unable to grasp what he had done to offend Fang Chuning. In his anger, he impulsively confronted Fang Chuning directly.

Fang Chuning had replied, "I hate you. No reason needed."

Lin Cheng had nearly exploded with fury, yet he dared not act out. Fortunately, this torment had ended when they turned fourteen; Fang Chuning and Xie Jue both left for the Ningzhou Battlefield.

Even after Fang Chuning’s departure, the noble youths still didn’t forge close bonds with Lin Cheng. It wasn’t until a flower-viewing banquet that Lin Cheng finally learned the real reason behind Fang Chuning’s dislike.

That night, Lin Cheng was livid.

Did he hate Fang Chuning?

No—he hated Xie Jue even more!

Fang Chuning had protected Xie Jue to the extent that Lin Cheng offended others because of Xie Jue, yet remained unaware of it. If not for someone drunkenly spilling the truth at the banquet, Lin Cheng might have been kept in the dark forever.

Now, the same scenario was playing out once more.

Fifteen years ago, Lin Cheng had mocked a young Xie Jue who couldn’t draw a bowstring. Now, Xie Jue stood atop an unreachable peak, with Lin Cheng daring not to utter a single word of disrespect.

Fang Chuning was still protecting him like he had fifteen years ago.

"Fang Chuning, this is the Capital City, not Ningzhou. And I am the head of the Forbidden Army. You killed the Beiman envoy; by law, you must be taken in for interrogation. Even if Marquis Zhenbei comes, he must enter the Forbidden Army’s prison!" Lin Cheng, tormented by his memories, had lost all semblance of composure, his irritation peaking.

Because of Xie Jue, he had been ostracized by the noble families. Who among the noble offspring didn’t have close-knit brothers bound by shared childhoods? Like Marquis Zhenbei and Marshal Fang, Xie Zhang and Lin Helin, even the likes of Lin Xiao and Zhang Boxin, Zhou Liyu—they might squabble, but their ties remained unbreakable.

Why!

Could Fang Chuning protect Xie Jue for a lifetime?

"Ah, Commander Lin, such airs of authority." Fang Chuning’s smile faded. When he smiled, his fox-like eyes made him look like a roguish nobleman; when his expression hardened, his entire demeanor changed, radiating an aura of deadly intent—a true reaper, slaying gods and demons alike.

Fang Chuning thumbed his longsword’s hilt, pulling the blade just slightly out of its scabbard, revealing a flash of chilling steel. "Commander Lin, a few Beiman men—so what if we killed them? Do you think it’s your place to enforce the law here? If you wish to plead justice for the Beiman, I can give you a one-way trip to the underworld to discuss it with them properly."

Lin Cheng and the Forbidden Army behind him took on defensive stances as if facing a deadly foe. Xie Jue raised his hand, pressing down on Fang Chuning’s sword hilt, the flash of steel retreating back into the scabbard. Fang Chuning arched a brow, looking at Xie Jue and once again smirking like a fox.

"Ting Feng, this man is so annoying—forcing me to lose my temper!" His tone grew soft, almost playful, as though whining—a villain shamelessly playing innocent.

Xie Jue seemed accustomed to it, remaining calm and composed.

Lin Cheng, too, was stunned by Fang Chuning’s brazen display and turned instead to Xie Jue. "Second Young Master, the death of the Beiman must be accounted for. Please come with me; tomorrow marks the day of the peace talks. Let’s not waste any more time here."

Xie Jue removed the wine flask hanging by his waist and handed it to Fang Chuning. Fang Chuning understood immediately—Second Young Master wanted him to hold his tongue. He stepped back, casually turning the flask in his hands, the faint pain from the fine scar at his waist reminding him of his injury. Unable to resist temptation, he tilted his head back and took a drink.

Xie Jue said, "I killed the Beiman. There’s no need for explanations to anyone."

Lin Cheng’s face darkened as fury consumed him. He particularly hated Xie Jue’s tranquil, unflappable demeanor, as though everything was under his control. "You killed the Beiman envoy—what about tomorrow’s peace talks?"