Chapter 52: Clumsy, Clumsy, Clumsy, Clumsy, Clumsy

Upon hearing Ou Xinya’s words, Ou Jinjue silently cursed that things were not going well. “Ou Xinya, you’re despicable! How could you do such a thing?” Sending Ou Xinlai to Chiyou’s Ancient Cave was as good as sending her to her death.

He knew that his uncle, Ou Chendong, held no fondness for the clan leader, and Ou Xinya, likewise, had no love for Ou Xinlai. But no matter how much they disliked her, playing with someone’s life was unforgivable. “You must have rigged something! Otherwise, how could Ou Xinlai possibly have qualified to enter Chiyou’s Ancient Cave? Ou Xinya, don’t be so pleased with yourself—there’s no way the clan leader will agree to this!”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Jinjue, aren’t you quite close with Xinlai? Why do you look down on her so much? Both you and I have witnessed Xinlai’s abilities with our own eyes. I never expected that although you appear so friendly with her, deep down you actually think so little of her. As for me, I believe she’s quite capable. Why shouldn’t she go to Chiyou’s Ancient Cave?”

Watching Ou Jinjue’s fierce defense of Ou Xinlai, Ou Xinya’s eyes reddened with anger. Ou Jinjue was her own younger brother!

In the past, she had actually thought well of Jinjue; among all the useless wretches of the Ou family, he stood out. Because of his closeness to her, and the persona she’d carefully crafted, all those powerless fools liked her. But for some reason, Jinjue’s attitude changed, and now he was so close to Ou Xinlai!

Hmph, a fool will always be a fool.

Thankfully, she’d never let her father formally acknowledge Ou Jinjue. Otherwise, if he’d been accepted as a son, he’d just end up an ungrateful wretch, bringing shame upon her father for nothing.

Because Ou Jinjue had chosen to side with Ou Xinlai, Ou Xinya bitterly belittled him in her heart, refusing to admit that she was actually jealous of Xinlai’s popularity.

“You—you’re twisting my words. That’s not what I meant at all.” Ou Jinjue’s face flushed with anger at Ou Xinya’s accusation; he certainly didn’t look down on Xinlai. In fact, he believed that Ou Xinlai’s abilities would one day surpass Ou Xinya’s.

However, one has to face reality. At present, Ou Xinlai was still too inexperienced; to venture into Chiyou’s Ancient Cave was simply too dangerous. “Ou Xinlai, I didn’t mean…” Afraid that Ou Xinlai would misunderstand, he hurried to explain.

“Out of my way.” Ou Xinlai glanced at him. Whatever this foolish boy was thinking, everyone could see right through him. Compared to Ou Xinya, Ou Jinjue was far too naïve. No wonder he’d always been played in the palm of Ou Xinya’s hand—how could he ever hope to outwit her?

With a sigh, Ou Xinlai shook her head. This child, she thought, really needed some reforming.

“In any case, thank you. You’ve saved me a great deal of trouble.” Ou Xinlai turned to Ou Xinya, a lazy smile flickering on her lips. Her thanks were light and careless—better not to thank at all.

As expected, Ou Xinlai’s words left Ou Xinya fuming. Even if Xinlai did know a few odd techniques, her meager skills were hardly worth mentioning; entering Chiyou’s Ancient Cave would be a death sentence.

Clearly, Ou Xinlai wouldn’t shed tears until she saw the coffin.

Very well. Even if the cave didn’t claim Xinlai’s life, Ou Xinya would make sure she never returned. “No need to thank me; we’re sisters, after all. When the time comes, I hope you’ll look after me.” There was a cold gleam in Ou Xinya’s eyes, and her smile carried a hint of bloodlust.

Upon learning that Ou Xinya would also be among those going this year, Ou Jinjue grew even more anxious.

In Chiyou’s Ancient Cave, some people formed teams, but many were separated by the ancient formations left behind. Inside, it was every man for himself—a place of ruthless struggle. If Ou Xinya harbored ill intentions toward Ou Xinlai, what if she took her life?

“Of course, of course.” As for Ou Xinya’s schemes, how could Ou Xinlai not know? True, Ou Xinya was more cunning than Ou Jinjue, but compared to Ou Xinlai, she was still lacking. If Ou Xinya hoped to deal with her in Chiyou’s Ancient Cave, it was still uncertain who would end up the victor.

“Hmph.” Ou Xinya snorted coldly, her mind made up. This time, before Ou Xinlai died, she would make her suffer, make her regret ever crossing her.

“Childish! Is your life worth so little, just to spite her?” As soon as Ou Xinya left, Ou Jinjue couldn’t contain himself any longer. “Forget it, I’m not talking to you. I’m going to find the clan leader!” Once Ou Xinlai became stubborn, she was as immovable as an ox; it was better to let the clan leader handle this directly.

She hadn’t even signed up, and even if she had, with her limited abilities, how could she have been chosen? The Ou family was enormous, yet only five could enter Chiyou’s Ancient Cave each time it opened. By any measure, it shouldn’t have been Ou Xinlai’s turn.

“Boy, do you really look down on your own sister?” Ou Xinlai raised a hand and smacked him lightly, her tone unfriendly.

“I’m your brother!” Ou Jinjue protested, nearly jumping with frustration. He was clearly a year older, but for some reason, Ou Xinlai always insisted on being the elder. She called everyone “sister” no matter who she met. “I’m not looking down on you—Ou Xinya is just too scheming. Only five from the Ou family can go each time. Besides you and Ou Xinya, the others are surely on her side.”

“If it were just about ability, you’re smart enough to survive. But if Ou Xinya’s group teams up against you, then who knows what might happen?” Ou Jinjue wasn’t completely dismissive of her.

Judging from their past confrontations, Ou Xinlai had always edged out Ou Xinya. But two fists are no match for four. No matter how skilled Ou Xinlai was, she was still just one person.

“Idiot.” Ou Xinlai shook her head, beginning to suspect that Ou Jinjue was born a little slow-witted.