Chapter 309: Chapter 242: Are You Serious?_2
Conversely, if Liang Lu continued to harbor feelings for Jiang Cheng and ascended the throne according to Taixu Sect’s plan, the outcome would be that Liang Lu would possess both the resources of the Taixu Sect and the royal family. However, because of her fondness for Jiang Cheng, he would indirectly have access to both sets of resources.

Therefore, the answer was clear: letting Liang Lu remain infatuated with Jiang Cheng was the most beneficial outcome for him.

As for harming the interests of the Taixu Sect…

Lin Yao felt no remorse whatsoever.

To her, all Immortal Sects were the same. Only the one that benefited her beloved Jiang was considered worthwhile.

After all, her desire to become the Sect Leader of the Taixu Sect was merely because of their agreement and a stepping stone for her future as Jiang Cheng’s partner.

However…

Lin Yao glanced at Jiang Cheng and then stole a look at Liang Lu.

The method of using her interaction with Jiang Cheng to provoke Liang Lu was simply too inefficient.

If she were Jiang Cheng, the fastest way to tie Liang Lu down would be to find an opportunity to steal her first kiss!

For a traditional female cultivator like Liang Lu, who had a favorable impression of Jiang Cheng, losing her first kiss would basically equate to a lifelong commitment. Even if Jiang Cheng didn’t take the initiative to seek her out, she would have no choice but to follow him.

Unfortunately, Jiang was a man of principles and wouldn’t resort to such brute-force tactics.

But that was also why Jiang was so likable.

At this moment, Jiang Cheng was completely unaware of the drama unfolding in Lin Yao’s mind. His current priority was to quickly free his hands from the “weights” attached to them.

These “weights” were too eye-catching, drawing glances from passersby filled with envy. Moreover, the envy in many of those gazes was already tinged with hostility.

Having one top-grade girlfriend was one thing, but having two was a bit too much, wasn’t it? Wasn’t that like draining the pond to get all the fish, destroying the ecosystem!

Jiang Cheng hurriedly pleaded, “Liang, men and women shouldn’t be too close.”

Liang Lu was aware of this, but she did not want to lose to Lin Yao, so she said, “When Lin Yao lets go, I’ll let go.”

Jiang Cheng had no choice but to first persuade Lin Yao.

“Lin, you let go first.”

“I won’t.”

“You let go first.”

“Won’t.”

Jiang Cheng felt a bit weary and for the last time said, “Junior sister, stop messing around.”

Hearing the tone in Jiang Cheng’s voice, Lin Yao knew he was displeased, so she immediately let go without any hesitation.

Seeing Lin Yao letting go first, Liang Lu then followed suit and released her grip.

With the “weights” gone, Jiang Cheng breathed a huge sigh of relief.

He secretly vowed to learn from this setback and never go shopping with more than one female cultivator again.

In the comprehensive shopping center, Jiang Cheng led Liang Lu and Lin Yao around the Talisman Supplies Store.

After all, the purpose of his trip was to help Liang Lu procure materials for talisman drawing.

Once in the talisman section, Jiang Cheng became more relaxed and chatty.

He occasionally picked up a material to explain its strengths, weaknesses, uses, and taboos—sharing his knowledge of the talisman industry with Liang Lu.

Unfortunately, even though the three of them were shopping for talismans, only Jiang Cheng actually cared about the talismans themselves.

The true intentions of Lin Yao and Liang Lu were far from pure.

The talismans were merely their excuse to get close to Jiang Cheng.

Taking advantage of Jiang Cheng explaining talismans to Liang Lu, Lin Yao transmitted a message to Liang Lu.

Lin Yao: Liang, do you understand what he’s saying?

Liang Lu: I don’t understand, but are you here to learn about talisman knowledge?

Lin Yao: But if you don’t learn about talisman knowledge now, you won’t learn anything else either.

Liang Lu: Hmph, your performance today, Lin, has really opened my eyes. I never thought you would go this far to attract Jiang Cheng. I underestimated you before.

Lin Yao: Liang, please don’t misunderstand, I’m not pretending, I truly like him.

Liang Lu: !!!

“How can this be?”

Liang Lu couldn’t help but blurt out.

She had assumed Lin Yao was intentionally making those exaggerated actions—were they not deliberate?

“Liang, what’s the matter?” Jiang Cheng asked, concerned by the sudden change in Liang Lu’s expression.

“It’s nothing.”

Liang Lu answered evasively. No matter how she competed with Lin Yao, it was an internal affair of the Taixu Sect, something she couldn’t reveal too much to Jiang Cheng about.

“Did you pay attention to what I was saying just now? Do you know what function this Talisman Brush has, Liang?” Jiang Cheng conducted an on-the-spot homework check.

“I… I don’t know…”

Liang Lu lowered her head in shame. It was the first time she had been caught not paying attention in class and she was mortified.

Jiang Cheng spoke in a gentle tone, patiently saying, “It’s all right, I’ll repeat it one more time, but this time you need to remember it.”

“Mm.”

This time Liang Lu listened carefully, even if Lin Yao tried to provoke her again, she pretended not to hear.

When Jiang Cheng finished speaking, Liang Lu breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that finally it was over. She had no interest in talismans, and her visit to the mall today was entirely Li Qingge’s idea.

Then, at the right moment, Lin Yao fanned the flames, “Liang, you remembered the points about the Talisman Brush, but did you remember the points about the Talisman Paper?”

Liang Lu became furious: “Lin Yao, you’re lacking in Martial Virtue!”

But Jiang Cheng took it seriously and asked, frowning, “Liang, did you remember? I just went over it.”

“I… I…”

Liang Lu couldn’t answer.

She bit her lip, feeling utterly humiliated.

Being unable to answer a question might be normal for most people, but for someone like Liang Lu, who had been a good student all her life, it was a new and utterly shameful experience.

Fortunately, Jiang Cheng was very patient and took Liang Lu through a review of talismans from the beginning.

Jiang Cheng’s patient and gentle demeanor made a deep impression on Liang Lu, almost refreshing her image of him in her mind once again.

Aided by the embarrassment of not knowing the answers, Liang Lu’s fondness for Jiang Cheng reached its peak, and her heart raced unabashedly.

It was as if he was rapidly gaining favorability while simultaneously playing a card that doubled her experience points.

It was foreseeable that Jiang Cheng would find it very difficult to be erased from Liang Lu’s heart in the future.

And this was precisely the effect that Lin Yao wanted.

“You think you’re so proud, Liang Lu? Well, I’ll give you a couple of sweet dates first, making you fall for Jiang Cheng. And when you’re too entangled to pull away, I’ll let you know that I, Lin Yao, am the one Jiang Cheng truly favors! Whether you get into the Jiang Family or not depends on my word.”

“In the future, if you want to get close to Jiang Cheng, you’ll have to acknowledge me as your sister. In front of your ‘sister,’ let’s see how proud you can be!”

Seeing Jiang Cheng teaching Liang Lu how to hold the Talisman Brush, Lin Yao stirred the pot again, “Shallow learning from mere words will never suffice. Jiang, you’re always explaining; how can she learn this way? Why not teach her to draw a talisman by taking her hand? This way, it would be easier for her to remember.”

Hand to hand?

Liang Lu was startled!

Jiang Cheng wasn’t as overthinking as Lin Yao; he thought she was making a helpful suggestion, as it really made sense.

Still, he wanted to consult Liang Lu’s opinion: “Liang, would you be okay with that?”

Liang Lu showed hesitation.

Even though she had hugged Jiang Cheng’s arm before, that was through his clothes; now, a direct teaching by hand involved direct skin contact…

Seeing the expression on Liang Lu’s face, Lin Yao sneered.

“I know what you’re concerned about, so stop struggling, Liang. You can’t beat me. Call me ‘sister’ sweetly from now on; for Jiang’s sake, I won’t treat you badly.”

Having concluded her scheming, Lin Yao sent a message directly to Liang Lu: “Liang, if you don’t want to learn to draw talismans, then I will.”

Upon hearing Lin Yao’s words, Liang Lu hesitated no more.

But she had no idea that her lack of hesitation was exactly what Lin Yao was aiming for.

“Is it just touching hands? I, of course, can accept that,” Liang Lu said.

Jiang Cheng nodded, not hesitating, and reached out to wrap his hand around the back of Liang Lu’s right hand, teaching her how to hold the brush and draw talismans.

With her right hand held in Jiang Cheng’s, the delicate touch made her entire body numb.

Because of the close position, Jiang Cheng’s breath was also very near her ear, possibly blowing right against it.

Liang Lu was in utter disarray.

She had never experienced anything like this before.

“Liang, your hand is shaking,” said Jiang Cheng, “Your face is so red; are you running a fever?”

“I… I’m fine. It’s nothing,” Liang Lu muttered with her head down, trying to conceal her flushed cheeks.

At this point, Lin Yao finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After today’s ordeal, Liang Lu was basically caught in the net.

Compared to the power of the Taixu Sect and the royal family that Liang Lu represented, Lin Yao was looking forward more to the day when Liang Lu would soften and humbly call her “sister.”

What good is a high princess? To enter the Jiang family, she would need Lin Yao’s approval.