Chapter 55 The Matchmaking Pavilion Faces Its Greatest Threat

Tang Hui should have known the public demonstration would become a disaster.

Not because of the demonstration itself.

Because cultivators were involved.

And cultivators possessed a supernatural ability to transform ordinary situations into emotional catastrophes.

By sunset, the central gathering terrace of Qingyun Sect had become packed.

Far more packed than necessary.

The official explanation claimed everyone wished to observe the Matchmaking Pavilion’s methods.

Tang Hui knew the truth.

They wanted entertainment.

Traitors.

Every single one.

The large moon-viewing plaza overlooking the eastern cloud valleys glowed beneath hundreds of floating lanterns. Disciples from multiple sects crowded the stone terraces while elders occupied elevated viewing platforms nearby.

The atmosphere felt suspiciously festive.

Tang Hui disliked that immediately.

“This is too many people.”

Lin Qingyue stood beside her near the preparation area.

“Probably.”

“There are elders.”

“Definitely.”

“There are visiting elders.”

“Also true.”

Tang Hui pointed toward the gathering.

“This was supposed to be educational.”

Lin Qingyue smiled.

“That’s what everyone is saying.”

Tang Hui narrowed her eyes.

“…And?”

“No one believes it.”

Correct.

Across the plaza, Luo Ming and Qin Yue assisted with event coordination while sect attendants prepared seating arrangements.

Even they looked slightly concerned by the turnout.

Which meant the situation was worse than expected.

Meanwhile, Su Yan appeared entirely delighted.

Naturally.

The menace himself stood near the Northern Sword Sect delegation looking as though this gathering represented the greatest gift fate had ever provided him.

Tang Hui considered banning him from Qingyun Sect.

Temporarily.

Maybe permanently.

Before she could continue planning disciplinary measures, Elder Shen approached the preparation area.

The surrounding disciples straightened instinctively.

Tang Hui followed several seconds later.

The elder surveyed the packed terraces calmly.

Then looked toward her.

“Nervous?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

Tang Hui blinked.

“…Good?”

“It means you care about doing well.”

Cruel answer.

Reasonable answer.

Still cruel.

The elder’s expression softened slightly.

“The demonstration isn’t a test.”

Tang Hui looked toward the crowd.

“Feels like one.”

“Perhaps.”

Not reassuring.

Not reassuring at all.

Before the conversation could continue further, a sect attendant hurried toward them carrying finalized event records.

“The volunteers are ready.”

Ah.

Right.

The volunteers.

Tang Hui almost forgot.

The elders decided the demonstration would use real interpersonal disputes submitted anonymously during the gathering.

Several volunteers would present the situations.

Tang Hui would analyze them publicly.

Simple concept.

Terrifying execution.

Especially because hundreds of people planned to watch.

Wonderful.

Absolutely wonderful.

As twilight deepened across the mountain peaks, the event officially began.

The crowd settled gradually while lanterns illuminated the central platform overlooking the cloud valleys below.

Tang Hui stood near the stage entrance while sect instructors introduced the purpose of the gathering.

Words like:

* understanding,
* communication,
* harmony,

echoed across the plaza.

All very noble.

Tang Hui remained unconvinced.

Eventually, Elder Shen stepped forward.

The crowd quieted immediately.

“The Matchmaking Pavilion began as a simple idea,” the elder said calmly.

Tang Hui immediately distrusted this introduction.

Several hundred disciples watched attentively.

“The desire to help people understand one another better.”

The elder’s gaze drifted briefly toward Tang Hui.

“And despite unusual beginnings, it has improved countless lives within Qingyun Sect.”

Ah.

Dangerous.

Tang Hui suddenly felt awkward.

Praise remained deeply suspicious.

The elder continued only briefly before inviting her onto the central platform.

The crowd applauded.

Traitors.

Tang Hui walked onto the stage beneath floating lantern light while resisting the urge to retreat.

The mountain breeze carried cool air across the terraces.

Beautiful scenery.

Terrifying audience.

She stopped at the center platform and looked out.

Far too many people.

Definitely too many.

Then, unexpectedly—

she spotted familiar faces.

Outer disciples.

Regular pavilion visitors.

People she helped over the past months.

Some waved.

Others smiled.

A few looked genuinely proud.

The nervousness eased slightly.

Just slightly.

Ah.

Dangerous emotion again.

Before Tang Hui could dwell on it, the first volunteer approached.

A young disciple from a neighboring sect.

Nervous.

Embarrassed.

Human.

Good.

Human problems remained manageable.

The volunteer explained the situation:

He liked someone.

They liked him.

Neither confessed.

Both assumed rejection.

Several months passed.

Nothing happened.

Tang Hui stared.

The crowd laughed immediately.

The disciple looked mortified.

Tang Hui sighed.

“This isn’t a relationship problem.”

The volunteer blinked.

“…It isn’t?”

“It’s a courage problem.”

The crowd erupted.

Even several elders looked amused.

The demonstration had begun.

And surprisingly—

it worked.

One case after another followed.

Misunderstandings.

Pride.

Fear.

Communication failures.

The same emotional patterns appeared repeatedly regardless of sect.

Tang Hui guided discussions naturally.

Asked questions.

Identified hidden issues.

Explained solutions.

And gradually—

the crowd stopped watching for entertainment.

They started listening.

Actually listening.

The realization hit unexpectedly.

People weren’t laughing at the volunteers.

They were recognizing themselves.

Ah.

That was the point.

For the next hour, the atmosphere shifted steadily.

Lighter.

Warmer.

More honest.

Exactly what the pavilion always tried to create.

Tang Hui didn’t notice the change immediately.

Only later.

When the final scheduled volunteer stepped away and applause spread naturally through the gathering.

Not loud.

Not dramatic.

Sincere.

The realization settled quietly in her chest.

The pavilion really mattered now.

Not just to her.

To other people.

The thought felt strangely overwhelming.

Then—

disaster arrived.

Naturally.

Because peace never lasted long in cultivation novels.

As Elder Shen prepared to conclude the event, Su Yan stood.

Ah.

No.

Absolutely not.

The crowd immediately became interested again.

The menace walked calmly toward the central platform while looking entirely too pleased with himself.

Tang Hui felt impending catastrophe spiritually.

“Senior Brother Su,” she said cautiously.

“Senior Sister Tang.”

His smile widened.

Danger confirmed.

The entire plaza watched attentively.

Even Gu Beichen, seated among the Qingyun representatives, looked immediately suspicious.

Good instincts.

Su Yan reached the stage.

Then bowed politely toward Elder Shen.

“May I ask one final question?”

The elder hesitated.

Tang Hui internally screamed.

Then Elder Shen nodded.

Traitor.

Absolute traitor.

Su Yan turned toward the crowd.

Then toward Tang Hui.

And asked:

“If a matchmaker understands everyone else’s heart…”

The entire plaza grew silent.

Dangerously silent.

Su Yan’s smile became infuriatingly gentle.

“…how long does it take before she understands her own?”

Dead silence.

Absolute devastating silence.

The world stopped.

The crowd stopped breathing.

Luo Ming physically covered his face.

Qin Yue closed her eyes.

Lin Qingyue nearly fell out of her chair.

And across the plaza—

Gu Beichen stood up.