The Scorned Heiress's Hidden Empire (by Jade Quinn) novel Chapter 138

Chapter 138

Her steady breathing, the loose yet grounded posture of her shoulders and hips, and the restrained energy. these weren’t qualities you’d see in a rookie.

No beginner could ever achieve this.

This was something honed through years upon years of relentless practice.

His hand started to tremble, not out of fear, but because he suddenly realized something.

‘Looks like I totally got it wrong about her,‘ he thought to himself.

Annabelle looked genuinely surprised. ‘I can’t believe I actually know how to do martial arts, she thought to herself.

As Natalie moved faster, it wasn’t frantic or hurried, her speed was fluid and seamless, like water flowing naturally.

It was as if an invisible thread was pulling her along; every turn was smooth and effortless, and each burst of power landed with perfect precision, never too much or too little.

When Natalie performed the “Swinging the Lute” move, Annabelle’s pupils contracted sharply in shock.

She’d

spent three years practicing this move, convinced she had mastered it to perfection.

But Natalie’s hands had a subtle twist Annabelle had never seen before.

The arcs Natalie’s hands traced were smoother, more continuous, and carried something mysterious she couldn’t quite describe.

Annabelle couldn’t figure out what it was, but she knew deep down, this was how “Swinging the Lute was truly meant to look.

When Natalie started the “Cloud Hands” move, Annabelle’s confusion grew even stronger.

She couldn’t figure it out. This wasn’t the twenty–four forms she was used to, not the routine she’d learned at all.

In that “Cloud Hands” sequence, Natalie’s hands seemed to hold two clouds, floating weightlessly, yet carrying a surprising heaviness.

It wasn’t just her hands moving; it was the energy flowing, as if the energy itself was alive.

Suddenly, Annabelle remembered something the teachers at the Serenity Sect used to say

“Martial arts has been around for centuries, but all most people learn now are the outer forms. They’ve lost the true spirit. Real martial arts goes beyond the movements; it’s all about the intent within.”

Back then, she hadn’t really gotten it. But now, it finally clicked.

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Chapter 138

Still, part of her wished she could go back to being clueless, at least, not right now.

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It finally hit Annabelle what Natalie meant when she said, “Watch carefully, you’ll only see this once.”

Finally, Natalie brought her hands down gracefully, returning to the ending stance.

The people in the hall were still lost in the moment for a couple of seconds before they snapped out of it and broke into thunderous applause.

“Wow, Miss Mitchell is incredible! I don’t really get martial arts, but that was just awesome to watch!”

“Totally! She really nailed that martial arts feel!”

“Did

you see Owen’s face just now?”

“Man, Owen… he was just saying her foundation was so–so and she’d never amount to much. Looks like he’s eating his words now!”

Owen looked pretty awkward, his face tense as he tried to calm himself with a deep breath.

He shot a glance at Natalie, then at the guests filling the hall, his mind racing, trying to figure out what to do

next.

‘Damn, she really does know martial arts, Owen thought. ‘But I already shot my mouth off. If I backtrack now, I’ll look like a fool, and worse, I’ll make the Serenity Sect look bad.

‘No way!‘ Owen thought, his pride refusing to let him back down now.

He’d spent decades in the Serenity Sect, always treated with respect wherever he went. If he admitted he’d misjudged Natalie in front of all these people, how could he ever show his face in Harbor City again?

And if the inner elders caught wind of this, he’d definitely be punished!

But if he kept denying it…

J

Her routine was right there for everyone to see. Even people who knew nothing about martial arts could tell she looked like the real deal.

Owen took a deep breath, and suddenly, a flash of inspiration hit him.

‘Rogue Sect!‘ Owen thought to himself.

‘That’s right, she’s from a Rogue Sect!

‘Doesn’t matter how good they are, if they’re not from the Serenity Sect, they’re just outsiders, Owen’s mind raced.

‘People from those Rogue Sects, they’re just not the same as us in the Serenity Sect

He cleared his throat and managed a strained smile.

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“Miss Mitchell, your form was indeed well executed. However…”

He paused, his tone laced with superiority.

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“No matter how good outsider styles are, they’re still nothing like the true tradition of the Serenity Sect

“If you’re interested, Miss Mitchell, I could teach you a few proper techniques from the orthodox lineage”

Owen gave Annabelle a look that said it all, and she immediately got the message.

Her heart skipped a beat.

‘Mr. Cooper wants me to back him up, to say Natalie’s style is just some rogue sect stuff, not the real Serenity Sect tradition,‘ Annabelle thought.

Her heart twisted with conflict. She knew it was wrong to go along with this. Even though she couldn’t make sense of all the changes in Natalie’s routine just now.

But she could see it clear as day. Natalie was better than her master, better than anyone else she’d ever watched in the Serenity Sect.

But the way Owen looked at her made it clear, she had no choice. Annabelle dropped her gaze and bit her lip. feeling torn inside.

Annabelle didn’t like Natalie.

She hadn’t liked her since their first meeting at the mall.

That aloof, calm demeanor Natalie had, like she looked down on everyone, always made Annabelle uncomfortable.

She wasn’t like Isabelle. She wasn’t into petty drama or backstabbing.

But she just couldn’t stand Natalie, and now that Owen wanted her to go along with him, she finally had a way to vent those feelings.

Besides, Owen was doing this for the Serenity Sect. She couldn’t let the sect lose face!

With that thought, Annabelle felt a surge of confidence. She lifted her chin and stared straight at Natalie

“Master’s right. Here in the Serenity Sect, we value tradition and proper lineage. No matter how skilled outsiders are, they’re still not part of the real thing. They just can’t compare to the true legacy. Annabelle sand firmly.

She spoke with conviction. “If you’re interested, Miss Mitchell, you can pick up a few moves from my master But joining the Serenity Sect? That’s not happening. Our rules are clear, we don’t accept outsiders as disciples. period.”

Some folks nearby started murmuring under their breath.

“Why is Miss Young acting all passive–aggressive?”

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