Chapter 29: Demanding Answers from Su Cheng
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After Dongfang Jue, the first to stick his neck out, got beaten, the others behind him clearly became much more docile!
After all, a dozen prodigies were already sprawled beside Dongfang Jue…
But being the protagonist, Dongfang Jue was built like a tank!
Ye Qinghan watched Dongfang Jue struggling to rise and relayed a message to Xu Zhanfeng.
"She's coming out with me. Got it?"
Xu Zhanfeng nodded repeatedly, plastering a forced smile on his face as he accompanied Ye Qinghan.
"Got it, got it! Rest assured, Madam! She won't be getting up before you leave!"
Xu Zhanfeng delivered a kick, carefully calibrated to ensure she wouldn't die—not too much, not too little, just right~
A long queue formed before the secret realm's gates. Xu Zhanfeng collected tolls from each person. Those truly destitute even had to return home to scavenge, hoping to find more monsters to slay…
For the weaker cultivators behind them, Ye Qinghan simply collected the money. After all, she didn't have the time to linger in the secret realm forever. She decided to take Shi Yao out instead.
If anyone understood the situation, it was Shiyu!
Though she hadn't snagged any treasures following Ye Qinghan along the way, she'd managed to scoop up every rare natural treasure in sight.
"Siyu, you don't have to."
"Is that okay?"
Shi Yao tilted her little head, seemingly convinced that rules were rules.
After following Sister Qinghan for so long, she knew that even prodigies like herself were no match for her. If Sister Qinghan caught them, she'd hammer them into submission. No prodigy stood a chance against her!
"After gathering so much, a few trifles from Shiyao won't make a difference."
"You go ahead." Ye Qinghan wasn't in a hurry. After all, Xu Zhanfeng was still by her side, so she decided to send Li Shiyu off first.
Shiyao glanced back at the two men. Though reluctant to leave, Sister Qinghan had spoken—it should be fine.
Once Shiyu was gone, Ye Qinghan spoke slowly.
"Xu Zhanfeng, I can let you go."
Xu Zhanfeng knelt on the ground, banging his head against it like a drum—thump, thump, thump!
"Thank you, Madam!"
"Don't thank me just yet. Hear me out first." Ye Qinghan looked exasperated but made no move to stop him.
"Auntie, please speak."
"Once you're out, I won't have time to keep tabs on you every day. But… if you make me regret letting you go, I'll make sure you beg me to kill you."
Throughout this speech, Ye Qinghan maintained a gentle smile, radiating the grace and composure befitting a lady of refinement.
Xu Zhanfeng, however, was not feeling so comfortable. His already battered skin was now covered in cold sweat…
"Your kindness is immeasurable, Madam. Zhanfeng will never betray the favor you show me today."
Ye Qinghan pointed at Dongfang Jue, who was barely clinging to life nearby, and said matter-of-factly, "It doesn't matter. Take that dead dog over there with you."
This was a gift for Cheng Liang—she couldn't let Dongfang Jue harm her master!
Otherwise, Ye Qinghan would never have allowed Shangguan Rou to leave this secret realm alive.
Meanwhile, Su Cheng was already surrounded by a crowd of cultivators—all unlucky souls who'd been robbed within the secret realm.
Surprisingly, someone stepped forward to speak for Su Cheng.
It was Li Shiyao, now standing before the crowd, shielding Su Cheng behind her.
But she did all this solely for her sister Qinghan, unwilling to see Ye Qinghan suffer at Su Cheng's hands once she returned to the Lingfrost Hall.
"So you're saying my disciple robbed you in the secret realm?"
Su Cheng found it hard to believe. "How could that be possible? Miss Shiyu, are they telling the truth? Did Qinghan rob you too?"
Shiyao hesitated for a moment before shaking her head.
"They're telling the truth, but Sister Qinghan didn't take anything from Shiyao."
"Impossible! Qinghan isn't that kind of person!"
Su Cheng looked utterly bewildered. How could Qinghan do such a thing?
By all accounts, Qinghan's campaigns left no trace of life in their wake! How could anyone survive to make such accusations? This was utterly bizarre!
"Impossible? You owe us an explanation today!"
"Right! We demand answers today!"
"That disciple of yours was born of the Demon Clan—demonic nature is inherently evil!"
Over twenty people surrounded Su Cheng, loudly voicing their grievances as if awaiting him to deliver justice.
Of course, this wasn't everyone. The vast majority, fearing Ye Qinghan's retribution, chose to stand at a distance and watch the situation unfold.
After all, the annihilation of Pingyun Sect was still fresh in everyone's minds. Who wouldn't fear Ye Qinghan, that living demon king?
Yet those who had entered the secret realm were the hopes of their sects. Expecting everyone to turn a blind eye was impossible.
Su Cheng glanced at the elders and clan heads behind him, all wearing expressions of idle spectatorship.
Were it not for Li Shiyao holding them back, these elders would likely have kicked Su Cheng to the curb!
"Everyone, please calm down. There aren't many people left in the secret realm. Once Qinghan emerges, I will personally seek justice for you all."
"How could Ye Qinghan act this way? Isn't this just causing trouble for me?"
"Honorable Elders, please remain calm. I will certainly provide an explanation for everyone."
Before long, Ye Qinghan arrived—not through the secret realm's gates, but materializing alongside Xu Zhanfeng, who held Dongfang Jue dangling limply like a dead dog.
Seeing Ye Qinghan arrive, the disciples gathered around Su Cheng instinctively took a few steps back.
Ye Qinghan shed his icy demeanor, smiling as he greeted Su Cheng.
"Master! Qinghan is back!"
The first thing to do was to seek out his master and act spoiled—nothing mattered more than his master!
"Hmm, how did it go? Are you hurt?"
"No, I'm fine. Qinghan encountered someone named Pei Yunxiao. He claimed to be the master of this secret realm and offered to pass down Immortal-tier cultivation techniques and an Immortal Sword to his disciples!"
At these words, the elders and family heads all widened their eyes in astonishment!
Pei Yunxiao!
Ye Qinghan didn't recognize the name, but they certainly had!
He was a figure with verifiable historical records, having ascended to immortality through righteous cultivation thousands of years ago!
That Ye Qinghan could utter this name proved his words were no idle boast! Those immortal-tier cultivation techniques and treasures were most likely taken by Ye Qinghan!
"Oh? Is that so? Stealing from your master's wall?"
Su Cheng smirked, pouting his lips, yet showing no anger. Such matters held little consequence for him. Ye Qinghan’s frank admission proved she wouldn’t do anything foolish.
"This disciple doesn't care for him! I took the immortal sword, but tossed the cultivation technique aside!"
Ye Qinghan poked her little head out, waiting for her master's praise!
Everyone nearby was stunned, except Su Cheng and Li Shiyao, who remained utterly unfazed…
"My Qinghan is so amazing!" Su Cheng chuckled, ruffling her fox-like hair with indulgent affection.
"Thanks for the praise, Master! Hehe!"
Only then did Ye Qinghan remember Xu Zhanfeng was still there, and immediately started cursing.
"Xu Zhanfeng! What the hell are you doing standing there like a target? Get over here!"
Xu Zhanfeng had been trapped in that secret realm for thousands of years! This sunlight! This air! His own cultivation!
It was all coming back!
Floating mid-air, he felt power permeating his entire body. He could sense his physique restructuring, strength gradually coalescing!
Though his cultivation had only recovered to the Fusion Stage, still far from his former Great Perfection realm, he no longer dared to hope for more now that he'd escaped the secret realm.
He never imagined that this immortal maiden, who appeared to be merely at the Foundation Establishment stage, would actually have the means to bring him out!
Just as he was overcome with gratitude, Ye Qinghan's angry shouts suddenly pierced his ears. He immediately slid to his knees before her.
"What are your orders, Madam?"
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