Chapter 137: Journey to the North
============================================================
Li Shiyao glanced at her dress, now feeling a bit annoyed!
This strapless, off-the-shoulder gown was something she'd begged her senior sister for ages, throwing tantrums until she finally agreed to lend it to her!
Even her master had said it looked stunning on her!
But after wearing it for just one morning, this rotten dog had torn it to shreds!
"Shiyao can't afford to pay for this! I already owe Senior Sister four hundred taels!"
The ruined dress was bad enough, but she also had a pair of black stockings she'd secretly taken to wear…
Shiyao felt her master really liked her in black stockings too—after all, he’d stared at them for ages!
If these black stockings on her legs got ruined too, Shiyao couldn't afford to pay for them—her senior sister only had one pair.
If Senior Sister demanded payment, Shiyu feared she wouldn't have any pocket money left for the entire next month!
In that instant, Shiyu's inner fury erupted!
"Waaah! You evil dogs! Trying to ruin Shiyao's snacks! I'll smash you to bits!"
Ye Qinghan was utterly dumbfounded…
The last time Li Shiyu got this furious was when Master nearly got beaten to death…
Seeing Li Shiyu unleash her full fury, Ye Qinghan abandoned defense altogether. Wielding the Chaos Bell, she charged after the pack of vicious dogs, hammering away!
Ye Qinghan chuckled softly. If the Holy Mountain knew their Holy Maiden was suffering such injustice in the Lingxian Hall, who knows what they'd think~
With Li Shiyu drawing all the hostility, Ye Qinghan found things much easier on her end. She promptly expanded her search range and soon located a peculiar structure—a towering black tower.
"Shiyao, I found it!"
"Alright!"
Ye Qinghan pinned the flying sword to the tower's base, then recalled the others. Instantly unleashing a Sword of Military Conquest, she cleared a path for them both!
"Hurry up!"
Li Shiyao might be unreliable in other matters, but tell her to hurry, and she'd never fall behind.
That is, unless the senior sister deliberately ditches her…
"Senior Sister, how did Shiyuo handle herself?"
"Passable."
"Hehe, then could Senior Sister reward Shiyu?"
Ye Qinghan cleared the path as she spoke, "Oh?"
"That vicious dog took advantage of Shiyu's distraction and tore Senior Sister's skirt. Could you please not deduct it from Shiyu's allowance?"
"Nice try!" Ye Qinghan smirked, casually slicing one of the vicious dogs clean in half with her sword.
"Nooo! Senior Sister is the best! Shiyu can't afford to pay for it. Shiyu already owes Senior Sister so much money…"
Ye Qinghan never actually expected this kid to pay back the money. Let's be honest—where would she even get the money? Isn't it all the Master's anyway?
"Fine. Since you've been doing well, I'll let you advance some pocket money when we get back. You can pay it back slowly!"
"Thanks, Senior Sister! But what's an advance?"
"Stop stalling and come help!"
Meanwhile, after enjoying a sumptuous feast, Su Cheng was preparing to take Yu Lan to handle some matters first.
After all, with the First Disciple's strength, it likely wouldn't take long for her to emerge. If possible, Su Cheng hoped that the First Disciple could be happy every day, no longer haunted by those painful memories.
Moreover, certain matters were better kept secret. Regarding Qinghan's mother, he intended to attempt a rescue, though it wasn't yet convenient to inform Qinghan.
Bidding farewell to Dongfang Jue with only a promise to return soon, Su Cheng led Yu Lan toward the Northern Realm.
The two traveled by sword, and though the frigid North Domain lay far from the South Domain, it didn't take them long to reach it.
When they reached the Snow Country, night had deepened and a fierce blizzard raged. Su Cheng found a dilapidated thatched cottage for temporary shelter.
"Husband, are you cold?" Yu Lan, possessing the body of a Dragon King, naturally feared no bitter cold. Yet, seeing Su Cheng's mortal form, she couldn't help but step forward with concern.
Before Su Cheng could answer, she casually cast a spell, enveloping the hut in a protective barrier against the blizzard.
Sitting together by the fire, Su Cheng pulled out a cultivation manual. "Yu Lan, this is for you."
But Yulan was not pleased. Just the other day, Su Cheng had asked to borrow her spirit pearl. Now he was giving her a cultivation technique? Could it be…?
"My lord, do you have something you wish to ask of Yu Lan? Speak plainly. I follow you not for your treasures or cultivation manuals."
Su Cheng remained silent, simply handing the manual to Yu Lan. If she truly coveted his treasures, there would have been no need for such elaborate measures—he wouldn't have been able to leave the Dragon King's Hall at all.
Su Cheng had originally borrowed the spirit pearl intending to retrieve it himself. But now that Yu Lan was by his side, there was no need for such unnecessary effort.
Sighing deeply, Su Cheng adopted a serious tone to explain.
"I have a premonition that a formidable foe is approaching—one I may not be able to handle alone. If I am not here, my two disciples…"
Before he could finish, Yulan's small hand pressed against Su Cheng's lips.
Yu Lan’s face had turned pale upon hearing this. Damn it, what a smooth talker in the Trial Hall!
What about saying death isn't hard, but living with the obsession of the departed is?
Now it sounded like he was leaving his children to her care. This wasn't the man she loved!
Su Cheng, you wish! What did you say in the Trial Hall that day? You think you can dump this mess on me?
"Yu Lan…"
Yu Lan slammed her small hand on the table, her teeth clenched and eyes fierce as she declared:
"Su Cheng, mark my words! If you die, I'll take your precious disciple with me to find you in the afterlife!"
With that, Su Cheng said no more and pulled out another magical artifact.
"Sister, don't be angry. I was just teasing you! I know you're not lacking in magical artifacts, but this one is different—it suits you perfectly."
"I'm not playing games with you! If you dare, just wait and see if I'll take your disciple with me to find you!"
After all, she was the Dragon King. She was the virtuous wife in daily life, and she embodied the very essence of the Dragon King.
Su Cheng didn't engage. Even without the system, his time with her these past days had taught him about Yu Lan's temperament.
"Hehe, I know Sister Dragon King doesn't possess many magical treasures, so I specially sought out two protective artifacts for her."
Like a warlord, Yu Lan possessed an Imperial Weapon but lacked a full set of battle armor and a steed.
Su Cheng thus prepared for her the Crimson Blood Dragon Emperor Armor and a low-grade Earth-tier Instant Movement Mirror. With these two treasures, combined with the Imperial Weapon that grows stronger alongside her, Yu Lan could now excel in both offense and defense within high-mobility combat environments.
"I don't want them. I want my husband to protect me." Yu Lan threw a little tantrum. What use were these things to her?
"Actually, this mirror is incredibly powerful. It's not just Earth-grade, low-tier—I suspect it's at least a Heaven-grade artifact!"
Yu Lan couldn't help but laugh. "Husband, do you take me for a fool?"
After spending the night together, they set off toward their destination at dawn. It was only then that Yulan remembered to ask.
"Husband, what exactly are we going to do?"
Truthfully, Yu Lan didn't care much; it was just a casual question. Wherever they went was of no consequence to her.
"To avenge Qinghan." As the words left his lips, Su Cheng's expression turned icy, his eyes flashing with murderous intent—a look Yu Lan caught perfectly.
"Who could it be?"
Su Cheng offered no reply, merely riding his sword forward. Before long, they arrived at the Demon Capital.
Beneath the crumbling walls lay scorched earth. The pair descended slowly, coming to a halt at the base of a broken wall.
At a glance, Su Cheng spotted the ice flower Ye Qinghan had placed beneath the city wall—the sole resilient blossom capable of flourishing upon the scorched earth.
"The young lady's handiwork?" Yu Lan also sensed the lingering spiritual energy of Ye Qinghan on the ice flower.
"Yes. This was Qinghan's former home, but it was destroyed several years ago. Only Qinghan escaped under her mother's protection."
"Who did this?"
"It was the will of Heaven."
============================================================