CHAPTER 139
The Illusion of Approachability
============================================================
Su Cheng thought of all the beloved ones he had lost. Every single one had perished for the sake of the so-called greater good or the masses.
If it were his own mother, who could wait a hundred years?
If it were himself, even a moment would feel like an eternity, yearning to see them again immediately.
As her master, how could he possibly ask Qinghan to wait a century or longer?
"This matter… allow me more time to ponder. Yu Lan, do not reveal this to Qinghan."
With that settled, Dongfang Jue likely hadn't made a move yet. Su Cheng planned to handle both matters during this trip. Before departing, he glanced once more at the resolute ice flower before the city gate and murmured softly.
"Rest assured, I'll handle everything."
He set off to pay his respects. Su Cheng was one of the few who remembered Xu Zhanfeng, sending a message to the steward.
[Come see me]
Before long—in the time it took to smoke two cigarettes—Xu Zhanfeng arrived.
Without his signature drifting kneel-slide, Xu Zhanfeng knew when to act. Flattery was necessary, but it depended on who it was and when it was done.
When the big boss summoned him, it was undoubtedly serious business. Rather than sucking up, getting the job done right and pleasing the big boss was paramount.
"Xu Zhanfeng, at your service, Your Excellency."
Su Cheng nodded and introduced Xu Zhanfeng: "No need for formalities. This is Yu Lan, an elder of Lingxian Hall."
Xu Zhanfeng had, of course, long noticed the Grand Elder's woman. But unless the Grand Elder mentioned her, how could he dare ask?
After all, this was Xu Zhanfeng's first encounter with Yu Lan. He had no idea if the First Lady knew of her existence, so he dared not speak further.
Su Cheng then introduced Yu Lan: "This is Xu Zhanfeng, the steward of Lingxian Hall."
Compared to Xu Zhanfeng's deference, Yu Lan was remarkably approachable.
"Steward, it's a pleasure to meet you. As a newcomer, I'll need your guidance on many matters. Please be kind enough to instruct me."
Xu Zhanfeng also adopted a humble demeanor. This elder gave her an unusual feeling. She and the master were likely…
"Elder Yu Lan, you're too kind. If there's anything I can do to assist, please don't hesitate to ask."
Su Cheng nodded approvingly. He was quite satisfied with Xu Zhanfeng's demeanor. It seemed this fellow could be quite competent when he put his mind to it!
If this continued, he would have a useful ally at last!
Su Cheng's gaze was piercing as he coldly ordered, "Everything you need to do is detailed in the letter. Just follow the instructions. Remember, make sure it's done cleanly."
To guard against unforeseen circumstances, Su Cheng handed Xu Zhanfeng the Stargate Ruler along with the letter.
Xu Zhanfeng accepted it with both hands: "Zhanfeng will not fail in his mission!"
"No problem. If you can't handle it, I'll go myself. Keep me informed if any issues arise."
"Yes, sir. Rest assured, Grand Master."
Su Cheng nodded, signaling Xu Zhanfeng to withdraw.
With Xu Zhanfeng's current strength, even without having reached the Great Perfection stage, he must be at least in the late stage of the Merging Body realm.
Facing multiple opponents alone, as the Demon Emperor once did, might prove difficult. But taking on one or two should pose no real challenge.
Moreover, Su Cheng had even lent him the Star River Ruler, so it was highly unlikely anything would go wrong.
"Yu Lan, it's time for us to depart as well."
Yu Lan nodded. She rather enjoyed flying on Su Cheng's sword. The feeling of being held in his embrace was addictive, deeply reassuring.
It felt like a second home to her, something the dragon found hard to let go of.
The long sword pierced the rainbow, slicing through the sky. Su Cheng planned to deal with one family at a time, starting with Xu Zhanfeng's.
"Husband?"
"Mm."
Leaning against Su Cheng, her milky-white head resting on his chest, Yu Lan spoke softly.
"May I always stay by your side, my lord?"
Su Cheng glanced down at Yu Lan with a hint of surprise, then chuckled softly.
"Depends on your behavior."
Yu Lan stamped her tiny foot, causing the flying sword to stagger~
"Hmph! I won't be nice to my husband anymore!" With that, her tiny pink fist pretended to punch Su Cheng's thigh fiercely.
The two bantered all the way, quickly reaching their destination.
Where was this? Yu Lan didn't know, nor did Su Cheng. The system had guided them here.
One of the twelve great Demon Clan beings resided here.
"What is this place?"
Since Yu Lan asked sincerely, Su Cheng glanced at the system and decided to show mercy by telling her!
This is Cloud-Resting Ravine on Tiger-Lying Mountain, one of the Twelve Sacred Realms of the Demon Clan. Think of it like a top-tier grand sect of the human race. Does that make sense?
Yu Lan was a total homebody, never venturing out unless absolutely necessary.
Her last outing had been a thousand years ago—how could she have heard of any Sacred Realm?
"Husband, could you please stop treating me like a child?"
"Haha, did you catch me?"
"It wasn't hard to notice." Yu Lan delivered another playful little punch, as if teasing him affectionately.
Yulan was accustomed to the Dragon King's ways. In public, she played the role of the dutiful, obedient wife. But now, with just the two of them alone, Yulan refused to treat herself as a servant.
Su Cheng, however, didn't mind. This was something he rarely experienced.
Since his transmigration, he’d always been a leader, and no one around him had ever been like Yu Lan.
Su Cheng rather enjoyed teasing this Yulan. Her pouty expressions paired with that loli face were quite amusing.
The two chatted and laughed all the way, and before long, they reached their destination. Surprisingly, there were no guards along the way.
The northern frontier was sparsely populated, and the scenery of Tingyun Ravine was breathtaking. The two seemed to be simply enjoying a leisurely excursion.
The Lingxian Hall was no longer just her and Qinghan. Even with only Yulan and Xu Zhanfeng, they were unmatched in this world.
Yu Lan, as Dragon King, stood equal to Ye Qinghan's mother in power—his strength was undeniable.
"Who goes there?"
As they approached a watery hollow, Yu Lan was contemplating a playful moment with her husband by the water's edge when voices suddenly echoed from an unknown direction.
Yu Lan and Su Cheng exchanged a glance, both curling their lips into smiles.
Su Cheng flicked his sleeves, unfurling his folding fan. Adopting a pose he deemed dashing, he mimicked the mannerisms of an anime villain.
"Li Erniu of the Li family of Dingzhou."
"Su Yulan of the Southern Ding Su family!" Yulan placed her hands on her hips, chest puffed out, head held high, exuding an air of authority despite her five-foot frame. She held her own against Li Erniu!
Su Cheng wasn't good at naming people, and neither was Yulan.
In an instant, a dark wind carrying fallen leaves coalesced into human form—none other than the ruler of this sacred domain.
"What brings you two from afar?"
Su Cheng and Yu Lan exchanged another glance before speaking in unison, "Who are you?"
The figure before them wore a black robe, hand resting on a jade scepter, radiating an ethereal, otherworldly aura. Had Su Cheng not recognized him, he might have mistaken him for an immortal dwelling in seclusion.
His features were delicate, his unbound black hair cascading down his back, giving him an undeniably ethereal aura. His cultivation was profound—Yu Lan estimated he was at least mid-stage Spirit Transformation.
His expression was kind and benevolent, hardly resembling the bloodthirsty killer Su Cheng had described.
The man was also sizing up Su Cheng and Yu Lan. The man was merely at the Foundation Establishment stage, while the girl showed no signs of cultivation at all…
"I am the master of this sacred domain, King—uh! Uh…"
Yu Lan was a mischievous child. Before the man could finish speaking, she drew a small knife and swiftly stabbed him twice—thud, thud…
"Husband, he said his name is Wang… uh… Wang. What a strange name." Yu Lan blinked her big eyes, hooking her arm through Su Cheng's, looking utterly astonished, as if Wang had done something bizarre.
Wang Er Er was stunned!
Though the girl looked only about ten years old, with his cultivation at the Transformation of Spirit stage, he hadn't even seen her move before she stabbed him twice!
As for that peculiar name, Su Cheng didn't care. The system had already confirmed the man's identity.
"Whatever. Call me whatever you like. I'll still beat you up."
============================================================