Chapter 192: Waiting to See How Things Unfold
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Su Cheng led Li Shiyao away. Dongfang Jue lay flat on the bed, his mind racing.
Was there ever a truly happy ending?
Why take the risk?
If she had to choose a reason back then, perhaps it was the desire for immense power, or the refusal to be outdone by Ye Qinghan.
But now, as that doting gaze rested upon her, she quickly realized this was what she truly desired.
She didn't know if she had fallen in love with that man. A sixteen-year-old child—how could she possibly understand love?
Yet she simply yearned to be closer to him—as close as possible.
Everything else seemed to fade into insignificance.
The matters here were indeed nearly concluded, just as Su Cheng had said.
She rolled off the bed, summoned Zou Fu and several generals, briefed them on the next steps, and then returned to the royal palace.
She intended to borrow the magical artifact from her father as soon as possible, so she could journey to the Northern Realm to find her master!
With a force like Yu Lan and Xu Zhanfeng's in the Northern Realm, they could essentially sweep through it.
The two of them would simply crush one Sacred Realm after another while chatting!
"Steward Xu, this journey has truly broadened Yu Lan's horizons. It seems I underestimated you back then."
It must be said, Xu Zhanfeng was flawless in his work.
His social graces were equally impeccable!
"Elder Yu Lan flatters me. Serving Lingxian Hall is my duty—Zhanfeng dares not be careless."
Truth be told, that sycophantic act was only for the two matriarchs' benefit—to keep them amused.
Yu Lan reached up and tucked the Sovereign of the Sacred Realm into the red velvet pouch, wrapping up matters here.
Before long, the First Matriarch descended from the heavens. Yu Lan instinctively glanced beside him…
Xu Zhanfeng moved like lightning! He transformed into a blur, kneeling as he instantly vanished!
"Zhanfeng! Greetings to the First Lady! She looks even more radiant!"
Yu Lan felt a bit dazed. Had Ye Qinghan taken over Lingxian Hall?
Though this thought crossed his mind, he still bowed slightly in greeting to the young mistress.
"Xu Zhanfeng, how are matters here being handled?" Ye Qinghan looked utterly speechless. This was too embarrassing…
"As per the Grand Elder's instructions, everything has been taken care of! The First Lady may rest assured!"
"You've done well and greatly assisted Qinghan! Is there anything you desire or require? I shall personally request a reward for you from my master later!"
Ye Qinghan thought nothing of it. As a reputable sect, rewards and punishments should be measured. Good work deserved recognition.
But Xu Zhanfeng dared not think so!
"Madam's kindness is too great. Zhanfeng can only repay it with his life. How could he dare ask for a reward?"
Neither the First Lady nor the Elder had asked for rewards—how could he dare to speak up?
After all, within Lingxian Hall, two were direct disciples and one was the sect leader's consort. He was the only outsider. If he didn't know his place, he wouldn't last long!
Ye Qinghan merely smiled and offered an explanation.
"Xu Steward, your diligence in your duties has not gone unnoticed. There's no need for you to belittle yourself. Once you've entered Lingxian Hall, we are all family. Such formalities are unnecessary."
"F-f-f-f-f-family…"
Xu Zhanfeng knelt at Ye Qinghan's feet, tears welling in his eyes!
"Hehe, Steward Xu, rise quickly. If the Elders saw this, they might think Qinghan was bullying someone again, wouldn't they?"
Truth be told, Xu Zhanfeng realized once more what kind of immortal sect this truly was.
Upon hearing this, Yu Lan's playful side emerged.
"Yu Lan worked hard too~ Yu Lan wants a reward too!"
Yu Lan didn't hold back at all. Even in front of Su Cheng, she couldn't care less!
But Ye Qinghan wasn't having it. She rolled her eyes and shot back!
"All these days with Qinghan gone, Elder Yulan must have been receiving rewards night after night? What need is there for Qinghan?"
Xu Zhanfeng understood but pretended not to, rushing outside as if this conversation wasn't meant for his ears.
Unexpectedly, the moment he stepped outside, he bumped into Su Cheng squatting outside the Holy Domain's main hall, puffing on a cigarette.
Spotting Xu Zhanfeng, Su Cheng looked awkward and made a shushing gesture.
He casually offered one to Xu Zhanfeng: "You know how?"
Xu Zhanfeng had to learn!
What were the ways of the world? A Great Perfection cultivator's strength wasn't limited to cultivation alone!
Taking it with both hands, he crouched beside Master Su, took a drag, and felt nothing unusual—but this was meaningful!
"Why aren't you going in, Master?"
Su Cheng smiled wryly. "Given the situation, do you think it's appropriate for me to go in?"
"So even someone as powerful as Master Su has his troubles."
"The troubles of a sect leader are beyond your imagination."
Su Cheng exhaled a thick plume of smoke, his face equally devoid of any will to live.
As the saying goes, tall trees catch the wind; the tallest tree in the forest is sure to be struck by it…
Honestly, he had no clue what Yulan saw in him. If it was about magical treasures or supernatural abilities, she didn't seem interested in those either.
But Yu Lan was undeniably adorable—sometimes serious, sometimes mischievous. She was the perfect girlfriend.
He adored Yulan's free-spirited nature—unbound by convention, yet easily restrained by handcuffs. That little vixen's expression was truly unbearable.
Xu Zhanfeng dared not utter a word out of place. Even if the First Lady truly considered him family, certain matters remained off-limits. The affairs of the Sect Leader were not his concern.
"Master? What are you doing?"
Before they could exchange two sentences, Ye Qinghan followed the scent and found them, startling Su Cheng.
"Sharing a Qinghan with Yu Lan. That Qinghan of yours…"
Damn my mouth!
"With Xu the steward…"
Ye Qinghan's face softened with affection. He found his master suddenly adorable, like a little kid.
Ye Qinghan and Yu Lan exchanged a knowing glance, sharing a smile. It was just playful banter—as long as Yu Lan didn't harbor any ulterior motives, Ye Qinghan didn't mind.
After all, Yu Lan showed no intention of monopolizing his master. Ye Qinghan could turn a blind eye to it.
"Master? Where's Shiyao?"
"She's sulking at me. I said her snowman was ugly, and she got upset… She's out there building another one now…"
Ye Qinghan couldn't help but chuckle. Though it was the first time she'd heard of Li Shiyu throwing a tantrum, it somehow felt perfectly in character for the clumsy girl!
Ye Qinghan went to placate Li Shiyu, while Yu Lan briefly updated Su Cheng on the current situation in the Northern Realm.
To put it plainly, only one Sacred Domain remained in the Northern Realm now. Aside from the two Ye Qinghan had slain, all the other Sacred Domain Lords had been sealed away inside that crimson velvet pouch.
"I don't know why, but I have this bad feeling."
Yu Lan and Xu Zhanfeng exchanged glances, both looking at each other, yet neither spoke.
"Let's wait two days. There's no rush."
Su Cheng waved his hand, signaling for the two to leave. This was no place to linger.
"Eleven of the Twelve Sacred Realms have fallen. With only the last one remaining, the Northern Realm should be next to change hands."
"But so far, the mastermind behind it all hasn't made a move, and the other three realms haven't stirred either."
"Let's find a place to stay for now and observe how things unfold."
As he spoke, Su Cheng approached the gate of the Sacred Domain and saw Ye Qinghan building a snowman with Li Shiyao at the entrance.
Upon seeing her master emerge, Li Shiyao pretended not to notice him, muttering under her breath for her master's ears.
"Hmph! Bad Master! Shiyu was trying so hard to build a snowman for you, but you don't understand my feelings at all! Hmph!"
"Shiyao won't talk to Master anymore!"
"Shiyao won't be friends with Master anymore!"
Her little thoughts were written all over her face~
Ye Qinghan glanced at her master, her expression equally helpless. She'd tried every possible approach.
Food, drinks, pocket money—none of it worked. Right now, Li Shiyu just wanted her master to coax her!
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