Chapter 193: Mother's Wish
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"Hehe, Shiyu, it's Master's fault. Master didn't realize this was a snowman you built with all your heart. Please forgive me, Shiyu~"
Su Cheng grinned as he sidled up to Li Shiyu, not the least bit embarrassed by his actions.
She was his direct disciple—if he didn't spoil her, who would?
Li Shiyu's smile blossomed instantly too, but she quickly remembered—she was still sulking!
She might be a bit slow, but she still had her pride!
She immediately pouted again, saying nothing, but tilted her head and stretched out her arms, demanding a hug from her master.
Su Cheng chuckled. Wasn't this another way of forgiving him?
He gave Li Shiyu a big bear hug, and only then did she rub her master's head contentedly.
"Alright then, Shiyu forgives Master. I really did try my best building this snowman."
"Thank you, Shiyu. But we have to leave now. How about we build a snowman together later?"
Li Shiyu nodded, pulling out the Fire Dog her master had "gifted" her, ready to take flight~
Everyone else was flying on swords, yet Li Shiyu was the only one riding a dog—how utterly impressive!
Unable to refuse such warmth, Su Cheng and Ye Qinghan shared a sword. Ye Qinghan also wanted to savor her master's embrace, wishing time could freeze right then and there, forever.
These days, she hadn't had a chance to recharge in ages, so she leaned into her master's embrace and savored the moment.
Su Cheng had been scouting for housing along the way, but palaces like Lingxian Hall—capable of instantaneous materialization—weren't available in the system shop. Such a gift had only been granted once, during his first recruitment of disciples.
With no other options, the group could only seek temporary lodging at an inn or guesthouse in the Northern Realm.
"Qinghan, aren't you planning to attend the Ling Mountain martial arts competition?"
Ye Qinghan chuckled. Who wouldn't seize an opportunity to earn money?
"Qinghan just got back, you know? Mother's lingering soul was trapped inside some old man. When Qinghan arrived, he breathed his last. Qinghan casually retrieved the soul fragment and headed straight to Ling Mountain."
Su Cheng nodded. Qinghan probably, maybe, likely, probably wouldn't lie to him…
He decided to let it go. Su Cheng wasn't overly concerned. It was only a matter of time anyway. He didn't think Ye Qinghan would interrupt someone's final farewells…
Probably…
The unexpected target wasn't hard to find. Though she claimed to seek blood vengeance, for the second disciple, it was more like a field trip~
They settled in a small town. Life in the Northern Realm was structured this way—apart from the Demon Capital, there were few landmark cities.
Still, Su Cheng was somewhat surprised. Life here seemed unchanged, as if time had stood still.
It was as if the town knew nothing of the Twelve Sacred Realms—eleven gone, yet life carried on as before.
As they approached an inn, Su Cheng instructed Yulan to book a room, intending to explore the streets himself.
Su Cheng often did this. The state of the common folk's lives could clearly reveal the mindset of their adversaries.
Li Shiyao nudged her little head close to Yulan's side, bending over like a good buddy and draping her arm over Yulan's shoulder.
"Sister Yulan, Shiyu wants to sleep with Master too! Let's all squeeze in together!"
Yu Lan pressed her lips together silently, her eyes signaling Li Shiyu to look behind them.
Li Shiyu sensed something was amiss, but before she could turn, a chill swept over her!
Oh no! It's the Frost Blade Technique!
Li Shiyu didn't even bother turning around—she just took off running!
Ye Qinghan started to chase after her, but Su Cheng called out to him.
"Qinghan, come take a walk with your master."
"Coming~" Ye Qinghan hadn't spent much time with her master lately, and she understood his meaning now.
When consumed by hatred, it was easy to overlook those close by. Yet the familial bonds before her eyes were precisely what she should hold onto most tightly.
It always took Qinghan a while to grasp her master's words.
Renting a horse, Su Cheng guided it while Ye Qinghan rode behind, strolling leisurely through the marketplace as they chatted.
"Have you considered what lies ahead?"
Ye Qinghan thought to herself, I do have plans, but I'm afraid they might frighten my master…
She simply shook her head. If it weren't for matters concerning her master's future, she hadn't given it much thought.
Su Cheng smiled, as he had expected as much.
"Qinghan, you carry the bloodline of the Northern Fox Demon King. Look at them—they are your subjects. Can you sense it?"
Leaning against Su Cheng's chest, Ye Qinghan tilted her head to gaze at the bustling marketplace. Truthfully, she felt nothing.
"Killing someone is simple. Even revenge isn't difficult. But are you prepared to shoulder the burden of the Northern Realm?"
Ye Qinghan was only sixteen, in the prime of her youth and impetuousness. How could she have contemplated such weighty matters?
Besides, were they truly her subjects?
Where were they when she fled?
When her mother was slain, where were her subjects then?
"What does my master wish Qinghan to do?"
"I respect your thoughts, Qinghan. You may do what you wish, walk the path you choose. The rest is mine to handle."
Ye Qinghan exhaled deeply. Her master had always been this way.
"Master, Qinghan wishes to try."
"Of course you may." Su Cheng smiled. He knew his First Disciple would say this.
"Qinghan has no interest in the Demon Emperor. But Qinghan wishes to complete what Mother set out to do all those years ago—to restore a better Northern Domain for her."
Su Cheng ruffled Ye Qinghan's hair affectionately.
"I understand, my child."
Yet Ye Qinghan was troubled. She understood the words, but how should she proceed?
"Master, what should I do?"
Dismounting his horse, Su Cheng spotted a street food stall and intended to buy some snacks.
"Qinghan, if you choose to do nothing out of fear of making a mistake, that itself is a mistake. You're not a timid child, are you?"
"Just go ahead and do it. I'll cover for you no matter what."
Truthfully, Ye Qinghan could read minds. Even without speaking, she could grasp her master's general plan.
Yet her master's tenderness still warmed her heart unbearably.
Her master had always been her pillar of support, anticipating every situation before she could.
He had even prepared countermeasures for every possible mistake she might make.
【Qinghan, just go ahead and do it. I'll handle everything.】
What kind of immortal sect could so many dream of? What kind of master could so many dare not even imagine?
With her master by her side, she needn't compromise herself, needn't read others' expressions, needn't navigate social niceties, nor needn't tread carefully.
Entering Lingxian Hall meant only others would suffer injustice! Only others would have to read her expressions!
Because of her master, she could do whatever she pleased—for this master desired only her happiness!
Still, she wished for her master's happiness too. Yet all she ever saw was her master worrying herself sick over her and her junior sister.
The last time she heard her Master sing was on the very day she joined Lingxian Hall. Since then, she had never heard it again.
"Sorry!"
Her thoughts were interrupted as a young girl flashed past her master's side, bumping into him in the process.
Instantly, a hint of displeasure flashed across her face. Damn it, bumping into someone and then running off?
Su Cheng grabbed Ye Qinghan's hand, signaling her not to mind it, then turned his attention to the stall.
"Get me two pounds of that."
He bought some snacks quickly—otherwise, Li Shiyao at the inn would be upset again. What if she ignored his master?
But the moment he reached for his money, Su Cheng realized something was terribly wrong…
He only had eight taels of silver left—it had been stolen!
"Qinghan, catch her for me—and bring her back alive!"
Ye Qinghan grinned. "Got it!"
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