CHAPTER 249
The Two Immortal Lords
============================================================
"Rumor has it that this Second Brother's sibling is the Sovereign of the Sacred Domain at Tinglyan Ravine. He works for that Sovereign too."
"Your Highness, I've never seen this 'Second Brother' either! I only handled the handover with Fourth Master—I never harmed those children!"
"Your Highness, I'm telling the truth! I beg you, spare me!"
Tingyun Ravine… Sounds familiar. Is that the same Wuhu Mountain Yu Lan mentioned?
Wohu Mountain, Tingyun Ravine… That must be King…
No wonder that Sacred Domain was run by just one man, yet held equal standing with all others. So this was the shady deal behind it.
Using children to refine elixirs? Such a beastly act! Cultivating immortality? He doesn't even deserve to live in this world!
Ye Qinghan stared at the woman before him. She sensed little.
"Steward Xu, you handle it."
"Yes, Madam, rest assured."
Ye Qinghan turned and left. Her workload was immense—to be honest, she never imagined the Northern Domain would present her with so many matters to handle!
Wasn't this bullying an honest fox?
When those beasts were in power, they never seemed this busy every single day!
This thought only reinforced Ye Qinghan's conviction that she needed to cultivate some trusted confidants!
How could she possibly handle everything personally?
She hadn't even assumed the role of Acting Demon Emperor yet, and already her workload was piling up like mountains!
If things kept up like this, when would she have time to cuddle with her master?
If she couldn't cuddle with her master, what was the point of living?
Without getting close to her master, what meaning would cultivating immortality hold?
This simply won't do!
Ye Qinghan returned to the residence—a temporary quarters arranged for her by the Northern Frontier Army commander, with the command post located directly below.
In plain terms, the occupying forces had seized this city and requisitioned the mansions of the former powerful families.
Within mere days, Ye Qinghan had already secured one-third of the Northern Domain's territory.
Victory reports poured in daily. The remnants of the old regime were merely clinging to life. Ye Qinghan would usher in a new era for the Northern Realm.
Yet Ye Qinghan paid little heed to these developments. Only her reply to her master required meticulous word choice and repeated deliberation.
Ye Qinghan briefly outlined her current endeavors to her master. His response was noncommittal, merely acknowledging her efforts and urging her to proceed unhindered.
"First Lady, based on that woman's description, I've already dispatched additional men to hunt down that 'Fourth Master and Second Brother'."
Ye Qinghan set down the military report. There was little of interest to read—everything was proceeding smoothly according to plan. Had any mishap occurred, she would have been informed long ago.
"Mhm, you're doing well. But don't make too much noise about it. If that bastard escapes, how will Qinghan face those children's parents and the Master?"
"Issue the order: capture them alive. If possible, bait the hook to reel in the big fish. Sweep up every last one of those scum!"
Three days later, at the Hall of Heavenly Path.
Gently closing the door to Cheng Liang's resting chamber, Shangguan Rou sighed deeply before returning to her own quarters to rest.
"Sister Rou…"
Su Muchan had been waiting here for some time, watching Shangguan Rou tend to Cheng Liang with meticulous care—changing his bandages, washing his body.
"Muchan? Why are you back?"
"Well… I can't sit still. I just like to wander around."
Shangguan Rou sighed, shook her head, and pulled Su Muchan back to her courtyard.
"Did Ye Qinghan kick you out?"
"Ye Qinghan went to the Northern Realm. Li Shiyao treated me well enough, but Sister Rou… what's going on?"
As Su Muchan spoke, she surveyed the Tian Dao Pavilion, noting significant differences from her memories.
"Master Su came to settle accounts. Thankfully, for reasons unknown, he didn't strike down our master."
Su Muchan gave a bitter smile. So she hadn't killed him yet?
"I know the reason, but Sister Rou should count herself lucky it was Su Cheng who came, not those two grooved Immortal Lords."
Shangguan Rou looked puzzled. She knew it was because of Li Shiyao, but what did that have to do with Immortal Lords?
Was he referring to that sly fox from the Northern Domain?
"What do you mean?"
Su Muchan also wore a pained expression, lightly stroking her forehead. "If Li Shiyao hadn't intervened, if Sect Master Su hadn't happened to be absent, Sect Master Su would likely have met the same fate as Cheng Liang."
"You mean that big fox?" Shangguan Rou had many questions. She could sense the animosity between that fox and Su Cheng, but she suspected it ran deeper than the fox's claims.
"That sly fox is called the Jade-Stealing, Fragrance-Thieving Immortal. You've met him. There's also a pink-haired brat called the Flower-Seeking, Willow-Wandering Immortal. Neither of them are good people!"
Su Muchan was seething with anger when she spoke of these two Immortal Lords!
Shangguan Rou, however, was quite curious about these two Immortal Lords!
"What do you think their relationship is with Sect Leader Su?"
Su Muchan hadn't given it much thought before, and this question made her pause to consider.
"The relationship between the two Immortal Lords seems to be only a superficial sisterhood; in reality, they don't get along. Ye Qinghan calls that Flower-Seeking Willow Immortal Lord 'Master's Wife,' so perhaps she has a close relationship with Master Su."
"Both Immortal Reverends appear to harbor grudges against Master Su, yet neither actively seeks contact with her."
Twisting a strand of her long hair around her finger, Shangguan Rou pondered for a moment. Truthfully, she couldn't fathom that sly fox at all—she couldn't even detect any emotion from her.
"These two Immortal Masters clearly don't belong to this world. Perhaps they're bound by some rule unknown to us."
"Or perhaps they have other plans. That fox gives me a very strange feeling."
"It's as if she thrives on chaos, eager to revel in others' misfortune."
Shangguan Rou pondered for a moment before continuing.
"She once demonstrated the power of so-called authority to me—a force far beyond my comprehension. I struggle to describe it, but I'm certain it's not something humans could ever wield."
"Gain often comes with loss. I suspect this so-called authority carries a price equal to its weight."
"As for the two Immortal Lords' intentions, as you said, the Flower-Seeking Immortal Lord warned Ye Qinghan not to kill you."
"I suspect the two Immortal Lords may have sensed impending events in the future and are attempting to alter it by making preparations in advance."
Su Muchan nodded. Shangguan Rou's reasoning made perfect sense!
"I suspect they might be unable to interfere too deeply in this world, so they can only guide indirectly."
"Hmm, I agree. It's always wise to keep your guard up."
Su Muchan nodded, unwilling to pursue the topic further.
"Enough of that. How is Master Cheng?"
"Master isn't in mortal danger at the moment, but the Heavenly Dao Pavilion suffered heavy losses this time. Disciples and elders are either dead or injured, and we've lost over half our combat strength."
Su Muchan could only offer words of comfort.
"As long as Master Cheng is safe, the rest can be rebuilt, right?"
"Yes, you're right. But to suffer such a calamity…"
Noticing Shangguan Rou's expression tinged with resentment, Su Muchan quickly interjected.
"Sister Rou, I can assure you with full responsibility that Master Su is not the same person he once was!"
"Compared to when we first met, Master Su seems like a completely different person. Sister Rou, please don't do anything foolish!"
"Going against Master Su is absolutely not a good idea!"
============================================================