CHAPTER 320
The Wayward Child
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This was the first time Su Cheng had joked with Cang Jue since entering this deadly place.
Cangjue understood Su Cheng was checking on her condition, but at this moment, she was more concerned about her younger brother-in-law than herself.
After their father passed away, her younger brother was her only remaining blood relative.
Though he hadn't passed the imperial examinations for years, at least he was well-behaved and sensible, never causing her any trouble.
Su Cheng's transformation made it clear this deadly place was far more dangerous than she'd imagined.
No wonder Ling Mountain refused to help him. If she were in their shoes, she wouldn't abandon those by her side to risk life and limb in such a perilous place either.
She'd heard that the Celestial Path Pavilion had sent three groups to investigate here. Only four had returned alive, and two of them died shortly after.
It wasn't until she saw that Hunter that Cangjue finally understood—this was something her body could never have bought.
"Why did you agree to help me?"
"Because your whining is annoying. I prefer the rebellious you."
Su Cheng didn't even glance at Cangjue as he yanked her arm forward.
Cangjue felt like a little suitcase being dragged along, her legs struggling to keep pace. Whenever they walked too fast, Su Cheng would lift her up…
"Thanks."
"Don't thank me. It's not free."
Su Cheng pulled Cangjue toward the direction indicated by the compass while cautiously scanning their surroundings.
The Fallen Immortal Ruler hovered above his head throughout, while all his magical artifacts remained primed for instant activation.
This deadly zone was clearly larger than the one he'd encountered with Chu Youwei last time. That meant more monsters lurking within, and the possibility of encountering exceptionally powerful special apostles.
"Su Cheng?" Cang Jue stared blankly at the man who never paused his stride, speaking without fully comprehending.
"Hm?"
"Nothing." The man didn't turn back, and she didn't intend to say anything more.
Cang Jue was curious. What was he looking at?
Whenever she met his gaze, it felt as though she stood naked before him. Despite her elegant attire, she felt utterly exposed, with no secrets left hidden.
"Who are you?"
"Su Cheng."
"I mean, who are you?"
"Su Cheng."
"Is that something I'm not allowed to ask?"
"I'm Su Cheng, the head of Lingxian Hall, the master of three troublemakers, and someone who just wants to coast on the sect's subsidies without putting in any effort… Su Cheng."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. What I want is for the people around me… to be happy."
Cang Jue remained silent, for he had caught a different emotion in Su Cheng's eyes—was it resignation, or…
A claw sliced through the air, its tearing sensation and piercing sound seeming to rip a gaping hole in space itself.
For some reason, Cangjue found himself pulled into Su Cheng's embrace like a ragdoll, his arm yanked forcefully.
Warmth and security—these are feelings no girl can resist. Cangjue had never been so utterly dependent before.
Cangjue understood this too.
It all happened so suddenly. Before she could even process it, everything had already unfolded.
The formation unfolded beneath her feet in an instant. Her Master Su wouldn't shout out the name of the technique with the typical arrogance of a cultivator. Instead, his eyes fixed intently on the hunter before him as he adjusted his stance.
Her feet couldn't touch the ground. He held her under his arm like some object, yet she didn't struggle.
Honestly, it wasn't comfortable, but Cangjue seemed to have no choice.
He had clearly stated he couldn't protect her while fighting.
Yet here he was, refusing to abandon her.
The hunter stood as tall as a two-story building, yet moved with an illogical lightness!
Su Cheng held his massive sword with one hand, taking the monster's blow head-on.
Cang Jue could clearly see the sharp claws leaving distinct gashes on the golden aura-formed armor.
A single swipe sent both of them tumbling backward, crashing heavily onto the dirt slope.
But she was held tightly in Su Cheng's arms and remained unharmed.
"How are you?"
Su Cheng didn't speak. He scrambled to his feet, grabbed Cangjue, and pulled her away from the Hunter.
This was the first time Cang Jue had ever felt like a burden. Truly the first time.
She had always been the one charging ahead, and she believed she should be. Likewise, no one ever cared if she got hurt.
It was her job, and injuries were inevitable—after all, cultivating immortality.
But now, she found herself thinking… being protected… seemed… not so bad?
"I can help…"
"Shut up! Can't you see the Sect Leader is busy?"
The clash of claws and greatsword sent shockwaves that made her eyes sting shut. As she’d long understood, she was no match for Su Cheng.
As an elder of a minor peak, she was scarcely acknowledged by Lingxian Hall.
But often, things turned out unexpectedly.
Though disregarded, she found herself placed… in bed.
Then again, where else would she be placed?
Instantly unleashing his divine power, he suppressed their movements with a sword formation, restricting the hunters' actions as the Demon-Sealing Stele crashed down.
Within moments, smoke billowed across a hundred meters. Su Cheng pulled away, gasping for breath.
"That bastard isn't dead yet. Saving people comes first. Let's get out of here."
Cang Jue nodded, though Su Cheng hadn't intended to seek her opinion anyway.
Su Cheng felt a pang of regret. He should have called Xu Zhanfeng along!
If Xu Zhanfeng had been here, he wouldn't have to be so timid!
Every time this thought surfaced, Su Cheng felt a wave of disgust wash over him.
No one wanted to be like a monkey, toyed with at someone else's whim.
He resolved to save everyone—to rescue all those who had died for her sake.
He recalled a millennium ago when he'd treated it all as a game, viewing everyone as mere pawns.
That time, he had reveled in the game.
Holding the power of life and death, possessing supreme authority, wine and beauties mingled together, revelry night after night.
His enemies dared not even look him in the eye; no one could defy him.
He was the most exalted, the most powerful.
But she was not. She died before Su Cheng's very eyes.
Everything came at a price. Nearly all who trusted him, who loved him, met their end without a proper burial.
It took him a long time to understand that this so-called journey through time was not scripted.
Everything before his eyes was real.
They were all flesh-and-blood individuals, real people.
But being a villain was easy. Being a good leader was not.
Those he cared for, those he loved, those who loved him—almost all met a terrible end. It felt like a curse.
Watching those important people grit their teeth and sacrifice their lives for so-called beliefs and so-called orders, even he began to wonder if it was worth it, if he was worth it.
He was just an unlucky soul tricked into this for two hundred bucks. He had no grand ideals or ambitions.
"Cangjue, are you feeling unwell?"
Cangjue shook his head. "I'm fine. Let's go."
After nonstop battles, Cangjue hadn't even touched the ground with his tiny feet. Su Cheng had been carrying him like a pendant the whole time. Even the effects of the medicine weren't hitting him hard anymore—it was almost pleasantly numbing.
As for Cangjue's complexion right now, it could only be described as a pale red. You might say she looked weak, yet she seemed surprisingly alert.
But if you said she was fine, she was panting like a puppy in summer, tongue hanging out, gasping for breath.
"Wait, Cangjue, I was the one running. Why are you the one gasping for air?"
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