Chapter 554: One by One
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"Yes."
Su Cheng leaned against the table, gave Su Muchan a brief glance, then smiled.
"I've never studied that sort of thing. To me, it's like seeking like-minded friends."
"I've played many roles among these people, but rarely that of the Revered One—though that's how they all address me."
"More often, it's a cooperative relationship—not hierarchical. The one occupying that seat isn't necessarily the Revered One; it could be any name, any person."
"Managing one's own affairs—that is what the Revered One must do. I suspect, Mu Chan, that your very starting point is flawed, which is why you harbor such doubts."
"I am not so high and mighty, nor are they so fawning. This is not a method of domination, but a precision mechanism assembled from countless individual parts."
"Each fulfills their role, excels in their duties, and strives toward a common goal. They will naturally become indispensable to you, rendering any special techniques for controlling subordinates unnecessary."
"That said, selecting the right parts and placing them in the right positions is equally something Mu Chan must consider."
Su Muchan clearly hadn't anticipated Su Cheng's response would surprise her so much. Truthfully, she'd never considered this possibility!
People's hearts are inscrutable, and the world is treacherous. If one fails to guard against potential threats before they arise…
Yes, if everyone shared the same aspirations and worked together toward a common goal, that would be ideal.
Though it sounded reasonable, could it truly be achieved? Could she achieve it?
This throne was high indeed. It was only with the help of her Master and Lord Gu Ai that she had managed to ascend it with great difficulty. Countless eyes were fixed upon her, coveting the supreme seat of the Demon Realm.
Yet when her Master spoke thus, Su Muchan felt a genuine stir within her heart—especially at those words: 'They will naturally come to depend on you.' Indeed, her Master was the perfect example. Simply doing what one ought to do…
If anyone else had said this, Su Muchan would never have believed such nonsense. But her master truly wasn't deceiving her now. She could hear the master's inner thoughts.
As the inner voice merged with the spoken words, the Master's form gradually materialized. Su Muchan recalled that since meeting her Master, she had never seen him put on airs. Everything was kept simple, yet he never compromised on matters of importance. It seemed that whatever came to the Master flowed effortlessly, like pushing a boat downstream.
"This disciple has learned much. Master's words shall be engraved upon my heart forever."
Master Su casually picked up the "memorial" on the table and glanced at it. "Heh, that won't be necessary. The world is unpredictable; blindly following rules isn't always wise. What I say isn't always correct either. I hope you all develop your own perspectives on many matters."
Though phrased as a casual exchange, it felt more like a homework review. Su Muchan was clearly still inexperienced in handling official duties, yet she demonstrated some unique insights in her approach.
Su Cheng couldn't quite say whether he was satisfied or not. He didn't wish to interfere with Su Muchan's growth, precisely because she was his clone.
Precisely because Su Muchan mirrored his former self, Su Cheng yearned to witness her distinctiveness—hoping she would interpret this world differently than he had.
【I trust you more than I trust myself…】
【Muchan, if it were you, would you have a different answer?】
But Su Cheng didn't know that every thought in his mind at that moment was being heard by Su Muchan~
Listening to Su Cheng's refined approach to distributing cultivation resources, hearing his understanding of her, his hopes for her future, and the quiet care hidden within his words, ripples inevitably stirred within Su Muchan's heart.
Yet Su Muchan pretended not to hear, pressing those feelings deeper within her heart. The words "inferior bloodline"—though she appeared unconcerned on the surface—still stung with a quiet ache inside.
With her mind-reading abilities, Su Muchan easily understood her master's expectations for his five disciples. Though she and Dongfang Jue appeared to be given free rein, Su Cheng had never ceased watching over them.
Status and standing, strength and knowledge—Su Muchan now planted a seed within her heart. She would find a solution beyond her master, a way to keep him alive!
Lost in thought, she missed half of Su Cheng's sentence. He placed an egg-shaped object, roughly the size of a fist, on the table.
"I've always been like this, you know that, right?"
Su Muchan chuckled softly. Her master had always been a dishonest fellow!
"Master, no need for further explanation. Muchan will find her own way."
Su Cheng chuckled too. Yes, this was his usual way of doing things. But back when he taught her cultivation techniques, she truly hadn't known.
Now, however, he simply hoped Su Muchan would develop her own perspective. After all, he wasn't even half a cultivator himself. If one were to insist on attributing his cultivation to the system, it was arguably even weaker than Ye Qinghan's.
Just as Su Muchan had once combined the mansion's technology with this world's weapon-forging methods to create weapons and armor, Su Cheng was thoroughly satisfied with this.
Su Muchan was overjoyed that her master was pleased. Though he hadn't spoken it aloud, this subtle praise alone made her feel both honored and overwhelmed.
She imagined that if it were Ye Qinghan, hearing the master's praise would likely keep her awake all night with excitement, immediately scheming for ways to earn more compliments!
Su Cheng even took an afternoon nap in Su Muchan's imperial palace. While Su Muchan attended to her duties, Su Cheng found a spot nearby and dozed off.
However, having Su Cheng sleeping nearby seriously disrupted Su Muchan's work efficiency. She kept glancing over at him from time to time.
After spending some time handling her tasks, Su Muchan instructed her staff to prepare dinner. Clearly, her master intended to rest today.
"Mind your own business!"
Su Muchan shot a fierce glare at the maid beside her. Startled, the maid quickly averted her gaze, wondering to herself what kind of man could take a nap in the imperial palace…
Su Muchan propped her chin on her hand, leaning on the table. Su Cheng had already fallen asleep, utterly still.
Su Muchan rarely had the chance to observe Su Cheng so closely. Now she recalled their first meeting—he’d acted like a mouse encountering a cat, desperate to avoid her~
With her mind-reading ability, Su Muchan knew some of Su Cheng's past. The man before her was the ruler of countless worlds, a traveler who had traversed innumerable ages, a bad man who left his mark everywhere.
So many questions swirled in her mind: Why did Ye Qinghan never seem to cross paths with that sly fox? Was Bing Ling Su Cheng's dao companion? What were the rules governing these worlds?
"What are you thinking about?"
"Huh? Master? You weren't asleep?"
"Heh. I've never been one to withdraw my divine sense. Suppressing my authority is troublesome enough. If I were to suppress my cultivation and withdraw my divine sense as well… I might as well just stay awake…"
Su Cheng remained lying on the bed beside them. This wasn't Su Muchan's bed, but a resting couch adjacent to Chu Youwei's desk.
With Su Cheng's spiritual sense strength, even while asleep and without the barrier of Lingxian Hall to block it, her perception could still span thousands of miles. Su Muchan's movements before her eyes naturally couldn't escape her spiritual sense's scrutiny.
Moreover, though Su Muchan deliberately lowered her voice, she was still speaking. Su Cheng couldn't possibly fail to notice.
"Heh, don't overthink it. To me, you're all the same."
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