CH 40

C40 – A Suggestive Smile

Liu Yuan brought Gu Chang down the mountain and back to his house. Before Gu Chang entered the courtyard, Liu Yuan told him not to tell anyone about what happened in the cave today.

A little boy as he was, Gu Chang was smart and composed. He nodded before going in, “Mom, I’m home.”

Wanniang gently greeted her son, “Chang’er, come and have some water. You must be thirsty.”

Liu Yuan waved his head, surprised at how drastically the woman had changed, from a ruthless killer just now to a loving mother. It was obvious that Gu Chang meant the whole world to her.

Liu Yuan had learnt the cultivation techniques of the Jade Void Sect by heart.

Those techniques and instructions would never fade away from his memory and he could meditate and cultivate them at any time.

However, he would still have to ask Ding Huan for help when it came to some special skills and bottlenecks during his cultivation.

After all, those were what Ding Huan had cultivated all his life, and his experience was the most valuable treasure.

Half a day had passed when Liu Yuan came back from his trip.

Fortunately, now that he was at the Nascent Infant Stage, he was equipped with many movement skills such as Teleportation, Sword Flying, and Air Treading.

He was now a capable cultivator!

He could move at high speed, otherwise it would take him much longer.

When he returned to Pool Feather Mountain Manor, Ning Xiangrong was there as well. She had met with her contact from Water Moon Dock and learned that things over there were in a mess. Apparently, Yue Longzhang’s death had stirred up much trouble in the sect.

Yue Zong, Yue Longzhang’s father, got mad when he heard about the sudden death of his son, who had a bright future ahead of him.

And then, when he learned that his son was probably a spy from Devil Cult, he started to worry more about his own reputation in the sect.

Just as Yue Zong had expected, those who had a grudge with him started to slander him with this rumor. What’s more, Ma Shu also added fuel to the fire by spreading this news among his connections in Water Moon Dock. Soon, almost everyone believed that Yue Longzhang was a spy.

Although Yue Zong hated to believe that, this news was delivered personally by Ning Xiangrong, heiress of the sect.

Everyone knew what Ning Xiangrong was like. She wouldn’t say anything she wasn’t sure of. As a result, factional tension had reached boiling point.

Strangely, Yue Zong did not think much of taking revenge on the one who had killed his son. Instead, he had set his mind to defending himself as an elder in the sect.

It was only a few days later that they realized they didn’t even know who had killed Yue Longzhang.

This was simply ridiculous.

So when Ning Xiangrong told Liu Yuan about this, he found this whole thing absurd.

It seemed that wars and conflicts were just inevitable among human beings.

Ning Xiangrong sighed helplessly. She wasn’t proud of what happened in Water Moon Dock at all. “Water Moon Dock is insignificant compared with those big sects on the Middle Continent. Elders and disciples have limited talent, and it’s hard for them to cultivate successfully and achieve immortality. Therefore, they’ve shifted their attention to worldly things such as fame and fortune.”

Liu Yuan nodded, appreciative of Ning Xiangrong’s words, “You are way better than any of them. You know better than to chase after fame and fortune. No wonder you have made such marvelous accomplishments in cultivation.”

She was his woman, so of course he would agree with whatever she said.

He’d say anything to make her happy.

“Humph, you’re glib.” Ning Xiangrong rolled her eyes, but obviously his glib tongue worked, because she was beaming and her watery eyes were full of affection as she sighed, “But what’s the use of it anyway? I’m but a sucker for love.”

Hearing her soft, sweet voice, Liu Yuan’s heart skipped a beat. This woman surely knew how to win a man’s heart.

After saying that, Ning Xiangrong blushed, then held Liu Yuan’s hand and continued with a smile, “I told them that I’ve found the man I’ve been looking for. We are meant to be together.”

What the hell!!!

Liu Yuan looked terrified, his eyes wide open.

Ning Xiangrong tried to reassure him, “Don’t worry. I will always stand by your side. I have already told my father that I will marry no one but you. Otherwise, I might as well join Jade Void Sect, shave my head and become a nun.”

She had a resolute look on her face.

Liu Yuan frowned. Hell no! She must not go to Jade Void Sect, because he had a lady friend there who was probably looking for him as well.

Somehow he felt a bit guilty.

Liu Yuan tried to shake off the guilt by clearing his throat and said, “Haha, that’s a good joke… Even if you do become a nun, I’m sure I will always find a way make you break the rules.”

He was not kidding. Actually, that was how he had won the heart of that lady friend of his in Jade Void Sect back then.

Ning Xiangrong’s cheeks turned redder all of a sudden and even her neck turned pink. She gave him a pinch, “Nonsense!”

“Now we can call it even.” Liu Yuan then asked after some hesitation, “What did your father say about us?”

Ning Xiangrong snorted softly, “Of course he said yes. What else could he say? He asked me to bring you back some day.”

Liu Yuan nodded confidently, “Sure! I’ll have a man-to-man conversation with your father and ask him for your hand in marriage.”

But he regretted it as soon as he said so. What was he thinking? He was no expert in love! Besides, he still had Gu Siyin to worry about.

Seeing the change in Liu Yuan’s expression, Ning Xiangrong poked him on the chest and grumbled, “I knew it! You must be thinking about that little girl, aren’t you?”

“Of course not! I’m not that kind of man!”

“I don’t really care.” Ning Xiangrong’s eyes were filled with burning love as she continued, “I have been looking for you for three years. Three long years and it almost wore me out. I missed you so much and I was so worried — what if you don’t want me anymore? What if you are gone forever? But now I’ve found you, and that’s enough.”

She leaned against Liu Yuan’s chest, listening to his heartbeat with her eyes closed, and said, “I was just bluffing earlier. I can tell that you really care about that girl, so how could I bear to put you in a difficult position and make you choose between us?”

“You don’t have to worry about my dad and Yue Zong. Like I said, I will stand by your side no matter what, and I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

The woman spoke firmly, and there were even tears in her eyes. Of course she was jealous. How could she not be?

After all, she loved him, and she wanted his heart and soul all to herself. But she also wanted her lover to be happy, so she was willing to change and compromise.

Liu Yuan was greatly touched. He gently stroked her back and comforted her. He didn’t know if he should tell her that he had already reached the Nascent Infant Stage, and that she didn’t need to protect him.

However, after thinking for a while, he decided not to tell her for now. It was unprecedented for someone to break through from the Foundation Establishment Stage to the Nascent Soul Stage within just a few days.

After hugging each other for a while, Ning Xiangrong let go of him, “I will bring you back to Water Moon Dock tomorrow morning. Tonight, I will be staying next door.” After that, she left.

Somehow Liu Yuan felt that she had a suggestive smile on her face.