Chapter 153: Cang Yue
Yun Che's agreed battle with Murong Yi had come to a final conclusion. The outcome of this duel had surprised everyone and shaken the hearts of all present. Following that, without any suspense, Yun Che's name swept through the entire Cangfeng Mystic Palace like a violent storm, and even the entire Cangfeng Imperial City.
Being at the second level of the True Xuan Realm and openly defeating someone at the ninth level of the True Xuan Realm—this alone was enough to cause an uproar throughout the entire city. Moreover, Yun Che was only seventeen years old, and with the profound strength of the second level of the True Xuan Realm, he could effortlessly wield the Overlord Giant Sword, which no one had been able to successfully control for centuries. These factors added an even more legendary aura to Yun Che.
In an instant, countless accolades were heaped upon Yun Che through various tales—such as "Number One Rising Star of Cangfeng Mystic Palace," "Greatest Genius of Cangfeng Mystic Palace in Centuries," "A Peerless Prodigy Who Can Challenge Across Nearly an Entire Major Realm," and even "The Future of the Cangfeng Imperial Clan, Able to Openly and Rightfully Be a Personal Prince?" Yun Che smiled. Lan Xueruo's stern expression wasn't the least bit frightening; instead, it added a touch of cute, girlish charm.
Lan Xueruo, whose emotional experience was a complete blank, was no match for Yun Che. His single sentence threw her even more into disarray. Before she could think of what to say, she suddenly felt her hand warm up, as her slightly sweaty, fragrant little hand was gently held by Yun Che. Before her eyes, Yun Che's face, wearing a warm smile, was slowly drawing closer and closer... The masculine aura of the man she desired made her heartbeat accelerate.
"What... what are you doing?" Lan Xueruo instinctively shrank back, flustered.
"Before, I stole a kiss and scared Senior Sister, which was my fault. So, to make it up to you, I need to seriously kiss you once more, very earnestly."
Yun Che spoke softly, each word making Lan Xueruo's heart beat faster. In her daze, Yun Che's face was already very, very close. She could clearly feel his warm breath gently brushing against her cheek. If she didn't retreat now, the next second, her lips would be kissed by him again...
A rational voice told her she should immediately avoid it, but women were never creatures governed by reason. Her heartbeat raced madly, and the flush on her face had spread to her snow-white neck, yet she still couldn't bring herself to make a move to evade... Because in the deepest part of her heart, she didn't reject this "offense" at all; instead, it stirred an anticipation and longing she couldn't understand.
Suddenly, she felt her tender lips finally be gently covered, and her slender waist was secretly encircled by an arm. Her body stiffened, her vision grew increasingly blurred, and then she quietly closed her eyes...
With a "bang," the door to the room was pushed open, and a hearty voice accompanied by loud laughter came in: "Hahahaha! Yun Che, you performed brilliantly today! You've truly shocked me once again. So this Golden Scale Dragon Transformation Pill, I absolutely have to personally give it to you..."
Qin Wuyou strode in with a gust of wind, but his words came to an abrupt halt halfway, as if blocked by a stone. His eyes instantly widened like a cow's... Before him, Yun Che was bare from the waist up, his waist wrapped in a bandage, his left arm tightly embracing Lan Xueruo's willow-like slender waist, kissing her with pure affection...
"Ahhh!" Lan Xueruo let out a startled cry, breaking free from Yun Che's embrace like lightning. She turned her back in panic, covering her face with both hands, her stunning cheeks flushed bright red.
Yun Che, on the other hand, remained quite calm. He licked the lingering sweet saliva at the corner of his mouth with satisfaction and said seriously, "Mentor Qin, you've arrived."
"I... I... I..." Qin Wuyou, one of the leading mentors of the Cangfeng Mystic Palace's inner court, was now utterly flustered, his eyes askew and his mouth twisted, his face full of panic. His words stumbled: "I... I... I... went to the wrong place. You... you... you all... continue... continue..."
As Qin Wuyou spoke, he backed away, stumbling heavily over the threshold when he reached the door, nearly falling backward out of the room. After finally steadying himself, he dared not look up again and fled as if escaping.
His series of actions left Yun Che speechless for a moment. He muttered quietly, "A man of such advanced age, yet he can't bear to see Senior Sister and me being affectionate? Making such a fuss over nothing... Ah, well. Senior Sister, let's continue."
"Who... who would continue with you! I... I have things to do. I... I'm ignoring you!"
Lan Xueruo grabbed Yun Che's damaged and bloodstained training uniform with one hand and ran off, her face crimson, leaving behind a faint, fragrant breeze.
Yun Che didn't chase after her. He reached up and touched his lips, smiling contentedly. He muttered to himself, "So, a man's charm has nothing to do with whether he's married or not..."
Yun Che got up and casually found a set of clothes to put on. Then he walked to the door, just about to close it, when he saw Qin Wuyou return, walking in with a bizarre expression.
"Mentor Qin, you haven't come to the wrong place this time, have you?" Yun Che said with a chuckle.
"You... you little rascal." Qin Wuyou's mouth twitched, then he let out a long "Aiya" sigh, walked straight into the room, plopped down at the table, picked up the teapot, poured himself a cup of tea, and drank it down in one gulp.
In Yun Che's eyes, this gesture looked very much like calming one's nerves.
"Mentor Qin, are you personally delivering the Golden Scale Dragon Transformation Pill to me?" Yun Che sat across from Qin Wuyou, asking knowingly.
But Qin Wuyou didn't nod. Instead, he glared at Yun Che and said in a strange tone, "Three months ago, when you said you and Xueruo had been... ahem... sleeping together during that time, I was ninety percent skeptical. But now, you... you... you..."
He couldn't find the words to scold Yun Che. He knew exactly who Lan Xueruo was. Setting aside her identity, her appearance was breathtakingly beautiful. Over the years, the number of young talents pursuing her could hardly be counted, and among them, Murong Ye couldn't even be considered the bottom in terms of overall qualifications. But although Lan Xueruo was gentle with everyone, she had never had any closer contact or relationship with any man. She carried too much in her heart and never had the intention for such matters.
Unexpectedly, this Yun Che not only possessed astonishing talent, repeatedly surprising everyone, but was also a master at winning women over. In less than half a year, he had captured Lan Xueruo's heart. What's more, Yun Che had no background, no relatives to speak of, was two years younger than Lan Xueruo, and was already married! In Qin Wuyou's eyes, this was just... too unscientific!
"I like Senior Sister Xueruo, and she likes me. Isn't that perfectly normal?" Yun Che said calmly.
Qin Wuyou shook his head, looking directly into Yun Che's eyes, and said, "Then do you know what Lan Xueruo's background and identity really are?"
Yun Che was taken aback, then shook his head. "I don't know. But from Senior Sister's speech and demeanor, and from many of my observations, Senior Sister Xueruo should have a very noble identity. However, I haven't pressed her about it or deliberately inquired. If she doesn't want to tell me, pressing would only put her in a difficult position. When she feels the time is right, she'll naturally tell me. I just need to know that she will never harm me."
"Without knowing her identity, you dare to treat her so recklessly? You really are... really are... Aiya!" Qin Wuyou sighed again, scratching his head in frustration, then suddenly looked up and said, "Since she hasn't told you yet, I'll tell you... Although I admit you are a once-in-a-century genius, not only me, but even my elder brother Qin Wushang was deeply shocked by your performance today. However, you are still very young, just a fledgling. Among the younger generation, even across the entire Cangfeng Empire, you are undoubtedly an outstanding figure. But setting aside age, your strength is still at the bottom level. On a truly grand stage, you have no ability to stir up any real waves."
"I hope that after hearing what I'm about to say, you will seriously consider your own abilities and weigh whether you have enough strength and resolve to face what you may need to face... If you feel you can be fearless and unafraid of the consequences, then do your utmost to protect Xueruo. If you don't have that kind of resolve, then I ask you to take the initiative to distance yourself from her. For the sake of her future, and even more so for your own life."
"..." Qin Wuyou's words were spoken with the utmost solemnity. Yun Che's heart also calmed down. He furrowed his brows and asked seriously, "What exactly is Senior Sister Xueruo's identity?"
Qin Wuyou enunciated each word clearly: "Cang Yue. The only daughter of the reigning Cangfeng Great Emperor. The sole princess of the Cangfeng imperial clan. Her title is 'Cang Yue Princess.'"
"..." Yun Che's expression stiffened violently, and the light in his eyes trembled intensely.
"The name 'Lan Xueruo' comes from her mother, the imperial consort. The Cangfeng Princess's mother was surnamed Lan. When she was fourteen years old, her mother passed away. Before her death, she changed her name to 'Xueruo,' hoping she would be as pure and flawless as white snow, far from the filth and chaos of the world. Perhaps it was at that time that her mother had already sensed the impending crisis within the imperial clan and hoped that Cang Yue Princess could stay away from the turmoil and protect herself."