# Chapter 3103: Great Grandfather
"A beauty that appears once in forty thousand years, Master, you're in luck!"
Night Traveler Master's old face was about to split from grinning, just waiting for Zhang Ruochen to praise him.
Zhang Ruochen had a row of black lines on his forehead. What did he mean by "Master, you're in luck"? Couldn't he see that the Xuan Dai Clan Chief was so embarrassed he had to look away? Couldn't he see the disdain in Yu Shi's eyes?
If this got out, how would the cultivators of the world view him, Zhang Ruochen?
The Dark Goddess wore a butterfly-patterned veil. Her cultivation had been sealed by Night Traveler Master, making her no different from an ordinary mortal woman. But her gaze was calm, showing no trace of fear or panic.
"Greetings, City Lord."
Aside from the Dark Goddess, all the other female Saint realm cultivators knelt on one knee and bowed to Zhang Ruochen.
Night Traveler Master said, "The Divine Maiden Tower in Hundred Clans Royal City was already breached long ago. The women inside were either killed, fled, or captured. Their cultivations are all above the Saint King realm, and they were rescued by this disciple. I have already commanded the various clans to go all out to rescue the cultivators of the Divine Maiden Tower."
"Commanded the various clans? You sure have quite the authority," Zhang Ruochen scolded.
Night Traveler Master chuckled, "It's all your authority, Master. This disciple is just helping you do some things within his power."
Although Zhang Ruochen felt that Night Traveler Master's approach was somewhat inappropriate and could easily provoke dissatisfaction among the various clans, for now, having the three major clans rule Hundred Clans Royal City was the most suitable arrangement.
He had only achieved a state of being feared through a single massacre. At the end of the day, he was still an outsider.
To go from being feared to being able to command respect was something he couldn't achieve with his current cultivation.
However, as the City Lord of First Divine Maiden City, rescuing the cultivators of the Divine Maiden Tower was indeed an urgent matter. Otherwise, Bai Qinger probably wouldn't let him off easy.
"You did well in this matter. Take them away and rebuild the Divine Maiden Tower as soon as possible," Zhang Ruochen said.
Night Traveler Master led the cultivators of the Divine Maiden Tower away, leaving only the Dark Goddess behind.
Zhang Ruochen could tell that the Dark Goddess had considerable cultivation and tremendous potential. Given time, she might even reach the pinnacle of the mortal world in Hell Realm. He couldn't help but admire that a transcendent power like the Darkness Temple truly produced outstanding talents in every generation. Every thousand years brought forth a large number of exceptional seedlings. It was truly unimaginable how deep their foundation was or how many Divine realm experts they had hidden away.
Behind him, a crisp and pleasant but icy voice sounded: "Hmph! Zhang Ruochen, aren't you afraid of losing face for Heavenly Mother? Even doing such despicable things as forcibly taking women."
Zhang Ruochen turned around to face Yan Zhexian, who was as beautiful as a cloud fairy, and said, "If you say that, you're wronging me."
"Wronging you?"
Yan Zhexian's eyes were full of disdain. "Weren't you just staring at her just now?"
Zhang Ruochen smiled without speaking.
Yan Zhexian said, "Can't say anything now, can you? If you, as her master, didn't have such preferences, would Night Traveler have captured her and brought her before you? And those things you did in the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain—were you wronged about those too?"
"Aside from having a daughter together, there is nothing between us. Why should I explain any of this to you?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Both the Dark Goddess and Yu Shi showed a hint of mockery in their eyes. Although Zhang Ruochen was known as the Romantic Sword God, his emphasis on loyalty and righteousness was also well-known throughout the world. They never expected him to say something so shameless and heartless.
They already had a daughter together, yet he said there was nothing between him and Yan Zhexian?
They never imagined that even the proud daughter of the Yama Clan would end up like this.
Indeed, the strong were all heartless.
Yan Zhexian was so angry she ground her teeth, but seeing the Dark Goddess and Yu Shi watching as if enjoying a show, she finally restrained herself and said coldly, "Great Grandfather wants to see you. Come with me!"
Zhang Ruochen pondered for a moment, then followed Yan Zhexian.
The Tiantian Yan Clan's attitude toward him had always been measured. Although the younger generation's Yan Yu had a good relationship with Zhang Ruochen and even strongly promoted a match between him and Yan Zhexian, the older generation had never truly made their stance clear.
Now that he had offended the Darkness Temple, Fengdu Ghost City, and half of the Destiny Temple, the Yama Clan's attitude had become particularly important.
Xuezhi Gushen's status was already quite high. If he wanted to see Zhang Ruochen, it might be a sign that the Yama Clan was about to make a decision. How could Zhang Ruochen not go?
He couldn't possibly offend the entire Hell Realm, could he?
The Earth Demon Clan ranked twenty-ninth among the Hundred Clans Royal City's various clans and was subordinate to the Yama Clan.
Inside a demon hall eight hundred zhang tall, lights blazed brightly. Gods and spirits sat on both sides.
Xuezhi Gushen sat high in the main seat, divine radiance shining brightly around him, but his face was kind and gentle, without any intimidating presence.
Yan Zhexian and Zhang Ruochen entered the demon hall one after the other.
Yan Zhexian said, "Great Grandfather, I'm afraid we interrupted Realm Lord Ruochen's good deeds. Our invitation came at a bad time. Others—"
"Xian'er, don't be rude. You're already a god, how can you still have such a temperament?"
Xuezhi Gushen scolded her, then smiled at Zhang Ruochen, saying, "Ruochen, don't blame her. This girl has been spoiled by the elders in the family since she was young. But the good thing is, she says whatever comes to mind and isn't the type to play tricks and schemes. She's angry at you because she truly has feelings for you!"
"Great Grandfather!"
Yan Zhexian showed a look of embarrassment and resentment, naturally not willing to admit it. She wanted to defend herself, but Yan Yu stopped her and pulled her to take a seat.
The hall erupted in laughter.
Yan Yu laughed, "Ruochen, you don't know this, but before this, because Grandfather didn't help you, Xian'er even made a scene! Grandfather's words just now were no joke."
Zhang Ruochen could see Xuezhi Gushen's goodwill, so he bowed to the upper seat and said, "Zhexian is genuine in her nature. It shows that no matter what happens, she can't change her original heart. This is quite rare among gods."
"Hurry up and take a seat. Don't just stand there!" Xuezhi Gushen said.
Zhang Ruochen walked over to Yan Yu, clasped his hands and called out "Second Uncle," then sat down beside him.
Xuezhi Gushen examined Zhang Ruochen for a moment, then said, "Besides the Earth Demon Clan, there are five other clans in Hundred Clans Royal City that are completely subordinate to the Yama Clan. The gods of all six clans are here! If Ruochen says the word, from now on, the cultivators of these six clans will no longer appear in Hundred Clans Royal City."
This time, Zhang Ruochen truly felt Xuezhi Gushen's sincerity.
One must know that according to the intelligence Zhang Ruochen had obtained, there were only three small clans subordinate to the Yama Clan.
Everyone knew that after today's battle, Zhang Ruochen and the three major clans would inevitably further consolidate Hundred Clans Royal City, clearing out all uncertain factors from the city. As long as the interior was united like a block of iron, it would be very difficult for Hell Realm to breach the city.
Xuezhi Gushen had voluntarily exposed all six small clans, leaving them to Zhang Ruochen's discretion. This meant losing a great deal of benefits. Ordinary gods didn't have such courage.
If Xuezhi Gushen hadn't handed over the six small clans for Zhang Ruochen to deal with, who would dare to act rashly—Zhang Ruochen or the three major clans?
Zhang Ruochen immediately stood up and smiled, "If it were any other power, Ruochen would only tell them that Hundred Clans Royal City is ruled by the three major clans, and I am merely an outsider."
"But given my friendship with Second Uncle and Zhexian, and before Gushen, Ruochen won't be so hypocritical!"
"The Yama Clan—Ruochen definitely trusts them. The six clans don't need to leave this star domain."
The gods of the six clans all stood up and bowed to Zhang Ruochen.
Yan Yu nodded inwardly. Zhang Ruochen's ability to say this without playing any tricks would surely leave a good impression on his grandfather.
Xuezhi Gushen was in an excellent mood and laughed, "Since that's the case, I'll give you two gifts! Bring him up."
Two silver-robed divine generals escorted a false god into the divine hall.
That false god had blue star spots all over his face and a single horn growing from the top of his head. The aura he emitted was extremely strong, on par with a mid-third-rank false god.
Zhang Ruochen showed a puzzled expression. "Who is this?"
Yan Yu said, "This man is named Xu Cang, a false god from the Xiao Yao Clan, one of the small clans in Hundred Clans Royal City. He is also the murderer who killed Xue Qingsheng and Qi Shou. We have already performed a soul search. Behind him is the Qing Yun Tai. Bringing him back to the Undying Blood Clan will serve as solid evidence, enough to alleviate some of the crisis facing Xue Jue War God."
Yan Zhexian said, "When we arrived at Hundred Clans Royal City, they were already dead. Don't blame us for not saving them. Capturing this guy took a lot of effort from Second Uncle and me."
Zhang Ruochen stared at Xu Cang, his gaze suddenly turning cold.
Xuezhi Gushen said, "Fang Lingzi, Qing Ba Divine Lord, Fei Yi Old Ghost, Tai Ding Bone God, and that spiritual power god from Tiannan—all of them died because they forcibly seized your territory. So this isn't a big deal!"
"As for Xuan Qi Old Ghost, he destroyed four Divine Maiden Towers. Countless cultivators from the Goddess Twelve Pavilions died at his hands. Killing him is nothing major!"
"But Ruochen, killing Huo Ze Divine Lord was still too impulsive. After all, he was a great god of the Destiny Temple. Xiong Hai Divine Venerable is also famously vengeful and extremely ruthless in his methods."
Zhang Ruochen's tone was firm. "Anyone who dares to touch my friends and family must die, no matter who they are."
"But the consequences might instead implicate your friends and family. And it's best not to let the Destiny Temple hear these words." After a pause, Xuezhi Gushen said seriously, "Relying solely on Bore's one-sided words won't stop the gods of the Destiny Temple. Unless Bore allows Xiong Hai Divine Venerable to perform a soul search."
Killing a great god of the Destiny Temple without cause—even if the murderer were Xue Jue War God himself, it would be hard to survive. Moreover, the entire Blood Absolute Family would be wiped out, down to the last chicken and dog.
Zhang Ruochen looked at Xuezhi Gushen. "Does Gushen have solid evidence?"
Xuezhi Gushen smiled and shook his head. "Who was it that saved Bore?"
"Senior Nine Heavens."
Zhang Ruochen naturally wouldn't say it was Yunshen Daozhu.
Xuezhi Gushen sighed. "That won't do! Although Senior Nine Heavens has a lofty status, he is after all from the Reverse God Clan and has too close a relationship with you. How about this—if the Destiny Temple investigates, you can tell them that I was the one who saved Bore."
Zhang Ruochen's heart shook violently. He looked at Xuezhi Gushen in disbelief.
This was an enormous favor!
Who was Xuezhi Gushen?
He was the youngest son of that Tai Shang of the Yama Clan. Although he hadn't reached the Infinite Realm yet, his spiritual power was so high that even Zhang Ruochen, with his current cultivation, couldn't see through his depths. He was probably not weaker than Wu Yue.
If he stepped forward to block the heaviest blow for Zhang Ruochen, even the Destiny Temple would find it hard to pursue the matter further!
This would bring enormous benefits to Zhang Ruochen, to Hundred Clans Royal City, and to Xinghuantian, enough to ease the war situation in this star domain. This was a manifestation of the Yama Clan's will!
Yan Yu transmitted his voice: "Ruochen, why aren't you thanking Grandfather quickly!"
"Great Grandfather, Ruochen is deeply moved."
Zhang Ruochen walked to the center of the hall and bowed deeply.
Hearing this form of address, Xuezhi Gushen laughed heartily.
Yan Zhexian's pretty face turned red. "Don't just claim relationships anyhow. How did he become your Great Grandfather?"
"Miss Zhexian, don't misunderstand. Calling Gushen Great Grandfather has nothing to do with you. I'm addressing him based on my relationship with Second Uncle," Zhang Ruochen said seriously.
The atmosphere in the hall was joyful, and laughter erupted once again.