Chapter 982: The Teacher's Command Cannot Be Defied
A single white crane soared in the gray sky.
This sight drew countless gazes within White Emperor City.
Over a dozen gray vultures rose from the heights of the imperial palace, flying into the sky to meet it. Yet these ferocious birds, renowned for their untamable wildness, seemed strangely timid today. They dared not approach the white crane, stopping several li away and refusing to go further.
Countless eyes followed the white crane as it moved.
In an extremely short time, the white crane crossed from the mountains beyond the Red River to the highest point of the imperial palace, then descended.
Since the ancient era, terrifying demonic beasts like the Jian Beast and the Tu Sun had become rare, and celestial cranes were even more uncommon.
The demonic folk were deeply shocked, endlessly speculating about the identity of the person on the crane's back.
The Western Wasteland Dao Hall Archbishop knelt down with dozens of priests.
The expressions on their faces were reverent, even humble, but the emotions in their eyes were fervent, even fanatical.
The Tang family stewards and those cultivators from the southern lands quickly came to their senses, bowing in shock and awe.
The Great Zhou envoy's emotions were somewhat complicated, but after little hesitation, he too knelt with his subordinates.
Seeing this scene, some demonic folk recalled the most famous white crane on the continent and vaguely guessed the person's identity.
The murmurs before the imperial palace suddenly ceased, replaced by utter silence.
The demonic race had allied with the human race for a thousand years, with much exchange and many followers of the state religion. Amid shock and joy, they knelt one after another.
Many common folk had no idea what was happening or who the person on the white crane was. But seeing those around them prostrate in devout worship, they were infected by the atmosphere and knelt down instinctively.
From the imperial palace to the Heavenly Watch Pavilion, on stone walls and grassy meadows, countless demonic folk knelt like a surging tide.
...
...
The slightly cold wind blew gently.
The little white flowers on the bluestone floor trembled softly.
The white crane slowly folded its wings.
That person stood on the viewing platform.
His left hand held a divine staff, from which sacred light still radiated, very bright.
His eyes were even brighter than the light emanating from the staff.
The atmosphere on the viewing platform seemed to freeze, reaching an extreme stillness.
Countless gazes fell upon him, filled with extremely complex emotions.
No one on the continent didn't recognize this white crane, and no one didn't recognize this staff.
So, naturally, no one didn't know who he was.
The one who arrived on the white crane was not an immortal, but a sage.
The one holding the staff was not a deity, but the Pope.
From the Luling Prince's mansion to the banks of the Red River, traveling eighty thousand li day and night, forcibly breaking through the prohibitions, Chen Changsheng had finally arrived here.
During this long journey, he had passed through countless clouds and braved endless winds, yet his face remained clean, and his blue Daoist robe bore not a speck of dust. Only his tightly bound Daoist topknot was slightly disheveled.
Luo Luo rubbed her eyes and tilted her head, looking very cute.
She thought she had seen wrong and heard wrong.
After confirming she hadn't, she smiled.
It was a smile from the inside out, the truest kind, like the blooming of a flower.
Anyone who saw this smile, regardless of their stance, could truly feel her happiness and joy at that moment.
Luo Luo rushed toward Chen Changsheng.
Just as everyone imagined.
But just a few steps away from Chen Changsheng, she stopped.
She stopped so abruptly that the soles of her boots left a clear mark on the hard ground.
She lowered her head slightly, clasped her hands in a light bow, and performed a side salute with perfect posture, flawless in every way.
"Greetings, Teacher."
...
...
First arrogant, then respectful—there must be a reason, because change always has a cause.
Luo Luo's behavior naturally had its reason.
Chen Changsheng knew this, so he said nothing, just looked at her.
It had been a long time since he had last seen her.
Five years.
Whether due to her bloodline talent or the favor of the Star Sea, time had left no trace on Luo Luo's young face.
Chen Changsheng felt as if he were still looking at the little girl from back then.
During these five years, he had rarely written to her, thinking she would gradually forget those past events.
But time truly had no effect on her.
She hadn't forgotten.
He certainly hadn't either.
He was now the Pope, the Dean of the National Academy, with many students and fervent followers like An Hua.
But he had only one true student.
And she was his earliest follower, back when he was an unknown young Daoist.
Thinking of these things, a smile appeared on Chen Changsheng's face, like a spring breeze.
His voice was also like a spring breeze, not deliberately moving, yet so easy to approach, lingering in the air.
"Rise."
Luo Luo stood up.
She always listened to him the most.
Chen Changsheng cherished her the most.
So his second sentence was:
"Come here."
Luo Luo walked to his side.
She stood behind him.
Just like that first night at the National Academy.
When that demon assassin charged at her, Chen Changsheng stood in front of her.
And like that first night at the Ivy Banquet.
When the Heavenly Dao Academy instructor was about to strike, Chen Changsheng pulled her behind him.
Luo Luo looked at Chen Changsheng's back and thought that what her father said was truly right.
When the sky falls, there will always be a tall person to help you hold it up.
Teacher had always been taller than her.
Her gaze fell on the hem of Chen Changsheng's robe, and she recalled the scene mentioned in Archbishop An Lin's letter. Suddenly, a impulse surged within her.
If that demon princess could grab hold, why couldn't she?
But in the end, she didn't reach out, because she proudly thought that she was Teacher's student and didn't need to prove anything to anyone.
She stopped thinking about the past, stopped thinking about the present.
Her parents' command, the marriage to the Demon Lord—she didn't need to think about any of it.
She knew Teacher would handle it for her.
At this moment, she only needed to focus on looking at Chen Changsheng.
And then endlessly marvel.
Teacher's back was truly beautiful.
Teacher still smelled so good.
...
...
Many gazes fell on Chen Changsheng.
Just like Luo Luo.
Chen Changsheng ignored these gazes.
He was looking at Madam Mu.
Madam Mu was silent for a moment, then said, "Has the Pope come to observe the ceremony?"
Chen Changsheng said, "I said I oppose it."
Madam Mu said calmly, "Does your opposition matter?"
Chen Changsheng said, "I won't allow her to marry, so she cannot marry."
A voice came from not far away.
"On what grounds?"
Chen Changsheng didn't look, replying calmly, "Because I am her teacher."
The viewing platform was utterly silent.
Even the rustling of the wind through the pear blossoms was jarring.
Madam Mu had said earlier that marriage was a matter of parental command and matchmaker's words.
The marriage between Luo Luo and the Demon Lord was decided by her and the White Emperor, approved by the ancestral spirits of the demonic race—so who could oppose it?
Logically, no one could be found qualified to oppose it.
Fortunately, Luo Luo had a teacher.
The entire continent knew this.
Heaven, earth, ruler, parent, teacher.
One day as teacher, a lifetime as father.
He was very qualified to oppose this marriage.
Luo Luo poked her head out from behind him and said, "Everyone heard that, right? I have no choice—the teacher's command cannot be defied."
As she said this, she opened her eyes wide, looking especially innocent and especially cute.