Proofreader: Papatonks
“H-how…” Shangguan Qingyan’s lip quivered as she stared at Zhuo Fan’s flat expression in shock and doubt.
Zhuo Fan sighed, having figured out her question, “What’s the problem? I just advanced in these two days, is all.”
“Advance? Then how…”
“I use a different cultivation method than the rest. It focuses on the mind, into going back to one’s nature, the True Self Art.”
Zhuo Fan spoke, “What looks like regression is in fact hiding one’s aura, blurring inside as cultivation returns to inception and purest chaotic form; all while the power grows. At the same time, the heart and mind attain peace, impulses drop and help one’s character. Every time something bothers or triggers me, I cultivate. I’ve been doing this for the past two years.”
Zhuo Fan’s eyes looked peaceful, but there was a sadness deep in there that nothing could cover.
He had been cultivating Elder Yuan’s cultivation method for these two years, to calm his mind. All that sorrow and longing had been quelled for so long…
Shangguan Qingyan noticed something and asked, “You mean because your wife, these years…”
“That’s enough of that!”
Zhuo Fan shouted, cutting her off, “Where’s your Shangguan clan meeting? I’ll take you there.”
Shangguan Qingyan jerked and then saw the calm look he still had. She dropped the subject and led the way.
Glancing at her, Zhuo Fan’s eyes flashed as he followed.
One man and one woman flew one in front and one behind, eastbound. As the sun rose again in front, two days passed.
They had not spoken a single word all this time. Zhuo Fan sported the same dry look while Shangguan Qingyan was anxious all the time, stealing glances. She wanted to ask more, or better yet, know him more. But that distant expression of his quelled any such curiosity.
Another day stuck like that, Shangguan Qingyan descended next to a lake. Zhuo Fan floated down next to her and scanned the surroundings, “Is this where the Shangguan clan is retreating? Quite hidden.”
“How did you know? I didn’t tell you.” Shangguan Qingyan gasped.
Zhuo Fan shook his head, “Did you forget I dabble in arrays? The barrier around the lake is invisible to the average eye, but it can’t hide from mine. If it wouldn’t be bad manners barging in, I would’ve popped it already.”
She batted her big purdy eyes, once again stunned.
Even as Zhuo Fan gave her a funny look, she still didn’t react, just staring at him like a statue.
“I-is there anything else you can do that I don’t know about?”
“Aplenty, but why should I tell you? Just ring the doorbell already!” Zhuo Fan sighed and shook his head. He flicked her head, jerking it and making her pout in pain.
She wasn’t really angry, just blushing. With a bright smile, she made a sign to open the barrier but didn’t finish as someone shouted, “Who’s there?”
Two youths in white pooped in front in high alert.
“It’s me, can’t you see it?” Stucking out her chin, Shangguan Qingyan declared.
The two paused then exploded, “Young miss, you’re back! Clan Head has been so worried about you!”
Shangguan Qingyan nodded with a smile.
“Hold up. Gu Yifan, you dare show your face here? Die!” The two finally noticed Zhuo Fan and their bloodlust exploded, backed by their Soul Harmony Stage cultivation.
Shangguan Qingyan panicked and wanted to stop them, “What are you doing?” contemporary romance
“Young miss, Clan Head and the venerables told us Gu Yifan was a spy. All our losses are due to him. Now we’ll have our revenge for our kin!”
The two spat, advising Shangguan Qingyan, “Young miss, step aside. Don’t let his pretty words fool you. He has got to die!”
The two’s savage looks had her tense. She stood before them still, defending Zhuo Fan, “As long as I’m here, no one will harm a hair on Mister Gu’s body!”
“Young miss!”
The two regarded Shangguan Qingyan’s determination and sighed in defeat and pain.
Shangguan Qingyan looked behind her and whispered, “Leave quickly, before dad comes out. Now, while I can still protect you. Once everyone is here, I won’t be able to do anything.”
“No one asked you to. I came just to see your dad. Now move along and lead me to him.” Zhuo Fan stated.
Shangguan Qingyan glared hard at him, “Is this the time to show your brave side? You had so many of our clan killed. My dad is the head and won’t just let you go. Are you that intent on dying?”
“All the more reason the young miss of the Shangguan clan should call out her daddy, to punish this criminal and get retribution. Well, what are you standing around for? “
“Why you…”
Shangguan Qingyan was stunned and then she cursed, “Can’t you see I’m helping you? Why do you insist on walking to your death? If you die… what will I tell young Sanzi?”
Zhuo Fan’s tone was cold, “None of your concern. I came here for your dad. If you won’t lead me, then I’ll just barge in by myself.”
Zhuo Fan was getting ready to make good on his words.
Shangguan Qingyan hastly stopped him while grumbling, “Barging in will only make it worse. Fine then, have it your way. I’ll go tell him you’re here. Maybe I can…”
Shangguan Qingyan shook her head, feeling that her request would most likely land on deaf ears. But since no persuasion worked on Zhuo Fan, she had no choice but brace for the worst.
Shangguan Qingyan made her sign and the tranquil lake water rippled. A black hole formed as the entrance of a deep cave was presented to them.
“You two, be nice. You’re not to do anything until I return. Is that clear?” Shangguan Qingyan was about to go in then she warned the two guards to not make a mess of things.
The two looked at each other and bowed most respectfully, “As young miss commands! We understand!”
“You better!”
Shangguan Qingyan nodded and her dress flicked as she entered. She gazed back in worry even as she did, “Mister Gu, you can still walk away.”
Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes.
Shangguan Qingyan sighed and went deeper. The cave echoed with her ever distant steps, until they vanished…
The guards were listening to every noise, to make sure she was gone. Then they sported nasty grins.
Their bloodlust was directed at Zhuo Fan, ready to pounce.
Zhuo Fan gave an insufferable smirk…
“Young miss is back…”
Shangguan Qingyan didn’t go too far and a patrol announced her return with joy.
The Clan Head rushed over at once, unable to contain his happiness to find his daughter was alive. He hugged her tight, “Yan’er, you’re here at last! Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine, dad, thanks for asking.”
Shangguan Qingyan was happy too. Then Shangguan Feixiong asked in a rush, “Yan’er, how come you only got back now? Did he do anything to you?”
“No, Mister Gu has been nice ever since he saved me. He even escorted…”
“What, he brought you here?”
She just wanted to put Zhuo Fan in a good light, but Shangguan Feixiong was stunned, “Where is he now?”
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