Chapter 372: Unreasonable Thoughts
Three days later, at the Sang residence.
“…What? Senior Sister Shi has turned into a Blood Demon?!”
“Ah… But since she was assimilated into a Blood Demon, she isn’t as strong as a pure-blooded one. At least Senior Sister Shi can’t turn others into Blood Demons.”
At the dining table, Sang Zhe was explaining what happened during their trip to Zhang Xiaoying and the others. Si Jingzhu and Hua Jianglian curiously poked at Shi Qingyan, as if they were observing some new cute creature.
“However, Senior Sister Shi is kind of fortunate, I guess.” Yan Rouwan patted Jiao Jiao’s head. “Although she became a Blood Demon, her cultivation level has indeed soared.”
“Our Demon Cultivators finally have another Crossing Tribulation Stage master.”
“Yeah, Qingyan is really lucky.” Tang Yubbing exchanged a knowing glance with Zhang Xiaoying, both sporting a hint of a smile.
Clearly, the two had caught on to some details.
Shi Qingyan’s face turned slightly red, but she remained silent.
“Speaking of which.”
White Ming, lying back in a chair with a tablet in hand, pondered, “Many of the Blood Demon Clan’s bloodline abilities are only rumored in the texts, their authenticity unknown.”
“If Sister Qingyan has time, why not come to our guild for a check-up and preserve some precious sample data? The guild can offer a hefty reward~”
“That’s not difficult—”
Before Shi Qingyan could finish, Sang Zhe and Hua Jianglian eagerly slid closer, their eyes sparkling: “Reward!? How much can you give?!”
“…Uh, two million?”
“Boss is so generous!”
Watching the excited duo counting money with their fingers, White Ming chuckled awkwardly, casting a sympathetic glance at Shi Qingyan.
Shi Qingyan shrugged nonchalantly.
“Alright, since my husband and Senior Sister Shi have traveled far and wide, let them rest for now.”
“Indeed.” Sang Zhe stretched vigorously, yawning, “My back is almost broken from all this travel. I need a bath and some sleep.”
White Ming raised an eyebrow, “…Your back?”
“Ahem, I meant my back hurts from sitting in the carriage.”
Sang Zhe sheepishly laughed and quickly turned to escape to the bath.
Shi Qingyan initially planned to take a bath and rest as well, but after just a few steps, she was stealthily pulled aside by Si Jingzhu.
“Hey, Senior Sister Shi.”
With a mysterious and wary look, she asked, “Y-you didn’t, you know, have anything happen while alone with Sang Zhe, did you?”
In Shi Qingyan’s mind, flashbacks of endless sleepless nights trying all sorts of positions with Sang Zhe darted through her thoughts.
Shi Qingyan: “…No.”
“Really?”
“Don’t believe me?”
Si Jingzhu let out a sigh of relief, patting her flat chest, “You scared me! I thought you were going to sneak away!”
“If that happened, it would just be me and Senior Sister Yan all lonely in the house. How tragic!”
Shi Qingyan blinked.
You completely excluded Aunt Yu, huh…
“And let’s not forget that Senior Sister Yan has two adorable cats to keep her company. If it’s just me left, that’s even worse!”
As she spoke, Si Jingzhu’s voice grew softer and more pitiful until she was practically sobbing, “Then you guys could gather in one room, having fun every night, and I’d just be sitting outside, eavesdropping on your lively sessions. Not even a chance to peek… Wuwuwu…”
As her self-pitying ramble continued, Si Jingzhu seemed to envision her lonely future, tears flowing in a pitiful display.
Shi Qingyan: “…No, Si Sister, I—”
“So, you can’t run away!”
Si Jingzhu, with tears in her eyes, clung to Shi Qingyan’s shoulder, sniffling, “If anything happens, you must let me know!”
Shi Qingyan thought for a moment and said, “Alright, I’ll figure something out.”
Upon hearing that, Si Jingzhu’s eyes lit up, “Really? You’re willing to help? How?”
I’ll help you whisper sweet nothings into his ear…
Shi Qingyan didn’t dare say that and replied seriously, “We’ll talk about it later.”
“That’s a promise! You must help me create opportunities with Sang Zhe!”
Si Jingzhu skipped away in delight, attracting a puzzled look from Hua Jianglian as she passed by.
“What’s got you so cheerful?”
“Uh, maybe her wife is having a baby?” White Ming mused.
——
——
After finishing his bath, Sang Zhe didn’t head to his own room right away.
Instead, he went straight to Yu Xia’s room.
After more than half a month of recovery, Yu Xia looked much better. Her complexion was rosy and vibrant. Upon seeing Sang Zhe, she hurriedly got out of bed to perform a salute.
“Servant greets the master, welcome home—”
“No need for that, Aunt Yu. Please continue resting.”
Yu Xia was taken aback, quietly sitting back down on the bed.
Sang Zhe took a seat beside her.
An awkward atmosphere enveloped the room. Both fell silent, with no one speaking.
Yu Xia’s heart raced.
She didn’t know what Sang Zhe wanted to discuss with her. This silence filled her with an uneasy sensation.
Could it be that the master is dissatisfied with my ability to protect the ladies and wants to dismiss me?
The thought made Yu Xia suddenly feel an overwhelming dread, even her breath became shallow.
“Aunt Yu, actually I wanted to tell you something—”
“Master, please forgive me!”
Before Sang Zhe could finish, Yu Xia panicingly dropped to her knees and pressed her forehead to the ground, trembling slightly.
“Servant… will train diligently so that I can break through to the Ninth Layer of Crossing Tribulation Stage, strive to reach the Major Ascension Stage… From now on, when the ladies go out, I will protect them as closely as possible, even if it means risking my life for their safety.”
“I only ask the master… please don’t abandon me!”
She bowed repeatedly, her voice choked with emotion, her beautiful eyes blinking furiously: “I know, I’ve disappointed you deeply this time. If you don’t trust me to protect the ladies, even if I have to do the coarsest of jobs at home, I would willingly embrace it…”
“Please, please continue to let me serve you, master.”
Sang Zhe was stunned by Yu Xia’s overwhelming reaction. Once he regained his composure, he hurriedly helped her up.
“Aunt Yu, you misunderstood. How could I blame you?”
“You risked your life to save Xiaoying. Saying you are a lifesaver would not be an exaggeration! I’m grateful to you; why would I want to throw you out?”
Finally, with tears in her eyes and a hint of redness in her gaze, Yu Xia looked up.
“It’s indeed as Aunt Yu said.” Sang Zhe slowly continued, “The opponents I’ll be facing next may not be thwarted simply by having a Crossing Tribulation Stage guardian anymore. Relying solely on you will fall short.”
Yu Xia hung her head, silent and bitter.
“And precisely because of that.”
Sang Zhe looked at Yu Xia earnestly: “Aunt Yu… do you wish to break through to the Major Ascension Stage?”
“…Eh?”
Yu Xia stared blankly at Sang Zhe.
“I know that breaking through to the Major Ascension Stage is not something that can be achieved overnight.”
Sang Zhe said casually, “Many cultivators spend their entire lives struggling to cross that threshold, and only a few brilliant individuals can reach the Major Ascension Stage in the cultivation world.”
“With Gu Jie and the Sect Leader secure at the moment, it’s unlikely anyone can harm them. But unfortunately, one has to oversee the Demon Cult and the other the Sword Flower Palace, so they can’t remain home.”
“Meanwhile, Xiaoying and the others still need a protector. What happens in the future if they have children? How do I protect my family, allowing me to focus on what needs to be done? That’s my current concern.”
“After much thought, you are the most suitable candidate.”
Yu Xia was momentarily speechless: “But I…”
“I know you may lack the confidence to break through to the Major Ascension Stage.”
Sang Zhe chuckled: “In reality, Aunt Yu has cultivated for many years; in terms of foundations and depth, you are the closest in the Sang family to the Major Ascension Stage.”
“Even without my help, I estimate that within ten years, you should have a good chance of glimpsing the scenery of the Major Ascension Stage.”
Yu Xia felt a sudden rush of emotions, unable to comprehend Sang Zhe’s high evaluation of her.
“However, with the Demon Clan looming nearby, there may even be more dangerous entities than those at the Major Ascension Stage in the future.”
“I truly need you to step into the Major Ascension Stage as soon as possible to become my ally.”
Yu Xia was stirred, but a moment later, she fell silent, bitterly reflecting: “I will do my utmost. However, the Major Ascension Stage… I once fell into madness over it, unable to find a fragment of insight. It may truly be hopeless in this life…”
“No. There’s still a way.”
Sang Zhe looked at her steadily: “Have you heard of the… Ten Thousand Year Blood Demon Dan?”
Yu Xia was taken aback.
After returning from the Holy Kingdom, she had heard of the Ten Thousand Year Blood Demon Dan’s fame through others.
“But isn’t the Ten Thousand Year Blood Demon Dan with the Demon Clan, or perhaps even the Dragon Lord?”
“You don’t need to worry about that.” Sang Zhe smiled. “How to obtain the Ten Thousand Year Blood Demon Dan is my responsibility.”
“Aunt Yu only needs to focus on training and fulfilling your long-held wish.”
“After all… don’t you dream of catching even a glimpse of the scenery at the Major Ascension Stage?” Sang Zhe laughed.
That smile struck Yu Xia like a ray of morning sun, dazzling enough to almost bring tears to her eyes.
After a long moment, she finally lowered her head, speaking to herself:
“Servant… thanks you, master.”
Not only did he not despise her past mistakes, but he was also willing to help her achieve her longstanding wish.
“Servant vows from now on, to serve you and repay your kindness.”
“Without complaint, unwavering to the end,” she declared firmly.
“No need to be that emotional, though.”
Sang Zhe suddenly felt a bit awkward, chuckling: “Also, Aunt Yu, um… your hand…”
Only then did Yu Xia realize she had tightly grasped Sang Zhe’s hand, even pulling him into her embrace uncontrollably.
“Ah! I’ve overstepped!”
Flustered, Yu Xia’s face flushed red as she quickly released his hand, hurriedly apologizing: “I’m just a servant; how dare I have such unreasonable thoughts about the master… I deserve to die.”
Unreasonable thoughts? Not really.
But if you had pulled my hand into that “ample embrace” of yours, that would definitely have stirred up some “unreasonable thoughts” in my brother.
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