Volume 1, Chapter 35: This Woman Must Die!

Like two patients discussing their ailments, the two of them chatted for a long time.

However, Dongfang Jue was not foolish enough to divulge information about Su Cheng. For her, there was no benefit in doing so; on the contrary, it could bring about her own ruin. As for her father, the King, if he were to learn of the true strength of the Lingxian Palace, seeking an alliance would be the expected outcome. While it is often said that in the world of power, one does not dwell on past grievances but focuses solely on interests, Su Cheng was no merchant. He was the Sect Leader of the Lingxian Palace, and his relationship with Ye Qinghan was not exactly cordial. Given Su Cheng’s level of doting on Ye Qinghan, he might not be inclined to offer a friendly face to her or the Kingdom. A week ago, Su Cheng’s stance had been made abundantly clear: he was a man who, for the sake of his personal disciple, cared for no one else. Whether it was a kingdom, a noble house, or a sect, that man simply did not care.

"Looking at it this way, Li Shiyao’s initiative to approach Ye Qinghan was likely a deliberate act by the Holy Mountain."

Moreover, it hadn't taken long for her to obtain an Immortal-grade technique. Indeed, Dongfang Jue had used her system to examine everyone around Ye Qinghan, even checking the profiles of Xu Zhanfeng and the old lady who sold vegetables. Naturally, she had discovered that the little fool who followed Ye Qinghan everywhere had acquired an Immortal-grade technique.

"Perhaps the Holy Mountain realized long ago that Su Cheng was deliberately hiding his cultivation. You saw that sword strike; it was in no way inferior to the techniques of any sect leader."

Shangguan Rou had been quite tactful, but although someone like Cheng Liang could potentially execute a strike with such destructive power, he could never do so with the ease Su Cheng displayed. Everyone was well aware of this, and naturally, Dongfang Jue would not point it out.

"Such things cannot be hidden forever. Before long, the Lingxian Palace will either be surrounded by adulation or become a target for all. There will be a conclusion eventually."

Shangguan Rou smiled, a glimmer of admiration in her eyes. "Lady Dongfang, you are so young, yet you can perceive the tides of the world. You are truly extraordinary."

Dongfang Jue gave a bitter laugh: "Sister, you jest. If I were truly as formidable as you say, how could I have been beaten half to death?"

*Heh, perceiving the heavens and observing the tides?* Isn't that referring to Ye Qinghan? By clinging tightly to Su Cheng’s coattails, she has leapt over the dragon gate! But, on second thought, if she could cling to him, why couldn't she? If she had access to so many treasures, she might not be any worse than her!

Inside the main hall of the Heavenly Dao Pavilion, Cheng Liang was also discussing matters with several elders. Besides the elders, a distinguished guest had arrived today: Liu Jingcheng, the head of the Liu family.

"Brother Cheng, I have heard about your senior brother. The events at the Pingyun Sect are still fresh in my memory. Attempting to kill him is perhaps..."

Seeing the look of hesitation on Liu Jingcheng’s face, Cheng Liang promptly shifted his tone. "Brother Jingcheng, you worry too much. Why would I hire someone to kill my own senior brother?"

Liu Jingcheng was stunned. That wasn't what this fellow had said when he sent a messenger to relay his words last time! Now that he knew Su Cheng was not easy to deal with, who was he planning to have him kill?

"I am not sure what important matter Brother Cheng wishes to discuss today, that you summoned me so hastily?"

Cheng Liang lowered his head to his desk, covering his face as if struggling with inner turmoil. After a long silence, he said, "Are you aware that my senior brother has a personal disciple? She possesses the blood of the demon race and is prone to slaughter. If left unchecked, the consequences will be endless!"

"I am aware. She is an orphan of the Fox Demon royal family, born with a charming constitution, named Ye Qinghan."

Cheng Liang spoke plainly, and Liu Jingcheng understood his intent. Su Cheng might be powerful—everyone knew that—but in this world, being strong alone is not enough. As the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Dao Pavilion, Cheng Liang would certainly not tolerate the existence of such a liability.

"Since this girl has such remarkable natural talent, why doesn't Brother Cheng simply take her under your command? With a mix of kindness and coercion, she would surely become a rare asset in time."

Even now, Cheng Liang was somewhat reluctant. How could Cheng Liang not understand Liu Jingcheng’s point? But this Ye Qinghan was like a stubborn mule; she refused to turn back no matter what, repeatedly causing him to lose face!

"I gave her a chance. It is this wretch who refused to accept it and sought her own death!"

Liu Jingcheng smiled, understanding immediately! *He thought: So you, Sect Leader Cheng, have met your match too, ha-ha!*

"Heh, if there is an opportunity, shall I cripple her cultivation for you and bring her to you to vent your frustrations?"

Cheng Liang froze, thinking that this Liu Jingcheng had gone mad... But Liu Jingcheng assumed Cheng Liang was of the same mind and continued with a smile. "I hear that Ye Qinghan has a natural charming constitution. If you capture her to be a furnace, I imagine Brother Cheng’s path of cultivation would..."

Cheng Liang was terrified. Was this Liu Jingcheng a fool? "Are you insane? That woman must die! If she is alive, whoever ends up with her will be the one to suffer!"

"Have you not heard how much Su Cheng dotes on her? He didn't even hold the dozen of us elders and family heads in high regard. Even if we joined forces and managed to defeat him, do you know how many people would have to die?"

"If Ye Qinghan is gone, Su Cheng will have no reservations at all! Don't you know he is a madman?"

"For the sake of a woman who warms his bed, would you have your entire Liu family accompany you to the grave?"

Cheng Liang wondered why everyone seemed to have the brains of a pig. While he didn't think he could defeat Su Cheng, surely they didn't think he couldn't defeat Ye Qinghan! If he wanted to capture her alive, why wouldn't he go himself? It was precisely to avoid giving Su Cheng or the Spirit Mountain any excuse!

"You want to offer her to me? Are you trying to divert the disaster to me? To have that madman Su Cheng come seeking revenge against me?"

*Capture her alive and offer her to me? Are you mad, or am I?*

To provoke that madman Su Cheng? As long as Ye Qinghan is dead, what can Su Cheng do alone? But if Ye Qinghan remains in the Lingxian Palace, the Lingxian Palace will become a force that cannot be ignored; it will only grow stronger! I can already foresee that day! Yet, how can this pig not understand such a simple truth?

He slammed his hand heavily onto the table, overturning his teacup. Cheng Liang gritted his teeth and said viciously, "Patriarch Liu, remember, you must kill her! Do not be tempted by her beauty and spare her life! If she does not die, she will surely become a source of endless trouble!"

"I am not acting out of petty spite, nor because I cannot stand my senior brother snatching her away. If we allow the Lingxian Palace to stand tall and grow into a powerful force that cannot be taken lightly, it will be impossible to deal with later!"

"As long as Ye Qinghan is dead, even with Su Cheng’s heaven-defying abilities, he is but one man! He cannot stir up much trouble and is not worth worrying about."

Liu Jingcheng was startled by Cheng Liang’s intensity and naturally grasped his meaning. "Just a joke, I understand, of course."

Lingxian Palace, Main Hall.

"Master?"

Su Cheng stood before the desk, exhaling a long breath, and slowly set down his brush. He had been quite idle these days and was practicing calligraphy, but the final stroke was interrupted by Ye Qinghan.

"What is it?" Su Cheng balled up the spoiled paper, tossed it into the wastebasket, and looked toward the entrance of the hall.

"Uh... Did Qinghan disturb Master?" Ye Qinghan looked embarrassed, though in truth, she wasn't particularly bothered; she just scratched her head out of courtesy.

"It is fine. What is it, Qinghan?"

"Someone has come to the gate," Ye Qinghan said, pouting. Though she was displeased, she wouldn't show it in front of her Master.

Su Cheng was puzzled. Logic dictated that since he and his disciple were both within the Lingxian Palace, ordinary people shouldn't even be able to perceive its existence.

*[Could it be Cheng Liang? Qinghan helped me put on a show at the entrance of the secret realm the other day. Did that not bluff them?]*

*[Are they here now to demand an explanation?]*

*[I am in the Lingxian Palace now. Even if they were True Immortals, I could wipe them out in one move!]*

"Who is it?"