Su Tao’er let out a sigh of relief. She had sent so many letters via carrier pigeon to her brother, and it seemed he at least hadn’t exposed her location.
As for Si Yan, he looked completely bewildered. He put on a serious, innocent expression and said, “Miss, I am a gentleman of integrity. Where does this talk of being a lecher come from?”
But the woman ignored him entirely. Instead, she continued to scold Su Tao’er. “Brother Xuan said you came to the Phantom Sea to seek a master and the Dao, so why are you with this man? It seems you, a lovesick girl, have eloped with some fellow and even wandered into such a filthy place!”
Su Tao’er quickly explained, “Sister Yilin, this is my Master. You… you shouldn’t shout. Master is very good to Tao’er. Please, don’t misunderstand!”
Si Yan looked at this woman with a fiery personality and an equally impressive chest, and he couldn’t help but inwardly marvel at the strength of the Su family’s genetics. ‘I have to say, the genes in Tao’er’s family are truly powerful.’
Before Si Yan could finish his “visual inspection,” Yilin seemed to notice his gaze. She let out a cold snort. “What gentleman of integrity? This fellow has shifty eyes; he doesn’t look like a good person at all! How could there be such a young master? He looks about the same age as me. At such an age, he probably hasn’t even reached the Seven Souls Realm!”
Si Yan felt awkward inwardly, wondering how this girl could be so sharp as to see through him instantly. However, his expression remained unmoved. Instead, he argued indignantly, “Miss, you shouldn’t sling mud like that. I, Si Yan, live my life such that heaven and earth can testify to my character. Tao’er is my beloved disciple. How could I have any improper thoughts? This is the greatest slander against me.”
Su Tao’er immediately defended Si Yan. “Sister Yilin, Master is very good to me. He treats me like family.”
Yilin remained indifferent, her phoenix-like eyes still fixed on Si Yan. She said in a muffled, annoyed tone, “This lecher lies without even a change in his expression. We absolutely cannot let him have his way. What ‘Master’? Tao’er, tell the truth. Is this a man you found outside behind your father’s back? Were you afraid your father would kill him to keep it quiet, so you eloped?”
Su Tao’er was so anxious she was breaking out in a sweat. Flustered and embarrassed, she cried out, “Sister Yilin, it’s the truth! He really is Tao’er’s Honored Master. My brother has even met him!”
Yilin still refused to believe it, her tone full of disdain. “How could Brother Xuan entrust you to this kind of person? He is so young—is he even worthy of teaching you?”
At that moment, the young man who had been with Yilin and the woman with the slightly seductive features walked over.
Though the two of them had heard bits of the conversation, the young man couldn’t help but ask in surprise, “Yilin, is your cousin really that girl from the Su family…?”
Su Tao’er quickly offered a smile, trying to change the subject. “Tao’er greets you both. Thank you for looking after Sister Yilin.”
“So you really are the young lady of the Su family,” the handsome young man said happily. “I am Nan Tianxing. Though we are both from the Imperial Capital, I have been away seeking the Dao, so I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Lady Su before. If we look at our families, my father and yours are actually close friends.”
“Is that so? Then today truly is a coincidence,” Su Tao’er said politely.
Just then, another voice rang out from outside the door. “Senior Male Disciple, what’s going on here? Have you run into some acquaintances?”
A young man of above-average height, dressed in luxurious clothing and carrying an air of cynicism, walked toward them.
Nan Tianxing said impatiently, “Junior Brother, come here quickly. Our luck is truly great today. We’ve actually run into the sixth lady of the Su family.”
The man was stunned for a moment before reacting. “The sixth lady of the Su family? You mean the Su family of the Imperial Capital?”
Nan Tianxing replied, “Exactly. This Lady Su is Yilin’s cousin.”
The man’s body shook upon hearing this. He didn’t dare to be disrespectful and bowed first. “I am Li Yuxia. My father is Li Ruhuo, the Left Vice Minister of Personnel of the Tiansheng Kingdom. It is an honor to meet the sixth lady of the Su family.”
Whether it was Li Yuxia or Nan Tianxing, they were both secretly surprised and delighted. To think they would encounter the sixth lady of the Su family! Everyone knew the head of the Su family doted on this youngest daughter immensely; he had even beaten his eldest son over her in the past! Even the Emperor of the Tiansheng Kingdom adored her so much that he had issued a decree to grant her an Imperial-Bestowed Sword!
“Tao’er greets all my brothers and sisters. You may just call me Tao’er,” Su Tao’er returned the greeting.
Li Yuxia and the others were overwhelmed by the favor, hastily saying they didn’t deserve such a polite gesture.
Finally, Li Yuxia noticed Si Yan’s presence. Still maintaining a cautious attitude, he asked, “And this gentleman is?”
The seductive woman, who hadn’t spoken until now, stepped forward. “Senior Brother Li, this man claims to be Lady Su’s master. When we ran into them just now, he was with her.”
Li Yuxia let out a laugh of disbelief. “Master? I have only just cultivated to the Three Souls Realm, yet this fellow looks even younger than I am. I doubt he is any more skilled than I am.”
After speaking, Li Yuxia sneered inwardly. He thought that this man lacked any air of an immortal or a sage. Looking at him closely, he seemed to be about eighteen or nineteen. Experts above the Xuanyuan Realm were mostly over 200 years old, and their appearance would be at least middle-aged. In the entire Tiansheng Kingdom, only two young geniuses had managed to reach the Xuanyuan Realm in their twenties or thirties, and even they were considered heaven-sent talents who were famous throughout the land. But this man before him was someone Li Yuxia had never even heard of.
Beside him, Nan Tianxing gestured and said, “Now, Junior Brother, appearances can be deceiving. While this young brother isn’t very old, I’m sure he has some skills. However, claiming to be Tao’er’s master is a bit of a stretch.”
Having said that, the polite Nan Tianxing cupped his hands toward Si Yan.
However, beneath his words and gestures, the deep-seated contempt was easily visible.
Si Yan remained seated where he was, acting composed as if he hadn’t seen them. Having lived for so long, he wouldn’t lower himself to argue with these juniors, but whether he chose to acknowledge them or not was entirely his choice.
Si Yan stood up and said, “Tao’er, your Master finds this place a bit noisy. Let’s go to the inn to rest.”
Su Tao’er obeyed and prepared to follow him.
But Yilin blocked their path again. “Su Tao’er, you aren’t allowed to leave.”
The other three also blocked Si Yan. Nan Tianxing, acting as the leader, advised him kindly, “Young brother, don’t act recklessly. Do you know who this Lady Tao’er is? You can’t just take her away whenever you please.”
Si Yan smiled. “Of course I know who this girl is. She is my dear disciple.”
Li Yuxia could no longer restrain himself and let out a cold snort. “You ignorant fool! Lady Tao’er is the daughter of the Grand Preceptor of the Tiansheng Kingdom, of the Imperial Capital’s Su family! How can a country bumpkin like you be worthy of such nonsense?”
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