Chapter 485: Gu Qingcheng

“Gu Qingcheng” sighed softly, not wanting to perform an ethics drama in front of Madam Yu and Qiao Ni. However, it seemed that Liu Churan didn’t care about any of that. In Liu Churan’s eyes, there was only Gu Qingcheng, but now she had already become Ye Wenxin.

This was the conflict between a major character and a minor character. If you want to rise above the masses, you need to abandon a leisurely and comfortable life. Everything must be carefully managed, but in regards to the current Ye Wenxin, she truly disliked this kind of mediocrity.

“Ran’er, do you still remember what I said when I took you in?”

“Gu Qingcheng’s” expression was cold, her eyes sharp, while Liu Churan listened in silence. When the two had met many years ago, Gu Qingcheng had made things clear: the Martial World was too vast, and cultivators had overly long lives. Gu Qingcheng could only accompany Liu Churan for a short part of the journey; after that, she would walk the road alone.

Now, however, Liu Churan cared too much about this companion of hers, to the point that even their path had changed direction.

Liu Churan opened her mouth, but in the end, she said nothing. She showed vulnerability before “Gu Qingcheng” that had never been shown in front of others. “Gu Qingcheng” thought she had said enough, and knew she should leave immediately before Liu Churan resorted to more extreme measures after processing everything.

However, since she was still stuck with Qiao Ni, leaving would mean taking that little troublemaker along. The two of them remained in a standoff without saying much more. “Gu Qingcheng” sat there, naturally displaying the comportment expected of a Demon Lord.

Liu Churan lowered her head, biting her lip, seemingly unsure of what to do next. Suddenly, as if she just thought of something, she glanced at Madam Yu, and called out, “Sis, please help me persuade Qingcheng.”

The fact that she used “Sis” in this situation was a clear sign of how helpless Liu Churan was after losing the Immortal Sealing Ring. In a direct confrontation, Liu Churan knew very well that she was no match for “Gu Qingcheng”.

She could only keep “Gu Qingcheng” from leaving through other means.

It was only then that “Gu Qingcheng” seemed to notice Madam Yu’s presence, and she asked, “You’re Ran’er’s elder sister?”

Madam Yu froze, and her last glimmer of hope shattered with that single question. Her legs felt weak, and she had to pinch her thigh hard to stay rational.

Madam Yu managed a strained smile and responded, “Yes, Demon Lord, I am Churan’s sister.”

Madam Yu’s reply was polite but distant, holding back the surge of emotions that was about to erupt. “Gu Qingcheng” sensed that her words had hurt Madam Yu, but with Liu Churan present, it wasn’t the right time to ask about the personal matters between them. So, she shifted her gaze back to Liu Churan.

Liu Churan stood there wordlessly. “Gu Qingcheng” had always been focused on pursuing strength, and was not skilled at handling emotions. Liu Churan had always been obedient and well-behaved in front of her, but no one could have predicted that the young woman from back then would become the swift and decisive Palace Master of Wind and Moon Palace.

Madam Yu also remained silent, her face pale; those words earlier were probably too much for her. Even though she had been searching for her all this time, she knew that she shouldn’t ask for more, or long for her. But those words still cut deep.

“I’m so sleepy.”

As a child, however, Qiao Ni didn’t understand the complicated relationship between the three adults. She let out a big yawn, and her words served as a reminder that it was late, yet a certain someone, for a certain reason, couldn’t leave the room.

Madam Yu was frail and shouldn’t stay up too late. “Gu Qingcheng” thought for a moment before continuing, “Ran’er, you should leave for now. I have something to discuss with this little lady.”

Liu Churan froze for a moment. She had thought “Gu Qingcheng” came to see Madam Yu, not Qiao Ni. Feeling hesitant, she recalled how “Gu Qingcheng” would show no quarter to anyone in her maddened state, not even her own family. Seeing that Gu Qingcheng had come specifically for Qiao Ni, Liu Churan grew even more apprehensive.

Even though Liu Churan had some unresolved issues with Madam Yu, none of it should affect the next generation.

Madam Yu was even more alarmed. She had long known how “Gu Qingcheng” had changed over the years. Hearing that “Gu Qingcheng” had actually come for Qiao Ni made her even more anxious, and she immediately wanted to protect her daughter.

The stance the two sisters took made “Gu Qingcheng” feel somewhat awkward. Once a villain had stained their hands, it was hard to change again. For this reason, “Gu Qingcheng” didn’t bother to explain, and asserted, “Do I need to repeat myself?”

Liu Churan’s lips formed a taut line, but she ultimately gave “Gu Qingcheng” a slight nod before exiting the room, leaving Madam Yu alone to defend Qiao Ni.

Madam Yu became more vigilant, wishing she could just blurt out the secret. However, if even that couldn’t keep “Gu Qingcheng’s” madness at bay, Madam Yu felt like her heart might break.

For the ridiculous youthful feelings she once had, and for guarding someone completely unworthy for so many years.

Madam Yu was still staring at “Gu Qingcheng”. “Gu Qingcheng” forced a slight smile and shifted into a more comfortable position.

She had chosen to flaunt herself. Just one glance and a single movement made the Demon Lord’s character more vivid. Combined with various stories about herself, it painted “Gu Qingcheng” in a more powerful, fearsome light.

“Gu Qingcheng” broke the silence first. “You don’t have to worry, Madam. I bear no ill will towards your daughter.”

Madam Yu didn’t trust her one bit. She slightly pursed her lips, while Qiao Ni was utterly clueless about the entanglements involved. As Madam Yu had always been wary of strangers, Qiao Ni thought her mother was simply being overly cautious, so she hurriedly explained, “Mother, you don’t need to worry. Xiao Hei… no, Sister Qingcheng is a good person.”

Madam Yu’s face turned even paler upon hearing this address, and she admonished, “Don’t call her that. You should refer to her as Demon Lord.” It seemed like she was deliberately distancing herself from “Gu Qingcheng”, unwilling to be bound to her at this moment. Perhaps it was also because of Qiao Ni’s true relationship with Gu Qingcheng; calling her ‘sister’ violated ethical norms.

Qiao Ni looked aggrieved, while “Gu Qingcheng” smiled and said, “No need to be so guarded, Madam. If this lord wanted to kill someone, I wouldn’t need to say a word.”

Madam Yu curbed her defensiveness slightly and gave a respectful bow to Gu Qingcheng. “My child is still young and in her growth period. If there’s nothing urgent, may I request that the Demon Lord come back tomorrow to discuss matters in detail?”

Even so, she still felt a little conflicted about the person in front of her, and was unwilling to let Qiao Ni be alone with “Gu Qingcheng” in the same space. “Gu Qingcheng” found herself at a loss for words; she had imagined this meeting with Madam Yu would be a pleasant reunion between exes, but it had turned out to be so awkward.