Chapter 189: The Bootlicking Immortal Lord Who Wants to Live Off a Woman.55

The back mountain behind the Grand Competition arena was a dense forest, quiet and still, with only the occasional chirping of insects breaking the silence.

Under the towering trees, only a few rays of sunlight managed to pierce through the canopy, casting faint patterns on the forest floor. The dappled light made the already tranquil woods seem even more misty and dreamlike.

At this moment, Shen Xiuyan’s mood mirrored the surroundings—cool and somber.

“Mingyue, are you mad at me?” Shen Xiuyan asked cautiously.

Su Mingyue let out a sigh. “How could I dare be mad at you? I just want to know what you were thinking.”

Shen Xiuyan nervously fidgeted with his fingers. “…What do you mean by that?”

Why did it feel like she was trying to draw a line between them?

Su Mingyue looked him straight in the eye and asked seriously, “Why did you incarnate as a junior disciple to deceive me? Was it just to toy with me and avoid taking responsibility…?”

Shen Xiuyan’s eyes widened in disbelief. He couldn’t believe Mingyue would think that of him.

Driven by a strong will to survive, Shen Xiuyan immediately denied it. “No! I never thought that at all. You have to believe me!”

He looked a little aggrieved. “I only did it because it seemed like you didn’t like me the way I really am. So I transformed into a more easygoing disciple—at least on the surface. When I faced you as Shen Xiu, you didn’t treat me like this. But when I show you my true self, you act so cold toward me.”

Su Mingyue looked into his eyes and could tell he wasn’t lying, which surprised her.

She hadn’t expected the Ancestral Master to go to such lengths for her.

This kind of brainless behavior really didn’t suit someone of his stature.

And yet… why did her heart feel so warm?

Looking at the number one figure in the cultivation world acting like a wronged puppy in front of her, Su Mingyue couldn’t help but find it funny.

If anyone else saw this, what would happen to the Ancestral Master’s dignity?

She couldn’t resist reaching out to pat Shen Xiuyan’s head. Because of the height difference, she had to stand on tiptoe just to reach.

But the moment her hand touched him, she froze awkwardly.

What had once felt natural now felt… inappropriate, now that she knew who he really was.

But Shen Xiuyan didn’t seem to mind at all. Instead, he leaned into her hand and rubbed against it like a cat.

Huh…?

Su Mingyue let out a soft laugh. Maybe she was just overthinking things.

At least from what she could see, whether he was using his “main account” or his “alt,” the Ancestral Master treated her the same.

So what was she worried about?

A man like this was honestly hard to say no to.

Not wanting this radiant, moon-like man to keep looking at her so pitifully, Su Mingyue smiled and said, “Alright, I forgive you.”

“Really?! Mingyue, don’t worry, I’ll treat you well from now on. Just like before—nothing has to change.”

Shen Xiuyan’s eyes lit up. His Mingyue really was a goddess of mercy!

Su Mingyue hesitated. “Is that really okay…?”

If they kept acting like before and someone saw, wouldn’t that damage Shen Xiuyan’s dignity as the Ancestral Master?

But Shen Xiuyan shook his head. “It’s fine. As long as we’re happy, who cares what others think?”

What’s dignity compared to a wife? What kind of man still puts on airs in front of his woman?

So his dignity was for others. When it came to his wife, it was all about what made her comfortable.

Shen Xiuyan clearly didn’t care about anyone else’s opinion.

After all, the weak adapt to life, the strong change it. That’s what being domineering is all about!

With everything cleared up, there was no longer a shadow between them.

Su Mingyue reached out her hand. “Come on, let’s go see my father. I still don’t know how he’s doing.”

Shen Xiuyan leaned in with a playful tone. “You’ll put in a good word for me, right?”

Su Mingyue chuckled. “You know, my dad’s biggest idol is you, the Ancestral Master. I don’t even need to say anything—he’s probably already talked himself into liking you. At the very least, he’s definitely regretting how he spoke to you earlier.”

That was exactly what Shen Xiuyan needed to hear. If that were true, everything would be smooth sailing.

And just as Su Mingyue had said, after Elder Su finished his heartfelt conversation with Sect Master Xia, he returned with his two still-dazed disciples.

The three of them sat in the main hall, sighing heavily.

Elder Su muttered, “Sigh, I’ve sinned. I actually spoke to the Ancestral Master like that.”

“Do you think he’s going to punish me…?”

Wang Gang sniffled. “Boohoo, Little Junior Brother turned out to be the Ancestral Master… I even told him I’d protect him. I can’t show my face anymore…”

“Do you think he’ll come after me too…?”

The two exchanged glances. “Our master-disciple trio is really down on our luck.”

Ning Cui was doing a bit better than the other two. At least she knew the Ancestral Master liked her senior sister. She just hadn’t guessed that Little Junior Brother was the Ancestral Master himself.

Wait—hold on…

She’d actually given him attitude before, thinking he was competing with the Ancestral Master for her senior sister…

“Waaah! I’m the most screwed! I actually dared to give the Ancestral Master the cold shoulder. I’m probably doomed!”

Compared to her, the other two suddenly felt a lot better and even started comforting Ning Cui.

“It’ll be fine—Senior Sister’s still here, right?”

“Yeah, just relax. She won’t let anything happen to you.”

Ning Cui: “…”

You guys are such hypocrites. Weren’t you just panicking about your own futures? And now you’re suddenly all chill?
As the sound of pleasant bells rang through the air, the three of them looked up to see Su Mingyue returning with Shen Xiuyan.

They saw the two holding hands tightly and couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

It looked like their relationship was still intact—no cracks.

Good. That’s good.

If the Ancestral Master decided to punish them, at least they’d have someone to plead their case.

At the very least, their daughter/senior sister wouldn’t let them die without a fight.

Sniff sniff… Daughter/Senior Sister, our future rests in your hands.

“Father, Junior Brother, Junior Sister,” Su Mingyue called with a smile.

“Daughter…”

“Senior Sister…” x2

The three of them responded, but their voices were noticeably lacking in confidence.

Su Mingyue beamed at the three of them. “Still not over the shock?”

The three chuckled awkwardly. “We’re… we’re over it, more or less…”

“That’s good.” Su Mingyue cut them off before they could say more. “Even though Little Junior Brother is the Ancestral Master, I’ve still decided to be with him.”

“Right, right, of course…” The three forced stiff smiles.

Didn’t they see the Ancestral Master holding a dead fish, staring at them with a blank face? Say no? Who dared?

Seeing that none of them objected, Su Mingyue was quite pleased. “We’ve already agreed—just like how we used to get along before, we’ll keep doing the same from now on. So, Father, there’s no need to be so formal or distant.”

Elder Su hesitantly asked, “Really?”

Shen Xiuyan nodded with a gentle smile. “Really. You don’t have to treat me like the Ancestral Master. Just call me by my name. After all, I’ve made up my mind to become Mingyue’s Dao Companion!”

Elder Su: “……”

This was too much. Call the Ancestral Master by name? Even if he had nine lives, he wouldn’t dare!

“Father-in-law? Father-in-law?” Shen Xiuyan called softly, hoping to snap Elder Su out of it.

Instead, Elder Su seemed even more petrified.

Did he just hallucinate? Did he really hear the Ancestral Master call him “Father-in-law”?

What had he done to deserve this?!