Ancient Strengthening Technique

AST 2397 – Zhongyuan City Lord’s Child, Su Chun

Though it had been a long time since they had last seen each other, it didn’t affect their relationship. Qing Shui was naturally happy to meet her again. Although they weren’t blood-related, Qing Shui had long thought of her as his own child.

After their meal, they understood the situation. Luan Luan established a branch for the Northern Underworld Immortal Palace there, but it couldn’t be considered as invincible. While Luan Luan’s abilities were great, the same couldn’t be said for her subordinates.

Luan Luan had decent strength, and Qing Shui already noticed this without the need to probe her. At least, she had reached a level that wasn’t inferior to Shen Huang and Beihuang Fan. Moreover, she was a beast tamer and also the most powerful kind at that.

Qing Shui wasn’t surprised by Luan Luan’s abilities and thought it was normal. Even Qing Shui didn’t know what sort of demonic beasts Luan Luan possessed now, and the extent of power they had.

Luan Luan led Qing Shui and his company towards the Northern Underworld Immortal Palace.

It was located at the southeastern side of Zhongyuan City, along a busy street and taking up roughly fifty thousand square meters of space. This was the branch outlet of the Northern Underworld Immortal Palace in Zhongyuan City and was considered small. However, to Qing Shui’s knowledge, it would be difficult for the Northern Underworld Immortal Palace to shift here.

Qing Shui grew curious. “Little girl, what’s your plan, establishing the Northern Underworld Immortal Palace here?”

Luan Luan sighed, “I did it for fun initially, but it’s impossible to stop now. I made a bet with someone, and I would lose if the Northern Underworld Immortal Palace doesn’t survive in Zhongyuan City for three years.”

Qing Shui was even more intrigued now. “How did that happen?”

“There’s a disciple from the City Lord Manor who wants to marry me. I’m not his match even if I make a move against him, but he wasn’t too strong by much. He didn’t do anything overboard as of now and has a good reputation in Zhongyuan City. Due to this, he would find some trouble with me from time to time, and without realizing it, we grew familiar with each other this way.”

Qing Shui observed the expression on Luan Luan’s face and realized just how much she had grown. Qing Shui wouldn’t pry about her personal life and only smiled. He said, “Oh, what’s this? My little girl fell for him.”

A rare look of embarrassment took over Luan Luan’s expression as she shook her head. “No, I just think he’s decent and strong. He doesn’t have a bad reputation nor is he already married. He’s also the one who declared to all Zhongyuan City that he wouldn’t wed before me.”

“He seems rational. He didn’t insist on you not marrying at all. Let me meet him when the opportunity arises, and I’ll check him for you. What do you think?” Qing Shui smiled.

Qing Shui was still Luan Luan’s father at the end of the day, and as the saying goes, nobody understands a child better than the father. Qing Shui could guess Luan Luan’s thoughts; she must have liked the man but didn’t want to take the step this easily. This was like a test for both sides.

“Alright, I’ll have someone inform him and have him come see you.” Luan Luan smiled.

Qing Shui froze before breaking out in a smile. “I see your words have weight to it. Tell me, at what point are you two at? Sigh... My little girl is all grown up now.”

Luan Luan flushed red as she clung onto Qing Shui’s arm. “We’re nowhere. We’re just friends! Daddy, you must help me decide. I’ll listen to you.”

“Alright, you don’t have to worry about that.” Qing Shui smiled gleefully.

Qing Shui’s children were all grown up now, especially Luan Luan. Yuchang was married and might even be a mother now. Luan Luan’s time was here too and with her attributes, it was truly difficult to find a suitable companion.

Luan Luan’s talent was too great, and no one around her age would be able to compare to her. Moreover, Luan Luan’s beauty was in no way inferior to those from the Portraits of Beauty; plus, she came from a strong background like the Qing Clan to boot.

Entering the Northern Underworld Immortal Palace, the interior was decorated in a luxurious fashion. It was tidy and clean, without even a speck of dust. There were women of all ages and appearances present.

Anyone who crossed Luan Luan’s path would politely address her as Palace Lord.

While it wasn’t grandly decorated, it didn’t lack much. There was a fragrance lingering in the air from a huge garden afar.

“Luan Luan, is there any Divine Palace or Demon Gate in Zhongyuan City?” Qing Shui just recalled the question he hadn’t asked.

“No. The power play here is complicated, but I’ve never heard of the Demon Gate nor about the Divine Palace here. There is one of each at the Forsaken Heaven Region’s city though,” Luan Luan answered without hesitation.

The information saved Qing Shui much effort in finding out about the Demon Gate and the Divine Palace. Hence, he decided to resolve Luan Luan’s issue here. If she really wanted to wed into the Zhongyuan City Lord’s family, then he would have to check out what kind of people they were.

While the Northern Underworld Immortal Palace was a distance away from the City Lord Manor, the guy Luan Luan mentioned shouldn’t have been far away; they met after merely six hours.

The man was young, but he was probably not much younger than Qing Shui. In fact, they might have been the same age. Qing Shui looked young too, but the charm and grace he carried was far more mature than his actual age.

But this fellow was a handsome man too, standing at around Qing Shui’s height. His eyes were clear, and he looked like a clean man. The cleanliness was a sort of mannerism; Qing Shui felt that the man was like him. There was familiarity between them as though he was looking at himself.

“Su Chun, this is my father,” Luan Luan introduced.

The man named Su Chun froze but soon recovered as he bowed in haste to Qing Shui. “How do you do? You look really young, Uncle.”

Qing Shui smiled. “Hello to you too. Luan Luan told me a lot about you.”

Qing Shui, Luan Luan, and Su Chun sat down at the pavilion in their backyard.

Su Chun’s abilities were on par with Luan Luan, perhaps slightly higher. However, it would be hard to tell who was stronger if they had to go all out, considering Luan Luan was a Beast Tamer.

“I’ve heard that Mr. Su had been forcing my daughter.” Qing Shui smiled.

“Uncle, do call me Su Chun or even Little Su. How could I ever force Luan Luan?” Su Chun answered frantically.

“You don’t have to be cautious, just speak as you wish.” Qing Shui’s cold gaze was fixated on Su Chun; his imposing manner suppressed the latter as Su Chun broke out in cold sweat.

Su Chun was shocked. He had thought that Luan Luan’s father would be a common man. Of course, he would still pay his utmost and most sincere respect, but he wouldn’t be as nervous as the typical man meeting his father-in-law.

Now, he realized he had misjudged Qing Shui. By using just his imposing manner, Qing Shui was able to suppress him to the point of being unable to breathe. In the Forsaken Heaven Region, Su Chun thought that maybe not even his own father was stronger than this man.

“Uncle, I wish to take Luan Luan as my wife. I hope you will agree.” Su Chun calmed down quickly. He knew that he had to solve the issue now, even if there was a possibility that he had no hope.

“I don’t know what right you have in liking my daughter. Why don’t you tell me?” Qing Shui retracted a bit of his mannerisms, but he still didn’t smile. He could naturally tell that this fellow was good at scheming.

A little scheming wasn’t a big deal. Overall, Qing Shui was satisfied with the man, with the latter’s pros outweighing his cons. However, he still thought that it was necessary to probe further.