Just then, footsteps sounded from upstairs.
A young man in a loose-fitting long robe, a hint of weariness on his face, slowly descended the stairs and entered the main hall.
"Defending the pass has been hectic lately, so I overslept."
Lin Shu came to the table and explained softly.
He had been genuinely busy lately.
First, he had to spar with Xie Yutang and Elder Xu. The former needed to quickly familiarize themselves with their Realm, while the latter required "rehabilitation training."
Then, he had to use his connections with Qingming and Golden Bear to secure the territory of Shihu City.
The two Demon Monarchs needed to deal with Yu Qiheng.
The remaining eighty-plus Demon Generals had to be divided to attack eight City Lord’s Mansions. Each mansion oversaw more than ten Earth Cities, all of which required careful assignment.
Yu Sheng was an Immortal Descendant, after all.
Despite possessing Magical Power comparable to the Core Formation Realm and a formidable Immortal Body, Lin Shu still had to keep the surrounding Earth Cities under firm control to avoid friendly fire.
After all that, he also had to send out several soul-splits to closely monitor the Border Region and Demon Mountain, ensuring any unexpected developments were kept in check.
Therefore, the exhaustion on his face was no act.
"You’ve worked hard. Please, sit."
Yu Xin smiled and nodded. "I’ve heard all about you. Making a name for yourself in Yongzhou with only a Foundation Establishment Cultivation and earning tens of thousands of merit points... that’s a first for Yongzhou Pass."
"It’s what needed to be done."
Lin Shu gave a perfunctory reply and sat down at the table.
’This is truly absurd.’
’When I was planning to leave, the carriage was already prepared, but the Yu Family dragged their feet, refusing to settle my merit points.’
’Now, the Demon Crowd lies in wait in the mountains, ready to attack in just a few hours.’
’I’ve already given up on the idea of leaving, yet the Yu Family shows up at my door for no apparent reason.’
’What took them so long?’
’If they’d come just a few days earlier, I’d be in Yongzhou by now. Why would I still be stuck here under this thick cloud of tribulation?’
"Hee hee."
Yu Sheng flashed this so-called "Aunt Xin" a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
Then she secretly scooted her stool to sit behind Lin Shu.
Just because she had only been awake for three months and was unfamiliar with many things didn’t mean she was stupid.
’This woman is obviously here to snatch me away, to tear me away from Lin Shu’s side. I’m not going to listen to her nonsense.’
"..."
Yu Xin noticed this small detail, and her eyes narrowed slightly.
’Rumor has it this master and disciple pair is rather unorthodox, which is why they displeased Yu Duchuan.’
’Seeing it with my own eyes, it seems the rumors weren’t false.’
’Before, one could explain it as Yu Sheng having no one else to rely on, forced to depend on this man to earn merit points, thus she endured it and laid low.’
’But now this abomination has come of age. She doesn’t lack for fame, and with the support of a single clan branch, she could compete for the title of Celestial Pride.’
’Even if Lin Shu’s talent for Magical Combat is strong, he is, in the end, just a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. His usefulness to Yu Sheng has been greatly diminished; he’s merely a follower worth cultivating.’
’Under these circumstances, for the two of them to still maintain their previous relationship...’
’This calls for an elder to intervene.’
’The master is weak while the servant is strong. How improper!’
"Since you’re both here, I’ll be blunt."
Yu Xin forced another smile. "From what I know, Yu Duchuan is a narrow-minded junior, the type to seek revenge for the smallest grievance. Although your Uncle Qiheng is the Garrison commander of Yongzhou Pass, he still has to show some respect to Duchuan’s parents and can’t suppress him too overtly."
"Sheng, conflicts between clan branches aren’t life-and-death struggles, but innocent bystanders inevitably get hurt."
She stared at the young girl with concern. "You need something powerful enough to keep your siblings in line, understand?"
"But I do," Yu Sheng said, her eyes wide as she instinctively glanced at the young man.
’Is this auntie blind? Can’t she see Lin Shu standing right there?’
*Hooo...*
Yu Xin let out a long breath, secretly gritting her teeth.
’An abomination is an abomination. Even if her body has grown, her brain still can’t understand human words.’
She said patiently, "A disciple is your aide, but what you need now is a backer. For instance, Aunt Xin, and your Uncle Qiheng. If you’re willing to be our daughter..."
"I refuse," Yu Sheng cut her off crisply.
"What did you say?" Yu Xin froze for a second.
"I said, I refuse!" Yu Sheng repeated, each word firm and forceful.
’She was the little chick raised by Lin Shu’s own hands, not the Yu Family’s Wind-Riding Cyan Simurgh, and she never would be!’
Rejected so directly, Yu Xin retracted her gaze. She looked down at the floor, her eyelid twitching twice. "Heh."
A whining wind gradually rose within the inn, carrying a hint of murderous intent.
The warmth on her face rapidly faded.
In truth, she didn’t care much for Yu Sheng. Yu Qiheng simply wanted some heirs, and she was just helping out as a persuader.
But the girl’s current attitude inexplicably reminded her of Miss Yun.
Yu Xin refused to believe that a clan member who had only been awake for three months would naturally harbor hostility towards the Yu Family.
’It must be because a certain someone has been teaching her by word and deed.’
’To use the status of a disciple to control his Master... such audaciousness! Who’s to say he won’t use the same methods to bewitch Miss Yun in the future?’
"Her mind is still young. I’d rather talk to you."
Yu Xin looked up at the handsome young man and said slowly, "Yongzhou Pass does indeed have a rule that one can be promoted to Mountain Master by accumulating ten thousand merit points, but no one has ever achieved it."
"Whoever sets this precedent will be ridiculed by the other Immortal Families."
"With only a Foundation Establishment Cultivation, you don’t understand the true difference between a World Traveler Disciple and a Mountain Master. It is a chasm you can never hope to cross."
"However."
With an arrogant flick of her sleeve, Yu Xin produced a set of items on the table: a blue and white Flowing Cloud Sword Robe, a golden thread cyan simurgh hair crown, a White Jade Waistband, and an exquisite Sword radiating the aura of a Low Grade Magical Treasure.

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