Three days quickly passed by.
On this morning, while Su Yi yawned and ate his breakfast, across from him, Cha Jin looked radiant. She smiled elegantly, her beautiful eyes shining with a vibrant and captivating aura.
"Young Master, this is the ginseng soup I stewed last night. Drink some more to nourish your body," Cha Jin said with a smiling expression as she filled a bowl of ginseng soup for Su Yi.
Su Yi picked up the bowl and drank it all in one go after finishing his meal.
After eating and drinking his fill, Su Yi rubbed his forehead and looked at Cha Jin, speaking seriously, "I wasted a lot of time and energy by directly imparting you the Dual Cultivation technique last night. Although it may seem like you had the upper hand in the end, it was to allow you to experience the profound aspects of this secret technique. Don't think too much about it."
Cha Jin blushed, not knowing what came over her. She lowered her head shyly and stammered, "Young Master, I didn't think too much. I just didn't expect that doing such an embarrassing thing could actually help with cultivation, to the point that I... couldn't sleep all night..."
Her voice gradually became softer, as delicate as a mosquito's buzz. Her bright and beautiful face blushed like the rosy dawn, and her crystal-clear, snow-white skin tinged with a pink hue.
Su Yi yawned and didn't say anything more.
After not having engaged in Dual Cultivation for many years, he almost couldn't endure it. This made Su Yi somewhat annoyed. In the end, the Gathering Qi Realm was still a realm of mortals and couldn't withstand a night of intense battle and turmoil.
If it were his past life...
Su Yi shook his head inwardly, no longer dwelling on such thoughts. A hero doesn't reminisce about their past glory.
Not long after, the Azure Scale Eagle arrived, carrying Ning Yihuai and Shen Jiushong.
"Are you ready, fellow Daoist?" Ning Yihuai changed into a convenient battle attire, and even her jet-black long hair was braided, which further highlighted her exquisitely beautiful and youthful face.
"There's nothing to prepare. We can set off at any time," Su Yi casually replied.
Only then did he notice that despite her petite stature, this woman had an incredibly well-proportioned figure.
The tight-fitting battle attire hugged her delicate body, accentuating her magnificent curves at the chest and waist/hips.
Seemingly aware of Su Yi's gaze, Ning Yihuai raised an eyebrow slightly, and a hint of a smiling arc appeared at the corner of her lips.
If it were any other man daring to scrutinize her like this, she would have probably slapped him long ago.
However, when faced with Su Yi's straightforward and unabashed gaze, she couldn't bring herself to get angry.
Instead, she found it intriguing. It seemed that this seemingly unfeeling and arrogant guy was not entirely unaffected by beauty after all.
What caught Ning Yihuai off guard even more was that at this moment, Su Yi praised her in front of everyone, saying, "I didn't realize before, but you indeed have remarkable qualities."
Shen Jiushong was dumbfounded, his eyes showing a strange expression. Deep down, he couldn't help but admire Su Yi. This Young Master Su was quite something!
If it were anyone else, who would dare to flirt with Ning Yihuai, the terrifying and mysterious figure who was the Palace Master of Tianyuan Academy?
Cha Jin couldn't help but sneer inwardly. How could the young master speak so shamelessly and boldly?
Ning Yihuai fell silent for a moment, seemingly trying to resolve the embarrassment and annoyance in her heart. Then, she lightly smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist, jokes are jokes, but don't play with fire."
Su Yi pondered for a moment and replied, "Are you worried that I'll get burned?"
Ning Yihuai's forehead twitched, and she gritted her teeth to correct him, "It's playing with fire, **!"
Looking at Shen Jiushong and Cha Jin, both of them turned their heads and didn't dare to look at Ning Yihuai, fearing that she would become angry and they would suffer the consequences.
Ning Yihuai also realized that she had been a bit out of line. She calmed herself and said, "Since we are ready, let's set off now. Following Qing'er's pace, we should arrive at the Bloodthorn Demon Mountain by this evening."
Su Yi and Shen Jiushong nodded in agreement.
Suddenly, Ning Yihuai remembered something and said, "Miss Cha Jin, with the turmoil and chaos in Gunzhou City right now, when we're not around, you can take shelter at Tianyuan Academy. I have already made arrangements with Elder Shang Zhen."
Cha Jin felt surprised. She didn't expect that the esteemed Palace Master of Tianyuan Academy would actually consider her well-being.
Her gaze couldn't help but turn towards Su Yi.
"Go ahead," Su Yi nodded.
It had been three days since the West Mountain Tea Gathering ended.
With the death of Governor Xiang Tianqiu and the downfall of the four top-tier influential figures, Yu Bai Ting, Xue Ningyuan, Zhao Qing, and Bai Hanhai, Gunzhou City was like a headless dragon, with various forces taking advantage of the situation, clashing with each other, and plunging the whole situation into turmoil and chaos.
Chaos inevitably brought bloodshed and signified that the major forces in Gunzhou City would undergo a new round of reshuffling.
Although these matters had nothing to do with Su Yi, he was, after all, the one who started it all.
Once those hostile individuals seized the opportunity, they would undoubtedly do some crazy things.
In such a situation, it was indeed the most prudent approach for Cha Jin to hide in Tianyuan Academy and avoid the limelight.
Seeing this, Cha Jin agreed.
Just as Su Yi and the others were preparing to set off, a voice suddenly sounded outside the courtyard, "Young Master Su, Duke Yushan is here to visit."
It was Zheng Tianhe's voice, carrying a hint of seriousness and solemnity.
Duke Yushan?
Su Yi furrowed his eyebrows slightly.
Shen Jiushong whispered, "This person's name is Pei Wenshan, a Grandmaster at the Fourth Realm. Fifteen years ago, he was appointed as Duke Yushan and stationed in the territory of Linzhou. He is the fifth non-clan duke to come out of the Su family in Yujing City."
"I see," Su Yi immediately understood that this was the power of the Su family in Yujing City coming to their doorstep.
"Cha Jin, go and welcome the guest," Su Yi instructed.
Soon, guided by Cha Jin, Zheng Tianhe and a middle-aged scholar-like man walked in.
The middle-aged man was dressed in a well-tailored jade robe, with neatly arranged sideburns and an appearance like a jade crown. He had fair skin and a refined demeanor.
He appeared to be in his early thirties at most.
This person was Duke Yushan, Pei Wenshan.
Seeing Su Yi, Zheng Tianhe was about to explain something but was stopped by a shake of Su Yi's head.
How could Su Yi not see that Zheng Tianhe was forced to bring Pei Wenshan here?
"Brother Shen?" Pei Wenshan was surprised when he saw Shen Jiushong. "Why are you here?"
Shen Jiushong calmly replied, "I could ask the same. Duke Yushan, you have been stationed in the territory of Linzhou for a long time. Why are you here today?"
Pei Wenshan smiled and said, "I have come on orders."
Sweeping his gaze, he looked at Su Yi and slightly cupped his fists, saying, "Third Young Master, the Clan Chief entrusted me with a message for you."
Clan Chief!
Ning Yihuai and Shen Jiushong immediately realized that Pei Wenshan was here on the orders of Su Hongli, the head of the Su family in Yujing City.
Su Yi remained calm and said, "Speak."
Pei Wenshan said, "The Clan Chief said that as long as the Third Young Master lowers his head and admits his mistake, he can give you a chance to start anew."
Su Yi paused for a moment and asked, "Did Su Hongli really say that?"
Pei Wenshan furrowed his eyebrows slightly and reminded him, "Third Young Master, as a son, it is disrespectful to directly call your father by his name."
Su Yi's expression remained calm as he said, "What? Are you here to teach me a lesson?"
Pei Wenshan looked at Su Yi for a moment and suddenly smiled, "I heard that during the recent West Mountain Tea Gathering, the Third Young Master displayed great power and killed many people. I was quite amazed. I don't know if it's true or false. Now that I see you, let's not discuss your cultivation level. Based on your temperament and courage alone, you are extraordinary."
As he spoke, his voice carried a hint of admiration.
He was Duke Yushan of the Great Zhou Empire, renowned throughout the world, and with the backing of the Su family in Yujing City, his power was overwhelming.
Even a Clan Chief like Zheng Tianhe would have to show deference upon meeting him.
However, from the moment he entered Shu Shi Residence and saw Su Yi for the first time until now, Pei Wenshan hadn't sensed even a trace of fear or awe from the other party.
This surprised Pei Wenshan.
In his impression, Su Yi, this illegitimate son, had been neglected since childhood and was considered insignificant and useless. His status was even lower than some maids and servants in the Su family.
But now, upon seeing him, Su Yi had completely changed from what he had imagined.
After a moment of silence, Pei Wenshan said, "Third Young Master, the Clan Chief said he will give you some time to consider, with the deadline being the fifth day of the fifth month."
The fifth day of the fifth month!
Su Yi's eyes narrowed slightly. On that day, his mother, Lady Ye Yufei, was deposed by Su Hongli, and she fell ill from that day onwards, never to recover.
Undoubtedly, Su Hongli's implicit meaning was that if Su Yi didn't lower his head and admit his mistake, he would be deposed just like his mother, Lady Ye Yufei!
Ning Yihuai and Shen Jiushong also heard the implied threat and couldn't help but look at Su Yi.
They saw Su Yi's gaze remain indifferent, his tone without a ripple as he said, "Give me a little over a month to consider? Very well, then you can go back and tell Su Hongli that on the fifth day of the fifth month, I will go and pay respects to my mother's grave. By then, I will go to the Su family in advance to get some offerings to console the spirit of my mother, Lady Ye Yufei."
The atmosphere suddenly became silent and oppressive.
Ning Yihuai's beautiful eyes showed a hint of surprise.
Shen Jiushong took in a sharp breath.
Cha Jin widened his eyes.
Zheng Tianhe's hands and feet trembled.
They could all hear the endless murderous intent hidden behind Su Yi's seemingly casual words.
He was planning to storm into the Su family in Yujing City, seeking justice for his mother, Lady Ye Yufei, and it seemed that he might even sacrifice some people as offerings!
Pei Wenshan's expression flickered uncertainly. He hadn't expected Su Yi's response to be so firm!
"Third Young Master, you can't act impulsively. If it really escalates to the point where you and your father become enemies, it won't end well," Pei Wenshan said, taking a deep breath. His gaze was fixed on Su Yi. "Let me tell you this, if the Clan Chief becomes thoroughly angry, the current Emperor will not hesitate to depose the Sixth Prince, whom you consider your support. By then, with just you alone, what can you do to fight against the entire Su family?"
His gaze shifted to Shen Jiushong. "Brother Shen should understand that my words are not mere threats, right?"
Shen Jiushong's eyes showed a strange expression as he said, "That statement is not entirely false. However, in my opinion, Brother Pei, you are currently just a messenger. It's best to deliver the message peacefully. It wouldn't be good to meddle in matters that shouldn't be spoken of."
He wanted to burst out laughing in his heart. Pei Wenshan actually thought that Su Yi intended to rely on the Sixth Prince to confront the Su family in Yujing City. It was truly a delusion!
Pei Wenshan was taken aback, sensing that Shen Jiushong's attitude was problematic. He shifted his gaze back to Su Yi and asked, "What are your thoughts, Third Young Master?"
"I'm telling you, even if I say that I alone can annihilate the Su family, you're bound not to believe it. Since that's the case, why bother saying so much? Just go back and faithfully relay my words to Su Hongli," Su Yi calmly replied. "You may leave, and there's no need for further farewells."
With a wave of his hand, he dismissed Pei Wenshan as if he were swatting away mosquitoes and flies.
Pei Wenshan's face changed several times, but in the end, he took a deep breath, suppressed his inner anger, and left without uttering a word, his sleeves trailing behind him.