“Don’t say ‘absolutely impossible’! I don’t know if it’s possible, but I can guarantee you’ll be very surprised,” Shang Shuyu said with a smile.
Looking at Shang Shuyu, Qin Chu thought for a moment, “If I go to your Azure Dragon Holy Land to communicate and negotiate the annulment of the engagement, your Azure Dragon Clan people wouldn’t directly beat me up, would they?”
“That wouldn’t happen! However, our Dragon Clan hasn’t annulled an engagement in so many years, and even when your Vermilion Bird Holy Land declined, we didn’t make any announcements. Isn’t it quite awkward and hurtful for you to come to us and immediately bring up annulling the engagement?” Shang Shuyu said, looking at Qin Chu.
Qin Chu paused, “I’m not going to your Azure Dragon Holy Land to humiliate you; I want to resolve the matter. But it’s true, as you said, it is quite hurtful.”
Shang Shuyu smiled. One thing that made Qin Chu very different from his peers was his ability to consider things from others’ perspectives, acting neither self-centered nor selfish.
Since they hadn’t seen each other for a while, Qin Chu and Shang Shuyu chatted for a bit longer.
At this moment, Qian Lingwu, carrying a long spear on her back, entered Qin Chu’s courtyard.
Qin Chu stood up, “Let me introduce you. Senior Sister Lingwu, this is Shang Shuyu. She is my Senior Sister from Qingyun Sect and my best friend since I came to Central State. Senior Sister, this is Senior Sister Lingwu, the Princess of the Qian Dynasty. You should have heard of her.”
Qian Lingwu and Shang Shuyu nodded to each other, acknowledging the greeting.
The three chatted casually, but the atmosphere was a bit awkward. Qin Chu realized it was inappropriate to talk about his relationship with Qian Lingwu, and also inappropriate to talk about his relationship with Shang Shuyu. So, he simply avoided talking about the past and discussed the general situation of the world.
“Junior Brother, the behavior of Dao God Valley is shameless. After your Vermilion Bird Holy Land made a move, their pressure eased, but they didn’t fight much, shifting the pressure to you,” Shang Shuyu said.
Initially, the forces of Dao God Valley fought fiercely. In fact, they had no choice; it was a do-or-die situation. If they didn't fight and push the Blazing Thunder Holy Land and White Tiger Holy Land to compromise, there would be no place for Dao God Valley. When their people appeared, the White Tiger Holy Land and Blazing Thunder Holy Land would kill them fiercely, so they could only play hard, hoping to force the White Tiger Holy Land and Blazing Thunder Holy Land to compromise.
What they didn't expect was that the White Tiger Holy Land and Blazing Thunder Holy Land had no intention of compromising or negotiating. They were in an absolutely passive position and couldn't hold on for long. At the most critical moment, the Vermilion Bird Holy Land appeared, helping them alleviate the pressure. Because the White Tiger Holy Land and Blazing Thunder Holy Land feared the Vermilion Bird Holy Land, considering its threat greater than Dao God Valley's, they focused their efforts on defending against the Vermilion Bird Holy Land. At this point, Dao God Valley played a trick; although they were still fighting, they had become marginalized, in a semi-retreating state.
“That’s something I didn’t expect. Later, our Vermilion Bird Holy Land will change our tactics; we can’t let them off easy,” Qin Chu said. Qin Lingxi had discussed this with him; Dao God Valley’s retreat was indeed something Qin Chu hadn’t anticipated.
They chatted for a while, then had lunch together.
In the afternoon, Qin Chu greeted Qian Lingwu, then sent Shang Shuyu off.
After leaving Vermilion Bird Villa, Shang Shuyu looked at Qin Chu, “Junior Brother, you plan to annul the engagement, is it because of this Qian Lingwu?”
“Senior Sister, what are you saying? That’s not true. Senior Sister Lingwu and I have a very good relationship, but that has nothing to do with annulling the engagement. I just feel that two strangers, brought together only because of an engagement set by elders, wouldn’t be happy,” Qin Chu said to Shang Shuyu.
“You go back! I’m going to that mountain hollow to build a bamboo house and rest there,” Shang Shuyu looked at Qin Chu and didn't let him escort her any further.
“I’ll go help you and Granny build the bamboo house,” Qin Chu said.
After a slight hesitation, Shang Shuyu didn't refuse.
Building a bamboo house wasn’t very troublesome. Working until dark, Qin Chu had the main structure of the bamboo house built.
“Senior Sister, Granny, you can slowly work on the remaining details!” Qin Chu said after looking at the main structure of the bamboo house.
“Okay, Granny and I will handle the remaining details together. But there’s something I need to tell you: when you leave, or when you’re going to battle, you must call for me!” Shang Shuyu said, looking at Qin Chu.
“Okay, I’ll definitely call for you; I won’t leave you behind,” Qin Chu smiled. He felt that Shang Shuyu had it quite tough, coming all the way from Central State to Southern Flame State, and now to the Vermilion Bird Holy Land, all for an engagement she didn’t want. He wondered when it would all end.
Qin Chu left, and Shang Shuyu watched him go until he was out of sight.
“Yuer, you have a smile on your face, but you’re not happy. Has something happened? Qin Chu’s attitude hasn’t changed, has it?” Granny Xue asked, looking at Shang Shuyu.
“It’s nothing! Granny, let’s make do tonight, and we’ll deal with the bamboo house details tomorrow,” Shang Shuyu shook her head. She didn’t know why, but she just felt a bit unhappy.
Returning to Vermilion Bird Villa, Qin Chu went to see Qin Lingxi.
“Qin Chu, have you handled the matter?” Qin Lingxi asked, looking at Qin Chu.
“There’s nothing that needs handling. What I’m considering now is that Dao God Valley has retreated, so we need to change our tactics,” Qin Chu said, looking at Qin Lingxi.
“Dao God Valley is truly a group of shameless people. We made a move to help them bear the pressure, yet they retreated. Aren’t they afraid of being ridiculed by the world?!” Qin Lingxi cursed.
“We underestimated their shamelessness. How about this: let’s treat them as opponents. During battle, we can do some ‘diverting trouble’ and draw them in. Once we find out where they’re hiding, we’ll fight near that location, exposing their hiding spot. They won’t be able to avoid fighting. If they want to be shameless, we can be too!” Qin Chu expressed his idea.
Qin Lingxi nodded, “Auntie is also thinking about these issues. Let’s try your method first; it should work.”
“Auntie, can our forces infiltrate the Black Tortoise Holy Land? Although we don’t currently have the ability to rescue my mother and Uncle Qingyi, we need to get information to prepare for the future,” Qin Chu said, stating his second purpose for coming.
Qin Lingxi was silent for a moment, “After the Black Tortoise Holy Land sealed itself off, it had less contact with the outside world, but it wasn’t absolute. They just stopped communicating with other forces, but some industries are still operating. Sending in spies isn’t very possible. We’ll try to find people who are loyal to your mother; that way, we might be able to find out about your mother’s situation.”
“If we can find Black Tortoise Holy Land people who support my mother, then it will be easier. Auntie, please put your heart into this matter. Only with information can we analyze opportunities and formulate a rescue plan,” Qin Chu said.
