Chapter 457: A Gentle Blade

The celestial-space restriction dissipated.

Lin Chuan and Yun Zhenshan returned to the Cloud Kingdom's lands.

Both gazed simultaneously toward the palace; with Wei Tianshu's defeat and the Yang Demon's departure, this royal succession war should now end.

As for the final outcome, it will be decided by the Cloud Emperor and the Eldest Princess.

"Lin Chuan kid, you really gave this old man a huge surprise."

Yun Zhenshan sighed.

Lin Chuan clasped his hands and said, "It's all thanks to the Grand General's effort; I, a junior, was merely a helper."

"Your merit is merit, but don't try to use this to get close to me; I remember certain things."

Yun Zhenshan hummed.

"From the Grand General's perspective, I acknowledge you, admire you, and your merit is undeniable, but from another angle—humph!"

"Just wait!"

"After we return, I'll properly talk Dao with you."

"…" Lin Chuan gave a wry smile.

The two quickly returned to the General's residence.

Inside the residence, Yun Zhi Yi, who had been looking around anxiously, saw the two return home and finally relaxed.

"A Chuan, you're back."

She jogged over, smiling brightly, and embraced Lin Chuan's arm.

Yun Zhenshan twirled his beard and glared, "Aren't you concerned about your old man?"

"Dad is a hero, of course nothing's wrong."

Yun Zhi Yi laughed, "Dad, you're so old, why are you still jealous of a kid like A Chuan?"

Yun Zhenshan was on the verge of crying.

You can't keep a grown daughter!

When Lin Chuan returned, his standing in his daughter's eyes dropped a level.

Still a child?

Which family's child can wield a sword to strike Wang Xian?

He also thought that later he'd give Lin Chuan a proper "severe interrogation" to see whether the rumors of his flirting outside are true; now it seems…

Even if true, his own daughter would only throw a little tantrum.

She can't possibly match this cunning kid Lin Chuan!

The three arrived at the courtyard.

Fine wine and delicacies were placed on the table.

Yun Zhi Yi enthusiastically served dishes to Lin Chuan, her face bearing a gentle smile, exuding the aura of a virtuous wife and good mother.

Lin Chuan knew the judgment was about to begin.

"A Chuan, it's been hard to come back, tell me about these years, I want to hear," Yun Zhi Yi raised her cup and lightly clinked it with Lin Chuan's.

"Ahem, actually there's not much to say."

Lin Chuan lightly sidestepped the heavy topic, "Back then, after leaving with my sister, on her recommendation, I practiced for a period in the Purple Star Emperor Sect."

"Later I found the Purple Star Emperor Sect wasn't suitable for me; it constrained my mindset, so I left, intending to wander the mortal world."

"Not suitable for you?" Yun Zhenshan didn't believe a word, "You've already mastered the Daoist supreme method 'One Qi Transforms the Three Purities', and you say the Purple Star Emperor Sect isn't suitable?"

"Wow!"

Yun Zhi Yi instantly showed a reverent gaze, "A Chuan, you've mastered One Qi Transforms the Three Purities?"

She was naturally familiar with the name of the Daoist supreme method.

That is a technique that only a handful of geniuses throughout history have cultivated, no wonder A Chuan has been transformed, his strength terrifyingly great.

"Just luck."

Lin Chuan gave no further details.

In terms of innate talent, he was certainly inferior to his sister Lin Yangyang.

But the existence of dream cultivation spaces allowed him to compensate for his cultivation flaws, so to outsiders he appeared uniquely gifted.

"What about later?"

Yun Zhenshan raised an eyebrow, "I heard you befriended a Red Lotus Witch of notorious reputation near the Demon Abyss?"

With Mo Sangyu's strength, her reputation wasn't big enough for Yun Zhenshan to bother.

But because of her special status, Yun Zhenshan could easily obtain a trove of information if he investigated.

"That story is long."

Lin Chuan's face remained unflushed and his heart steady as he solemnly explained, "Originally I was with some righteous people to subdue the witch."

"I didn't expect those righteous cultivators to have beastly hearts, using me as bait to feed that witch."

"I could only join forces with the witch to kill them."

"Later, a treasure appeared, drawing the covetous eyes of strong beings within the Demon Abyss; the witch and I fought side by side, together driving back the powerful foes."

"Through this back-and-forth, we became friends."

Lin Chuan spoke incessantly, painting the chase scene as a labyrinth of twists and constant danger.

Yun Zhi Yi remained silent, quietly listening, occasionally blinking, her smile residing in her eyes.

Yun Zhenshan occasionally cast disdainful glances.

Writer! Keep going!

I'm listening.

After Lin Chuan finished speaking about the Witch, Yun Zhenshan immediately asked, "What about the Spirit Clan's Ye Xue? How do you explain that?"

"I have dealings with the Spirit Clan," Lin Chuan began to explain again.

He said it was to obtain the Dragon Origin Yin‑Yang Pearl and even produced the Sword of All Beings as proof, leaving Yun Zhenshan speechless.

That sword is the one that saved his life.

"Alright, what about Tushan's Nine‑Tailed Fox matter?"

Yun Zhenshan continued, "As far as I know, members of the Nine‑Tailed Fox Clan are often love‑bound; staying by your side that long most likely means there's an affair."

Lin Chuan: "……"

No.

You know that too?

Seems the cheap old father‑in‑law's investigation was quite thorough.

Yun Zhi Yi kept smiling, and her smile made Lin Chuan's heart race.

Putting aside Reincarnation and Karma, just this matter alone, it is indeed that he has wronged Xiao Qingmei first.

"Alright, Father."

A moment later, Yun Zhi Yi stopped Yun Zhenshan from continuing, "A Chuan just got back; don't put that much pressure on him."

"He must have his own reasons for doing so."

"I believe A Chuan isn't the type to deliberately flirt and not keep me in mind."

She could clearly feel Lin Chuan's affection.

That is why she is willing to keep believing in Lin Chuan, but to say she's indifferent is impossible; right now she feels very uneasy.

Yet she cannot let the conflict grow larger, causing Father to worry and outsiders to gossip.

Before the couple's affection, Father can only be an outsider.

Some matters can be settled just between the two; the more external factors interfere, the more likely unnecessary problems arise.

"Sigh, just protect that boy then."

Yun Zhenshan had no choice.

His daughter must protect Lin Chuan; what can he do?

Ask any more and it would be overstepping.

In the end, it's the matter of the young couple.

"Going, going."

Yun Zhenshan sighed helplessly, "You've both grown up; I, old man, can't manage you any longer."

Having said that, he turned and left.

In the courtyard, only Lin Chuan and Yun Zhi Yi remained.

The two locked eyes.

Just a moment ago, Yun Zhi Yi's smile was radiant; now her eyes reddened, the smile gone, leaving only grievance and watery tears.

Oh no.

Lin Chuan's heart trembled; this is exactly what he can't stand.

Xiao Qingmei's tears, to him, are more damaging than the very source of Black Mist.

"A Chuan, do you no longer want me?"

Xiao Qingmei's eyes were tear‑filled and fluttering.

Lin Chuan was drenched in sweat, quickly embraced her, "How could I ever not want you?"

"Then tell me, the people Father mentioned, what's your relationship with them? Don't lie to me."

Xiao Qingmei pressed against his chest, her gentle whispers shaking his heart's walls.

Gentleness is a blade that can surpass ten thousand weapons.

At this moment, it is the most pressure‑filled moment Lin Chuan has faced in this life.