Please, Young Master, Slay the Demon!
Chapter 540 - 13 Am I not the protagonist? [Ask for monthly ticket!] _1

Chapter 540: Chapter 13 Am I not the protagonist? [Ask for monthly ticket!] _1

Xue Lingxue too was somewhat surprised.

The marriage proposal between the Second Prince and Shen Qingyan, it’s rumored, began when the Prime Minister mentioned it. Then the royal family and Nanyin Square had some communication, and both parties seemed to be in agreement. But as Nanyin Square didn’t have a tradition of arranged marriages, they allowed Shen Qingyan to meet the Second Prince at the Immortal Sect Conference in Yu Capital City. If both parties agreed, they could further the relationship.

This meeting was thus more akin to matchmaking.

To avoid discomfort, the Second Prince invited some of his friends from the Immortal Cultivation World in the capital under the pretext of hosting a banquet for prodigies, planning to cordially meet with Miss Shen in this setting.

The arrangement was generally fine.

The mistake was his fear that the palace attendants might have offended Chu Liang yesterday, so he decided to invite him too to make amends, arguing that one more person made the banquet more lively.

Xue Lingxue knew Chu Liang and consciously avoided the main seat, thus choosing to sit next to Chu Liang, which was normal. This way, Shen Qingyan could sit next to the main seat and have some private conversation with the Second Prince.

But who knew that Shen Qingyan would directly take her seat on the other side of Chu Liang, as if having something to say to him. This was abnormal.

The three of them form a small group, leaving the host, the Second Prince, isolated.

Xue Lingxue chuckled, asking, "Qing Yan, do you also know Warrior Chu?"

Shen Qingyan shook her head lightly, staying silent for a moment.

She only felt it was very strange.

She herself sensed the palpitation Chu Liang felt. She was adopted by her master at a young age. The only proof of her identity was the half of the Shen Character Jade Pendant she carried with her. It was the first time in all these years that the jade pendant reacted strangely. Could it be that the other half was with him?

Carrying a heavy curiosity, she sat next to Chu Liang, and as the two of them got closer, the jade pendant in her bosom became even more restless, almost jumping out on its own.

Chu Liang felt the unusual reaction of the jade pendant, and naturally, the wheels of his thoughts spun.

When he visited the deserted Shen family residence, he learned about what had happened. The only surviving baby was supposedly taken away by the Nanyin Square Master, could that be Shen Qingyan?

But if this was the case, why hadn’t she returned to the Shen family residence for so many years? Although the place was filled with gloomy spirits, Nanyin Square should have been able to deal with a deserted residence.

Unless the Nanyin Square Master had never told her about her origins throughout these years.

And why was that?

Although he had some doubts, this matter was far less significant to him than to Shen Qingyan, so he was much calmer.

Today’s protagonist of the banquet was the Second Prince, and the current situation was indeed a bit awkward. If the Second Prince had a bad temper, he might vent his anger on him. If the Second Prince was more amiable, then it was even more inappropriate for him to steal the spotlight...

He needed to find an excuse to get away.

As for the jade pendant, if Shen Qingyan was the rightful owner, then he could just return it to her.

But he is still unsure, if the Nanyin Square Master didn’t tell her about her real identity, was it necessary for him to speak up?

While he was pondering this, a clamor rose from the entrance, "Has Sister Shen Qingyan arrived yet? Let me see how beautiful Nanyin Square’s most beautiful woman is..."

Who came in was a bouncy young girl of about sixteen or seventeen. She was dressed in a scholar’s robe lined with red gauze, her big eyes and fair, pretty face had a unique, elfin charm.

Behind her came a graceful scholar in white, who was Minister Zhang from Ascending Dragon Academy, admonishing her as he entered, "Fangling, be more composed."

Upon entering the room, the young girl immediately greeted the Second Prince, "Your Highness, the Second Prince."

Then her gaze locked onto Shen Qingyan, "This must be Sister Shen. Truly like a fairy descended to Earth."

Without a doubt, Shen Qingyan was a beauty on par with Jiang Yuebai and Xi Miaoxian. Anyone with such a presence would be the first you’d notice in any space.

Previously, when the team from Mount Shu went to watch the matches at the arena, they were stared at, partly because Jiang Yuebai was too conspicuous, and they would always be singled out at first glance.

But no one will stare at Jiang Yuebai, they would just stare at the ones beside her.

The young girl quickly walked over to Shen Qingyan and sat beside her, acting like she wanted to be close to her beautiful sister.

Minister Zhang who came in later scanned the situation and thought it was a bit strange.

The Second Prince was now sitting alone at the main seat, with Chu Liang and the three ladies on the other side, forming a semi-encircling situation. If he sits together with his junior sister, that would completely isolate the Second Prince.

Consequently, Minister Zhang chose a seat next to the Second Prince, and together they watched the women across.

"Warrior Chu, this is my junior sister from Ascending Dragon Academy, Xu Fangling." Since they were acquaintances, he took the initiative to introduce her to Chu Liang, "Our dean dotes on her, so she’s a bit spoiled. Please bear with her."

"Haha, no problem at all," Chu Liang replied with a laugh.

Not long after the two from Ascending Dragon Academy arrived, another person came in.

The newcomer was rugged, even in his wide robe his robust muscles were not concealed. A bald head, stern brows and tiger eyes, he had an impressive and powerful look.

It was indeed the martial monk from Chonglou Temple, named Feng Lei.

Unlike the southern sect monks represented by Yunque Temple, Chonglou Temple, the leading northern sect, valued men with grit and not many words, and this Feng Lei was even more silent. After entering, he nodded at the Second Prince and silently took the seat on the other side of him.

With this, the situation in the room became three men on one side, Chu Liang and the three women on the other.

Chu Liang could only feel his embarrassment growing.

Feng Lei was also likely feeling somewhat bewildered, looking at Shen Qingyan then at the Second Prince, unsure of the current situation.

He was not the only one observing the Second Prince. Confusion filled the eyes of several guests who had arrived later.

The Second Prince had a sorrowful look in his eyes. He too was perplexed.

Half a year has passed with talks of us being paired up, so why did the situation suddenly change upon meeting?

A thousand words could only condense into one sentence. The Second Prince waved his hand helplessly, saying, "Let’s order food first."

...

The atmosphere at the feast was not exactly silent, especially with a chatty little girl present. Xu Fangling was clearly there for a task, speaking well of the Second Prince while trying to get closer to Shen Qingyan.

"Sister Shen, you should try to visit Yu Capital City more often in the future. The Immortal District is quite prosperous now," she said with a smile. "We should thank the Second Prince for this. At twenty, he was instructed to oversee the Immortal District, and he significantly revived that dull market area. Now, apart from blossoming Taotie City and the newly emerged Red Cotton Peak, our Immortal District is the liveliest."

Obviously, she was referring to the grand market area exclusive to cultivators.

Apart from Taotie City and Red Cotton Peak, there is only the Immortal District left. There isn’t a fourth place in the world.

Chu Liang also hurriedly added, "The Second Prince is indeed renowned for his exceptional abilities. Many businessmen speak highly of him."

"Oh, right." Xu Fangling looked at him, asking, "Does Warrior Chu own a shop on Shu Mountain’s Red Cotton Peak which is bustling with activity?"

"Just a small one," Chu Liang modestly responded with a smile.

"How small is it?" Xu Fangling asked, her curiosity piqued.

As Chu Liang was at a loss for how to respond, Xue Lingxue chuckled, "The whole mountain!"

The fact that Chu Liang leased the entire Red Cotton Peak was not widely known, but their old friends from Nine Heavens and Ten Lands did know some details. After all, many from the Immortal Sect had opened shops on Red Cotton Peak, all of whom had dealt with Chu Liang.

"Wow..." Xu Fangling’s eyes widened, "The entire Red Cotton Peak belongs to you?"

"Not exactly, not exactly," Chu Liang hurriedly demurred with a laugh, "I’m just in charge of it for a period of time, a small fry running errands for the sect. It’s just that my fellow sect members are all focused on cultivation, so these trivial matters fell on me."

You should just praise the Second Prince! Don’t shift the focus!

"In our cultivation journey, cultivating should indeed be our priority, as human energy is limited," Zhang Chen chimed in. "Even though the Second Prince is often tied up in political affairs, he is in no way inferior to the geniuses of the Immortal Sect in terms of cultivation. He almost made it to the top hundred in the last Immortal Sect conference, which was quite an achievement. A few years ago, I heard that when the Second Prince was patrolling the North Sea, he killed a Chaos Blood Descendant."

"Yes, I’ve heard about that too!" Xu Fangling interjected. "If that Chaos Blood Descendant had continued to cultivate for several hundred years, it could have become a real Chaos beast, one of the four great evil beasts! We could say that the Second Prince pre-emptively vanquished it. Such an achievement would mark him as a genius among the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands. After all, given this age, oh..."

While she was talking, she suddenly turned to Chu Liang. "I’ve always heard about how Warrior Chu earned his fame by slaying Tao Wu with his sword. Is it really true? I’m so curious. Can it really be achieved?"

"..." Chu Liang thought to himself, how did the conversation suddenly shift to him? Hurriedly, he said, "It was purely luck and thanks to my sect’s Divine Sword that I could slay Tao Wu. I believe any of my fellow sect members could have done the same."

Xue Lingxue laughed and said, "But I heard that the selection of a master by the Purple Green Double Swords is very strict. Yet, both of the swords chose you at the same time. This isn’t something anyone can achieve, is it?"

"Hehe, I’m not very sure about why either," Chu Liang responded casually with a laugh, and then added, "On Shu Mountain, be it in terms of cultivation or morality, there are many people superior to me."

"Indeed, morality takes precedence over everything else for us cultivators and ordinary people alike," Zhang Chen added. "Our Academy headmaster frequently praises the Second Prince’s moral character, saying that his time studying at the Academy has left a profound impression on all the teachers."

"Yes, yes. The headmaster has told us stories about the Second Prince," Xu Fangling added. "He said when the Second Prince was studying, he always helped poor classmates, and even saved young girls from local ruffians. These are all virtuous deeds."

"Right," remembering something, Xue Lingxue turned to Chu Liang, "The several hundred innocent women you saved back in Southern Border City, some of whom were homeless, were partially taken in by us at Nanyin Square. They wrote thank you letters and asked me to deliver them to you the next time we meet. I almost forgot until now."

With that, she took out a stack of letters and handed them to Chu Liang.

Indeed, a few of the Southern Region women whom Chu Liang had saved from being sold were taken in by Nanyin Square. Naturally, most of the miscellaneous servants, singers, and dancers in the square were women.

"You are all too kind," Chu Liang could only force a smile and accept the letters.

The atmosphere was becoming more and more unsettling. I’m a supporting character today, so why is the limelight on me?

He became aware that he absolutely could not stay any longer.

Sitting here truly felt like being on pins and needles.

So, without considering a polite excuse, he immediately stood up and said, "Our Head Master Uncle asked me to return early tonight for some important discussions. I beg your leave now. Thank you for your hospitality, Second Prince, and farewell, everyone."

Without pausing for any response, he swiftly walked out the door.

Seeing Chu Liang finally leave, the Second Prince also heaved a sigh of relief, and a smile crossed his face, prepared to restart the joyful conversation.

However, at this moment, Shen Qingyan, who had been quiet all along, suddenly stood up. "I’m sorry, I’m not feeling well. I need to leave first."

The smile on the Second Prince’s face suddenly turned stiff. He was stunned as he watched Shen Qingyan’s departing figure, his upward-curving lips turning into a frown.

What’s going on? Did they plan to leave together?

How is the scenario completely different from what I imagined...?

Am I not supposed to be the main character today?