CHAPTER 353: CHAPTER 348 SHE REALLY LIKES ME

Qinghe County, a fiefdom of Prince Qinghe of the Da Li Dynasty, is centered around Prince City and governs many surrounding counties.

This Prince Qinghe was someone who made great contributions during the time of the demon menace, and as a result, was granted a fiefdom in the heart of the Da Li Dynasty.

Within Qinghe County, at a blacksmith shop, the sound of iron being hammered echoed. A middle-aged man, shirtless and wielding a heavy hammer, repeatedly pounded on a piece of iron, which glowed red hot and gradually took shape under his strikes.

"I advise you to leave. Don’t waste your time here. My daughter Yuyao would never take a liking to you," the blacksmith, appearing somewhat aged, muttered as if talking to himself.

Sitting on a bench outside the shop, a young man with a refined appearance and a sword in his arms scoffed as he glanced at the blacksmith and said, "I say, Old Man Wang, stop flattering yourself. Even if your daughter thinks she’s something, do you think someone like me would be interested?"

"Heh... What’s wrong with my daughter?" the blacksmith glared at him and said, "The Heavenly Pride Girl of Yu Kun Academy, even walking the lands of Da Li, can still be called a genius. You aren’t interested? You’re blind."

Yu Kun Academy is a sacred place for cultivation in Qinghe County with hundreds of years of history.

"Of course, I’m not interested. My future wife is an immortal," the young Sword Cultivator said with a romantic smile on his face, lost in thoughts of a beautiful scene, though who knows where she is now.

"Then why are you hanging around without leaving?" the blacksmith looked up and glared at the young man outside.

"If I leave, what if demons come?" the young man sneered. "With those old bones of yours, you won’t last a bite from a demon. I’m being noble, protecting you."

"You?" the blacksmith sneered. "With your cultivation level, really? Don’t think you’re a formidable Sword Cultivator just because you have a sword. You’d be better off getting lost, as you’re an eyesore hanging around me every day."

"You don’t understand," the young man shook his head. "Old Man Wang, believe it or not, someday I’m going to become a Great Sword Cultivator."

"Ha..." Old Man Wang chuckled, leaving everything unsaid.

The ding of the hammering continued. The young man slightly closed his eyes, somewhat enjoying the sound, which was exactly like it was in his childhood. His father was also a blacksmith. It’s been some years since he went back, and he wondered how his father was.

Recently, the demon menace occurred frequently in Qinghe County, with demons appearing everywhere, causing serious chaos. He knew there were quite formidable demons.

On his way here, he was attacked by demons and nearly lost his life, but Old Man Wang saved him.

Hence, he stayed here to return the favor.

"Brat," Old Man Wang looked up at the young man outside, cursing silently in his heart.

After a while, the young man opened his eyes and glanced towards the distance, seeing a group of figures riding magical treasures approaching from afar.

Soon, those figures arrived overhead and then descended from the sky.

This group had extraordinary demeanor, wearing luxurious clothing, and their cultivation levels were not below his. Of course, they were also quite older than he was.

As they walked forward, they naturally saw the young man sitting outside with a sword in his arms, but merely glanced dismissively at him.

"Dad." A woman dressed in black walking at the front called out to the blacksmith.

Old Man Wang put down his heavy hammer, wiped his sweat, smiled brightly, and said, "Yuyao, what brings you here?"

"It’s not safe here anymore. I’m here to take you to live in the city," Wang Yuyao said to the blacksmith.

"I’ve been here for decades; what’s unsafe? These old bones aren’t up for any hustling. Yuyao, don’t worry about me," the blacksmith shook his head nonchalantly.

"Uncle, the demon menace has been extremely severe lately. Yu Kun Academy has already ordered for demons to be slain, and all disciples have been sent out. You should listen to Yuyao and go stay in the city for your safety," a young man beside her said.

"Killing demons is good. Yu Kun Academy has so many disciples, with geniuses as numerous as clouds. With all of you taking action, it puts my mind at ease," Old Man Wang said. "Unlike the court which is useless, not only failing to eradicate the demons, but also allowing them to invade human territories without coming up with a solution. Common people’s lives must be worth less."

"Dad, hurry and pack your things," Wang Yuyao said.

Old Man Wang shook his head, pointed at the young man sitting outside, and said, "Yuyao, you met this kid Qingshan before, he’s been guarding this place for some days. I’ve seen he has some potential. Can you introduce him, see if he can go to Yu Kun Academy to cultivate?"

The group of people, upon hearing Old Man Wang’s words, glanced at the young man sitting nearby, but only briefly.

In this vast Qinghe County, who wouldn’t want to enter Yu Kun Academy to cultivate?

But Yu Kun Academy is extremely strict in selecting disciples; it’s not simply a matter of wanting to join. Introductions hold no sway.

"Dad, don’t just say things randomly. Yu Kun Academy selects disciples through strict assessment, and we don’t have the right to recommend," Wang Yuyao replied, looking at the young man beside her. "Thank you for your care these days. If there’s anything you want and I can grant it, I’ll try to fulfill it."

"No need. I’m staying here of my own accord," the young man smiled and shook his head.

"Can’t recommend?" Watching his daughter, Old Man Wang said, "Then see if there’s a way to keep him by your side. This kid Qingshan is young and decent; you can treat him as a younger brother."

"Dad..." Wang Yuyao was slightly displeased; her dad was muddle-headed, with no sense of caution.

Besides, taking him around with her would be inappropriate.

"I say, Old Man Wang, can’t you stop meddling in my business? I said I’d protect you. As long as I’m here, you’ll be safe," the young man stated resolutely, as it’s a debt he owed.

"Brat!" Old Man Wang muttered under his breath, finding it hard to drive him away.

"No need, I will protect my dad. If there’s nothing else, you should leave, the city is safer," Wang Yuyao turned back and said coldly.

Does this guy really want to stay by her side? Or does he aspire to join Yu Kun Academy? Quite ambitious.

But these are thoughts beyond him.

The young man closed his eyes, pretending not to hear.

This caused those around Wang Yuyao to frown slightly, and one person looked at him and asked, "Are you a Sword Cultivator?"

Sword Cultivators are relatively rare.

"Sort of," the young man replied with his eyes closed.

"Oh?" The person who asked revealed a faintly amused expression, "How is your Sword Dao?"

"Not bad," the young man continued.

"The young ones are confident," the person chuckled and said, "The demon situation here is not something you can involve yourself in. Don’t let your whims cost you your life. I advise you to leave early."

The young man didn’t respond further, feeling indifferent and bored.

At this moment, the group suddenly looked into the distance, noticing another group flying towards them in the sky.

"Are those outsiders?" they thought to themselves.

"Seems like it," the person beside them responded.

"Their aura is quite distinguished."

In the air, Li Fan and the others traveled on a Flying Boat. They had spent a lot of time en route and realized the entire Qinghe County was permeated with demon energy.

Did Senior Brother send him to Qinghe County to slay demons, or was there a different purpose?

"There are cultivators down there," Luo Qingyan looked down, and Li Fan also did the same, noticing a group observing them.

Initially, Li Fan didn’t pay it much mind, but upon seeing the young man seated there, he momentarily froze and said, "Let’s go down."

He willed the Flying Boat to dive down.

"They’re coming here," someone below said, the atmosphere slightly tense.

The young man, who was resting with closed eyes, opened them to look up. Upon recognizing the newcomers, he froze and then rubbed his eyes.

"I..." he suddenly jumped up, prompting the nearby people to glance at him indifferently.

Li Fan and his group landed below, and one of the cultivators from Yu Kun Academy slightly cupped his hands and said, "We are cultivators from Yu Kun Academy. Who are you?"

Li Fan, however, ignored them, his eyes fixed solely on the young man.

That man pointed at him, then at Lu Yuan beside him.

"You, you, you..." he sputtered.

Wuwuwu!

Yang Qingshan’s heart bled; were they together now??

"Brother Xiao Fan, how could you do this?" the young man lamented, heartbroken. A friend’s wife should not be coveted.

Lu Yuan was taken aback and softly called, "Yang Qingshan?"

Her expression turned peculiar, and then she glanced at Li Fan beside her, unable to suppress a radiant smile.

"Ah!"

Yang Qingshan was stunned once again, beholding the beautiful scene before him.

Lu Yuan, was she smiling at him?

Wuwuwu!

He knew it, Lu Yuan liked him.

Indeed, after several years apart, Lu Yuan smiled so happily upon seeing him.

His Lu Yuan had become even more beautiful, like a fairy!