I am about to die of old age, and I have awakened the character of longevity.

Chapter 261 Holding Hands, Explosion!
Xie An left the courtyard with a solemn expression. When he reached the door, he saw Su Yuqing standing under the eaves in a purple silk dress. The bright moonlight shone on her face, making her radiant.

Seeing Xie An come out, Su Yuqing forced a smile, "Finished chatting?"

Xie An nodded: "Yes. Master wants you to go in."

Su Yuqing was slightly surprised. She hadn't expected that a peerless figure like Bai Yujing would want to meet with her alone.

Xie An seemed to have seen through Su Yuqing's thoughts, and said with a soft laugh, "Go ahead. Your master is a good person. You've known him for many years, haven't you?"

Su Yuqing nodded, then turned and entered the courtyard.

This time it was Xie An's turn to wait at the door.

While waiting, Xie An began to ponder in his mind what Bai Yujing had said.

Xie An vaguely sensed that a major upheaval might be about to occur in the Great Qian Dynasty.

The Jingtai Kingdom has been established for over 120 years.

Emperor Jingtai also remained in seclusion for over 120 years.

Xie An had some knowledge of the emperors of the Tianbao and Jingtai reigns. After comparing them, Xie An felt that the Jingtai Emperor was far more capable than the Tianbao Emperor.

Now, Emperor Jingtai is determined to eliminate two major hidden dangers at the same time: Ye Nantian and Bai Yujing.

The world is about to descend into chaos.

Xie An was still in his developmental stage.

He didn't like this turbulent situation and just wanted to develop quietly.

However, time waits for no one.

There is nothing we can do about it.

Everything depends on Master's next arrangements.

Thinking of this, Xie An leaned against the door frame, looked up at the bright moon in the sky, and felt a little more solemn.

A full hour later, footsteps sounded behind him. Xie An turned around and saw Bai Yujing and Su Yuqing walking out side by side.

Su Yuqing looked much more relieved.

Based on Xie An's understanding of her, he could most likely deduce that Su Yuqing's doubts had all been answered by Bai Yujing. She was no longer confused.

It seems that Bai Yujing repeated what he had said to her to Su Yuqing.

They even revealed other important information.

After exchanging pleasantries, Bai Yujing concluded, "You should go and keep your appointment."

Xie An bowed slightly to Bai Yujing, then pulled Su Yuqing's wrist. Seeing that she did not resist, he tightened his grip and said, "Come on, I'll go with you."

Su Yuqing nodded emphatically, "Okay."

The two left the back mountain, exited the Yunzhou Taoist Academy, and headed straight for the Demon Suppression Division.

Su Yuqing remained silent throughout the journey, and seemed somewhat worried. Xie An couldn't help but ask, "Are you worried that Ye Nantian might harm you?"

Su Yuqing gazed at Xie An with her beautiful eyes and said, "Bai Yujing said she would follow me in secret. If Master really attacks me, it means... everything Bai Yujing said is true."

After saying that, Su Yuqing gritted her teeth and said, "Indeed, I also had a premonition... that Bai Yujing was right."

Xie An felt extremely uncomfortable when he saw the fleeting look of pain on Su Yuqing's face.

He knew Su Yuqing's dilemma.

One was his martial arts master, and the other was his father who gave him life.

Being caught in the middle is really difficult.

Xie An felt he should do something, so he stopped and gazed intently at Su Yuqing. Su Yuqing also stopped and looked up at Xie An.

Their eyes met. Neither of them spoke.

A moment later, Xie An reached out and grasped Su Yuqing's hand. The latter stiffened slightly but did not resist.

Xie An said, "Don't worry, no matter what happens in the future, I will stand by your side. We have always been the closest partners, friends, and confidants. Even if the whole world abandons you, I will not."

Su Yuqing's beautiful eyes brightened, and she immediately gripped Xie An's hand tightly.

It tightened, very forcefully.

Fingers intertwined.

"Thank you, Xie An."

Xie An laughed and said, "There's no need for this between us. If I hadn't met you in Qingwu County, I might still be a servant. From now on, whatever your master does to you, I will face it with you."

Su Yuqing's eyes became somewhat glistening.

Memories of the past he had shared with Xie An involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

It's truly a miracle.

Although both sides were wary of each other at the beginning, they were honest with each other and never had any disagreements or misunderstandings. They have made it this far despite all the ups and downs.

Neither of them were coy, so they held each other's hands and went to the side courtyard of the Demon Suppression Bureau.

Ye Nantian sat in the pavilion drinking tea.

Hua Yunfeng and Li Chungang sat nearby, brewing tea and chatting. Laughter echoed through the courtyard.

Upon seeing Xie An and his companion arrive, Hua Yunfeng warmly rose to greet them, "Princess, you've finally arrived. Xie An, it's been a long time."

Xie An bowed slightly and greeted everyone.

Ye Nantian was extremely polite, inviting the two to sit down and have some tea. They then began chatting about the local customs and stories of Yunzhou over the years.

Su Yuqing also congratulated Hua Yunfeng and Li Chungang on their breakthrough to the Qi Refining stage.

Not long after, Ye Nantian changed the subject, "It's a pity that I've stayed in Yunzhou on and off for almost twenty years, but I still haven't been able to find the existence of the Kongsang Ancient City. Otherwise, obtaining the opportunity there would definitely have allowed my Nantian Tower to reach a higher level."

Su Yuqing vaguely realized something and said, "Master is blessed with great fortune. Even without the ancient city of Kongsang, Nantian Tower will surely prosper."

Faced with Su Yuqing's pleasantries, Ye Nantian narrowed his eyes slightly. "Things are different now. Not long ago, His Majesty said that my Nantian Tower was dishonest, and some ministers advised His Majesty to abolish Nantian Tower. This matter really puzzles me. The Eldest Princess is also a member of my Nantian Tower. What are your thoughts on this?"

Su Yuqing was surprised.

After all, she didn't know such a thing existed.

Having spoken with Bai Yujing, Su Yuqing was somewhat prepared and said, "Since there is a conflict between the two sides, I think we should sit down and have a proper talk. Master and Father have known each other for a hundred years, so there is no conflict that cannot be discussed openly."

Ha ha.

Ye Nantian smiled slightly and said, "The Princess is as magnanimous as ever. But this time is probably different. I have submitted several memorials to His Majesty, but they have all been suppressed. Of course, I would like to speak frankly with His Majesty. Unfortunately, I have no bargaining chips. I am in a very difficult situation."

These words immediately created an extremely tense atmosphere on the field.

Hua Yunfeng and Li Chungang clearly realized something and held their breath, remaining silent.

Su Yuqing's expression also darkened. "What are Master's plans?"

Ye Nantian looked Su Yuqing up and down, his smile growing even brighter. "I do have a plan, but unfortunately it requires the Princess to make some sacrifices."

Su Yuqing sat up straight. "Please enlighten me, Master."

Ye Nantian said, "I know His Majesty has many children, but the most outstanding among them is none other than the Eldest Princess. I need the Eldest Princess as my hostage, and you as a bargaining chip. Only in this way can His Majesty back down and can Nantian Tower be preserved."

After saying that, Ye Nantian turned to Xie An beside him and said, "Brother Xie An, your arrival is just in time. I also need you as a hostage. Because you are Bai Yujing's only disciple. Only by taking you can I get Bai Yujing to cooperate with me and talk to His Majesty together."

(End of this chapter)