All Heavens: A Role-Playing System Starting from Tianlong

Chapter 108 Absence Makes the Heart Blossom

Looking at Mu Wanqing's desperate attempt to hold back her tears, and then at Zhong Ling beside her who was still sulking despite her attempts to smooth things over, Zhang Cheng suddenly felt a soft spot in his heart.

He got up, walked over, and pulled them both into his arms. "It was my fault. It won't happen again."

Mu Wanqing stiffened for a moment as he held her, then went limp. She leaned against Zhang Cheng's chest, her voice muffled: "There will be a next time?"

Zhang Cheng quickly changed his tune: "There won't be a next time."

Zhong Ling snuggled closer to him, finding a comfortable position, and whispered, "That's more like it."

The three of them sat together, embracing, and cuddled for quite a while.

Zhang Cheng asked, "Speaking of which, are you here because of the upcoming demon-slaying conference in Luoyang?"

Mu Wanqing nodded: "That's right. The Song court, in conjunction with the Shaolin sect, launched a demon-slaying conference, and Dali also received the news."

Originally, my uncle said he wanted to bring my brother out to broaden his horizons, and it just so happened that my brother's martial arts skills had recently improved greatly under my uncle's tutelage.

My sister Ling'er and I guessed that you would definitely come to join in the fun of such a big event, so we begged Uncle to bring us along.

Zhang Cheng raised an eyebrow: "Has Duan Yu's martial arts improved significantly?"

Zhong Ling chuckled and chimed in, "With the old master watching over him, it's hard for Brother Duan not to improve. Besides, the old master said that Brother Duan has a great talent for martial arts. If he studies for a while longer, he could even start learning the One-Finger Divine Skill."

Zhang Cheng wasn't surprised by Duan Yu's talent.

After all, the other party is one of the three main characters. In the original work, he was able to practice the Lingbo Weibu without dying even without any martial arts foundation. If it were anyone else, they would probably have gone mad and had their meridians broken long ago.

It's just that this guy has never liked martial arts, so it takes skill for Boss Duan to be able to force him to practice.

Soon, Zhang Cheng thought of something else.

Since defeating a master in public increases the role-playing progress, and important characters from the original work can provide additional bonuses, what would happen if he actively sought out some characters from the story and trained them to become masters?

After our trip to Henan, I can give Mu Wanqing and the other girl some pointers on their martial arts. But by then I should already be at Lv4.

That's it. Even if you could make progress, switching to another profession would be more profitable.

Seeing that Zhang Cheng remained silent for a while, Mu Wanqing asked softly, "Is something troubling you, Zhang Lang?"

Zhang Cheng snapped out of his daze and shook his head: "It's nothing, it's not a big deal. Don't worry."

Mu Wanqing nodded upon hearing this, and then said, "Zhang Lang hasn't told us what you've been doing lately. Uncle said you went to follow that Tibetan monk the other day—"

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Cheng told the two about his experiences during their separation, as well as the old stories between the Three Elders of Xiaoyao.

Zhong Ling's mouth dropped open in surprise: "You mean those two older sisters are both over ninety years old? Is the martial arts of that Xiaoyao Sect really that powerful? They look much younger than my mother."

Mu Wanqing glanced at her without changing her expression: "So you mean Uncle Gan is very old? I'll tell Uncle Gan that truthfully next time we meet."

Zhong Ling's face immediately fell: "Ah? No, Sister Mu, how could you do this!"

"Serves you right for undermining me earlier." Mu Wanqing's lips curled up slightly.

After the two of them joked around for a while, Mu Wanqing spoke again, her expression becoming serious: "In that case, Zhang Lang, aren't you the target we're going to deal with in this demon-slaying conference?"

"If we go there willingly, wouldn't we be walking into a trap? It's better to go back to Dali first, before they figure out your identity."

Zhong Ling nodded repeatedly from the side.

Zhang Cheng, however, didn't seem to care and smiled, "No need to worry. Your husband's martial arts are now unparalleled. It's rare for them to gather so many fellow martial artists together. If I don't go and compete for the title of Martial Arts Alliance Leader, wouldn't I be missing out?"

He spoke with absolute confidence. Zhang Cheng had recently absorbed half of Xiao Yuanshan's power, and his normal cultivation level already far surpassed that of Tong Lao and Li Qiushui. With the added support from the system, Zhang Cheng was confident that he could even defeat the Sweeper Monk.

The two girls exchanged a smile after hearing this.

Zhong Ling wriggled out of Zhang Cheng's arms, her eyes crinkling with a smile, and grabbed Zhang Cheng's sleeve: "Martial Arts Alliance Leader? That sounds impressive!"

"So, will everyone have to call you 'Alliance Leader' then? Then Sister Mu and I will be the Alliance Leader's Wives!"

Mu Wanqing didn't make a fuss like her; she just quietly looked at Zhang Cheng before speaking after a moment: "Since Zhang Lang has confidence, that's good. Ling'er and I believe in you."

Zhang Cheng smiled and took their hands in the process: "After this demon-slaying conference is over, my name will be known throughout the world. I will then return to Dali and marry you two in a grand and glorious manner."

The two girls blushed instantly and lowered their heads, remaining silent.

Seeing this, Zhang Cheng simply scooped them up with one hand and threw them onto the bed, then turned around to rummage through Zhong Ling's bundle.

"Ouch! Brother Zhang, what are you doing?" Zhong Ling rolled half a circle on the bed, covering her head and shouting.

Zhang Cheng pulled a small paper packet from his bundle, twirled it between his fingers, and said, "I knew you were up to no good, you even carry this with you when you go out."

Zhong Ling's eyes darted around, and she shrank back a little shyly: "Well—I was thinking I might run into Brother Zhang. It's been so long, I wanted to get to know him better."

Mu Wanqing didn't react at first, but when she saw what Zhang Cheng was holding, her face flushed red: "Why...why are you taking this with you when you go out?!"

"Oh dear, sister, don't scold me," Zhong Ling muttered, backing away. "You too—"

"Shut up!" Mu Wanqing covered her mouth.

Zhang Cheng looked at them with a half-smile.

Feeling guilty under his gaze, Mu Wanqing's voice trailed off: "Zhang Lang, it's still daytime—isn't it inappropriate to engage in lewd behavior in broad daylight?"

Zhang Cheng walked step by step towards the bedside: "Alright, don't call me Zhang Lang anymore, call me husband."

————The dividing line of the invincible second brother————

The next morning, Zhang Cheng tiptoed out of bed. Just as he touched his clothes, a soft voice came from behind him: "Zhang Lang, are you leaving again?"

He turned around and met Mu Wanqing's eyes. This girl had actually woken up.

"Don't worry, I won't leave." He softened his voice and gently touched the tip of her nose. "Didn't I promise you I wouldn't leave without saying goodbye again? If you're worried I'm lying, we can pinky swear."

Looking at the little finger Zhang Cheng offered, Mu Wanqing recalled the first time they said this, and couldn't help but chuckle, saying the same old words: "What's the use of a pinky promise if you don't keep your word?"

Hearing this, Zhang Cheng laughed, "It seems that leaving without saying goodbye last time really scared you. It was my fault."

Zhong Ling suddenly spoke up: "Yes, yes, after you left, Sister Mu has never been able to sleep soundly. She wakes up at the slightest sound."

"

Zhang Cheng glanced at her. This girl was awake too; she must be in a similar situation to Mu Wanqing.

Mu Wanqing glared fiercely at Zhong Ling.

Zhong Ling → a maggot hiding in the blanket.