#108 · 108 of 191
Chapter 108: New Master Establishes Authority, Dark Currents Rise Again
Sunlight poured into the courtyard in the early morning, falling onto the bed.
Su Yun opened his eyes and felt a warm, soft body gently squirming in his arms.
He looked down.
Zhou Ruoyun was curled up in his arms, her black hair scattered across the pillow, making her small face appear even fairer.
Her eyelashes, long and dense like two small fans, occasionally fluttered gently.
Her lips were slightly pouted, and she was sleeping soundly.
Last night was her first time taking the initiative.
That raw, stubborn energy was quite surprising to him.
Su Yun gently pulled his arm away, preparing to get up.
As soon as he moved, the person in his arms woke up.
Zhou Ruoyun opened her eyes and looked at him groggily.
Then, her face turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"Su… Young Master Su…"
She buried her face in his chest, not daring to look up.
Su Yun smiled and ruffled her hair.
"Wake up and get up. Today is your first day as the family head."
Zhou Ruoyun was stunned for a moment, only then remembering what happened last night.
She had become the head of the Zhou Family.
From now on, the largest aristocratic family in Qinghe City would have to obey her orders.
And the person who had put her in the position of family head was currently lying beside her.
She raised her head and looked at Su Yun.
"Young Master Su, can Ruoyun… can Ruoyun really do it well?"
Su Yun looked at her.
In those eyes, there was anticipation, nervousness, and a trace of unease.
He reached out and pinched her cheek.
"What are you afraid of? I am here."
Zhou Ruoyun's eyes lit up.
"Really?"
Su Yun nodded.
Zhou Ruoyun smiled.
She propped herself up, kissed him on the face, and then quickly shrank back into the quilt.
Su Yun chuckled.
This girl.
Half an hour later.
The Zhou Mansion meeting hall.
All the important figures of the Zhou Family gathered together.
The Elders of the first, second, and third branches, the stewards in charge of each branch, and several prominent figures in the clan.
More than twenty people sat in the room, filling it up.
Zhou Ruoyun sat in the main seat, wearing formal family head attire, her hair coiled high, revealing her slender, fair neck.
On her youthful face, she tried hard to put on a serious expression.
But her slightly trembling fingers betrayed her nervousness.
Su Yun sat beside her, holding a teacup, sipping tea leisurely.
He looked completely unconcerned.
The First Branch Elder, Zhou Yuanfeng, was the first to speak:
"Girl Ruoyun, you are still young. Isn't this family head position a bit too hasty?"
He was Zhou Yuankui's cousin and the person with the highest cultivation in the clan—at the Peak of Foundation Establishment—and had always coveted the position of family head.
Zhou Ruoyun bit her lip.
"Uncle Feng, this is Father's decision."
Zhou Yuanfeng let out a cold snort.
"Big Brother is old, so it's inevitable that he's confused. Our Zhou Family has such a large family business; handing it over to a sixteen-year-old girl, aren't you afraid of being laughed at if it gets out?"
A few murmurs of agreement came from below.
Zhou Ruoyun's face turned pale.
Su Yun put down his teacup.
"Elder Zhou, are you questioning the decision of the old family head?"
Zhou Yuanfeng looked at him with unkind eyes.
"Who do you think you are? This is the family business of my Zhou Family; it's not your place as an outsider to interrupt."
Su Yun smiled.
The smile was very gentle and harmless.
But Zhou Ruoyun knew this was a precursor to Young Master Su taking action.
She quickly spoke up:
"Uncle Feng! Young Master Su is a distinguished guest of my Zhou Family, and also… also Ruoyun's person. His words are Ruoyun's words."
Zhou Yuanfeng was stunned.
"Your person? What does that mean?"
Zhou Ruoyun's face turned red, but she still braced herself and said:
"Young Master Su is Ruoyun's… husband."
The whole room was in an uproar.
Zhou Yuanfeng's eyes widened.
"What? When did you…"
Su Yun stood up, walked to Zhou Ruoyun's side, and put his arm around her shoulder.
"Elder Zhou, do you understand now?"
Zhou Yuanfeng's face turned livid.
He looked at Su Yun, then at Zhou Ruoyun, and finally at the other clansmen present.
Some of those people lowered their heads, others looked at each other, but none dared to stand out.
Zhou Yuanfeng took a deep breath.
"Fine! Fine! Since Girl Ruoyun is already married, then this old man has nothing to say."
"But whether this family head position should be held by Girl Ruoyun remains to be seen based on ability."
He stared at Su Yun.
"Since you are Girl Ruoyun's husband, you should have some skills, right? Do you dare to trade a few moves with this old man?"
Su Yun raised an eyebrow.
"You want to fight me?"
Zhou Yuanfeng sneered.
"What? Do you not dare?"
Su Yun smiled.
He let go of Zhou Ruoyun and walked to the center of the hall.
"Come on."
Zhou Yuanfeng was stunned, not expecting him to agree so readily.
But the words were already spoken and could not be taken back.
He stood up and walked to the opposite side of Su Yun.
"Then please advise me, Young Master Su!"
Before his voice faded, the aura around him surged violently!
The pressure of a Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivator instantly filled the entire hall!
Those clansmen with lower cultivation turned pale and retreated one after another.
Zhou Yuanfeng formed seals with both hands, and an earthy yellow light condensed in his palms.
That was his signature skill—Earth-Splitting Palm.
One palm strike was enough to split mountains and shatter stones!
"Take this!"
He struck out with his palm!
The earthy yellow palm print fell toward Su Yun like Mount Tai pressing down!
Su Yun didn't even raise an eyelid.
He simply raised his hand.
And waved it gently.
Bang!!!
That palm print, enough to split mountains and shatter stones, exploded directly in mid-air!
It turned into dots of light in the sky and dissipated into nothingness.
Zhou Yuanfeng's eyes widened, and before he could react, a palm was already pressed onto his shoulder.
That hand was light, yet it felt like a mountain, pressing him so he couldn't move.
Su Yun's voice sounded in his ear:
"Elder Zhou, do you still want to fight?"
Zhou Yuanfeng's whole body went stiff.
He opened his mouth but couldn't make a sound.
Everyone present was stunned.
A Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
Subdued in one move?
That young man… what exactly is his cultivation level?!
Su Yun withdrew his hand and patted the non-existent dust on his robe.
He walked back to Zhou Ruoyun's side and sat down next to her.
He picked up the teacup and took a sip.
"Let's continue the meeting."
Zhou Yuanfeng stood where he was, his face turning from blue to white.
He looked at Su Yun, then at Zhou Ruoyun, and finally lowered his head.
"This old man… is convinced."
Zhou Ruoyun looked at him, then at the clansmen present who were silent as cicadas in winter, and suddenly understood something.
With Young Master Su here, no one dared to bully her.
She took a deep breath and sat up straight.
"Since everyone has no objections, then Ruoyun will state a few things."
Everyone looked at her in unison.
Zhou Ruoyun's voice, although still a bit youthful, was already much steadier.
"First, all the industries of the Zhou Family will be recounted starting from today. Stewards of each branch, submit the account books within three days."
"Second, those mineral mines outside the city were previously jointly managed by the three families. Now that those three families are gone, our Zhou Family must take over as soon as possible."
"Third…"
She paused and looked at Su Yun.
Su Yun nodded at her.
Zhou Ruoyun took a deep breath:
"Third, in the future, Young Master Su does not need to bow when seeing the family head, nor does he need to kneel when seeing Elders in the Zhou Family. His words are my words."
Everyone looked at each other.
But no one dared to object.
That scene just now was still fresh in their minds.
Who would dare to offend this monster?
"Do you all understand?" Zhou Ruoyun asked.
Everyone responded in unison:
"Yes, Family Head!"
Zhou Ruoyun nodded.
"Dismissed."
Everyone filed out.
In the meeting hall, only Su Yun and Zhou Ruoyun remained.
Zhou Ruoyun let out a long sigh of relief, her whole body softening in the chair.
"Young Master Su… Ruoyun just now… my legs were shaking…"
Su Yun smiled and reached out to ruffle her hair.
"You did very well."
Zhou Ruoyun raised her head, her eyes sparkling.
"Really?"
Su Yun nodded.
Zhou Ruoyun smiled.
She threw herself into his arms and buried her face in his chest.
"Young Master Su, Ruoyun was so scared…"
Su Yun gently patted her back.
"What are you afraid of?"
Zhou Ruoyun's muffled voice came:
"Afraid of not doing well… afraid of embarrassing Young Master Su…"
Su Yun lowered his head and kissed her forehead.
"No fear. Take it slow."
Zhou Ruoyun nodded and snuggled into his arms.
The two of them stayed like that for a while.
Suddenly, footsteps came from outside the door.
Shen Ying's voice rang out:
"Young Master, there is news."
Su Yun released Zhou Ruoyun.
"Come in."
Shen Ying pushed the door and entered. Seeing Zhou Ruoyun blush as she moved out of Su Yun's arms, her expression didn't change at all.
She was already used to it.
"Young Master, there is movement from the Immortal Alliance."
Su Yun raised an eyebrow.
"Speak."
Shen Ying handed over a piece of intelligence.
"According to news from Jade Maiden Peak, the Immortal Alliance has dispatched a second punitive force. This time, there are two Golden Core Late Stage Cultivators, ten Golden Core Early/Middle Stage Cultivators, and over a hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivators."
"They set off from Yuxu Palace, with their target aimed directly at the Southern Region."
Su Yun looked at the intelligence, his brows slightly furrowed.
"Coming again?"
Shen Ying nodded.
"And this time, they seem to have become smarter. They are no longer making a big fanfare, but are acting separately. On the surface, they are going to the Southern Region to investigate, but in reality…"
She paused.
"In reality, what?"
Shen Ying lowered her voice:
"In reality, a team has already secretly infiltrated the border of the Central Region. Their target is very likely to be you, Young Master."
Su Yun narrowed his eyes.
Coming for him?
It seems Zhao Wuji's death has made those people in the Immortal Alliance anxious.
Zhou Ruoyun listened from the side, her small face turning pale.
"Young Master Su, is someone coming to capture you?"
Su Yun smiled.
"What are you afraid of? It's not the first time."
Zhou Ruoyun grabbed his sleeve, refusing to let go.
"Ruoyun will follow you!"
Su Yun looked at her, his gaze gentle.
"You stay here. The Zhou Family has just been handed over to you, you can't leave."
Zhou Ruoyun's eyes turned red.
"But…"
Su Yun reached out and ruffled her hair.
"Don't worry. I won't die."
Zhou Ruoyun bit her lip and said nothing.
Shen Ying asked from the side:
"Young Master, what should we do next?"
Su Yun thought for a moment.
"Since that team has infiltrated the Central Region, they will definitely inquire for information first. A small border city like Qinghe City is a place they must pass through."
"Let them come."
A smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
"It just so happens that my hands have been itching recently."
Shen Ying was stunned.
"Young Master wants to take action?"
Su Yun nodded.
"But not in the city. I'd have to pay if things get broken."
He stood up and walked to the window.
Outside, the sunshine was just right.
"Let them find me first, then I'll find a place to properly play with them."
Shen Ying understood.
The Young Master is going to… fish.
Three days later.
Thirty miles outside Qinghe City, there was an abandoned mine.
It used to be a Spirit Stone mine jointly managed by the three families, but later the vein was exhausted, and it was abandoned.
Only some dilapidated mine caves and worker sheds remained, uninhabited.
This evening, Su Yun appeared in the mine alone.
He sat in front of a dilapidated worker shed, holding a wine flask, sipping slowly.
The setting sun dyed the entire mine golden.
He didn't wait long.
In the distance, several streams of light streaked over.
In the blink of an eye, they landed in the center of the mine.
Seven people.
The two leaders, a man and a woman, were both Golden Core Late Stage.
The five behind them were three Golden Core Middle Stage and two Golden Core Early Stage.
The man had a cold face, while the woman was quite good-looking—about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, wearing a green long dress, with a slender figure and spring in her eyebrows and eyes.
The woman looked at Su Yun, her gaze sweeping over him, and suddenly smiled.
"Are you the Su Yun who killed Zhao Wuji?"
Su Yun put down the wine flask and stood up.
"What do you want with me?"
The woman smiled even more charmingly.
"The Immortal Alliance has an order to take your life. However…"
She looked him up and down, her gaze becoming increasingly wanton.
"I didn't expect you to be quite handsome. It would be a pity to kill you."
The male Cultivator beside her frowned.
"Junior Sister, stop talking nonsense. Do it."
The woman waved her hand.
"What's the rush? He is alone, and there are seven of us, are we afraid he will run away?"
She took two steps toward Su Yun, smiling meaningfully.
"Little brother, how about we make a deal? You come with me, and I will ensure you don't die. How about that?"
Su Yun looked at her.
This woman was quite interesting.
He smiled.
"Go with you? Where to?"
The woman blinked.
"Of course, to my place. Don't worry, I will treat you well."
Su Yun raised an eyebrow.
"What is your name?"
The woman covered her mouth and chuckled.
"This sister is called Hu Meiniang, from the Hehuan Sect."
Hehuan Sect?
Su Yun took a few more looks at her.
No wonder.
"People from the Hehuan Sect are also joining in the fun?"
Hu Meiniang sighed.
"No choice, the Immortal Alliance summoned us, we dare not refuse. However…"
She started smiling again.
"If I can trick you back, this trip won't be in vain."
Su Yun smiled.
He suddenly stepped forward and appeared directly in front of Hu Meiniang!
Hu Meiniang's expression changed, and she raised her hand subconsciously—
But it was too late.
Su Yun's finger was already pointing at the center of her eyebrows.
Golden light flashed.
[Enslavement successful!]
[Obtained new slave: Hu Meiniang (Loyalty 72)]
Hu Meiniang's body stiffened, and a violent struggle flashed in her eyes.
But it was only for an instant.
Soon, her eyes became obedient.
She lowered her head, her voice charming:
"Master."
The scene was dead silent.
The male Cultivator widened his eyes, unable to believe it.
"Junior Sister! You… what did you call him?!"
Hu Meiniang looked back at him, her gaze calm.
"Senior Brother, from today on, I obey the Master."
The male Cultivator's face turned livid.
"You are crazy!"
He roared and raised his hand, sending out a sword beam!
The sword beam was like a rainbow, stabbing directly at Su Yun's face!
Su Yun didn't even dodge.
He just raised his hand and waved it gently.
Bang!!!
The sword beam shattered.
The male Cultivator flew backward, smashed through a worker shed, and plowed a long gully on the ground before barely stopping.
He lay in the gully, coughing up blood, with a large depression in his chest.
Exactly the same as Zhao Wuji back then.
The remaining five Golden Core Cultivators turned pale.
Someone turned and ran.
But before they could run a few steps, a blood mist had already enveloped them.
In the blood mist, there were a few muffled sounds.
Then, it returned to silence.
The blood mist dissipated.
Five people, all fallen to the ground.
Three were unconscious, two… had already lost their breath.
Su Yun withdrew his hand and patted his robe.
He looked at Hu Meiniang.
"Your Senior Brother, and the other three who are alive, they are yours."
Hu Meiniang's eyes lit up.
"Thank you, Master!"
She walked to the male Cultivator, squatted down, and placed her hand on his forehead.
Golden light flashed.
[Enslavement successful!]
[Obtained new slave: Zhao Han (Loyalty 58)]
Then the three who were unconscious.
All enslaved.
After Hu Meiniang finished all this, she returned to Su Yun's side and stood obediently.
Su Yun looked at these seven people.
Two Golden Core Late Stage, three Golden Core Middle Stage, two Golden Core Early Stage.
Well, not a bad harvest.
He looked at Hu Meiniang.
"How many more people are there in the Hehuan Sect?"
Hu Meiniang answered obediently:
"Answering Master, this time, I am the only one from the Hehuan Sect. The others are all from the Xuanyang Sect and Yuxu Palace."
Su Yun nodded.
"After you go back, do you know what to say?"
Hu Meiniang blinked.
"Just say… the Master is too powerful, we couldn't beat him, so we fled?"
Su Yun smiled.
"Clever."
He turned and walked towards Qinghe City.
After walking a few steps, he suddenly stopped.
He looked back at Hu Meiniang.
"By the way, you said earlier that you wanted to take me back and treat me well?"
Hu Meiniang blushed.
"Master… your subordinate didn't know how powerful you were then…"
Su Yun smiled.
"Come to me tonight."
Hu Meiniang's eyes lit up.
"Yes, Master!"
Moonlight sprinkled down.
The abandoned mine returned to silence.
Only the sound of wind blowing through the ruins remained.
In the distance, Su Yun's figure gradually disappeared into the night.
Behind him, seven figures followed silently.
The new game had just begun.
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