A hint of laughter shimmered in Yun Sheng's cool voice.
"How about it, Yao'er? You don't even think the 'Savior Lord' is worthy of your regard?"
Her master's teasing made Shen Yaochi lower her head shyly. The heat in her cheeks did not diminish beneath her mask.
But she quickly composed herself and raised her head, her tone resolute.
"Master, in this life, all I wish for is to be accompanied by the sword."
Yun Sheng's smile froze for an instant. When he spoke again, his voice held both relief and an indescribable ache.
"Ah, have it your way."
Having finished teasing her, Yun Sheng's expression turned solemn as he answered Shen Yaochi's earlier question.
"I won't be attending the Peach Banquet."
"There's something important I have to do soon, and I can't get away."
"For this period, cooperate properly with the 'Jade Emperor'... You don't need to accomplish anything. Just don't cause trouble."
"Something important?"
Shen Yaochi's heart tightened, and she immediately pressed him.
"What is it? Is it dangerous?"
Yun Sheng's tone was calm. "My old father summoned me. He wants this unfilial son of his to 'contribute to the grand occasion.'"
Shen Yaochi almost laughed aloud again, but the faint worry in her heart made it impossible for her to smile.
Yun Sheng continued.
"As for danger... don't worry. Though he and I aren't close, he... wouldn't go so far as to set a trap for his own son."
Only then did Shen Yaochi relax slightly.
Of course, she wasn't reassured because of that notoriously unreliable grandmaster. She was reassured because she had absolute confidence in her master's strength.
As Yun Sheng's personal disciple and a high-ranking deity of the "Heavenly Ruins" organization, she understood the abyss better than many Martial Immortals did.
With her master's