Ya Li's Late-Night Visit

At dusk, the moon hung halfway up the sky.

The Leng Family's residence.

"Hey! Old Su, what delicious thing are you making? Let me have a look!"

Gu Yue's petite nose twitched slightly as she trotted over, her playful little ponytail swishing behind her.

She leaned in close to Su Jiu, her beautiful eyes suddenly lighting up. With her discerning eye, Gu Yue immediately saw that this medicinal meal was no ordinary dish.

Immortal energy? The essence of divine-grade flesh?

Could something like this even exist on Douluo Continent?

Then she smacked Su Jiu's butt with her little hand, showing her approval of his cooking on behalf of the Silver Dragon King. Unfortunately, it felt rock-hard. Terrible review.

"Wow! Old Su, I didn't know you had a few tricks up your sleeve. I want some too!"

Su Jiu's face darkened at once. Na'er had inherited the Silver Dragon King's humanity, so her soft, gentle, and adorable personality made sense;

but Gu Yue was supposed to represent the Silver Dragon King's divinity and rationality. How had she turned into such a brat around him?

Eat this? No way. Go drink the scraps from the pot. This medicinal meal was specially made for Na'er.

"Don't be so rude. Call me Martial Uncle. I've saved some for you in the pot."

"Hehe~ Old Su's the best."

Gu Yue immediately dashed toward the kitchen, her eyes alight with a veteran foodie's fervor.

Na'er's bedroom.

"You're awake? Na'er, don't move, don't move..."

The moment Su Jiu pushed open the door, he met Na'er's silver eyes, brimming with exhaustion.

Her face was still as pale as snow, and a faint sense of grievance lingered between her brows. Her pitiful appearance made Su Jiu's heart ache at once.

"You must be hungry. I've got something delicious here. How about I feed you?"

"Hehe~ Big Brother Su is so gentle. Na'er likes Big Brother Su like this..."

Warm, hazy lamplight spilled over the room. The girl smiled foolishly, her eyes curving into crescents, and contentedly accepted the food Su Jiu fed her as though it were only natural.

The little one ate just like the Gu Yuena of old. The moment she saw something delicious, her eyes stuck to it, and all she could think about was devouring every last bite.

But the Na'er of today was also a little different.

Halfway through her meal, she finally tore her gaze away, reluctantly reining in her greed before forcing herself to say:

"Big Brother Su, Na'er's full. You can have the rest..."

Su Jiu smiled at the sight. Na'er had inherited Gu Yuena's saying one thing and meaning another rather well. Gu Yue, on the other hand, was simply too stubborn to admit anything.

At the same time, he was relieved. Na'er really was gentle and considerate.

Suddenly, Su Jiu laid a hand on Na'er's belly. It was still flat—she clearly hadn't eaten enough.

Na'er's cheeks instantly flushed crimson. She hurriedly buried half her burning face in the blankets, embarrassment glimmering in her eyes. A bashful, soft sweetness shimmered within them, impossible to hide.

She was just like a sugar-heart apple from Daliang Mountain: rosy and alluring on the outside, making anyone want to take a bite, and even sweeter within—sweet enough to reach the depths of one's heart.

"Big Brother Su, your hand, your hand..."

"Na'er, your little tummy gave you away. Going to bed hungry is uncomfortable. Don't worry, I already ate in the kitchen."

"If it's gone cold, I'll just have to let our little Martial Niece have it."

The moment Gu Yue was mentioned, Na'er perked up, determination and defiance flashing in her eyes.

"I'll eat it!"

Big Brother Su had made it specially for Na'er. She couldn't bear to share it with anyone else, especially Gu Yue!

"All right, all right. Hurry up and eat."

"Mm!"

After feeding Na'er, Su Jiu had just finished tidying the bowls and was about to leave when Na'er tugged at his sleeve.

"A-Jiu, could you stay with Na'er like before? Without A-Jiu, Na'er won't be able to sleep tonight."

Na'er's request made Su Jiu realize he'd forgotten about that. He immediately summoned A-Jiu, the Void Sharp Bee Sentry who had always stayed by Na'er's side.

But Na'er's little hand still clung tightly to Su Jiu's sleeve. She didn't dare look at him with her timid eyes, for she was already so overcome with shyness she could hardly bear it.

"Na'er, what's wrong?"

"Big dummy Big Brother Su, not A-Jiu, but Big Brother A-Jiu. So, please!"

Only then did Na'er slowly lift her misty eyes. The plea in the girl's gaze was so sincere and intense, so direct and pure, that Su Jiu's heart skipped a beat. Wasn't she practically tempting him, forcing him to commit a crime?

"All right, all right. I'll stay, okay?"

"Hehe~"

"Na'er, get some rest first. I still have a few things to take care of. I'll come back and keep you company later."

Su Jiu had barely stepped outside when he ran into a thoroughly riled-up Gu Yue. The moment she saw him, she rushed over and started pounding his chest.

The strong scent of Na'er clinging to him only made Gu Yue more upset.

Why did Na'er get to eat so well while she could only watch? It wasn't fair!

"Old Su, take a look at what you've done! You expect me to eat the scraps stuck to the bottom of the pot? That's too much!"

"Little Gu Yue, I really was in the wrong this time. How about I treat you next time? Two meals!"

Su Jiu sized up Gu Yue's petite frame. He'd be doing her a favor, then.

Da Ming and Er Ming would definitely have to be hunted down someday. He supposed he could reluctantly give Gu Yue the two immensely nourishing treasures of their python and ape whips.

"Promise me, Little Martial Uncle. Don't lie to your Martial Niece or cheat her. It's a deal!"

"Fine. It's a deal."

After getting his promise, Gu Yue's mood immediately improved. She lifted her little ponytail and bounced off toward her room.

Leng Yaozhu appeared beside Su Jiu. She didn't trust him alone with Ya Li.

"Darling, Ya Li came to the Leng Family alone. I'm curious about your method too, so let's go together."

"Listen to me, honey. You're better off not hearing about it. It's not a good method."

Su Jiu's words only made Leng Yaozhu more curious. Her slender, pale hands clasped his right arm tightly, making her stance clear.

"Then let's go."

A figure stood quietly at the entrance. Ya Li wore a mask and sunglasses, concealing most of her face.

A loose, long, brown coat draped over her, wrapping around her already curvaceous figure and hiding every trace of her graceful curves.

It was hard to imagine Ya Li would come to meet them dressed so discreetly—and so deliberately.

But when he saw that she had come empty-handed, Su Jiu immediately took offense.

"Her Holiness Holy Spirit, are you trying to get my method for free?"

"No, no. I'm sure Your Excellency Wuduan knows that even a hundred-thousand-year Immortal Herb isn't a resource we can easily get our hands on. So I was hoping to sign a written pledge and owe you for now. Would that be acceptable...?"

It wasn't that Su Jiu didn't trust Ya Li. In fact, her character was worthy of at least some trust.

What he didn't trust were those bandits, deadbeats, and parasites among the Sea God Pavilion elders.

"Hmm...!"

"This is tricky..."

Su Jiu's words made Ya Li's heart sink. It had taken tremendous courage to leave her unconscious husband behind and make her way here, carefully avoiding everyone's eyes. She desperately wanted to know the method!

"How about this? Her Holiness Holy Spirit can leave your Four-Word Battle Armor here as collateral. Once you bring me the hundred-thousand-year Immortal Herb, we'll settle the debt in full. How does that sound?"

Ya Li hesitated, so Su Jiu decided to add fuel to the fire.

"It seems Her Holiness Holy Spirit isn't determined enough. In that case, we can just..."

"Wait! I agree!"

Seeing that half his plan had already succeeded, Su Jiu decided to lead everyone into the main hall.

"Her Holiness Holy Spirit, this isn't the place to talk. Please, come with us..."