Chapter 63: Hu Yunyin’s Request—She Looks at Me as If I Were Trash

“Tianling, could you come with me for a moment? There are some things I’d like to say to you...” In truth, Huyan Ying found her own behavior rather strange; she didn’t quite understand why she was acting this way. But when facing Lingtian, she felt she could no longer treat him as she had before.

After all, he had saved her grandfather.

Yes, he had saved her grandfather, and it was precisely for that reason that she was behaving like this.

Tiger Yunqing, who stood nearby, nodded approvingly; his granddaughter knew how to seize an opportunity. To love and to hate with equal courage—wasn’t that just the way of their White Tiger clan?

A man and a woman, alone together—what might they do?

“All right,” Lingtian agreed without a moment’s hesitation.

He rose and followed Huyan Ying as she led him aside.

“Aren’t you going to stop eating? Don’t you want to know what the two of them are up to?” Foxian’er rolled her eyes at Xiao Ling’er, who was wholly absorbed in her food, and tugged at the corner of her mouth in exasperation.

Really now, is food all you have eyes for? Nothing else piques your curiosity?

“Hm?” At Foxian’er’s words, Xiao Ling’er actually did feel a flicker of intrigue.

Indeed, she did want to see what the two of them were up to. Before, she’d just lacked an excuse, but now that Foxian’er had suggested they go together, it was the perfect pretext.

With that, Xiao Ling’er gathered up a pile of delicious treats from the table, looked seriously at Foxian’er, and said, “Let’s go!”

Foxian’er could only sigh and lead Xiao Ling’er after them.

...

“The Third Holy Son? Did you really fall asleep?”

On the way back from escorting Huang Yu to his room, his guardian looked at him with keen interest, posing the question with a hint of mischief.

“Uncle Yun, you know me best,” Huang Yu replied. The drunken haze in his eyes cleared in an instant.

Uncle Yun shook his head. This Third Holy Son was truly deep and inscrutable. Ordinarily, he could hold his liquor without issue; how much had he actually drunk tonight? How could he possibly be drunk?

“In your opinion, after the demonic aura was expelled from Huyan Ying’s grandfather, how is his cultivation now?” Huang Yu straightened his robes, a profound look in his eyes.

“Very high—at the very least, higher than mine,” Uncle Yun replied without hesitation, voicing his honest assessment.

“Indeed, fortune comes to those who survive great tribulation. Tianling, what an interesting man.” Huang Yu sighed, though he had only pretended drunkenness; his conversation with Lingtian had been entirely sincere.

“Uncle Yun, did you feel it as well—a certain kinship in the blood, almost as though we were of the same clan?” Huang Yu shifted the discussion, his expression growing peculiar. He hadn’t expected, among the White Tiger clan, to sense such a resonance—a stirring of the soul. That girl’s bloodline was not only purer than his, but also of a higher grade.

“You mean that girl?” Uncle Yun nodded; he’d sensed it too, though he couldn’t explain why.

“Uncle Yun, do you know about my aunt?” Huang Yu sighed again, but his eyes shone with a sharp light.

“Holy Son, are you suggesting…” Uncle Yun’s eyes widened in surprise. If such a possibility existed, it was almost certainly the answer.

In that instant, Uncle Yun understood at last why the Third Holy Son had instigated conflict. It wasn’t just pride—there were deeper motives at play. Had he not caused a scene, he would not have ended up dining at that table. Staying for the meal, he feigned drunkenness to confess his remorse and offer compensation.

Had Lingtian refused, Huang Yu might not have agreed and would have found other excuses. Yet, unexpectedly, Lingtian’s terms for compensation matched Huang Yu’s intentions exactly, and he accepted without hesitation. Moreover, he was prepared to bring them into the Phoenix Domain’s secret realm; it was all handled adeptly.

As for why the Phoenix Domain wished to bring Lingtian to the Phoenix clan, it was naturally for the sake of that little girl. Regardless of the truth, it was worth a try—matters like these were of the utmost importance.

Having thought all this through, Uncle Yun gazed at Huang Yu with new eyes. His scheming and subtlety were remarkable—almost frightening. Of course, if not for that stubborn, proud streak, he would be close to perfect. That desire to lash out and split hairs was no act. But then, no one is flawless. As things stood, this was already quite impressive.

“If someone as interesting as Tianling were to join our clan, it would surely make things quite entertaining,” Huang Yu remarked meaningfully.

Uncle Yun did not reply, only waited silently by his side.

“I’m tired, Uncle Yun. Let’s go to bed.”

Huang Yu yawned, slipping once more into the guise of drunkenness.

Uncle Yun simply shook his head, said nothing, and supported Huang Yu back to their lodgings.

...

“Thank you for what you did for my grandfather.”

Huyan Ying and Lingtian walked along a quiet path within the Tiger clan’s domain. Huyan Ying glanced at him, her gratitude sincere. If not for Lingtian, she had no idea what kind of danger her grandfather might have faced today. Her thanks were entirely warranted.

“I do what I promise,” Lingtian replied calmly, a blade of foxtail grass between his teeth.

He certainly couldn’t admit he was only here to complete a task, could he? No reasonable person would say such a thing.

“And about the engagement—thank you as well, for letting me use you as a shield.” Huyan Ying paused, giving him a sidelong glance before continuing, “If that subject comes up again in the future, may I still invoke your name?”

“Hey, you’re not taking this seriously, are you?” Lingtian spat out the grass, a faint smile playing at his lips as he looked at her. Still, if he were a woman and a man had done so much for her, wouldn’t he feel some affection as well?

Tch, so he really was this outstanding, wasn’t he?

Of course, that was assuming she never learned he was only here for a mission.

They stood face to face, the light casting their shadows together, creating a scene of surprising beauty.

“You’re overthinking it! I just… I’m just grateful for what you’ve done, that’s all!” Huyan Ying, having heard the faintest sounds of eavesdroppers nearby, changed her tone and reverted to her usual proud demeanor, stepping back and adopting a haughty air.

“That’s more like it—this is the voice I’m used to,” Lingtian said, touching his nose. He had to admit, her earlier tone had felt unsettling.

At that, Huyan Ying secretly cursed him under her breath. Without betraying her intentions, she quietly set up a barrier, then turned to Lingtian, her cheeks faintly flushed, and made a request:

“Could you look at me… as if you were looking at garbage?”