120: Chapter 120 is indeed naturally beautiful, without any embellishment!

This person certainly knows how to pull strings.

"What? You're saying my son-in-law took my Master as his Disciple?" Lei Mengsha blurted out, quickly correcting himself, but his eyes were wide and dazed, his mind a complete mess.

He had once received guidance from Li Changsheng, so technically he was half a Disciple.

Now, his son-in-law had become his Grandmaster; the seniority was completely scrambled.

Li Xinyue was stunned at first, then reacted, quickly smiling to smooth things over: "Matters of the Jianghu are counted individually; no need to take it too seriously."

She knew clearly in her heart that if they continued discussing, it might drag out a tangle of complicated connections.

She immediately changed the topic:

"May I ask the State Preceptor, what brings you here in person?"

As she spoke, she signaled the servants to offer tea and invite Qi Tianchen to sit.

"Thank you, Madam." After sitting down, Qi Tianchen's gaze first swept over Su Rui, then landed on Lei Mengsha, "I previously heard that the General had perished, and this old Daoist was deeply saddened. Now it seems it was a false report?"

"Cough... Actually, I didn't die; I was just gravely wounded," Lei Mengsha scratched his head and fibbed, "I intentionally spread the news of my death to lure the enemy deeper—I had to believe it myself first."

This explanation was full of holes; anyone else would have seen through it immediately.

But for Lei Mengsha to say this much was already his limit.

He knew the secret of his return from the dead could not be exposed.

Even though many people knew the truth, as long as he insisted it was a near-fatal injury that was miraculously healed by astonishing medical skills, the world might be shocked, but they could still accept it.

If the truth leaked, endless trouble would likely follow.

Li Xinyue secretly nodded—this fellow wasn't completely foolish after all.

However, to be precise, his nonsense was uttered at just the right moment.

Qi Tianchen naturally didn't believe this story.

Emperor Mingde had already received the official report; if it were truly a feigned death, it would be a grave crime of deceiving the monarch.

But he had just heard Lei Mengsha call Su Rui 'worthy son-in-law,' and his mind instantly stirred.

To form a marital alliance with such a powerful expert was itself a talisman.

Even an Emperor would not dare to easily move against such a person.

Moreover, wasn't this Su Rui the Master of Li Hanyi?

The thought flashed, and Qi Tianchen chuckled, cupping his hands: "So that's how it is. Then I must congratulate the General. Not only did you survive a great disaster, but you also gained such an outstanding worthy son-in-law."

"That is natural!" Lei Mengsha said proudly, "Back when I went to the Sword Heart Tomb to seek a sword, didn't I also casually abduct a wife back?"

Li Xinyue saw he was about to speak carelessly again, so she flicked her fingertips, sending a gust of strong wind past. Lei Mengsha stiffened, the latter half of his sentence stuck in his throat.

Qi Tianchen saw this scene clearly but did not expose it, merely turning his gaze to Su Rui:

"I heard that Sir possesses the Wisdom Eye, capable of observing a person's martial arts aptitude?"

"I know a little," Su Rui finally spoke, his voice calm.

He had been observing coldly from the side and had long guessed that Qi Tianchen's visit was aimed at him.

Previously disturbed by Lei Mengsha's resurrection, his mind had been unsettled, but now it was finally settled.

"The several Princes of Northern Li have exceptional talent. If they could receive Sir's guidance, it would truly be a great fortune. I wonder if they could enter Sir's tutelage?"

"No need," Su Rui shook his head, "Members of the Imperial Family have too much strife; I do not enjoy getting involved."

Qi Tianchen sighed lightly, "What a pity.

Sir's cultivation has likely already stepped into the Divine Roaming Profound Realm. It is a true regret that the Princes will not have the chance to witness true transmission."

Divine Roaming Profound Realm?

Lei Mengsha and Li Xinyue exchanged a glance, both deeply shaken.

Although they knew Su Rui was unfathomable, they could never ascertain his Realm.

To hear the State Preceptor mention it personally, suggesting he might be on par with a Land Immortal, possessing long Lifespan and being transcendent—

Then... could Hanyi always stay by his side?

At this moment, both their hearts felt heavy. If Li Hanyi's cultivation could not keep up, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Su Rui was in his prime, spirited and vigorous, while Li Hanyi was no longer young; time had left its mark on her.

How would their daughter cope in the future?

"No need to speculate on my intentions. Furthermore, this invasion by the Demonic Cult spreading eastward is inherently Northern Li's internal affair; there is no need to trouble me to act."

Su Rui saw through the purpose of Qi Tianchen's visit at a glance.

"You are already in the Half-Step Divine Roaming Realm. You might not be unable to stop Ye Dingzhi. Why seek help everywhere?"

Upon hearing this, a bitter smile appeared on Qi Tianchen's face.

"This humble Daoist is far from a match for that Demonic Cult Leader, Ye Dingzhi. He has already reached the ninth level of the Void Thought Skill, only one step away from the true Divine Roaming Profound Realm!"

"Moreover, the Demonic Cult's advance this time is fierce. If no one restrains them, I fear the common people will suffer a great calamity!"

He spoke with a face full of worry, seemingly bearing the pain of the populace.

Su Rui merely curled his lips slightly, unconcerned.

Suddenly, he spoke: "I do have a method that can immediately resolve this crisis of the Eastern Campaign."

"What method?" Qi Tianchen was stunned, a flicker of hope flashing in his eyes.

"Release Consort Xuan, Consort Xuan, from the palace. Ye Dingzhi will surely retreat his troops.

Even if he refuses to stop, without the leader, the Demonic Cult is nothing to fear."

As soon as the words fell, Qi Tianchen's expression drastically changed.

Lei Mengsha and Li Xinyue listened, their expressions varied.

The secret affair between Ye Dingzhi and Consort Xuan, though classified as secret news, they knew a little about it.

It also involved Emperor Mingde Xiao Ruojin, and the Lord of Mu Liang City, Luo Qingyang.

The grievances and entanglements among these four were complex.

Lei Mengsha did not know the details, but he grasped the general outline.

Ye Dingzhi was originally the son of the former dynasty's Pillar General. After his family was convicted, the entire clan was executed, and only he was exiled to the Northern Wasteland.

He cultivated martial arts bitterly in that harsh land, single-mindedly planning to return for revenge. Along the way, he befriended Baili Dongjun and Luo Qingyang.

Lei Mengsha had a deep friendship with Baili Dongjun; they had known each other for a long time.

But what happened afterward became even more bizarre.

Consort Xuan came from the Shadow Sect, the daughter of the Sect Master. She trained alongside Luo Qingyang since childhood, like siblings.

Luo Qingyang had always admired his Junior Sister.

However, when Ye Dingzhi was still a noble Young Master, he and Consort Xuan had a marriage engagement.

After his family was ruined and killed, the engagement naturally ended.

Years later, when Ye Dingzhi returned to the Central Plains and saw the now stunningly beautiful Consort Xuan again, their old feelings rekindled, and love blossomed between them.

Yet, Consort Xuan had long been betrothed by her father to Xiao Ruofeng, who had not yet ascended the throne...

To help Ye Dingzhi win back the woman he loved, Baili Dongjun and Luo Qingyang joined forces, but ultimately failed.

Consort Xuan finally married into the Imperial Family and bore Xiao Ruojin a son, who later became the Red King.

During an outing, she met Ye Dingzhi again. Unable to suppress their old feelings, they acted in secret, and she gave birth to Wuxin—who was Ye Anshi.

Afterward, Emperor Mingde learned the truth, plotted to lure Consort Xuan back to Tianqi, and imprisoned her deep within the palace.

From then on, Ye Dingzhi was filled with uncontrollable rage. He borrowed the power of Heaven Beyond Heaven to raise an army for the Eastern Campaign, vowing to flatten Northern Li.

Of course, the far-reaching schemes of the Heaven Beyond Heaven forces were also behind it.

Lei Mengsha did not know these past events completely.

After all, they involved the shame of the Imperial Family. Anyone who dared to investigate deeply was courting death; even mentioning it could invite disaster.

But Su Rui did not avoid the topic at all, pointing directly to the crux of the matter.

Qi Tianchen stood stunned for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh and cupping his hands in farewell.

This conversation could not continue.

Lei Mengsha and Li Xinyue exchanged a look. Though curious, they both tacitly remained silent.

"I will arrange accommodations for you," Li Xinyue said as she stood up, holding the little bean, Lei Wujie, and left the main hall.

Only Lei Mengsha and Su Rui remained facing each other in the hall, the atmosphere momentarily stagnant.

"In the future... you must treat Hanyi well, otherwise... otherwise..." Lei Mengsha stammered for a long time, then realized he probably couldn't even beat one of the other man's fingers, and immediately deflated.

"Rest assured, I will cherish her even more than you do. You should also consider, if one day you are gone, what will become of her and your child?" Su Rui spoke lightly.

Lei Mengsha froze, his playful expression instantly hardening.

After a long while, he said in a low voice: "Thank you for this time. I will definitely find a way to repay the favor of the Medicinal Pill."

Such a great kindness made him truly unable to feel at ease.

"No need to repay it. Consider it a betrothal gift.

Hanyi is priceless in my heart," Su Rui said, then stood up as if to leave. After walking a few steps, he suddenly turned back.

"Emperor Mingde is not a benevolent ruler. If your Junior Brother Xiao Ruofeng wishes to live, he should leave Tianqi as soon as he returns.

Though the Jianghu is far away, there are still beautiful mountains and waters worth visiting."

After speaking, he turned and departed, his figure melting into the night.

He never held any particular good impression of Xiao Ruofeng.

It was just a casual remark; whether to listen or not was entirely up to the other party.

After all, good advice is hard to take for someone determined to die.

If he doesn't want to be Emperor, he might as well completely relinquish power; wouldn't that be more enjoyable?

Su Rui shook his head slightly and turned to leave the main hall.

He left Lei Mengsha sitting alone, a look of contemplation etched between his brows.

"So, there won't be any more betrothal gifts in the future?"

After a long time, Lei Mengsha finally spoke.

If Su Rui were still there, he would probably be unable to resist slapping her.

When Su Rui arrived at the Lei Residence's rear garden, he saw Li Hanyi and Mu Liangyue sitting in the lakeside pavilion from afar, murmuring softly, their expressions intimate.

He had never seen them look this way even at the Martial Arts Hall.

He quietly approached, standing behind the two, and as soon as he perked up his ears, he heard the content of their discussion. His mouth twitched, and he coughed lightly twice to signal his presence.

The two women were startled up, jumping up like startled rabbits.

When they turned around and saw Su Rui standing behind them, their faces instantly flushed crimson, as if blood could drip out.

They had no idea how long he had been there, nor how much of what they said he had overheard.

And what they had been discussing just now was... techniques.

Recalling it, it was indeed somewhat indecent.

"Cough, actually, I like them all quite a bit," Su Rui cleared his throat again and spoke with mock seriousness.

Li Hanyi was so ashamed she wished she could vanish immediately, wanting only to burrow into the ground.

It was Mu Liangyue who suddenly became a bit bolder, looking directly at him with a flushed face, even slightly puffing out her chest, as if trying to present her best side to him.

This girl, towards her Master, likely harbored different feelings long ago.

Su Rui's gaze swept over her, and he sighed inwardly—truly Naturally Beautiful, Without Any Adornment.

Sensing her action, Li Hanyi immediately grabbed Mu Liangyue's hand, pulling her away and turning to leave without looking back.

Su Rui stood stunned, awkwardly touching his nose, offering a helpless, wry smile.