Chapter 17: Did You Really Fall for Yan Huaixuan?

Chapter 17: Are You Really Into Yan Huaixuan?

Shen Lian's words died in his throat, and he gritted his teeth.

He shot another glance at Yan Huaixuan.

Yan Huaixuan looked back at him, "You don't want it?"

"I do! Let me think," For Shen Lian, this was like winning the lottery—Dragon Proud Heaven's compensation, no less!

He really wanted to say, "Can you take me to the cultivation world?"

But wouldn't that be way too obvious?

But if he saved it for later, wouldn't that be a total waste?

After all, there was still a whole year before ascending to the cultivation world.

Seeing the expressions flit across Shen Lian's face, a slight smile tugged at Yan Huaixuan's lips, then he said, "Within the time it takes one incense stick to burn, or the offer's off."

Well, that settled it—no chance for Shen Lian to save it for later!

Shen Lian instantly grabbed Yan Huaixuan's hand, "Let me think a bit more."

Yan Huaixuan lowered his gaze. Shen Lian was too flustered to notice he was holding Yan Huaixuan's hand.

Yan Huaixuan paused, said nothing, just gave an "Mm."

Seeing Shen Lian's expression—wanting this, wanting that, with no clear plan—Yan Huaixuan said lightly, "If you try to grab everything, you'll end up empty-handed."

He glanced at the incense beside them. It was nearly burnt out!

Shen Lian finally clenched his jaw, "I want to cook for you for the rest of my life!"

This was perfect—it showed his loyalty, and... cooking for a lifetime meant he'd have to be taken along for the ascension!

This answer caught Yan Huaixuan off guard.

He said quietly, "Why would you think that? Besides staying by my side, is there nothing else you want to do?"

Shen Lian said softly, "Because you're my husband, and my husband is my whole world. Of course, I just want to revolve my world around you."

Yan Huaixuan met his bright eyes, pressed his lips into a thin line, and turned away, "It's late and the dew is heavy. Get some rest."

Shen Lian nodded meekly.

Yan Huaixuan said abruptly, "Come at the same time tomorrow."

Shen Lian's eyes lit up instantly. He turned his back to Yan Huaixuan, knowing exactly what was coming, but when he turned around, he put on a confused face, "My Lord, but I've already learned all the characters. Why do I still need to come?"

Yan Huaixuan said evenly, "Tomorrow we'll change your bandages. The day after, I'll start teaching you self-defense. Rather than relying on me to save you, it's better for you to have a say in your own fate."

Shen Lian froze at those words.

He stood there, rooted to the spot.

Rather than relying on others, it's better to have control over your own fate?

Shen Lian gave a soft "Mm" in acknowledgment, "Thank you, My Lord."

He turned and shut the door behind him.

The System watched Shen Lian leave the moment he was out the door, clicking its tongue, "What an actor. All that acting in there—I almost thought you really liked Yan Huaixuan."

Shen Lian smirked lazily, "Didn't I win an Oscar for nothing?"

The next day, just as Shen Lian's internal alarm was about to go off at the usual time, the door swung open. A black-clad shadow guard set down a lunchbox and left.

"My Lord said to eat first, then head over later."

Shen Lian had originally wanted to eat with Yan Huaixuan, but he didn't mind when he heard this.

Honestly, being around Yan Huaixuan meant constantly being on edge, trying to please him.

Eating alone was way more relaxing.

Meanwhile, Yan Huaixuan was helping Ling Yun survive his tribulation. Ling Yun was originally a masterless sword, and in his past life, he had been offered as tribute to the Chu Kingdom by a vassal state while he slept, where he unexpectedly formed a bond with Yan Huaixuan and became his life-bound sword.

In this life, because Ling Yun had formed that contract with him, he was reborn too and flew straight over from the vassal state.

After three days in seclusion, Ling Yun's cultivation had improved by leaps and bounds.

That was why Yan Huaixuan had Shen Lian, who was supposed to come over, stay in his room to eat instead.

Once Ling Yun's aura settled, Yan Huaixuan instinctively sent a thread of spiritual sense to Shen Lian's room.

And that's when he saw Shen Lian squatting on a chair, eating.

Yan Huaixuan was genuinely taken aback for a moment.

The System twitched its mouth, "Can't you have any manners?"

Shen Lian: "Yan Huaixuan's not here, so why should I pretend?"

He just liked eating while squatting.

Ling Yun saw this too and couldn't help saying, "Master, this guy is totally two-faced. In front of you, he puts on an act..."

But Ling Yun couldn't finish the thought, because even in front of the master, his behavior was outrageously bold!

It looked at Yan Huaixuan, only to see a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Ling Yun's eyes went wide.

It had only been in seclusion for three days—what the heck happened?

The master didn't look disgusted?

Noticing its stare, Yan Huaixuan said evenly, "You just broke through, so your cultivation is unstable. Keep meditating for three more days to solidify your foundation."

Ling Yun scratched its head, "Okay."

On the third day, Shen Lian finally got to go to Yan Huaixuan's room.

During the meal, Shen Lian noticed Yan Huaixuan kept staring at him. He paused, checked his clothes, and asked, "Husband, is there something on me?"

Yan Huaixuan looked away, "Nothing."

"Then why does my lord husband keep staring at me?" Shen Lian asked, utterly bewildered.

Yan Huaixuan glanced at his deliberately proper, demure posture and offhandedly changed the subject.

"Once you're done eating, I'll teach you martial arts."

Hearing this, Shen Lian immediately let go of his doubts and nodded.

He genuinely wanted to learn martial arts, and Yan Huaixuan was, after all, the Sword Dao Supreme of the Heartless Dao.

Even a couple of tips from him would be a tremendous advantage for Shen Lian.

That night, Yan Huaixuan's words kept Shen Lian up tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

He thought back to what his agency manager had said.

The people at the company always wanted Shen Lian to act dumber, so he'd be easier to control.

Whenever Shen Lian mentioned wanting to learn something, his manager would say.

"Just rely on your looks—that's enough. When you're short on money or connections, just go snag a rich guy."

Shen Lian pursed his lips.

If he really ascended to the upper realm, would he still have to cling to Dragon Proud Heaven's coattails for the rest of his life?

At the end of the day, he had to rely on himself.

Shen Lian studied very earnestly.

Yan Huaixuan had initially thought Shen Lian would whine nonstop on the first day, but to his surprise, Shen Lian gritted his teeth and persevered.

He was also surprised to find that Shen Lian picked things up quickly.

Unfortunately, his current cultivation wasn't enough to assess Shen Lian's spiritual aptitude.

However, Shen Lian had a remarkable knack for understanding the sword path.

Even when the session ended, Shen Lian seemed unwilling to call it quits.

Yan Huaixuan said, "In cultivation, the biggest taboo is impatience. Today I'm teaching you the basics—take it step by step and build a solid foundation."

Shen Lian could only nod; he didn't think Yan Huaixuan would mistreat or hurt him.

From their time together over the past few days, Shen Lian had already come to see Yan Huaixuan as an upright person.

He seemed aloof and unapproachable, but if you really got close to him, he proved to be a wonderful friend.

In these ancient times, no one would willingly teach his wife martial arts.

But Yan Huaixuan would.

Unfortunately, Shen Lian... had approached Yan Huaixuan with hidden motives.

Shen Lian's lips parted slightly, before suddenly saying, "Yan Huaixuan."

For a moment, he wanted to come clean to Yan Huaixuan right then and there.