The Fourth Elder only greeted Qing Shui simply without being warm or distant.

  Fifth Elder was different from the rest, he was gloomy and cold. He did not say a word to Qing Shui except nodding; he was like a tree log or an ice block.

  Sixth Elder and Seventh Elder were two grannies who seemed to be very old. Despite their grizzled hair, their faces were youthful with good spirits. Qing Shui could see from their wrinkleless faces that they were quite good-looking when they were young.

  The two grannies were exceptionally good to Qing Shui and treated him like their juniors. Qing Shui felt their warmth as well, he liked elder people like them very much.

  Shen Huang did not introduce the others and Qing Shui understood why. It would be an unfavorable statement to say, but those people could only follow orders for the moment.

  In fact, Yehuang Guwu initially disagreed to be the second divine seat of the Phoenix God Organization. After all, she was needed in the Qing Clan as their guardian now. Qing Shui would be more relieved if she stayed in the Qing Clan.

  Nevertheless, Shen Huang granted Yehuang Guwu ultimate freedom. That could only mean that she didn’t need to stay in the Phoenix God Organization or do anything.

  Yehuang Guwu was shy but the women got familiar with each other very soon. They were close like siblings within half of a day. Qing Shui wondered if they sympathized with one another or had their own motives.

  Qing Shui did not bother anymore since it would not harm him in any way. For the moment it would only benefit him, as he grew stronger, the reward from the Phoenix God Organization would be greater too.

  Qing Shui and Yehuang Guwu headed back at dusk, while Shen Huang stayed in the Phoenix God Organization.

  ……


  ……


  After a few days, Qing Shui prepared to visit the Demon Lord Palace. He had been back for several days and his women stayed in the Qing Clan for the time being. Just like the festive season in his past life, they brought their children to the main streets when they were free. It was hard to gather the few women together.

  Although the women were apparently separated into several groups, that did not mean they were not on good terms. They were as close as real sisters carrying the same identities as Qing Shui’s women.

  They were all brilliant and would not fight for preference. They were equally independent.

  They interacted well after meeting; besides, they were close to the kids. Qing Shui was the happiest person to see his entire family together.

  This time, Qing Shui visited the Demon Lord Palace alone. It had been ages, he wondered how were Tantai Lingyan and Qin Qing now. He purposely dropped by the Qin Clan when he left, only to find out that Qin Qing went back once.

  She only went back to the Imperial Cuisine Hall once too.

  Qing Shui arrived at the Demon Lord Palace shortly with his Nine Continents Steps. The familiar scenes brought up an indescribable feeling in his heart. He craved to meet these women immediately.

  It was a happy mistake to have met Tantai Lingyan before, the encounters over all these years seemed like a dream for Qing Shui.

  He would never let go of this woman regardless of what she said now or later. Several years had passed, previously this woman did not reject him anymore. Now, he was uncertain if things would go back to those days when they meet again.

  He had no idea; he was a little worried. Yet, he was not overly anxious and only wished that she lived well.

  The men in the Demon Lord Palace greeted Qing Shui respectfully as they saw him, “Sir Guardian!”


  Qing Shui nodded, “Is the Mistress here?”


  Qing Shui was already the Demon Lord Palace’s guardian, the Dragonwolf Palace’s guardian, and the Sunset Sea King Palace’s guardian. Now, he became the Guest Elder of the Phoenix God Organization which was similar to the guardian.

  “I have no idea……”


  Qing Shui touched his forehead and nodded before walking in. He was right, only a few men would know about the presence of Tantai Lingyan, probably only Zhan Yu, Hua Rumei, and a few others.

  Qing Shui was also head of the medical pavilion in the Demon Lord Palace beside being the guardian.

  Qing Shui walked towards the familiar courtyard, it used to be Tantai Lingyan’s and his little yard. However, they stayed separately in two buildings and nothing wonderful happened.

  Sometimes, Qing Shui could not understand himself. Could it be that the intimate contact with her had kept him longing for her, regardless of how cold she was?

  He wondered if he was that low…Yet, he did not regret it. He realized that he had fallen for this woman, still, the actual reason was unknown.

  Clang……


  Approaching the yard, Qing Shui heard a tweedle with a sense of loneliness in the peaceful melodies. Qing Shui slowed down, the strings sounded good but it was lonely and heart-aching.

  The music made one’s heart lonely like a solitary soul who had no one to rely on.

  No one to share the happiness and to face the sufferings. There was no difference to live such a life since there was nobody to share the laughter and the pain.

  Qing Shui was so depressed upon listening to the tunes. So, she had never been in happiness and her heart was still lonely. Qing Shui was disappointed and slightly lethargic, he even felt helpless.

  An indistinct frustration flooded his heart.

  “Why don’t you come in?” A clear and cold yet beautiful voice came out, lingering and very pleasant to hear. Unlike Shen Huang’s voice, Tantai Lingyan’s voice was cool and charming, while comforting and quivering at the same time.

  Qing Shui raised his head. In no time, Tantai Lingyan stood at the pavilion’s window, staring at him.

  Her hair worn in a bun, with her dark and gentle eyebrows, her alluring and glowing bare face, she looked so sophisticated. It gave a huge visual impact when Qing Shui saw her every time.

  She was a heavenly beauty. The snow-white gown could not hide her curvy figure. Her sharp and frail shoulder, voluptuous and astonishingly beautiful chest, her tiny waist and her slender body was like a jade sculpture wrapped in white silk. This was the most unapproachable woman Qing Shui had ever seen. It was the pride from the bottom of her soul instead of merely coldness.

  Unrivalled coolness, remarkable beauty.

  Qing Shui appeared before her in a flash. A joyful smile crept onto his face; then, he held her in his embrace. However, he only held her by the waist without crossing the line.

  “Lingyan, I miss you!” Qing Shui looked at her face, smiling.

  Qing Shui noticed a slight smile on her face. He would have thought she was pleased in the past, yet, the tweedle he heard made him realize her massive changes. She had not opened up, the usual solidarity within her remained.

  Tantai Lingyan startled from Qing Shui’s statement. Only Qing Shui’s words could touch her. The memories with him were unerasable. Even a cold-hearted person would long for someone’s care, especially for a woman who craved for words of endearment. A statement of “Lingyan, I miss you” would be much better than ten statements of “Lingyan, I love you” for a woman like Tantai Lingyan.