After hearing Qin Chu's words, Shang Ruoyu frowned, "Qin Chu, do you know the current situation on the Saint Martial Continent? Many powerful cultivators have come. If they were reasonable, it wouldn't be a problem, but the key is that many Cultivators are self-centered and won't abide by others' rules. The rules of your Saint Martial Continent are useless. The Black Prison Master is very strong, but he has too many opponents. This time it's the Cultivators of the Spirit Martial Continent attacking him, so what about next time?"
"Thank you for your reminder. Last time, I didn't tell you the whole truth about some things. It's true that I haven't lived with my parents since I was young, but the one who raised me for fourteen years was none other than the Black Prison Master. He is steadfastly guarding the Saint Martial Continent, and there's no reason for me to leave." Looking at Shang Ruoyu, Qin Chu spoke of what he had hidden last time. He was certain that since Shang Ruoyu had kindly come to warn him, she wouldn't try to harm him again.
"No wonder you know the Prison Suppressing Fist. Before, I couldn't understand how a favor from a single drink could make the Black Prison Master teach you the Prison Suppressing Fist. So, you were raised by him." Shang Ruoyu understood some things.
"Yes, I hid it from you before because I was afraid you'd know about my close relationship with the Black Prison Master. I'm telling you now because I want you to know that I won't leave," Qin Chu said.
Shang Ruoyu fell silent. After a moment of silence, she looked at Qin Chu, "The Black Prison Master is very strong, but this time he was ambushed. Also, this isn't his territory. In short, I hope you'll reconsider. As for Qi Qingqing, she's been watching you, but it doesn't matter, I'll deal with her later."
"Help me deal with Qi Qingqing... what do I need to pay?" Qin Chu asked, looking at Shang Ruoyu.
"Nothing. Don't think so little of me. For some matters, I still hope you'll consider them carefully." Shang Ruoyu stood up and left the teahouse.
Watching Shang Ruoyu leave, an unspeakable feeling rose in Qin Chu's heart. Although Shang Ruoyu didn't say it explicitly, her attitude showed that she was willing to look after him and take care of him.
Qin Chu walked out of the teahouse, called out to Qing Yi and Bai Yu at the entrance, and left.
Bai Yu and Qing Yi didn't notice anything unusual. After Shang Ruoyu refined Qin Chu's Origin Qi, the energy within her body achieved Yin and Yang balance, and her aura was very stable, so Qing Yi didn't discover anything either.
Returning to Vermilion Bird Villa, and to his own courtyard, Qin Chu brewed himself a pot of tea. Then he sorted out the relationships and the future trends of the situation. According to Shang Ruoyu, the Saint Martial Continent was about to descend into chaos because there were too many outsiders.
"Qin Chu, what's wrong?" Shang Shuyu sat down beside Qin Chu.
"Senior Sister, I saw Shang Ruoyu today." After thinking for a moment, Qin Chu looked at Shang Shuyu and said.
"Ah? She didn't do anything to you, did she?" Hearing Qin Chu's words, Shang Shuyu became anxious. Who was Shang Ruoyu? She was the Empress of the White Tiger Holy Clan, the foremost person on the Nether Martial Continent. Qin Chu had pressed her down and *pa-pa-pa*-ed her. How could she just let that go? It was normal for her to deal with Qin Chu.
"Senior Sister, please sit. She didn't do anything to me; she just chatted with me." Qin Chu described his meeting with Shang Ruoyu. He was about to get married, so there shouldn't be any secrets.
After hearing Qin Chu's words, Shang Shuyu's face showed anger, a shift from worry to fury, "Qin Chu, what is she trying to do? She's trying to destroy our engagement!"
"Senior Sister, don't be angry. There are some things I won't do. How could I leave the Saint Martial Continent? I absolutely will not! Besides, you should understand my feelings for Senior Sister," Qin Chu said.
Shang Shuyu nodded, "I'm just a little angry. She's trying to steal you from me."
Qin Chu hugged Shang Shuyu, "Senior Sister, don't overthink it. I haven't hidden anything from you."
"Mm, that's what makes me happy. Also, what makes me happy is that Shang Ruoyu won't harm you, and she's even thinking of your well-being. It's just that I'm uncomfortable; taking advantage once is enough, but she's planning to keep taking advantage!" Shang Shuyu expressed her dissatisfaction.
Qin Chu could understand Shang Shuyu's emotions, because she cared, that's why she minded. Anyone in that situation wouldn't be happy.
After chatting with Qin Chu for a while, Shang Shuyu left Qin Chu's courtyard. Recently, she had been staying in a guest room at Vermilion Bird Villa with her parents, mainly because she hadn't officially married Qin Chu yet, and still needed to avoid suspicion. Of course, both sets of elders didn't care about these things; they all tacitly approved. Zhen Han even told her daughter to spend more time with Qin Chu, to fully Cultivate their feelings before the marriage.
Meeting Shang Ruoyu was just an interlude. This interlude affected Qin Chu's state of mind a little, but it didn't have a major impact. He continued his daily routine: going to the Alchemist Guild in the morning for Alchemy, returning to Vermilion Bird Villa in the afternoon for Alchemy, and Cultivating Origin Qi and Vermilion Bird Holy Fire in the evening.
This day, Qin Chu was practicing his sword techniques when a guard from the entrance came in and delivered a letter to Qin Chu.
After opening the letter, Qin Chu recognized the handwriting. It was the same as the reminder letter Shang Ruoyu had sent last time, which made him realize the letter was written by Shang Ruoyu.
Shang Ruoyu informed Qin Chu that Qi Qingqing was monitoring him every day, but wouldn't easily make a move. This would always be a hidden danger. Her intention was for Qin Chu to leave the city, giving Qi Qingqing an opportunity to act, and also creating an opportunity for him to deal with Qi Qingqing.
After thinking about it, Qin Chu felt that Shang Ruoyu's words made sense. An opponent lurking in the dark was too terrifying; who knew when they would come out and bite you. If it could be resolved, it should be resolved.
After pondering for a while, Qin Chu decided to leave the city and head to Jianbei Forest. Qi Qingqing would make her move on the way. As for the outcome, that would depend on what Shang Ruoyu did. This was like taking a gamble, betting that Shang Ruoyu wouldn't betray him.
Having made his decision, Qin Chu called Qing Yi and told him about going to Jianbei Forest tomorrow.
Although Qing Yi was a little puzzled about why Qin Chu was going to Jianbei Forest, he didn't ask.
"Uncle Qing Yi, here's our plan: Tomorrow morning, I'll go to the Alchemist Guild for Alchemy as usual. At noon, Uncle Qing Yi will drive the beast carriage to pick me up. This layout of ours might be a bit dangerous." Seeing the doubt on Qing Yi's face, Qin Chu explained the general situation to Qing Yi. He had absolute trust in Qing Yi, someone who would protect him with his life.
"Then do we need to inform Clan Chief Shang?" Hearing Qin Chu's words, Qing Yi was a little worried. He could protect Qin Chu within the city, at least until experts arrived for rescue, but outside the city, he wasn't so confident.
"No need. I already have some ideas. Don't tell anyone else about this; it's a bit shady." Qin Chu told Qing Yi. He absolutely could not let Shang Shu Tianye and Zhen Han know about his and Shang Ruoyu's matters.