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The Steward Demonic Emperor – Chapter 1011, Northern Lands' Best Disciple

"Spring is in the air, with the bloom of flowers and the chirping of birds…"

In a quiet little home, Shangguan Qingyan's voice was heard as she sang, skipping around in a very good mood.

"Oh, Uncle Shangguan said that young miss Shangguan has been down this past year and I thought this silly sister was bothered with something, so I came to help. Now I see that sister is in good spirits. I must've gotten worried over nothing, ha-ha-ha…"

Shangguan Qingyan paused and looked back with a smile.

Before her was the southern lands' Immortal Healer Murong Xue and her servant, Zhui'er.

"Sister Murong, you're here as well?" Shangguan Qingyan cheered and jumped in Murong Xue's embrace.

Murong Xue patted her soft hair, "With northern lands in danger and the other lands helping, southern lands is not about to stay behind either!"

"Young miss Shangguan, young miss had missed you so much. When we came last time to northern lands to get medicine, she has always wished to go to eastern lands and see you, young miss, again. But the northern lands came under threat and Clan Head had to rush here. Young miss wanted to visit you in eastern lands, then come to northern lands with Shangguan clan. Only that in the eastern lands we realized you've already gone to northern lands so young miss rushed here on the double. She made quite the detour."

Zhui'er smiled at the two girls as she told them about her hard journey.

Shangguan Qingyan was touched and broke the hug to look into Murong Xue's clear eyes as she grabbed her soft hands, "You've been through so much big sister, how could I repay you?"

"This is nothing to you and Uncle Shangguan's hardship of taking back the Soaring Sword from the central area."

Murong Xue glared at Shangguan Qingyan, "Little sister, do I mean so little to you to not tell me about this huge matter about the stolen sword? Our four lands alliance aside, with our two clans so close, we would never have stood by during your plight. I just had to go to Shangguan clan myself in the eastern lands to know you've braved such terrible dangers before making a detour to northern lands and for the Sea Bright Sect without so much as a word of notice. Thank heavens you're all alright. I wouldn't have known how to take your loss then. Wouldn't that be an insult to our clans' close friendship?"

Shangguan Qingyan gave the sullen Murong Xue a tight hug, "Don't be angry, big sis. It's all my fault for not telling you. But I'm not the only one who deserves your anger."

"Who?"

"Dad."

Shangguan Qingyan giggled, "After Shangguan Feiyun stole the Soaring Sword, someone proposed that we join hands with the Murong clan, but dad refused. He said that it's our clan's problem and not to involve others, as it would earn their ridicule once this matter was out. How are we to provide support when we can't even keep our sword safe? Won't that disgrace our clan?"

Murong Xue sighed and shook her head, "That's the Uncle Shangguan I know, obsessed with appearances."

"Right? Big sister Murong, be sure to teach my stubborn dad a valuable lesson."

"How could I? He's a senior and we are juniors. How can we meddle in their affairs? Also…"

Murong Xue chuckled and sighed, "Uncle Shangguan must've hesitated out of concern for our clan. With southern lands having no conflict yet with the central area and a relative peace in place between us and the Sword Star Empire, I thus could still move about in their home. But by joining the matter of the stolen sword, it would bring many troubles to us. Shangguan clan is a righteous clan and would never cause misfortune upon another. This is something I appreciate about Uncle Shangguan's character and pain."

Shangguan Qingyan nodded in understanding, "Yeah, Shangguan is righteous and the Murong Clan is filled with justice. Despite being apart, we are the prime example for good in the five lands. How else would our two clans would've grown so close? Ha-ha-ha, that's what I call partners in notoriety…"

Ugh!

Murong Xue smiled at first then her face twitched as Shangguan Qingyan finished, whining, "Sis Yan'er, what was that?"

"Uh, nothing, nothing. I meant to say with valor and justice, thick as thieves…oops." Covering her mouth, Shangguan Qingyan gave Murong Xue an awkward look, growing angry, "It's all that meanie's fault for twisting my views…"

Murong Xue frowned and teased, "A meanie? Oh, the one Uncle Shangguan told me about that you've been pining for for a year now."

"Dad told you?"

Shangguan Qingyan blushed hard with a lowered head but a silly smile.

Murong Xue nodded, "Uncle Shangguan avoided specifics, only saying that you had a fling in the central area and turned sulky. But the way I hear it now, it might not be as simple as a fling. Dear little sister, you're head over heels, completely lovesick, ha-ha-ha…"

"As if!"

"Why not?"

Murong Xue teased, "You used to be such a demure lady and now you can't even speak straight. You must've picked up his speaking habits, ha-ha-ha. I bet your man isn't just anyone and knows how to be blunt as well."

Shangguan Qingyan blushed harder, "No way, he's just a bit harsh with words…"

"What about that cousin of yours, Shangguan Yulin, who used to stick to you like glue? How does he compare?"

"Humph, that traitor isn't worth his shoes!" Shangguan Qingyan sneered.

Murong Xue shook her head, "Love is blind. You're truly hopeless. I heard from Uncle Shangguan that Shangguan Yulin has a bad character but he was well known in the lands for his looks and strength. If he can't even carry the guy's shoes, won't that mean your man is beyond outstanding? Ha-ha-ha, I don't believe there's anyone as great as Shangguan Yulin. Love is in the eyes of the beholder. Little sis is so in love she thinks the world of him."

Shangguan Yulin's eyes shook and said with defiance, "Big sis, you're too ignorant. The entire Shangguan clan witnessed his ability. Go ask dad if you don't believe me, see how much dad's praising him. That traitor Shangguan Yulin is nothing to him."

"Aren't you now arguing with me about his overestimated greatness? You even dare talk back to me, saying that I'm blind? Damn girl, want me to knock some sense into you?"

Murong Xue raised her hands with a sly grin and unleashed her tickling attack on the lovestruck girl.

Shangguan Qingyan dodged while laughing for her to stop, "Big sister Murong, please stop! I won't say it! You're not blind, you're narrow-minded!

"Hey, did you pick only his bad habits? This goes to show he isn't anything good. Yet you're still saying it?" Murong Xue swung while Shangguan Qingyan kept dodging in good humor.

The girls enjoyed themselves with Zhui'er giggling at the side in encouragement, "Young miss, miss Shangguan, that's it! Keep at it, hi-hi-hi…"

"The red bean trees in the south to grow/ By spring they yield in heaps above./ I hope you pluck in plenty soon/ Because it is the gift of love."

In the middle of their fun, a poem drowned the two girls' shrieks, unable to disturb the speaker's resounding voice.

The girls halted their fun and looked at the entrance.

Thump~

A man in a long robe and tied hair, a most refined scholar in demeanor and pace, walked in holding a snow plum flower in his hand.

Murong Xue started at his appearance, "Ouyang Changqing, you're out?"

"Northern lands' best disciple Ouyang Changqing?"

Shangguan Qingyan giggled, "I've been to northern lands a couple of times but never had met you till now."

Ouyang Changqing gave a bow and smiled, "Young miss Shangguan, I have been most of the time in seclusion. It's only natural to have yet to see me."

"Sister Xue, it's been a while. This snow plum flower is for you."

Ouyang Changqing smiled as he presented the flower with respect and a smile.

Murong Xue did not take it, "It's too soon to be calling me like that."

"How so when it's just right?" Ouyang Changqing beamed, "Now that father has healed from his wounds and your brother is a guest in the Sea Bright Sect, I shall ask father to request your brother to give me your hand in marriage. Then we can have an early wedding, ha-ha-ha…"

To be continued