Chapter 20: I Have Come for You

With a sudden shift, Liu Shanhe entered the room. His sharp eyes carefully examined Changqing.

At such a young age, with such cultivation, this person could not be from the army.

Liu Shanhe was sure he had never seen this youth before.

Changqing cupped his hands and bowed respectfully, speaking openly, "I am a humble citizen from Zizhu Town, and I pay my respects to the great general."

Liu Shanhe narrowed his eyes. Even though he had been a general for a lifetime, enduring all kinds of hardships, he couldn't make sense of the situation.

Dongfang Lan, equally confused, looked at Changqing as if she had seen a ghost.

"How do you know about me?" Liu Shanhe asked.

He never expected that a small matter, brought on by a chicken-headed pawn from Sun Ju, would escalate to this point.

"Dongfang Lan told me," Changqing replied truthfully.

Liu Shanhe's confusion deepened. What had seemed like an unsolvable puzzle now became even more unclear.

Dongfang Lan's heart tensed. She looked at Changqing quietly, staying still.

Though she didn't understand, she still trusted Changqing.

"How do you know Dongfang Lan? This is the border of Qingyun Kingdom, and Dongfang Lan is far away in the imperial capital..." Liu Shanhe paused. "I hope you can tell me everything you know."

"Of course," Changqing nodded and began recounting his story:

"I was once a chicken butcher in Zizhu Town. By chance, I stepped into the path of cultivation."

"The town was haunted, and I had to fake a corpse."

Changqing kept the explanation simple and got to the point of meeting Dongfang Lan. However, in his narrative, he credited Dongfang Lan for killing the widow of the small king.

"I am just a humble citizen with no grand ambitions. I only wanted to join the Town Prison Division to secure a stable job."

"Dongfang Lan, as the third princess of Qingyun Kingdom, faced difficulties, and I wanted to help but couldn't."

As Changqing spoke, Liu Shanhe understood half of it. Dongfang Lan, however, understood everything.

Changqing didn't know how long Liu Shanhe had been listening. Changqing could hear the chatter of passersby on the street, and Liu Shanhe, who stood outside, surely could hear what Changqing had just said!

Changqing decided to play it safe by confessing everything openly, portraying himself as a lucky chicken butcher. This way, no matter if Liu Shanhe had any connections with Zhao Zhen, Changqing had protected himself.

Changqing knew that the remnants of the Great Demon Soul wanted to possess someone and that they needed the next spiritual energy surge from the Wind and Cloud Arena. Before that happens, Dongfang Lan's soul could not die.

In other words, Dongfang Lan would not die for at least nine more years.

Changqing had safeguarded himself and also ensured that he could continue to help Dongfang Lan.

Dongfang Lan felt both admiration and a touch of discomfort.

Even though Changqing had said, "If you can't beat them, join them," as if preparing her for this, Dongfang Lan still felt betrayed, especially with how quickly and decisively he acted.

It was as straightforward as when Changqing killed the chicken — no hesitation, no lingering doubts.

"You faced difficulties? What difficulties?" Liu Shanhe asked.

"I don't know," Changqing responded directly.

At that moment, Dongfang Lan used the Qingyun Technique to condense her cultivation.

Under normal circumstances, Liu Shanhe, being at the Ninth Layer of the Spirit Awakening Realm, would be able to sense Dongfang Lan even without using any magic. But Liu Shanhe continued staring at Changqing, seemingly oblivious to Dongfang Lan's presence.

Dongfang Lan approached Liu Shanhe and waved her hand in front of his eyes.

Liu Shanhe merely raised an eyebrow, showing only faint awareness.

"The general is injured! And the injury is severe! His cultivation has dropped... At least two major levels! Even his soul has been heavily damaged!"

Dongfang Lan was shocked. She couldn't imagine who could have injured such a powerful figure—one of the strongest in the Flowing Cloud Continent.

Liu Shanhe narrowed his eyes, pondering deeply. Suddenly, his face changed dramatically.

His breath caught. He quickly made a series of hand signs and activated a ghost-revealing technique.

His eyes flickered with divine light, and at last, he saw Dongfang Lan, who had become a ghost!

"Princess!" Liu Shanhe cried out in grief, his eyes reddening instantly.

His eyes became fiercer, his fists clenched tightly, and his aura exploded with anger.

"Ugh!"

Blood surged in his body, worsening his injuries. Liu Shanhe, in his sorrow and rage, spat out a mouthful of blood.

Seeing this, even Changqing understood. Liu Shanhe was not an enemy!

"Grandfather Liu..." Dongfang Lan performed a manifestation spell, turning her body into a faint shadow. Even a normal person could see and hear her now.

"You... You... How did you die?" Liu Shanhe's face aged even further. He vaguely remembered the little girl who had once pulled at his armor, shouting to join the army and defend the country.

At this moment, Dongfang Lan felt an overwhelming sorrow, like a dam breaking.

Just eighteen, she had already experienced such dramatic changes.

On one side was Zhao Zhen, the National Advisor, controlling the Town Prison Division. On the other was the remnants of the Great Demon Soul from the upper realms.

Even though she possessed an extraordinary spirit body and was hailed as the greatest genius of the Flowing Cloud Continent, even though everyone was certain she would be the champion of the next Wind and Cloud Arena, she was still just a little girl.

Helpless, powerless, everything fell solely upon her shoulders.

Even though she met Changqing, even though Changqing knew everything, Dongfang Lan's feelings remained suppressed, unable to be expressed.

"Who did this?" Liu Shanhe gritted his teeth, his blood still dripping from his mouth.

Dongfang Lan was about to speak, but Changqing stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Since the princess and the general have reunited, my task is complete. I shall take my leave."

Dongfang Lan looked at Changqing, wanting to say something but holding back.

Changqing's composure was as solid as a rock.

Dongfang Lan didn't stop him, but Liu Shanhe spoke up, "Don't leave yet."

Changqing's heart sank.

Liu Shanhe spoke, "You were used by Sun Ju, probably as a scout, just like the cultivators of the Qi Gathering Realm or even the Town Prison Division warriors. You must not go to the Border Mountain Range. Sun Ju is not like other officers. He's no good."

"Thank you, General, for the warning," Changqing bowed again.

"Also," Liu Shanhe added, taking out a small booklet, "Your talent is astonishing. In just half a day, you've perfected the Wind Gathering Sword. But the technique Sun Ju gave you is not suitable. This is a wind-attribute Xuan-level technique. Practice this instead."

Changqing took the technique, his expression complicated.

"I'm in charge of miscellaneous affairs in the Town Prison Division, and the highest-level techniques are under my management. This Xuan-level technique is the best available in Pingchuan City's Town Prison Division."

Changqing looked at the booklet titled "Xuan Wind Art." It was a perfect match for the Wind Gathering Sword technique.

"Did you come for me?" Changqing asked.

"I have come for you," Liu Shanhe replied.