Chapter 12: Seeking Benefits

Chapter 12: Seeking Benefits

Shen Yan softened her tone.

“Father, I don’t hate you, and I’m not angry. I’m just afraid you would tire yourself out running around for me.”

Shen Tianhao was shaken, feeling both moved and sad.

“Silly girl, you are Father’s daughter, not an outsider!”

A strange feeling passed through Shen Yan’s heart.

A daughter?

She was an orphan in the Apocalypse. She had never felt familial affection before. Now, being held by Shen Tianhao and hearing his sincere words, she simply felt a wave of warmth.

She lowered her gaze and whispered softly.

“Yes, I am your daughter.”

…

Shen Yan accepted Shen Tianhao’s kindness, but she also planned to search for the Blood-Devouring Pearl herself.

Shen Tianhao suddenly remembered something and asked tentatively, “Yesterday, I ordered Lingyuan to be whipped thirty times. Now she is barely clinging to life. Yan’er, what do you think should be done with her?”

Hearing this, images flashed through Shen Yan’s mind—scenes of the original owner being beaten and scolded by Lingyuan for so many years. Moreover, Lingyuan had worked with Shen Xue to plot against the original owner. Thinking of this, her expression turned completely cold. “Kill her.”

These three words shook Shen Tianhao’s heart.

He paused for a few seconds, then nodded with a grave expression. “Alright.”

He would not question Yan’er’s words.

They chatted a little longer, and finally, Shen Tianhao gently reminded her, “You rest well. Father will go and deal with Lingyuan now.”

After saying that, the moment Shen Tianhao turned his back to Shen Yan, his smile instantly vanished. His eyes churned with a dense killing intent.

Shen Yan, who remained where she was, keenly felt the intense murderous aura Shen Tianhao emitted the moment he turned to leave.

Then, in the very next second, it all faded away completely.

Shen Yan watched Shen Tianhao’s retreating back, growing increasingly curious about what he had experienced in the past. Only after experiencing countless battles could one possess such powerful killing intent.

Although Shen Fu had only the Cultivation Level of the third level of the Earth Grade Realm, he was definitely not simple.

In the Guiyuan Continent, the Cultivation ranks from highest to lowest were: Heaven Grade Realm, Earth Grade Realm, Mysterious Grade Realm, and Yellow Grade Realm. Each realm had one to ten levels.

Within the small Nangxiao Kingdom, Shen Fu’s Cultivation Level was far ahead of everyone else.

Moreover, he was a Summoner. He had received invitations from many factions, but he had politely refused them all because he only wanted to protect his children as they grew and to guard the Shen Family.

Shen Yan thought about going to the Shen Family’s Library Pavilion to learn more about this world. But just as she asked a guard to take her there, Shen Xue came looking for her.

Shen Xue was dressed in white robes, her face as pale as snow, with a gentle expression in her eyes and brows. Four maids and two guards followed behind her.

She spotted Shen Yan at first glance.

Shen Xue immediately called out, “Yan’er, little sister!”

She walked over quickly and stopped in front of Shen Yan.

She looked at Shen Yan with a face full of guilt, speaking in a pitiful tone, “Yan’er, little sister, I came to apologize to you. I brought you your favorite water chestnut cakes. I made them for you myself. Please forgive me after you eat them, okay?”

Shen Yan said, “You have such thick skin.”

Shen Xue’s face stiffened. Just as she was about to frown and feign a hurt expression—

“Stop pretending in front of me.” Shen Yan stared at her with a look as if seeing trash, sneering coldly as she warned, “Shen Xue, you’d better cherish the time you have left alive, because in the future, I will crush you under my foot, and you will never rise again!”

Upon hearing this, Shen Xue’s pupils contracted slightly.

She was actually intimidated by this good-for-nothing’s presence! And she even felt… a little panicked.

Shen Xue quickly calmed her emotions.

Since they had already torn off all pretense, Shen Xue felt no need to keep up the act. She stepped closer and laughed mockingly in a lowered voice, “Shen Yan, right now, only Shen Tianhao in the Shen Family protects you. But there will come a day when he’s not by your side. Then, your fate will be easy to imagine! Even though you’ve regained your senses, you are still a good-for-nothing. You couldn’t beat me before, and you will forever be overshadowed by my brilliance!”

Finally, she added with a smile, “Your blood is quite good, you know.”

If an ordinary person heard their enemy say this, they would definitely fly into a rage, even resorting to violence. But Shen Yan, having weathered countless storms in the Apocalypse, looked at her very calmly.

She seemed to see through her little game.

Seeing this, Shen Xue was surprised. This good-for-nothing wasn’t provoked by her?

Shen Xue thought she was forcing herself to stay calm. Then, using a voice only the two of them could hear, she provoked her again, “Heir Nangong Yu won’t marry you.”

Shen Yan gave her a cold glance.

“That trash is for you to keep. You two are a perfect match.”

After saying this, Shen Yan ignored her any further and, followed by the guard, headed towards the location of the Shen Family Library Pavilion.

Shen Xue, left behind, had a slightly contorted expression.

Although she herself looked down on Nangong Yu, Shen Yan’s words made her feel deeply humiliated.

Shen Xue felt that not only had Shen Yan regained her senses, but she had also become clever and calm. Dealing with her was becoming more and more tricky. However, the saving grace was that she was a good-for-nothing, a disgrace despised by everyone…

No matter how clever Shen Yan became, she could never compare to her.

Just then, a guard hurried over to report.

“Eldest Young Lady, the Heir has arrived. He is waiting for you in the Shen Family’s side hall.”

Hearing this, Shen Xue’s heart tightened a bit because she feared the truth might come out.

After all, she had pinned all the blame on Nangong Yu. Nangong Yu currently knew nothing about this. The Elders of the Shen Family also didn’t plan to pursue him, but she needed to go and steady Nangong Yu first.

Shen Xue nodded. “Alright.”

…

Shen Family side hall.

A young man in a blue brocade robe sat in a seat, his fingers playing with the jade pendant at his waist. Suddenly, he heard sounds coming from outside the hall.

Nangong Yu immediately stood up, his face showing delight.

“Xue’er.”

Shen Xue glanced at him shyly. “Brother Yu.”

Seeing her like this, Nangong Yu wished he could pull her into his arms and comfort her. However, afraid of too many eyes and ears here, he had to hold back that thought.

Shen Xue walked up to him. Tears shimmered in her eyes as she spoke with a hint of fear. “Little sister Yan’er returned safely yesterday. She also regained her senses and is no longer foolish.”

“What?!” Nangong Yu was shocked. He had clearly watched her stop breathing before he left that remote Dungeon.

How could that idiot Shen Yan still be alive?!

Shen Xue looked at him with a pitiful expression. “Brother Yu, Xue’er knows she did wrong, so my heart is very uneasy.”

Nangong Yu said with heartache, “It’s nothing. With me here, I won’t let that fool Shen Yan hurt you. Just push everything onto me.”

“Brother Yu, how could I…”

Nangong Yu gazed at her with infatuation and reached up to touch her cheek. “For you, all this means nothing.”

Shen Xue shed tears.

“Thank you, Brother Yu.” Her face showed extreme gratitude, but deep down, she was mocking Nangong Yu for being extremely foolish. However, it was precisely this kind of person who could help her seek benefits.