Chapter 88: I Quite Like It

As Fu'erhan truly fell under Qian Kun's soul enchantment, everyone present could not help but look at Qian Kun with shock and a growing sense of dread. The rumors, it seemed, were true—Qian Kun's mastery over the soul was indeed terrifying.

"Qian Kun, you act without restraint. Was it really necessary to use force?" The Grand Elder rose abruptly, her expression a blend of anger and alarm as she glared at Qian Kun.

Gaisleson also stood, reaching out to restrain the Grand Elder and whispering, "Enough, Sister. Since things have already come to this, let him ask his questions."

"Hmph! I want to see what you'll say when my son is proven not to be a traitor," the Grand Elder retorted, suppressing her fury as she sat back down with a cold snort.

"If he's not, then he's not—what can you do, bite me?" Qian Kun shook his head with a smile, ignoring the Grand Elder's reaction as he turned to Fu'erhan. "Fu'erhan, tell me: was it you who informed the enemy elders about Linley’s whereabouts, leading to the ambush by eight powerful figures from the rival clans?"

At once, Gaisleson, the Grand Elder, several other elders, and even Linley himself fixed their eyes on Fu'erhan. Linley observed Fu'erhan closely, his face expressionless, "If you didn't, this will be difficult to resolve."

"Yes." Fu'erhan replied in a calm, empty voice, his eyes devoid of spirit, speaking with mechanical precision.

His answer echoed through the hall, and for a moment, silence reigned. Though her face was hidden behind a silver mask, the Grand Elder’s eyes brimmed with disbelief.

"Did you hear that?" Qian Kun said with a faint smile, glancing at Gaisleson and the other Azure Dragon elders.

"This is impossible," several elders gasped in shock. Fu'erhan—the Grand Elder’s own son, the Azure Dragon Patriarch’s cherished grandson, a direct heir of the clan—was a traitor?

"Ask him why! Ask him why he did it!" The Grand Elder trembled, unwilling to accept that her son could have fallen so far.

Qian Kun gave her a brief glance and continued, "Why did you betray the clan and seek Linley's death?"

"He deserves to die." Fu'erhan’s answer was as mechanical as before. "Why should a mere junior of the clan possess the patriarch’s main divine artifact, the Azure Dragon Ring? Even if he acquired it, my own son lost his most powerful divine clone because of him. And he’s only a mid-level god, yet so powerful. Once he becomes a high god, he’ll surely surpass me in the family. Am I, Fu'erhan, to live forever under his shadow? That would be torture. So, he must die!"

"Mid-level god?" Several elders in the hall turned to Linley with surprise; they had not known his true level nor that he possessed a main divine artifact.

"So that’s the truth! So that’s how it is." The Grand Elder slowly rose, murmuring to herself.

With a sudden motion, she flashed to Fu'erhan’s side and, with a resounding blow, struck his head. There was a muffled explosion; Fu'erhan’s head burst apart, and two divine sparks flew out.

Linley drew a sharp breath at the sight. "The Grand Elder…"

The hall fell into utter silence, everyone stunned and gazing at the Grand Elder.

"For betraying the clan—all clones and bodies must be destroyed," she said in a low voice. Though her eyes grew moist, the tears evaporated almost instantly.

"So it really was him," Gaisleson sighed heavily, his expression grim.

"Brother, Fu'erhan has received his punishment according to clan law," the Grand Elder said coldly. "This matter is finished. I will take my leave."

"Go and rest," Gaisleson nodded lightly, understanding the turmoil in his sister’s heart.

"Wait!" A voice rang out, stopping the Grand Elder in her tracks. She turned to face Qian Kun, her tone low and edged with anger, "Qian Kun, is there something else you want?"

Though her words were calm, the fury was unmistakable. Her own son was dead—yet Qian Kun still pressed on?

"According to your Four Divine Beasts family's rules, a traitor must have all his clones destroyed, correct?" Qian Kun asked with an easy smile. "I’d like to know, how many clones did Fu'erhan have?"

The Grand Elder was silent for a moment. Her mask hid her face, but her trembling body betrayed her rage.

"Three, including his true body," she replied in a deep voice. "But his original body was only at the saint level, so when I killed him, there were only two divine sparks. Are you satisfied with my answer?"

"Sister!" Gaisleson cautioned, hearing the danger in her tone. Angering Qian Kun would not be wise.

Qian Kun simply smiled, unbothered. "No matter. I understand how you feel—killing your own son is no easy thing. But, Gaeya, I hope you remember: your son was a traitor and deserved his fate. Compared to your Azure Dragon clan, I’m merely an outsider—I never intended to meddle in your affairs. Now that I’ve helped you uncover the traitor, I don’t ask for your gratitude, but the least you could do is be polite, don’t you think?"

Polite? The crowd was speechless. The Grand Elder clenched her hands, her fury barely contained. Qian Kun had caused her son’s death—and now demanded courtesy?

"Ha! Gaeya, I rather like your temper," Qian Kun said with a laugh, moving closer to her. Then, in a whisper only she could hear, he added, "Why care so much about a traitorous son? If you wish, I might consider giving you another."

The Grand Elder froze, then, realizing his meaning, glared at him in mortified anger. But Qian Kun was already striding away, laughing.

Linley and Pusro, puzzled by the Grand Elder’s strong reaction, hurried after Qian Kun.

"I never imagined Fu'erhan was the traitor," the elders muttered resentfully as they left the hall.

Watching the Grand Elder standing at the center of the hall, teeth gritted in frustration, Gaisleson approached, frowning, "Sister, what did Qian Kun say to you?"

"He… he’s an utter scoundrel!" the Grand Elder growled, unable to say more, and stalked out, leaving Gaisleson even more bewildered. What could Qian Kun have whispered to provoke such a reaction from his usually composed sister?

After that, Qian Kun remained with the Four Divine Beasts clan, living alongside Linley and the others, often seeking Gaeya out for conversations about life. Of course, it was mostly Qian Kun talking, while Gaeya grew increasingly exasperated. At first, the Grand Elder had tried to drive Qian Kun away by force, but she was no match for him. After a fierce battle, interrupted by Gaisleson, the matter was dropped.

Afterward, the Grand Elder simply ignored Qian Kun’s persistent pestering, refusing to acknowledge him, though Qian Kun was undeterred.

Thus, centuries slipped by. During these years, the conflict between the Four Divine Beasts clan and the eight major families grew ever fiercer, with more and more experts lost on both sides. At last, unable to withstand the losses, the Four Divine Beasts clan convened a council of elders and decided to seal their mountain and withdraw from the world.

It was after this meeting that Qian Kun quietly sought out Gaisleson to make a modest request.

"What?" In the sitting room of his residence, Gaisleson stared at Qian Kun in shock after hearing his proposal. "Qian Kun, you must be joking! You and Gaeya—how could that be possible?"

Qian Kun sat cross-legged in a chair, utterly at ease. "Why not? Gaisleson, think about it: if I truly marry Gaeya, I’ll be your brother-in-law. That would make me part of the Four Divine Beasts clan. Naturally, I’d stand with you against the eight great families. Wouldn’t that solve your clan’s troubles?"

"This..." Gaisleson hesitated, clearly tempted, then frowned in deep uncertainty. "I... I’ll have to think about it."

"Take your time. I’m in no rush," Qian Kun replied, shrugging with a carefree smile as he turned to leave.