## AST 1860 - You are my friend

It was not really unusual that Sheng Jun’s clan was the Sacred Origin Immortal Sect. However, compared to the Heaven Star Immortal Sect, their strength was weaker by a whole level. At this state, Suppressing others didn’t need to be done with force or direct confrontation. They could have achieved it fairly easy without it.

However, it went without saying that he wasn’t sure about the business between the Sacred Origin Immortal Sect and Heaven Star Immortal Sect. But aristocratic clans tended to care deeply about their faces, so this incident shouldn’t be as simple as he thought. Whether it was a parental betrothal or intentional, only Sheng Yuanlong would know about it.

“Leave tomorrow and never come back.” Sheng Jun looked at Qing Shui and said something which was completely out of his expectations.

“What’s wrong? Are you worried about me?” Qing Shui smiled and asked.

It sounded a bit shameless when he said it. A moment ago, he just got slapped and now he seemed to have totally forgotten about it. He couldn’t help but chuckled as she attempted to evade eye contacts with him. This was the first time she actually tried to evade a person’s eyes.

However, Sheng Jun actually smiled in return, “I don’t want to see you getting involved in my matter. You will just be dragged down for no reason. Judging by the fact that you broke one of Liancheng Yang’s arm, I think the opponents won’t just let things off that easily.”

“I would also like to avoid the problem by walking away from it. The reason is because I don’t know exactly how strong the opponents are and whether or not I am strong enough to deal with them. But if I really do so, I will feel very uneasy. You are my friend, I don’t want to see you getting bullied.” Qing Shui said after a moment of thought. He was telling her about how he truly felt.

“Do you like me?” Sheng Jun looked at Qing Shui seriously and asked.

It wasn’t out of nowhere that she asked something like this. If they were truly normal friends, it would be very difficult for Qing Shui to actually risk himself for her. The only reason he might do it was unless she was someone he loved.

Qing Shui smiled, “Do you want me to be honest?”

“Yes!” Sheng Jun answered after a moment of hesitation.

“It’s perfectly normal for a man to like beautiful women. The love for attractiveness is native to humans, this includes men getting attracted to beautiful women, beautiful things, environments and many more. But I don’t think it has gotten to the point where I describe it as love. Though I may love many people, it hasn’t gotten to the extent that it is overflowing either. The only thing that I am unsure of is the future. It is whether or not I will fall in love with you as time passes. Love can never be stopped, nor shall it be forced.” Qing Shui smiled and looked at Sheng Jun. He didn’t know what she was up to.

“I will compliment you this one time for being honest. Leave as soon as you finish your meal and never come back ever again. I will forever remember you as my friend.” Sheng Jun stood up slowly and said in a firm tone.

Qing Shui didn’t react to it. Instead, he slowly drank his wine and pretended like he didn’t hear what she said.

“You are very beautiful. Your beauty can even rival against my wives. I won’t risk my own life just because you are a beautiful woman. As a friend, I can advance and retreat with you. Regardless of whether you are a man or a woman, a beauty or an ugly person, I can never do something like abandoning them. That way, I will forever not able to sleep in peace. Since I am the one who broke Liancheng Yang’s arm, let me handle this, are you okay with that?” Qing Shui put down the wine cup and said.

“Can you stop being so foolish? They won’t do anything to me. But they will kill you.” Sheng Jun shook her head and said helplessly.

“It’s not that I am being foolish, you are the one who is being too generous. Do you seriously want to give in and get married to Liancheng Biao? If that’s the case, I will leave immediately.” Qing Shui was staring at both of Sheng Jun’s beautiful pupils.

Sheng Jun became silent.

Qing Shui smiled and walked to her side, “Alright, stop thinking so much about it. Cross that bridge only when you come to it. Do you think it is possible for a man to die trying to hold back his own urine?”

“You vulgar creature!” Sheng Jun lifted up her head and said in a displeased tone. She was annoyed, at least that was how Qing Shui felt. However, it just sounded a bit annoyed. At the same time, her voice also contained a bit of charm, a pure and holy charm.

“Does it have to do with you and your family?” Qing Shui only talked about it briefly. He knew that Sheng Jun would know what he meant. If she didn’t want to talk about it, Qing Shui would know that he shouldn’t have to continue asking about it.

“I lived my life happily when I was young. There weren’t any parents who wouldn’t spoil their own children. But as time passed and more siblings were born, to ensure the development of an aristocratic clan, we as the children of our clans must prioritize to gain benefits for our clan. In my case, it goes without saying that the Sacred Origin Immortal Sect will be greatly benefitted with me getting married into the Heaven Star Immortal Sect. It’s because of this that I decided to run away from my clan. As to whether it’s a parental betrothal, or whether my clan is really greatly indebted to them, I am not certain about it. My parents know me very well, they are also very concerned about my final destination. They really like Liancheng Biao. In many people’s eyes, he is a very outstanding man. All along, my parents have always thought that me getting married to him will help to satisfy both parties.”

Sheng Jun explained it very slowly. Qing Shui was able to understand roughly what she was trying to say. It seemed this so-called parental betrothal might not be true. It’s not that Sheng Yuanlong didn’t love his daughter, he might truly have his own reason which was hard to mention, or maybe because they felt that their daughter would find true happiness by getting married there. After all, it’s undeniable that Liancheng Biao really liked Sheng Jun.”

“Do you hate them?”

“No I don’t, maybe this is my destiny ever since I was born. In fact, I am the one who refused to do it, I can’t just blame them for it.”

“Actually, there is already a lot of pain which you are meant to go through in life. There is no point finding more troubles for yourself. But as a restricted human being in this world, if you ever find a chance to resist it, you must do so. This way, at least you will have a more fascinating life.”

“Resistance also comes with its own cost.”

“Whatever you do, there will be a certain cost which you will have to pay. A person may choke to death by merely drinking water. Hence, any sort of resistance will come with its own danger. Before you do anything, remember to always be on guard.” Qing Shui smiled and said.

“On second thought, you might really have a point there.”

“No, it’s not a ‘might’. I am sure that I have a point in what I just said. What do you say, let’s resist your destiny together?” Qing Shui smiled and said. He could express very strong confidence with his smile.

At that instant, Sheng Jun got a bit distracted. The powerful confidence of Qing Shui made her hesitate. At this moment, her intentions had been blocked off by her own thoughts. She knew that there was no way that this man would leave.

“But you must promise me that when it comes to a life-and-death situation, you mustn’t care about me and leave immediately. Otherwise, they will really kill you.” Sheng Jun took a step backward and said.

Naturally, Qing Shui also agreed to it. At a moment like this, it wasn’t up for him to decide whether to leave or not. Besides, even if he was really escaping, he would still be able to take her along. He was very confident that he could definitely leave from there. No one could stand a chance on stopping him.

……

The following three days passed very peacefully. Qing Shui lived his life like normal. The time within the realm was sufficient for him to cultivate. Hence, he was very free during daytime. He would also guide Sheng Jun through her cultivations.

This woman’s physique and temperament were very suited for Taichi. To his surprise, it blended perfectly with the exclusive techniques passed down by her clan. The sword dance that Qing Shui taught her before was of significant value. It was the key to her mastery and integration. It was like a layer and Qing Shui has helped her penetrate through it. Without Qing Shui, it would be hard to say whether she would be successful in it. Even if she could, it might only happen after ten, twenty years or even longer.

Sheng Jun’s strength has also improved significantly. When Qing Shui first arrived at this place, the woman’s strength was supposed to be more powerful than his. But now, his strength has been doubled. Most importantly, the Goddess Force, it was too formidable. It was like a magnifying lens, significantly expanding the power which he unleashed.

Other than cultivations, it was his formations. Qing Shui wouldn’t just sit there and wait for death. It might sound a bit serious to describe it as sitting and waiting for death, but chances were only given to people who were well-prepared. This was a matter which could affect Sheng Jun, his and many more others’ lives. He mustn’t let his guard down. He must do everything cautiously.