Inside the guest hall of the orphanage, Lin Yun looked at Xu Lan with a frown and asked, “Earlier you said you were trying to protect her. Could it be that Xiao Yue is still in danger?”
Until now, he’d thought Qing Yue’s only danger came from those two human traffickers. But it seemed that wasn’t the full story.
Xu Lan looked surprised. “Senior, you didn’t know?”
As her words fell, both of them turned their gazes toward Qing Yue.
Qing Yue stepped forward, guilt written all over her face as she said to Lin Yun, “I’m sorry, Director. I’ve actually hidden a lot from you about myself…”
Lin Yun wasn’t too surprised. He just smiled and said, “Then can you tell me now?”
“Mhm…”
Qing Yue nodded and began telling him her story.
“Director, you’ve probably heard of the Heavenly Demon Palace, right?”
“I’ve heard others mention it—wasn’t it once the number one demonic sect?”
That was something the assassin leader had mentioned a few days ago. If he remembered right, it was also the Jade Sword Queen’s origin.
Though Lin Yun still didn’t know that the Jade Sword Queen was standing right in front of him.
Qing Yue pursed her lips and continued, “My grandfather was actually the Lord of the Heavenly Demon Palace… and I’m its successor.”
“That impressive?”
Lin Yun was taken aback and asked, “Then how did you end up like this?”
At the mention of this, Qing Yue’s expression turned gloomy, and she clenched her fists tightly.
“Because my grandfather was betrayed by his disciple and viciously harmed!”
“That person then pretended to protect me, but in reality, he imprisoned me to claim the position of palace lord for himself!”
“Luckily, a senior couldn’t stand it and helped me escape from the Heavenly Demon Palace…”
Xu Lan, standing nearby, sighed and added, “Everyone inside the palace thinks the old palace lord died from an old injury flaring up.”
“That’s utter nonsense!” Qing Yue gritted her teeth and said coldly, “I saw it with my own eyes—he struck my grandfather down!”
“My grandfather treated him so well for so many years, and in the end, he turned out to be a treacherous, ungrateful bastard!”
Her furious tone made it clear how deep her anger ran.
At this point, Xu Lan asked curiously, “I’m more interested in knowing—what exactly did you do before you left?”
“You should’ve seen it. That new palace lord is going insane and has ordered every method possible to find you.”
Controlling Qing Yue might be important, but not enough to push someone to madness—unless she had done something that threatened the foundation of his power.
Qing Yue snorted coldly, “Nothing much… just took a few things.”
Qing Yue fell silent and didn’t answer.
Xu Lan’s eyes lit up slightly, then she smiled and said, “I see. If it’s something important, you don’t need to tell me.”
She gently patted Qing Yue’s head. “You really have grown up, haven’t you?”
Listening from the side, Lin Yun had pieced the whole story together.
In short, her grandfather was betrayed and killed by his disciple, who stole the position of palace lord that rightfully belonged to Qing Yue.
Qing Yue was imprisoned, but escaped with the help of a senior, taking something important with her. Now, the current palace lord was hunting her like a madman.
After sorting it all out, Lin Yun looked at Xu Lan and asked, “So you’re on Xiao Yue’s side?”
“That’s right!” Xu Lan nodded firmly. “Betraying one’s master for power—there’s no way I’d ever follow someone that despicable!”
“Didn’t expect you to be the sentimental type.”
“Of course. The old palace lord treated me kindly—I owe him that much!”
From the way she spoke, she seemed completely sincere, not just saying empty words.
Having understood everything, Lin Yun smiled at Qing Yue. “Still, I didn’t expect your background to be so extraordinary.”
Qing Yue lowered her head and said, “I’m sorry, Director. I kept all this from you last night…”
Lin Yun chuckled. “It’s no big deal. Everyone has their secrets. That’s perfectly normal.”
“Then… can I still stay here?”
“Why wouldn’t you be able to?”
“…”
Seeing Lin Yun’s gentle smile, a shimmer flickered in Qing Yue’s eyes.
“Thank you, Director… you really are a good man.”
At that moment, Xu Lan blinked and asked, “Xiao Yue, are you saying… you want to stay here?”
“Mhm. It’s my grandfather’s final wish.”
Qing Yue nodded and explained, “He once divined that I’d meet my destined one here, and in the future, that person might help me take back the Heavenly Demon Palace.”
Hearing that, Lin Yun twitched slightly at the corner of his mouth. Wait a second… was she talking about him?
He quickly shook his head. There was no way. Their ages didn’t match at all—how could he be her destined one?
Most likely, her grandfather said it just to comfort her.
“I see. That makes sense,” Xu Lan smiled and looked at Lin Yun. “Besides, with this senior here, your safety is guaranteed. It’s a good choice.”
“Then what about you, Sister Lanlan? Why not stay too?”
“I’ll pass.”
Xu Lan shook her head and gently pinched Qing Yue’s cheek with a smile. “Now that I’ve confirmed you’re safe, I’m relieved.”
“I plan to return to the Heavenly Demon Palace and aim for a breakthrough to the Emperor Realm. After that, in your name, I’ll start gathering those still loyal to you within the palace.” Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
“That way, when the day comes for you to reclaim the palace, we’ll be ready to support you.”
Her words moved Qing Yue deeply, though she frowned soon after.
“But doing that… will put you in great danger, Sister Lanlan.”
Xu Lan smiled softly. “Everything I have was given to me by the old palace lord. Now that he’s been wronged, it’s only right I look after you.”
“Otherwise, when I die one day, how could I face him?”
“…Alright then. Please be careful.”
In the end, Qing Yue supported her decision.
Xu Lan nodded, full of confidence. “Don’t worry, I’ve been around Outrealm City for years now.”
Just as she finished speaking, the hall’s doors swung open and a girl walked in.
“Director, I saw two corpses at the entrance. Did someone cause trouble?”
“It’s already handled. Those two were the human traffickers who kidnapped Xiao Yue last night. I sent them off to reincarnate.”
“I see. Good job, Director!”
Bai Xiaoxue nodded, then noticed Xu Lan and tilted her head.
“Huh? Who’s this senior…?”
“You?!”
The Jade Sword Queen Xu Lan immediately recognized the girl—it was the very one the Zhao Family had once tried to kill!
Her reaction made Lin Yun curious. “Miss Xu, you know her?”
“Ah… well…”
Xu Lan cleared her throat and shook her head quickly. “She just looks familiar. I must be mistaken…”
“Mistaken?”
“Mhm…”
Of course she couldn’t admit she had once sent someone to assassinate Bai Xiaoxue.
So the man before her was the protector mentioned in the Blood Sword House’s message—the one who had instantly killed their leader.
She decisively shifted the topic.
“Anyway, the city’s been a little chaotic lately. Everyone, please be careful.”
Lin Yun thought for a moment and asked, “Because of the rumored treasure?”
Xu Lan nodded and took a deep breath. “Yes. They say it might give someone a chance to become an Emperor.”