Then Bring Him Back

"What are you laughing at, Su Yu'er?"

Guan Ling's face was ashen.

He was at a complete loss about what to do next.

With such a formidable figure at their doorstep, letting them in wasn’t an option, and pretending to be dead wasn’t feasible either. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, this girl had the audacity to laugh.

"I’m laughing at how nervous you all look," Su Yu'er replied.

"You—do you even realize what kind of power they possess? How could we not be nervous?" Guan Ling scolded. "These people, their origins unknown—if we handle this even slightly wrong, it could spell disaster, even the annihilation of our sect! And here you are, without a shred of fear or urgency. I must have spoiled you too much in the past."

Guan Ling was utterly exasperated.

"Giggle."

Su Yu'er covered her mouth, laughing even more boldly. "I really don’t get why you’re all so worked up. They’re just the guests I invited—my dear older brothers, who dote on me."

Guan Ling was about to reprimand her again when her words suddenly registered. He grabbed Su Yu'er’s arm and demanded, "W-what did you just say?"

"I said they’re my guests. Why would they ever destroy the Yunjie Sect?" Su Yu'er blinked innocently.

Her words made Guan Ling’s eyes bulge, his lips trembling uncontrollably.

"Yu'er, little Yu'er, are you saying, are you saying—"

Before he could finish, Su Yu'er nodded earnestly.

"Then, then what about the hundred buckets you mentioned…?"

Guan Ling muttered to himself, recalling the centipede’s hundred legs. Instantly, everything clicked.

After all, who in their right mind would need a hundred buckets just to wash their feet?

"Ahahaha!"

"Little Yu'er, all these years of my careful guidance haven’t gone to waste!" Guan Ling’s face scrunched up with glee. Overcome with excitement, he hugged Su Yu'er and planted a loud kiss on her tender cheek.

"Master, your breath stinks! And you’re being so improper for an elder!" Su Yu'er wiped her cheek in disgust, complaining loudly.

"Hehe, I’m just overjoyed! Out of everything I’ve done in my life, raising you is my proudest achievement!" Guan Ling rubbed his hands together, grinning from ear to ear.

Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined Su Yu'er would befriend such a powerhouse. This was truly a moment to hold his head high!

"Hmph, that’s not what you said earlier," Su Yu'er grumbled.

"Earlier? That was just a joke!" Guan Ling quickly defended himself, still beaming. "If you don’t believe me, ask your uncles and elders here—haven’t I always praised you for your potential?"

Su Yu'er tilted her head skeptically, glancing at the assembled elders.

Seeing her look, the elders immediately plastered on smiles and chorused, "Ah, yes, yes, yes!"

"Go on, ask them—haven’t I always said you’re a good girl?" Guan Ling pressed.

Su Yu'er tilted her head again.

The elders nodded in unison. "Ah, yes, yes, yes!"

"One last thing—ask them if we’re all proud of you," Guan Ling added.

Su Yu'er tilted her head once more.

The elders bobbed their heads like synchronized puppets. "Ah, yes, yes, yes!"

"That’s more like it."

Su Yu'er nodded in satisfaction, then pointed a finger. "Then why haven’t you invited my two brothers in yet?"

"Right away, right away!"

Guan Ling fawned eagerly.

This was no laughing matter—forming ties with such mighty figures was like a lifelong bachelor discovering every other man on earth had vanished, leaving him the last one standing!

Immediately, the Yunjie Sect flung open its gates. Led by Guan Ling, tens of thousands of disciples poured out in a grand procession to welcome Night Wind Centipede and the Spirit King into their halls.

"Little Yu'er, big brother said you sent a message saying you were being bullied. That’s why we rushed here. So, where are these bullies? Point them out, and we’ll take care of them," Night Wind Centipede said.

"Night Wind Brother, the ones who bullied me were the people you just chased away," Su Yu'er replied.

"Oh, that group just now?"

Night Wind Centipede’s eyes narrowed.

"Yep, them," Su Yu'er confirmed.

"Damn it, I let them go too easily. That won’t do," Night Wind Centipede muttered, visibly annoyed.

"Ah, Night Wind Brother, don’t blame yourself. Driving them off is enough," Su Yu'er reassured him.

"Not acceptable," Night Wind Centipede said sternly. "Before we left, big brother specifically told me to teach your bullies a proper lesson."

"But… but they’ve already run off," Su Yu'er pointed out.

"Then we’ll drag them back."

Night Wind Centipede’s expression hardened. One of his hundred legs suddenly pierced through the void.

Far away in the distance, Zhou Song was panting and sweating, his feet kicking up sparks as he fled through the air.

"Hmph, the Dao Realm, huh? Just you wait!"

"Our faction has Daoist backing too! I’ll remember this grudge today and repay it tenfold—no, a hundredfold!"

Zhou Song was mid-rant when the space before him tore open. A centipede leg shot out, yanking him straight into the void.

Thud.

In the blink of an eye, Zhou Song was dumped at the feet of Su Yu'er, Guan Ling, and the others.

At that moment, everyone except the blissfully oblivious Su Yu'er—Guan Ling included—stood frozen in shock.

Even Zhou Song, sprawled on the ground, took a second to process what had just happened.

What… what kind of power was this?

Zhou Song had been fleeing for ages!

And yet, he’d been retrieved in an instant?