Gathering at the Sword Wielders' Department Canteen

Half an hour later.

Sword Holding Department cafeteria.

"So, just like that, I became a consultant for the Sword Holding Department."

Lin Yinyin took off the department badge pinned to her chest and handed it to Gu Yan for inspection.

Her tray was piled high with candies and sweets.

"Oh?"

"So, does that mean the restrictions on you as a leader have been lifted?"

Gu Yan studied the badge thoughtfully. This badge... contained a tracking array inside.

It constantly monitored Lin Yinyin's whereabouts.

No such array was embedded in the badges of other Sword Holders.

"That's right, they don't control me anymore!"

Lin Yyin giggled and nodded.

Poor child.

With a mere thought, Gu Yan altered the array within the badge before returning it to her.

Now, the department would only see the real-time location he wanted them to see.

This would prove crucial for his later plan to seize the 'Silver Core' embedded in Lin Yinyin's forehead.

Lin Yinyin took the badge back and grinned. "Little Yan, there's one more thing—remember all those candies you gave me before?"

"I've finished them all. Do you have any more?"

She blinked at Gu Yan expectantly. "No matter what I try, your candies are still the tastiest."

"Heh, anything for the boss."

A faint, unreadable glint flashed in Gu Yan's eyes as he stretched out both hands in front of her. "Remember this magic trick?"

"Just tell me how much you want... and I'll conjure up exactly that."

As soon as he finished speaking—

Clatter!!

A cascade of candies poured from Gu Yan's palms onto the table.

Lin Yinyin's eyes widened in awe. She scooped up the mountain of sweets with both hands, laughing gleefully. "E-enough! Any more and I won't be able to finish them all!"

"Little Yan, you're the best!"

"Just glad to please the boss."

Gu Yan smirked slightly, his gaze drifting subtly toward the space between Lin Yinyin's brows.

Heh.

Perfect.

Just a little more, and the Claw Cells would fully consume the sealing array around the Silver Core.

Once that happened, Lin Yinyin's core power would be exposed.

And he... would finally obtain the Silver Qi!

In the shadows of the cafeteria,

a black-uniformed inspector from the monitoring team kept watch on Lin Yinyin's movements.

Pressing his earpiece, he reported: "It's Gu Yan again. He gave the Anti-Demon Weapon more candies—same as before, nothing suspicious."

A low voice responded through the earpiece:

"Good. Continue surveillance. Report immediately if signs of rampage appear."

"Understood!"

As time passed,

the cafeteria gradually filled with more people.

Soon, a commotion erupted near the entrance.

"Wow! It's the LV3 Sword Holders!!"

"They must be back from a mission!"

"Lady Shangguan is so beautiful!"

"Lord Murong!! So handsome!!"

"And Miss Bai Lian—she's adorable! She's totally my dream girl!"

"Lord Jun Zilan!!"

"Even the genius Mind Swordsman, Liu Jianxing, is here!!"

Hearing the familiar names echoing around him, Gu Yan glanced up.

There,

a grand procession of Sword Holders strode through the entrance.

Clad in white uniforms, every one of them exuded an aura surpassing the Xiantian realm.

Looking at these familiar faces...

Well, well...

Gu Yan chuckled inwardly.

More than half of them were former members of the Night Organization.

Bai Lian basked in the adoration of the crowd.

Keh keh keh~ That's right, just like this! Let all you foolish men fall under the spell of this young lady's innate charm!!

As expected, no one in this world can resist my allure.

Except... that one guy who keeps showing up in front of me... Huh?!

Mid-thought, Bai Lian suddenly froze, her expression stiffening.

She sucked in a sharp breath.

"Gu Yan?!"

Unable to contain herself, she pointed dramatically in his direction.

The moment Bai Lian spoke—

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!

Every pair of eyes in the room snapped toward Gu Yan, who sat quietly in the corner.

Gu Yan?!

Murong Ci's gaze sharpened. Gu Yan... long time no see...

Shangguan Miaoyin remained expressionless, but she subtly sniffed the air.

Hmm?

Gu Yan's scent... carried traces of our Master.

A pang of resentment twisted inside her. Damn this man. The Master must only be getting close to him for the sake of the plan.

Liu Jianxing also turned toward Gu Yan, his face lighting up. "Brother Gu!"

Their friendship dated back to last year's Night King invasion of Jianghai.

The two had forged a deep bond during that battle!

Unfortunately, after the nationwide martial awakening, he hadn't seen Gu Yan again.

Rumors said Gu Yan was busy with civilian martial organizations, yet he never appeared in the media.

Who would've thought they'd reunite right after a mission?

Without hesitation, Liu Jianxing strode over enthusiastically. "Brother Gu!"

Murong Ci frowned but, after a brief pause, followed suit.

[Hey! Blockhead, what are you doing?!]

Bai Lian screeched through the team's mental link.

Helpless, she trailed after them.

Shangguan Miaoyin observed the scene, then smiled faintly and whispered to the others:

"Come, let's greet the man our Master openly acknowledges in the mundane world."

At these words,

the expressions of those around her darkened.

So this... is that Gu Yan? Why does he look so familiar? Almost like he'd visited the tea restaurant they ran in the civilian sector before.

Jun Zilan flicked open his folding fan with a light chuckle.

"Pfft. This man's cultivation hasn't improved one bit. How laughable."

With that, he too sauntered over.

In no time,

Gu Yan's table was packed with people.

The sudden gathering instantly drew the attention of the entire cafeteria.

"Damn... Young Master Gu is this well-connected?"

"Yeah, who knew he was acquainted with Lord Murong and the others?"

"Well, the Gu family is an ancient martial clan. There were rumors that Gu Yan spent some time in Jianghai's martial division—same batch as Liu Jianxing!"

"Really? Weird how everyone flocks to him the moment he shows up."

"True. Too bad the Director doesn't usually eat here, otherwise...?!"

"Otherwise what?"

One person blinked in confusion at their suddenly rigid companion.

Following their gaze toward the cafeteria entrance—

They gasped.

There,

two figures stood.

One was the prodigy known as [Leng Ling'er], who had broken through to the Xiantian realm mid-battle against demons, single-handedly turning the tide of war!

Her golden ponytail swished as she glanced around, seemingly searching for someone.

The other—

With closed eyes, an icy demeanor, and beauty that could topple nations...

The Director of the Sword Holding Department herself—Leng Qingqiu!!

"Director!"

"Director!"

"Director!"

The entire cafeteria rose to their feet, voices ringing out in unison.

To them, Leng Qingqiu was nothing short of a deity.

Everyone held a mix of respect and fear toward her, for she struck with ruthless precision and always maintained an icy, unapproachable demeanor in public.

She was terrifying, yet one couldn’t help but admire her strength!

"Ah! Brother-in-law is over there!"

Leng Ling'er spotted Gu Yan squeezed into a corner and immediately grabbed Leng Qingqiu's arm excitedly. "Sis, let’s go over!"

"Mm."

Leng Qingqiu gave a slight nod before walking toward Gu Yan.

The people sitting near him quickly picked up their trays and scrambled to make space.

Shangguan Miaoyin and the others promptly cleared a path, greeting her with deference: "Department Head."

"Madam."

Who would’ve thought the Madam would come to the cafeteria just for this man?

How unbelievable!

Shangguan Miaoyin seethed with envy in her heart.

Then, Leng Qingqiu stopped in front of Gu Yan.

He looked up at her, feeling a surge of happiness.

Truth be told, he had always known Leng Qingqiu would become a central figure among humans.

But he hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly—and with such overwhelming influence!

One second passed. Two seconds passed. The cafeteria fell dead silent; no one dared disturb Leng Qingqiu.

Everyone assumed she was here to reprimand Gu Yan. After all, the commotion earlier in the building seemed to have been caused by him interrupting the Department Head’s training!

Then, at the third second—

Leng Qingqiu finally spoke, her voice breaking the silence: "I'm hungry."

Gu Yan smiled and nodded. "Got it. Can I use the cafeteria kitchen?"

"Yes."

"And..."

Leng Qingqiu reached out, gently ruffling the hair of Lin Yinyin, who sat nearby blinking in confusion. Her tone remained indifferent. "I want the cream puffs you make."

"No problem."

"I’ll make them right now."

"Oh, I should probably make extra this time."

With a warm smile, Gu Yan stood and headed for the kitchen.

The entire cafeteria froze in shock.

What just happened?!

Their exchange had been so natural, so effortless. Leng Qingqiu’s tone was as cool and detached as ever.

But even so—her words had left everyone stunned.

Hungry... hungry?!

The Department Head just told a man... she was hungry?!

The Ice Goddess... actually gets hungry?!

The Ice Goddess... actually eats food?!

And wait—these two can communicate normally?!

This was the first time anyone had seen... this side of Leng Qingqiu!

But the biggest bombshell of all—

So our Department Head and Gu Yan really are a couple!!!

Judging by how smoothly they interacted, they must do this all the time!!

Have they already moved in together?!

Meanwhile, Shangguan Miaoyin and the others sensed they should make themselves scarce. She cleared her throat. "Since Madam has business with Gu Yan, we’ll take our leave—"

"Sit down."

"Gu Yan said... he’d make extra."

Leng Qingqiu’s calm command sent cold sweat dripping down the backs of the Night Organization members.

They nodded stiffly and sat back down.

Instantly, the atmosphere around them turned suffocating.

Leng Ling'er, however, chattered away beside Leng Qingqiu. "Sis, I haven’t had Brother-in-law’s cooking in ages!"

"I’m gonna feast today!"

Hmph. Feasting on his dishes?

Ling'er really is still a child.

Leng Qingqiu sighed inwardly.

Little did she know—

Gu Yan’s desserts were the real masterpiece!!!

You’ve got a long way to go before you can compete with your sister, kid!

[......Hey.]

[......It’s time...... Let me out already.]

"Not yet. Wait till I finish eating."

[.........Tch.]