Su Han discovered that he had become even more sensitive to the weather. One could even say that he could freely control the falling rain outside. This was the innate power of the Azure Dragon clan, and it didn't consume any of his own energy.
At the same time, Su Han also felt that his body had become even stronger, and his lifespan had reached a terrifying number.
At this moment, Klee suddenly put down her chopsticks and stared straight at him. The nearby Amber asked, "What's wrong, Klee? Are you full?"
"No. I just felt that big brother's aura suddenly changed," Klee said, pointing at Su Han.
Everyone looked at him. It seemed there really was some change. In the past, Su Han had always given off a very easy-going feeling, but now, he had an invisible, natural authority.
Su Han, noticing everyone was looking at him, quickly smiled. "What change? Hurry up and eat, Little Klee. You have to go to bed soon."
"But I really felt it just now…"
"You have to be in bed before ten o'clock!"
"Okay…" Klee quickly shoveled the rice in her bowl into her mouth, instantly throwing her previous thoughts to the back of her mind. Big brother had a rule: she had to be asleep before ten o'clock so her body could grow up healthy.
After sending Klee off, Shenhe asked him, "How many points are we still short? Can we redeem the 'Natural Energy Refinement Method' after the next mission?"
"Mm, we can." Su Han nodded.
They currently had 180,000 points on the books, but everyone else had about ten or twenty thousand in their own hands. If they pooled it all together, it would be over 200,000. Plus the points in his own pocket, they were close to 400,000. Even if the next mission was only a three-star, they would be able to redeem the Senjutsu training method.
Shenhe smiled. "That's good. Then let's rest early, too."
"Alright."
The two of them walked towards the bedroom. Shenhe took off her own clothes, then helped Su Han undress. Having been together for so long, she was already like a true wife.
After washing up, the two of them lay in bed. Shenhe, as usual, lay on his chest and said softly, "I've thought it through."
"Hm?"
"I'm ready. After being together for so long, I understand that I can't be without you. And you won't abandon me, right? No matter what I become, you will always love me."
"Yes. I will protect you with my life."
His words seemed to give Shenhe infinite courage. Under the moonlight, the woman sat up, a charming smile on her face. "Let me be your wife."
A long, long time later, after more than an hour, the two of them lay down calmly.
Shenhe suddenly said, "Whenever you leave, my heart always feels so empty. That feeling is so hard to bear. But after asking many people, I finally understand. So this is 'love.' You can't help but think about your other half. In the past, my father was probably like this, too, watching as my mother's health worsened day by day, but being completely powerless."
"Don't worry. I won't let that happen to you. We will live happily ever after."
"Mm."
"You haven't been back to Jueyun Karst in a long time, have you? How about I accompany you back for a visit tomorrow?"
"Really?" Shenhe was very surprised, and also a little overjoyed. In Liyue, there was a custom of the "bridal return visit." Although they weren't married, their relationship was stronger than gold, already surpassing all mortal couples. If she could receive her master's blessing, she would be very happy.
Su Han chuckled in a low voice. "I also have to thank her for giving me such a great treasure."
The woman in his arms smiled sweetly, and the two of them soon fell into a deep sleep.
The next day, Su Han left with Klee and Shenhe. On the way, the little sun looked at Shenhe, who was even more beautiful than usual, and said in surprise, "Sister, you've become so pretty today!"
"Really?"
"Mhm!" Klee nodded, thought for a moment, and then said, "It feels like… like… you're more gentle, like a mommy."
Su Han smiled. Shenhe, who was now a woman, naturally began to exude that unique charm. He hadn't expected Klee to be so observant.
A few minutes later, the three of them arrived at Cloud Retainer's adeptal abode. After sending Klee into the training grotto, the two of them came before Cloud Retainer.
"Hm? What are you two little ones doing here? Oh, I see. You've done well, Su Han. This One was not mistaken about you. To think you've already eaten This One's disciple clean in such a short time. Not bad, not bad. That Ganyu, have you made a move on her yet? This One has told you before, you just need to touch her horns, and that girl will be obedient."
The wonderful atmosphere of a bridal return visit was instantly shattered.
Shenhe: "…"
Su Han: "…"
Why do I get the feeling we shouldn't have come back? He turned to look at Shenhe and found that her face was blank, as if she was already used to this.
As if noticing his gaze, Shenhe placed the gift box in her hands in front of her master.
"Hm? What is this?" Cloud Retainer looked at the exquisite gift box, her face full of puzzlement. Don't tell me this disciple of mine has also learned worldly customs?
Shenhe explained, "These are gifts that Su Han and I have brought for you. Inside is some Jiao-dragon meat, as well as some specialties from Mondstadt. Thank you, Master, for your many years of care and guidance, and thank you for finding me such a wonderful husband."
No matter what her master was like, that grace of raising her and teaching her could not be forgotten. Although her master was a bit of a chatterbox, it was precisely because of this that her own frozen heart had a chance to thaw.
Looking at her disciple, who was smiling so naturally, Cloud Retainer was a little moved. She finally put aside her nagging and smiled. "You've finally returned to normal, Shenhe. Congratulations."
To make this disciple, whose heart had been frozen, undo her heavy mental shackles was extremely difficult. Yet Su Han had done it. This was truly a joyous occasion.
"You'll stay for a meal today. This One has not cooked in a long time. I'll let you try my cooking. I've heard that on the bride's first return visit, one must eat dumplings, symbolizing that the couple will be together for a long, long time. Let's have some today."
"Yes, Master."
For the first time, Su Han saw Cloud Retainer's true human form. Her features were very delicate. Far from looking old like Madame Ping, she looked to be about the same age as Ningguang. Her hair was ice-blue, as were her eyes.
"What? Is this the first time you've seen This One's human form? Am I not beautiful? That old woman, Ping, once said that an appearance like This One's is top-tier among humans."
"Uh, yes, it is."
Hearing that familiar, rambling tone, Su Han instantly snapped back to reality. A thought even rose in his heart: If only Cloud Retainer couldn't speak, she would be perfect. He remembered a streamer from his previous life who was like that. She was perfect when she didn't speak. What was her name? "Mute Bride"? Something like that.
After enjoying a pleasant meal of Jiao-dragon meat dumplings, Su Han and Shenhe left. Before they left, Cloud Retainer even said they could come and visit more often, a completely different attitude from her previous one of not wanting to be disturbed by mortals.
Just as he returned to Mondstadt City, Su Han saw a deaconess from the Church of Favonius running up to him.
"Greetings, Lord Pope! We have results on the matter you asked us to investigate."
"Oh? What about that guy?"
"It is as you suspected, my lord. Schubert of the Lawrence clan has been in contact with the Fatui in secret, and even provided an escape route for the Fatui before. And last night, he secretly met with some of them."
"Mm. I understand. You're dismissed."
"Yes, Lord Pope."
The deaconess quickly departed, and Shenhe frowned. "The Lawrence clan? I remember that's the family of the Spindrift Knight from yesterday. It seems their reputation in Mondstadt isn't very good."
"That's right. They always look down on the other citizens with a high-and-mighty attitude, not knowing how much trouble they've caused for Eula. If they had any real strength, it would be one thing, but they only know how to use the Lawrence family name to show off their status. How laughable. The 'nobility' in his eyes are just people who want to enslave all the citizens of Mondstadt. A few days ago, he even sent someone to invite me to a banquet, but I refused."
"Why?"
"Because the people who were attending were all the old-guard aristocrats of Mondstadt. They wanted to get control of Mondstadt from me." A trace of contempt flashed in Su Han's eyes.
A bunch of rats who want to squeeze in at the first sight of a crack. Just a bunch of useless wall-sitters. Try to win me over? They're not worthy.
"You should go back first. I'm going to go and see Eula. This is a matter that is best left for her to handle personally."
"Mm."
Shenhe turned and left, while Su Han walked towards the Knights' training ground.
When he found Eula, she was in the middle of a heated battle with Diluc. Both of them were masters of the greatsword, and in the empty training ground, they were erupting with terrifying power.
Perhaps it was because of his setback in the Demon Slayer world, but Diluc was even more eager to prove himself. His strength was now improving at a very fast rate. And even as he fought, he was still wearing weights.
When the two of them noticed his arrival, they tacitly stopped their spar.
Diluc smiled. "Lord Pope, what brings you here?"
"I'm looking for Eula for something, a private matter concerning the Lawrence clan. You can go and train with Kaeya."
Hearing that it was about the Lawrence clan, Diluc was naturally uninterested. He turned and went to find his good brother to spar.
Eula, however, sighed. "Su Han, my family must have caused trouble again, haven't they?"
"Mm. Regarding your uncle, Schubert, how much do you know about him?" Su Han asked calmly.
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