Yun Chuan feigned polite conversation with "Xue Qinghe" but showed hesitation when invited to become a guardian protector of the kingdom.
Though he was a bona fide Title Douluo, he maintained some restraint and wouldn't accept too readily—too eager would arouse suspicion.
His plan was to wait for Xue Qinghe to report back to the palace and for Emperor Xue Ye to offer more favorable terms, so he could then agree with some gracious reluctance.
After their talk, "Xue Qinghe" learned Yun Chuan lacked a place to stay and offered a villa as temporary lodging.
Yun Chuan tried to decline but ultimately accepted.
Xue Beng, still kneeling, watched his elder royal brother easily garner favor from a Title Douluo and grew despondent.
"Xue Beng, why are you still kneeling?" Xue Qinghe chided with frustration.
"Uh, okay…" Xue Beng slowly rose, legs weak from kneeling.
"Blue Silver Douluo, this way please," Xue Qinghe ignored Xue Beng and gestured to a luxurious carriage, with Yun Chuan leading inside and followed by Xue Qinghe.
Xue Beng remained behind, staring at their retreating shadows, chilled inside.
——
Inside the carriage, a spacious cabin, Yun Chuan and "Xue Qinghe" sat opposite, gazing long and silently.
After a pause, "Xue Qinghe" spoke softly, "You've been gone several months, haven't even sent me a letter."
"Never! I adore Sister Xue!" Yun Chuan quickly pulled off his disguise, revealing his true handsome face.
Light filled the enclosed cabin as he smiled at "Xue Qinghe":
"Sister Xue, no need to hide—it's odd seeing you like this."
"Humph!" she gave a little girlish huff, incongruous with her tough appearance, which stirred complex feelings in Yun Chuan.
Soon her disguise shattered in radiant light, revealing a magnificent woman with golden hair and eyes like a descending fairy.
"Sister Xue, I've missed you so much!"
Yun Chuan shamelessly embraced her, burying his head in her waist, acting like a naive, doting younger brother.
"Cut it out! I bet you've been flirting with every girl in town and forgotten me," she scolded, though secretly softened.
Having known Yun Chuan since childhood, Qian Renxue easily saw through his lustful nature, teasing: "Don't treat me like a clueless little girl."
"No way." Yun Chuan lifted his head, eyes warm and sincere, "I'll always love you!"
His earnest gaze moved her deeply.
"Hmph! Who knows if you're sincere?!" She blushed and turned away, pretending anger.
Yun Chuan understood immediately, sat beside her, and pulled her close.
Qian Renxue struggled initially but soon surrendered to his embrace, feeling warmth and strength.
The cabin fell into calm. Neither spoke further.
Yun Chuan knew well: beneath her strong exterior, Qian Renxue was a lonely, needy child. Sometimes, all she needed was a simple hug to soothe her.
A sweet girl, easily pleased.
Though he called her "Sister Xue," Yun Chuan always treated her more like a little sister—pampering her, indulging her whims.
He had tried to soften her tense relationship with Bibi Dong, but the deep betrayal she felt from her surrogate mother blocked any reconciliation.
Bibi Dong's face darkened whenever she saw Qian Renxue, filled with violent, dark, ferocious aura, forcing Yun Chuan to use all his charm and allure to calm her.
Yun Chuan knew Bibi Dong's resistance came largely from the evil Raksasha God's influence she was receiving—pure chaos opposing the angelic inheritance Qian Renxue bore.
The limited deities of the Douluo world frustrated Yun Chuan, who desired a true god—immortal, omnipotent, unchanging, and eternal—unlike the flawed, constrained gods of Douluo.
Though dismissed now, Yun Chuan knew change lay far in the future. For now, he had just started on his path to greatness.
*(End of Chapter 119)*