Seeing those annoying people leave, Shenhe couldn't help but let out a small sigh of relief. If they had continued pestering her, the only option left would have been to knock them all unconscious and throw them down the mountain one by one.
Now that someone else had stepped in, she could finally relax.
Once the matter was settled, the immortal woman didn't show any intention of giving thanks, she simply turned around and chose to leave.
Su Han hurried forward and called out, "Please wait."
Shenhe stopped at his voice, her expression as cold as ever. She was never good with words, so even when someone stopped her, she would simply wait for them to speak first.
Meeting those beautiful, icy eyes, Su Han quickly explained, "Hello, Shenhe. My name is Su Han, from Liyue Harbor. Cloud Retainer sent me to escort you down the mountain. I'm sorry I came a bit late."
"Master? Hmm… yes, I recall something like that."
When Shenhe heard him mention both her master and her own name, she suddenly remembered.
A few days ago, Cloud Retainer had indeed told her that during her trip down the mountain to pay respects to her parents, she wanted to find someone familiar with Liyue Harbor to guide her for a time. It was also an opportunity for Shenhe to stay in Liyue and gain worldly experience.
After all, Shenhe was still mortal flesh, not an immortal. The mortal world was her true home.
Seeing that she no longer wore such a stern expression, Su Han asked tentatively, "Shall we go pay respects to your parents first?"
"Yes, but… I'll need to buy some spirit money in the city. I didn't prepare any."
At first, Shenhe hadn't understood such customs, but one day she saw others burning paper money during their offerings and realized those items were necessary for such rituals.
Su Han nodded. "All right, then let's head to Liyue Harbor first."
The two walked together in silence. After a while, Shenhe suddenly recalled the earlier scene and asked, "I remember the immortals once said we must not harm mortals. But just now, you—"
If she remembered correctly, the three immortals had all taught her not to act rashly, to avoid letting her innate murderous aura grow stronger.
But this person her master had chosen, he seemed even harsher than she was.
Shenhe couldn't understand it. Was her master wrong, or was she the one misunderstanding something?
Seeing the confusion on the celestial woman's face, Su Han explained, "It's like this, those people clearly read Under One Person and still didn't learn how to behave as ordinary people. Instead, they went to disturb an immortal's peace.
"For people like that, the best lesson is to scare them. I didn't intend to kill them, just make sure they remember not to harbor such thoughts again."
Hearing that, Shenhe nodded slightly. "Then it seems my earlier thinking wasn't wrong. When reason fails, just knock them out."
"Uh—" Su Han was instantly covered in metaphorical black lines. He quickly said, "No, no, you misunderstood me. I meant that some people can't be reasoned with, so a lesson through action is simplest. Otherwise, they'll keep pestering you, like that group earlier. Typical fools who won't cry until they see the coffin."
Shenhe thought about it for a moment. It did make sense.
That man's arm had already been broken, and he still refused to leave until he truly feared for his life. Perhaps the only way to deal with such people was indeed to knock them out.
With that thought, Shenhe turned toward Su Han and said seriously, "You make a good point. It seems I still need much worldly experience. From now on, if there's anything I don't understand, please be sure to tell me."
"No problem."
Su Han, of course, wouldn't refuse such a request. But as they walked, a thought suddenly struck him. Since demonic energy could influence Nie Feng's temperament, could killing aura affect Shenhe in a similar way?
He began to suspect that Shenhe's personality wasn't truly cold and emotionless as it seemed. Perhaps she longed for affection deep down, just like in the game.
She might like sitting by the water to adorn herself, or notice someone she cared for.
Yet the red cord that bound her fate, along with her innate destiny, had forced her into this detached state.
If that was true, he might as well ask.
Su Han made up his mind and asked, "Can I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead."
"It's like this. Before you strike, does your mental state ever feel affected, as if a voice or impulse pushes you to act?"
"Hmm? How do you know about my condition? Did Master tell you?"
"No, just a guess."
Shenhe was taken aback. She hadn't expected that on their first meeting, he could already see through her situation. No wonder her master had chosen him.
Recalling her experiences over the years, Shenhe said, "I've grown used to it. But recently, even with the red cord, I feel like I'm losing control. That man whose arm was broken earlier, that was because I hit too hard."
"So that's it."
Su Han finally understood. He had been wondering why only one man was severely injured while the others suffered minor wounds. It turned out that after realizing she'd struck too hard, Shenhe had stopped herself from continuing.
That was why those men had been left groaning on the ground, otherwise, they'd all have been knocked out cold.
Now that he knew where the problem lay, the rest would be easy. He planned to teach Shenhe the Ice Heart Formula to help her stabilize her mind, but it would have to wait until tomorrow.
By the time they returned from Jueyun Karst to Liyue Harbor, it was already afternoon. Once the offerings were done, it would be late.
Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, just as Su Han and Shenhe entered the city, they ran right into Chongyun. The young exorcist's face lit up with joy at the sight of him.
Ever since obtaining the Golden Light Mantra, his clan's power in exorcism had grown greatly. Even his own strength had risen by more than thirty percent, all thanks to Su Han. Without him, none of this would have been possible.
"Su Han! Didn't expect to see you here! Were you coming back from outside too? Huh… and this lady is…"
After his cheerful greeting, Chongyun turned to Shenhe with curiosity. For some reason, he felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity from her, though he was certain it was their first meeting.
How odd.
"Her name is Shenhe. She's a disciple of an immortal and will be training under me for a while."
Su Han hadn't expected to run into this situation so soon, but after thinking it through, he decided to just be straightforward. After all, Shenhe would be staying with him for some time. Even if they didn't recognize each other today, they eventually would.
Chongyun froze for a moment, then extended his hand politely. "So your name is Shenhe! Since you're Su Han's friend, that makes you my friend as well. Nice to meet you."
Su Han covered his face, holding back laughter. Calling your aunt "a friend," huh? Well done, Chongyun.
Noticing Su Han's expression, Chongyun began to sense that something was off. His smile stiffened as realization dawned, Su Han had said "Shenhe." If he remembered correctly, there was indeed someone in his family with that name, an aunt who cultivated with the immortals.
Wait… it couldn't be.
Chongyun's face turned pale with despair. He slowly turned his head, only to see Su Han giving him a thumbs-up. He collapsed internally.
"This is so humiliating… I didn't even recognize my own aunt!!"
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