Divine Emperor of Heavenly Destiny

Lu Chao raised his cup to Fan Jinhua one more time, then led Cheng Yunsu and his father-in-law out of the main hall through a side door.

There was no need for them to stay and get in Fan Jinhua’s way.

Walking back to their room, they could still hear the uproar from the Cheng Mansion’s main courtyard. Then, they sensed Fan Jinhua’s powerful True Qi explode, followed by a heaven-shaking Tiger Roar that was chilling to the bone.

Lu Chao suddenly stopped and gazed toward the Cheng Mansion’s main courtyard.

’Transformation Realm, Heavenly Destiny Tiger Roar Bone... Given Fan Jinhua’s age, his position at Tiger Flame Academy must be quite high.’

The Transformation Realm came after the Innate Realm!

And those in the Transformation Realm, whether in the Great Wu Empire or the Tiger Flame Kingdom, were considered true experts.

At that moment, Cheng Yunsu asked, ”Lu Chao, why is he sparing no effort to help us?”

Only now did Cheng Yunsu finally voice this question.

She didn’t quite believe that Fan Jinhua was truly just trying to recruit a student. After all, he hadn’t even tested her talent.

He hadn’t even lifted her red wedding veil at the time, back when she still thought she looked neither human nor ghost.

Lu Chao replied in a low voice, ”He resolved the misunderstanding surrounding the two from the Hundred Flames Trading Company, and at the same time, he got to slap the Great Wu Imperial Academy in the face...”

Pausing, Lu Chao frowned and thought for a moment...

”There might be other reasons. He’ll probably come talk to us after he deals with the City Lord’s Mansion.”

With a small smile, Lu Chao added, ”In any case, the situation is better than we imagined. At least Father-in-law won’t have to suffer too much.”

Hearing this, Cheng Yunsu looked at Cheng Chuming.

The latter trembled slightly and smiled bitterly, wanting to say something but not knowing how.

With things having escalated to this point, he was the one in the most painful position.

’He was happy his daughter had recovered and found her place, but what came next? How was he supposed to face his father, Cheng Weishan? How could he resolve the conflict between his wife, Bai Xin, and their daughter? And what was he to do about his son, Cheng Yunxiang? It was just too agonizing.’

For now, Lu Chao also didn’t know how to solve these problems. He could only remain silent and lead the two of them back to the room to wait.

「Just thirty minutes later...」

The main courtyard of the Cheng Mansion fell silent. They could hear the sounds of City Lord Wu Wei leaving with his soldiers.

At the same time, Fan Jinhua’s voice boomed, ”Patriarch Cheng, today is the banquet for my newly accepted student, Cheng Yunsu. Continue the feast! Don’t neglect the guests.”

This was Fan Jinhua’s way of announcing that he had resolved the confrontation with the City Lord’s Mansion.

After speaking, Fan Jinhua, accompanied by Wu Caicai and Uncle Leng, strode toward Lu Chao and Cheng Yunsu’s room.

On the way, Wu Caicai asked, ”Master Fan, is it really okay to be doing this on Great Wu Empire territory?”

Fan Jinhua glanced at Wu Caicai and retorted, ”You’re really asking why I’m making such a big scene to help Lu Chao, aren’t you?”

Nodding firmly, Wu Caicai admitted she was indeed confused.

Even if Master Fan wanted to help, he could have just taken Lu Chao and the other two and left Yangzhou City right after he appeared. There was no need to get into such a huge conflict with the Yangzhou City Lord’s Mansion.

’He couldn’t possibly be doing all this just to solve some family drama for a new student like Cheng Yunsu.’

”The one I have my eye on isn’t Cheng Yunsu, but Lu Chao.”

Fan Jinhua explained in a low voice, his eyes glinting. ”This Lu Chao really does bear some resemblance to *that* Lu Chao. Killing from horseback, with an aura that could swallow the heavens.”

”If he could be made to serve Tiger Flame, he would surely be a fearsome general.”

This explanation left Wu Caicai stunned. ’Master Fan is actually plotting to recruit Lu Chao?’

However, Uncle Leng suddenly interjected, ”But he has a Life-taking Bone.”

No one would want someone with a Life-taking Bone as a general, or even as a common soldier. In the eyes of the people, it was an ill omen.

Hearing this, Fan Jinhua’s expression immediately turned into a wry smile...

”This is indeed a problem. We’ll see what happens when the time comes.”

”When we were drinking just now, I also tested Lu Chao’s character...”

”He was willing to temporarily give up on killing Wu Xin to avoid causing trouble for us. He’s a man who values relationships and loyalty.”

”But damn it all, why does he have to have a Life-taking Bone?”

Wu Caicai looked at Fan Jinhua’s troubled expression and finally understood.

’Master Fan’s recent actions were a bit impulsive. His appreciation for talent had overwhelmed him, and he hadn’t considered the problem of the Life-taking Bone. Now he had a real headache on his hands.’

Saying no more, they arrived outside Cheng Yunsu’s room and were welcomed inside by Lu Chao.

As soon as they sat down, Fan Jinhua spoke first. ”The matter with the City Lord’s Mansion is resolved for now. Wu Wei made some harsh threats, but as long as I’m here, he won’t dare make a move against you.”

Lu Chao and Cheng Yunsu immediately thanked him...

”Next, I’ll be staying in Yangzhou City for a few days, right here in your Cheng Mansion.”

”You two handle everything that needs to be settled, and then you’ll depart with me for the Tiger Flame Kingdom... But before that, I need to inspect your wife’s Heavenly Destiny Bone to determine what arrangements to make for you.”

Entering Tiger Flame Academy naturally required talent.

If Cheng Yunsu’s talent was high enough, it would be simple for Fan Jinhua. He would be able to make excellent arrangements for Lu Chao and his wife.

Fan Jinhua felt the inspection was just a formality, since Cheng Yunsu had once been a student at the Great Wu Imperial Academy.

However, these words made Cheng Yunsu’s heart tighten, and she looked toward Lu Chao.

Lu Chao gave her a reassuring look and said to Fan Jinhua, ”Master Fan, I’m afraid you may be disappointed. Xiao Su’er’s condition is very different from before.”

’Before, Cheng Yunsu had the Heavenly Fire Sparrow Bone. Now, it’s been replaced with the Flame Spirit Bird’s Bone. Those are two completely different concepts.’

Cheng Yunsu was very worried. If Fan Jinhua were to change his mind about protecting them because of her talent, her father’s situation would be left unresolved, and they would have to leave Yangzhou City immediately.

Fan Jinhua asked, confused, ”How is it so different?”

Shaking his head, Lu Chao simply gestured for Fan Jinhua to proceed with the inspection...

The latter didn’t ask any more questions and had Cheng Yunsu release her True Qi for him to sense. And in just an instant... BANG!

As Lu Chao had expected, Fan Jinhua shot to his feet, staring at Cheng Yunsu in disbelief. ”You’ve had a Beast Bone replacement! And it’s that Flame Spirit Bird’s Bone from before! How did you do it?”

Nearby, Wu Caicai and Uncle Leng blinked, watching the suddenly agitated Fan Jinhua.

’What’s going on?’

But in the next moment, Wu Caicai also shot to her feet.

Staring at Cheng Yunsu with the same disbelief, she finally understood the flash of insight she’d had when she saw Cheng Yunsu recover her True Qi earlier.

The reason Cheng Yunsu was able to make a full recovery was precisely because of the Heavenly Destiny Bone of the Flame Spirit Bird that she had sold to Lu Chao.

In other words, Cheng Yunsu hadn’t truly recovered. Instead, she had used a Beast Bone to replace her own shattered Heavenly Destiny Bone... And that was simply inconceivable! It wasn’t that a Demon Beast Bone couldn’t be used as a replacement, but it was something that only a supreme expert should have been able to accomplish.