In the living room.
Shen Hanyu and Snow Empress sat on one sofa, while the several girls sat around in different spots, curiously sizing up Bai Nian, who was seated between Shen Hanyu and Snow Empress.
Feeling everyone's gazes, Bai Nian unconsciously lowered her head even further, her hands hidden in her sleeves, tightening into fists.
Shen Liuyu's gaze swept over Bai Nian, and for some reason, a faint trace of jealousy unconsciously appeared.
Shen Hanyu took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, briefly explained Bai Nian's origins and past experiences to everyone, then thought for a moment and took out the local specialties brought back from the island domain, distributing them to the group.
Looking at the table full of salted fish and seafood products, the girls all blinked, then silently lowered their heads in unison.
Shen Hanyu also realized it was a bit inappropriate and cleared his throat twice before saying:
"The island domain side basically has no specialties from the continent, but these salted fish are a token of affection from your sister Mengchu family. The taste is actually pretty good, you can give them a try…"
Shui Bing'er gave a light cough, then picked up a salted fish and said:
"Then I'll go make dinner. You guys chat first…"
Xue Wu, Gu Qingbo, and Qiu Ruoshui hurriedly followed Shui Bing'er to the kitchen to help. Shui Yue'er was stunned for a moment, then silently lowered her head again, quietly praying that Shen Hanyu wouldn't suddenly hand her a salted fish.
Seeing that everyone who should be busy themselves had gone off, Shen Hanyu noticed Bai Nian seemed to breathe a slight sigh of relief, her tense body slowly relaxing.
Shen Hanyu glanced at Shen Liuyu, whose expression was somewhat stiff and seemed lost in thought, then slowly stood up, patted her shoulder, and said softly:
"Come out with brother for a moment…"
Shen Liuyu nodded obediently, then followed Shen Hanyu out to the courtyard.
Meanwhile, Snow Empress gently picked up a piece of pastry and brought it to Bai Nian's mouth. Bai Nian hesitated for a moment, then took it and lightly bit down.
…
In the courtyard.
Shen Hanyu leaned against the evergreen tree, looking amused at the somewhat flustered Shen Liuyu, and said:
"What's wrong? Feeling uncomfortable inside?"
Shen Liuyu hesitated, then said:
"Brother, you know I'm not like that, and I don't want to make a fuss unreasonably. It's just that for a moment my heart felt a bit strange…"
Shen Hanyu patted Shen Liuyu's shoulder and said:
"I can roughly understand what you mean. Don't worry. Look at how loving your sister-in-law and I are, but have I ever ignored you? No matter what, you're my blood-related little sister. No matter what happens, your position in my heart will never change…"
Shen Liuyu shook her head vigorously and said:
"It must be those weird, melodramatic noble-family dog-blood storybooks from Yue'er that gave me some kind of trauma. It's all Yue'er's fault…"
Shen Hanyu laughed and knocked lightly on Shen Liuyu's forehead, then said:
"Stop reading those unrealistic ones in the future. You're already so grown up, yet still letting storybooks affect your mind. If others heard, wouldn't they laugh at you…"
Shen Liuyu hugged Shen Hanyu's arm and said with a giggle:
"It's fine, I don't care. Let them say what they want, I won't listen anyway…"
Shen Hanyu felt a bit helpless, then said:
"Alright, he has one more thing to ask my dear little sister. Bai Nian was born in the island domain and basically has zero knowledge of the continent side. After this, remember to take her with Bing'er and the others to get familiar with the environment and basic information and knowledge about the continent. Her martial soul is very special; it's the kind that defies common sense. Later I'll explain it to you all in detail…"
Shen Liuyu pouted, but still nodded, then pulled Shen Hanyu back toward the house…
…
After lunch, the always silent and tense Bai Nian was suddenly scooped up by Shen Liuyu and half-forced to adapt to the environment with the other girls. Shen Hanyu and Snow Empress sat in the courtyard discussing future matters.
Snow Empress directly placed her straight, snow-white jade legs and feet across Shen Hanyu's lap. Shen Hanyu held one of Snow Empress's small feet, set down his teacup with the other hand, and placed it on Snow Empress's leg before saying softly:
"After this, how about we make a trip to Slaughter City…"
Snow Empress felt Shen Hanyu's mischievous hands and was just about to pull her legs back, but they were firmly locked in his embrace by Shen Hanyu.
"Slaughter City?"
"The one known as the Paradise of Depravity, Slaughter City?"
She had learned about many things ordinary people didn't know while following Shen Hanyu, including Slaughter City.
Snow Empress frowned slightly, unsure whether it was because of Shen Hanyu's actions or because she had heard the name Slaughter City…
Shen Hanyu lightly scratched the sole of Snow Empress's fair foot. A trace of blush rose on Snow Empress's pretty face, and her beautiful toes curled up somewhat unnaturally.
"Yes. Perhaps many people don't even know about this place buried in sin and slaughter, but as the inheritance ground of the Asura God King who governs order in the Divine Realm, there is something we need inside…"
Snow Empress glanced at Shen Hanyu in some surprise, then said softly:
"The inheritance ground of the Asura God King, huh…"
"What are you going to a place like that for? Give me a reasonable reason…"
Shen Hanyu smiled lightly and said:
"Simple. There is a special existence in Slaughter City called the Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Serpent. The Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Serpent is not a native soul beast of the Douluo Continent; it's from another plane, a primordial variant…"
Snow Empress nodded and said softly:
"A variant from another plane… However, if that's all there is, the threats we face far outweigh any possible gains. You…"
Shen Hanyu gently rubbed Snow Empress's leg and said with a light smile:
"Whether the gains and costs are proportional, we'll only know after. But without a doubt, this idea of mine carries a bit of madness and a gambling element…"
Snow Empress rolled her eyes at Shen Hanyu, then pretended to glare fiercely and said:
"Let go—this is outside. Don't mess around…"
Shen Hanyu sensibly released Snow Empress's two long white legs. Snow Empress withdrew them, then gave a soft humph.
As a gentle breeze blew by, Shen Hanyu continued:
"If we've really decided to go to Slaughter City, I plan to bring Bai Nian along…"
Snow Empress was stunned for a moment, then said:
"Her situation…"
Shen Hanyu waved his hand and said:
"Don't worry. Bringing her to Slaughter City is part of my plan. Since I brought her back, there's no way I'd let her die early. Besides, I feel like you seem to quite like that girl…"
Snow Empress didn't rush to deny it, gently nodding instead, and said:
"It's not that I like her that much. It's just that seeing her reminds me of how I was back when I was still weak…"
Shen Hanyu nodded, then slowly straightened up and said:
"Then we need to decide soon. But right now there's still one problem…"
Snow Empress looked at Shen Hanyu in some confusion, waiting for him to continue…
Shen Hanyu took a sip of tea, then said softly:
"I don't have a map to Slaughter City, and I don't really know exactly where Slaughter City is…"
Snow Empress: "..."
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