Chapter 89 – The Only One I Care About Is You

Just as Xu Yanyan’s face darkened, finding herself in a dilemma, Gao Xu finally spoke.

“We won’t harm this little guy.”

The sudden interjection made Xu Yanyan and the surrounding Xu Family Hunters turn their attention to Gao Xu.

Su Ming also looked toward Gao Xu, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

“So it’s Mr. Gao.”

On the other end of the phone, the young girl actually managed to identify Gao Xu’s identity just from his voice.

However, her attitude didn’t change much.

“Can I take this as Mr. Gao’s promise to me?”

The girl’s voice still carried a light laugh.

“Of course,” Gao Xu said calmly. “Although I’m not from the Xu Family, I believe I still have some influence here.”

This was indeed true.

As an Upper-Rank Professional, and quite a famous one at that, Gao Xu was highly respected by various major forces and families.

Since being recruited into the Xu Family and becoming their retainer, the Xu Family Head had held Gao Xu in high regard, even having many of the family’s younger generation become his students under his tutelage.

Xu Yanyan was also one of Gao Xu’s many students.

Thus, within the Xu Family, Gao Xu could be said to have students everywhere, his reputation so great that even the Demon Hunter Academy had invited him to teach there.

This Gao Xu now appeared to have been absorbed by Xu Yanyan’s father, becoming a trusted member of his faction.

Given this, his words naturally carried significant weight within the Xu Family.

This was also why he, as a Xu Family retainer, could openly reprimand both Xu Qianqian and Xu Yanyan, the Young Misses of the Xu Family, in front of everyone.

His words were probably something even Xu Qianqian and Xu Yanyan’s fathers had to consider carefully.

Since Gao Xu had made a promise here, he likely wouldn’t go back on it.

“Then I’m relieved.”

The girl seemed to think the same, her laughter growing slightly brighter.

At this moment, Gao Xu spoke again.

“We won’t involve unrelated people, and Young Miss, you probably won’t casually interfere in others’ family matters either, right?”

Gao Xu’s meaningful question finally revealed his true intention.

He was confirming whether the girl on the other end of the phone would become their enemy.

To this, the girl responded straightforwardly.

“I naturally have no interest in the Xu Family’s internal affairs,” the girl said without hesitation. “The only one I care about is my family’s great benefactor. What happens to others has nothing to do with me, okay?”

The implication was that if the Xu Family only targeted Xu Qianqian, she couldn’t be bothered to intervene.

Gao Xu and Xu Yanyan couldn’t help but feel relieved.

Though Su Ming subtly furrowed his brow, he said nothing and remained silent.

“I hope the Young Miss keeps her word.”

Gao Xu said this.

“Likewise.”

The girl responded with a light laugh.

Xu Yanyan then returned the phone to Su Ming, her expression no longer playful as before but filled with seriousness.

“It seems you’re more capable than I imagined, junior.”

Xu Yanyan still spoke with hidden meaning.

“What capability could I possibly have?” Su Ming evaded the question. “You seniors are all Geniuses. I’m just an ordinary Mortal. It’s just that even Mortals have their own way of navigating the world.””Perhaps.” Xu Yanyan neither agreed nor disagreed, yet still offered a piece of advice: “Since you mentioned the Dao of conducting oneself in society, junior, listen to your senior’s counsel.”

Xu Yanyan looked directly at Su Ming.

“Choosing sides is crucial—don’t make hasty decisions, lest you bring trouble upon the innocent.”

Those who understood would grasp the meaning behind these words.

Su Ming shrugged.

“I’ll take my leave now. May you achieve swift victory, seniors.”

With these words, Su Ming turned and walked away.

The surrounding Xu Family Hunters instinctively moved to intervene but were stopped by Gao Xu.

Gao Xu watched Su Ming depart with a contemplative expression.

Xu Yanyan appeared somewhat unwilling to let it go, kicking a stone away in frustration.

“What an unfavorable start.”

Xu Yanyan’s mood remained foul.

Before setting out, she had been confident of success. Who could have predicted that their initial arrangements would go awry so quickly? How could this not dampen her spirits?

Gao Xu remained as composed as ever.

“It’s just Su Ming. If we can’t secure his cooperation, we merely lose one means of restraint.” Gao Xu said indifferently, “Had that person from earlier truly intervened, that would have been real trouble.”

“I know.” Xu Yanyan replied discontentedly, “Let’s abandon our plans regarding Su Ming then.”

“Mm.” Gao Xu nodded as if it mattered little, then said, “We should depart too. Securing the defense line takes priority now.”

If the defense line couldn’t be held, all other preparations would be in vain.

For by then, Longyao City would likely have descended into complete chaos, leaving no room for internal strife.

Their targeting of Xu Qianqian would have to wait.

For now, the mission to garrison the defense line itself was far more critical.

Xu Yanyan nodded and glanced once more in the direction Su Ming had departed.

“You got lucky this time.”

This murmured remark was left uncertain for whom it was intended.

……

“Thanks.”

Meanwhile, Su Ming—now beyond the Xu Family’s sight—picked up his phone again and expressed his gratitude to the young woman on the other end.

“Oh my, so formal.” The young woman teased him playfully once more, chuckling sweetly, “Isn’t it only natural for me to help you?”

Just like when you helped me back then.

The young woman silently added these words in her heart.

Unaware of her thoughts, Su Ming sighed.

“I contacted you just as a precaution—I didn’t expect it to prove useful so soon.”

After meeting Xu Qianqian, Su Ming had messaged the young woman, both to expedite the Phantom Demon Potion refinement plan and to potentially leverage her influence if needed.

He truly hadn’t anticipated the Xu Family approaching him so quickly—or rather, that they had come specifically for him.

As it turned out, the young woman’s influence smoothly became Su Ming’s reliance.

However, the young woman seemed to think otherwise.

“Even without me, with your methods, escaping wouldn’t have been difficult, right?” She retorted somewhat impatiently, “Others might not know, but I’m well aware of all the strange tricks you have up your sleeve.”

She knew that while Su Ming’s strength might not be particularly remarkable—at least not comparable to those Upper-Rank Professionals—he indeed possessed many mysterious techniques.

Should he employ those methods, if nothing else, ensuring his own safety would be more than sufficient.If he hadn’t wanted to reveal too many of his trump cards, he wouldn’t have thought to borrow her influence.

After all, this guy seemed somewhat determined to avoid her.

At this thought, the girl felt a wave of melancholy.

Su Ming caught her tone and gave an awkward smile. Just as he was about to say something, the girl spoke first.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you, okay?”

Her voice suddenly turned serious.

“You’re the only one I truly care about.”

Though her words sounded affectionate, Su Ming understood the underlying meaning.

What she really meant was simple.

“The Xu Family is indeed experiencing some internal turmoil. You’d better stay out of that Academy Beauty senior’s business.”

The girl had made her stance clear.

She truly had no intention of getting involved in Xu Family affairs, nor did she care about Xu Qianqian’s survival.

Her only concern was Su Ming’s safety, as she had stated from the beginning.

Therefore…

“Don’t bother with Xu Qianqian’s matters. Just focus on completing this mission and return safely.”

Only then did the girl reveal a glimpse of her genuine feelings.

It was concern for Su Ming, care for Su Ming.

This was quite remarkable.

Su Ming knew that due to her past experiences, this girl trusted no one.

Even with her own family, she rarely showed her true nature and real self.

Only in front of him would this girl occasionally reveal her authentic side.

Su Ming couldn’t easily reject her goodwill.

But…

“I’ll act within my capabilities.”

In the end, Su Ming didn’t give a definitive response.

He had no choice.

He still owed Xu Qianqian a significant favor.

“You…”

The girl seemed to frown, visibly displeased.

“Relax, you know me—I’d never recklessly put myself in danger.” Su Ming smiled wryly. “If I plan to do anything, I can’t guarantee it’ll be foolproof, but I’ll definitely avoid leaving myself vulnerable.”

Hearing this, the girl fell silent before sighing.

“Do as you wish,” she said. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you—Gao Xu isn’t someone to be taken lightly.”

Given Su Ming’s abilities, the girl believed that Xu Yanyan and a group of Xu Family Hunters wouldn’t be able to trouble him.

But Gao Xu was another matter.

“Longyao City’s ‘Qilin Blade’ is someone even other Base Cities have heard of. Not only is he an Upper-Rank Professional, but his Blade Art is exceptionally outstanding. Even some Five-Star Hunters fall slightly short in combat skills compared to him. Add his alchemical weapon to the mix, and even weaker Five-Star Hunters would find him a headache.”

The girl continued.

“He’s also recognized as one of the most promising Four-Star Hunters likely to advance to Five-Star. His potential isn’t exhausted yet—with the right opportunity, it’s very possible for him to become a Six-Star Hunter.”

That would already be the highest rank in Longyao City. Even searching the entire Base City, there were only a handful of such Hunters.

If not for this, Gao Xu wouldn’t be so valued by the Xu Family, nor would his status be so high.

Against Xu Yanyan and others, the girl had full confidence in Su Ming.

But against Gao Xu, she truly didn’t think Su Ming stood a chance.

Su Ming wasn’t without self-awareness.

At his current level, attempting to confront an Upper-Rank Professional was still far too early for him.However, Su Ming was still confident in his ability to protect himself.

And…

“I’m not completely helpless either.” Su Ming then asked, “Have you prepared everything regarding the Alchemist?”

“Everything is ready.” The girl replied rather helplessly, “We originally agreed to introduce him to you after the battle, but I didn’t expect you to be in such a hurry.”

“When will you arrange the introduction?” Su Ming was already growing impatient.

The girl responded immediately.

“Tonight.”

Her voice reached Su Ming’s ears.

“This evening, I’ll bring him to meet you.”

(End of Chapter)