On the eve of the great battle, a tense atmosphere was spreading.
During these two days since arriving, Su Yan had met with Zhou Xiongfeng and Ma Yi respectively.
She was relatively familiar with Zhou Xiongfeng. However, this was her first time meeting Ma Yi.
This Clan Leader was completely different from what she had imagined.
Not only did he lack any aura of slaughter, but he was instead filled with a scholarly air.
Compared to Ma Chulong, Ma Chulan was much more similar to him.
His speech, mannerisms, and way of doing things were all orderly and methodical.
However, she did not let this cause her to feel any contempt for Ma Yi; naturally, one could not underestimate someone capable of becoming a Clan Leader.
It was only through her contact with Ma Yi that Su Yan learned this operation had actually been facilitated by Kong Shan Kui.
Furthermore, their original intention was to wait and see how things developed, giving the Feng family one more chance. After all, the Feng family was also involved with the suppression formation; once a problem arose, the consequences would be unimaginable.
But Kong Shan Kui's attitude regarding this matter was exceptionally firm.
He had persuaded the two Clan Leaders that since Feng Tian had already chosen to side with demons, the longer they waited to act, the more opportunities they were giving Feng Tian.
After weighing the options, the Zhou and Ma families finally agreed to carry out this crusade together.
"Moreover, this time the Kong family can definitely serve as the main force of the three families. Almost all of their disciples have come to the battlefield, which clearly shows the Kong family's determination to exterminate the Feng family."
When Su Yan heard Ma Yi say these words, her mood grew even more solemn.
She felt that Kong Shan Kui was definitely plotting something.
However, the crusade was now like an arrow on a bowstring—it had to be released.
In the evening, Su Yan made a phone call to Su Jianguo.
Tomorrow was the day of departure, and this trip was one where even she could not predict the outcome.
When she heard Su Jianguo's voice through the receiver, Su Yan's emotions instantly became much more stable.
"Yan Yan, where are you right now?"
Su Jianguo was extremely concerned about this; he didn't know what she was doing, but at least he wanted to know where she was.
"I am in Qinghua Town, a small town in the northwest. You probably haven't heard of it," Su Yan said truthfully.
On the other end of the line, Su Jianguo frowned slightly; he indeed had not heard of it.
"Why did you go to such a place?"
"I just came along with a friend to handle some business, and I'll have to stay for a few days. I'll likely be very busy recently, so I might not have much time to call you," Su Yan said, trying her best to make her voice sound relaxed.
"No matter how busy you are, you must pay attention to your health and safety. Remember to call me back whenever you have time, otherwise, I really will worry," Su Jianguo instructed incessantly.
He didn't know what was wrong with him lately, but he had been having nightmares almost every night.
In them, he saw scenes of Su Yan lying in a pool of blood. Every time, he would wake up startled from the nightmare, and it would take a long time for his heart to settle.
But now, he didn't dare say much to Su Yan, fearing it might affect her.
"Mhm, I will. You must stay well at home too. Remember to eat on time every day. Your body hasn't fully recovered yet, so you must also be careful not to overexert yourself," Su Yan said, her throat feeling somewhat dry toward the end.
"Alright," Su Jianguo promised very earnestly. "By the way, Xiao Qiang has been brought back. I'll let him talk to you."
A moment later, Xiao Qiang's crisp voice came through the receiver, "Sister, when are you coming back? Xiao Qiang misses you."
Although she and Xiao Qiang were half-siblings and had not lived together for long, hearing the child's sincere words at this moment made Su Yan's nose sting, and tears nearly fell.
"Sister is still out handling business. I'll come back once things are finished, and when I do, I'll bring you lots and lots of delicious food. You must be good and listen to Papa at home. Besides, you're already a little man, so you must learn to take care of yourself and Papa, okay?"
This was good; if she was unable to return this time, at least her father would have Xiao Qiang by his side.
"Sister, don't worry. Xiao Qiang is already a grown-up; I know what to do," Xiao Qiang said in a precocious tone.
After the siblings finished chatting, Su Jianguo took the receiver again.
Before speaking again, his hand gripping the receiver tightened, his knuckles turning slightly white. "Yan Yan, Dad has no other wishes; I only hope you can live well and happily."
It didn't matter even if she wasn't by his side.
Su Yan was already forcefully suppressing her tears. "I will."
Without even waiting for Su Jianguo to say anything more, she quickly hung up the phone.
A single tear slid from the corner of her eye.
The things she promised her father, she must fulfill.
It took her a full ten minutes to slightly calm her emotions before, after some hesitation, she dialed Gu Yang's home.
Song Sining answered the call, and she was incredibly delighted to hear it was Su Yan.
The two chatted for quite a while before Su Yan finally asked if Gu Yang had contacted his family again.
The answer she received was negative.
So, since the New Year, more than a month had passed, and there was still no sign of Gu Yang.
She truly could not imagine where Gu Yang had gone or what he was doing.
But regarding their six-month promise, she wondered if there would truly be a day when they could meet again.
After hanging up the phone with Song Sining, Su Yan sat alone on the sofa, feeling empty inside.
She really missed her father, her brother, as well as Granny Li and her teacher.
Now, even seeing them had become a luxury.
Therefore, the only thing she could do now was to adjust her state to its best. Once she killed Feng Tian and avenged her mother, she could return to a peaceful life.
*Knock, knock, knock.*
"Su Yan, may I come in?"
Ma Chulong's voice from outside the door interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in."
Su Yan did not stand up; she simply watched as Ma Chulong pushed the door open and entered.
Ma Chulong walked in carrying a food box.
Even though the lid of the box was tightly closed, Su Yan could still smell a faint, refreshing fragrance.
"Su Yan, I specially brewed some soup from our hometown. I brought a bowl for you to try."
Su Yan restrained all her emotions and gave him a smile.
"How do you have the leisure to brew soup?"
There were disciples specifically responsible for food and lodging here; there was no need for him to handle such chores.
"It was my little sister; she suddenly wanted to drink this soup, and the disciples' cooking didn't suit her taste," Ma Chulong explained with a light laugh.
"Then I am truly benefiting from Lanlan's good fortune."
As they spoke, Ma Chulong had already brought out the soup bowl; as expected, the aroma was rich and enticing.
"Try it."
Ma Chulong proactively held the soup spoon in front of Su Yan.
Su Yan naturally would not be polite with him.
"It's delicious."
After tasting it, she gave an affirmative answer.
Receiving the praise, Ma Chulong's expression brightened a few shades. "If you like it, I will make it for you in the future."
Su Yan did not comment, drinking nearly half a bowl in one go before stopping.
"With such good cooking skills, whoever marries you in the future will be very fortunate."
She was just chatting casually, but her words caused Ma Chulong's eyes to deepen.
(End of Chapter)