Among all the men Zhao Huai had ever met before, none was like the man in green robes standing before him. Not only did he possess a cold and aloof aura and an otherworldly appearance, but also his every move seemed to suggest that he had a clear understanding of everything in the world.
Zhao Huai had two impressions of Yan Ruyu.
First, he was high - above - the - masses and indifferent to worldly strife.
Second, Yan Ruyu was like a prophet.
It seemed as if he could foresee everything that was going to happen, and even knew more about Zhao Huai's origin than Zhao Huai himself.
"I know."
"Then do you know how she is?"
Yan Ruyu's tone softened a bit. "She's still alive. You don't need to worry."
Even though he said so, Yan Ruyu felt a faint uneasiness in his heart.
Was this young man in white Zhao Huai? Was he the elder brother that Xiao Ning'er had murmured about in her dream that night? Xiao Ning'er rarely cared about someone so much that she called out his name even in her sleep.
Now that he saw Zhao Huai in person, Yan Ruyu felt that everything made sense.
When he mentioned Xiao Ning'er, the young man's eyes were filled with concern and nervousness. Such reactions were only reserved for one's closest relatives.
However, even so, it didn't mean much. Yan Ruyu still wouldn't give Zhao Shuning to Zhao Huai. He was now working hard to find a way to break his millennium - long lonely and evil fate, and he wouldn't give up.
If one day Xiao Ning'er developed other feelings for this young man named Zhao Huai, then he would consider withdrawing.
"Your Majesty, you know a great deal, so I believe every word you say."
"Um."
"I have an idea, but I'm not sure if it's just my illusion."
"What is it?"
"Although your tone is always calm when you speak and your expression rarely changes, I always feel that you have an inexplicable hostility towards me."
Yan Ruyu was momentarily distracted.
Sure enough, he was the supreme beast. Although he couldn't remember anything for now, he still had such a sharp sense of observation. He could even detect such subtle emotional changes in Yan Ruyu.
"Senior, this might just be my illusion. If I've said something wrong, please don't mind."
"Tell me, why do you think I have hostility towards you?"
"I don't know, Senior."
Zhao Huai, although from a small family, was more humble and polite than many young masters from noble families.
Facing Yan Ruyu, the supreme being in the Eastern Wilderness, he could remain so calm. Zhao Huai's character was truly extraordinary.
"The younger sister you mentioned is named Zhao Shuning."
"Your Majesty, do you know my younger sister?"
"Sort of."
Yan Ruyu slowly stood up. After sitting for so long, there wasn't even a single wrinkle on his clothes.
As soon as Zhao Huai heard that Yan Ruyu knew his younger sister, he couldn't sit still anymore and immediately stood up.
"Your Majesty, when did you see my younger sister? How is she? Is she injured? I haven't seen her for three or four years. I wonder how tall this little girl has grown. Logically speaking, she should be around this height now."
As Zhao Huai said, he gently gestured to a position above his waist with a tender look on his face.
Yan Ruyu felt that his previously calm state of mind suddenly changed.
A hint of jealousy welled up in him.
This young man, Zhao Huai, had participated in Xiao Ning'er's childhood and left such a deep impression on her.
If he had discovered Xiao Ning'er earlier, would he have prevented other young men from coveting her?
Yan Ruyu felt extremely petty. When it came to Zhao Shuning, he felt as if this wonderful girl would be snatched away by others even if someone took an extra look at her.
"Your Majesty, why aren't you saying anything?"
"Your Majesty, has something happened to my younger sister?"
Yan Ruyu shook his head.
"You just stay here. Your younger sister will come to Chang'an City to meet you. By then, I hope she will see a different elder brother."
"Are you so certain, Your Majesty?"
"Definitely."
Zhao Huai said, "It sounds like Your Majesty knows my younger sister very well."
Yan Ruyu didn't say anything more. He sat back in his seat and continued reading, but unlike before, he didn't turn to a new page for a long time.
Zhao Huai said, "Your Majesty, are you going to stay here and watch over me?"
"Um."
Although Zhao Huai could control his form for now, he hadn't fully grown up yet. If he was stimulated, his current body might not be able to bear the power of the supreme beast, and he might easily go berserk.
Once Zhao Huai went berserk, what would follow would be a disaster for the people of the Nine - Province Continent.
"Your Majesty, can I ask you a few more questions?"
"What questions?"
"About Xiao Ning'er."
Yan Ruyu fell silent. He would never tell this unrelated person about his past with Xiao Ning'er.
"Your Majesty?"
After Zhao Huai called out for the third time.
He was almost certain that the emperor wasn't deaf but simply didn't want to talk to him.
"Your Majesty, when will you leave?"
"I'll leave when your body is well - adjusted and you can control your emotions."
As long as the questions weren't about Zhao Shuning, Yan Ruyu would answer a few words.
During the few days that Zhao Huai had been getting along with Yan Ruyu, his impression of Yan Ruyu was "cold".
Yan Ruyu was colder than the ten - thousand - year mysterious ice. Just sitting there without saying a word, he exuded an aura that kept others at a distance.
He rarely showed other expressions.
Sometimes, Yan Ruyu would smile, but his smiles were only on the surface and never reached his heart.
When people smile, their eyes usually curve, showing joy.
But Yan Ruyu was different. Even when he smiled, he still seemed cold.
It seemed that smiling was just a way for him to express himself. There was no trace of real joy in his eyes even when his face was smiling.
Now, in order to prevent Zhao Huai from wandering around, he had officially become a disciple of the sect.
Actually, there was no spiritual power in his body originally.
As the supreme beast, he had the ability to communicate with animals in the beast world, which made everyone think that he was an alchemist.
Yan Ruyu just took advantage of this misunderstanding and slightly guided the power in Zhao Huai's body, making it seem no different from the spiritual power of an alchemist.
Zhao Huai left the room to practice his spiritual power.
Only then did Yan Ruyu put down the book. He looked at the direction where Zhao Huai had left and let out a long sigh.
"The supreme beast? Isn't that an existence in the Celestial Realm? How did he end up in this other world? Does Little Aunt know about this?"
Yan Ruyu frowned slightly and gently tapped on the table, as if he was thinking about something.