Ever since Shang Yafang revealed Xiang Shaoyun's identity, Hui Yuzheng and company treated Xiang Shaoyun like a god. Their shift in attitude reached a level where Xiang Shaoyun was having a hard time bearing with him. Xiang Shaoyun couldn't be bothered to deal with them, but they insisted on throwing him a feast. Of course, he rejected the offer.
Hui Yuzheng and company were unwilling to give up so easily, and they even requested Shang Yafang's help. Originally, Shang Yafang wanted to spend time alone with Xiang Shaoyun, but she soon realized that Xiang Shaoyun had no romantic feelings toward her and only saw her as a little sister. The realization made her understand a few other things as well.
Thus, she started begging Xiang Shaoyun to accept Hui Yuzheng's invitation. After all, Hui Yuzheng's and his friends' clans were the Shang Clan's subordinates. She had also grown up with them. Since they weren't enemies, it was not an issue for her to provide them some help.
Helpless, Xiang Shaoyun could only accept the invitation. He went to the best restaurant in the city to experience a life of decadence. Hui Yuzheng and the others showcased their capability as decadent young masters and ordered a large amount of delicacies and fine liquors to serve Xiang Shaoyun.
If it wasn't for the fact that Shang Yafang was with them, they would have called some hostesses over as well. Initially, Xiang Shaoyun was a bit absent-minded. But after some drinking, he became much more at ease. He talked endlessly with them, drank to his heart's content, and fully loosened himself.
With the release of his repressed emotions, he finally realized that he was also a barely 20-year-old young man. There was no need for him to act mature all the time, as it might not be beneficial for him.
One should live life to the fullest and enjoy what he had before him. What was the point of constantly brooding over his problems all the time? At that realization, Xiang Shaoyun fully released himself and started enjoying the feast with Shang Yafang, Hui Yuzheng, and the others.
They could all sense the shift in Xiang Shaoyun's attitude. Their previous impression of him was of a lofty person difficult to approach. But now, he was amiable and approachable, no longer staying on the pedestal all the time. After spending a day together, they finally dispersed.
Hui Yuzheng and the others tried their best to shamelessly pledge their allegiance to him and make him their boss. However, since Xiang Shaoyun still needed to return to the Dragon Phoenix Academy, he couldn't agree to their request. Instead, he treated them like regular friends. The minor conflict from earlier had all been forgotten.
Two days passed, and Shang Jifeng's group finally returned. That day, Xiang Shaoyun was resting within his guest house when he suddenly sensed the nether prison devil puppet. With a trace of his consciousness imprinted on the puppet, if he wasn't dead, it would be hard for others to erase his imprint. Just when he was wondering if Winter Frost and Summer Flame had arrived, Shang Jifeng arrived with Shang Yafang.
"Young Master Xiang, you actually arrived at our Shang City. Looks like I was too slow," said Shang Jifeng guiltily.
He did not address Xiang Shaoyun as overlord because this was the Shang Clan's territory and not the academy. The meaning behind the title would be completely different, and he had to be careful how he addressed someone in his clan's territory.
"Don't worry about it, Jifeng. Your father told me about the reinforcements you left with. I was the one who couldn't wait and made a move before you guys arrived. My apologies for making you guys travel for nothing," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"My dearest big brothers, why are the two of you being so courteous? It's so corny," said Shang Yafang, who couldn't stand them anymore.
"Haha," both Xiang Shaoyun and Shang Jifeng roared with laughter.
"True, we don't need to be so courteous with each other," said Shang Jifeng. He then started narrating his side of the events, telling Xiang Shaoyun about how he had brought the nether prison devil puppet back.
Xiang Shaoyun also gave a simple narration of what had happened on his side. He made everything sound easy, but Shang Jifeng knew it had been exceedingly dangerous.
"Young Master Xiang, since you have already rescued her, why didn't you bring her here as well?" Shang Jifeng asked doubtfully.
"I hid her somewhere safe. At the time, I had no idea how to find the Shang Clan. Luckily, I met Sister Yafang," said Xiang Shaoyun. It wouldn't be proper to say that Lady Shura was inside him. Nobody would believe him anyway.
"Good to hear. Should we return to the academy, then?" Shang Jifeng asked.
"Why are you in such a rush, big brother? It has been a while since you last came back. Just stay around for a few more days," pleaded Shang Yafang.
Xiang Shaoyun thought for a bit before saying, "Since we're out with a mission, why don't we go to the Nisha Range and kill some sin dragons before returning with a completed mission?"
"My clan has some sin dragon bones in our collection. We can just use those bones to complete the mission," Shang Jifeng said.
Due to the Shang Clan's proximity to the Nisha Range, it was understandable that they would have some sin dragon bones in their collection.
"Big brother, you're cheating! I'm telling father!" Shang Yafang protested.
"No! Little girl, are you trying to make your big brother receive a scolding?" said Shang Jifeng nervously.
"Then you have to promise me one thing."
"What do you want?"
"Bring me along for your sin dragon hunting trip. I will keep my mouth shut," said Shang Yafang with a mischievous look in her eyes.
Xiang Shaoyun said, "Jifeng, in truth, I have a different purpose in hunting sin dragons. I need to borrow some of your men to inflict some heavy losses to my enemies. I need to teach them that they can't easily touch my people. Of course, if that will be a problem, we can forget about it. Regardless, I still owe you a favor."
Although Xiang Shaoyun's rescue mission was a success, he was still filled with fury. He wanted to take down both Winter Frost and Summer Flame as payment for what the Di Clan did, letting them know he was no longer the same. As for the favor he owed the Shang Clan, he already owed them one. He might as well double the favor. When this was over, he would repay them generously in the future.
"I have already killed Zhu Changchuang." Shang Jifeng asked, "Do you have other enemies at the Nisha Range?"
"They placed a seal on Lady Shura's body. The moment she comes out of hiding, they will come for her," Xiang Shaoyun said.
"Since that's the case, I will help you with this. I only hope that this trip won't be for nothing, either," Shang Jifeng agreed.
Touched, Xiang Shaoyun said, "Thank you!"
In truth, even if Shang Jifeng refused to help, Xiang Shaoyun wouldn't blame him. But since he had agreed without hesitation, his sincerity was clear for all to see. Xiang Shaoyun decided to etch this favor deep in his heart.