Returning to Heaven Dou City, Revisiting the Old Place, Still That Hotel, Still That Bed

The day after Dugu Yan successfully acquired her fourth Soul Ring.

The morning mist over the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well had yet to disperse, and dew still clung to the leaves of the immortal herbs in the Medicine Garden.

Ye Qing and Dugu Yan stood side by side before Dugu Bo.

Dugu Yan's newly acquired fourth Soul Ring was an Earth Dragon Soul Ring with dual earth and poison attributes, from an eight-thousand-year-old soul beast deep within Sunset Forest.

Thanks to the dragon attribute of the Earth Dragon Golden Melon enhancing her physical constitution, she had been able to absorb it beyond her limits.

Moreover, this Soul Ring was a perfect match for the attributes of the Green Phosphorus Flood Dragon.

It granted her a powerful defensive soul skill with enhancement effects, called the Green Phosphorus Flood Dragon Armor.

"Grandfather, we're planning to return to Heaven Dou City."

Dugu Yan was the first to speak, her tone carrying undisguised impatience.

Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow.

His emerald eyes swept over the two of them.

"Yanyan is a student of Heaven Dou Royal Academy and a member of the Imperial Fighting Team."

"After taking leave for so long, it's about time she returned."

Dugu Bo spoke unhurriedly, then turned his gaze toward Ye Qing.

"What about you, brat?"

"You're not a student of Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

He paused, then suddenly frowned.

"I forgot to ask. What exactly do you do in Heaven Dou City, brat?"

"Uh..."

Ye Qing's expression stiffened slightly.

He raised a hand and rubbed his nose, his gaze drifting away for a moment.

"A hotel waiter who quit his job?"

"...Huh?"

Dugu Bo froze for a moment.

His emerald eyes immediately filled with disdain.

"Tsk. Just an unemployed bum with nothing better to do."

"Ahem... Senior, that was an extremely accurate summary."

Ye Qing coughed dryly.

There was nothing he could do. That really was his identity.

A young man who carried trays around in a hotel.

He had been bullied by customers and had his wages docked by the innkeeper.

If he had not met Dugu Yan, he still did not know which corner he would be starving in.

That kind of beginning really was not something presentable.

"An unemployed bum..."

Dugu Bo repeated the four words, looking baffled. "How did my granddaughter ever take a liking to you?"

"..."

Ye Qing chose to remain silent.

He could not exactly say that her granddaughter had forced herself on him, could he?

If he said it aloud, he would probably die!

But then—

Ye Qing saw a sinister smile suddenly curl across Dugu Bo's lips.

That smile sent a chill down Ye Qing's back.

Hiss! Here it comes, here it comes. Nothing good ever happens when this old bastard wears that smile!

The last time Dugu Bo had made that expression, Ye Qing had been used as a test subject for Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison.

"Brat, I have a suggestion."

Dugu Bo spoke slowly, the amusement in his eyes growing brighter.

"How about you go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy with Yanyan?"

Ye Qing was slightly stunned.

Join Heaven Dou Royal Academy?

He had never seriously considered that option before.

After all, during this time, all he had wanted was to cling tightly to Yanzi and Dugu Bo and work hard at becoming a live-in son-in-law.

Besides, Dugu Bo himself was a Title Douluo.

Whether it was hunting soul beasts or cultivation resources,

what Soul Emperor or Soul Sage teacher at the academy could compare with him?

Staying by Old Poison's side was better than attending any academy.

"I need to remind you of something."

Dugu Bo abruptly changed the subject, his tone thick with the air of someone watching a show.

"I heard there's a brat named Yu Tianheng at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. He's been pursuing Yanyan."

Dugu Yan froze.

Then, as though she had only just remembered this matter, her expression changed slightly.

She hurriedly turned to Ye Qing. "I have nothing to do with him!"

"He's the one pestering me on his own. I've never paid him any attention!"

Yet inwardly, she cursed herself.

She had been too immersed in her intimate pleasures with Ye Qing these past few months.

Her mind had been filled with this bastard's smiling face and those nights that made her blush and her heart race.

She had actually forgotten someone like Yu Tianheng!

Dugu Yan looked at Ye Qing nervously.

He won't misunderstand, will he?

"Yanzi, there's no need to be so nervous."

Ye Qing's voice carried a trace of amusement.

Knowing the plot of Douluo Continent, of course he knew Yu Tianheng.

But Ye Qing was certain that Dugu Yan's first time had been with him, so he was not worried in the slightest.

Dugu Yan stared blankly into his eyes.

There was no probing, no jealousy, no questioning in those black eyes—only unconditional trust.

Before she could even be moved,

a sharp glint flashed through Ye Qing's black eyes. He turned to Dugu Bo.

"Senior, you didn't bring up Yu Tianheng merely to remind me, did you?"

"Smart."

Dugu Bo stood with his hands behind his back, a profound look flashing through his emerald eyes.

"This is the first layer of my test for you."

"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is one of the Upper Three Sects. Yu Tianheng is the young clan leader, with the entire clan's resources and influence behind him."

"You—"

He raised a hand and pointed at Ye Qing, his tone suddenly turning grave.

"Can you make him retreat in the face of difficulty? Can you withstand the pressure from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and keep Yanyan by your side?"

"That is the first test of whether you can marry Yanzi."

Ye Qing blinked.

He seemed to have caught a certain keyword.

"Senior, did you just say... marry?"

"Obviously."

Dugu Bo shot him an irritated glare.

"If my granddaughter marries, then she will be properly wed!"

"An eight-man bridal sedan, ten miles of bridal splendor—not one thing can be missing!"

"What I said before about you becoming a live-in son-in-law was just angry talk. Did you really think I wanted my granddaughter to take in a husband?"

"Keep dreaming!"

Ye Qing looked at Dugu Bo with an odd expression.

From live-in son-in-law to son-in-law.

From "marrying into the Dugu Family" to "marrying Yanyan."

That was quite a change.

He still remembered their first meeting,

when Dugu Bo had been overflowing with killing intent toward him, looking as though he wanted to melt him on the spot with Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison.

If Dugu Yan had not stopped him, Ye Qing would have long since been reincarnated.

And now?

After successfully purging the poison, helping Yanzi evolve her Martial Soul, and adding in the changes he had undergone these past three months,

the old bastard was probably finding him more and more pleasing to the eye.

"Alright."

Ye Qing nodded, his expression calm and resolute.

"I can go meet that Yu Tianheng."

After speaking, he tilted his head toward Dugu Yan and grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.

"Yanzi, just wait."

"I'll definitely marry you in an eight-man bridal sedan, with ten miles of bridal splendor, in all the glory you deserve."

Dugu Yan pressed her lips together.

Her emerald eyes shimmered intensely.

She was actually looking forward to everyday academy life with Ye Qing as well.

Going to class together, cultivating together, walking side by side around the academy together.

Of course,

that arrogant Yu Tianheng really did need someone to take down his pride.

It would save him from bothering her all day.

"Oh, right, Yanyan."

Dugu Bo suddenly frowned.

His gaze fell upon Dugu Yan's lips, confusion flashing through his aged eyes.

"Why are your lips a little swollen?"

"Are you feeling unwell?"

"Or is it some side effect from that Earth Dragon Golden Melon?"

"Eh?!"

Dugu Yan's body instantly stiffened.

She touched her slightly warm, swollen red lips.

Her cheeks flushed crimson at a visible speed.

She shot Ye Qing a vicious glare.

If looks could kill, Ye Qing would already have been sliced into a thousand pieces and ground to dust.

Last night in the Bamboo House,

although Ye Qing had righteously refused to do that kind of thing with her because they were afraid her grandfather would hear them,

that bastard had leaned close to her ear and said things that were rotten to the core.

Things like, "A mouth isn't only for talking."

And, "Yanzi, you've got quite a fire in you."

She had not understood at the time.

By the time she did, that bastard had already pressed a hand against the top of her head and started pushing downward!

She did not know what had possessed her then, but she had actually... actually done it.

And then came those unbearable memories.

This bastard! This horrible bastard! Beast!

Even now, her mouth still felt sore!

"Ahem."

Ye Qing calmly rubbed his nose without changing expression.

"Senior, you misunderstand."

"Yanzi and I had a little verbal disagreement last night. We had a small conflict, and Yanzi got emotional, which made her lips swell a little."

Dugu Yan: "...?"

Did he not blush when saying that?

What did he mean, a verbal disagreement?!

"Is that so?"

Dugu Bo looked suspiciously at his granddaughter's face, which was red enough to bleed.

He looked again at Ye Qing's dead-serious expression as he spouted nonsense.

Something still felt off, but he couldn't put his finger on it for the moment.

"It's inevitable for couples to have arguments."

Dugu Bo snorted, his gaze turning into a stern warning.

"But I'm warning you, brat, you must give in to Yanyan!"

"If I find out you've bullied her, you'll regret it!"

A dangerous glint flashed through his jade-green eyes.

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare."

Ye Qing repeatedly waved his hands, his face utterly sincere.

But inwardly, he thought, Under normal circumstances, I definitely wouldn't bully Yanzi.

But in bed...

Heh heh, that's not something you old man can control.

Dugu Yan keenly sensed that Ye Qing was thinking improper thoughts.

Her hand quietly reached behind Ye Qing's waist, pinched a small bit of soft flesh, and twisted it hard.

"Hiss!"

Ye Qing's expression remained unchanged, though inwardly he drew in a sharp breath.

A proper smile remained on his face, but the corner of his eye twitched uncontrollably.

Although Dugu Bo still felt that something was amiss, he did not pursue it further.

After all, it wasn't appropriate for an old man like him to meddle too much in a young couple's affairs.

He swept out a hand.

"Let's go. I'll take you to Heaven Dou City at once."

"Grandpa, you're coming too?"

"Without me stepping in, can this brat get into Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"

Heaven Dou City.

One of the most prosperous cities on the Douluo Continent.

Its streets were broad enough for eight carriages to travel side by side.

The bluestone-paved roads had been polished bright by the passage of time.

The three of them stood at the city gate.

Dugu Bo handed Ye Qing two entry tokens, then straightened his robes.

"I need to see Prince Xue Xing first and settle this brat's enrollment procedures."

"You two can look around on your own first. I'll come find you once I'm done."

Ye Qing accepted the tokens and cupped his hands. "Thank you, Senior."

Dugu Bo waved a hand.

After taking several steps and turning away, he suddenly stopped.

He glanced back at the two of them, a complicated look flashing through his jade-green eyes.

It was the look of an old father watching his daughter and son-in-law—an uneasy warning mixed with helpless indulgence.

"Yanyan."

"Hmm?"

"Don't stay out too late."

Dugu Yan's face reddened again. "Got it, Grandpa!"

Dugu Bo's figure disappeared into the crowd around the street corner.

Dugu Yan had only just let out a sigh of relief.

When she turned around, she found Ye Qing's dark eyes fixed unblinkingly on her.

The heat in his gaze made her heartbeat abruptly speed up.

He only revealed that look when he was about to do something bad.

What was this scoundrel thinking now?

"Yanzi."

Ye Qing spoke in a low voice, undisguised fire flickering in his dark eyes.

"Shall we revisit an old haunt?"

Dugu Yan froze.

Revisit an old haunt?

What old haunt?

But when she met those gleaming black eyes of his, she instantly understood what was burning inside them.

There was only one "old haunt" for her and Ye Qing—the inn.

The place where everything had begun!

That room, that bed, those memories of passion came rushing back like a tide.

"You!"

Dugu Yan's face instantly went from faintly red to bright red, then from bright red to red enough to boil an egg.

"Why are you so impatient!"

"Grandpa only just left!"

"Impatient, impatient, impatient!"

Ye Qing said the word three times with complete confidence.

Without waiting for Dugu Yan to react, he bent down and swept her up in his arms.

"Ye Qing! Put me down! There are so many people on the street!"

"No."

"Y-you may have no shame, but I do!"

"Hold on tight, wife."

Ye Qing held Dugu Yan in his arms.

Under the astonished stares of pedestrians all along the street, he sprinted toward that familiar inn.

Dugu Yan buried her face deep in his chest, so embarrassed that she wanted to vanish on the spot.

Yet no matter how hard she tried, she could not suppress the curve of her lips.

This bastard was getting more and more shameless.

And she seemed to be getting more and more used to him treating her so shamelessly.