Long Haochen's Confession

The guards at the entrance were instantly force-fed a mouthful of affection by the couple, who acted as if no one else existed.

After a long while, Li Xin reluctantly let go of Long Haochen. A rosy flush colored her jade-like cheeks, making her even more charming.

"Come on, let's go inside and talk."

Li Xin took Long Haochen's hand and strode into the Hao Yue Sub-Temple. Only then did the two onlookers at the entrance breathe a sigh of relief.

"Who was that young man?" one guard muttered.

"Isn't it obvious? That boy must be the Rose Knight's little boyfriend."

"Ah, who would've thought our valiant Rose Knight had such unusual tastes? She likes boys so much younger than herself."

"If you were as handsome as that boy, maybe the Rose Knight would look at you twice too."

Meanwhile, Li Xin brought Long Haochen to the empty hall on the first floor.

"Haochen, our last meeting was four months ago, wasn't it? We haven't seen each other for just a few months, yet you've grown so much taller—and so much more handsome. Sigh, once you grow up, who knows how many girls you'll leave completely smitten."

Long Haochen smiled awkwardly. There's no need to wait until then. I already have one in the Demon Race.

"Big Sis, this is for you."

The Forget-Me-Not Ring flashed blue, and a bouquet of roses appeared in Long Haochen's hands. He held it out to Li Xin.

"This..."

Looking at the ninety-nine roses before her, Li Xin was instantly at a loss.

He... he gave me roses. Ninety-nine of them, too. Was he confessing to me?

Li Xin's heart raced wildly, her heartbeat suddenly quickening.

"Big Sis, don't you like them?"

Only then did Li Xin come back to her senses. She accepted the roses from Long Haochen, her cheeks burning red as she blushed furiously.

Li Xin lowered her head shyly. "Haochen, isn't this too fast?"

Long Haochen looked confused. "Huh? What's too fast?"

Li Xin sighed softly. "Haochen, I'm a full eight years older than you. Doesn't that make me an old cow eating young grass?"

If Long Haochen still failed to understand Li Xin's feelings after hearing that, he might as well find a block of tofu and smash his head into it.

Since that was the case, he could only go with the flow.

Long Haochen shook his head. "An elder in my family once said that if a woman is eight years older, prosperity is assured. So what if you're eight years older than me? As long as our feelings are sincere, age won't be an obstacle between us."

Although Long Haochen did not say it outright, the implication was already obvious. As a sensitive woman, Li Xin naturally understood what he meant.

"H-Haochen, y-you... you like me?"

Even though she had already received Long Haochen's answer, Li Xin still wanted to hear him say it himself.

Long Haochen answered without hesitation, "Yes, Big Sis. I like you!"

Hearing his unwavering answer, Li Xin's face turned even redder, and waves of emotion surged through her heart.

"H-Haochen..."

"Yeah?"

"I like you too."

The moment the words left her mouth, before Long Haochen could even react, Li Xin tossed aside the roses and threw herself at him. Long Haochen was instantly smothered by this Hell Rose.

Li Xin truly deserved the title of Hell Rose. Her love was so passionate, so fearless. Having received her beloved's affirmation, she could no longer suppress the feelings she had hidden for so long. At that moment, they erupted completely.

"Mmph, mmph..."

The fragrance of roses filled his nose. Long Haochen's face had turned red, and he was struggling to breathe. Not wanting to be smothered to death by Li Xin, he could only gently push her.

Li Xin sensed something strange against her chest and embarrassedly released Long Haochen. His little face was already bright red from lack of oxygen.

"Haochen, I'm sorry. I-I got too excited."

Long Haochen panted heavily and greedily gulped down fresh air. He had truly almost been smothered to death by Li Xin just now.

"Big Sis, I'm fine."

"Then... then what should we do from now on?" Li Xin was completely at a loss. This was her first love.

Long Haochen picked up the bouquet from the ground and handed it to Li Xin. "Big Sis, things are already good just as they are."

Li Xin accepted the bouquet and carefully stored it in her storage equipment as though it were a treasure.

Then, Li Xin grabbed Long Haochen's hand and was about to say something when heavy footsteps sounded behind them.

"Oh, isn't this Haochen? What brings you here?" Nalan Shu came down the stairs.

Long Haochen took out a letter and handed it to Nalan Shu. "My teacher asked me to give this to you."

Nalan Shu accepted the letter, then turned to Li Xin. "Xin'er, why are you slacking off again? You're already a Seventh-level Knight. If you can't break through to Grand Knight before the Demon Hunt Squad Selection Tournament, you won't be able to become a member of a Demon Hunt Squad. Hurry up and train!"

Li Xin stuck out her tongue and winked at Long Haochen. "Haochen, Big Sis will treat you to a feast tonight. Don't stand me up!"

With that, Li Xin ran off in a flash, making Nalan Shu shake his head repeatedly.

"Xin'er is already twenty, yet she's still so wild and crazy. At her age, children from ordinary families are already married."

After hearing Nalan Shu's words, Long Haochen could not help thinking to himself, If she wanted to get married now, that wouldn't be impossible. I'm just not ready yet.

Nalan Shu brought Long Haochen to an office on the second floor before finally opening the letter Long Haochen had given him.

"Y-You're actually Lord Xingyu's son! Where is Lord Xingyu? Could I meet him?"

Long Haochen shook his head. "Father has already left."

"Lord Xingyu is the Knight Temple's foremost Retribution Knight. Why did he send you to our Hao Yue Sub-Temple to study the skills of a Guardian Knight?"

Long Haochen replied, "I'm sorry, Hall Master Nalan. Since Father did not reveal it in the letter, I cannot say anything either."

Hearing that, Nalan Shu did not press further.

"Since it is Lord Xingyu's order, from this day onward, you are a member of the Hao Yue Sub-Temple. In two years, the Hao Yue Sub-Temple will send you to participate in the Demon Hunt Squad Selection Tournament."

Long Haochen placed his right fist against his chest and gave Nalan Shu a standard knight's salute. "I'll follow your arrangements."

"Come, I'll show you around so you can familiarize yourself with the place."

Behind the Hao Yue Sub-Temple's main hall were Monastic Quarters for the knights to rest in, Knight Plaza for cultivation, and Knight Hall for teaching knowledge and skills.

As Nalan Shu led Long Haochen through the Monastic Quarters, he explained, "Nearly a hundred Knights and more than two thousand Squires live in our Hao Yue Sub-Temple. Aside from me, there is also one Sky Knight and seven Grand Knights. Four Squires share a room, while each Knight has a room of their own."

Under Nalan Shu's guidance, Long Haochen chose a suite on the third floor of the Knights' building in the Monastic Quarters. The suite had three rooms and a living room: one room for resting, one quiet room for meditation and cultivation, and a separate bathroom. The conditions were quite good.

Long Haochen entered the quiet room and began cultivating, continuing until evening.

"Haochen, open the door! It's me!" Li Xin's crisp voice rang out from outside.

Long Haochen rubbed his forehead. He had been so absorbed in cultivation that he had forgotten his promise to Li Xin.