Return Journey

Return Journey

Immortal Welcoming Inn in the Royal Capital of the Yan Kingdom was the most famous inn in the city.

At dawn, the atmosphere inside an antique upper room was exceptionally tranquil.

Only a short stump of red candle remained in the lamp, its flame flickering in the breeze.

Wisps of smoke rose from the carved incense burner, while the thrush hanging by the window preened its feathers and occasionally let out a few crisp chirps.

A large agarwood bed lay beneath a canopy of red gauze, with an ornate longsword hanging above its headboard.

Through the bed curtains, the outlines of two figures could be seen embracing as they slept.

Suddenly, one of them gave a soft murmur, propped herself up on the bed, drew up her legs, and began arranging her disheveled black hair.

Even through the gauze curtains, her graceful silhouette was enough to make one imagine just how peerlessly beautiful she was.

"It's so early. Aren't you going to rest a little longer?"

A somewhat lazy male voice sounded. A hand rose to caress the woman's cheek as he teased, "You've been sleeping very late these past few days. Even with spiritual power nourishing you, aren't you afraid you'll grow old early if this keeps up?"

"Hmph, you should worry about yourself instead. You replenish my spiritual power every day, but who knows when you'll break through to Late Qi Refining, husband~"

The woman's voice was cool and crystalline, like pearls falling onto a jade plate—unexpectedly clear and pleasant.

Especially that deliberately drawn-out "husband" at the end. It was soft and alluring enough to leave one weak in the knees and utterly entranced.

"Cough, cough, cough. These past few days were cultivation too. The Mystic Sword Heavenly Note Body truly was wonderful—it let me advance to the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining without any hidden drawbacks!"

The man's voice seemed full of lingering savor. After a moment, he paused and said apologetically:

"Still, you've suffered for it, Long'er. To help me break through, you lost quite a bit of primordial yin spiritual energy."

"It's nothing. I can replenish that little primordial yin before long. With some spirit pills to help, it won't affect my cultivation speed."

After chatting tenderly for a while, the two finally got dressed and rose.

They were none other than Xiao Liang and Qin Long.

They drew back the red gauze curtains and left their haven of tenderness.

Xiao Liang walked to the window, teasing the thrush as he smiled faintly and admired the beauty dressing behind the screen.

He wore a white dragon robe, looking every bit the valiant hero. His spiritual power was rich and abundant, making his sword-like brows, bright eyes, and imposing bearing all the more striking.

Yet Qin Long, who emerged from behind the screen, was even more stunning. Having shed her usual fitted white attire, she now wore a dark-green palace dress befitting a noble young lady.

Her bearing was elegant, as though an immortal maiden had descended into the mortal world. There was affection in her eyes, enough to make one forget all worldly troubles at a glance.

That powerful contrast—

made Xiao Liang unable to look away. Even though it was not his first time seeing her like this, he still found the sight a delight to behold and could not bear to avert his gaze.

Once they had finished dressing, they immediately headed out.

The Royal Capital of the Yan Kingdom had already returned to its former prosperity and bustle after the chaos of several days ago.

Xiao Liang and Qin Long found this rather surprising, marveling at how remarkably unbothered the people living here were.

However, Xiao Liang had heard a little about the reason behind it. Rumor had it that the Yan Kingdom's royal faction had stepped in to suppress and cover up the news of the Grand General's Manor being exterminated.

It was quite interesting. Xiao Liang and Qin Long had first crushed three thousand Ironclad Guards head-on, then razed the Grand General's Manor and slain the reigning King of Yan's younger brother.

Yet not only had they received no retaliation, the King of Yan had instead come to clean up after them.

But considering Yan Wuxu's half-demon identity... tsk. Whether the King of Yan and Yan Wuxu were truly related by blood was indeed a highly debatable question.

Perhaps it involved some royal scandal or conspiracy, but Xiao Liang, intoxicated by love and pleasure, had no desire to stir up more trouble these past few days.

Qin Long's great vengeance had been avenged, and all the principal culprits had been put to death. Since her wish had been fulfilled, it was best not to provoke further disturbances.

Since the King of Yan and the two of them shared such an understanding, Xiao Liang decided not to investigate the reasons behind it any further.

More importantly, the time for his return was drawing near.

Still, seeing Qin Long a few steps away buying a hairpin from a street vendor, Xiao Liang shrugged and decided to enjoy himself first.

The handsome man and beautiful woman possessed exceptional temperaments, naturally drawing the gazes of many mortals.

Qin Long's peerless beauty even attracted no shortage of persistent admirers, causing quite a few disturbances.

Xiao Liang showed no mercy to such people, greeting them with his fists. Sometimes he even beat them all the way from one end of the street to the other, much to Qin Long's amusement.

The Royal Capital was not small, and the pair strolled all the way from within the city to its outskirts.

Both were cultivators with enduring spiritual power. Scaling cliffs and treading blades posed no challenge to them, much less climbing a mountain.

Purple Smoke Mountain outside the Royal Capital was shrouded in rolling clouds and mist, making it the perfect place to enjoy the sunset.

The sun was setting now, and rosy clouds stretched across the sky. That blazing orb was no longer as dazzling as it had been at noon.

Qin Long and Xiao Liang sat at the edge of a thousand-zhang cliff. Suddenly, she cupped Xiao Liang's face and kissed him.

"You have something on your mind. Are you thinking about where to go next?"

Then she whispered into Xiao Liang's ear, her warm, soft breath making his ear itch.

Xiao Liang nodded, let out a breath, and stared into her eyes. "Would you be willing to return to the Ten Thousand Demon Cavern with me?"

Qin Long smiled and tilted her head, but said nothing.

Xiao Liang felt slightly disappointed. He had long anticipated this; now, it had merely come true.

"I inherited the legacy of that Nascent Soul senior from Heavenly Sun Mountain, so I have accepted their karma. Heavenly Sun Mountain was destroyed by the Ten Thousand Demon Cavern. Though it had nothing to do with either of us, I still do not wish to bring Heavenly Sun Mountain's legacy and join the Ten Thousand Demon Cavern."

Qin Long stroked Xiao Liang's cheek, lowered her head, and said apologetically, "I'm sorry."

Yet before long, she heard Xiao Liang chuckle softly.

"There's nothing to apologize for. I expected this."

"You turn a blind eye to many of my secrets too. How could I bind your freedom?"

"Because that's the kind of person you are—unwilling to owe others anything, proud and stubborn, yet willing to give everything for those you care about. You're incredibly simple-hearted."

"That's what I like about you."

Xiao Liang's blunt words made Qin Long's pretty face flush slightly, a rare occurrence. Annoyed and embarrassed, she struck his waist with her palm, making him suck in a breath.

This damned woman had not held back at all. The force was no joke—it hurt as though he had been slashed by a sword.

"So, are you returning to the Ten Thousand Demon Cavern next?"

Without turning around, Qin Long looked ahead and asked.

Xiao Liang nodded lightly. Then he stretched out a hand as if to grasp the setting sun and narrowed his eyes. "I want to see more enduring, more beautiful sights on the path of cultivation, and not let this life's opportunity go to waste."

"I see..."

Qin Long raised her lovely face slightly, then suddenly smiled like a hundred flowers blooming.

"Now that I've succeeded in taking my revenge, it's time for me to begin a new journey too. Why not make your goal my goal as well?"

"I've decided. After you leave, I'll travel through the various kingdoms. Perhaps I'll even find a decent cultivation sect to join!"

Hearing her say that, Xiao Liang felt a little panicked. The wife he had worked so hard to win over seemed about to fly far away.

"Don't worry. I won't fall for someone else so easily. The Great Dao is long, but we will meet again."

Qin Long saw through the man's little worries at a glance.

"Cough, cough. I wasn't that worried. I have great confidence in my own charm."

Xiao Liang argued against his true feelings.

Then the two exchanged a glance and burst out laughing in unison.

"I should go."

An hour later, the last embers of the sunset had completely faded. Xiao Liang rose and stepped off the cliff, then turned back and waved to Qin Long atop the mountain in final farewell.

Qin Long brushed at her hair as she looked down. The clouds and mist parted, and Pandora flapped her bat wings, carrying that man away into the distance.

(End of Chapter)