A figure hurtled toward the gate from the distance, bearing a large animal hide pack on his back stuffed full of materials crudely sliced from monsters. He looked utterly disheveled; the hide armor was torn in places, exposing sinewy muscle, and his black hair was laced with grit and debris.
Whoosh!
He burst through the city entrance without the slightest pause.
The guards on duty blinked in surprise upon seeing the man, then exchanged incredulous glances. “Isn’t that Commander Yun?”
...
With Yun Shaojing’s return, the Base City instantly erupted into an uproar. The gaze of numerous military camps, even those housing high-ranking generals, fixed upon this man. The news of Yun Shaojing’s return spread rapidly throughout the city.
Inside a secluded villa.
Yun Shaojing, having changed into casual attire, reclined comfortably by a pool, casually asking a middle-aged man standing nearby, “Any significant changes in the Base City while I was away?”
The middle-aged man shook his head, offering a faint smile. “No major shifts. Hua Bule and his cronies have been quite subdued. However, lately, that man who’s been seen everywhere with Miss Murong has issued a formal challenge to you, creating quite a stir across the city.”
“A challenge?” Yun Shaojing’s eyebrow arched, a flicker of killing intent crossing eyes that previously seemed indifferent. “How dare someone challenge my authority! They court death!” He paused, frowning slightly. “Was Hua Bule behind this?”
The middle-aged man shook his head. “Hua Bule already dismissed him. This fellow simply doesn’t know his place; thinking he can compete with Miss Murong for your affection is utter delusion!”
Yun Shaojing gave a cold laugh. “No matter. A mere ant. I intended to let him hop around for a while longer, but since he’s determined to dig his own grave, I’ll oblige him.”
The middle-aged man smiled. “Young Master, when do you plan to make your move?”
Yun Shaojing waved a hand dismissively. “The risks I took outside this time were substantial. Although my strength improved significantly, I sustained internal injuries—my bones and sinews were violently shaken. I need several days of recuperation. While dispatching a nobody like that is as easy as turning over my hand, I must avoid aggravating the wound and creating future complications. Let him keep jumping for a few more days!”
The middle-aged man nodded. “I shall inform the Medical Department to send some recovery aids over.”
Yun Shaojing closed his eyes.
The middle-aged man, understanding the cue, quietly withdrew.
...
“Did you hear? Yun Shaojing is back.”
“If he didn’t return soon, I’d have sworn he perished out there.”
“That brat is done for now.”
Generals murmured amongst themselves everywhere.
At the residence.
Ye Chen slipped on the long robe Murong Xue had painstakingly sewn for him. It fit perfectly: snug across the torso, with the hide trousers below being comfortably loose, cinched tightly at the ankles with drawstrings to prevent them from flapping during high-speed sprints.
“My handiwork isn’t bad, is it?” Murong Xue asked, looking quite pleased as Ye Chen stood up in the new garments.
Ye Chen smiled faintly. “Why didn't you sew one for yourself?”
“I have my own,” Murong Xue winked slyly. “My father hunted a Level 65 Black-Striped Beast, and he used its hide to fashion me a set of soft leather armor and a short skirt. I rarely get a chance to wear it unless I’m actively fighting.”
Ye Chen managed a wry smile.
Rumble~~~
A deep thunder suddenly rolled across the sky. The wind began to howl, and the world outside rapidly darkened. The thunder sounded like war drums, shaking heaven and earth.
Murong Xue walked to the window and pushed it open. A fierce wind rushed in, sweeping through her silken hair and fluttering her clothing. She tilted her head back, gazing at the sky choked with heavy, dark clouds, where lightning snaked between them, punctuated by the low, resonant booms of thunder.
“It’s going to rain,” Murong Xue murmured softly, her gaze distant and fixed on the horizon.
Ye Chen approached. The raging wind slammed into him, carrying a few stray droplets of rain that struck his face with a cool sensation. He turned to look at her; her face was inches away, her eyes shadowed with a quiet sadness. A faint, delicate fragrance drifted from her perfumed shoulders.
He found himself momentarily transfixed.
Boom—
Thunder cracked deafeningly, and the wind roared in fury. Soon, a steady drizzle began to fall from the dark clouds, rapidly enveloping the earth, soaking the green forests clinging to the distant mountain peaks. Many monsters bolted from the cover, tilting their heads back to howl at the sky.
A gust of wind slanted the rain diagonally, blowing a few drops into the room.
Ye Chen looked up. The clouds were like ink, showing no sign of dissipating. He sighed softly. “It looks like you won’t be able to leave anytime soon. Sit down for a while.”
Murong Xue nodded gently, then turned to close the window securely against the wind-driven rain. She walked to the living room sofa and sat down. Ye Chen watched her, unsure what to say, feeling a distinct awkwardness settling between them.
Outside, the rain intensified, and the wind grew more violent.
They sat on the sofa in silence. Ye Chen was not naturally talkative, and Murong Xue felt it inappropriate for a young woman to speak too much. Thus, silence claimed them both.
Until the heavy rain finally stopped.
Murong Xue rose to leave. Ye Chen escorted her to the edge of the property, watching until her figure vanished into the distance before retracting his gaze. He turned back inside, shook his head with a faint smile, and resumed his cultivation.
The next day...
Ye Chen returned from the wilderness just as Bailong and Mo Feng were approaching from nearby.
“What a coincidence,” Bailong’s eyes lit up as he smiled.
Ye Chen nodded slightly. The group walked into the Base City, chatting idly. Bailong and Yue Heng constantly recounted the terrifying and thrilling combat scenes they had encountered, often bickering playfully, which elicited occasional bursts of laughter from Zhuge Fan.
“Ye Chen.” A soft call echoed from the distance.
“Someone is calling you.”
“Huh, isn't that Miss Qianjin?”
Bailong and the others turned back in surprise.
Ye Chen turned around to see Murong Xue running toward him. She laughed playfully, feigning indignation. “You didn’t take me out hunting monsters again!”
Ye Chen rubbed his nose, managing a wry smile.
“Are these your friends?” Murong Xue looked over at Bailong and the others.
Ye Chen nodded.
Bailong clicked his tongue. “As expected of our boss, quite the charmer. Everyone, let’s retreat quickly. No need to play the third wheel.” With that, he tugged Yue Heng and the others away.
Ye Chen shot him a glare before turning back to Murong Xue. “He’s always like that; please don’t mind him.”
Murong Xue covered her mouth, chuckling. “Your friend is rather amusing.”
Ye Chen offered another wry smile.
Murong Xue walked up to him, her eyes shimmering like water, and asked sweetly, “You don’t mind taking a walk with me, do you?”
“I’m not busy,” Ye Chen shrugged.
They strolled down the street as the bustling crowds hurried past them.
“Oh, right,” Ye Chen suddenly recalled. He reached into a side pocket of his long robe and pulled out a string of pure white beast fangs. “These are the teeth of a rather magical small beast. Strung into a bracelet and worn, they can ward off common insect-type monsters.”
Murong Xue looked at the small teeth in surprise. “They have such a wondrous effect?”
Ye Chen nodded and handed them over.
“For me?” Murong Xue paused.
Ye Chen rubbed his nose. “This is a token of thanks for sewing my clothes last time.”
Murong Xue laughed sweetly. “Then I won't stand on ceremony.” She reached out, taking the dozen or so small fangs, fiddled with the string briefly, and tucked them into her pocket.
They continued walking, chatting casually.
They stopped at the entrance to a large manor. Murong Xue placed her small hands behind her back and smiled sweetly. “I’ve arrived home.”
Ye Chen glanced at the imposing structure—it was the Commander-in-Chief’s estate. He nodded slightly. “Then I’ll be heading back.” He waved his hand and turned to leave.
Murong Xue watched his retreating figure, pulled the beast-fang bracelet from her pocket, looked at it a few times, and then turned to walk into the manor.
The third day...
Ye Chen had just walked through the Base City gate after returning from the wilds when he heard a soft call from nearby. He turned to see Murong Xue jogging toward him. The familiar, delicate fragrance wafted from her as she stopped before him.
Murong Xue laughed playfully, lifting her hand to show him a bracelet on her fair wrist—a string of small beast fangs, quite beautiful. “I threaded this last night. Do you like it?”
Ye Chen smiled faintly, looking at her. “It’s very pretty.”
They walked on together, talking.
Ye Chen walked Murong Xue to the entrance of the manor where she resided, then turned toward the General’s Camp.
The third day... the fourth day...
Every day Ye Chen returned from outside the city, he found Murong Xue waiting at the gate. He had almost become accustomed to this vigil. As always, the two walked along the familiar streets, chatting as they went.