When the approaching figure came into clear view, not only did Nangong Shang's expression shift from surprise to elation, but Luo Ruofeng's face instantly lit up with sheer ecstasy. Only Zhuge Yishi offered a gentle smile, as if he had known all along...

He was still so fair and handsome, still possessed that beautiful countenance, still bore that familiar mischievous grin. The only difference was his perfectly neat hair, which seemed jarringly out of place compared to everyone else in this world...

"A-Yu..." Luo Ruofeng gasped his name, his now slightly robust body rising from his seat as he lunged towards Ye Jingyu...

The oppressive existence of the preceding days had nearly driven him mad. Without any strong support, he felt he had trod on thin ice with every step, living in constant anxiety. At this moment, the only one who could restore his courage was Ye Jingyu...

As if reuniting with a long-lost relative, Luo Ruofeng clasped Ye Jingyu tightly in his arms. Tears streamed from his eyes—tears of bitterness, deep concern, fervent hope, and a faint undercurrent of resignation...

His body trembled subtly, a mix of excitement, sorrow, and profound melancholy...

Seeing the tears welling in Luo Ruofeng's eyes and feeling the slight tremor of his frame, Ye Jingyu felt a pang of sorrow himself. From Ye Longyi's words, he had already suspected that Luo Ruofeng’s recent life had not been easy; otherwise, why would the Iron Army have been suppressed so ruthlessly?

He completely understood Luo Ruofeng’s feelings. In the Northern Expedition War, he had achieved the greatest merit among the three Young Masters, yet in the end, he received the least reward and even saw his forces continually curtailed. No one would feel good about that...

He was a Prince. Though naturally gentle in temperament, he was a Prince brimming with grand ambition. Now, not only were his aspirations stifled, but he had to worry about his very survival day and night. This existence was truly crushing him, making it hard to breathe...

In this moment, Luo Ruofeng was like a lost child desperately seeking the comfort of his parents...

No one paid heed to Luo Ruofeng’s momentary breakdown, even though he now held the title of a Prince...

Tears were not confined to Luo Ruofeng’s eyes; even the usually ice-cold face of Nangong Shang softened with a touch of melancholy, and a slight shimmer of moisture could even be detected in the eyes of Zhuge Yishi...

A year and a half. So much had transpired in that year and a half. In that year and a half, they had endured so much...

"My Lord, rest assured. I have returned. Everything will be alright. It absolutely will be..." Ye Jingyu patted Luo Ruofeng’s back forcefully, his voice firm with conviction. It was evident how highly Luo Ruofeng valued him—though this was not to say Luo Ruofeng was incompetent, it was simply that his adversaries were too powerful, far too powerful...

"Mmm..." Luo Ruofeng said no more, merely nodding heavily and wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes...

"Men! Prepare a feast! Tonight, my brothers, we drink until we drop!" Once his tears were dried, Luo Ruofeng had reverted to the confident, gentle-smiling figure he usually was. The recent gloom and frustration vanished instantly...

Joy spread across everyone’s faces. Dan Yun Manor held the grandest banquet in ages; there were no outsiders, no distinctions of rank or status. Luo Ruofeng, Ye Jingyu, Zhuge Yishi, Nangong Shang, Ye Longyi, Bieli, Ying Xiaoxiao, and even Lin Xiaoyi, Xiao Muzi, and Yi Ruoshui—all the men and women drank together wildly, without reserve...

Drunk, tired, asleep...

Ye Jingyu’s return swept away the lethargy and decline that had plagued them these past weeks...

If Zhuge Yishi was the overall brain, and Luo Ruofeng the heart of this collective, then Ye Jingyu was its fist. Every strategy, every move, required a strong backing of force. Without Ye Jingyu, even the most profound schemes they devised were difficult to execute...

As night slowly descended, in the waterside pavilion in the back garden of Dan Yun Manor, Luo Ruofeng, Ying Xiaoxiao, Bieli, and Ye Longyi were already snoring soundly, slumped over the tables. Even Nangong Shang was deeply engrossed, whispering sweet nothings to Yi Ruoshui in a state of blissful intoxication, while Xiao Muzi and Xiao Linzi had already tumbled into a corner to sleep...

The entire scene was utterly without restraint. If any calculating observer had witnessed it, they could have certainly lodged a substantial accusation against Prince Yong’an...

However, everyone in Dan Yun Manor belonged wholly to Luo Ruofeng, so they entertained no such worries...

Ye Jingyu glanced around at his companions, a faint smile touching his lips. They were the closest people to him outside of the Southern Barren Forest. Their happiness was his happiness, and he was determined to ensure they never faced danger again...

"What? You drank so much, yet you're not drunk yet?" Just then, a soft voice drifted into his ear...

"You aren't either," Ye Jingyu turned to see Zhuge Yishi approaching, holding a feather fan...

"I haven't touched any wine, so naturally I’m sober. But you drank a great deal. Is there some activity planned for tonight?" Zhuge Yishi inquired mildly...

"There is an activity, but it has nothing to do with you," Ye Jingyu rolled his eyes. This man was too perceptive...

"Heh, going now is ill-advised. The palace guard deployments are exponentially stronger than they used to be, you..."

"Can you please stop being so smart?" Ye Jingyu interrupted Zhuge Yishi before he could finish. How did this man already know he intended to visit the palace under the cover of night?

Zhuge Yishi offered a wry smile but continued, "I know your intentions, but going to the Imperial Palace right now is truly unsuitable..."

"Don't worry. Even if Luo Xiaofeng discovers me, he won't be able to keep me," Ye Jingyu stated with utter confidence...

Although his current strength wasn't enough to effortlessly slay a Martial Saint, escaping from one was still remarkably easy. With a bit of luck, killing a Martial Saint wouldn't be entirely out of the question...

The Heaven and Earth Star Spirit Arrow—that was a top-tier advanced spirit art...

Seeing Ye Jingyu’s confidence, Zhuge Yishi said no more, only recalling a line his grandfather had once uttered: Heaven envies true talent; beauty courts tragedy. What awaited this pair of lovers ahead?

"Alright, you handle the cleanup here. I’m leaving. I'll be back before dawn... If I don't return... well, I must have eloped with her. You all handle the rest," Ye Jingyu finished, his silhouette flashing as he vanished from the spot, leaving a speechless Zhuge Yishi behind...