Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Night Is Beautiful

The two men looked at the elder in astonishment.

Could it be that the Grand Elder was planning to act against the Zhao family?

That was a branch of the royal bloodline of the Zhao Kingdom.

Although now isolated in Wencheng, their family head had once been the illustrious Marquis of Valor in the royal court.

If not for the errors that led to his banishment to Wencheng, their status today would certainly be even more exalted.

“What’s so untouchable about the Zhao family? Were it not for the sake of the royal bloodline, do you think Wencheng would tolerate their presence?” The elder, seeing through their thoughts, spoke with cold arrogance.

Longsun Qingliu’s eyes flashed with sharp intent at the Grand Elder’s words.

“By the way, have those people left the city yet?”

“Reporting to the Young Clan Leader, they have not yet left. They are currently staying at the Fortune Inn…” Longsun Wucai replied.

“Then we’ll deal with them all once they leave the city…” Longsun Qingliu said, murderous intent surging in his eyes.

——

The sun rose and set; days slipped quietly by.

In the great hall of the An family, everyone exchanged toasts and laughter, the atmosphere festive and warm.

After several rounds of wine, Lin Cheng stood up. “Since I left Lin Village, this is the place where I have felt most at home…”

As he spoke, his gaze lingered tenderly on An’an and Qiu Yingying.

“You brat, if you ever let down An’er or Yingying in the future, we won’t forgive you…” An Zhan scolded with a laugh.

“By the way, young Lin, when are you going to call me ‘father-in-law’? Let us hear it!” Qiu Nan teased from the side.

Uh!

Lin Cheng’s face flushed instantly; he was at a loss for words.

After all, he was only seventeen—a boy with no real concept of marriage or betrothal.

The two young women blushed deep red, as ripe as apples, and looking up at Qiu Nan and the others, they pouted, “Father, you… you’re so mean… We’re ignoring you!”

Watching the children’s bashfulness, the elders burst into hearty laughter.

Another round of drinking followed.

That night.

The moon shone bright, the sky scattered with few stars, and crows circled the trees thrice, finding no branch to perch.

Everyone was deeply drunk.

Only Lin Cheng, still somewhat clear-headed, quietly withdrew with the two young women supporting him.

No one noticed as he discreetly left a storage pouch on the table before departing.

In the An family’s side courtyard.

Inside the room, the two young women, one on either side, helped Lin Cheng into the chamber.

Breathing in their maidenly fragrance, Lin Cheng felt his heart race wildly and his blood surge.

A burning heat rose from his abdomen, his breath growing heavier.

The two girls seemed to sense his change, and after helping him onto the bed, they hurriedly turned to leave.

Lin Cheng caught them by the arm.

He pulled them into his embrace.

Their hearts fluttered like startled fawns, and their hands clutched at his robe.

Pressing their heads tightly to his chest, the girls listened to his strong heartbeat, their own breathing growing more ragged.

Lin Cheng’s throat was parched, and he swallowed repeatedly.

Secretly raising their eyes to watch his Adam’s apple move, the girls subconsciously snuggled closer in his arms.

That slight movement nearly drove Lin Cheng mad.

A certain part of him felt as if it might pierce the heavens.

Holding on to the last vestige of clarity in his mind, Lin Cheng hugged the two girls even tighter.

His large hands began to wander uncontrollably over their delicate backs.

Sensing the growing strength of his body, the girls clung to him in panic, their breaths coming in quick gasps.

…

No! He mustn’t!

Just as Lin Cheng’s final thread of rationality was about to snap, he bit his tongue hard, forcing down the flames of desire within.

He was leaving soon, with no idea when he would return—how could he so rashly take their innocence?

His blood slowly calmed.

Patting their delicate shoulders, Lin Cheng said softly, “I must have frightened you. I…”

The girls gently lifted their heads, one hand pressed to his lips. “Let’s just spend the night quietly like this… please…”

Lin Cheng gazed at them deeply and nodded.

Resting their heads again on his chest, the girls murmured softly,

“Will you forget us, Lin Cheng?”

“Never.”

“You’ll meet girls better than us someday, and then you’ll forget all about us…”

“In my heart, no one can take your place.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“If… you don’t come back, we’ll go and find you…”

“I promise I’ll return!”

…

The bright moon slowly vanished behind dark clouds, as if it too witnessed this moment and finally found its answer.

The two girls soon fell into a deep sleep on Lin Cheng’s chest.

But Lin Cheng, now wide awake, could not sleep at all.

Watching their peaceful, content faces as they drifted into dreams, the corners of his lips curled into a sweet smile.

Suddenly remembering something, he quickly closed his eyes and entered his spiritual consciousness.

——

At dawn.

The rosy light leaped into the sky, the dark-blue canopy lit up by gold.

The azure sky looked like a sapphire freshly washed in spring water.

The two girls woke from their deep sleep.

Shaking their heads softly, they felt as if they had slept for an eternity.

This, of course, was Lin Cheng’s doing.

For last night, under his gentle coaxing—

The Fire Spirit Pearl had once again come into play, drawing forth the ancestral fire spirit energy to forge fire spirit roots within the two girls.

From then on, they possessed dual-attribute spirit roots.

Not seeing Lin Cheng on the bed, the girls were startled.

A wave of loss swept through their hearts, and their eyes brimmed with tears.

Just as they thought Lin Cheng had left without saying goodbye, the door creaked open.

Lin Cheng entered the room.

“Lin Cheng!”

The girls rushed into his embrace, no longer caring for decorum.

He patted their backs and teased, “So, was it comfortable lying on me last night?”

The two, on the verge of tears, blushed furiously and began to playfully hit his chest.

“Hey, your Brother Lin suffered last night—didn’t dare move an inch…”

Understanding his meaning, the girls glared at him in feigned anger.

Noticing a strange sensation within, they quickly checked inward.

Their eyes opened wide in delight.

There were now two types of elemental energy within them, and their cultivation had risen by two ranks.

“Brother Lin, what happened?” Yingying asked at once.

They knew it must have something to do with him.

Seeing their wonder, Lin Cheng smiled mysteriously.

“I have no idea. Maybe you should try sleeping with me again tonight?”

His teasing made them both blush and look forward to it.

——

Hand in hand, they strolled through the sea of flowers in the An family’s garden.

All around them stretched a field of purple.

Beautiful butterflies darted among the blossoms, sometimes circling the three as if dancing in greeting.

They wandered in silence.

The girls knew this could be Lin Cheng’s last day in Dragon City; they wanted only to stay quietly by his side.

Sensing their sadness, Lin Cheng wished to ease their sorrow.

“When I get back, how about I take you both to Lin Village?”

The girls stopped, gazing at him with deep affection.

An’an said, “Brother Lin Cheng, a promise is a promise. I’ll be waiting for you…”

Yingying: “Brother Lin, will you come back soon?”

“I promise I will!”

Lin Cheng gathered them into his arms, holding them tightly.

Time seemed to freeze in that moment.

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