Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Night Is Beautiful
The two men looked at the elder in astonishment.
Could it be that the Grand Elder intended to move against the Zhao family?
That was a branch of the royal bloodline of the Zhao Kingdom. Though they had been relegated to Wen City and isolated from the main line, their patriarch had once been the illustrious and powerful Marquis of Might within the royal clan. Had it not been for the offense committed years ago, which led to his banishment to Wen City by the monarch, their current standing would surely be even more exalted.
“What makes the Zhao family untouchable? If not for the sake of the royal family of Zhao, Wen City would never tolerate their presence…” The elder, as if reading the thoughts of the two, spoke coldly and arrogantly.
Upon hearing the Grand Elder’s words, a gleam flashed in Changsun Qingliu’s eyes.
“By the way, have those people left the city?” he asked.
“Reporting to the Young Clan Leader, they have not yet departed. At present, they are staying at the Fulai Inn…” Changsun Wucai replied.
“Then let us wait for them to leave the city, and deal with them all at once…” Changsun Qingliu said, murderous intent rising in his gaze.
——
The sun rises, the sun sets.
A few days passed quietly by.
Within the main hall of the An family, everyone exchanged toasts and laughter, the atmosphere lively and joyful.
After several rounds of wine, Lin Cheng rose to his feet. “Since I left Lin Family Village, this is the place where I have felt most at home…”
As he spoke, he glanced at An’an and Qiu Yingying, affection shining in his eyes.
“You rascal, if you ever dare to let down An’er and Yingying in the future, we won’t forgive you…” An Zhan laughed and scolded.
“Speaking of which, little Lin, when will you call me ‘father-in-law’ so I can hear it?” Qiu Nan teased from the side.
Ah!
Lin Cheng’s face flushed bright red, and he was instantly at a loss for words.
After all, he was still only seventeen, and matters of marriage were altogether foreign to him.
The two girls blushed deeply, their faces as red as ripe apples. Looking up at Qiu Nan and the others, they pouted, “Father, you… you’re so mean… We won’t talk to you anymore!”
Watching the children’s shy antics, the elders burst into hearty laughter.
Another round of drinking ensued.
That night.
The moon shone faintly, and dark birds circled the trees thrice, finding no branches to perch upon.
Everyone was thoroughly drunk.
Only Lin Cheng, who retained a sliver of clarity, quietly slipped away with the help of the two girls.
No one noticed the storage pouch he placed inconspicuously on the table before leaving.
An family’s side estate.
Inside the chamber, the two girls supported Lin Cheng, one on each side.
The maidenly scent from them stirred Lin Cheng’s heart. His blood raced, a burning heat rising from his abdomen, his breaths growing ever more ragged.
The girls seemed to sense the change in him and hurriedly helped him onto the bed, preparing to leave.
Lin Cheng grasped their arms firmly, pulling them into his embrace.
—
The girls’ hearts beat nervously, like startled fawns, hands clutching the hem of Lin Cheng’s clothes.
They pressed their heads tightly against his chest, listening to the powerful thumping of his heart, their own breathing growing chaotic.
The dryness in his throat made Lin Cheng swallow repeatedly.
Secretly, the girls glanced at the movement of his Adam’s apple, unconsciously snuggling closer to him.
That movement nearly undid Lin Cheng entirely.
The energy within him surged like a volcano, scorching hot, his blood threatening to boil away, his mind drifting…
He clung desperately to the last shred of clarity in his mind, his arms holding the girls ever tighter.
Sensing his state, the girls became even more flustered, their breathing quickening.
...
No!
Just as Lin Cheng’s final thread of reason was about to snap, he bit his tongue hard, quelling the fire of desire within.
He was about to depart, uncertain when he would return. How could he so hastily rob them of their purity?
His blood gradually calmed.
Lin Cheng gently patted their shoulders and said softly, “Did I startle you? I…”
The girls raised their heads, placing their hands gently on his lips, whispering, “Let’s just spend this night quietly together, shall we?”
Lin Cheng gazed at them with deep affection and nodded vigorously.
The two girls nestled their heads once more against his chest and murmured softly.
“Will Lin Cheng forget us?”
“No.”
“You’ll meet girls better than us someday. Then you won’t remember us…”
“To me, you are irreplaceable.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“If… you don’t come back, we’ll go find you…”
“I will surely return!”
...
The moon gradually hid behind the clouds, as if witnessing this scene and finally finding its answer.
The girls fell asleep on Lin Cheng’s chest.
Lin Cheng, now fully awake, found himself unable to sleep.
Watching the girls slumber peacefully upon his chest, a sweet smile curved his lips.
Suddenly, something occurred to him, and he quickly closed his eyes to enter his spiritual consciousness.
——
Morning.
The rosy dawn leapt across the sky, turning the blue-black velvet aglow.
The sky was as blue as sapphire freshly washed.
The girls awoke from their deep sleep.
They shook their heads lightly, feeling as though they had slept for a very long time.
This, of course, was Lin Cheng’s doing.
—
Because last night, after some gentle coaxing, he used the Fire Spirit Pearl once more, channeling the ancestral fire energy to grant the girls fire spirit roots.
Thus, both of them now possessed dual-attribute spirit roots.
Not seeing Lin Cheng on the bed, the girls were startled!
A wave of disappointment surged in their hearts, tears glistening in their eyes.
Just as they feared Lin Cheng had departed without a word, the door creaked open.
Lin Cheng appeared in the room.
“Lin Cheng!”
The girls, unable to care about anything else, rushed into his arms.
He gently patted their backs and joked, “Was it comfortable lying on me last night?”
The two, who had almost started crying, blushed and bashfully beat on his chest.
“Ah, you two made it hard for your big brother Lin—I didn’t even dare to move…”
Understanding the implication, the girls glared at him in mock anger.
Sensing something unusual within themselves, they quickly turned their senses inward.
Opening their eyes slowly, they were filled with surprised delight.
They now had energy of two attributes in their bodies, and their cultivation had advanced two realms.
“Big brother Lin, what is this?” Yingying asked.
They knew this must be connected to Lin Cheng.
Seeing their expressions, Lin Cheng smiled mysteriously.
“I don’t know either. Why don’t you try sleeping with me again tonight?”
Teased by Lin Cheng, the girls blushed shyly, yet a hint of anticipation lingered.
——
Holding their delicate hands, Lin Cheng walked with them through the sea of flowers in the An family’s garden.
Before them stretched an expanse of purple.
Beautiful butterflies fluttered among the blossoms, occasionally circling the three of them in a graceful dance.
They strolled in silence.
The girls knew this might be Lin Cheng’s last day in Dragon City, and they only wished to quietly stay by his side.
Sensing their mood, Lin Cheng did not wish to see them sad.
“When I come back, shall I take you both to Lin Family Village?”
The girls stopped, gazing deeply at him.
An’an said, “You have to keep your word, Lin Cheng. An’an will wait for you…”
Yingying: “Big brother Lin, will you come back soon?”
“I promise I will!”
Lin Cheng drew them into his arms, holding them tightly.
In that moment, time stood still.