Chapter 438 - Farewell

Back in the Turquoise Willow Residence, Liu Lan kept quiet as she led Long Chen to her place.

“Brother Chen, what is she doing?” Ling Xi pouted.

“Don’t know, but I think it will be alright.” If he were the same as how he was back in Baiyang Town, he would’ve been seduced by Liu Lan, but now he was indifferent to her.

Long Chen recalled how he saw her bathing here last time. Her pale skin and smooth body were definitely alluring. Liu Lan was now walking in front of him, her curvaceous body still capable of seducing any man.

They sat in the courtyard, and it was already late at night. The weak light coming from the candle illuminated Liu Lan’s skin in a sensual way that urged people to bite her gently. A faint scent lingered in the air that tempted those who smelled it. The atmosphere was filled with sexual tension.

“Long Chen, I don’t know who the beautiful girl that stood by your side was. She appears and disappears at random times...” Liu Lan said calmly as she stared at the sky.

Ling Xi was not a secret to her after the incident on Nine Devils Mountain. Long Chen explained Ling Xi’s predicament to Liu Lan. He had been searching for someone to talk to about it, and now he had found that someone, Liu Lan. He continued to tell his story to her.

Liu Lan lowered her head after hearing him. “Thank you for treating me as a friend and telling me so much. It’s already late.”

Long Chen nodded. “And that’s why I need to leave now. I don’t know when I will return. Fate has a cruel way of toying with people ...”

Liu Lan nodded and raised her head, her captivating face just inches away from his. “I’m so jealous of that lady to have a man like you working hard for her. She can probably hear me right now, right? You two must cherish your relationship, because it’s not easy to find someone you’re so compatible with. I’ve been searching for a bond like yours, but perhaps I’m too ugly to have one ...”

Long Chen felt awkward.

He did understand her, but Ling Xi was the one he had to cherish and protect. His heart had no room for Liu Lan. Not only Liu Lan, Long Chen also had to turn down Murong Yu from the Heavenly Demon Palace. He knew that Murong Yu was attracted to him, but he had to turn her down.

“Don’t worry. You are a kind person. You will find your love in the future.” Long Chen smiled sheepishly.

“That’s not true. I might’ve had a chance if more people tried to court me, but I don’t think anyone will do so after what you did today. You have to compensate me!” Liu Lan’s eyes revealed her intentions to tease him.

“Compensate? How?”

Liu Lan stared at him shyly. “See, I’m sure that no one else will approach me. I will continue to grow older and will most likely lose my feminine charm in ten years or so. I don’t think you consider me ugly, and I also think it’s a shame that someone as pretty as me is destined to be alone. So when you decide to leave, I’ve decided to give myself to you. Don’t worry, I don’t need you to be responsible. I just want to feel what it's like to be a woman. I just want to say ... Long Chen, I don’t think I can be attracted to any other man in this world.”

Liu Lan’s bold words, her playful gaze, and her snow-white cleavage in the moonlight ... All of her actions exuded so much charm that Long Chen was stunned. He knew that almost no one would refuse her if she said the same thing.

But he cannot follow her demands.

“Hahaha. Look at how frightened you are. I’m just toying with you. I’m more afraid that the little lady will come out and tear me to pieces.” Liu Lan covered her mouth and chuckled.

Long Chen sighed in relief.

“Alright, I think I’ve said what I needed to. Any more and I might really miss you. Long Chen, go. Goodbye ... Or more precisely, farewell.” Liu Lan stood up and smiled. Her eyes were resolute while sending off Long Chen.

Long Chen stood up. He knew that she was right. Their relationship was slightly complicated, and if they were to talk further, it would only make them feel sad. “Don’t worry. We will see each other again if fate allows it.”

Liu Lan didn’t answer him and continued smiling.

Long Chen confirmed that she was indeed just teasing him. He never thought that he had the charisma to make Liu Lan submit to him like a moth to the flames. He nodded and disappeared into the night sky after saying goodbye.

Liu Lan slowly slumped onto the ground after Long Chen disappeared and cried. Tears stained her sleeves and robe.

She continued crying until she fell asleep in the courtyard.

***

Xiaolang was already waiting for him when he returned to the Silver family’s residence. Long Chen knew that Xiaolang was sad just from seeing how crestfallen he looked.

“Let’s go.” Xiaolang wanted to see Yin Mengyao before they left. They had spent an entire day together, and Long Chen thought that it was enough time. He took Xiaolang and ran towards Baiyang Town. With Xiaolang’s speed, they arrived in no time. Long Chen didn’t want to disturb the Yang family, so he decided to just sneak in and look at them from afar. He would be content as long as the Yang family Patriarch, Yang Xueqing, Yang Yuntian, Yang Qingxuan, and everyone else in the family remained safe.

Thankfully, the imperial family didn’t send anyone to destroy them, or I would’ve regretted my decisions. I should just ask Master to invite them to the capital so that I don’t have to worry about them.

Yang Xueqing was asleep. Long Chen looked at her a few more times through the window, and felt tears well up in his eyes. He sighed. “I know that our relationship is not the best, but she’s still my mother. She still raised me a little. I wonder if I will ever see her again.”

“Brother Chen, why don’t you wake her up?”

“No need. It will just be even more sad.” Long Chen smiled, “Let’s go see my father one last time before you refine the Nine Heavens Immortal Fruit.”

Ling Xi bit her lip and nodded.

They approached the woods just outside Baiyang Town. Long Chen retraced his steps and soon found Long Qinglan’s grave.

“Father, I won’t say much. I’m on the path to becoming the strongest. The secret of the Dragon Jade Pendant and your identity ... I will slowly unravel their truths. Xiao Xi, come out.”

Xiao Xi came out of the ear stud after he finished talking.

“Father, look closely. This is your daughter-in-law, Ling Xi. She’s not my wife just yet, but I will make sure she agrees to my proposal in front of everyone else one day!”

LIng Xi was touched by his words. She looked at Long Qinglan’s grave and said, “I will also call you ‘father.’ I swear that I will always stay by Long Chen’s side!”

“Alright, I think my father heard what you said. Let’s go ...”

Long Chen wasn’t too hung up on his family. He knew this day would come. He had seen everyone he cared for and no longer had any regrets. Now he only needed to wait to see which path he should take.

Long Chen, Ling Xi, and Xiaolang returned to Baiyang Town. Long Chen’s old house was just outside of the Yang family estate. He hadn’t been home in a year, so it was filled with dust. He released some Qi and blew out the dust to make the place more hospitable.

Standing in the courtyard, Long Chen looked up at the cloudy sky. The wind was howling and thunderous booms could be heard. It was going to rain soon.

“Xiao Xi, you can start now.”

Back in his room, Long Chen urged her to start. Even though his voice was calm, he couldn’t hide the anxiety in his eyes.

There was only him and Ling Xi inside the room. Xiaolang was guarding outside and didn’t want to interrupt them. Even so, he was very anxious about the results.

It was time to refine the Nine Heavens Immortal Fruit. If they didn’t, it would become ineffective in five days.

No matter what, they need to face it now.

The skies continued to rumble, and the occasional lightning flash illuminated the room and turned Long Chen’s face white.

Ling Xi was shrouded in white fog as she floated in front of him. Even though she was nothing but a spirit now, her beautiful face, pale skin, and luminous eyes were very real.

Her body gradually grew bigger until she was back to her regular size. This was the first time in a long time that Long Chen had seen her face up close when she was at her normal size. He had grown used to seeing her as a small humanoid, but now Ling Xi’s anxious face was just inches away.

The familiar scent reached Long Chen’s nose.

“Brother Chen, can I please beg you one last time? I don’t care if I have to stay in this form. I want to accompany you forever, and I won’t regret it ...” She was close to sobbing.