With the Bamboo Emperor dealt with, Ye Chu did not linger in Yao City for long. Since Tan Miaotong had mentioned that someone from the Tan family would come looking for her, Ye Chu took her with him and headed straight for Wuxin Peak.
Along the way, accompanied by a beauty, Ye Chu was naturally in high spirits. Tan Miaotong possessed a refreshing beauty, delicate and charming, as if made of water. Being with her made Ye Chu feel that even his own heart had grown purer, stripping away any lingering restlessness.
Every time he teased her, Tan Miaotong’s pretty face would flush pink, her shy and exquisite expression a delight to behold. Such a beautiful sight made Ye Chu’s eyes fixate almost blankly.
“Miaotong, who did your family send to look for you?” Ye Chu asked Tan Miaotong curiously. As he spoke, his gaze fell on her eyelashes. Watching the long lashes tremble, Ye Chu felt a sudden urge to test whether he could balance a matchstick on them.
Although Tan Miaotong had grown accustomed to Ye Chu’s intense gaze along the journey, she still felt inexplicably shy, her reaction stirring his soul.
“I do not know either, but since my father discovered I ran away from home, he will definitely send many people to find me,” Tan Miaotong replied.
“Then we had better speed up and return to Wuxin Peak as soon as possible.” At his current strength, bringing a few people into Qingmi Mountain was no problem for Ye Chu. He also did not wish to clash with the Tan family, so it would be best to bring Tan Miaotong to Wuxin Peak before they could find her.
“What do you think? If the Tan family and Wuxin Peak were to arrange a marriage alliance, do you think there is any chance?” As Ye Chu spoke, he winked at Tan Miaotong, a smile playing on his lips.
“Ah…” Tan Miaotong’s complexion instantly shifted from fair to flushed pink, an inexplicable charm radiating from her delicate and captivating presence. Ye Chu stared again, momentarily stunned, thinking she truly was a wonderful creature.
Tan Miaotong walked ahead, her long skirt swaying, the hem tracing beautiful arcs that lent her an ethereal grace.
“If you tease me again, I will… I will ask Qing Wenting to beat you up!” Tan Miaotong said, trying to sound fierce. However, making such an expression with her exquisite features only added to her delicate cuteness.
“Qing Wenting?” Ye Chu laughed. “She does not even know where she is, and you still hope she will protect you? By the time she arrives, it will be far too late. I will have already bullied you thoroughly. Do you really think the bad guy she talks about is a pushover?”
Ye Chu put on a fierce expression, as if about to pounce on Tan Miaotong. Amused by his playful antics, Tan Miaotong laughed, gave him a sideways glance with her beautiful eyes, and continued walking ahead with her graceful figure, ignoring him.
Ye Chu shrugged, thinking he was failing terribly at playing the villain. Even Tan Miaotong was no longer afraid of him. It seemed he still needed to train properly. Having no intimidation over women was rather embarrassing.
Ye Chu stepped forward to walk shoulder to shoulder with Tan Miaotong. Leaning slightly towards her, he could even catch the faint fragrance emanating from her body. As their arms swung, he managed to brush against her warm, soft hand without leaving a trace.
That warm, soft sensation, though only a fleeting touch, was incredibly stirring. Almost reflexively, Ye Chu reached out and held Tan Miaotong’s hand, his palm enveloping its gentle warmth.
Tan Miaotong’s body stiffened slightly, but soon relaxed. She stopped walking and turned her head to look at Ye Chu with burning eyes.
Ye Chu felt slightly unsettled under Tan Miaotong’s clear gaze, wondering if his teasing intentions were too obvious. With her staring at him, he prepared to make a few light remarks and let go of her hand.
But just as Ye Chu was about to speak, Tan Miaotong turned around again and continued walking forward. As if nothing had happened. If Ye Chu had not glanced sideways and seen her ears completely flushed, he would have been completely fooled by her.
However, seeing Tan Miaotong pretending to be calm, Ye Chu naturally had no intention of letting go. He thought that since she had kissed him before, it was hardly excessive for him to hold her hand now. The journey was long, and even if he did nothing else, having a beauty by his side and feeling her gentle warmth was a deeply happy thing.
Ye Chu occasionally gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Tan Miaotong’s hand was smooth as jade, warm and comfortable. Once Ye Chu held it, he did not want to let go. Walking hand in hand, a sense of warmth spread between them, and a faint romance diffused from the contact.
Ye Chu continued to tease Tan Miaotong along the way, and Tan Miaotong played along. Although they were holding hands, they both acted consistently, as if they had automatically forgotten about it.
Amidst this faint romance, Ye Chu and Tan Miaotong grew closer to Wuxin Peak. Ye Chu felt a hint of joy in his heart. After being away for so long, he could finally go home.
To Ye Chu, Wuxin Peak was his home.
“Another half a day’s walk, and we will reach our destination,” Ye Chu said to Tan Miaotong with a smile, unable to resist giving her hand another squeeze. Her hand looked slender and delicate, but the feel of it was exquisite.
Tan Miaotong’s face lit up with joy, but just as she was about to speak, she noticed Ye Chu’s expression had grown serious. This made Tan Miaotong ask curiously, “What is wrong?”
Ye Chu did not speak. His gaze locked onto a specific direction, his body tensed as he released Tan Miaotong’s hand.
When Ye Chu let go, Tan Miaotong suddenly felt a sense of emptiness, and her expression also turned serious. Along the entire journey, Ye Chu had been reluctant to release her hand.
“Since you are here, you might as well come out,” Ye Chu shouted into the void, his voice echoing continuously.
Hearing Ye Chu’s shout, Tan Miaotong was slightly stunned, wondering if her family’s people had found her so quickly.
“No wonder you are capable of killing the Bamboo Emperor. You are truly extraordinary. To actually detect our presence!” A voice laughed loudly. As the sound rang out, three cultivators stepped out from a rift in the void, their eyes burning as they fixed on Ye Chu.
“Who are you?” Ye Chu stared at the three before him. They wore magnificent robes, were no longer young, and exuded a palpable killing intent.
“Blood Guards!” one of them replied calmly.
Those three words made Ye Chu’s heart skip a beat, filling him with dread. He had heard of the Blood Guards from the Bamboo Emperor and knew they were a terrifying organisation. He had not expected them to track him down so quickly. Seeing the three position themselves to surround him, Ye Chu’s expression darkened.
Every member of the Blood Guards was an Emperor-tier expert. Ye Chu struggled greatly even against one, with more losses than victories. Now there were three. How could he fight? If he were alone, he would not be afraid, but with Tan Miaotong by his side, Ye Chu could not possibly abandon her and flee on his own.
Taking a deep breath, Ye Chu calmed himself and said to the three, “You certainly arrived quickly. What do you want? Are you here to avenge the Bamboo Emperor?”
“Rules breakers like that deserve to die. He discovered that item and actually acted on his own without informing the Blood Guards. What a fool!” one of them sneered. “This time, you can hand it over, can you not?”
One of them stared at Ye Chu, his killing intent vibrating continuously.