Chapter 541: Drinking Alone Late at Night

It had to be said, the Cultivators living in the Barbaric Zone were indeed much more open.

They were direct, speaking their minds without hesitation—frank and decisive.

Of course, there were exceptions.

Lin Qiyun, for example, had always lived a secluded life, as gentle, quiet, and tender as a well-bred lady.

Even if Ye Chen was clueless about such matters, he could tell that Qing Lian was using the alcohol as an excuse to confess her feelings for him.

Qing Lian was truly a great beauty. Her long eyelashes fluttered, and a captivating, flirtatious light emerged from her hazy eyes.

Her delicate body, as soft and warm as jade, pressed tightly against Ye Chen’s, full of surprising suppleness.

A thread of heat coursed through Ye Chen’s veins. He took a deep breath, his entire body burning with an unbearable heat.

The most primitive of human desires seemed to spread and expand endlessly in his heart until it had enveloped his entire being.

If he followed his instincts, he could have easily pulled Qing Lian into his arms and had his way with her.

Since she had thrown herself at him so proactively, she likely wouldn’t refuse.

But now was not the time for such things.

Ye Chen still had many things to do. How could he let himself be tied down by romantic entanglements?

Besides, he was, at least publicly, Lin Qiyun’s husband.

Although he didn’t acknowledge this marriage agreement in his heart—after all, he could leave the Black Triangle at any moment, and the engagement had been forced on him without his knowledge.

But Lin Qiyun’s meticulous care for him over the past two months made it impossible for him to disregard her feelings.

Finally, Ye Chen stood up. He lifted Qing Lian, who was leaning against him and seemed about to fall asleep, and carried her out of the great hall where the celebration banquet was being held.

The others were still immersed in the lively atmosphere, half-drunk and half-sober, and didn’t notice Ye Chen’s departure.

Of course, a few people did notice, but they shared a tacit understanding not to meddle and simply pretended they hadn’t seen anything.

Only Zhao Tiankuo’s eyelid twitched as he sighed inwardly.

‘As expected, he couldn’t resist the temptation after all.’

‘A peerless beauty like Qing Lian, with her distinguished status and remarkable cultivation talent… if she threw herself at a man, how many could possibly refuse?’

Zhao Tiankuo could understand, but he didn’t approve of Ye Chen’s actions.

‘It seems I’ll have to keep this a secret when I get back. It would be bad if Young Master Qiyun found out about this.’

The night deepened. Pale moonlight cascaded down, draping the earth in a silver-white veil.

The celebration banquet was drawing to a close.

Everyone was either dead drunk and had passed out on the spot, or they were getting up to leave and head back to their quarters.

Zhao Tiankuo also got up to leave. He didn’t walk with the other members of the Vermilion Bird Tribe, instead heading to his quarters alone.

However, as he walked, his gaze was suddenly drawn to a familiar figure.

“Hm?”

“Sir?”

Zhao Tiankuo froze, stunned.

He never would have expected to see Ye Chen here.

Ye Chen was sitting alone on the stone steps outside the great hall’s entrance. He was looking up at the moon, occasionally lifting a wine jug to his lips for a drink.

He had a carefree and unrestrained air about him, a stark contrast to his usual calm and otherworldly demeanor.

“Sir… what are you doing here?”

Zhao Tiankuo hesitated for a moment before walking over.

“Oh, is the banquet over?”

Seeing Zhao Tiankuo, Ye Chen just smiled and continued to drink by himself.

“Yes, everyone has already left.”

Zhao Tiankuo approached Ye Chen and asked cautiously, “Sir, are you… finished?”

Hearing this, Ye Chen nearly spat out his wine. He wiped the corner of his mouth and said irritably, “What are you thinking? What do you mean, ‘am I finished’?”

“But I clearly saw you leave carrying Lady Qing Lian…” Zhao Tiankuo said, somewhat embarrassed.

“Oh, I’d had enough of the banquet, but seeing as she was completely out of it, it didn’t feel right to just leave her there.”

“So I just helped her back to her room to rest, and then I left.”

Ye Chen said nonchalantly.

“So that’s how it was…” Zhao Tiankuo wiped the cold sweat from his brow. “I thought you were going to do something to betray Young Master Qiyun. It seems I was overthinking things.”

Ye Chen shook his head. “Young master-in-law… I might not always be your young master-in-law. I won’t let that identity tie me down.”

Zhao Tiankuo was taken aback. “Sir, have you already decided to leave our tribe?”

“Leaving is certain… As for when, that’s hard to say.” Ye Chen didn’t hide it.

The night was deep. After talking with Ye Chen a while longer, Zhao Tiankuo departed, looking somewhat dejected.

After witnessing Ye Chen’s formidable strength, he had undoubtedly accepted this young master-in-law from the bottom of his heart.

Besides, if Ye Chen hadn’t intervened this time, he would have died long ago in the mines of Jade Crane Mountain. How would he have made it back alive?

Having Ye Chen around was an absolutely wonderful thing for the Vermilion Bird Tribe.

But Ye Chen was determined to leave, which left Zhao Tiankuo feeling helpless and disappointed.

He could see that the young man seemed to be carrying many burdens.

But with his abilities, he clearly couldn’t be of much help, so since Ye Chen didn’t bring it up, Zhao Tiankuo didn’t press the matter.

After Zhao Tiankuo left, Ye Chen was once again alone on the stone steps.

He sighed, finished the wine in the jug, and then leisurely stood up.

No one knew how much resistance he had faced when trying to leave Qing Lian’s chambers earlier.

Qing Lian’s jade-like arms had desperately clung to his, her words continuously begging him to stay.

The faint fragrance from the young woman’s body wafted into his nostrils, sending Ye Chen’s mind racing and his heart pounding.

Ye Chen himself didn’t know how much willpower it had taken to finally break free from Qing Lian and walk out of the room.

As he left, he thought he heard a barely audible sigh from within the room.

He could only pretend he hadn’t heard it.

Was the young woman in the room awake, or had she passed out drunk?

Ye Chen didn’t know, nor did he want to find out, fearing that if he lingered for even a moment longer, he would lose control and do something reckless.

‘I’ll set off in two days.’

Ye Chen returned to his residence and spent the rest of the night asleep.

He hadn’t had a proper night’s sleep in a long time. He used to spend his nights cultivating; only recently, while his injuries were still healing, had he occasionally closed his eyes to rest.

But since he wasn’t used to sleeping, he never slept very deeply.

Tonight, however, he could use the alcohol to finally get a good night’s sleep.

「In the blink of an eye, two days had passed.」

The members of the Vermilion Bird Tribe were mostly recovered, and Ye Chen prepared to embark on the return journey.