Chapter 42: Family
Shen Shuanglian couldn’t help but ask, “I never understood… why did you move away back then?”
“I heard you later had a falling out with your family and lived alone. What happened?”
Chen Yin remained silent, his gaze drifting towards the ceiling.
“If I tell you the whole story, it’ll be quite boring. You probably wouldn’t even want to hear it. It’s the kind of drama you see on those emotional talk shows all the time.”
Chen Yin said softly, “My parents were constantly fighting and wanted a divorce. There was domestic violence, and even the police couldn’t stop them. The divorce proceedings dragged on for years. They were able to endure it, but I couldn’t.”
“So, I dropped out of college and ran away to a different city. I cut off all contact with my family and tried to make a living with my meager writing skills, scribbling down melancholic words.”
“Then I realized I couldn’t even support myself. I thought about it and figured there wasn’t much point in living. Even if I found another job to make ends meet, life seemed meaningless.”
“Since I was all alone anyway, I thought I might as well end it all.” He shrugged casually, as if he wasn’t talking about his own life.
Shen Shuanglian was stunned.
She couldn’t fully comprehend his feelings, but seeing him smile while recounting such a painful past made her heart ache.
“But like I said, that’s all in the past.”
He put his hands behind his head, crossed his legs, and said leisurely, “Now, at least I have a home to return to. I’m happy on Mount Yu.”
“There’s nothing to miss about the past. It’s best to just forget it.”
Shen Shuanglian bit her lip gently and said softly, “Then your Master and Junior Sister must be very important family to you, right?”
Chen Yin’s usual playful demeanor faded, and he sighed softly after a long silence.
“…Yes.”
“I consider them my most important family now.”
“So, this wretched life of mine finally has some value.”
He didn’t need to worry about Master, that old loli granny.
But Xiang’er…
He had to see her happy and safe with his own eyes before he could be at peace.
This time, he wouldn’t let that nightmarish ending repeat itself.
“Speaking of which, I have something to ask you.”
Chen Yin suddenly turned to her with a serious expression. “Have you ever heard of Changli Palace?”
Changli Palace? Shen Shuanglian froze for a moment, then shook her head.
…So she hasn’t heard of it either. Chen Yin closed his eyes slowly.
“What’s wrong? Is there something wrong with this Changli Palace?”
“No… If you return to the sect safely, Senior Sister, could you please help me investigate if there are any records related to Changli Palace at the main branch?”
Shen Shuanglian was about to nod, then she frowned, her eyes filled with worry. “Aren’t you coming with me?”
“I still have things to do.”
Chen Yin patted her head reassuringly. “Take care of yourself first.”
Shen Shuanglian lowered her head, biting her lip and sulking silently.
Chen Yin said softly, “Don’t worry. I won’t be long.”
“I’ll come find you when everything is over.”
She looked up at him with teary eyes and nodded silently.
“Then we need to focus on recovering from our injuries.”
Chen Yin stretched and looked at Shen Shuanglian with a mischievous smile.
Shen Shuanglian sighed, a rare hint of feminine resentment in her eyes.
“We’re supposed to be healing. Get your mind out of the gutter.”
“No problem, no problem.”
“Don’t try anything funny like yesterday.”
“Okay, okay.”
“…Be gentle.”
“…I promise.”
***
As evening approached…
Shen Shuanglian was fast asleep in the cave, exhausted. Chen Yin carefully draped his robe over her and left the cave.
Under the dim moonlight, he stretched and swiftly flew towards the edge of the Heavenly Path Perilous Domain.
…Shen Shuanglian’s injuries had almost completely healed.
Although he was reluctant to leave this comfortable haven, he couldn’t afford to waste any more time.
He couldn’t receive any news from the outside world in the Perilous Domain, and he couldn’t be sure of Xiang’er’s safety. He needed to find her as soon as possible to ease his worries.
So, he decided to scout the path ahead tonight. If there were no dangers, he could take Shen Shuanglian out of this place tomorrow.
His journey was smoother than expected.
He didn’t encounter any dangerous creatures, and since this area was still the territory of the Purple-Whiskered Thunder Mane Tigers, he was able to travel unimpeded.
But after traveling for several miles, Chen Yin suddenly stopped.
He sensed several agitated auras not far away.
It seemed like a battle was taking place.
He quickly concealed himself and rushed towards the commotion.
***
Under the moonlight, the mother Purple-Whiskered Thunder Mane Tiger was perched on a rock, its eyes fixed menacingly on the figure before it, growling threateningly.
Facing it, Yu Xiang stood with her sword drawn, her beautiful eyes narrowed beneath the black veil.
“…As expected of the Heavenly Path Perilous Domain. I haven’t even traveled that far, and I’ve already encountered a beast of this level.”
“You still have the mood to complain?” The System’s voice echoed in her mind. “That’s a spirit beast comparable to a Supreme Clarity Realm expert! Can you even handle it in your current state?”
“Let me tell you, don’t expect me to help you. It’s because you insisted on going your own way and deviating from the plot that I’m also being punished along with you.”
The System’s voice even carried a hint of grievance.
Yu Xiang ignored it and said coldly, “Stop pretending. I don’t believe you don’t have any life-saving tricks up your sleeve.”
“Hurry up and use them. If I die, you’ll die too.”
“Damn it…” The System almost cursed.
Why did it have to be a System? It didn’t get any benefits, and it had to work like a slave, treating its host like a queen.
Was there any justice in this world?!
But in the end, the System gritted its teeth and said in a heartbroken voice:
“This is the last time! We might as well die together!”
A faint purple aura enveloped Yu Xiang’s sword, and her grip suddenly felt heavier.
…It was as if this sword strike could split heaven and earth.
The tiger seemed to sense the danger, a chilling aura emanating from the sword. It roared and lunged at Xiang’er without hesitation, its claws outstretched.
Yu Xiang’s expression remained calm as she thrust her sword towards the tiger.
But just before her sword connected, a sudden cough broke the tense atmosphere.
“Ahem.”
“I say, let’s not be so hasty. We can talk this out.”
Yu Xiang’s eyes widened in shock. Under the moonlight, a man stood beside the tiger, his face gentle, a soft smile on his lips as he stroked the tiger’s mane. He turned to her and chuckled softly:
“We meet again, Miss Yin.”
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