Chapter 34: When Did They Get So Close?
Mingyan slept soundly. He couldn’t remember the last time he had slept so peacefully…
When he first arrived at Rain Terrace Blessed Land, he sometimes slept, but he was plagued by nightmares. After embarking on the path of cultivation, he rarely slept soundly.
Although he had been unconscious while being pursued, that wasn’t peaceful sleep. He had thought he was dying.
But today, with Huang Junyi by his side, he felt incredibly safe.
He slept deeply, without dreams. When he finally woke up, he rubbed his eyes, feeling slightly stronger and his mind clearer. He sat up and looked around, but Huang Junyi was gone. He got out of bed and tried to open the door, but it was locked.
…?
Mingyan was confused. What was going on?
He noticed a faint glow around the door frame, as if bound by some force. He looked around the room and saw several glowing runes. A formation had been activated.
Since he couldn’t open the door, he was trapped. The light outside seemed dim. It must be nighttime.
He didn’t panic, sat down cross-legged, and checked his body.
His current condition was far from his peak. Even his energy flow was sluggish. However, his body was gradually recovering, his strong constitution and the medicine he had consumed aiding in blood regeneration.
He should be fine after a few days of rest.
But why was he locked in here? Mingyan was puzzled. He waited patiently, and then Huang Junyi suddenly appeared in the room.
Her face was beaming, her smile widening when she saw he was awake. “Little brother? You’re awake?”
Seeing her joyful expression, Mingyan knew there must be good news. His anxiety vanished. “Sister, did the medicine work?”
“My sister has woken up! It’s a pity you can’t enter the inner courtyard. You should see her, you’re the hero of this story.” Huang Junyi’s voice was filled with excitement and joy, which was infectious. Mingyan smiled. “That’s good.”
Huang Junyi sat beside the bed. “How long have you been awake?”
“A while. I found the door locked, so I sat here for a bit.”
“Oh, I activated the formation and locked it. It can’t be opened from either side without us noticing. I wanted to check on my sister but didn’t want to leave you alone, so I resorted to this.” Huang Junyi chuckled. “Were you worried when you woke up and didn’t see me? Did you think the Huang family used you and then abandoned you?”
Mingyan shook his head. “I assumed you had something to attend to. I didn’t think that.”
“You… sometimes I worry you’re too trusting.” Huang Junyi sighed, slightly concerned. His trust in her and the Huang family was heartwarming, but he seemed too naive… too easily trusting.
“Sister, I’m not stupid. I can tell who has good intentions and who doesn’t.” Mingyan disagreed. “I know the Huang family and you wouldn’t harm me, so why would I worry?”
“You’re quite the smooth talker.” Huang Junyi sat up and tapped his forehead playfully. “Don’t let anyone fool you.”
Mingyan nodded seriously. “I won’t.”
Huang Junyi stared at him for a moment, then chuckled. “My sister just woke up. After she recovers a bit, she’ll likely come here to see the peach tree and meet you. When everything is settled, I’ll personally escort you back.”
“Wouldn’t that be too much trouble?” Mingyan asked tentatively. He no longer instinctively refused her offers. He knew that once this “sister” made up her mind, it was difficult to change it.
“What trouble?” Huang Junyi sat on the bed, crossing her legs, her long, slender legs partially visible beneath her dress. She folded her arms, her alluring figure making Mingyan avert his gaze.
“Then… I’ll have to trouble you, Sister,” he nodded, accepting her offer.
“That’s more like it.” Huang Junyi smiled, pleased. “Don’t always refuse others’ kindness. We women get hurt when we’re rejected too often~”
Mingyan blushed and looked away. Although this woman was kind to him, she was also a temptress… He mustn’t look.
Another voice called from outside. “Mingyan! Mingyan!”
“Feiyan’s here too. She probably wants to share the good news with you. But I was faster.” Huang Junyi waved her hand, and the glowing runes in the room dimmed. Huang Feiyan burst in, her face beaming, then her smile faltered slightly when she saw Huang Junyi. “Mingyan! My aunt is awake… Eh? Second Aunt? Weren’t you just in the inner hall?”
“I came to tell little brother the good news.” Huang Junyi winked innocently. “Who told you to be so slow?”
Little brother? Huang Feiyan felt slightly awkward. Her second aunt was truly playful. Mingyan was her friend, yet her aunt called him “little brother” and addressed her as “Sister.” The relationships were all messed up…
And she had been beaten to it. This felt strange. Why had her aunt rushed to share the good news with Mingyan? Faster than her? When did they become so close?
“So… Mingyan, you already know?” Huang Feiyan looked at him, hoping he would shake his head, but he nodded. She tilted her head, slightly disappointed. “Oh… I thought I was fast…”
Huang Junyi stood up, smiling playfully at Mingyan. “I’ll excuse myself for now and let you two youngsters chat.”
She then vanished.
Mingyan always tried to observe how she appeared and disappeared, but he could never detect any trace. She vanished too quickly, without a trace. Was the gap in their cultivation levels too large? Being followed by such a powerful cultivator was slightly unnerving, but fortunately, she was on his side.
After Huang Junyi left, Huang Feiyan approached him, smiling brightly, her hands clasped behind her back. “Thank you, Mingyan. Everything went smoothly, and my aunt is finally awake…”
“You’re welcome,” Mingyan shook his head. “I’m happy I could help.”
“Hehe,” Huang Feiyan chuckled, her face flushing slightly. “You… you might not know how important my aunt is to me… Before her coma, I always followed her around. My personality is quite similar to hers… My mother is either cultivating or handling family matters and rarely spends time with me. Second Aunt is… well, Second Aunt… So, only my aunt was there for me…”
“It was my fault she fell into a coma. I’ve always felt guilty, but with her unconscious, I didn’t even have a chance to apologize…” Huang Feiyan’s eyes reddened slightly. She pursed her lips. “Now, I can finally apologize… If it weren’t for you, I don’t know how long it would have taken…”
“Feiyan, you said there’s no need for thanks between friends,” Mingyan reminded her. “Why are you thanking me?”
“Hehe…” Huang Feiyan rubbed her eyes, laughing happily. “You’re right, I forgot. We’re friends… When my aunt recovers, she’ll want to meet you, her savior…”
“I only provided some blood. I wouldn’t call myself a savior.”
“In my heart, in my mother and second aunt’s hearts, and in my aunt’s heart, you’re her savior.” Huang Feiyan shook her head, sighing softly. “If I hadn’t asked Feixuan to investigate Dragon Ridge, we wouldn’t have met… Our fates were intertwined from that moment on. I hope we can be friends forever. A cultivator’s life is long… I hope we can still sit together and chat like this many years from now.”
Huang Feiyan was genuinely grateful. If it weren’t for him, she might be dead, and her aunt wouldn’t have woken up. Moreover, he was the fruit of the seed she had planted. This fruit was incredibly sweet, this fate hard-earned and precious.
“I don’t think that will be a problem,” Mingyan smiled. Whether he caught up to Ning Feixuan, whether he married her or not, it wouldn’t affect his friendship with Huang Feiyan. He would strive to reach greater heights…
“Alright, I should go now. There are many things to take care of now that my aunt is awake. Mother is probably planning a banquet to celebrate. We’ll be busy for a while. I heard from Mother that Second Aunt will escort you back to Rain Terrace Blessed Land. With her there, I don’t have to worry about your safety…” Huang Feiyan sighed in relief. A heavy burden had been lifted from her heart. However, with Huang Qingfei awake, there were many things to attend to, so she wouldn’t have much time to spend with Mingyan.
“Go and attend to your matters,” Mingyan nodded.
Huang Feiyan turned to leave, then looked back at him, smiling brightly, and finally departed.
Huang Junyi reappeared, a playful smile on her lips. “That girl, and she said I was the playful one…”
I think you’re quite playful, Sister… Mingyan thought, glancing at her discreetly.
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