Chapter 70: I’m Not Here to Pick You Up, I’m Here to Take You
Countless eyes stared at Chen Yin, both on and off the stage.
But he remained unfazed, standing there calmly, as if he were in his own backyard.
Yu Xiang covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes wide with disbelief, her voice choked with emotion.
“Senior Brother… how could…”
“Oh?”
The Dao Master of the demonic path, intrigued by this dramatic turn of events, raised an eyebrow and said playfully, “So, this is the Senior Brother you’ve been yearning for, Chen Yin, is it?”
“Hehe, to dare barge into the main altar of the demonic path with just two people, you’re quite bold.”
“And this young lady beside him—”
Shen Shuanglian removed her mask, revealing her delicate and elegant features. She said calmly,
“Shen Shuanglian, of the Mist Spirit Sect.”
At that moment, not only did Yu Xiang’s expression change, but a surprised voice also rang out in her mind:
“What the hell?! Shen Shuanglian?!”
“Is she crazy? What is she doing here?” The System’s voice was laced with panic.
“She’s a Chosen One! How dare she come to the demonic sect’s main altar?!”
“Doesn’t she know this will severely violate the plot?!”
Seeing Shen Shuanglian, the Dao Master seemed even more intrigued. A sly smile appeared on his lips.
“Haha, it’s the renowned Frost Moon Sword Immortal, Fairy Shen.”
“As I expected, this Nether Ritual is becoming more and more interesting.”
Before he could finish his sentence, a green figure flashed before him.
Yu Xiang spread her arms protectively, her eyes red-rimmed with determination.
“Don’t touch him. Let him go.” She said in a low voice.
The Dao Master narrowed his eyes.
“Shouldn’t the Holy Maiden reconsider? If we let him come and go as he pleases, wouldn’t that make our demonic path look weak?”
“Don’t forget, you are ultimately the Holy Maiden of our demonic path.”
At the same time, the System roared frantically in her mind:
“Forget about your damn Senior Brother! This is a disaster!”
“If Shen Shuanglian dies here, not only will her plot be ruined, but ours will collapse too!”
“We’ll all die!”
“I don’t care.” Yu Xiang’s voice trembled slightly, but her gaze remained fixed on the Dao Master. “He can’t get hurt.”
“Otherwise, you can forget about ever seeing the completed ‘Quenching Nether Mantra’.”
“You!”
The System was about to curse in frustration.
The Dao Master looked at her with amusement, but he didn’t speak immediately, seemingly lost in thought.
But at that moment, a playful voice came from below:
“I say, Xiang’er, have you forgotten Senior Brother’s words again?”
Yu Xiang turned around, stunned, and saw Chen Yin looking at her with a calm and carefree expression.
“Remember what I said? Don’t keep everything bottled up inside. Junior Sisters are meant to be spoiled.”
“It’s okay to rely on your Senior Brother sometimes. Isn’t it?”
He walked towards the platform, his steps firm and unwavering, as if he didn’t even notice the terrifying presence of the Dao Master.
“Senior Brother, I…” Yu Xiang’s eyes welled up with tears, and she looked at him helplessly.
“We’ve been out playing for a while now. It’s time to go home.”
Chen Yin smiled. “If we don’t go back soon, Master will hang us upside down from a tree and spank us.”
Yu Xiang hesitated, reaching out a hand, then quickly withdrawing it as if she had been burned.
“Senior Brother… I’m sorry.”
After a long silence, she finally looked up at him, her eyes red and swollen, and whispered:
“Xiang’er… Xiang’er can’t go back with you…”
“I’m not asking if you can.”
Chen Yin’s voice was calm. “I’m asking if you want to.”
Yu Xiang was stunned for a moment.
“Anything you can achieve in the demonic path, you can achieve with your Senior Brother’s help.”
“The demonic arts, the matter of Changli Palace, everything.”
“Silly girl, why carry all the burden on your own?” Chen Yin’s eyes softened, his tone filled with brotherly affection.
“If you want to, Senior Brother will take care of everything for you.”
Yu Xiang was about to speak when a mocking voice interrupted her:
“Oh? Now this is interesting.”
The Dao Master looked at Chen Yin with amusement. “How can a mere Cloud Ascending Realm cultivator like you make such arrogant claims?”
“I wasn’t talking to you.”
Chen Yin didn’t even spare him a glance, his voice cold and dismissive.
The Dao Master’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
“Heh, I’d like to see…”
He slowly returned to his throne, propping his head up with his hand as if watching a play.
“Will the Holy Maiden choose to trust our demonic path and the demonic arts she has cultivated for so long, or will she trust a weak, powerless Cloud Ascending Realm cultivator?”
Yu Xiang pressed her lips together, her gaze towards Chen Yin filled with avoidance and bitterness.
“Senior Brother, you already know about Changli Palace, don’t you?”
“…I’m sorry,” Chen Yin whispered.
“I didn’t have much time to investigate. I only know the general situation.”
“Your real name… is Yin Mengwan, right?”
“The daughter of Yin Changli, the Sect Master of Changli Palace, which was destroyed by the Mist Spirit Sect over a decade ago.”
Yu Xiang’s breath hitched, and tears streamed down her face.
“Silly girl, why didn’t you tell me and Master?”
His eyes were filled with the helplessness and affection of a family member, his voice incredibly gentle. “Tell us, and your ridiculously strong Master and your ridiculously handsome Senior Brother will help you get revenge.”
Yu Xiang was silent for a long time, then shook her head slowly.
“Mount Yu is ultimately a branch of the Mist Spirit Sect.”
“I-I don’t want Master and Senior Brother to fight against our own sect because of me—”
“Heh, you overestimate the Mist Spirit Sect.”
“—And underestimate Master and me.” Chen Yin chuckled.
He walked up to Yu Xiang and, as he had done countless times in the past, placed his hand on her head, gently ruffling her hair.
Just like every day on Mount Yu.
“What happens at the main sect is none of our business. I can leave the Mist Spirit Sect.”
“But I can’t lose my family. I can’t lose you.” He looked at Yu Xiang intently.
The familiar warmth of his hand on her head, like a gentle flame, almost made Yu Xiang break down completely.
She covered her mouth, her head lowered, tears splattering onto the ground.
“Senior Brother…”
“Let’s go. Come home with Senior Brother.” Chen Yin said seriously.
Before Yu Xiang could respond, the System screamed in her mind:
“Think carefully! If you keep defying the plot, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”
“Don’t overestimate your Senior Brother and Master. If you push me too far, none of you will survive!”
Yu Xiang’s body trembled slightly.
She had witnessed the System’s strange power countless times over the years. It was a power that didn’t belong to this world, a power that transcended all cultivation levels.
She didn’t dare gamble. What if the System truly lost control and eradicated her, her Senior Brother, and her Master?
“It seems our Holy Maiden is still hesitant.”
The Dao Master, growing impatient, finally spoke. “Boy, if you don’t have the power to back up your words, stop trying to act cool.”
“Playtime is over. I can spare your life for the sake of the Holy Maiden. But if you continue to interfere and disrupt our grand plan…”
“Then… don’t blame me for being ruthless.” His eyes turned cold.
Chen Yin simply raised his eyelids and glanced at him nonchalantly.
Then, he turned back to Yu Xiang.
“Xiang’er, are you really unwilling to come home with Senior Brother?”
His eyes held a hint of disappointment.
Yu Xiang shook her head frantically, like a frightened animal. “N-no…”
“I don’t hate you, Senior Brother, I just…”
She bit her lip hard, but tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
“…I’m sorry.” She suddenly crouched down, hugging her knees and sobbing.
“Xiang’er is really a coward… I’m too afraid to gamble…”
Chen Yin slowly squatted down and patted her back gently.
“Xiang’er, what are you afraid of?”
“Xiang’er isn’t afraid of dying…”
She looked up at Chen Yin, her eyes red and swollen.
“…What Xiang’er is most afraid of is never seeing Senior Brother again.”
She cried with heartfelt sorrow.
Chen Yin was reminded of their time on Mount Yu, how Xiang’er would always find a secluded spot to cry whenever he went too far with his pranks.
She would cry until her eyes were swollen, looking utterly heartbroken, but with a stubborn streak that refused to let her return until Chen Yin came to find her.
Even if it meant crying in the wilderness all night.
But Chen Yin always found her.
Every time, when Xiang’er’s voice was hoarse from crying, she would hear Chen Yin’s apologetic voice:
“I’m sorry, Xiang’er… It’s Senior Brother’s fault.”
“Don’t cry anymore. Senior Brother will take you home and make you something delicious.”
And every time, Xiang’er would pout, her voice small. “Stinky Senior Brother. Xiang’er won’t forgive you.”
But her grip on Chen Yin’s hand would be tight.
Afraid to let go.
Just like today.
Xiang’er was huddled there, crying like a child, just like she used to.
Nothing had changed.
The boy would always find the crying girl and bring her home.
“…It’s okay. Don’t cry, Xiang’er.”
Chen Yin said gently, “Since you can’t make up your mind, let Senior Brother take the blame.”
Yu Xiang’s sobs gradually subsided. She slowly lifted her head, looking at Chen Yin with confusion.
“There’s nothing I can do. You’re my only Junior Sister.”
“If I don’t take you back, Master will be furious.”
Chen Yin slowly stood up and, in full view of everyone, turned to face the Dao Master of the demonic path.
“Hey, you in the black clothes.”
The Dao Master narrowed his eyes.
“Sorry, buddy.”
Chen Yin grinned at him.
“This person…”
“…I’m taking her.”
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