Noticing Cloud Lian’s abnormal behavior, Chen Yuyang immediately stepped forward and supported the girl’s shoulders, asking with concern, “Junior Sister, what’s wrong? Your face is so pale. Are you feeling unwell?”
Cloud Lian snapped back to her senses and hurriedly waved her hands, though her voice trembled slightly.
“No… it’s nothing, Senior Brother. I’m fine. I might… I might just be a little dizzy.”
Despite her words, Chen Yuyang saw fine beads of cold sweat on her forehead and face.
She didn’t look fine at all.
Chen Yuyang stopped asking and quickly pressed the back of his hand against the girl’s forehead, while his other hand grasped her wrist.
Her temperature was normal and her pulse was racing, but there was nothing else out of the ordinary.
After a brief check, seeing that she was indeed physically unharmed, Chen Yuyang shook his head slightly and let go.
Perhaps the news was simply too much of a shock for his innocent Junior Sister, and she needed time to process it.
At this moment, Cloud Lian’s thoughts were a chaotic mess.
She hadn’t even noticed Chen Yuyang’s examination.
She was trying hard to think—to remember.
Back then, when the Yun family was massacred, she was only a 3-year-old child.
Many details were blurry.
She only remembered the sky filled with fire and rivers of blood that day.
She and her sister had hidden inside a cold water vat, and then… then, Cloud Lian couldn’t remember.
All she knew was that she and her sister eventually left their home and wandered for a while before meeting the Sect Leader…
The Sect Leader had been very good to the two sisters.
He taught her swordsmanship and even took her sister as his personal disciple.
In Cloud Lian’s heart, the Sect Leader was like a second father.
But… here was the problem.
It was exactly as her Senior Brother had just said.
‘Those who are good to you for no reason, those willing to help you, most likely have ulterior motives.’ Right, why?
The two sisters had no relation to the Sect Leader.
Why would he be so good to them?
Besides, who was the one who told the two sisters that the Dan Sect was responsible for the Yun family’s slaughter?
Before that, she and her sister were just ordinary people.
They knew nothing about the inner workings of the Realm of Cultivation.
Cloud Lian didn’t dare think any further.
Such suspicion caused a wave of unnatural coldness and… fear to wash over her. But… since she had no evidence right now, it was better not to make wild assumptions.
Cloud Lian shook her head, temporarily dispelling those thoughts.
Perhaps it really was just a coincidence?
Maybe the Sect Leader simply saw how pitiful the two sisters were and stepped in to help.
Taking a deep breath, Cloud Lian forced a smile that looked worse than crying.
“I’m fine now, Senior Brother. I’m probably just a bit tired. Can… can we leave now?”
Seeing her forced composure, Chen Yuyang obviously didn’t believe she was okay.
However, since his Junior Sister refused to speak, he didn’t press her further.
He simply shook his head.
“Traveling to and from the sect has consumed quite a bit of my spiritual energy. I need to rest for a night.”
“Then, should we head back to the inn in the city for another night?” Cloud Lian suggested.
Chen Yuyang shook his head again.
“After all, we just killed two people in the city and caused a scene at the brothel. If we go back now, although I’m not afraid of them looking for trouble, interruptions are inevitable. It won’t be a good rest.”
Without further hesitation, Chen Yuyang walked directly into the ruined temple.
He used his spiritual energy to sweep a stone step clean, then sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.
“We’ll make do with this ruined temple for tonight.”
Seeing that Chen Yuyang had entered a meditative state, Cloud Lian said no more.
Outside, the sky had turned completely dark.
Bursts of night wind whistled through the hall like wailing cries.
Cloud Lian sat down with her back against a wall, but no matter what she did, she couldn’t calm her mind.
Her Senior Brother’s words, the tragic state of her parents before they died, and the silhouette of the Sect Leader… complicated thoughts intertwined.
“Damn it!”
Cursing under her breath, Cloud Lian suddenly stood up from the ground, the sword at her waist unsheathing instantly.
A sharp, cold light flickered as the girl carried her sword and walked with staggering steps to the open space in the middle of the ruined temple.
Disregarding any forms or techniques, she began to swing the blade wildly.
All the anger, confusion, fear, and suspicion in her heart were poured into the blade at this moment.
The sword light flickered, sometimes violent and sometimes soft.
Chen Yuyang narrowed his eyes, his gaze falling upon the girl’s dancing figure.
He could clearly feel the emotions carried within the wind of her sword—the suppressed true intent within the girl’s heart that had nowhere else to be vented.
He didn’t speak to interrupt, simply watching quietly and feeling the sword intent.
Forgetting everything around her and losing track of time, Cloud Lian didn’t circulate her spiritual energy.
She relied solely on a single breath, wildly swinging the longsword in her hand.
After an unknown amount of time, Cloud Lian’s movements grew slower and slower, her breathing becoming increasingly heavy.
Clang.
The longsword slipped from her hand and hit the ground.
The girl was soaked in sweat, her clothes clinging tightly to her body, outlining her youthful curves.
At this point, Cloud Lian could no longer hold herself up. Feeling her legs go soft, she simply collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily.
Only now did she feel that the stifling feeling in her chest had dissipated slightly.
Chen Yuyang remained sitting cross-legged. Seeing this scene, he handed a cup to Cloud Lian. The cup held a rich aroma of wine.
“Drink a bit and then go rest. After a night’s sleep, maybe things will feel better.”
While drinking could easily lead to mistakes, a small drink when feeling troubled could indeed help dissolve emotions. Cloud Lian looked up at the young man with some surprise.
Without asking where this spiritual wine came from, Cloud Lian simply reached out and took the cup, then tilted her head and drained the liquid in one gulp.
The mellow fragrance of wine slid down her throat, and a wave of warmth instantly spread through her four limbs and hundreds of bones.
Cloud Lian immediately felt the fatigue in her body ease.
“Good wine!”
Cloud Lian’s eyes lit up.
She licked her lips and looked at Chen Yuyang with lingering interest. “Senior Brother, another cup!”
“One cup is enough. Any more and you’ll be too drunk,” Chen Yuyang replied indifferently.
“What does it matter?”
As she spoke, Cloud Lian crawled toward Chen Yuyang on all fours.
She reached out to pull at his arm, her tone carrying a hint of a spoiled child’s plea.
“Hurry, bring it out. I’m going to drink until I’m drunk tonight!”
Cloud Lian leaned in very close.
The scent of sweat mixed with the unique fragrance of a young girl flooded into his nose.
Chen Yuyang frowned slightly, feeling as if he had made a bad start.
But looking at Cloud Lian’s aggrieved expression, Chen Yuyang eventually sighed. Fine.
His Junior Sister was indeed feeling very stifled in her heart.
Letting go like this and venting her emotions might not be a bad thing.
Having an outlet was better than keeping it all bottled up.
With that thought, Chen Yuyang took out the wine gourd and poured another cup for Cloud Lian.
Cloud Lian drained it again without hesitation.
Afterward, the girl shook the empty cup in her hand.
“Senior Brother, I want more~”
“You really can’t drink any more. If you do, you won’t be able to get up tomorrow.”
“If I can’t get up, then I won’t get up.”
Cloud Lian pouted and drawled her words, clinging to Chen Yuyang pitifully.
“I’m feeling so miserable right now, yet Senior Brother is being so stingy. It’s truly heartbreaking~”
As she spoke, the girl even swung a fist and lightly punched Chen Yuyang’s shoulder.
Chen Yuyang had no way to argue with her and was forced to pour her another cup of spiritual wine.
Cloud Lian immediately beamed and took the cup.
Just as she was about to drink, Cloud Lian suddenly thought of something and raised her eyebrows.
“Only wine?”
“Senior Brother, do you have any side dishes to go with the wine?”
Chen Yuyang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“In the middle of nowhere like this, where do you want me to find side dishes?”
“Boring…” Cloud Lian pursed her lips, looking somewhat disappointed, but she quickly thought of something else and grabbed Chen Yuyang’s wrist.
“Never mind. If there are no side dishes, then there are no side dishes. Senior Brother, you come and drink with me!”
“I don’t drink…” Chen Yuyang tried to pull his hand back.
“You don’t drink?”
The alcohol had clearly gone to Cloud Lian’s head. Her voice rose, and her entire upper body pressed over.
“If you don’t drink, why do you carry such good spiritual wine on you? I don’t believe you! Come, quickly have two cups with me. Just two cups!”
With that, the girl hugged the young man’s arm and shook it back and forth, refusing to let go.
“Just two cups.”
Entangled and with no other choice, Chen Yuyang could only compromise.
Cloud Lian’s eyes curved into crescents as she repeatedly promised, “No problem! Just two cups. It’s not much, definitely not much!”
Chen Yuyang then poured a cup for himself.
Just as he was about to raise it, Cloud Lian put her cup down again and looked at him expectantly.
“Senior Brother.” Cloud Lian’s voice dropped low, her eyes filled with a flirtatious mist as the corners of her mouth curved.
“Drinking like this is so boring. Let’s change things up, okay?”
“What do you mean?”
Chen Yuyang asked, suddenly feeling an ominous premonition.
Cloud Lian raised her hand.
Spiritual energy gathered, and three dice appeared in her palm.
“It’s very simple.” Cloud Lian shook the dice in her hand, a mischievous smile appearing on her face.
“We’ll compare the total points. Whoever loses has to drink a cup of wine and… remove a piece of clothing!”
As she spoke, Cloud Lian’s smile grew even more radiant.
Her eyes were fixed on the young man, expecting to see a surprised or shy reaction on his face.
Chen Yuyang was indeed shocked by the proposal.
His calm gaze fell on Cloud Lian’s face, which was exceptionally flushed from being tipsy.
His brow furrowed slightly. “…Junior Sister, you’re already drunk.”
“No, I’m not!” Cloud Lian immediately retorted. She then clung to Chen Yuyang again, utilizing her “don’t let go until you agree” spoiled-brat method.
“Senior Brother, come on, just play with me~”
Chen Yuyang really was helpless against this. He couldn’t exactly beat his Junior Sister up over this.
If her purpose had been this from the start, then a beating would be fine.
But his Junior Sister was clearly in a bad mood and needed an outlet; beating her now would be somewhat inappropriate.
Looking at the girl whose eyes were already a bit glassy, Chen Yuyang thought for a moment and finally nodded.
“Fine.”
“Great!” Cloud Lian cheered. She immediately closed her hands around the dice and threw them onto the stone slab in front of them.
The three dice rolled a few times and came to a stop.
The points on the three dice were four, five, and six. A total of 15 points.
“Hahaha, looks like I’m going to win.”
Cloud Lian laughed proudly when she saw the numbers.
Expressionless, Chen Yuyang didn’t even look at Cloud Lian.
He casually took the dice and flicked them.
Clatter.
The dice hit the ground, bounced a few times, and settled.
The points on the three dice were identical, all of them being six.
The smile on Cloud Lian’s face froze instantly.
“This… Senior Brother, did you cheat?”
“Junior Sister, you can feel it yourself. I didn’t use any spiritual energy,” Chen Yuyang said immediately.
However, while Chen Yuyang hadn’t used spiritual energy, he had indeed used a bit of technique.
Pure sleight of hand.