Chapter 1678: Thanks, Senior

The night was peaceful, and in the blink of an eye, morning arrived, with Ghost City becoming lively once more.

Today, Ghost City was particularly bustling, or rather, the area around Qing Lou was. Qin Mengyao’s seal had been broken, and now she was the talk of the town.

The owner of Qing Lou was beaming from ear to ear—this was a truly rare occurrence.

The women attending to Qin Mengyao were left questioning their lives.

A respectable Ming Jiang, dressing as a man—was she just bored?

The news spread like wildfire, causing a stir throughout Yin Cao Di Fu. Every corner, every marketplace, and every tavern buzzed with conversation.

“I never expected Qin Mengyao to have such peculiar tastes.”

“No wonder she’s a Ming Jiang—unpredictable indeed.”

“What a stunning beauty, but this is such a waste.”

On the streets of Ghost City, opinions varied widely, accompanied by sighs, expressions of amazement, and strangely peculiar looks. What kind of oddities wouldn’t happen in this world?

Amidst the chatter, Chu Jiang Wang arrived in person and took Qin Mengyao away.

That guy looked fierce and irate, his face as dark as thunder. With Qin Mengyao in the spotlight, he was too, and the entire Yanluo Second Hall as well.

It was truly an honor for him—half of his Ming Jiang were crippled, half were dead, and the only female one pulled off such a stunt.

“Why didn’t they throw us into Qing Lou?” grumbled the nine Ming Jiang under Qin Guang Wang, limping along and scratching their heads in frustration.

Still, this was rather fresh news. If they had known last night that Ye Chen had sent Qin Mengyao to Qing Lou, they would have rushed over too.

In a tavern on Ghost Street, Zhao Yun couldn’t help but chuckle as he drank.

Ye Chen was a true legend—a top-tier talent that their universe absolutely lacked. Even if there were someone like him, no one was as outrageous.

As he spoke, a faint ethereal light suddenly appeared on him.

The light was elusive and ancient, infused with imperial laws that bound him tightly, leaving him unable to move.

In the next instant, he vanished with a whoosh.

The people around him stared in stunned silence, taking a long time to process what they had seen.

Did I just see that wrong? A living person just disappeared?

When Zhao Yun reappeared, he was on the peak of a majestic mountain.

A figure stood atop the summit, like an unyielding monument, impervious to any force in the world.

Though seemingly close, that silhouette felt more distant than any myth, as if his mere presence had stilled time itself.

Zhao Yun’s heart trembled. That person seemed like the ruler of the world—standing before him, Zhao Yun felt like a mere ant.

Zhi Zun—this was a Zhi Zun-level expert, known as a Great Emperor in this universe, and the pinnacle in theirs as well.

“This junior, Zhao Yun, pays respects to Ming Di.” After a brief moment of daze, Zhao Yun quickly stepped forward, bowing deeply in respect.

“The universe rift will soon appear—you can return.” Ming Di stood without turning, his voice echoing ethereal.

Those words filled Zhao Yun with overwhelming emotion, his eyes welling up with tears.

After waiting so long in this foreign land, the moment had finally arrived.

He and Ye Chen were so alike, both with long, storied pasts and people they cared about back home.

“Handle your affairs, and in due time, I will summon you.” Ming Di’s words lingered in the air, slowly fading away.

“Many thanks, senior.” Zhao Yun bowed again, his voice trembling as he walked away, wiping away his tears. He was truly crying.

Behind him, Ming Di turned, his imperial eyes filled with ancient satisfaction.

That young man, though not of this universe, was truly remarkable—even his own disciple had been defeated by him.

What a pity such a hero must return—the power balance in this universe was already disrupted; he couldn’t stay.

Gazing at the rising talents of the future was like looking back at his younger self.

In the battles for the imperial path, he had risen triumphantly to the ultimate throne.

Countless ages had passed, and those legendary rivals were now mere dust in history, buried on the far side of the stars.

So-called invincibility brought only solitude, guarding endless changes of sea and land, along with immeasurable years and time.

In the small garden, all remained peaceful, without a sound.

In the room, Chu Ling slept soundly, her face serene and graceful, occasionally murmuring in her dreams—the name she whispered most was Ye Chen.

But she wasn’t alone on the bed—Ye Chen was there too.

His sleeping posture was anything but proper; he lay sprawled out, snoring loudly, with one leg draped over Chu Ling.

A gust of Yin Feng swept in, waking Chu Ling. When she saw the scene, she froze: When did this guy get into bed?

Snapping out of it, she sat up abruptly, grabbed Ye Chen with one hand, and tossed him straight off the bed.

Ye Chen hit the ground hard, landing spread-eagled, and woke up with a jolt, rubbing his head fiercely.

“You pervert.”

Chu Ling’s cheeks flushed red, her eyes sparking with anger as she hurled a pillow at him.

“Don’t make a fuss—I didn’t do anything.”

Ye Chen caught the pillow and, true to form, sniffed it shamelessly.

Soon enough, he was kicked out of the room.

Chu Ling covered her face, feeling both frustrated and amused.

Her first time sharing a bed with a man, and it turned out like this—how embarrassing. She had no idea when Ye Chen had sneaked in.

Still, her clothes were intact, and Ye Chen hadn’t actually done anything—he was just a bit handsy, but he had some principles.

After venting her anger, a hint of quiet regret crept in. If Ye Chen knew what she was thinking, who knows what expression he’d make.

“Let’s go, time to buy groceries and cook.”

Outside, Ye Chen was back on his feet, full of energy—as if being kicked by a saint meant nothing.

Chu Ling emerged, glaring fiercely at him, but even angry, she looked beautiful.

Ye Chen was shameless as ever, grabbing her hand and pulling her along. “What do you feel like eating?”

Those words warmed her heart, easing half her irritation. She let him lead her, though she still couldn’t figure him out.

Am I not attractive? He slept next to me all night without even undressing—didn’t he have any other thoughts?

Should I call you a gentleman or say you have incredible self-control?

As they re-entered the streets of Ghost City, they drew curious stares from all sides.

Most looks toward Ye Chen were envious—he must have had quite the night, and the taste of Naihe Bridge was probably wonderful.

Quite a few women were smitten—if they could share a bed with the Huanggu Ming Jiang, they wouldn’t mind. After all, beautiful women love heroes!

Ignoring the gazes, the street discussions continued from before: Chu Jiang Wang’s Ming Jiang, Qin Mengyao, had visited the brothel last night.

Ye Chen didn’t bat an eye—he was the one who arranged it, after all.

But Chu Ling’s expression turned strange. Did I hear that right? Is this some new twist? Does Qin Mengyao really go for that?

“What are you thinking about? Time to haggle!”

While she was lost in thought, Ye Chen tugged at her sleeve. She snapped back to see he’d already picked out the ingredients and was waiting for her to bargain—just like a married couple dividing tasks.

Clearing her throat, she prepared to have some fun.

But before she could speak, the shop owner chuckled. “Threefold discount—how does that sound, Bridge God?”

“Sounds great.” Chu Ling was genuinely pleased at the courtesy.

“Sounds good.” Ye Chen started packing the ingredients, matter-of-factly.

As they left, he couldn’t resist adding, “We’ll be back next time.”

The owner was left awkwardly speechless. Please don’t—we’ll go broke. You two don’t need the money anyway.

Indeed, they didn’t lack for money; they just enjoyed the feeling—the warmth of everyday life and the simple truth of ordinary moments.

They wandered from shop to shop, just like a young couple, arm in arm, carrying a basket of groceries, looking the part.

Wherever they went, she haggled, and everywhere gave them face.

What stood out most was the basket Chu Ling carried, filled with fresh, straight cucumbers—vibrant green and perfectly aligned.

Anyone who saw them stroked their beards thoughtfully.

Buying so many—sure it’s for eating and not for... something else?

At Jie Ming Mountain, Ming Di and Di Huang stood side by side, quietly observing.

The two Zhi Zun fixed their gaze on Ghost City, or more accurately, on Ye Chen and Chu Ling as they shopped and strolled.

Even in the eyes of Zhi Zun, there were moments of distraction—they too had loved once and yearned for that ordinary life, even if it meant giving up their supreme status.

Only upon reaching the peak did they realize that true ordinariness was the essence, and the most precious initial purity had turned into ancient weariness with the passage of time.

“Time is running short—are you sure you want to wait?”

“It’s rare to find such simplicity—give this fated couple some time. This might be their final memory.”