Chapter 2056: Is it convenient?

In front of Yao Yue Gong, everything was deathly silent. The disciples and elders of Yao Yue Gong had their hearts pounding, and many wiped cold sweat from their sleeves. No one dared to make a sound, fearing they would provoke the four visitors. These four were no joke—not to mention the Martial Arts Legend, just Jian Sheng, Dao Kuang, and Yang Ge Lao alone could wipe out Yao Yue Gong, and not a single person present would survive.

At that moment, everyone's gaze towards Yang Ge Lao had changed. The fact that he could summon these four great figures proved his influence was extraordinary.

"This time, we've come to pick up our elder sister-in-law. I wonder if it's convenient?"

The long silence was finally broken by Ye Chen's smile. As the saying goes, diplomacy before force. If Yao Yue Gong insisted on making things difficult for Yang Ge Lao, he wouldn't mind teaching these women a harsh lesson.

"Of course it's convenient," the head elder of Yao Yue Gong said with a forced smile.

How could it not be convenient? Since the Martial Arts Legend had shown them face, they had to accept it. Otherwise, the next meeting wouldn't involve polite words—it would be a catastrophic disaster, and the entire Yao Yue Gong would be erased from the Jianghu.

"In that case, we are imposing on you." Ye Chen smiled and said nothing more, casually finding a stone chair and pulling out his wine flask to drink leisurely.

"This journey has made my legs sore." Shangguan Jiu and Yang Xuan also sat down. One propped up their legs and looked around curiously, while the other gripped their Zijin Dao and polished it vigorously, as if to say: We are ready to fight at any moment.

Jian Sheng was more subdued, strolling slowly and admiring the mountain scenery.

The most excited one was undoubtedly Yang Ge Lao, his hands clenched with sweat. He had expected a fierce battle, but it turned out to be resolved with just a few words. This was all thanks to Ye Chen and the other three—their presence was more effective than anything else.

As for the elders and disciples of Yao Yue Gong on the other side, they didn't dare move a muscle, standing rigidly in place, truly frightened.

Soon, Xia Lan was released. She emerged in simple, elegant robes. Although she had committed a grave offense against Yao Yue Gong, they hadn't harmed her. Apart from her weary face, everything else was fine.

Before her release, the elder who freed her had explained the full situation, including the major events in the Jianghu over the past few days. Xia Lan was so shocked that she still hadn't fully processed it.

Over here, Yang Ge Lao couldn't hold back any longer and rushed forward, an old man crying with tears streaming down his face.

Xia Lan's eyes were also filled with tears, creating an emotional scene.

Ye Chen stood up and smiled at the ten great elders of Yao Yue Gong. "I hope you seniors won't bother them in the future."

"Of course we won't," the head elder of Yao Yue Gong said with a dry laugh.

"In that case, that is for the best." Ye Chen smiled, then turned and left without even using the paths, simply stepping across the mountain peaks.

Ling Feng also showed proper etiquette, cupping his hands towards the elders of Yao Yue Gong before departing with light footwork.

As for Shangguan Jiu and the other two, on their way out, each gave Yang Ge Lao a kick. "Stop crying and let's go."

The two finally separated. Xia Lan wiped away her tears and, facing Yao Yue Gong, its disciples, and elders, knelt down with a thud. From the time she could remember, she had lived here, and now that she was leaving, she might never return. She needed this kneel to settle her past.

The ten great elders of Yao Yue Gong all wanted to step forward but ultimately didn't move, only slightly turning away and waving a hand gently. "Go on! From today, you have no connection to Yao Yue Gong."

Xia Lan cried, bowing three times on the ground, like a child who had lost her mother, bidding farewell to her homeland.

Yang Ge Lao helped Xia Lan up and slowly turned away, gradually disappearing into the distance.

Ah!

Behind them came a chorus of sighs. Though the ten great elders of Yao Yue Gong tried to suppress their emotions, they still stole glances, watching Xia Lan's back as if seeing the innocent girl from years ago. In the blink of an eye, decades had passed, and those who must leave eventually do.

As for the female disciples of Yao Yue Gong, watching Xia Lan, they were all filled with longing and envy, unable to hide it.

In this world, who can be completely heartless? They were no exception. They had long grown tired of this cold palace and yearned for a heroic figure to take them away.

Unfortunately, that pitiful hope was ultimately a tragic delusion.

Once they left Yao Yue Gong, Ling Feng, Yang Xuan, and Shangguan Jiu went their separate ways, agreeing to meet again at Zhu Xian Zhen and seek guidance from Ye Chen.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen, Yang Ge Lao, and Xia Lan set off on their return journey together.

The warhorses neighed as they galloped along.

Ye Chen's horse seemed a bit faster, or perhaps he was doing it on purpose to give them space.

Behind them, Yang Ge Lao and Xia Lan rode the same horse, being incredibly affectionate.

Especially Yang Ge Lao, who never stopped talking, recounting the events of Gui Shan all the way. Xia Lan covered her mouth in shock several times, amazed at Ye Chen's strength, curious about his identity, and grateful for his actions. He was truly their benefactor.

This marriage could be called fate, but it was more accurate to say Ye Chen had tied the red thread of destiny and written their love story.

As evening fell, the three reined in their horses outside a city.

This ancient city was near the southern border, and the eight warlords hadn't reached it yet. The people in the city weren't few, but most were packing their belongings, preparing to flee. At a glance, it was a scene of desolation.

That night, the three found an inn.

Yang Ge Lao was a bit impatient. After dinner, he coaxed Xia Lan back to their room and shut the door. In just three or five seconds, the creaking of the bed could be heard, leaving Ye Chen sighing in amazement. That was quick—didn't they even undress?

With the two of them gone, Ye Chen had some peace. He went to a small tavern, sat by the window, ordered a jug of rough wine, and drank quietly while gazing at the stars. Tonight's moon was exceptionally round; in the mortal world, it must be the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for reunions.

"Sir, we're closing up," said someone approaching late at night. It was an elderly man, over seventy years old, kind and amiable—he was likely the owner of the tavern.

"Old man, care to sit and have a drink?" Ye Chen said with a smile.

The elder hesitated for a moment but came over, smiling warmly.

"Everyone else is fleeing, so why haven't you left?" Ye Chen asked, pouring him a full cup.

"I'm too old to run anymore." The elder shook his head with a laugh, his turbid eyes flickering with brief haze, unable to hide the weariness of time or the sorrow within. People with such expressions usually carried stories—he was probably alone and lonely, unwilling to leave his hometown, still waiting for a child who had gone to war. He had waited until his hair turned white.

Ye Chen didn't ask further, understanding the elder's state of mind well.

With that simple exchange, both fell silent.

The elder seemed to forget the time. He had come to tell Ye Chen they were closing, but now he drank cup after cup, as if drowning his sorrows in alcohol. As he drank, he suddenly burst into tears, his face streaked with old tears, sobbing uncontrollably. He stopped using the cup and just drank straight from the jug, until he collapsed on the table.

"My son, when will you return? Your father can barely hold on." The elder muttered in his sleep, his voice hoarse, with tears still trickling from the corners of his eyes.

Ye Chen rubbed his forehead, regretting having invited the elder to drink—it had stirred up painful memories. Knowing his child had likely died on the battlefield long ago, he still clung to illusions, waiting bitterly for decades, just hoping to see him one last time before dying.

Ah!

With a sigh, Ye Chen hoisted the elder onto his back, took him to his room, and helped close up the shop before going back to sleep.

In the early morning, before dawn fully broke, chaotic shouts rang out: "The enemy army is coming—run!"

That cry threw the entire ancient city into panic. People surged like a tide, fleeing with cattle and horses, families in tow, amid the cries of children. They had all packed food and were fleeing for their lives.

"This damned war," Xia Lan sighed from horseback.

"Where there are people, there's not just the Jianghu—there's also chaos," Yang Ge Lao said, his eyes full of pity.

Ye Chen said nothing, withdrawing his gaze and cracking his whip. Though he wanted to save the people, he wasn't a savior. The rise and fall of dynasties was an inevitable part of history, something every era had to endure. As an outsider, he couldn't interfere.

And so, the three rode on without stopping, not arriving at Zhu Xian Zhen until five days later.

Xia Lan and Yang Ge Lao returned home, while Ye Chen headed toward the ancient tomb.

As soon as he entered, Yin Yue Huang Fei knelt down with a thud. "Thank you, senior, for your help."

Ye Chen quickly stepped forward to help her up. "I keep telling you, elder sister-in-law, you don't have to do this every time—it's going to shorten my life."

Yin Yue Huang Fei rose, her eyes brimming with gratitude. That kneel had come from her heart—Ye Chen was truly their great benefactor. Otherwise, the Yuan Jing's spiritual power would have been depleted by now, and her husband would have already passed on.

"From now on, don't treat me like an outsider," Ye Chen said with a smile, stepping onto the stone platform and glancing at Qin Xiong. His last breath was still holding on, all thanks to the Yuan Jing.

Speaking of Yuan Jing, Ye Chen looked up at the air above.

The Yuan Jing was now several times smaller than before, having been drained of too much spiritual power by the Tian Mo, its glow dimmed considerably.

Ye Chen waved his hand, retrieving the Yuan Jing ring from Yin Shan Lao Dao, and used his inner energy to hold it aloft. The two Yuan Jing fused together at a visible speed, their spiritual power surging once more.

"Is that from Yin Shan Lao Dao?" Yin Yue Huang Fei asked in surprise.

"You recognize Yin Shan Lao Dao?" Ye Chen chuckled.

"Our families had some ancestral ties," Yin Yue Huang Fei nodded. "If you count it out, he should call me 'Grandmaster Aunt.' That young one was incredibly insightful in the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams, not inferior to me at all. And this ring is a family heirloom of the Yin Shan lineage—it can extend life. Their family members are all long-lived. Back then, I didn't know it was a divine artifact, but now I understand—it's made from Yuan Jing. I never imagined it would end up in your hands."

"My connection with him is a bit complicated," Ye Chen coughed, deciding not to mention that night's events, including what happened at Gui Shan, the Jianghu affairs, or the defeat of Yan Wang.

Yin Yue Huang Fei wasn't interested in those things anyway—they were all dust to dust, earth to earth. She had long let go; what she cared about was reincarnating Qin Xiong.

It wasn't until late at night that Ye Chen left the ancient tomb. With no threat from Tian Mo, Qin Xiong's reincarnation was safe. He just needed to wait for the seal to be lifted and revive him.