Chapter 908: No Reaction

As evening fell, the convoy entered Nan Zhao Imperial City.

This was Ye Chen's second visit, though it had been three years since the first. Back then, this place wasn't called Nan Zhao Imperial City; it was Tian Xiang Imperial City. Things had changed with the dynastic shift—now the country bore the surname Liu, no longer the surname of the previous ruling family.

This is…

When Liu Qing Quan saw Ye Chen, he froze. Even after three years and with Ye Chen's face covered in stubble, he recognized him instantly. It was this young man who had made him the ruler of this land.

Seeing him again felt like a lifetime had passed.

Mother, Ru Xi is hungry!

Liu Qing Quan’s daze was broken by the childish voice, pulling him back to reality.

Mother?

Liu Qing Quan looked at the little girl with a strange expression. After a few seconds, his gaze shifted to Liu Ru Yan, his eyes clearly asking: Is this your child?

"Yes!" Liu Ru Yan replied casually, picking up a piece of pastry from the jade plate and handing it to the little girl.

"No, wait, when did you have a child? And with whom?"

"Guess for yourself!" Liu Ru Yan shrugged, then led Ye Chen and Xiao Ru Xi out of the grand hall, leaving Liu Qing Quan standing there in utter confusion.

"Your Majesty, it seems the princess has changed a lot since returning this time," a guard said with a light laugh.

"Has she?" Liu Qing Quan raised an eyebrow.

"She used to be so aloof, but now she's much more lively," the guard smiled again. "It must be because of that immortal's influence."

At Heng Yu Zong, on Yu Nu Peak,

At the summit, Chu Xuan Er sat with her knees hugged to her chest, quietly gazing at the misty Heng Yue Zong.

A gentle breeze stirred her white hair, making her look like a banished immortal—pure and flawless. Perched on the mountaintop, she formed a beautiful scene that left passersby below in a daze.

Though she had been back for a while, she still felt as if she were in a dream. Yu Nu Peak was still Yu Nu Peak, but one person was missing.

Sister!

A light voice carried on the wind as Chu Ling Er appeared and sat beside her, asking softly, "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing much." Chu Xuan Er tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her smile tinged with a hint of weariness.

"You're thinking about Ye Chen, aren't you!" Chu Ling Er took her hand and rested her cheek on Chu Xuan Er's shoulder. "Nan Chu has been pacified, and all the human experts have gone to Bei Chu. We'll hear news about him soon."

This was a garden filled with blooming flowers. Even in the depths of winter, it remained vibrant with birdsong and fragrance, full of life.

Amid the scattered flowers, Xiao Ru Xi toddled along, chasing butterflies like a little sprite, occasionally letting out giggles in her childish voice—pure, innocent, and carefree.

In the pavilion, in front of a bronze mirror, Ye Chen sat quietly, his expression dull as he stared at his reflection.

Behind him, Liu Ru Yan held a comb and was carefully brushing his disheveled white hair, smoothing every strand with great care.

"I'll teach all the women in Nan Zhao Guo to play that qin piece," she murmured while combing, speaking as much to herself as to the dazed Ye Chen. "You'll get better."

"Who am I, exactly?" Ye Chen spoke, his voice hoarse and weary.

"You're Ye Chen, an immortal," Liu Ru Yan replied with a gentle smile.

"Ye Chen..." he murmured to himself, his expression growing even more confused. The name felt familiar yet strange, something he couldn't quite remember but couldn't forget either.

"Little girl, come here to Grandpa," came Liu Qing Quan's voice from outside the window. Though he was the ruler of a nation, he showed no imperial dignity as he scooped Xiao Ru Xi into his arms, doting on her immensely.

In just a few days, he'd gone from being her father to her grandfather—what a strange turn of events.

At some point, Ye Chen had fallen into a deep sleep.

Liu Ru Yan left the pavilion and summoned a clever palace maid, handing her a plain qin.

Soon, the melodious sound of the qin filled the garden, making butterflies dance and birds perch on the railings. The music was so beautiful that it made Xiao Ru Xi and Liu Qing Quan stop their play to listen.

"Xiao Yue, you have three days to learn this qin piece," Liu Ru Yan said as she played, her fingers gliding over the strings. "Watch carefully, learn with your heart, and don't slack off."

"I'm learning it right now," the palace maid named Xiao Yue replied, her eyes fixed intently on Liu Ru Yan's every movement, committing each one to memory.

Before long, the music faded, and Liu Ru Yan stood up. Xiao Yue took her place.

The qin sounded again, but despite remembering it well, Xiao Yue played it chaotically, far from Liu Ru Yan's flawless rendition.

Take your time!

Liu Ru Yan smiled lightly and left the pavilion.

In the pavilion upstairs, on the comfortable bed, Ye Chen slept restlessly. The disorganized qin music seeped in, disturbing his mind, furrowing his brow, and causing him pain, with beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead.

When the Heavenly Devil reaches the Seven Killings, it will be the time for all immortals to war against the heavens!

The ethereal words echoed like a Buddha's chant or a demonic curse, repeating endlessly.

Ye Chen!

Liu Ru Yan called out softly, gently wiping the sweat from his forehead with a silk cloth. Seeing his pained expression, she tightly gripped his hands.

Ye Chen slept for three full days.

On the fourth night, he suddenly sat up, gasping for breath, his face twisted in pain and confusion. His eyes were murky, unable to distinguish reality from illusion. The jumbled memories made him clutch his head in agony.

Quick, play that qin piece!

Liu Ru Yan urgently instructed Xiao Yue.

Xiao Yue understood, took a deep breath, and began plucking the strings.

The qin music rose again, elegant and flowing, though not as perfect as Liu Ru Yan's—it was about seventy to eighty percent similar, lingering in the air.

However, to Liu Ru Yan's slight frown, Ye Chen showed no change. His expression remained dull and pained; the music made no difference to him.

How could this be?

Liu Ru Yan murmured, puzzled.

Let me do it!

She stood up and sat before the qin, taking a deep breath before her jade-like fingers gracefully touched the strings.

The music started anew, beautiful and serene.

Immediately, Ye Chen's body trembled. His murky eyes cleared with the sound, and his pained expression faded into calm.

Beside them, Xiao Yue stared in astonishment, her face embarrassed. The princess's playing was on another level.

Liu Ru Yan frowned again as she watched Ye Chen gradually regain his clarity, murmuring to herself, "The same qin piece, but it only works when I play it. How is that possible?"

"How long was I asleep?" Ye Chen had fully recovered and was rubbing his forehead.

"Not long, just three days."

"Three days isn't long?" Ye Chen kept rubbing his head. "You know, you could have had someone else play it. You don't have to tire yourself out like this."

"I wish I could." Liu Ru Yan's expression turned odd.

"What do you mean?"

"It's because you only respond to the qin piece when the princess plays it," Xiao Yue interjected. "I played it earlier, and you didn't react at all."

"There's such a thing?" Ye Chen was stunned and looked at Liu Ru Yan.

"It is a bit strange."

"Don't worry, I can handle this." Ye Chen pulled out a glowing jade stone and suspended it in front of Liu Ru Yan. "This is called Memory Crystal; it can imprint your qin music."

"I get it." Liu Ru Yan seemed to understand his intent and continued playing, allowing the music to be fully imprinted into the crystal.

Once it was done, Ye Chen retrieved the Memory Crystal and tapped it with a finger.

The crystal vibrated, and the qin music echoed from it—elegant and identical to Liu Ru Yan's performance.

Seeing this, Liu Ru Yan stopped playing.

However, though the music from the crystal played on, Ye Chen's state began to cloud over again.

This doesn't work either?

Liu Ru Yan frowned and started playing once more, pulling Ye Chen back from the edge of haze.

After shaking his head, Ye Chen looked at Liu Ru Yan awkwardly. "It seems I'll have to trouble you to come with me. I'll bring you back once it's done."

"That would be too risky." Liu Ru Yan kept playing as she spoke. "I've never been to the cultivator world, but I know how dangerous it is. The music will stop eventually, and when it does, you'll fall into that strange state again. You wouldn't even be able to fly, and your strength would be limited. Who knows if your enemies might catch up? They're cultivators, all powerful—mortals can't compare."

"I forgot about that, but it's fine." Ye Chen smiled. "We won't take risks; we'll go through the mortal world instead and reach my territory that way. It might just take longer since we can't use teleportation arrays."

"Teleportation arrays... what's that?" Liu Ru Yan asked curiously.

"It's a fun thing." Ye Chen stepped forward, releasing golden vital energy that formed a cloud, lifting Liu Ru Yan. "Stay close to me and keep the music going. Let me know if you get tired."

"Understood."

"Let's go." Ye Chen smiled, but as he took a step to soar into the sky, he stumbled and fell flat on the ground, nearly toppling Liu Ru Yan off the cloud as well.

"You... you can't fly?" Once the cloud stabilized, Liu Ru Yan looked at Ye Chen with a strange expression.

"That's impossible!" Ye Chen got up, his face equally puzzled. He was in a normal state, so why couldn't he fly? This was beyond his expectations.

"You really can't fly." Liu Ru Yan spoke, her expression still odd as she watched him.

"Nonsense, it's just the posture." Ye Chen wiped the blood from his nose and took a deep breath.

Ha!

With a loud shout, he stepped forward forcefully.

Watching Ye Chen's step, not only Xiao Yue but even Liu Ru Yan instinctively covered one ear with her hand.