470: Chapter 470 Our Mom!

Ye Chen was completely stunned: "Why are we going to the cemetery?"

Bing Lan pursed her lips and explained.

"My mom is there."

"She passed away on my birthday."

Ye Chen suddenly understood and nodded, "Alright, let's go right now!"

As soon as he finished speaking.

The car drove out of the parking lot and merged into the traffic.

Forty minutes later, the car turned into a quiet tree-lined avenue and arrived at Nanshan Cemetery.

Ye Chen parked the car in the lot at the entrance and turned off the engine.

The two of them got out of the car and bought two bouquets of white chrysanthemums, as well as some incense, candles, and joss paper from a small shop at the cemetery entrance.

Bing Lan took the bouquets, held them in her arms, and walked deep into the cemetery.

Ye Chen carried the bag and followed behind her.

The cemetery was very quiet, with rows of tombstones standing neatly like silent soldiers guarding those who rested there.

The two of them soon stopped in front of a tombstone.

A portrait was attached to the tombstone, bearing some resemblance to Bing Lan.

That was Bing Lan's mother, Bing Yuxin.

Ye Chen stood to the side without saying a word.

Bing Lan squatted down and placed the white chrysanthemums from her arms in front of the tombstone, arranging them one by one.

Then.

She lit three sticks of incense.

She looked at the tombstone and spoke softly.

"Mom, I've come to see you."

"Today is my birthday, and it's also the day you left."

"Every year on this day, I used to come alone and leave alone."

"This year is different."

She paused and tilted her head to glance at Ye Chen.

Ye Chen was taken aback, wondering if he should say something appropriate for the occasion...

Bing Lan had already looked away and continued to gaze at the tombstone.

"I've found someone to rely on."

"He treats me very well."

"Although this person is sometimes a bit unreliable, speaks without decorum, and acts impulsively..."

Ye Chen's lips twitched as he listened from the side.

Hey, hey, hey, can you save me some face in front of my mother-in-law?

As if she hadn't heard his inner thoughts, Bing Lan continued.

"But he is very formidable, more so than anyone I've ever met."

"With him around, I have nothing to fear."

"So Mom, you can rest easy now."

She finished speaking and bowed deeply once more.

The wind blew through the pines and cypresses, making a rustling sound.

The wisp of blue smoke was scattered by the wind and disappeared into the air.

Bing Lan straightened up; her eyes were slightly red, but she didn't cry.

She turned around, looked at Ye Chen, and said calmly, "Let's go."

Ye Chen was surprised: "Just... just like that?"

Bing Lan nodded, "Yes, I'm finished."

Ye Chen looked at the tombstone, then at Bing Lan. Suddenly, he stepped forward, took the remaining incense from the bag, lit it, and inserted it into the incense burner.

Then, he respectfully bowed three times.

"Auntie—no, Mom..."

Bing Lan's eyes widened: "Who are you calling Mom?"

Ye Chen remained unfazed: "Calling our mom. Didn't you just say you found someone to rely on? Doesn't that make me her son-in-law?"

Bing Lan's face instantly flushed red.

Ye Chen had already turned around and waved his hand at the tombstone.

"Mom, don't worry. With Bing Lan following me, she'll live a good life. If anyone dares to bully her, I'll show them why the flowers are so red."

With that, he took Bing Lan's hand and headed down the mountain.

Bing Lan allowed him to pull her along without resistance.

As the two walked down the bluestone steps, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the pines and cypresses, casting dappled shadows on her face and making her blush look exceptionally beautiful.

They returned to the parking lot.

Ye Chen opened the passenger door and was about to let Bing Lan in...

Suddenly!

He paused, his gaze shooting like lightning toward an old locust tree in the corner of the parking lot.

There, at some point, a person had appeared.

The person was dressed in a black robe, wrapped from head to toe, with a black mask covering their face, revealing only a pair of eyes.

They stood quietly in the shade like an unmoving statue.

Ye Chen frowned slightly, released Bing Lan's hand, and whispered, "Get in the car first."

Bing Lan followed his gaze and also saw the black-robed figure.

She didn't ask questions, simply nodded, got into the car, and closed the door.

Ye Chen turned around and unhurriedly approached within three meters of the black-robed person.

"Who are you?"

The black-robed person looked up and spoke calmly: "I am from the Punishment Palace."

Ye Chen narrowed his eyes.

Punishment Palace?

Never heard of it!

He raised an eyebrow and spoke slowly: "Someone from the Kunlun Ruins?"

"Correct."

The black-robed person nodded, his voice carrying a sense of arrogance.

"I am an External Affairs Officer of the Punishment Palace. I have only one purpose for coming here—"

He paused, his cold eyes staring straight at Ye Chen.

"To have you join the Punishment Palace."

Ye Chen was taken aback for a moment, then laughed, "I don't want to join."

Hearing this, the black-robed person didn't get angry but instead gave a cold laugh.

"You are mistaken."

"I am here to make you join, not to ask if you want to join."

Ye Chen looked at him, the smile on his face remaining unchanged.

"You're quite interesting."

"If I don't want to join, I don't want to join. Can you actually kidnap me?"

The black-robed person stood with his hands behind his back.

"Ye Chen, I have investigated you."

"A Heavenly First Realm Expert who emerged unscathed from the joint attack of three mid-stage Tianyi Realm old monsters and even destroyed the entire Hall of Saints."

"You indeed have some skill."

"But you must understand that in front of the Kunlun Ruins, your meager skill is not enough."

Ye Chen tilted his head, "And so?"

"So, joining the Punishment Palace is your best choice."

The black-robed person said indifferently.

"The Punishment Palace can offer you protection, resources, and everything you desire."

"You refuse?"

He shook his head, "You do not have the right to refuse."

Ye Chen was silent for two seconds, then sighed.

"Are all you people from the Kunlun Ruins so overbearing?"

"The three old geezers from the Hall of Saints were like this, and so are you."

"You show up and demand I hand over secrets or join you. If I don't agree, I'm being ungrateful?"

He looked up, staring directly into those cold eyes.

"What?"

"These days, does one not even have the right to refuse?"

The black-robed person stood with his hands behind his back, his voice terrifyingly calm.

"You do."

"You can refuse."

"But you cannot afford the consequences of refusal."

Ye Chen nodded, the smile still on his face.

"Tell me, what consequences?"

The black-robed person narrowed his eyes and said coldly.

"Death."

"Not just your death, but everyone around you must die—completely wiped out."

He paused, his gaze moving past Ye Chen to the passenger seat of the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.

"For example... that beauty."

As he finished speaking.

*Click.*

Behind the car, two dark shadows silently emerged from the shadows in the corner of the parking lot.

They were two more black-robed figures.

Similarly wrapped from head to toe with black masks, revealing only their eyes.

One stopped at the passenger door, and the other stood by the driver's door, like two black walls, blocking the doors completely.

Inside the car, Bing Lan watched the two black-robed figures right next to her through the window, her expression changing slightly.

But she didn't act rashly.

Because she knew Ye Chen was outside.

With him there, she had nothing to fear.

The smile on Ye Chen's face slowly faded: "Are you threatening me?"

The black-robed person in front of him shook his head.

"It's not a threat, but a statement of fact."

"Join the Punishment Palace, and both you and your people will live well."

"Refuse..."

He spread his hands, his tone tinged with regret, "Then don't blame us for being ruthless."

Ye Chen fell silent.

Seeing this, a flash of smugness appeared in the black-robed person's eyes.

"Ye Chen, I know you are strong."

"But no matter how strong you are, you are just one person."

"Can you guard your woman twenty-four hours a day? Can you guard your parents? Can you guard all your friends?"

"You can't."

"But by joining the Punishment Palace, none of this will be a problem."

"The Punishment Palace will provide you with protection and everything you want."

As soon as he finished speaking.

Ye Chen looked up at him and asked calmly, "Are you finished?"

The black-robed person was stunned.

Ye Chen picked at his earwax and spoke calmly.

"Are all you people from the Punishment Palace so long-winded?"

The black-robed person's expression instantly darkened.

Ye Chen continued as if he hadn't noticed.

"As for me, I hate it most when people threaten me."

"Especially..."

"Threatening me using the people around me."

The leading black-robed person narrowed his eyes, his voice turning completely cold: "So, you're choosing to do this the hard way?"

Ye Chen didn't answer; he just raised his right hand and beckoned with his finger.

"Come, try."