29: Chapter 29 Crisis Resolved

Liu Ruyan buried her face in Ye Yun's chest, sobbing uncontrollably as her tears soaked his blood-stained clothes.

When she was being humiliated by Zhao Tianheng and oppressed by Li Mo's Aura just now, her only thought had been of Ye Yun.

But seeing Ye Yun covered in blood and struggling to hold on, she wished she could bear all the pain for him.

It was a complex mix of fear, grievance, heartache, and ecstasy, all of which now poured out as tears.

Ye Yun held her tightly in return, feeling the trembling of her body and the warmth of her tears, his heart filled with self-reproach.

"I'm sorry, Ruyan, I'm sorry! I came too late and made you suffer so much!"

He gently patted her back with extreme tenderness, a far cry from the blood-soaked god of war he had been moments ago.

"Don't be afraid, it's okay now; it's all over. With me here, no one will ever hurt you again."

"Mm..."

Liu Ruyan nodded through her sobs, clutching Ye Yun's clothes tightly as if he would disappear if she let go.

The relief of surviving the disaster and her dependence on Ye Yun made her want nothing more than to snuggle in his arms and feel his warmth and heartbeat.

The scene of the two weeping in each other's arms appeared exceptionally sincere and moving within the blood-scented Earth God Temple.

Not far away, Su Wanqing froze in place, her outstretched hand still hovering in mid-air, as the worry and anxiety on her face were gradually replaced by loss and bitterness.

She watched Ye Yun's undisguised heartache and tenderness for Liu Ruyan, seeing the bond between them forged through life and death.

It felt as if something was blocking her chest, a dull ache.

She knew she shouldn't be sad; Liu Ruyan had just experienced something terrible, and it was only right for Ye Yun to care for her.

But seeing how Ye Yun only had eyes for Liu Ruyan, Su Wanqing couldn't help but feel a sense of loss.

She silently withdrew her hand and lowered her head to hide the moisture in her eyes, her fingers gently twisting the corner of her clothes, her heart a whirlwind of emotions.

She was happy that Ye Yun was safe and relieved that Liu Ruyan had been rescued, yet she was also saddened that she couldn't reach the deepest part of Ye Yun's heart.

Su Zhennan, standing aside, saw everything, his face filled with a complex expression.

Looking at the deep affection between Ye Yun and Liu Ruyan, then at his daughter's lonely appearance, he felt a surge of emotions.

He knew Ye Yun was not a heartless person, but matters of the heart had always been complicated and could not be forced.

Su Zhennan sighed softly and ultimately said nothing.

Ye Yun had just gone through a fierce battle, and Liu Ruyan had suffered a great shock; now was not the time to discuss such things.

Moreover, after this battle, Ye Yun's strength and Heart-Nature had already far surpassed those of his peers; his future was limitless, and it was a blessing for the Su Family to be associated with him.

As for his daughter's feelings, they could only let nature take its course.

He turned and gave orders to the Su Family Disciples.

"Clean this place up. Also, find two sedan chairs to take Young Master Ye and Miss Liu back to the manor to heal their wounds."

"Yes, Family Head."

The Disciples respectfully complied and began to systematically clear the aftermath.

Ye Yun comforted Liu Ruyan for a long while before her emotions finally began to settle.

Supporting Liu Ruyan, he turned to look at Su Zhennan and Su Wanqing, his eyes full of gratitude.

"Uncle Su, Wanqing, thank you for arriving in time today; otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable."

Su Zhennan waved his hand.

"Young Master Ye, you're too polite. You and Wanqing are kindred spirits; we are practically family, and helping each other is only natural."

Su Wanqing also looked up, forcing a thin smile as she spoke to Ye Yun.

"It's good that you're okay. Let's go back and treat your wounds quickly; they can't be delayed any longer."

Ye Yun watched the bloodshot lines in her eyes and her forced smile, and he felt a slight warmth in his heart along with some guilt.

He understood Su Wanqing's current feelings but didn't know how to comfort her, so he simply nodded.

"Alright, let's go back."

...

As the battle at the Earth God Temple concluded, Shiyun City appeared to return to its usual calm on the surface, but undercurrents were surging.

Ye Yun took Liu Ruyan back to the West City Villa; seeing the lingering scars on her body and the remnants of fear in her eyes, his guilt intensified.

After experiencing the terrifying moment of her abduction, he no longer dared to let Liu Ruyan live alone.

From then on, no matter how late it was after his daily Cultivate session, he would rush back to the villa to accompany Liu Ruyan.

As the night deepened, a warm lamp would always be lit in the villa's room.

Ye Yun would soothe Liu Ruyan's disrupted Meridians and patiently guide her to consolidate her Martial Master Realm Third Stage cultivation.

Occasionally, he would talk about interesting things that happened at the Su Family during the day to dispel the gloom in her heart.

Liu Ruyan shed her past restraint and became increasingly dependent on Ye Yun, waiting for his return every night.

She would prepare warm medicinal soup for him, smoothing away his fatigue and pain with her gentle company.

"Yun'er, when you went to the Su Family today, did Young Miss Wanqing make things difficult for you?"

Liu Ruyan sat by the bed, wiping the wounds on Ye Yun's arm that hadn't fully healed, her tone carrying a hint of worry.

She knew Su Wanqing's feelings for Ye Yun and was aware that her own existence might make that pure young girl sad.

Ye Yun held her hand, his gaze gentle and firm.

"No, Wanqing is very kind. Don't overthink it; I will handle it."

His heart was also filled with gratitude and guilt toward Su Wanqing.

He had originally thought that after witnessing his deep bond with Liu Ruyan at the Earth God Temple, Su Wanqing would throw a tantrum.

Or even break things off with him; after all, what young girl wouldn't want to be the only one in her sweetheart's heart?

But the reality exceeded Ye Yun's expectations; Su Wanqing not only didn't complain at all but remained as gentle and considerate as ever.

Every time he went to the Su Family, she would prepare delicious meals for him and concernedly ask about his injuries.

What put Ye Yun's mind even more at ease was that whenever he suggested to Cultivate together with Su Wanqing, she never refused.

The young girl's cheeks would flush with a shy blush, but there was no resentment in her eyes, only pure dependence and adoration.

In Ye Yun's view, this silent acceptance was far more reassuring than a thousand words.

During Dual Cultivation, Su Wanqing was still that green and naive self, yet she was a bit more proactive than before.

She would tightly hug Ye Yun's neck, burying her cheek in his chest, feeling his warmth and heartbeat as if that could convey her feelings to him.

Ye Yun could feel the softness and tolerance in her heart, and he cherished this rare affection even more.

During Cultivate, he would also guide her more patiently, helping her stabilize her paginate an Eighth Stage Martial Artist cultivation.

"Wanqing, thank you."

After one Dual Cultivation session ended, Ye Yun gently stroked Su Wanqing's long hair, his tone full of sincere gratitude.

Su Wanqing looked up, her eyes shy but exceptionally firm.

"Ye Yun, I know Sister Ruyan is very important to you; she has been through a lot with you. I... I only hope to be by your side, and that is enough."

Ye Yun's heart warmed, and he pulled her tightly into his embrace.

He knew he was unworthy to have two such wonderful women devoted to him.

He secretly resolved that in the future, he would do his utmost to protect them and never let them suffer even the slightest grievance again.

...

In contrast to the tenderness in Shiyun City, the City Lord's Manor was filled with a stifling, low-pressure atmosphere.

In the discussion hall, Zhao Shanhe stood with his hands behind his back, facing away from the door and looking out at the gloomy sky, his entire body radiating a heart-stopping pressure.

The Aura of the Great Martial Master Realm was like an invisible mountain, causing the air in the hall to nearly solidify.

"It's been over seven days; is there still no news of Tianheng?"