9: Chapter 9 Heading to Stone Cloud City

"Shiyun City?"

Ye Yun raised an eyebrow, signaling her to continue.

"It's a medium-sized city about three hundred miles from Qingyun City. It's not too close, but not too far either."

Liu Ruyan recalled her past knowledge and explained softly, her voice gradually steadying.

"Shiyun City is controlled by the City Lord's Manor and several local forces. It has never had dealings with Qingyun City, so the reach of the Three Great Families doesn't extend there. Moreover, it's a mix of all sorts of people, with many merchant caravans and Loose Cultivators coming and going. If we hide there, it won't be easy to be noticed."

Ye Yun pondered for a moment, having already made a decision in his heart.

A distance of three hundred miles—at his current Mystic Power speed, traveling with Liu Ruyan, they could arrive in two days at most.

Shiyun City was neither within the sphere of influence of the Three Great Families nor unable to provide temporary protection; it was indeed the most suitable place for now.

"Alright, we'll go to Shiyun City." Ye Yun nodded, his gaze firm.

"Once we establish a foothold there and my Mystic Power is enough to contend with the Three Great Families, we will return to avenge the Ye Family."

A hint of warmth welled up in Liu Ruyan's eyes. She gave a soft "mm" and leaned her head against his shoulder again.

Only this time, the movement was much gentler, carrying a few hints of cautious testing.

Feeling Ye Yun's solid arms, the shyness and unease in her heart were gradually replaced by a sense of security.

With Ye Yun by her side, even if the road ahead was uncertain or her status was awkward, she gained a bit more courage.

The two didn't delay any longer. After a simple cleanup, Ye Yun collected the weapons and small amount of money from the Storage Pouches of Sun Kui and the others into the System's storage space, then led Liu Ruyan out of Black Wind Ridge.

Regarding the System space, Ye Yun could only give Liu Ruyan a vague explanation.

Walking along the road, Liu Ruyan always maintained a distance of half a step from him.

Occasionally, if she accidentally brushed against his arm, she would retract her hand like a startled fawn, her cheeks flushing and her eyes darting away in deliberate distance and unnaturalness.

This caused a trace of bitterness to rise in Ye Yun's heart, but he also understood that this awkwardness would take time to dissolve.

What they didn't know was that the moment their figures disappeared into the depths of Black Wind Ridge, the forces of the Three Great Families had already finished assembling outside Qingyun City.

Zhao Lie, Sun Tao, and Lin Yue led the teams personally, commanding hundreds of Martial Artists with condensed Mystic Power.

They marched grandly toward Black Wind Ridge, surrounding the entire mountain ridge.

"Ye Yun, Liu Ruyan, let's see where you run this time!"

Zhao Lie sat on a tall horse, his eyes sinister, his long saber pointing directly toward Black Wind Ridge.

"Search! Search thoroughly for me! Even if you have to flip over every inch of land, find them!"

Hundreds of Martial Artists poured into Black Wind Ridge like a tide, unaware that the targets they were searching for had already quietly left half an hour ago.

This massive siege was destined to be in vain from the very beginning.

...

Two days later, beneath the gates of Shiyun City.

Ye Yun and Liu Ruyan stood side by side, looking at the towering city gates and the coming and going crowds, a flash of relief in their eyes.

Along the way, though small groups of Yao Beasts appeared, they were all easily dealt with by Ye Yun using his Perfection-level Flowing Cloud Palm, and they encountered no pursuers from the Three Great Families.

However, during these two days together, Liu Ruyan remained somewhat shy. She didn't speak much, mostly just quietly following behind Ye Yun.

Occasionally, when their eyes met, she would quickly look away, the atmosphere always carrying a subtle awkwardness.

Shiyun City indeed lived up to its reputation; the city gates were tall and majestic, and the streets were wide and clean.

Passersby wore various clothes; there were Loose Cultivators with weapons and merchant caravans driving carriages.

There were also local powerhouses dressed in luxury, a scene of prosperity and bustle.

"Let's find an inn to stay in first, then make plans."

Ye Yun said in a low voice, his gaze scanning the surroundings alertly.

This place was a mix of all sorts of people, and hearts were hard to fathom; caution was best.

Liu Ruyan nodded and took out a small Brocade Pouch from her bosom, which contained some silver scraps and copper coins she had brought from the Ye Family, enough for them to stay in an inn for a while.

Her movements were gentle, but her fingertips still carried a trace of imperceptible stiffness, clearly not yet fully adapted to her current relationship with Ye Yun.

The two walked along the street and finally chose a medium-sized inn called Yuelai Inn.

Ye Yun went forward to book a premium room. When the Waiter led them upstairs, his eyes couldn't help but linger on Liu Ruyan.

Liu Ruyan was already peerlessly beautiful, the number one beauty of Qingyun City. Even after two days of travel and looking a bit travel-worn, her world-toppling beauty was still hard to hide.

Her skin was as white as jade, her eyes filled with emotion; even just standing there casually, she was enough to attract everyone's attention.

Ye Yun's heart tightened as he realized the severity of the problem.

Liu Ruyan's appearance was too outstanding. In this mixed Shiyun City, it would inevitably attract unnecessary trouble.

It might even be recognized by those with ulterior motives, leaking their whereabouts.

Back in the room, Ye Yun closed the door and looked at Liu Ruyan with a serious expression.

"Ruyan, your appearance is too eye-catching. If this continues, something will happen sooner or later. We must find a way to hide it."

Liu Ruyan was stunned for a moment, then understood Ye Yun's meaning. Her cheeks instantly flushed crimson, her eyes holding a trace of shyness and hesitation.

To have her wear men's clothing and present herself as a man in an unfamiliar city was a bit difficult for her to accept.

But thinking of Ye Yun's concerns and their current situation, she finally nodded: "Alright."

Ye Yun instructed.

"Stay in the room and don't wander around. I'll be right back."

"Mm, be careful."

Liu Ruyan looked up at him, a trace of worry in her eyes, then quickly lowered her head to hide the shyness in her gaze.

Ye Yun left as promised, looking for a Clothing Shop along the streets near the inn.

Shiyun City was indeed prosperous; before long, he found a shop with a clean storefront.

Based on Liu Ruyan's figure, he chose a set of Green Martial Attire. The material was tough and the size slightly loose, just enough to hide her exquisite curves.

And it wouldn't look too out of place.

After paying, he quickly returned to the inn.

...

Back in the room, Ye Yun handed the Green Martial Attire to Liu Ruyan.

"Change into these clothes and disguise yourself as a man. Although it might not completely fool everyone, it will at least reduce a lot of unnecessary attention."

Liu Ruyan took the clothes. As her fingertips touched the temperature of the fabric, her cheeks instantly flushed crimson, and even the tips of her ears grew hot.

Thinking that she was going to wear men's clothing personally chosen by Ye Yun and walk in an unfamiliar city disguised as a man.

She felt incredibly shy, her heart thumping wildly, and her hands even trembled slightly.

"I... I'll go to the inner room to change."

She said softly, then quickly walked into the inner room with the clothes and gently closed the door, as if something were chasing her.

Ye Yun looked at her slightly hurried back and sighed inwardly.

Having experienced so many things, he saw all her shyness and unnaturalness and understood that this awkwardness would need time to gradually smooth over.

A moment later, the door to the inner room slowly opened, and Liu Ruyan walked out.

Ye Yun's gaze fell on her, and he was instantly stunned.

Liu Ruyan was dressed in Green Martial Attire. Although the loose clothing hid her exquisite curves, it made her figure appear even more upright and slender.

She had tied her long hair high up, secured with a simple Wooden Hairpin provided by the inn, revealing her smooth, full forehead and slender, fair neck.

The charm that originally lingered between her brows now had a touch of heroism added to it.

Yet it still couldn't hide that breathtaking beauty.