BTTH : Emperor Yang

Chapter 16: Chapter 16: Return to Wu Tan City

A few days later.

Wu Tan City.

A carriage slowly rolled into the city, following the flow of people.

After five months away, Wei Yang had finally returned.

When he left, he was a Six-Star Dou Shi. Now, he was still a Six-Star Dou Shi, yet his strength was on an entirely different level.

The gap between his past and present self could be described as the difference between the clouds and the mud—he felt like he could easily crush ten of his former selves.

The carriage window opened, revealing a beautiful young couple, instantly drawing the attention of many passersby.

The young man was handsome and spirited, while the young woman was breathtakingly beautiful, dressed in a flowing white gown. Her ethereal aura made her seem almost otherworldly, like a celestial maiden descending to the mortal realm.

Wei Yang held Ye Xian’er gently by her slender waist, while she leaned into his embrace like a docile kitten. A faint yet sweet smile played at her lips, her delicate face glowing with happiness as her bright eyes curiously took in the lively streets outside.

After spending the past few days together day and night, Ye Xian’er’s heart had already been fully captured by Wei Yang—she had completely fallen for him.

The relationship between the two had become extremely intimate. Though they hadn’t taken the final step yet, things like hugs and hand-holding had long since become natural.

”Brother Yang, is this Wu Tan City? It’s so lively!” Ye Xian’er’s voice was soft and melodious, her bright eyes flickering with excitement.

She had never seen such a bustling city before.

The liveliest place she had visited in the past was just Qingshan Town, which was nothing compared to this.

”Yes, I grew up here.” Wei Yang smiled and lowered his head, placing a light kiss on her cheek. ”From now on, this is your home too.”

Caught off guard by the kiss, Ye Xian’er’s face flushed red. She pinched Wei Yang lightly, gave him a playful glare, but then quickly tightened her grip on his hand. Her gaze grew misty. ”Home...?”

”Yes, home.” Wei Yang’s arm around her waist tightened slightly. ”From now on, we’re family. The most intimate and important family in this world.”

”Family...” Ye Xian’er gazed up at Wei Yang, murmuring softly.

”Xian’er, are you willing?” Wei Yang kissed her forehead gently and whispered.

”I am. I’m willing.” Ye Xian’er nodded firmly, her eyes glistening with moisture, her face brimming with happiness.

”Then it’s settled. No backing out,” Wei Yang teased, tapping her delicate nose.

”Mm! No backing out.” Ye Xian’er shook her head, then snuggled deeper into Wei Yang’s embrace. She pulled his hands around her, wrapping herself in his warmth, her face full of happiness and dependence.

A girl deeply in love, caught in the sweetness of her beloved’s words, had completely lost herself in this moment.

Wei Yang held the girl in his arms even tighter, his gaze drifting outside the carriage window. He ignored the envious glances of the passersby and simply smiled.

At this moment, his heart was also overflowing with tenderness for the girl in his embrace.

He made a firm decision—from now on, he would protect her.

He wouldn’t let her face everything alone like in the original story. He would be by her side, supporting her, shielding her from the world.

The carriage came to a stop at the entrance of a small alley.

Wei Yang gathered his belongings and helped Ye Xian’er down.

After tossing a pouch of gold coins to the driver, he took Ye Xian’er’s hand and led her into the alley.

Before long, they arrived at the entrance of a two-section courtyard residence.

”We’re here.” Wei Yang smiled, pulling out a key.

Ye Xian’er’s eyes lit up, filled with curiosity and anticipation.

Creak—

The courtyard door slowly swung open.

”This is our home,” Wei Yang said, holding Ye Xian’er’s hand.

”Mm.” Ye Xian’er nodded with a bright smile.

The two stepped into the courtyard together.

After five months away, the courtyard had become somewhat overgrown, with weeds sprouting between the cracks of the stone slabs. When Wei Yang pushed open the house door, he saw that a thin layer of dust had settled on the furniture.

”Cough.” Feeling a little embarrassed, Wei Yang explained, ”It’s been a few months since I was last here... so it’s a bit dirty.”

”Mm.” Seeing his expression, Ye Xian’er held back her laughter and nodded.

”You wait here, I’ll clean up right away.” Wei Yang let go of her hand and quickly grabbed a broom, starting to sweep.

”I’ll help too.” Ye Xian’er rolled up her sleeves and ran over cheerfully.

”Then go fetch some water and wipe down the tables and chairs.”

”Okay!”

-------

Under the eaves of the house, Wei Yang sat cross-legged on a stool, facing the rising sun as he cultivated. A faint golden glow seemed to coat his entire body.

”Furious Lion Blazing Art”—a fire and yang attribute technique—was a perfect match for Wei Yang.

As he breathed rhythmically, strands of pale golden energy were drawn in through his nose and mouth. The energy flowed through his meridians, was refined and absorbed, and finally gathered in his dantian.

”Hmm, hmm~”

Not far away, in the courtyard, Ye Xian’er hummed a little tune as she laid medicinal herbs out to dry on a wooden rack.

She frequently glanced at the young man meditating in the sunlight, her bright eyes filled with affection and warmth.

She had already begun cultivating as well, but she was only at Dou Zhi Qi Second Stage. Since she didn’t need to cultivate for long each day, she spent most of her time studying medicine instead.

After finishing with the herbs, Ye Xian’er tiptoed back to Wei Yang’s side and quietly sat down. She picked up a medical book and started reading.

A short while later.

Wei Yang opened his eyes and let out a long breath of impure air.

”It’s been half a year since I returned... I’m already at the peak of Eight-Star Dou Shi. It feels like Nine-Star isn’t far away now.” He smiled.

”You cultivate so fast.”

Ye Xian’er put down her book and looked over with a smile. ”You’re not even sixteen years old yet, and you’re already an Eight-Star Dou Shi. At this rate, in another year, you might even reach Da Dou Shi.”

Speaking of this, she couldn’t help but sigh. ”A seventeen-year-old Da Dou Shi... I don’t think that’s ever happened in the history of the Jia Ma Empire, right?”

Wei Yang chuckled and ruffled her soft hair. ”You’re not bad either. It’s only been half a year, and you’ve already reached Dou Zhi Qi Second Stage. And you’re also a doctor now. A thirteen-year-old physician—Little Doctor Ye.”

”Hehe~” Ye Xian’er blushed slightly from the praise. She rubbed her head against his palm and said modestly, ”I’m not a doctor yet. There’s still so much to learn.”

Wei Yang didn’t refute her words. He had witnessed her progress firsthand.

Setting aside her Calamity Poison Body, which was a complete cheat, even if she cultivated normally, her talent was still outstanding.

Reaching Dou Zhi Qi Second Stage in just half a year was already an incredible feat.

Moreover, in the field of medicine, Ye Xian’er also displayed exceptional talent and comprehension. She learned quickly and often grasped concepts with just a few explanations, even extending her understanding beyond what was taught.

After only six months, she had almost learned everything Wei Yang knew.

Now, she was mostly studying on her own.

”Little girl.” Wei Yang’s eyes were filled with amusement as he pinched her cheek.

”Hmmph~” Ye Xian’er wrinkled her nose adorably.

Wei Yang suddenly picked her up in his arms and placed her on his lap. He lowered his head and kissed her forehead.

Ye Xian’er snuggled into his embrace, the corners of her lips curling into a joyful smile.

Wei Yang carefully tucked a few loose strands of her hair behind her ear, his fingers gently brushing against her delicate face.

The two of them sat there quietly, bathed in the golden sunlight, enjoying this warm and peaceful moment.

Both of them were orphans. Having found each other, they had already become each other’s most important person in this world.

”Xian’er.” Wei Yang softly called her name.

”Mm?” Ye Xian’er tilted her head up.

”About your body...” Wei Yang looked down at her. ”You still don’t want to tell me?”

The smile on Ye Xian’er’s face instantly froze. Her complexion turned slightly pale.

She lowered her head and pressed her face against his chest, shaking her head gently. In a muffled voice, she whispered, ”I’m afraid... if I tell you, you’ll hate me.”

”Silly girl, I cherish you so much—how could I ever hate you?” Wei Yang held her tighter and said softly, ”No matter what difficulties we face, we’ll face them together. I will always protect you. Please... tell me, okay?”

He had long known that Ye Xian’er possessed the Woeful Poison Body, but he couldn’t just come out and say it.