Invincible Soul Emperor

Ye Qingchen smiled. He rarely involved himself in family matters. His father was already the patriarch of the Ye Family, and since Ye Changyun and his father were as close as brothers, Ye Qingchen wouldn’t oppose either of them serving as patriarch. It made no difference to him.

”Changyun, you mustn’t! I’ve been away from the family for many years and am unfamiliar with its current situation. You are more suited to this position!”

But Ye Changqing refused. Ten years of wandering had exposed him to so much, and he had long since lost interest in the position. The Ye Changqing of today had found new pursuits.

Seeing that his brother’s ambitions lay elsewhere, Ye Changyun pressed a few more times before finally letting the matter rest.

Just then, Qin Zhantian arrived at the Ye Family home with Qin Yue in tow. Seeing that a grand feast was underway, he laughed heartily and asked a family member to announce their arrival.

Hearing of Qin Zhantian’s visit, the members of the Ye Family hurriedly rose to greet him and welcomed him to their table.

With a hearty tone, Qin Zhantian took a manual from his robes and handed it to Ye Changqing. ”I’ve come to congratulate you on your return to the Ye Family, Changqing,” he said. ”This is the Domineering Force Art, an Earth Rank intermediate-grade cultivation technique we found at the Rising Sun Pavilion! I observed your constitution last time, and this art is perfectly suited for you!”

Ye Changqing and Ye Qingchen were overjoyed and promptly thanked Qin Zhantian.

Qin Zhantian, however, waved his hand with a smile. ”There’s no need for thanks. I’ve also come today to settle one other matter: setting a wedding date for Qingchen and Yue’er. What do you think, Changqing?”

Ye Changqing, in high spirits, replied promptly, ”I have no objection, of course, but matters concerning the children should be left for them to decide. What do you two say, Qingchen, Qin Yue?”

Qin Yue shyly lowered her head without speaking, which was taken as tacit agreement.

But Ye Qingchen furrowed his brow.

He wasn’t against marrying Qin Yue; after all, she had been loyal and kind to him. But the thought of Xiao Xiao troubled him. Back in the Demon Region, a few harsh words from him had sent her into despair, causing her to run off alone and nearly fall prey to an insidious plot. If that little girl found out he was getting married, who knew what kind of foolish thing she might do?

With that thought, Ye Qingchen hesitated.

Observing his son’s expression, Ye Changqing, who knew his son better than anyone, smiled. ”Mr. Qin,” he said, ”the children are still young. There’s no need to hurry the wedding. Let them spend more time together. It won’t be too late to talk about marriage later.”

Qin Zhantian’s brow furrowed.

His beloved granddaughter had sacrificed so much for Ye Qingchen, and now that it was time to discuss marriage, the boy was hesitating? What? Was his granddaughter not good enough for him?

Annoyed, Qin Zhantian was about to speak, but Qin Yue intervened on Ye Qingchen’s behalf. ”Grandfather, I also think we should postpone talking about marriage. Why the rush? Are you afraid your granddaughter won’t be able to find a husband?”

Qin Zhantian gave a wry smile and shook his head. Even now, Qin Yue was still protecting Ye Qingchen.

Since Qin Yue had spoken up, Qin Zhantian had no choice but to agree.

This small episode made the atmosphere at the banquet somewhat awkward.

After the banquet concluded, Ye Changqing and a few others stayed behind to chat with Qin Zhantian, while Ye Qingchen gave Qin Yue a knowing look. The two of them left the Ye home together.

Outside Qingyun Town, Qin Yue felt a wave of melancholy. She had lived in the town for a time, and returning now brought back a flood of memories. Back then, Ye Qingchen was known throughout the town as a good-for-nothing, while she was the highly esteemed master of the Rising Sun Pavilion, whom everyone sought to curry favor with.

Who would have thought that she would end up with Ye Qingchen? It was an outcome even her past self could never have imagined.

On a quiet path, the two walked side by side, chatting idly. Ye Qingchen walked beside Qin Yue, contemplating how to explain things to her.

Qin Yue chuckled, speaking first. ”What? Are you trying to comfort me? Don’t bother. I’m not that petty.”

Ye Qingchen also smiled, scratching his head sheepishly before saying, ”Qin Yue, you should know how I feel about you. I couldn’t be happier to marry you. It’s just... I’m a bit worried about Xiao Xiao.”

Qin Yue looked at him curiously. She knew full well that Ye Qingchen had once bravely ventured into Qingyun Mountain to find medicine for Xiao Xiao, a testament to the deep bond between them.

Ye Qingchen sighed and continued, ”Xiao Xiao and I have depended on each other since we were young. In my heart, she’s like my own sister. During our trip to the Demon Region, she did something foolish just because of a careless word from me. I don’t want my marriage to affect her and cause her to do something rash again. Just give me some time. I’m certain I can soothe her worries and make sure she doesn’t act recklessly anymore. Then, we can set a wedding date, and I will formally and honorably bring you into the Ye Family. I know it’s a lot to ask, but I hope you can understand my predicament.”

Qin Yue gazed at Ye Qingchen for a long time without speaking.

Ye Qingchen felt a little flustered under her gaze, but having already made his decision, he met her eyes with resolve.

After a moment, Qin Yue sighed. ”Since Xiao Xiao is your sister, she’s my sister, too. I wouldn’t want her to do anything foolish either.”

As she spoke, she began to smile. ”Besides,” she added, ”I will support you unconditionally, no matter what you decide.”

Her voice grew softer, and by the end, she had shyly lowered her head.

Deeply touched by her words, Ye Qingchen pulled her into an embrace. Qin Yue did not resist, simply burying her face shyly into his chest.

He gently lifted her chin, and upon seeing her exquisitely beautiful face, he could no longer hold back and kissed her intensely.

Afterward, he took her hand. They walked and enjoyed the roadside scenery, sharing their innermost feelings. It was a warm and romantic moment, as if time itself had stood still for them.

The next morning, Qin Zhantian and Qin Yue departed from the Ye Family home. Ye Changqing had also called for Ye Qingchen early on.

”What are your instructions, Father?” Ye Qingchen asked after straightening his attire.

Ye Changqing’s expression was somewhat forlorn. He sighed and said, ”I haven’t been home in ten years, and you’ve grown up now. It’s time to take you to pay respects to your mother.”

”Mother?” Ye Qingchen murmured to himself. He had no memories of his mother. From the time he was old enough to remember, Ye Changqing had been away from home, and whenever Ye Qingchen asked Ye Changyun about her, his uncle was always extremely tight-lipped on the matter.

Now, hearing his father finally bring her up, Ye Qingchen couldn’t hold back. ”Father, can you tell me about Mother? How did she die?”

Ye Changqing let out a long sigh, the melancholy on his face deepening. He silently led Ye Qingchen out of the Ye Family home.

Ye Qingchen did not press him, simply following behind.

After they had walked for a short while, Ye Changqing finally spoke.

”Your mother’s name was Bai Ruolan.”

”You’ve grown up now. It’s time you knew certain things about her.”