Dao Companion Crippled, Coveters Move

Chapter 280 278: Tonight Is a Night of Pure Love

"Qianqian, you… I'm glad you've moved on."

"Brother Pei, I haven't moved on, and I won't give up on you."

Lin Qianyan cut Pei Yuhang off. A resolute light suddenly ignited in her eyes, as dazzling and tenacious as the brightest star in the night sky.

Her voice was clear and firm. Though her tone was gentle, every word landed on Pei Yuhang's heart with the weight of a mountain.

"Brother Pei, I haven't moved on, and I won't give up on you."

"You said we missed our chance. No, we didn't. Hasn't Qianqian found you now?"

"…"

Her words left Pei Yuhang momentarily speechless. His brows furrowed slightly, a flash of struggle and pain in his eyes.

His lips moved as if he wanted to scold Lin Qianyan for her irrationality. He wanted to tell her that the Jade Pool Sacred Land would never allow its Saintess to be with a married man.

But for some reason, Pei Yuhang couldn't bring himself to say the harsh words he wanted to shout to snap Lin Qianyan back to reality.

He even let his gaze wander, unable to meet Lin Qianyan's eyes.

Seeing this, the light in Lin Qianyan's eyes grew even brighter.

She took a step forward, tilted her head up slightly, her voice laced with a gentle yet undeniable persistence. "Qianyan understands that Brother Pei is an incredibly kind person. Since Sister Ye is your wife in name, you can't possibly betray her.

But my feelings have never changed. I searched for you for over a hundred years, and I finally found you, Brother Pei.

You can reject me, you can run from me, but you can't stop me from loving you."

Lin Qianyan's voice was like a gentle spring rain, seeping silently into the depths of Pei Yuhang's heart.

Pei Yuhang's Adam's apple bobbed. A flicker of emotion crossed his eyes, but it was quickly suppressed by reason.

He lowered his head, his voice hoarse and weary. "Qianqian, why put yourself through this…"

Lin Qianyan saw the wavering in his eyes. She knew he hadn't completely let her go.

'Otherwise, he wouldn't have tended to and repaired my grave every year.'

'The two of us still have a chance to get back together.'

'Just… not right now. I need to wait a little longer.'

Lin Qianyan had already waited a hundred years; what was a little more time?

A faint smile touched her lips, her tone as gentle as ever. "Brother Pei, you look a little tired. After all, we've only just reunited after countless days and nights. Perhaps you need some time to process everything.

In that case, Qianqian won't disturb you any longer. Brother Pei, let's talk again another day.

I'll be staying here at the Dao Sect for a while, so I might drop by to see you at any time~"

With that, she gave a slight nod and turned to leave without waiting for Pei Yuhang's reply.

Lin Qianyan's sudden arrival had barged into Pei Yuhang's current life, and now she had left just as abruptly.

Her slender, lonely back was like a flower petal drifting in the wind, gradually disappearing into the shadows of the red plum blossoms outside the courtyard as Pei Yuhang watched.

"…"

Pei Yuhang watched Lin Qianyan walk away, only snapping back to his senses after a long time.

'Did Shang Miaoyan predict this? That Qianqian would come looking for me, which is why she used a game of chess as an excuse to keep me from leaving?'

'Heh, and here I thought she was genuinely trying to help Liyuan.'

Pei Yuhang let out a derisive laugh. He looked up at the goose-feather snow falling from the sky, feeling the path ahead grow increasingly blurry.

Back then, after becoming Dao Companions with Liyuan, his life plan had been incredibly simple.

It was to do his duty as a master, raise his disciple to be successful, cultivate peacefully with Liyuan, and just live their lives. Maybe they would have twins in the future, watch his disciple start a family, and see his and Liyuan's children grow up…

'Why did things turn out this way in the end?'

...

...

Meanwhile, Fairy Ye was in the apothecary, brewing the Ten-Complete Yin Replenishing Soup.

She stared at the pot of bubbling Ten-Complete Yin Replenishing Soup before her. The stove's fire flickered across her face, making her expression shift between light and shadow.

'I was already planning to see Senior Sister Lu tomorrow to have her refine the Jade Maiden White Ginseng that Sister Lin gave me.'

'But… are its effects really as exaggerated as the books claim? To be able to go at it all night without getting tired after just a small bite.'

Ye Liyuan's throat moved, and she swallowed audibly. Her gaze fell involuntarily on the translucent, crystal-like Jade Maiden White Ginseng in her hand.

'Should I… cut off a bit of the root and toss it into the Ten-Complete Yin Replenishing Soup… to test the waters with Ah Han tonight?'

Lately, thanks to the prescriptions and Cultivation Method from Shang Miaoyan, Ye Liyuan's physical constitution had improved significantly. At the very least, her body was no longer so exquisitely sensitive that she would go weak at a single touch.

But even so, she was still keenly aware of the vast difference in constitution between herself and Pei Yuhang.

At this thought, a trace of gloom flickered in Ye Liyuan's eyes. Her fingers gently brushed over her lower abdomen as a bitter feeling welled up in her heart.

After so many years as Dao Companions, she had never been able to conceive a child.

Whenever she saw her fellow sister-disciples from the same generation laughing and playing with their children, a deep sense of envy and self-blame would wash over her.

"Some of my peers have children who are already old enough to run errands…" Her voice was barely a whisper, tinged with self-deprecation and helplessness.

'I have to try it with Ah Han tonight. If it works… after I finish this one, I'll just have to shamelessly ask Sister Lin for another.'

'At worst, I'll just confess my unspeakable difficulties to Sister Lin. Ah Han is so important to her; she would surely want me to get healthy soon and bear Ah Han lots of children…'

Ye Liyuan mumbled to herself, her cheeks flushing red. She carefully sliced off a small piece of root from the ginseng, her fingertips trembling slightly as she dropped it into the bubbling soup.

...

...

The night was as black as ink, with only a few scattered stars.

Pei Yuhang pushed open the courtyard gate and walked with heavy steps into the love nest he shared with Ye Liyuan.

After Lin Qianyan left, he had remained seated on the stone bench in the courtyard, his gaze vacant as he stared into the distance, his thoughts seemingly frozen.

He didn't think about the complicated emotional entanglement, nor did he ponder his future choices. He simply sat in a daze, letting time slip quietly by.

He didn't snap out of it until the night wind grew chilly.

'I should go back. Back to the bed I share with my Dao Companion, Liyuan.'

'The matter with Qianqian… is in the past, after all.'

'Since I already made my choice long ago, I shouldn't keep looking back.'

Pei Yuhang calmed his heart. He pushed open the door to their room. It was quiet inside, with only a single, dim candle flickering on the table, casting the reflection of Ye Liyuan combing her long, dark hair in the mirror.

Tonight, Ye Liyuan had changed into a rare, vibrant red dress. The fiery crimson was like a burning flame, making her look dazzlingly beautiful.

The dress was bold and alluring, tailored to her figure to accentuate her slender waist and graceful curves. The already short hem had a slight slit, vaguely revealing a large swath of jade-white skin and adding a fiery, seductive charm.

When Pei Yuhang entered, his gaze landed on her involuntarily, a flash of astonishment and wonder in his eyes.

"Liyuan, tonight you're…"

"Do you like it~?"

Ye Liyuan saw Ah Han enter from behind through the mirror's reflection. She rose and walked toward Pei Yuhang with small steps.

Fairy Ye had an elegant and ethereal air to begin with. Set against the vibrant red dress, she didn't look gaudy at all. Instead, she appeared even more noble and bewitching, like a Honglian blooming on a snowy peak—coldly beautiful, yet captivating.

With every step her small feet took, the golden anklets she wore made a crisp CLINK CLINK CLINK, a sound that tugged at the heartstrings.

Pei Yuhang's Adam's apple bobbed. He seemed stunned by his unusually bold Dao Companion tonight, momentarily forgetting how to speak.

Ye Liyuan turned slightly, bringing her pink lips close to Pei Yuhang's earlobe. Her warm breath brushed gently against his ear, carrying a faint, elusive fragrance.

Her voice was soft and enchanting, as if laced with a hint of teasing and playfulness. "Do you like it? Ah Han still hasn't answered me~"

"Liyuan, why are you tonight…"

"Shh, no more nonsense~"

Ye Liyuan brought her pink lips to Pei Yuhang's earlobe and exhaled softly. "What are you standing there for, you blockhead? Don't you know a Fairy has to maintain her modesty?"

Pei Yuhang nodded. He closed his eyes, casting aside all thoughts of Qianqian and focusing entirely on his Dao Companion.

He reached out and swept Ye Liyuan up by the waist, his movement swift and strong.

Startled by his sudden action, Ye Liyuan let out a soft cry, which was immediately followed by a peal of silvery laughter. It was crisp and pleasant, like a mountain spring, mixed with a hint of playful protest and joy.

"Slow down, slow down~ Haha~ It's not like I'm going to run away."

Her fingers rested lightly on his shoulder, her fingertips tracing his neck in a faint, teasing manner.

"Just now, Ah Han, you were standing there frozen like a statue. I was starting to think you were truly free of worldly desires."

Hearing this, Pei Yuhang fell onto the bed with her in his arms, his movements gentle yet firm.

With a flick of his finger, the curtains around the bed slowly fell, enclosing them in their own private space.

Then, Pei Yuhang whispered a challenge into Liyuan's ear:

"My dear Xiao Liyuan had better save her strength for now. You don't want to be too tired to even cry later.

Your husband is in a bad mood today, so I won't be spoiling you like before. Even if you beg and plead for me to stop, I won't let you off!"

Upon hearing this, the mischievous smile on Ye Liyuan's pretty face froze.

Her delicate body couldn't help but tense up, as if she was having second thoughts.

She swallowed, but then she remembered she was currently in an "enhanced" state. Looking at Pei Yuhang again, she regained her confidence.

"Hmph, Ah Han, you're so used to being conceited. This Sister Ye has always been going easy on you before!"

After saying her piece, Ye Liyuan took the initiative, wrapping her arms around Pei Yuhang's neck and kissing him boldly and passionately.

The candlelight flickered, casting the silhouettes of the two figures onto the curtain.

Outside the curtain, the night was quiet and deep; inside, the world was filled with warmth and love.

Tonight was a night of pure love.