Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 434 434 Pecked Once

Of course, Ye Qingchen had no idea how deeply his gesture had touched Xia Chengkai. After all, for an alchemist, the temptation of the Pill Emperor's Heart Sutra was unparalleled.

When Ye Qingchen stepped out of the Deputy City Lord's Mansion, he saw Liu Wan'er standing there, looking pretty and vibrant. She wore a long, green dress that perfectly accentuated her figure. Her face was flushed, and she kept peering toward the mansion gates, clearly filled with both anticipation and nervousness. The moment Ye Qingchen appeared, an undeniable joy lit up her face.

"Why didn't you go straight in? Now that your Liu Family Commerce Guild has entered a close partnership with City Lord Xia, they wouldn't stop you, would they?" Ye Qingchen asked with a smile as he walked over to her.

Liu Wan'er shyly lowered her head, avoiding his gaze as she spoke. "They didn't stop me. It's just that I came here specifically to find you, Young Master Ye. If I had run into Pill King Xia, I wouldn't have been able to avoid the pleasantries."

Ye Qingchen nodded, understanding what she meant. Despite her cold exterior, Liu Wan'er was still a young girl at heart. She had only come out into the public eye due to family matters and clearly had little interest in such formal engagements.

"Since you don't want to see them, let's find another place to talk."

After speaking, Ye Qingchen gestured for her to join him, then turned and started walking ahead. Liu Wan'er obediently trailed behind him.

The two walked one after the other without exchanging a word. Fortunately, the Deputy City Lord's Mansion was not far from the southern gate of Northern Barrier City, so Ye Qingchen led her straight out of the city.

"I've been in Northern Barrier City for so long, but this is my first time out here." Gazing at the beautiful scenery outside the city walls—the stretches of green trees and picturesque landscapes—Liu Wan'er finally broke the awkward silence.

Ye Qingchen nodded. Liu Wan'er was so busy with family matters that she truly never had the chance to go for a leisurely stroll. He was the same, so consumed by cultivation and the search for Qin Yue that he had neglected the simple beauty of the world around him.

At the thought of Qin Yue, his spirits sank once more. He wondered where she was, what she was doing, and whether she was being troubled by the mysterious Saint Heir. However, recalling Qin Yue's identity from his past life brought him a sliver of reassurance. Although she might not be a match for the Saint Heir now, she should still be able to protect herself.

Yue'er, wait for me. I will rescue you soon!

Ye Qingchen swore silently in his heart again, his desire to travel to the Central Region growing even more urgent.

This flicker of melancholy did not escape Liu Wan'er's eyes. She knew he was worried about his fiancée but didn't know how to comfort him. In truth, Liu Wan'er had made up her mind long ago. Since Ye Qingchen's heart belonged entirely to his fiancée, he would never develop special feelings for her. Rather than offer herself to him, it was better to simply wish him well from afar.

That was why she had been restraining herself from seeking him out. She had even stayed away when he participated in the critical Northern Region Secret Realm, choosing instead to watch anxiously from a distance and pray for him in her heart. When Ye Qingchen won first place, her happiness for him was genuine. But when Liu Changrun announced that he would be taking Ye Qingchen from Northern Barrier City in three days, Liu Wan'er could no longer hold back. She had to see him one more time.

The Central Region was incomparably bustling. Once Ye Qingchen left, they might never have a chance to meet again. This meeting could very well be the last of their lives! Not wanting any regrets, she had come to the Deputy City Lord's Mansion to see him in person. But now that she was actually standing before him, she didn't know how to express her feelings.

By now, Ye Qingchen had collected his thoughts. He smiled at Liu Wan'er and said, "Wan'er, with Pill King Xia in Northern Barrier City, your family's business will no longer require your personal attention. I can see you have good aptitude. If you set your mind to cultivating diligently, you'll soon break through to the Martial King Realm. Then, should you face any unexpected situations, you'll have the strength to protect yourself."

Liu Wan'er nodded. "Thank you for your guidance, Young Master Ye. If it weren't for you, our Liu Family Commerce Guild would never have secured such a major deal."

After they spoke, silence fell between them once more. Ye Qingchen found a pavilion and sat down, and Liu Wan'er sat quietly beside him. They still didn't speak, simply watching the scenery around them until the sun began to set. Only then did they stand and head back toward Northern Barrier City.

Worried she might encounter danger walking at night, Ye Qingchen first escorted her back to her inn. "Wan'er," he said, "I'm leaving Northern Barrier City the day after tomorrow. Let's hope we meet again."

Liu Wan'er nodded. As reluctant as she was, the time for parting had come. She finally raised her head, looked directly into his eyes, and said, "Young Master Ye, the Central Region is nothing like the Northern Region. Please be extra careful while you are there. I'm sure your fiancée will be safe."

Ye Qingchen smiled, waved goodbye, and turned to leave.

"Young Master Ye! Wait!"

Liu Wan'er's voice came from behind him. Ye Qingchen stopped and turned back, puzzled, thinking she had something more to say. He stood where he was, watching her and waiting quietly for her to speak. However, Liu Wan'er said nothing. A light flickered in her beautiful eyes as she met his gaze, and a blush gradually crept onto her cheeks.

"Wan'er, is there something you want to say?" Ye Qingchen asked, a confused look on his face when she remained silent.

To his complete surprise, Liu Wan'er still didn't answer. Instead, she suddenly rose onto her tiptoes and lightly pecked him on the lips before turning and running into Northern Barrier City, her face bright red.

Ye Qingchen stood there, stunned. The soft touch lingered on his lips, and her faint, youthful fragrance still drifted in the air around him.

It wasn't that he was blind to Liu Wan'er's feelings, but his heart was entirely occupied by Qin Yue. If there was any space left, it might have belonged to Xiao Xiao, but he had always seen her as a little sister. Therefore, it was impossible for him to entertain any thoughts about Liu Wan'er, especially now, when Qin Yue had been abducted. If he were to get involved with another woman instead of rescuing Qin Yue, it would go against his very character.

Watching Liu Wan'er run off, he shook his head with a wry smile, deciding to let her get away with stealing that kiss. With that thought, he turned to head back to the City Lord's Mansion, failing to notice that Liu Wan'er was still standing at the entrance to the inn, watching him silently.

In fact, she had made a resolution. At that moment, if Ye Qingchen had only called out her name, she would have rushed out without a second thought, ready to follow him to the ends of the earth. As she watched his retreating figure, tears streamed down her cheeks.

Perhaps... Young Master Ye and I were simply not meant to be!