Chapter 42: Family
Shen Shuanglian couldn't help but ask again, "I've never really known… Why did you move away back then? What happened?"
"I heard you later broke ties with your family and lived on your own. What exactly happened?"
Chen Yin didn't speak, his gaze drifting idly toward the ceiling.
"To be honest, saying it out loud is pretty pointless. You probably wouldn't even want to hear it. These kinds of stories have been told to death on emotional talk shows."
In a soft voice, Chen Yin said, "It was just my parents fighting and getting a divorce. Domestic violence, physical abuse, repeated warnings from the police that went ignored. Their divorce dragged on for years, and before they couldn't take it anymore, I broke down first."
"So, before I even finished college, I escaped to a strange city alone. I cut off all ties with my family and relied on my pitiful writing skills, stringing together empty, pretentious words."
"Then I realized I couldn't even support myself. After thinking about it, I felt like life wasn't worth living. Even if I got another job to make ends meet, life would still be bleak."
"Since I was already alone, I figured I might as well just end it all." He shrugged nonchalantly, as if he weren't talking about his own life.
Shen Shuanglian froze for a moment.
She couldn't quite understand that feeling. But she only felt that Chen Yin's carefree smile as he spoke these words made her heart ache even more.
"But as I said, that's all in the past now."
Resting his hands behind his head and crossing one leg over the other, he said leisurely, "At least now I have a home to return to. My days in Yushan Mountain have been pretty happy."
"There's nothing worth clinging to from the past. Just forget it, and that's that."
Shen Shuanglian bit her lip gently and said softly, "Then, your master and junior sister must be very important family to you, right?"
For once, Chen Yin slowly put away his flippant demeanor. After a long silence, he sighed deeply.
"…Yes."
"To me now, they're my most important family."
"So, this lousy life of mine has gained some semblance of value after all."
That bratty old lady of a master didn't need his worrying.
But Xiang'er…
He had to see her live a happy, carefree life with his own eyes before he could truly be at ease.
At the very least, this time, that nightmare of an ending must never happen again.
"Speaking of which, there's something I want to ask you."
Chen Yin suddenly turned his head, his expression serious. "Have you ever heard of the Changli Palace?"
Changli Palace? Shen Shuanglian froze for a moment before shaking her head.
—So, nothing here either. Chen Yin slowly closed his eyes again.
"What's wrong? Is there something wrong with the Changli Palace?" she asked.
"No… If Senior Sister safely returns to the sect, please help me check if there's any information related to Changli Palace in the main sect."
Shen Shuanglian was about to nod but then turned her head, frowning slightly, her expression uneasy. "Aren't you coming with me?"
"I still have things to take care of."
Chen Yin gently ruffled her hair as if to comfort her. "Take care of yourself first."
Shen Shuanglian lowered her head silently, biting her lip in frustration and refusing to speak.
Chen Yin had no choice but to soften his tone. "Don't worry. It won't be long."
"When it's all over, I'll come find you."
She raised her tear-filled eyes and nodded silently.
"For now, the priority is to recover as quickly as possible," Chen Yin said, stretching lazily before smiling warmly at Shen Shuanglian.
Shen Shuanglian sighed softly, her gaze unexpectedly showing a rare trace of girlish grievance.
"We're supposed to be healing. Can you get that straight?"
"No problem, no problem."
"Don't play around like you did yesterday."
"Alright, alright."
"...Be gentle."
"...Don't worry."
<+>
It wasn't until nearly dusk.
Shen Shuanglian had fallen into a deep, exhausted sleep inside the cave. Chen Yin gently draped her with his robe before stepping out.
As the faint moonlight illuminated the surroundings, Chen Yin stretched lazily and took off toward the edge of the Tiantu Abyss.
—Shen Shuanglian's injuries were almost fully healed.
Though he was reluctant to leave this peaceful refuge, there was no time left for delays.
The Tiantu Abyss blocked outside communication, and Chen Yin couldn't be certain that Xiang'er was entirely safe at the moment. Thus, finding her as quickly as possible was his top priority.
He decided to scout the area during the night. If there were no dangers, he could lead Shen Shuanglian out of this place the following day.
The journey went more smoothly than expected.
He encountered almost no threats, likely because this region was still part of the Violet-Mane Thunder Tiger's territory, allowing him to traverse the area unimpeded.
However, after traveling a few dozen miles, Chen Yin suddenly came to a stop.
He sensed several restless presences not far ahead.
It seemed a battle was underway.
Chen Yin immediately concealed himself and hurried toward the source of the disturbance.
<+>
Under the moonlight, the Violet-Mane Thunder Tiger crouched on a rock, its fierce tiger eyes glaring at the figure before it, emitting low, menacing growls.
Opposite the tiger, Yu Xiang stood with a sword in her delicate hand, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly beneath her black veil.
"…As expected of the Tiantu Abyss. I've barely begun, and already such a ferocious beast resides here."
[You still have the nerve to quip?] the system voice echoed in her mind. [That's a spirit beast on par with the Upper Clarity Realm! Do you think you can handle that right now?]
[I'm telling you now, don't expect me to bail you out this time. It's because you insisted on going against the recorded storyline that we're both facing punishment now!]
The system's voice carried an almost pitiful tone.
Yu Xiang acted as if she hadn't heard it, her voice cold as ice. "Stop playing dumb. I don't believe you don't have some last-ditch life-saving trick up your sleeve."
"Hurry up and bring it out. If I die, you're going down with me."
[I swear to…] The system nearly cursed out loud.
Of all things to be, why did it have to be this cursed system? No benefits, no glory—just endless toil and putting up with a host who treated it like a servant.
Where's the justice in this world?!
But in the end, the system gritted its metaphorical teeth and said in a tone filled with resignation:
[This is the last time!! If it fails, we both die!]
A faint purple aura flowed over Yu Xiang's sword, making her grip suddenly feel much heavier.
—It was as if this strike could cleave the heavens and the earth.
The Violet-Mane Thunder Tiger also seemed to sense something amiss. A chilling aura radiated from the sword, making its heart tremble. With a roar, it no longer hesitated and swiped its claw straight at Xiang'er.
Yu Xiang remained calm, her expression unchanged, as she thrust her sword directly toward the tiger.
But just as the strike was about to land, an abrupt cough broke through the tension, shattering the deadly atmosphere.
"Ah-hem."
"I say, there's no need to be so heated. Let's talk this out calmly."
Yu Xiang's eyes widened abruptly. Under the moonlight, a man stood beside the Violet-Mane Thunder Tiger. His gentle expression and warm smile contrasted sharply with the situation as he stroked the tiger's mane. Turning to her, he smiled lightly and said:
"We meet again."
"…Miss Yin."
<+>
Tn: If you want to see more chapter of this story, please join my Patreon, for $5 each month, you can read all of the available chapter.
Patreon Account:
Latest Chapter In Patreon:
Link to the latest chapter: