Chapter 16

The person following Zhao Yang was no weakling; their strength surpassed his own. Moreover, they seemed to intentionally reveal themselves. But why? Zhao Yang wasn't frightened but rather concerned that if he caused trouble in the Demon Kingdom, he might jeopardize his search for information about his parents. With determination, Zhao Yang headed toward a less crowded area. There, he stopped in front of various stalls, scanning for anything that caught his eye. Despite the wide array of merchandise, nothing piqued his interest. With his pursuer still tailing him, Zhao Yang realized he had to change his approach.

Zhao Yang walked purposefully towards the riverbanks, not for the view, but to execute his new plan. He intended to flush out the person tailing him. Sitting by the river, he removed his shoes and dipped his feet into the cold, flowing water. He settled comfortably and contemplated his time in this unfamiliar world.

Lost in thought, Zhao Yang sensed the presence of the individual hiding behind a large tree. "Trying to hide," he mused to himself. Curiosity compelled him to uncover the person's identity, yet he also feared provoking a formidable force. Zhao Yang opted for a more peaceful approach, one that wouldn't necessitate a confrontation.

"I know you're there. You can come out now," he called out loudly, ensuring the person could hear. Zhao Yang anticipated that this would prompt the individual to reveal themselves, but they remained motionless. He waited for a while, hoping that giving them some time would encourage them to emerge. Regrettably, he was mistaken. The person showed no intention of coming out, testing Zhao Yang's patience.

Determined, Zhao Yang rose to his feet and, without bothering to put on his shoes, headed towards the tree. Although the distance wasn't significant, as he closed in, he felt the person suddenly vanish and reposition themselves elsewhere. This time, Zhao Yang was unwilling to let them escape. Activating his powers, he enhanced his speed and followed the lingering presence. While Zhao Yang was considered fast, this person seemed even swifter. Now he understood why other kingdoms prohibited individuals from the Demon Kingdom; they would feel humiliated by their power, their superior strength.

Having lost track of the person, Zhao Yang wasn't surprised; their strength must exceed his own. 

He scanned the surroundings, but the person's presence eluded him. Just as he was about to give up, he felt the person's presence once more. Unlike before, Zhao Yang didn't hesitate; he swiftly dashed towards their location.

The person led Zhao Yang into a forest, where some light still filtered through the trees, enabling him to discern their shadow darting from one spot to another. Zhao Yang realized that to apprehend this person, he needed to intercept their movements. With limited visibility from the ground, he decided to take the higher ground. After observing for a while, he noticed that the person was following a pattern. Zhao Yang continued to observe, confirming their predictable movements.

Harnessing his powers, Zhao Yang concealed himself and traversed from one tree to another, gradually closing in on a particular point where he believed he could catch the person. He halted when he reached a proximity that allowed him to see the individual, but their face remained concealed by a hooded robe. Zhao Yang bided his time, waiting for the opportune moment. Finally, it presented itself, and without hesitation, he lunged, landing atop the person and tumbling them to the ground.

Once on the ground, Zhao Yang seized the opportunity to straddle the person and remove their hood. The sight that greeted him left him utterly shocked. He stared, struggling to process what was unfolding before him. The face of the person who had been tailing him was none other than Li Jun—the man he had yearned for over the past two years. Zhao Yang had even journeyed across the continent in hopes of reuniting with him.

Still unable to believe that the one he loved was lying beneath him, Zhao Yang's expression remained stoic, devoid of emotion. On the other hand, Li Jun regarded Zhao Yang with a gaze that brimmed with love. His eyes spoke volumes, radiating pure joy as they locked onto Zhao Yang.

However, Zhao Yang did not reciprocate the look. Li Jun's expression shifted to one of concern, fearing that Zhao Yang might not recognize him. Li Jun opened his mouth to speak, but before he could utter a word, his face was met with a forceful punch. Startled, Li Jun realized that Zhao Yang's punches now carried weight and inflicted pain, unlike two years ago when they would have felt like mere pinches.

"Ha ha ha, I missed you too, my love," Li Jun said, recovering from the punch, before pushing Zhao Yang to the ground and engaging him in a passionate kiss. The kiss was fierce and overpowering, akin to a wolf preying upon a rabbit. Li Jun seemed on the verge of devouring Zhao Yang completely. Despite the roughness, Zhao Yang savored it, yearning for the taste of Li Jun's lips. The same could be said for Li Jun, who continued to suck on Zhao Yang's lips, staining them a deep red.

If not for the need to catch their breath, the two lovers would have continued their fervent kissing. As their lips parted, Zhao Yang panted heavily, while Li Jun regarded him as if poised to strike at any moment. Both remained in silence, breathing heavily. However, Zhao Yang broke the silence.

"Why didn't you come looking for me in the last two years? Where have you been?" Zhao Yang inquired, his gaze unwavering as he stared directly into Li Jun's eyes. Observing Zhao Yang's intense gaze, Li Jun couldn't help but notice how much he had changed during their time apart. 

Though his height hadn't altered significantly, he had gained weight throughout his body, his buttocks appearing plump and inviting. His aura had sharpened, and he had undergone physical transformations, growing even stronger than before.

"I've been here for the past two years. I couldn't leave," Li Jun responded to Zhao Yang, his gaze gentle and warm. However, Zhao Yang remained unmoved, his anger seemingly escalating.

"Why couldn't you leave, and why should I come looking for you? Do you know how hard it was for me to come here?" Zhao Yang retorted with another question. Li Jun remained silent for a moment, giving no indication of his intention to answer. Frustrated by the lack of response, Zhao Yang stood up and prepared to walk away, only to feel someone grab his wrist. Knowing it was Li Jun, he didn't bother turning around to confirm.