Chapter 41: Leaving with Cai'er, the High Hopes of Sheng Lingxin and His Wife
Just as Sheng Yue was still immersed in emotion, Sheng Lingxin and the others quickly walked over.
Seeing the scene before them, they were slightly stunned.
"It looks like Cai'er really was completely saved."
"Thank goodness. This trial only lasted three months. The pain was much less this time."
Sheng Lingxin murmured to himself. He was truly relieved. Even though he knew Cai'er held deep resentment toward them, he still hoped she could suffer a little less.
Seeing Cai'er in such a state, Lan Yanyu immediately rushed forward in a panic, shouting anxiously, "Cai'er!"
Her expression flustered, her speed was at its peak.
But just as Cai'er had been smiling at Ye Ling, that expression instantly vanished upon seeing Lan Yanyu. In its place was nothing but cold indifference.
She instantly backed away a few steps, not making a move, but instead hiding behind Ye Ling. Only in that position did she feel a shred of security.
Seeing Cai'er behave like this, Lan Yanyu realized her approach had been improper. But even so, Cai'er's reaction made her feel as though the sky had collapsed.
Ah… it was truly painful.
As for Sheng Lingxin, he felt the bittersweet ache of a father watching his daughter grow up—his cabbage had been taken.
But he also knew he was in no place to say much.
He simply walked silently over to Ye Ling and performed the highest-ranking knight's salute he had learned from Long Xingyu, then said, "Thank you, little brother. I, Sheng Lingxin, owe you a great debt. If there's ever a chance in the future, even if I have to give my life, I will repay this favor."
If it had been a native who witnessed this brief exchange, they might have thought Sheng Lingxin was being insincere. But Ye Ling didn't feel that way. He understood the feelings Sheng Lingxin and Lan Yanyu had for Cai'er very clearly.
It was merely a matter of overwhelming circumstances.
Yes—those from the demon race, and the forces that oppressed humanity.
So Ye Ling held a favorable opinion of them.
"Uncle Sheng, there's no need for this. I only helped Cai'er out of a sense of compassion. I had no other motive—just couldn't bear to see her in so much pain."
Ye Ling's words left Sheng Lingxin stunned. After a moment, whether due to a lapse in judgment or something else, he suddenly looked at Ye Ling with curiosity and asked, "Ye Ling, do you like Cai'er?"
At that question, everyone—including Sheng Yue—was shocked as they stared at Sheng Lingxin.
Good heavens, what kind of absurd question is that?
"Of course I like her. Cai'er is such a lovely girl—anyone would like her." Ye Ling answered with a smile.
Hearing this, the surprised gazes shifted from Sheng Lingxin over to Ye Ling.
Behind Ye Ling, Cai'er curiously poked her head out. She remembered the kiss from a week ago in the Reincarnation Trial Grounds. Though she didn't really understand what love meant, her face still flushed with shyness.
But the next moment, Ye Ling followed up with, "To me, Cai'er is like a little sister. From the first time I saw her, I've always felt that way—someone who needs to be protected."
At those words, everyone averted their gazes and didn't say much more.
Sheng Lingxin pondered for a few moments, then changed his expression and said seriously, "Ye Ling, have you ever considered staying in the Assassin Temple?"
Ye Ling: "..."
What is this? Do all you assassins specialize in poaching?
Just now, your grandfather Sheng Yue tried to recruit me, and now you—Cai'er's father—are doing the same?
What's going on?
"Uncle Sheng Lingxin, I actually wouldn't mind staying in the Assassin Temple. But..." Ye Ling began.
"But what?" Sheng Lingxin asked. Sheng Yue also wanted to cut in, but his mouth clearly couldn't move faster than Ye Ling's.
"If I truly choose to stay in the Assassin Temple, and word of it spreads, within two days your good elder brother—Teacher Long Xingyu—will descend from the skies with his Judgment Throne and storm straight into the temple." Ye Ling spoke calmly, but his words made it hard for anyone else to remain calm.
Sheng Lingxin was instantly stunned.
Good heavens, was that even something a person should say?
Sheng Lingxin then looked toward Sheng Yue, seemingly seeking confirmation, and Sheng Yue nodded in response, indicating it was indeed true.
He had mentioned earlier that Ye Ling was someone he had borrowed from Long Xingyu.
With that, Sheng Lingxin could only let it go. But upon glancing at his daughter standing behind Ye Ling, he continued asking, "How much longer can you stay here?"
"I'm planning to leave right away. After all, there are still other matters I need to take care of," Ye Ling replied.
Hearing this, the others didn't react much, but behind him, Cai'er—who had been resting her hands behind Ye Ling—suddenly paused, looking a little downcast.
To her, Ye Ling was the person who gave her the greatest sense of security.
And now that Ye Ling was about to leave—and right away—that feeling of safety seemed as though it would vanish with him.
"Um..." Cai'er didn't want things to be this way and softly interjected, "Brother Ye Ling, if you're leaving, can I go with you?"
"As for the Reincarnation Trial, I'm connected to the Reincarnation Trial Grounds and can enter anytime through the Reincarnation Spirit Furnace. I can also use it to enhance my strength, so... I want to leave the Assassin Temple with you, Brother Ye Ling. Is that okay?" Her voice was soft and tentative.
She wasn't afraid that Sheng Yue and the others would disallow it—whether they did or not didn't matter to her.
She had other ways.
But if Ye Ling didn't allow it, then things would be troublesome.
"Cai'er, this..." Lan Yanyu instinctively wanted to stop her, and Sheng Lingxin did as well. But at that moment, the long-silent Ying Suifeng suddenly took action. He had already prepared two pieces of tape, and before either of them could speak, he sealed their mouths shut.
What do you think you're doing, speaking up like that? Just shut it.
Sheng Yue didn't say anything and left the decision to Ye Ling.
"Of course you can." Ye Ling nodded.
Hearing that, Cai'er cheered twice in delight. Her expression was full of joy. If not for her lack of experience, she might've jumped up and hugged Ye Ling on the spot.
Seeing this, Sheng Yue nodded and said, "Then let me take you both to the Hao Yue Mountain Range now?"
"Alright." Ye Ling nodded, then gently took Cai'er's small hand. Though she was still a bit shy, she followed him and left together.
Very soon, Sheng Yue led the two of them away.
Only then did Lan Yanyu and Sheng Lingxin tear off the tape, looking on with helpless expressions.
"Cai'er..." Lan Yanyu murmured sadly. Sheng Lingxin felt the same.
After all, Cai'er truly held resentment toward them.
"I know what you're both thinking," Ying Suifeng looked at them and said with a sigh. "There's no need to interfere, and no need to feel disheartened. Ye Ling is someone capable of creating miracles. Perhaps one day in the future, he will be able to completely erase the regret that's been weighing on both of you."
After saying that, Ying Suifeng also departed.
Lan Yanyu and Sheng Lingxin looked at each other and sighed.
That long-held regret was simply this: Cai'er had hated them all these years due to their failure to act, unwilling to be close to them, and believing they had wronged her, thus harboring deep resentment.
And they both knew their faults and had long sought ways to make amends.
"Let's hope… that day truly comes." The couple murmured in unison.
Perhaps… there really was such hope.
[End of Chapter]
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