When Xu Ming’s gaze lingered on Ye Ye, he froze in place.
He could clearly see traces of demonic energy lingering on her, yet he couldn’t discern her true form.
“A Nascent Soul-level demon!”
This was the conclusion Xu Ming ca to in his mind.
After this evolution, his Dao Pattern Eye had gained the ability to perceive the true nature of things—able to see through ghostly illusions or the disguises of demons.
For demons at the Golden Core stage or below, Xu Ming was confident that his Dao Pattern Eye could reveal their true forms.
But now, all he could see was the demonic energy swirling around Ye Ye—nothing more. This was enough to indicate that her cultivation was at least at the Nascent Soul stage.
Ye Ye seed to sense sothing and turned her head.
By the ti she looked at Xu Ming, his Dao Pattern Eye had already deactivated, and everything appeared normal.
“Is sothing wrong, Sister Ye?” Xu Ming asked with a polite smile.
“Nothing…” Ye Ye shook her head. “I thought I heard soone knocking at the door, but I must’ve been mistaken.”
With that, Ye Ye turned back and continued leading Xu Ming into the house.
Inside, Ye Ye poured Xu Ming a cup of tea. “The children in the outer courtyard can be noisy at tis. If it doesn’t bother you, please wait here for a mont. Li Han should be back shortly.”
“Thank you, Sister Ye,” Xu Ming replied, accepting the tea and taking a sip.
“Hmm? This tea feels familiar.” Xu Ming glanced at the tea leaves in his cup.
Ye Ye nodded. “This is Dragon Leaf Sprout, brought back from the military by Li Han.”
“No wonder it tastes familiar,” Xu Ming said with a smile. “Dragon Leaf Sprout is the standard tea in the Blood Asura Battalion. It boosts vitality, quenches thirst, cools you down, and helps regulate your breathing. We drank several large pots of it every day, to the point where we got used to it. Back then, I thought it was bitter and not very fragrant, but now, after such a long ti, it actually tastes quite good.”
Ye Ye smiled softly and said in a gentle voice, “Dragon Leaf Sprout isn’t cheap. Although it’s sold outside, a single pound costs a fair amount of silver. I’ve told him not to bring anything back, as it could get him into trouble, but Li Han never listens. Every ti he brings sothing back from the army, I’m always on edge. Normally, I don’t dare drink it myself. I only brew it when guests from the army visit.”
She hesitated briefly before adding, “This tea may be nothing to soone of your standing, but it’s the finest tea we have at ho. I hope you won’t mind. And if the army ever investigates this tea, I hope you might help us explain.”
“I don’t have any special standing,” Xu Ming said reassuringly. “At most, I’m just Li Han’s brother-in-arms. Besides, plenty of people bring this tea out of the army, so it’s not a big deal. Dragon Leaf Sprout is abundant in our camp, and it’s common for soldiers to take so ho. Most of the officers in the army turn a blind eye to it. As long as it’s not too much or being sold for profit, it’s usually fine.”
Ye Ye simply nodded and remained silent, quietly refilling Xu Ming’s tea.
“By the way,” Xu Ming asked, “judging from your accent, Sister Ye, you don’t seem to be a native of Wudu, are you?”
“That’s correct,” Ye Ye replied with a nod. “I’m originally from Baihe Country. I fled to Wuguo (Wu Kingdom) during the wars in Baihe.”
“I see.” Xu Ming had heard of Baihe Country when he was younger.
Baihe was a small nation bordering Wuguo.
As a buffer state between Wuguo and Weiguo (Wei Kingdom), Baihe had long been peaceful. As long as it avoided provoking either side or aligning with one over the other, it could maintain a relatively stable existence. ṝÀꞐȪ𝐁ƐⱾ
However, Baihe’s king insisted on causing trouble. Though an emperor, he sought the path of immortality like a cultivator.
He even went so far as to make a demonic cult leader his national advisor.
From that point on, the king beca obsessed with cultivating immortality, neglecting state affairs. The entire nation fell into chaos, overrun by corrupt officials and leaving the people in misery.
Five years ago, civil war broke out in Baihe Country, leading to the collapse of the entire nation. Half of it was annexed by Weiguo, while the other half beca part of Wuguo.
“And those children in the courtyard?” Xu Ming asked again.
“Most of them are children from Baihe Country, but there are also quite a few orphans from Wudu,” Ye Ye explained.
“Sister Ye has a truly compassionate heart,” Xu Ming remarked.
If Ye Ye had no ulterior motives and was genuinely doing good deeds, then she was indeed a kind soul, pure as a Bodhisattva. But Xu Ming feared that this demon might have other plans.
“Compassionate? Not at all. I’m simply doing what I can. Besides, I’m not the only one taking care of these children.
So of the children grow up and leave here to make their own way. So beco shop assistants, so tailors, and so cooks.
The most accomplished among them would be Li Han, who was selected for the Blood Asura Battalion and even beca a Centurion.
They often send clothes, food, or money back. When they have ti, they return to visit.
So, this place isn’t solely dependent on .”
Ye Ye smiled as she gazed out the window at the children playing and laughing in the courtyard.
Xu Ming nodded silently and continued sipping his tea without saying much.
“Sister Ye Ye, I’m back!”
Before long, a familiar voice rang out from the courtyard.
Ye Ye and Xu Ming both stood up and walked out.
The man standing there was none other than Li Han. When he saw Ye Ye—and especially Xu Ming beside her—his eyes lit up.
“Brother Ming! What brings you here?” Li Han exclaid in delight.
Xu Ming smiled. “I just returned to Wudu yesterday. What’s wrong? Not happy to see ?”
“How could I not be!” Li Han quickly set down the things he was carrying and walked over, gripping Xu Ming’s arms and shoulders with excitent. “Brother Ming, you’ve gotten even stronger! Even though I’ve been in the military this whole ti, seeing your na climb higher and higher on the Qingyun Ranking makes feel so proud!”
“The Qingyun Ranking isn’t much. My placent on it is nothing but luck,” Xu Ming said humbly.
“Ah, right! Sister Ye Ye, let introduce you properly—this is my good brother, Xu Ming, the one I’ve always ntioned to you!” Li Han said with a laugh.
“I know,” Ye Ye responded with a gentle smile. “Young Master Xu has already introduced himself.”
“Then I’ll leave you two to catch up. I’ll go prepare dinner. If Young Master Xu doesn’t mind, please stay and have a al with us,” Ye Ye offered warmly.
“I won’t say no to that. Thank you, Sister Ye,” Xu Ming replied with a polite bow.
“It’s no trouble at all,” Ye Ye said with a small bow of her own before heading to the kitchen.
“Want to take a walk?” Xu Ming suggested. He also wanted to use the opportunity to ask about Ye Ye.
“Of course! Let’s grab so wine while we’re out,” Li Han said with a grin. “But wait a mont, Brother Ming. Let distribute these things to the children first.”
Xu Ming nodded. “Sure, I’ll help you with that.”
Li Han didn’t refuse, and the two of them began handing out the items Li Han had brought back.
So of the older children ca over to help as well. The children in the courtyard were all remarkably well-behaved. The older ones looked after the younger ones, and even the younger ones helped take care of those smaller than them. Everyone contributed in their own way.
After they were done, Li Han and Xu Ming headed out for a stroll.
They wandered casually along the bustling streets.
It was just about evening, and the market stalls and shops were still open. Vendors lined the streets, street perforrs entertained passersby, and brothel girls called out to potential custors.
From a nearby teahouse, the voice of a storyteller carried through the air. The tale being told was about Xu Ming’s adventures over the past year.
To be honest, Xu Ming found it strange. He hadn’t brought a cara or anything on his travels. Even if stories had spread, there was no way they could have been so detailed. Clearly, it was three parts truth and seven parts embellishnt.
However, what the storyteller recounted was “70% true, 30% false.”
Xu Ming was certain that his deeds had been intentionally spread by Emperor Wu to build his reputation and create a heroic image.
“These days, hearing tales of you, Brother Ming, we old comrades can’t help but feel proud,” Li Han said with a grin.
Xu Ming chuckled. “What do you an ‘old comrades’? You’ve just turned twenty.”
Li Han laughed sheepishly. “We’ve known each other for so many years; doesn’t that make us old comrades?”
Xu Ming nodded. “True enough.”
With his hands clasped behind his back, Xu Ming asked, “How have you all been these years?”
Li Han thought for a mont. “How else could it be? Just the usual. Blood Asura soldiers are always walking the razor’s edge, taking on all sorts of missions. But we’ve been fortunate—most of us are now Centurions, unlike many from our cohort who are still regular soldiers.
We’ve always believed it’s thanks to you and Her Highness the Princess that we’ve co this far.”
As he spoke, a glimr of nostalgia flickered in Li Han’s eyes. “Who would’ve thought that among those fighting alongside us, one would turn out to be a princess of the royal court, and another would beco a future top scholar, ranked second on the Qingyun Ranking, and Wuguo’s prospective prince consort?”
“Hey, don’t say that! ‘Prince consort of Wuguo’ is jumping the gun,” Xu Ming quickly interjected.
Li Han chuckled. “It’s not too early at all! You and Her Highness are both of age. How could it be too soon? Besides, everyone agrees that the two of you are perfect for each other.
Not to ntion, you’ve both been through life and death together. You know her character inside out, and she knows yours just as well. If you two don’t end up together, it’d be a real sha.”
Xu Ming smiled. “You’re teasing , but what about you? You’re already twenty and still haven’t married. Blood Asura is a place where lives are uncertain. Didn’t you always say you wanted to leave behind descendants? Aren’t you worried you might not get the chance?”
“Heh…” Li Han scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “I’d like to, but it’s not up to if the person I like doesn’t want .”
Looking at Li Han’s honest smile, Xu Ming had a guess. “The person you like is Ye Ye.”
Li Han froze for a mont, surprised that his thoughts had been seen through so quickly. But he didn’t try to deny it and nodded instead.
Xu Ming: “…”
“What is it? I feel like you have so sort of opinion about Sister Ye,” Li Han said, noticing Xu Ming’s complicated expression.
“What opinion could I have?” Xu Ming shook his head with a smile. “I think Sister Ye is a good person, very suitable for you.”
“Now you’re just being honest.” Li Han playfully punched Xu Ming’s shoulder and wiped his nose. “If things work out, I’ll treat you to a drink.”
Xu Ming smiled and nodded. “Alright.”
In the end, Xu Ming didn’t tell Li Han about Ye Ye being a demon.
As the evening deepened, Xu Ming and Li Han returned to the courtyard. Dinner was ready by then.
The children’s al was simple but nutritious—two dishes and a soup, one at, one vegetable, and a broth. The fare was decent.
However, to welco Xu Ming, Ye Ye had prepared a separate feast for him and Li Han.
The children in the courtyard didn’t complain about Xu Ming having a better al. They believed guests should be treated well, especially since this guest was Li Han’s friend.
After dinner, Xu Ming chatted with Li Han for a while longer.
As night fell, Xu Ming decided it was ti to leave. After bidding farewell, Li Han walked him two streets before finally turning back.
“Sister Ye, let help you clean up,” Li Han said as he returned to the courtyard and joined Ye Ye in the kitchen to wash the dishes.
“Has Young Master Xu left?” Ye Ye asked.
“Yes.” Li Han smiled. “I thought Brother Ming would’ve beco an immortal being by now, too far removed from people like . I even worried he might have changed. But it turns out I was overthinking it—he’s still the sa as ever.”
Ye Ye nodded lightly. “Young Master Xu is indeed a friend worth keeping close.”
“Of course he is!” Li Han said proudly. “We’ve been through life and death together as brothers.”
Ye Ye only nodded and quietly continued washing the dishes. After a long pause, she finally spoke. “Did Young Master Xu say anything to you?”
Li Han looked at her curiously. “Say what?”
Ye Ye shook her head. “It’s nothing.”
She didn’t elaborate, and Li Han didn’t press her further. To him, Ye Ye had always been this way—there were always things she wanted to say but chose not to.
As the night deepened, the children gradually retired to their rooms for rest. Li Han also returned to his bedroom and quickly fell into a deep sleep. After all, he and Xu Ming had agreed to visit their other comrades early the next morning.
But Ye Ye, after bathing, didn’t return to her room. Instead, she sat quietly in the courtyard, as if waiting for soone.
A gentle breeze rustled through the air.
Ye Ye tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and slowly spoke. “I knew you’d return, Young Master Xu.”
She turned around and bowed slightly.
Xu Ming stood there, his longsword pointed at her throat, gleaming faintly under the moonlight.
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