Chapter 45: Refusing the Gift of Thanks

Ye Liuyun fought Du Yan the bandit, while Zhu Wushuang watched from the side, her heart pounding.

No matter how she thought, she could not imagine how a Martial Cultivator of Body Refining Eighth Level could battle a Martial Cultivator of True Origin Quadruple.

Although she knew Ye Liuyun's sword technique was strong, she had never encountered sword intent and did not understand how sword intent suppresses sword technique.

Moreover, the way Ye Liuyun finally killed Du Yan was very strange. So she thought Ye Liuyun must have other means.

Ye Liuyun paid little mind to that, and after clearing the bandits, he began searching for their hidden treasure room.

Since he had come, he couldn't leave empty‑handed; he had to take some loot.

These bandits had hoarded years of wealth: over three hundred thousand low‑quality Crystal Stones, fifty thousand mid‑quality Crystal Stones, and even some rare medicinal herbs.

Inside were also some pills, weapons, and several high‑grade and supreme cultivation techniques, which he packed away. He didn't need these items and planned to leave them for the villagers' self‑defense after returning.

"We're rich! We're rich! I was just worried about lacking Crystal Stones! Never expected to get so many at once!"

"Looks like beast‑taming is a lucrative business! Just by capturing ferocious beasts, these bandits are already so wealthy!" Ye Liuyun muttered to himself.

Near the Crystal Stones were two colored stones—a red one and a blue one—special fire crystal and water crystal, exactly the materials Ye Liuyun will need for future Body Refining.

"These bandits really have skill; I wonder where they got such Crystal Stones."

What caught Ye Liuyun's attention most was a jet‑black ore. He felt a mysterious aura emanating from it, something he had never encountered before.

He reached out to grab it, only to find the ore far heavier than the others.

Ye Liuyun had no time to compare it with his refining apparatus data, so he pocketed the ore first and would study it later.

Zhu Wushuang thought Ye Liuyun had taken everything away. She had no objection, though; Ye Liuyun had already become their great benefactor by eliminating the bandits.

Moreover, she hadn't helped at all, so she didn't mind not receiving anything.

Thinking that her village would now be safe and no longer have to pay protection fees, her mood lifted.

The two returned the same way. On the road, Zhu Wushuang tried several times to ask Ye Liuyun to share a ride, but never voiced it.

Seeing Ye Liuyun now made her blush a little. His recent sweeping slaughter, that majestic and domineering aura, made her fall for him.

The villagers gathered at the village entrance, waiting anxiously.

When they saw the two return, they hurried over to ask.

Upon learning the situation, everyone cheered.

The villagers let Ye Liuyun into the village. When the Village Chief heard he was heading to the Royal Mansion and came from a Great Clan, he welcomed him warmly and arranged the best room for his rest.

Ye Liuyun handed the newly seized cultivation techniques, weapons, and pills to the Village Chief. The Village Chief was so excited he could hardly speak, repeatedly thanking him.

Zhu Wushuang also didn't expect Ye Liuyun to be so generous, giving them so many things. Seeing his eyes, she became even more admiring.

Ye Liuyun didn't dwell on it and went straight back to rest.

He didn't sleep peacefully. Since leaving Fengyang City, he hadn't rested; his Divine Sense remained on constant watch.

For him, the best rest now was to take a Concentration Pill and cultivate the Soul, though he still dared not fully concentrate on cultivation.

Not long after, Zhu Wushuang came looking for Ye Liuyun again.

"Young Master Ye! Are you sleeping?" Zhu Wushuang asked shyly outside the door.

"No, I'm cultivating." Ye Liuyun immediately opened the door and invited her inside.

Zhu Wushuang then pulled the door shut behind her.

"The Village Chief sent me," she said, her face even redder.

"Hmm? Anything?" Ye Liuyun asked, noticing her awkward expression.

Zhu Wushuang bit her lips, as if making up her mind, and stripped off her clothes!

Moreover, she seemed prepared; under her coat she wore nothing, fully exposing herself before Ye Liuyun.

Ye Liuyun was stunned! "What a ploy? But the girl's hair really grew nicely!"

In the moment he was dazed, Zhu Wushuang had already slipped into the quilt.

"What are you doing?" Ye Liuyun asked frantically.

"The Village Chief said you gave us so much, so I want to repay you. And I also hope you'll continue to look after our Zhu Family Village!" Zhu Wushuang said, biting her lip.

Ye Liuyun swallowed a mouthful of saliva, suppressing his inner agitation, and said to Zhu Wushuang, "I understand your feelings. But you really don't need to do this. As for looking after you, that's even less possible! I'm just passing through, I won't stay here!"

"Young Master Ye, do you look down on me? Think we're poor? It's fine, I don't demand any title!" Zhu Wushuang looked at Ye Liuyun with tear‑filled eyes.

Ye Liuyun completely calmed down and said, "If I were someone who despises the poor and loves the rich, why would I meddle in your village's affairs? Don't overthink it!

Go tell the Village Chief. I've received your intention, but I truly lack the ability to look after you. You already have the cultivation techniques and pills; to stay permanently safe you must rely on yourselves.

In the martial world, only by becoming strong yourself can you avoid being bullied. Relying on others is useless. Understand?"

Zhu Wushuang nodded, though it was unclear whether she truly understood.

Ye Liuyun handed Zhu Wushuang her clothes and walked straight out of the room.

After a while, Zhu Wushuang put on the clothes, stepped out, bowed to Ye Liuyun, and left.

Only after Zhu Wushuang walked away did Ye Liuyun finally exhale, sit cross‑legged, calm his mind, and it took a long time for his mood to settle.

Early the next morning, he immediately took his leave and left Zhu Family Village.

Lu Wei, who had been following, thought he looked even better! "Good kid, I didn't misjudge you! Your character is up to standard!"

Zhu Wushuang kept watching him until his silhouette vanished.

The Village Chief looked at the dejected Zhu Wushuang, shook his head and comforted, "Don't think about it! You two are destined to be from different worlds! If you had stayed by his side last night, there might have been a tiny chance…"

Zhu Wushuang lowered her head in silence, yet a youthful figure in bright clothes on a galloping horse kept appearing in her mind, impossible to shake.

After half a day, Ye Liuyun arrived at the town ahead. This should have been where he intended to stay.

But after waiting a night, no one appeared; the guards couldn't find him, thought he had taken a detour, and rushed to Wuyang County City to lie in wait.

Ye Liuyun didn't linger and continued on his way.

Three days later, he finally reached Wuyang County City.

He hadn't even entered the city when a guard's scout spotted him.

Ye Liuyun's Divine Sense also detected the spy tailing him. But he didn't mind, went straight to an inn, checked in, stabled his horse, and left the inn.

It was still early; he guessed the guards wouldn't dare act in daylight, since this wasn't their turf.

So he decided to take the opportunity to wander around the prefectural city, after all, this was his first time coming to such a big city.