Chapter 278: Always been there!

Xuanmiao Continent is divided into five parts; aside from the Central Region, there are the Western Extremity Holy Land, Eastern Wasteland Continent, Beimingzhou, and Nan Yin Zhou.

Among them, the Eastern Wasteland Continent is the weakest. It is a place of exile. Criminals from all countries will be exiled here. Many people who cannot survive in the Central Region or elsewhere also flee to the Eastern Wasteland Continent.

The Western Extremity Holy Land is the strongest, needless to say.

Next are Nan Yin Zhou and Beimingzhou.

These two places are very mysterious, far richer in foundation than the Central Region; even their top powers are not inferior to the Western Extremity Holy Land…

How did the people of Nan Yin Zhou get involved with Ye Huanhuan?

"Miss, are we still going to chase that person?"

Ye Qingran shook her head. "No need. Since they came prepared, we can't catch them even if we chase. Moreover, even if we find the people of Nan Yin Zhou, we won't gain anything from them."

Han Xing Leng Yue nodded reluctantly.

"Damn, just a little short!" Leng Yue felt unwilling.

Ye Qingran comforted: "Don't rush; given Ye Huanhuan's hatred toward me, she will surely come back to kill if she gets the chance. For now, we just need to stay vigilant."

Ye Huanhuan couldn't kill her in a short time; she had endured five years, and Ye Qingran wasn't in a hurry either.

After the incident of Xiao Hu being kidnapped, her tense nerves finally relaxed, and she suddenly thought of Wuhen.

Whenever she thought about it, it seemed that whenever she had something happen, Wuhen was nowhere to be seen, while the National Master was always there. This made her somewhat uncomfortable.

She had once fantasized about trying something with Wuhen, but now she began to doubt whether Wuhen was truly her soulmate.

"What about Wuhen?"

Han Xing Leng Yue were startled by Ye Qingran's question and all shook their heads.

Wuhen has always been elusive; how would they know his whereabouts?

"Go send him a message, saying I want to see him; if it's convenient for him, please come to Ting Yu Xuan."

When Wuhen appeared at Ting Yu Xuan, it was just past noon, and the two children had taken their nap.

In the courtyard, Ye Qingran sat under the locust tree, basking in the sun.

The warm winter sun is precious; through the locust tree's branches, it casts dappled shadows on the ground.

A woman sat under the tree, holding a scroll, with a cup of clear tea before her, sending up thin wisps of steam.

Fu Hanxiu didn't know why Ye Qingran suddenly sought him.

But he had an ominous premonition.

Thus, he clenched his hand at his side before speaking: "Miss Ye, you're looking for me?"

Wuhen's voice startled Ye Qingran; she turned around, saw that familiar face before her, but her heart was filled with mixed feelings.

"Miss Ye?"

Wuhen saw Ye Qingran staring at her without speaking, the emotions in his eyes complex, and he couldn't help but call out again.

Ye Qingran came to her senses, invited him to sit beside her, and personally poured him a cup of tea.

Wuhen watched her movements, all the way to her slender white hands placing the teacup before him; he didn't know what to say, lifted the cup and took a sip, his heart churning.

"Wuhen."

Ye Qingran gazed at that face; though ordinary-looking, his noble bearing inexplicably made people overlook his appearance.

Yet she felt increasingly unfamiliar with him.

Is this person really the Wuhen she knows?

In Jiu Fu Lin, they fought side by side, taking first place in the hunting rankings; on Duanhun Abyss, leaning on her arm, they watched meteors and made wishes; on Qingshan Lake, with green waves rippling, they boated and played a piece together.

All are beautiful memories.

Yet whenever she was in danger, she could never see his figure.

It's not that she needed his help, but as a woman, she always thinks of the man she wishes to entrust herself to, hoping he would step forward when she needs him most; even if he does nothing, just seeing him brings her peace.

But Wuhen did not.

"Hmm?"

Wuhen turned his head to look at Ye Qingran; when he saw the loss and disappointment in her eyes, his heart gave a jolt.

"Wuhen, have you ever liked me?"

Boom~

Wuhen felt his head explode, his mind going blank.

She asked whether he had ever liked her.

This question admits of no doubt.

He likes her, like the scorching summer sun, blazing and intense!

But he cannot speak.

Because he is Wuhen, an illusory, ethereal figure.

"I..."

Ye Qingran had thought Wuhen might hesitate, but seeing him actually hesitate still pained her.

After all, between them it was also ultimately the case of "intentional flowers, indifferent water".

She is the Master of Yaowang Valley, founder of the dreaded Nine Provinces army… but, setting all that aside, she is merely a woman.

Precisely because she has so many identities, having experienced countless lifetimes and witnessed the rise and fall of tides, she comes to appreciate all the more how precious an ordinary, peaceful life is.

She chose Wuhen not only because she feels affection for him, but also because from him she saw a tranquil, timeless serenity.

This is something the National Master cannot provide.

But in the end, she realized that all of this was merely her one-sided wish!

"Why?"

Wuhen was dazed by the question.

Why don't you like her?

That's because he is Wuhen!

Wuhen's heart was in turmoil to the point of death. Right now, he basically wants to lay it all out, to confess to Ye Qingran that he isn't just Wuhen, but the National Master, even the Emperor Sovereign of the Summit of Contending for Supremacy.

But reason tells him that if he says it now, given Ye Qingran's nature of preferring to be shattered jade rather than intact tile, they'd probably be done for!

That's not what he wants to see!

I, I feel I'm not worthy of you!

Ye Qingran raised her brows. Does that mean you also like her?

I should be the one saying that, after all, I still have a child.

Wuhen shook his head violently, eager to explain, 'No, I don't despise you at all!'

Ye Qingran felt somewhat comforted in her heart.

But…

Then, do you know what I've been through these days? But you never appeared.

Wuhen lowered his eyes, understanding the meaning behind Ye Qingran's words.

He wanted to tell her that he had actually been there all along.

But only in the capacity of the National Master.

As for Wuhen… he was there too, but you could never see him.

Meeting Ye Qingran's eyes, which faintly held expectation, Wuhen knew she was waiting for an explanation.

Lay it all out! That way you'll be free!

Keep hiding it! That way you can still be with her!

Two voices intertwined in Wuhen's heart.

The Emperor Sovereign of the Summit of Contending for Supremacy, who is usually decisive, for the first time since the creation of heaven and earth, has fallen into a quandary. This truly proves the saying 'Heroes find it hard to pass the beauty's gate.'

When he raised his head again to meet Ye Qingran's eyes, Wuhen knew he couldn't, at that moment, bear to see any disappointment appear on her peerless face.

No matter what happens later, right now he doesn't want to disappoint her!

He is quite certain of that.

So he said, 'Actually, I've always been here; you just didn't see me.'

As he spoke those words, Wuhen knew he was pushing himself another step into the Abyss. If one day the truth comes out, he will die an even more miserable death.

But he couldn't care less about that.

Ye Qingran, however, laughed.

People say, if you like someone, you must trust them wholeheartedly. Therefore, she had no doubts about Wuhen's words.

As it turned out, he had been there all along.