Free Web NovelChapter 141: Chapter 107: The Changshan Finale
"As long as you understand."
Seeing that he had a firm grasp of the situation, Wu Kuang said no more. A smile returned to his face as he raised his refilled wine cup: ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
"Let’s dispense with the formalities. Just have a good drink with this old man tonight. The next time we wish to drink together, I’m afraid I’ll have to come and impose on you in the Prefecture City."
"Sir, you speak too seriously."
Chen Sheng also raised his cup, smiling. "The Prefecture City may be far, but Changshan Mountain is where I made my start. Is there any reason I wouldn’t return?"
"Well said! When you have free time in the future, you must make a point to come back and visit."
Wu Kuang roared with laughter and ordered the dishes, long since prepared, to be brought out. As they exchanged toasts, the atmosphere grew lively, and it felt as if they had returned to the days of old—plotting side by side, savoring their victories and vengeances.
...
It was not until dusk had gathered and the first lanterns were lit that Chen Sheng finally took his leave of Wu Kuang and walked out of the county office.
A cool night breeze caressed his face, bringing with it a sliver of clarity. Just as he was about to board his carriage, the corner of his eye caught sight of a familiar vehicle parked quietly at a nearby street corner—a carriage bearing the emblem of the Yang Family.
Chen Sheng faltered for a moment, then turned to Yan Ming, who stood waiting nearby.
"How long has that carriage been here?"
"Sir."
Yan Ming hurriedly bowed and replied, "Madam Yang has been here for nearly two hours. This subordinate was going to announce her, but Madam said not to disturb your conversation with the County Captain, and so...."
Chen Sheng gave a slight nod. He understood.
After a moment of contemplation, he walked slowly toward the carriage.
He lifted the carriage curtain. Inside, Madam Yang was leaning against a soft cushion, having apparently drifted into a light sleep from the long wait. Her face, in the dim light, seemed especially gentle and beautiful, tinged with a trace of imperceptible fatigue.
Chen Sheng froze for a second. A gentle smile touched his lips as he quietly reached out and softly covered her eyes. At the same time, he lowered his voice and said with a touch of playfulness:
"Don’t open your eyes, my lady. It’s the County Magistrate."
The familiar voice startled Madam Yang awake. Her long eyelashes fluttered against his palm. Amused, she pulled his hand away and shot Chen Sheng a mock-reproachful glare.
"It’s been so long, and you’re still telling that kind of joke."
Then, her face blossomed into a smile, as if hiding all the sorrow of parting behind it. In a light tone, she asked:
"Finished talking with Lord Wu?"
"Mhm." Chen Sheng sat down beside her.
"When do you leave?"
Madam Yang blinked, struggling to keep her tone calm and untroubled.
"I leave tomorrow," Chen Sheng said directly, not trying to hide it.
"Oh..."
The soft reply trailed off, its tail end almost inaudible and laden with unconcealable disappointment. Madam Yang was silent for a moment before she looked up again, her eyes shimmering as she gazed at him. Her voice held a nearly imperceptible tremor:
"So... will you ever come back?"
The news of Chen Sheng’s impending transfer was no longer a secret.
After all, with his cultivation in the Innate Realm, his departure from Changshan Mountain was inevitable. Madam Yang was well aware of this and had been waiting for Chen Sheng to tell her the exact date himself.
But day after day, he never came to her. Left with no other choice, she had come to find him.
Madam Yang knew their feelings for each other were not yet the kind of love that’s etched into one’s very bones. She also knew Chen Sheng couldn’t possibly take her with him to the Prefecture City.
But on the eve of his departure, she just wanted to see him one more time, to ask him face-to-face when—or if—he would return. Because she had no way of knowing if, after this farewell, the familiar figure would ever grace the Qinglin Riverside again.
"I will come back."
Chen Sheng looked at her, his tone firm. Then, he broke into his usual, slightly roguish smile.
"You have considerable talent, my lady. You mustn’t neglect your Martial Dao cultivation. Otherwise, by the time your dark hair has turned to snow and your beauty has faded, I’m afraid I won’t think much of you when I get back."
Hearing this, Madam Yang felt her nose sting. She quickly lowered her head and pressed her lips together, murmuring softly:
"Then... then I’ll wait for you. And I... I swear I’ll practice as hard as I can. You... you have to remember what you said today."
"Of course I won’t forget."
Chen Sheng reached out and gently tucked a stray strand of hair from her cheek behind her ear.
"Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease."
Madam Yang still didn’t dare to look up, her eyes already shimmering with tears. Her voice was slightly choked as she said, "I thought... you were planning to leave without a sound."
Chen Sheng didn’t reply. Because that had, in fact, been his plan.
He didn’t want to indulge in pointless sorrow.
Seeing Chen Sheng fall silent, Madam Yang feared the atmosphere would grow heavy. She quickly took a deep breath, forced a smile to change the subject, her voice laced with an almost imperceptible shyness and anticipation.
"It’s late... Let’s go to the Military Preparation Camp."
"Feeling open-minded again, my lady?"
Chen Sheng asked with a smile, tipping her chin up.
At his words, Madam Yang’s eyelashes trembled. Though her face was flushed red with shyness, she still summoned her courage and said:
"Mhm... I... I want to eat that meat you prepare with your own hands."
