Chapter 62

The great battle had come to an end.

On the broken eaves, only Zhao Yun and Qingyao remained, forming a beautiful scene in the morning light. No matter from which angle you looked, they were a perfect match, a heavenly couple, as if the legends of such a perfect match were written for them.

"Thank you," Qingyao smiled sweetly.

If not for Zhao Yun today, the City Lord's reputation would have been utterly ruined.

"There's no need for thanks, we'll meet again," Zhao Yun said with a smile, sheathed his sword, and jumped down from the eaves. His mission was complete, and it was time to leave. Perhaps due to his severe injuries or the lack of sleep from the previous night, he felt a bit unsteady when he landed.

Once he steadied himself, a group of old men had already surrounded him.

They were all from the City Lord's residence, each over fifty years old and at the Xuan Yang realm.

Zhao Yun smiled awkwardly, trying to leave but was blocked.

By "blocked," it meant he was gradually pushed to the wall. Although the old men were smiling, their smiles seemed a bit sinister to him.

"Indeed, he has an extraordinary physique."

"Yes, he's a good candidate for cultivation. Miss Qingyao has good taste."

"We'll have a wedding to celebrate."

The old men chatted back and forth, as if performing a comedy act. Occasionally, they would reach out to pinch Zhao Yun's arms and legs, as if studying a treasure.

"Seniors..."

Zhao Yun laughed dryly, feeling a chill run down his spine.

"Who are you calling seniors? Call us Second Uncle."

"Kid, don't be afraid, we're all good people."

"Yes, everyone here is your Second Uncle."

The scene was quite amusing, with a group of mischievous old men surrounding Zhao Yun so tightly that he couldn't even crawl out. Despite their claims of being good people, they looked like a gang of hooligans trying to extort protection money from a schoolboy, in a very polite manner.

"The City Lord's residence seems to have few serious people," the onlookers commented, many of them with their hands in their sleeves, especially the old men, who stroked their beards thoughtfully. Yan Tianfeng had led them well; most of them had fought alongside him and shared a bond of life and death.

"A bunch of old rascals, don't scare him," Qingyao jumped down from the roof, knowing these old men well.

The word "scare" was quite fitting.

Zhao Yun looked as if he was too terrified to even breathe. Each of these old men was at the Xuan Yang realm, the weakest being at the fifth level. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that he couldn't even escape if he tried to burrow into the ground.

"See, the little girl is worried."

"Ah, she's already favoring him before the wedding."

"All these years of care have been in vain."

The old men sighed and continued their banter.

"Don't talk nonsense," Qingyao stomped her foot, her cheeks instantly turning red.

"Excuse me, let me through."

Zhao Yun, determined, managed to squeeze out.

To be precise, he crawled out.

There were too many people, and it was a small victory just to crawl out.

"Where are you going?"

Two old men stepped forward, each grabbing one of his legs.

"I really have something to do."

"Don't be silly, a moment of spring is worth a thousand pieces of gold."

"I want to go home."

The scene on the street was not only lively but even more entertaining.

Zhao Yun was on the ground, his hands clawing at the dirt.

However, it was of no use. With both legs being pulled, he was dragged along the ground. From a distance, it looked like they were dragging a dead dog!

"They really have no manners," the onlookers muttered, finding it a bit excessive to drag the City Lord's future son-in-law like this.

But upon reflection, they understood.

The old men were the most composed, recalling similar events from the past. It seemed that Yan Tianfeng was also dragged back to the City Lord's residence in a similar manner, just like this young man. It felt like history was repeating itself.

Yan Tianfeng coughed dryly.

He had experienced something similar in the past. The people from the old City Lord's residence were very polite, but their methods of inviting guests were quite unique.

To put it mildly, it was a bit painful.

Now, seeing this scene again, he couldn't help but reflect on the passage of time. If his daughter and this young man truly became a couple, it would be a remarkable coincidence, reflecting the local customs and the uncanny similarity to historical events.

"Let go."

Qingyao was the most frustrated, chasing and scolding them all the way.

It didn't seem to have much effect.

The old men, despite their age, were quite agile and could even run while dragging someone.

"Watching this is painful."

The onlookers coughed. Zhao Yun's arms were already rubbed raw from being dragged along the ground.

Despite this, he was still struggling.

By the time they returned to the City Lord's residence, Zhao Yun had fainted, either from his injuries, the friction, or sheer exhaustion.

Regardless, he didn't manage to escape.

Not only did he not escape, but he also gained a reputation as the City Lord's future son-in-law.

"This little girl, she's really ruthless," the old men grumbled, each with a pained expression, having been pushed out of the room by Qingyao. Many of their beards had been pulled out, and their hair was in disarray.

Yan Tianfeng was also there.

He was relaxed, sitting in the pavilion and sipping tea, occasionally glancing at Zhao Yun's room. He was quite satisfied with the young man.

"What to do with the people from the other two cities?"

The City Lord's steward smiled. They were still in the dungeon. They couldn't be killed, as they were the young lords of the other two cities, and their fathers would go mad.

"Take money, ransom them."

Yan Tianfeng's words were straightforward and firm. They were taken hostage, so what? If they didn't pay a hefty ransom, they wouldn't be going home.

The steward coughed, not saying more.

He knew his City Lord well; he wasn't someone to be trifled with.

In the room, Zhao Yun was sleeping soundly.

Apart from him, only Qingyao remained, her hand suspended in the air, using her true essence to nourish his body. Occasionally, she would steal a glance at Zhao Yun.

To her, this young man was truly impressive.

His talent and strength far exceeded her expectations. At the first level of the True Spirit realm, he could withstand her Qing Lian Melody and hold off the young lord of the Gray Wolf City. In her memory, he was the first to achieve such feats, likely unmatched at his level.

Most importantly, he was a very good person.

When she finished, she called out softly, but received no response. Confirming that Zhao Yun was deeply asleep, she reached out to touch his face, wanting to remove his mask and see what he truly looked like.

She lifted the mask.

Zhao Yun's true appearance did not disappoint her. He wasn't the most handsome man, but he was quite handsome, with a cold and resolute expression that seemed etched into his soul.

At that moment, the girl's heart was touched.

Her eyes became misty, and she smiled to herself. If this encounter was fate, then this moment was a bond of affection.

Affection is a strange thing.

It doesn't take long; sometimes just a glance is enough to bind one for a lifetime.

Cough...

Suddenly, a light cough came from outside the room.

It was Yan Tianfeng.

As a father, he felt the need to speak up. It was inappropriate for her to be in someone's room during the day. If she liked him, she should come out and talk.

Cough, cough...

The old men joined in, none of them being proper.

Qingyao, hearing this, quickly put Zhao Yun's mask back on and ran out of the room, her cheeks flushed.

There was hope!

Seeing his daughter's shy demeanor, Yan Tianfeng instantly understood. He knew his daughter well; she had truly taken a liking to the young man. The unexpected substitution had led to a genuine bond.

Night fell quietly.

Zhao Yun, who had been sleeping, finally woke up, wincing in pain. Looking around, he realized he was back at the City Lord's residence. Well, he had come full circle.

"Escape."

Without hesitation, he used his wall-penetrating technique to leave the room.

"Son-in-law, where are you going in such a hurry?"

"U... Urinate."

He heard this response.

Afterward, Zhao Yun was picked up like a small animal and carried away.

He reappeared in the main hall of the City Lord's residence.

Hearing this, Qingyao quickly ran over but didn't show herself, hiding behind a screen and occasionally peeking at the hall.

"You're here."

In the hall, Yan Tianfeng was already seated, holding an ancient book, exuding the authority of the City Lord.

"Greetings, Senior."

Zhao Yun, being polite, bowed.

"Still unwilling to reveal your family?"

Yan Tianfeng smiled, his tone gentle and warm.

Zhao Yun remained silent, coughing dryly.

"Would you be willing to become the City Lord's son-in-law?" Yan Tianfeng smiled slightly.

Hearing this, Qingyao peeked out from behind the screen.

"Thank you for your kindness, but I cannot accept," Zhao Yun replied.

"What, is my daughter not good enough for you?" Yan Tianfeng asked calmly.

"Senior, you misunderstand. I have a wife," Zhao Yun explained.

"A... wife?"

Yan Tianfeng's brows furrowed, surprised. He hadn't expected this. Zhao Yun's expression was sincere, and he was clearly not lying.

"You... have a wife?"

Qingyao whispered, her head retracting, her eyes instantly dimming.

The atmosphere in the hall became heavy and oppressive.

Yan Tianfeng remained silent for a long time, his brows furrowed, occasionally glancing at the screen, knowing Qingyao was hiding there.

Having a wife.

This was awkward, a surprise he wasn't prepared for.

Zhao Yun also remained silent.

He had a wife, and he would always remember her, regardless of where he went. Although he had a grudge with the Liu family, he no longer held any resentment towards Liu Ruxin. Whether she was a cripple or blind, she had worn his wedding dress, making her his wife.

The blessing of nine lifetimes.

He would wait until the end of time.

"Take this order, and you may leave the city."

Yan Tianfeng finally waved his hand, a piece of paper flying from his sleeve.

"Thank you, Senior."

Zhao Yun took it, bowed, and left the hall.

"Girl, come out!"

"I... I'll see him off."

Qingyao emerged, not daring to look at her father, and hurriedly followed Zhao Yun out of the hall.

Sigh...

After a long pause, Yan Tianfeng sighed.

Without a wife, everything would have been easier.

With a wife, it was a different story.

Could he force Zhao Yun to marry Qingyao?

Others might do it, but he couldn't.

Polygamy was common, but this mysterious young man was clearly devoted to one person.

"Will we meet again?"

At the gate, Qingyao caught up to Zhao Yun, her head bowed, her voice weak and lifeless, feeling more desolate and disappointed than ever.

"Perhaps."

Zhao Yun smiled, bowed, and walked away, step by step.

"I don't even know your name."

Behind him, Qingyao whispered, leaning against the stone lion at the gate for a long time.