Chapter 1515 440: Yan Family Secret Technique—How Could They All Be Him!

"That's more like it!" Yu Yan instantly broke into a smile.

At that moment, Little Yaoyao on the bed suddenly reached out to her, her chubby little hands opening and closing, wanting a hug.

"Oh, our little glutton is awake?" Yu Yan walked over in a couple of quick steps.

As soon as she picked her up, the little one eagerly snuggled into her embrace, soothingly rubbing against the familiar faint fragrance on her clothes.

Seeing this, Zhou Qing couldn't help but smile lightly. It seemed that over the past three months, the little one had already memorized the scent of Yu Yan.

But soon, this warm picture was like a blunt knife, stabbing mercilessly into Zhou Qing's heart.

The person who should be holding the child should be Han Yi...

"When are we leaving?" Yu Yan lightly patted the baby, her voice a bit tense.

"Once it gets darker, we'll go." Zhou Qing looked away.

Yu Yan's body visibly shook, and the baby in her arms seemed to sense something, starting to twist uneasily.

"I'll go with you." Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible.

"There's no need." Zhou Qing shook his head, "I can act more freely on my own."

The room fell silent, only the rustle of fabric as Yu Yan gently rocked the baby.

After a while, she finally spoke, "Then... when will you be back?"

Zhou Qing hesitated for a moment and looked at Little Yaoyao, "Once the sect is settled and Yaoyao has a safe place... I'll return."

He paused, "It won't be too long."

"I know your personality." Yu Yan hugged Yaoyao tighter, her voice light yet firm, "You will definitely avenge Sister Han Yi."

"When the time comes... can you take me with you? I should be able to help a little now."

Zhou Qing's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, finally nodding, "Alright, once I'm ready, I'll come for you."

Yu Yan lowered her eyes and pulled out a faint smile at the corner of her mouth.

That "alright" was said too smoothly, as if it were perfunctory.

She didn't speak further, merely pressed her cheek gently against Yaoyao's little head, a glint of almost obsessive determination passing through her eyes.

…

As the dew thickened in the deep night, a figure carrying a bamboo basket quietly departed.

Yu Yan leaned against the window, watching as the figure quickly turned into a black dot, her hands tightly gripping the window frame.

"Brother Zhou, safe travels, but I suppose we'll meet again soon."

What she didn't notice was that not far off, the door gently opened, Zhao Muye's eyes suddenly gleaming as he quietly followed.

Night had deepened, and only after leaving the city did Zhou Qing summon the flying ship, lightly tapping his toes to leap onto the deck.

He didn't dare tear through space to hurry; though it could save time, Yaoyao was too small to withstand the impact of spatial turbulence.

Even for a Spirit Severing Realm powerhouse, traversing the void outside of battle was taboo; a slight misstep could plunge one into endless nothingness.

Risking such danger to save a couple days' travel was truly unwise, especially considering... he had a psychological shadow lasting one hundred and fifty years.

Yet, just as the flying ship rose three yards off the ground, Zhou Qing suddenly suspended mid-air, "Having followed for so long, aren't you tired?"

With the uttered words, the space behind him rippled like water, Zhao Muye laughingly stepped out into the void.

"Hahaha, greetings, my friend! I am Zhao Muye, and surely..." He deliberately drew out his tone, "You must recognize me, right?"

Zhou Qing slowly turned around, his expression calm and serene, "I naturally recognize you."

"Straightforward!" Zhao Muye's face suddenly changed, eyes glaring in anger, "But you're utterly unprincipled! It's one thing to get my cousin pregnant before marriage, but now saying you'll give away the child, you'll take him away—what do you see my Yu Race's daughters as?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qing felt his temples throbbing.

Could this guy have turned his brain all into muscle?

After briefly pondering, he opted to be honest with this fellow.

First, to clarify for Yu Yan—a young lady yet to marry, such rumors spreading, how would she find a good match in the future?

Second, fearing this simple-minded brute might, out of loyalty, rashly seek him in the Desolate Forbidden area, risking his life futilely.

Thinking this, he raised his hand to gently remove his mask, "Brother Zhao."

Under the moonlight, Zhao Muye first froze, and upon seeing the face clearly, joy erupted in his eyes, "Brother Zhou?!"

He rushed forward in a few steps, his voice quivering, "It's really you! That's great, you're alive..."

But before finishing, he stared at the head of gray hair, his throat moving a few times before hoarsely saying, "You..."

Zhou Qing reluctantly smiled, "Brother Zhao, Miss Yu Yan helped me out of old friendship. It's all clear between us, don't misunderstand."

"Hey!" Zhao Muye immediately snapped back, waving a big hand, "No problem, no problem. If you two have something, I'll immediately act as a matchmaker for you!"

"The most beautiful girl of the Yu Race paired with my best brother, how fitting!"

Before his words were done, he suddenly became serious, retreated three steps, and solemnly offered the significant bow of a cultivator.

"Brother Zhou, during that time with the Jiuli Dynasty, if not for your desperate rescue, I, Zhao Muye, would surely have been killed by Yama—thank you!"

Seeing Zhao Muye perform such a grand gesture, Zhou Qing gently raised his hand, a warm spiritual power helping him up, "Brother Zhao, don't overthink it—that was something I did in passing."

"No!" Zhao Muye sharply lifted his head, eyes sparkling with excitement, "At that time, you were merely in the Early-stage Spirit Severing Realm, while Yama was already in Late-stage Spirit Severing Realm—how could that have been just in passing?"

His voice quivered, "That was risking your life to save!"

Zhou Qing looked at the straightforward man before him, silent for a moment, before softly saying, "Among us, no need for such words."

Zhao Muye wanted to say more but was stopped by Zhou Qing raising a hand, "Brother Zhao, I still have things to do, so I'll be off—may we meet again if fate allows!"