"Mountains and rivers, the vastness of life…"
Jiang Jue's hand, which was holding Meng Hongchen, paused slightly as he murmured softly.
"Well, what do you say? Do you agree or not?"
Meng Hongchen nestled in Jiang Jue's embrace, her small head swaying back and forth. Her bright, lively eyes gazed at Jiang Jue with a trace of nervousness flashing through them.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I? We'll explore these mountains, rivers, and the vastness of life together."
Jiang Jue reached out his slender hand and gently ruffled Meng Hongchen's silky hair, his voice filled with indulgence.
"Mm…"
Meng Hongchen let out a soft whimper, and her fair cheeks instantly turned as red as if they could drip blood. A hazy mist of emotion surfaced in her eyes.
Seeing her reaction, Jiang Jue's lips curved slightly, his eyes gleaming with an inexplicable light.
He remembered that Meng Hongchen's martial soul had a flaw. The Vermilion Ice Toad was powerful and of high quality, yet very few could cultivate it to high levels.
Its greatest strength lay in its poison—formed through the absorption of the purest cold energy from heaven and earth.
Although the Vermilion Ice Toad was an ice-attribute soul beast, its eyes were uniquely of the fire attribute. This rare combination allowed it to alternate between ice and fire, generating a special kind of cold poison.
But just as success and failure often go hand in hand, this poison, despite its terrifying power, also had a severe drawback—it could backfire on the soul master. A single misstep, and the cold poison would invade the heart, leading to death.
This situation was similar to a certain ordinary Title Douluo from ten thousand years ago…
Meng Hongchen had been able to cultivate without experiencing any backlash so far mainly because her grandfather, Jing Hongchen, had fed her rare heavenly treasures since childhood to suppress the effects of the cold poison.
While this method worked, it was only a temporary solution. The cold poison would continue to accumulate within her body, and one day, it would erupt completely. When that time came, Meng Hongchen might perish.
Jiang Jue would never let that happen. A plan had already formed in his mind.
The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well contained plenty of immortal herbs… When the time came, he could just "borrow" some—for the sake of redistributing wealth, of course.
"Jiang Jue, what are you thinking about?"
Meng Hongchen lightly punched Jiang Jue's chest with her small fist, her tone filled with curiosity.
"Nothing."
Jiang Jue snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head slightly.
"Are you worried about that powerful enemy of yours? I can ask my grandfather for help. He's a Title Douluo-level expert," Meng Hongchen said, slightly anxious. Her lips pressed together as she tightened her embrace around Jiang Jue, as if that could offer him comfort.
Cough cough… There's no need to trouble Hall Master Hongchen with this. The future will take care of itself. For now, let's just focus on cultivation."
Jiang Jue smiled slightly, reassuring Meng Hongchen.
Besides, asking Jing Hongchen for help was useless.
The moment Tang Shenwang unleashed his Blue Silver Bind, Jing Hongchen would turn into a mere footnote in history.
The future was something only he, Jiang Jue, could handle!
"Alright, I'll train hard. With General Meng Hongchen around, no one will be able to harm my Lieutenant Jiang Jue!"
Meng Hongchen raised her tiny fist and declared fiercely. But in Jiang Jue's eyes, she just looked adorably fierce.
"In that case, I'll be counting on you, my General Meng Hongchen!"
Jiang Jue inhaled the faint, sweet fragrance of the girl beside him, his voice deep and affectionate.
"Dear customers, your hairpin has been wrapped up."
The female shop assistant from earlier returned with a delicate wooden box, handing it over to them with both hands.
"Meng, take it."
Meng Hongchen accepted the box while Jiang Jue held her close as they made their way downstairs.
The shop assistant accompanied them to the entrance. Just as they stepped out of the store, she suddenly called out—
"I wish the two of you a long and lasting love!"
Meng Hongchen's face, which had finally regained its normal color, flushed red again. Embarrassed, she quickly pulled Jiang Jue away.
Jiang Jue burst into hearty laughter, letting her lead him along.
This was the last day of the semester. Normally, he should have been at the academy.
But Meng Hongchen had suggested they take a day off to go out and have fun, and Jiang Jue had immediately agreed.
Thus, her proposal was passed by a unanimous two-vote decision, and the two of them carried it out together.
"Ah~ Jiang Jue, look at this! It smells amazing!"
"I want to eat it…"
"Then buy it."
"I knew you were the best!"
Meng Hongchen bounced happily ahead, while Jiang Jue followed behind, watching her with a warm gaze.
It was as if this was her true nature—not the cold and aloof young lady of Mingde Hall, but a cheerful, lively girl. Yet, this side of her was reserved only for Jiang Jue.
Even though his hands were already full of various snacks, he still let her buy whatever she wanted.
Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, the scorching sun had given way to a breathtaking sunset.
"Ah! Today was so much fun. What do you think, Jiang Jue?"
By the lakeside, Jiang Jue sat on a stone bench while Meng Hongchen leaned against his shoulder, her face glowing with happiness.
Together, they watched as the sky burned with fiery hues, golden light reflecting off the rippling water.
"Jiang Jue… It's the holidays again. It'll be a long time before we can see each other…"
Meng Hongchen lightly kicked her legs, her enthusiasm dimming. Even her normally bright eyes looked a little downcast.
"Hm… How about I don't leave? I'll stay with you every day."
Jiang Jue teased with a smirk.
"No way! You need to train hard."
Meng Hongchen wasn't someone who would act selfishly. She would never let her presence hinder Jiang Jue's cultivation.
After all, only if they both became stronger could their future truly be bright.
"Oh, right! Jiang Jue, do you think your parents will like me?"
Meng Hongchen suddenly asked, as if a thought had crossed her mind. She instinctively tightened her grip on Jiang Jue's hand.
"Don't worry, in my family, what I say goes!"
Jiang Jue paused for a moment before answering confidently.
"Really?! Then your family must be really happy."
Meng Hongchen exclaimed in delight.
A happy family? Well, as long as he was happy, then the whole family was happy—technically speaking.
Jiang Jue thought about it for a moment and realized Meng Hongchen wasn't wrong.
"Jiang Jue, when you go back, you have to think about me a lot! And no flirting with other girls, got it?"
Meng Hongchen bared her tiny tiger teeth and naturally reached for Jiang Jue's right side, pressing a little in warning.
"I won't…"
Jiang Jue raised four fingers in an oath.
"Hmph! But I still don't want to be apart from you…"
Jiang Jue looked at her pouting lips—and suddenly kissed them.
Meng Hongchen's eyes widened in shock before she slowly closed them, her body melting into his embrace.
"You ambushed me."
"Last holiday, who was the one that ambushed me first? I was just returning the favor."
"…Fine."
As they gazed at the magnificent sunset, they continued chatting in low voices.
A gentle breeze rustled the treetops, creating a soft whispering sound. The golden light of the setting sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the ground.
Their shadows stretched long under the evening glow—blending into one.
At this moment, it was as if time had frozen into a beautiful painting, forever preserved.
(End of Chapter)