Chapter 263: Su Hengshan

"What's wrong? Your spiritual fluctuations are incredibly intense!" Jasmine suddenly asked. She could feel Yun Che's emotions churning with unprecedented intensity; she could even clearly hear his heart pounding wildly.

The Azure Cloud Continent... the 1999th Profound Year... ten years old... Su Ling'er... the scar... the same name... similar appearance... and those exact same words...

These thoughts intertwined chaotically in Yun Che's mind, making his soul tremble violently, for everything pointed to one possibility... He disregarded the risk of startling the girl, instantly reaching out to lift her skirt and undergarment. Just above her delicate white right knee, he saw two small, vivid red moles, perfectly aligned.

"Ling'er... You are Ling'er... You are Ling'er... You are Ling'er... You are Ling'er!!"

The moment he saw those two moles, Yun Che's last emotional barrier completely crumbled. Blood surged through his entire body, golden stars danced before his eyes, and he nearly fainted on the spot! Something churned violently in the depths of his heart and soul: sourness, astringency, bitterness, pain... all rushed forth, and his eyes were instantly veiled by misty tears. In his emotional collapse, he abruptly embraced the girl, holding her tightly as if clutching his entire world.

“Ah…” The girl, completely unaware of the storm raging within Yun Che, was startled by his sudden actions and emotional shift. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, she felt no repulsion towards his sudden embrace. After a long moment of stunned silence, she softly said, “Big Brother Yun Che, you’re holding me too tight, boohoo…”

At that moment, every word the girl uttered was like a celestial melody to him, and her entire being was inextricably linked to his soul and lifeline. Hearing her voice, Yun Che almost frantically relaxed his arms, then, fearing he might startle her, quickly loosened his grip even more. Yet, his hands still gently held her slender shoulders, as if afraid she would vanish from his sight if he didn't grasp her.

She is Ling'er... my Ling'er...

So... was all of this truly just an illusion created by the Heretic God?

Even if it's an illusion! To see my Ling'er again, even if it's an illusion, I'm willing to never awaken again...

“Big Brother Yun Che, why are you suddenly crying?” The girl was full of confusion, but seeing the tear stains on Yun Che's face, her eyes welled up with concern. She reached out, meeting his gaze, and gently wiped away the tears on his cheek. She couldn't have known how incredibly precious every tear of Yun Che’s was, yet now, for her, they flowed like a spring.

“I… I’m fine, it’s just… some sand suddenly got into my eye.” Yun Che shook his head, offering a clumsy excuse, trying hard to suppress his tears. In this world, the only person who could make him lose control so completely was Su Ling'er... even if, in his current consciousness, all of this was merely an illusion. Because Su Ling'er couldn't truly appear before him; his Ling'er had perished in his arms back then, and he himself had buried her in that bamboo grove.

“Oh? Will that hurt a lot? Hmm… shall I blow on it for you, Big Brother Yun Che? When I was very little, I once got sand in my eye, and Mama blew on it for a bit, and it was completely fine.”

As the girl spoke, she pouted her tender pink lips… The Su Ling'er before him was so innocent and carefree, her eyes bright and clear. Indeed, at this moment, she was still under the loving care and doting of her family, untouched by drastic changes, still unaware of sorrow, worry, hatred, or suffering… The Su Ling'er in his memories, with her perpetually melancholic and desolate gaze, made his heart ache as if pricked by needles every time he recalled it.

“It’s okay, the sand is gone now. Look, it’s all better,” Yun Che said, blinking hard at her, a gentle smile gracing his lips. “What’s most important right now is Ling’er’s foot injury… it’ll be healed very soon, without any pain at all.”

Yun Che carefully lifted the girl’s bruised leg again. Gentle profound energy, accompanied by the cleansing power of the Sky Poison Pearl, slowly and softly flowed in, nourishing her bruises little by little… Then, he took out a medicinal bottle and carefully applied the ointment from it to her lower leg and ankle… He then switched to another small bottle and dabbed its ointment onto the two symmetrical scar marks on the top of her foot.

Throughout the entire process, Yun Che’s movements were incredibly gentle, as if he were touching a beautiful, delicate crystal doll. These minor injuries, barely even countable as wounds, were insignificant to Yun Che's medical skill. However, to ensure Su Ling’er didn't feel even a trace of pain, he focused all his concentration, pouring his entire heart into every single movement. By the end of the process, he was more exhausted than if he had saved a dying patient, yet he found it utterly sweet.

In less than fifteen minutes, the bruises on Su Ling'er’s ankle and lower leg miraculously vanished completely. Even the scar marks on the top of her foot had faded significantly and would disappear entirely within three days at most. Su Ling'er tried wiggling her little foot, then exclaimed, “Wow! It doesn’t hurt anymore! Not at all! Big Brother Yun Che, you’re really amazing!”

The girl’s gaze, as she looked at him, sparkled with tiny stars. Her admiration for Yun Che shot up yet another significant notch.

Yun Che used profound energy to brush the dust off Su Ling'er’s shoes and socks, then carefully helped her put them back on her feet. Su Ling'er did not resist, did not decline, nor did she feel embarrassed. In her heart, there was only a warm joy and a strange, indescribable feeling… she herself didn't know why.

“Ling’er! Ling’er… Where are you? Ling’er…”

From a distance, anxious shouts suddenly echoed, clearly calling Su Ling'er’s name.

Yun Che heard it before Su Ling'er. His brow twitched, and his gaze swept over, seeing a middle-aged man hurrying towards them. The man looked frantic, his hair disheveled, and his clothes slightly untidy, yet his demeanor still exuded the commanding presence of a high-ranking individual, authoritative without needing to show anger.

He was… Ling’er’s father?

The middle-aged man quickened his pace, drawing near swiftly. Hearing his voice, Su Ling'er’s eyes lit up, and she excitedly said, “Daddy… It’s Daddy’s voice!”

She immediately stood up and started to jog towards the man, but after a few steps, she looked back at Yun Che, then stopped. Standing still, she waved vigorously towards the middle-aged man: “Daddy! I’m here, I’m here!!”

“Ling’er!” The middle-aged man was overjoyed. He rushed over at top speed, grabbing Su Ling'er by the shoulders, and said with extreme worry, “Oh, this is wonderful… Ling’er, why did you run so far? Are you hurt anywhere? Was anyone trying to grab you?”

“Don’t worry, Daddy, there were bad people, but… Big Brother Yun Che saved me. Big Brother Yun Che is really amazing; he not only chased away those bad guys right away but also made the places where I hurt from falling feel completely painless.”

The middle-aged man had been entirely preoccupied with Su Ling'er's well-being. After seeing her, all his attention was focused on her, and only then did he notice Yun Che's presence. He stepped forward, full of gratitude, saying, “Young brother, thank you for saving my daughter. I, Su, am truly indebted.”

Given Yun Che’s inherent pride, normally, let alone a middle-aged man, even a venerable elder would be handled casually and without a change in his expression. But before him was Su Ling’er’s father, which made a huge difference. He quickly returned the courtesy, saying, “Senior Su, you’re too kind. Ling’er is sweet and lovely; anyone would help her. I merely lent a hand.”

From the middle-aged man’s expression, Yun Che saw deep concern for Su Ling'er. At the very least, his paternal love for Su Ling'er was utterly pure.

Yun Che’s humility greatly impressed the middle-aged man. He smiled and said, “My daughter must be overjoyed to receive such praise from you, young brother.” At that moment, he noticed Xia Qingyue lying still nearby. Although she was simply resting, she still possessed an enchanting, ethereal beauty that captivated him. The middle-aged man paused, then quickly recollected himself and asked, “Young brother, is this your friend? Her complexion suggests she might be seriously ill?”

Yun Che nodded slightly. “This is my wife. She caught a severe chill and suffered a great loss of vital energy. She might be unconscious for quite a while.”

“I see…” The middle-aged man nodded, a wave of admiration in his heart: The man was handsomely refined, the woman as beautiful as a celestial being—what a perfect pair! Their origins must be extraordinary. Especially the woman; how could an ordinary family possibly raise such a divine daughter? This young man appeared to be only seventeen or eighteen, yet his profound energy aura had already reached the Spirit Profound Realm. He must be a disciple or even an heir from some top sect…

With this thought, the middle-aged man said, “Young brother, you must be from outside this region, aren’t you? Do you have a place to stay now? If you don’t mind, how about staying a few days at our Tai Su Sect? It would also allow me, Su, to express my gratitude.”

Yun Che’s heart stirred. He glanced at the unconscious Xia Qingyue, then at Su Ling'er, and said, “This junior does indeed need a place to stay to treat my wife’s injuries… In that case, I will humbly accept Senior’s kind offer and impose upon you.”

“Hahahaha, young brother, there’s no need to be so polite. Compared to the great kindness you showed in saving my daughter, this is nothing at all,” the middle-aged man chuckled softly. “By the way, my surname is Su and my given name is Hengshan. Please, young brother Yun.”

“Big Brother Yun Che is coming home with us? That’s wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!!” Su Ling'er immediately jumped up with excitement. Her exceptionally happy demeanor somewhat bewildered Su Hengshan. He chuckled indulgently, “Young Brother Yun is not only our benefactor but now also our guest. You need to learn some manners; shouting like that isn’t very polite, you know.”

“Hehe! Daddy, you’re so verbose. Big Brother Yun Che is the very best person; he won’t blame me,” Su Ling'er said, running over to take Yun Che’s hand. She grinned and said, “Big Brother Yun Che, you promised to come home with us. You can’t run away halfway, okay?”

“Okay!” Yun Che smiled and reached out to tap Su Ling'er’s small nose… He was very curious to know what kind of family Su Ling'er had been born into and grown up in.

Su Hengshan was momentarily perplexed… Calculating the time, Ling’er and Young Brother Yun had only been together for at most half an hour. How had they become so close so quickly? And judging by Ling’er’s reaction, she, who usually wasn't keen on interacting with strangers, seemed to have an exceptional fondness for Young Brother Yun… It was truly strange.

Yun Che picked up Xia Qingyue and followed behind Su Hengshan, heading towards the “Tai Su Sect” where Su Ling'er had grown up.