Chapter Forty-Two: Yuechan's Doubt

Liu Jianchen stood in place, lost in enlightenment, and for a moment, everyone was stunned.

“Damn, is this guy about to ascend?”

“Shit, he was already unbeatable, now he’s breaking through his state of mind—will he become even more terrifying?”

Now, no one could remain calm. This was utterly absurd.

Not only were the onlookers bewildered—even Ye Qiu himself was dumbfounded, standing atop the Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow, feeling utterly at a loss.

At that moment, Yuechan, who had been silently observing for quite some time, finally could not hold back. She crossed the void in a single stride and landed directly in front of Ye Qiu.

Her peerless grace made Ye Qiu’s heart flutter, though thankfully he managed not to show it, or his true nature would have been exposed.

Yuechan had been watching for a long time, unable to restrain herself, for the more she looked, the more convinced she became that Ye Qiu was the little beggar from back then.

“Master of the Celestial Palace, Yuechan, greets the elder. Thank you for lending your aid earlier—without you, we would surely have perished here today.”

For once, Yuechan offered a formal bow. Though proud and cold by nature, she knew how to show proper respect to those stronger than herself.

“Ah, so cold!”

As Yuechan drew near, Ye Qiu was seized by a shiver. The chill was intense!

“No need for such courtesy. It was nothing worth mentioning… Besides, you all seem strangely familiar to me…”

Ye Qiu’s tone was calm.

He didn’t notice that, as soon as he spoke, Yuechan’s expression grew odd.

Familiar? Really? Could it truly be him?

Yuechan’s gaze became peculiar as she asked, “What do you mean by that, elder? Have we met somewhere before?”

“Uh?” Ye Qiu was taken aback. He truly felt as though he’d seen Yuechan somewhere, but had spoken without thinking. Now, pondering carefully, an uneasy feeling crept over him.

Wait…

This girl did look strangely familiar…

But he couldn’t quite recall where they’d met.

At that moment, Yuechan suddenly spoke, “Elder, did you visit the Divine Capital ten years ago? Before the great calamity…”

The Divine Capital?

Ye Qiu’s heart tightened. If memory served, he had indeed been there. Wait, hadn’t he acted a bit shamelessly in the Divine Capital back then…?

“Damn… I remember now! Shit, that was close—she’s that little girl from back then?!”

Like a sudden awakening from a dream, Ye Qiu felt a chill run down his spine, as if sitting on pins and needles.

How perilous! Who would have thought this aloof empress before him had once been the victim of his mischief? Was she deliberately probing him, trying to trick him into admitting it?

Ye Qiu grew exceedingly nervous, sweat beading on his brow. Fortunately, he hadn’t said anything incriminating yet—otherwise, he’d have been exposed.

“Good heavens, what are the odds? All the wicked things I did back then are coming back to haunt me now? If only I hadn’t bragged so much all those years ago… What do I do? I absolutely can’t admit to anything. If she figures out who I am, I’m dead meat…”

Ye Qiu panicked. He swore he’d never confess.

Who could have imagined that the innocent little girl from back then would one day become a sovereign empress?

She was recognized as such by all. Everyone had just witnessed her single-handedly suppressing eighteen demon gods—a power that could only be described as terrifying.

“Uh… ha, ha, impossible! I’ve never been to the Divine Capital. I haven’t even left this wasteland…”

Ye Qiu’s eyes flickered evasively as he spoke, his guilty conscience all too clear. Silently, he pleaded—don’t look at me, don’t look at me, I don’t know you…

Never been?

Yuechan gave him a sidelong glance—his answer was full of holes!

“Is that so?” Yuechan replied with a meaningful smile, her eyes boring into Ye Qiu, finding him more and more familiar.

“Of course. If you don’t believe me, ask the inn’s attendant. He and I have depended on each other for years, and I’ve never left this wasteland…”

At this, Ye Qiu felt a bit more confident.

The inn had been open for twenty years, though he hadn’t actually spent all that time there. Most of the time, he’d been wandering the world, eager to see what it was like and searching for the protagonist’s whereabouts.

After all, having crossed over, wouldn’t it be a waste not to see this world for himself?

Hence, all these stories.

But if you asked Cao He, he’d insist Ye Qiu had never left—Ye Qiu had instructed him long ago to answer that way, no matter who asked.

That’s why Ye Qiu spoke with such confidence.

He’d done too many shady things—he had to be cautious.

Yuechan hesitated. Was it really not him?

“No, he’s definitely lying! Did he recognize me and is pretending otherwise?”

Suddenly, Yuechan smiled—a true, heartfelt smile for the first time in ten years.

Her beauty in that moment could topple cities and nations. The sight left everyone around her stunned.

Even the old geezers felt their faces flush.

With a meaningful look, Yuechan said, “Ye Qiu—‘Leaf that heralds autumn,’ what a fine name. Is that truly your name, elder? I once had a dear friend with that very name…”

Before she could finish, Ye Qiu’s heart skipped a beat. He hurriedly shook his head. “No, no, it’s not me. My name is Zhao Yingjun, not Ye Qiu…”

“No, his name is Ye Qiu…”

At that moment, the Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow grinned wickedly.

It finally understood—the old flame had come knocking. This scoundrel still wanted to deny it?

Finally, the Sparrow could savor some revenge, after all the bullying it had suffered.

Ye Qiu was so furious he nearly exploded.

Damn traitor! So you want to throw me under the bus? Just wait—I’ll settle up with you later…

Ye Qiu’s dark side was fully awakened by the Sparrow’s betrayal. This bird had no idea how devious Ye Qiu could be when he set his mind to it—just ask Cao He.

“Damn it, you dare expose me? Tonight we’re having braised turkey—on me…”

Ye Qiu was livid. At such a critical moment, the Sparrow had betrayed him. It would pay dearly for this.

Hearing this, the Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow panicked. “Master, I was wrong! You’re Zhao Yingjun, you’re Zhao Yingjun, not Ye Qiu…”

Too late—it had been so eager to trip him up, it forgot it still worked for Ye Qiu. Was it courting death?

“Ahem… You heard it—I’m Zhao Yingjun, not Ye Qiu. So whoever you’re talking about must have nothing to do with me…”

“Pfft…”

Yuechan couldn’t help but laugh aloud.

This fellow’s acting was utterly atrocious. After so many years, he hadn’t changed a bit.

At first, she’d thought this man was upright, nothing like the little beggar she remembered.

Who would have guessed he was just putting on a show?

A leopard never changes its spots—how true those words were.

Back then, he’d been so bold—now he didn’t dare admit anything?

He’d stolen her first kiss and still wanted to run? She’d like to see how long he could keep up the act…

Yuechan was now certain—Ye Qiu was the same little rascal from all those years ago. But she wasn’t in a hurry to expose him; she’d let him keep pretending.

“Is that so? Hmm… Perhaps I was mistaken. But, elder, are you sure you’re not called Ye Qiu?”

Yuechan’s tone was full of hidden meaning, her icy demeanor softened by a rare hint of mischief in her eyes.