No one spoke, and they stood in silence for a long, long time.
The first time Tang Xiaomin heard the name Xuánxiá Cave, images of something akin to monsters from movies, specifically a cave, appeared in her mind.
She had never imagined it would be such a wondrous, secluded paradise.
Yan Jue said, "The first time I came here, everything around this wooden house was burnt to ashes, the lake water had dried up, and even the sky was gray."
"It has only gradually recovered to its current state after many years."
"I suppose the frail woman you saw then, like you last time, must have just endured a tribulation and was in an extremely weak state," Tang Xiaomin said.
Yan Jue nodded.
"Yes, she had no offensive power at all. If I hadn't thrown her into the vortex of reincarnation a moment later, she would have been shattered."
If that was the case, then it was understandable.
Better to live a dog's life than die a good death. Tang Xiaomin, having experienced the despair of dying, now cherished her life dearly.
Yan Jue faced the wooden house, his thoughts drifting back to the past.
He remembered the woman's words at that time: "No matter the cost, I must come back to find him."
He finally understood why Tang Xiaomin had found him later.
"Minmin, do you believe in fate?"
If Tang Xiaomin were to answer this question from the perspective of quantum mechanics, she would agree with the saying that everything within the light cone is predetermined, and her encounter with Yan Jue was fated.
"I do."
"Why?"
Yan Jue couldn't understand why Tang Xiaomin could be so firm in her belief in fate.
"Minmin, shouldn't you believe that man can conquer nature?"
What is nature?
Current science is limited; nature is infinite.
Tang Xiaomin firmly believed that their current ability to surpass ordinary mortals was actually due to their mastery and utilization of world laws that humanity couldn't yet comprehend.
"Because I always believe Einstein was the greatest man, and he once said that everything is arranged."
"The Buddha also says everything is cause and effect, and the cause I believe in is not the cause of a single event, but the initial cause of the world. In other words, from the moment the world existed, it was destined for us to meet and for all the subsequent events to unfold."
"Therefore, I've decided to follow my true inner thoughts, regardless of whether they are right or wrong; it is fate."
…
Yan Jue, an ancient man, had only attended school for a few days and had never studied quantum mechanics.
Yan Jue only understood the last sentence of Tang Xiaomin's explanation.
"Uh… that's right. Follow your heart, accept everything. You'll have to accept it whether you want to or not."
"Shall we go inside and take a look?"
The wooden house wasn't large, and it was fully equipped. In the only bedroom, a bed lay behind white curtains.
Yan Jue said, "At that time, the woman in red was lying on that bed."
"Minmin, why don't you lie down and try?"
Tang Xiaomin had the same thought. She sometimes wondered why some scenes she occasionally saw felt familiar. The reason might well be her past-life memories. Sudannovels.com
Just as she was about to lie down, she suddenly sensed something was amiss and looked warily at the man behind her.
Then, there was no one but Yan Jue.
She thought, perhaps he had deliberately lured her here with ulterior motives.
After all, the establishment's current signboard was that of a hotel.
And what were hotels for?
…
With just a glance, Yan Jue understood Tang Xiaomin's playful suspicions.
"Are you so wary of me, afraid I'll eat you up?"
Besides, what was the point of being wary now? Wasn't it a bit too late?
"Hmph!"
Tang Xiaomin retorted indignantly.
"You know your own mind perfectly well. Don't pretend with me. I can tell just by looking at you."
"Oh, really?"
The man's deep voice, with its deliberately rising inflection, was wickedly enchanting.
He then gently turned her around to face him.
"Look into my eyes."
Their eyes met, and it felt as if sparks were flying in the air, crackling.
His eyes narrowed slightly, instantly making him appear more serious and focused than usual.
"Then tell me, what am I thinking right now?"
Three seconds later, Tang Xiaomin said, "You're thinking of me."
"And… now?"
Although his eyes remained in the same posture, Tang Xiaomin sensed a deeper meaning in them.
"You… want to kiss me."
The next second.
"Heh…"
Yan Jue laughed, turned his head, and secretly bit his lower lip.
"So… now?"
His smile was brilliant at this moment. At first glance, he looked like a radiant, kind, and approachable older brother.
However, Tang Xiaomin's expression suddenly changed.
She lightly punched his chest.
"Shameless!"
After saying that, she felt her face flush.
Because she had seen in Yan Jue's expression that he wanted to… here with her.
"I ask you, aren't you regretting not doing anything to that supreme leader when they were weak?" Tang Xiaomin inexplicably blurted out.
"Which one are you referring to?"
"You know… that one. Don't play innocent with me."
The next second, she was pushed forcefully, and they both tumbled onto the bed.
Tang Xiaomin's face changed drastically, her expression shifting instantly.
"I guessed right, didn't I? I knew you had ill intentions. Take this punch!"
*Bang!*
Tang Xiaomin's fist landed on Yan Jue's chest.
Yan Jue immediately winced in pain, his face contorted in agony, and he let out a pained cry.
"Ah!"
The pain made Tang Xiaomin's heart ache again, and she regretted it.
"Did I hurt your wound?"
"It wasn't on purpose. You brought this on yourself by suddenly acting like this. You deserve the pain."
She thought she must have gone crazy from this man's torment, to feel love, hatred, and concern for him all at once.
"Minmin, don't move. I'm very tired. Let's just rest here, okay?"
As Tang Xiaomin hesitated, she heard Yan Jue's breathing become slower and heavier than usual.
He had just been dealing with the Eighth Yama King for so long, then beaten up Yan Ju, and she had even gone back to sleep in between. He must be exhausted.
She herself was also quite tired.
So, she stopped speaking and stayed quietly in his arms.
He was even more fatigued than she had imagined. In less than thirty seconds, he had fallen fast asleep.
Tang Xiaomin then closed her eyes.
Whether it was due to worries or something else, she tossed and turned for a long, long time.
Finally, feeling weary, she found a comfortable sleeping position and remained still.
But just as she had drifted into a light sleep, Yan Jue carefully got up.
Afraid of disturbing her, he used the blanket to mimic his embrace, wrapping her in it, and then kissed her lips.
"Minmin, no one can take you away from me. I'll go and eliminate everyone who knows the truth right now. That way, no one can stop us from being together."