Chapter Nineteen: Return to the Ye Family

Night Without End thought for a moment and ultimately decided not to tell them, lest more trouble arise. With a helpless sigh, he said, “It’s nothing. She misunderstood me, and now she’s too upset to listen to any explanation. I’ll clear things up with her when I see her next.”

A misunderstanding? What kind of misunderstanding could make Xueqing want to kill him? The two women weren’t fools—they knew Night Without End was hiding something from them. But since he was unwilling to tell them, they didn’t press him for answers.

“Oh, I see! Well, whenever you see Sister Qing again, just explain it to her and everything will be fine!” Ruxue said playfully.

Night Without End looked at the two women and spoke gently, “Yue’er, Xue’er, I’m sorry—there are some things I just can’t tell you right now.”

“There’s no need to apologize, husband. Whenever you’re ready to tell us, it’ll be fine. For now, let’s get up, shall we?” Rumoon said, then helped Night Without End to his feet.

Looking at their gentle, understanding faces, Night Without End felt a surge of gratitude. He embraced them tightly and lightly kissed each of their lips, saying, “Yue’er, Xue’er, no matter what happens in the future, listen to me—stand behind me. I can protect you. Promise me?”

The two women gazed into his eyes, so sincere and earnest, and it was as if their hearts were struck, unable to calm for a long while. Though they had only known him for a few days, everything Night Without End had shown convinced them he was a man worthy of their trust. From this moment, both women fell deeply and hopelessly in love with him.

“Yes,” they replied softly, burying their faces in his chest. They glanced at each other—sisters—feeling his warmth and the profound sense of safety in his arms. Their hearts were utterly at peace. Both of them thought: if only time could stop at this very moment.

“Husband, we’ve been away for days without word. Mother and Father must be so worried! Let’s go home and visit them, shall we?” Rumoon pleaded, looking pitiful.

“Yes, I miss them too. Husband, can we go home together?” Ruxue begged.

“You two little troublemakers—didn’t I promise you last night that we’d go? Pack your things. If we hurry, we might even make it in time for lunch!”

“Yay! Thank you, husband—you’re the best!” Both women rose on tiptoe, kissed him lightly on each cheek, then, delighted, skipped back to their room to pack.

Watching their eager figures, Night Without End sighed inwardly, thinking, “I wonder if I’ll ever have the chance to return to Earth…”

In the city, along bustling streets, two young women in white dresses clasped hands with a man clad in black. The three strolled together, so blissful and harmonious that they drew envious glances from every passerby, the very image of a family blessed by the gods.

Along the way, Rumoon had already told Night Without End about their family. Their mother had passed away ten years ago, and their father had raised them single-handedly.

“Yue’er, tell me—isn’t it customary for me to bring a gift the first time I visit your family? It feels improper to show up empty-handed,” Night Without End remarked as he watched the two women skipping along.

Rumoon turned and smiled. “There’s nothing wrong with that. We’re just going home—no need for gifts. Our family is well-off, so we should save our money for ourselves.”

“Sister’s right! Father isn’t so old-fashioned. Besides, you don’t have any money—all the finances are in our hands now. If we don’t give you any, how would you buy anything?” Ruxue grinned mischievously, a little impish.

Seeing the two of them already planning for their future together, Night Without End could only laugh awkwardly. What else could he do? He was penniless and dependent on his wives—did this count as living off his wife’s fortune? But with such lovely wives, wasn’t it worth it to play the kept man? he thought shamelessly.

“Well, all right. I can be thick-skinned, but if your father takes issue with it, you’ll have to protect me!” Night Without End chuckled.

“No way! It’d be best if he gave you a good beating to keep you in line!” Ruxue teased.

“All right, enough joking. Tell me everything, would you? I’m still in the dark about so much,” Night Without End said.

“Let big sister tell it!” Ruxue replied.

Rumoon nodded and began, “Our Ye family is one of the three great clans of Ling City, located on the eastern side. The other two are the Lu and Mu families, to the south and west, respectively. There are over three hundred direct members in our family, with over a thousand more in the extended branches. Counting those who have joined us, our numbers exceed eight thousand, totaling more than ten thousand people. At present, our father, Ye Yunlong, is the head of the family, with three uncles beneath him.”

“In addition, there are four clan elders who have reached the Spirit Gathering stage. They are the foundation of our Ye family and will not act unless the clan faces existential danger,” Rumoon continued.

“The other day, at the clan meeting, the Lu and Mu families sent invitations, announcing their intention to form an alliance through marriage. They’ve been causing trouble in our markets and shops, injuring several of our direct kin. United, their strength is beyond what we can withstand. Just as we were preparing to fight them to the end, Sister Qing appeared at our family estate, gave our third uncle a beating, and, in exchange for marrying us to you, offered a Heaven-rank cultivation technique as a bride price,” Rumoon explained, gazing at Night Without End.

“So you agreed to it?” Night Without End asked.

Rumoon shook her head. “Father refused. He’s devoted to our mother, the only woman in his life—naturally he would never allow us both to marry the same man.”

Hearing this, Night Without End realized he was heading straight into a trap. It wouldn’t be easy to get through this ordeal.

Rumoon continued, “But we all know how invaluable a Heaven-rank technique is to the family. If we can survive this crisis, then with time, relying on that technique, the Ye family could become the most powerful clan in the Yan Kingdom—perhaps even replace it altogether.” As she spoke, a glint of ambition flashed in her eyes.

Night Without End was taken aback—this little girl was certainly ambitious, but he found that he liked it.

Meeting his gaze, Rumoon smiled serenely and went on, “Before this, our Ye family only possessed a single Yellow-rank technique and a few Yellow-rank martial skills. With such techniques, it’s impossible to break through to the Spirit Gathering stage. The four clan elders achieved their cultivation only by relying on rare treasures. But with a Heaven-rank technique, our uncles, who have stalled at the ninth level of Body Refinement, could break through to the Spirit Gathering stage and overcome this crisis. That’s why we agreed to Sister Qing’s proposal. The rest, husband, you already know.”

Night Without End now understood the situation: The Lu and Mu families intended to merge through marriage and then swallow up the Ye family to seize their cultivation resources. Without resources, no amount of hard work in cultivation would mean much.

—End—