Shen Yan walked out of the Heavenly Scripture Tower, his expression calm.
He knew — had he hesitated for even a breath before taking out the emblem — the Scripture Hall Master would have captured him in a single move. Thankfully, he had maintained a composed demeanor and molded his image as someone authoritative.
Although he'd succeeded in subduing the Hall Master, Shen Yan didn't feel smug. The man had knelt before him, but Shen Yan was well aware — had he pushed the elder any further, the consequences might have spiraled beyond control.
After all, That man was a cultivator!
Without lingering, Shen Yan quickly left. Only after creating distance did he finally exhale, relief washing over him.
Su Yanyu observed him quietly.
'As expected of my lord. Even as a mortal, he dared to stand firm before the Scripture Hall Master.'
'When I was alone, that old man would throw me out and insult me without pause. But in front of Lord Shen Yan, he knelt like a good son!'
However, she hadn't noticed that under Shen Yan's sleeves, his clenched fists trembled slightly. Though his expression remained calm, inwardly he was—
'Scared shitless.'
'Thanks, Heaven! That was a damn close call. Just for a small matter, he was ready to imprison us… how vicious can a person be?'
Su Yanyu suddenly let out a giggle.
"Something funny?" Shen Yan asked with a gentle smile.
"No—" Su Yanyu blinked, her thoughts scattering as she looked at him.
'No matter how long I stare… I just can't get enough. Lord Shen Yan truly is the most handsome man I've ever seen…'
A bold thought emerged. She took a deep breath and made one of the biggest decisions of her life.
"Lord Shen Yan, come with me! I'll show you a very special place," she said, grabbing his hand and laughing softly.
Nestled behind the grand Heavenly Scripture Tower lay a quiet terrace of pale rose-stone, shaded beneath a canopy of gently swaying cloud-willows. Known as the Whispering Cloud Terrace, it overlooked mist-covered valleys, a peaceful retreat hidden from the bustle of sect life.
Ivory tiles caught the golden hue of the setting sun, while flowering vines crept along the curved jade railings. The air was subtly perfumed with spiritual plum blossoms — a scent that never faded, regardless of season.
It wasn't a sacred ground or training site. Instead, it was a place whispered about — where young disciples brought their beloveds to share stories, sit in silence, or watch the clouds drift. Among sect youth, it was affectionately known as the Terrace of Hidden Hearts.
"Lord, this is the place I wanted to show you," Su Yanyu said, cheeks tinged pink.
"Hmm… this place…" Shen Yan's mind reeled.
Around him, countless couples sat together — chatting, laughing, holding hands… even boldly stealing kisses.
'What's happening here? Could Su Yanyu be that kind of bold girl?'
He frowned subconsciously, and — like a shadow — a memory surfaced.
His first love.
Xi Ming.
The only woman he had ever truly loved. Since childhood, she'd been by his side — only to one day set him up for death while sleeping in another man's bed.
Thinking of her, Shen Yan's eyes turned cold. His expression became somber.
"Lord Shen Yan?" Su Yanyu noticed something off.
"…Nothing," he said quietly.
"Su Yanyu, why have you brought me here?" he asked.
She mustered her courage, took a deep breath, and looked into his eyes.
"This place is called the Terrace of Hidden Hearts. People bring their loved ones here… to confess their feelings," she said softly, biting her lip.
Around them, the other couples paused, watching with curiosity.
"Look! A confession!"
"Wow… what a beautiful couple. I'm jealous of her."
Shen Yan blinked, stunned.
"You mean…"
"Yes, Lord. Please… take me as your woman," Su Yanyu confessed.
"…What?"
His thoughts scattered like birds.
'What's happening?! This is my third day here and women are already confessing to me?!'
'No. I can't let this continue.'
He quickly responded, "I'm glad you feel that way… but I'm sorry. I have a fiancée."
'There. That should put an end to this.'
He wasn't ready for love. Not after the betrayal.
But reality wasn't so kind.
"So what?" Su Yanyu said without hesitation. "If you have a fiancée, then take me as your concubine."
"…What?!" Shen Yan nearly screamed.
'What kind of woman doesn't care about me having a fiancée?!'
"Lord Shen Yan, I love you the most," she added sincerely.
The surrounding disciples gasped.
"He's already engaged and still playing with other girls?!"
"He looks like a saint, but he's a complete pervert!"
"Hmph! Men these days treat women like playthings!"
As the crowd's whispers turned into curses, Shen Yan grew flustered.
'What the hell?! Why am I suddenly the bad guy?!'
Suddenly, a group of disciples stormed in.
"There he is!"
"We finally found you!"
"Brat, do you think you can take Lady Su Yanyu from our Big Brother Ye Chan?!"
Their faces twisted with fury as they glared at Shen Yan, eyes filled with resentment.
Shen Yan glanced at them.
'What's with this group of weirdos…?'
There were five of them — a strange bunch: one looked like a child, one was tall and skeletal, another fat as a boulder, and one had a horse-like face.
"You guys again?" Su Yanyu frowned.
"Do you know these idiots?" Shen Yan asked.
"Yes, Lord Shen," she replied. "They're Ye Chan's followers. He's one of my pursuers… I rejected him a while back. But recently, he broke through to the upper stage of the Foundation Vein Tempering Realm and started acting all high and mighty."
"So that's it," Shen Yan muttered.
Then he scoffed, "So what? He's still surrounded by trash."
The group trembled in rage.
"Brat! I'll split your head open!"
"You dare insult us?!"
"You're not even a cultivator!"
"Hah—then your leader must be the trashiest of them all!" Shen Yan laughed.
Just then — a deep voice echoed.
"Is that so?"
BOOM!
An aura surged through the air. The idiot gang lit up in joy.
"Hehehe… brat, you're done for now!"
"Leader Ye Chan has arrived!"
Ye Chan stepped forward. His appearance was average, but his presence strong. Sharp eyes, a serious expression, slightly wide nose — he radiated confidence.
Shen Yan narrowed his gaze.
'Not bad. I expected another clown, but this one… he's different. A real threat.'
Still, he remained composed.
'He won't attack in front of everyone.'
Ye Chan looked at Shen Yan — and was momentarily stunned.
'What a handsome bastard…'
Now he understood why Su Yanyu had rejected him. For years, he'd cultivated with only her in his heart. But now… she clung to another man.
Suppressing his anger, Ye Chan smiled stiffly.
"Junior Sister."
His voice rumbled like rocks dragged over gravel — hoarse and thick, like a rural drunk yelling at livestock.
Shen Yan's expression twitched.
'…Is that a boar speaking?'
"I was in closed-door cultivation," Ye Chan continued. "That's why we haven't met. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
"Do you… forgive me?"
He stepped forward, eyes sincere.
Su Yanyu rolled her eyes. "Why would I? It's not like I waited for you."
The air went dead silent.
"Pffft!" Shen Yan nearly burst out laughing, covering his mouth with his hand.
"Hey! What are you laughing at?!" Ye Chan snapped, eyes narrowing.
"Nothing," Shen Yan said, trying to contain himself.
Ye Chan softened his tone again.
"Junior Sister… when I cultivated day and night, it was all for you. You were the only thing that kept me going."
"Please… accept my love."
And then—he dropped to his knees.
Shen Yan turned red from holding in his laughter.
'This is too much. I can't—'
Su Yanyu shook her head.
"Senior Brother Ye Chan… you still don't understand."
"The person I love is Lord Shen Yan."
Shen Yan froze.
'Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing?! Why are you dragging me into this?! I'm not even a cultivator yet!'
He roared internally.
'Ever since I met this girl, it's been nonstop chaos. First that crazy Hall Master, then this "Terrace of Confessions," then she yells she wants to be my concubine! Now people are looking at me like I'm some playboy!'
'Soon enough, they'll call me the Playboy of Radiant Sky Sect… son of Sect Guardian Wuji? More like Sect's No.1 Scandal!'
Ye Chan's gaze turned razor-sharp. His qi began to surge.
"Is that true?" he asked, voice cold.
Shen Yan… was in a dilemma.