Su Mengxin gently climbed onto Ye Chen's back.
As he held her securely, a wave of warmth and safety washed over her. It was the first time she'd ever felt so protected in someone's arms.
For Ye Chen, however, the situation was a bit different.
He could clearly feel the soft sensation of her body pressing against his back.
To make sure she didn't slip, his hand instinctively moved to support her thighs.
Su Mengxin's cheeks flushed bright red the moment she felt his touch but she said nothing. She knew it wasn't intentional. He was just trying to make sure she wouldn't fall.
"The back of a man… it's so wide and warm…" she murmured softly under her breath.
"Hm? Did you say something?" Ye Chen asked, glancing over his shoulder.
"Eh? N-No! Nothing!" Su Mengxin quickly denied it, caught off guard that he had actually heard her whisper.
Ye Chen only chuckled lightly and continued walking through the dense forest.
For the next half hour, he moved effortlessly, carrying her on his back without pausing once.
Su Mengxin closed her eyes not because she was tired, but because she wanted to savor the moment.
Her heart was calm for the first time in a while.
Suddenly, Ye Chen came to a stop.
"Are you tired?" Su Mengxin asked, opening her eyes.
Ye Chen shook his head. "Not exactly. I just noticed something strange… Sounds like helicopters are approaching."
Su Mengxin blinked. "Helicopters?" She listened closely, but at first, she didn't hear anything.
Ye Chen's sharp senses, however, couldn't be doubted. Sure enough, about a minute later, the distinct whirring of helicopter blades echoed through the trees.
Looking up, Ye Chen spotted several black helicopters hovering in the sky. The insignia painted on their sides was unmistakable it belonged to the national government's military.
"Ye Chen! Let's head to an open area so they can see us!" Su Mengxin said urgently.
"Alright." Ye Chen carried her to a nearby clearing and gently set her down.
"We're here! We're here!" Su Mengxin waved both arms frantically, shouting at the helicopters overhead.
Ye Chen observed her from the side. She seems to know them... If that's the case, then there's no need for me to get involved any further. Without another word, Ye Chen quietly backed away and concealed himself behind a large tree nearby.
Su Mengxin turned around, smiling. "Ye Chen, we're safe now! Eh?" Her smile faded when she saw the empty spot where Ye Chen had stood. She spun around, searching the area, but there was no sign of him he'd vanished as if into thin air.
"Ye Chen? Where did you go?" she called out, voice filled with concern.
Meanwhile, the helicopters slowly descended, kicking up clouds of dust as they landed. Ye Chen stayed hidden, his eyes carefully watching the scene in case anything unexpected occurred.
The helicopter doors opened with a loud hiss, and a woman dressed in elite military uniform stepped out, followed closely by several heavily armed soldiers. Her presence was commanding, and the soldiers clearly held her in the highest respect.
Ye Chen narrowed his eyes. She's a cultivator, he judged instantly. Her aura indicated that she had reached the early Earth Realm impressive for someone so young. Judging by her looks, she couldn't be much older than Su Mengxin.
On her uniform was a unique emblem: a coiled dragon.
Ye Chen instantly recognized it.
The Dragon Special Forces…
He had heard rumors about this elite, top-secret unit before. It was said to be one of China's most powerful special forces groups, known only to a select few. Whispers spoke of a beautiful female commander who once crushed an entire terrorist syndicate with thousands of members. But no one knew her name or face. The identities of the Dragon Force members were shrouded in secrecy.
And now one of them is standing right in front of Su Mengxin...
The soldier approached quickly. "Miss Su! Your grandfather has been extremely worried about you," she said with a respectful nod. Her eyes scanned Su Mengxin, noting her lack of visible injuries. Though Su Mengxin was still wrapped in Ye Chen's cloak, the woman seemed relieved to see her safe.
She took out a clean set of clothing and handed it over. "Here. Please change into these."
"Miss Su, did anything happen to you while you were gone?" she asked gently.
But Su Mengxin wasn't listening. She kept turning her head, scanning the trees. She knew Ye Chen was still there somewhere.
"Miss Su, please. Let's return home. This place is too dangerous," the soldier urged.
"Wait… just a moment."
She turned back to the trees and shouted, "Ye Chen! I know you're still here! Please… come with me. Don't just disappear like that. Let's leave this place together!"
Silence.
The female soldier frowned slightly. As a cultivator, she was capable of sensing the presence of others nearby but no matter how hard she focused, she couldn't detect anyone hiding.
"Miss Su, there's no one here but us. Perhaps you're hallucinating from stress," she said cautiously.
Su Mengxin shook her head. "No. I'm not imagining things." Her voice softened, filled with emotion. "The time I spent with Ye Chen… I've never felt such warmth, such comfort before…"
Her thoughts drifted back.
From a young age, Su Mengxin had grown up alone. Her family was wealthy and powerful, but they were always busy running companies, managing affairs, holding political power. She had everything except love. No one had ever stayed by her side to protect her… until now.
"Miss… please, we must return quickly. Your grandfather is waiting and he won't be pleased if we delay."
Su Mengxin sighed. Deep down, she knew Ye Chen was hiding. Are you avoiding me… because of them? Are you trying to protect yourself? she wondered.
She looked one last time at the tree line and whispered under her breath, "One day, I'll find you again… just wait."
Then, without another word, she turned around and stepped into the helicopter. As the door closed behind her, the aircraft lifted off and soared into the sky.
From behind the trees, Ye Chen finally stepped out of hiding and gazed at the retreating helicopters.
So… her background really is extraordinary, he thought. Even her grandfather commands a force like the Dragon Special Forces.
Ye Chen didn't regret his decision. If he had joined her now, he might have been interrogated or tracked by the military. His strength and secrets were not something he was ready to reveal not yet.
Watching the helicopters fade into the horizon, Ye Chen let out a long breath.
"It's time to head home… I haven't visited Grandpa's grave in over two years."
With a light push off the ground, Ye Chen's figure soared into the sky, flying swiftly toward his hometown toward the next chapter of his journey.