Chapter 287: Stone Chamber
Things turned out even smoother than expected, perhaps because the White-clothed Ghost was just a simple little girl, thus she could be won over quite easily.
In her world, there didn’t seem to be too many complicated entanglements or manipulations. As long as one gave her a tiny bit of genuine care, she would open up like a flower in the sun.
After all, Yun Zhonghe’s skills were so impressive that even Mu Jixue, who had an air of arrogance and pride, could be disciplined obediently.
Now facing this innocent little child, it was a piece of cake for him.
Only… it would be great if she didn’t cling to Yun Zhonghe like glue.
Sure, he was strong-willed, but being surrounded daily by such a seductive, always-attached body that emitted such a gentle aura could make anyone feel like they might lose control. His heart would occasionally flutter.
He wished to maintain some distance, but being refused directly wasn’t an option.
But to the White-clothed Ghost, who was essentially still a little girl at heart, there was no problem with snuggling and holding on. This was simply her most direct and purest way of expressing love and closeness.
Children don’t have the same intricate thoughts as adults after all.
Sadly, such a pure soul happened to be attached to a breathtakingly beautiful body—almost too perfect for its own good.
Having successfully “persuaded” the White-clothed Ghost, he took the opportunity to introduce himself to her with a gentle explanation of his name.
Considering they both had been asleep for several days and hadn’t even known each other’s names yet.
But their bodies were already intimately acquainted.
“Yun Zhonghe”—he pointed to himself and introduced himself.
Hearing those three words, she pondered deeply, trying to engrave them into her memory.
A moment later, she pointed to herself and attempted to speak, but her pronunciation was muddled.
“Chen… Le… Ling…”
Yet amidst the garbled sounds, he could faintly make out those three words.
Chen Leling?!
At that moment, Yun Zhonghe froze slightly.
She was also called Chen Leling?
What a coincidence!
Yun Zhonghe held his breath involuntarily, his heart racing. He felt a truth surfacing gradually, yet he couldn’t fully grasp it.
The fog before him remained dense, with too many scattered details resembling misplaced puzzle pieces that couldn’t form a complete picture.
However… regardless, since her name was indeed Chen Leling, he no longer had to call her “Ghost,” which seemed rather cold.
Moreover, strictly speaking, she wasn’t really a ghost, let alone simply classified as a zombie.
Zombies are lifeless corpses, while Chen Leling, though her body had been subjected to a special magic making metabolism and growth abnormally slow, still breathed and lived.
Thinking this, Yun Zhonghe chuckled softly, “Then I’ll call you Le Ling. Does that work for you?”
Upon hearing this, Chen Leling made a few “oo-woo” sounds, then obediently sat down on a pile of hay.
Yun Zhonghe then stated, “Since that’s settled, let’s get a move on and go back tonight. Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”
Yun Zhonghe had long wanted to leave this desolate wilderness.
However, just as he prepared to leave, Chen Leling suddenly got agitated. She yelled loudly and stood resolutely in front of the cave entrance.
Yun Zhonghe frowned slightly, puzzled, “Le Ling, didn’t we agree earlier?”
Chen Leling opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but ended up only emitting fragmented sounds, shaking her head and rejecting silently. Her greenish-gray eyes conveyed alarm and fear.
Yun Zhonghe understood.
“Is there something dangerous outside that makes you worried we’ll run into trouble if we leave this cave?”
Chen Leling’s expression became more serious; she nodded vigorously. Her eyes seemed to plead, “Yes, it’s very dangerous outside.”
Whatever could intimidate Chen Leling must be quite formidable.
One should know, her physical strength could match even a peak-stage Yuan Ying cultivator.
Yun Zhonghe paused for a moment, quickly analyzing in his mind: “Does that thing come out only at night?”
Chen Leling nodded again, a barely noticeable look of terror flashing in her eyes.
Yun Zhonghe then understood why every time night fell, she urged him to return to the cave.
But why could Chen Leling still safely venture out every night? Did that thing not attack her?
Or… were they the same kind?
Amidst the growing mysteries, Yun Zhonghe felt he had finally caught onto a key clue.
But given the existence of something even more perilous beyond the cave, Yun Zhonghe naturally couldn’t take risks.
His meridians weren’t fully healed yet, and escaping was out of the question.
Thus, he sighed deeply, “I understand. Let’s stay here tonight and wait until morning.”
Seeing him agree, Chen Leling yipped happily for quite some time, her joy radiating.
Then, she lay on the hay and stared at Yun Zhonghe, her gaze like a blazing inferno.
Seeing this, Yun Zhonghe smiled helplessly and lay down next to her.
The warm touch quickly enveloped him.
“Hmm~♪”
Although Chen Leling’s affection wasn’t enough to make Yun Zhonghe rigid, it still caused a slight stiffness in his body. He struggled to keep his hands off her waist.
Eventually, he shifted, closed his eyes, calming his unrest.
Just as he attempted to immerse himself again, Chen Leling sprang up abruptly, recalling something important.
“Awoof, awoof~”
She anxiously shook Yun Zhonghe, whispering urgently, pointing towards the back of the cave.
She wildly signaled with her hands, as if trying to convey something, her abstract gestures making it hard to digest without understanding.
“Could it be that you have something inside that needs my help to retrieve?”
Yun Zhonghe’s imagination could be quite outlandish, dreaming up such absurdities.
As a ghost, how could Chen Leling have anything to carry?
The Snow Cloud Sword trembled faintly, seemingly amused at his wild imagination.
If there truly was something, it might as well be a dowry than a mere possession.
Surprisingly, Chen Leling nodded eagerly.
The Snow Cloud Sword looked on, silently impressed.
It made sense; you two did share a bed.
Yet, such things Chen Leling could handle alone. Was it maybe too many things to fit, requiring Yun Zhonghe’s ring?
Increasingly curious, but seeing the urgency in her eyes, Yun Zhonghe reluctantly followed her deeper into the cave.
