Chapter Forty

Cen Yan's body froze.

He turned, looking at the man before him, his elegant face still cold: "What are you trying to say?"

Could Chu Rong possibly know how to dissolve a heavenly marriage contract?

Ridiculous.

Chu Rong smiled warmly, his hoarse voice unhurried: "Naturally, I have a way to dissolve the engagement."

His words hit the mark.

In an instant, an overwhelming sense of absurdity washed over Cen Yan. His eyes turned icy: "Chu Rong, you said you wouldn't bother me anymore."

For four months, He Ming had been searching for a way to dissolve the engagement, scouring the sect's library without success.

If even his master couldn't find it, how could Chu Rong, a mortal who had never even heard of the Heavenly Dao, possibly know?

Cen Yan didn't believe a word. In his view, Chu Rong's claim was just an excuse to cling to him.

For the past three years, that was how it had been. Chu Rong always found different reasons to stay close, impossible to shake off.

When Chu Rong spoke so confidently, he had thought he might actually change. But in just four months, he had revealed his true colors.

Cen Yan's reaction was within Chu Rong's expectations.

Countless cultivators didn't know how to dissolve a heavenly marriage contract. That a mere mortal would know was indeed absurd and unbelievable.

"I know what you're thinking." Chu Rong's brow rose slightly, his upturned peach blossom eyes smiling, captivating. "But cultivators don't necessarily know more than mortals. You won't know if it's true unless you try. If it really dissolves the engagement, wouldn't that be good for both of us?"

Cen Yan wouldn't have to worry about him using the engagement to cling.

He Ming and the others wouldn't have to fear him being implicated in any future trouble affecting Cen Yan's cultivation.

And Chu Rong could leave Qingyang Tianzong without ties, completely severing himself from the main leads and preserving his life.

Cen Yan had to admit there was some logic.

He frowned, meeting Chu Rong's captivating eyes. "What method?"

"Very simple." Chu Rong smiled lightly, his voice trailing off enticingly. "Take a blank talisman, write the contract dissolution with spiritual energy, and then we both report it to the Heavenly Dao. The engagement will be dissolved."

The contract had to be written by the betrothed parties. Without a talisman or cultivation, Chu Rong couldn't write it. Cen Yan would have to. Otherwise, he wouldn't be asking for Cen Yan's help.

In the modern world, he could have a lawyer draft a divorce agreement and have Cen Yan sign it—assuming same-sex marriage was legal.

The method was so simple it seemed fake.

Those who had made heavenly marriage contracts all had talismans. They could all write contract dissolutions. So why was there no record of it?

If Chu Rong was making it up, he should make it more believable.

Cen Yan was more certain Chu Rong was just looking for an excuse to bother him. "Are you done?"

"You don't believe me?" Chu Rong's smile faded. He had made it perfectly clear. What reason was there to doubt?

Cen Yan had talismans. He knew how to write a contract. What harm was there in trying?

"Would you believe such nonsense?" Cen Yan's eyes were cold.

Chu Rong could see Cen Yan's prejudice was deep. Peaceful discussion wasn't going to work.

His lashes lowered, a flicker of light in his eyes. He laughed mockingly, his tone shifting: "What's wrong, Golden Core cultivator? Afraid to try?"

He stepped closer, leaning in, his lips near Cen Yan's ear. The orchid fragrance from his body drifted into Cen Yan's nose.

Cen Yan paused, turning his head slightly. The scent grew stronger.

He heard the low, seductive voice: "Or do you, a cultivator, actually want to marry me? Can't bear to dissolve the engagement?"

Him? Can't bear to part with Chu Rong?

Absurd!

He had never had any feelings for Chu Rong. After the incident in the front hall, he had grown to despise him.

He had never once thought of marrying him!

Cen Yan's eyes were dark as he stared at Chu Rong: "In two days, the contract will be in your hands. You'd better hope this method works."

It would work.

Chu Rong, having read the text, was certain.

"Then I'll wait for the contract." He stepped back, putting distance between them. "But before I leave Qingyang Tianzong, can we keep the dissolution a secret?"

He didn't know how many days until the formation opened. He didn't want any accidents.

Cen Yan might not wish him harm, but others might. After all, the original owner was disliked by the whole sect.

Cen Yan's cold face nodded. He didn't care who knew about the dissolution.

He turned to leave.

"Cen Yan." Chu Rong called again. His hoarse voice was gentler, his eyes shimmering: "I don't regret saving you three years ago. We probably won't see each other again. May you have joy, peace, and happiness. Take care."

The original owner had truly loved Cen Yan. Occupying his body, Chu Rong would say goodbye on his behalf.

Cen Yan turned, his heart pounding. He stood frozen.

Xu Ziyang, leaving the hall later, saw this: Cen Yan motionless, gazing into the distance.

He looked. The long path stretched towards Wusong Residence. No one was there.

"Junior Brother Cen, what are you looking at?" Xu Ziyang smiled warmly. "Weren't you going to the back mountain? Why are you here?"

Cen Yan looked away, suppressing his emotions. "Chu Rong came to see me. We discussed something."

Chu Rong?

In four months, Chu Rong and Cen Yan hadn't seen each other. What was he doing here?

Xu Ziyang's eyes darkened. His tone was casual: "What did you discuss?"

Cen Yan had never hidden anything from Xu Ziyang. He almost told him, then remembered his promise to Chu Rong. "Nothing important. Senior Brother, I'll go ahead."

Xu Ziyang nodded, watching Cen Yan leave. His smile faded.

Cen Yan was keeping something from him.

-

Wusong Residence.

Night was falling. Cold moonlight covered the area.

Chu Rong returned from the back mountain, his hair wet. He removed his mask and sat on the bed.

Strands of wet hair hung over his face, half-hiding his captivating features. He looked around. The room was full of the original owner's things. He wouldn't take everything when he left.

He looked at the bookshelf against the wall. He also wouldn't take the stolen goods behind it. When Cen Yan discovered them was beyond his control.

After sorting through, Chu Rong didn't have much to take. He quickly packed.

-

Two days passed.

The sect was restless. Everyone's attention was on the front hall, waiting for the immortal sects' replies. Wusong Residence remained quiet.

At the hour of the snake, a knock broke the silence.

Chu Rong opened the door. Cen Yan stood outside, holding a contract written with spiritual energy: "Your contract."

Chu Rong confirmed it was correct, then stepped aside—reporting to the Heavenly Dao required both parties.

Three years ago, Cen Yan had reported the engagement. He knew what to do.

He channeled spiritual energy, making the talisman float. He closed his eyes, reciting the contract silently.

Chu Rong, though lacking the original owner's memory, knew what to do from the text. He closed his eyes and recited as well.

The talisman glowed, enveloping them.

Chu Rong felt nothing. But Cen Yan felt something lifting from his soul.

After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the sensation faded. The talisman burned away.

Cen Yan's eyes widened. He recognized this feeling from when the engagement was made.

It was the power of the Heavenly Dao!

Chu Rong's method had worked!

Chu Rong saw Cen Yan's expression. "Is it dissolved?"

Cen Yan's eyes were complex. "Yes."

From now on, he and Chu Rong had no connection.

Suddenly free of the engagement that had bound him for over three years, Cen Yan felt strange. For the first time, his tone softened: "When the formation opens, I'll see you out of the sect."

Surprise flickered behind Chu Rong's mask. He didn't refuse.

Cen Yan left quickly, unaware of the figure watching from the corridor's shadow.

When Cen Yan was gone, Xu Ziyang stepped out. His handsome face was tense, his eyes churning with emotion.

This was what Cen Yan had been hiding from him? What a surprise.

He turned, his dark gaze fixed on the man in the room. He walked towards him.

Chu Rong heard footsteps and smiled: "Something else..."

He stopped when he saw who it was.

Xu Ziyang?

Shouldn't he be at the front hall? What was he doing here?

Had he seen what just happened?

Chu Rong studied his expression. His gaze met Xu Ziyang's dark eyes.

Sunlight from the window fell on Xu Ziyang's jaw. He laughed softly, his voice low and dangerous: "What good would returning to the mortal realm do you?"

With his condition, he'd just die there. Better to stay in the cultivation world.

A mortal like Chu Rong, with no defenses, could only survive by relying on someone powerful. He should be permanently confined, never allowed to leave.

Xu Ziyang's words made no sense. Where else would a mortal go but the mortal realm?

His laugh was unsettling. Chu Rong's fingers curled. He stepped back, about to dismiss him, when Xu Ziyang moved before him, chopping the back of his neck.

Chu Rong's vision went dark. His strength left him.

Before he fell, strong arms caught him, pulling him close.

Author's Note:

The engagement is dissolved! Sorry for the wait~