Chapter 378 - 280: Arriving at the Port, Admired by Thousands

Chapter 378: Chapter 280: Arriving at the Port, Admired by Thousands

’I’m about to see that guy again,’ Yang Lian’Er thought. ’I just ate so much... I hope he doesn’t notice.’

While Yang Lian’Er was agonizing over having an extra meal of barbecue, aboard the massive ship, Wu Liangchen gazed at the approaching city in the distance, his heart filled with a similar sense of emotion.

This trip to the East Sea had been completely successful, with one exception: he hadn’t found Huang Longhai, whom Chen Baimei had said was seeking refuge there.

Not only had he executed the main culprit indirectly responsible for Erya’s father’s death, but he had also crushed the Vajra Institute’s conspiracy and obtained a large cache of supplies.

Although all of this had happened in less than a month, returning to Huangpu Guard now felt like an eternity had passed.

Soon, the pier was in sight, and he could vaguely make out a large crowd gathered there.

When the crowd saw Wu Liangchen standing at the bow of the great ship, they erupted in fervent cheers.

"We welcome Master Wu on his triumphant return!"

"Brother Xiaowu is invincible!"

There were even some women’s screams mixed in.

"AHHHH, Master Wu, I want to marry you!"

Faced with such a passionate scene, Graham, standing behind Wu Liangchen, couldn’t help but be a little surprised.

In his mind, a martial arts master of Wu Liangchen’s caliber should be awe-inspiring and feared, but he had never expected him to be so popular.

This surprise lasted until Wu Liangchen disembarked from the ship.

The crowd waiting on the pier instantly surrounded Wu Liangchen.

Other things could be faked, but those gazes full of respect and expressions brimming with ardor could not.

"Master Jingxin!" At that moment, Wu Liangchen nodded to the middle-aged nun at the front of the crowd.

Although she disliked bustling scenes, Zen Master Jingxin had rushed over immediately after hearing the news.

Now, in response to Wu Liangchen’s greeting, Zen Master Jingxin pressed her palms together and bowed deeply.

"I have not failed my mission. All is well."

When Wu Liangchen had left, he had made it clear that Zen Master Jingxin was to secretly protect Erya and the others.

Although it was just a casual instruction, Zen Master Jingxin hadn’t dared to be negligent in the slightest. Aside from necessary rest, she had spent nearly every waking moment hiding in the shadows, protecting the three young women.

So, upon seeing Wu Liangchen, she felt as if a thousand-pound weight had been lifted from her shoulders, and her whole body relaxed.

Wu Liangchen naturally saw what was on her mind and couldn’t help but smile slightly. However, in front of so many people, he didn’t say much, merely waving his hand before turning his gaze to the three young women waiting quietly not far away.

Standing at the very front was Erya.

Although she had changed her clothes, her outfit was still very simple.

But this only served to accentuate the rare purity about the young woman.

From the moment Wu Liangchen appeared, Erya’s gaze had been fixed on him, unblinking.

So when Wu Liangchen looked over, their eyes met.

Despite already sharing the most intimate of relationships, a blush still crept onto Erya’s face.

Especially when she saw Wu Liangchen striding toward her, her whole body began to tremble slightly.

Wu Liangchen, of course, noticed the young woman’s bashfulness, but he pulled her into his arms anyway.

This action drew a wave of low gasps from the crowd, mixed with the disappointed sighs of a few women.

"I’m back," Wu Liangchen said in a low voice.

Overcome with shyness, Erya buried her head deep in Wu Liangchen’s chest and gave a soft "mhm."

It was a wondrous feeling, like holding a small kitten. Even through their clothes, he could feel the young woman’s soft breaths.

A wave of affection washed over Wu Liangchen.

’This poor girl really tugs at my heartstrings.’

Since he knew she was shy, Wu Liangchen decided not to let go. He looked up at his smiling sister and, next to her, a shocked-looking Yang Lian’Er.

"I brought back a lot of gifts for you all. They’re still on the ship. I’ll have Yan Feng unload them and send them back to Flower Square later."

"Okay!" Wu Mengchan nodded obediently.

Yang Lian’Er was just about to ask what the gifts were when she saw Wu Liangchen leap into the air with Erya in his arms, disappearing over the horizon in the blink of an eye.

"That guy... he just left like that?" Yang Lian’Er mumbled, a little displeased.

She had specifically changed into a new outfit and put on fresh makeup for this meeting, all to show off her slender figure. But in the end, Wu Liangchen hadn’t even noticed her before flying off with Erya.

After Wu Liangchen left, the crowd at the pier also dispersed, leaving only Third Brother Xie, Yan Feng, and the others from Flower Square.

"These... these are all gifts from the East Sea?" Third Brother Xie stared in shock at the crates being unloaded from the ship.

"Yep, all these shiploads," Yan Feng said, his face beaming with pride.

Third Brother Xie was first shocked, then immediately began to ponder.

She, of course, didn’t dare decide on her own what to do with so many spoils of war.

She was just thinking about how to store everything properly, and especially how to prevent any loss or theft.

At the same time, she had to make sure all of Wu Liangchen’s belongings were properly stored.

These matters sounded simple, but they were in fact a tangled mess and quite complex.

Fortunately, her subordinates were capable, and with Ichida Keizai’s full cooperation, things quickly got on track.

This made Third Brother Xie see the young man from the East Sea in a new light, and she couldn’t help but ask Yan Feng, who was standing beside her.

"Why is this guy working so hard?"

Yan Feng gave a sly grin, whispered a few words in Third Brother Xie’s ear, and then said meaningfully, "Third Brother, don’t you think he has a reason to work this hard?"

Third Brother Xie finally understood.

It turned out that just before leaving the East Sea, Wu Liangchen had specifically met with Ichida Keizai’s grandfather and bestowed upon him a medicinal pill.

This pill was a treasure from the Vajra Institute. While it couldn’t grant immortality, it had no problem curing illnesses and extending one’s life.

As it happened, Ichida Keizai’s grandfather, Ichida Jessi, had suffered for years for the sake of his family. As a result, though not particularly old, he was afflicted with various hidden ailments and was not expected to live much longer.

So this pill was the perfect solution to his problems.

One could only imagine how grateful Ichida Keizai—who had been raised by his grandfather since childhood and shared an extremely close bond with him—must have felt upon learning this.

It could be said that Wu Liangchen had exchanged a single medicinal pill for Ichida Keizai’s near-infinite loyalty.

No matter how you looked at it, it was a profitable trade.

After hearing about this, Third Brother Xie couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.

Wu Liangchen wasn’t just extraordinary in the martial path; he had also made great strides in other areas.

This display of his ability to manage people was the best proof.

「Meanwhile, in the top floor of Jufu Pavilion...」

Erya’s eyes gradually came into focus. She finally made out the smiling face of Wu Liangchen before her, and then, overcome with embarrassment, she buried her head under the covers.

’I was so pathetic just now. How could I have surrendered so quickly?’

Wu Liangchen sensed the young woman’s thoughts and couldn’t help but laugh. "Alright, don’t overthink it. It’s just that your man is too strong!"

That was the truth, after all. He had been holding back the entire time.

And yet, after just a few exchanges, he had utterly defeated the young woman.

"I’m sorry, Brother Xiaowu. I was too useless... Why don’t you let me rest for a bit, and then..." Erya said in a small voice, peeking out from under the covers.

Wu Liangchen cut her off, smiling as he ruffled her hair.

"It’s okay."

Despite this, Erya’s heart was still filled with guilt.

After all, according to the traditional values she had been taught, a woman’s most important duty was to satisfy her man.

"Alright, hurry up and get dressed. Mengchan and the others will be back soon." Wu Liangchen didn’t try to console her further, instead changing the subject directly.

Sure enough, this tactic worked. Erya instantly grew nervous. She hurriedly got up, got dressed, and straightened up the bed. To avoid leaving any trace of what they’d done, she even opened the windows.

Wu Liangchen didn’t try to stop this transparent attempt to cover things up, simply watching with a broad smile from his chair the entire time.

Finally, when the young woman was finished, Wu Liangchen beckoned her over to sit beside him and said in a low voice,

"Erya, there’s something I need to discuss with you."