Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 540 The Banquet Ends

Zhao Kun slept in Lin Chen's arms all night.

The little one slept soundly like a little pig, without crying or fussing, with drool still hanging from the corner of his mouth, glistening and sparkling under the light.

Occasionally, she would roll over, stick her little fist out of her swaddling clothes and wave it, as if to greet someone, before pulling it back in.

She would occasionally let out a soft hum, her little mouth twitching as she chewed with such relish that the powerful figures nearby who were offering toasts couldn't help but smile like aunties.

Lin Chen held his son in one arm and a wine glass in the other, accepting all offers with composure.

Zhao Lingyang would glance at his son every now and then, then at Lin Chen, a happy smile on his lips.

At that moment, she forgot that she was an empress, a ruler who had abandoned her father and kept her son, and instead became a little woman who had married.

As dawn broke, the banquet finally ended, and people from various factions took their leave one after another.

Jiang Xuan clasped his hands in a fist and said "Take care," then disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Long Zaitian smiled and cupped his hands in greeting before leading the people from Penglai Immortal Island away.

Qingyunzi flicked his whisk and left with the people of Qingyun Sect. He had an air of otherworldly grace and walked with ease, like a cloud drifting away.

Sword Gentleman and Sword Thirteen clasped their hands in farewell and turned to leave.

As Jian Shisan left, he glanced at Lin Chen, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but he said nothing.

Abbot Xuanci clasped his hands together, chanted a Buddhist prayer, and left with the people from Mount Sumeru.

As she left, she glanced back at Lin Chen, hesitated as if she wanted to say something, but ultimately left anyway.

One by one, the emperors of the four dynasties took their leave.

The King of Ten Thousand Demons clasped his hands in a fist salute and shouted, "Take care, Young Master Lin," before leaving with the people of the Southern Wilderness.

His loud voice startled several people nearby who were still drunk, and they almost fell off their chairs.

As the Flame Empress left, she glanced at Lin Chen, a meaningful smile curving her lips.

The King of Jinsha clasped his hands in greeting and said, "Until we meet again," before leaving with the people of Xizhou.

The other leaders of the various factions bowed to Lin Chen in turn to take their leave, and the people in the square gradually dispersed.

Lin Chen stood on the high platform, watching the crowd gradually disperse, still holding Zhao Kun in his arms.

The little guy finally woke up, staring at Lin Chen with his big eyes. He paused for two seconds, then rolled his eyes around.

Then he grinned, revealing his pink gums, and his laughter, "giggle giggle," was as clear as a silver bell, echoing across the empty square.

Lin Chen looked down at him, smiled, and asked, "Awake?"

Zhao Kun stretched his little hands out of the swaddling clothes and waved them in the air, as if trying to grab something.

Lin Chen held his little hand and gently squeezed it. It was soft, like it had no bones, or like a ball of cotton.

Zhao Kun laughed even harder, making "ah ah ah" sounds as if he were talking to Lin Chen.

Zhao Lingyang walked over, stood next to Lin Chen, looked down at his son, and said with a smile:

"This kid knows you're his dad!"

Lin Chen smiled and nodded: "Mm."

Zhao Lingyang reached out and took his son from him.

As soon as Zhao Kun was in his mother's arms, his little nose started twitching, searching for food everywhere.

Zhao Lingyang quickly lifted him up, hoisted him onto his shoulders, and looked at Lin Chen, asking:

"What are you going to do next?"

Lin Chen looked at the distant sky illuminated by the morning light and chuckled softly:

"travel."

Zhao Lingyang raised an eyebrow: "Travel?"

Lin Chen's lips curled up slightly: "Yes, travel. The world is so big, and I haven't really seen it all yet."

Zhao Lingyang glanced at Lin Chen and smiled helplessly:

"Is it sightseeing or visiting brothels?"

Lin Chen coughed lightly, his gaze drifting slightly, but he didn't reply.

Zhao Lingyang smiled, didn't ask any more questions, and turned to leave with Zhao Kun in his arms.

He took two steps, then suddenly stopped and said without turning his head:

"You can go shopping all you want, but don't forget to come visit me and the kids when you have time!"

After saying that, he strode away, decisively and cleanly.

Lin Chen shouted at her retreating figure, "Got it!"

Then he jumped down from the platform and landed steadily in front of Lingbo and the others.

Yan Ruyu held a cup of tea, smiling as she looked at Lin Chen, her smile as sly as a fox spirit.

Mei Jiu Niang pounced on Lin Chen, hugging his arm and practically clinging to him, asking with a grin:

"Are you coming back to Joyful Valley with us, or...?"

Lin Chen looked at the spot where the Flame Empress had disappeared, paused for a moment, and said, "You guys go back first, I have some things to take care of."

Mei Jiu Niang pouted: "What is it?"

The voice was both sweet and reproachful, carrying a mix of coquetry and dissatisfaction, just like a neglected young wife.

Lin Chen did not answer.

Lingbo looked at Lin Chen with a blank expression, but something flickered in her eyes—very faint, and gone in an instant.

Chi Meng also looked at Lin Chen, her face expressionless, saying nothing and asking nothing.

Those eyes were as calm as a stagnant pool, but no one could see what lay beneath.

Yan Ruyu put down her teacup, stood up, and patted off non-existent dust from her skirt.

Then he walked up to Lin Chen, reached out and straightened his collar, and patted off the non-existent dust on his shoulders.

The movements were so natural, as if they had been done countless times, so natural that even Lingbo took another look.

"Okay, let's go back first."

After saying that, she pulled Mei Jiu Niang away.

Mei Jiuniang was being dragged along by her, and she turned back to call out to Lin Chen, "You'd better come back soon!"

Lingbo glanced at Lin Chen, then turned and followed him. She had to wait for Lin Chen in Hehuan Valley.

Chi Meng walked past Lin Chen, paused for a moment, then walked away without looking back.

Lin Chen watched the group walk away, then raised his hand and made a gesture in front of him.

A dark crack appeared in the void, from which a chaotic light shone through. He stepped inside.