Chapter 106: One Leaf Knows Autumn

Ye Qiu! Ye Qiu, why does this name stir such a deeply familiar feeling in me...

At that moment, Ruo Xi fell into a state of restless thoughts, carefully savoring the name Ye Qiu. Suddenly, memories resurfaced: during her trial with the Angel Clan, in the fierce competition among her peers, she had wandered the vast wastelands and chanced upon an extraordinary book in a secluded valley. The tome detailed a mysterious angelic realm, through which Ruo Xi had first glimpsed the true essence of the angels and comprehended the supreme angelic laws. Though years had passed, she still pondered that book daily. If her memory served her correctly, the first page bore a single line: One Leaf Knows Autumn...

"Hmm? Could this Ye Qiu be the same as One Leaf Knows Autumn?"

Ruo Xi was bewildered, finally grasping the source of her inner turmoil. It seemed the name truly held deeper origins! Yet, was One Leaf Knows Autumn truly one and the same as Ye Qiu?

She knew well that the book's author was One Leaf Knows Autumn; in truth, this man had been her guiding light. "Originally, the senior's true name is Ye Qiu. Upon hearing it, I feel a strange familiarity. I wonder if the senior bears any other nicknames—perhaps we have crossed paths before..."

Ruo Xi spoke in a roundabout manner, subtly probing Ye Qiu's past. She longed to know whether he was the book's author, as this had long been her silent burden: to locate One Leaf Knows Autumn. After all, the creator of such a wondrous tome must be an unparalleled master beyond the mortal realm. To miss the chance to behold his splendor would be an irreparable loss.

Ye Qiu's heart jolted at these words, his composure instantly shifting as he regarded Ruo Xi with wary suspicion. "Hmm... this person seems rather odd. Why inquire about my nicknames so casually?"

He had frozen in place. Having learned from Yue Chan's earlier encounter, Ye Qiu had grown cautious. These years, he had committed no small number of moral indiscretions—though most had been under pseudonyms or pen names.

Upon hearing the question, Ye Qiu's nerves tightened. Could it be that besides his flirtations with young loli, he had also crossed paths with angels? No, he had no recollection of such encounters.

He studied Ruo Xi closely, confirming he had never met her, yet puzzled by her claim of familiarity. One Yue Chan was already enough to complicate matters; another would surely lead to disaster.

Steadying himself, Ye Qiu decided to deny everything regardless of the truth. "Who knows what sins I committed back then? If it were like Liu Jianchen seeking repayment, that would be one thing. But if like Yue Chan, causing trouble... that would be far worse."

Though this female angel was strikingly beautiful, nearly rivaling Yue Chan in form and bearing, Ye Qiu found himself utterly unable to endure her presence. "Cough cough... this person does not alter his name nor change his surname! I have never borne any other titles..."

Ye Qiu declared this with feigned calm. Seeing his resolve, Ruo Xi's expression clouded with disappointment as she shook her head inwardly. She had hoped for revelation, but since he refused to acknowledge it, so be it.

"But you still have another name, Zhao Yingjun, do you not?"

A cold voice suddenly cut in from behind. Ye Qiu's pulse quickened. Damn it, he had almost forgotten about the killer lurking here.

The speaker was Yue Chan. She had seized the perfect moment to unmask Ye Qiu without mercy. Having spotted a connection between the revered Ruo Xi and Ye Qiu, and noting his desperate denials, she deduced he had a guilty conscience. An evil smile curved her lips.

"What Zhao Yingjun? I don't know what you're talking about... My name is Ye Qiu—the leaf of autumn. I warn you, speak no more nonsense, or I will accuse you of slander..."

Ye Qiu grew flustered and shot Ruo Xi a quick glance. Her expression had shifted subtly upon Yue Chan's words.

"Zhao Yingjun? Pfft..."

Ruo Xi bit back a smile and stayed silent. Yue Chan pressed on: "Oh, so your name is not Zhao Yingjun after all. I thought it was. However, if I recall correctly, you once used a pen name... One Leaf..."

Before she could finish, Yue Chan glanced at Ruo Xi while speaking. The moment she uttered "One Leaf," Ruo Xi's eyes lit with sudden joy, and she fell silent.

Yue Chan grew vigilant and stopped short. But Ruo Xi could no longer contain herself. "One Leaf... what?"

"Indeed, she's very invested in this name! Heh, I won't tell you..."

Yue Chan laughed inwardly, then countered coldly: "One Leaf is One Leaf—what is there to say? Why are you so eager to learn his name? What exactly do you hope to gain?"

Yue Chan's sharp retort startled Ruo Xi. She still could not discern Ye Qiu's true identity, and even if she could, he would not recognize her. In this precarious moment, any further unusual behavior might provoke his ire, endangering them all.

The Chaos Heaven of today was fraught with instability. If Ye Qiu mistook them for dark overlords, he would likely exterminate them alongside their supposed allies. That would be disastrous!

Ruo Xi shot Yue Chan a meaningful look and thought to herself: "So calculating... no wonder she is the most stunning female emperor of the age. I clearly underestimated her..."

Despite her resentment, she kept her face composed. At least, she must not show undue concern regarding Ye Qiu.

"One Leaf..."

Ruo Xi studied Ye Qiu earnestly before continuing softly, "I spoke too abruptly just now; I beg the senior's forgiveness..."

"No matter."

Ye Qiu waved his hand nervously, unaware of the scheming between the two women. He had barely survived the scare.

Good heavens, nearly outmaneuvered by Yue Chan. Fortunately she had held back, revealing no pen name. Otherwise, the trouble would have been immense. Ye Qiu had relied on that pseudonym most heavily these years; exposure would have been fatal.

Guiltily avoiding Ruo Xi's piercing gaze, he turned to the dark overlords ensnared in the Azure Lotus Law Net and let a cold killing intent flicker in his eyes.

Ruo Xi spoke once more: "Senior, among these captives is one who is a remnant of my Heavenly Kingdom. We have come here to execute him. I request you hand him over to my Heavenly Kingdom for judgment."

"Hmm?"

Ye Qiu paused, his eyes narrowing on the emaciated old man in the net, confusion deepening. This figure bore no trace of angelic grace from head to toe.

Before he could process it, the old man identified by Ruo Xi transformed. Black wings burst forth from his form, the sudden reveal leaving everyone stunned.

"He was once a male angel who rebelled against the Heavenly Kingdom? No wonder the Angel King descended personally—to hunt down the traitors..."