Dual Cultivator Reborn [System In The Cultivation World] Chapter 1015: Elaine

"Damn... this is freaking good!" Yohan exclaimed, savoring the liquor provided by the elderly proprietor. Lucine sat opposite him, a faint, melancholic smile gracing his lips.

The ground remained littered with headless corpses. Absolute silence reigned in the inn; no one dared to move from their seats, terrified that any action might provoke Yohan into further bloodshed. The three captivating women who had been accompanying the deceased man were also present, standing stoically near Yohan and Lucine's table.

Standing beside the women was the innkeeper himself, the bottles of liquor clutched in his hands. He shot nervous glances at Yohan as the latter sampled his brew.

The old man's life flashed before his eyes. After all, he too had not hesitated to curse Yohan in front of that imposter. From the outset, his only thought had been to expel the pretender and save his own skin. Certain that his end had come, he lamented his misfortune for becoming entangled in such a grave predicament.

He subtly shifted his gaze towards the three women. They were in the same predicament, having foolishly placed their trust in a man falsely claiming to be the Lin clan's heir.

"Hey old man, what kind of liquor is this?" Yohan’s sudden exclamation jolted the innkeeper from his fearful stupor. A shiver ran down his spine as Yohan gestured towards the bottle he had just tasted.

"My lord... this is called Mad Monkey Booze!" he replied, his voice quivering. Despite his terror, he proceeded to explain the liquor's origins and its brewing process with meticulous care.

"What a peculiar name... Mad Monkey Booze. Nevertheless, I find it quite appealing. Serve me two bottles along with some dishes that complement this alcohol!" Yohan declared, his demeanor remarkably calm and collected. A distinct excitement, unlike his former self, animated him.

A wave of relief washed over the old man, though he remained acutely aware of Yohan’s presence. The grim tableau of bodies on the floor served as a stark reminder. Bowing his head, the innkeeper immediately signaled his staff to fetch the chosen liquor and summoned the chef to prepare suitable accompanying dishes. The chef, witnessing the carnage, was drenched in sweat, his mind conjuring images of himself joining the fallen.

Observing the chef’s distress, the old man inwardly cursed him, though he couldn't fault the man's abject fear.

Moments later, the chef snapped out of his terror and scurried into the kitchen, determined to create dishes worthy of Yohan's discerning palate.

Once the chef had departed, Yohan finally turned his attention to the three women, who stood as still as statues. Their beauty was undeniable. Yohan felt a pang of sympathy for them, recognizing that the impostor had exploited his name and the significant standing of the Lin clan within the Northern Region.

"So, what are your stories?" he inquired, seeking to understand how they had found themselves in this dire situation.

One by one, they began to recount their misfortunes. Two of the women hailed from a prosperous merchant family in a nearby town; they were cousins. Two months prior, the imposter had descended upon their hometown with his retainers, leveraging the formidable reputation of the Lin clan to extort their family's wealth. Faced with such threats, their clan had no choice but to comply. Ultimately, the two women were compelled to follow him, a grim sacrifice to prevent the complete annihilation of their kin. Tears streamed down their faces as they narrated the horrors they endured to safeguard their people, a truly tragic tale of self-sacrifice.

Yohan fell silent upon hearing their heart-wrenching accounts. He felt a profound sense of empathy for the two women, recognizing their inherent bravery.

"I am truly sorry that you were subjected to such hardships simply because some scoundrel dared to impersonate me. While I cannot alter the past, I shall ensure you have a future. You will be safely returned to your clan, and all that was stolen will be repaid a thousandfold!" Yohan vowed, his gaze fixed upon the two women.

Yohan's declaration left the two women stunned. After all, they had heard various whispers and rumors about him concerning his dealings with women.

"You do not intend to take us as your slaves...?" one of them inquired, her voice laced with trepidation. Yohan nearly expelled the liquor he had just swallowed, splattering it towards Lucine at the woman's question. He inwardly cursed the purveyors of such outlandish rumors, acknowledging the futility of controlling gossip or silencing its spreaders.

"You are both free. You may live as you please, unfettered, like spirits unbound," Yohan responded, his eyes meeting theirs. Upon hearing his words, the two women began to weep anew, tears of joy this time, relieved by his benevolent intentions and the absence of any desire to enslave them.

The elder displayed obvious surprise, mirrored by everyone else present. Their initial assumption was that Yohan intended to punish them or, perhaps worse, make them his playthings. However, his demeanor with these two ladies was entirely different.

"Thank you, Master Yohan, we shall forever remember this favor!" the two exclaimed moments later, bowing deeply to Yohan. They understood he had no intention of detaining them and that they were free to return to their respective clans.

Yet, the elation they felt was abruptly extinguished as their gazes fell upon the third lady standing nearby. Yohan also registered the apprehension evident on her face. She was the very individual who had previously defended him, imploring the imposter to release him.

"What is your story? How did you come to be with that man?" Yohan finally inquired, his curiosity piqued by her situation.

"My name is Elaine. I beg you, please take me as your concubine."