Mystic Eyes: My Eyes Steal the Laws of Cultivation Chapter 593: Hand in Hand (2)

"Tavern Lunavinc."

Several small iron lanterns swayed gently in the night wind, creating a soft sound of metal against metal. Through the windows, part of the interior could be seen, solid wooden tables, people talking calmly, a large counter in the back, and a lit fireplace spreading warmth throughout the hall.

And most striking of all, the aroma.

As soon as the wind changed direction, a delicious smell reached Kyrian, awakening his dormant senses. Slowly roasted meat, freshly baked bread, exotic spices, melted butter, aromatic herbs.

Everything mixed together in such a way that even his stomach quietly complained, a sound he could not completely suppress.

Gao Ziyue watched his reaction attentively, her eyes capturing every nuance of his expression. A satisfied smile appeared on her lips.

"I told you that you would like it."

Kyrian continued looking at the small tavern, his eyes wandering over every detail of the facade. It had no grand formations, no extravagant decorations, no guards at the entrance, and no customers dressed in luxurious clothes.

Even so, it conveyed an extremely welcoming feeling, as if anyone who entered would immediately be treated as part of the household.

"This place..." Kyrian murmured, his voice low and thoughtful.

"Feels very comfortable."

Gao Ziyue’s eyes shone intensely, a light of satisfaction illuminating her entire face.

That was exactly the word. Comfortable.

"That’s why I like it here." She looked fondly at the tavern’s facade, her eyes wandering over every detail as if she were revisiting an old friend.

"When I had bad days, when the pressure became unbearable, I would always end up coming here."

Her smile became softer, more personal.

"Sometimes I wasn’t even hungry. I just wanted to sit near the fireplace for a few hours while listening to the people around me, their simple conversations, their laughter, their everyday worries."

She looked at Kyrian again, her eyes meeting his with an honesty she rarely showed.

"It was my refuge. My little secret."

Kyrian understood immediately. It was not just a restaurant, it was not just a place to eat. It was a refuge, a place where Gao Ziyue could forget, even if only for a short time, that she carried the weight of the Sky Family, the Heavenly Physique of Ten Thousand Illusions, and the Heart Demon.

There, she could simply exist, without masks, without defenses, without the weight of expectations.

That was why she had never brought anyone here. That place was far too precious to be shared with just anyone.

While Kyrian observed the small tavern, his eyes capturing the warm light spilling through the windows, Gao Ziyue also watched him discreetly, her eyes tracing his profile with an attention she could not completely explain.

She was anxious. She wanted to know if he would really like the place, if he would feel the same warmth she felt, if he would understand what that place meant to her.

It was a strange feeling, this need for approval. She had never cared about other people’s opinions regarding her tastes, her refuges. But, at that moment, she cared quite a lot.

Then, without realizing it, she moved closer again, the distance between them shrinking until their shoulders almost touched.

She held his hand.

This time, it was not his wrist, nor his sleeve. It was his hand, her fingers naturally intertwining with his, as if that gesture were the most ordinary thing in the world.

Even she herself did not notice what she had done, so natural was the movement. She simply smiled, her eyes shining with an almost childish excitement.

"Come." She said, her voice filled with anticipation.

"I want you to try the food here."

Kyrian lowered his eyes for a moment, observing their intertwined hands. The contact was gentle but firm, her hand was colder than his, but it quickly warmed against his skin.

His first impulse, the instinct he had developed over years of a certain loneliness, or lack of close contact with others, would have been to pull away. He had always thought he would hate physical contact, the feeling of being touched, the intimacy it implied.

But not now. Not with Gao Ziyue.

The sensation was surprisingly natural, as if their hands had always been destined to meet. Perhaps it was the effect of the wine, which lowered his defenses. Perhaps it was because he trusted her, a trust that had grown throughout the night, nourished by every conversation, every confession, every shared moment.

Perhaps both.

He simply smiled discreetly, a smile that was more for himself than for her.

"All right."

Gao Ziyue’s eyes lit up even more, a joy so pure that it seemed to radiate light.

She gave his hand a gentle tug, their fingers still intertwined.

"Then let’s go."

The door of Tavern Lunavinc opened with a soft creak, a sound that seemed filled with history and familiarity. The small metal bell hanging above the entrance swayed with the movement and produced a crystalline chime that spread throughout the hall like a musical greeting.

"Tlim..."

A few people near the entrance raised their eyes instinctively, their gazes briefly scanning the newcomers before returning to their conversations.

To the regulars of that small tavern, the arrival of new customers was not exactly an event worthy of attention, it was part of the natural rhythm of the night, like the beating of a heart.

But, for Kyrian, that simple moment seemed to mark a complete change in the environment, as if he had crossed an invisible boundary between two worlds.

As soon as he crossed the door, the cold of the night disappeared instantly, replaced by a pleasant wave of warmth that enveloped his body like an embrace. The warm air of the tavern contrasted with the night breeze, and his lungs filled with air that was denser, more alive.

The warmth came mainly from the large fireplace built into the back wall, where spiritual wood logs burned slowly, producing orange flames that illuminated the hall with dancing light.

The fire was not strong enough to make the environment stuffy, but it created a comfortable temperature, especially for those who had just spent some time walking through the Caravan’s nighttime streets. The flames crackled softly, casting dancing shadows that moved across the stone walls.

The aroma of the food was also much more intense inside, an olfactory symphony that awakened all the senses. Slowly roasted meat, with its golden crust and juicy interior.

Freshly baked bread, with its crispy crust and soft center. Fresh herbs releasing their essential oils into the warm air. Melted butter, sweet and creamy. Spiritual honey, with its amber glow and floral fragrance. Wild mushrooms, with their earthy and deep aroma.

Exotic spices that Kyrian could not identify, but which awakened his curiosity. And some kind of slightly acidic sauce that seemed to promise a perfect contrast to the richness of the other dishes.

His stomach reacted immediately, a discreet growl that he hoped no one had heard. He had not been exactly hungry before entering. Now, however, he was.