Mystic Eyes: My Eyes Steal the Laws of Cultivation Chapter 601: A Hug (2)

Kyrian tilted his head slightly, considering her words.

"You are special too."

Her smile froze for a moment, her eyes widening slightly. Then her cheeks once again took on a faint rosy hue, a blush spreading rapidly.

"You really..." She did not finish the sentence.

"I just say what I think."

"I know."

And that was precisely what made everything different. She knew he was not trying to please her, there was no hidden intention, no calculation, or strategy.

Kyrian simply said what he believed to be true, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

The conversation continued, flowing like a river finding its course. Kyrian shared some of his experiences, talked about cultivation techniques, the knowledge he had recently acquired, and his experiences with Sun Luguo at the forge.

Gao Ziyue listened attentively, asking questions at times, correcting small details, or adding information she knew at others.

For Kyrian, it was extremely useful. Although Gao Ziyue’s cultivation was far above his own, her knowledge was not merely information about higher realms.

She understood principles, experiences, mistakes, and methods. Small observations that someone might take decades to discover on their own.

Kyrian remembered everything. Not necessarily in words, but in their essence. Many times, he simply observed the way she explained something and tried to understand the principle behind it.

That conversation had transformed, without either of them realizing it, into a kind of silent exchange. She shared experiences, and he absorbed them. He shared discoveries, and she analyzed them. And, in the process, the two learned from each other, their knowledge intertwining like threads in a tapestry.

Meanwhile, the food disappeared. The dishes that had once completely covered the table were now almost empty, with only remnants remaining, a few drops of sauce, a few crumbs of bread. The ribs had disappeared, the bread as well, and the stew had left only a few drops at the bottom of the bowl.

Even the candied fruits had been consumed, each one properly savored. The spiritual drinks were also nearing their end, the cups almost empty.

As cultivators, neither of them really needed to worry about the amount of food. Their bodies were capable of processing enormous amounts of spiritual energy, transforming it into Qi and vitality.

Even so, eating like that had nothing to do with physical necessity. It was pleasure, comfort, a shared experience that transcended the act of eating.

Little by little, the tavern grew quieter, the rhythm of the night slowing down. One table was vacated, then another. The voices grew quieter, the sound of utensils became rare, and the occasional laughter turned into distant murmurs. Until Kyrian looked around and realized that only one other table remained besides theirs.

Gao Ziyue noticed the same thing, her eyes sweeping across the empty hall. The two exchanged a glance, a silent acknowledgment of what it meant. Neither said anything, but neither of them stood up.

The other table was finally cleared as well, its occupants leaving for their homes. The customers left, one by one, until only the two of them remained. The door opened and closed several times, the bell chiming each time someone left.

Until, finally, Lunavinc Tavern was practically empty, with only the fireplace and the two occupants resisting the advance of the night.

Lili passed by them carrying a few bowls, her footsteps quick across the wooden floor. She stopped for a moment, her eyes moving between the two of them with a curiosity she made no attempt to hide.

"You’re still here?" The question was more of an observation than a genuine question.

Gao Ziyue looked at her, a tired smile on her lips.

"I suppose so."

Lili smiled, a smile that was pure affection.

"You don’t need to hurry. The tavern stays open until dawn, and I know you’re not bothering anyone."

She cast a playful glance at Kyrian, her eyes shining with a knowledge he did not completely understand.

"You can stay a little longer."

Then she returned to work, her movements quick as she began cleaning the empty tables.

Kyrian watched the young woman walk away, his eyes following her movements.

"She’s kind."

"She is." Gao Ziyue smiled, a smile that was pure gratitude.

"That’s one of the reasons I like this place."

Silence returned, but it was not uncomfortable. For a while, neither of them spoke, simply remaining seated, each other’s presence being enough. Their closeness no longer seemed strange, the other’s presence had become natural, as if that table had always been occupied by the two of them.

But inevitably, the night came to an end. When the last table was cleared and the flames of the fireplace began to die down, consuming the last logs of wood, Gao Ziyue finally stood up, her movements slow and reluctant.

"I think we should go."

Kyrian nodded, standing as well. Their bodies moved in sync, as if they were already accustomed to saying goodbye.

Before leaving, Gao Ziyue looked one last time at the inside of the tavern, her eyes moving over every detail, the fireplace, the tables, the wooden beams, the lanterns. That place had been her refuge for decades, a sanctuary where she could escape the pressures of her life.

And that night, she had added a new memory to it, a memory she would probably cherish for a long time.

"Lili." She called, her voice echoing through the empty hall.

The young waitress appeared, her eyes curious.

"Yes?"

"Thank you for today."

"Whenever you want to come back, Miss Ziyue. Our doors will always be open to you."

Gao Ziyue smiled, a smile that was pure gratitude.

"I’ll come back."

Lili looked at Kyrian, her eyes moving over his face with a curiosity she made no attempt to hide. Then, she looked back at Gao Ziyue, a discreet smile appearing on her lips.

"I hope next time you come together again. Food tastes better when shared."

Gao Ziyue blushed slightly, her cheeks taking on a rosy hue.

"Maybe."

Kyrian simply smiled, a smile that was more for himself than for either of them.

They left, and the door of Lunavinc Tavern closed behind them with a soft creak.