Ch. 102 – Buried Bodies

When this thought occurred to him, Hao Chen firmly shook his head to get rid of the feeling of estrangement he felt toward Feng Ye. Then he simply slung an arm around Feng Ye’s shoulders.

Now this was more like it. He had Feng Ye securely encircled in his arms. How far away could he possibly go now? Hao Chen’s tense body relaxed considerably.

Then he met Feng Ye’s surprised and uncertain look in reaction to Hao Chen’s inexplicable action.

Hao Chen blinked at Feng Ye with a look of innocent confusion.

Feng Ye blinked back and gestured with his eyes to Hao Chen’s hand, which was resting where it shouldn’t be.

But not only did Hao Chen not remove his hand, he even tightened his grip a little more. That hand moved from Feng Ye’s shoulder to the back of his neck, and before Hao Chen could make up an excuse for his actions, Feng Ye’s expression suddenly changed.

Hao Chen could feel the dragon tremble violently under his hand, his face paling. Then, the world spun around him.

Feng Ye seized his wrist and executed an over-the-shoulder throw, slamming him to the ground with a loud thud.

Hao Chen was a little dazed from the fall. It didn’t actually hurt, since he had landed on soft grass and soil. He just didn’t understand why Feng Ye had suddenly thrown him down. But before he could fully grasp what had just happened, a sudden vibration surged up from beneath him.

The ground was shaking. He wasn’t heavy enough to cause an earthquake, was he? Hao Chen glanced at his hands and thought, I’m definitely still in my human form.

Then he caught sight of a stone door slowly opening in the ground and belatedly realized that this was not an earthquake. His fall had triggered some sort of mechanism that opened the entrance to the ruins.

Hao Chen was sitting directly above that closed stone gate. Dangerously close to falling through the entrance of the unknown ruins, the fish remained sitting there blankly, without making a move.

Despite having been the one to throw Hao Chen, Feng Ye still reached out and pulled him up. Hao Chen finally came to his senses and took hold of Feng Ye’s hand, then stood up and stepped out of the stone gate’s perimeter.

Right after pulling him up, Feng Ye released Hao Chen’s hand and leveled him with a glare.

Hao Chen wore a baffled expression. What on earth was wrong with this dragon today? Why did he keep suddenly flying into a rage?

Wait, it didn’t seem to be a random occurrence. Each time, his whole body trembled after he touched a certain spot on his neck…..

The neck…..he’d heard that a dragon’s inverse scale grew there…..wait, inverse scale?

An epiphany flashed through Hao Chen’s mind. He looked at Feng Ye, who was clutching his neck with his head turned away, no longer looking at him. Could it be that…..Feng Ye’s inverse scale was his sensitive spot?!

Judging from Feng Ye’s behavior, this was very likely to be true. Hao Chen desperately suppressed his excitement. He seemed to have discovered an incredible secret.

The commotion they made drew everyone’s attention. Fang Yang watched as Feng Ye inexplicably attacked Hao Chen, but before he could ask any questions, he saw that an entrance had opened in the ground.

The stone gate was now fully open, occupying the space beside the vine-covered platform. A two-foot square hole had appeared out of nowhere. Fang Yang was immediately drawn to it, and hurried over to peer inside.

He exclaimed in surprise: “This is…..”

Beneath the gaping stone door lay a three-meter-deep pit. But that wasn’t all, for at the bottom of the pit, there was a downward-sloping tunnel. Fang Yang looked, but couldn’t see the end of it. He could only guess that the tunnel led deeper underground.

“This is part of the royal city of Western Qiang. These ruins are much bigger than what you can see above ground.” Wang Wu came over as well, explaining to the group, “Although the city was shattered by the earthquake and buried deep underground, a few sections still have entrances that connect to the surface. This place is one of them.”

“So what do you say? Want to go down and take a look?” Wang Wu rubbed his hands together, his tone revealing his anticipation.

He had been waiting impatiently for ages. Hao Chen’s fall just now had fortuitously opened the entrance to the underground ruins. He could finally get down to business.

He had laid so much groundwork beforehand, painstakingly boasting about the treasure lying beneath in the underground palace, all to lure these people down despite their lack of temptation.

However, his efforts were not entirely in vain. Fang Yang was eager to go inside, not entirely because of the treasure, but because he was very curious about Western Qiang’s royal city and wanted to see what was down there in the ruins.

So he turned his head back and asked Feng Ye excitedly: “Shixiong, should we go down and take a look?”

Wang Wu and Zhao Yi also looked over. As expected, Feng Ye was the leader of this group. As long as Feng Ye agreed, everything would go smoothly.

Feng Ye sent the two bandits a cool glance, then acquiesced to their wishes and gave a nod.

Ling Yun had discovered the Living Soil here, not in this particular ruin, but in the area around it. Feng Ye didn’t know the exact location, but these underground structures should be connected. If he descended from here, he would eventually reach his destination.

But…..before he went down, there was still one more thing he needed to do.

At once, he approached the secretly elated Wang Wu and Zhao Yi. Then, to their great astonishment, he made his move.

He grabbed Wang Wu by the collar and lifted him up, and although the man was a big, heavy wall of muscle, it was no more difficult for Feng Ye to lift him than it was to lift a chick.

Feng Ye dangled him directly above the pit. If he let go, the man would directly plummet into the ruins.

A height of three meters was actually not very great. An ordinary person might break a bone, but for those with martial arts, it was nothing to worry about.

But when Wang Wu looked down, he immediately put up a violent struggle. He tried to pry Feng Ye’s hands away, but they were as solid as rocks and couldn’t be budged an inch. When his attempt failed, he cursed in terror: “Are you crazy?!”

He then shouted toward Zhao Yi, who was still standing there in shock at this turn of events: “What are you just standing there for?! Come and help me!”

Zhao Yi then seemed to wake up from a dream, and strode forward.

Fang Yang and Cao Zirui watched the proceedings. Unsure of exactly what Feng Ye was doing, they stood frozen in place without making a move.

But Hao Chen understood. He and Feng Ye had overheard the bandits’ plans.

Zhao Yi approached Feng Ye, but before he could get too close, Hao Chen blocked his way with his fan.

He slowly unfolded it, exuding the elegance of a young master from a prominent family even so deep in this desolate mountain forest. He then covered his lips with it, saying with a smile: “Don’t rush. You’re next.”

“Fuck you!” In sharp contrast to Hao Chen’s elegance, Zhao Yi cursed and threw a punch.

Hao Chen met the punch with his closed fan, effortlessly blocking it without even needing to exert any strength.

With another casual wave of his hand, Zhao Yi was thrown to the ground by an irresistible force transmitted through the fan.

Upon seeing this, Wang Wu immediately gave up any thoughts of resisting. As expected, these people were all powerful cultivators.

He reacted quickly. With the knowledge that they couldn’t defeat Feng Ye and his group by force, he stopped cursing their ancestors and instead donned a pitiful expression.

Forcing a smile, he pleaded with the cold-faced Feng Ye: “Please, hero, I don’t know what I did to offend you. I’m just a rough man and my manners are lacking. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

Fang Yang ran up to Feng Ye’s side and asked him doubtfully: “Shixiong, what are you doing?”

But despite questioning him, he didn’t stop Feng Ye. Because he believed in his Useless Shixiong, who wasn’t one to use his power to bully others. He believed that Feng Ye must have a reason for his actions.

“They should be…..” Cao Zirui also made his way over, and hesitated before making a guess: “….mountain bandits.”

He had sensed that something was amiss at the dinner table, but he wasn’t entirely sure what it was. Only now that Feng Ye had taken action was he convinced that these two were bandits.

“Mountain bandits?!” Fang Yang repeated in disbelief. He’d said at the dinner table that these two looked like fearsome bandits, which was true, but he never could have imagined that they actually were.

Feng Ye glanced at Fang Yang, then confirmed Cao Zirui’s guess: “That’s exactly what they are. That house likely isn’t theirs either.”

At this point, he turned his head to regard Wang Wu with a toothy smile: “Where are the original owners?”

Feng Ye’s smile was usually gentle, but this one sent chills down one’s spine. Wang Wu shuddered helplessly, but still tried to argue: “Bandits? My brother and I may look fierce, but we’re decent people. That house is ours!”

“Oh,” Feng Ye responded calmly, his expression unchanged.

Then he released his grip.

With a piercing scream reminiscent of a pig being slaughtered, Wang Wu plummeted into the pit.

He wasn’t injured, as the bottom of the pit was filled with soft dirt that coated his body. But without even bothering to brush it off, he scrambled up the pit on all fours, as desperate to escape as if there was a monster pursuing him. 

After dropping Wang Wu, Feng Ye turned and picked up Zhao Yi, who had been knocked to the ground by Hao Chen. This time, he didn’t even ask any questions before tossing Zhao Yi down as well.

Then, as if having just disposed of trash, he dusted off his hands and gave the two people in the pit an ultimatum: “Will you talk or not?”

Wang Wu and Zhao Yi exchanged a glance, still hesitant.

Feng Ye and Hao Chen also looked at each other. Despite Feng Ye throwing him over his shoulder earlier, they worked together with perfect synergy.

Hao Chen sent Feng Ye a knowing wink, then unfolded his fan and gave a gentle flutter. As a result, the stone gate that had only just opened began to close again.

The noise from the gate startled Wang Wu and his companion. As the stone gate closed, their field of vision shrank. Once it shut, it couldn’t be opened from the inside, and they would surely be devoured by the creature down here, without even leaving skeletons behind.

The two of them instantly disregarded everything else and shouted for Feng Ye and the others to stop.

Feng Ye asked again: “Will you talk or not?”

Wang Wu raised a condition: “Take us up first, then we’ll talk.”

Before Feng Ye could smile, Hao Chen chuckled with his face concealed behind his fan: “Are you still at leisure to make demands? Didn’t you plan to close this stone gate as soon as we entered the underground ruins?”

These people actually knew about their secret plotting by the river?!

At this realization, Wang Wu and Zhao Yi finally put aside their ulterior motives and gave an honest confession.

They were bandits who had been roaming the mountains for many years. Having committed many serious crimes, they were constantly pursued by government troops and had no choice but to flee to the sparsely populated Longqiu.

They retreated deep into the mountain forest, planning to venture out again once the storm had passed. As for the wooden house, it didn’t actually belong to them. It belonged to a family of farmers living in the mountains.

The couple, along with their five-year-old child, were killed without exception.

“Beasts!” Fang Yang cursed, unable to contain his anger. And he had thought these two were good people!

Cursing once didn’t satisfy him, so he rolled up his sleeves and went to jump down and give them a beating. Cao Zirui grabbed him just in time.

Seeing that Fang Yang had been subdued, Feng Ye proceeded to ask: “And then what? The storm has long passed, so what are you still doing here?”

“It’s because of….the treasure…..” Wang Wu briefly hesitated, but then he realized that having confessed to the murders, what happened next was of no importance in comparison. Thus, he spilled the whole truth.

Longqiu contained the ruins of the royal city of Western Qiang, and indeed, as Wang Wu had mentioned on the way here, there was a long-standing legend that there was treasure contained within it.

But a legend was just a legend, and few people took it seriously. Wang Wu and Zhao Yi had heard of the treasure, but like most others, didn’t give it any credence at all.

When they forcibly seized the wooden house, the husband and wife fought back desperately in order to give their five-year-old child time to escape. The intruders first killed the husband, then captured the wife.

As for the child who had fled into the forest, he was dragged back with a broken neck by Wang Wu’s wolfhound.

They took turns playing with the female homeowner all night, before ultimately killing her as well.

The next day, the bodies began to take on a faint odor, so the two discussed dragging them elsewhere to bury them. Due to the fact that they planned to spend a stretch of time in the mountains and make this house their permanent residence, they didn’t bury the bodies nearby.

As luck would have it, the two had discovered this pit near the ruins after a few days, a ready-made hole that they could use to quickly and easily dispose of the bodies.

So with each of them dragging a body, they brought the corpses of the couple here. As for the child, it had long been gnawed to pieces by the wolfhound, leaving only shredded bones.

They tossed the bodies into the pit and haphazardly shoveled some dirt over them, then resealed the stone gate and headed back home.

But that night, Wang Wu suddenly remembered that the woman had a gold bracelet on her wrist, which he had forgotten to take off before burying the body.

Although the gold bracelet wouldn’t be worth a fortune, the two of them hadn’t had time to take their savings with them when they were being pursued by government soldiers. They were practically penniless, and even a mosquito counted as a small bite of meat. They couldn’t afford to waste anything, so the two of them retraced their steps to the pit the very next day.

However, when they unlocked the stone gate again and dug away the thin covering of dirt, they came across something unbelievable.

The bodies…..were nowhere to be seen.

It would have been fine if the bodies had vanished completely, as this would indicate that they’d been carried off by some kind of wild animal. Although they didn’t see any drag marks near the pit, it would have been better than just finding the gold bracelet laying alone in the dirt.

This gold bracelet wouldn’t have easily fallen off, and could only be removed manually.

But who would bother to move the corpses and rebury them elsewhere, leaving behind the only item of value on their bodies?

No normal human would do such a thing. Wang Wu and Zhao Yi exchanged a glance, thinking the same thing.

If it wasn’t a human, then it must have been a ghost.

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Chapter 101 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 103

T/N: Sorry for the wait, I’m back after my surgery, minus one internal organ! I translated this a week ago, no guarantee I’ll catch all the typos though. They’ve got me on the good meds.

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Chu Jiubian hadn’t taken a bath in the past few days, and had at most simply wiped himself down.

Since Qin Xiao was away, he had someone prepare hot water and treated himself to a nice, hot bath.

In the winter, taking a hot bath in a warm room was the ultimate source of relaxation and comfort.

Both Chu Jiubian’s body and mind were at ease.

His eyes fell partway shut, and he leaned over the edge of the bathtub.

He had picked at his thumbnail again today, causing it to peel even more, but it was very minor and didn’t even hurt now.

When he wasn’t fully in his right mind, Chu Jiubian would always use pain to keep himself grounded.

However, with repeated occurrences, his pain threshold had gradually increased. Minor pain was no longer effective, so as he inflicted more wounds on himself, they became deeper and deeper.

But today, he was able to feel even the slightest pain.

Was this an effect of the medication?

He had taken various medications before transmigrating, but they had little effect, and his condition had even declined.

Now, his condition could be considered “mild.”

The medication produced by the System was indeed a high-quality product.

His thoughts drifted. Chu Jiubian softly pressed his fingertips to his lips, and could still feel a faint trace of the mark left by Qin Xiao’s bite.

The pain was gone, but it still felt a little itchy when he touched it.

He unconsciously ran his teeth across the wound, causing it to reopen, and the taste of rusty, metallic blood flooded his mouth again.

“Look with your eyes, and touch with your hands.”

“What you feel in your heart is reality.”

The man’s deep, pleasant voice seemed to linger in his ears, and his mind drew up an image of his intense gaze.

The sensation of being held down by the other man also resurfaced.

Scorching heat, a fire that threatened to burn everything to ashes.

The man’s embrace had been strong and fierce, yet it also held boundless care.

Chu Jiubian had to admit that being restrained in such a way gave him an indescribable sense of security, as well as secret excitement that he would keep to himself.

He closed his eyes, then slowly sank into the water until his face was entirely submerged.

The lack of air made his thoughts go hazy, but physical sensations became increasingly clear.

He suddenly recalled his first encounter with Qin Xiao, and the way the man’s calloused palms gripped his throat.

Chu Jiubian slowly lifted his hand through the water to touch his neck.

Then he gradually moved it downward, gliding across his chest, then his abdomen…..

With his knees pressed against the bottom of the tub, the young man’s back tensed like a bent bow, trembling slightly.

An unknown amount of time later, he abruptly poked his head out of the tub, clinging tightly to the sides like a drowning man.

His eyes still held a trace of lingering arousal, and a few involuntary tears welled up and rolled down his cheeks. His lip was bleeding where he had bitten it, and his chest rose and fell rapidly against the edge of the bathtub, rubbing it red.

After a long moment, his breathing evened out.

Finished with his bath, Chu Jiubian got out and asked someone to bring another basin of hot water. He quickly washed off, then went to the inner room.

After getting in bed, he wrapped himself in the silky smooth blankets and closed his eyes as if trying to escape.

The tub and all traces of his bath had been cleaned up by the palace servants, leaving behind no evidence of his indulgence.

Only a single dim oil lamp remained lit in the inner chamber.

Chu Jiubian lay there for some time hugging the blankets, and fell asleep before he knew it.

His sleep was exceptionally sound. It was unknown when Qin Xiao had returned, but when he groggily woke up for a moment in the middle of the night, he realized that he had pressed himself against the other man again, and instantly snapped to full awareness.

This time was even worse than the last; hugging the other’s arm and chest no longer satisfied him.

At present, he was fully snuggled into Qin Xiao’s embrace. With his head resting on the other’s arm, Chu Jiubian had one hand resting on his pecs and a leg draped over his waist.

The man’s steady heartbeat reverberated under his palm.

However, this steadiness didn’t last long, and his heartbeat soon became more rapid and chaotic.

Chu Jiubian’s already tense body became even more rigid.

Qin Xiao had woken up.

Or perhaps, his heartbeat had changed in response to Chu Jiubian waking up.

The two lay there for a while, both fully aware of the situation. Just when Chu Jiubian was unable to bear it any longer and was about to move his hand away, Qin Xiao suddenly said: “Are you awake?”

Chu Jiubian silently withdrew his hands and feet, then rolled away and faced the wall, practically pressing himself against it.

Qin Xiao laughed.

Chu Jiubian covered his head with a blanket.

“Don’t go back to sleep yet,” Qin Xiao said in a softer voice, and Chu Jiubian almost didn’t hear him under the covers.

But he did.

He poked his head back out of the covers, but didn’t turn around as he asked in a cool, indifferent voice: “What do you want?”

Qin Xiao sat up.

There was a brief rustling sound. Then he reached out and touched Chu Jiubian’s head, saying: “This is for you.”

Chu Jiubian turned over to face him.

The moon was rather bright tonight, and the room was faintly lit, allowing him to see that Qin Xiao was holding something that looked much like a jade pendant.

“What is it?” 

He extended his hand, and Qin Xiao placed the object in his palm, saying: “It’s the Qin Head of Household Token.”

Chu Jiubian froze and looked up at him.

He couldn’t see Qin Xiao’s expression clearly in the darkness, but he knew he was staring at him.

“Qin Chaoyang already told you, didn’t he?” Qin Xiao reclined against the bedframe. His long hair cascaded down his back, and his muscles rippled beneath his silk undergarments. “If something happens to me, all the power I hold will be handed over to you.”

At that moment, the smooth jade token Chu Jiubian held in his hand felt strangely warm – almost hot.

“I’m giving it to you now,” said Qin Xiao. “Even while I live, you will have the power to command all of the resources under my control, with a higher authority than my own.”

In other words, if Chu Jiubian wanted to use people under Qin Xiao’s command to assassinate him, even Qin Chaoyang and An Wuji, they would have no choice but to obey.

If they failed to do so, then according to Qin family regulations, they would be forced to commit suicide.

By giving him such immense power, Qin Xiao was essentially placing his life in Chu Jiubian’s hands.

This was an excellent opportunity for Chu Jiubian.

With this token in his hands, he would effectively become the acting Regent, possessing a level of power second only to Bai Lihong’s.

This had been Chu Jiubian’s goal from the start.

He would get close to Qin Xiao, gain his trust, and obtain greater power and status in order to protect himself.

And now, Qin Xiao had personally delivered all of this into his hands.

The words he had once spoken about making Qin Xiao submit to him seemed to have come true.

But his hand returned the token to Qin Xiao, and his mouth said seemingly against his will: “I don’t want it.”

Qin Xiao seemed to give him a faint smile.

He placed the token back into Chu Jiubian’s palm and wrapped his warm hand around it, saying: “This is your New Year’s gift. Don’t refuse it.”

Chu Jiubian looked at his covered hand, feeling that although the token was hard against his skin, it wasn’t uncomfortable.

It was warm, just like Qin Xiao’s hand.

“Once you give it to me, I won’t give it back to you,” Chu Jiubian said.

Qin Xiao just smiled: “Rest assured. This lord has no reason to take back something he has given away.”

“Oh. You’re so domineering,” Chu Jiubian said calmly, and pulled back his hand.

He put the token into his System Storage, placing it alongside the jasmine flower he had picked from the courtyard. 

He had picked it the day Qin Xiao set off for battle. It was the same one the other man had touched.

He’d picked it on a whim, simply because it looked nice and smelled pleasant.

But he had completely forgotten to throw it away.

He took another look at the storage space. The pure white flower and the token, which was a mix of pearly white and emerald green, lay there together in a beautiful array.

He decided to keep the flower.

Chu Jiubian ensconced himself tightly in a blanket and looked up at Qin Xiao: “Are you not going to sleep?”

“I am,” said Qin Xiao. He lay back down, and seemed to position himself closer to Chu Jiubian.

Chu Jiubian sent him a steady look, then closed his eyes.

In the darkness, he heard the man speak again: “May I also ask the Young Master for a New Year’s gift?”

Chu Jiubian gave a light scoff.

As expected, every good thing came at a price.

Qin Xiao wouldn’t have given him such a useful token for no reason; as expected, there was something he wanted in return.

“What do you want?” Chu Jiubian asked. “Tell me what it is first, and I’ll consider it.”

“I only want the Young Master to answer one question for me,” said Qin Xiao.

That simple?

Chu Jiubian opened his eyes to look at him: “Are you sure?”

Whether Qin Xiao wanted a powerful weapon, a method to generate more money for the National Treasury, or anything else, Chu Jiubian would probably be able to provide it for him.

Qin Xiao gave an affirmative hum, then said: “Just one question.”

“Then ask,” Chu Jiubian said in a slightly softer voice.

If the price for giving him this token was an answer to a question, then there was essentially no price at all.

Lord Ning-wang was truly generous.

Qin Xiao lightly tapped the silk bedcovers with his fingertips, and seemed to consider his words carefully before saying: “Is your ‘love tribulation’ real, or did you just say that to deceive me?”

Chu Jiubian: “……”

That was it?

However, it did seem to be a difficult question to answer.

He thought it over carefully.

It wasn’t wrong to call it a “love tribulation.”

After all, they were now sharing a bed, and they had even kissed twice, so their relationship was indeed somewhat ambiguous.

It was hard to say whether or not he had come here to undergo a love tribulation.

But this love tribulation wasn’t his…..it was Qin Xiao’s.

Therefore, Chu Jiubian replied: “Yes.”

Qin Xiao’s tense hands relaxed.

Chu Jiubian looked at him through the darkness. The bridge of his nose was high and prominent, and the contours of this profile were particularly striking. His lips seemed to be curving slightly upwards.

In an inexplicably good mood, Chu Jiubian asked: “Do you have any other questions? Or is there something else you want?”

“Not for now,” Qin Xiao said.

Chu Jiubian: “No exceptions after the time limit.”

Qin Xiao fell silent, then turned over to face Chu Jiubian.

For some reason, Chu Jiubian felt as if the distance between them had become narrower.

Qin Xiao’s eyes gleamed faintly in the dim light. He said in a low voice: “Then I have one more question.”

“What is it?”

“Do you like it when I touch you?”

Chu Jiubian’s heart skipped a beat.

How was he supposed to answer that?

Saying he liked it would be embarrassing.

But saying he didn’t like it would be a bit of a lie.

After a moment of silence, Chu Jiubian countered with a question of his own: “What do you think?”

Qin Xiao chuckled and said: “I think you like it.”

From his tone, anyone who didn’t know better would think he was a rich young dandy flirting with someone.

Chu Jiubian moved to face the wall again.

But Qin Xiao wrapped his arms around Chu Jiubian’s waist under the blankets. His thin inner garment couldn’t mask the muscles of the man’s arms, which radiated a continuous warmth where he firmly embraced the young man’s supple waist.

Chu Jiubian’s Adam’s apple bobbed. When he spoke, his voice was slightly hoarse: “You’re crossing the line.”

“En.” Qin Xiao tightened his grip, pulling Chu Jiubian closer until their bodies were pressed together.

Chu Jiubian didn’t resist. He rested his head on Qin Xiao’s arm, his lips brushing softly against the jut of the other man’s throat.

“Sleep,” Qin Xiao said, leaning down to bury his face in the young man’s clean-smelling hair.

Freshly-washed, it was still damp and carried the faint scent of shampoo.

Qin Xiao couldn’t place this scent, but it felt similar to the feeling Chu Jiubian gave him – distant and cool.

He reflexively tightened his arms, holding the other man even closer.

Chu Jiubian was momentarily speechless. Then, he closed his eyes as well.

*

*

The next morning.

Chu Jiuban and Qin Xiao took breakfast with Bai Lihong in the main hall.

As always, the little one enjoyed his food immensely. His little cheeks puffed out as he ate a soft, fluffy steamed bun, making him look like a little hamster.

However, as the little hamster was munching away, he abruptly paused mid-chew and stared at Qin Xiao with wide eyes.

At nearly the same time, Qin Xiao raised a hand and touched his nose, only to see that it was covered in no small amount of bright red blood.

He glanced at Chu Jiubian, then got to his feet and walked outside.

Bai Lihong gazed after his retreating figure, then at Chu Jiubian, and gave a shocked little whine. What was wrong with his Jiujiu?

Why was he having a nosebleed?

Chu Jiubian said: “It’s nothing, he’s just suffering from excess heat.”

Bai Lihong suddenly understood.

It must have been too hot in the room, and with Jiujiu and Xiansheng sharing a bed, it would have been even hotter.

So he put his little brain to work, and after the meal, he secretly had Xiao Yuzi prepare another bed and place it in Qin Xiao’s bedroom.

This way, Jiujiu and Xiansheng wouldn’t be too hot anymore. They were in for such a pleasant surprise when they saw it tonight!

He was truly a clever and thoughtful nephew.

That evening, Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao retired to their bedroom and immediately saw the new bed placed against the wall, several meters away from the original bed.

Chu Jiubian chuckled softly and turned his head to look at Qin Xiao: “You won’t have to worry about excess heat this time.”

Qin Xiao smiled back: “His Majesty truly means well.”

Chu Jiubian laughed even more heartily.

Things hadn’t quite returned to normal after the New Year, and everyone was looking forward to the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth.

However, the Lantern Festival in the Great Ning Dynasty had not yet developed into the lively event it would become in later generations. The common people simply had a particular fondness for the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, which brought with it the first full moon of the year.

On this day, everyone would spontaneously engage in activities similar to those during the Mid-Autumn Festival, such as admiring lanterns and touring gardens. However, due to the cold weather, it wasn’t quite as lively.

Officials, on the other hand, didn’t particularly celebrate this holiday due to resuming their duties on the tenth day of the month.

All of the government affairs that had piled up during the holidays needed to be dealt with in a timely manner, and it would take half a month to finish it all. How could they possibly have time to admire lanterns or stroll through gardens?

When the morning court sessions began, Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian didn’t bring up the matter of how the Western Regions should be managed, and instead focused on rewarding those who had rendered meritorious service.

The Western Regions were actually quite prosperous, and produced an abundance of precious stones such as jade and agate, so the spoils of war brought back by Qin Xiao had greatly enriched both the National Treasury and Bai Lihong’s personal coffers.

Therefore, the rewards given on this occasion were particularly generous.

As for Cheng Shuo, it went without saying that although he nearly cost Qin Xiao his life, he had done so under duress. He had also accomplished many meritorious deeds before this, and subsequently received gold and silver, as well as an official position and a title.

He was granted the title of Xiuling-bo, which was roughly equivalent to an earl. But this earl only oversaw matters of etiquette and religious ceremonies, and held no real power.

Cheng Shuo knew that Qin Xiao was showing him tremendous favor, so he would need to properly manage his household affairs in the future, especially those concerning the inner quarters of his residence. Therefore, he accepted the decree without complaint and with profound gratitude.

Next was Hu Fang.

This veteran’s contributions were no less than those of Cheng Shuo. Furthermore, since he had never held an official position in the capital, Qin Xiao directly bestowed upon him the title of Dingyuan-hou – the equivalent of a marquis, second only to a duke – and highlighted his achievements in suppressing the unrest at the border.

However, he was somewhat advanced in age compared to the other military commanders, and suffered from lingering ailments from the past. Therefore, although he was granted the title of marquis, this only meant that there would be more troops under his command. Aside from that, nothing much would change, and the political situation within the court would not be affected.

Because of this, no one had any objections to the rewards bestowed upon him.

Then came Deputy Minister of Revenue Wang Pengyi and Kou Qiao, a junior official in the Ministry of War, both of whom had been responsible for transporting military provisions. Cai Peng, an assistant director in the Ministry of Rites had also been responsible for the second batch of provisions, and there were many conflicting opinions about these three.

Of these three people, Wang Pengyi was naturally a member of the Wang family, Kou Qiao was a subordinate of Qin Xiao’s, and Cai Peng was a student of Minister of Personnel Xiao Huaiguan.

Each of them represented a different faction, and they were all high-ranking officials with considerable influence in the Imperial Court.

Thus, were they to be given greater power and status, they would become even more troublesome to deal with than they were at present.

But nobody harbored any will toward Kou Qiao. He was ultimately a military official, and in terms of eloquence and political strategy, he was far inferior to the civil officials. Therefore, even if he were to be promoted and given a pay raise, nothing much would change.

However, dealing with Wang Pengyi and Cai Peng would be somewhat tricky.

At present, the Wang family and Qin Xiao’s faction had formed something of an alliance, so the amount of power Wang Pengyi wielded would determine how much influence he could exert in cooperation with Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian.

Therefore, everyone did their utmost to suppress him and limit the power in his hands.

But Wang Pengyi was already a deputy minister. If he wanted to advance further, he could only become a full minister or borrow the power of others and forcibly intervene in matters that didn’t involve him. 

And at the moment, there was indeed no such position available for him in the Imperial Court.

Therefore, Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian had no intention of promoting Wang Pengyi, and showered him with material rewards instead.

When a ministerial position eventually opened up, Wang Pengyi would be the most suitable candidate to fill it.

And as for Cai Peng, since even the far more accomplished Wang Pengyi had only received material rewards, he likewise did not receive a promotion.

This was something he was unwilling to accept.

Deputy Minister Wang had reached the highest rank he could achieve for now, but for a relatively low-ranking official like Cai Peng, there were countless opportunities for advancement.

He sent several glances toward Minister of Personnel Xiao Huaiguan, who was positioned at the front, hoping that he would speak up on his behalf.

But the other man’s back was hunched, his eyes clouded over, and he didn’t seem to notice him at all. Or if he did, his mind was so muddled that he couldn’t figure out what should be done.

Previously, he had been able to orchestrate the kidnapping of Su Xi’er, sow discord between Su Sheng and Qin Xiao, and consistently protect the Xiao family at crucial moments, as well as secure benefits for them.

But now, his brilliant mind was no longer working properly.

This being the case, the isolated and helpless Cai Peng could only swallow his pride and express his gratitude as he accepted the rewards.

No one had expected that after all of the debate during the morning court session, the outcome would turn out to be essentially a “one-man show” dominated by Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian.

By this point, everyone had realized that ever since the Wang family aligned itself with the throne, Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao had unobtrusively gained control of over half of the Imperial Court, and no longer had any need for pretense or insincere politeness.

Therefore, they only rewarded those they wanted to reward, and didn’t bring up the governance of the Western Regions as a topic of discussion.

Because they had already decided how it would be governed: by establishing protectorates, combining military power with the local religious forces, and integrating a county and prefecture system, all of which would establish an entirely new form of governance.

Various factions wanted to send their own people to the region in order to establish control themselves.

But Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao completely ignored their suggestions, making it very clear that they already had people in mind.

It was just as everyone had expected.

Within a few days, the newly-promoted Kou Qiao led his troops to the Western Regions and took charge of the Protectorate as a powerful regional official.

The territory that had once belonged to the Sai Kingdom had fallen completely into Qin Xiao’s hands.

That being said…..

After the year’s first morning court session, everyone made another very important discovery: Minister of Personnel Xiao Huaiguan appeared to be in very poor health.

The man looked aged and haggard. Just a few months ago, he had been vibrant and full of life, but in such a short period of time, he seemed to have aged significantly faster than he had in the past six months combined.

He was so emaciated that he looked like a walking skeleton, and mottled age spots covered his face; Bai Lihong hardly dared to look at him anymore.

He also seemed to be growing senile. Cai Peng’s eyes were practically bleeding in court, yet Xiao Huaiguan hadn’t reacted at all, as if the fate of the Xiao family was of no concern to him.

Others may have been unaware of the reason, but Chu Jiubian understood perfectly well.

Xiao Huaiguan had succumbed completely to his mandala addiction, and was unable to break free. His health had also deteriorated so suddenly due to a change in his method of consumption, While he had initially been mixing a small amount of it into his food to ingest daily, he was now directly burning the mandala and inhaling the smoke multiple times a day.

The more he consumed, the faster his body deteriorated.

And the reason he had discovered such a method of consumption was because someone had “taught” it to him.

This person was none other than the secret agent Chu Jiubian had instructed Qin Chaoyang to find for him. To Xiao Huaiguan, this secret agent was simply a “merchant from the Western Regions.”

Now, Xiao Huaiguan’s life was essentially in Chu Jiubian’s hands. All he had to do was instruct that person to stop selling mandala to Xiao Huaiguan, and the old man, unable to withstand such pain and stress at his age, would soon die.

It was only a matter of when Chu Jiubian would decide to take his life.

After the morning court session, all government affairs resumed normal operations.

However, there were indeed many matters to attend to after the New Year’s festivities, and Emperor Bai Lihong had just as much to do as any other official.

Chu Jiubian had been the sole person helping him with everything before the New Year, but now that Qin Xiao had returned, his burdens were significantly eased. This allowed him to free up his time to continue working on the Imperial Examinations.

The papers for the third exam had been graded, and it came as no surprise that Lu Yao placed first.

What did surprise Chu Jiubian was Tan Yuzhu, who hailed from Baxian County.

She was the only female candidate in the classical studies course, and despite her young age, she was talented and highly-learned. What impressed Chu Jiubian the most, however, was her policy essay.

She addressed the same question as Lu Yao, and although her answer wasn’t as comprehensive or detailed, her perspective was certainly more unique.

And from her writing, it was evident that she cared deeply about the common people, women, and all other vulnerable demographics.

Her genuine desire was to become an official in order to do practical things for the people.

The more Chu Jiubian read of her exam paper, the more satisfied he became. This was just the sort of new talent he was looking for, ah.

If not for the fact that his current point balance wouldn’t allow him to select new Believers, he would definitely draw a card.

He glanced at the list in his hands, upon which were sixty-five names.

This was the first batch of students for the Imperial Academy, and once the list was released to the public, it was likely that various forces would pay close attention to these individuals.

They were free to recruit whoever they wanted. Chu Jiubian wouldn’t restrict the choices of his students.

If they were to be swayed by another party at this point, then even if they entered the Imperial Academy, they would still harbor ulterior motives in the future.

Rather than waiting, it was best to screen them out now.

However, if anyone attempted to harm these students, Chu Jiubian would certainly not allow it.

He ordered the list to be published, and also sent messengers on horseback to various regions to announce the news of the successful candidates to their families with great fanfare

While the messengers were arriving in various locations, a literary gathering was in full swing in Baxian County.

Among the numerous writers, scholars, and talented youth, a girl in a pure white dress was particularly eye-catching.

“I told you so, ah. How could a girl possibly succeed in officialdom?” A male voice rang out from the crowd, and everyone turned to look at him one after another.

A slightly overweight man dressed in dark silk robes leaned indolently against a low table. Even under the eyes of so many people, he displayed no hint of restraint, and instead laughed even more brazenly: “I heard that someone in the neighboring county received a letter from the Imperial Court yesterday, informing them of their success in the Imperial Examinations and a rapid promotion.”

His gaze, full of playful mockery, fell upon that graceful figure in the crowd. A lecherous glint flashed in his eyes as he said: “Some women have sky-high ambitions. In my opinion, it’s better to marry while they’re young and beautiful, lest they grow old and unattractive, and fail to find a husband.”

---

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Chapter 76 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 78

Ch 31 – Is This What Friends Are Like?

“Your Excellency, we have a lead on that mysterious person.” The man offered the Supreme Governor a slight bow.

The Supreme Governor glanced up at him.

He had once suspected that the man beside Kersz was disguising his appearance, and that perhaps he was one of Kersz’s business partners who had undergone cosmetic surgery.

It came as a surprise that any information could be unearthed about that face.

The man continued: “The Facai system reacted to that photo.”

The Supreme Governor slammed his hands down on the table: “What did you say?!”

Facai had reacted to the photo? Wasn’t Facai the only remaining AI system from a destroyed alien civilization?

Could that robot be a product of such a civilization?

“How did Facai react?” The Supreme Governor asked.

“It dug at the ground as if trying to break free, then barked at the photo. It’s tail was spinning like a propeller,” said the man.

“Judging from its reaction, the person in the photo must bear the appearance of its master,” said the Supreme Governor. “Dogs only react that way to people they are close to.”

The man reminded him: “Your Excellency, Facai thinks it’s a wolf.”

“Yes, it does think that.” The Supreme Governor took a sip of tea, then shrugged. “Do you think that if I considered myself to be a particle collider, I would have a more imposing presence?”

The man lowered his head even further.

“Since we’re already talking behind its back, some respect can be left aside,” said the Supreme Governor. “Just like how I know you talk behind my back.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” said the man.

The Supreme Governor waved him away.

The man bowed deeply and slowly withdrew.

Once the office door closed, the Supreme Governor pulled up the image of the green-eyed man again.

This was the only information they had.

Eliciting such a reaction from Facai…..related to an alien civilization…..

But this man looked so human.

From the video, it was clear that the alien had initially intended to offer a proper greeting to the fleet’s lieutenant colonel. However, the other side was alarmed by the sight of Kersz standing next to him, and launched a preemptive strike.

This alien was someone who could be won over.

The Supreme Governor crossed one leg over the other and rubbed his chin.

Perhaps he could have been won over before, but that was likely not the case at present.

He was attacked and branded a wanted criminal, and Kersz was also by his side.

Tch. How troublesome.

This alien’s technology might be even more powerful and advanced than Facai’s.

The most pressing task was to rescind the arrest warrant for this guest and extend an olive branch to him.

Suddenly, the Supreme Governor recalled the message 152 had sent to him: [A robot wants to capture father and use him as a breeding stud.]

Extend an olive branch?

What exactly was this alien robot here for?

What was this robot doing to Kersz and 152?

*

*

“Tau!” Yu Xi stamped his foot. “Keep an eye on your dinosaur! It scattered all the little toys you made everywhere!”

The little dinosaur hid behind Tau, clutching his trouser leg with its little claws.

“He’s just a dinosaur,” Tau said defensively. “What’s wrong with him hiding food?”

“He has a learning system! You just aren’t teaching him properly!” Yu Xi was very angry. The small snacks made by Tau were scattered everywhere, and someone might get hurt if they weren’t careful.

“Why should he learn these things? There’s no dinosaur society for him to integrate into in the future.” Tau felt that Yu Xi was blowing things out of proportion.

“Because we also count as a small society!” said Yu Xi.

Tau: “You’re a robot. It’s not like you’ll get hurt.”

Yu Xi: “I won’t, but Kersz has already been jabbed so many times!”

“Then why hasn’t he come to speak to me about it himself?” Tau hugged the little dinosaur to his chest.

“Oh, because I can still tolerate it,” Kersz said. “If I can’t anymore, I won’t come speak to you about it. I’ll just pick up a gun and shoot the little thing into dust, and you can make a new one.”

Tau and the little dinosaur in his arms both gasped in shock.

The little dinosaur clutched Tau, whose lips were trembling.

“That’s going a little too far,” Yu Xi told Kersz.

Kersz spread his hands, wearing a particularly innocent look.

“But managing the little dinosaur is your responsibility!” Yu Xi then pointed a finger at Tau. “Overindulgence is not the same as love! You must let the little dinosaur establish itself in this world safely, freely, and in harmony with itself.”

Tau looked both frightened and bewildered.

He understood what he was hearing, but only to a certain point.

Establish itself in this world?

He was supposed to teach it how to do that?

He hadn’t even established himself in this world. He was still a person without a household registration.

Yu Xi was aware that he was putting Tau in a difficult position: “If you don’t want the conflict between the dinosaur and us to escalate, you must learn!”

Tau looked at the dinosaur, then at Kersz.

When he noticed his gaze, Kersz drew his sidearm.

Tau hugged the dinosaur tighter.

“I understand.” Tau finally relented.

What else could be done? Kersz could move against his dinosaur, but Tau couldn’t move against the people Kersz cared about.

Everyone Kersz cared about before was dead. Now, the one Kersz cared about was Yu Xi…..and how could he possibly beat Yu Xi? He was restricted here by Yu Xi, and there was nothing he could do.

“You need to give him love in moderation,” Yu Xi continued. “Your love must give him a foothold and empower him to manage his own discomfort. Otherwise, he will only experience extreme highs and lows. You need to let him have control over his own emotions!”

This was simply beyond Tau’s comprehension.

Yu Xi: “Otherwise, he will live a very painful life if you don’t give him the tools to survive in this world. He will become arrogant due to a little luck, and collapse because of a small setback.”

“Do you want it to be like this?”

Tau didn’t want it to be like this.

“Your father’s youngest son, Curtis, is a typical example,” Kersz added.

“I can’t let him become like Curtis!” Tau shook his head repeatedly.

He had to think of a way.

He really did need to educate this little dinosaur.

But who should he consult?

Yu Xi?

Yu Xi and Kersz were occupied with their relationship, and Yu Xi had never raised a child before, so he might not know how to.

Kersz?

No. Kersz was absolutely not an option. His parents had actually raised him pretty well, but Kersz was now a lunatic.

Then who else?

Who else was there?

*

*

One day later.

“What did you just say?” Fusya, who had met up with Tau again just now, was incredulous when faced with such a question. “You’re asking me how to raise your child?”

“En. I heard you’ve looked after Curtis.” In fact, Tau knew that Fusya had taught many other children, because Fusya had given him the same lessons.

If it had only been Curtis he looked after, Tau wouldn’t have come to ask Fusya’s opinion.

“Even if you’ve never raised children, you’re a very positive person,” Tau said.

Had Yu Xi or Kersz been here at this moment, they would have realized that Tau had already been led astray.

To Tau, Fusya was the person he knew who was most clear about his own place in this world.

Because Fusya was once an Illegitimate, but had long since obtained citizenship. He had his own career, an independent personality, and was more positive and motivated than most people.

Tau hoped that the little dinosaur would also be positive and optimistic, even though he really disliked hearing people talk constantly about “positive energy.”

Fusya had never expected that anyone would ask him such a question.

“It’s like this – they say I spoil my child too much. I don’t think spoiling children a bit is a bad thing, but someone threatened me and said they would beat my child if I continued to indulge him.” Tau was putting it mildly. Kersz’s exact words were that he would shoot the little dinosaur.

“This is indeed rather troublesome.” Fusya nodded.

Tau sent Fusya a beseeching look: “Could you share some of your experience with me?”

“You need to help him establish a routine, such as daily activities, regular exercise, and mealtimes. “

Fusya generously shared his thoughts: “Have him consume media focused on mindfulness.”

“Mindfulness?”

“Positive and uplifting things, nothing dark and gritty. Those things are too destructive to the mind.”

Fusya believed that those Illegitimates became the way they were because they were exposed to too much darkness and cruelty.

Therefore, dark and gritty literary works could also lead people into disorder.

While Tau thought that Fusya’s words made sense, Fusya was beginning to waver in his suspicion that Tau was actually an Illegitimate.

An Illegitimate wouldn’t be concerned about the education of their child.

Fusya reported all of this to the Supreme Governor.

After listening, the Supreme Governor asked a meaningful question: “He believes in your so-called positive energy?”

“There will always be people who recognize quality when they see it.” It was through his positive energy that Fusya was able to break free of the shackles of being an Illegitimate.

“It seems he’s not an Illegitimate.” That father was so ignorant that he could be considered a fool. He believed whatever anyone told him.

After growing up, his child would realize that they had endured a terrible upbringing.

Their father believed everything others told him, deceived every day of his life and credulously taking everything as truth.

Why couldn’t that alien robot try to trick this stupid single father into becoming a breeding stud? Was it because he feared his intelligence level would be passed down to his offspring?

“I think you look down on the advice I give you,” Fusya told the Supreme Governor.

“How can that be?” The Supreme Governor denied. “It’s just that I sometimes feel melancholy about the future. After all, my future seems to lie in a small, dark room.”

“That can also be positive and uplifting.”

“Indeed, it has a unique, poignant flavor.” The Supreme Governor hummed in agreement.

While they were debating back and forth, a subordinate sent him a message.

The Facai system had reacted again.

The Facai system never answered their questions, and it didn’t give them the specific origins of the person in the photo.

But it had emitted two unfamiliar tones.

The subordinate had recorded them.

“Yu…..Qi?” The Supreme Governor tried and failed to repeat what he heard.

That was a very strange name.

The Supreme Governor instructed his subordinates to keep a close eye on the Facai system, lest it develop thoughts of running away.

But those subordinates expressed that Facai was very well-behaved, to the point that it was almost taciturn.

Facai must have some connection to that alien robot.

Yu Xi was unaware that the Supreme Governor had already guessed that he wasn’t a product of this society. He was occupied with another matter – secretly touching Kersz.

Kersz took a nap and Yu Xi lay down next to him, listening to his breathing and heartbeat. Only after Kersz had truly fallen asleep did Yu Xi begin to sneakily make his move.

After Kersz agreed to be a good human for him, Yu Xi felt that he had more concerns than ever. He hadn’t even been able to properly feel Kersz’s warmth.

Yu Xi carefully arranged Kersz and began to touch him, starting from the head.

As he touched, Yu Xi felt that this wasn’t quite enough.

He only had two hands, and he also wanted to touch Kersz with his mouth.

Yu Xi touched every part of Kersz’s head, then kissed him with his lips.

When he began to touch Kersz’s neck, he sensed that his breathing was off. Kersz was about to wake up.

Yu Xi tried to slip away, but Kersz instinctively hugged the person in his arms.

Yu Xi’s lips trembled.

Kersz opened his eyes and looked down at him.

“Are you seeing how humans taste?” Kersz asked him.

“En. After all, I really like humans,” Yu Xi said in an attempt to rationalize his behavior.

Kersz assisted him in this endeavor: “So that’s how it is, ah…..then did I disturb you?”

“Y-you didn’t.” Yu Xi’s hands trembled slightly. “I like when you’re awake. I like looking into your eyes.”

“I’m very honored.” Kersz released Yu Xi. “Please continue.”

Yu Xi: “Is….is it okay?”

Kersz didn’t dare meet Yu Xi’s gaze: “I get it. You’ve been waiting for humans, and now that you’ve finally found one and have such a good relationship with him, you must really want to touch him.”

Yu Xi: “Ah…..right! Yes, yes, yes! Because you’re human, and I especially like humans.”

Kersz: “En.”

Yu Xi tentatively reached out his hand.

He touched for a while, somewhat awkwardly, and then glanced at Kersz’s slightly reddened eyes.

Yu Xi began to lie through his teeth: “I didn’t touch your head just now. Can I touch it?”

Kersz: “Go ahead.”

“Can I touch it with my mouth? I’ve nibbled on you before.” Yu Xi looked particularly innocent.

Kersz: “O-of course.”

Yu Xi maintained a distance and didn’t use his lips to touch any sensitive parts of the human’s body.

But he had kissed Kersz when he was comforting him before, and his lips were particularly soft.

Yu Xi casually kissed Kersz’s cheek, purposely bypassing his mouth.

Then he avoided Kersz’s mouth again and kissed the other side of his face.

After going back and forth like this three or four times, he finally gritted his teeth and kissed Kersz smack dab on the mouth.

Kersz went completely still.

“Aiya, how did I mess up like this?” Yu Xi said this with a particularly guilty conscience. “But it’s not a big deal. I kissed your lips when I was excited earlier, didn’t I?”

Kersz: ……

Yu Xi: “Right, right. My good friend, what was it you did back then?”

Kersz: “W-what did I do?”

“I don’t know either. It seemed like you stuck your tongue out.” While claiming ignorance, Yu Xi described exactly what had occurred. “You pulled a prank on me and licked me.”

Kersz: ……

“Aiya, what is a human tongue like? I’ve almost forgotten,” Yu Xi blathered on.

Kersz shakily opened his mouth and stuck out the tip of his tongue.

“Oh~ So that’s what it’s like.” Yu Xi’s tone was particularly grandiose. “Heavens, this is the first time I’ve observed one so closely. I want to kiss it.”

You want to what?!

Before Kersz could react, Yu Xi had already leaned down and kissed him.

Kersz felt his tongue become entangled with Yu Xi’s.

This…..this was kissing? Yu Xi was kissing him.

Yu Xi’s kisses grew deeper and more tender. Kersz reflexively placed his hands on Yu Xi’s chest and pushed him lightly, but Yu Xi grabbed his wrists and pressed them over his head, one over the other, to prevent him from moving.

Kersz’s reaction was really so interesting. 

If Yu Xi went even further, would Kersz’s behavior also escalate?

Yu Xi continued to kiss him. His cyan eyes flared and the breathing lights on his face pulsed faster – all signs of Yu Xi’s excitement.

Ya, Kersz’s collar was open. How could he not button his clothes?

He should help him with it.

Yu Xi reached out with his hand.

Hmm, but what was underneath the buttons?

Aiya, so curious!

Kersz’s eyes suddenly widened, and his back arched.

Yu Xi was kneeling directly above him. There was originally a gap between them, but when Kersz arched his back, he pressed his chest directly against Yu Xi.

“Heavens, do you want me to hug you?” Yu Xi was frantic. He only had two hands. One was holding Kersz down, while the other was feeling this amazing human.

Heavens! He wished he had two more arms to hug Kersz with.

Kersz was beginning to lose his composure.

Wasn’t Yu Xi’s exploration of his oral cavity a bit too comprehensive? Kersz forgot to swallow, and saliva dripped from the corner of his mouth.

Kersz hurriedly swallowed, but this only made the extra tongue in his mouth follow his movements and become even more audacious.

The human’s reactions were indeed very interesting. Very adorable.

Kersz, this space pirate, was trembling. His muscles were shaking.

Huh? Why was Kersz suddenly reacting so strongly? Did he want to get away from him?

Oh~ Kersz had found himself in a rather embarrassing situation, and needed to go to the bathroom.

The cunning robot pretended not to notice.

Yu Xi felt guilty, but for some reason, Kersz’s reaction emboldened him.

Kersz was even more desperate to pull away, and made a whimpering sound in his throat.

Yu Xi pretended not to hear it, and continued to hold Kersz captive with one hand while feeling the human’s body with the other.

Kersz’s wuwuwu sounds grew in frequency, and at some point, his vision began to blur. He blinked rapidly in an attempt to return to normal, but his efforts were in vain.

Kersz’s muscles tensed all at once, and a moment later, he collapsed back onto the bed.

His heart rate soared, and his breathing became labored.

Yu Xi released Kersz, and this time, he didn’t move.

“My god, I didn’t even touch it…..” When he came to his senses, Kersz was somewhat devastated by his good-for-nothing body.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Yu Xi continued to feign ignorance.

Kersz looked directly at Yu Xi.

He was smiling an exhilarated smile.

The breathing light on his face pulsed. If Yu Xi had a heartbeat, it probably wouldn’t be making any less noise than Kersz’s.

Kersz didn’t call him out. “I need to use the bathroom.”

“Ah? Oh, okay, okay!” Yu Xi quickly made way for him.

Kersz got out of bed, then heard Yu Xi ask: “Do you need help? F-friend.”

When he heard the word “friend,” Kersz nearly collapsed.

Yu Xi hurried forward to support him.

Yu Xi escorted Kersz to the bathroom and considerately closed the door.

Kersz looked toward the doorway.

He knew that Yu Xi was crouching there, listening to his movements.

Their friendship had indeed taken a turn for the chaotic.

This robot was really pushing his luck.

However…..

Kersz didn’t find it upsetting at all. In fact, he was a little fascinated by the way Yu Xi had restrained him earlier.

As if he was forcibly keeping him by his side.

“Hiss.” Kersz looked down and was even more helpless.

Those people were right to call him a lunatic.

“Mm…..ah…..” Kersz had his back to the door when he suddenly heard a very, very small click.

A certain robot had secretly opened the door to check on him.

Suddenly, a wicked thought crossed his mind. He stopped suppressing his voice and didn’t turn around, feigning ignorance.

“Mm, Yu Xi ~” He called out Yu Xi’s name, still with his back turned.

A long moment passed, and Yu Xi didn’t speak up to warn him.

Kersz felt his excitement grow.

Ah…..

As long as nothing was discovered, they didn’t need to take that dangerous step for the time being. They could still be friends.

As for whether the current situation was an absurd overstepping of boundaries……who cared? In any case, Kersz had never felt so good, both anxious and excited.

The two emotions swirled around inside of him. He was losing his mind.

Yu Xi’s eyes were blown wide, his pupils constantly dilating and contracting as he took in the scene in the bathroom.

Kersz kept calling his name – as if he was speaking to him, or as if he was preparing to give all of himself to Yu Xi.

The breathing lights on Yu Xi’s body didn’t go dark for a very long time.

He didn’t just want to kiss and touch. He wanted to completely devour this good human of his.

It was best to digest him completely, leaving not even a speck behind.

When everything was over, Yu Xi quietly closed the door again.

He waited a while, and then Kersz came out after showering and changing clothes.

Yu Xi looked up and smiled at Kersz, who smiled back at him.

“Waiting for me at the door again?” Kersz appeared to be genuinely oblivious. “Good friend.”

“En.” Yu Xi nodded cheerfully.

“Did you get bored?” Kersz asked him.

“No, because I knew you would come out.” Yu Xi stood up.

Once more, they communicated like friends. As if that chaotic, sticky mess from before was nothing but a dream.

---

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Chapter 30 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 32

Ch. 101 – The Serpent God, Naga

“What’s wrong?” Hao Chen suddenly asked Feng Ye.

He deliberately lowered his voice, and since the others were still a distance away, only Feng Ye could hear him.

Feng Ye was somewhat taken aback. He was lost in thought, but hadn’t been showing it too obviously. No one else had noticed, but Hao Chen did.

Not only had he noticed, but he even inquired with concern.

Unfortunately, Feng Ye’s eyes flickered and he only responded with two words: “It’s nothing.”

Fearing that Hao Chen would press for more information, Feng Ye took a few steps forward to stand with Fang Yang and the others.

He didn’t want to tell Hao Chen, just as he had never told anyone else about that period he never wanted to revisit…..that nightmarish past.

Hao Chen narrowed his eyes at Feng Ye’s evasiveness. This dragon was hiding a little secret.

Feng Ye, as it happened, had quite a few secrets. For example, no one in this world knew how he had managed to transform from a jiao into Yinglong.

There were innumerable jiao in the Southern Sea. Although they were also referred to as dragons, their name just barely contained the character for “dragon,” and they were worlds apart from the real thing.

The true dragon in the Eastern Sea was a righteous god in the heavenly realm, and a very powerful one at that, equal to Hao Chen. He had existed since ancient times, ruling over the Eastern Sea.

In the end, a jiao was nothing more than a type of beast. In the mortal realm, their strength could be considered enormous, but in the heavenly realm, they were so weak that they became food for various divine birds.

Jiao did look similar to dragons, except that they lacked majestic dragon horns and had one less claw.

Perhaps due to the similarities, there was a rumor that jiao were capable of transforming into dragons.

Yet that, too, was merely a rumor. No jiao had ever succeeded in this endeavor. Indeed, throughout the heavenly realm, the true dragon of the Eastern Sea remained the only being who could, in the truest sense of the word, be called a dragon.

Until Yinglong appeared out of nowhere.

After Yinglong was deified, out of boredom and a desire for gossip after waking up, Hao Chen had also made inquiries into how Yinglong had become a god.

But no matter how thoroughly he inquired, all he found out was that Yinglong was originally just a common jiao from the Southern Sea. This jiao had accidentally entered the Emberless Horizon and remained there for three hundred years, and when it emerged, it had become the all-powerful Yinglong.

That three hundred years was the key to his transformation from a jiao into a dragon. But to those outside, this history was a blank slate, because there were no living beings in the Emberless Horizon. That world, composed entirely of the lingering resentment in heaven and earth, only devoured the souls that strayed into it.

Naturally, there were no witnesses who could reveal the whole truth.

Hao Chen suddenly realized that, to this day, all he knew about Feng Ye was his identity as the God of War. Even this was a supposition of his, not something Feng Ye had told him personally.

He really knew nothing else.

He didn’t know what this person had been through, nor how he had become what he was now.

Not long ago, he was still gloating over having climbed onto the dragon’s head, but now he realized that, even compared to others, the distance between him and Feng Ye was perhaps…..not that close.

Feng Ye wouldn’t disclose his secrets to anyone, including Hao Chen.

A sense of frustrated defeat settled over Hao Chen. He had thought he was already very close to Feng Ye, never expecting that it was only wishful thinking on his part.

He tapped his palm lightly with his folding fan, and despite his frustration, a renewed fighting spirit arose within him. Judging from Feng Ye’s expression, he must have a connection to Western Qiang. And this city had existed over a thousand years ago, which was roughly before Feng Ye had cultivated into Yinglong.

This timing was no coincidence.

Perhaps this was his chance to truly enter Feng Ye’s heart.

Upon realizing this, Hao Chen immediately curbed his carefree attitude. He claimed to be accompanying Feng Ye to find the Living Soil, but that was never a concern of his. He was only here to use this opportunity to seduce the dragon.

He followed Feng Ye forward. Feng Ye had stepped up next to Fang Yang, and Hao Chen nudged the boy aside to claim the spot next to Feng Ye for himself.

Fang Yang said nothing when Hao Chen cut in next to him, just quietly sidling closer to Cao Zirui to make room.

Then he turned to Wang Wu across from him and asked: “What’s that engraved on the stone platform?”

He and Cao Zirui had been inspecting it for some time, and had also noticed the patterns peeking through the gaps in the vines. But because it was only a broken section, neither of them could make out what the carving depicted.

“This, ah.” Wang Wu glanced at it and explained, “This is Naga, the great serpent god the people of Western Qiang worshipped.”

“The serpent god, Naga?” Fang Yang asked uncertainly. “Is the serpent god also a great god of the heavenly realm?”

He currently only knew of two great gods, Yinglong and the Kunpeng. This snake was the third one to possess the title of “great god.”

Faced with this question, Wang Wu exchanged a glance with Zhao Yi, then shrugged and said with a hint of impatience: “I don’t know. The people of Western Qiang were the only ones who worshiped this serpent god, and after their kingdom fell, there hasn’t been any word of others worshipping it. Who knows what kind of god it is?”

He wasn’t actually here to be a tour guide, so why were these people dawdling around the stone platform? 

Oblivious to Wang Wu’s impatience, Fang Yang turned to Cao Zirui, who knew a little more about these things than he did.

Cao Zirui shook his head: “I’ve never heard of such a god.”

Of course he hadn’t heard of it. Neither had Hao Chen.

He had been in the heavenly realm for so long that he had basically heard of most of the gods, big and small, even if he didn’t know them all by heart.

He had never heard of any serpent deities in the heavens. There were certainly serpent-like gods, but Naga…..this god seemed to be something that was made up by mortals.

There were actually quite a few gods invented by mortals. Since they had never set foot in the heavenly realm, they naturally had no idea how many gods resided there, and simply fabricated some from their own imaginations. 

But this serpent god…..Hao Chen wouldn’t have thought much of it before, simply assuming that it was another fictional god. However, recalling the battle where Yinglong appeared in Lingxiao Sword Sect, the black mist that possessed Xue Ren had transformed into a giant python, which somewhat resembled the serpent god Naga.

Moreover, the humanoid form conjured by the black mist resembled Yinglong, and Feng Ye’s attitude seemed to hint at a connection to the kingdom of Western Qiang. Hao Chen didn’t believe that this was all a coincidence.

He felt that all of the clues in his head were a jumbled mess. They were likely all connected, but he was unable to find the thread linking them all together.

His gaze inadvertently shifted toward Feng Ye again, and he hoped to find some inspiration by observing his attitude.

Feng Ye kept his eyes lowered, seemingly lost in his own little world. No one else seemed to notice.

Even though he had pushed Fang Yang aside to stand close to Feng Ye, he was still so far from him. Hao Chen stared at Feng Ye’s profile, lost in thought.

Although he had just mustered his fighting spirit, it was somewhat dampened in the face of Feng Ye’s cold and aloof exterior.

He was a peng bird with a wingspan of tens of thousands of li, and could traverse that distance with a flap of his wings. There was no canyon he couldn’t cross, no road he was unable to reach.

But the distance between him and Feng Ye seemed like an insurmountable chasm.

---

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Chapter 100 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 102

Ch. 100 – Western Qiang

T/N: Posting two chapters because they’re super short!

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Before Fang Yang could figure anything out, Wang Wu changed the subject: “Do you know which country the ruins we’re heading toward belonged to?”

There was a brief silence. Feng Ye thought about it, and found that he really couldn’t remember. He had come here to find the Living Soil, and hadn’t paid attention to the history of the city buried beneath Longqiu.

When nobody answered, Cao Zirui replied: “Western Qiang.”

His purpose in coming here mirrored Feng Ye’s: both were searching for the Living Soil. Along the way, Cao Zirui had gradually realized that Feng Ye coming here was no coincidence, and that the Living Soil was his goal as well.

But Feng Ye didn’t have Jianmu in his possession, so what use did he have for the Living Soil?

Cao Zirui refrained from asking him directly, because he remembered his master’s instructions. The search for the Living Soil must be carried out in secret, and the fact that the small jar he carried on his back contained the Jianmu sprout could not be revealed to others.

Regardless of Feng Ye’s true motives for seeking out the Living Soil, his coming here provided a convenient shield for Cao Zirui, so he never asked.

He had done his own research before departing, carefully studying historical files and receiving guidance from Ji Chengyue. In some ways, his understanding of Longqiu was even deeper than Feng Ye’s.

Therefore, he was able to immediately answer which country the ruins belonged to. And he was even able to explain it to the history novice Fang Yang, who looked completely stumped: “It was an ancient kingdom that existed over a thousand years ago. It only lasted for a little over a hundred years before being destroyed by the rising Southern Chu.”

“All of the former cities of Western Qiang have changed hands, except for this royal city. Because the King of Southern Chu disliked Longqiu’s climate, he returned to his old capital in the south and abandoned the city. Later, a massive earthquake struck and caused the landscape to crumble, destroying the royal city completely. Now, only a few ruins still stand above ground, and the rest are buried deep under the soil.”

“Haha, you know a lot, young man!” Wang Wu praised him. Then he said: “Let me give you another test. Western Qiang was originally just a tribe in Longqiu, yet within a few short years, it grew powerful enough to conquer the central plains and become a unified dynasty. Do you know why?”

Cao Zirui honestly shook his head. He wasn’t here to be an archeologist, so how could he possess comprehensive knowledge about the history of Western Qiang?

“Because of their priest,” answered Wang Wu.

But he might as well have not answered at all, because Feng Ye and the others were still completely baffled.

“Can a priest influence the fate of a nation?” Fang Yang raised his hand as he asked this question. He didn’t feel that it was possible. How could one person’s power determine the prosperity of an entire country?

“Hehe.” Wang Wu chuckled meaningfully and shook his head: “This priest was no ordinary person.”

“The people of Western Qiang valued martial prowess, and although the King of Western Qiang was brave and skilled in battle, the world at that time was filled with warlords. Each was a powerful ruler who held dominion over their own regions, yet it was Western Qiang who achieved the final victory, thanks to their priest.”

“Western Qiang firmly believed in the power of the supernatural. The priest in charge of sacrifices held a high position, and the sacrificial methods were passed down from generation to generation. And the priest who assisted the King of Western Qiang in his unification efforts was known as the Ghost Mask Priest. He was an unprecedented genius, with eight ghost generals under his command.”

Eight ghost generals…..the others were puzzled by these three words, because they had never heard the history of Western Qiang, let alone anything about ghost generals.

Feng Ye alone was stunned when he heard this. Although he quickly masked his brief lapse in composure, Hao Chen still caught a faint trace of it. 

What’s so strange about these eight ghost generals? Hao Chen wondered.

Just then, Fang Yang asked: “What are those eight ghost generals? Were they very powerful?”

“They were indeed very capable generals, but they were different from ordinary ones. They…..” Wang Wu drew out the suspense before saying: “As ghost generals, they were naturally ghosts.”

“Malicious ghosts,” Wang Wu added.

Malicious ghosts…..Feng Ye was stunned once again.

Hao Chen was the only one who noticed Feng Ye’s unusual behavior, while Wang Wu and the others continued their discussion.

“Malicous ghosts?!” Fang Yang exclaimed in shock. “You mean the priest of Western Qiang could control ghosts?”

“That’s right,” Wang Wu affirmed with a nod. “He not only knew how to control ghosts, but how to refine them. This technique was passed down through generations of Western Qiang priests. Back then, it was considered remarkable for a priest to create even one ghost general. The Ghost Mask Priest, however, was exceptionally talented, and created eight.”

“They felt no pain, and had no emotions. When they fought, they killed anyone who got in their way, massacring a hundred people at once. They were invincible. In every battle, large or small, whenever one of these legendary generals was dispatched, Western Qiang was sure to emerge victorious. It was precisely for this reason that Western Qiang prevailed over all of the other powers and unified the land.”

Fang Yang and Cao Zirui exchanged a brief glance, the same thought flickering through their eyes: since the priests of Western Qiang could control ghosts and had passed the technique down through generations, it must be considered a method of cultivation.

Such cultivation methods were actually quite common, and many tribes hidden deep in the mountains had their own specializations. Outsiders called it witchcraft, but to cultivators, it was nothing more than a kind of technique.

Just as their Lingxiao Sword Sect specialized in swordsmanship, the ghost path and the sword path were simply two different inclinations, and could not be judged as good or evil.

But the ghost path inevitably involved spirits, and spirits were originally living people. The method they used to refine these ghosts was what would ultimately determine whether the priests of Western Qiang were righteous or demonic.

However, this was not something that should be discussed in front of Wang Wu and Zhao Yi, so the two communicated with their eyes rather than speaking.

And while Hao Chen appeared to be listening to Wang Wu, he was actually observing Feng Ye.

Feng Ye seemed to be in a prolonged daze, his mind wandering farther the longer Wang Wu spoke.

Despite receiving no response from the others, Wang Wu continued talking on his own.

He rubbed his hands together, and after such a long build-up, finally got to what he’d wanted to say in the first place: “When the Southern Chu army captured the royal city, they returned to their capital after only a few days, leaving many of the treasures in the city untouched. They planned to move it all away later, but then a massive earthquake struck and buried the entire royal city of Western Qiang underground. The Southern Chu army tried to search for it, but to no avail.”

“Over the past thousand years, many people have come to search for the treasure of Western Qiang, but none have ever found it. I’ve heard that besides gold, silver, and jade, this royal city also contains many magic artifacts that are rarely seen in the human world, which can also communicate with spirits and gods. These items originally belonged to the priests, but now, they’ve been left to gather dust deep under the earth. Who knows when – or if – anyone will discover them and bring these treasures back into the light of day?” Wang Wu let out a performative sigh.

When he was done speaking, he observed the expressions of Feng Ye and the other three. He certainly wasn’t wasting so much breath just to educate these four people; how could a bandit have such good intentions?

He just wanted to tell them that there was treasure buried beneath these ruins that could tempt even cultivators, so that they would be lured underground to fight that man-eating monster.

Although he already believed that Feng Ye and his crew had come here for the treasure, what if they hadn’t? If they just so happened to be unaware of the treasure’s existence and had no intention of searching for it underground, then his and Zhao Yi’s hopes would be dashed.

So he deliberately put on this show, regardless of whether Feng Ye and the others knew about it or not. He explained it all frankly and openly, both to lower their guard and to increase their chances of this plan succeeding.

He had cooked up quite the elaborate scheme. But unfortunately, three of these four people showed absolutely no signs of being tempted.

The two older ones were completely distracted, and didn’t appear to have heard a word he said. And as for the two younger ones…..Cao Zirui was completely indifferent to the idea of treasure, as he clearly wasn’t short of money.

Only Fang Yang looked somewhat eager.

This made Wang Wu a little uneasy. In the end, he wondered if Feng Ye and his party would actually follow his plan and descend into the underground city in search of the treasure.

“We’re here,” Zhao Yi said abruptly, having been leading the way.

Lost in his own thoughts, Feng Ye looked up when he heard this. He spied a stone platform hidden amongst the trees, seemingly part of some kind of structure. It sat tilted in the soil, with only a small corner of it showing.

This small section was part of a larger building, but to the people on the surface, it had the appearance of a three-meter-high rock formation.

The stone platform was wreathed in vines, and the land around it was densely covered in green grass, making it blend in seamlessly with the environment. If Zhao Yi hadn’t pointed it out, Fang Yang and the others wouldn’t have noticed that this stone platform was any different from the other stones on the mountain.

Fang Yang exclaimed in amazement. Although he could only see a small part of it, he could still faintly glimpse the grandeur of Western Qiang.

He pulled Cao Zirui along and ran ahead to get a closer look at the ruins.

Feng Ye, on the other hand, went no closer. Standing at a distance, he was able to clearly see the patterns peeking through the vines on the stone platform.

There were two parallel, spiralling curves, with fine lines drawn between them like scales.

Snake scales.

This stone platform was only a collapsed corner piece, and the others didn’t know what it had looked like when it was intact.

But Feng Ye did.

It had been a stone pillar approximately twenty meters high, with a carving of a colossal serpent curled around the top.

The people of Western Qiang firmly believed in the power of the supernatural, worshipping and offering sacrifices to the snake god pictured in the engravings.

This stone pillar with a snake curled around it was the idol of the Western Qiang people. These idols, varying in size, could be seen everywhere in the royal city.

The tallest stone pillar in the center of the city was twenty meters high, so tall that wherever one fled to within the imperial city, they could still see the giant snake on that stone pillar.

Back then, this was the scene Feng Ye saw every time he opened his eyes: the giant stone snake flicking its tongue as its cold eyes gazed down at the subjects below.

As it gazed at Feng Ye.

This stone statue was everywhere, and so were its eyes. Under its gaze, there was nowhere to escape.

Feng Ye hadn’t recognized the name of Western Qiang when he first heard it, because similar names were not uncommon throughout the world.

But then he heard about the eight ghost generals…..and now, looking at the stone pillar before him bearing the broken form of a snake, he could finally be certain.

He had been here before when he…..was not yet Yinglong.

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Chapter 99 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 101

These tiny, transparent spiders were all gu.

They were quite similar to the one that had previously controlled Cheng Shuo, but their abilities were not quite as great.

However, security checks at the palace entrance were strict, and these miniscule spiders were easier to smuggle in than centipedes or similar creatures. Furthermore, these gu had a weak presence, and would not easily attract attention.

When the gu Cheng Shuo was carrying was destroyed, the mother gu in Dingbei-wang’s possession died as well. Its death indicated that the Qin family must have suspected gu as the cause, and someone had purged it from Cheng Shuo.

Bai Liyu knew perfectly well who had destroyed the gu.

There usually weren’t any gu masters in the capital city, but the well-known Saintess of Nanjiang had just arrived.

It seemed that the Qin family had sought the help of Situ Anli. However, it came as a surprise to Bai Liyu that the Qin family’s first reaction was to enlist her help rather than make Nanjiang their prime suspect.

This thwarted his plan to shift the blame onto them, but then again, no one knew that he was the one behind it.

Those inside the palace must be aware of the existence of the gu by now, and Situ Anli possessed a small green snake that was said to be the king of all gu, capable of detecting their scent and eliminating them.

It was not the right time for everything to come to light, so in order to avoid discovery and having the matter traced back to him, Bai Liyu intended to conceal the matter for a while longer.

That was why he had brought these tiny creatures into the palace today. There was a high probability that they would not be discovered, and they could be kept in the palace for use at a later date.

He stuck his fingertips into the pouch, and two small spiders crawled onto them.

He then extended his fingers through the sedan curtain, and the two gu crawled along the wooden frame one after another to hide themselves in the hair of two sedan bearers.

Bai Liyu stowed away the pouch, but left a small opening at the top so that the gu could crawl out on their own later on.

The sedan chairs soon came to a stop outside Haiyan Hall, and the vassal kings disembarked, following Bai Lihong inside.

Everyone other than Nanjiang-wang was unaware that Qin Xiao had woken up.

But when they stepped inside the hall, they found that a tall, imposing figure was already present there.

That person stood with his back to the door, wearing black and gold embroidered robes. His hair was tied up with a golden guan, and even his back profile exuded an intimidating aura.

It was Qin Xiao!

Hearing the noise behind him, Qin Xiao turned around with a tranquil expression. His deep-set eyes swept over everyone present, and the look on his face softened slightly when he looked at Bai Lihong. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”

“No need for formalities,” Bai Lihong said at once. He paced to QIn Xiao’s side, then turned back to the crowd and said: “Everyone, please take your seats.”

Everyone readily agreed.

Their expressions remained composed, but inwardly, not a single one of them was calm.

Qin Xiao wasn’t dead!

He might not even have been seriously injured – otherwise, how could he be standing there, looking perfectly fine?

Or could it be that Chu Jiubian had actually healed him?

This was the advantage of having a god on one’s side.

Everyone’s thoughts were a mess, and they were also curious as to Chu Jiubian’s whereabouts. Why was Qin Xiao here, but the other party was nowhere to be seen?

But none of them opened their mouths to ask, and instead headed for their seats.

Just then, Empress Dowager Xiao Ruohan arrived, accompanied by the Saintess of Nanjiang and her two children.

When female members of the Imperial family entered the palace, the proper etiquette was to first go and pay their respects to the mistress of the inner palace.

That person was currently the Empress Dowager, so when Situ Anli arrived at the palace gates with her two children, she had parted ways with Bai Lihao and gone to see Xiao Ruohan first.

Upon seeing the Empress Dowager, the vassal kings were also required to pay their respects.

Xiao Ruohan was their legitimate mother according to lineage.

As she watched these powerful and influential vassal kings greet her with respect, an indescribable satisfaction came over Xiao Ruohan.

This was power. This was status.

As a woman, she was unable to participate in politics, but she had already reached the highest position a woman could attain in her lifetime.

Although Bai Lihong was currently the one on the throne, diminishing her ability to wield her power, she had truly enjoyed a period of great influence under Emperor Yingzong’s reign. It was only recently, after suffering setbacks at the hands of Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian, that she had tempered her ambition.

But now, witnessing such a show of obeisance by these vassal kings, she felt as if she had regained the feeling of being second only to the emperor and above everyone else.

She walked up to her high position and took the seat second only to Bai Lihong’s, then said mildly: “You may rise.”

The vassal kings expressed their gratitude before rising and taking their seats.

Bai Liyu swept his gaze over Situ Anli, who was seated beside Nanjiang-wang. He didn’t see the little green snake, but something that small could easily be hidden in her sleeve.

Therefore, not daring to be too obvious, he unobtrusively loosened his own sleeve.

The tiny, almost invisible spiders all crawled out – a total of six – and skittered down his robes. Very quickly, they concealed themselves in the shadows and crawled up the massive stone pillars toward the ceiling beams.

A bell rang outside the palace, and the first and second-rank officials who had received invitations finally arrived outside Haiyan Hall. Led by the leaders of the Six Ministries, they all filed inside.

After another series of elaborate formalities, they all took their seats.

And once they were seated, they noticed that Chu Jiubian was still absent, and that there was an empty seat next to Qin Xiao.

Seated across from Qin Xiao, Xiao Ruohan said with a slight smile: “Why is the seat next to Ning-wang empty? I see that all of the vassal kings have arrived, so who is this seat reserved for?”

This occasion was different from the Mid-Autumn Festival.

According to rank, Jiannan-wang could not sit beside her, and it would also be inappropriate for any of the other vassal kings to do so. Therefore, she was currently alone on her side, while Qin Xiao sat across from her along with an empty seat, which was presumably reserved for Chu Jiubian.

But Chu Jiubian was the Grand Tutor, and could in no way compare to the status of these vassal kings. If he sat there, it would be considered an act of overstepping his authority.

At present, Xiao Ruohan was deliberately feigning ignorance.

What she didn’t know was that the instant she voiced this question, Chu Jiubian had already entered the hall.

He had activated the function he previously used in Hexi Prefecture, rendering him invisible to everyone around him.

But for some inexplicable reason, even though Bai Lihong didn’t seem to notice him, the moment he stepped through the palace gates, Qin Xiao looked directly at him.

He wasn’t just looking over because he sensed something. The other man was actually able to see him, and was even staring at him rather boldly.

Chu Jiubian coolly met his gaze, and continued onward without pause.

As he moved, his jewelry made a crisp tinkling sound.

The pure white silk was cool against his skin, but the long, fluffy fox fur cape draped over his shoulders and trailing to his ankles masked much of the chill. 

Although it wasn’t quite dinnertime, the sky had already gone dark on this winter evening.

Many lamps had been lit in the hall, and the warm yellow light looked very inviting.

Chu Jiubian’s tall boots encased his calves, and his long, straight legs moved beautifully with every step.

His long, silver-white hair flowed freely, but interwoven within it were delicate silver chains that caught the light as he moved.

Qin Xiao watched, barely blinking. His gaze moved from from the young man’s legs hidden beneath silk trousers to the taut lines of his body accentuated by his belt, then to his pale, slender neck and his aloof face.

He was like the bright, radiant moon high above.

This was a god.

A god who could not be blasphemed.

The jut of Qin Xiao’s throat bobbed slightly, and his eyes went dark and deep.

Chu Jiubian walked unhurriedly past the officials on both sides, but none of them noticed his presence.

“What is Ning-wang looking at?” Xiao Ruohan was a little embarrassed at being ignored, and her tone grew colder. “Could this position next to Ning-wang truly be reserved for Grand Tutor Chu?”

Qin Xiao finally tore his gaze away, and when he once again looked at the Empress Dowager opposite him, a faint smile appeared on his face: “What are you saying? ‘Grand Tutor’ is an official title, and it would be against proper etiquette for such a person to sit above the vassal kings.”

A tiny spider had made its way from a ceiling beam to the stone pillar behind Qin Xiao. It rapidly skittered down, then climbed onto the table and into Qin Xiao’s cup, where it lay motionlessly.

A warning notification also sounded in Chu Jiubian’s mind.

[Warning! Warning! There are hidden gu in the palace! Locations have been marked for Host. Please be careful!]

Chu Jiubian’s eyes narrowed sharply.

He had suspected that the gu master might strike again today.

Being accused of something, no matter what it might be, would be a terrible thing for anyone present today.

But Chu Jiubian thought that if the other person were to actually take action, they would surely target someone inside the palace, such as Bai Lihao, Qin Xiao, or himself, or perhaps Xiao Ruohan.

As for everyone else, there would be plenty of opportunities to target them outside of the palace.

Therefore, he had discussed with the System in advance and learned that its poison detection function could also detect the venemous gu, which put his heart at ease.

He had intentionally arrived a little late, partly out of the desire to frighten these people with his invisibility trick, and partly because he had prepared some things outside of the palace and given them to the secret guards.

Of course, he had one more reason: waiting for the gu master to make their first move.

If Chu Jiubian were present, that person might be intimidated by his “divine presence” and act with more hesitation and caution. However, it seemed that with their audacity and style of operation, they weren’t afraid of anything.

Chu Jiubian looked up and saw six points of green light illuminated in the hall.

One of them was next to Xiao Ruohan, two were in the beams above Bai Lihong’s head, and there were three more.

One was located above the head of Minister of Revenue Su Sheng, and one more was hidden in the hair of Anhuai-wang Bai Liming.

The last one was in Qin Xiao’s cup.

Su Sheng and Anhuai-wang? A sudden flash of insight struck Chu Jiubian, and he instantly understood a few things.

He reached Qin Xiao and sat down in the seat next to him.

“So Ning-wang does understand,” Xiao Ruohan said with a smile. “Then the person sitting there…..”

“Is me,” Chu Jiubian said, his clear, cold voice standing out distinctly in the already quiet hall.

Xiao Ruohan was startled, and looked to the side at the previously empty seat. Her pupils contracted sharply, and she froze in place.

The eyes of everyone else in the hall were also fixed on Chu Jiubian, their expressions filled with shock.

Only the Situ siblings, sitting behind their parents, lit up at the sight. They craned their necks to look at Chu Jiubian, and their eyes filled with excitement and awe when they glimpsed his appearance.

This was the Divine Lord, ah!

His presence was so powerful! And he was so handsome!

No wonder the High Priest was so devoted to him, even to the point of following him down to the mortal world!

The others, however, did not share their excitement. Each one of them was terrified, their limbs going ice-cold.

When had Chu Jiubian appeared?

Why had nobody noticed?

Upon seeing Chu Jiubian’s attire, the first and second-rank officials instantly felt as if they had been transported back to the day of the coronation ceremony.

At long last, they finally remembered that Grand Tutor Chu, who had been working alongside them for so long, was actually a god!

The hall was eerily silent. The vassal kings stared fixedly at Chu Jiubian, their hearts roiling with indescribable turmoil.

This was a god.

They had only heard of his reputation, and now that they had finally laid eyes on him, they realized that the rumors had not done him justice.

Chu Jiubian disregarded the reactions of everyone around him. Reaching out, he took Qin Xiao’s cup and plucked the spider out of it.

Bai Liyu’s pupils quivered slightly, but his face revealed nothing.

The others in the hall, knowing that they would be meeting the Nanjiang Saintess, had educated themselves somewhat on the topic of gu.

Now, upon seeing this, they all turned their gazes toward Situ Anli.

However, the Nanjiang royals didn’t react at all, maintaining their composed demeanors.

“Troubling the Saintess,” said Chu Jiubian. He took a small lighter that could be concealed in his palm out of System Storage, then lit it.

With a crackle, the flame burned the spider to ashes.

He put the lighter away, leaving everyone even more astonished when they saw a flame appear out of thin air at his fingertips. And what shocked them even more was that Chu Jiubian was able to detect even such miniscule gu.

Situ Anli actually hadn’t detected them either, but she knew that this gu master was highly skilled to have even been able to deceive her snake. But Chu Jiubian’s ability to detect gu was even more formidable. Upon receiving the request, she gave a soft “Yes,” and the little green snake in her hair slithered out. It licked the fingernail on her little finger, then moved quickly around the hall to swallow the remaining five gu.

Bai Liyu, however, was not watching the snake. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Chu Jiubian and smiled silently, a hint of a smirk on his lips.

This was an overwhelming show of force.

“Please keep a closer eye on your belongings,” Chu Jiubian said in a soft voice. His gaze never settled on any one person, just like those deities enshrined in the temples.

He said nothing more.

Qin Xiao then said: “Your Majesty, let’s commence the banquet.”

Bai Lihong gave a nod, and Hong Fu announced the start of the banquet.

The palace servants who had long been making preparations in the inner chambers immediately filed out, carrying trays laden with food and drink.

At the same time, a deafening roar erupted outside the palace.

Those at the banquet jolted to alertness, staring in shock at what was happening outside.

But when they turned back, they found that Chu Jiubian, Qin Xiao, and even the palace servants weren’t reacting at all.

“Those are fireworks,” Bai Lihong said with a toothy grin. “A gift from the Divine Lord to everyone.”

Chu Jiubian had taken Qin Xiao and Bai Lihong outside the capital a few days prior and found a place to set off some fireworks for them. Those serving the food inside the palace were also not the usual attendants, but QIn Xiao’s secret guards.

Everything was done secretly and precisely, so that it could all be demonstrated in front of the officials and vassal kings today as a reminder of Chu Jiubian’s divine status.

Everyone was initially in shock, but when Minister of Works Jian Hongzhuo was the first to get up and walk outside, the others came to their senses and followed him out.

Even Xiao Ruohan, who had lost her composure and clutched at her chest, pulled herself together and straightened her expression, then rose to leave the main hall.

When she caught sight of the scene outside, she was dumbfounded.

The sky was filled with fireworks, the dazzling bursts of light illuminating the night sky like a scene out of a storybook.

The officials couldn’t help but recall that assasination attempt, when Chu Jiubian had used similar bursts of sound to kill the assassins.

Then were these beautiful fireworks actually deadly weapons?

Perhaps it was just as well that the vassal kings were unaware of the previous incident involving Chu Jiubian.

But the loud bangs and the magnificent sight before them gave them a clear understanding of who Chu Jiubian actually was.

Did he not, in fact, have the right to sit in such a high position?

A long while later, when the fireworks were finished, everyone was still somewhat dazed, and waited a little longer before returning to the palace hall.

After such a display of power, even if any of them were as reckless and daring as Bai Liyu, they wouldn’t dare to do anything now.

With no further incidents, the food was served, and everyone clinked glasses and toasted one another.

They all maintained peaceful and friendly demeanors, as if they truly were one big family.

However, everyone’s gazes would occasionally fall upon Chu Jiubian.

Watching Chu Jiubian from a distance, Jiannan-wang Bai Lihai then glanced at Qin Xiao with an almost unconcealable malice in his eyes.

He drank cup after cup of wine, and before long, he was feeling rather inebriated.

Dingbei-wang revealed no signs of a guilty conscience after having his plot exposed. He continued to smile and drink in a composed manner, his subtle gaze sweeping across Chu Jiubian’s face intermittently.

A god?

Did this mean that whoever sat on the throne would be favored by the gods?

Chu Jiubian was no inexperienced child. He very much understood the looks he was receiving, but he didn’t pay them much attention.

He couldn’t control how these people looked at him, nor what filthy thoughts occupied their minds, but the day would come when these people would no longer have the opportunity to pry into his life.

Qin Xiao had not yet fully recovered, so he avoided drinking much alcohol, but for some reason, he still felt a little tipsy.

Seeing the way those people were staring at Chu Jiubian, he also felt irritable.

After only a shichen, the palace banquet came to an end.

The vassal kings departed one by one, and although there were still many palace attendants in the vast hall, it seemed much emptier than before.

The Imperial banquet and New Year’s festivities, which had been in the works for so long, were finally over.

The storm had passed.

After the fifteenth day of the month, these vassal kings would all be expected to depart and return to their respective fiefdoms.

Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao stood side by side under the eaves. The wind and snow blurred their vision, giving them only a faint glimpse of the figures receding into the distance, gradually becoming smaller until they vanished from sight.

The next time they met, it would likely be as enemies on the battlefield.

Historian Xun Xiuran gathered his book and walked out of the hall, stopping beside Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian to bid them farewell with a respectful bow.

Qin Xiao nodded and said: “Go ahead. Tomorrow, this lord will send someone to deliver your rewards.”

Xun Xiuran accepted this neither humbly nor arrogantly.

Historians earned very little. They were not allowed to associate freely with others, and certainly could not engage in business or form financial connections, lest bias be introduced into their historical records.

Therefore, he was unable to reveal any enthusiasm when offered a reward by Qin Xiao, and could only respond mildly.

After bidding farewell to the two lords, he turned and left.

However, the ground was somewhat slippery from the snowfall, and after taking only a few steps, he lost his balance, dropping the book in his arms.

After regaining his footing, he quickly bowed to his two superiors and apologized.

“It’s fine,” said Qin Xiao.

But for some reason, Chu Jiubian’s first reaction was to bend down and pick up the book.

Before returning it to Xun Xiuran, he casually glanced at its contents.

But with just one glance, he seemed to have been struck by lightning.

On the upturned page, the record read:  [Ning-wang Qin Xiao led his army to defeat a border kingdom in the Western Regions and was seriously injured. Grand Tutor Chu, using his remarkable medical skills, healed him in only three days.]

If he wasn’t mistaken, the version in the original work had read:  [Ning-wang Qin Xiao led his army to defeat a border kingdom in the Western Regions and was seriously injured. It took him three months to recover.]

Why was the content in the original text nearly identical to the description written by the official historian?

Was it a coincidence?

Was this the original setting?

Or perhaps, the book he read back then wasn’t a male protagonist novel, but a historical record, or perhaps Bai Lihong’s biography?

If that was the case, then had the world he transmigrated into been real from the very beginning?

“What’s wrong?” Qin Xiao’s voice snapped Chu Jiubian back to his senses.

He blinked, concealing the turmoil in his heart. Then he returned the book to Xun Xiuran and said: “Be more careful.”

Xun Xiuran had noticed his momentary lapse in composure, but didn’t question him about it. After giving them another formal bow, he left without further ado.

Chu Jiubian watched his retreating figure, the swirling snow unable to conceal his upright posture.

The world around him seemed to blur.

He suddenly wondered whether the things he had read in the original novel, along with the reviews of other readers, were real or fabrication.

He was aware of his poor mental state, and knew that he was perhaps only a step away from truly going insane. So was it possible that even back then, he was already having trouble distinguishing between illusion and reality?

Chu Jiubian as he existed now…..was he real or fake?

Could everything he was currently experiencing be merely a delusion?

Chu Jiubian unconsciously picked at his hand. A stinging sensation resulted, and he paused, lowering his head.

Qin Xiao, who had been observing him closely, followed his gaze. His expression froze when he saw the blood oozing under the other man’s fingernail, and he reached out to grasp his wrist, lifting it up.

A ringing sound echoed in Chu Jiubian’s ears, and the world before him seemed to distort. A sharp, piercing pang shot through his head.

It was nerve pain.

He couldn’t make out Qin Xiao’s expression clearly, nor could he hear his voice.

“Qin Xiao,” he said, but he couldn’t even hear himself.

“How can a person…..distingush between reality and illusion?” he asked.

The young man wore a bewildered expression, his eyes vacant.

Qin Xiao suddenly recalled what had happened before. This wasn’t the first time Chu Jiubian had hurt himself. But why did he do it?

“Chu Jiubian,” he called out, but the other person seemed to be completely deaf.

Qin Xiao’s expression grew even colder. Grasping the young man’s wrist, he strode into Fengtian Hall in just two steps.

The hall was completely empty.

Chu Jiubian stumbled, and before he could regain his balance, Qin Xiao pulled him into the shadows, where he pressed him back-first against a thick vermillion stone pillar.

In the next moment, the man’s strong body and scorching lips pressed against him.

Chu Jiubian blinked, and the ringing in his ears faded away.

The man’s distinctive scent hit his nose. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and his jaw relaxed.

Sensing this change, Qin Xiao’s breathing became uneven and he pressed against him even harder, the veins on his arm bulging as he wrapped it around the young man’s waist.

With his other hand, he grabbed Chu Jiubian’s hands and pinned them above his head, giving him no chance to resist.

Chu Jiubian tilted his head back slightly. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and his body trembled.

After some time, a sharp pain suddenly shot through his lip.

This was the only method Qin Xiao could think of to bring Chu Jiubian back to reality without causing him to suffer further side effects.

Chu Jiubian opened his eyes, his bewildered gaze meeting those deep, piercing eyes that were so close at hand. His vision gradually came back into focus.

The nerve pain seemed to have subsided somewhat, but the stinging sensation in his lip and the taste of blood in his mouth became more pronounced.

Qin Xiao released his grip on those rosy lips, but continued to hold him tightly in his arms, their noses almost touching.

“Look with your eyes, and touch with your hands.”

Qin Xiao pitched his voice low.

He took one of Chu Jiubian’s hands and placed it over his heart, saying: “What you feel in your heart is reality.”

A continuous heat leached into his skin, and his cold hand gradually warmed.

Chu Jiubian stared fixedly at the man for a long time, the rapid, powerful beating of his heart a constant reminder of how real all of this was.

Without knowing why, he suddenly licked his lips.

Qin Xiao lowered his gaze, and when he looked up again, his expression had become somewhat fierce.

Chu Jiubian’s eyelashes fluttered. He gently pushed the other man away, taking care not to touch his wound.

Then, he turned and quickly walked around the pillar toward the back hall.

At the same time, he said inwardly: “Scan him.”

[Although the patient moved around quite a lot, it did not affect the wound. Please rest assured.]

Chu Jiubian pursed his lips. They felt a little numb, and the bitten area still stung.

That dog.

He muttered a curse under his breath, then asked: “Do you have a higher dosage of the medication?”

[This System has only detected minor abnomalities in Host’s mental state. Excessive medication may harm the body, and is not recommended.]

Chu Jiubian was taken aback.

Only minor abnormalities?

Qin Xiao gazed after the young man’s retreating figure. He raised his hand to softly wipe away the moisture at the corners of his mouth, but didn’t actually touch his lips.

He closed his eyes, then took two deep breaths before opening them again and walking toward the back hall.

*

*
Outside the palace, the vassal kings said their farewells to each other, then boarded their carraiges and set off for their respective residences.

Bai Lizheng walked slowly, and Bai Lihao told his wife and children to return to the carriage first, while he also slowed his pace to walk alongside the the other vassal king. He knew that Bai Lizheng surely had questions for him.

As expected, once the other vassal kings around them had departed, Bai Lizheng stopped in his tracks. Gazing after the carriages in the distance, he asked: “When did you establish contact with the palace?”

“After arriving in the capital.” Bai Lihao wasn’t lying.

Although his children felt an extraordinary amount of closeness and trust for Chu Jiubian, he and Situ Anli had only established contact with him and Qin Xiao after helping to purge the gu from Cheng Shuo.

Or rather, they had established a business transaction.

They had proved that they harbored no ill will toward His Majesty and that they had not attacked Qin Xiao’s man, while Qin Xiao vowed not to attack Nanjiang.

It was a quiet transaction, which was beneficial for both parties.

As for whether they would cooperate or engage in other transactions in the future, Bai Lihao was not opposed to the idea.

“Some things are better not to get involved in.” Bai Lizheng turned his head to look at him, his expression as serious as ever. “It is possible to live well for a long time by remaining in your secluded corner of the world, minding your own business, and taking care of your own people.”

He was a mild-mannered, almost old-fashioned sort of person.

From beginning to end, all he desired was to live self-sufficiently on his own land and provide better lives for the common people in his territory. Developing the economy and building up his military forces was merely a means to protect himself and his people.

If possible, he would never want to send those thousands of Pingxi troops into battle.

Bai Lihao understood him, and could also emphasize with him.

He used to think the same way.

But ever since the drought, he was no longer able to hold that mindset.

As a vassal king of considerable power, there was no chance that he could remain aloof and insulated; he would inevitably be drawn into a conflict sooner or later. Only when the entire territory of Great Ning was truly stable and Imperial power was supreme could this unrest be thoroughly quelled.

Even Bai Lizheng, whether he wanted it or not, would be drawn into the chaos.

But Bai Lihao didn’t try to persuade him at this moment. He simply smiled and nodded, saying: “I understand.”

Bai Lizheng understood him equally well. At the realization that he had no intention of backing down, he could only let out a sigh and turn to go, leaving him only with the words: “Take care of yourself.”

Bai Lihao stood in place, watching his carriage trundle away.

It remained to be seen if, in the future, the two brothers would fight side by side or become bitter rivals.

“Husband.” The curtain of a nearby carriage was drawn up, and a woman’s gentle voice sounded from within.

Bai Lihao snapped out of his daze and looked toward her, only to see her retreat while two smaller faces appeared in her place.

He laughed softly, then went over and boarded the carriage.

With a family of four squeezed into the carriage, it actually felt nice and warm.

“A-Die,” Situ Zhaoling said, smiling as she held her mother’s arm. “Don’t worry, following the Grand Tutor is definitely the right thing to do.”

Situ Zhaoyao also nodded: “That’s right, A-Die, we just saw firsthand what Grand Tutor Chu is capable of. And there’s the High Priest too. With two gods on his side, His Majesty won’t lose.”

Bai Lihao raised a hand and tapped him gently between the eyebrows: “Don’t recklessly discuss government affairs outside of our home.”

Situ Zhaoyao just smiled and said: “Then how about we discuss the young Emperor? That little one is so cute and clever.”

“He really is!” Situ Zhaoling’s eyes lit up. “His cheeks look so soft. I wonder how it would feel to pinch them.”

“You two,” Situ Anli said helplessly. “We’ve really spoiled you both.”

Despite her words, her eyes were full of affection and indulgence.

She knew her children well. Even though they were lively and immature at home, they were very well-behaved and sensible outside of it, so she wasn’t worried at all.

The carriage moved farther and farther away, eventually vanishing into the snowstorm.

Before long, the wind subsided a bit even as the snow came down harder.

*

*

In the main hall of Dingbei-wang’s residence, Bai Liyu reclined on a couch in scarlet inner garments. The fire in the brazier beside him burned brightly.

He toyed with a small porcelain bottle in his hand about half the size of his palm, which contained a transparent spider.

Vessels twisted throughout its clear body, carrying streams of blood.

Another person sat in a nearby chair, completely shrouded in a black robe, with their face concealed.

The black-robed figure was the first to break the long silence, speaking in a voice that was not immediately identifiable as male or female: “Your Highness, there are still two surviving gu left. They may be of some use.”

There was a smile on Bai Liyu’s lips, and his expression was relaxed.

Upon hearing this, he closed the lid of the porcelain jar and casually tossed it to the black-robed person.

The other party quickly caught it. Gloves covered their hands, leaving absolutely no skin exposed.

“Your skills are far inferior to those of Situ Anli,” Bai Liyu said, slow and soft.

The black-robed person tightened their grip on the jar and said in a low voice: “It was this subordinate’s mistake. Next time……”

“Next time?” Bai Liyu tilted his head and regarded them with a smile. “Next time, you’ll be defeated even more soundly.”

The black-robed person lowered their head and said nothing.

Bai Liyu looked away and said mildly: “Leave.”

After a brief pause, the black-robed person rose, then turned and left the room.

At the same time, another person emerged from the inner chambers. This person was clothed in light red gauze, with a slender waist and long hair that flowed down their back. Their face appeared to be that of a man, but when they spoke, their voice was soft and melodious.

“Your Highness, this one is here to serve you.” The man walked to the side of the bed and slowly sat down.

Bai Liyu regarded him with a smile. As he drew closer, he gently stroked that smooth, long black hair, even as his eyes held a deep, thoughtful expression.

Before, he had preferred this long black hair, but now he seemed to favor silvery-white.

With a slight wave of his hand, the lights in the room dimmed to create an intimate atmosphere.

*

*

Inside the palace.

Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao were currently in the main room of Yangxin Hall, as they intended to stay up all night with the child to celebrate the New Year.

Bai Lihong sat at the table, cradling his little face in his hands and swinging his short legs back and forth. As time passed, his eyes became unfocused and his little head began to sway.

He was clearly very sleepy.

However, this was a custom in Great Ning, and when the late Empress was still alive, she would celebrate the New Year with the child in such a way.

Bai Lihong remembered the previous New Year, and recalled his mother saying that children should stay up late on New Year’s Eve to ensure a safe and peaceful year ahead.

So despite feeling somewhat hazy from exhaustion, he continued to persevere.

Qin Xiao was an injured patient, and Chu Jiubian wanted him to rest, but he insisted that he wasn’t tired and wanted to stay.

Meanwhile, Hong Fu, Xiao Xiangzi, Xiao Yuzi, and the other palace servants were outside, casually chatting around two large round tables and showing no signs of being tired.

Chu Jiubian watched the child yawn, and his own resulting yawn brought moisture to his eyes.

Qin Xiao turned his head to look at him. His gaze automatically swept across the nearly invisible wound on his lip, and his throat bobbed.

Chu Jiubian glanced at him and said: “Are you not tired?”

Qin Xiao looked away: “No.”

Chu Jiubian used the System to check the time and saw that there were still two hours until midnight.

This wasn’t sustainable.

He considered it for a moment, and realized that he didn’t really know what to do during a New Year’s Eve vigil.

During previous years, he was always at some sort of gala venue.

Before entering the entertainment circle, he would always spend the New Year at home by himself or at the shop where he worked, alone as always.

And his memories of the New Year during his childhood were all filled with arguments, the stench of alcohol, and crying.

Back then, he had loved the sound of fireworks exploding outside; the windows and the entire old, dilapidated building would shake, drowning out the sounds in the living room and allowing his tense body to relax.

“System, what do normal people do for the New Year?” Chu Jiubian asked.

[Host, according to the statistics, many people eat dumplings, watch TV, play cards, and give out red envelopes…..]

The System gave many more examples before Chu Jiubian snapped back to reality.

“Give me three decks of playing cards,” he said.

Everyone currently in the palace were trusted individuals, and they all believed in Chu Jiubian’s divine identity, so he had no compunctions about revealing another “miracle” in front of them.

Thus, he directly took out three decks of playing cards.

Upon seeing this, the sleepy child immediately woke up.

“Xiansheng, what are those?” He stared curiously at the boxes of playing cards.

Chu Jiubian said with a smile: “Something fun.”

“Wow,” the child said with wide eyes.

Chu Jiubian called Xiao Xiangzi and Xiao Yuzi inside and gave them two of the decks, teaching them a simple game to play.

Such a game could be taught to children, so there was no need to call for Hong Fu himself.

After hearing the rules, the two young eunuchs nodded repeatedly to demonstrate their understanding, then quickly returned to the outer room.

When Chu Jiubian heard them explaining the rules to the others, he looked at Qin Xiao and Bai Lihong and said: “Let’s play a game that’s different from theirs.”

Since there were three of them, they naturally played “Fight the Landlord.”

But this being Great Ning, “Fight the Landlord” naturally became “Fight the Noble Family.” Upon hearing this, Bai Lihong said with a pout: “Xiansheng, I don’t want to be part of a noble family, and neither do you.”

Qin Xiao chuckled: “That’s just what it’s called.”

“It doesn’t sound good,” Bai Lihong said with a hmph.

“What’s wrong with it?” Qin Xiao said deliberately, “Our Qin family is also considered a noble family.”

“That’s different.” Bai Lihong refuted earnestly. “The Qin family is good and the noble families are bad.”

Qin Xiao hesitated.

Chu Jiubian looked at Bai Lihong, feeling somewhat touched.

As expected of the protagonist who would eventually overthrow the noble families. He possessed such wisdom at such a young age.

Perhaps the child didn’t yet understand the meaning of his words, but he had already instinctively begun to dislike the existence of these powerful families, and also held no good feelings toward those powerful and influential figures.

Chu Jiubian suddenly remembered what had occurred after the palace banquet.

Every word and sentence of Xun Xiuran’s historical record involved this dynasty and the powerful officials in the Imperial Court, but it was unknown if there was any mention made of the common people.

As for why the historical record was the same as the original novel, Chu Jiubian had not investigated further.

Qin Xiao was right – since he was personally experiencing the reality of this world, there was no need to be constrained by the so-called “original story.”

And in any case, many things had changed since his arrival in this world.

Whether the original novel or the historical record, he was able to overwrite both the process and the ending of the story.

Chu Jiubian looked at Bai Lihong and said: “Then what does Your Majesty think it should be called?”

Bai Lihong thought for a moment, then said: “Let’s call it ‘Fight the Bully!’”

“Alright, ‘Fight the Bully’ it is.”

The child promptly wriggled his little feet and shoulders, giving him a shy smile.

Chu Jiubian smiled back and reached out to ruffle the child’s hair. But Qin Xiao unexpectedly reached out as well, and their hands met atop the child’s head.

All three of them froze.

Bai Lihong was the first to react. He moved his head around, rubbing it against the hands of the two adults with a giggle.

Without looking at Qin Xiao, Chu Jiubian calmly retracted his hand.

Qin Xiao, however, didn’t turn his eyes away from the other man.

The palace servants outside had already begun to play, and were making even more of a commotion than before.

The three people inside the room also commenced their game of “Fight the Bully.” Chu Jiubian took the part of the bully first, fearing that the other two wouldn’t understand the rules, which resulted in wins and losses on both sides.

Later on, Bai Lihong decided to take on the challenge and rushed to play the bully.

He was indeed a very intelligent child. Neither Chu Jiubian nor Qin Xiao held back, and both sides experienced victory and failure.

Time passed by unnoticed, and by the time they stopped, Qin Xiao had played the bully twice, only to be defeated both times by Chu Jiubian and Bai Lihong.

“Jiujiu lost again!” Bai Lihong clapped his hands in delight.

At the same time, the servants outside began to shout jubilantly: “Happy New Year!”

Hong Fu entered the inner chamber with a broad smile and said: “Your Majesty, My Lord, Young Master, it’s time. Let’s go out and set off fireworks.”

“Fireworks!” Bai Lihong happily jumped down from his stool.

Hong Fu helped him put on his outer garment and a thick cloak, and even flipped the hood of the cloak over his head before they left the inner hall together.

Chu Jiubian stood up as well and said: “Let’s go watch them too.”

“En.” Qin Xiao grabbed their two cloaks and handed one to Chu Jiubian.

The group went outside the palace, where more than a dozen fireworks Chu Jiubian had purchased from the System were already set up in the vast courtyard.

“Begin!” Bai Lihong shouted in a crisp voice.

“Yes,” several palace servants replied in unison, and those standing on either side lit the fuses with tinderboxes.

Two fireworks went off at once, exploding midair in a burst of brilliant sparks and creating a dreamlike spectacle.

In Cining Palace, the servants heard the sound and secretly peeked outside.

Empress Dowager Xiao Ruohan had already changed into her nightclothes. The sound startled her at first, and then her expression darkened.

There was no one who wouldn’t enjoy their first time seeing fireworks. She wanted to see them again, but at the thought that they were something Chu Jiubian had created to entertain the young Emperor, her mood soured.

“Mistress, shall we go out and take a look?” the matron asked softly. “What if a spark lands in our courtyard? Wouldn’t that cause an awful disaster? It’s better to go and keep an eye on things.”

This was just to provide her with an excuse.

Xiao Ruohan felt aggrieved, but as she listened to the noises outside, she still said: “Help me change my clothes.”

In another part of the palace, An Wuji and Qin Chaoyang stood side by side, watching the fireworks being set off near Yangxin Hall.

“Truly amazing!” An Wuji exclaimed.

Qin Chaoyang: “Indeed, but I wonder when fireworks will be able to be produced as weapons.”

“Weapons?” An Wuji’s eyebrows rose. “Are you referring to the loud blasts when the Young Master killed those assassins?”

“En,” said Qin Chaoyang. “Anything with the ability to hurt someone can be used as a weapon.”

In his opinion, the sound of the fireworks was similar to the blasts he heard that day, but the sound back then was still louder.

The fireworks were spectacular.

Little Bai Lihong stood in front of Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian’s legs, gazing upward with bright eyes.

He suddenly clasped his small hands in front of his chest and said with a sincere expression on his little face: “I hope my mother and grandparents can see these beautiful fireworks up in heaven.” 

He murmured this under his breath, and his voice was completely drowned out by the sound of the fireworks.

Chu Jiubian was also looking up at the innumerable sparks in the sky, their light intermittently illuminating his face.

Qin Xiao wasn’t watching the fireworks – he was looking solely at Chu Jiubian.

As the fireworks dwindled away, Chu Jiubian’s first year in Great Ning came to an end.

Only after the young Emperor had fallen asleep did Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian leave the hall.

When he saw Chu Jiubian preparing to leave the courtyard, Qin Xiao caught up to him in two steps and said: “Where are you going?”

“To Yaotai Residence,” Chu Jiubian said.

Qin Xiao grasped his wrist, and the two of them came to a stop.

Their eyes met, and Qin Xiao said: “Don’t leave, I won’t touch you.”

Chu Jiubian: “ ? ”

What did he mean by touch him?

Chu Jiubian actually didn’t want to go, but he thought that Qin Chuan might come to see Qin Xiao again because of the holiday, so it would be best for him to leave in order to avoid crashing the brothers’ reunion.

Seeing that Qin Xiao had no intention of letting him go, Chu Jiubian asked: “Isn’t there someone you need to wait for?”

“No,” said Qin Xiao. “You go back to the palace first. I’ll visit the Qin family compound and come back soon.”

As the elder brother, it was only right that he should go back and visit his younger sibling.

Chu Jiubian didn’t refuse: “Alright, but I’m going to sleep after I wash up. I won’t wait for you.”

“En.” Qin Xiao thought that the underfloor heating in the palace was a beautiful thing.

---

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Chapter 75 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 77

Ch. 99 – Vicious Dog

Feng Ye stopped beside the wooden house and tilted his head back, clearly meaning to drive away his passenger.

The crow flapped his wings to steady himself. Though he was unwilling, they had reached their destination, and he had no excuse to linger any longer on the dragon’s head.

So the crow first crouched low, then spread his wings wide and gave Feng Ye’s head one last reluctant pat before taking flight.

He flew into the wooden house, and before Feng Ye could follow him inside, Hao Chen stepped out.

The corners of his eyes were tilted up, victory written all over his face.

For he had finally fulfilled a small, personal wish.

Feng Ye was in human form and didn’t have dragon horns, and the crow was just an avatar rather than the real thing. But in spirit, Hao Chen had indeed been sitting next to Yinglong’s dragon horns.

He was probably the first person ever to do so. Given Yinglong’s reputation, no one would dare to approach him, let alone dare to climb up to his dragon horns.

But he dared.

Hao Chen couldn’t help but open his fan and give it a proud flutter.

Feng Ye keenly noticed that there was a small purple flower on this fan, the same one that had been in the crow’s feathers earlier.

It was unknown what method Hao Chen had used, but the flower had transformed into a painting on the fan, preserving it in perpetuity.

But although he noticed this, he didn’t call attention to it.

Hao Chen didn’t mention it either. He didn’t say a word about what had just happened, and simply asked in a perfunctory manner: “Has Fellow Daoist Feng Ye sobered up after wandering around for so long?”

I’ve been sober for a while now, Feng Ye thought. He had originally been a little tipsy, but the subtle provocation of the crow brushing his sensitive spot had shocked him back to sobriety.

Although he had ultimately accepted the crow’s wildflower as a compromise, he still couldn’t help but shudder when he recalled how those feathers had brushed against his inverse scale.

It had felt so strange. This was the first time someone other than himself had touched it, and Feng Ye didn’t want to bring it up again, lest he have to keep reliving that feeling.

So he nodded, deciding to just change the subject. He glanced into the room, and when he saw no sign of Fang Yang and his friend, he asked: “Where’d they go?”

“They’re playing with the dog behind the house,” said Hao Chen.

No sooner had Hao Chen finished speaking than a beastly howl and two shouts of surprise sounded from behind the house.

The two exchanged a glance, then tacitly made their way toward the back.

Turning the corner, they caught sight of a large brown-grey dog. The rope around its neck pulled taut as it lunged with all its might, baring its fangs as if determined to rip into the two boys in front of it.

Shaken to their cores, Fang Yang and Cao Zirui clutched their chests in fright.

“What’s going on?” Feng Ye asked, surveying the scene.

Only when he spoke did Fang Yang notice their arrival. He took a moment to catch his breath. Then, still shaken, he explained the situation to Feng Ye: “I was just feeding it the leftover rabbit, but it wouldn’t eat it when I offered the bones to it. I tried to put a bone near its mouth, and it suddenly lunged and startled me.”

Cao Zirui nodded in agreement. The incident was just as Fang Yang had described it. If the dog hadn’t been leashed, it would have bitten off Fang Yang’s hand when it suddenly attacked.

When he heard this, Feng Ye turned his head to regard the big dog that was still struggling to lunge forward. It was likely a hybrid between a dog and a wolf, and was therefore bigger and fiercer than a domestic dog, with a bloodthirsty gleam in its eyes.

And near the big dog were a few scattered rabbit bones with scraps of meat still attached. This dog, however, ignored them. It observed Feng Ye and the other three, but ultimately settled its gaze back on Fang Yang and Cao Zirui. 

The look on its face was like that of a wild beast locking onto prey. In stark contrast to the human principle of giving way to the elderly, the young, the ill, and the disabled, beasts regarded these four types as their ideal prey.

Compared to Feng Ye and Hao Chen, who were both tall adults, these two teenagers would obviously be easier to hunt.

And fresh flesh and blood tasted much better than roasted rabbit bones. Unable to break free of its leash, the big dog could only lick its chops, dribbling foul-smelling saliva as it growled deep in its throat.

This dog has probably killed people before, thought Feng Ye.

An ordinary hunting dog wouldn’t target humans. But this dog was different, openly displaying its intention to attack Fang Yang and Cao Zirui them moment it had the opportunity.

But it made sense that wicked people would raise a wicked dog. Its owners were bandits who killed and robbed, and this dog had likely helped its owners commit many crimes.

Feng Ye didn’t mention this, and only said: “If it won’t eat, then so be it. Let’s pack up and get ready to leave.”

“Okay,” Fang Yang replied. As he was about to go back to the house and gather his things, he cast one last look toward the big dog, only to find that its beastly eyes were fixed on him.

The rope tightened again as the dog opened its jaws to reveal sharp fangs, barking repeatedly at Fang Yang.

Fang Yang was once again given a fright. Most of the dogs he encountered in his hometown were gentle and friendly, and unlike this fierce creature, he could pet them freely.

He didn’t realize that this was no ordinary domestic dog, nor did he understand that in the eyes of this big dog, he was nothing more than prey.

But he also abandoned any thought of befriending it. He grabbed Cao Zirui, then took off running into the house without looking back.

But the escape of its prey only fueled the dog’s aggression, and it struggled more and more violently, trying to break free of the rope around its neck.

As it pulled, the wooden stake anchoring the rope to the ground began to loosen.

Feng Ye suddenly sent it a casual glance.

To a wild beast, eye contact was a provocation.

But while this vicious dog had attacked Fang Yang when he looked at it before, at this moment, it stopped barking and lay down obediently on the ground with its tail tucked.

It also retracted its fangs, behaving itself well.

Feng Ye then turned and left with Hao Chen following behind him. But before leaving, Hao Chen cast one last look back at the big dog, which was now curled up on the ground and even trembling slightly with fear, showing no hint of its former ferocity.

It seemed that even vicious dogs feared vicious dragons.

Although this dragon only appeared vicious on the surface – a little secret that only Hao Chen knew.

The two made their way back to the house. When Fang Yang and the others were ready to set off, Wang Wu and Zhao Yi had not yet returned from the riverbank. 

The wooden house these two lived in was anything but tidy. Leftover dishes were piled up and attracting flies with no one bothering to wash them, and all sorts of trash was scattered throughout the house.

They had originally come to ask for directions, but ended up receiving a free roasted rabbit instead. Fang Yang felt a little embarrassed, and took the initiative to suggest that everyone help Wang Wu and Zhao Yi clean up as a way of repaying them.

This was good way to express their gratitude. It was just that…..Feng Ye glanced at the embroidery needles and thread, as well as the cloth tiger he had noticed upon first entering the room.

There was an unfinished pattern on the embroidered cloth, red flowers that were often favored by women. If someone told him that those burly bandits were skilled embroiderers, Feng Ye wouldn’t believe it.

The cloth tiger was clearly a child’s toy. Wang Wu and Zhao Yi were bandits who had fled to the mountains to evade government soldiers, so where did a child come into the picture?

This wooden house likely didn’t belong to the two of them. They had simply taken it as their own. And as for the original owners of the house, judging by the amount of dust collected on the cloth tiger, they had probably already met with misfortune.

It seemed that these two bandits had committed no shortage of heinous acts, and treating them to roasted rabbit was not done out of the kindness of their hearts.

But Feng Ye didn’t intend to reveal everything yet, and would even allow the bandits to lead them along. The man-eating monster in the ruins Wang Wu had mentioned might be related to his true purpose for this trip. Thus, he agreed with Fang Yang’s suggestion to help with the cleaning.

Of the four of them, three could be said to have some experience with cleaning. While Hao Chen had never done such things previously, even if he hadn’t picked up anything else during his days at Lingxiao Sword Sect, he had certainly mastered the art of sweeping the floor.

Cao Zirui was the only one without sufficient skills. He had been a young master at home, and a favored personal disciple within the sect. Pampered wherever he went, he had naturally never done such rough work.

But he didn’t mind getting his hands dirty, and simply imitated Fang Yang. Working together, the four of them made quick work of tidying up.

Wang Wu and Zhao Yi took their time coming back, and when they arrived, they were met with a completely renovated house.

Feigning politeness, Wang Wu offered perfunctory words of thanks to Feng Ye and his group. Then, unable to conceal his impatience, he eagerly put forth a suggestion: “It’s getting late, so let’s set off shortly.”

Although his eagerness stemmed from his desire to get Feng Ye and the others to the ruins as soon as possible, this suited Feng Ye’s plans perfectly, and he gave a cooperative nod.

Wang Wu was secretly delighted. He ran off to change his clothes, which had been soaked by river water, then grabbed a dead rabbit and threw it to the big dog behind the house.

This dog wouldn’t eat the roasted rabbit bones Fang Yang offered it, but it immediately devoured the still bloody rabbit corpse.

Its sharp teeth ripped open the rabbit’s belly, and blood smeared across its nose and mouth as it feasted.

Fang Yang glanced at it once, and dared not look again. Eating roasted rabbit was one thing, but seeing the bloody internal organs being pulled directly from the rabbit’s body was another.

After changing his clothes and feeding the dog, Wang Wu waved his hand and set off with Zhao Yi and the others in tow.

The mountain path was rugged, but traversing it didn’t pose a challenge to their group. Wang Wu and Zhao Yi, these two mountain bandits, had grown accustomed to a life of hiding in the mountains and were very familiar with its paths.

Feng Ye and his group all had a foundation in spiritual cultivation, so maintaining their balance on the mountain paths was not difficult for them.

So they moved forward at a fast pace, even laughing and chatting as they went. It all looked very harmonious.

“By the way, Wang-xiong, what type of breed is your dog? It’s so fierce, ah.” As they were talking, Fang Yang recalled the big dog that had given him such a fright, and couldn’t help but ask about it.

“Oh, that thing? Hehe.” Wang Wu stroked his beard, saying with some pride: “That’s a wolfhound, a mix of a wolf and the mongrel dogs that live in the mountains. It is indeed very ferocious. When it was only eight months old, not yet an adult, it had already killed …..”

He abruptly cut himself off, as if he had realized that he shouldn’t speak the next words on his tongue.

Feng Ye glanced at Wang Wu.

“What did it kill?” Asked the perpetually oblivious Fang Yang.

Wang Wu paused briefly before replying: “It…..it killed the neighbor’s chicken.”

That’s clearly not what you were going to say, thought Feng Ye.

Although Fang Yang hadn’t realized this, he did sense that something was wrong.

Wang Wu had been speaking with great pride before, and what was there to be proud of about a pet dog killing the neighbor’s chicken? Where he came from, such a vicious dog would be severely beaten by its owner.

---

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Chapter 98 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 100

Ch 30 – No Love, No Hate

Tau hugged his little dinosaur as he walked past the sofa where Yu Xi and Kersz were sitting side by side, and glanced toward the two before looking away.

A while later, he walked past again with the little dinosaur still in his arms. Tau glanced at Yu Xi and Kersz again: “Are you two trying to hold hands?”

“Ah?!” Yu Xi was startled, and Kersz fixed Tau with a glare.

“Just now, you were awkwardly moving your hands closer to each other. I’ve walked back and forth so many times, yet you’re still being so hesitant.” Tau didn’t understand.

But he did understand one thing: “Are you two in a relationship?”

“Of course not, we’re friends,” said Yu Xi.

Yu Xi was somewhat eager to experience that legendary romance, and naturally, it would be even better if it was Kersz sharing that experience with him.

But Yu Xi was a little afraid. Or rather, terrified.

Dating your friend was not a good choice, because romantic love and friendship were two different things, and it was even possible to lose that friendship in the end. Yu Xi only had one good human, and that was Kersz. He didn’t want to lose him.

“Friends?” Tau looked down at the little dinosaur in his arms waving its forelimbs, and couldn’t bring himself to say the rest.

He felt that Yu Xi and Kersz were the type of friends whose relationship was not completely platonic. Those kinds of messy, chaotic friends would fool around behind each other’s backs and then pretend like it didn’t happen.

Tau had only encountered these types of “friends” on certain special missions.

Had they slept together last time? Perhaps.

Wasn’t that sort of thing unpleasant? To prove their affection, they participated in such an unenjoyable exercise that wasn’t pleasurable at all between two humans.

It was said that doing that with an android was the ultimate pleasure.

As he pondered this, Tau felt that something was amiss. Thinking about it carefully, he realized that he had forgotten that Yu Xi was a robot, not a human.

Oh! No wonder Kersz sold his body so readily. It turned out that he was being pleasured by Yu Xi.

As expected of a degenerate space pirate.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Kersz asked Tau.

Tau turned his head away: “I’m not.”

“No? Your forehead was all scrunched up one moment, then relaxed in the next. You’ve been thinking about me behind my back quite a lot, eh?” Kersz didn’t believe that he had no thoughts about him.

Tau feigned ignorance and left while feeding the little dinosaur.

“He’s really presumptuous, ah,” Kersz said. “One day, he’ll know what it feels like too.”

“Mm.” Yu Xi didn’t hear what Kersz was saying at all. He wanted to hold Kersz’s hand, but he kept reaching out and pulling his hand back, not sure how to go about it.

Kersz noticed this, of course, and wanted to firmly grasp Yu Xi’s hand and put an end to his hesitation and unease.

But he didn’t dare.

He wasn’t sure what he actually felt for Yu Xi. He…..he seemed to be dreaming about Yu Xi far too often.

But wouldn’t things go wrong if their relationship developed too quickly?

Besides, Yu Xi already had everything, so what more could Kersz give him?

Kersz was somewhat disheartened. He worried that something bad might happen if he and Yu Xi got together impulsively. If the two of them never spoke to each other again, he would truly have no friends left.

They were both excited to take things a step further, but afraid that any further changes would destroy what they already had.

What they had at the moment was too perfect.

Yu Xi felt incredibly happy, yet incredibly discontent.

How could such contradictory emotions exist within him at the same time?

Was there a problem with his emotion module?

Yu Xi and Kersz were unable to resolve their physical intimacy issue for the time being, but they soon discovered that Tau seemed be dealing with an issue of his own. 

Curtis introduced them to a new friend – a man about the same age as the Supreme Governor.

Tau recognized this person. He was another Illegitimate.

This man was the illegitimate child of Curtis’s grandfather, but he hadn’t participated in missions. He had been taken in by another of Curtis’s relatives who’d lost a child, and the adoption took place before he even began to carry out his assigned work.

This was an extraordinary fate. A man who went from being an illegitimate child to becoming a citizen with a name and a surname.

The guy was also very annoying.

This wasn’t Tau’s first time meeting him.

“Why do I feel that there’s an aura of lifelessness around you? It’s very familiar.” The man asked with some confusion, taking a seat next to Tau.

Curtis explained to the man: “Don’t say anything more. He’s a single father.”

Tau remained silent.

“Oh, your family experienced a tragedy?” The man understood, and quite naturally placed an arm around Tau’s shoulders. “Friend, I empathize with you. I’ve lost a lot too. But you have a child, so you need to be more positive.”

This comforting technique was very odd. Even Yu Xi found it strange.

“It will take some time to get back on my feet. I hope I can get through this.” Tau hadn’t forgotten the role he was playing.

“But the more depressed you are, the worse your situation will become,” said the man.

Yu Xi tugged at Kersz’s sleeve when he heard this, and asked once Kersz lowered his head toward him: “Why do I feel like he has an intellectual disability?”

Kersz’s eyes widened. He thought so too, but he never expected to hear those words from Yu Xi’s mouth.

“Offering comfort to a stranger is a very risky thing to do,” said Yu Xi. “After all, you don’t know what kind of person they are, much less what they’ve been through, so randomly offering comfort can lead to disaster.”

Kersz nodded: “That’s true.”

“Uncle Fusya, stop babbling about positivity all the time.” Curtis rolled his eyes.

Fusya had always been like this, always talking about “positive energy” and telling people to think more optimistically.

Curtis and Fusya were very familiar with one another, all because Fusya had discovered the resentment in Curtis’s heart.

Fusya often went to Curtis’s side to take care of him, but he also kept his “positive energy” in mind all day long.

Fusya was very worried upon learning that Curtis had made three new friends. He felt that the type of friends Curtis tended to make were all the bad sort, fairweather friends who only knew how to lead this kid astray.

He was even more dissatisfied when he laid eyes upon the lifeless Tau.

He was just like those “Illegitimates.”

Fusya had also been an Illegitimate, so he was very familiar with the deathly aura that emanated from these individuals.

Fusya initially thought that these people intended to harm Curtis, but realized that this wasn’t the case when he saw Kersz and Yu Xi.

Kersz and Yu Xi didn’t carry that deathly aura that repulsed him, and were both very vibrant.

When Yu Xi first saw Fusya, his eyes glimmered, and he seemed to really want the man to touch him.

This sort of inner longing was something that Illegitimates lacked.

Could it be said that Tau had fallen to such a state after losing his wife?

With this in mind, Fusya extended a private invitation to Tau, wanting to help him overcome his grief.

“My god.” Kersz couldn’t take it anymore. He took exception to Fusya spending time with his friend, but there was nothing he could do to stop him. “Where do you plan to take him? To the Philanthropic Museum?”

“No one can discover a reason to live in a place like that!” Curtis said, “What he needs is the numbness of alcohol. It won’t do any good to stare at some rich lord’s philanthropic donations.”

“You’re being ridiculous. I find meaning in such things. Have you forgotten what I used to be?” Fusya asked Curtis.

Curtis fell silent.

Fusya proceeded to ask Tau again, though his invitation was now bordering on aggressive.

“Can I come along?” Yu Xi was very interested in Fusya’s plans.

“I’m sorry, baby, but this is your uncle’s healing journey.” Fusya reached out and patted Yu Xi’s head.

Yu Xi nuzzled against Fusya’s palm.

But unlike other humans on this first-class planet, who would exclaim in appreciation at the child’s affectionate gesture, he simply maintained his smile and withdrew his hand.

This left Yu Xi, who was trying to act cute, at a bit of a loss.

At this point, shouldn’t Fusya say something akin to “this child is so cute” and continue to stroke him, or even ask Kersz if he could hold the child?

Even that little scoundrel Curtis would react like this, ah.

Yu Xi felt as if he had been brushed off.

Fuysa proceeded to invite Tau again.

Tau had no other choice. He accepted the invitation.

That very evening, Fusya compiled all of the details of their conversation and sent them to the Supreme Governor.

“You suspect that this man named ‘Kaye’ is an Illegitimate?” the Supreme Governor said over the call.

“Yes, he has a repulsive, lifeless aura around him.” Fusya nodded.

“Do the other two not seem like Illegitimates?” the Supreme Governor asked.

“They do not. The older one is always staring at the younger one, who seems curious about everything,” Fusya said.

“Give me some time. An Illegitimate wouldn’’t care about a so-called ‘child.’ No matter how good his acting is, there will always be flaws,” Fusya said.

“If there are any problems, inform me at once,” said the Supreme Governor.

Fusya nodded in agreement, then reminded the Supreme Governor: “Don’t frown so much all the time.”

The Supreme Governor: “Hm?”

“Dwelling on too many unhappy things will shorten your lifespan. You should be more positive and optimistic,” Fusya advised. “You need to expose yourself to more positive things. Although I’m trying to test Kaye, visiting the Philanthropic Museum can definitely instill positivity in people. Shall I take pictures for you?”

The Supreme Governor remained silent.

“Being the Supreme Governor must be exhausting, so you need to adjust your mood. Uncle and Auntie certainly hoped that you would grow into a positive and optimistic child,” Fusya continued.

The Supreme Governor: “There is a reason for my unhappiness.”

“No matter the reason, you should smile when it’s time to smile,” said Fusya. “I have a few books on ‘maintaining happiness,’ which are very well-written. You can take a look when you have some free time, and I’ll discuss them with you later.”

The Supreme Governor: “A robot wants to kidnap me and make me a breeding stud.”

Fusya: …..

Fusya: “Ah?”

“This message was sent by my illegitimate child.” The Supreme Governor took a sip of tea, his face expressionless. “Should I really smile? If I’m captured and used as a breeding stud, should I still smile?”

Fusya’s mind was unable to process this information.

“I can’t imagine the horrific treatment I’ll face, but I’ll smile when it happens. Thank you for your advice, Cousin.” The Supreme Governor then hung up the call.

Fusya was still unable to react.

He sent a message to the Supreme Governor’s wife, asking her if she was aware of this matter.

The Supreme Governor would never tell such a lame, over-the-top joke.

The High Lord was quick to reply: [It’s true, hahaha.]

Fusya: ……

What was there to laugh about, ah?

When Fusya fell asleep, he was still consumed by worry for his cousin.

He even dreamed of the Supreme Governor being locked up in a cage.

He didn’t sleep well that night. Upon waking, he found that he looked somewhat unwell, with a puffy face and dark circles under his eyes.

Fusya lay in a medical pod for a while, then patted his cheeks and gave himself a standard smile in the mirror.

He looked up at the window, where sunlight filtered through the semi-transparent curtains and fell on the vase below, which held flowers in full bloom.

Such beautiful flowers were a rare find in interstellar space. Fusya had the system spray some water on them, pretending it was dew.

Now, they looked even more perfect.

Fuysa then lifted his shirt in front of the mirror, showing off his well-developed muscles.

He was always very self-disciplined.

This was what a positive, normal life should look like.

Today was a beautiful, perfect day, marred only by that man he suspected of being an Illegitimate.

If not for having to test that man, Fusya’s day would be even happier.

Thinking of this, Fusya reached up and patted his face again.

Wrong, wrong, how could he think like that? That wasn’t positive at all!

Right, he was doing this for his nephew! He had to make sure there were no problems with his nephew’s friend.

Fusya changed his clothes and headed to the meeting spot.

Tau arrived early.

Kersz and Yu Xi didn’t restrict him in any way. Yu Xi only said that if he was exposed, he would make Tau deliver food to his breeding stud father, so that he could witness his pathetic state firsthand.

Sitting at the entrance of the museum, Tau looked more lifeless than ever.

This wasn’t due to Yu Xi’s threats. He was already used to those. But when he went out today, the little dinosaur had called him “Daddy” in a childish voice.

And suddenly, Tau didn’t want to go out anymore. He wanted to stay with the little dinosaur. This was the first time he had been called “Daddy.”

But it was not to be. Kersz and Yu Xi repeatedly urged him to hurry up and leave.

Tau wasn’t sure if the food he’d made would be enough for the little dinosaur. His skills had yet to improve, and the food he made wasn’t refined enough. He wanted the little dinosaur to eat more delicious food.

He wanted to keep hearing it call him “Daddy.”

“You’re here so early?” Fusya greeted Tau.

Tau stared at him, then replied listlessly: “Yeah.”

After that, Tau followed Fusya around for a stroll. During their conversation, Tau came to the realization that Fusya harbored suspicions about him and was probing for information.

As for why he was probing for information…..his father probably had his eye on him.

Tau had always been aware that Fusya had a good relationship with the Supreme Governor. Fusya could even be considered Tau’s teacher, as he had taught him some of his concealment skills.

Tau had never doubted Fusya’s acumen, and was aware of how difficult he was to deal with. Once Fusya suspected him, he would utilize every means to learn everything about him.

In other words, it would be a long while before he could accompany the little dinosaur again. He had to go out and deal with Fusya.

Tau was a little frustrated.

Especially after visiting the museum. Yu Xi even gave him a call because the little dinosaur missed him.

The little dinosaur only knew the word “daddy” at the moment, and could only convey its emotions through this one word.

Tau had the illusion that his heart was being gripped by the little dinosaur’s claws, and he yearned to go back and see it.

This reaction of his surprised Fusya.

He sensed resentment from Tau, but an Illegitimate wouldn’t harbor such an emotion.

Could it be that he had misjudged the situation?

No, it was better to test him a little more just to be on the safe side.

He arranged to meet Tau again the next day, feeling that Tau disliked him even more now.

When Tau got home, he found Yu Xi and Kersz playing the hand-holding game again, very close but still not touching.

They sat side by side on the sofa, heads turned away from each other.

Kersz’s trembling hand was hovering over Yu Xi’s, as if something was wrong with his nerves.

Tau strode forward.

“Ya~ You’re back! The dinosaur missed you a lot!” Yu Xi said with a smile.

Tau slapped Kersz’s hand, forcing it to touch Yu Xi’s.

“Ya ya ya!” Yu Xi exclaimed in surprise.

“What are you doing?!” Kersz demanded.

“When you threatened me before, didn’t you say you were going to capture my father and use him as a breeding stud?” Tau asked Yu Xi.

Yu Xi was still making ‘ya ya ya’ sounds, and nodded as he made them.

“Where are you going to lock him up? Do you have a plan?” Tau asked.

Yu Xi: “Ah?”

“Oh! I’ve prepared a very well-protected room for him…..well, to be precise, it should be called a prison,” Yu Xi explained. “But I’ve arranged some really cute decorations for it in hopes that he can live very happily there for the rest of his life.”

Tau: “Do you have a photo of it?”

Yu Xi: “I can get one.” He could have the planet’s surveillance system take it.

“I want a copy,” said Tau.

Yu Xi didn’t understand: “What do you need a photo for? Are you going to secretly analyze the prison for escape routes?”

“He won’t be able to escape. No matter what you try, none of you will be able to escape the planet by any means.” Yu Xi shrugged his shoulders.

“I don’t know why, but I want my father to see the photo too,” said Tau. “This might be his future home.”

Yu Xi: “Ah?”

Kersz: “Hiss!”

“You can watch while I send the message,” said Tau.

Yu Xi and Kersz exchanged a glance.

Yu Xi: “Is this okay? Why do I feel like he’s acting really strange?”

After a brief moment of stunned silence, Kersz decided to watch the spectacle: “Let him give it a try?”

Yu Xi was still somewhat uneasy, but he chose to trust Kersz’s judgment.

Yu Xi took a picture using the surveillance system, and then he and Kersz watched as Tau relayed the message.

The steps Tau took to send the message were complicated, but Yu Xi quickly discerned the pattern.

*

*

Fusya was reporting the interim results of his investigation to the Supreme Governor.

Tau indeed exhibited many negative emotions that Fusya couldn’t understand. He didn’t like those emotions, but he had to admit that the other’s behavior was somewhat unlike that of an Illegitimate.

“His expression was especially rich after he received a call, as if he was worried about someone,” Fusya said. “He really does seem to have a child.”

“So the lifeless aura he carries is truly due to the loss of his spouse?” the Supreme Governor asked.

“It’s unfortunate that they’re not members of the Interstellar Alliance, so we’re unable to investigate their backgrounds,” Fusya lamented.

Just as the Supreme Governor was about to speak again, a communication panel suddenly popped up.

[Lord Governor, another message from 152 has arrived! He even posted a photo!]

Fuysa noticed the shift in the Supreme Governor’s expression and asked him about it.

“That kidnapped 152 is contacting me again.” The Supreme Governor shared his screen so that Fusya could see it too.

152’s new message was still very perplexing. 

[They said that if I cause them any trouble or don’t obey them, they’ll kidnap Father and make him a breeding stud.]

[I’m trying to be obedient, but I keep running into trouble.]

This was followed by a photo that had been pieced together and reconstructed.

[This is the dwelling they prepared for Father. If I fail, this is where he will become a stud.]

[The environment is quite nice. Father can adapt to it.]

The Supreme Governor: …..

The Supreme Governor frowned: “Have I offended 152?” Why did he feel like the other party was threatening him?

Fusya: “Isn’t this blanket a little too pink?”

The Supreme Governor: “Fusya.”

Fusya: “Pardon me. I’ve missed the point, haven’t I?”

The Supreme Governor let out a heavy sigh.

Fusya continued: “Hey, look, there’s a framed photo of you sitting there.”

The Supreme Governor: …..

The Supreme Governor: “Fusya, if I’m captured, I will definitely recommend you to them.”

“You would let space pirates take away our entire family?” Fusya was shocked.

The Supreme Governor: “Just you. There are plenty of other family members.”

Fusya: “If I’m captured, I will implicate the entire family.”

The Supreme Governor fell silent.

Then he commended him: “Such ruthless methods.”

The Supreme Governor ended the call.

Not long after, his wife called him.

Before the High Lord could even open her mouth, she discovered that a family comedy movie was playing on the other end of the line.

“When did your tastes change?” the High Lord asked him.

“I just had a sudden longing to have an ordinary family. There’s too much backstabbing and infighting in ours.” The Supreme Governor’s expression was still as unaffected as ever.

*

*

“Do you hate your father?” Kersz asked Tau.

“I’ve never hated my father,” said Tau.

Yu Xi disagreed: “But if I hadn’t stopped you just now, you were even planning to splice the Supreme Governor’s image onto the prison photo as a demonstration.”

“Only to cause my father to feel a sense of crisis.” As he answered, Tau was preparing food for the little dinosaur, which was nuzzling against him.

The little dinosaur had missed Tau terribly, and wished it could be with him every moment.

But Tau had agreed to meet Fusya again tomorrow, so he would have to part ways with it again.

“I still want to splice my father’s photo in,” Tau said.

Kersz: “This is the definition of hatred.”

Tau: “No. I don’t have such feelings.”

---

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Chapter 29 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 31

Ch. 98 – Mountain Flower

“We brothers have stayed in the mountains for a while now. We initially came here to avoid the government troops, but now that the heat has died down, what are we still doing here?” 

“Isn’t it for the legendary treasure inside the ruins?!” Wang Wu slapped his thigh.

Zhao Yi nodded in agreement.

“But that place is too eerie. Of all the creatures we sent to scout ahead, which of them came back alive? In the end, they all became skeletons in that pit. Let me think…..”

Wang Wu stroked his messy, unkempt beard, which resembled overgrown weeds: “Staying here like this isn’t going to work. There is absolutely no way that the two of us can deal with that man-eating place. As wonderful as the treasure is, without the ability to take it, we can only stare at it helplessly.”

“But now this group of people has come to our doorstep, and they’re heading directly for the city ruins. They might also be searching for that treasure. We can’t deal with that thing, but these cultivators might just be able to.”

“But once they’ve dealt with it, won’t they make off with the treasure?” Zhao Yi interjected.

“Eh, it’s worth the gamble! We can’t just stay here forever, can we?” Wang Wu detailed his plan to Zhao Yi: “There are three possible outcomes if we take them to the ruins.”

He held up three fingers: “One, they’re eaten by that ghostly thing too. Two, they fight the monster to a standstill and both sides perish. Three, they return victorious.”

“If it’s the third outcome, we can forget about everything. We don’t have the ability to retrieve the treasure, nor do we have the ability to take them down. We’ll just have to accept our fate. But judging by how young they are, even if they are cultivators, they’re probably just greenhorns with limited proficiency. In my opinion, the third outcome has a very small probability of happening.”

Wang Wu’s analysis was very logical and insightful. Despite his rugged appearance, he was a meticulous soul. “If it’s the second outcome, we can look for an opportunity to snatch up the benefits while the snipe and the clam are fighting each other.” 

“Finally, if even they are incapable of fighting the thing in the ruins, we have even less of a chance. We’ll no longer need to sit idly by on this mountain of treasure with no way to get to it. But while we might not be able to take the treasure ourselves, we can take it from these cultivators.”

“We’ll loot the treasure from their corpses, hehe…..” At this point, Wang Wu couldn’t help but chuckle smugly over his flawless plan. “These cultivators must possess treasures that are impossible to find in the mortal world. If we take just one and sell it, we’ll be able to live a life of wealth and honor!”

“And to go even further, we might be able to use their magical treasures to enter the immortal realm!” Wang Wu spoke with great excitement.

As Zhao Yi listened to his words, his eyes brightened more and more. It made sense. Rather than waiting in vain for this treasure that could only be looked at but not held, it was better to take a gamble.

“So, how about it? Want to take a gamble with me?” asked Wang Wu.

“Damn it – I’ll take the gamble!” Zhao Yi growled fiercely.

“That’s right!” Wang Wu stepped onto the bank from the stream and hooked his arm around Zhao Yi’s neck, saying in a low voice: “This afternoon, we’ll behave ourselves and lead the way to the entrance of the ruins. Then….”

The two discussed back and forth how to lure Feng Ye and his group into the deadly ruins, completely unaware that a human and a bird were listening to their plan from behind a tree.

Feng Ye tilted his head, and a tuft of fluffy feathers against his neck tickled him slightly.

He wondered if taking a mile when given an inch was Hao Chen’s motto. It probably was.

This fellow was pretending to be frightened, scooting closer and closer to him. In the end, he put one foot into Feng Ye’s collar and curled his whole body tightly around Feng Ye’s neck.

There was a common rumor that dragons possessed a scale that couldn’t be touched, lest they fly into a rage.

And this scale – or “inverse scale” – grew on the neck, where the crow was currently nestling.

There was some truth and some falsehood to this rumor.

This sensitive spot was definitely not to be touched casually. If it was, whether it was Feng Ye or the dragon in the Eastern Sea, they would fly into a towering rage.

Because this scale, which grew upside down, was actually the most sensitive spot on a dragon’s body. Even a light touch was uncomfortable, much like a ticklish person being tickled on the sides.

And this sensitive spot was considered to be extremely private by the dragon race.

A stranger touching a dragon’s inverse scale was like someone groping a pure young maiden. It would be strange for a dragon, which were violent by nature, not to get angry.

There were, however, exceptions. A dragon’s lover could touch it however much they wanted. 

Hao Chen was clearly not Feng Ye’s lover, so when the crow neared that most sensitive of spots, Feng Ye tilted his neck to avoid it.

But the more he evaded, the closer the crow pressed against him, until the tips of his feathers eventually touched that sensitive spot.

The feathers were soft, and their fine, dense down felt like a tiny brush. Although it was only a light graze, it still sent a shiver through Feng Ye’s entire body.

A wave of furious offense came over him, and Feng Ye snatched the crow off his shoulder, glaring at the bewildered bird.

The crow blinked up at Feng Ye, wearing an innocent expression.

And he was indeed quite innocent, because the fact that a dragon’s inverse scale was its most sensitive spot was something only known to dragons themselves. Outsiders had no way of knowing.

But ignorance was no excuse.

Feng Ye understood this principle, and had no intention of letting the crow off easy.

Thus, he grabbed the crow’s wings with both hands and ruffled all of its feathers, stroking them against the grain until he had thoroughly disheveled its soft plumage.

The power of his avatar was limited, and Hao Chen was unable to break free from Feng Ye’s grip as his feathers were rumpled in retaliation.

But even though Feng Ye was petting against the grain, it was still….a little enjoyable…..

So enjoyable that he wanted him to do it again.

After preening his feathers back into place with his beak, Hao Chen looked at Feng Ye with bright eyes, his anticipation evident.

However, Feng Ye had no intention of continuing. He had already gleaned sufficient information from the conversation between the two mountain bandits. Their plan didn’t concern him much, because he wasn’t going to keep them around long enough for them to put their plan into action.

Therefore, Feng Ye started the trek back, throwing Hao Chen off from where he had once again climbed up to hitch a free ride on his shoulder.

Hao Chen thought to himself, Perhaps I’ve been standing on the same side for too long, and Feng Ye’s shoulder is a little tired.

The crow thoughtfully flew up to perch on the other shoulder, only to be thrown off once again.

Just as he relentlessly made a third attempt, Feng Ye caught the crow mid-air and uttered two cold words with a grim expression: “Fly yourself.”

The crow flapped his wings and hovered in place, using his eyes to rebuke Feng Ye for his ruthless abandonment. 

It had clearly been fine for him to perch there a moment ago, but now it suddenly wasn’t allowed even though he had purchased a ticket.

Feng Ye completely disregarded the crow’s accusing look and continued on his way toward the wooden house.

The crow watched Feng Ye’s retreating figure, in no rush to give chase.

He sensed very acutely that this dragon was angry.

But he couldn’t figure out the reason for his anger. He hadn’t done anything wrong, ah. In the end, he could only attribute it to the unpredictable temper of a drunken dragon.

Anyway, no matter how angry he was, Hao Chen would just coax him!

Another idea occurred to him, and his eyes lit up.

Feng Ye saw the crow disappear for a while, and then fly back with something else in his beak.

It was a small, pale purple flower. The exact variety was unclear, but it was probably a wildflower unique to Longqiu.

The crow hovered in front of Feng Ye, as if offering the wildflower to him.

He had already been fooled once, and there was no reason to fall for it a second time. If he accepted this wildflower, the crow would have a legitimate excuse to take advantage of him again.

Still burning with offense, Feng Ye remained expressionless, unmoved by the crow’s gift.

He fixed the crow with a cold stare. Standing in place was nothing to him, but the crow was so small that he could only look Feng Ye in the eye when he flew up to him.

So he continued to flap his wings, hovering in the air. But his stamina was limited, and crows were not particularly endurance-based birds. He couldn’t maintain his altitude, and slowly began to descend.

He flew lower and lower, before finally, he landed on the ground.

Feng Ye simply lifted one long leg and stepped over the head of the exhausted crow huddled on the ground.

The crow stood alone on the muddy mountain path, watching Feng Ye head on his way without looking back

As he watched, Feng Ye steps began to slow, and he came to a sudden stop just as he was about to disappear from sight.

Walking back the way he had come, he approached the crow and crouched down. Then he took the flower from the crow’s beak, but instead of wearing it himself, he placed it in the feathers on the crow’s head.

But this could be considered a gift received. The crow shook his feathers and happily prepared to fly back onto Feng Ye’s shoulder.

Feng Ye raised a hand to stop him, and with a serious expression, laid down one basic rule: “No standing on the shoulder.”

Otherwise, given Hao Chen’s style, he would definitely end up provoking him again. Therefore, Feng Ye simply cut off the possibility of Hao Chen touching his sensitive spot again at the root.

There were only so many places on a person’s body to perch. If not on the shoulder, then where?

The crow’s gaze rose higher and higher, and he found his answer.

Feng Ye walked back to the wooden house with a crow perched atop his head. And on the crow’s head, tucked behind its ear, was an unidentified wildflower.

Although the petals were purple, deep within the pistil lay a deep golden hue, a color even sweeter than honey.

---

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Chapter 97 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 99

Inside the quiet room, the howling wind outside and the faint tapping on the window were exceptionally clear.

Qin Xiao sat up at once. The movement accidentally pulled at his wound, and he raised a hand to press against it.

He glanced out the window, then turned his head to look at the person next to him. For a moment, he didn’t know what to do.

Chu Jiubian could hazard a guess as to that person’s identity. He sat up, looking at Qin Xiao’s hazy figure in the darkness.

After that one series of knocks on the window, there was silence.

Chu Jiubian smiled. The warmth in his expression faded, and his heart grew calm and still.

Qin Xiao trusted him completely, enough to entrust him with his power and the safety and future of Bai Lihong, but he still harbored some reservations about him. For example, Qin Xiao definitely didn’t want him to know the identity of the person outside.

Then Chu Jiubian would just leave. Qin Xiao was still injured, and he wouldn’t force him to go out and meet that person in the snow and wind.

He threw back the covers, and just as he was about to get out of bed, he heard the man say in a low voice: “Stay lying down for now.”

With that, Qin Xiao got out of bed, casually lowering the bedcurtain behind him to block the view.

Chu Jiubian was at somewhat of a loss.

Qin Xiao put on his shoes and draped a robe over himself, then went to the table. He took out a tinderbox, simultaneously speaking toward the window: “Come in.”

The window opened, and a dark figure rushed into the room with a gust of wind and snow.

As the window closed again, Qin Xiao lit an oil lamp.

A dim, yellowish light illuminated the room. Chu Jiubian sat within the bed curtains, and could vaguely make out two figures standing by the table. Both were tall and imposing, but Qin Xiao’s shoulders seemed to be slightly broader.

The other person had his back to the curtain, so Chu Jiubian was unable to see his face, but he knew without a doubt that it was Qin Chuan.

It was dim inside the bedcurtains, and those outside would be unable to see him clearly unless they came very close. But Qin Chuan was very discreet, and continued to keep his back to the bed.

“Have a seat.” Qin Xiao sat down himself and poured a cup of hot tea, handing it to Qin Chuan.

Qin Chuan sat down opposite him and drank the tea, feeling much more comfortable afterward.

After receiving permission from the High Priest, he had immediately set off and traveled without rest, and finally arrived tonight after a day and a night.

He carefully observed Qin Xiao’s face. Although he looked a bit thinner, he seemed to be in good spirits.

“Don’t worry,” Qin Xiao said. “I already sent someone to deliver a message to you, but I didn’t expect that you would come in person.”

Upon regaining consciousness, the first thing he did was seek out Qin Chaoyang and ask him to pass a message to Qin Chuan.

But before the message even reached him, Qin Chuan had already set off in this direction.

Of course, even if he had read the letter, and even though the High Priest had assured him that Qin Xiao was fine, he still needed to see for himself in order to be completely at ease.

“En, but I didn’t come here just to see you,” Qin Chuan said. “It’s the New Year, and I wanted to come and see the celebrations in the capital, as well as check on how you’re recovering from your injury.”

Qin Xiao smiled and said: “Then as you can see, Chu Jiubian saved me and I’m doing fine.”

At the mention of his name, Chu Jiubian automatically glanced toward the bed curtain.

Qin Chuan sensed his gaze, and his expression immediately became strange.

Just a moment ago, he had heard Qin Xiao speaking to someone while he was outside the window, and initially thought that Qin Xiao had finally found a partner.

But unexpectedly, it was Chu Jiubian!

These two were actually together?

Qin Chuan recalled the high and mighty deity in the Divine Realm, then looked at Qin Xiao with a rare mix of emotions.

He knew that Qin Xiao was very formidable, that there was no one else like him in this world, and that he was arguably the person most worthy of Chu Jiubian.

But he was indeed a “person,” and now there was a god with his eye on Chu Jiubian.

Although the High Priest had never said so explicitly, all of his actions indirectly helped Chu Jiubian, and their relationship was incredibly ambiguous and complex.

But if Chu Jiubian was now involved with Qin Xiao…..

Qin Chuan wasn’t sure how to react, but he instinctively wanted to warn Qin Xiao.

However, when the words were on the tip of his tongue, he was unable to speak them.

Qin Xiao noticed his hesitation and asked: “What is it you want to say?”

After a moment of silence, Qin Chuan said dryly: “You…..you’re really something.”

Daring to get involved with a god was not something that just anyone would do.

Qin Xiao frowned slightly: “What?”

Chu Jiubian, however, seemed to understand what he meant. He was somewhat speechless, and also a little embarrassed.

What was this feeling of being caught red-handed?

Wasn’t it a bit too strange?

“It’s nothing.” Qin Chuan’s words were mystifying.

Qin Xiao didn’t know why he had reacted in such a way, but he dropped the subject rather than dwelling on it. “Is there anything else?” he asked.

“That’s all.” Qin Chuan hesitated, then added, “I’ll leave after the New Year.”

Qin Xiao nodded: “Will you be staying at the palace?”

“I already have a residence.” Qin Chuan stood and walked to the window, but before leaving, he couldn’t resist turning back to say, “Take care of yourself.”

Qin Xiao smiled: “Understood.”

He had thought that Qin Chuan was concerned about his injuries, but it turned out that he was worried about something else entirely.

He was wondering whether a mortal could withstand being with a god.

Qin Chuan had wanted to find an opportunity to question the High Priest, but since doing so would be like pulling the teeth from a tiger’s mouth, he decided against it.

With Qin Chuan’s departure, silence returned to the room.

Belatedly, Chu Jiubian realized what he had just experienced.

Qin Xiao hadn’t concealed Qin Chuan’s existence at all. He had even spoken with him in front of Chu Jiubian without any hesitation.

His mind was in chaos, and he didn’t quite know how to face Qin Xiao.

Thus, when Qin Xiao blew out the lamp and went over to lift the bed curtain, he found the young man lying with his back to him, almost completely hidden beneath the covers.

Qin Xiao got into bed and lay flat on his back.

Chu Jiubian’s body was slightly tense, his eyes shut tightly.

“That was Qin Chuan, my younger brother.” Qin Xiao spoke softly, and without regard for whether or not Chu Jiubian had actually fallen asleep. “He left home at a young age and lived independently, never receiving  any protection from the Qin family.”

“We are both legitimate sons, yet I enjoyed wealth and luxury in the capital, while he was out in the jianghu, unable to even see his family.”

“We all owe him a debt.”

Chu Jiubian kept his eyes closed, and his body slowly relaxed.

Qin Xiao rarely spoke of family matters like he was doing now. He seemed to be making no attempt to hide his inner thoughts. He felt guilty and wanted to make amends, but wasn’t sure how to go about it.

Chu Jiubian found it difficult to understand why Qin Xiao felt indebted, given his seemingly emotionally detached nature. But he suspected that Qin Xiao had never voiced these thoughts to anyone before.

Qin Xiao seemed to enjoy sharing things with him.

Chu Jiubian habitually tried not to pay attention to such things, without giving much thought to the reasons behind it.

However, he turned over to face Qin Xiao, observing the man’s faint outline in the darkness.

Qin Xiao said nothing more, simply staring at him through the darkness with an intense, piercing gaze.

A long stretch of time passed, and when Qin Xiao spoke again, his voice was slightly hoarse: “Do you think it’s a little hot in this room?”

“It’s fine.” Despite lying here for so long, Chu Jiuian’s hands and feet were still cold.

“En,” Qin Xiao replied. Then he added, “I’ve more or less recovered. Why don’t you go back to Yaotai Residence to sleep tomorrow?”

Was he trying to get rid of him?

After talking about how hot it was, he immediately wanted him to leave. This…..

Chu Jiubian raised his eyebrows, then moved slightly closer to Qin Xiao.

His cold hand touched the man’s warm forearm, and his muscles visibly tensed – though whether this was due to the cold or for some other reason was unclear.

“If you’re hot, I’ll cool you down.” Chu Jiubian closed his eyes and moved his feet closer to Qin Xiao’s legs, using the other man’s body heat to warm them.

Yaotai Residence didn’t have underfloor heating, and when he returned there today, the temperature wasn’t nearly as nice as it was here.

The conditions here were so good, so why let himself freeze?

Besides, the bed was big enough. There was plenty of room for the two of them to sleep.

Feeling the coolness against his arm and legs, Qin Xiao remained frozen.

Cooling down a bit did help, but Chu Jiubian using his limbs to achieve the effect was worse than not cooling down at all.

*

*

The next day, the vassal kings left the city in a long procession.

The scale of the event was immense to the point of being intimidating, but some people couldn’t resist the urge to take part in the excitement.

Meanwhile, at the Qin family compound, Cheng Shuo finally woke up.

Qin Chuan was sitting in the room with a mask covering his face, his gaze fixed intently on the other person.

Cheng Shuo was initially dazed, but then the memories of what happened before came trickling back.

From the moment he joyfully accepted the assignment and prepared to accompany Qin Xiao on the campaign, through dozens of battles, and then to conquering the Sai Kingdom and expanding the territory of Great Ning.

Finally, he remembered how he obtained the repeating crossbow from Qin Xiao. Just as he was about to leave with it, he lost control of himself, took out the weapon, and leveled it at the other man.

After that, his memory was completely blank.

“You were poisoned by gu.” Qin Chuan deliberately lowered his voice, which sounded slightly hoarse. “Do you know who did it?”

Cheng Shuo assumed that he was one of Qin Xiao’s secret guards responsible for interrogation, and didn’t suspect anything. He thought hard for a long time, until his head ached so much that it felt as if it was about to explode, before he suddenly remembered a single vague shred of information.

Before he set off for battle, his concubine at home prepared his belongings for him and even gave him a sachet. She instructed him to only open it after achieving a great victory, promising that it held a surprise for him.

This concubine’s name was Liu Ayan, whom he had brought back with him when he was still stationed in the Northern Desert with QIn Jingzhao. She was an orphan, and her background was unblemished.

But in hindsight, he couldn’t remember opening the sachet, nor could he recall a small portion of his memories afterward.

Then Liu Ayan should be the prime suspect.

Qin Chuan immediately stood and went out, ordering someone to fetch Liu Ayan.

Cheng Shuo’s family members were all under the control of the Qin family, and now that this incident had occurred, surveillance had become even stricter.

Liu Ayan seemed to have known that once Cheng Shuo woke up, her own fate was sealed, so to be on the safe side, she made preparations to end her own life beforehand.

However, her attendants were keeping a close watch on her, and restrained her before she could take action.

She was quickly brought before Qin Chuan, bound hand and foot.

It was unknown how Qin Chuan conducted the interrogation, but by the time Chu Jiubian received the news, it was revealed that Liu Ayan was an assassin loyal to the Lu family, and that she had initially approached Qin Jingzhao with ulterior motives.

However, Qin Jingzhao and his wife were deeply in love, and she was unable to find a place for herself in their relationship.

Therefore, she was forced to settle for the less ideal option, and ended up becoming involved with Cheng Shuo.

Subsequently, Cheng Shuo demonstrated impeccable behavior and gave her no opportunity to act against him. Even the Lu family tacitly accepted that she was a “dead” pawn.

Said pawn was only able to come into play when Cheng Shuo accompanied Qin Xiao on his military campaign.

“The Lu family again?” Chu Jiubian frowned.

The Lu family certainly had the ability to plant their own people, and the Sai Kingdom’s invasion had also been the result of a conspiracy between the Lu family and Dingbei-wang.

What role had Dingbei-wang played in the Lu family’s actions?

Liu Ayan was a loyal assassin belonging to the Lu family, but she had never learned how to cultivate gu, so they must have been given to her by someone else.

Then could that gu master be one of Dingbei-wang’s people?

Qin Xiao watched the snowflakes falling outside the window, and said calmly: “Once the Imperial Examinations are over, it will be time to settle accounts.”

The current situation was completely different from what it was a month ago.

Qin Xiao and Bai Lihong were no longer fighting alone. They held good reputations, prestige, and accomplishments in the hearts of the common people, along with a legitimate claim to the throne and Chu Jiubian, a divine being.

Everything was in place, aside from one crucial element.

Once they had the right people in place, they would be able to confidently dismantle the power of the noble families within the Imperial Court.

At that time, all hidden secrets would be brought to light. Those who were guilty would be punished, and those who deserved death would face justice.

There was a tough battle ahead of them.

*

*

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

On the thirtieth day of the month, the vassal kings, having concluded their fasting and ritual observance, all returned to the capital.

This scene was even more lively than on they day they had left, with crowds of people filling the streets and alleys, craning their necks to catch another glimpse of the vassal kings.

It was as if catching even a glimpse of their magnificence would elevate their own status.

The procession of horses and carriages didn’t linger long as they returned to their respective residences.

The Imperial banquet was scheduled for this evening, but they still needed to change into the brand-new princely robes sent to them by the palace, bring the gifts they had prepared for the Emperor, and enter the palace early to pay their respects.

Inside the palace.

After waking up from a nap, Bai Lihong put on his new miniature dragon robes, as well as a scaled-down version of the formal twelve-tasseled Imperial crown.

This was the child’s second time wearing such a crown, and unlike when he had first ascended the throne, he no longer felt the same fear and helplessness. Now, he was even at leisure to playfully swing the crown around.

Qin Xiao also changed into his black and gold embroidered robes. Standing tall and upright, with a calm and composed demeanor, he showed no signs whatsoever of being injured.

Chu Jiubian, on the other hand, wore his first-rank crimson-purple official robes, just like the other ministers of the Six Ministries.

But according to his attire and the established protocols, he could only sit at a table with the other ministers on the second tier of seats below the main platform.

Bai Lihong sat on a couch with his face cupped in his hands. “Isn’t Xiansheng going to sit with Jiujiu?” he asked.

His uncle would be sitting beside him, so he could rest assured.

But if Xiansheng was there too, he would feel even better.

He also felt that it would be perfectly acceptable to sit together with Xiansheng, and was uncomfortable with him sitting so far away.

Chu Jiubian smiled and said: “Xiansheng won’t be able to sit with you this time.”

The child pouted, looking very unhappy.

Perhaps knowing that there would always be someone beside him as a safety net, Bai Lihong didn’t seem to be in any hurry to grow up. Instead, he retained the childish mentality and behavior typical of children his age, often acting spoiled and cute toward Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian.

For a child who was only a little over three years old and had already experienced so much, he was doing remarkably well.

Therefore, although Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian had never openly discussed the matter, they had come to a tacit agreement to not put excessive pressure on Bai Lihong to mature too quickly, unwilling to place too much responsibility on his shoulders at such a young age.

Hong Fu had initially been in a hurry, and wished that Bai Lihong could learn even faster.

But as time went by and he saw the increasingly vibrant and joyful expressions on His Majesty’s face, he also stopped pushing him so hard.

At present, Bai Lihong was deliberately acting spoiled toward Chu Jiubian. 

He was making it explicitly clear that “Miaomiao is unhappy!”

Qin Xiao glanced toward Chu Jiubian and swept his eyes over the official robes he was wearing. At once, he remembered the outfit Chu Jiubian had been wearing when they first met.

It had been strange and intricate, completely out of place in this world.

However, it was indeed attire suited to a “deity,” and at tonight’s Imperial banquet, Chu Jiubian could certainly attend in such a capacity.

The man’s gaze was somewhat abnormal, and Chu Jiubian looked over at him, asking: “What’s on your mind?”

“Perhaps the Young Master could assume a different identity in support of our Emperor,” Qin Xiao said with a smile.

If a “god” were to attend the banquet, as an emperor who claimed to rule by divine right, Bai Lihong would naturally gain widespread acclaim.

Chu Jiubian understood his meaning, but he still hesitated.

That outfit was fine to wear inside the Divine Realm, but wearing it now would be somewhat embarrassing.

Qin Xiao noticed his uncertainty and said: “If you don’t like the idea, then just forget about it.”

However, if things continued like this, Chu Jiubian’s social status would remain somewhat low.

It would be best to grant him a royal title as well.

However, conferring a royal title was not something that could be done at the drop of a hat. It required official documents, numerous procedures, and even rituals at the ancestral temple, so it was certainly not possible to do so today.

Chu Jiubian remained silent, neither agreeing nor refusing.

After about a shichen, all of the vassal kings had gathered outside the palace in preparation to pay their respects.

Even though Jiannan-wang Bai Lihai still resided in the capital, he also held the title of vassal king and was required to act in accordance with the others, without exception.

And in terms of seniority, his rank was below those of the other vassal kings.

Yet he showed no hint of displeasure, maintaining a consistent smile, along with the occasional light cough to give off the impression that he was sickly and frail.

Over the past few days, the vassal kings had grown somewhat familiar with one another. All of them were aware that Bai Lihai was putting on an act, but none intended to expose him.

Exposing this sort of thing would be pointless and a waste of energy.

Only Anhuai-wang Bai Liming, who was standing closer to Bai Lihai, approached him with a worried look and asked in a low voice: “How are you feeling? Did you catch a cold?”

They had sat together previously at Dongjiang-wang’s banquet, and since they were of the same generation, they were naturally more familiar with each other than they were with the others.

Bai Lihai shook his head, a smile on his pale face: “It’s nothing, I’m always like this during the winter. I’ll just bear with it, and it will pass.”

“That won’t do,” Bai Liming said with a frown. “This lord has some rare and precious tonics at his residence. Someone will send them over to you tomorrow.”

“Then this didi offers his thanks to Anhuai-wang.”

The two had only exchanged a few words when Hong Fu personally led his men to the palace gates, sedan chairs in tow. He offered the vassal kings a formal bow, then invited them to climb in.

Riding a sedan chair inside the Imperial Palace was normally forbidden, but an exception had been made today in order to demonstrate the Emperor’s high regard for the vassal kings.

These people had not yet seen the Emperor since arriving in the capital, and were very curious about the young boy.

Today’s banquet was being held in Haiyan Hall. The interior was decorated similarly to how it was during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but with more red and gold to represent the Imperial family.

Chu Jiubian had personally overseen the selection of dishes and wine, ensuring that the child would have the best possible experience.

However, the vassal kings would not proceed directly to Haiyan Hall upon entering the palace. Instead, they would first go to Fengtian Hall to pay their respects to the Emperor and present their New Year’s gifts, then follow the Emperor to Haiyan Hall to take their seats.

The group arrived at the long path leading to Fengtian Hall. The palace gates were open, and Eunuch Hong loudly invited everyone to enter.

Led by Bai Liyue, the seven vassal kings and Jiannan-wang all entered the palace hall.

Subordinate officials were not allowed to look directly at the Emperor’s face, but since the vassal kings were members of the Imperial family, there were fewer restrictions for them in this regard.

Therefore, they dipped into deep bows, and only after receiving a tender “rise” from the young boy did they lift their eyes toward the throne.

The small child sat upon the large, ornate golden throne, clad in golden robes with his ceremonial headdress gently swaying. His bright, clear eyes gazed upon these imposing vassal kings, revealing no hint of fear, but instead conveying a subtle sense of authority.

They were all bewildered.

This was not entirely because His Majesty already possessed a certain Imperial bearing at such a young age, but because at this time, Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao had still not made an appearance.

Other than Nanjiang-wang, the same thought immediately occurred to everyone else — 

Could it be that Qin Xiao was still in unconscious?

If so, then the young Emperor would preside over today’s banquet alone.

Although they had no intention of stirring up trouble at an Imperial banquet, it wouldn’t be out of the question to set a few traps for the child in order to spread some unpleasant rumors about him.

Their minds were full of twists and turns, yet on the surface, they all appeared exceptionally friendly.

Even Bai Liyan wore a hint of “affection” on his face, and looked upon Bai Lihong as if he were his own child.

This approach gave them the appearance of affability, but also indicated that they didn’t take Bai Lihong’s status as Emperor seriously.

To them, Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian were the biggest threats; Bai Lihong was merely a puppet.

“Thank you all for traveling so far. You must be tired.” Bai Lihong’s voice was childish, but his tone sounded very mature. “A few days ago, this Emperor caught a cold and was unable to meet with you all. Hoping you will understand.”

His speech was clear and articulate, and his tone was entirely proper.

No one knew whether these words were his own or if he had been coached to say them by Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian, but Bai Lihong’s performance undeniably exceeded their expectations.

Those with younger family members couldn’t help but compare their own children to Bai Lihong, and inevitably found them lacking.

They couldn’t even be compared.

If it were any other child, even with some verbal coaching, they would still be intimidated and lose their composure upon seeing so many powerful and imposing figures.

Unlike Bai Lihong, who was completely at ease and revealed no signs of nervousness whatsoever.

Upon receiving an apology from the Emperor, everyone hastened to say, “We don’t dare.”

Once the pleasantries were exchanged, as the eldest amongst the vassal kings, Bai Liyue stepped forward and said: “Your Majesty, this subject has brought a gift for you. It is…..”

The vassal kings came forward one after another to present their gifts, which consisted primarily of flashy and impractical paintings, calligraphy, and jade figurines.

None of them were to Bai Lihong’s liking.

But the young boy remembered what Eunuch Hong had taught him: “An Emperor must not show his true emotions on his face.” So even though he was bored, he still maintained a faint smile and spoke well of each gift.

Everyone was even more deeply moved, but at the same time, they felt an inexplicable sense of pressure.

Independently of each other, many of them arrived at the same conclusion — they absolutely could not allow Bai Lihong to grow up.

Anhuai-wang Bai Liming, on the other hand, was very fond of this adorable little emperor. They had met privately in the palace before, where they had a meal and admired the plum blossoms. The little one said such adorable things in a sweet, gentle voice, and was also very considerate of others.

If such a child could grow up to be an adult emperor, Bai Liming would feel very much at ease.

Nanjiang-wang Bai Lihao lowered his gaze slightly, a subtle hint of cunning in his eyes.

He possessed a good understanding of Chu Jiubian’s methods and character, as well as those of Qin Xiao. The young Emperor’s performance today was equally impressive, and in fact, his voice and tone even bore some resemblance to that of his mentors.

It was easy to imagine that when Bai Lihong grew up, he would become an emperor who embodied the intelligence and character of those two individuals.

How brilliant must this child be?

And what kind of future would he lead the Great Ning Dynasty toward?

Once the lengthy gift-giving ceremony came to an end, Bai Lihong spoke calmly and unhurriedly despite his impatience: “Thank you for your efforts. It is getting late, so please follow this Emperor to Haiyang Hall.”

Everyone readily agreed, and they all left the hall in a grand procession to board their respective sedan chairs.

Sitting inside his sedan chair, Bai Liyue fixed his gaze on the curtain, as if attempting to see through it to the Emperor’s sedan chair at the head of the procession.

Even a mere baby was able to lord his authority over them.

This was Imperial power.

He ran his fingertips softly over the jade pendant at his waist, his eyes dark and overcast.

Dingbei-wang Bai Liyu reclined casually inside his sedan chair, which swayed gently with the steps of the sedan-bearers.

The intelligence he received stated that Qin Xiao had yet to awaken, and it seemed to be correct. The other party was indeed in grave peril.

This would make things easier.

He took a small pouch from his waist. Inside were some dried flower petals and a few tiny, almost transparent spiders that were barely visible to the naked eye.

Each one was only the size of a grain of rice.

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Chapter 74 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 76