Hidden Dragon Valley
The towering mountains and lush greenery painted a breathtaking scene. Peach trees blanketed the hills as far as the eye could see, all blooming in a single night. The breeze stirred up a mist of pink petals that danced in the air.
Shen Tanqi cradled Mian Mian and gazed at the vast peach orchard. He turned to Yu Ce, who was standing beside him, and asked, “So this is Hidden Dragon Valley? Are you sure we didn’t take a wrong turn?”
The place was empty, not even a single house in sight. Were Yu Ce and the others planning to live up in the trees and eat peaches?
Before Yu Ce could reply, Goldfish took a bite from a freshly picked peach, its juice glistening on his lips. He tugged at Shen Tanqi’s sleeve and said softly, “Daddy, we didn’t go the wrong way.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Goldfish frowned slightly, holding the peach up high. He said, “Daddy, the peach is poking my mouth!”
Shen Tanqi chuckled, taking the peach from him and using Little Black as a small knife to carefully peel it. He handed it back to Goldfish, saying, “It won’t poke this time.”
The little one’s lips were so tender that even the peach fuzz could make them sore.
He paused for a moment and then took the peach from Taro Ball, peeling it as well before handing it over.
Taro Ball smiled at him and said, “Daddy, it’s okay. I’m not afraid of getting poked.”
Goldfish leaned in and added, “Yes, brother’s mouth is very tough.”
Taro Ball: ?
“Just eat your peach, stinky brother.”
“Wuwu, I smell really good!”
Yu Ce placed his hands on the heads of the two little ones, separating them with a helpless smile. “No more fighting.”
After separating them, he looked up at Shen Tanqi and whispered, “Hidden Dragon Valley is protected by the Hidden Dragon Array, so ordinary people can’t see what’s inside.”
Shen Tanqi watched in awe as Yu Ce found an ancient tree, as wide as he could embrace, and began drawing intricate patterns on its bark with his fingers, using his spiritual energy.
Yu Ce’s hands were mesmerizing, the veins faintly visible when he held a sword, his fingers long and pale. As he drew the formation, Shen Tanqi couldn’t look away. His hands were as smooth as jade, perfectly complementing his handsome face.
Why hadn’t he noticed before?
Ever since he developed feelings for Yu Ce and got engaged, Shen Tanqi found him increasingly perfect, without a single flaw. Was this what people meant when they said love was blind?
Shen Tanqi stole a few glances, thinking he was being discreet, but he heard a soft chuckle above him.
“So, you like watching me this much, Ah Qi.”
It was a statement, not a question.
Shen Tanqi looked up awkwardly, scratching his ear in an attempt to hide the blush creeping up his cheeks.
“I’m just studying the array,” he stammered. “This formation is so intricate and profound. It’s amazing what kind of person could create such an array. Truly impressive.”
As he spoke, his gaze inevitably drifted back to Yu Ce’s fingers.
Seemingly unfazed, Yu Ce explained, “Oh, you were observing the array. I don’t know much about it either. It’s said to be a creation of nature, passed down through the dragon race since ancient times.”
As his words fell, the array dissipated, revealing the true appearance of Hidden Dragon Valley.
Shen Tanqi was momentarily stunned. The valley was actually a vast, crystal-clear lake stretching as far as the eye could see.
The lake was so expansive that it perfectly mirrored the surrounding mountains. Exotic blue birds circled in the sky, and the area was eerily quiet, devoid of any signs of human presence.
Standing by the lakeshore, Shen Tanqi felt the cold, fresh breeze from the lake, as if it had traveled a great distance to reach him.
His mood instantly brightened, but a faint, unplaceable worry lingered.
Shen Tanqi looked at Yu Ce and said softly, “By the way, Hidden Dragon Valley is off-limits to outsiders. Shouldn’t you notify someone first to avoid any misunderstandings?”
Yu Ce shook his head and lightly touched the jade pendant on Shen Tanqi’s chest. “With this jade pendant, no one from the dragon race will trouble you.”
Besides, very few of the dragons still lived in Hidden Dragon Valley.
Shen Tanqi thoughtfully touched the pendant, remembering that Taro Ball had mentioned it was a symbol of the daemon clan’s lord, likely serving a purpose similar to the bronze coins of the Shen family.
As his thoughts wandered, Yu Ce’s finger, which had been resting on his chest, slowly slid down and gently took Shen Tanqi’s hand, guiding it into his own palm.
Instinctively, Shen Tanqi looked up at him, only to hear Yu Ce’s soft laugh. “What’s wrong, Ah Qi?”
“…Nothing.”
His blush deepened, a mix of embarrassment and the sensation of being seen through. He held Yu Ce’s hand, pausing for a moment before reminding himself that this person was already his.
Feeling a bit more at ease, he traced each slender, well-defined knuckle with his fingertips. Yu Ce’s hands were pale and smooth but strong and capable, truly as flawless as a piece of fine jade.
Yu Ce’s hands would be perfect for wearing a ring.
A wedding ring, he thought to himself.
As the array dissipated, the two little ones quickly devoured their peaches and started to fidget, eager to strip off their clothes.
“Hold on, put your clothes in the storage ring. Don’t run off after we get in the water. Stick close to Daddy, got it?” Yu Ce gently reminded the excited kids, who were practically bouncing into the lake.
Goldfish and Taro Ball promptly responded in unison, “Okay—”
Shen Tanqi watched in surprise as the two little ones stripped down completely. “What’s going on here?”
Hearing this, Yu Ce glanced at him and cast a shallow golden barrier over Shen Tanqi with a quick gesture. “We’re heading into the water. Hidden Dragon Valley is beneath Cloud Lake. With Dandan and Erdan by your side to protect you, you don’t need to worry.”
The barrier alone would be enough to keep the water out.
“No worries, you’re here too,” Shen Tanqi tightened his grip on Yu Ce’s hand, curiously watching as the two little ones transformed into their dragon forms.
It was the first time he’d seen their true forms. Both were clearly three-year-old dragons, measuring around three to four meters in length from their horns to tails.
Their scales glistened with the shimmering light of the lake, and their eyes changed to golden vertical slits. The two small white dragons frolicked in the sky, playfully touching each other’s whiskers as if sharing a secret understanding. Then, they spiraled down from the sky and dove towards Shen Tanqi.
Honestly, seeing two white dragons charging towards him made Shen Tanqi’s legs go weak for a moment.
One of the little white dragons landed next to him and tilted its head, saying, “Daddy, come ride on me! I’ll take you for a ride!”
Once they transformed back into dragons, Shen Tanqi could no longer tell which was Goldfish and which was Taro Ball. He could only distinguish them by their voices and tones.
The little white dragon speaking just now was probably the older one, Goldfish.
He took a deep breath, extended his hand, and gently stroked the little white dragon’s head. It felt cool to the touch. The little dragon nuzzled its head into his palm and softly cooed, like it was cuddling.
“Come on, Daddy! I’ll take you for a ride, it’s so much fun!”
Even as a dragon, the little one was still the same innocent, playful kid.
Shen Tanqi couldn’t help but laugh and agreed, “Okay.”
He carefully climbed onto Goldfish’s back, looking like a tiny ornament compared to the white dragon’s massive body.
Taro Ball nuzzled against Shen Tanqi’s chest with his dragon horn, softly saying to Goldfish, “Let me have a turn later, okay, brother?”
“No way! Catch me first, Erdan!”
As soon as Goldfish’s words fell, Shen Tanqi had a sinking feeling.
Oh no, this could be trouble!
The little dragon shot into the sky like a rocket, soaring above the vast expanse before diving into the sprawling peach orchard. Shen Tanqi felt like he was on a roller coaster, his legs going weak as he grabbed onto Goldfish’s dragon horn for dear life.
“We’re flying! Daddy, are you having fun?”
The little dragon thought if he was happy, Daddy would be happy too.
But in reality…
Shen Tanqi felt like his soul was leaving his body, his heart racing as he clung desperately to the dragon’s horn. His limbs were completely stiff and powerless.
If it weren’t for his improved physique from his cultivation, he’d probably have vomited a rainbow by now.
“No, I can’t take it anymore!” Shen Tanqi struggled to cling to his son, his voice weak. “I’m happy, really, but could we go a bit slower? Daddy wants to enjoy the view.”
Goldfish’s eyes lit up with understanding. “Oh, you want to enjoy the view? Then we should go even higher. The higher we go, the better the view!”
As soon as Goldfish finished speaking, Shen Tanqi was hit by a wave of dread.
Oh no, oh no!
The highest place he’d been was the rooftop of a nearby three- or four-story office building!
In the next moment, the little dragon soared towards the edge of the sky, climbing higher and higher until Shen Tanqi felt suffocated, too scared to even glance downward.
If he hadn’t grabbed onto Goldfish’s horn to stop him mid-air, they’d still be climbing. If they went any higher, he might end up on another planet.
Shen Tanqi’s legs felt like noodles, his eyes tightly shut as he collapsed against Goldfish. He could hear a low, amused laugh.
Fuming, he opened his eyes and glared at the laughing dragon beside him. “Is it funny? Haven’t you ever seen someone who’s afraid of heights?”
Yu Ce immediately stopped laughing, suppressing a chuckle. He said softly, “It’s not funny. I just thought you were actually enjoying it.”
That’s why he hadn’t stopped the excited Goldfish right away. Seeing them almost disappear into the sky, he’d become a bit worried and had handed Sandan over to Erdan to catch up and check.
“What’s wrong, Daddy?” Goldfish asked, tilting his body gently, his voice soft and concerned.
Shen Tanqi forced a chuckle. “I’m fine, Daddy’s just enjoying the view. It really is beautiful up here.”
He didn’t want to dampen Goldfish’s spirits, especially since the little dragon had flown so high just to make him happy.
Reassuring Goldfish, Shen Tanqi glanced at Yu Ce, who was calmly floating nearby with his clothes fluttering, and whispered, “Can you carry me back down?”
Yu Ce paused in surprise. “Why?” It wasn’t that he minded carrying Shen Tanqi; he just remembered that Ah Qi was now quite adept at flying with a sword.
Shen Tanqi squinted at him, took a deep breath, and said with a trembling voice, “My legs… are weak.”
Yu Ce struggled to suppress his laughter but eventually couldn’t hold it in. “Alright.”
He reached out, lifted Shen Tanqi off Goldfish’s back, and said to Goldfish, “Dandan, we’re going down now. I’m taking Daddy to see the view for a bit.”
Goldfish turned back, pouting and grumbling, “Daddy and I haven’t finished playing yet. Daddy, how can Father cut in line?”
Yu Ce thought for a moment and then offered, “Let me borrow Daddy for now, and you can have three pieces of osmanthus candy today.”
Goldfish’s eyes lit up immediately. Usually, worried about his teeth, Daddy and Father only let him have one piece of candy a day.
The promise of three pieces made the little dragon’s eyes sparkle as he swallowed. “Okay, you two have fun. Dandan will go find Brother now.”
Silly kid, so easily bribed with three pieces of candy.
Shen Tanqi couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time as he watched Goldfish fly to the ground. His eyes followed the little dragon, and before he knew it, he accidentally glanced at the scenery below.
The vast peach orchard bathed in pink mist, floating clouds obscuring the horizon, and the lake extending endlessly.
The sky was so boundless, and the earth was so vast.
For a moment, his breath caught, and he clung tightly to Yu Ce’s robe, turning his face away and burying it in Yu Ce’s shoulder.
His legs went completely limp, sinking softly into Yu Ce’s embrace.
“Are you that scared?” Yu Ce’s voice was deep and steady.
Hearing his familiar voice, Shen Tanqi finally felt a little grounding, realizing he hadn’t actually soared into the heavens.
He still didn’t dare to look down, pressing anxiously against Yu Ce’s chest, and murmured, “Hurry, take me down.”
“Okay,” Yu Ce replied, but instead of simply descending, he held Shen Tanqi securely in his arms like a child and whispered, “Aren’t you going to ask me nicely?”
In the past, when they hadn’t been this close, Shen Tanqi would cling to him just like this whenever he was overwhelmed with desire, softly pleading with him.
Yu Ce missed those moments.
Shen Tanqi dared not open his eyes, peeking out from the side of Yu Ce’s neck, the wind howling in his ears. His fingers trembled as he grit his teeth and said, “Please.”
“Mmm,” Yu Ce pressed his lips together and said calmly, “What about the right attitude, Ah Qi? When asking for something, what kind of attitude should one have?”
Shen Tanqi: …
He took a deep breath, trembling, and said, “Please, dear husband… take me down, will you?”
Hearing the words he wanted, Yu Ce’s lips curled into a smile, his eyes twinkling with amusement. He leaned down and said, “Alright, I’ll do as you wish.”
In the next moment, Shen Tanqi’s toes touched the ground. He opened his eyes in surprise, realizing—
Yu Ce had already brought him down quite some time ago.
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
