Canglang Palace.
Shen Tanqi raised his eyes and looked around. The place was simple and clean. Although it couldn’t be called fancy in terms of belongings and decorations, everything was well-organized. It was evident that the person living here must really love life.
Curiously, he glanced around, but suddenly heard a burst of angry scolding coming from the depths of the main hall.
“That Bai Long is really too much. Since he arrived at Bloodthirst Abyss, our demon clan at the bottom of the cliff can hardly survive. We must kill him to end this!”
From the sound of it, it seemed like someone familiar.
“On that day, I just gave him an extra look! He almost beat me to death. If I hadn’t escaped quickly, my body would be cold by now. How could I still see you, Elder!”
Shen Tanqi fell silent for a moment, recognizing the owner of this voice.
Wasn’t it Mei Wuning? They say a dog resembles its owner. It turns out that Little Black’s habit of tattling was learned from Mei Wuning.
Bai Long restrained his aura and casually walked into the hall, causing Mei Wuning, who was complaining inside, to startle, almost kneeling on the ground.
“He’s here! Elder, it’s him!” Mei Wuning immediately took out his whip to confront him, but Bai Long ignored him completely.
Shen Tanqi followed him, whispering, “There’s a dog barking. Doesn’t it bother you?”
Bai Long glanced at him and pulled him closer.
“Don’t get bitten.”
Mei Wuning: ?
Shen Tanqi didn’t expect that Bai Long would also join in the jest, and his eyes couldn’t help but curve.
“Elder Huo, sorry to disturb you,” Bai Long calmly spoke. It was only then that Shen Tanqi remembered the purpose of this visit. He looked up at the rumored figure, Huo Yening, sitting on the throne.
The person looked elegant and slightly unruly, with a small charming mole at the corner of his lips. He casually put down the ancient book in his hand, not bothering to lift his head as he said to Bai Long, “Just sit down when you come. No need to be so polite.”
The moment Shen Tanqi saw the other’s face clearly, he stood frozen in place, unable to recover for a while.
This nose, these eyes, this pretentious temperament—
Isn’t this his real brother?
Shen Tanqi abruptly let go of Bai Long’s hand, rushed to Huo Yening, and unbelievably pinched and pulled his face, murmuring in disbelief, “Brother, how did you end up in a book too? Who will take care of our sister when you’re here?”
Both Huo Yening and Bai Long were momentarily stunned. No one expected Shen Tanqi to be so brazenly impulsive.
“Who are you trying to flatter? One of you is from the human race, and the other is from the demon clan. There’s no way you’re relatives!” Mei Wuning impulsively rushed forward, wanting to pull Shen Tanqi away.
However, Huo Yening suddenly raised his hand, stopping his action. He focused his gaze on Shen Tanqi’s face, which was moist with teardrops in the corners of his eyes.
When was the last time someone from the human race approached him so intimately?
He seemed to have forgotten.
“Did you call me brother?” Huo Yening lightly patted his back, “Is it because I look like your brother?”
Shen Tanqi lifted his face from Huo Yening’s embrace and carefully examined him, even scrutinizing the position of the small mole at the corner of his mouth, which was the unmistakable mark of his real brother. But why wouldn’t his brother admit it? Could it be that he also had a system task and couldn’t reveal his identity?
Thinking this way, Shen Tanqi suddenly understood a bit. He discreetly approached Huo Yening’s ear and whispered, “I get what you mean, brother. Maybe it’s not convenient for you to acknowledge me right now. I’ll distract Bai Long later, and we can have a good chat.”
Just as Huo Yening was about to explain, Shen Tanqi darted back to Bai Long’s side like a rabbit. He even winked at Huo Yening, as if hinting at something.
Huo Yening: …
Could he say he really didn’t understand?
He chuckled softly, rubbed his forehead, and turned to Bai Long, “I heard you fought with Mei Wuning?”
The moment Mei Wuning heard his name, he immediately got excited, “Elder, not only that, he almost killed me!”
Bai Long didn’t hide anything, admitting to his actions, and continued, “That day, he blocked my way and attempted robbery. I drew my sword to drive him away, but unexpectedly, he claimed to be one of the Eight Blood Demons and couldn’t even block a single sword from me.”
Mei Wuning: …
Shen Tanqi: …
Sometimes, honesty hurts, my friend.
“Elder, are you hearing the way he’s speaking?” Mei Wuning was so angry that his nose and eyes were almost crooked. He angrily said, “If he dares to attack me like this today, who knows what he might do to you in the future!”
At this, Huo Yening, who had been silent for a while, suddenly laughed. With a simple wave of his hand, a gust of palm wind sent the chattering Mei Wuning flying out of the door.
If it weren’t for the protective bubble, Shen Tanqi would probably have been sent flying too.
“It’s been a while, and your temper seems to have grown.” Huo Yening set aside the book in his hand, lazily lounging on the soft couch. His gaze shifted towards Shen Tanqi beside Bai Long.
He slightly curled his lips, propping his chin as he looked at Shen Tanqi, asking, “The little immortal lord who threw himself into my arms upon first meeting—don’t you want to introduce him?”
Bai Long narrowed his eyes, gently pulling Shen Tanqi behind him, and casually said, “As I mentioned to you before, Shen Tanqi.”
At this, Huo Yening seemed to gain some interest. “Is he the foolish young master who almost got you killed at Bloodthirst Cliff?”
Shen Tanqi slowly raised his head, looking at Bai Long.
Bai Long avoided his gaze and cleared his throat. “Yes.”
Shen Tanqi: …
Well, some people might not say anything to your face, but behind your back, they seem to have a lot to say.
Seeing Bai Long’s straightforward confirmation, Huo Yening became even more curious. “So, why did you bring him to see me?”
With an earnest expression, Bai Long held Shen Tanqi’s wrist and said, “He’s carrying my child and needs to rest and give birth at the bottom of Bloodthirst Cliff. Since you’re still here, I came to inform you, so there won’t be any misunderstandings.”
Upon hearing this, Huo Yening suddenly became intrigued, “He’s carrying your child?”
Shen Tanqi quickly waved his hands, afraid that Huo Yening might believe it, “No, no, it’s a misunderstanding. Men can’t bear children.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he noticed that Bai Long’s grip on his wrist tightened slightly. Shen Tanqi looked up at him, and Bai Long’s eyes seemed a bit deeper, as if he was more cautious about Huo Yening.
Didn’t Bai Long say that Huo Yening saved his life?
“Why would I harm him? According to Mei Wuning, your cultivation has reached the Nascent Soul stage, and I can’t afford to provoke you.” Huo Yening casually tossed the ancient book aside, his gaze full of meaning as he glanced at Shen Tanqi. He whispered, “Besides, he called me brother. How could I hurt him?”
Bai Long’s grip tightened even more.
Unable to bear it, Shen Tanqi patted the back of his hand and muttered softly, “Ouch.”
Hearing his voice, Bai Long seemed to snap out of a trance, releasing Shen Tanqi’s wrist and coldly said, “So be it. Farewell.”
Shen Tanqi urgently stopped Bai Long. He still had things to ask his brother; why was he in such a hurry to leave?
“Bai Long, wait. I have something to say to him.”
Half supporting and half carrying Shen Tanqi, Bai Long led him out of the Canglang Palace, his voice indifferent, “You have nothing to say to him.”
It wasn’t until they were far from the Canglang Palace that Bai Long finally released Shen Tanqi.
For a while, they walked in silence. Shen Tanqi couldn’t understand why he suddenly got upset. He silently followed behind him, rubbing his wrist that had been pinched.
After a moment, Bai Long spoke first, “You’ve never met Huo Yening before. Why did you call him brother?”
Shen Tanqi muttered softly, “He looks exactly like my real brother.”
Bai Long suddenly turned to him, “Aren’t you the legitimate eldest son of the Shen family, the only one in the family?”
In an instant, Shen Tanqi stood still. He hadn’t expected Bai Long to know so much about his family background. Just as he was thinking of what excuse to use, Bai Long’s voice interrupted his thoughts.
“Next time, don’t use such obvious pickup lines.”
Shen Tanqi: …?
“Though he’s not an evil demonic cultivator, he’s still a demon. Contact with him will inevitably lead to harm.” Bai Long, seemingly still uneasy, added another layer of protection outside Shen Tanqi’s Absolute Demon Barrier. He whispered, “When he saved me, it was under certain conditions. I come here every year during my weak period to fulfill that promise. It’s not because he’s exceptionally kind-hearted.”
As he spoke, Bai Long, not entirely reassured, stuffed various magical treasures into Shen Tanqi’s hands. “His cultivation is profound. Although he hasn’t practiced for many years at the bottom of the cliff, he’s still at the Nascent Soul stage. It’s uncertain if he can break my Absolute Demon Barrier.”
Shen Tanqi now had a pile of things in his hands, a mix of items like bracelets, golden seals, talismans, and daggers. Seeing Bai Long almost emptying his entire possession, Shen Tanqi couldn’t help but extend his hand, patting Bai Long on the shoulder.
“Alright, that’s enough.”
This trip felt like a shopping spree. Holding the various magical treasures, Shen Tanqi couldn’t help but find it amusing. “Bai Long, are you jealous or something?”
Bai Long paused at his fingertips, avoiding his gaze and calmly said, “You’re overthinking.”
It was just a joke from Shen Tanqi, and he didn’t tease him further. Picking up one of the beads from the pile of magical items, he examined it closely. The bead was filled with surging spiritual energy, obviously a rare and valuable item.
Bai Long was indeed formidable, and Shen Tanqi became even more convinced that he was the main character’s future golden finger. His eyes sparkled as he looked at Bai Long and asked, “Bai Long, you’re so powerful. Do you have any peerless martial arts you can teach me?”
Hearing this, Bai Long fell into a momentary silence, as if he had heard something absurd.
After a while, he composed himself and calmly said, “What I know, you already know.”
They were from the same sect, so was there anything he learned that Shen Tanqi hadn’t?
Scratching his head, Shen Tanqi sat cross-legged beside Bai Long and whispered, “But I’ve forgotten everything. Can you teach me again?”
Even if it was just a tiny bit, enough for self-defense.
At this, Bai Long’s eyes flashed with a hint of meaning. He extended his fingertip and lightly tapped Shen Tanqi’s lower abdomen.
“Since you’ve already formed the Golden Core, start by externalizing it,” Bai Long instructed.
Shen Tanqi blinked, following Bai Long’s guidance, and gradually, a floating Golden Core manifested at his dantian.
However, in the next moment, Bai Long extended his hand and gently grasped the Golden Core in his palm.
As their eyes met, Bai Long looked at the bewildered Shen Tanqi, his gaze tinged with a hint of confusion. “You truly have no memories left.”
Shen Tanqi looked at him, his Golden Core held by Bai Long, and nonchalantly chuckled, “Yeah, this little golden bead looks pretty, but what’s it good for?”
Bai Long replied, “If someone takes it from you, you’ll die.”
Shen Tanqi widened his eyes in surprise but showed no intention of retrieving the Golden Core back into his body. “Damn, that serious? Well then, I’ll be careful.”
His straightforward response made Bai Long slightly uncomfortable. Returning the Golden Core to Shen Tanqi, he whispered, “Don’t reveal it in public from now on.”
Shen Tanqi smiled, carefree. “Of course. If it weren’t for you, I would have hidden it long ago.”
His bright and radiant smile, like a touch of dawn’s glow, made Bai Long instinctively look away. Speaking softly, he said, “Since you’ve forgotten everything, I’ll help you review some simple Daoist techniques.”
Shen Tanqi had been waiting for this moment. With Bai Long’s agreement, he eagerly began learning.
Bai Long taught with patience, and Shen Tanqi earnestly followed along. In this way, he spent two months learning from Bai Long.
Apart from being controlled by the dependency period every night, Shen Tanqi gradually got used to having Bai Long by his side.
Until one day, during lunch, he ended up puking the big chicken leg that Bai Long had brought him.
He felt terrible, nauseous as hell. The chicken leg, which he usually loved, now seemed greasy and sickening.
Actually, for the past several days, he had been unable to eat, restless day and night. He thought he was just sick, but today, he couldn’t even stomach his meal.
When Bai Long heard the commotion, he got up to check, his fingertips brushing Shen Tanqi’s abdomen, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.
“That’s great.”
Feeling miserable, Shen Tanqi almost cursed out loud. Seriously, he was in this state, and Bai Long actually said it’s great?
“You’re experiencing morning sickness.”
Bai Long lifted him back to the soft bed, wrapping him tightly in the blankets, and asked in a low voice, “Do you crave something sour or spicy?”
His tone was cheerful, and Shen Tanqi felt a bit stifled. After a while, he blurted out, “I want to eat your uncle.”
As the words left his mouth, Shen Tanqi’s throat tightened, followed by a bout of dry heaving.
Damn, he seems to be really pregnant.
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)
