That night, after Shen Tanqi finished changing the bandages and putting the two little ones to sleep, Yu Ce returned with Sandan in his arms.
Sandan, who had successfully formed his body, was now a tiny white dragon that couldn’t open its eyes. Shen Tanqi tried to clear his mind, reminding himself that this was his child. When he looked again, it didn’t seem so scary anymore. Instead, it looked like a mini white dragon.
He reached out and patted the little white dragon’s head nestled in the soft blanket, recalling the saying about adding the finishing touch to a dragon painting. Maybe when San Dan opened his eyes, he would soar through the clouds and skies.
Dragons are truly fascinating creatures. Even a newborn dragon’s body is icy cold, as if it can never get warm. But if you place your hand near its face, the little dragon would instinctively lick your palm with its tiny tongue.
Just like a puppy!
Shen Tanqi leaned back, withdrawing his hand, and looked at Yu Ce, “Were you like this when you were little?”
Yu Ce paused, quickly distancing himself from Sandan, “I wasn’t, but from what I can tell, Sandan is probably hungry.”
His gaze fell on Shen Tanqi, and memories of a certain day in the cave flooded Yu Ce’s mind—Shen Tanqi lying beside him, pleading for his touch.
The air was thick with the sweet scent of milk, and Shen Tanqi’s hoarse, pleading voice from after he had cried…
“What are you thinking?”
Seeing Shen Tanqi’s changing expressions, Yu Ce quickly averted his gaze, coughed lightly, and said a bit guiltily, “Ah Qi, if you have any, you might as well feed him…”
Shen Tanqi’s face turned red. He covered Yu Ce’s mouth and said through gritted teeth, “I don’t have any.”
“Really?” Yu Ce mumbled against his hand, his eyes fixated on him.
Shen Tanqi pinched his waist hard, hearing Yu Ce’s pained, pitiful gasp, and whispered, “Don’t you already know if I have any or not?”
If he had any, he would definitely give it to the little one. He really didn’t have any.
“I don’t know…” Yu Ce said as he wrapped an arm around Shen Tanqi’s waist, pulling him into an embrace. He bent down and kissed his neck, whispering, “The kids are asleep, Ah Qi, can you show me?”
As Yu Ce’s lips traced gentle kisses along his neck and his hand tightened around his waist, Shen Tanqi’s breath hitched. His ears turned crimson, and he hastily grabbed Yu Ce’s hand as it slid up under his shirt. “Who taught you this? Sandan is still here.”
“Sandan hasn’t opened his eyes yet, but I can create a separate illusion for just the two of us.” Yu Ce laughed softly, raised his hand, and the scene around them changed to a thatched cottage within the illusion.
Before Shen Tanqi could react, Yu Ce scooped him up and laid him on the soft bedding, stripping off his clothes.
“Let me see?” Yu Ce gently brushed away Shen Tanqi’s hand that was trying to cover himself. “There should be some changes.”
Shen Tanqi’s face turned bright red as he tried to hide himself, but he was no match for Yu Ce’s strength. He could hear Yu Ce teasing him.
“It’s clearly not the first time, but Ah Qi, you’re always so shy.”
Yu Ce pressed down on him, his gaze deepening as he looked at Shen Tanqi’s pale, jade-like shoulders and the red-tinted tips of his ears. He reached out his hand.
“Mmm.”
Yu Ce looked down in surprise, smiling, “Ah Qi, you like it when I do this.”
Shen Tanqi covered his eyes with his hand, not wanting to meet Yu Ce’s burning gaze. “…Shut up!”
Yu Ce lowered his head and bit down, making Shen Tanqi cry out softly in discomfort, mutter, “Were you born in the Year of the Dog?”
“Hmm, maybe I am.”
He shamelessly admitted it.
The next morning, when Shen Tanqi woke up, he was still in the illusionary thatched cottage. His whole body ached, and if he really did have what Yu Ce was looking for, Yu Ce would have worn him out completely!
Stealing food from a child, that bastard dragon.
How did he not realize Yu Ce was so bad before?
“Ah Qi.” Every morning, Yu Ce would be sitting by his bed, fully dressed and looking completely different from the rogue of the previous night.
“The sect leader wants me to stay a few more days. The closing ceremony of the grand sect competition is being held on Konghou Mountain, and the sect leader has ordered that I must not miss it this time.”
Shen Tanqi pushed his face away, whispering, “I know. Stay away from me.”
Every time Yu Ce got close to him in bed, it never ended well. On the surface, he seemed calm and indifferent, but once he got a taste, he was insatiable.
He really didn’t want to take another bath first thing in the morning.
Yu Ce looked at him, a bit disappointed, and pressed his lips together, “Okay, but I have something else to say.”
“Go ahead.” Shen Tanqi moved to the edge of the bed, keeping a safe distance from Yu Ce.
Yu Ce couldn’t help but climb onto the bed and pin him down as he tried to escape. “Ah Qi, don’t avoid me… I know I was wrong about last night.”
Shen Tanqi bit his lip. How could someone do something bad and still use such a pitiful expression and tone?
Bastard dragon.
He gave up resisting and lay flat, resigned. “Hurry up, get it over with and then say what you need to.”
With permission granted, Yu Ce immediately lowered his lashes and kissed Shen Tanqi on the lips, saying, “Alright.” His large hands swiftly wrapped Shen Tanqi in the soft blanket.
After coming out from the illusion and taking a bath, Shen Tanqi felt like he had shed a layer of skin. His enhanced physique from cultivation was the only reason he could handle such frequency; any normal person would be overwhelmed.
Satisfied and content, Yu Ce helped him dress, then sat obediently at the table, discussing their plans for going to Hidden Dragon Valley with Shen Tanqi.
Yu Ce had initially wanted to bring Shen Tanwu along, but when Shen Tanwu heard about staying in Hidden Dragon Valley for nine months, he immediately refused.
Shen Tanwu said he wanted to explore the cultivation world a bit more and that taking care of the children should be left to Shen Tanqi and Yu Ce.
Yu Ce had no choice but to give up.
“It’s fine, my brother is an adult. Let him do what he wants,” Shen Tanqi said, resting his chin on his hand as he listened to the bustling noise outside. “Why is it so noisy out there?”
Yu Ce glanced towards the door and explained softly, “Word of your third-place finish in the grand sect competition has spread. Everyone wants to ask you about your training methods and if you have any secrets to share.”
Since gaining fame from the grand sect competition, Shen Tanqi’s pavilion had been swamped with visitors, especially disciples from the alchemy peak. They camped outside daily, hoping to catch Shen Tanqi and ask how he created the pill that won the trial.
Shen Tanqi laughed, “There’s no secret. If they want to ask someone, they should be asking you.”
Yu Ce paused, thinking that Shen Tanqi always underestimated his own prowess.
Among the three thousand disciples, true talents were rare. Naturally, everyone was curious how someone not traditionally seen as a genius like Shen Tanqi managed to claim top honors in both trials.
“Junior Brother, Junior Brother Yu!”
The door was pushed open and then slammed shut.
Fang Wenxun squeezed through the crowd to enter the pavilion, looking a bit disheveled.
Shen Tanqi was surprised to see him. “Senior Brother Fang?”
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Fang Wenxun held up a long sword wrapped in silk brocade and said, “I’ve come to deliver the grand sect competition champion’s prize to Junior Brother Yu.”
It was a cold sword, its entire body gleaming like jade. Shen Tanqi weighed it in his hand; the blade was incredibly light yet sharp enough to cut through hair and slice through bone as if it were mud.
“This divine weapon is called Xue Zhou. It’s said to have been left behind by an ancient immortal who ascended. The sword is proud and difficult to tame; it won’t accept any master it doesn’t recognize and won’t let them channel their spiritual energy into it. But Junior Brother Yu shouldn’t have any issues. In his hands, Xue Zhou should be able to unleash its full power.”
An immortal’s sword—this must be the legendary weapon for the protagonist in the story.
After delivering the sword, Fang Wenxun quickly left to report back to the sect leader.
Once he was gone, Shen Tanqi was about to hand Xue Zhou to Yu Ce when the small black sword at his waist suddenly vibrated and buzzed. Startled, Shen Tanqi heard Little Black’s voice in his mind, “Master, I know this sword!”
This sword?
He placed Xue Zhou next to the small black sword, and immediately, Little Black’s disdainful voice echoed in his mind, “Back then, my master and its master both ascended, leaving us behind in the mortal world. I never expected to see it again after all these years.”
It turned out that Xue Zhou had fallen into unknown hands, while Little Black was picked up by a demon and became a bloodthirsty demonic sword. It was eventually sealed and could only appear in the world in the form of a small black dog.
Shen Tanqi thoughtfully ran his hand over Xue Zhou and murmured, “You mean Xue Zhou also has a spirit?”
Little Black hummed in response, “Master, Xue Zhou is extremely arrogant and won’t easily accept Yu Ce. I need to transform and have a talk with it.”
Ever since the seal was lifted, Little Black seemed to have grown more composed. Shen Tanqi nodded in approval, and the next moment, the long sword transformed into a chubby little black dog, barking at Xue Zhou in his hand, “Hey Snowy, if you’ve got the guts, come out and duel me!”
Shen Tanqi: …
Apparently, not much had changed.
Yu Ce approached, holding a teacup, and glanced at the barking Little Black on the floor. Without a word, he stepped over the dog and came to Shen Tanqi’s side. “Ah Qi, did the sword arrive?”
Shen Tanqi nodded, watching with amusement as Little Black hurled insults at Xue Zhou. Despite the outburst, Xue Zhou remained indifferent, seemingly looking down on the small black dog.
It wasn’t until Yu Ce came closer that Xue Zhou emitted a faint chill, intertwining with the dragon aura from Yu Ce.
Yu Ce’s gaze fell on the sword, but he made no move to pick it up.
The sword was indeed exceptional, but the one at his waist was sufficient. A fine sword for a fine person—this one was perfect for Ah Qi.
Since Yu Ce didn’t pick it up, Xue Zhou’s cold aura vanished abruptly, as if it couldn’t believe someone would ignore its presence.
“Snowy, now that I’ve broken the seal, are you scared? Hahaha…” Little Black continued his relentless taunts.
Suddenly, the long sword transformed into a small, snow-white creature and, with lightning speed, kicked the little black dog across the room.
Shen Tanqi looked closely and saw that Xue Zhou’s spirit was an adorable little white cat with soft fur.
Dogs, cats, and kids—life was complete!
Excited, Shen Tanqi bent down to pet Xue Zhou’s head. Xue Zhou lifted its face and spoke coldly, “You and I have no fate. Please refrain from touching my body without permission.”
Shen Tanqi: ?
A cat with such personality—how could he not like it even more?
Xue Zhou slowly walked over to Yu Ce and asked in confusion, “You don’t want me?”
Yu Ce, holding his teacup, glanced at Xue Zhou and replied softly, “I already have a sword. I don’t need another.”
Xue Zhou hesitated, then looked at the battered, chipped sword at Yu Ce’s waist and asked in disbelief, “This sword has no spirit, it’s just a piece of scrap metal. It doesn’t deserve you.”
Yu Ce calmly sipped his tea and said, “There’s no such thing as deserving or not. A good sword is one that feels right in your hand.”
Just as the little white cat was about to step closer to ask more questions, a black shadow suddenly flew in from behind. The cat and the dog immediately started fighting.
“Xue Zhou, you’re looking for trouble! Kicking me the moment you appear?”
“Get lost, Chi Ye, I don’t have time to waste on you.”
One named Xue Zhou1Snow Day, the other Chi Ye2Red Night— their former leaders must have been very close to give them such matching names.
Shen Tanqi and Yu Ce exchanged a glance and, with a shared understanding, picked up their teacups and eagerly watched the commotion.
“I bet on Little Black to win. My dog can do backflips and transform seventy-two times.”
“Then I’ll have to bet on Xue Zhou. Ah Qi, what’s the wager?”
Shen Tanqi pressed his lips together and whispered, “I don’t know. What do you think?” He didn’t lack anything, so what could they wager?
Hearing this, Yu Ce’s eyes darkened slightly. He leaned in close to Shen Tanqi’s ear and whispered, “Let’s bet on…”
Shen Tanqi’s eyes widened in surprise as he yanked Yu Ce’s collar. “Absolutely not.”
“A bet needs to be high stakes to be exciting,” Yu Ce said, clasping Shen Tanqi’s hand and smiling slyly. “What do you say?”
“Fine,” Shen Tanqi glared at him, “but if you lose, you can’t touch me for a month.”
Yu Ce’s face paled, and he quickly responded, “Then I’m not betting.”
“A little gamble is good for the mood, and you must keep your word,” Shen Tanqi said, sitting back in his chair, enjoying his tea with a satisfied smile. “Go, Little Black! You can beat Xue Zhou, it hasn’t chosen a master yet!”
As soon as he finished, Yu Ce reached down and picked up the snow-white kitten from the floor, gritting his teeth, “Recognize me as your master—now, immediately, right this moment!”
Xue Zhou: ?
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)
