Xue Zhou stared in disbelief at the figure of Yu Ce, whose cultivation had reached the level of a Great Golden Immortal. For a moment, it even wondered if the person in front of it had been swapped out.
Stunned, Xue Zhou walked up to Yu Ce and looked up with its small cat face, asking, “Why the sudden change of heart?”
Nearby, Little Black was persistently nipping at Xue Zhou, but Xue Zhou, unfazed, swatted it away with a swipe of its paw, keeping its gaze fixed firmly on Yu Ce.
It had been years since Xue Zhou had encountered someone whose aura was so perfectly aligned with its own. Yu Ce’s aura was pure and righteous, his eyes free of any distractions. It was clear from just one glance that he was a person of high moral character, and to reach the Golden Immortal level at such a young age, he was undoubtedly someone worth following.
Yu Ce looked down at Xue Zhou and said softly, “My sword is only for protecting the peace of the world. So, it doesn’t matter which sword I use. If you’re willing, that’s all that matters.”
Xue Zhou stared at him in amazement. The way Yu Ce spoke, his figure seemed to grow taller. Xue Zhou had never heard anyone say that they studied swordsmanship not to become stronger. This person’s sincerity was exactly what Xue Zhou had been searching for—someone who, like its previous master, cared deeply about the people of the world and was worthy of loyal service.
Shen Tanqi, sitting at the table, propped his chin up with a smile and said to Xue Zhou, “You’ve found the right person. My Yu Ce will definitely bring out your full potential.”
When Yu Ce heard Shen Tanqi say ‘my Yu Ce,’ his heart fluttered slightly. He walked past Xue Zhou and sat next to Shen Tanqi to pour him tea. “It’s all thanks to Ah Qi’s teaching.”
Xue Zhou: …
Wait a minute, this change in attitude is a bit too quick.
Little Black, who was nearby, chuckled mischievously and said, “You’re in trouble. The master of the master you chose is my master. When the time comes, I’ll have my master order your master to bully you!”
What a tongue-twister.
Xue Zhou fell silent, and with another swift swipe of its little cat paws, sent Little Black flying.
Its gaze swept over Shen Tanqi, and Xue Zhou was absolutely certain that he was at the Nascent Soul stage.
Xue Zhou wasn’t just charmed by power; it was more curious why Yu Ce treated Shen Tanqi so well. Here was a Golden Immortal showing such deference to a Nascent Soul cultivator, pouring tea and offering service. Did Shen Tanqi have some sort of leverage over Yu Ce?
If that was the case, Xue Zhou needed to figure out how to remove this threat for Yu Ce.
Having made up his mind, Xue Zhou slowly walked to Yu Ce’s feet, looked up, and said, “If you’re willing to accept me, then give me your blood.”
Having wandered the world for too long, Xue Zhou had seen many who sought to take it in to enhance their own power. Most were mere dreamers with little strength. This was the first time Xue Zhou felt a genuine urge to serve someone.
The little cat closed its eyes, a faint golden light shimmering on its forehead.
Shen Tanqi gently nudged Yu Ce. Yu Ce drew his long sword and cut his fingertip, letting a few drops of his blood fall onto Xue Zhou’s forehead.
In an instant, the golden light blazed brightly. Xue Zhou acknowledged Yu Ce as its master, and its body began to become transparent, slowly rising until it hovered in the air, transforming into a jade-white long sword.
Yu Ce caught Xue Zhou from the air. The cold dragon’s breath mingled with the sword’s cool aura, as if the sword had been made for him.
“It’s truly a rare and excellent sword,” Yu Ce murmured softly, turning around. He swung the sword lightly through the air, and a gust of wind shattered the nearby vases. Then, he raised his hand, and the sword’s aura vanished.
Just as Shen Tanqi thought Yu Ce might be practicing some swordplay, Yu Ce took an apple from the table, used Xue Zhou to peel it, and handed it to Shen Tanqi.
Shen Tanqi: ?
What are you doing with the sword, just using it like that?
“Here,” Yu Ce said, shaking the apple he held, and handed it to Shen Tanqi. “It’s very sweet. I bought it in Shuoxia City while annihilating demons yesterday.”
Shen Tanqi, baffled and amused, took the neatly peeled apple and said, “If you use Xue Zhou like this, it might get upset.”
Hearing this, Yu Ce shook his head. “Since it acknowledges me as its master, it must follow my will. Otherwise, I might as well use that ordinary iron sword.”
Yu Ce saw things clearly. Little Black had said Xue Zhou was stubborn and hard to tame; if the sword didn’t obey its master’s commands, it could become a liability in critical moments. It seemed Xue Zhou needed some time to be properly trained.
“Ah Qi, since Xue Zhou has acknowledged me, our bet is still unfinished. How about letting them have another match?” Yu Ce whispered in his ear, “We need to settle the score, don’t we?”
Shen Tanqi, holding the apple, glanced at him and picked up Little Black from the floor. “Let’s leave it for another day. Little Black is tired and needs to rest today.”
“You…” Yu Ce looked at him, hesitating and muttering in frustration, “You can’t do this.”
Who plays dirty like this?
Shen Tanqi smiled, showing his sharp little tiger teeth, as if he might bite him if Yu Ce disagreed. “What? Do you have a problem with that?”
“…No.”
Yu Ce sighed inwardly. His bet rewards had gone down the drain.
He fixed his gaze on Shen Tanqi’s lips, shiny with apple juice, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
But he’d make sure to get back at Ah Qi another day.
“By the way, since you need to prepare for the closing ceremony of the grand sect competition, why not take some time to come back to Shuoxia City with me and say goodbye to my father?” Shen Tanqi took a bite of the apple, savoring its sweetness, and started to miss the sour-sweet bayberries of Shuoxia City.
This time, he will be away for eight or nine months and can only leave Hidden Dragon Valley after Mian Mian is full-term. The Shen family will not receive any news from him for such a long time, and the head of the family would surely be worried.
Yu Ce thought for a moment and nodded. “Alright, I was thinking the same.”
Although Ah Qi had agreed to his proposal, Shen Tanqi’s father might not be so willing to part with his precious Ah Qi.
The grand sect competition’s finale ceremony would be held in two days, giving them enough time to say their goodbyes.
“No time to waste, let’s go now.” Yu Ce picked up Sandan, still swaddled, from the bed and began waking the two sleepyheads. “Wake up, if you keep sleeping this long every day, you’ll make your brains sluggish.”
Goldfish and Taro Ball were grumpily roused, mumbling in protest and turning their little bottoms toward him as a sign of discontent.
“Just a bit more sleep, so sleepy…”
“Father, you’re so loud, go away.”
Feeling neglected, Yu Ce looked helplessly at Shen Tanqi and waved him over. “Ah Qi, come here.”
Since Shen Tanqi had arrived, the two little ones had become increasingly disobedient to Yu Ce, though they listened well to Shen Tanqi.
Yu Ce’s status at home had sharply declined. He was now barely ahead of Little Black and Xue Zhou in their eyes.
Shen Tanqi chuckled, “Spring makes people sleepy, and autumn is the most comfortable time of the year. Children tend to get sleepy. You take Mian Mian to report to the Sect Leader first. I’ll wake them up and meet you at the carriage down the mountain.”
“Alright, I understand.” Yu Ce’s lashes lowered in thought. He suddenly realized he hadn’t yet mentioned Shen Tanqi and the children to the Sect Leader.
But Senior Brother Fang often visited the Sect Leader, so he should have mentioned it already… right?
Rongyun Pavilion.
Passing by the seven screens of floating clouds and exploring cranes, Yu Ce saw two junior disciples responsible for fanning and watering.
The disciples, upon seeing Yu Ce, congratulated him eagerly. “Congratulations, Senior Brother Yu, for winning the top place in the grand sect competition. We heard you also cleared out the demons down the mountain. The Sect Leader has been praising you to everyone he meets.”
Yu Ce nodded and said, “It’s my duty to protect the sect; it’s nothing worth mentioning.”
The junior disciple chuckled softly. “Senior Brother Yu, you are righteous. The Sect Leader is meditating in the inner chamber, but lately… his health has not been good.”
The Sect Leader had been gravely ill, frequently coughing up blood, which was why he hadn’t been able to confront Xie Chi earlier. It was fortunate that Yu Ce and Shen Tanqi managed to subdue the demon, sparing the Sect Leader from further strain.
Hearing this, Yu Ce stood silently, his gaze melancholic.
Yes, the Sect Leader was aging, and his body was failing him.
Years ago, the Sect Leader had sustained a fatal injury during the Three Realms War. If not for his Golden Immortal cultivation sustaining his life, Rongyun Sect would have long ceased to exist.
Yu Ce’s heart grew heavy. He gently knocked on the wooden frame of the screen and softly said, “Disciple Yu Ce requests an audience.”
A hoarse, aged voice came from the inner chamber, “Come in, I heard you murmuring outside.”
Yu Ce slowly entered the inner chamber and bowed deeply towards the figure behind the silk curtain. “Greetings, Sect Leader.”
“No need for such formality,” the sect leader sighed lightly, his eyes closed. “Did Fang Wenxun tell you to stay within the sect these days and go wherever you wish after the ceremony?”
Yu Ce nodded, “Yes, Senior Brother has informed me.”
Upon hearing this, the Sect Leader opened his eyes and looked at Yu Ce through the curtain. The once scrawny fifteen-year-old daemon boy had grown much taller and was on the verge of surpassing him in cultivation. It was no surprise; he had seen Yu Ce’s potential from the beginning.
Hanging at Yu Ce’s waist was the reward for being the top competitor, the unique divine weapon, Xue Zhou, which seemed to carry the essence of wind, rain, and mist, enhancing Yu Ce’s celestial demeanor.
“This sword is a good one; it should have belonged to you long ago,” the sect leader remarked with a sigh.
Over the years, Yu Ce had endured a lot of hardship under Shen Tanqi, the reckless troublemaker. He had suffered many grievances, never managing to gain any benefit for himself, as everything was taken by Shen Tanqi. Now that he had secured the top spot in the grand competition and successfully transcended the tribulation, things were bound to improve in the future.
It was time for the Sect Leader to step down and hand over the position. When the time came, he would, before his death, ensure that Shen Tanqi, this looming threat, was dealt with for Yu Ce.
Upon hearing the sect leader’s words, Yu Ce’s fingers brushed over Xue Zhou at his waist, and he said calmly, “It’s simply a matter of fate between us.”
“So, what brings you here?”
The Sect Leader knew that Yu Ce would only come to him with something important. Every time Yu Ce came by, it was to discuss his plans to travel or exterminate demons. The Sect Leader had seen Yu Ce less often than Fang Wenxun did.
Yu Ce looked up at him, suddenly brushed aside his clothing, and gently knelt on the ground, saying, “After noon, I plan to go to Shuoxia City.”
The sect leader glanced at him and said, “Going to Shuoxia City again? I heard from Fang Wenxun that you’ve been going there often to buy fruit. Is there something lacking in Rongyun?”
Yu Ce shook his head, replying calmly, “No, the fruits in Shuoxia City are fresh and varied. It’s just that my wife and children enjoy them.”
“Oh… the fruit there is indeed good,” the sect leader paused, then his eyes widened in shock, and asked urgently, “What did you just say?”
The Golden Immortal’s aura swept the silk curtain aside. Yu Ce looked up and met the sect leader’s astonished gaze with composure, answering without a flicker of hesitation, “My wife and children enjoy them.”
The sect leader pointed at him, his eyes wide, his eyebrows flying in disarray, and he couldn’t help but cough. “Y-You, when did you get a wife and child?”
Yu Ce looked up in surprise and said, “Didn’t Senior Brother Fang mention it to you?”
The two junior disciples holding fans were also visibly shocked, but their astonishment wasn’t about Yu Ce having a family. What surprised them was that the entire sect knew about Yu Ce’s situation, yet the Sect Leader seemed to be unaware.
Indeed, the Sect Leader had been deeply immersed in cultivation lately, leaving most of the sect’s affairs to Senior Brother Fang. The inns down the mountain were already spinning seven different versions of stories about this, and yet the Sect Leader was the last to know.
“Mention it? You never told me, so how could I know?” The sect leader stood up, trembling, took a deep breath, and tried to calm himself. “Who is that woman? Did you marry her while traveling? And the child—when was the child born, and where is he now?”
So much time had passed, and Yu Ce already had a child—and he had no idea!
Yu Ce pondered for a moment, then bowed his head. “If you won’t get angry, I’ll tell you.”
The sect leader gritted his teeth. “Just say it. What’s there to hide? Who is it?”
Yu Ce, feeling helpless, said, “It’s Shen Tanqi.”
“What did you say?” The sect leader’s breath stopped for a moment, his hand still frozen in mid-air.
Yu Ce cleared his throat, feeling somewhat embarrassed, and looked away, his ears turning slightly red. “It’s Ah Qi.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the room fell into complete silence.
The sect leader slowly sank back onto his meditation mat, his expression dazed.
Oh, heavens—
The disciple he had raised like his own son, the successor he had painstakingly trained, the one who was to save the world in the future, was taken away by Shen Tanqi, that little scoundrel from the Shen family—
The sect leader slowly closed his eyes.
…He might as well just pass away now.
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)
