Wenqiu City, Tongning Inn.
Disciples from various sects resided here. The place buzzed with noise, and disciples chatting while holding sword manuals could be seen everywhere, giving Shen Tanqi a nostalgic feeling of his university dormitory days.
As soon as he entered, he saw Fang Wenxun standing at the counter waving at him. “You’re back just in time, junior brother,” he said. “Elder from the Qingliu sect wants to see you. He wants to talk about that Stretch Legs… Stretch Legs and Widen Eyes pill?”
Shen Tanqi caused quite a stir by creating his own pill, astonishing the elders of seventeen sects. Surely, during this sect-wide competition, Shen Tanqi would attract the attention of many elders.
Shen Tanqi’s thoughts were still preoccupied with the fact that Huo Yening was dying. He sighed softly. “I’m really not in the mood today. Could I please ask senior brother to handle it for me? I’ll apologize to the elder in person another day.”
Seeing his troubled expression, Fang Wenxun guessed something might have happened. He nodded understandingly. “Alright, Qingliu Elder is a reasonable person. I’m sure he won’t hold it against you.”
Remembering the elder’s excited expression upon learning about his self-created pill, Shen Tanqi felt a bit relieved. It was clear that this elder was passionate about alchemy. Being favored by such a person comforted him somewhat.
“Oh, by the way, where is Yu Ce?” Shen Tanqi only knew that the participating disciples of the sect competition were staying at Tongning Inn, but he didn’t know where Yu Ce and Goldfish were staying.
“Room Xuan, Number Seven,” Fang Wenxun pointed to the second floor, then glanced down at Sandan in Shen Tanqi’s arms. As if remembering something, he lowered his voice. “Bringing the child so openly has already sparked discussions among many disciples. It might be better to leave the child with me in the future.”
At these words, Shen Tanqi scanned the surroundings. Indeed, some disciples were staring at them incessantly. He squinted and said, “It’s fine. Let them look.”
After all, he had already experienced death once. Was he afraid of being looked at?
Moreover, the main system had already been handled by the system, and there was no longer any life-threatening danger to the children. So, there was no harm in openly acknowledging them.
Thinking of this, Shen Tanqi’s heart itched again. Last time he mentioned marriage to Yu Ce, he hadn’t expected him to be the original from the book. This matter had been put on hold ever since.
Yu Ce had absorbed the memories from the original, yet he hadn’t mentioned a word about marriage. Could it be that this guy doesn’t want to get married?
Shen Tanqi pursed his lips, holding Sandan tightly and leading Taro Ball. He thanked Fang Wenxun, “Thank you, senior brother. After the sect grand competition ends, we will return to Shuoxia City to discuss our marriage.”
Fang Wenxun looked at him in surprise, “Really?”
Previously, seeing Shen Tanqi reluctant to reveal the children’s identity in every possible way, he had thought Shen Tanqi was unwilling to marry Yu Ce. Now it seemed that they had already understood each other’s feelings.
Seeing Shen Tanqi nod, Fang Wenxun was somewhat excited. “Good thing, this is a great thing!”
After a pause, he thought again, Yu Ce didn’t seem to be a person with much family wealth. Although he was a dragon, Fang Wenxun had never seen Yu Ce display anything particularly impressive over the years. When the time comes to propose to the Shen family, Yu Ce might not measure up in their eyes. Fang Wenxun couldn’t help but worry about Yu Ce’s future.
Should we, should we gather some money for him?
“Taro Ball, say goodbye to Uncle Fang.”
Not knowing what he was thinking, Shen Tanqi said goodbye to Fang Wenxun and Lin Tanjiu while holding the cub, then slowly went upstairs.
Room Xuan, Number 7.
Shen Tanqi looked at the plaque on the door and was about to knock when the door opened by itself.
It seemed Yu Ce always knew when he was outside, even how long he had been standing there.
“Dandan just fell asleep, speak softly.” Yu Ce effortlessly took Sandan into his arms, closing the door gently after Shen Tanqi entered. He whispered, “What did that healer say?”
Hearing him mention Huo Yening, Shen Tanqi couldn’t help but sigh. “Guess what, that healer turned out to be Huo Yening.”
Yu Ce didn’t seem surprised. He gently stroked Sandan, confirming that the demonic aura had indeed disappeared, likely absorbed by Huo Yening.
Seeing Yu Ce’s lack of reaction, Shen Tanqi felt a sense of frustration he couldn’t express. He continued, “Sandan is fine, but Huo Yening said his life is at its end. He’s dying soon.”
“Mm,” Yu Ce’s voice remained indifferent, as if Huo Yening’s impending death didn’t affect him in the slightest.
Shen Tanqi looked at him in confusion, lips pursed. “Did you already know?”
Otherwise, why would he remain so indifferent?
At his words, Yu Ce finally showed some emotion in his eyes. He pulled Shen Tanqi to sit beside him, poured a cup of cold tea for him, and whispered, “When you and I left Bloodthirst Cliff, his lifespan had already reached its limit. I used my dragon ball to barely extend his life.”
He grasped Shen Tanqi’s wrist and gently pressed it against his dantian. A faint golden light shimmered in his palm for a moment. Shen Tanqi opened his hand to find a dragon ball exuding a chilling aura. It seemed to contain immense spiritual energy and life force, terrifyingly potent to the touch.
Shen Tanqi gently touched the dragon ball, murmuring softly, “Can’t it save him?” He felt that Huo Yening was a good demon, so why did such a good person have to die?
Yu Ce didn’t rush to answer, simply guiding Shen Tanqi’s fingers to close around the dragon ball. He whispered, “It’s his choice. If you don’t want him to die, take the dragon ball to him.”
In his mind, Shen Tanqi recalled Huo Yening’s final words before parting. He shook his head helplessly. “He refused.”
Returning to that secluded mansion now, it was likely already empty.
Huo Yening had made up his mind to die, perhaps unwilling to owe anything more to Yu Ce.
“Oh, right,” Shen Tanqi remembered the pale-faced young man Jing Wei, by Huo Yening’s side, somewhat puzzled. “He said he wanted to give me a big gift, but it turned out to be giving me a child.”
At his words, Yu Ce raised his eyes slightly and repeated, “A child?”
Shen Tanqi nodded, gesturing to Taro Ball beside him. “Yes, his name is Jing Wei. He should be taller than Taro Ball, looks like he’s in his teens, very pale, and he seems to be a peregrine falcon.”
Upon hearing the words ‘peregrine falcon,’ Yu Ce quickly realized, “He’s the abandoned baby Huo Yening rescued a long time ago, also a demon. He must have been worried that after his death, there would be no one to protect Jing Wei, so he entrusted him to us.”
Shen Tanqi nodded thoughtfully. “I see…”
Huo Yening’s only concern before his death was this child. Perhaps Shen Tanqi had been too insensitive in refusing.
“Well, can we still raise a fourth child?” Shen Tanqi cautiously asked Yu Ce.
Yu Ce’s gaze fell on his wrist, suddenly reaching out to pull up the sleeve of Shen Tanqi’s right hand, revealing a faint golden pattern.
He chuckled softly. “No need to think about it. Huo Yening has already made the decision for us.”
Shen Tanqi widened his eyes, looking back and forth at his wrist. “Where did this come from? It wasn’t there before!”
“This is the mark of a master-servant contract. You must have been tricked by Huo Yening to draw blood at some point,” Yu Ce said with anticipation. He knew Huo Yening’s determination and how he would never give up until he achieved his goal. There was no way Huo Yening would easily let Shen Tanqi go.
Shen Tanqi immediately recalled the time when Huo Yening under the pretext of healing Sandan, had him prick his finger. It turned out Huo Yening had hidden his blood at that moment.
He couldn’t help but laugh at the irony—it reminded him of his brother when he was young, refusing to take medicine and being tricked by Shen Tanwu, who promised to feed him candy but it turned into a pill when it went to his mouth.
The dragon ball in Shen Tanqi’s palm emitted scattered golden lights. After holding it for just a moment, he felt as though he had been cleansed from head to toe in its essence, his body filled with abundant spiritual energy, and a profound sense of ease.
Shen Tanqi looked at Yu Ce in amazement and handed the dragon ball back to him, complimenting, “Indeed, dragons are full of treasures.”
Taking back his own dragon ball, Yu Ce casually murmured, “It’s a treasure if Ah Qi likes it.”
His fingertips lightly brushed Shen Tanqi’s palm, and his lips curled into a subtle, enigmatic smile.
Shen Tanqi’s heart skipped a beat, his face immediately flushed hot. He could clearly read the implications in Yu Ce’s words and whispered softly, “I do like it naturally.”
Yu Ce’s gaze deepened as he stared at him. “So, tonight…”
“Ahem,” Shen Tanqi couldn’t help but interrupt, “the kids are still here.”
Hearing this, Yu Ce glanced at the puzzled little Taro Ball beside them. He reached down, picked up the small child, placed him back on the bed, and gently removed his boots. “Erdan, time to sleep. Daddy and I are going for a walk.”
Taro Ball tilted his head, wiggling his toes, and asked, “Can’t I come with you?”
Yu Ce replied, “…No.”
“Why not?” Taro Ball tugged at his clothes, whining softly, “I’m not sleepy. I can go for a walk with you.”
Shen Tanqi, standing a short distance away with his arms crossed, couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
Yu Ce looked back at him helplessly. Shen Tanqi turned away, pretending not to notice, and commented, “Wow, the moon is so round tonight.”
Knowing Shen Tanqi wouldn’t help him, Yu Ce sighed, then shifted his gaze to Taro Ball’s face, clearly signaling ‘take me to play’. After carefully considering his words, he said, “We… have sword trials tomorrow. We’re going to practice swordsmanship.”
“Wow—” Shen Tanqi sighed inwardly. How had he not noticed before how good Yu Ce was at fooling children?
Yu Ce naturally heard Shen Tanqi’s teasing tone. Some people not only didn’t help but also added chaos.
He took a deep breath, his ears turning slightly red. He whispered to Taro Ball, “Go to sleep quickly. There’s nothing interesting about sword practice.”
Taro Ball still clung to his clothes, unwilling to let go, curious. “Sword practice is very interesting! I haven’t seen you two practice before. It must be exciting. What techniques do you usually use? ‘Flying Dragon in the Sky’, ‘Ten Thousand Rivers Returning to the Sea’, or ‘Spiritual Insight Finger’? I want to learn too.”
Yu Ce: …
Shen Tanqi: …
This kid really wanted to learn.
“We just practice casually…”
“Yeah, there’s nothing much to learn…”
Their awkward responses made it clear they were stalling.
Finally realizing they couldn’t delay any longer, Yu Ce bit his lip, stuffed the little one into the covers, then grabbed Shen Tanqi’s hand and rushed out of the room.
“Let’s go.”
Yu Ce held Shen Tanqi’s hand tightly, closed the door firmly behind them, and even set up a barrier around the room before they left.
After escaping from the kid’s room, both Shen Tanqi and Yu Ce’s ears were flushed red.
Shen Tanqi turned his head slightly, looking at Yu Ce’s embarrassed and awkward expression, and couldn’t help but chuckle softly. He felt like they were sneaking around and secretly dating during their school days.
Wait, that analogy was a bit off.
After a while, Shen Tanqi’s smile faded slightly. He reached out, cupping Yu Ce’s warm and still flushed cheek, softly calling his name, “Yu Ce.”
Yu Ce held his hand, still listening to the faint sound of the little one scratching at the door inside the room, and absentmindedly responded, “Hmm, I’m here.”
Taro Ball was in the Nascent Soul stage, so Yu Ce doubted the barrier could contain him. It probably wouldn’t.
But hopefully, Taro Ball would tire himself out soon enough. Yu Ce silently prayed that Erdan would get sleepy soon, at least so they wouldn’t be interrupted right after leaving.
“Dandan and Erdan are growing up. Maybe we should let them sleep in separate rooms in the future…”
Before he could finish his sentence, warm and tender lips suddenly pressed against his cheek. Yu Ce was momentarily stunned, hearing Shen Tanqi’s slightly nervous and stuttering voice, almost too quiet to hear clearly, “Yu Ce.”
“You… when do you want to marry me?”
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)
