After settling down at the inn, they gave the two little ones a warm, comfortable bath. Shen Tanqi, holding Goldfish and Taro Ball, nestled into the soft, cozy bed and whispered, “Time to sleep now.”
Goldfish reached out, placing the tiny windmill into Shen Tanqi’s hand, his heavy eyelids drooping, murmuring softly, “Daddy, the windmill is for you.”
Shen Tanqi took it with a smile, blew on it gently, and said, “Alright, Daddy will keep it safe for you. You can play with it when you wake up.”
Goldfish stretched out his tiny hand, pointing to his rosy cheek, and whispered, “I didn’t get a kiss yet.”
With the sweet-smelling and soft little voice, Shen Tanqi couldn’t resist planting a kiss on his little face, whispering, “Sleep now.”
Taro Ball peeked out from under the blanket, gazing at Shen Tanqi with longing eyes, wanting a kiss too but too shy to ask.
“Taro Ball, it’s time to sleep too.” Shen Tanqi, noticing his eager look, chuckled and gave him a goodnight kiss as well.
Outside, the wind and snow raged on. Yu Ce stood by the window, gazing at the falling snowflakes for a long time.
An outsider.
Someone not of this realm—he knew of only one person fitting that description.
And the unanswered question from before: was Madam Shen’s death truly caused by his father’s hand.
Yu Ce had a vague feeling that the old monk knew he would come, that he would return to Yudong City with the ‘destined person.’
Inexplicably, a memory from the original book flashed through Yu Ce’s mind: after Shen Tanqi’s death, the head of the Shen family sought out masters to retrieve Shen Tanqi’s soul, only to hear from the holy monk of Golden Light Temple, “His soul has not been here for ten years.”
Not here, gone to another place.
So, that means… Shen Tanqi is the one, the outsider.
He kept mulling over the old monk’s cryptic words when suddenly, he felt a gentle embrace around his waist. Yu Ce froze for a moment, then a faint smile curved his lips as he softly asked, “Are they asleep?”
Shen Tanqi nodded, resting his head on Yu Ce’s shoulder like a cat. Breathing in the familiar scent of rain and mist on Yu Ce, the heavy snowfall outside seemed to lose its chill.
“I have to go out tonight,” Yu Ce said, turning around and naturally pulling Shen Tanqi into his arms, his eyes dark with thought. “If I’m late, don’t wait up for me.”
Hearing this, Shen Tanqi looked up, a bit puzzled, “Do you know someone in the city?”
“No,” Yu Ce shook his head, his tone calm.
With such a brief response and no further explanation, Shen Tanqi quickly realized that Yu Ce probably didn’t want him to know the details.
But what could Yu Ce possibly be hiding from him?
Nevertheless, Shen Tanqi never pried into things Yu Ce didn’t want to share, so he simply nodded, “Alright, buy some new clothes for the kids when you return. Goldfish is growing fast, and his undershirts are getting tight.”
Yu Ce’s heart warmed, and he agreed. Before leaving, he cast a protective barrier over Shen Tanqi.
Shen Tanqi touched the barrier and couldn’t help but laugh, “There are elders from all sects here, what danger could there be?”
“Just in case,” Yu Ce said, adding barriers around the two little ones and Sandan, finally feeling assured. He looked up at Shen Tanqi, “I’m leaving.”
With Taro Ball and these barriers, and many elders guarding outside, there shouldn’t be any problems.
Shen Tanqi nodded, smoothing out the wrinkles on Yu Ce’s coat, “Go, but remember to be back before the sword trial starts tomorrow.”
“Got it.”
The wooden door creaked as it opened and then closed tightly. Yu Ce left without a sound.
Shen Tanqi sighed, folding the two little ones’ old clothes while pondering what Yu Ce might be hiding from him.
Knowing Yu Ce’s character, Shen Tanqi was confident that whatever he was hiding wouldn’t be anything bad.
But… ever since they entered Yudong City, Yu Ce’s demeanor had been strange, with his brows furrowed, as if something was troubling him.
Should he ask about it?
Suddenly, the sound of the wooden door lightly creaking interrupted Shen Tanqi’s thoughts. He sensed a faint, cold dragon aura, and his hands paused as he smiled and turned around, “Did you forget something?”
The smile froze on Shen Tanqi’s lips before he could say another word. His mouth was swiftly covered, and the barrier meant to protect him didn’t even react to the intruder.
Seeing the malicious grin on the intruder’s face, Shen Tanqi’s heart sank.
It was Xie Chi!
His pupils shrank in alarm. Instinctively, Shen Tanqi drew the sword from his waist and swung it backhandedly, but Xie Chi grabbed his wrist, squeezing hard enough to break the skin. The pain made it impossible for Shen Tanqi to grip his sword, and he was forcefully slammed onto the table.
His head hit the table, causing him to gasp in pain. Still, he managed to kick Xie Chi, but just as he opened his mouth to call for help, a small pill was forced into his mouth. It dissolved instantly, silencing him before he could react.
The man in front of him, savoring Shen Tanqi’s struggle, held his wrist tightly and sneered, “Impressive, you’ve reached the Nascent Soul stage so quickly. It seems Yu Ce has been treating you well.”
With the Divine Transformation stage suppressing the Nascent Soul stage by an entire realm, Shen Tanqi had no chance of winning.
Shen Tanqi glared coldly at Xie Chi, his gaze subtly shifting to the long sword on the ground. It was Little Black in its sword form. Although the seal wasn’t lifted, Little Black was still a spirit weapon and could sense Shen Tanqi’s thoughts.
Almost instantly, Little Black pierced through the man’s chest from behind.
Xie Chi coughed up several mouthfuls of blood, his gaze turning vicious as he glanced towards the two little ones on the bed.
Who did this?
Yu Yuan, that Nascent Soul stage brat, was clearly still asleep. Who else could wield a sword?
Slowly, he pulled the sword from his chest, his eyes returning to Shen Tanqi.
Shen Tanqi was still regretting that his earlier strike with Little Black had missed Xie Chi’s dragon ball. If it had hit, he could have killed this bastard.
Such a pity!
Xie Chi narrowed his eyes, looking down at him with surprise, “It was you.”
Indeed, a day apart felt like years.
The last time he captured Shen Tanqi, it hadn’t taken any effort at all.
Xie Chi sneered, bending down slowly and whispering in Shen Tanqi’s ear, “Too bad it’s useless; you can’t kill me.”
Except for Yu Ce, no one’s sword energy could kill him. Shen Tanqi’s strike had left a wound that, with the terrifying regenerative power of the dragon race, would heal completely in no time.
Shen Tanqi watched in horror as the gash in Xie Chi’s chest, caused by the sword, slowly closed up with new flesh. He couldn’t help but gasp.
What a freak!
Other than Yu Ce, who could possibly defeat him?
Xie Chi reached out, gently patting Shen Tanqi’s face, satisfied with the shocked expression. He chuckled, “The daemon race reigns supreme among the three realms, ruling over countless beings. For a mere mortal like you to even wound me is already a stroke of luck.”
He’s still so arrogant.
Shen Tanqi suddenly kneed him hard in the groin, reveling in the satisfaction of seeing Xie Chi’s face twist in pain and mouthed, “Getting hit the same way three times, you really are a big, dumb, idiot.”
Sweat broke out on Xie Chi’s forehead from the pain as he grabbed Shen Tanqi by the throat, gritting his teeth, “What are you mumbling?”
This idiot didn’t understand a word. Shen Tanqi’s face darkened. Just as he was about to repeat himself, Xie Chi covered his mouth, not even allowing him a gap to breathe.
“I’m here for something important,” Xie Chi said, looking over at the two little ones sleeping soundly on the bed. He knew there were at least eight elders above the Divine Transformation stage in the sect, and waking them would surely get him caught. “You got lucky today. I’ll spare you and your three brats for now, but next time, I’ll make sure to chop them up and have them with wine.”
Shen Tanqi’s eyes widened slightly. He managed to free a hand and punched Xie Chi’s jaw. Unable to make a sound, he could only silently curse him with his mouth.
Xie Chi touched his bleeding lip, grinning menacingly. “Fine, not talking means you agree.”
Shen Tanqi: ?
Are you insane?
Seeing Shen Tanqi’s silent curses grow fiercer, Xie Chi simply chopped the back of his neck, knocking him out. He slung him over his shoulder and leapt out the window.
When Shen Tanqi woke up, he found himself in an unfamiliar place.
He opened his eyes, his neck still throbbing with pain, and the blood on his palm had dried. Shen Tanqi saw Xie Chi standing by the window and realized he was tightly bound. In front of him stood a pale-faced young man, who looked at him expressionlessly.
“You’re awake.”
The young man smiled slightly, satisfied with Shen Tanqi’s shocked expression. He said calmly, “Hello, I’m Jing Wei.”
Shen Tanqi could hardly fail to recognize this face, especially with the golden mark on Jing Wei’s forehead that matched the one on his own wrist.
That mark was from their master-servant contract.
How could Jing Wei be here, and with Xie Chi? Had he switched sides to the demon clan and started working for Xie Chi?
Before Shen Tanqi could figure it out, Xie Chi turned around with his hands behind his back, glanced at Shen Tanqi, and chuckled, “Did you sleep well?”
“What do you think?” Shen Tanqi snapped, realizing he could speak again. Seizing the chance, he cursed at Xie Chi, “You bastard, why did you bring me here? What’s your goal? Yu Ce will find out eventually, and then you’ll be dead meat!”
Hearing this, Xie Chi leaned in closer, staring into Shen Tanqi’s eyes with an innocent look, “I’m not interested in your body anymore. I’m here out of pure goodwill, to help you see what kind of person Yu Ce really is. How can you speak so harshly?”
Goodwill?
Shen Tanqi scoffed, “Goodwill? Why don’t you dig out your heart and show me?”
Xie Chi pretended to place his hand on his chest. As Shen Tanqi watched in stunned silence, Xie Chi dramatically pulled out—
A blue spirit pearl.
“What’s that look for?” Xie Chi laughed heartily, squeezing Shen Tanqi’s face and wiping away his smile. “Did you really think I’d pull out my heart for you?”
Interesting, very interesting. Why hadn’t he noticed how entertaining Shen Tanqi was before?
Shen Tanqi’s face darkened, realizing Xie Chi was toying with him. He replied calmly, “You think too highly of yourself. I was just hoping you’d end up dead from your own stupidity.”
Xie Chi raised an eyebrow, not bothering to argue with Shen Tanqi further. Instead, he coldly addressed the young man beside him, “Jing Wei.”
Jing Wei lowered his head in acknowledgment. “Yes.”
“Give him the spirit pearl,” Xie Chi said, tossing the pearl into Jing Wei’s hand before leisurely seating himself in a bamboo chair behind him. “Tell him what it is.”
Jing Wei respectfully took the spirit pearl and turned his gaze towards Shen Tanqi, his eyes unreadable. “This is a Deep Sea Mermaid Pearl. It can see into the past and the future, knowing all things under heaven. The master has bestowed it upon you.”
The ropes binding him were untied by Jing Wei. Shen Tanqi held the Deep Sea Shark Pearl, momentarily stunned.
If he remembered correctly, Yu Ce had once mentioned that his father was the last remaining member of the merfolk race
And now, this Deep Sea Mermaid Pearl was in Xie Chi’s possession, which meant…
Shen Tanqi’s heart went cold as he stared at Xie Chi in disbelief and fury. “Did you kill Yu Ce’s father?”
Seeing his enraged expression, Xie Chi savored the moment, taking a leisurely sip of tea. “How could you say that? I merely helped my brother’s father find peace.”
Shen Tanqi gripped the pearl tightly, struggling to imagine how Yu Ce would react to this news. Yu Ce trusted and depended on his father so much!
Xie Chi set down his tea cup, the smile fading from his face, leaving a cold expression. “Don’t be so quick to hate me. I did you a favor by helping you avenge your mother’s death.”
“Twelve years ago, a merfolk killed the Shen family’s matriarch. Didn’t you know that?”
Xie Chi’s voice was slow, laced with a sinister glee.
“If I’m not mistaken, the Shen family matriarch was your mother, right?”
“It was Yu Ce’s father who killed your mother!”
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)
