Chapter 323

Chapter 323

Ling Chuan looked at Qu Kun with a wounded expression, as if asking, "How could you be so heartless?"

Seeing Ling Chuan's pitiful face, Qu Kun felt like the world was ending. He was the actual victim, having nearly been crushed by this guy once, and now he was being portrayed as the culprit!

He almost died under this guy's force once, and now this person appeared in front of him as if he was the victim... What a joke!

Qu Kun took a deep breath, turned to Ye Shi, and said sharply, "Shi, let's go."

He narrowly survived back then. Engaging further would only lead to feeling nauseated by this guy.

Ling Chuan quickly grabbed Qu Kun's hand, his eyes filled with melancholy, "After all these years, haven't you missed me? Have... you ever dreamt of me? Because you visit my dreams every night."

Qu Kun felt his head heating up. After that ridiculous affair years ago, he had been haunted by nightmares for a long time.

He constantly dreamt of being trapped by a beast, which would then consume him, leaving nothing behind...

"Shut up," Qu Kun gritted his teeth.

Ling Chuan chuckled, "So, you have dreamt of me. I knew it. Your deep love and harsh criticism make me happy."

A shy blush appeared on Ling Chuan's face, making Qu Kun's skin crawl.

"Every time I close my eyes, I see you. But every morning, I wake up to realize it was just a dream. As sweet as the dream may be, the reality feels so empty," Ling Chuan said with a look of melancholy.

Qu Kun's eyes widened in horror, thinking: So this guy not only nearly crushed me to death back then but also dreamt of doing the same frequently.

Ye Shi: "..." This grandfather seems quite pitiable.

Qu Kun puffed up his cheeks, eyes wide, looking at Ling Chuan who sported a "ladies' man" expression and took a deep breath.

"Back then, it was just a... misunderstanding. A fleeting moment of spring happens often. You don't have to take it to heart; I certainly don’t," Qu Kun said menacingly.

Ling Chuan hurriedly responded, "I am not that kind of irresponsible man."

Qu Kun stared at Ling Chuan, feeling a tougher approach was needed, "I've been with many people—many men and women."

As Qu Kun's words faded, before Ye Shi could even process Qu Kun's colorful romantic past, he felt an overwhelming murderous aura approach.

Ling Chuan frowned, glancing at Qu Kun a few times, then his brows gradually relaxed.

Qu Kun's aura was pure. If he really had so many relationships as he claimed, his aura would be more chaotic. Clearly, what he said wasn't true.

With an understanding look, Ling Chuan said, "I believe I must be the most unforgettable one for you. I don’t mind if you have others."

Qu Kun: "... Unforgettable? He nearly killed me back then. It would be hard for that not to be unforgettable! The first time was with Ling Chuan, and after he nearly killed me, I became traumatized, distancing myself from men, women, and everyone."

Ye Shi's eyes widened in surprise, thinking: "This grandfather is quite magnanimous."

Qu Kun rolled his eyes at Ling Chuan's pompous and responsible appearance, thinking: In comparison, Bai Chenxing is actually not that bad, but that's only when comparing him to the beastly Ling Chuan.

"I don't have feelings for you," Qu Kun declared.

Ling Chuan looked at Qu Kun with a touch of helplessness, "We have grandchildren, soon great-grandchildren, and yet you say such things. It breaks my heart."

Qu Kun: "..."

The topic shifting to him made Ye Shi tense up.

With a smiling face, Ling Chuan looked at Ye Shi's belly, asking, "When are you due?"

Ye Shi touched his belly and replied, "I'm from the Spirit clan; our gestation is longer. It's still some time."

Ling Chuan grinned, "Not to hurry. I heard you're expecting twins?"

Ye Shi nodded, confirming, "Yes, two."

"More children, more blessings. Yan Xing is really impressive," Ling Chuan remarked.

Ye Shi nodded, uttering a brief, "Mhm."

Qu Kun looked at Ling Chuan and felt a wave of annoyance.

Ling Chuan pulled out a spatial ring and handed it to Ye Shi, saying, "Inside are two Grade 8 precious birds, already prepared. I heard you like Grade 8 beast meat, so I got these especially for you."

Ye Shi widened his eyes, saying, "Thank you..." He wasn't sure whether to address him as 'grandfather' or 'elder' and choked on his words.

"No need to be formal," Ling Chuan replied with a kind smile upon seeing Ye Shi's predicament.

Ling Chuan gave a wistful smile to Ye Shi, "Yan Xing, your grandfather has some misunderstandings about me. Can you help smooth things over?"

Ye Shi glanced at Qu Kun, hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Qu Kun disdainfully rolled his eyes, thinking Ye Shi was easily swayed by Ling Chuan's words.

"What's going on with your parent? Do you need my help?" Ling Chuan asked with concern.

Mentioning Qu Xinyang, Ye Shi's expression turned serious, "We have the formula for the Soul Returning Pill. Now we just wait for Mu Chen to advance his alchemy to Grade 8."

Ling Chuan squinted, "Isn't the one from the Pill Tower capable?"

"He's from the Fate Clan. He won’t do," Ye Shi shook his head.

Ling Chuan squinted his eyes deeper, thinking, "As expected, he only thinks the Tower Chief of Pill Tower is from the Fate Clan. He doesn’t know the elders are as well."

"How about you give me the formula for the Soul Returning Pill? I'll see if I can prepare more spiritual herbs," Ling Chuan pondered aloud.

Ye Shi nodded, "Sounds good."

Qu Kun didn't object. Having more spiritual herbs to prepare the Soul Returning Pill was always beneficial, especially since Qu Xinyang was... his son.

Ling Chuan shared a few more words with the two before reluctantly leaving.

Upon seeing Ling Chuan leave, Qu Kun breathed a sigh of relief.

Ye Shi watched Ling Chuan depart with a gentle smile on his lips, "Grandfather... he's actually quite a good man."

Qu Kun gave an exasperated eye-roll and remarked, "You really have a useless pair of eyes." This guy's such a smooth talker; it's nauseating. Yet Ye Shi seems to think he's alright.

Ye Shi: "..."

"Grandpa, in truth, this other grandpa genuinely cares about you. Even if you have others in your life, he wouldn’t mind. But, Grandpa, do you really have so many lovers? Both men and women? Playing both fields?" Ye Shi inquired, looking at Qu Kun with a mischievous twinkle.

Qu Kun thought to himself: Both men and women? Nonsense! He's just putting on a front. If it weren't for that jerk Ling Chuan causing trauma, how could he refrain from embracing others?

Clearing his throat, Qu Kun said, "In the foreign realm, I was considered a top expert. Many people willingly flocked to me..."

Ye Shi gazed at Qu Kun with admiration, saying, "Grandpa, you're so impressive!"

"Oh, it's nothing really," Qu Kun replied, waving his hand nonchalantly and grinning broadly.

Ye Shi: "..."

"Grandpa, do you genuinely not want to have anything to do with that other grandpa?" Ye Shi asked with a touch of regret.

Qu Kun, looking irritated, replied, "Indeed! Why? Do you like him?"

Rolling his eyes, Ye Shi responded, "I think he's quite decent."

Qu Kun sneered inwardly, "Decent? In what way do you find him decent?"

Counting on his fingers, Ye Shi listed, "Strong, wealthy, good at artifact crafting, handsome, deeply affectionate, approachable, gentle, generous, doesn't sweat the small stuff... That other grandpa mentioned he dreams about you all the time..."

Qu Kun: "..." Ye Shi is too obedient. That guy asked him for a favor, and he really delivered.

"Enough, stop talking," Qu Kun interjected.

Ye Shi looked puzzled, "Why?"

Rolling his eyes again, Qu Kun thought: After being sickened by that bastard Ling Chuan, now have to endure this clueless grandson's ramblings.

Qu Kun, looking irritated, responded curtly, "No reason."

Ye Shi hesitantly ventured, "Grandpa, what's your impression of that other grandpa?"

Qu Kun's face contorted, "Shameless, despicable, faceless, heartless, slick, frivolous, deceitful, honey-mouthed but knife-hearted... It'd be best if he passed away sooner rather than later..."

Ye Shi: "..."

Qu Kun, noting Ye Shi's shocked expression, inquired, "Anything else you want to ask?"

Ye Shi blankly replied, "No more..."

...

At the Ling residence's side courtyard.

"Seventeenth Brother, you're back!" Ling Chen addressed Ling Chuan.

Ling Chuan nodded, "Yes."

"Did you meet Qu Kun?" Ling Chen continued.

"Yes," Ling Chuan replied with a faint smile.

"Why the sudden desire to meet him?" Ling Chen asked, puzzled.

Ling Chuan chuckled, "Everyone's entering the secret realm soon. I wanted to foster our relationship a bit."

Ling Chen smirked, "Did he snub you again?"

Ling Chuan set up a barrier. Outsiders could only vaguely see the three figures inside. Ling Chen didn’t know what Ling Chuan and Qu Kun had discussed. However, he'd heard that Qu Kun had left looking quite grim.

Stroking his chin, Ling Chuan smiled subtly, "He has quite the temper. Not easy to please."

"Seventeenth Brother, did you give him a piece of your mind?" Ling Chen asked with keen interest.

Ling Chuan responded dismissively, "Why would I? I would never threaten him. You're overthinking."

Ling Chen: "..."

...

At the Bai residence.

"Grandpa looked really angry. You must've encountered Ling Chuan," Mu Chen commented with a peculiar expression.

Ye Shi nodded, "Yes. We met the other grandpa, so Grandpa's mood soured. But honestly, that other grandpa seems nice."

"Good? How so?" Mu Chen inquired.

Ye Shi shifted his eyes slightly and responded, "He treated me to grilled meat, the Grade Eight Delicate Sparrow. It's truly delightful."

Mu Chen, momentarily speechless, thought, 'So, because he fed you, he's a good person? I was worried about Ye Shi's rations, but it seems there's no need now.'

Noticing Mu Chen's expression, Ye Shi hurriedly clarified, "It's not just because he gave me meat that I think he's kind-hearted."

Mu Chen remained silent.

"Did that elder mention anything?" Mu Chen probed.

Ye Shi nodded, "Yes! He mentioned that he was too brash in the past, regretting his behavior towards the elder. He constantly thinks of him, questioning if the feeling is mutual, vowing to take responsibility."

Mu Chen stayed silent.

Tilted his head, Ye Shi pondered, "In reality, this elder seems kind, gentle, and deeply passionate."

Mu Chen stared intently at Ye Shi, a whirlwind of thoughts surging within. He forced a smile, advising, "Matters of the elders are best left to them. We shouldn’t intervene."

Ye Shi nodded in agreement, "Alright then."