Chapter 59: Stop Touching, It’s Ticklish

Chapter 59: Stop Touching, It’s a Bit Ticklish

Chi Yu felt a bit frustrated, but upon reflecting on Brother Xuan Ji’s proud and stubborn temperament, he found it rather normal.

Chi Yu changed the subject and brought up the recent events with Xie Xiyi, though he didn’t mention the unconventional dynamic between the two of them. “…Brother Xuan Ji, I think the emperor has a point. If we take away that poison sac, Brother Du Ya’s fighting ability will take a big hit. In that case, let’s not exchange it.”

Xie Xiyi showed no reaction. “It’s already agreed upon. It’s not up to him to decide whether to exchange or not.”

Chi Yu studied Xie Xiyi’s expression and couldn’t help but say, “But the emperor said he doesn’t want it.”

Xie Xiyi replied coldly, “The choice isn’t his to make.”

Chi Yu: Wow, so bossy.

Chi Yu asked, “Even if he doesn’t want it, Brother Xuan Ji, are you still going to give it to him anyway?”

Xie Xiyi: “Yes.”

Chi Yu whispered, “But if the person involved isn’t willing, it doesn’t feel right to force a spirit root on him.”

Xie Xiyi said with a cold expression, “Why care about him? We just need to get the poison sac.”

Chi Yu thought to himself, Brother Xuan Ji really only treats his own people well; he couldn’t care less about outsiders.

Chi Yu asked, “Is that poison sac really that important?”

Xie Xiyi said calmly, “Of course. All demons are born with innate treasures, but those with dragon bloodline usually have powers related to wind, rain, thunder, or lightning. Only this poison dragon, Du Ya, produced a poison sac far exceeding his own strength. Even separated from its owner, that poison sac will continue to grow. It’s a rather excellent magical artifact.”

He added, “Your mental state is fragile. Using a sword to personally slay demons and monsters often leaves lingering fear. Fear is a poison that, over time, can give rise to inner demons. Using poison avoids this problem. However, ordinary poisons can hardly kill thick-skinned and hardy demons and monsters. This poison dragon’s poison sac is perfect for that.”

It’s all for my sake, after all.

Chi Yu was deeply moved. He opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say for a moment.

Sometimes, when the kindness is too much, simple thanks feel incredibly inadequate.

Chi Yu hesitated and said, “But if that’s the case, will I end up like Brother Du Ya, poison all over me? If that happens, I don’t want it. Because, Brother Xuan Ji, aren’t you still going to perform Visualization on me? And I still need to hold Xiaoqiu and Wu Yunsu.”

Xie Xiyi paused. That was indeed a problem.

Seeing an opening, Chi Yu reached out and took Xie Xiyi’s hand. “Brother Xuan Ji, if I use the poison sac, you’ll never be able to perform Visualization on me again.”

Xie Xiyi’s hand was broad and warm. Chi Yu’s hand was already slim, but in his grasp, it still seemed somewhat delicate. Chi Yu’s fine, pale fingers slid between Xie Xiyi’s, interlocking them in a tight, intimate grip.

Xie Xiyi slightly lowered his eyelids, his gaze falling on their tightly clasped hands. His golden eyes gleamed dimly in his lowered line of sight.

He turned the tables, squeezing Chi Yu’s hand in his palm. His other hand gently covered it, sandwiching Chi Yu’s hand between his own as he casually and carefully massaged it. Finally, his fingers lightly grasped Chi Yu’s slender, pale wrist—so thin it could be held in one hand.

This action caused his golden pupils to slightly dilate. Demon Heart instantly stirred abnormally, but Xie Xiyi suppressed it as usual.

He spoke casually, “As long as you refine it into your life-bound magical artifact and keep it in your spiritual realm normally, it won’t release poison uncontrollably like that poison dragon.”

Chi Yu leaned closer, looking up at him. “But Brother Xuan Ji, I’m only at the Foundation Establishment stage. Refining a poison sac from the Nascent Soul Stage carries great risks.”

“When has cultivation ever been without risks?” Xie Xiyi said coldly.

Chi Yu was immediately left speechless.

In Xie Xiyi’s palm was Chi Yu’s slender, warm, and smooth wrist. His fingers gently traced upward, brushing over the faint blue veins on his forearm. He could feel the pulse in his veins—this was a cultivator’s lifeline, and Chi Yu had handed it over to him without any resistance.

Xie Xiyi felt inexplicably pleased. “Don’t want the poison sac?”

Chi Yu whispered, “No.”

Xie Xiyi’s pleasant voice held a faint hint of delight. “Want me to perform Visualization?”

Of course, he knew why Chi Yu was refusing, but he deliberately misinterpreted his intention.

Chi Yu nodded repeatedly. “Yes, I want Brother Xuan Ji to perform Visualization.”

Xie Xiyi’s lips curved upward. “If you don’t want it, then we won’t take it.”

Chi Yu’s eyes lit up. “I think we can exchange for something else. It’s been over half a month since we last killed any demons or monsters. Why not have Brother Du Ya catch a few hundred demons and monsters in exchange for the spirit root? What do you think, Brother Xuan Ji?”

Xie Xiyi said, “Would that still count as training?”

Chi Yu: “…”

Oh right, how could he try to cheat the system?

Training was meant to temper the heart, yet he was trying to take a shortcut.

Scratching head.jpg

Chi Yu thought for a moment and said, “Then what should we do? What should we exchange for?”

Though Xie Xiyi was smiling, his eyes were oddly cold. “It’s already agreed to exchange for the poison sac. If it’s not the poison sac, then forget about the spirit root.”

Chi Yu’s eyes widened in shock. “But I don’t want it anymore.”

Xie Xiyi said, “Just because you don’t want it, doesn’t mean I won’t exchange. I can give it to Xiaoqiu.”

Chi Yu: “…Fine.”

From this, he also realized that Brother Xuan Ji was very principled and not easily persuaded.

Since that was the case, there was nothing else to be done.

Chi Yu looked down and only then noticed that Xie Xiyi’s hand had slipped into his sleeve and was gripping his shoulder—

Cultivation world robes and magical garments were very loose, particularly favoring lightweight and flexible textures because they gave off an ethereal, transcendent aura. Chi Yu had a fine bone structure, so the wide robes made his wrists appear delicate and his shoulders seem slim. Although he had developed some light musculature from diligent cultivation and sword practice, it was still no match for Xie Xiyi’s grasp.

Chi Yu felt a bit ticklish, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he looked up at Xie Xiyi’s expression—still elegant and dignified, with bright, serious golden eyes, as though he were engaged in something very proper and solemn.

Xie Xiyi was much taller than him, and even from this elevated position, he remained completely at ease.

His kneading technique was very light, as though he were assessing his frame and build—meticulous, scrutinizing, and examining. There was a cool dominance, yet also a soft tenderness.

“Brother Xuan Ji,” Chi Yu couldn’t help but call out softly, feeling a ticklish sensation that seeped into his bones.

“Hmm?” Xie Xiyi responded casually.

His palm had already reached his back. The loose robe bulged slightly with his leisurely, exploring movements. To an outsider, it would inevitably seem ambiguous.

Outsiders see clearly, but those involved are clueless. Chi Yu only felt ticklish and had no other discomfort. Moreover, Brother Xuan Ji’s warm palm gave him a sense of reassurance.

Chi Yu had left his parents at a very young age. For him, parental love was nothing more than cold numbers jumping in a bank account. At first, his parents would return home for the New Year every year, but later it became every two years, then four years, then six.

The last time he saw his parents was around his second year of junior high. They hadn’t even been there for his high school entrance exam.

Chi Yu always thought that staying with his grandparents meant his parents weren't that important.

But Brother Xuan Ji's care, like an older brother and father, and his dedication softened even the hardest parts of Chi Yu's heart.

"Brother Xuan Ji, stop petting me, it tickles," Chi Yu said softly, only to feel a strange sense of embarrassment after the words left his mouth.

Chi Yu's voice was a clear, young voice—full of vitality and energy when he spoke happily. But when he lowered his voice and spoke softly, his voice got nasally, turning his crisp voice into something sticky and unintentionally sweet and whiny.

Whining with his grandparents never felt strange, but doing so with Brother Xuan Ji, who wasn't much older and was around his age, inevitably made him feel shy, childish, and immature.

Even so, the object of his whining didn’t react.

Xie Xiyi looked down at him, his golden eyes carrying a divine, almost sacred look that made it impossible to entertain any improper thoughts. "Just bear with it," he said coolly.

Chi Yu didn't dare move then, reaching out to grab Xie Xiyi's sleeve to steady himself, and in doing so, he also straightened out the uneasy feelings that Xiao Jingyu had stirred in him.

Fortunately, the process didn't last long. Xie Xiyi soon withdrew his hand from Chi Yu's sleeve.

As Chi Yu straightened his messed-up robes, he asked, "Have you finished the Visualization, Brother Xuan Ji?"

Xie Xiyi curled his lips and hummed in agreement.

Chi Yu breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Brother Xuan Ji, when Xiao Qiu and I were chatting, we talked about emotional attachments. He said if you had any, you’d definitely lose control and go into qi deviation."

Xie Xiyi replied, "He's speaking garbage."

Chi Yu said, "I think he had a point."

Even as he said it, he wasn’t sure what he meant to convey.

Perhaps it was because Xiao Qiu was so young—children often possess a sharpness that even adults fail to notice.

And what he said about sensing a certain fate in Xie Xiyi through their bloodline connection really bothered Chi Yu.

In the end, he could only say dryly to Xie Xiyi, "Brother Xuan Ji, whatever you do, don’t let yourself be deceived by any female demon or yaoguai cultivators."

Xie Xiyi raised an eyebrow. "Worry about yourself instead. With such a weak mental state, it’s a miracle you even made it into Daodi Zen Hall’s Heart-Proof Platform."

Chi Yu: "..."

Meek and timid.jpg

*

A few days later, the emperor still hadn’t summoned them.

But the palace was decked out with lanterns and banners, and Chi Yu could hear the sound of drums and gongs outside the palace walls.

"It’s the New Year!" Xiao Qiu exclaimed.

Chi Yu was surprised. He opened the system panel and saw the number jump to 17.

Xiao Qiu said happily, "I’m 11 years old now! I’ve turned a year older. Thank heavens, time passes so slowly!"

As soon as he finished, his forehead was met with a flick on the forehead. "What’s there to be happy about? Eleven years old and still at Qi Refining Stage 3—are you proud of that?" The speaker was, of course, Xie Xiyi.

Wu Yunsu sat in a chair, eating today’s spirit food, watching them playfully arguing. His purple eyes darkened. He wasn’t a lively person by nature, and having come later, he relied on a baby face that people liked to win over the young cultivator, but he never felt as natural as that child.

What’s more, that man rarely paid him any attention. Even when his gaze occasionally fell on him, it carried an unreadable dark look that made Wu Yunsu wary.

Should he decide?

No, better to wait a little longer.

If he abandoned his demon body, he would have no way to protect himself.

Unaware of Wu Yunsu’s thoughts, Chi Yu walked over, scooped him up, and said, "Since it’s the New Year, it must be lively outside. Let’s go out and play."

"Yay!" Xiao Qiu cheered.

Just then, Du Ya pushed the door open and announced loudly, "It’s New Year’s Eve today. His Majesty has invited you all to the family banquet. If you go out to play, make sure you’re back by Shen hour."

Chi Yu said, "Dinner that early? Isn’t that a bit early?"

Du Ya replied, "What are you talking about? Don’t you mortals eat dinner around this time? They say it’s good for the foundations of later health."

Chi Yu was surprised. "Is that so?"

"That’s right. My family always eats dinner around Shen hour. We don’t eat anything after that," Xiao Qiu said.

Chi Yu checked the time—it was only 8 a.m., plenty of time to return before Shen hour—so he readily agreed.

Once they stepped out, he noticed Du Ya following them and asked, "Brother Du Ya, why are you following us?"

Du Ya said, "To tag along with you. His Majesty’s orders."

Chi Yu, hearing him mention "His Majesty" at every turn, couldn’t help probing: "Brother Du Ya, how come your emperor still hasn’t taken a wife? He doesn’t even have an heir. For an emperor, that’s shaking the nation’s foundations, isn’t it?"

Du Ya immediately retorted, "That’s His Majesty’s choice. Besides, he’s got me. Who would dare undermine his state’s foundation?"

Chi Yu: "..."

Chi Yu shut his mouth.

A moment later, remembering something, he said to Du Ya, "Brother Du Ya, I forgot to tell you—His Majesty said he doesn’t want the spirit root anymore."

Du Ya showed no surprise and replied calmly, "Brother Xuan Ji already told me. After His Majesty’s health weakened, his willpower weakened too. He’s always hesitant about everything now. I can make the decision on this matter."

After a pause, he added, "However, Brother Xuan Ji exchanged half of the poison sac with me."

He glanced at Xie Xiyi with a look that said, "You beast, suddenly acting human."

Xie Xiyi said expressionlessly, "I’ll come collect the other half of the poison sac after you get through your lightning tribulation and advance to Great Perfection."

Chi Yu: "..."

He couldn’t help exclaiming, "Brother Xuan Ji—"

Xie Xiyi said, "Mortals fatten their pigs before slaughter."

Du Ya: "..."

Wait, am I a pig again?

Chi Yu burst out laughing.

Author's Note:

Xiao Yu: The best Brother Xuan Ji

11: Is the best husband (x)