Chapter 118

Chapter 118

While everyone's attention was drawn to his son, Chen Mingting vanished on the spot. In just two breaths, he had already arrived beside his true form and merged with it in the next second.

After sending his son away, Chen Mingting immediately engaged in battle with the demon.

The sky turned as dark as thick ink, with almost no daylight visible, an extremely gloomy scene.

Chen Mingting's spiritual power manifested into a dragon, which clashed fiercely with the demon.

After his avatar merged with his true form, Chen Mingting, who was already overpowering the demon, gained even more strength. His momentum surged, reaching a peak as a Blinding Light spell shot from the dragon's mouth. The intense energy threatened to obliterate everything in its path.

Realizing the threat, the demon tried to evade and escape.

However, restrained by Chen Mingting and hindered by its massive size, it had no way to avoid the attack and was forced to take it head-on.

"A roar—"

The demon roared in pain.

Its body was nearly torn apart by the attack.

It already knew it was no match for Chen Mingting, but it still refused to accept defeat.

It had done so much to grow stronger, resorting to any means necessary—why was it still not enough?

Gritting its teeth, the demon clearly realized that if it didn’t act now, it would truly perish here today.

It raised its hands, and a misty, luminous ring of light encircled them.

Above it, a massive light screen suddenly appeared, faintly revealing the figures of many people inside.

"System, what’s happening?"

"Why did this light screen suddenly appear? It feels like it’s pulling me in! System, save me!"

The people inside the light screen cried out incessantly, their voices breaking through the barrier and reaching Chen Mingting’s ears.

They struggled to break free, but it was in vain.

Chen Mingting looked up at the sky, narrowing his eyes.

The people inside the light screen were the "taskers" controlled by the demon—those who had lost all freedom and could only survive at the demon's mercy.

The demon’s intention to summon these people was obvious.

The demon grinned maliciously. "You know these people, don’t you? They’re all humans from the small worlds under your jurisdiction. If you don’t want them to die, you know what to do."

Chen Mingting’s lips curled. He hated being threatened more than anything.

The man’s eyes turned fierce. "You're courting death!"

.

You Nan lay in bed, in a deep sleep for five days.

When he opened his eyes, it was already nighttime.

You Nan noticed the sound of breathing beside him. He turned his head and saw a peacefully sleeping little face.

It was his Little Immortal.

You Nan blinked, his mind was hazy.

He felt as though he had been dreaming. He remembered the world and events from his dream so vividly that, upon waking, he couldn’t immediately distinguish reality from illusion.

He remembered the three worlds he and the Little Immortal had experienced together in the dream.

But could those have been real?

You Nan didn’t know.

He glanced at the boy who had been his son across three worlds, pursed his lips, lifted the blanket, and attempted to get out of bed. Just then, he heard a "creak" as someone pushed the door open from outside and walked in.

The newcomer was tall and imposing. Even under the faint lamplight, his handsome features were unmistakable.

His expression was aloof and composed, yet his features were sharp—sword-like eyebrows, star-bright eyes. His aura was like a drawn blade, making others hesitant to approach.

He pushed the door open and entered, holding a bowl of warm soup in his hands.

You Nan looked at him, a complex emotion swelling in his chest.

The feeling was strange.

They had clearly never met before, yet upon seeing the other, waves of kinship and reliance surged within him—like a volcanic eruption, irrepressible.

You Nan’s heart felt both aching and heavy. He turned his face away, using his fingers to wipe away the glistening tears at the corners of his eyes.

Chen Mingting, who had entered with the tonic soup, was just as tense as You Nan.

He was incredibly nervous.

Chen Mingting had lifted the memory seals the demon had placed on You Nan, but his lover’s body was too fragile to withstand undue stress.

While dealing with the demon, the man’s heart had been as calm as still water, utterly unruffled. Yet, when lifting the restrictions on You Nan, he had broken into a sweat, his hands trembling.

He was terrified that the restrictions on You Nan might not have been fully lifted.

However, upon entering now, he could tell from You Nan’s reaction to him what had happened.

Chen Mingting let out a relieved sigh in his heart.

Feigning calm, the man walked step by step closer to You Nan. You Nan didn’t tell him to stop, so he continued until he stood right in front of him.

The air in the room seemed to grow warmer as the two drew closer.

Chen Mingting’s throat tightened uncontrollably.

Calmly, he gently placed the bowl of soup on You Nan’s bedside table and said, "This is the soup your mother warmed for you. It’s not too hot—you should drink it."

The moment the man spoke, You Nan’s fingers, hidden behind his back, tightened around his clothes. His chest heaved heavily as he responded, "Mm."

He shifted and reached out to take the bowl from the bedside table.

You Nan’s hand trembled slightly.

He should have asked the stranger who he was, but the words stuck in his throat, as if clogged by a ball of cotton.

He knew he wasn’t acting normally at that moment.

You Nan picked up the bowl of tonic from the bedside table but couldn’t hold it steady. The soup sloshed precariously.

He was recovering from severe injuries, his body still very weak. Combined with his emotional agitation, the soup in his hand was about to spill from the bowl.

Suddenly, a hand reached out from beside him, firmly and steadily steadying You Nan's hand, protecting the soup bowl and preventing any spill.

The moment their hands touched, You Nan felt as if burned by the man's slightly higher body temperature and quickly tried to withdraw his hand. But the other's strength was too great, and You Nan couldn't pull away.

So, in this posture, You Nan allowed the other to hold the bowl, essentially being served as he drank.

The atmosphere around them was so quiet that only the sound of You Nan gulping the soup could be heard.

You Nan drank slowly, and Chen Mingting didn't rush him. His gaze was tender and loving as he watched You Nan, making You Nan feel a profound familiarity.

You Nan's heartbeat never slowed down; instead, it pounded even harder because of Chen Mingting's proximity.

With a dull "clunk," the empty soup bowl was placed back on the bedside table.

Before You Nan could speak, a clean handkerchief was already touching his lips.

You Nan could only close his mouth again, allowing Chen Mingting to wipe them for him.

Only when Chen Mingting moved away did You Nan finally have the chance to ask, "Who are you? How did you get into my home?"

You Nan looked up, meeting the gaze of the man beside him, his eyes soft and reflecting the glimmering candlelight.

Chen Mingting gave a light laugh. Instead of answering, he asked, "Did you just have a dream?"

You Nan didn't understand. "Hmm?"

Chen Mingting took two steps back to give You Nan a sense of security. "I am the lover from your dreams. We've been together for three lives."

You Nan realized something, his eyes widening.

When people dream, they remember it the moment they wake up, but as time passes, they forget the dream entirely.

But this dream of his, he still remembered it clearly, every small detail imprinted on his mind as if he had truly experienced it himself.

You Nan's lips moved slightly. He avoided Chen Mingting's gaze, which, though restrained, still made him uncomfortable, and instead looked at the child lying beside him, who had been keeping him company but had fallen asleep. "Are these dreams really true?"

If they were, then he would understand why Little Immortal always called him Father.

Chen Mingting responded, "Not only did you live with me in three realms, but we also raised our child together. Similarly, you saved me, including all the remaining beings in my other realms that weren't controlled or invaded by the demons."

Chen Mingting concealed nothing from You Nan. Seeing his curiosity, he told You Nan about his past with the demons.

You Nan quietly leaned against the headboard, listening to his words, while his hand gently stroked the little one's downy head.

So that's how it was.

No wonder he felt an immediate closeness to the little one and a feeling of safety the moment he saw Chen Mingting. They had already shared so many years together.

The bed beside You Nan dipped as Chen Mingting sat down next to him, his strong arm encircling You Nan's shoulders, pulling him into an embrace.

Chen Mingting held him tightly, as if holding a precious, rediscovered treasure.

"You Nan, I will always be by your side from now on, and I won't let you suffer again," Chen Mingting said, taking You Nan's hand and pressing it against his own chest. He looked directly into You Nan's eyes, vowing solemnly.

You Nan was profoundly touched and quickly averted his gaze.

He looked down and saw Chen Mingting's hand—broad, long, with fine calluses on the knuckles. He touched them, feeling the coarse texture. "Why is your hand like this?"

Chen Mingting feigned a sigh. "It's from practicing swordplay in the past. But I think it looks quite good, so I've kept it this way."

These were the marks from his earlier path cultivating immortality.

You Nan nodded in agreement.

He knew the old saying: scars are badges of honor.

Though it felt a bit off to describe Chen Mingting that way.

You Nan and Chen Mingting whispered. Though they tried to be quiet, the little one beside them was still awakened by their murmured conversation.

Well, not exactly awakened—more like jostled awake as his Father and Dad moved closer and closer together, as if squeezing him out.

That's how he ended up jostled awake.

The little one peeked through barely open eyes, observing his Father and Dad.

He was reluctant to be separated from his Dad, but as for his Father—what was there to miss!

A bit dissatisfied, the little one secretly reached out and gave his Father's thigh a sharp pinch, then immediately closed his eyes, pretending to still be asleep.

Having done his mischief, he quickly withdrew his hand, leaving no trace for anyone to catch.

Chen Mingting noticed the moment his son woke up. He sensed his son's mischievous plan but didn't stop him.

After all, a pinch from a child was painless.

But though he thought so, Chen Mingting let out a sharp intake of breath, immediately drawing You Nan's attention.

You Nan looked at him worriedly. "What's wrong? Is it the injury from fighting the demons hurting again?"

Chen Mingting frowned, neither admitted nor denied.

The little one lying between them sensed trouble, feeling that his Father was plotting something. His small body stiffened.

Chen Mingting said, "It's hard to say."

Seeing Chen Mingting's hand moving downward as if his leg hurt, but not wanting to pull up the pant leg to worry him, You Nan reached over directly and pulled up the hem, revealing a small red mark on Chen Mingting's skin.

The little one had really nailed his own father—the fingerprint was exceptionally clear, hard to miss.

And the mark was small, something You Nan was very familiar with. He recognized it at a glance.

He didn't even need to look to know who was causing trouble.

"Little Immortal..." You Nan said, but then paused.

He looked at Chen Mingting.

*Does our son have a name?*

Chen Mingting understood You Nan's meaning at a glance.

"Chen Xiaobao, his nickname," Chen Mingting ad-libbed, quick on his feet and coming up with it on the spot.

You Nan was also no good with names, so he accepted it readily. After all, it was just a nickname; they could think of a formal name later.

You Nan asked softly, "Xiaobao, are you awake?"

Chen Xiaobao knew that his bad behavior had been discovered by his father. Looking dejected, he opened his eyes, biting his lip as he admitted his mistake and sat up. "Yes, Daddy, it was me..."

The one who pinched Daddy.

But before he could finish his sentence, he was swept into a warm embrace.

Chen Xiaobao's eyes went wide in disbelief.

You Nan buried his face in his son's neck. The thought of his child under so much pressure at such a young age, being coveted by demons, flooded him with guilt and tenderness.

You Nan blurted out, "You're such a good boy, Xiaobao. Daddy loves you."

Chen Mingting, who had been waiting to see his wife scold their "unfilial son," was stunned. His gaze shifted from anticipation to surprise. "Huh?"

How was this different from what he had imagined?

Hadn't his wife just been feeling sorry for him a moment ago?