Chapter 22 First Watch

Chapter 22

The painting ultimately sold for 30,000 spirit stones. As for the modifications Shiyi later made, they were inconsequential to most buyers. A connoisseur could easily revert them with a little effort.

As soon as the auction concluded, Yuan Qichen yawned and headed back.

Even he was thoroughly exhausted after such a long ordeal.

Pushing open the door, he found someone who had been avoiding him for quite some time sitting in the room, deep in thought with a serious expression.

Yuan Qichen’s drowsiness vanished instantly. He strode over and sat down in front of him, asking with amusement, “Why aren’t you hiding anymore? I thought the Immortal Lord planned to retreat into his shell and simply leave the Guixu Realm for Tianshu Palace.”

Their deal wasn’t finished, so Que Zizhen wouldn’t leave, but that didn’t stop Yuan Qichen from making sarcastic remarks.

Silence was Que Zizhen’s usual demeanor, but today his silence felt unusually profound. His deep, ink-black eyes held something Yuan Qichen couldn’t decipher. When he finally spoke, it made Yuan Qichen’s heart skip a beat: “I was present during the auction downstairs.”

“You… don’t you dislike crowds?” Yuan Qichen stammered.

If he had been there, then Que Zizhen must have heard everything the Ghost Woman Luo Su said while introducing the item to the guests.

Which meant…

“That day, when you and Yuan Xiao hid in the *Sumeru Canvas*, everything should have been fine. You said it was your possession…” Que Zizhen paused, “But when I approached the painting later, I was able to enter without difficulty. A Chen, tell me, why is that?”

Things had finally come to this.

Yuan Qichen froze, avoiding his gaze. Yet, upon closer inspection, one could see his entire body trembling slightly, his teeth clenched, his nails digging into his palms, leaving deep red marks.

“You’ve already figured it out. What more is there for me to say?”

Que Zizhen felt utterly wronged. He wasn’t even clear about how he and Yuan Qichen had grown closer earlier that day.

“Is Yuan Xiao really my…” Que Zizhen suddenly found the word “son” hard to utter.

Otherwise, there was no explanation for why he could enter the *Sumeru Canvas* so easily.

Unless he was still trapped in an illusion.

Que Zizhen felt somewhat dazed, a faint blush spreading across his cheeks. “But we never… never before…”

Had any physical relations.

Yuan Qichen scoffed. “How was I to know that someone who appeared so aloof and desireless would be unable to uphold their Daoist heart, easily allowing their inner demon to take advantage?”

If they were to be precise, it would be hard to assign blame. It was Que Zizhen, under the influence of his inner demon, who had forced himself on Yuan Qichen. Yet it was Yuan Qichen himself who had dragged Que Zizhen into the demonic illusion, provoking that inner demon in the first place.

To put it plainly, they were both responsible for Yuan Xiao’s existence.

But Que Zizhen was not one to shift blame onto others. Hearing Yuan Qichen’s words, he only took more responsibility upon himself.

Besides, Yuan Qichen had endured pregnancy and childbirth alone, contrary to his demonic nature, to raise the child by his side all these years. Who knew how much hardship he had faced? How could Que Zizhen bear to blame him?

No wonder Yuan Qichen had refused to answer his questions about Wus Spring Mountain and his memories.

“I’m sorry.”

Que Zizhen’s apology was fourteen years overdue.

“Back then, I wasn’t there because of that arrest warrant.”

Yuan Qichen already knew.

But at the time, deceived by Sheng Yiming, he had lost his rationality and distrusted even Que Zizhen, who insisted on taking him back to Tianshu Palace.

That place where Que Zizhen had lived and grown up, though it had its share of warmth and coldness, was always his home.

But to Yuan Qichen, Tianshu Palace was not a place that would tolerate him. Even the northern and southern realms saw him as a monstrous threat, like wolves and tigers.

Suspicion and caution—that was the attitude the immortal sects ought to have toward him.

They were simply not from the same world.

Even without Sheng Yiming’s interference, Yuan Qichen would not have gone with him.

Que Zizhen had been taught well by his master. He was like an evergreen pine, a principled and steadfast man of integrity. Aside from being somewhat reserved, he was the very model of a righteous sect disciple.

But when one becomes a revered figure, that reserve is seen as steadiness.

Given Que Zizhen’s by-the-book nature, he would inevitably investigate thoroughly to clear Yuan Qichen’s name.

The Tang family affair was clearly a carefully laid trap. Yuan Qichen didn’t care about being cleared of blame, but he resented being played for a fool for no reason.

Once Que Zizhen started investigating, witnesses and evidence would be conveniently produced before him. Even if he still believed in Yuan Qichen then, what would the elders of Tianshu Palace do when faced with overwhelming evidence?

At that point, Que Zizhen would be trapped in the same dilemma as years before.

Yuan Qichen knew he would not be the one chosen.

“What’s done is done. It’s probably too late for regrets now.” Yuan Qichen had felt resentment and bitterness; even now, he still felt wronged. But rather than dwelling on the past, he preferred to look forward.

It wasn’t as if he could stuff Yuan Xiao back into his womb now, could he?

Besides, those past grievances couldn’t be erased with a simple “I’m sorry.”

The stepfather had become the biological father. Even the unflappable Jade Mountain Immortal Lord, who wouldn’t bat an eye if Mount Tai collapsed before him, was at a loss for how to handle the situation.

Que Zizhen recalled the dream he had in the Nightmare Realm. Yuan Xiao’s cry of “Father” hadn’t been mistaken after all.

But in Yuan Xiao’s short thirteen years of life, Que Zizhen had never been present. What Yuan Xiao had heard were likely partial or inaccurate rumors about him and Yuan Qichen.

Father, biological dad, and son.

The three of them were closely linked, yet one could also say they had no relationship at all.

“Once this matter is settled, come back to Tianshu Palace with me.” Que Zizhen paused. “Will you?”

Yuan Qichen was a little surprised. Hadn’t they already agreed on this? Why ask now?

Did Que Zizhen truly find him so untrustworthy?

“Yes, yes, yes! Once Yuan Xiao’s problem is resolved, we’ll go right away!”

Que Zizhen’s worries finally eased. He nodded in satisfaction. “Good. It’s late. You should rest early.”

With that, he stood up to leave the room.

“Where are you going?” Yuan Qichen asked with a frown.

Que Zizhen: “To another room.”

This scene felt somewhat déjà vu.

Last time at the Canglan City Lord's estate, Que Zizhen had also been this eager to leave.

"Everything that should and shouldn't be done has already been done, and your son has even grown chest-high. What’s there to be shy about?" After laying things out in the open, Yuan Qichen became even more adept at teasing him. "Are you afraid I’ll force myself on you in the middle of the night?"

Que Zizhen found himself caught in a dilemma.

He was afraid that too many romantic thoughts tonight might give his Inner Demon an opportunity to strike.

So this time, Que Zizhen left without hesitation.

-

As dawn broke, the entire Guixu Realm returned to silence. Que Zizhen, having barely slept all night, sat early by Yuan Xiao's bedside.

The power from the two Karma Realm inheritances was almost fully absorbed. Next, the two forces could clash at any moment, and helping Yuan Xiao form his nascent soul was the only option left.

Who knew if the conflict would continue even after forming the nascent soul?

"Mmm..."

Yuan Xiao let out a pained murmur, struggling to open his heavy eyelids. To his surprise, he saw not his father, but the Jade Mountain Immortal Lord, whom he both respected and feared.

This fear was entirely different from the fear he felt toward his father.

Although Yuan Xiao was afraid of being scolded by his father, he knew deep down that his father was only teasing him, so the fear was limited.

The Jade Mountain Immortal Lord was different—stern and uncompromising in daily life. Though surprisingly reasonable, Yuan Xiao vividly remembered the harsh lesson he had received at Tianshu Palace for his audacity. It wasn’t impossible for the Immortal Lord to seriously eliminate a little demon like him someday.

Unbeknownst to him, Que Zizhen was also nervous: "Awake? Are you... feeling unwell?"

His unexpected concern made Yuan Xiao feel flattered: "I’m... okay."

The conversation ended there.

One looked at the ground, the other at the sky—neither could find another word to say.

Finally, Yuan Xiao was the first to break the silence: "Immortal Lord, um... where’s my father?"

Que Zizhen: "It’s still early. He’s probably still asleep. He’ll be here soon."

"Oh."

The exchange stalled again.

This inexplicably strange atmosphere made both of them feel uneasy.

Que Zizhen thought for a moment and realized that the only topic he could bring up without hesitation was helping Yuan Xiao form his nascent soul. Even if he didn’t mention it now, Yuan Qichen would bring it up later.

"The capacity of the two Golden Cores in your body is almost at its limit. The Underworld Lord suggested we help you form your nascent soul."

Yuan Xiao responded smoothly, joking: "Isn’t that great? I thought I’d be stuck at the Golden Core stage for life."

Que Zizhen smiled faintly and patted his head somewhat stiffly.

It was an affectionate gesture, especially coming from the Jade Mountain Immortal Lord, making it all the more unbelievable.

Before Yuan Xiao could process his surprise, Que Zizhen had already withdrawn his hand. Then, a more familiar voice rang out: "What are you doing here?"

Que Zizhen tried his best to appear calm: "Just came to check."

Yuan Qichen didn’t press further, as Yuan Xiao was the priority at the moment.

As soon as Yuan Qichen sat by the bed, Yuan Xiao began to whine and act spoiled: "Dad, I feel awful."

The fact that he could whine and complain meant he was fine. Yuan Qichen secretly breathed a sigh of relief and ruffled his hair without mercy: "If you’re feeling awful, then shut up and talk less."

"Dad, how can you be like this!"

Que Zizhen gazed blankly at the scene, feeling increasingly aware of how important Yuan Xiao was to him.

If it had been fourteen years ago or even further back, Que Zizhen would never have imagined such a domestic scene involving Yuan Qichen.

"Well, isn’t this lively? Everyone’s here." Shiyi arrived as well and, seeing the family gathered together, couldn’t resist teasing them. "Did I come at a bad time?"

Yuan Qichen: "Cut the nonsense."

Shiyi shot him a resentful glance: "This is such a rare sight. I just didn’t want to disturb you."

While the two were talking, Yuan Xiao remained silent, his brow furrowed, lips pale, and cold sweat pouring down.

Que Zizhen was the first to notice something wrong. He stepped forward and grabbed Yuan Xiao’s wrist, delivering unfortunate news: "The Golden Cores are rebelling."

Shiyi immediately dropped his usual casual demeanor and raised his hand to cast a barrier, sealing the room completely.

"There’s no time to waste. Let’s begin now."

Forming a nascent soul meant condensing the Dao Heart and gathering the Demon Heart. Only by reaching the nascent soul stage could one cross the chasm of cultivation, freeing Yuan Xiao from the unstable state where one force always overpowered the other.

But no one in the world had ever possessed two hearts at once.

Even with the great masters of the three realms gathered together, no one could guarantee success.

"Yuan Xiao, calm your mind and focus, try to control them!"

He and Que Zizhen simultaneously grabbed one of Yuan Xiao’s hands, palm to palm. Dominant demonic energy and spiritual power surged into Yuan Xiao’s body simultaneously. Yuan Xiao grunted, his body trembling uncontrollably.

Soon, the chaotic demonic energy and spiritual power inside him, like mischievous children seeing their parents, obediently retreated to his dantian.

The process became much smoother after that.

The two overly swollen Golden Cores each occupied a corner of the dantian, gathering the energy of the surrounding world to begin forming the nascent soul.

Yuan Xiao split his attention, and though the process was slow, it progressed smoothly.

But just as the nascent soul was about to take form, the demonic energy suddenly surged toward the spiritual energy side, threatening to dominate the dantian.

The other side, naturally, refused to yield, and a confrontation seemed imminent.

"Shiyi!" Yuan Qichen shouted.

Shiyi’s power belonged to neither demonic energy nor spiritual power and was particularly gentle, making it ideal for investigation.

But before he could even touch Yuan Xiao, Yuan Qichen and Que Zizhen were simultaneously jolted by the chaotic energy, their palms going numb.

Then, something extraordinary occurred to the two Golden Cores inside Yuan Xiao.

The Golden Cores cracked.

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The author has something to say: The next chapter will likely be at 6 AM.

Thank you all for your support, I will continue to work hard!