Chapter 28 Yuan Xiao Is Actually the Immortal Lord’s…

Chapter 28: Yuan Xiao Is Actually the Immortal Lord’s...

"Ah! Father, why did you hit me?!" Yuan Xiao cried out, clutching his head.

Yuan Qichen’s neck was flushed red from the hot spring. He snapped, "You're just a child, barely grown, what do you know about liking or not liking someone?"

"Haven't seen a pig run even if I haven't eaten pork?" Yuan Xiao muttered under his breath.

Yuan Qichen shot him a sharp glance, effectively silencing him.

*Liking someone...*

Yuan Qichen’s mind drifted back to the names scattered across those pages, the numerous times Xuan Heng had offered help without being asked, and that elegant young man in the archives years ago who would blush at the slightest tease.

If this was indeed "liking someone," then why, when Xuan Heng exposed his identity before everyone and forced Que Zizhen to choose between his sect and him, had he ultimately not chosen Xuan Heng?

*Was it because I deceived him?*

Even after all these years, Yuan Qichen could still vividly recall that feeling.

But upon closer reflection, perhaps Pei Tianhe hadn't been entirely wrong.

He had come solely to use Que Zizhen.

...

The next day, Yuan Xiao went to Wen Dao Academy as usual for his studies. Que Zizhen was still busy with his courtyard. Yuan Qichen casually remarked he was "going out for a stroll" and left Qingjing Peak without a backward glance.

As he departed, the Qingjing Peak barrier was triggered. Que Zizhen sensed it, paused his work for a moment, then resumed as if nothing had happened.

The courtyard was beginning to take shape, but the swing set A-Chen wanted hadn't been built yet.

He needed to hurry.

Yuan Qichen told Que Zizhen he was going for a stroll, but his destination was clear and familiar: the archives.

The archives of Tianshu Palace also served as a treasure repository; the more precious the items, the deeper they were hidden.

Yuan Qichen had never been inside, only heard about it from Que Zizhen.

The first underground level was accessible to any Tianshu Palace disciple with permission. Further down, only elders were allowed entry.

The deepest level, rumored to be even deeper than the heart of Chunbo Lake, was off-limits to everyone except the Sect Leader.

Any attempt to force entry would inevitably trigger the Mountain Protection Formation. Even if Yuan Qichen managed to get in, he would be surrounded by Tianshu Palace forces upon exiting.

At that point, he might not have the strength to escape.

Yuan Qichen easily entered the first level, knowing full well that what he sought wouldn't be there. Today was merely a reconnaissance mission.

The door to the second level was sealed by several intricate formations. Forcing it open wasn't impossible, but now wasn't the time.

Alternatively, if he could obtain an elder's token, this barrier would fall without a fight and wouldn't attract attention.

As he pondered how to acquire an elder's token, the formations on the door suddenly lit up one by one. Yuan Qichen found a hiding spot, concealed his aura, and watched as the heavy door slowly opened. A figure emerged, propelling himself in a wheelchair.

Yuan Qichen knew this person well.

It was Sheng Yiming, the elder guarding the archives.

His legs had been broken by Yuan Qichen.

After losing the ability to walk, Sheng Yiming's face had acquired a gloomy, sinister cast. Who would have thought that the once spirited man, whom Que Zizhen used to call "Little Martial Uncle," would fall to such a state?

His vigilance was extremely high. After emerging, he scanned the empty first level, confirming no one was present before calmly maneuvering his wheelchair and departing.

Yuan Qichen didn't linger and left shortly after.

Seeing that it was still early, he decided to genuinely wander aimlessly, truly clearing his mind.

Unbeknownst to him, he found himself near Wen Dao Academy.

It was dismissal time, and groups of young students chatted as they walked out. Yuan Qichen, with his sharp senses, overheard their conversations.

Unfortunately, the topic concerned him.

"Do you remember that Yuan Xiao who came to study a few days ago?"

"No need to ask! The story of how he won against Senior Brother Geng in the training ground match by draining his spiritual energy without using any techniques has already spread far and wide."

*So that's how he won,* Yuan Qichen thought to himself.

The disciple who had started the conversation continued, "Then do you know where he goes every day after class?"

"Where?"

He glanced around, lowered his voice, and mysteriously revealed the answer: "Qing... Jing... Peak."

"Ha!"

The others leaned back in unison, frowning skeptically at the news.

The speaker quickly added, "How could it be false? Qiu Shanshan herself said it."

The others instantly gave it more credence. If it came from Qiu Shanshan, it was likely true. Besides—

"Many people have seen him flying straight towards Qingjing Peak on his sword after class."

"So what exactly is the relationship between Yuan Xiao and Immortal Lord Yushan?" someone asked, voicing the question on everyone’s mind.

The disciple, now at the center of the curious group, smiled smugly, as if privy to some extraordinary secret.

He beckoned the others closer, and several heads huddled together in a circle. Only then did he speak: "According to reliable sources, Qiu Shanshan, Junior Sister Yu, and even Tang Lin, who’s still recovering from his injuries—their training assignment was led by Immortal Lord Yushan, and Yuan Xiao was part of it too."

Up to this point, everything was fairly accurate. But when the identity of "Senior Ximu" was mentioned, the story took a dramatic turn.

"This Senior Ximu claimed to be a widow, Yuan Xiao’s mother, yet she was very close to Immortal Lord Yushan. And given how much Immortal Lord Yushan cares for Yuan Xiao, it’s hard not to suspect that Yuan Xiao is actually the Immortal Lord’s..."

"The Immortal Lord’s what?"

The speaker didn’t dare say it aloud but mouthed three silent words: "Il...le...gitimate...child."

This theory was met with scorn by most. Who was Immortal Lord Yushan? How could he be involved with some woman and have an illegitimate child?

Tianshu Palace wasn't a monastery for monks. If he truly loved someone, he could simply declare it to heaven and earth and enter into proper marriage. Why would he need to hide it like a thief?

They found the gossip uninteresting and scattered like birds.

And just at that moment, the subject of the gossip walked out.

Yuan Xiao spotted his father from afar. Though he was wearing the same face he had in Canglan City, it wasn't much different.

*Wasn't he also using a Disguise Talisman to show a false face?*

"Dad!" Yuan Xiao ran over, both surprised and delighted. "What are you doing here?"

Yuan Qichen replied, "To take you back."

The youths by the entrance of Wen Dao Academy, who were about to leave, all slowed their steps.

*Take him back?*

*Back where?*

They all thought of the same place—

Qingjing Peak.

Then this person must be the rumored...

Yu Xinchen, who came out with Yuan Xiao, confirmed their suspicions.

"Senior Ximu."

Yuan Qichen’s gaze swept over the teenagers, the corner of his mouth curving into a faint smile. Whether intentional or not, he warmly invited, "Zizhen has been busy renovating his courtyard these past couple of days. In a few days, Yuan Xiao can invite you over."

Yu Xinchen’s lips twitched, unsure what game the Demon Lord was playing this time, but unable to refuse, he managed a stiff smile.

Yuan Qichen didn’t seem to care much. After he'd spoken, he left with Yuan Xiao, as if he had uttered those words solely for the sake of saying them.

Someone came to their senses and asked dazedly, "Don’t you think... this Senior Ximu looks a bit like the Demon Lord?"

...

On the day the trio joyfully moved into their new home, Nie Changdong burst in to find Pei Tianhe.

He demanded, "So who exactly is this Ximu?"

Pei Tianhe had never heard of any Ximu. It wasn’t until he learned that this person resided on Qingjing Peak that he realized Nie Changdong was referring to Yuan Qichen—that troublemaker.

"Senior Brother, you haven’t heard how the disciples are spreading rumors!" Nie Changdong was so furious his beard nearly bristled. "They... they’re actually saying that Zizhen is madly in love with the Demon Lord but can’t have him, so he found a lookalike as a substitute! It’s outrageous!"

Pei Tianhe: "..."

What could he possibly say?

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Author’s note: Completely drained, exhausted to death.

Thank you all so much for your support. I’ll keep working hard!