Chapter 35 Are You Throwing a Tantrum?

Chapter 35: Are You Throwing a Tantrum?

Que Zizhen’s urgency left Yuan Qichen momentarily speechless. Though Que Zizhen’s demeanor appeared composed, to Yuan Qichen, it was an uncharacteristic display of agitation.

"Zizhen? What’s going on with you two…"

Pei Tianhe was still reeling from the shocking news.

Without offering an explanation, Que Zizhen immediately declared they had urgent business in the Guixu Realm: "Master, would you mind looking after Yuan Xiao for a few days?"

Pei Tianhe was brimming with questions, but before he could utter a single one, his beloved disciple and the great demon lord had already vanished into the sky.

It was as if they were eloping.

-

Guixu Realm, by the Naichuan River.

The desolation of Naichuan stood in stark contrast to the bustling vibrancy of the Ghost Market.

A gloomy haze enveloped the land, the water’s surface was eerily still and oppressive, and not even a whisper of wind dared to stir. The heavy atmosphere was utterly suffocating.

It was precisely because living souls dared not easily enter this place that Yuan Qichen had stumbled his way in back then, only to be found and taken in by Shiyi.

Que Zizhen initially didn’t want him to enter, but Yuan Qichen waved him off: "I’m not that delicate."

Then, with practiced ease, he led the way to Shiyi’s abode.

Shiyi, diligently guiding departed souls, now wore an expression of solemn gravitas that seemed far more fitting for his role as the Underworld Lord.

As the current ruler of the Guixu Realm, Shiyi was arguably the most godlike being across the three continents and four realms. Yet, even he could not escape his fate—bound to a cycle of rebirth every millennium, unable to step beyond the Guixu Realm.

Wielding immense power, Shiyi had simultaneously forfeited his freedom forever.

And Yuan Qichen was like a wounded bird that had strayed into this place. Though he owed Shiyi a debt of gratitude, the sky remained his ultimate home.

"Underworld Lord, forgive our intrusion," Que Zizhen halted three zhang away from him.

Any closer, and the abyssal Naichuan might stir, threatening to drag him into its depths.

Naichuan was hostile to the living.

Shiyi cast them a glance, his eyes once again revealing that familiar cheeky, punchable expression Yuan Qichen knew all too well.

"Well now, to what do we owe the pleasure, you two rare guests?"

His first thought was that Yuan Xiao’s health had taken a turn for the worse, but then he heard Que Zizhen say, "We wish to ask the Underworld Lord if you know anything about A Chen’s origins?"

Shiyi’s lips curved into a smile. "He’s a demon, parentless—naturally born of the Chasm."

If that were the extent of the answer, they wouldn’t have needed to come all the way to the Guixu Realm.

Que Zizhen: "Among the countless demons born of the Chasm, not a single one has the ability to conceive as a male."

Shiyi’s smile did not waver; it was clear he knew something more.

Even Yuan Qichen, who had initially shown little interest, was now curious to get to the bottom of it.

Having lived freely across the three continents and four realms for so many years, he had never paid much mind to what he truly was. Even upon learning of his pregnancy, his first thought wasn't why he could conceive, but how to give Que Zizhen, that bastard, a good beating.

It seemed that back then, Shiyi had taken in Yuan Qichen, a complete stranger, not merely out of kindness, but more out of curiosity and a desire for amusement.

"You knew all along but never told me." Yuan Qichen pointed his sword at Shiyi's throat, his tone flat rather than accusatory.

Shiyi spread his hands innocently. "You never asked."

"I'm asking now. Speak."

Shiyi calmly pushed the tip of the Jinghong sword aside and took a step back, tilting his head. "No need to be so rough. Since you asked, I’ll tell you."

He behaved with natural familiarity toward Yuan Qichen, much like teasing a cat.

"Whether human or demon, conception is a natural, innate ability for women. But as a male, your ability to conceive cannot be innate. The one who could grant you such an ability, after considering all possibilities, could only be Hegu."

Yuan Qichen: "Hegu?"

As a demon, every demon knew of Hegu’s significance.

Though it is a place, it has nurtured the demon clan for countless millennia.

Just as cultivators swear oaths by invoking the Way of Heaven, Hegu is the faith of the demons.

Shiyi continued, "The creation of life is Hegu's fundamental power. The manifestation of this power in you is the ability to bear life. Though it’s unclear why Hegu bestowed a part of its essence upon you, it’s enough to show that you are a child favored by Hegu, the destined Demon Lord."

Yuan Qichen felt profoundly awkward upon hearing this. "Doesn’t it find it... absurd to bestow the power of conception upon a man?"

He couldn’t even find the right word to describe Hegu’s "wise" decision.

Shiyi burst into laughter. "You should consider yourself lucky!"

Yuan Qichen remained expressionless.

Perhaps he should just kill him. After all, one could survive a trip through the Nai River.

Most importantly, Yuan Xiao was bound to be an adorable little child—even if his essence remained unchanged, at least he’d be pleasant to look at.

With that thought, Jinghong shot from his hand, grazing past Shiyi’s cheek before circling back into Yuan Qichen’s grasp.

"Consider yourself lucky," Yuan Qichen smiled.

Both were being somewhat childish, but Que Zizhen still remembered their original purpose. "Does this fundamental power from Hegu still exist?"

"Of course..." Shiyi deliberately drew out his words, "it remains."

Still remains?

Didn’t that mean...

Yuan Qichen shuddered, looking down at his abdomen, even forgetting his anger at Shiyi.

Shiyi understood instantly and laughed. "Rather late to be concerned about that now, isn’t it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Don’t worry, it’s not that easy. Even ordinary female cultivators find conception difficult. With one of you being the Demon Lord and the other the strongest immortal sect cultivator, even if you wanted to, the heavens wouldn’t allow it."

Yuan Qichen breathed a subtle sigh of relief.

Yuan Xiao was indeed his precious treasure now, but the thought of having another was absolutely out of the question.

Shiyi had been unable to leave the Nai River area recently. After getting the answers they came for, they didn't linger and soon departed.

Passing through Ghost Market Street, Yuan Qichen unconsciously slowed his pace, stealing a glance at Que Zizhen's dependable face.

His expression showed little interest, neither liking nor disliking, but at every place Yuan Qichen brought him to, he paid close attention.

From one end of the long street to the other, their footsteps grew slower and slower.

Yuan Qichen suddenly wondered: "Que Zizhen, if it really happened, what would you do?"

Que Zizhen replied, "Let nature take its course."

The answer was expected.

"What would you say to Yuan Xiao?"

"Tell the truth."

That was indeed something Que Zizhen would do.

But if that were the case...

"Wouldn't you truly become a stepfather then?" Yuan Qichen laughed, covering his face.

Yuan Xiao probably still thought his mother was some unconventional female cultivator who didn't care what others thought.

Que Zizhen pressed his lips together and remained silent.

Was he unhappy?

Yuan Qichen leaned in curiously. "Que Zizhen, are you throwing a tantrum?"

Aside from Pei Tianhe, anyone else witnessing this scene would likely ask—

How could one tell he was throwing a tantrum?

If asked how he could tell, Yuan Qichen couldn't explain it either. It was purely a gut feeling, and his intuition seemed to work only on Que Zizhen.

"We should head back," Que Zizhen said seriously, changing the subject.

Yuan Qichen took his arm. "I might never tell Yuan Xiao the truth. To him, you will always just be an Immortal Lord who is exceptionally good to him. Even so, you wouldn't mind?"

Yuan Qichen could clearly feel his arm tensing up, as if he had something on the tip of his tongue.

"If that is your decision… I respect your choice."

As soon as Que Zizhen finished speaking, Yuan Qichen's face fell.

He said, "I was asking about your thoughts, your feelings—what you want, not whether you can accept such an outcome."

In the past, he was the first disciple of the Tianshu Palace Master, and later the renowned chief seat. Que Zizhen seemed accustomed to compromise and prioritizing the bigger picture. Now, even when it came to his own matters, he acted like a block of wood.

Yuan Qichen grew angrier the more he thought about it. He pulled away from Que Zizhen's arm and strode ahead, leaving behind a confused Que Zizhen, who looked down at his empty hand, his tall figure showing a hint of loneliness.

"Didn't you say we should go back? Why aren't you moving?" Yuan Qichen turned back after a while, calling out irritably.

Que Zizhen hadn't expected him to look back. Through the bustling crowd, he walked toward the only bright spot in his eyes.

His steps quickened, becoming more hurried, worried the other might walk away again without staying.

Three steps.

Two steps.

The moment he reached Yuan Qichen, the Ghost Market suddenly erupted into chaos. A ghost cried out loudly, "Something's happened at the Nai River!"