BAAF Chapter 83.1

After an unknown amount of time, Shen Liuxiang was almost suffocating. The hand that had been clutching the lapel turned to pushing, and only then did the hand pressing the back of his head release.

 

He turned his head aside, gasping for breath. His lips trembled slightly, red as if about to drip blood, accompanied by a slight stinging pain.

 

His lips had cracked.

 

Shen Liuxiang felt this wasn’t good – how could he face others when they went out?

 

It was too obvious; Di Yunyu would see through it at a glance. He instinctively felt that Di Yunyu wouldn’t be happy about him having a relationship with Zhou Xuanlan. If it were made clear, he might throw Zhou Xuanlan back to the demon realm and confine him to the Imperial Palace, not allowing him to leave.

 

As Shen Liuxiang was pondering what to do, the dark hair at the nape of his neck was brushed aside, his robe pulled down from his shoulders, exposing skin as white as jade to the air.

 

“?!”

 

Undressing him? Wasn’t that too fast?!

 

Shen Liuxiang looked at Zhou Xuanlan incredulously, hastily rolling out of his embrace and pulling his loosened clothes back up over his shoulders.

 

In broad daylight, under the clear sky – this was a confinement room that others could enter.

 

What was he thinking? Absolutely impossible!

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s embrace became empty as he found Shen Liuxiang looking at him vigilantly. Looking closer, his expression revealed a hint of panic.

 

Zhou Xuanlan was stunned for a moment, then realized and withdrew both hands: “Master misunderstood, I just wanted to look at the Love Flower Gu.”

 

Last time when Shen Liuxiang was driven by the Love Flower Gu, he had also been intimate with him. This time, though his eyes were clear, Zhou Xuanlan was still somewhat worried, fearing that in the blink of an eye, his master would forget, leaving him with false happiness.

 

Shen Liuxiang couldn’t hear any sound, but seeing Zhou Xuanlan sitting properly and opening his mouth to explain something, after calming down, he understood his meaning.

 

Shen Liuxiang narrowed his eyes slightly, perceiving Zhou Xuanlan’s nervousness. After pondering for a moment, he returned to the desk, spread out a clean sheet of paper, picked up a pen, dipped it in ink, and wrote a line of small characters, drawing a small black dragon at the end.

 

He signed at the bottom right, inked his thumb, and pressed his fingerprint down – the entire process completed in one go.

 

Shen Liuxiang puffed his cheeks slightly and blew on the paper. When the ink had dried somewhat, he glanced at Zhou Xuanlan who wanted to look but was restraining himself. With smiling eyes, he reached out to hand it to him.

 

At this moment, the door of the confinement room suddenly opened.

 

Outside light fell on the wooden floor. A tall figure stood at the doorway, scanning the room. His gaze paused briefly on the corner of Shen Liuxiang’s lips, the pressure around him dropping several degrees. Then, noticing the object being passed between the two, he raised his hand.

 

Shen Liuxiang’s hand suddenly emptied as the paper uncontrollably fell into the other person’s hand.

 

Shen Liuxiang’s expression froze.

 

Di Yunyu unfolded the paper, his gaze lowered, his eyes scanning over a line of characters.

 

— Completely sober, I just like, like, like you!

 

After the character “you,” there was a crooked drawing. Though somewhat indistinct, judging by the protruding horn on its head, it should be Zhou Xuanlan.

 

Di Yunyu closed the paper, holding it in his hand and silently looking toward Shen Liuxiang.

 

Shen Liuxiang lowered his head, instinctively avoiding the gaze. Under the light-colored eyes’ stare, his scalp tingled. He had intended to hide and conceal it, but hadn’t expected to be discovered so quickly, caught red-handed, with even his love letter confiscated.

 

Shen Liuxiang’s cheeks turned slightly red as he pondered what to do next.

 

Though he regarded Di Yunyu as a discount father, a discount father was still a father. Whether a father’s love was as mighty as a mountain, he didn’t know, but a father’s authority certainly was.

 

Looking at Di Yunyu’s expression, it wasn’t impossible that in the next moment, he might drag him away and give him a beating.

 

Just as Shen Liuxiang was racking his brains for a way out, his arm was gripped tightly, and he was pulled into the embrace of the person beside him without any explanation.

 

Shen Liuxiang: “–?!”

 

Was there anyone who would add fuel to the fire like this?!

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s gaze was calm as he looked toward the figure at the door, silently expressing his stance.

 

Di Yunyu stared for a moment, narrowing his eyes: “I think you’re the one who most needs to copy the palace rules.”

 

With those words, the confinement room door slammed shut. Shen Liuxiang was dragged away, leaving Zhou Xuanlan alone inside. A restriction was placed at the doorway – he would need to copy the palace rules three hundred times before he could come out.

 

In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the study, and Shen Liuxiang was released.

 

Di Yunyu raised his hand, his slender fingers gripping the paper. His light-colored eyes looked at him, his expression slightly grim.

 

After returning to Mount Shengqi from the demon realm, Xu Xingchen hadn’t elaborated on the scroll matter. Instead, he had blurted out a lot about Zhou Xuanlan – having ulterior motives, harboring evil intentions, harboring vicious ambitions, Shen Liuxiang not understanding people, a dog biting Lü Dongbin (an idiom meaning to mistake a good person for an evil one)…

 

At that time, Di Yunyu had been reassured. From the conversation, Shen Liuxiang had not shown any romantic feelings. And when the Love Flower Gu acted up, he had thought Shen Liuxiang and Zhou Xuanlan had already communicated their feelings, so he had hurried to the demon realm. Upon discovering it was due to the influence of the Love Flower Gu, he had been reassured.

 

But now…

 

Di Yunyu was not satisfied.

 

He didn’t want Shen Liuxiang to have too many connections with anyone.

 

He hoped that the next Emperor, whether it was Shen Liuxiang or Xu Xingchen, would not only have the will to protect the entire continent but also be influenced by no one, impartial to the three realms, able to make the right judgment and do the right thing at any time.

 

But when it involved “emotion,” this became very difficult.

 

Especially since Zhou Xuanlan was a descendant of the dragon race.

 

Di Yunyu could almost foresee an unwanted scene appearing in the future, and at that time, it would be Shen Liuxiang who would suffer.

 

Di Yunyu frowned: “If I asked you to turn back, could you do it?”

 

Shen Liuxiang was stunned for a moment, then said: “Impossible.”

 

When he hadn’t noticed, perhaps he could have muddled through, but from the moment he discovered his feelings, he could no longer extricate himself.

 

Di Yunyu’s expression changed slightly: “In that case, let me ask you, if one day Zhou Xuanlan provokes trouble, disrupts the three realms, could you end the chaos at the cost of his life?”

 

Without hesitation, Shen Liuxiang said: “He won’t!” Zhou Xuanlan wasn’t that kind of person and wouldn’t do evil without reason.

 

“Whether he will or not, I don’t know, but if he’s allowed to continue, one day he will have that capability,” Di Yunyu’s gaze was calm as he said softly: “If one day Zhou Xuanlan takes the wrong path, could you kill him to prove your Way?”

 

Shen Liuxiang vaguely understood Di Yunyu’s meaning. His face turned slightly pale, and after a moment, he said word by word: “I can.”

 

Di Yunyu lowered his eyes: “Good.”

 

A cold sweat broke out on Shen Liuxiang’s back. During his earlier hesitation, he had vaguely sensed a hint of killing intent emanating from Di Yunyu.

 

However, this thread of killing intent was full of hesitation, indecision. After his answer, it completely disappeared.

 

The Heavenly Way is merciless and would eliminate Zhou Xuanlan’s existence before he could grow up, as a preventive measure. Di Yunyu didn’t like this approach. Regardless of the future, at least at this moment, Zhou Xuanlan had not done anything wrong. If he acted now, it would be killing an innocent.

 

But Di Yunyu had still harbored some killing intent because his time here was limited.

 

He was human, and he could become anxious too.

 

Shen Liuxiang looked at Di Yunyu’s unpredictable expression, his brows moving slightly. A thought suddenly rose in his mind, and he tentatively said: “If Zhou Xuanlan goes astray by then, with Imperial Father present, you could surely resolve it effortlessly.”

 

Di Yunyu: “What if I’m not here?”

 

Shen Liuxiang’s face changed slightly: “Why wouldn’t you be here?”

 

Di Yunyu wasn’t an ordinary person; he wouldn’t grow old, get sick, or die naturally. Cultivators who reached a certain level either perished or took the path of ascension that everyone dreamed of.

 

When Di Yunyu said this, could it be that he was about to undergo ascension tribulation?!

 

A flash of inspiration crossed Shen Liuxiang’s mind, but then he realized something was wrong. With Di Yunyu’s cultivation level, he should have ascended long ago. Why was he still on this continent?

 

Shen Liuxiang didn’t know much about ascension, but he knew that when cultivation reached its peak, there were only two paths: ascension or demise. Di Yunyu had stayed in the world for hundreds of years with immeasurable cultivation, taking neither path, which was already unusual. Could it be that he was forcibly suppressing his cultivation?

 

Shen Liuxiang said: “I heard that Imperial Father reached the ascension boundary after fifty years of cultivation.”

 

Di Yunyu: “That’s incorrect. It was when I came of age.”

 

Shen Liuxiang: “?!!!”

 

Ready to ascend at twenty… if this got out, the term “genius” would never be used again.

 

After the shock, Shen Liuxiang wanted to ask more, but Di Yunyu clearly didn’t want to elaborate and waved him away.

 

That paper hadn’t been returned to him, and Shen Liuxiang didn’t feel it was appropriate to ask for it. He left the room, initially thinking of going to the Archive Tower, but considering the restriction on the confinement room, he knew he couldn’t enter. After estimating how long it would take Zhou Xuanlan to finish copying, he went to Xu Xingchen’s room first.

 

Xu Xingchen had just sobered up not long ago and was holding his forehead, trying to recall.

 

He had clung to Imperial Father, crying and whimpering… he had said many foolish things to Imperial Father… all the familiar faces in the palace had witnessed this scene…

 

Xu Xingchen’s face turned pale, feeling utterly hopeless.

 

Shen Liuxiang sat on the edge of the bed, handing him a cup of water. “Awake now?”

 

Xu Xingchen’s eyes were red. He was somewhat angry, somewhat aggrieved, and also felt humiliated, so he simply turned his head away, ignoring him.

 

Shen Liuxiang raised an eyebrow, soothingly patting his shoulder, his tone unprecedentedly gentle: “Don’t mind it. Getting drunk isn’t a big deal. Besides, you look quite adorable when drunk!”

 

Hearing this, Xu Xingchen became more annoyed: “Go away! I am the Young Lord; I have nothing to do with the word ‘adorable’!”

 

Shen Liuxiang: “That’s what Imperial Father said.”

 

Xu Xingchen: “How could that be possible? You’re deceiving me!”

 

“It’s true,” Shen Liuxiang raised his hand, placing it on Xu Xingchen’s head, mimicking the gesture. “When you were holding onto Imperial Father and wouldn’t let go, this is what he did.”

 

Xu Xingchen murmured: “So what?”

 

Shen Liuxiang clicked his tongue lightly: “Patting the head is an intimate gesture. Like when I see something cute, I do this. Isn’t it the same for you?”

 

Xu Xingchen pondered: “I only pat the heads of fluffy little demon beasts when I find them endearingly amusing and lovable.”

 

“Exactly!” Shen Liuxiang put down the teacup and clapped his hands. “So there’s no need to worry about losing propriety in front of Imperial Father. He doesn’t say it, but he actually likes it very much. Otherwise, why would he comfort you?”

 

Xu Xingchen seemed half-believing: “Really? Imperial Father doesn’t think I was disrespectful but finds me cute instead?”

 

Shen Liuxiang said firmly: “Absolutely true.”

 

Only then did Xu Xingchen perk up, breathing a huge sigh of relief. As long as the perfect Young Lord image he had maintained since childhood wasn’t shattered in Imperial Father’s heart, everything else was negotiable.

 

After comforting him, Shen Liuxiang passed him water. “Drink some. I have something to announce to you.”

 

Xu Xingchen took it and drank a sip: “What is it?”

 

Shen Liuxiang: “My matter has succeeded.”

 

Xu Xingchen thought for a moment, and the water almost sprayed out of his mouth. After managing to swallow it, his throat choked, causing him to cough vigorously.

 

Shen Liuxiang handed him a silk handkerchief. Xu Xingchen wiped the corner of his mouth. He had wanted to say that the Ninth Demon King was deep and scheming, harboring ill intentions, but seeing the beaming face before him, he reconsidered and swallowed his words. Instead, he said: “In that case, come with me to the Three-Life Stone to see if he is your destined love.”

 

Xu Xingchen knew about this artifact in the Imperial Palace. Though he had never tried it himself, he had heard from people in the palace that the Three-Life Stone was very accurate.

 

If the destined one was Zhou Xuanlan, that would be best. If not, Shen Liuxiang should reconsider to avoid making another mistake.

 

Shen Liuxiang: “There’s no need. The Three-Life Stone isn’t accurate.”

 

“It is,” Xu Xingchen said, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. “What’s wrong? Did you already try it? Is it not Zhou Xuanlan?”

 

Shen Liuxiang fell silent.

 

Seeing this, Xu Xingchen immediately became excited. “So it really isn’t him? Could it be that Sword Venerable, Ye Bingran?”

 

Shen Liuxiang widened his eyes in disbelief.

 

Had it been guessed so easily? Xu Xingchen had only seen Ye Bingran once in the demon realm, how had he guessed it?!

 

Seeing his expression, everything became clear to Xu Xingchen. Amidst his shock, he couldn’t help but mutter, “So it is him. Well, that Sword Venerable does seem to like you, but…”

 

Before he could finish, Shen Liuxiang covered his mouth. “Don’t speak nonsense. You’re ruining his reputation.”

 

Xu Xingchen made a muffled sound, removing his hand. “Maybe he’s actually enjoying it.”

 

Shen Liuxiang was amused: “That’s absurd.”

 

Ye Bingran had just managed to establish clear boundaries with him. If such rumors spread, he would probably be so angry he’d show up at night with his sword to slice him.

 

Xu Xingchen humphed: “You’re too close to see clearly. But I was watching from the side and saw everything—both what should and shouldn’t be seen.”

 

Seeing Xu Xingchen’s mysterious expression, Shen Liuxiang smiled: “So what did you see?”

 

Xu Xingchen pointed to his eyes. “When you appear, his gaze immediately falls on you. When you move, his eyes follow you. Even long after you’ve disappeared, he still can’t withdraw his gaze.”

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T/N: ah … umm i may or may not have forgotten to update yesterday….. APOLOGIES!!

1 Kofi = 1 Extra Chapter