He and It Chapter 189: Inquire Here (17)

Chapter 189: Inquire Here (17)

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: GaeaTiamat

 

After six thousand years, the Dragon Palace once again welcomed its other master, a significance that went without saying. Unfortunately, Liu Fuguang didn’t consider himself the master of the Dragon Palace. He viewed the situation as a transaction, using his stay in the Dragon Palace as a bargaining chip to secure peace and prosperity for future generations. Just as six thousand years ago, he couldn’t be called the master of the Dragon Palace, now his situation was even more distant.

Before he fulfilled the transaction, he glanced one last time at those four children.

True to his word, Yan Huan promptly returned the two Immortals and the land belonging to the two immortal sects, while ensuring they emerged unscathed.

Those who cultivated had a trick called “Bottled Art.” As the name implied, it was shrinking large people or objects to fit into a bottle. Like all tricks, it was an illusion once exposed. However, as the Dragon God, Yan Huan’s desires made illusions into unquestionable realities.

Therefore, when he returned the two mountain gates, that had been reduced to the size of bottles, to the true Immortals, the expression on the Immortal’s faces were a mix of profound shock and fear.

“You’ve been through a lot on this journey,” Liu Fuguang smiled. “Perhaps we’ll meet again.”

Meng Xiaotang began to well up with tears as she sniffled, desperately wanting to cry, “Will we really meet again?”

“We will,” Liu Fuguang tenderly touched her head. “We definitely will.”

The Immortal Snow Sword, who was still young, had only heard Liu Fuguang’s name through fragmented rumors until that day. Now that he was seeing the real person, he looked at him with complex emotions and murmured softly, “If his dantian were undamaged, he will be truly a flawless man. It’s a pity…”

“Everyone has their destiny,” the true Immortal of Abundance sighed. “The combination of extreme evil and extreme good sounds perfect in theory, but in reality, it’s too extreme. Like the merging of water and fire, it is destined for no good ending.”

Before he could say anything else, a massive and ferocious eyeball suddenly burst open behind Liu Fuguang in the towering Dragon Palace, and glared at him with an overwhelming killing intent!

The two true Immortals stepped back in unison, as their hearts pounded faster than drum beats. They knew their discussion had fallen into the Dragon God’s ears and displeased Him greatly.

“He’s keeping a close watch…” the True Immortal of Abundance wiped the sweat off his forehead quietly, as he muttered under his breath.

Liu Fuguang and the four others remained oblivious to what just happened.

Sun Yinian bowed sincerely, and said, “Next year, when the peach blossoms bloom, I hope you won’t forget our agreement.”

“I won’t,” Liu Fuguang replied gently. “I promise you, I won’t forget.”

Xue Li also spoke up, “The golden apricot of the Ninefold Palace hasn’t bloomed in nine thousand years. If you could come and see it once, that would be wonderful.”

“Alright,” Liu Fuguang nodded. “I knew the Dragon Spring Sword Immortal in the past. I look forward to seeing the apricot tree he once planted.”

As the two elders escorted the four juniors, they soared away on a beam of cloud light, and disappeared into the blood-red sky ablaze at sunset. Liu Fuguang stood on the steps, as he squinted his eyes, and quietly gazed into the distance for a long time.

Like a materializing shadow, Yan Huan quietly appeared behind him. Earlier, he greedily watched as Liu Fuguang tenderly smiled and whispered to those insects. His eyes nearly bled from the strain, but now that everyone had left, he didn’t dare call out to him. Yan Huan was afraid that the fragile, delicate figure before him was an illusion and if he spoke, the illusion might dissipate.

After a moment, a breeze picked up. Yan Huan promptly controlled the atmosphere to maintain a pleasantly warm temperature. He wouldn’t allow a cold wind to disturb even a strand of Liu Fuguang’s hair, and ensured he wouldn’t feel chilly, which eased his mind a little.

However, to stand there for such a long time was something Liu Fuguang’s stamina couldn’t yet endure. Yan Huan hesitated repeatedly, deliberated for a long while, then bowed his head and whispered softly, “Fuguang, it’s chilly outside. Take care of yourself. You’ll get tired…”

Liu Fuguang seemed to be startled awake by those words, and his eyelids twitched slightly. He frowned but remained silent as he turned around and passed by Yan Huan without touching or brushing against him. He even unconsciously pulled his sleeve aside. That was how he walked away.

Yan Huan certainly noticed that inconspicuous movement, but the bitter feeling vanished in an instant under the overwhelming joy. He followed behind Liu Fuguang, aware of the power of his gaze. He didn’t dare stare at him wildly, just focusing single-mindedly on the plain white hem that dragged on the ground.

Just being able to look at that small section of plain fabric filled him with boundless joy, so that he almost wanted to bend down and touch it with his face.

The steps were too long. Fuguang would tire if he walked too much. So, Yan Huan reduced the number of steps. The palace rooms were too far away. He simply moved them closer…With his will, the Dragon Palace transformed instantly like a peculiar, twisting block puzzle.

“Please…please sleep here, alright?” Yan Huan rushed ahead, and earnestly showed Liu Fuguang the temporary structure of the inner chamber. He carefully watched his expression, for fear of any displeasure or dissatisfaction. “This is something I put hastily together. It may not compare to before…”

Why did he bring up the past again? He hastily bit his tongue in anger, and tore a piece off and swallowed the blood-filled mouthful, before he smiled casually, “If there’s anything you don’t like I’ll change it!”

Liu Fuguang rarely found fault, and he certainly didn’t need to criticize the Dragon God’s resources. Yan Huan had remembered that he didn’t like overly luxurious decorations. So, he arranged the palace where Liu Fuguang would reside to be simple and warm, but…

He surveyed the spacious palace. The floors were paved with Inchin Jade, grown for thousands of years, warm and pleasant with beautiful blue patterns. The constant warmth inside the hall came from streams of hot water brought from the earth’s hot springs. The bed was piled high with soft, dense blankets, and resembled a large, comfortable bird’s nest. Not to mention the exquisite Golden Sparrow screen and layers of shimmering illusion satin, that contained various exotic items for daily life. There were even two flowing spiritual veins that hung on the wall as decorations that were enough to nurture all the cultivators in the Ninefold Palace and the Heavenly Yin and Yang Sect together.

Everything in the palace was low-key luxury. Yan Huan had polished all the edges smooth and rounded, then wrapped them in soft cottonwood. Liu Fuguang’s favorite books from the market were piled high in the immense scripture tower nearby. His past hobbies and interests were displayed in hundreds of layers of tall towers.

Yan Huan had poured out his divine heart. If he could, he would rather place a nest directly on his heart for Liu Fuguang. That way, he wouldn’t have to endure the agony of unrequited longing and bitter guilt; the feeling of being filled with burning fire.

“This is enough,” Liu Fuguang spoke softly after a long quiet moment. “No need to go to such lengths.”

This was almost a form of affirmation! Yan Huan’s expression of joy almost caused him to lose control over his false skin. He forcefully swallowed the lump in his throat. The instincts of the dragon surged violently inside him. Since he had already built a nest for his beloved in his heart, he should also lie down in it and fill that place with his long body until it absorbed his breath, and blend him inseparably with Liu Fuguang.

But he couldn’t.

There were still many things Yan Huan didn’t know. He didn’t know what kind of life Liu Fuguang had lived in the last six thousand years, how he woke up, and how he found him. He didn’t dare to stick his nose directly in front of Liu Fuguang, and rashly sniff for answers to these questions. He could only cautiously extend his antennae, and probe for crucial clues along the periphery.

Of course, now that Liu Fuguang had returned, those confusions could be considered trivial matters. The most important thing was to heal his body.

Treasures from heaven and earth flowed into the Dragon God’s nest like rushing water…No, like a flood. Liu Fuguang’s body was too weak, and he couldn’t eat much at first. Yan Huan lifted his robe and sat on the ground, as if he were deciding the fate of the world. He carefully selected robust spiritual herbs, and plucked delicate petals one by one, then swept them into a small jade pot.

From selection, washing, grinding herbs, to decoction, Yan Huan managed everything single-handedly, and wouldn’t allow anyone else to intervene. He stirred the bubbling jade pot attentively until the elixir boiled dry. Then, he extended his wrist over the mouth of the pot, flicked out a sharp claw, pierced a vein, and bled it almost dry before continuing the boil.

The blood of the evil Dragon God was enough to kill an entire city with just a drop, but Liu Fuguang was different from everyone else. As the epitome of goodness, Yan Huan’s blood served as the best medicinal catalyst for him. Watching the divine blood trickle into the medicinal pot, Yan Huan widened his eyes, his face showing extreme joy and satisfaction simultaneously.

Thinking about how his blood would flow through Fuguang’s body from now on, and would merge with him as one…Yan Huan’s nine eyes trembled incessantly, and the horns on his forehead itched fiercely.

After he prepared the bowl of medicine carefully, he picked it up gently and walked towards the sleeping quarters. After such a long absence, the scent of his beloved once again permeated the Dragon Palace – gentle, fluffy and soft like fragrant clouds and moonlight. Yan Huan felt a dreamlike sense of unreality, now. Even that living nest seemed to greedily suck up every trace of Liu Fuguang’s life there – his scent, his gaze, the weight of his light footsteps, the touch and warmth of his bare feet on the ground, the faintly warm fingerprints he left on the furniture, flowers, and walls as his fingertips brushed past.

Was such happiness limitless? Even if Liu Fuguang didn’t smile or speak to him, Yan Huan still felt completely satisfied. Even if he were to break his own neck and let his body fall into an endless abyss, he would still be content without any complaints.

“F-Fuguang,” he controlled the tremor in his voice as he spoke his name, and softly called out to the person lying on the bed. “It’s time to take your medicine now. Can you get up?”

Liu Fuguang’s breathing trembled slightly, but he kept his eyes lowered.

Since he returned there, apart from when taking medicine, he spent his days gazing at walls and bed curtains, his expression faint and indifferent, as if he had lost all interest in the outside world. Despite Yan Huan’s tireless efforts – using every means possible – whether treasures, fine clothing, spectacular scenes, magic tricks, or new games, not one thing could capture his attention.

The Mirror Flower Tower in Xiniu Hezhou, home to the Seven Treasure Celestial Maidens and the Marvelous Dharma Sorceresses, where they sang and danced all day with colorful silks a-flutter as they played harps and lutes, was the most marvelous and joyous place in the entire Three Thousand Worlds. Yan Huan brought all thirty-three towers and surrounded the Dragon Palace with them for him, but the dances that could lift a dying patient’s spirits only caused Liu Fuguang to stare for a moment.

There were small creatures in the mundane world called Little Rou Zhi People, only palm-sized, that were adept at reading the winds and moon, eloquent in speech, and capable of writing the most esoteric and intricate scripts in the world. Yan Huan brought an entire nation of them and presented their best works to Liu Fuguang. Even the most hardened demonic cultivators shed tears at their dreamlike works, yet Liu Fuguang remained unmoved, only later requesting Yan Huan to return them the way they came, without harming them in the slightest.

His refusal to eat frustrated Yan Huan immensely. While overjoyed at Fuguang’s return, he was also like an ant on a hot pan, as he anxiously spun around. How good it would be if Liu Fuguang could hit him, curse at him, or harm him with a sharp weapon. If he would vent his anger and resentment on him, rather than his current state, of being like still water, without a ripple.

Liu Fuguang propped himself up slowly on his arm. Yan Huan wanted very much to help him up or hold him in his arms, but he dared not. Therefore, he could only kneel beside him, and offer the bowl of medicine to the patient.

If there were bystanders present, the scene might have been somewhat amusing. The Dragon God, who should have been high and mighty, now resembled a dutiful servant, as he attentively served by the other’s bedside. However, during his brief tenure, the demonic cultivators fortunate enough to be chosen as attendants knew never to look too closely at that esteemed Dao companion unless they no longer wanted to keep their eyes or their lives.

The medicine was extremely bitter. To nurse his body back to health, besides the astringent spiritual elixir, Liu Fuguang could not eat any other food. Fortunately, after Yan Huan fed him without restraint for a period, his complexion was no longer so pale and translucent.

When he saw him drink the medicine without furrowing his brow, Yan Huan took the medicine bowl with one hand – then the tentacles on his palm suddenly emerged, and greedily coiled around the place where Liu Fuguang’s lips had touched. They viciously licked and chewed the jade bowl into pieces, until they swallowed every bit of it into his body. With his other hand, he smoothly handed over a small exquisite azure porcelain box filled with amber-colored honey blocks, their rich scent akin to warm sunlight; comforting to the heart.

“Have some candy,” Yan Huan softly murmured, using endearing terms between spouses. He trembled inwardly as he addressed him that way. He coaxed in a low, deferential voice, “The medicine is very bitter, but the candy is sweet.”

After a long time without response from Liu Fuguang, and just as Yan Huan was beginning to feel disheartened, the young man glanced sideways, then hesitantly extended the index finger and thumb of his right hand to lightly flick open the porcelain box.

Yan Huan was immediately thrilled. If exposed, his dragon tail would have wagged frantically. He suppressed the urge to say more – firmly limiting himself to prevent Liu Fuguang from feeling annoyed, as he resolved to speak as little as possible to him within a day.

“Alright, alright, you focus on resting. If you need anything, just ring the bell next to you…or even just look at it.” Yan Huan suppressed his joy as he watched Liu Fuguang quietly put the candy into his mouth, finding the sight sweeter than if he had eaten a sea of sugar. “I…I’ll leave now…I’ll come see you again tomorrow when it’s time for your medicine.”

Others might describe their departure as “taking one step and looking back three times,” but for Yan Huan, it was more like “taking one step and looking back ten times.”

He reluctantly left the candy box by the bedside and, after he left the Dragon Palace, intended to ponder deeply on what might capture Liu Fuguang’s interest. Just then, a demonic cultivator approached as a messenger. He was trembling so much beneath his voluminous robes that his legs were visibly shaking. Despite his fear, he pleaded, “Your Excellency, this humble one…has come to invite Your Excellency to a banquet. If Your Excellency would deign to honor us with your presence, it would truly be a great honor…”

A banquet? Yan Huan’s thoughts, which had been focused on Liu Fuguang, didn’t waver enough to even grant the messenger a glance.

He’d allowed some demonic cultivators to stay only because Liu Fuguang lacked enough attendants, and his limited visits to the sleeping chamber each day constrained his choices. Selecting those demonic cultivators wasn’t only convenient due to their proximity but also because if he brought cultivators from the righteous path or ordinary people to the Dragon Palace, he couldn’t easily crush them at will, which would undoubtedly anger Liu Fuguang. Therefore, the demonic cultivators, who were considered expendable no matter how they were used, were more convenient.

But now because of those disposable ants, he was invited to a banquet.

Yan Huan idly thought, if the messenger didn’t flee in the next three breaths, he would strip the skin from his body from head to toe and hang him upside down. With no skin to obstruct it, the sight of blood flowing through the muscle fibers would be as interesting as flowing through fine comb teeth.

The messenger continued hesitantly, “…Master Chao Le also sent these words. He can help alleviate Your Excellency’s worries…”

Yan Huan paused.

“He can help alleviate my worries?”

Since he’d awakened as the Sun Carrier, this was the first time he had spoken to a demonic cultivator.

The messenger instantly shook like a sieve, his voice hoarse and trembling as he stammered, “Y-yes!”

Yan Huan nodded slightly. The next moment, he shifted his position to a side hall where the demonic cultivators were gathered. He paid no attention to the exotic and fragrant delicacies spread throughout the room, and walked straight to the main seat.

“Who is Chao Le?” the Dragon God asked directly. “Tell me your solution.”

The demonic cultivators, who had been filling the hall with noise and bustle moments ago, were now as quiet as if their entire families had died. After a moment, a handsome demonic cultivator stood up, and courageously held a golden tray filled with exquisite dishes, as he approached Yan Huan.

“Your Excellency, please…please have some food first…”

Whether Yan Huan’s gaze was indifferent or impassive, his nine eyes rotated half a circle, and took in the ornate cups and bowls and the hundred-meter-long table in the hall.

Suddenly, he smiled.

“How come?” The flawlessly handsome deity smiled. “So all of this is for my enjoyment?”

At the sudden smile, everyone in the room was captivated, and they breathed a sigh of relief. The demonic cultivator holding the plate was even more delighted, and he eagerly said, “Exactly! Your Excellency, please enjoy. These are all…”

Before he could finish his words, the beautiful smile still on his face, his body suddenly half disappeared.

Of course, he wasn’t alone. Over a hundred demonic cultivators seated on Yan Huan’s right side were all now missing half their bodies!

Blood splashed like a hot spring. Now, the remaining people finally understood the need to kneel and beg for mercy.

“I, on the other hand, am currently treating my Dao companion.” As he stared at his nails, he seemed to murmur to himself. “His body is weak, and I brew medicine for him every day. I dare not even shift my eyes away, I just keep hoping he’ll recover quickly. As long as he looks healthy, I feel content. Even if I’m disturbed by you pests, I can let it slide.”

Yan Huan raised his eyes, his expression chilling.

“However the medicine is bitter, and the treatment process is painful. Besides the bitter medicine, he can only drink a little spirit dew. I hate that I can’t endure it for him. Today, I finally coaxed him into eating a piece of candy. I was so happy, incredibly happy, almost bursting with joy.”

The sweet memory ended, and he stared expressionlessly at the mountains of delicacies and precious dishes laid out before him. “You’re so fortunate, aren’t you?”

The word “Yes” echoed in the air, then the dishes on the table disappeared.

The surviving demonic cultivators suddenly burst with round bellies. Normally, cultivators seeking longevity and immortality wouldn’t be killed by eating a few dishes, but when they opened their mouths, a mixture of vegetables, oil, meat, porridge, and immortal wine gushed out endlessly from their seven orifices, until their bellies were as thin as Xuan paper, and almost translucent.

The demonic cultivator named Chao Le was stunned. He knew that among the tragic fates of his peers, he was temporarily spared because Yan Huan still needed his answer.

He crawled desperately to Yan Huan’s feet, as he frantically pleaded, “Your Excellency, calm your anger, and spare my life! This humble one dared to guess your intentions, that’s why I proposed…”

“Get to the point,” Yan Huan said softly amidst the cries and wails of agony.

Chao Le’s mind raced. He hurriedly said, “Your Excellency, forgive me. This humble one just thought, if the Immortal Lord is unwilling to accept your gifts, is it because…because your gifts are based on your own preferences rather than what the Immortal Lord would truly find attractive?”

He cleared his throat and, summoning all his courage, gambled all his luck, “…Because your gifts, while countless in value, are from the perspective of what you think the Immortal Lord would like. Is it possible that, in the Immortal Lord’s heart, they aren’t as appealing?”

Yan Huan was stunned.

Chao Le continued boldly, “That is…Your gifts are all exquisite, but they are all based on what you think the Immortal Lord would enjoy. Is it possible that, in the Immortal Lord’s mind, they aren’t very interesting?”

Yan Huan murmured, “But…the miscellaneous books and dramas, they were…”

He fell silent. Yan Huan realized that hearts change easily, especially after six thousand years, and they had all changed into completely different characters. For Liu Fuguang, his past interests were indeed no longer attractive.

Yan Huan had tried his best to learn, to appreciate what Liu Fuguang liked, to see things from his perspective. However, in this regard, he was like a blind man learning to paint, or a deaf man singing a song. He was struggling unusually hard. In the end, he couldn’t see as clearly as an outsider.

So, what truly could attract Liu Fuguang?

Yan Huan pondered for a long time. Suddenly, all at once, the answer came like lightning breaking through the clouds, and illuminated his thoughts. He jumped up from his seat eagerly.

“I know..I know!” It was so obvious! So close yet so far away. He cursed himself for not thinking of it earlier!

Before he left, he absentmindedly tossed a “you did well” to Chao Le, then rushed like a gust of wind towards Liu Fuguang’s sleeping chamber.