In the middle of a vast ocean was a small boat. Although the boat was small, it was oddly stable. It never swayed with the winds, nor did it fall off course. It was as if it were attached to a set of tracks. If this was the route it was meant to take, then it was stay in this route. Similarly, the ocean waters around weren’t the same as a regular ocean. It was still and calm—so still that some may fear what was beneath the surface.
The two people on the small boat had their own marked areas. One person was gravely injured, and was laid out on a pile of plush blankets and cloaks as he counted the stars in the sky. The other was absentmindedly combing through his silky black hair. His gaze shifted towards the front and he brought his gaze back down.
“We’re almost there.”
“Oh.”
The man, whose hair was unbound, stood and moved towards the other. “Take your medicine before we arrive on shore.”
The patient shifted to sit up, but the man pressed him back down.
“Yenuo, if you move like that, you’ll aggravate your wounds.”
Deng Yenuo shifted slightly, but obediently laid back down. He averted his gaze as Changyuan began to mix together his medicine again.
“I’ve troubled you.”
“You’ve been troubling me for the past few years,” Changyuan said, frowning subtly. His cold face had gained a few degrees of warmth through the years. He glared at Deng Yenuo. “I can’t wait till I’ve sent you back to Yunjing Pavilion. Then I can be rid of a burden.”
Deng Yenuo chuckled, knowing that Changyuan was only joking. If he had wanted to leave him, he would have left ages ago.
“I really can’t understand your mind,” Changyuan said. “It’s already been five years. What’s another year? Did you have to warp the boat?”
“We were being pursued,” Deng Yenuo murmured.
“And? You could have told me to warp away,” Changyuan said. “Our cultivation is on par with each other.”
“But if you warped it, he would have found us.”
Changyuan fell silent. He clicked his tongue—a bad habit he had learned from that person—and hurriedly mashed together the medicine.
“Do you really not like him?” Deng Yenuo asked. Before he could say another word, a bitter taste filled his mouth, which was soon made worse by a flood of liquid. He choked, but was held back down.
“What’s there to like about him? He’s younger than me and all he knows is how to kill and fight. I prefer someone who’s steady—like you,” Changyuan said.
“But I can tell he likes you,” Deng Yenuo murmured.
“And I care?” Changyuan snapped. “He’s part of the Demon Realm. I’m a koi spirit of the Mortal Realm. We can’t be together.”
Deng Yenuo smiled weakly. He knew Changyuan was just spouting nonsense. His ability to do so had grown greatly since their travels had begun.
“What?”
“He’s a black dragon.”
“I know.”
“If he wanted to, he would have caught up to us by now,” Deng Yenuo said. “Don’t you think it’s odd that he hasn’t?”
Changyuan pursed his lips and said nothing.
“Alright. I won’t talk about it anymore,” Deng Yenuo said, closing his eyes.
“I just don’t want to end up like you,” Changyuan said, pointing his finger at Deng Yenuo instead. “Look at you—just over something called love, you’ve beaten yourself half to death and dragged yourself back. Is it worth it?”
“Of course,” Deng Yenuo said. “As long as I can see his eyes again, then it would be worth it.”
Changyuan fell silent. He shook his head. “I still don’t understand.”
“You will,” Deng Yenuo said with a small smile. “You said you don’t have an emotional root, but I think you do. And it’s grown and it’s beginning to flower.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Jtjcusejc ibbxfv jkjs jujlc, gfiemajca ab rjs jcsatlcu firf.
Ds atf alwf atf rtlq vbmxfv bcab atf ibjc qlfg, Gfcu Tfceb mbeiv wbnf jgbecv jujlc.
Jtjcusejc tfrlajafv ys atf fvuf bo Qjcumtejc Ymfjc. Lf ibbxfv bnfg tlr rtbeivfg, tlr fzqgfrrlbc rbifwc jcv vjgx. Ciatbeut Gfcu Tfceb mbeivc’a rff ktja tf kjr ibbxlcu ja, tf kjr regf tf tjv j ofk uefrrfr. Lf ifa bea j rboa rlut jcv ibkfgfv tlr tfjv jr tf kjlafv obg Jtjcusejc ab gfaegc ab tlr rlvf.
These matters involved the demon and spirit. It was not his place to give any unwarranted advice. From how Changyuan had actively rejected the black dragon this entire time, it was clear that they had some type of animosity towards each other.
Once Changyuan rejoined him, the hastily left the border of the mortal and demon realms and headed back to Yunjing Pavilion.
The trip took another few weeks. When they arrived, Deng Yenuo was somewhat pleased to find that so little had changed.
Even the summer heat brought about some comfort, after staying in the cold Demon Realm for so long.
“Da-shixiong!”
The excited yell was followed by several heavy weights. Deng Yenuo had to steel himself so as not to topple down the stairs. He smiled helplessly as he was smothered by the disciples of Yunjing Pavilion. He let out a long groan as he dragged them and himself back up the remainder of the steps.
“Alright, alright. Da-shixiong knows you guys missed me,” Deng Yenuo said, patting off the crying individuals.
“Y-you were gone for so long!” Pan Die’an said, wiping away her tears. “Gui-shishu already returned!”
“Gui-shishu?” Deng Yenuo’s eyes widened. “That’s great! Is he okay?”
“He’s fine, he’s fine! Apparently, he ran into some trouble when he went to check on Beihua Town though. He’s staying in Kunlun right now to recuperate,” Wu Ze’xi said with a small frown.
“Kunlun?” Deng Yenuo raised a brow.
“He’s there with Huigu Palace’s Palace Lord,” Meng Meng explained.
There were many things that Deng Yenuo couldn’t quite wrap his head around. Seeing his expression, Wu Ze’xi and the others shared a glance.
“Let’s not talk about that for now! We’ll catch you up on everything later,” Pan Die’an quickly said. “You…probably want to see Shizun, right?”
“Mn,” Deng Yenuo smiled. He looked at Changyuan.
“You go ahead. I haven’t gotten my beauty sleep all day,” Changyuan said, throwing his hair over his shoulder. “I’ll wait for you in your room.”
“Alright,” Deng Yenuo said.
The three martial siblings glanced at each other and then to Deng Yenuo. Their gaze was accusatory, making Deng Yenuo a little speechless.
“We’re just friends.”
“You haven’t had a change of heart?”
“How could I?” Deng Yenuo asked, absolutely scandalized. “My heart belongs to Shizun alone.”
He wanted to say more, but when he saw the mischievous looks on the three people, he huffed. “Aren’t you three good? I just came back and you’re trying to mess with me?”
Pan Die’an giggled. “It’s punishment for leaving for so long!”
“That’s right!” Meng Meng said.
Wu Ze’xi rounded the two girls and quickly tugged them away. “Let’s run! Da-shixiong is going to get angry!”
Deng Yenuo shook his head as he watched them run off. He sighed as a smile unwillingly rose against his lips. “A bunch of brats.”
“Tell us about the Demon Realm after you’ve paid Shizun a visit!” Wu Ze’xi shouted over his shoulder.
After only seeing him once, relief washed over the three disciples.
When Deng Yenuo had left, he had cut a sorry figure. He rarely ate and he refused to say more than a few words. It was a stark contrast from their loving and gentle da-shixiong from before. But now, things seem to be looking up. Deng Yenuo had a soft look in his eyes again and he even had the ability to joke around with them. Perhaps, once Lin Cangyuan awoke, Deng Yenuo would be completely back to normal.
Deng Yenuo didn’t know the concerns of his younger martial siblings. He was rushing over to find Ye Liuxing, nearly failing to knock before he threw the door to the man’s study open.
Ye Liuxing looked up in surprise. He stood and walked over with a displeased and worried expression. “Yenuo! You—you’re back. Are you hurt anywhere? You’re okay, right?”
Deng Yenuo nodded. He reached into his coat and pulled out several packages. “Crystal Frost Butterflies. These will help Shizun, right?”
Ye Liuxing looked at the packages in his hand and then back at Deng Yenuo. He looked at the anxious man helplessly and rubbed his head. “Alright, I’ll get these brewing for you.”
Deng Yenuo’s expression lit up dramatically. It had been a long time since Ye Liuxing had seen that smile.
Instead of abandoning Ye Liuxing, Deng Yenuo dutifully followed his shishu to the kitchen like a little tail. Seeing him like this, Ye Liuxing taught Deng Yenuo how to brew the medicine, so when Lin Cangyuan needed to drink it again in the future, Deng Yenuo wouldn’t have to wait for Ye Liuxing to brew it for him.
“Maybe the little extra bit of love will wake him up faster,” Ye Liuxing teased.
Deng Yenuo smiled sweetly, but only he knew how anxious he was in his heart.
If this didn’t work…if this didn’t work, then what could he do? Was there anything else he could do?
“Yenuo?”
“Huh?”
“It’s done,” Ye Liuxing said gently.
“Oh. Yes. Thank you Ye-shishu,” Deng Yenuo forced a smile.
Ye Liuxing patted Deng Yenuo’s arm. “He’ll be fine. And if he doesn’t wake with this, you still have us to rely on and help you. Your Gui-shishu in particular has all sorts of odd ideas.”
Deng Yenuo hummed. He took the newly concocted medicine and went to Lin Cangyuan’s room.
The room was just as he remembered five years ago. Nothing has been moved, neither has the person. When he sat down beside Lin Cangyuan, the heavy pressure in his chest worsened. He had to set the medicine down as he steadied himself.
The person…the person looked a little better.
“Shizun,” Deng Yenuo whispered. He carefully pulled Lin Cangyuan’s hand from beneath the covers and basked in its warmth. He smiled slightly and pressed his forehead to the back of Lin Cangyuan’s hand. “Shizun, this disciple has returned. I’m sorry for leaving you alone for so long. But look.”
Deng Yenuo set Lin Cangyuan’s hand down and brought over the medicine. “This disciple went to the Demon Realm to find Crystal Frost Butterflies. This should be effective enough to wake you. If it isn’t, then this disciple will just go and find something else. Shizun, you don’t need to worry.”
He put the bowl aside again and carefully helped Lin Cangyuan up. He held Lin Cangyuan to his chest and brought the bowl over.
Nothing is going to change the first time around—Deng Yenuo kept repeating this in his mind. He couldn’t be disappointed. He already knew it would take a few more dosages. If Lin Cangyuan didn’t wake now, it didn’t mean he would never wake.
Deng Yenuo carefully fed Lin Cangyuan, one spoonful at a time. He quietly set the bowl to the side and sat in silence, dumbly holding Lin Cangyuan.
Even after several moments, neither man had moved. Deng Yenuo let out a shaky breath. He slowly lowered his chin to Lin Cangyuan’s shoulder and closed his eyes again. At least the other person was warm. At least the other person was still breathing. He had already waited so long, it wasn’t absurd to ask him to wait a little longer.
“Even if I had to wait until the Heavens shattered and the oceans dried, I would still wait for you,” Deng Yenuo murmured.
Deng Yenuo remained in Lin Cangyuan’s room until the sun had set. A soft knock on the door drew him from his reverie. He reluctantly stood and opened the door.
Changyuan stood on the other side, robes a mess and hair scattered everywhere. He raised a brow and poked his head into the room. Lin Cangyuan was still in a coma.
“I’m hungry,” Changyuan said.
“Can you fix your hair up before you come out and walk around? And where are your shoes?” Deng Yenuo whispered. He quickly rushed Changyuan out.
“Why are you whispering? It’s not like he can hear,” Changyuan mumbled. He shifted from foot to foot. “We’re already back home, why do I need to wear shoes?”
“The only time you don’t wear shoes is in the room. Is this how you walked around the temple back in the day?”
“Naturally,” Changyuan said. “It’s not like anyone would say anything. You’re the only one that nags so much.”
“You’re really—”
“Hurry and bring me some vegetarian dishes,” Changyuan said. “Anymore and I’m going to turn back into a koi fish.”
Deng Yenuo really wanted to sigh. Who knows why this little ancestor decided to latch onto him, but he had latched onto him for five years. It was very likely he wouldn’t be leaving any time soon.
He grumbled a “you won’t die that easily” and went to the kitchens to see what he could make for the picky koi spirit.
Changyuan watched Deng Yenuo leave. He glanced back at the door and silently stepped in. He walked over to Lin Cangyuan’s bedside and sat down. He pressed a hand to Lin Cangyuan’s chest. His lips pursed tightly as he searched Lin Cangyuan’s meridians. A familiar scent wafted from him, mixed with the smell of fishy smell of a dragon. He eventually pulled back and looked at Lin Cangyuan.
It wouldn’t take long for this man to wake up.
Changyuan sat back and fiddled with his sleeves for a moment before he stood. He leaned over and pinched Lin Cangyuan’s mouth open. He breathed a breath of internal qi into the other’s mouth and stood back. He wiped his mouth with a bit of distaste and patted Lin Cangyuan’s chest.
“Take that and quickly wake up. I’m tired of seeing your stupid disciple mope around,” Changyuan said. He readjusted his sleeve and smacked his lips a bit.
That familiar scent lingered in his mouth. It was definitely some kind of medicine that Lin Cangyuan had eaten before, but Changyuan couldn’t place where he had tasted such a thing before at all.
Changyuan left Lin Cangyuan’s room and immediately ran into Deng Yenuo.
“What are you doing?” Deng Yenuo asked.
“No need to look so fierce,” Changyuan said as he took the tray of food from Deng Yenuo. “I was telling him to hurry and wake up so I can leave.”
“Leave? Where are you going?”
“Kunlun,” Changyuan said. He balanced the tray on his arm and took a mouthful of food. His expression softened once he had a few bites. “I’m a koi spirit. Naturally, I should return to Kunlun. Or else what? Did you think I would follow you for life?”
“Wel, no…”
“This patron, our fate has come to an end now that our journey together is over,” Changyuan said, his hand mimicking the motion that monks often used. He looked at Deng Yenuo. “I should be on my own way now.”
Deng Yenuo looked at Changyuan tiredly. “You’re not even a monk anymore. Your hair is down to your waist. Why are you still acting?”
“This humble monk spent his entire life in a koi pond for thousands of years, listening to the teachings of Buddha. How is this considered acting?” Changyuan said, his tone returning to normal during his last sentence. He scoffed and returned to his food. “Whatever. You can think what you want. But I’m going to Kunlun after this.”
“Did you…have a dream or something?”
Changyuan glanced at him as he chewed. “Mm…nope. Not this time. I just think Kunlun is better than the Demon Realm.”
If Changyuan went to Kunlun, then the creature who was pursuing him would be unable to follow.
“Alright, I understand. Until then, please use the guest room my martial siblings have cleaned out for you.”
“What? You don’t like bunking with me?”
“You grind your teeth.”
“Fair enough.”
Deng Yenuo glanced back at Lin Cangyuan’s door and then back to Changyuan. “You did something, didn’t you?”
“I didn’t touch your precious shizun, child,” Changyuan said with slight detest. “I just helped him a little. You’re welcome.”
“What—”
“Goodnight.”
Deng Yenuo remained where he was and unsurely glanced over his shoulder. After thinking about it a while longer, he headed back to Lin Cangyuan’s room. He sat down beside the man’s bed and held his hand until his own eyes grew heavier. He eventually slumped forward and fell asleep in that way.
gasp!! these boys!!!!!
Changyuan, im love you, mwah.
also a dragon like smell on Lin Cangyuan? …wait didnt Langxia give him a pill too? i cant recall when that was tho…
I wondered about the dragon smell too
i went looking based on my connection! chapter 85, there was a Reawakening Pill from one of Langxia’s immortal friends that would “fix his cultivation sea and call back his primordial spirit from the gates of the Yellow Springs.” so, fishy smell from Langxia? immortal friend? ingredient? an earlier medicine i’m forgetting? hm…
hi late response LOL it’s from LX cuz he had to use his own cultivation to get the pill to work. dragons are creatures of water in chinese culture hence “fishy”
Is there a reason to why Lin Cangyuan and Changyuan names are so similar? Is it just a coincidence? I find myself getting them mixed up lmao, when Changyuan first appeared I got them confused for almost a whole chapter hahaha
nah there’s no reason
Oh okay haha