A long time ago, there was a small family who lived in a town called Ming Town. Ming Town was one of the rare places where people lived in the region of Fengya. The people who consisted of quiet farmers, energetic fishermen, and scheming merchants. It was a small, ocean port town that knew its own kind of peace. However, it was sandwiched between Feihuo School and Qixie Gorge and the two sects often fought with each other.
Feihuo School was known for its unscrupulous means of kidnapping children and raising them to become cultivation furnaces while Qixie Gorge was comprised of ghost cultivators who cared more about the comfort of the dead than the well-being of the living. Both sects lacked morals and neither held back during times of war.
After so many years and after so many battles, naturally the peaceful Ming Town would be completely flattened by those two powers. And that small family perished along with it. For many years there were fresh corpses in the miles of land between Feihuo School and Qixie Gorge every few days. Some would be cultivators while others were regular, innocent civilians. However, this wasn’t uncommon in Fengya.
For centuries, the ghosts that roamed the fields outnumbered the living. People lost their homes as regularly as children would lose their teeth. Adults dwindled in number, but orphans and the crippled began to rise in greater numbers.
In the end, in order to survive, the orphaned children would head to the surrounding sects to become disciples. Some were lucky and would find ones that taught them cultivation, others were unlucky and would die a more torturous death than they would have simply living on the streets.
The small, happy family had consisted of a loving couple and a healthy son. This type of family was rare in a place like Fengya and, like anything good in this horrible purgatory, it was soon destroyed.
But the son remained and, like any orphaned child, he held a hatred in his heart from the cultivators that ran amuck. He hated them for disregarding humans lives and for treating mortals as if they were less than the ants below their feet. However, like any orphaned child, he couldn’t do anything and, so, he decided to grow stronger.
Despite being sheltered for his entire life from the cruelties of the world, the boy was quick to pick up on things. He became a masterful thief, a smooth talker, and his quick wittedness soon attracted the attention of one of the Four Great Demon Lords, Yang Geheng.
At a time, two hundred years ago, before the Fengya Region joined the territories watched over by Zhuixing Mountain, it was ruled by the Four Great Demon Lords of the East, South, West, and North. Yang Geheng was the demon lord of the south, where he governed with his Poisonous Talon Sect. While he was the least immoral of the Four Great Demon Lords, he was known to be eccentric and for having an unpredictable temper.
Every day, a cart of corpses would be wheeled out of his sect and thrown down the valley below. Anyone who crossed his path would have to hope he was in a splendid mood that day. Not only that, he enjoyed the art of puppetry. Those who offended him even the slightest would be brought down to the dungeons, where he would torture them and perform strange experiments.
And this was the type of place the young boy was brought into. And this was the type of place Wuma Qiongling grew up in.
As someone who didn’t quite have Han features, Wuma Qiongling was often picked on. But those who bullied him would never have a good ending.
One was found bled out by the river; another was found with their own tongue stuffed in their mouth by the stables; another was found strung up in a tree by only his big toe and another was found with their head buried in the ground. And no one ever said anything about it.
In fact, seeing the youth’s ruthlessness pleased Yang Geheng and Wuma Qiongling was quickly promoted to be the Young Saint of Poisonous Talon Sect and being the Young Saint has its own perks.
Soon, Wuma Qiongling was allowed, not only out of the sect, but also out of the Fengya Region.
As someone who was raised in blood, the first time Wuma Qiongling saw the rest of the world, he was disgusted. He hated the altruism spiritual cultivators had towards the common people. It was insincere and fake, with a hint of arrogance that one would have when looking after a pet.
They pretended as if they cared but, in reality, they just enjoyed being worshiped.
Still, to see people using their swords to defend the innocent was refreshing, but Wuma Qiongling felt uncomfortable all over when those people would throw themselves at his feet in worship. He had dismissed them in disgust and quickly ran off, but his peaceful days didn’t last.
When enemies of Poisonous Talon Sect learned that their Young Saint had actually left Fengya to gain experience, he became the target of many—both righteous and evil. He even became the target of his own mentor.
At some point, during an unfortunate twist of fate, Wuma Qiongling ended up gravely injured. When he thought he was on his dying breath, a young man found him.
“And that young man was Xiao-xiong?” Wu Lingtian asked.
Wuma Qiongling nodded. He laughed bitterly at himself as Wu Lingtian refilled his cup of tea. The steam coiled up in front of his eyes and obscured a part of his vision. “I remember thinking that I’ve never seen any as beautiful as him. He had a lovely appearance but a poisonous tongue. However, he cleaned my wounds carefully and his voice was soft whenever he spoke.”
Wu Lingtian thought for a moment. “When you were eighteen, Xiao-xiong should have been…twenty?”
Wuma Qiongling nodded. “Just about.”
“Then, at that time, he should have just left the Hall of Impartiality,” Wu Lingtian said. Suddenly, he seemed to have remembered something, “That’s right—after attending Purple Bamboo School as a guest disciple for a few months, he suddenly said he wanted to explore the world on his own, but he returned almost a year later. He must have been with you during that time.”
Wuma Qiongling chuckled. “Most likely. That was our first meeting. In a grove where the pear blossoms were in full bloom.”
His voice trailed off and he sighed. “At that time, I…had just killed my shizun. I was on the run and I was trying to reconvene my allies, but I needed a place to hide and A-Rui was the one who took me in. We stayed together for about three months. I didn’t want to leave him. But whenever I thought about Fengya and the people who were waiting for me and counting on me, I knew I had to go back. So, I told him, when the pear blossoms were in full bloom again, I would be back to find him.”
Wu Lingtian lowered his gaze. “So, that’s why Liyu Mountain’s pear trees are blossoming year-round.”
“It’s my fault,” Wuma Qiongling said. “I never should have promised him anything.”
“That’s right. You never should have,” Wu Lingtian agreed. “The worst thing you can do is make a promise and not even fulfill it. But what are you going to do now?”
“I only wanted to make sure he arrived at a safe place. I was planning to have you deliver a message to him and then I will head back to Fengya.”
“…You’re leaving again?”
Wuma Qiongling looked at Wu Lingtian. “If he doesn’t want me around, why should I cling onto him? I don’t want him to hate me. Besides, it’s better this way. I’ve amassed so many enemies over the years that I haven’t thoroughly flushed out yet. He was right to not want to be with me, especially since he has his daughter now.”
Wu Lingtian averted his gaze and let out an internal sigh. Should he scold Xiao Xunrui for being too firm or scold Wuma Qiongling for being too dense? Obviously the two worried about each other in the same way, yet their lack of communication was going to make them miss each other yet again.
“Lord Wuma,” Wu Lingtian finally turned back to Wuma Qiongling.
“Yes?”
“I confessed to Sect Leader Fan a few weeks ago.”
“…Congratulations.”
“He accepted me today.”
“…That’s great.”
“In fact, I think if I had been clearer about my feelings a long time ago, he would have accepted me then too,” Wu Lingtian said.
Wuma Qiongling stared at Wu Lingtian. Although his expression was wooden, one could tell from his eyes that he was growing more irritated.
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.
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“In fact, Xiao-xiong is also in the wrong,” Wu Lingtian said. “But if you want to pursue him, you should take the first step in explaining yourself. Ask him why he won’t go back to Fengya with you and why he refuses you allow you to stay in Yu Shui Manor.”
“…Has he told you?”
“He has, but you shouldn’t hear it from a third party,” Wu Lingtian said. He paused for a moment before continuing, “Xiao-xiong is one of my closest friends and, Lord Wuma, I believe we can become good acquaintances in the future, so I don’t mind helping you two a little, but it wouldn’t be right if I suddenly became your messenger.”
Wuma Qiongling nodded. “You’re right about that.”
Wu Lingtian observed Wuma Qiongling silently. “Lord Wuma.”
“Yes?”
“If you have a sincere talk with him, I’m sure things will go as you want.”
Wuma Qiongling smiled, but said nothing in response.
“And I mean to tell him everything you told me,” Wu Lingtian said. “Not to avoid him or cower away.”
“You sure talk a lot, Wu Lingtian,” Wuma Qiongling said. “I always thought you were a quieter person.”
“I normally hate conversation. It just so happens that you are now an exception,” Wu Lingtian said.
“Ooh? Then I’m quite honored,” Wuma Qiongling chuckled. “But if you come out to meet a man like me, won’t your family’s sect leader be jealous?”
“My family’s sect leader doesn’t participate in jealousy,” Wu Lingtian said.
“Really?”
“Really,” Wu Lingtian nodded.
“Well, then, that’s good. In the future, I’ll ask you out a lot more and we can go for a few drinks,” Wuma Qiongling smirked.
“…As you wish.”
Wu Lingtian and Wuma Qiongling parted ways after leaving the restaurant. The lord immortal promised Wuma Qiongling that he would pass on a message to Xiao Xunrui, to meet him by Qingliu Temple again at some point.
For now, Wuma Qiongling headed back to Fengya and Wu Lingtian leisurely made his way back to the inn. When he arrived, Fan Yi had just changed into a fresh set of robes and his eyes were still blurred from the nap he had obviously taken.
Seeing Wu Lingtian back, Fan Yi smiled. “Did you have a nice chat?”
Wu Lingtian sat down with a look of displeasure as he took his mask off. “Sect Leader, do I look like a matchmaker?”
“I fear that if you were a matchmaker, those who you were matchmaking would want to marry you instead.”
“Are you one of those people?” Wu Lingtian raised a brow.
Fan Yi nodded once. “I am.”
Wu Lingtian appeared surprised and then quickly became rather pleased with himself.
“Why? Are you trying to get into the matchmaking business?” Fan Yi asked. “I fear everyone would be too distracted by your good looks and your business would run downhill.”
“I’ll just tell everyone that I’m already promised to another,” Wu Lingtian said.
“That wouldn’t stop them,” Fan Yi shook his head. “I think you should just give up on your matchmaking business. It’s a bad investment. However, if you opened a restaurant, I think it wouldn’t be bad at all.”
“But I can’t cook.”
“Yes, but you can be the host,” Fan Yi said. “You’d attract a plethora of customers with that face of yours.”
“Is it really that good looking?” Wu Lingtian looked at Fan Yi with narrowed eyes.
“It’s only because this face belongs to you,” Fan Yi said firmly.
Wu Lingtian leaned closer, “I think you’re lying though.”
Fan Yi closed the distance and placed a quick kiss on Wu Lingtian’s cheek. “How could that be? I like you for your personality. Your looks are just a bonus.”
Wu Lingtian shook his head as he leaned back. “Sect Leader, you’re more of a sweet talker than I am.”
“My every word is sincere.”
Wu Lingtian chuckled. “But, no, I wasn’t planning on going into the matchmaking business. It’s just the matchmaking business keeps coming to me.”
“Lord Wuma is in search of someone then?” Fan Yi raised a brow.
Wu Lingtian quickly filled Fan Yi in on the barest details of Xiao Xunrui and Wuma Qiongling’s relationship. The more Fan Yi heard, the wider his eyes became.
“Am I allowed to hear this?” Fan Yi asked.
“Why not?”
“I’m not close to either of them and this sounds personal,” Fan Yi pointed out.
“But you’re close to me and I want to talk to someone about it, so you’re naturally allowed to hear,” Wu Lingtian reasoned.
“That’s true,” Fan Yi agreed. “So, what are you going to do about it?”
“It’s enough already that I pretend to be a hero, I don’t need to pretend to be a master in romantic relationships as well,” Wu Lingtian said. “I’ve already done what I can for them. The last thing I can do is probably to lock them together in a room and force them to talk it out.”
“Would you actually?”
“I value my life too much,” Wu Lingtian poured himself a cup of tea and lifted it to his lips. He paused for a moment before adding, “But I could trick Situ Hong to do it for me.”
“Scoundrel,” Fan Yi chided.
“You think so?” Wu Lingtian cocked an eyebrow as he set the teacup back down.
“I do. How could I ever think you were a good boy?” Fan Yi sighed.
“Blinded by love.”
“That must be it,” Fan Yi agreed.
Hearing Fan Yi so shamelessly admit it, even Wu Lingtian felt flustered for a moment. He lightly cleared his throat. “Doesn’t Sect Leader need to talk to Sect Master Zhong today?”
“I do. And you still need to meet with your friends,” Fan Yi stood and straightened his robes. “Shall we leave?”
Wu Lingtian nodded and followed after Fan Yi.
“By the way,” Fan Yi looked over his shoulder at the other man, “why do you still call me Sect Leader?”
Wu Lingtian lowered his gaze. “Sect Leader is still Sect Leader.”
“Come to think of it, you still haven’t even gotten your official initiation ceremony,” Fan Yi looked at him thoughtfully, “So, you don’t technically need to be this respectful.”
“I’ve already done my vows to you and I received the pendent ahead of time. The entire sect and the entire cultivation world recognize me as Screeching Sparrow Sect’s Fourth Pillar,” Wu Lingtian said. “It’s far too late to renege my position.”
“I’m not trying to renege your position,” Fan Yi’s steps slowed and his walking pace fell in line with Wu Lingtian’s. “I was just thinking it would be nice to hear you call my name more. It would also be nice if you stopped walking behind me as much.”
“We’re in public.”
“We’re also in disguise,” Fan Yi said. “How are we going to sneak anywhere when you’re calling me ‘Sect Leader’ all the time? Like I said, you have to practice while we’re still safe. What if you accidentally let slip when we’re in Xianping? If we’re unlucky, someone we don’t like might be nearby when might over hear you.”
“…Alright, Yishan,” Wu Lingtian said.
“That’s better. And now, walk beside me,” Fan Yi tugged Wu Lingtian closer. He smiled teasingly, “If calling me by my name is uncomfortable, you can also call me gege.”
Wu Lingtian met Fan Yi’s gaze. “Gege.”
“…Actually, never mind. The visual impact is too strong,” Fan Yi cleared his throat. “We better stick to just Yishan.”
Wu Lingtian chuckled and quietly agreed.
They made it to the Hall of Impartiality just in time for lunch. Upon seeing them, Sect Master Zhong called for the attendants to make a few extra dishes and invited Wu Lingtian to join them.
“I still need to see Feng Ling and Lord Xiao,” Wu Lingtian said.
“Those two are out currently. If you go to Frost Cliff Pavilion, you’ll only be greeted by the servants and attendants,” Sect Master Zhong said.
Wu Lingtian’s brows furrowed. “May I ask where they went?”
“I believe Feng Ling was called back to Purple Bamboo School and Xunrui decided to take this chance to take his daughter out to play,” Sect Master Zhong said.
“To…play…” Wu Lingtian repeated with a bit of difficulty.
Seeing Wu Lingtian’s cold expression, Fan Yi patted the man’s arm. “Then, just join us for lunch. I’m sure they’ll be back soon.”
“Yes, Sect Leader,” Wu Lingtian said monotonously.
Sect Master Zhong glanced between the two men and sighed in his heart. Had they not sorted out their feelings yet?
As they waited for the food to be prepared, Sect Master Zhong decided to make conversation with Wu Lingtian.
“How have you settled recently, Yu Lan?”
“Very well. Sect Leader and the others at Screeching Sparrow Sect are very kind,” Wu Lingtian said. “I was never made to feel like an outsider.”
“That’s good,” Sect Master Zhong smiled until his gaze fell on the plain sword by Wu Lingtian’s side. “And…that is?”
Wu Lingtian looked at the Rui Sword. “A sword I’m using until I find Yu Lan again.”
“Find Yu Lan?”
Wu Lingtian nodded. “I suspect that the sword that shattered wasn’t my sword and that my sword is still out there.”
“Right, Uncle, there was something else I wanted to ask you yesterday,” Fan Yi interjected, “Could we borrow a cultivation room on Ling Wan Mountain? We found a way to track down his sword, but it requires Soul Projection and I want to make sure nothing goes wrong the first time we try it.”
The teacup in Wu Lingtian’s hand froze halfway to his mouth. Sect Master Zhong glanced between Wu Lingtian and Fan Yi. Only Fan Yi didn’t seem to notice what was wrong.
Sect Master Zhong coughed lightly. “Of course, I’ll give you the key after lunch here.”
Fan Yi thanked Sect Master Zhong and met Wu Lingtian’s perplexed gaze. “What’s wrong, A-Tian?”
“Nothing,” Wu Lingtian quickly recovered. He lowered his head and took a sip of tea.
Seeing him like this, Sect Master Zhong suddenly remembered the events from last night. “Right, Yu Lan, for someone who was forbidden from drinking, you have quite the great alcohol tolerance. Even Xunrui couldn’t outdrink you.”
Wu Lingtian shook his head humbly. “That isn’t true. Lord Xiao and Feng Ling are both better at drinking than I am. I am only good at pacing myself. And my habits aren’t too bad once I’ve become inebriated, so it gives off the illusion that I have better tolerance.”
“Really? I’ve never seen a person be able to walk as straight as you. You even scolded the others for drinking too much,” Sect Master Zhong laughed. “I only noticed something was wrong when Fan Yi said if you weren’t drunk, you would have noticed us by the time we had reached where we were observing you.”
Wu Lingtian lowered his head. “I’ve allowed Sect Master Zhong to see a joke.”
“Not at all, not at all,” Sect Master Zhong reassured him. “The jokes were Feng Ling and Xunrui. You handled yourself perfectly. Ah, well…until Fan Yi showed up.”
Wu Lingtian stiffened.
“You loudly called him ‘Yishan’?” Sect Master Zhong glanced amusedly at Fan Yi, whose relaxed expression quickly changed. He chuckled, “I didn’t think I would ever hear that name from someone else’s mouth again.”
Wu Lingtian looked up in surprise. “Why is that?”
Sect Master Zhong glanced at Fan Yi again, but seeing as he hadn’t protested or interjected, he continued, “Well, you might have heard rumors that Fan Yi is his fake name. Or, more precisely, it’s the name he’s changed to after everything that happened. Yishan is his real name.”
He let out a long sigh. “I never thought that Fan Yi would actually trust anyone enough to actually give away his real name. What a surprise, truly.”
Wu Lingtian’s normally cold expression showed hints of warmth. He lowered his gaze in an attempt to control himself again when Sect Master Zhong spoke once more.
“Fan Yi, this child, was always reckless and troublesome. He cares little about his own health, but takes care of everyone else meticulously,” Sect Master Zhong said. “I always thought that if there was someone who could stay by his side and take care of him, then that would let me rest easy.”
“You speak as if you will die soon,” Fan Yi said in slight disbelief.
“Can you not curse me with death every time I express my worry for you?” Sect Master Zhong stared at Fan Yi in exasperation.
“I’m not cursing, I just think it’s ridiculous that every time you talk about my well-being, you speak like someone who’s on his deathbed,” Fan Yi said.
“How can I not? If I really die tomorrow, then I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to leave in peace.”
“Stay rest assured, if you died tomorrow, there are plenty of people who will take care of me,” Fan Yi quipped.
“You—”
A soft chuckle interrupted them.
Fan Yi and Sect Master Zhong looked at Wu Lingtian. The younger man sheepishly lowered his gaze.
“My apologies.”
“No, no, it’s okay,” Sect Master Zhong beamed. “You don’t have to apologize for laughing. I know my stupid nephew is ridiculous.”
“How am I ridiculous? He’s obviously laughing about your own death wish.”
“It’s not that,” Wu Lingtian said. “I just think it’s nice that you two get along so well.”
Sect Master Zhong and Fan Yi glanced at each other. The sect master smiled softly, “Well, it’s because we’re family. And…now you’re also part of this family.”
Wu Lingtian’s expression showed hints of disbelief. “Sect Ma—”
“Although we do have to keep our relationship a secret in public, I hope in private you could also call me ‘Uncle’,” Sect Master Zhong said.
Wu Lingtian glanced at Fan Yi. Upon receiving an encouraging nod, Wu Lingtian quietly repeated the word, “Uncle.”
“Good,” Sect Master Zhong grinned. “Then, in the future, I hope you can good care of my nephew. And, in the days to come, I hope we can all get along as a family.”
“Of course,” Wu Lingtian nodded decisively. “Thank you…Uncle.”
Sect Master Zhong laughed before turning to narrow his eyes at Fan Yi. “Don’t know how you found such a good one with your horrendous personality.”
“I’m not the one who found him. It’s he who found me,” Fan Yi raised a brow. “What can you say about that?”
Wu Lingtian lowered his head as he listened to Sect Master Zhong and Fan Yi’s bickering. His lips curved into a small smile. He found that, once again, this bit of noise was quite nice.
I just want to take them all to the Screeching Owl Sect so they can relax and have relationships 😄
Hahaha maybe I should listen when they tell me not to stay up reading until daylight! 😂 Where else would I get Owl instead of Sparrow from?
LMAO yes, please do get your sleep 😭 thank you for reading though(and commenting often haha)!!!
[happy sigh] they’re family
They’re soo sweet