“This is where I’ve been staying.” Chan Lihua introduced as she led Fei Qianchi through the gates, revealing a small garden of roses. “I…” She was a bit hesitant, looking up at her son.
Fei Qianchi looked around at the residence that was bigger than what he would’ve thought. In fact, he could even see servants walking past them, slightly bowing towards Chan Lihua and him before they walked away.
Fei Qianchi couldn’t help but stare at the woman once more. She looked exactly the same as when she was still alive, even younger in fact. The woman was a beautiful woman. Back then, because of poor health and sickness, it marred her beauty, but now, none of that was here. He couldn’t help but smile. He was the only one who aged.
“You… look the same as before.” Fei Qianchi slowly said. He was a bit afraid. This type of love was scary. Back in his life as a business tyrant, before he became a transmigrator, he had given up on familial love. The many worlds he entered taught him this warmth, some more than others.
Chan Lihua was a bit shocked as Fei Qianchi spoke up, but she smiled brightly, “It seems like so. I haven’t aged, but you have.”
Unlike her, Fei Qianchi was older now. Though he still carried some features from when he was younger, all of that had matured too.
Fei Qianchi looked at Chan Lihua, nodding his head. He grasped tighter onto Chan Lihua’s hand, letting her hold him as they walked inside. “Mother, it has been a long time. Have you been well?” Fei Qianchi couldn’t help but be formal. Though this was his first life, the many memories clashed within his head, making it hard to focus on himself in this world.
Chan Lihua exhaled, eyes glistening. “Yes. The truth is,” Before she could finish, a man’s voice was heard.
“Lihua!”
Fei Qianchi turned around as a man ran towards them. With red hair that burned like fire and brown eyes, the man was not old, appearing as if he was only in his early thirties. He wore a black robe embroidered in gold with a lotus upon it. His red hair was held up by a crown. There was a vermillion mark on his forehead between his brows, thin lips that contrasted his bright voice. He had peach blossom eyes and slender brows. The man smiled brightly as he ran. Then, he stopped, having caught sight of Fei Qianchi.
Fei Qianchi’s eyes narrowed, staring at the unknown man as he grasped tighter onto Chan Lihua’s hand. The man was strong. Wherever this was, everyone felt much stronger than him. The man in front of him could easily defeat him.
“Zhu Rong.” Chan Lihua couldn’t help but call out once she saw the man’s eyes narrow while looking at her son.
Zhu Rong side-eyed Fei Qianchi, “Lihua, who is this?” His eyes looked down at their hands that were intertwined.
Chan Lihua looked up at Fei Qianchi.
Fei Qianchi felt his eyes twitch, staring at this man who was equally as tall as him. His blue eyes stared at the man, not bowing down. He could see Zhu Rong’s lips twitch as if he wanted to say something while gawking at his hand holding onto Chan Lihua’s.
Well, it seemed like the man misunderstood their relationship. So being the jester he was, Fei Qianchi turned to Chan Lihua.
“Who is this?” Fei Qianchi asked, raising a brow as he looked towards Chan Lihua, ignoring the man standing in front of them.
“Qianchi, this is Zhu Rong. He is the Deity of Fire.” Chan Lihua was struggling to find the correct words to say as she was caught in between both of the men’s eyes. “He… he is my husband.”
Hearing this, Fei Qianchi’s eyes slightly widened. “Your husband?” He was a bit taken aback and shocked.
For Zhu Rong, it was taken in the wrong way. Looking at the man with white hair and pale blue eyes, he felt like his position was being threatened. The man was handsome, extremely like so. Among the many gods and goddesses he knew, the deities he had met, this man’s handsome features could not be rivaled. Seeing that the man still held on tightly to his Chan Lihua, a fire lit within him, wanting to burn the man himself.
“Who are you?” Zhu Rong asked, eyes narrowing with a burst of displeasure in them.
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.
Instead of answering, Fei Qianchi wanted to continue fooling the man. “When did you get marry to her?” He could feel Chan Lihua’s finger scratch against his palm, as if telling him to stop, but he didn’t.
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“Gbfr la wjaafg? Uifjrf ifa ub bo ws klof’r tjcv.” Ite Ebcu rjlv atgbeut uglaafv affat.
Fei Qianchi cocked his brow, a smug smirk on his face. “And what if I don’t? Do you even know who I am to her? I knew her before you did. Why should I let go of her hand?” Well, in a way, he was correct. He wasn’t wrong. Although it was weird to say it like this, he wasn’t wrong with the way he phrased his relationship with Chan Lihua. He did know her before Zhu Rong did. Not to mention, he was her son.
“You little,” Zhu Rong stomped over, a flame appearing in his hands as he raised them, a scowl on his face.
Chan Lihua finally stepped in, “Zhu Rong, stay back and stop being such a child. Qianchi, don’t make him misunderstand.” Even as she scolded Fei Qianchi, her eyes were warm, her smile was spoiling him.
Fei Qianchi smiled as he stopped, conceding.
“Lihua, why are you treating him like this?” Zhu Rong, Deity of Fire, was like a child at heart. He couldn’t help but pout when Chan Lihua was stern with him yet so kind to this unknown man.
Chan Lihua sighed as she shook her head. She turned her eyes to Fei Qianchi, “Go on.”
Fei Qianchi nodded his head, “Deity of Fire, Zhu Rong, my name is Fei Qianchi. I am Chan Lihua’s son.” He slightly bowed, cupping his fist as he stood up, staring at the man who was letting this information sink into him.
“Oh,” Zhu Rong finally calmed down. “Oh…” That was it? And then he remembered. Chan Lihua had spoke about having a son in the mortal realm. This must be him. Recollecting himself, he coughed into his fist. “I am Zhu Rong, Deity of Fire.” Calming down, he fixed his posture. “Let’s step inside first.”
Chan Lihua looked at Fei Qianchi, stretching out her other hand and grasping onto Zhu Rong’s. With her in between the two men, she walked, leading both of them.
Fei Qianchi wasn’t surprised. Chan Lihua was beautiful and kind. He didn’t know why his father was so cruel to her. Perhaps, it didn’t surprise him anymore that a god would fall for a mortal. It was obvious that Zhu Rong took the initiative.
In all honesty, Chan Lihua was living a better life now. Now that she had become the Deity of Fire’s wife, she was also a deity too, especially now that she had become an immortal. It made his heart rest at peace. At least now, he knew that the woman was living a much better life than when she was in the mortal world.
As they walked inside, the residence was filled with lush trees and flowers. Fei Qianchi knew that it had been catered to Chan Lihua’s taste. Even from his memories, she had an affinity with nature. The nature suited her most. Fei Qianchi glanced at the woman who still held on tightly to him. Her hand was small. Back then, her hands were large compared to his. In fact, Chan Lihua appeared so small to him now. He didn’t know how to feel.
It didn’t take long for Chan Lihua to pull them both into a room, bypassing the halls and the servants that walked past them. As she let go of them, she opened the doors, revealing a room with scrolls hung upon the walls, paintings of flowers still being drawn. There were mats laid out, a small table over the mat. A vase of flowers was set up, filling the room with a cozy feeling.
Chan Lihua turned back, specifically looking at Fei Qianchi, “Come in. I’m sure that you also have your questions.” Then, looking at Zhu Rong, she stretched out her hand, “Come, don’t be wary of him. He is my son after all.”
Fei Qianchi slowly stepped in, looking around as he headed for the table. Upon arriving, he sat down upon the mat, crossing his legs as he looked towards Chan Lihua and Zhu Rong. The two did match quite well. Against Zhu Rong’s childish antics, Chan Lihua was more stern. Even when he was younger, Chan Lihua hadn’t been this stern towards him.
Fei Qianchi waited patiently. They were whispering. Chan Lihua’s brows narrowed, lowering her voice. But they underestimated how powerful he was. Even when they were talking so quietly, Fei Qianchi could still hear what they were speaking of. With his back upright, he listened in.
Chan Lihua narrowed her brows, “The Deity of Hatred is missing?” She lowered her voice, carefully eyeing her son who was looking at a painting on the wall.
Zhu Rong nodded his head. “Yes. I did my daily check-ins on the Tower of Deprivation and he was missing. Since my role is to check on that place once every century, I haven’t been paying much attention. The Jade Emperor was sure that he could never escape, thus, we didn’t station many guards to watch over the tower.” He sighed, narrowing his eyes. “The Deity of Night was so angered because of him, he threatened to destroy the Nine Heavens. Now that he is gone, the Deity of Night will not quell his anger.”
Chan Lihua looked at her husband, grasping his hand, as if telling him to continue.
Zhu Rong looked at Chan Lihua and then explained further. “Back then, the Deity of Hatred had betrayed the Deity of War, causing him to fall into the mortal realm. As a close friend to both the Deity of Hatred and Deity of War, the Deity of Night was angered by this betrayal and nearly destructed the Nine Heavens. It was only when the Jade Emperor stepped in that he finally stopped. Ever since then, the Deity of War was trapped in the mortal realm and the Deity of Hatred was locked within the Tower of Deprivation.” The man’s eyes appeared tired in that moment.
Fei Qianchi listened closely, eyes looking away as if he was paying attention to something else. Well, it seems like the Nine Heavens wouldn’t be peaceful for long. Just from hearing this much, Fei Qianchi could understand that all hell was going to break loose soon.
Chan Lihua nodded her head before she pulled Zhu Rong. “Let’s put that aside first. We still have my son with us.”
It was weird to be called someone’s son, especially when they looked so young. Fei Qianchi was a bit awkward with that title.
As the two sat in front of him, Fei Qianchi made a note to remember what he had listened to. Perhaps, this information would come in handy soon.
“Mother, how have you been?” Fei Qianchi was the first to open up his mouth and ask a question. There wasn’t a smile on his face, only curiosity.
Chan Lihua looked over at Zhu Rong before she slowly said, “After I died, I was unable to cross the River of Oblivion. Instead, I had walked through the Gates of Heaven, leading me to the Deities’ land. I was lost and everything was unfamiliar. At that time, I… was still in pain from losing you, from having left you first.” Her voice trembled, shaking in uneven tones.
Fei Qianchi knew that speaking about this was much harder for Chan Lihua, especially when she was recalling all the events clearly. Not to mention, during that time, she had just been killed by a woman who had tortured her for all her life.
Zhu Rong’s lips tightened, looking over at Chan Lihua as he grabbed her hands, squeezing it to reassure her. Chan Lihua looked at him, mustering a small smile before she resumed.
“I had wandered aimlessly in that city. There was a water festival on that night. The streets were crowded with Immortals passing. I don’t remember what exactlly happened but I was pushed into the water.” She smiled, looking at Zhu Rong. “Zhu Rong saved me. After that, he noticed that I was someone who was supposed to have reincarnated. But, I didn’t want to be reincarnated. Instead, I volunteered to stay by him and work as a servant. I took care of the gardens, and I slowly got to know him. Many years passed before we got married and I was allowed to become a deity by his side.”
Fei Qianchi listened, nodding his head as he swept his eyes over Zhu Rong, noticing the warm gaze he used to look at Chan Lihua. They were really in love. It wasn’t like he would do anything.
“Mother, do you know how I appeared here?” Fei Qianchi remembered hugging Zhu Longwang and then falling asleep, but he somehow appeared here.
“There is a passage that exists between the mortal realm and the Nine Heavens. Perhaps, your soul had unconsciously wandered and stumbled upon that passage.” Zhu Rong, a deity that had lived for thousands of years, explained. He looked up at Fei Qianchi, his eyes having calmed down.
“No matter what happened, perhaps it was good in the end. I would have never met you if not for this accident.” Chan Lihua’s eyes glistened.
Fei Qianchi knew that she was very emotional at this moment. In a way, it made him a bit stunned and confused. It was the past him who had experienced this warmth. While it was him too, it felt odd and unusual.
“How is the mortal realm?” Zhu Rong asked, breaking the silence. His lips were straightened, eyes narrowing. As a deity, especially one so prominent, the Jade Emperor would not just simply let him step into the mortal realm. With his many duties stacked up, Zhu Rong was a busy man. Chan Lihua was his source of comfort in this busy life of his.
Fei Qianchi scoffed, appearing cold in that moment. “Perhaps as peaceful as it can be.” He didn’t know how to elaborate. Just like how he had no information about life in the Nine Heavens, Chan Lihua and Zhu Rong had no information about the mortal realm.
Chan Lihua opened and closed her mouth, trying to find the strength to speak. “Madame Fei… what happened to them? How did you escape?” She was nervous and afraid. Though so many years had passed, it was impossible to forget the torture she had been through.
Fei Qianchi’s eyes darkened, “I killed them.”
Zhu Rong’s eyes flickered. The man in front of him… he was a frightful man. He wasn’t strong, he couldn’t compare to him at all, but he was someone to be wary of. Everything he did, it felt like there was another meaning to his actions. This man… it felt like he had lived several lifetimes. Not to mention, Zhu Rong was unable to see his Book of Fate, he was unable to see his destiny. It was blank. Something was hiding it him.
“Qianchi?”
Fei Qianchi raised his head as he heard this familiar voice. Zhu Longwang. Was it already morning? Had he woke up?
Fei Qianchi stared at the two people in front of him. It was time to leave.
“I have to return now, mother.” Fei Qianchi said, “I’ll come visit you again. Perhaps it might take longer, but at least I know that you are well and safe now.”
Chan Lihua’s eyes softened, speaking gently, “Of course. Stay well and be safe.”
Zhu Rong then added, “Simply close your eyes. You will return back to the mortal realm.” He didn’t linger anymore as the man with blue eyes closed his eyes.
Fei Qianchi closed his eyes.
“Qianchi.”
As he opened his eyes, Zhu Longwang looked at him. The man had a light smile upon his face, a tint of pink decorating his cheek. “You’re finally awake.”
Fei Qianchi laughed, pulling the man on top of him, “Were you waiting for me?”
Zhu Longwang’s face was up against Fei Qianchi’s chest. He could hear the man’s beating heart. “Yes.”
Zhu Longwang had woken up a while ago. When he opened his eyes, the man had held him tightly in his arms. Zhu Longwang had moved carefully so that he wouldn’t wake up the man. In that time, he couldn’t help but stare at his face. No matter how many times he looked, Fei Qianchi was still a handsome man. His face, figure, temperament, everything made him more captivating. Time had aged him, maturing him in the process. From the boy he once was, Fei Qianchi was now grown and mature.
“Snap out of your daze.” Fei Qianchi chuckled, running his fingers through Zhu Longwang’s soft and silky hair. He looked out the window. The sun was just beginning to rise, the sky a honey color mixed with other colors. The birds were chirping outside.
“Let’s bathe first. Come,” Fei Qianchi pushed the man up, flicking his head as he stared at the man’s face.
Zhu Longwang didn’t mind as Fei Qianchi grasped onto his hand. The air shifted around them. He knew that Fei Qianchi was already teleporting them.
“Fei Shang had a few springs constructed. It’s still early, no one should be awake yet.” Fei Qianchi opened his eyes in the warm cave with mist covering the surface of the water. The water was covered with a layer of mist from the water vapor. There were large jewels on the side of the cave, creating a mass of light in this enclosed area.
Zhu Longwang looked around. He was still getting used to this new peak they now resided on. It was different from Taohua Peak.
Zhu Longwang turned to Fei Qianchi who smiled innocently.
“Take off your clothes.”
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Innocent my ass
Glad Fei Qianshi could meet his mother at least and that she is leading a happy life (minus what’s happening at the moment in the nine heavens) – also loved it how he teased Zhu Rong with implying a different relationship with his mother 😂
And a deity of war caught in the mortal realm? I bet he and the escaped deity of hatred will become important