“I heard my son spent the afternoon with the two Lord Immortals,” Ge Jinsheng said. “I hope he didn’t bother you two too much.”
Ye Mingxi laughed. “Not at all, Your Excellency! The Young Lord was a fantastic host. We learned a lot about Black Mane Palace’s culture.”
Ge Jinsheng glanced at Ge Nianlan, who was eating to his right. “I see. You’ve done well then.”
Ge Nianlan glanced up from his food and smiled. “Thank you, Father.”
“Then, I suppose our negotiations can proceed in a smoother fashion,” Ge Jinsheng said.
Ge Nianlan didn’t show the confusion on his face, but he couldn’t help but wonder what Ge Jinsheng was talking about.
“Nian’er,” Ge Jinsheng said. “What do you think of studying in Yunkong Pavilion for five years?”
Ge Nianlan nearly let the bowl slip out of his hands. He swiftly turned his head to look at Ge Jinsheng, who sat at the head of the table.
“Four years?” Ge Nianlan asked. “How come?”
“As a part of the treaty, the individual parties will send one disciple to the other sect as a show of peace and willingness to learn about the other’s culture,” Ge Jinsheng said. He glanced at Ge Nianlan. “What do you think of this arrangement?”
This was the perfect opportunity to go to Yunkong Pavilion. However, something about the arrangement made Ge Nianlan’s hands sweaty.
Clearly, Ge Jinsheng had refused this offer in the future portrayed by the cursed artifact, because Ge Nianlan was unwell. This time, Ge Jinsheng gave him the choice, but this choice was veiled with some hidden meaning. By the look Ge Jinsheng was giving him, he clearly disliked the offer set on the table. To have his own son study in a potential enemy’s territory for five years would be disadvantageous. But Ge Nianlan had his own concerns.
“May I ask who the disciple who is coming to Yunkong Pavilion will be?” Ge Nianlan asked.
“That would be Lord Hanjing’s only disciple, Huai Zhen!” Ye Mingxi said with a broad smile.
“Huai…Huai Zhen?” Ge Nianlan asked.
Ge Jinsheng and Baili Liuye’s eyes rested on Ge Nianlan. The child quickly tucked away his surprise. In its place, before the adults could even think too far into it, was a small pout.
“I wanna meet him,” Ge Nianlan said. He fidgeted for a moment and glanced at the adults. “Is it possible to do a two-year study there and a two-year study here? That way, we can get to know each other as well.”
Ge Nianlan did not feel comfortable leaving Huai Zhen unmonitored in Black Mane Palace until his plan was set into motion. If he was able to successfully get into Huai Zhen’s good graces, then he cared little of what happened next. Besides, he was still anxious about the Eight Saints. He wanted to first make sure that those who were protective of him were safe and those who disliked him wouldn’t become a threat in the future.
“That wouldn’t be a bad idea either,” Ye Mingxi said. He turned to Baili Liuye. “A-Zhen and the Young Lord are the same age, aren’t they? If we let them study together, they could become good playmates.”
In the end, it would help strengthen the bond between Black Mane Palace and Yunkong Pavilion if the Young Lord and the Dragon Tree Guardian’s only disciple could become friends.
Ge Jinsheng hummed in contemplation. “It wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
“Indeed,” Baili Liuye agreed. His gaze remained concentrated on Ge Nianlan, who was actively avoiding looking at him. He wondered what this little fox was brewing.
“I have one more request,” Ge Nianlan sheepishly whispered. When the adults’ undivided attention was back on him, he fiddled with his fingers and spoke softly, “I was wondering if it’d be okay to have Young Master Huai come here first?”
He glanced at Baili Liuye and Ye Mingxi. “I’ve always been in bad health since I was a child and I’ve only just started getting better. I’m a bit reluctant to leave Black Mane Palace so soon, now that I can explore it and interact with everyone else.”
Ye Mingxi looked at the pitiful boy and sucked in a quick breath. “Of course, we can arrange that! It isn’t even that hard. Right, Liuye?”
Baili Liuye let out an elongated hum. “That’s right. It wouldn’t be a burden at all.”
Ge Nianlan’s eyes lit up. He looked at Ge Jinsheng, as if the man would ever argue against his son staying by his side. Ge Jinsheng chuckled softly and nodded as well.
“That sounds fine to me. I’m glad you took everything into consideration,” Ge Jinsheng complimented.
Ge Nianlan beamed. “Thank you, Father.”
“Let’s let the discussion rest here for now. We should eat before the food gets cold,” Ge Jinsheng said.
Following the meal, Ge Nianlan was taken back to his room. Baili Liuye watched as he left with a servant by his side and turned to follow the others to Ge Jinsheng’s study.
The walk to Ge Jinsheng’s study remained silent. And when the heavy doors closed, the three men sat in silence, as the servant dutifully poured their tea. Only after the servant left, did Ge Jinsheng look up from his tea. His gaze fell on Baili Liuye.
“I hadn’t known that Lord Immortal Hanjing was so good at coaxing children,” Ge Jinsheng said.
Baili Liuye took a sip of tea to wet his throat. Ye Mingxi glanced at the man and then to Ge Jinsheng.
Ye Mingxi awkwardly cleared his throat. “He—”
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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The Dragon Tree Guardian took another sip, lowered the teacup, and met Ge Jinsheng’s gaze.
“The Young Lord is an intelligent child,” Baili Liuye said. “If I was not worthy of his trust, I assure you, Your Excellency, that he would not have so easily agreed to come to Yunheng Region. Besides, he put down his own stipulations, did he not? We, at Yunkong Pavilion, will do everything to grant his wishes.”
Ge Jinsheng’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Let’s calm down,” Ye Mingxi said. He turned to Ge Jinsheng. “Your Excellency, what do you think of the new conditions? It is far more in your favor than the Council had first proposed. If there is anything else you would like us to do, please tell us.”
“You say this as if your little Council has already approved of the new conditions my son proposed,” Ge Jinsheng said. “Are you so confident that they won’t back out?”
“They won’t,” Ye Mingxi promised. “We already negotiated with them before coming out here.”
So long as land, people, and money wasn’t involved, Eternal Pagoda said that anything to get Black Mane Palace on their side would be approved.
“I see,” Ge Jinsheng hummed. “Then, let me add one more condition.”
“Please tell us.”
“I will sign the treaty,” Ge Jinsheng said. “Only after these five years are over.”
Baili Liuye stiffened. He glanced at Ge Jinsheng. “May I ask why you have come to this decision, Your Excellency?”
Ge Jinsheng smiled as he leaned back. “You say my son has great intuition, but mine doesn’t fall behind either.”
Baili Liuye was like a slippery snake. For Eternal Pagoda to send this man out here, it meant that they were serious in succeeding with this treaty this time around. It also meant that Ge Jinsheng, in theory, could ask for anything else he wanted. He already had them by their necks. The little show of power, by insisting his son study in Yunkong Pavilion for five years, was just a bluff. If he had refused outright, they wouldn’t have been able to say a thing about it.
Besides, Ge Jinsheng had always known his own worth. And as of right now, even if the great sects of Yunheng Region gathered to take down Yinxue Region, it would be like an ant trying to fight an elephant.
Ge Jinsheng leaned against his thighs and lightly tapped his chin. A sly smile took over his face as Baili Liuye’s expression darkened.
“Lord Hanjing, I respect you dearly. If it weren’t for those dogs at the Eternal Pagoda, I would gladly let my son become friends with your disciple. And I would gladly sign the treaty. Unfortunately, our Black Mane Palace has been burned before,” Ge Jinsheng said.
He grinned a grin that looked so similar to Ge Nianlan’s smile.
“We have to be careful that the event from several hundred years ago won’t happen again. After all, we here at Black Mane Palace do not give out second chances. This is an exception, only because of how much I treasure our friendship,” Ge Jinsheng said. “But if something else goes wrong…forget about a treaty. I fear it would only result in a war.”
“I understood,” Baili Liuye said. “Don’t worry, Your Excellency. Eternal Pagoda will not betray Black Mane Palace’s trust a second time. If you want the reassurance of five years, then we will comply.”
“Good,” Ge Jinsheng smiled. He leaned back. His expression frosted over again. “However, in place of the official treaty, how about we sign a smaller contract? That way, Eternal Pagoda can rest easy during our trial and I can rest well at night, knowing that my son is not in any danger.”
“Are the details negotiable?” Baili Liuye asked.
“Naturally. I wouldn’t want you to feel as if you were being taken advantage of, Lord Hanjing.”
“Not at all. I’m sure whatever conditions Your Excellency puts out will be fair and just,” Baili Liuye said. “I am only asking because those at Eternal Pagoda may have opinions that differ from ours.”
“Of course. I understand,” Ge Jinsheng said. “Then, I shall draft up a temporary agreement tonight.”
“And I will bring it back to Eternal Pagoda with me.”
“Excellent. My Lord, when are you planning on departing?”
“Tomorrow afternoon, I believe,” Baili Liuye said. “We cannot stay away from Yunkong Pavilion for too long. It has almost been a week.”
“I understand,” Ge Jinsheng hummed. He smiled. “I hope the negotiations go smoothly.”
“As do I,” Baili Liuye agreed.
Once Ge Jinsheng bid his farewell, Baili Liuye and Ye Mingxi left the Devil Lord’s study.
Ye Mingxi let out a burdened sigh as they returned to the guest courtyard. Only after the servants who escorted them had left, did Ye Mingxi wilt against the table. He rolled his forehead against his forearm and groaned.
“We’re leaving tomorrow?” Ye Mingxi asked.
Silvery locks slid from the soft, ivory ribbon. Baili Liuye glanced over his shoulder as his black hair faded white. A soft hum left his lips as he slipped off the outer coat and sat down on the divan nearby.
“Finally,” Ye Mingxi breathed. “Aside from the Young Lord, everyone here gives me the creeps.”
“Why do you say so?”
“Is it because they look at us like we’re a meal to be eaten?” Ye Mingxi monotonously wondered. “Or is it because every time we meet their gaze, they smile in a way that kind of scares me?”
“You’re overthinking things,” Baili Liuye said.
“And your conversation with His Excellency,” Ye Mingxi sat up slightly and looked at Baili Liuye, who was now resting with his eyes closed. “That was so tense.”
“You’ve had similar conversations with elders before.”
“I think it’s the combination of the both of you that made it so much worse. You’re both barely human,” Ye Mingxi said.
“Now, don’t be offensive. His Excellency is as human as they come. Just look at how much he treasures his son and his sect,” Baili Liuye drawled.
Ye Mingxi fell silent. A moment later, Baili Liuye heard Ye Mingxi’s voice, echoing through his mind. He had established a telepathic conversation.
“Are you really not going to tell him?”
“And then what? Lose this opportunity?”
Ye Mingxi hesitated. “Was this your plan all along? To tell Yihong that he is your son and then get him on your side?”
“Am I that sort of person to you?” Baili Liuye asked as his eyes opened to reveal an inhuman set of silver eyes. “You know very well that I have spent the past decade searching for him everywhere.”
He had almost fallen into Qi Deviation in his frenzy. That day had been the most alarming day in Ye Mingxi’s life. If Huai Zhen hadn’t spotted Baili Liuye, collapsed on the floor, then the Dragon Tree Guardian might have already passed on.
“I’m sorry,” Ye Mingxi quickly said. “But…do you really think this will play out well? Once Ge Jinsheng realizes that Yihong not only isn’t his son, but is your son, there won’t be any peace in any corner of the Four Seas. He’ll believe that you used him on purpose. He might even go after Yihong because of all this. Are you so certain that you can protect him? This is the Devil Lord we’re talking about.”
“You’re human, but you don’t seem to understand the human heart very well,” Baili Liuye said. “I can tell that His Excellency cares greatly for Hong’er. And, in the future, if things were to get exposed, I highly doubt he would harm him. If anything, he will just believe that I deceived him. In that case, I will gladly accept my punishment.”
Ye Mingxi’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
“If he finds out, that means that Hong’er is back by your side. You already know the procedure to train the next Dragon Tree Guardian. I won’t be needed anymore,” Baili Liuye said. “There might be a few years of trouble, but after that, everything will settle again. And once things blow over, you’ll have a direct connection to Black Mane Palace, with Hong’er, who was once raised to be their young master. Eternal Pagoda won’t be pleased, but I think even in the worst scenario, things will work out—”
“What are you saying!?”
Baili Liuye abruptly looked up at Ye Mingxi.
The man had suddenly started yelling out loud.
Ye Mingxi realized his own mistake, but he felt a rush of blood to his head as he stomped over to Baili Liuye. “Are you saying I should just let you die?”
Baili Liuye stared at Ye Mingxi silently. He leaned against the armrest and his expression turned quizzical. “Why are you getting so worked up?”
“Because you’re telling me right now that it is in your plan to die,” Ye Mingxi said. He clenched his jaw. “Do you think I would just let that happen?”
“Well, I would hope so. Even the strongest tree will wilt one day,” Baili Liuye said.
“That’s different! That is a natural death. What you’re talking about is…preposterous. If this is what you’re prepared for, then, I don’t agree with it,” Ye Mingxi said. He turned to walk towards the door as Baili Liuye called out to him.
“Where are you going?”
“To find Yihong and—”
A hand wrapped around Ye Mingxi’s waist and pulled him back from the door. He stumbled slightly, but was steadied by the other hand at his shoulder. He huffed and refused to look at the man holding him tightly, but he also didn’t take a step further.
“Calm down.”
Ye Mingxi hated when he was told to calm down by this man.
“There is nothing to get so worked up about,” Baili Liuye said, his voice just barely above a whisper. “This is just how I think the events will naturally play out. It was a simple discussion. There is no telling what will actually happen in the future.”
“I’d rather have you by my side then,” Ye Mingxi said. “Who cares about everything else?”
“The rest of the world would beg to differ.”
“The rest of the world would be in shambles if you weren’t around either,” Ye Mingxi said.
Baili Liuye wanted to insist on his stance, but when he saw Ye Mingxi’s expression, he slowly recalled the words that sat at the tip of his tongue. He released Ye Mingxi’s shoulder, hunched his frame slightly, and placed his chin on Ye Mingxi’s shoulder. His other hand rested on top of his arm, completely encasing the pavilion master into a hug.
Ye Mingxi slowly stiffened. He glanced at Baili Liuye strangely. “What?”
“I was wrong. I shouldn’t have said those things.”
For a brief moment, Ye Mingxi’s eyes brightened. However, in the next second, he rolled his eyes. “It’s fine. Let go.”
“Mm, it’s cold.”
“Yinxue Region’s winters are as warm as our summers. I’m sweating right now.”
“My body temperature runs colder,” Baili Liuye said. “And you’re a lord immortal, you don’t sweat.”
“You’re like a piece of wood that has been set ablaze,” Ye Mingxi bit back.
“Mm, then you must be feeling my burning guilt,” Baili Liuye tried.
Ye Mingxi fell silent. Baili Liuye placed his cheek against the man’s shoulder so he could get a look at his expression. Finally, he saw a slight crack in Ye Mingxi’s mask. Baili Liuye decided he should continue.
“I apologize, really. It must have been distressing,” Baili Liuye said. “I shouldn’t speak so lightly about my life.”
Ye Mingxi sighed. “Xiao Zhen has been working hard, I see.”
“Why have you suddenly brought him up?” Baili Liuye asked.
“He should stop reading romance novels,” Ye Mingxi said.
Baili Liuye fell silent. “It’s a hobby of his. He enjoys it.”
“Then, he should at least stop giving you advice on how to coax me,” Ye Mingxi said. He pulled Baili Liuye’s hands from his waist. “What is this? Am I your wife?”
Baili Liuye stared on in shock as his hands fell back to his side. “Aren’t you?”
Ye Mingxi’s face turned red immediately. “What are you saying!?”
“What?”
“What?!”
“A-Zhen said that we act as if we were an old couple.”
Ye Mingxi stared at Baili Liuye until his eyes bulged from his skull. “Being your wife means that I married you. We aren’t married.”
“But according to A-Zhen, we already argue like an old couple and we spend plenty of time together like a couple,” Baili Liuye said.
Ye Mingxi held back the words that were about to burst out of his chest. He took a calming breath. “Do you have feelings for me?”
“He asked me the same question and I said I cared about you, then he said then that means I love you, so that means we’re a couple.”
“You don’t even know if you love me or not,” Ye Mingxi said.
“He said that most people aren’t sure if they are in love or not,” Baili Yinghui said.
“Stop giving him romance novels!” Ye Mingxi exclaimed.
“But he enjoys them,” Baili Liuye insisted. He took a step closer and cupped Ye Mingxi’s face. “He said your face turns red like this because you love me.”
Ye Mingxi’s face burned hotter. However, it was not from embarrassment or love, it was from pure rage.
“I’m going back to Yunheng Region first,” Ye Mingxi declared.
Baili Liuye caught Ye Mingxi’s hand. “How am I supposed to explain to outsiders when they’ve asked where you’ve gone?”
Ye Mingxi closed his eyes. “Let go of me right now, or so help me…”
As Ye Mingxi was about to snatch his hand from Baili Liuye’s grip, he felt the smallest peck on the back of his hand. His eyelids flew open and he stared at the man behind him.
“Baili Liuye,” Ye Mingxi slowly enunciated his name, “See how I’ll deal with you when we get back to Yunkong Pavilion.”
gods i love negotiations for some reason (Ge Jinsheng was hot akzhakdh)
OOOOO I WASNT EXPECTING THESE TWO AT THE END HERE!!!!! i was literally like [hand over mouth, eyes bright, OvO] “Stop giving him romance novels!” akxhakxhak oh if Huai Zhen likes those, im even more intrigued to meet him
Same OwO
hehe thanks for reading!
👀👀👀👀👀 side cp i see??
thank you for the chapter!!