When will you change your tune and call me husband?
“Of course not!” Cen Moyu’s denial was too swift. Wenren Qi was quite dissatisfied. He pursed his lips, staring at Cen Moyu, and insisted, “You are.”
“What do you mean I am?” The flush that Cen Moyu had finally managed to calm surged back up. It was hard to forget the sensation of the other person licking his face. How could he do that? It was just a kiss on the cheek, what was the big deal?
Cen Moyu dodged the vine demon’s gaze. “Fine, for now, I suppose I am.”
Yu Xiang looked at this male demon who had suddenly appeared, then at his friend who was hanging his head with a red face. He sensed a bit of ambiguity and let out an “Oh.” “You and Moyu knew each other before?”
Actually, Hu Xinchi had already given Yu Xiang a general idea, but Cen Moyu still explained Wenren Qi’s background to Yu Xiang with animated gestures and descriptions. “If A Qi had not appeared, the baby and I would both be dead. He just waved his hand like this!” Cen Moyu reenacted the scene and nearly slipped. Wenren Qi caught him, and the little bird demon raised his voice, “Just like that! Anyway, without A Qi, I probably would not have lasted until Brother Xinchi arrived. Oh, and the little sparrows in the trees were a big help too.”
The parrot demon, having removed his veil, revealed a young face. Perhaps due to a mishap during transformation, there were two very strange red patches on his cheeks. To humans, he looked like a man wearing too much rouge and powder, but in the Demon Capital, it was fine. After all, failed transformations were everywhere. Two red patches were more successful than a dog’s head on a human body.
“A Qi is the wooden vine I used to perch on before I transformed. He and I,” Cen Moyu began.
Wenren Qi was, after all, a grandmaster among cultivators. In his youth, he had seen countless freaks and monsters. Even after being a shut in for centuries and getting struck by lightning, his adaptability was still good. He did not react to Yu Xiang’s rouge, but he would add a slight supplement whenever Cen Moyu introduced him.
“There is no need to say all that,” Wenren Qi said as he looked at Yu Xiang. “Thank you for taking him in.”
Yu Xiang had a good impression of this man. He scanned Wenren Qi’s ordinary face, wondering how such a perfect physique ended up with the wrong head, though it was not quite at the point of being unpalatable.
“In what capacity are you thanking me?” Yu Xiang was more experienced than a little demon like Cen Moyu, who had gone to guard a gate for a great sect right after transforming. He understood the fervor little demons had for wandering the human world. For instance, when weasels in the city got married, they loved beating gongs and drums. When a demon’s lifespan ended and they died naturally, they also had elaborate ceremonies with the sound of funeral music.
Hu Xinchi had told Yu Xiang that this vine demon’s cultivation was unfathomable and seemed to be the Fairy Pitta’s romantic debt, and he also seemed displeased.
“The child’s godfather.” Wenren Qi’s voice sounded squeezed out, as if he were very reluctant. Yu Xiang understood and filled in a backstory of a missed opportunity in his mind. Yu Xiang was the little sparrow’s life and death friend. In certain aspects, he was passionate and frank. He pulled Cen Moyu aside and whispered, “Moyu, so you have decided to raise the child together?”
Cen Moyu shook his head, turning his back to the burning gaze of the man behind him. “It really is not what you think. But he came looking for me, and he helped me. You have no idea.”
Even if Cen Moyu did not say who the egg was for, combined with Mai Li’s secrecy, it was not hard to guess it was a cultivator. Since ancient times, when have there been good outcomes for cultivators and demons? Those aiming to ascend to immortality were often less sincere than mortals. Mai Li only wanted his lover’s body and did not talk about forever, yet he had lurked for a hundred years. Cen Moyu secretly gave birth to a bird egg. Although he said the mother had died, the story was full of holes. He had been a closed door disciple of a sect and was sent to the Demon Capital by Mai Li to take refuge. Perhaps that mother was a disciple of the sect.
If the bird egg’s other father had some conscience, he might pretend not to know. If he were a cultivator who hated demons, he might hunt down such an abomination for thousands of miles, fearing a half demon hybrid would ruin his reputation. These were all cautionary tales. Since coming to the Demon Capital, Yu Xiang had frequently fed Cen Moyu the idea that cultivators were unreliable.
Cen Moyu used to be human, so he did not hate demons that much. Additionally, because this egg was born by accident, he felt an attraction toward Wenren Qi alongside his fear. The man’s kisses were much gentler than his physical intrusions. He was also handsome, fitting Cen Moyu’s aesthetic perfectly. During this time, he occasionally thought of him in night dreams, feeling an uncontrollable urge for more kisses, while also resenting the man for breaking all his plans.
Cen Moyu was traditional and conservative. Before traveling into the book, he had planned to marry before having a relationship and be faithful until death. The system was right; everything was a mess now. His heart was also a mess.
“I heard Xinchi mention it; you do not need to feel guilty about the house,” Yu Xiang said. He was not as tall as Cen Moyu, relying on his bamboo hat and veil to add height. “It is safer for you to stay here for now. It is a pity the bibs you made for the little bird are gone. I will find some for you later.”
The parrot demon stole another glance at the vine demon, whose gaze had not moved. It was a burning stare, seemingly resenting Yu Xiang for standing too close to Cen Moyu. His eyes looked like they were about to pop out. Just as Hu Xinchi said, he had no formal status and was prone to jealousy. It happened that there was no one by Cen Moyu’s side. Someone who could protect him and was an old companion was a decent choice.
“So what do you plan to do next? Are you already sleeping together?” Yu Xiang asked with a teasing smile. “Xinchi prepared a room for him, but he is still staying with you.”
If he had not been licked by Wenren Qi, Cen Moyu could have adamantly denied that this romantic debt only had affectionate eyes and no improper thoughts. But since they had already had physical contact, Cen Moyu was so guilty he could only stammer, “We have not slept together. He said he would protect me and Gugu.”
After the riot, the city opening days in the Demon Capital were shortened. Yu Xiang returned just before the gates closed and saw the notices posted in the city. “His cultivation is very high. That group of rat demons who died were from the West Continent. They were notorious and had killed many cultivators.”
“They even killed cultivators?” Cen Moyu was incredibly surprised.
Yu Xiang hummed and looked at the male demon who remained silent but was listening to their conversation. He was holding the bird nest and teasing the hatchling inside. Looking at his posture and technique, he seemed more like the biological father. “How long do you plan to stay in the city, sir? The gates will close in three hours.”
“I am with him,” Wenren Qi said, tilting his chin toward Cen Moyu. “I want to take him away.”
“I am not leaving!” Cen Moyu was firm about this. “It is dangerous outside. I am safer here.”
Wenren Qi knew he was still shaken and the hatchling was too fragile. The city gates would not stay closed forever. “Then I will stay here with you.”
“I did not expect your little one to hatch right as I left,” Yu Xiang looked at the bird in the nest. “Your tribe is too rare. I do not know when a half demon with cultivator blood will be able to transform into a child’s form.”
Cen Moyu signaled for Wenren Qi to show the child to Yu Xiang, but the vine demon did not let go. “The baby is still sleeping.”
Yu Xiang was quite happy to see him being protective. Combining Cen Moyu’s story of their history, he asked, “Were you also watching Moyu grow up before?”
Wenren Qi found maintaining the fake identity annoying, but he did not show it and gave a hum of affirmation. Cen Moyu was also puzzled, wondering why it did not match his memory, but his origin could not be mentioned, so he suppressed his doubts.
“Brother Yu Xiang, I will pay you back for the house repairs,” Cen Moyu said. Since Gugu had hatched and the pavilion was safe, Cen Moyu was already planning to find a job. He said to Yu Xiang, “I asked Brother Xinchi, and he said there is a vacancy at the song tower.”
The song tower run by the fox was lively at night. Even before arriving at the Demon Capital, Cen Moyu had heard other demons mention it on the road. If this world had check in spots, Hu Xinchi’s Midnight Song Tower was a must visit in the Eastern Demon Capital.
The relationship between Yu Xiang and Hu Xinchi was a bit hazy. Cen Moyu had wanted to ask several times but missed the chance, so he let it go. Seeing Yu Xiang’s complex expression now, he asked, “What is it?”
Yu Xiang asked hesitantly, “Moyu, can you dance?”
Cen Moyu shook his head. Yu Xiang asked again, “Then are you going to sing on stage? The song tower has many programs, but the guests have very high demands for the repertoire.”
In such a nightlife venue, some suggestive or erotic songs were inevitable. In Yu Xiang’s eyes, even though Cen Moyu had a child, he was still pure and flawless. He could not imagine him singing such unsightly lyrics.
“I can write, and singing is no problem.” Perhaps having suffered from being behind the scenes before, Cen Moyu had learned his lesson this time and was unwilling to let others take credit for his work. “Brother Xinchi said if I sing at the pavilion, a month’s full attendance is enough to buy a house in the east of the city.”
He could not stay in someone else’s house forever. Gugu would need to go to school later; there would be plenty of places where money was needed. Before Yu Xiang could say anything, the vine demon who had been eavesdropping spoke up. “I do not permit it.”
What gave him the right to forbid anything? He had no status and was not the child’s biological father, Yu Xiang complained inwardly. Cen Moyu turned around, clearly unhappy. “Why? This is what I want to do.”
Even if the Eastern Demon Capital’s reputation was better than the West’s, a place where demons gathered was naturally not as suitable for raising a hatchling as the Qingheng Sect. Wenren Qi’s puppet body, besides its restrictions, only had an eighty eight day expiration date. This was related to the materials; it needed regular maintenance. If the soul was too powerful, the puppet could not handle it and would easily break down.
He had set out full of confidence, never expecting this Fairy Pitta to actually lay an egg and hatch it. That night was a mistake by both parties. Wenren Qi would certainly not shift all the blame onto this poor, weak little bird. Staying in the Demon Capital was fine. It would be safer once the bird hatchling could take on the form of a human child.
Money was not an issue either. How could the Sect Leader of the Qingheng Sect not afford to raise a child? How could he let the child’s father go out and sing for money? Wenren Qi’s impression of Cen Moyu came from that day’s flute playing at the mountain gate. If the sound of a flute could reveal a person’s character, this little bird was indeed exactly like his music, as pure as the beginning. Immortal music should remain untainted by the mortal world. Why give it to these vulgar things in the Demon Capital?
Wenren Qi was somewhat angry. “I said I do not permit it, so I do not permit it.”
“Why are you angry?” Cen Moyu turned to look at him. “I am going to sing anyway.”
He had been repressed for too long. Since traveling into the book, if a successful action brought feedback, Cen Moyu had failed at every single thing he tried. Fate seemed to never treat him kindly. But his one sliver of hope was this accidental child. Even if Cen Moyu was utterly disheartened, he had to stand up again. The Demon Capital was relatively safe. If he could earn money, he could buy many magical treasures for protection or hire someone to protect them. Raising a little bird would cost a lot of money; Cen Moyu had no choice.
“I have money,” Wenren Qi said. “I can afford to support you and the child.”
Cen Moyu was unwilling. “I do not want you to support me.”
He was sick of hearing such words. His ex boyfriend had said so, and his biological father had said so. There were always conditions following it: as long as you leave these to me, Moyu; as long as you are content writing songs behind the scenes; as long as you listen to Papa and get married. Being obedient brought no benefits. It was clear that some sweet sounding words were just arsenic coated in honey. Cen Moyu had been poisoned to the point of having no way out. No matter how dull he was, he had learned from his mistakes and knew that only what was in his hand was truly his.
His little hatchling was born through pain and belonged to him, not to that protagonist shou he had only seen once. He would raise him and protect him, ensuring he had no worries about food or clothing and felt no fear before the baby bird decided to leave the nest and become independent.
Wenren Qi did not understand why a bird loved to cry so much. Was there something wrong with that sentence? He frowned and reached out to wipe away Cen Moyu’s tears. The other pushed his hand away and said thank you again. “The baby and I are not your responsibility. I am his father. No matter what, I will raise him.”
Wenren Qi almost blurted out the truth. He suppressed his inexplicable anger. “Then you should not refuse the stepping stone in your hand.” The Demon Capital circulated mortal money but also allowed bartering. He handed his treasure bag to Cen Moyu. “What is mine is yours.”
Yu Xiang watched with great interest and even leaned in to look, letting out a yelp. “You are quite wealthy, sir. These pills, this treasure bottle, this!” It could practically buy the song tower. If that money grubbing fox saw this, he would definitely trick Moyu into accepting it.
Cen Moyu handed it back. “Thank you, but really, it is not needed. Keep it for someone you like.” He even rejected everything from Wenren Qi and had to negate something. “We are not suitable for each other either. Thank you for being willing to protect me and Gugu, and for being his godfather.”
Yu Xiang thought that it was tragic. They grew up together and he was still getting rejected, just because he transformed a hundred years late. Everything is too late.
It was not the first time he had been rejected. Wenren Qi asked through gritted teeth, his ordinary face combined with his tall frame bringing an inexplicable pressure, “What exactly is unsuitable?”
Cen Moyu shook his head and did not answer. Wenren Qi’s voice softened slightly. “What is unsuitable?”
Cen Moyu hesitated. Wenren Qi pressed his advantage. “Little Gugu said you wanted a family. I will treat him,” the Grandmaster took a deep breath, and the words “as my own” sounded as if they were being ground between his teeth, “treat him as my own, and I can support you both.”
Cen Moyu’s expression faltered. Wenren Qi was determined to get a reason, sounding like he would ask until the end of time. Yu Xiang, who was nearby, stopped the increasingly agitated male demon. “Well, sir, I think you should look in a mirror.”
Wenren Qi looked at Cen Moyu and said in disbelief, “You think I am ugly?”
In all his years, he had never been rejected for his looks. It was all the fault of that Elder Qinxun’s puppet face. What “blending into the demon race”? Demons were the most flamboyant and only cared about appearances. What if this beauty loving Fairy Pitta was attracted to some other demon who only had good looks? If that child acknowledged a demon as his father, would the Abyss of Delusion not invade the Qingheng Sect to take the Wheel of Tracing Years? If time were reset, there would be even less chance of winning.
“No, no,” Cen Moyu denied. “You are a good person.”
Yu Xiang thought that it was even worse. The good person card had come out.
“Then what is it?” Wenren Qi asked.
“I want someone who supports me in doing what I love, regardless of beauty or ugliness,” the pavilion was very quiet during the day, with only the occasional small demon passing by to sweep. Cen Moyu lowered his eyes, his beautiful long lashes fluttering, hiding emotions Wenren Qi did not yet understand. “Even if everyone thinks I am not good or unsuitable, he would only want me.”
Wenren Qi understood. He was being scolded for his “not permitted” stance earlier. Even the dignified Sect Leader was afraid his wife would take the child and remarry. Wenren Qi bit his lip. “Fine. You go sing, and I will play the zither for you. I will follow you every step of the way.”
Cen Moyu looked at him in surprise. “You can play the zither? But I clearly remember you.”
What does that wooden vine have to do with me? Wenren Qi let out a cold laugh. “You remember incorrectly.”
He was perfectly justified. Cen Moyu gave an “Oh.” “Fine, I suppose I remembered incorrectly.”
Yu Xiang watched with interest but also a bit of frustration, thinking this little bird was too soft. He would eventually be eaten clean. No, he seemed to have been eaten clean already.
“I say you remembered incorrectly and you just think you did?” Wenren Qi was also displeased. “That is not good.”
His attitude was as fierce as the system’s. Cen Moyu actually had the absurd guess that this was the system’s incarnation. Weren’t there settings like that in novels? What if it was? Then even if the system was ugly, he would have to accept it, just as a dog does not care if its home is poor. Thinking of this possibility, Cen Moyu looked at Wenren Qi with tears in his eyes. To the other, it looked like he was about to cry again. The man’s heart softened, and he could not bear to say anything more, fearing he would not be able to stop himself from licking away the tears again. “Weren’t you going to eat that food made by the dog demon? Why haven’t you gone yet?”
Cen Moyu gave an “Oh” and hurried downstairs. Yu Xiang saw the vine demon following quickly and called out to him, “Sir, you!”
Wenren Qi, afraid of losing him, said impatiently, “What is it?”
The strangely rouged bird demon winked. “Big Brother, Moyu likes handsome men. If the face is hard to change, a strong body is also good. You could take more medicine.”
Wenren Qi understood and snorted, “No need.” He caught up with Cen Moyu and complained in his ear, “Your friend is as fond of beauty as you are.”
Cen Moyu was inexplicably blamed and said in surprise, “I am not fond of beauty.”
Then who was the one kissing his face over and over?
Wenren Qi ignored him and only paid the money for the little bird, buying all of the dog demon’s food, and turned to go upstairs. Cen Moyu chased after him. “A Qi! Wait for me!”
He called Yu Xiang “Brother,” that sparrow “Xiao Mai,” and the son “Baby.” What was the difference between “A Qi” and “A Niu” when it came to him? Even after living for a thousand years, Wenren Qi was still petty.
He came to a sudden halt, waiting for the little bird to bump into his back before turning around. Cen Moyu complained in frustration.
Wenren Qi leaned down and demanded, “When will you change your tune and call me husband?”