“Do you need my help?”
Wenren Qi found himself completely unable to defend his honor.
Cen Moyu turned and saw the Vine Demon standing in the shadows, staring at him motionlessly. He jumped in fright. “What is wrong?”
Hu Xinchi fanned himself with a folding fan, wearing an inscrutable smile. Wenren Qi simply said, “It is nothing. Shall we move out today?”
“What is the rush?” Yu Xiang shook his head. “Most of the houses in the Demon Capital are controlled by the Weasel Demon. He is closely connected to the gambling dens and has issued countless loans. One careless step and you will fall into a trap. Sometimes the debt is not even cleared after you die.”
Cen Moyu’s face turned pale. “Then the house you and Brother Xinchi live in?”
Hu Xinchi replied, “That was left to me by my mother. I hold the title deed, so you need not worry, Moyu.”
“The singing hall is mine as well,” Yu Xiang added. “If you both wish to stay here long-term, it is no problem. Room and board are on me.”
“Living here is not good for the child.”
Initially, Wenren Qi had planned to bring Cen Moyu back to the Qingheng Sect and keep him confined. Now that plans had changed, he did not want the turbid air of the Demon Capital to pollute the little one. “I will find a house in a good location.”
“That is true. Xinchi’s schedule is flipped day and night, and he hosts all sorts of guests. It is not a convenient environment for a child.” Yu Xiang pondered for a moment. “I will take you around to look at some neighborhoods later.”
Wenren Qi stated, “Money is no object.”
As expected of a wealthy man.
Yu Xiang glanced at Cen Moyu, his eyes hinting that he had done a good job picking a partner. Cen Moyu understood the look and shook his head guiltily.
Was he essentially “occupying a magpie’s nest”? He thought not. “I am a Fairy Pitta now,” Cen Moyu told himself. “And A-Qi is not exactly a magpie’s nest either.”
The group returned to the room to discuss for a while. When the topic of the wedding arose, Hu Xinchi felt that such a rare stroke of luck deserved a grand celebration. As a fox, he was naturally fond of spectacle.
Yu Xiang was more respectful of Cen Moyu’s opinion. After all, the child’s biological father was not this Vine Demon. Even if it were a first marriage, it felt like a second one. Whether Cen Moyu wanted a lavish affair or just a simple ceremony to go through the motions, Yu Xiang would support it.
Yu Xiang had his own work to do and needed to repair his house, so he could not linger at the singing hall. Before leaving, he said to Cen Moyu, “I will come to see you another day.”
Suddenly remembering their friend, he asked, “Has Wheat sent any voice transmissions to you?”
Cen Moyu had just stepped over the threshold but turned back. Wenren Qi, who had been about to put an arm around his shoulder, missed and let his hand drop. He looked down and happened to lock eyes with the sleepy-eyed baby bird. The hatchling was startled and shrank back into the nest, though its ears perked up at the sound of Cen Moyu’s voice.
“No.”
“That is strange. He is usually so talkative it is annoying. Why has he been so quiet lately?”
Cen Moyu was still worried about being hunted down by the protagonist. He asked cautiously, “Nothing happened at the Qingheng Sect, did it?”
Hu Xinchi, leaning against the doorframe, asked, “The Qingheng Sect? The sect most yearned for by cultivators?” Mentioning the Qingheng Sect made his smile turn icy. “They are doing quite well. I heard they are even preparing to hold a Great Sect Assembly. It will be very lively.”
Cen Moyu had guarded the gates for a hundred years. Although he had seen many sect exchanges, most were just disciples sparring. He would not call them grand. Curious, he asked, “What is that?”
“The anniversary of the Dao Ancestor’s birth. Ten thousand sects come to pay homage. Although it is a festival for cultivators, demon cultivators are also cultivators. The City Lords of both sides are usually invited. Human nobles and famous rogue cultivators will also ascend the mountain to discuss the Dao. The festivities last for quite a while. The previous generations of the Wangyuan Demon Lords actually had a decent relationship with the cultivation world and participated. The recent generations have not been on good terms. It is a blessing if they are not fighting.”
If Hu Xinchi had not mentioned it, Wenren Qi would have almost forgotten about the Great Sect Assembly. The celebration occurred once every six hundred years. The last one was held while his father was still alive. No wonder when his soul descended the mountain this time, Jue Ya looked so utterly drained of life. The sheer volume of chores must be agonizing.
“I heard from Wheat that you also stayed at the Qingheng Sect. Perhaps he is very busy?” Yu Xiang had known Wheat longer and knew he had many ways to save his own skin, so he was not overly worried. “Or perhaps he is traveling afar with a lover and forgot about his friends.”
“He probably is busy. He used to go out frequently.” Cen Moyu paused. “But regarding his lover, things had not even begun yet. At least, that is what he said before we parted.”
When Wenren Qi had ordered the sparrow demon and Jue Ya’s disciples to be detained, that little demon had been overjoyed. Instead of a punishment, it felt more like a reward, and he had been profoundly grateful.
Yu Xiang pulled a feather from his sleeve. “It is fine. The feather is still bright. He is not dead.”
Cen Moyu also pulled out a sparrow feather. “The one he gave me is here too.”
As the two birds tapped their feathers together, Hu Xinchi asked the silent male demon, “Brother, if Moyu takes the stage, will you provide the music for him?”
Looking at Wenren Qi’s current appearance, it was hard to imagine him being skilled in melody. Even among demons, there are things one is born knowing and things one is not. For a piece of wood to cultivate into a human is harder than for a bird. Being able to use a few spells was usually considered the limit.
“Is there a problem?”
“No problem.” Hu Xinchi had seen all kinds of demons. He felt this piece of wood was deep and unpredictable. Even if it were explained away as a fortuitous encounter, it felt like a bit much. “What exactly are you skilled in? You should let me have a listen eventually. Moyu is Yu Xiang’s friend, so I have no problem taking him in.” Hu Xinchi smiled sincerely. “But as for Moyu’s husband, he might be lacking a bit of flavor.”
Cen Moyu heard this and asked curiously, “A-Qi, what are you good at?”
Husband.
Wenren Qi almost could not suppress the upward curve of his lips. He cleared his throat. “I am skilled in whatever you like.”
Beside them, Yu Xiang clicked his tongue, thinking he was a fast learner. Cen Moyu understood the sweet talk and looked away bashfully. “Then I will just listen in.”
Yu Xiang caught a glimpse of the tiny chick peeking out. “Almost forgot. What is the little bird called?”
Before Cen Moyu could speak, Wenren Qi, who had been looking after the chick, said expressionlessly, “Gugu.”
Hu Xinchi and Yu Xiang looked at each other. “I could understand if a dove’s chick were called that.” The cry of a Fairy Pitta was certainly not gugu. This nickname seemed a bit careless.
The Vine Demon said gloomily, “The child says that the person Moyu loves is skilled at the drum.”
Yu Xiang was silent. Little Cen Gugu trembled in fear, terrified of being dragged into his other father’s sea of consciousness for another training session. He flew straight into Cen Moyu’s arms, his beak pecking at his father’s delicate skin, nearly in tears.
“What is wrong? Are you hungry?” Having never raised a bird, the transmigration survivor did not quite understand and wanted to change the subject. Wenren Qi handed over some bird food and stood by to help feed him.
Cen Moyu did not know what was in the bird food, but he had tried it before. It was not harmful and actually felt quite comfortable after eating. The little chick ate happily while Cen Moyu watched and stroked it. Seeing this harmonious scene, Yu Xiang was happy for him.
This Fairy Pitta possessed nothing but beauty. Even in the Demon Capital, Yu Xiang had worried about him. Sure enough, the moment Yu Xiang left on the day the city gates opened, something happened. For a weak and beautiful bird to be able to transform into a human was already a feat. His natural talent was lacking, and even as a demon cultivator, his lifespan would ultimately be limited. This situation was common in the Demon Capital. Many regretted it, saying it would be better to remain an ordinary animal, knowing nothing and living out a life in a daze.
Fortunately, his luck was good. A powerful demon was rushing to be a stepfather. Looking at the chick, Yu Xiang thought for a moment and said, “I wonder when Gugu will be able to take human form. I will ask other bird tribes on my way back.”
Cen Moyu had actually asked about this before. “It is because my cultivation is too low.” He was very dejected. “If only my cultivation were higher, Little Treasure could have taken the form of a human infant right after hatching.”
Yu Xiang comforted him, “For small birds like us, cultivation is often determined by fate. If you were a bird of prey, perhaps there would be a chance.” As if remembering something, he mentioned Wangyuan. “I heard there is a Demon General in Wangyuan who is of the bird tribe.”
Wenren Qi looked up slightly, his finger idly poking at his own chick’s tail feathers. The little bird shook its rump and discreetly nudged closer to Cen Moyu.
“That sounds very impressive.” Cen Moyu was, after all, an outsider. “Little Gugu’s mother is also very impressive. His cultivation is very high, and his disciples are not bad either.”
Hu Xinchi asked with a laugh, “Many disciples? Then how old is he? Does Moyu like older men?” The fox swept a glance at the Vine Demon tending to the child. “Then Brother Vine seems a bit too young.”
Wenren Qi remained silent. Cen Moyu hurriedly tried to save the situation. “The thing with that person was an accident. There were no feelings.”
At this, Hu Xinchi became very alert. “Then how did you have a child?”
Yu Xiang would not ask such detailed questions, perhaps because his skin was not as thick as the fox who ran a singing hall.
“It was just an accident.” Cen Moyu stammered. Feeling that it was not right to talk about a past relationship after agreeing to marry someone else, he looked down at the chick’s feathers. “It is impossible between me and him. He has someone he is destined to be with.”
“Listen to that,” Hu Xinchi gasped. “It sounds like you did have feelings, Moyu, but you are just trapped because the other party has a marriage contract?”
Wenren Qi thought to himself, “Where did I get a marriage contract from?”
“Something like that,” Cen Moyu said vaguely. “He and his disciple are the ones truly meant for each other.”
Hu Xinchi was even more surprised. “I always say cultivators are all sanctimonious hypocrites. Masters and disciples by night, lovers by night. How are they any different from us demons?”
Yu Xiang kicked him. “Cut it out. Do not go slandering people just because your family has a grudge against the Qingheng Sect.” Having spent much time with the fox, Yu Xiang knew a bit about his family history. He explained to Cen Moyu, “His older brother once had a relationship with the daughter of the Qingheng Sect Leader. Later, the lovers could not be together, so naturally.”
There was no one else around, and the singing hall looked exceptionally desolate during the day. The group was lost in their own thoughts, save for the newly hatched bird who was eating voraciously. Even though he feared Wenren Qi, he had to admit the bird food was very much to his taste.
“The Qingheng Sect Leader has a daughter?” Cen Moyu was shocked. “With whom?”
Seeing his misunderstanding, Wenren Qi cleared his throat. “The previous Sect Leader.”
Only then did Cen Moyu breathe a sigh of relief.
“Few cultivators are good people,” Hu Xinchi remained stubborn. “It is good that you came to the Demon Capital, Moyu. Even if demon cultivation is still cultivation, humans and demons walk different paths. It never ends well.”
Someone seemed to be calling for him from below. The Fox Demon leaped, descending toward the floating night stage. Yu Xiang transformed into a parrot and flew away, leaving behind a farewell.
The surroundings grew even quieter. The full chick was sleepy again. After entering the room, the Vine Demon sat at the table changing the chick’s diaper. Cen Moyu watched for a long time and felt that this was not bad at all. The protagonist would have his own life eventually. When the system returned, they would discuss it further.
“Have you seen enough? Pass me a strip of cloth.”
Wenren Qi pointed to a small basket nearby, which was filled with many little bird diapers. Cen Moyu asked, “There are this many?”
“I made quite a few while you were asleep.”
Wenren Qi had lived in seclusion in the Qingheng Sect for a hundred years with nothing to do, so he sewed his own robes. Few people knew this. The Sect Leader had high standards for needlework. When Lu Jijun was out on missions, the specific items he had to bring back were things like Southern Border silkworm silk or Snowy Region ice silk. Whenever someone asked, he had to use the excuse that the sect elders needed them, when in fact, they were for his ethereal, untainted Master to pass the time.
A grandmaster of a generation enjoying being a tailor, who would believe it? According to Elder Lan Que, Wenren Qi’s hobby was little known. When he was young and the previous Sect Leader found out, he was scolded and beaten for a long time. He stopped making clothes and could only make sword tassels. Everyone in the family had one except for his old father.
Unfortunately, by the time Lu Jijun joined the sect, Wenren Qi was already an old fellow. The novelty had passed, and he had to maintain the dignity of a Sect Leader. Lu Jijun never found out what those expensive silk threads eventually became. If he were here, he would surely be heartbroken to see the items he worked so hard to bring back being used as a child’s diapers. What a waste of resources.
“You made all of these?” Cen Moyu leaned in. A sudden fragrance wafted over, and Wenren Qi frowned, moving slightly away from him. “Is it strange?”
He himself felt it was strange. He used to do this with his little sister. His father would fly into a rage, and only his eldest brother would comfort him, saying it was just a hobby and would not hinder his cultivation. His eldest brother died, and later his little sister died too. Only Wenren Qi and his antagonistic father were left in the Qingheng Sect.
The father-son relationship was strained. The old man died without peace, fearing Wenren Qi would go against heaven’s will and fulfill the prophecy by using the ancestor’s divine artifact as a gambling wheel. If only there were a successor. The old Sect Leader always said this, but the reality was that, besides Wenren Qi, the Qingheng Sect could not find another cultivator capable of protecting the sect. Jue Ya and Lan Que were too old. Their bodies could not handle the strain.