Chu Yi was a powerful God-Demon Hybrid. Though it was unknown why he had chosen to aid the God Clan all those years ago, after tens of thousands of years, the gods had gradually ceased to doubt his intentions.
As the only God-Demon Hybrid within the God Clan, entrusting Su Shenzi to his guidance was evidently most fitting.
Chi Zhou truly hadn’t expected Luo Chen to spare the Fruit of Evil, especially since he was a powerful Demon Clan member who had yet to fully mature.
“If Chu Yi can teach him well and guide him toward goodness, then he shall remain in the God Clan as a Divine Son. If not…”
Luo Chen left the latter half unsaid, but Chi Zhou understood his meaning.
Then, Luo Chen took out a golden bracelet engraved with ancient God Runes and gave it to Su.
“This is the Evil-Restraining Bracelet. Under normal circumstances, it will have no effect as long as no evil is committed.”
Chi Zhou nodded, looking gratefully at Luo Chen. “Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.”
Luo Chen remained as aloof as ever. Watching Chi Zhou bow before him, his thoughts drifted back ten thousand years to when he had first emerged into the world—a naive and reverent youth addressing Chi Zhou as “Venerable One,” and Chi Zhou gently patting his head.
Ten thousand years was neither long nor short for the God Clan, yet it was enough for a solitary god to forget many things and grow indifferent to many emotions.
Chi Zhou had long grown accustomed to the Divine Emperor’s coldness, never expecting any response from him.
Having settled Su Shenzi’s fate, Chi Zhou did not forget about Zhao Zhao.
“And what of Zhao Shenzi?”
Luo Chen gazed into Zhao Zhao’s indifferent golden eyes, his tone still devoid of any fluctuation. “Zhao shall be taught by me.”
“No!”
Once again, it was Su who voiced opposition.
Their conversation had not been deliberately concealed from the two Divine Sons, allowing them to hear everything clearly.
Upon learning that he would be separated from Zhao Zhao, Su immediately protested.
“I want to stay with my brother!”
Su ran over and tightly hugged Zhao Zhao, his crimson eyes filled with wariness toward them, as if they were villains.
“Zhao will follow me, and you will follow Chu Yi. This outcome is best for both of you.”
Luo Chen analyzed the pros and cons, but to a child—especially a mischievous one—such reasoning held no sway.
“I don’t want to be separated from my brother! Let me go!”
Luo Chen grabbed him by the collar and coldly tossed him to Chi Zhou.
“Take him to the Peach Grove later.”
The Peach Grove was where Chu Yi resided.
Then, before Zhao Zhao could even glance back at Su, Luo Chen lifted him and carried him away.
At the same moment, the sounds of Su’s cries and Chi Zhou’s gentle coaxing reached his ears.
Zhao Zhao wanted to look back, but Luo Chen stopped him.
“A God should not harbor emotions for anything beyond all living beings.”
“Su should not be so sentimental.”
“Likewise, I do not wish for you to be the same.”
After Luo Chen set him down, Zhao Zhao stood rooted to the spot, refusing to move.
Luo Chen frowned again, his expression impatient, yet he bent down and picked him up.
“Today, considering you have just emerged into the world, I will allow you one tantrum. Do not let it happen again.”
Luo Chen indulged him this once, unaware that such compromises and indulgences always begin with one and lead to countless more.
With Luo Chen’s icy words in his ears and Luo Chen’s cold body in his arms, Zhao Zhao suddenly felt a deep ache. After a while, a mist formed over his eyes.
Unable to see clearly ahead, Zhao Zhao blinked hard, feeling warm liquid trickle down his face.
Luo Chen paused in his steps, looking at the young child silently weeping in his arms, momentarily at a loss.
He thought, when Zhaozhao threw a tantrum, he hadn’t scolded him but instead indulged him. Yet unexpectedly, he still ended up crying.
Although Luo Chen didn’t feel he was the one who made Zhaozhao cry, he was also somewhat helpless inside.
His expression only grew more stern and icy. “What are you crying for?”
He lifted Zhaozhao’s tear-dampened little chin, but as soon as he asked, Zhaozhao turned his head away, refusing to look at him.
Luo Chen: …
With no other choice, Luo Chen carried the child back to his Divine Hall, his face cold.
Feeling the shoulder of his robe soaked by Zhaozhao’s tears, Luo Chen felt an inexplicable irritation.