Chapter 97: Penglai Has an Immortal Island (7)
Bai Chunsheng had truly wanted to spit out a “Bah!” at Bo Yan. But when he thought about how Yan Yi had died at Bo Yan’s hands, it felt as if someone had pulled all the bones from his body. He slumped weakly over the table, dispirited.
There was really nothing left to say.
As time slowly passed, the fireworks blooming outside merged into one continuous blaze, nearly drowning out the sound of people talking.
Immortal Miaoyan himself had not attended the banquet. It was said that he was simply too old now. He could no longer drink, yet could not resist doing so, so he had chosen not to attend tonight’s feast. Perhaps he would appear at tomorrow morning’s banquet instead.
Seated at the place of honor now was one of his peachwood incarnations. On the white Daoist robe was an embroidered immortal crane, and a simple peachwood hairpin adorned the top of his head. His hair and beard were completely white, his brows kind and eyes gentle, always carrying that faint, smiling expression.
Whenever someone came to offer birthday congratulations, he greeted them with the same genial smile—exactly as Bai Chunsheng remembered from when he had seen him three hundred years ago.
Strangely enough, Bai Chunsheng realized he had never seen Immortal Miaoyan’s true body. If one said he was in poor health, he had stubbornly lived all these years. If one said he was healthy, he could not even drink a single cup of wine—so much so that he did not even attend his own centennial birthday banquet.
In any case, it had nothing to do with Bai Chunsheng.
As time went on, more and more guests arrived. Bai Chunsheng spotted a group of cultivators entering from outside, dressed in dark teal Daoist robes embroidered with cloud patterns. One glance at their clothing was enough for him to know they were disciples of the Taixu Sect.
Yan Jianhang indeed had not come.
The first seat on the right beneath the main host had been reserved by Penglai Island for him. Now that Yan Jianhang had not shown up, the seat remained empty. Bai Chunsheng and Bo Yan were seated in the second position on the left, giving them a clear view of everything happening in the hall.
After the younger generation of Taixu Sect presented their congratulatory gifts, the peachwood incarnation of Immortal Miaoyan smiled and asked, “How is your Ancestor’s health?”
The one leading Taixu Sect was not a member of the Yan family, but a beautiful female cultivator—the senior sister of the Qingxuan lineage. She replied with a smile, “He has been unwell and will not be attending this time.”
The incarnation nodded with a smile. “That’s good. I once mocked him for his eccentric temperament, saying he would surely meet a bad end. Niao Niao thought I was right. But looking at it now, he’s the one who has lived the longest.”
“Niao Niao” was Bai Jianghan’s childhood name. At those words, Bai Chunsheng gave a start and looked toward Immortal Miaoyan. But recalling the earlier part of the sentence, he lowered his gaze again. It must be true.
That was his grandmother’s habit.
The Qingxuan senior sister smiled politely. “You jest.”
After speaking, she performed a junior’s salute and withdrew.
Representing the Water Abyss Realm in presenting gifts was Shen Yuying. Bai Chunsheng had no interest in paying attention to her. He peeled a small, sweet bamboo fruit and ate it in small bites. It melted in his mouth—soft and fragrant—and eased a bit of his sadness.
On the table was also a pot of peach blossom wine. After taking a gulp, Bai Chunsheng’s eyes lit up. The wine was rich in spiritual energy, fragrant but not intoxicating. As expected of a fine brew from Penglai Island. He poured himself several more cups and drank them all in succession.
In truth, this peach blossom wine was meant for Mahayana cultivators who could refine its vast spiritual power. Bai Chunsheng, a mere Dao-stage little demon mingling among them, was astonishing enough as it was—and yet he had recklessly drained an entire pot.
Within minutes, the world before his eyes began to sway and spin.
Some people wanted to cry when drunk. Some wanted to laugh. Some would fall straight asleep. Bai Chunsheng, however, felt invincible. Not only did he feel powerful, he also thought the wine was excellent—after finishing it, he did not feel dizzy at all.
Through his wavering vision, Bo Yan pushed a plate of braised red-eyed shrimp toward him. “Don’t be picky.”
How unlucky.
Thinking this, Bai Chunsheng turned away, refusing to pay him any attention.
His mood worsened further. He set down his chopsticks and stubbornly refused to eat. He pushed the shrimp back.
Bo Yan pushed it back to him.
“!” Bai Chunsheng insisted on pushing it away again.
The two of them behaved like children, pushing the plate back and forth endlessly. Unable to win against Bo Yan, Bai Chunsheng, in a burst of anger, shoved several small fruit dishes in front of him over to Bo Yan as well and snapped, “I’m not playing with you anymore.”
Bo Yan: “…” What was this little thing doing?
Banquets like this were always terribly dull—especially since Immortal Miaoyan’s true body was not even present. So the guests began shamelessly flattering one another, then pretending modest reluctance while accepting the praise.
Fortunately, Bo Yan was not particularly popular among them. Bai Chunsheng could only sense the wary looks others cast toward him. It likely had something to do with Bo Yan cultivating the strange and unsettling Path of Laws.
If one had to weigh every word carefully to avoid leaving fatal loopholes or weaknesses for him to exploit, then no matter how many faces and thoughts a person possessed, it was better not to interact with Bo Yan at all.
For Bai Chunsheng, this counted as the first good thing that had happened all day.
If he had to sit there listening to others praise Bo Yan, he was certain he would grow so uncomfortable he might vomit up everything he had eaten.
As the conversation drifted, somehow these cultivators—whose cultivation levels were nearly all at Mahayana or above—stiffened their necks and began debating the Dao.
This was not unfamiliar to Bai Chunsheng. When Bai Jianghan had still been alive, he had often seen these great figures argue to the point of nearly coming to blows. However, since this was Immortal Miaoyan’s birthday banquet, they restrained themselves and did not truly fight.
Seeing Bai Chunsheng growing drowsy, Bo Yan summoned attendants and instructed them to escort him back to rest.
This suited Bai Chunsheng perfectly.
Seeing that Bo Yan was unusually obedient for once, Bai Chunsheng grinned foolishly and let out a “Hehe,” revealing his biggest slip of the day: “You were very good today. I’ll deal with you tomorrow.”
In truth, there had already been signs from the moment they started pushing plates.
Bo Yan frowned at the empty wine pot and ordered, “He’s drunk. Once he’s back, don’t let him come out again.”
The female attendants acknowledged and stepped forward to support Bai Chunsheng, but he quickly waved them off, puffing out his chest. “I don’t want anyone holding me. I want to fly back.”
“What are you flying for?” Bo Yan stood and instructed the attendants, “You may leave. I’ll take him back myself.”
The commotion had already caught the attention of the Mahayana cultivators who had just been arguing heatedly. Lord Cuixia of Cuiwei Palace pointed at Bai Chunsheng and asked Bo Yan, “I’ve been meaning to ask—who is this?”
“My beloved,” Bo Yan replied coolly.
Lord Cuixia said, “I would never have guessed.”
Penglai Island was full of restrictions—those below Mahayana were forbidden from casually using spiritual power.
Bai Chunsheng could not return to his true form. He flapped his arms as though he could take off from where he stood. Bo Yan walked over, scooped him up in his arms, and carried him away entirely.
Now cradled in Bo Yan’s arms and unable to move, Bai Chunsheng became noticeably more obedient.
He looked well-behaved and quiet—nothing like a drunk at all. Only the faint fragrance of peach blossom wine on him proved he had truly drunk quite a bit.
As they neared the room, Bai Chunsheng seemed to come back to himself. He buried his head into Bo Yan’s chest and said sadly, “All my feathers are going to fall out.”
He could not fly anymore.
When he had flapped his wings earlier and failed to take off, Yan Jingqiu must have secretly laughed at him.
Knowing he was dealing with a drunk, Bo Yan did not argue. He sighed. “Don’t worry. If all your feathers fall out, I’ll pluck someone else’s and stick them onto you. Not a single one missing. Whatever you want, I’ll give you.”
Bai Chunsheng rubbed against him coquettishly. “I want peacock feathers. They’re prettier than mine.”
Bo Yan, “Alright.”
Bai Chunsheng, “Golden phoenix feathers are especially bright.”
Bo Yan, “Alright.”
Bai Chunsheng, “I heard the great roc’s feathers carry lightning.”
Bo Yan, “Alright.”
Bai Chunsheng’s heart pounded as he imagined himself gathering the beauty of a hundred birds, flying brilliantly across the sky.
Bo Yan laid him down on the bed.
Bai Chunsheng suddenly thought of something else and worried, “But what if I really can’t fly?”
“You will.” Bo Yan tucked the blanket around him and coaxed gently, “You’re a little white phoenix. How could a little white phoenix not fly?”
“But I couldn’t just now,” Bai Chunsheng said sadly.
Bo Yan leaned down and kissed his forehead lightly. “If you can’t fly, I’ll carry you and fly.”
Reassured, Bai Chunsheng lay quietly and soon fell asleep.
It was unclear whether, upon waking, he would remember what had happened while he was drunk.
Bo Yan thought that if he did remember, he would probably make a fuss and regret having said so much. Better that he not remember.
He just did not know whether this brief gentleness and obedience had still been something stolen from Yan Jingqiu.
Author’s Note:
In others’ eyes, Bo Yan’s cultivation of the Path of Laws meant this: someone said something they shouldn’t have; Bo Yan caught the loophole, established a connection and binding law, set specific rules—and that person was destroyed.
Yan Jingqiu’s actual Path of Laws: someone said something they shouldn’t have; Yan Jingqiu simply lifted his sword and killed them.
Sob… the silly beauty had discovered the fox’s tail. It might be next chapter.
Huge shoutout to @_nyanmaru_ on Discord for commissioning this! The chapter will be posted regularly, show your support for Ciacia at Kofi.
