Chapter 77
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Pei Yunshu politely told the general during the day that he needed to consider the matter. However, that night, he took Zhuyou and left Peach Blossom Village with a sword in hand.
Zhuyou stood behind Pei Yunshu, leaning his face against Pei Yunshu’s back. Affectionately rubbing against him, Zhuyou said, “Dad, in the new place, Zhuyou doesn’t want to study anymore.”
Pei Yunshu patted his hand, feeling its icy coldness. Before responding to Zhuyou’s statement, he asked, “Zhuyou, do you feel cold?”
Zhuyou replied, “Not cold. Dad’s hands are even colder than mine.”
He turned and held Pei Yunshu’s hand, saying, “Dad, you’re just abandoning the general in Peach Blossom Village?”
In recent days, whenever Pei Yunshu had some free time, he read most of the books Zhuyou had brought back. The more he read, the more he felt foolish. Even the matter of the general asking him to save the earthly emperor seemed somewhat suspicious.
Although the cultivation world had interactions with the mortal realm, no one would casually intervene. Everyone had their own fate, and it seemed unreasonable to intervene so easily.
Besides, after reading these books, Pei Yunshu couldn’t help but associate these noble figures with various intrigues such as poisoning, framing, and conspiracies. It made his head spin.
He decided to keep his distance.
“Don’t worry, Zhuyou,” Pei Yunshu said. “Just focus on your studies.”
In the end, he still needed to learn about the so-called propriety, righteousness, integrity, and ethics, as well as the norms of social ethics.
Zhuyou tightened the hand around Pei Yunshu’s waist. Just as he was about to say a few more words, he inexplicably thought, “Dad’s waist is so slim.”
Can it be even slimmer?
He exerted force with his arm. Although he was a young man with considerable strength, Pei Yunshu, caught off guard, suddenly felt pain around his waist, as if it was being strangled.
Letting out a soft exhale, Zhuyou quickly let go of his hand. “Did it hurt, Dad?”
Zhuyou didn’t know why he had such thoughts. His mind was mostly uneasy, feeling genuinely unfilial. How could he do such a thing to his dad? Yet, some part of his mind secretly and excitedly thought, Dad’s waist is really soft and slim.
It felt especially good when held in his arms.
Pei Yunshu assured him that he was fine and took a small step forward, slightly speeding up his pace.
***
Pei Yunshu arrived at another location with Zhuyou. In just a few days, the general, who had traveled day and night, managed to track them down, blocking them in the courtyard.
It was unclear what method he had used to trace Pei Yunshu’s whereabouts. When the general intercepted Pei Yunshu, his eyes were tinged with blue, his complexion haggard from non-stop travel.
Taking a deep breath upon seeing Pei Yunshu, he knelt heavily on the ground, saying in a deep voice, “Please, Immortal, save my Emperor’s life.”
Pei Yunshu sternly replied, “If his fate has come to an end, how can I save him?”
The general looked up at Pei Yunshu. After a moment of silence, he said, “It’s precisely because the illness is so strange that I want the Immortal to intervene.”
He paused, then said in a low voice, “The Emperor seems to have fallen victim to some sinister art. Only in a temple, surrounded by a hundred monks chanting scriptures, can he find a moment of peace.”
It was precisely because of this peculiar situation that the general was tasked with privately seeking out extraordinary individuals. Unexpectedly, most of those he encountered were chasing after fame and reputation, lacking any real skills. Not to mention any divine arts; they couldn’t even withstand three moves under his command.
Therefore, upon seeing Pei Yunshu, he was even more astonished.
That day, when he healed him, the hand lightly placed on his wound and the clear, warm voice that reached his ears were both extraordinarily in line with the imagined appearance of an immortal.
No, they were even more heart-throbbing than what was fantasized.
The general knelt in front of Pei Yunshu’s door for an entire afternoon. His excellent steed, quite understanding of human nature, upon seeing its master kneel, also bent its legs, lowering its body toward Pei Yunshu.
After much hesitation, Pei Yunshu finally agreed, “If your mortal emperor is indeed under the curse of another, I will try to save him if possible.”
The general raised his eyebrows, got up, but due to days of exhaustion, he staggered after standing up and almost fell onto Pei Yunshu.
Pei Yunshu promptly supported him. “Are you alright?”
The general rubbed his forehead, standing upright with Pei Yunshu’s assistance. “It’s nothing serious. I have offended the Immortal.”
Zhuyou happened to walk over from a distance, holding soft cakes that his dad liked. His black eyes were filled with joy, but as he turned around, he witnessed this scene.
His facial expression changed suddenly, revealing a murderous and fierce look.
“Dad!”
Pei Yunshu heard this call, turned his head to look at the roadside, and, seeing Zhuyou, smiled, “My son is back?”
The general at his side flashed a look, gazing at Pei Yunshu for a while before turning to look at the Immortal’s son. He showed an unfamiliar but friendly smile to Zhuyou.
Coldly glancing at him, Zhuyou leaned into Pei Yunshu’s arms, holding him tightly. The fury still lingered in his mind as he forcefully tightened his grip around Pei Yunshu’s waist.
“Don’t act cute,” Pei Yunshu leaned forward, his body tense. “Yunjiao, don’t make a scene. Wait until Daddy takes Yunjiao to the capital. By then, Daddy will indulge Yunjiao thoroughly in all kinds of pleasures.”
Zhuyou glanced at the general beside them, who dared to stare at Daddy. His mind chilled, suppressing the anger in an instant. Zhuyou released Pei Yunshu and instead took his hand, saying, “Okay.”
***
The next day, before noon, Pei Yunshu brought Zhuyou and the general to the palace gate with his sword.
The general’s face turned pale, but he remained calm. Stabilizing his turbulent mind, he dismounted his flying sword. Glancing around, he saw the guards at the palace gate staring wide-eyed, shocked by the descent of the three “immortals” from the sky.
The general said, “I’m bringing the immortal into the palace.”
Inside the grand palace, Pei Yunshu followed the general. Passing through a vast garden, they reached the emperor’s resting palace.
There was no activity in the palace, and upon inquiry, they learned that the emperor had already gone to a temple outside the palace.
The general apologized to Pei Yunshu, “Immortal, let me report to the emperor first. You can rest at my residence for the day.”
Pei Yunshu and Zhuyou were taken to the general’s residence. The general arranged a quiet place for them to stay temporarily. There were dozens of servants in the courtyard, and upon seeing Pei Yunshu, they approached, intending to help him remove his outer garments and provide shoulder massages.
Pei Yunshu was startled by their actions and awkwardly said, “No need to serve here, you can go.”
The servants looked at each other and exchanged glances. A leading servant stepped forward, tentatively asking, “Immortal, did we do something to displease you?”
Pei Yunshu shook his head, “I’m just not used to having so many people around.”
The servant understood, signaled to those behind him, and dozens of people withdrew, leaving behind two agile individuals to handle some rough tasks.
After everyone dispersed, Pei Yunshu laid on the beautiful couch in the courtyard, finally feeling a bit more at ease.
“Having so many people serving around must be crowded and chaotic, right?”
Zhuyou took a peach handed over by a servant, took a bite to confirm its tenderness and sweetness, and then offered it to Pei Yunshu’s lips. “Daddy, have a bite.”
Pei Yunshu took a bite and exclaimed, “So sweet.”
He didn’t bother to get up, and Zhuyou continued to feed him, with peach juice sliding down his lips. Zhuyou, quick and nimble, used his fingers to lightly touch Pei Yunshu’s lip.
Pei Yunshu looked at him with confusion.
Zhuyou grabbed a handkerchief, wiped the corner of Pei Yunshu’s lips, and said, “Daddy’s juice has flowed onto my hands.”
“Peach juice is naturally abundant,” Pei Yunshu always felt that something was off but couldn’t figure it out. He took the handkerchief from Zhuyou and wiped his lips again, saying, “Is there anything else?”
Zhuyou shook his head, “Does Dad still want to eat?”
“No,” Pei Yunshu glanced at the sky and then at the two silent attendants waiting nearby. An idea crossed his mind, “How about Dad takes you for a stroll in the capital?”
A hint of joy appeared in Zhuyou’s eyes. “Sure, as Dad wishes.”
The two openly left the general’s mansion and plunged into the bustling capital. Two people who had never seen the world finally opened their eyes today, enjoying themselves thoroughly.
In the evening, while resting at a teahouse, a storyteller was narrating a tale. Pei Yunshu gazed at the scenery outside the window with half-closed eyes, feeling exceptionally relaxed.
Zhuyou, however, was engrossed in listening to the story.
The storyteller was narrating a historical scandal, reaching the part where a prince killed his father, not only seizing his father’s possessions but also forcibly taking his newlywed stepmother.
The storyteller sighed, “Truly an unfilial and immoral person!”
Zhuyou thought, I just happen to disdain worldly principles.
The storyteller continued with indignation, “The new stepmother is not an innocent person either; they had long been colluding with each other, truly birds of a feather!”
Zhuyou pondered; it seemed that the two needed to be in sync.
Would Dad be willing to kill Dragon Father together with him?
He only wanted to be with Dad forever, preferably without anyone disturbing them. He would be filial to Dad, and Dad wouldn’t even need to walk on the ground. Staying in bed or in his arms forever would be perfect. If Dad felt lonely, he could travel around with him, doing everything that Dragon Father could do.
Upon closer inspection, whether there was this Dragon Father was really a question.
He needed to come up with a plan to make Dad detest Dragon Father.
While the storyteller criticized this character vehemently, Zhuyou remembered the name of the nobleman’s son. Not only did he not find this act shocking, but there was also a subtle sense of admiration.
Zhuyou glanced at Pei Yunshu, coincidentally catching his attention as well. Their eyes met, and in the black pupils of the other, each saw their own reflection.
Zhuyou felt thirsty, took a few sips of water, and suddenly asked about Dragon Father, who had disappeared somewhere unknown for a long time, “Dad, what kind of person is Dragon Father?”
Pei Yunshu’s expression changed subtly, he sneered twice and said, “A shameless and audacious person.”
As he spoke, he kept looking straight at Zhuyou, who felt a peculiar sensation, as if he was the one being scolded at this moment.
Suppressing this subtle feeling, Zhuyou praised Dad in his heart for scolding well. He casually asked, “Is Dragon Father strong?”
For this question, Pei Yunshu couldn’t deny it with a clear conscience. He nodded affirmatively, “Strong.”
Hearing this, Zhuyou nodded heavily.
After another two moments, the two left the teahouse and returned to the general’s mansion. As soon as they entered, the housekeeper of the general’s mansion was anxiously waiting at the door. When he saw them, his eyes lit up, “Two Immortals! The Emperor has returned to the palace. Immortals, please freshen up quickly. The Emperor is waiting for both of you in the Fragrant Sandalwood Hall.”
Pei Yunshu and Zhuyou entered the palace, guided by attendants. As they approached the palace gates, Pei Yunshu suddenly caught a whiff of a strange fragrance.
Turning his head, he saw clusters of osmanthus flowers in full bloom around the palace, enveloping it in a dazzling yellow.
No wonder it’s called the Fragrant Sandalwood Hall.
As Pei Yunshu stepped into the palace, he suddenly thought, is the blooming month of osmanthus coinciding with the ripening month of peaches?
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