Chapter Eighteen: Awakened from a Dream, Encountering an Old Acquaintance Once More

“What happened after that? What became of the King?” Xiao Yin pressed on eagerly.

“I’m tired. You should leave now,” Fu Youming interrupted, intent on sending him away.

“But you haven’t finished the story! Cough, cough…” Xiao Yin exclaimed, barely suppressing his agony.

“Some things are not yet meant to be revealed. Leave now while I’m still in a good mood, or I can’t guarantee what I might do if I get angry!” Fu Youming threatened.

“Hmph! Fine, I’ll leave! As if I enjoy lingering in this wretched place!” Xiao Yin snapped, though being left hanging halfway through a tale left him deeply uncomfortable.

“Wait a moment. Are you carrying an artifact?” Fu Youming suddenly blocked his path, eyeing him with interest.

“What do you want? I’m not giving you this treasure for free! I warn you, don’t even think about it!” Xiao Yin hurriedly shielded the Serpent Spear.

“I have no interest in that thing. Besides, if I truly wished to claim it, could you possibly stop me?” Fu Youming chuckled at Xiao Yin’s childlike defensiveness. For reasons unknown, he felt a peculiar affinity with Xiao Yin.

With a flick of Fu Youming’s hand, the Serpent Spear slipped from Xiao Yin’s grasp and floated into the air. Then, as he lowered his hand, the spear plunged into Xiao Yin’s body and vanished. Xiao Yin was left thoroughly bewildered by this sequence of events.

“That artifact’s radiance is far too conspicuous. If you reveal it before others, you’ll surely attract malicious eyes. Now, I’ve hidden it within you. Once your cultivation is restored, you’ll be able to retrieve it at will. Also, should you find yourself lost upon leaving this place, travel westward. There, you will find what you need. That’s enough—go, now.” With that, Fu Youming waved both hands and Xiao Yin vanished in an instant. By the time his senses returned, he was already outside the city of Youming.

“Heh, that old fellow is more intriguing than he lets on. Cough…” Xiao Yin smiled wryly, glancing westward. “I’ll find what I need there? My body is battered, my cultivation ruined. Could there be a cure to the west? Well, I’ll go and see for myself.” With that, he set off towards the west.

On this day, the household of Youhunju was in a state of busy excitement. Servant girls carried basins of water in and out, while a man paced anxiously outside, glancing toward the house with a helpless, worried look. From within came the sounds of groaning and the midwife’s encouragement: “Madam, hold on just a bit longer! The child is almost here!”

Suddenly, a baby’s cry pierced the tense air. The midwife rushed out, beaming, to congratulate the anxious man: “Congratulations, sir! Both mother and son are safe, and your wife has given you a handsome little heir!” Joy flooding his face, the man rushed inside.

“My lord,” the woman, lying on the bed with the infant in her arms, looked weary yet radiant with happiness. At the sight of her husband, she called out at once.

“My dear, you’ve suffered so much,” the man said gently, taking her delicate hand with care.

“To bear children is a woman’s duty, especially to continue your line. How could I call it suffering?” She spoke softly, her eyes filled with gentle affection.

“My wife is always so virtuous and kind. Now, let me hold our precious son!” The man, unable to contain himself, carefully picked up the infant.

The baby’s skin was snowy white, his features lovely. His eyes were like black gems fringed with long lashes, shining with a lively spirit. His chubby, tender cheeks begged to be pinched, and his cherry lips moved as if speaking. His tiny hands clung stubbornly to his father’s sleeve, as if afraid he might vanish in a blink. The couple, gazing at their adorable child, felt a deep and abiding contentment. The man sat by the bed, the woman nestled in his arms, the baby asleep in her embrace—a scene of perfect warmth. The servants, not wishing to intrude, quietly withdrew.

This tender moment was observed from afar by Xiao Yin, who had been watching for some time. He mused silently, “Within a radius of several dozen miles, there’s only this one household, and I arrive just as they welcome a child. Could this child be bound to my fate? Is he destined to become the vessel for my recovery, and I, in turn, fated to follow him henceforth?”

Xiao Yin hesitated. He cherished freedom and hated to be beholden to others, but now, with his life hanging by a thread, he had no choice but to forge a pact with a newborn to save his own life. As his thoughts spiraled, his body weakened further, his internal energy nearly spent. With a leap, he transformed into a streak of red light and shot into the house.

The red light snatched the infant from his mother’s arms and hovered about the child in the air. The woman, shocked, sprang up to reclaim her child, but her husband held her back.

“My lord, why do you stop me? Our child is in danger!” she cried in distress.

“No need to worry, my dear. This is a good sign! That red light will not harm our son, but will in fact protect him. Perhaps, in time, it may even be a great boon to him.” The man’s calm was unshaken as he continued, “That is a secret art, crafted by a hidden master who dwells beyond the reach of the Three Realms, a method to steal life from the heavens themselves. If one who knows this art, facing death, finds a newborn with whom he is fated, he can merge with the child’s spirit and extend his own life. Once healed, he must serve the child, becoming his subordinate or spiritual guardian, bound for life, or else suffer the wrath of heaven!” His words were as much for Xiao Yin as for his wife.

“So you mean our child is fated to be bound to that red light? If that’s so, perhaps it’s not such a bad thing…” she murmured, though worry still creased her brow.

“You’re surprisingly well informed,” came Xiao Yin’s trembling voice from the red light. He was clearly weaker than before. “Tell no one of what happened today. If my former enemies come seeking you, I can’t guarantee your safety!” The man nodded in understanding, saying nothing more.

After a moment’s silence, a drop of blood emerged from the red light and fell into the baby’s mouth. Instantly, a white radiance flared from the child, illuminating the room. Xiao Yin, within the red light, followed that white glow into the infant’s heart. The house fell silent again, the baby returned to his mother’s arms.

“So your past was that extraordinary?” Yu Shang exclaimed in wonder after hearing Xiao Yin’s recollection.

“Now you must see why I bear such a grudge against that beast. If not for his schemes, I wouldn’t have been hunted by the Celestial Realm, wouldn’t have been forced to hide in your body to survive, nor encountered that old fellow in Youming City!” Xiao Yin fumed, glaring at the clueless black cat.

“Yet, I can’t see that you lost anything. If not for him, how would you have gained the Blood Spirit Serpent Spear? If not for him, how would you have stumbled into Youming and learned so many secrets? If not for him, how would you have met me? I think, indirectly, he’s done you a great favor,” Yu Shang replied patiently.

“What on earth are you thinking? How could you twist things like that? In any case, I will never reconcile with that beast,” Xiao Yin retorted, annoyed.

“Believe it or not, I have a feeling that after today, your fates will become even more entangled,” Yu Shang said, breaking into laughter.

“Will you two ever stop? Am I invisible to you? I’ve tolerated your whispering for ages, but isn’t this a bit much? Just how much do you have to say? Must you ignore everyone else?” The green-eyed black cat, long ignored, finally voiced his complaint.

“Is there someone here? All I see is a beast making noise,” Xiao Yin sneered.

“That’s right—and this beast is remarkably self-aware! At least I know I’m not human, and I’m not afraid to say it aloud,” the black cat shot back, not one to be outdone.

A snicker dispelled the tension between the two. They turned in unison to glare at Yu Shang, who was watching their spat with unconcealed amusement. “Must you be so in sync?” Yu Shang thought to himself.

“Tell me, why did you bar our path today? If you seek vengeance, I’m ready to face you again!” Xiao Yin stepped forward, ready to duel.

“Why must we always fight when we meet? Can’t you just see me as an old friend?” The black cat gazed at Xiao Yin, uncharacteristically sincere.

“What old ties do we have, other than grudges to settle?” Xiao Yin avoided the cat’s plaintive eyes, wary of being tricked again.

“Actually, after we were both pulled into Youming City, I searched everywhere for you but found no trace. I thought you were dead. But after many strange events, I learned the truth: it was my elder brother who deceived you, used the ‘facts’ you saw to exile me from the clan, and then sowed discord between us, deepening our misunderstanding. When I heard you were alive, I realized we were both victims. Why keep fighting? Better to shake hands and let bygones be bygones.” The black cat spoke remorsefully. “One should answer for his own deeds. I won’t let you suffer unjust blame again. If the Celestials seek vengeance, let them come for my life instead!”

“Don’t you always boast of your broad heart and kindness? Why not forgive him now? Both of you were wronged; there’s no need to torment each other further. Let the past rest,” Yu Shang urged, nudging Xiao Yin.

“Fine, fine. You are pitiable enough—I’ll forgive you! But don’t be so rash in future. Get the facts straight first!” Xiao Yin was not one to hold grudges; sincere remorse was enough for him to let go.

“Look who’s talking! You’d best open your eyes and not be fooled by appearances again!” the black cat retorted, unwilling to take Xiao Yin’s lesson quietly.

“What a pair of quarrelsome friends!” Yu Shang thought, watching their bickering resume even after reconciliation. “Well, the storm has passed. We should focus on more important matters.” He fixed Xiao Yin with a stern look.

“You’re right! Since you can move freely in Youming City, you must know the secret path to the main palace. Hurry and lead the way!” Xiao Yin pressed the black cat anxiously.

“Damn, I nearly forgot the King’s orders! It’s the King who sent me to wait for you and guide you there.” The black cat smacked his forehead.

“Then let’s go!” The fear Xiao Yin once felt was now replaced by a hint of excitement.

“I’ll open the secret path, but heed this: do not resist the transmission, or you may end up in one of the city’s dangerous zones, where even I won’t be able to save you!” With that, the black cat chanted a secret incantation, striking the air with both paws.