After Crossdressing and Provoking Long AoTian

“You!” The Esoteric Sect old man’s expression changed. He gritted his teeth and snapped, “I knew even back then that you were too impetuous to be entrusted with anything important. Unfortunately, the ancestor went soft. Seeing your extraordinary talent, he took you into the sect anyway.”

“But not only did you betray the sect and pledge yourself to another—you have obstructed us at every turn!”

“Tianji Zi, when you fled the Esoteric Sect, if the ancestor had not shown mercy and stopped the condemned disciple from taking your life, do you truly think Guiyi Sect could have protected you?”

He was clearly furious, but Tianji Zi sat cross-legged atop his cloud, swaying to and fro as every word went in one ear and out the other.

“Come now. That was all so many years ago. Why keep bringing it up?” Tianji Zi waved a dismissive hand. “Besides, no matter how displeased you are, Bu Yetian already said you weren’t to capture me. You can’t very well defy his wishes and attack me anyway, can you?”

“Especially when you’re no match for me.”

He grinned shamelessly, without the slightest hint of dignity. “The Esoteric Sect claims to peer into heaven’s secrets and divine the workings of fate. Perhaps our old ancestor had already foreseen that the Esoteric Sect would never be able to keep me, so he left me a path to survival. And what does that tell us? Heaven cherishes all living things.”

“That still does not give you the right to act insolently again and again!” The Esoteric Sect old man flung out his long sleeve. It seemed vast enough to swallow the sun and moon as it descended upon them, blotting out the sky.

“Oh, honestly—” Tianji Zi looked helpless. “At your age, why are you still so impatient? Tie your cuff shut before you catch a chill.”

With a flick of his whisk, he bound the man’s cuff up tight.

One of the Esoteric Sect old man’s sleeves had already been shredded by Ye Chenyan’s attack. Now Tianji Zi had bound the other so tightly that he could not pull free. It was hard to say whether master and disciple had planned this.

“Stop tugging. Keep that up and you’ll end up with a cut sleeve.” Tianji Zi held the whisk with an air of perfect ease, as though he were not exerting any strength at all.

Yu Qingtang wanted to laugh, but held it in.

He merely leaned close to Ye Chenyan’s ear and whispered, “Does your master know what ‘cut sleeve’ means?”

“Of course he does.” Ye Chenyan arched a brow. “He said it on purpose.”

“Senior Tianji Zi really is wicked.” Yu Qingtang could not help marveling. “How did someone this entertaining ever come out of the Esoteric Sect?”

Could it be that life there had been so stifling that, once he escaped, all his pent-up tendencies had erupted at once?

Dog Xiaosa had never written what Tianji Zi had been like during his time in the Esoteric Sect. Yu Qingtang certainly could not imagine it.

“That’s enough.” Tianji Zi had no intention of completely falling out with the Esoteric Sect old man, so he offered him a graceful way down. “You already obtained what you came for. All you lost was the chance to throw your weight around, along with a little face. It’s hardly a disaster.”

“If you still don’t leave—see those two from the Heavenly Fire Cult over there? You haven’t forgotten what kind of temper the Heavenly Fire Cult has, have you? If a real fight breaks out, they won’t stop at burning two sleeves. You’ll probably have to leave Rongzhou naked today.”

Cangyan shook his head and folded his arms, incidentally showing off his lean, muscular torso. “Why would I burn his clothes? There’s nothing worth looking at underneath.”

“Exactly!” Hongni bared her white teeth in a vicious grin. “If we’re fighting, we should grind his bones to dust. At the very least, we’d burn off all his hair and eyebrows!”

“Hear that?” Tianji Zi clicked his tongue in amazement. “Even more terrifying than what I said, isn’t it?”

The Esoteric Sect old man looked distinctly displeased, one sleeve still locked in a stalemate with Tianji Zi.

“Seventh Uncle,” Ji Ruxue spoke up again, unable to hold back, “we have already recovered the fragment. There is no need to create further complications.”

The Esoteric Sect old man’s expression changed several times. In the end, he angrily wrenched his sleeve back, barked, “We’re leaving,” and departed with Ji Ruxue.

After walking away, Ji Ruxue turned back for one last look.

Yu Qingtang popped out from behind Ye Chenyan and waved to her.

Ye Chenyan immediately turned to look at him, alert. Yu Qingtang took Ye Chenyan’s hand and enthusiastically waved it along with his own.

Ji Ruxue froze. An exceedingly faint smile appeared on her face, and she gave an almost imperceptible nod before finally turning away.

Only once they had vanished from sight did Tianji Zi breathe a sigh of relief. “Whew. They’re finally gone. I was worried he might refuse to leave. It would’ve been difficult to explain myself if a real fight had broken out.”

Hongni scoffed and glanced up at him. “Even you’re afraid of the Esoteric Sect?”

“I wasn’t talking about explaining myself to the Esoteric Sect,” Tianji Zi hurriedly clarified. “I meant explaining myself to Guiyi Sect.”

“When I left, I promised not to cause trouble. And now look!”

He spread his hands, then jabbed an exasperated finger at Ye Chenyan. “This brat’s trouble gets added to my account too!”

“Huh?” Ye Chenyan looked genuinely surprised. “Mine counts too?”

Tianji Zi snorted. “What did you think?”

“You should’ve told me sooner.” Ye Chenyan turned his head away. “If I’d known you were taking the blame, I would’ve caused much bigger trouble.”

Tianji Zi nearly toppled backward from sheer fury. “So your wings have hardened, have they? Now that you’ve reached Out-of-Body, you think you can withstand a beating from me?”

“It was bad enough when you were charging around the world alone with that thick hide of yours. Then you went and lured away someone else’s disciple.”

His temper flared. “I even promised Fifth Senior Brother that you would take excellent care of him. The moment my back was turned, you abused your position and stole the man for yourself!”

Ye Chenyan tilted his head, looking as though he had heard every word without letting a single one reach his brain.

“Ahem.” Cangyan cleared his throat and smilingly stepped in to smooth things over. “Since fate has brought us all together, why not come to the Heavenly Fire Cult as our guests? It seems you could use some space to talk.”

He gave Ye Chenyan a sympathetic look. “He is an Out-of-Body cultivator now, after all, not a child. You shouldn’t always lecture him in front of everyone.”

Hongni’s head snapped up. “What does being Out-of-Body have to do with anything? I’m at Integration, and you still boss me around in front of people!”

Cangyan fell silent.

Tianji Zi gave him a sympathetic look in return. “Every sect has its own troubles.”

“Well, since I’m already here, and I hear the Heavenly Fire Cult is famous for its strong liquor, perhaps I could...”

Avoiding Hongni’s gaze, Cangyan laughed heartily. “Don’t worry. When we entertain friends, the good wine never runs out!”

“Jiaojiao, Chi Yantian, bring your friends along! Don’t let them underestimate Rongzhou’s hospitality!”

“Yes!”

Before leaving, Yu Qingtang did not forget to collect his precious sons—No Illness and No Calamity—from Kong Shanyu.

Kong Shanyu had helped everyone a great deal this time. Yu Qingtang had originally thought this might give him and Chi Yantian a chance to bury the hatchet.

Instead, the moment they met, Chi Yantian said exactly two things.

First: “Who were you again?”

Second: “Oh, that kid from Cloudmarsh Sect.”

Kong Shanyu’s fury detonated on the spot. He nearly pulled out his jade to take Chi Yantian down with him, and everyone barely managed to restrain him.

In any case, there was no possibility of the two of them eating at the same table.

...

The Heavenly Fire Cult had been built upon an oasis, but its architecture was exceptionally magnificent. They had their own artifact-refining office and naturally lacked no skilled artisans. Even in the middle of the desert, they could construct buildings of exquisite beauty.

Of course, the dominant colors were still gold and red, making the place look exceedingly festive.

In the modern world, it would absolutely have become a popular wedding-photography destination.

The Heavenly Fire Cult’s people were bold and straightforward. They did not waste time on empty formalities, bringing out the food first thing. Yu Qingtang wholeheartedly approved.

They had already eaten Rongzhou barbecue at Fireblaze Tower back in Qingzhou. Perhaps it was merely his imagination, but it somehow tasted even better here on its home ground.

Yu Qingtang dug in with gusto. Beside him, the two Desert Spirit Cat kittens had been given a bowl heaped with meat, and they ate so enthusiastically that their entire bodies were nearly buried inside it.

Yu Qingtang glanced toward the door. Tianji Zi had something to discuss with Ye Chenyan, so the two of them had first asked the Heavenly Fire Cult to find them somewhere quiet. They said they would join everyone later.

As Chi Yantian urged them to eat, he instructed Yu Qingtang, “Keep an eye on them. They’re still young, and they went badly hungry before. They may not know when they’re full and could just keep eating.”

“Feel their bellies. Once they start bulging, you can’t let them eat any more.”

“Got it!” Yu Qingtang hurriedly stuffed the meat in his hand into his mouth. Still chewing, he reached out with both hands and felt one kitten’s belly with each. His expression turned blissful. “So soft—”

“Right?” Chi Yantian responded enthusiastically. “The belly is the most vulnerable part of most demonic beasts, so it’s also the softest.”

“But don’t just feel how soft they are. Check whether they’re full.”

“Oh, right.” Only then did Yu Qingtang remember. “Let me feel again.”

His expression turned blissful once more. “So soft—”

“Hey!” Chi Yantian cried.

Yu Qingtang finally came back to his senses. “They’re both round as balls. No more food.”

He tried to lift the kittens away from the meat, but both stretched out their claws and hooked them over the rim of the bowl, refusing to let go no matter what.

Chi Yantian burst out laughing. “Excellent! If they’re this spirited, they’ll be easy to raise.”

Yu Qingtang cradled the two spirit-beast kittens, who kept looking longingly back at the meat. He glanced toward the door again and asked Chi Yantian, “Where are Senior Tianji Zi and Ye Chenyan talking?”

“Hm?” Suspecting nothing, Chi Yantian answered, “In the pavilion at the center of the oasis lake. The view is unobstructed on every side, so they’ll immediately notice if anyone tries to eavesdrop. It’s the best place to discuss important matters.”

“Why?”

“I’m going to take a look.” Yu Qingtang rose with two skewers of barbecue in hand. “I’m full, so I thought I’d take a walk and help digest the meal.”

“You’re full already?” Chi Yantian stared in shock at the barbecue piled in front of him. “You normally eat far more than this!”

“I said I’m full from the first round.” Yu Qingtang looked perfectly serious. “I’ll come back for round two.”

Chi Yantian was about to speak again when Tu Jiaojiao elbowed him. “Idiot.”

“Haven’t you heard the saying? Too lovesick to eat or drink—”

Chi Yantian opened his mouth. “But he ate quite a lot. He didn’t seem reluctant.”

Tu Jiaojiao fell silent.

With both kittens in tow, Yu Qingtang went openly to the pavilion at the center of the lake. He doubted he could escape Tianji Zi’s notice no matter how hard he tried to hide.

When he drew closer, however, he found Ye Chenyan sitting alone inside. Tianji Zi was already nowhere to be seen.

“Huh?” Yu Qingtang looked around curiously. “Why did he leave again?”

At that moment, Ye Chenyan turned around and met his gaze. Amusement entered his eyes. “Why did you come out?”

“To rescue you!” Yu Qingtang strode toward the pavilion with perfect confidence. “I was worried you’d argue with Senior Tianji Zi and end up getting beaten.”

Ye Chenyan’s eyes curved with laughter. “And if he did beat me, how were you planning to save me?”

“I’d execute a perfect knee slide—” Yu Qingtang smoothly slid to a stop in front of him and held out the two barbecue skewers. “Then get down and beg your master to stop.”

A muffled laugh escaped Ye Chenyan as he accepted the skewers. “Good thing he didn’t hit me, then. Otherwise, he would’ve gotten this barbecue.”

Yu Qingtang tucked one kitten into Ye Chenyan’s arms and sat down beside him. He stole a glance at him. “What secrets were you two whispering about this time? Am I not allowed to hear?”

“It’s not that you aren’t allowed.” Ye Chenyan looked thoughtful, then abruptly turned toward him. “How about this?”

“You ask me one question, and I ask you one.”

Yu Qingtang looked puzzled. “Huh?”

“Or...” Ye Chenyan propped up his chin. “I could be generous and give you an advantage.”

“I’ll ask you only one question. After that, you can ask me as many as you like.”

Yu Qingtang tilted his head. “That... that does sound like I’m getting the better end of the deal. Then... okay?”

Ye Chenyan’s eyes curved with laughter. He leaned close to Yu Qingtang’s ear and asked softly, “What bad things were you going to tell Tu Jiaojiao about me earlier?”

Yu Qingtang fell silent.

He slowly turned his head and met Ye Chenyan’s smiling eyes. After two dry laughs, he said, “You could hear us.”

Ye Chenyan pointed to his ears. “Both of them heard every word.”

“Oh, come on—” Yu Qingtang’s gaze darted about. “Comrade Little Ye, you must accept that everyone has flaws!”

Ye Chenyan leaned closer. “And what flaw do I have?”

Yu Qingtang guiltily looked up at the sky and began inventing one on the spot. “Well, for example... Ah, right.”

Inspiration struck.

“Evil thoughts.”

Ye Chenyan arched a brow. “And you don’t have any?”

Yu Qingtang looked perfectly righteous. “Not a single one!”

Ye Chenyan abruptly leaned in and kissed him. “You can have just a little.”

Yu Qingtang fell silent.

Oh, this was deadly. Now he was even acting spoiled.

Author’s Note:

Yu Qingtang: “Clearly, my flaw is that I can’t resist temptation.”

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