Chapter Six: Like a Shadow Following Form

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When Shen Xunqing opened his eyes again, the sky was already bright. Yan Yunqing stayed by his side without leaving. Seeing Shen Xunqing awake, he smiled joyfully, “Brother, you’re awake?”

The confused look in Shen Xunqing’s eyes instantly cleared. Brother? His purpose in coming to the mortal world was certainly not to be called brother by this person. Thinking of Yan Yunqing’s current state, Shen Xunqing felt a headache coming on. Recalling the sudden appearance of the Taotie beast, his brows furrowed deeply.

The Taotie, Qiongqi, Taowu, and Hundun are known as the four great ancient ferocious beasts. Whichever one appears, the heavens and earth change color, and all living beings suffer devastation.

The Ghost Sovereign once read the official records of the Celestial Race. It was recorded that, for reasons unknown, one day the four great beasts gathered and successively attacked the Five Realms, with the final assault aimed at the Celestial Realm. It is said that the elite of the Tianlong Clan sealed the four beasts in a hidden location, guarded for generations. Because of that battle, the Tianlong Clan rose to become the leaders of the entire Celestial Realm.

These four beasts have been imprisoned for countless years. If they were to break free again, the consequences would be unimaginable. Yet now, by some strange coincidence, he encountered the faintest fragment of the Taotie’s consciousness in the mortal world. How peculiar and extraordinary!

When young, the Ghost Sovereign had crossed paths a few times with that Taotie. Youthful and spirited, they fought and got acquainted. But then, all communication ceased abruptly. He investigated but seemed to face deliberate obstruction; everything was peculiarly clean, with no clues to be found.

Until he established the Underworld in one of the realms and was invited to the Celestial Realm, where the explanations matched exactly the historical records he later read—precisely, without deviation. Thus, he had no choice but to set the matter aside, never imagining this postponement would last so long.

To meet the Taotie again in such a situation—once this is resolved, a thorough reinvestigation is necessary. He must not allow those with ill intent any opportunity to disturb his current peace.

Yan Yunqing looked at Shen Xunqing in puzzlement and called out again, “Brother!”

That call caused a tremor deep in Shen Xunqing’s heart. He pressed his lips into a smile and said, “Better not call me that anymore. Just call me Xunqing.”

Yan Yunqing beamed brightly, obediently nodding, then grasped Shen Xunqing’s hand and said, a little plaintively, “Xunqing, I’m hungry…” Just as he finished speaking, his stomach let out two timely growls.

Yan Yunqing’s eyes glistened with moisture as he looked at Shen Xunqing, like a large beast trying to please its master, even rubbing his face twice against Shen Xunqing’s hand.

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Shen Xunqing rose reluctantly, his hand still held by Yan Yunqing, making it impossible to change clothes. He cast a small cleansing spell, making his clothes look fresh and neat, then led Yan Yunqing outside. The black servant waiting silently stepped forward.

Before Shen Xunqing could ask, he began reporting one matter after another. “Master, you have been asleep for three days.”

“Bailian has been returned to the Celestial Fox Clan. They are very grateful and have promised never to let Bailian sneak out again.”

“As for the mortal world, I have asked for leave from the court; I will resume attendance tomorrow. Chi has behaved well these past few days and stayed at the residence without causing trouble. However, there is a small matter: in a few days, the imperial examination will take place, followed by the palace examination. With Madam’s current condition, how could she possibly attend?”

Shen Xunqing halted in his steps. The part of consciousness belonging to Yu Huan had been shattered in the blood array, meaning Yu Huan was dead. What remained was only the young Yan Yunqing. The imperial examination was a matter of utmost importance to Yu Huan, but to Yan Yunqing, it was trivial. Given his current physical state, Yan Yunqing need not trouble himself with such small matters.

Understanding that Yan Yunqing might not fully grasp what he was saying, Shen Xunqing still asked, “Yunqing, do you want to participate in the imperial examination?”

Yan Yunqing hesitated briefly but then nodded resolutely. “Yes, I want to join. I definitely want to. The imperial exam must be very fun.”

Seeing this, Shen Xunqing instinctively reached out to pat Yan Yunqing’s head and said, “Since you want to join, then prepare for it!” Even if Yan Yunqing’s main consciousness was blurred now, his wishes should be respected. He never wanted him to feel sad.

The black servant responded, “Understood, Master. You have just awakened, and Madam insisted on waiting for you before eating. I have just had the meal prepared. Master, you and Madam should go to the hall to dine together.”

Hearing this, Shen Xunqing glanced sideways at Yan Yunqing, who simply smiled and held his hand tighter. Yan Yunqing was now in the state of a seven or eight-year-old child, but Shen Xunqing could detect faint traces of sadness beneath that bright smile.

Being led by Shen Xunqing, Yan Yunqing felt something he had never known before—security. In the vast palace, alone with a table, a chair, and a meal, eating tasteless food by himself in the empty hall was terrifying for Yan Yunqing. Loneliness, solitude, no playmates, just following orders from his father. No matter how well he performed, he never received a word of praise.

His father was always busy. Everyone was busy. No one paid attention to him, no one noticed him. Did it matter if he disappeared? Suddenly, such thoughts surfaced in Yan Yunqing’s heart.

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“Yunqing, Yunqing, what are you dazing for? Eat, aren’t you hungry?” Shen Xunqing called several times, picking some food into Yan Yunqing’s bowl.

Yan Yunqing came back to his senses. This was not the Underworld, and his father was not here. The Xunqing brother before him was someone he had known for only a few days but was very kind to him—at least willing to eat with him.

Yan Yunqing humbly responded with a soft “Mm” and hurriedly picked up his bowl and chopsticks, chewing slowly and quietly, barely making a sound.

After the meal, Yan Yunqing followed behind Shen Xunqing. The faint morning light spilled over them, and the shadow at Shen Xunqing’s feet was just the right length, matching the distance between them.

As they walked, Yan Yunqing found some amusement. He kept trying to step on the shadow behind Shen Xunqing—once, twice—playing with great delight.

Shen Xunqing noticed the movement behind him but seeing how happy Yan Yunqing was, he ceased teasing him. He had originally planned to return to his chambers to handle official business, but considering Yan Yunqing’s current state, accompanying him was the priority.

Shen Xunqing took Yan Yunqing on a tour around the mansion, visiting places even he had never been to.

When they reached the room where the young lord used to live, Shen Xunqing stopped. He remembered last time the person behind him seemed to have hidden something inside. Now having time, he decided to look and see what shameful secrets might be concealed within…