Chapter Six: Yan Nianqing

The Shura Palace had long since been relocated to the Underworld; for the Ghost Venerable, the return journey took but half a breath.

During the seven lifetimes he spent undergoing trials alongside Yan Yunqing, he had never once returned to the Shura Palace. By all accounts, with Chi left in charge, the palace should have been in an uproar. Finding it so quiet now, he briefly wondered if he had arrived at the wrong place.

Sure enough, before long, startled cries echoed from the inner sanctum. In an instant, the Ghost Venerable appeared behind the Four Monstrosities and asked, "What is the panic?" As he spoke, he looked at Hei Nu, who was curled up on the floor, clutching his stomach and breaking into a cold sweat. Only then did he realize he had forgotten something of vital importance.

Mei stood to the side, frantic. "What do we do? Did Brother Hei Nu eat something wrong? How does one treat a half-demon for a stomachache? Master, do you have a remedy?"

Chi’s hand transformed into a skeletal claw, and he chuckled, "How about we just slice his stomach open and see what the problem is?"

Wang was about to speak, but Liang stopped him with a gesture. Liang pointed toward the Ghost Venerable, shook his head at Wang, and led him away.

The Ghost Venerable’s expression was heavy and conflicted. Mei, sensing the sudden shift in the atmosphere and noticing the Ghost Venerable’s look, immediately dragged Chi—who was still hovering over Hei Nu, contemplating where to make the first incision—out of the room.

Caught off guard, Chi stumbled. "Hey, watch it, Mei! Don't drag me!"

Mei, losing patience, snapped, "Shut up! Behave yourself and don't hinder the Master from treating Brother Hei Nu!"

Chi muttered discontentedly, "I could have treated him too!"

As the noise faded, the Ghost Venerable looked at Hei Nu, whom he had left behind in his haste, and couldn't help but smile. It had been a long time since he had seen Hei Nu in such a wretched state.

Hei Nu’s face was deathly pale, his vision blurred by sweat. Seeing a familiar dark silhouette, he tried to rise, but was unable to move. With what little strength he could muster, he wheezed, "Master..." He felt as though something within him was about to tear its way out. The pain was sharp and clear, yet he was paralyzed, unable to stop it, nor could he bring himself to try.

The Ghost Venerable pushed aside Hei Nu’s hands and placed his own on the man’s stomach. The small creature thrashing inside immediately quieted. Seeming to sense the Ghost Venerable’s presence, it whispered through a mental connection, "Mother..."

A rare, tender smile graced the Ghost Venerable's face. The little thing that had plagued Hei Nu for so long was guided out through the Ghost Venerable’s palm. What was once a small wisp of white mist had now expanded several times over.

Hei Nu lay on the floor, gasping for air, his mouth twitching slightly as he watched the gentle smile on his master’s face.

The Ghost Venerable paid him no mind, his attention entirely captured by the mass of white mist in his hands. He calculated the time; it was surely time for the creature to take physical form. He had kept Hei Nu fed on spiritual fruits, and he felt confident that the manifestation would be successful.

As the mist grew denser, a faint white light pulsed within it, and the sound of a child’s voice emerged, calling, "Mother." For every call, the Ghost Venerable answered, showing no sign of impatience.

Before long, the mist dissipated. A pair of fair, lotus-like arms wrapped around the Ghost Venerable’s neck, and a chubby little face appeared, beaming. With a soft "pop," the child kissed him, hanging onto the Ghost Venerable like a plump little doll.

The Ghost Venerable laughed and cradled the child, waving his hand to conjure a set of clothes in a style similar to his own. It was a sudden development, so he had to make do with an illusion for now. His child deserved only the best, he thought; he would have to start making preparations immediately.

The child was adorable, with delicate features that mirrored the Ghost Venerable’s own, though his deep eyes and pale lips were strikingly similar to Yan Yunqing’s. He looked to be about three or four years old, though perhaps because of all the spiritual fruit consumed during the gestation, his body was round as a ball. He wasn't ugly—quite the contrary—but the way he tried to maintain a stoic expression made him look utterly comical.

The Ghost Venerable glanced at Hei Nu, who was standing by, waiting silently. Had it not been for the damp patches on his clothes, one would think nothing had happened. "Go and procure some supplies for this little one," the Ghost Venerable said softly. "As quickly as possible."

Hei Nu bowed. "As you command, Master."

Outside the hall, the Four Monstrosities watched the familiar dark figure leave. They couldn't help but admire the head general of the Shura Palace; his recovery speed was truly impressive! But they were all burning with curiosity as to what had happened inside.

"Enter!" Hearing the Ghost Venerable’s summons, the four walked into the inner sanctum.

The Ghost Venerable was busy teasing the child in his arms. The father and son were laughing, paying no heed to the shocked expressions of the four.

Chi had to admit he was stunned. He had been shocked when he learned his master was pursuing someone, but that was nothing compared to this. Since when did the Master have a child? The boy looked exactly like him; there was no mistaking it! Chi’s voice trembled. "Master, may I ask... who is this child?"

The Ghost Venerable raised an eyebrow. "Can’t you tell? He is my child, the young master of the Shura Palace, and your second master."

Mei stood frozen for a long time before letting out a shriek, her face flushing with excitement. She rushed over to the Ghost Venerable, stretching out her hands, stammering, "Master, may I... may I hold the young master?"

The child was a miniature version of the Master—oh, he was so cute!

The boy let out a soft huff and buried his head into the Ghost Venerable’s neck. The Ghost Venerable’s aura seemed to vanish entirely as he whispered, "Mei, step back. You are frightening him."

Mei withdrew her hands, looking embarrassed, and stepped away.

Wang remained silent as usual, while Liang asked, "Master, now that the young master has arrived at the Shura Palace, should we begin preparing his quarters and belongings?"

The child’s breathing had steadied. The Ghost Venerable shifted his posture to make the boy more comfortable. "No matter. I have already sent Hei Nu. That will be all; I am tired. You may go."

"Yes," the four replied in unison, exiting the inner sanctum.

The Ghost Venerable lay on a cloud-chair, holding the child. The boy had only just taken physical form and needed rest, so the Ghost Venerable stayed by his side. The child’s mouth opened slightly, murmuring something. The Ghost Venerable leaned in and heard another, "Mother..."

He paused, then smiled warmly and whispered, "Mm," as the child drifted back into a deep sleep.

The Ghost Venerable carefully held the child’s hand, the soft, warm touch making him reluctant to let go. He could feel it tangibly: the child was here in his arms, his own flesh and blood.

Deeply moved, he flicked his hand, and the "Mirror of Flowers and Moon" appeared before him. The mirror could reveal the past and present, and tracking someone was a trivial matter.

The surface of the mirror rippled, synchronizing with his thoughts. The image sharpened to reveal a man working through documents—the person he missed most.

In this world, one is often a slave to fate, greedy and tethered. He did not deny this. He was an ancient soul cursed and feared by the Heavens; for him to have offspring was a fantasy.

Yet, this impossible dream had come true. His heart, however, began to crave more. He wanted the person in the mirror to raise this child with him, to live together, to spend a lifetime together.

As he thought this, the scene in the mirror suddenly shifted. The Ghost Venerable was slightly startled but watched on, motionless. He saw himself standing in the inner sanctum, smiling bitterly at his own reflection in the mirror. In that reflection, his raven hair turned white in an instant. The shock on the face of the man in the mirror matched his own. He hadn't expected it to happen so soon; he had thought he could delay it a little longer...

The Mirror of Flowers and Moon changed according to its master’s state of mind, showing what he wished to see. Likewise, when it sensed the master’s misfortune or peril, it would warn him. What he saw was his own near future.

He gazed at the sleeping child in his arms, his resolve hardening. Before he was gone, he would cherish every moment with this little one. He would find a way to send him to Yan Yunqing’s side.

The Ghost Venerable stroked the child’s head, his heart aching. "I am sorry. You have only just arrived in this world, and I should have stayed by your side for much longer."

Right, he hadn't named the child yet. Since he had no surname, he would take Yan Yunqing’s. As for his given name, "Nianqing" seemed perfect. Yan Nianqing. It sounded right—the child of him and the little Yama King.