That day at the bottom of the pit, when Yue Lin took Chu Hanjin’s pulse, he detected an unusual second heartbeat. It was faint, dormant, like a weak wisp of spiritual energy curling up and not daring to stretch out.

Now, judging by the symptoms Chu Hanjin was showing, it seemed that Yue Lin’s earlier suspicion was correct.

Chu Hanjin was pregnant.

But… this news didn’t improve Yue Lin’s mood.

On the contrary, he was quite surprised.

The unresolved tension between them made things complicated. Chu Hanjin, the proud and noble immortal lord, had begrudgingly submitted to him. If he found out that he was pregnant, Yue Lin feared Chu Hanjin might stab him first with a sword and then commit suicide out of rage!

Yue Lin had concealed his demon tribe identity with the intention of taking things slowly with Chu Hanjin, gradually warming their relationship. But he hadn’t expected that their earlier passionate moments in bed would lead to this — an accidental pregnancy.

This little demon growing inside was a twist he hadn’t anticipated.

Yue Lin drummed his fingers lightly on the table and asked, “If you’re tired, why not sleep in the bed?”

Chu Hanjin half-lifted his eyelids, brushed his white sleeve aside, stood up with a dignified expression, and walked toward the bed. “Please, leave.”

Yue Lin said with a smile, “Let me tuck you in.” He walked to the bedside, gently picking up the blanket and smiling slightly. “There might be a cold snap. Lord Yue Zhao, take care of your health.”

Chu Hanjin held back his annoyance. “There’s no need. I can do it myself.”

“It’s no trouble,” Yue Lin replied. “I’m used to tucking you in anyway.”

As if they were an old married couple.

Chu Hanjin’s expression twitched slightly, realizing that if he kept the conversation going, Yue Lin would shamelessly carry on. So, he half-lay on the bed, propped his chin on one hand, and pulled the silk blanket up to his waist, slowly closing his eyes.

As Yue Lin finished tucking him in, his hand slipped to Chu Hanjin’s waist, brushing across his flat stomach.

While touching it, he sighed inwardly and silently greeted, “Hey there, little one, I’m your father.

This sleepy immortal lord is your other dad.

He’s delicate, so be careful and don’t cause him any trouble. Otherwise, I’ll deal with you.”

Just as he thought that, the spiritual energy within Chu Hanjin’s belly seemed to react. Chu Hanjin’s brows furrowed slightly, and his long fingers covered his lips, showing a discomfort typical of nausea.

Yue Lin asked, “What’s wrong?”

Chu Hanjin replied, “It’s nothing. My stomach just feels a little unsettled.”

“…”

It wasn’t just an upset stomach, Yue Lin thought. That’s the nausea from pregnancy.

But Chu Hanjin had never considered the possibility of being pregnant.

Of course, it made sense. After all, men weren’t supposed to be able to get pregnant.

Back then, during their uncontrollable passion, Yue Lin had playfully asked, “Want to carry my child?” He had used every method he could think of, even forbidden techniques, just to try and make Chu Hanjin pregnant. Since there hadn’t been an immediate reaction, he had thought it didn’t work. Little did he know, the success had just been delayed.

But that was in the past…

Yue Lin’s gaze darkened as he thought about it.

Chu Hanjin had been embarrassed but willing to go along with him back then, unlike now, where every word was cold and emotionless. And now, there was a child involved.

Yue Lin suggested, “How about having a physician check you tomorrow?”

Chu Hanjin, feeling tired, nodded slightly. “I know.” He then motioned for Yue Lin to leave. “Please, go.”

Seeing no reason to stay, Yue Lin left Moonlight Palace.

The vast bedroom was quiet and cold. Chu Hanjin had always liked peace and didn’t want too many people around. Even Chu Tong, his attendant, was stationed outside while he slept, leaving him alone in the room. Lying on the bed, his pale figure wrapped in white robes, a soft breeze caused the curtain to sway.

The drapery rippled as Chu Hanjin lifted his head, feeling his chin gently lifted.

A burning warmth, rough in texture, touched his lips without hesitation, prying open his lips and invading the softness of his tongue, forcing its way in with reckless abandon.

… Yue Lin?

Chu Hanjin recognized the familiar figure and scent.

But this felt different from the Yue Lin he had been dealing with recently. The restraint was gone, replaced by someone more real, more arrogant, and more brazenly dominating him.

Chu Hanjin felt uneasy at this wanton behavior.

His subconscious urged him to resist, but when he tried to turn over, a hand gripped his chin, pressing him forcefully back onto the disheveled bed, knocking a book off the bedside table.

—There was no sound. Chu Hanjin understood. This was another dream.

He could feel Yue Lin’s oppressive presence closing in.

The candlelight flickered in his vision, the breaths against his ear sounding like the cold wind at midnight—deep, raspy, and lingering around his warm abdomen. The voice repeatedly asked, “Want to give me a child?”

“Want to carry my child?”

“…”

How could a man have a child?

It was impossible!

But why was he asking?

Everything was filled with primal madness and desire.

This person kept repeating, murmuring these words not only to excite himself but also to provoke Chu Hanjin.

Chu Hanjin wanted to wake from this absurd nightmare. He struggled with all his might to detach himself, becoming a bystander, watching the intense entanglement from afar.

He felt deeply ashamed. If he couldn’t stop his former self and Yue Lin, to avoid seeing such filth, he was even willing to stab his own eyes out with a sword.

Because he couldn’t accept it, didn’t want to, and wouldn’t acknowledge these memories.

So dirty, so vile, so secretive yet so wild that it made him feel as if the world was collapsing.

Yet, his former self on that bed writhed in pleasure, his eyelids tinged with a deep red, his expression pained but filled with undeniable joy.

Even when Yue Lin asked, “Want to give me a child?” his former self, abandoning all logic, answered, “Yes…”

Chu Hanjin was horrified!

Yue Lin was a madman, but had his past self also been mad?

Had he been so lost in desire that he had forgotten even the most basic reason?

Having a child? How would he even have a child?

Even though it was his past self, Chu Hanjin felt a surge of rage. Furious, he summoned his spiritual energy and slapped the bed hard…

It collapsed with a loud crash.

The dream ended.

Chu Hanjin opened his eyes, his back damp with cold sweat.

As his consciousness returned, he felt a lingering anger in his chest—the anger from his dream. At the same time, his body still held onto the sensations of his past self, with part of his robes dampened by the lingering moisture.

Chu Hanjin lay on the bed, sleepless for the rest of the night.

By the time he opened his eyes again, it was morning. Exhausted and with dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep, he pushed the door open.

Chu Tong, standing outside, complained, “Lord Yue Zhao, you’re finally up? Yue Lin barged in without waiting for permission earlier, and I couldn’t stop him!”

Chu Hanjin asked, “Where is he?”

Chu Tong replied, “In the kitchen, saying he wants to cook for you.”

“…”

Chu Hanjin thought for a moment, unable to find the right words. He went to the courtyard, fetched a bucket of water, and used a cold cloth to wash his face. After freshening up, he returned to find Yue Lin bringing out a tray.

To be honest, Yue Lin, with his tall stature, strikingly handsome features, and air of arrogance, was undoubtedly one of the most attractive men in the Far Mountain Sect. But his strange, almost absurd behavior—being so considerate and attentive—was baffling.

On the tea table, there was a bowl of spinach soup, a bowl of fish porridge, and a plate of fruit.

Chu Tong clapped his hands and laughed. “Haha! You don’t know, do you? Our Lord Yue Zhao only drinks plain porridge in the morning. He doesn’t eat such heavy food! All your effort is wasted.”

Yue Lin sneered, “What do you think I don’t know?”

He pushed the bowl of spinach soup forward. “You’ve had stomach trouble these past few days. Drink this to help your digestion.”

Chu Tong remarked, “What’s it helping? I only know that when Granny Xi was pregnant, she ate spinach every day because the doctor said it was good for her.”

“…”

Pregnancy again. Those words had been coming up far too often lately.

Hearing them now seemed to bring back unpleasant memories for Chu Hanjin. Staring at the steaming bowl of soup, he suddenly covered his mouth, suppressing a wave of nausea.

Chu Tong exclaimed, “See! I told you, Lord Yue Zhao doesn’t eat oily food in the morning! Now he’s feeling sick!”

“…”

Yue Lin’s expression turned complicated. He picked a cherry from the fruit plate and offered it. “To help settle your stomach?”

Chu Tong interjected again, “You don’t get it, do you? Lord Yue Zhao doesn’t like cherries. He once found a worm in one when he was young and never ate them again.”

But Chu Hanjin hesitated for a moment, then accepted the cherry, placing it in his mouth. His tongue wrapped around the fruit, and he spat the pit into a white cloth. “It tastes fine.”

Chu Tong: “…”

Yue Lin handed him another cherry. “If you like them, have more.”

And so, for breakfast, Chu Hanjin only ate some cherries and fruit, leaving the rest of the dishes untouched, growing cold on the table.

After the meal, Chu Hanjin went to the medical pavilion to check on his senior brothers and the injured members of the Six Sects.

The old doctor finished sorting some scrolls and came out. “Sect Leader Mu didn’t suffer any damage to his spiritual core, just superficial injuries. I’ve already treated him. As for the other sects, I don’t know. Their members arrived overnight to take them back to their sects for further treatment.”

Chu Hanjin understood. “Each sect has its own cultivation methods and secrets. It’s not convenient to share them with outsiders. If they wish to heal at their own sects, see to it that they are sent back with proper courtesy.”

The old doctor stroked his beard. “Your injury yesterday—since the first medicine was too harsh, I had Sect Leader Mu deliver a second one to you. Is the wound healing?”

Chu Hanjin nodded. “It’s better now. Thank you, Doctor.”

The old man nodded. “That’s good. Continue using it, and you’ll recover quickly.”

The medical pavilion was fairly quiet. A few young apprentices came in carrying a wooden box. “Doctor, the musk we were missing last time has finally arrived.”

“Oh?” The old doctor approached eagerly. “Let me see the quality.”

“The quality isn’t bad, it’s the same as the last batch. We thought it was out of stock, but they found a few more bottles in the storeroom.”

The old doctor opened the box and sniffed the musk.

Chu Hanjin, standing nearby, also caught a whiff of the strong musk scent. The doctor smiled and turned to him. “Good, now that we have musk, I can mix it into your medicine. It will help with blood circulation, reduce swelling, and relieve pain. I’ll prepare a new batch for you right away.”

Chu Hanjin followed the doctor, but the musk scent in the air grew overpowering. While he usually didn’t mind it, after standing for just a short while, a sharp pain began to throb in his abdomen.

The pain became unbearable, like something inside him was contracting in waves.

Chu Hanjin tried to endure it, but the pain only intensified, making his face pale.

Noticing the change, the doctor asked, “What’s wrong?” He quickly had Chu Hanjin sit down. “Why do you look so pale? Where are you feeling unwell?”

Chu Hanjin grimaced. “I’m in excruciating pain.”

“Stomach pain? How could that be?”

The doctor muttered to himself, setting the bottle of musk aside, and took Chu Hanjin’s wrist, placing it on the table to feel his pulse.

His previously calm expression changed within seconds. His fingers trembled as they moved over Chu Hanjin’s pulse. “This isn’t right!”

Cold sweat broke out on the doctor’s forehead as he repeated, “Something’s not right.”

He looked up at Chu Hanjin, his gaze sharp, as if confirming something.

Chu Hanjin was confused. “What’s wrong?”

The doctor suddenly slammed his palm onto the table, startling the apprentices nearby. “Remove all the musk immediately!”

The apprentices exchanged worried glances.

“Musk?”

“Why, Doctor? Is there something wrong with the musk?” one brave apprentice asked.

The doctor didn’t answer. Instead, he gripped Chu Hanjin’s wrist tightly, using spiritual energy to clear the musk from the air. Leaning close to Chu Hanjin’s ear, his voice trembling, he whispered, “Don’t worry, Your Excellency. I’ll prepare medicine to stabilize the pregnancy right away.”