Chapter 18 The Champion

The next day,

Chu Xuyun opened his eyes and rarely for once, saw Yu Xiao by his side.

Normally, whenever he woke up, Yu Xiao wouldn’t be there.

Yu Xiao’s profile was quite handsome; his face softened in sleep, with long eyelashes that resembled tiny feather fans gently shading his face, not at all like a demon cultivator.

“Awake?”

Yu Xiao had already sensed Chu Xuyun’s gaze; he had been awake for a while, just enjoying the sound of Chu Xuyun’s breathing.

Last night had been the best night’s sleep he’d had in years, not having to worry that Chu Xuyun might quietly leave while he was unaware.

Chu Xuyun got up from the soft bed, the morning sunlight gentle and warm, perfect weather for sleeping in.

But today, he had important matters to attend to.

After a while,

Yu Xiao held a thin piece of paper, slowly raised his eyes, and with some difficulty, asked, “Are you taking me home?”

The thin paper only had one line written on it——

“Come back with me to Penglai Immortal Island, our ancestral home.”

Chu Xuyun nodded, paused for a moment, then tilted his head slightly to look at Yu Xiao.

Did Yu Xiao perhaps not want to go?

“I’m not unwilling.” Yu Xiao still held the piece of paper, his expression complex. “I just…”

Was afraid.

He had never thought about going home with Chu Xuyun like this. He knew Chu Xuyun’s hometown had a father; that father had once visited Taiqing Sect, only to hastily leave after delivering some homegrown fruits and vegetables.

At the time, he had seen him from afar in the crowd.

That brief encounter had left an indelible impression on Yu Xiao.

Because when Chu Xuyun’s father had come that time, it was to urge Chu Xuyun to marry into a good family as soon as possible.

At that time, Chu Xuyun was already the Immortal Lord of Taiqing, overseeing the affairs of a peak, yet Chu’s father had insisted he marry soon, even bringing along a matchmaking book thicker than Taiqing Sect’s rules.

Although Chu Xuyun had tossed it into a corner without even looking at it, the incident had felt like a thorn deeply embedded in Yu Xiao’s heart.

He feared that one day, he would see Chu Xuyun obey his father and marry someone else.

“Immortal Monarch…” Yu Xiao squeezed the thin piece of paper, his voice low. “I’m afraid your father wouldn’t want to see me.”

As he spoke, Chu Xuyun withdrew the paper from his hand and handed him a new one.

Yu Xiao lowered his eyes to read it and suddenly choked up.

“Are you sure this will work?”

Chu Xuyun nodded earnestly.

This was the best idea he could come up with. As long as Yu Xiao could disguise himself as a diligent scholar and not reveal his identity as a Demon Lord, his father would surely like Yu Xiao.

Was this really the idea of the Immortal Lord of Taiqing?

Or was it that like father, like son, Chu Xuyun genuinely believed his father was that easy to handle?

Yu Xiao pursed his lips, suppressing a smile, and softly said, “Alright, I can go.”

Chu Xuyun breathed a sigh of relief, but before fully exhaling, Yu Xiao added, “However, I must clarify something beforehand.”

What could it be?

Chu Xuyun anxiously looked up at him.

Come on, Yu Xiao, just agree. Otherwise, we won’t make it in time for our wedding in two days.

“Even if your father doesn’t accept me then, our engagement must proceed as planned,” Yu Xiao insisted, unwilling to compromise on this point.

If Chu’s father refused to accept them, and Chu Xuyun obeyed his father’s command again, wouldn’t everything Yu Xiao did be in vain?

As Yu Xiao finished speaking, he fixedly gazed at Chu Xuyun. “If you agree, we’ll leave immediately.”

At these words, Chu Xuyun let out a long sigh of relief. He had thought it was something more serious, but it was only this concern.

Father won’t dislike Yu Xiao. When he was a child, Father was eager for him to succeed.

Father liked scholars the most, especially one like Yu Xiao, who appeared so dignified.

No, dignified doesn’t seem to be the right word.

Anyway, Father was a farmer and didn’t understand much. As long as Yu Xiao composed a couplet or two, Father would like him.

“Yu Xiao?”

Yu Xiao’s voice came from in front of him, and Chu Xuyun suddenly came to his senses. He quickly nodded, then reached out and lightly hooked Yu Xiao’s finger with his own.

Hooked.

Once hooked, it’s settled.

Yu Xiao’s eyelashes trembled slightly, and in his mind floated a scene from many years ago when Chu Xuyun had similarly hooked his finger to make an agreement.

“I’m no longer a child.”

Slowly grasping Chu Xuyun’s hand in his, fingers intertwined, Yu Xiao softly reminded him, “Xianjun, you must not treat me as a child anymore. Remember that I am your husband now.”

Chu Xuyun nodded as if he understood.

He indeed hadn’t achieved the top rank, but he was just a bit slow, not a fool.

How could he possibly treat Yu Xiao as a child? What child stands nine feet tall?

It’s really strange.

*

Penglai Fairy Island lies in the far south, surrounded year-round by lotus flowers. The island’s inhabitants make their living from fishing, and as far as the eye can see, there’s nothing but the vast sea and distant sails.

They arrived at Fairy Island near dusk. The twilight merged with the horizon, the sea and sky disappearing into the molten gold of the setting sun. The lotus flowers bloomed shyly, even redder in color.

On the swaying boat, Yu Xiao and Chu Xuyun silently admired the breathtaking scenery.

Until Yu Xiao couldn’t help but break the silence,

“So Xianjun’s homeland is so beautiful, worthy of being called Fairy Island.”

Chu Xuyun stared blankly at the island not far away. The closer they got, the more it seemed unreal, as if leaving home had happened only yesterday, yet it had been over a decade.

After failing the imperial exam, he had left here with his bags packed, despite his father’s objections, to find the sect leader.

Pausing for a moment, Chu Xuyun quietly changed “sect leader” in his heart to “brother.”

This isn’t Taiqing Sect; he can call him brother here.

“If one day I could live here permanently, it would be truly blissful.”

Yu Xiao’s words sent a shiver through Chu Xuyun’s heart.

He had always thought his hometown trapped him, but what did it trap him in?

The boat reached the shore, where lotus flowers were luxuriant, almost obscuring the reflections. Yu Xiao was the first to disembark, courteously extending his hand to help Chu Xuyun down.

As soon as they disembarked, the fishermen around them all turned their gazes toward them.

Penglai Fairy Island was unusually rich in spiritual energy. Ordinary people found it difficult to approach, let alone outsiders. Only the native Penglai Islanders, with their special constitution, could live here without spiritual energy or magical powers.

“Chu family’s Xuyun?”

Someone recognized Chu Xuyun’s appearance, and soon everyone else realized it too, excitedly crowding around.

“It really is Xuyun. I heard you’re now the Taiqing Xianjun. You’ve really made something of yourself. The old Chu family is truly fortunate to have two such talented sons!”

Chu Xuyun suddenly felt a little embarrassed. He had never been good at interacting with enthusiastic villagers like this, but no one minded; they just thought he was shy and didn’t like to talk.

“And who is this…”

Everyone’s curious gazes turned to Yu Xiao beside him. Chu Xuyun’s mind went blank for a moment, wondering how to explain.

“I am Xianjun’s friend, named Yu Xiao.”

Yu Xiao’s voice was calm, strangely calming the waves in Chu Xuyun’s heart.

Until they were married, they could indeed be considered friends now.

“I see, so you’re also a disciple of the Taiqing Immortal Sect?” It’s difficult for someone without cultivation to enter Fairy Island.

Yu Xiao nodded in agreement.

Seeing Chu Xuyun silent all this while, someone tactfully raised their voice, “Don’t hold Xuyun back. Hurry and let Xuyun go home to reunite with Old Chu!”

The fishermen laughed and agreed, gradually dispersing.

Chu Xuyun finally breathed a sigh of relief, slowly taking Yu Xiao’s hand at his side, only to find that Yu Xiao’s palm was also slightly sweaty.

So Yu Xiao wasn’t good at dealing with this either.

In fact, Yu Xiao hadn’t cared about what the villagers had asked earlier; he was nervous.

He was about to meet Chu Xuyun’s father. What should he say first?

At the door of the Chu family’s thatched cottage, Chu Xuyun pushed open the door and glanced back at Yu Xiao.

“Come in; I’m ready.” Yu Xiao calmly replied.

Chu Xuyun believed him and nodded, entering the house with Yu Xiao following closely behind.

Under the ancient trees in the small courtyard, a rocking chair swayed creakingly in the shade, and beside it, several fluffy yellow chicks pecked at grains of rice.

A man lay in the rocking chair, his face covered by a fan larger than his head.

“Who?”

A vigorous voice rang out, clearly not removing the fan but sensing Chu Xuyun and Yu Xiao approaching.

Yu Xiao hesitated for a moment, but with Chu Xuyun’s determined gaze, he slowly spoke, “I’ve met Uncle.”

As soon as the words fell, Chu’s father abruptly pulled the fan from his face, his eyes sharp like an eagle’s, but he didn’t look at Yu Xiao. Instead, he fixed his gaze tightly on Chu Xuyun.

“Who did you bring back?” he asked.

Chu Xuyun froze for a moment, hesitated, but managed to remain silent.

“Have you lost your voice?” Chu Xuyun looked helplessly at Yu Xiao.

Yu Xiao immediately understood and explained in a low voice, “My name is Yu Xiao. I came here this time to discuss important matters with Uncle. The Immortal Lord practices the Silent Path, and I can only speak when absolutely necessary. Uncle’s question is directed at me.”

As the words fell, Chu’s father finally turned his gaze towards Yu Xiao, saying calmly, “Why do you have demonic energy on you?”

Yu Xiao was momentarily speechless.

Did everyone in the Chu family naturally cultivate?

He had already concealed the demonic energy before coming, yet it was still discovered.

“Perhaps it was accidentally acquired while I was exterminating demons with the Immortal Lord,” Yu Xiao replied calmly.

Chu’s father fell silent for a moment, unsure whether to believe him or not. He stood up and walked into the house, lifting the thatched curtain. “Come in.”

Chu Xuyun and Yu Xiao exchanged glances and followed him into the small house.

The furnishings in the small house were simple and quaint, revealing the owner’s thriftiness and cleanliness everywhere.

“Sit.”

Yu Xiao and Chu Xuyun obediently sat opposite Chu’s father, respectfully accepting the tea he brewed. Then, Chu’s father spoke again.

“Yu Xiao, why haven’t I seen you at Taiqing Sect?”

At that time, it was normal for Chu’s father not to have seen Yu Xiao in the crowd.

Yu Xiao replied readily, “I am no longer at Taiqing Sect.”

Upon hearing this, Chu’s father raised an eyebrow and took a sip of tea, saying, “Is that so? Where are you now, then?”

Yu Xiao frowned slightly, before he could come up with a reply, Chu Xuyun suddenly took out a book from his bosom and handed it to Chu’s father.

“You are the top scholar?” Chu’s father’s eyes lit up. He even put down the tea, his gaze towards Yu Xiao instantly changing.

Confused, Yu Yu stared blankly, only to see Chu’s father flipping open the book. Written prominently on it was a line of large characters.

“Yu’s Spring and Autumn Annals – Written by the Top Scholar of the New Exam, Yu Xiao”

Yu Xiao: … What is it?