(A/N: I got into an accident while riding my motorbike in a dark area. I hit a parked car on the road a few hours ago. I am fine, thank God, but my left hand is scuffed, especially my fingers. Still, don't worry, this is just a heads-up, and new chapters will keep coming!)
(Anyway, enjoy the new chapter~!)
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Link: Patreon.com/NineClouds69
--- Chapter 273 ---
"I heard Qing Lin has mastered the first stage of your Cicada Breathing," said Xiao Yixian as she jogged along the foggy mountain path. "That's impressive."
Han Yuan jogged beside her and chuckled, "Didn't you also master Cicada Breathing around the same time? I remember you used to cry because you couldn't get it right."
Xiao Yixian huffed and pouted, "Hmph, that's because you weren't teaching me properly."
"You were 80% teasing me and 20% teaching me!" she retorted in childhood annoyance.
"Haha, my bad! Xiao Yixian was just too adorable back then. I couldn't help it," Han Yuan replied with a grin.
Xiao Yixian pouted even more, puffing out her cheeks. "You're just a bully!"
With that, she hastened her pace, trying to leave Han Yuan behind. But how could it be that easy?
Han Yuan chased after her and said soothingly, "Alright, don't be mad, okay? How about I make it up to you?"
"Hmm..." Xiao Yixian hummed in response, but Han Yuan knew she wasn't rejecting his suggestion.
"When we check the Misty Mountain Secret Realm, not only will I awaken your martial soul, but I'll also make two tailor-made artifacts for you," he continued confidently. "I know you've been eyeing Qing Lin's Dancing Feather and Medusa's Twin Dusters for over a week now."
"What do you think?"
"No," Xiao Yixian gazed solemnly at him.
"Not enough!"
"I want three!" she demanded.
Han Yuan was stunned by her response. Who would have thought this girl would actually want more? He didn't know whether he should laugh or cry because of her possessiveness. He naturally realized she demanded this to assert her dominance among the other girls.
'Does she think artifacts grow on trees? Girl, gathering the materials alone takes years!' he thought, baffled.
But what could he do?
He wanted to spoil her.
"Very well, three artifacts it is," he finally conceded, shaking his head helplessly.
Xiao Yixian put on a smug expression and pounced on Han Yuan's left arm. "Big Brother Yuan is the best!"
"Hey, this girl," Han Yuan sighed, playfully pinching her cheek.
After that, they jogged back to Wu Tan City for breakfast at a stall on the commercial street. Unfortunately, many people recognized them and began asking questions.
"Being famous is troublesome..." Xiao Yixian grumbled as she bit into her breakfast crepe.
Han Yuan chewed on his stuffed bun and replied, "Tell me about it. If I don't wear a disguise in Wu Tan City, people would flock to me like there's no tomorrow."
"Thankfully, most interactions are harmless."
"I didn't warn you before, but we should really be cautious in a crowd; who knows if the enemy is hiding among them?"
"Eh, didn't we have Heavenly Demon's Eyes for this kind of thing?" Xiao Yixian replied, looking perplexed.
Han Yuan gently flicked her forehead. "Heavenly Demon's Eyes is not absolute."
"If your spiritual power is weaker than the target, then it would become useless. By then, your only choice of survival is the method I left behind or just your survival instinct."
"Remember what I taught you?"
Xiao Yixian groaned, "Ugh, don't be a saint, don't be stupid, run if you encounter an enemy beyond your means."
"See, it's good that you still remember my teaching." Han Yuan gave her a cheeky look.
"A questionable one, that is..." Xiao Yixian murmured.
"Did you say something, my dear sister?" Han Yuan narrowed his eyes.
Xiao Yixian put on a cutesy smile and acted on the spot, "Hehe, of course not, my dear brother? How could this lovely younger sister say something bad about you?"
"That's despicable!"
"You would be more convincing if it weren't for your crooked smile. I know you wanted to laugh so bad, you little rascal!" Han Yuan held Xiao Yixian's thin waist and started tickling it.
"Hahaha, mercy! Brother, mercy!" Xiao Yixian laughed with tears.
Han Yuan stopped tickling Xiao Yixian, "At least you know how to spell mercy. I am kind enough to forgive you for now."
"Yes, yes, thank you for the mercy, dear brother." Xiao Yixian gently held Han Yuan's arm and leaned her head on him. Something about bantering back and forth with him makes her happy.
Han Yuan similarly smiled, letting Xiao Yixian lean on him on the whole walk home.
Unfortunately, when they got home, an extra presence lounged in the living room.
"Yo, kid, I am your grandpa, and I'm finally here!" Hai Bodong shouted while waving his hand at Han Yuan. His other hand held a wine gourd, which made Han Yuan's mouth twitch slightly.
"Brother, this drunkard is..." Xiao Yixian had some guesses, but she still asked anyway.
"Yafei's granduncle, Hai Bodong, is also known as the Ice Emperor." Han Yuan commented calmly.
Xiao Yixian pointed her finger, "Ice Emperor? He looks so unreliable, though."
"Damn, little girl. This grandpa is indeed the Ice Emperor. I am just a bit tipsy because I've been partying for a whole week." Hai Bodong said with his usual pretentiousness.
Yafei entered the living room with an apologetic expression, "I am sorry, Yixian. My granduncle is drunk, but he's not a bad person."
After Yafei's explanation, Hai Bodong suddenly laughed, "Wahahaha, Ice Emperor's name will echo throughout Dou Qi Continent!"
"..." Yafei.
"..." Xiao Yixian.
"..." Han Yuan facepalm.
'Fuck, this old man is playing too much! Shouldn't you worry about your health at this age?' Han Yuan thought, deciding to make Hai Bodong sober by neutralizing the wine with Sky Poison Pearl.
Hai Bodong shook his head a few times, "Hmm, where am I?"
Han Yuan's mouth twitched even more, "You're something else, Senior Hai, don't tell me you're flying all the way from the Imperial City while you're drunk."
Hai Bodong stared at Han Yuan and the girls and then moved his gaze to the wine gourd in his hand. He did this back and forth for a few seconds before clearing his sore throat, "Well, adults have their own way."
Queen Medusa's laugh echoed in the room, "Fufu, Ice Emperor, you're still as pathetic as I remember. Good job, keep it up."
"Fuck, it's you!" Hai Bodong immediately hid behind the couch.
Queen Medusa walked in with Qing Lin as she snorted, "Let's not say dirty things here, can we? There is a child."
Hai Bodong stared at the wide-eyed, curious Qing Lin and felt somewhat embarrassed, "Fine, I am sorry."
Han Yuan gave Queen Medusa a knowing look, "Almost everyone is here, then we can start preparing for the Misty Mountain Range."
"Hmm, are you planning to bring more people?" Hai Bodong was puzzled.
Han Yuan smiled, "Well, just a few friends."
"Am I right, Xun'er, Senior Ling?"
"Even now, I can't fathom how you cultivate, Han Yuan." An amused voice entered the room as Gu Xun'er and her bodyguard made their appearance to the group.
Ling Ying stared at Han Yuan before keenly observing the people around him in awe, 'Two peak Dou Emperor Experts, and I actually felt threatened by them.'
'This boy, I don't know how strong he is now,' He shook his head at the thought of this. 'My senses couldn't detect anything, and it is kind of scary.'
Han Yuan waved his hand, "I cultivate just like any other person, I am not that great."
"Who are you fooling here?! We won't believe you!"
The whole room rebuked Han Yuan immediately upon hearing his humble-brag.
Han Yuan ignored their dark gaze and cleared his throat, "Ehem, now that everyone is here. Let's depart!"