Edited by: Molly
Yan Tianhen sighed and was silent for a moment. Then he suddenly looked up at Lin Xuanzhi. “It’s my turn to ask now.”
Before Lin Xuanzhi could nod, he heard Yan Tianhen ask, “Reincarnation Palace’s Demonic Spectre Venerable — tell me, are you him?”
Lin Xuanzhi, “…”
This was a bit difficult to handle.
Seeing Lin Xuanzhi’s awkward and extremely complicated expression, which looked like he had something to say but was hesitant, Yan Tianhen had already vaguely figured out the answer.
Lin Xuanzhi was slightly shocked. “How did you figure that out?”
Don’t tell me it’s another guess.
Yan Tianhen smiled smugly, looking very excited. “Honorable me really is the only genius in the heavens that is never found on earth. I knew you had something to do with Demonic Spectre Venerable. I was bluffing just now, but I didn’t expect it to actually work! Hahaha!”
Lin Xuanzhi, “…”
Lin Xuanzhi originally felt some uneasiness, but at this time, it disappeared after hearing Yan Tianhen’s laugher. He also smiled. “Indeed, you’re incredible. I don’t believe I made any mistakes that would expose my identity.”
Yan Tianhen shook his finger. “There is no flaw on the surface, but who am I? When I first saw Demonic Spectre Venerable in the purple mulberry forest outside White Tiger City on that day, I only felt that his figure and aura were too strong, which made it hard to breathe. But when I thought about this later, I realized that the reason my heartbeat sped up uncontrollably back then was not only due to nervousness — there was also joy. It’s just that Demonic Spectre Venerable has white hair. That didn’t really match you, so I didn’t think he was you. Later, when Huarong Sword Immortal also appeared in White Tiger City’s Wishing Lane, I had a faint suspicion. But the day I confirmed my suspicion was when you asked Yin Nian to deliver me some spiritual plants.”
Lin Xuanzhi thought, So it turns out he had already suspected me for a long time. My exposure is not a loss.
Yan Tianhen became prouder the more he talked, as if he had already become the most powerful spy in the world. He continued, “Firstly, that boy Yin Nian should have been a complete stranger to you. Even if you just casually found someone to deliver the herbs, you would never have asked him. It can only be said that Huarong Gege had too much to worry about back then and was only thinking about how to send the spiritual herbs to me in spite of his busy schedule, so he forgot this point.
Moreover, after Yin Nian, that boy, saw me, he babbled a bunch of words whose core meaning was to not let me have any ideas about you, disturbing your peace and your reputation. I suddenly realized that he knows you.”
Yan Tianhen’s expression became more and more evil. He looked smug, and also like he was asking for a beating.
“He is the Young Palace Master of an evil cult, yet when he entered this place, he put on a face of fearless confidence every day. He must have a backer ah.”
Lin Xuanzhi, “…”
Yan Tianhen was an energetic and spirited person. Besides the times where he had emotional breakdowns, he could quickly liven up the atmosphere no matter the occasion, which was why Lin Xuanzhi was still willing to spend time with Yan Tianhen despite having a damaged heart and mind.
Therefore, Lin Xuanzhi asked lightly, “So why did you go to White Tiger City’s Wishing Lane that day?”
The smile on Yan Tianhen’s face froze before he even had time to put it away. Tch, indeed, a person can’t be too smug or show off ostentatiously, or else he will get retribution.
However, with his Dao ancestor as witness, Yan Tianhen absolutely refused to have his sweetheart whom he just had sex with see him as a licentious person. He immediately swore to heaven, “Huarong Gege must not misunderstand. I am not interested in the red light district at all. If Qi Feiqing, that brat, didn’t insist on pulling me along to give him courage, I never would’ve gone there, even if I had a hundred times the courage! You must believe me ah!”
Lin Xuanzhi couldn’t help smiling when he saw how nervous Yan Tianhen was. “I naturally believe you. However, I am also aware of the fact that you paid frequent visits to Wishing Lane in recent years.”
Yan Tianhen, “…”
Yan Tianhen blinked desperately, pretending to be innocent.
Lin Xuanzhi said with a smile, “I also know that you have been secretly investigating the forces behind Wishing Lane in recent years. This business also belongs to Reincarnation Palace; a part of it is used to gather intelligence.”
Yan Tianhen, …Fuck, I suspected it before…to think it was actually true! “Aren’t you too incredible? In just a few short years, you’ve already expanded the business all over the Nine Lands!”
“I don’t know whether Wishing Lane can continue to operate now that Prince Ye knows about it.”
Yan Tianhen immediately expressed his loyalty, “This is our own family’s business. When I return, I’ll let my dad and them revoke the ban on Reincarnation Palace. Sheesh, what were they thinking? They have no taste!”
Yan Tianhen completely forgot the fact that his previous attitude toward Reincarnation Palace was conflict on top of conflict on top of how to eliminate them at the roots. Now that he knew Lin Xuanzhi was the Palace Master of Reincarnation Palace, his attitude immediately took a complete 180 degree turn; he didn’t have any bottom line or moral integrity at all and could be called the grandmaster of double standards.
“Over the years, Reincarnation Palace has indeed had many conflicts with the imperial dynasty, and it has also done a lot of shady dealings. It’s not without reason that those imperial members would want to kill us as soon as they see us.”
Yan Tianhen immediately frowned. He almost slapped the table and stood up. “Which short-sighted person dares to kill Huarong Gege? Let me kill them!”
Lin Xuanzhi, …How can my family’s Ah Hen be this cute?
However, if they truly wanted to discuss Reincarnation Palace in detail, the conversation wouldn’t be finished in a day, and the two also didn’t intend to continue this discussion right now, so they changed the topic back to the past they shared together.
Lin Xuanzhi had roughly understood the situation on Yan Tianhen’s side from his earlier accounts, but Yan Tianhen had little idea about why they became like this.
So Lin Xuanzhi simply asked, “Would you like to have a look at what happened between me and you in the past life and the current one, from beginning to end?”
Yan Tianhen was stunned. After digesting for a while, he asked, “Past life?”
Lin Xuanzhi nodded. “My past life with you is also the source of everything. Before your memories were erased by the Dao of Heaven, you had already remembered the past life.”
Seeing his grave expression, Yan Tianhen knew that his past life probably wasn’t very happy. But he was the kind of person who never looked back and only looked forward.
So what if I was unhappy before? Humans always have to live in the present. Right now, am I not already with Lin Xuanzhi? Therefore, Yan Tianhen gave a carefree smile and said, “It’s rare for Huarong Gege to be so frank. Naturally…it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
If put in the past, Lin Xuanzhi naturally wouldn’t want Yan Tianhen to know too many bad things; he would rather bear the heavy burden himself and walk alone.
But after experiencing so much, Lin Xuanzhi’s thoughts had also changed. If a person walked alone for too long while carrying a heavy burden, they would inevitably encounter problems.
And since some people were destined to walk together, they should help each other, share in the joys and sorrows, trials and tribulations, and advance and retreat together.
Lin Xuanzhi took Yan Tianhen’s hand and gently touched his forehead. He looked at the drowsy Yan Tianhen and whispered, “Don’t resist, we’ll enter my sea of knowledge together.”
Yan Tianhen nodded obediently. His vision went dark, then lit up again. In the next moment, he saw his home that he had lived in for many years — Qing City, Lin family residence, the small yard in the back mountain. He was held in Lin Zhan’s arms, who coaxed him along as he walked into the yard. His face was covered with ugly cracks, and his whole person was as thin as a dying kitten. A pair of eyes looked around in fright.
This was probably the time when Lin Zhan took him from the Nine Lands to the Five Continents.
Lin Zhan held Yan Tianhen, whose memory and cultivation had been sealed in full. “Ah Hen, don’t be scared. In the future, Daddy and Dage will protect you.”
Yan Tianhen clung to Lin Zhan’s clothes and didn’t dare to loosen his grip. Clearly, he had a great sense of wariness and caution against unfamiliar environments and strangers.
Suddenly, a young man dressed in white holding a green sword came up. Yan Tianhen only felt that he had never seen such a good-looking and immortal-like person before, so he couldn’t help but study him and even forgot to turn his eyes.
The youth came over and looked at Yan Tianhen. He asked in a clear voice, “Dad, where did you pick up this little wild cat?”
Lin Zhan said, “This is a person; don’t call him a little wild cat. He will live with us in the future, so he is your Didi.”
Yan Tianhen knew that this person was Lin Xuanzhi in his youth. Lin Xuanzhi was particularly young and inexperienced at that time, and even his personality was more open.
“Didi? That’s great ah. I’ve always wanted a younger brother, but it’s a pity that you never found me a stepmother.” While Lin Xuanzhi said this, he raised his hand and pinched Yan Tianhen’s face. “So thin. Did his former family treat him badly?”
Lin Zhan avoided the question, “I picked him up from the side of the road. I thought the child was to my liking, so I brought him back.”
Lin Xuanzhi said, “If you want to raise him, then do so. I have no problem with it.”
“You’ve never liked to give me any advice. You are too chill.”
Lin Xuanzhi asked. “What does ‘chill’ mean?”
Lin Zhan said, “If you don’t understand, then just keep it to yourself. You can’t just ask questions casually. Didn’t anyone teach you that?”
Lin Xuanzhi, …Okay, I’ll be silent.
Then Yan Tianhen whispered, “But, didn’t Daddy say that if I don’t understand something, I should ask?”
Lin Zhan’s attitude turned sharply. He was extremely gentle as he answered, “Ah Hen naturally has to ask if he doesn’t understand anything. As for Xuanzhi, that kind of mischievous thief, he can forget it. ‘Chill’ is a term from a smaller world. It means someone who thinks anything is fine and describes someone who sees through the world of mortals and lives like he’s cultivating the Dao of Indifference.”
Yan Tianhen blinked, not really understanding.
Lin Xuanzhi said, “He’s pretty interesting. If he accompanies you in the future, you will not be lonely.”
Lin Zhan glanced at him. “Why do your words feel like the last words of someone who’s about to die?”
Lin Xuanzhi pressed his forehead. “Is there any dad who would curse his son like this? It’s just that Profound Sky Sect is going to start school, so I will go back soon.”
“Oh. Go, go. Don’t forget to come back and visit your old man from time to time. If you have any good things, bring a share for Ah Hen too. In the future, he will be your little brother.”
Lin Xuanzhi did not ask about Yan Tianhen’s origins, nor did he ask why Lin Zhan suddenly brought a younger brother back and even spoiled him so much. Lin Xuanzhi believed that everything had a karmic cause and effect, and everything was fated. Moreover, Lin Zhan always did whatever he wanted and had an air of mystery to him. However, he was never wrong. Lin Xuanzhi could accept all his decisions with a calm heart.