Chapter 48: White Deer Part 9

“Obsession,” Yuzhou said, “Obsession is everywhere.”

From this, Xiao Kun gained a new clue. Though many mysteries remained unsolved, they at least learned King Mu’s true identity, which was a major breakthrough.

Pi Changge explained the events from many years ago, and everyone at the table fell into shock. Even Chaosheng had only vaguely heard of mortals stealing the Immortal Seed and knew nothing of the details.

But Pi Changge was unaware of the several instances of Heavenly Demon Reincarnation in the mortal world and could not help with the matter of the Wheel of Fate either. Xiao Kun began to organize what he had learned on this trip. After dinner, everyone returned to their rooms.

“Li Chaosheng?” a voice said.

Chaosheng was in his room showing Wu Yingzong his little collection when Mu Qingshan stood at the door, leaning against it with the appearance of a carefree young rogue.

Chaosheng hurriedly said, “Mu Qingshan?”

“Could I speak with you alone for a few words?” Mu Qingshan eyed Chaosheng.

Chaosheng looked at Wu Yingzong, who nodded and said, “Don’t always say I’m jealous; it’s too embarrassing. I won’t get jealous.”

Chaosheng laughed, scratched under Wu Yingzong’s chin a couple of times, and Mu Qingshan gestured for Chaosheng to follow him.

Wu Yingzong also stood up and walked to the long corridor, but Pi Changge’s voice rang in his ear.

“Little brother, come over here,” Pi Changge’s voice said. “Come under the tree; let’s get close.”

Wu Yingzong looked around and realized it was the Sound Transmission Technique. He hurried over quickly.

Mu Qingshan walked ahead, still with that indifferent, aloof demeanor, but he occasionally glanced back at Chaosheng.

“What’s up, White Deer?” Chaosheng said. “Is something the matter?”

“Right here.” Mu Qingshan indicated for Chaosheng to sit on a rock while he sat with legs spread on a tree stump, looking up at him with eyes full of complex emotions.

Chaosheng only smiled at him. Mu Qingshan watched Chaosheng for a while and said, “Do you still remember me?”

Chaosheng: “Of course I remember, in the underground of Daming Palace.”

Mu Qingshan: “Mm… forget it.”

Chaosheng: “?”

Mu Qingshan thought for a moment and then said, “Have you decided to make that monkey your Tree Guardian God?”

“Ah?” Chaosheng’s face reddened involuntarily as he replied, “The Tree Guardian God is Changge. Old Wu… if he’s willing, he could stay in Kunlun too? But there’s only one Tree Guardian God position. He could be a spiritual beast instead.”

Mu Qingshan: “When did you descend to the mortal world this time? Was it fun? Did anyone bully you?”

“It was fun! No one bullied me!” At this point, Chaosheng grew excited and talked about many of his adventures with his companions. Mu Qingshan listened attentively, nodding from time to time. In front of Chaosheng, he no longer showed any coldness or annoyance.

When Chaosheng mentioned Kaifeng, Mu Qingshan said, “I haven’t been there yet.”

“You could come with us,” Chaosheng said. “You’ll join the group in their actions, right?”

“We’ll see,” Mu Qingshan replied casually.

Chaosheng: “Why? Come on, you want to avenge your family… Sorry, was I not supposed to bring that up?”

“It’s fine,” Mu Qingshan said instead. “I’ve long since let it go.”

Chaosheng made an “mm” sound, reached out, and patted Mu Qingshan’s head. Mu Qingshan was slightly older and taller than him, but at that moment, he chose to sit on the broken wood, making himself shorter than Chaosheng by a few inches, listening with his head raised. Chaosheng gently touched Mu Qingshan’s forehead, as if bestowing a blessing.

“Why did you call me out here?” Chaosheng finally remembered to ask.

“Nothing important.” Mu Qingshan said, “I want to be friends with you. I like the scent on you.”

Chaosheng burst into laughter, realizing that Mu Qingshan was a deer and he himself was an Immortal Fruit, just like how Wu Yingzong had been drawn to him at first—Mu Qingshan felt the same affinity.

Mu Qingshan smiled faintly and said, “Is that okay?”

Chaosheng suddenly thought of Wu Yingzong and felt a bit troubled, but Mu Qingshan said, “The monkey won’t get jealous; he’s not that petty.”

Chaosheng said, “How do you know I was thinking that?”

Mu Qingshan looked at Chaosheng expectantly.

“Okay,” Chaosheng said.

Mu Qingshan pressed his advantage: “I want you to call me Big Brother.”

“Sure,” Chaosheng agreed. “Then, Big Brother, will you come back to Kaifeng with us?”

Mu Qingshan thought for a moment and replied, “Alright, if you want me to go, I’ll go.”

Chaosheng yawned.

“I’ll walk you back to sleep,” Mu Qingshan said. “We’ll chat more when we have time; you must be tired.”

Mu Qingshan stood up and escorted Chaosheng back to his room.

Wu Yingzong saw Pi Changge under the tree.

“Sit here.” Pi Changge was very familiar and beckoned Wu Yingzong to sit. Wu Yingzong seemed a bit nervous; after all, he was in front of the Sacred Tree Jumang, Chaosheng’s father, and Pi Changge was Chaosheng’s guardian.

“Let me see your arm?” Pi Changge said.

Wu Yingzong didn’t ask questions, undid his martial robe’s cuffs, rolled up his sleeve, and showed Pi Changge his sturdy arm. His human form was already robust, but his forearms, upper arms, and shoulder-back muscles still fell short compared to Pi Changge’s.

Pi Changge held Wu Yingzong’s wrist, examined it for a moment, then carefully looked at the back of his hand. Wu Yingzong didn’t know why but didn’t ask.

“Let me see your body?” Pi Changge said next.

Wu Yingzong stood up, removed his outer robe, inner clothes, undergarments, and even shoes and socks, standing barefoot and naked for Pi Changge to inspect. Pi Changge then gestured for him to turn around to check his back. As a Yao Clan cultivator who had grown into adulthood, Wu Yingzong hadn’t worn clothes even as an ape, and after achieving the Dao, he had little sense of shame. He only dressed often because he was around the Human Race, who all wore clothes.

“Mm.” Pi Changge was clearly very satisfied with Wu Yingzong and said, “Put your clothes back on. Let me see your demon form now.”

Wu Yingzong transformed into the White Ape, crouching bowed before Pi Changge.