Chapter 55: Be Good, Little Cub, Don’t Come Looking for Daddy Anymore… Part 2

Feng Xixing, following behind, was used to this sight. He opened the window to let sunlight fall onto the bed, then sat on the edge of the bed. Watching the little black cat leisurely swishing his tail tip, he asked, “Has Shizun already thought of a solution?”

The little black cat flicked his tail tip and looked at him with some surprise. “How did you know?”

Feng Xixing smiled and gently toyed with the tip of his tail. “So, what is Shizun’s solution?”

Seeing his disciple didn’t want to say how he knew, Lin Chuyun didn’t press further. He explained, “Actually, this Teacher believes the problem lies in the half-demon bloodline itself. Because when I try to transform, I can feel the other half of my power – the spiritual power – interfering with the demon power’s Transformation.”

His situation was probably rare even among half-demons. Because demon beasts are generally stronger than human cultivators, in most half-demons, the demon power is the dominant force. So during transformation, the demon power isn’t influenced by other energies.

But both his parents were extremely formidable demon beast and human cultivator respectively. This resulted in his demon power and spiritual power being completely evenly matched. So every time he tried to transform, his spiritual power would come out and mess things up.

Lin Chuyun couldn’t possibly abandon his spiritual power. Therefore, he had to find a way to maintain balance between the two powers.

Naturally, methods for half-demon transformation would only be found in the Demon Realm. Feng Xixing’s movements paused. He asked hesitantly, “Is Shizun thinking… of going to the Demon Realm?”

The little black cat flipped over, sprawling bonelessly across the bed. Feeling the sunlight warm his back, he squinted in comfort. “Mm. This Teacher intends to make a trip to the Demon Realm.”

Although he was only at the Late Nascent Soul Stage right now, his demon power had already reached the Transformation Stage. While he couldn’t exactly swagger around the Demon Realm unchecked, there shouldn’t be too much danger.

“Xixing will go with you,” Feng Xixing stated firmly.

Hearing this, Lin Chuyun hesitated. After all, this was his own matter. It didn’t feel right dragging his little disciple so far away. But the thought of not seeing Feng Xixing for several months stirred a strange sense of reluctance he couldn’t quite name.

“Then… I’ll be troubling you,” Lin Chuyun finally nodded.

Feng Xixing breathed a sigh of relief, a smile appearing on his face. He gently stroked the top of the little black cat’s head and stood up. “Shizun rest well. Xixing will go prepare for the journey.”

The little black cat nodded. Watching his little disciple leave, he couldn’t help but think, for the umpteenth time, just how good his little disciple really was.

The news of Lin Chuyun wanting to go to the Demon Realm quickly spread among the several Peak Masters. Their previous discussion had basically reached a similar conclusion, so upon hearing this, none of them opposed it.

Instead, it was Feng Xixing’s accompanying him that worried Feng Wu.

“The people of the Demon Realm… are very hostile towards human cultivators.” Feng Wu chose a more tactful term. “If you go along, there’s a high chance demon beasts will deliberately bully and oppress you.”

Although the Demon Realm was rife with internal strife, their attitude towards human cultivators was quite unified. In their eyes, all human cultivators were deceitful and cunning. If not for the fact that the previous Demon Queen had been a human cultivator, the Demon Realm would still be barring human cultivators from entering.

Feng Xixing’s expression didn’t change much upon hearing this. He had entered the Devil Path before. He’d long since experienced the feeling of being reviled by the world. Being bullied a little by demons seemed trivial in comparison.

Seeing his resolve, Feng Wu said no more. Worried that his master would find out and forbid him from going, Feng Xixing didn’t tell Lin Chuyun any of this.

He prepared everything they needed to bring, stocked the Storage Bag with Spirit Stones, and even specifically commissioned someone to line the entire interior of the carriage with spirit silk. Even the daybed was covered with an extra layer of spirit silk.

It was the day before their departure that Fang Tianyuan learned of the matter. He immediately rushed to Spirit Cloud Peak and pushed open the door of the bamboo hut. “Little Chuyun, let me tell you, you—”

His voice died in his throat. Looking at the tiny Little Chuyun before him—and those cat ears twitching ever so slightly on his head—Fang Tianyuan instantly threw his original intention out the window. He bent down, scooped up the small Lin Chuyun, and rubbed his cheek eagerly against the cat ears. “Little Chuyun is too adorable!”

Lin Chuyun tried desperately to push Fang Tianyuan’s face away with his hands. Too bad Fang Tianyuan was holding on too tightly; no matter how he struggled, he couldn’t break free.

Fortunately, even mesmerized by “beauty,” Fang Tianyuan slowly remembered his purpose for coming. “Little Chuyun, you cannot go to the Demon Realm.”

Lin Chuyun assumed he was worried about him running off for revenge. He explained, “Shizun, rest assured. Chuyun only wants to seek the methods for half-demon transformation. I absolutely will not stir up any trouble.”

Fang Tianyuan opened his mouth to speak, but a sharp, searing pain tore through his chest. Yet his expression remained calm. Even the arm holding Lin Chuyun didn’t tremble in the slightest.

The Heavenly Dao no longer permitted him to attempt defying the Heavenly Secrets.

“Must Little Chuyun go?” Fang Tianyuan looked at Lin Chuyun, his gaze complicated.

Lin Chuyun pressed his lips together and nodded. “Disciple… just wants to go and see.” He knew he couldn’t take revenge now. But he still wanted to go to the Demon Realm, to see the places his parents had visited in his dreams, and… that ice coffin from his dreams.

Perhaps his mother was buried nearby. If he could find it, he could burn a stick of incense for her and kowtow a few times.

Fang Tianyuan looked at the determined resolve in Lin Chuyun’s eyes and sighed. But he bent down, placed the small Lin Chuyun on the ground, and took out a spirit tool. Carefully, he fastened it around Lin Chuyun’s neck with his own hands.

Lin Chuyun looked down in confusion and found it was a necklace with a cyan wood pendant. He could faintly sense wood spirit power within the pendant.

“This is a keepsake left by your mother.” Fang Tianyuan rubbed Lin Chuyun’s head and took the opportunity to rub those cat ears as well. “It’s also a defensive spirit tool. Promise Uncle you will come back safe and sound.”

Lin Chuyun obediently nodded, watching Fang Tianyuan leave.

That night, the little black cat, uncharacteristically, didn’t curl up holding Feng Xixing, but fell asleep clutching the pendant instead. Yet, the moment Lin Chuyun registered the unfamiliar texture under his paws, he already realized what was happening. He opened his eyes, and sure enough, he saw the stone cave from his previous dream.

The stone cave was no different from his last visit, though the fur on the stone bed seemed to have been replaced. This beast skin was much finer and softer. Stepping on it, the little black cat felt like he was treading on cotton.

The tall man wasn’t in the stone cave; he must have gone somewhere. The little black cat didn’t linger on the bed for too long. He swiftly jumped down and ran to the stone door leading to the ice coffin.

He had to hurry while there was time to find the man and ask about this place’s exact location.

Unfortunately, though the little black cat nearly scratched claw marks into the floor, he couldn’t budge the stone door even a sliver. With no other option, the little black cat resorted to another method.

“Is anyone there!!!” The little black cat sat outside the stone door, his voice sounding very obedient. “Open the door!!!”

His voice echoed in the stone chamber, but there was no response. The little black cat’s tail flicked anxiously. He turned and surveyed the stone chamber. Apart from this stone door, there was also another door, identical in material to this one.

Also impossible for a pitiful little black cat to push open.

The little black cat tried to transform but failed yet again. In the end, he could only continue calling for the man. “Hey!!! Is anyone there?!!!”

Still no response.

The little black cat grew increasingly agitated. A sudden surge of reckless courage seized him. He yelled maliciously, “Mu Ao is a big idiot!”

The stone door slowly opened. The man’s dark, glowering face emerged from behind the door. Seeing the little black cat sitting frozen in apparent shock before him, the man’s lips curved into a deceptively amiable smile. “Oh? What was that you just said?”

“…I, I said… Mu Ao is a great, good person…” The little black cat chickened out instantly and answered meekly.

Mu Ao let out a cold huff but didn’t pursue the matter. He simply scooped up the little black cat by the scruff of his neck and placed him on the bed. First time strange, second time familiar. The little black cat was calm this time, even adjusting his landing posture on the bed.

“So, you’re dreaming again?” Mu Ao glanced at the little black cat. “That time I sensed an odd presence before… was that you too?”

The little black cat recalled the very first time he’d dreamed of the ice coffin. He had barely taken a single step forward before Mu Ao had frightened him awake in an instant. He flicked his tail somewhat aggrievedly. “Yes…”

Mu Ao coughed lightly. Back then, he’d thought it was an enemy and had instinctively released his pressure. He must have scared the little cub. But even while thinking this, his mouth spoke with utter disgust. “You’re far too timid.”

The little black cat’s tail stopped moving. He stared at Mu Ao, his gaze full of silent accusation. “…”

Just take this dad back, whoever wants him! He doesn’t want him anymore!!!

“So then, how long can you stay this time?” Mu Ao rubbed his nose guiltily, trying to change the subject.

Remembering what he needed to ask, the little black cat quickly blurted out, “Where is this place?”

Mu Ao raised an eyebrow, looking at the cat strangely. “Why are you asking that?”

“I…” The little black cat hesitated, but decided to speak his mind. “I want to come see you all.”

Mu Ao froze. He looked at the little black cat, his gaze holding a complex mix of emotions. After a long pause, he refused. “This place is in the Demon Realm. It’s very far from you.”

“I’m going to the Demon Realm in a few days anyway,” the little black cat said, lifting his head to look at Mu Ao. In his eyes was a plea he didn’t even realize was there. “I just want to see you both.”

Even if it was just a lonely grave covered in green moss.

Watched by the little black cat’s unblinking gaze, Mu Ao found himself unable to refuse any longer. But in the end, he could only shake his head, explaining, “You can only enter this place, not leave. If you come in… you’ll never be able to leave again.”

“Be good, Little Cub. Don’t come looking for Daddy anymore.”

The little black cat gradually faded away on the stone bed. Perhaps it was just Mu Ao’s imagination, but he seemed to see a trace of moisture glistening in those cat eyes, right before they vanished completely.

Mu Ao remained silent for a long time. Then he turned, pushed open the stone door, and went back to stand before the ice coffin. He leaned down and gently wiped the frost from the coffin’s surface, looking at the quiet, sleeping figure inside. His voice carried a note of deliberate lightness. “Xiao Yue, I think I just made our cub cry.”

Silence.

After a long, long time, Mu Ao sighed softly. “If you were here… you’d probably beat me up good for that.”

“Xiao Yue… Our cub has already grown up. It’s time for you to wake up, too.”