RIIDMDR chapter 69

 

Nan Xu grimaced behind Tingchuan as the young man leaped up from the recliner and rushed toward them in two quick steps.

A few strands of white threaded through his black hair, flashing in and out as he hopped along, giving him a lively look.

Zhi Xing finally relaxed when he saw him get up from the chair. That chair was Ting Chuan’s exclusive seat, and nobody except the inn’s owner was allowed to touch it. He didn’t know how this kid had found it.

“Uncle, what are you doing here on this mountain?” The young man’s peach-blossom eyes widened in disbelief. He couldn’t imagine running into Ting Chuan in this remote wilderness.

Ting Chuan sized him up from head to toe, then glanced at Zhi Xing, who looked relieved, and Zhuang Wu, who was sprawled on the ground, exhausted. He knew right away that You’an had done something bad again.

“I work at this inn. This is the owner.” Ting Chuan stepped aside, revealing Nan Xu, who had been baring his teeth, behind him. He said calmly.

Nan Xu immediately composed his exaggerated expression, straightened his back, and gave You’an a slight nod—adopting a perfectly serious demeanor with a speed of expression change that rivaled Ting Chuan’s.

But You’an didn’t pay attention to his intentions. His wide eyes nearly popped out when he heard Ting Chuan say, “Working?!”

Ting Chuan nodded sincerely. “Yes, working for money.”

You’an: …

He took two steps back and shook his head, feeling as if he had gone mad. He could never have dreamed that this could happen: his golden, precious, usually too-lazy-to-speak uncle actually working for money?

Could it be that they on Donghai Mountain were already desperately poor?

Impossible. Even if the world collapsed again, his uncle would be the last to give up. Asking one more question would already count as a loss.

“This mountain’s maze is formidable indeed, yet how could it transform into my uncle’s form…?” You’an muttered, patting his waist a few times as if about to take out his magical tool.

Nan Xu tilted his head toward Ting Chuan and quietly said, “Your nephew doesn’t seem to recognize you.”

Ting Chuan’s expression darkened, and he looked at You’an more intensely.

When You’an met his gaze, he shivered. Without Ting Chuan saying a word, he knew this familiar gaze and intimidating posture meant the person before him was definitely not an illusion of his uncle.

You’an’s face immediately broke into a smile, and he released the whip at his waist behind his back. His sense of arrogance vanished completely, instantly transforming him into an obedient little rabbit. “Long time no see, Uncle. You are still in good health.”

Nan Xu clicked his tongue twice, surprised by this kid’s two-facedness. According to Yaolin’s information system, though, You’an was at least three thousand years old this year—not some child.

Nan Xu couldn’t help but examine You’an again. Indeed, he looked like a demon who was just over a thousand years old. Could the blood of the Nine-Tailed Fox clan be fresher than other demons’?

Moreover, You’an was extraordinarily handsome, with a presence that lit up the room. His confidence and carefree attitude, paired with his youthful looks, added to his charm.

The more Nan Xu looked, the more envious he became. How could Heaven favor the Nine-Tailed Fox clan so much?

He admired silently, his gaze never leaving, unaware that Ting Chuan beside him looked a bit off.

Ting Chuan was known to almost all of the demon realm due to the war three thousand years ago because he had suffered severe injuries. You’an, who usually stayed on East Sea Mountain, often cared for his uncle’s health. You’an’s feelings for this sole relative, who raised him, exceeded those for his biological parents. Therefore, he was very attentive to Ting Chuan’s suffering from illness. However, this meeting revealed that his uncle’s mental state was very different from before, which greatly surprised You’an.

Upon hearing this, Ting Chuan almost instinctively glanced at Nan Xu. You’an’s words had seemed normal previously, but in front of Nan Xu, Ting Chuan suddenly felt his age was a disadvantage.

He wondered if Nan Xu cared about this. His peripheral vision was always watching, but he only saw Nan Xu staring at his nephew, his eyes not blinking.

The Nine-Tailed Fox clan always produced excellent genes. You’an traveled outside and often attracted young demons from other clans who wanted him. Ting Chuan never cared. Given You’an’s personality, it was difficult for any young demon to cling to him. If he ever truly belonged to someone, it would be fate, beyond Ting Chuan’s control.

But why did no one tell him that Nan Xu liked You’an this way?

He was also a Nine-Tailed Fox and was once famous for his looks. Even the arrogant Golden Crow Yunyi couldn’t deny it. Surely he wasn’t worse than his nephew. Could he have lost because of his age?

Ting Chuan was frustrated. His attitude toward You’an wasn’t great either. He casually replied, took the backpack from Nan Xu’s shoulder, and went inside to put away the luggage.

You’an watched his uncle’s back and scratched his head, unsure where he had gone wrong. His gaze fell on Zhuang Wu, who was sitting aside wiping sweat. This made him shiver again. Then he looked at Zhi Xing, who was like a little hedgehog, wanting to shrink his head and avoid communication.

The courtyard was quiet. Nan Xu didn’t fully understand the situation, but based on his long acquaintance with Ting Chuan, the uncle-nephew relationship between You’an and Ting Chuan seemed harmonious.

Nan Xu cleared his throat to draw You’an’s attention, saying, “Your uncle is probably tired from entering the formation. Since we met here by such a coincidence, you can rest at the inn for a few days.”

You’an nodded politely to Nan Xu. “Yes, then I will take care of the inn.”

Seeing his uncle willing to work for someone else, the inn owner must be quite remarkable. After finishing his business with Nan Xu, You’an went inside to find Ting Chuan. After several years apart, he had much to share with his uncle.

After he left, the courtyard full of familiar faces allowed Zhi Xing to relax slightly. The wooden stick in his hand was already smooth. Entertaining inn guests these past two days had indeed been hard.

Facing Nan Xu, Zhuang Wu was already tearful. Fearing You’an, he lowered his voice and said, “Owner, it’s not easy for a demon like Zhi Xing to serve guests. He’s softhearted. I came to help hold the fort, but unexpectedly, it’s this little troublemaker.”

Nan Xu looked at Zhi Xing, who nodded. Nan Xu was somewhat surprised that Zhuang Wu had actually helped Zhi Xing. It seemed that his prejudice against the wild boar demon brothers was too great. He had worried they would bully Zhi Xing upon their return.

“Senior Tingchuan once lectured me, but that’s all. My brother and I were at fault and deserved it. But I really didn’t do anything wrong this time. I heard that the owner and Senior Tingchuan were out…”

Zhuang Wu spoke with a throb. Nan Xu listened carefully. Zhuang Wu had heard the commotion in the courtyard. With a hoe in hand, he came with a menacing look to defend Zhi Xing, lest his fearful nature be bullied.

His intentions were good but also selfish. He had been suffocating in the mountains for so long and didn’t dare mess with Zhi Xing. He took advantage of Nan Xu and Tingchuan’s absence to bully the little demons from outside the mountain.

Unexpectedly, as he entered the courtyard and had barely uttered a harsh word, You’an’s whip struck him. Though his skin was thick and rough, he felt the pain. He tried to fight back but was powerless, especially after seeing those rosy eyes. Zhuang Wu’s legs trembled uncontrollably.

Before today, Zhuang Wu had never believed in bloodline suppression.

His words became increasingly aggrieved, and he finally hugged his knees and burst into tears. “I couldn’t beat him. Zhixing said the recliner couldn’t be sat on, so he insisted that I make one for him. But I don’t know how. He wouldn’t let me go home to eat until I made it. He said that no demon could eat that much and that they wouldn’t die even if they went hungry for a year or two. But I never missed a meal in the mountains! When I protested, he threatened me with a whip. “Innkeeper, I haven’t eaten in three days…”

Nan Xu wiped the sweat from his forehead. It did sound a little pitiful, but wickedness always pays off. Zhuang Wu probably wouldn’t be so mean again.

After sending the aggrieved Zhuang Wu away, Nan Xu saw Zhixing clutching the stick, head bowed in thought. Nan Xu walked over and touched the child’s head.

Zhi Xing looked up at Nan Xu and smiled sheepishly. “I’m so incompetent.”

Had he been able to deal with You An, the wild boar demon wouldn’t have been left scratching his head and doing carpentry work for three days.

Nan Xu couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t listen to Zhuang Wu’s complaints. He’s not a good wild boar. I only asked you to look after the shop and serve the guests. The guests are still here, and another demon hasn’t taken the shop. You’re doing a good job.”

Zhi Xing’s guilty thoughts faded away as he listened to the soothing words.

You’an ran out and brought a recliner into the room. Nanxu tilted his head to see Tingchuan sitting on it. You’an sat casually on the floor beside Tingchuan, looking up and laughing as he spoke, his hands waving and dancing. The few strands of white in his hair were quite eye-catching.

Zhi Xing sighed again, thinking, “The Nine-Tailed Fox Clan is truly beautiful.”

Zhi Xing was about to agree when he felt a sharp gaze on him. His heart skipped a beat as he followed the gaze and saw Senior Tingchuan with a stern expression.

Zhi Xing’s brain reacted quickly. He said hurriedly, “Indeed. If I had Senior Tingchuan’s looks, all the tribes would be vying to bring me medicine. My parents wouldn’t have to seek it out.”

He changed the subject, and Nanxu stopped brooding about other people’s looks. Instead, he asked about Zhi Xing’s health in the mountains. He had been there for quite some time, and judging by his complexion, he was improving. However, demons’ health is also affected by spiritual power, something Nanxu, a human, wasn’t fully familiar with.

“I’m much better now. The mountains are full of spiritual energy. I won’t be fully recovered in a short time, but I’m much better than when I was seeking medical advice. I sent a letter to my parents via bird carrier two days ago to reassure them,” said Zhixing.

Nan Xu felt much more relieved. Zhi Xing then asked about the situation within the formation. Nan Xu gave a brief description, hearing Zhi Xing occasionally sigh and exclaim. “It’s truly dangerous! If I’d gone in, I probably wouldn’t have gotten out.”

Nan Xu nodded. “I’m truly grateful for Tingchuan’s presence this time. I didn’t expect the conditions in such a small formation to be so dire.”

At that moment, Nan Xu remembered something important. “Have the mermaid sisters returned?”

Zhi Xing shook his head. “I haven’t seen them.”

Nan Xu understood. The two sisters had probably reentered the formation. He wondered if their first experience would make things easier this time. However, since he had already taken out his magical instruments, Luo Yi and the others were doomed to fail.

“I’ll get the owner some water to wash his face,” Zhi Xing said, noticing how preoccupied he was.

Nan Xu looked at him from behind, confused. He touched his face and felt something rough. He froze for a moment, then ran to the basin. Suddenly, his vision went dark.

His face was cracked and dry from the cold, yet he still carried himself with the airs of an inn owner. No wonder it always felt burning with pain.