RIIDMDR chapter 77

 

This thought came to Nan Xu out of nowhere. Nan Xu didn’t know why he was thinking of Tingchuan at that moment. Even if he was going to have wild thoughts in his overexcited state, he shouldn’t have thought of a man—a male demon!

Not only was the gender wrong, but the race was too.

As Nan Xu accepted the wet towel from Zhixing, he turned his thoughts to the beautiful young human girl. However, perhaps because he had been away from the human world for too long, he couldn’t recall how alluring the women he had seen in the past had been. So he changed his mind and thought about the female demons he had recently seen, such as Luo Yi.

The more he tried to replace the image in his mind, the more Tingchuan’s presence resurfaced. It was like the worst computer virus, relentlessly replaying Tingchuan’s image in his memories.

Nan Xu gave up.

The nosebleed stopped, and Zhixing left with the basin. Nan Xu lay on the recliner, lost in thought. He seemed to realize his own anomaly and the stirrings that had long lurked deep within him.

His preferences must have been different from those of others. At least, he had no interest in women or female demons. Whenever he thought of love, Tingchuan’s image popped up uncontrollably in his mind.

In his twenty-plus years in the human world, making money had consumed so much of his time and energy that he hadn’t experienced the typical admiration of human children. How could he possibly understand the romance his colleagues talked about? No one had ever taught him.

However, he had watched some bizarre romantic dramas and was once bewildered by the intense, life-or-death relationships between the male and female protagonists. So when he first developed unusual feelings for Tingchuan, he dismissed them as reliance on someone who had been around for a long time. It was similar to when he was a child living in a concrete cylinder and loved Da Huang, who often came to play with him.

But after Tingchuan left Zhuyu Mountain, even though he was busy, he couldn’t stop thinking about him. In the middle of the night, he’d unconsciously touch the spot next to him. Occasionally, when he needed help with a minor problem, he’d casually call out Tingchuan’s name. When he saw Zhixing approaching, he felt an inexplicable sense of loss.

Even though he knew Tingchuan wasn’t gone forever, he couldn’t stop feeling like something was missing. He calculated how long had passed since Tingchuan left and counted down the days until his return.

If Nan Xu still couldn’t figure out what was going on by now, then the rock that fell from the sky must’ve knocked the sense out of him.

When Zhixing returned after finishing his business, he found Nan Xu looking particularly calm. Zhixing casually asked, “What are you thinking about, owner?”

Nan Xu closed his eyes and enjoyed the breeze from behind the house. He mumbled, “I want to have a relationship.”

Zhixing: ?

Zhixing, who had just been about to take a nap, immediately sat up straight. He wasn’t sleepy anymore after hearing that. “A relationship? The owner and Senior Tingchuan are so in love. Why would you want one? The owner must be missing Senior Tingchuan!”

Nanxu opened his eyes, a look of confusion on his face. “Are Tingchuan and I in love?”

Zhixing nodded without hesitation. “Senior Tingchuan is such a powerful demon, yet he cares for you and only listens to your orders. Your affection is practically witnessed by heaven and earth!”

Nanxu hadn’t even started a relationship yet, but others were already treating him like an old married couple. When did this misunderstanding begin?

And… did Ting Chuan know about it?

–

Nan Xu, along with Zhuang Si and Zhuang Wu, made about three hundred tiles. The extra one hundred were used for trial and error. Since it was the first time tiles were fired in a newly dug earthen kiln, the failure rate was unknown. Nan Xu could only hope his memory was accurate.

He meticulously placed the dried tiles into the kiln, controlling the gaps between them. As he watched the firewood ignite, Zhuang Wu breathed a sigh of relief and slumped his shoulders. He thought his days of intense work were over. But then, Nan Xu’s gaze swept over the two brothers, lingering a moment longer on Zhuang Wu’s more sturdy build. He said, “Zhuang Si, you’re here. Watch the fire for a week straight. You and Zhuang Wu will take turns watching it tonight. Zhuang Wu, come with me and carry the stones.”

Zhuang Wu was stunned for a few seconds, his eyes falling on the small clay kiln used to burn tiles. He exclaimed in surprise, “Carry stones? You can burn stones?”

Nan Xu had never held high hopes for Zhuang Wu’s intelligence. He simply said, “Come on, hurry up!” and headed toward the inn courtyard.

Zhuang Wu received no answer, so he looked back at his eldest brother and repeated his question. Zhuang Si paused for a moment, then firmly kicked Zhuang Wu in the buttocks and said, “He told you to go, so go. Why so many questions?”

Zhuang Wu staggered from the kick and hurried to catch up with Nan Xu, who had retreated.

From late August to mid-September, Nanxu either dug a kiln and fired tiles or carried rocks and planed wood. Zhixing watched the owner work day and night, unsure of his intentions. During this time, Xu Ji, a member of the Dog Tribe, made his way up the mountain. He came alone, without Xu Le. He had followed Tingchuan’s instructions before leaving the mountain, and he had come to bring Nanxu river fish and game he had hunted in the mountains.

Nanxu wasn’t short on game. First, there hadn’t been many visitors to the mountains recently, so he didn’t have to entertain them. Second, he had been so busy lately that he rarely had time to play with Guan’er. With nothing better to do, Guan’er often went hunting in the mountains. Nan Xu was initially concerned, but then he realized that if he shouted in the yard a few times, Guan’er would rush back home, exhausted. So, he let Guan’er run around.

Nan Xu was deeply touched that Xu Ji had made this trip on such a hot day. He warmly invited him inside.

He also asked Zhixing to ask Zhuangwu to pick some watermelons and seasonal vegetables for Xu Ji to take with him when he left. Nan Xu and the Canine Tribe lived on opposite sides of Zhuyu Mountain. It didn’t sound very far apart, but the main peak was high and steep. When Tingchuan was around, Nan Xu could occasionally ask him to bring pickles, vegetables, and fruit to the Canine Tribe. After Tingchuan left, however, the watermelons in the fields couldn’t be eaten in a month, and Nan Xu had no spare hands to send any down.

Xu Ji was honest and naive. He immediately refused Nan Xu’s offer. Thanks to Nan Xu’s kindness, his canine tribe had been able to settle in Zhuyu Mountain, and he regularly received favors from Nan Xu. He felt bad about it. Earlier, Senior Tingchuan had ordered him to guard the entrance to the main peak and to bring some game up the mountain in a few days, though he didn’t understand why. The next day, after Senior Tingchuan left Zhuyu Mountain, Xu Ji realized that Tingchuan was worried about the innkeeper, Nan Xu. He had been delayed by other matters and had only now found the time to send the game up the mountain. He felt deeply guilty.

Nan Xu had perfected the art of politeness, leaving Xu Ji speechless and forced to accept it.

Nan Xu asked, “Why didn’t Xu Le come with you today? It’s too hot?”

Xu Le wasn’t a spoiled brat, otherwise, Nan Xu wouldn’t have asked.

Then, Xu Ji remembered that he hadn’t told the innkeeper about his family’s situation. A bright smile crossed his weathered face, and his eyes sparkled. “My wife is pregnant again, so she’s staying home with Xu Le. That’s why she couldn’t come up the mountain with us today.”

Nan Xu’s eyes widened in disbelief. He asked, “Pregnant? Pregnant?”

After saying that, Nan Xu realized that his question had been rather unpleasant. He was about to offer an explanation, but Xu Ji didn’t seem to care. He had been trying to hold back. He was overjoyed. Upon hearing Nan Xu’s surprised tone, Xu Ji nodded affirmatively and said, “Yes, my wife is pregnant.”

Nan Xu’s mouth dropped open. After a long pause, he murmured, “That’s great news!”

The demon world’s spiritual power is dwindling, and demon fertility has become a major issue. In the past two hundred years, almost no demon cubs have been born. If demons weren’t long-lived, it’s unclear if the demon world would have survived to this day. Therefore, Xu Ji’s news is truly great.

Xu Ji, the leader of the Canine Tribe and a simple man, was overjoyed upon hearing the news. However, because he was composed, he could only find a quiet spot to clench his fists and cheer. Seeing Nan Xu’s exaggerated expression, he couldn’t help but speak a little more. “I didn’t notice it at first either. After all, as you know, the demon world is in turmoil. My wife has become inexplicably sleepy, and her tastes have changed. I was worried about her health, so I asked a woman in our tribe who knows a little about medicine to take a look. Only then did I learn the good news.”

With great joy, he continued, “Zhu Yu Mountain is truly a place of excellent feng shui. Good place! Our canine tribe hasn’t had a little demon born in over three hundred years. I used my spiritual power to test him, and he’s healthy and strong. He’ll definitely be a naughty kid.”

Nan Xu couldn’t help but ask, “How long has she been pregnant?”

Xu Ji paused, rubbed his head, and said a little embarrassed, “Not even three months yet. Um…it’s been over a month.”

Nan Xu remembered Zhixing saying that demons give birth within a year of conception. So, the naughty child Xu Ji was talking about was about the size of a bean. How did he know it was healthy? Did the demons have a unique way of judging the fetus?

Nan Xu’s puzzled expression was so obvious that Xu Ji felt embarrassed, his face tinged with shyness for no apparent reason. “I’m just saying. We’ll find out in a few months.”

Nan Xu laughed heartily. “Brother Xu, you’re in such good health, and Xu Le is such a spirited boy. Your wife’s child is bound to be just as strong and lively. For her to conceive in the current state of the demon realm, the child must have an extraordinary fate.”

Xu Ji nodded eagerly, pleased with what he heard. When it was time to leave, he took over all of Nan Xu’s work on the tables, chairs, and cabinets. He carried a load of fruits and vegetables down the mountain. Nan Xu urged him to spend more time with his wife, mentioning that he was also skilled in carpentry. However, Xu Ji replied, “I spend most of my time at home with my wife, so I’m free anyway.”

Nan Xu: …

He truly can’t stay idle. As expected of the canine tribe big brother.

Four or five days later, Nan Xu had gathered 300 kg of stone and was taking Zhuang Si and Zhuang Wu to collect the baked tiles. Meanwhile, Xu Ji and several other tribesmen carried the finished furniture back up the mountain.

The first time they fired the tiles, they didn’t control the temperature well, resulting in many defective pieces. Fortunately, their furnace burned more tiles, leaving them with more than 200 intact tiles.

As soon as the canine demons entered the yard, Nan Xu heard the alarm chime.

[You have gathered the materials. Would you like to upgrade the Inn?]

Nan Xu closed the system interface and warmly welcomed the canine brothers who had come to deliver the furniture.

Today was destined to be another late night. After washing up, Nan Xu sat on the bed and tilted his head to listen for any noise outside. Thankfully, Zhixing wasn’t like Ting Chuan, who liked to sit in the courtyard at night. Soon, Nan Xu heard Zhixing close his door.

Fearing that Zhixing might leave the room again, Nan Xu waited patiently for another hour. When the chirping outside died down and all was quiet, he turned on the system and clicked the button to confirm the upgrade.

The moment his finger touched the button, his heart began to pound wildly. He didn’t know how he would handle tomorrow morning yet, but the thrill was intoxicating right now.

That feeling—so very familiar.

 

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Author’s Note:

Nan Xu: Familiar formula, familiar heartbeat.

Tingchuan will be back soon~