RIIDMDR chapter 80

 

To prove his innocence, You’an pointed in Xu Le’s direction, blocking Zhixing’s path and preventing him from leaving.

Zhixing was caught off guard. You’an inherited the tall genes of the nine-tailed fox clan and was in good health; therefore, he looked much more muscular than his uncle. At such a close distance, his chest appeared particularly broad and imposing. Zhixing subconsciously took two steps back and looked in the direction You’an was pointing.

Xu Le looked up at Zhixing, confused.

Last night, Brother You’an and Senior Tingchuan entered Zhuyu Mountain together. Senior Tingchuan was eager to ascend the mountain and refused to linger. Brother You’an, however, lamented his lack of energy and stayed overnight in a canine tribe hut. He rose at dawn and continued his ascent. Upon hearing this, Xu Le remembered not being able to accompany his father the last time. He missed Nanxu and the new things Nanxu had come up with even more. He pestered his father about going up the mountain to play.

Xu Ji was too busy caring for his wife, who was suffering from morning sickness, to pay attention to his son. He was also worried that the mountain formations might trap his son, so he asked You’an to take Xu Le with him.

You’an’s journey wasn’t as quiet as Xu Ji had imagined. You’an darted around the mountain, picking wild fruits and playing with rabbits, never idling for a moment.

Xu Le’s tiny arms and legs initially allowed him to keep up with You’an’s pace. Later, as the mountain path became more complex, he fell behind. He wished he could transform into his original form to catch up. Unfortunately, his original form was only the size of a tiny puppy. Fortunately, You’an hadn’t forgotten him. After walking for a while and realizing that Xu Le hadn’t caught up, You’an returned and lifted him onto his shoulders.

On the way, Xu Le cradled You’an’s head and recounted the variety of delicacies he had tried at Nanxu’s. The more he talked, the harder it was for him to hide his true feelings. Who knew that You’an would use his words as an excuse?

Speechless and nearly in tears, Xu Le, a child, was at a loss for words. Blushing, he explained, “I don’t want anything to eat…”

Nan Xu heard the commotion in the courtyard and saw Xu Le standing alone by the well. Curious, Nan Xu asked, “Xu Le, how did you get up the mountain? I have some mooncakes here. Would you like one?”

Xu Le smiled brightly at that. “Eat!”

Nan Xu beckoned Xu Le into the kitchen. As he bounded in, Nan Xu noticed someone following him. It was You’an.

Tingchuan’s return had been arranged, but Nan Xu hadn’t expected You’an, who loved to travel, to come along.

Nan Xu turned to look at Tingchuan. Although Tingchuan had spoken to Nan Xu a lot that morning, he had forgotten all about his nephew and hadn’t thought to mention him. Seeing Nan Xu’s confusion, Tingchuan said, “He’s planning a trip north and came here with me. He said he wanted to ask Zhixing for some medicine to ward off the cold.”

Nan Xu uttered an “Oh,” wondering why You’an would think to prepare medicine when demons have spiritual powers and catching a cold is unlikely. However, he didn’t ask any more questions. He turned around, cut a few more mooncakes, added them to the ceramic plate, and handed it to Xu Le.

Xu Le’s eyes lit up as he held the plate. Although Zhuang Wu had sent him quite a few mooncakes two days earlier, his tribe was large, so he had only received two. He had heard that there were all sorts of flavors, but it was unfortunate that he couldn’t try them all. Seeing that Brother Nan Xu had cut each mooncake into pieces, revealing a variety of enticing fillings, he thought that his clansmen lacked sense.

He thanked him happily and ran out of the crowded kitchen with the mooncakes in hand.

You’an wasn’t in a hurry to eat them. His gaze fell on Nanxu’s face with a hint of surprise. The image of Nanxu from a month ago was still fresh in his mind. He knew the scars were from battles, but he hadn’t imagined that Nanxu’s face beneath them would look like this—and quite pretty.

You’an’s gaze lingered for a few seconds longer. Tingchuan immediately glanced over at him, his gaze holding a warning. You’an was astonished and amazed. His uncle, such a stubborn man, could be so possessive, even when the flowers were in bloom. This was a stark contrast to his usual lazy, indifferent nature.

Oh, by the way, his uncle was no longer the unhelpful demon he once was. The owner was truly adept at training demons!

You’an’s gaze toward Nanxu was tinged with admiration. Unable to resist his uncle’s gaze, he tactfully said, “Uncle, you traveled through wind and rain, refusing to rest at the foot of the mountain, even after dark. Are you just here to try the mooncakes the owner made? I’d better hurry and see how delicious they are.”

There was a hidden meaning in his words, but Nanxu didn’t catch it. He asked Tingchuan, “I almost forgot. You haven’t tried any either, have you? What flavor would you like?”

Tingchuan had just finished breakfast and wasn’t interested in mooncakes. He shook his head. Nan Xu regretfully withdrew his hand from picking out mooncakes for Tingchuan and said, “Mooncakes represent reunion for us humans during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and today is past Mid-Autumn Festival.”

Tingchuan’s brows furrowed slightly at this. Reunion?

“I’ll try the one with red bean paste,” he said.

–

Nan Xu saw two figures—one large and one small—eating mooncakes at a table under a loquat tree. You’an was clearly much older than Zhixing, yet he showed no signs of maturity. He acted like a child, even arguing with Xu Le and the others about which mooncake filling was more delicious. Nan Xu asked Zhixing to brew some tea with bamboo leaves to help them feel better after eating too many mooncakes, so they wouldn’t feel sick.

After Tingchuan returned from finishing his work early in the morning, Nan Xu was left with nothing to do all day. However, he couldn’t sit still, so he went to the back mountain, found two trees, and sat on a swing with Tingchuan.

Ever since receiving the IOU, Zhixing had thought the owner’s suggestion was a good one. While he recuperated in the mountains, there wouldn’t be much work anyway, so it would be wise to save money.

He was researching a new medicine formula inside the house. Nan Xu heard that Zhixing was inspired by his experience with fish scale care and was planning to research a hair care medicine. After all, the main market in the demon world was for demons of animal origin, most of whom cared about their fur. Nan Xu was pleased with Zhixing’s change in mindset. He was so young—how could he just rely on others? Of course, he should earn his own living!

Ting Chuan was unaware of Nan Xu’s influence on Zhixing. Furthermore, Zhixing had always been quite reserved, so Ting Chuan assumed he was shy and hiding away in the house. Besides, he could see that his nephew enjoyed provoking Zhixing.

You An moved the small chess table out of the house and played Go with Xu Le in the courtyard. Just as his uncle had expected, You An wasn’t one to sit still. His eyes kept glancing toward the house, and the thought of Zhixing hiding inside made his heart itch as if brushed by a feather.

Nan Xu and Ting Chuan collaborated on the carpentry project. Nan Xu sawed the wood while Ting Chuan supported him. He was strong, and the wood lay obediently beneath Nan Xu’s saw.

“The house has changed quite a bit this time. Isn’t Zhixing curious?” As they stood close together, Ting Chuan asked with a low chuckle.

Nan Xu paused and glanced up at Ting Chuan. His eyes held no curiosity, only a smile. This was teasing.

Unwilling to let Ting Chuan get away with it, Nan Xu feigned indifference, saying, “If you’re not curious, how could he be?”

This made it sound as if Zhixing were more understanding than Ting Chuan, which made him uncomfortable. He carefully studied Nan Xu’s expression, trying to discern the truth in his words.

Nan Xu leaned forward slightly. His hair, which was previously short, had grown another half inch, with scattered strands draping across his head. As he bent, the strands fell, appearing soft and gentle, much like his temperament. Perhaps it was just an illusion from not seeing him for over a month, but Ting Chuan thought Nan Xu seemed even more handsome now—more spirited than before, even compared to when his face was uninjured.

This change was subtle and perhaps difficult to notice if they had lived together for a long time. However, when Ting Chuan left Zhuyu Mountain, he feared that he would return to find it empty again. Nan Xu’s sudden appearance left Ting Chuan with the feeling that he could vanish at any moment. Therefore, Ting Chuan had memorized Nan Xu’s features vividly, thinking of them periodically over the past month. Only when he saw him again did he clearly sense the difference.

Nanxu’s appearance was quite different from Xiaoyao’s, it was as if they had switched bodies but retained their souls. Even if their living environments change, they still share similarities.

Tingchuan stared for a long moment, his mind racing. It took him a moment to remember what he was looking for. He cleared his mind and said with a smile, “Is he really as willing to give you a hard time as I am? Then I’ll ask.”

He called Zhixing’s name. Nanxu’s eyes widened, and he tugged at Tingchuan’s sleeve. “You…”

Because Youan and Xule had both glanced over, Nanxu was so upset that he couldn’t speak.

Tingchuan smiled at this. Hearing the voice, Zhixing came out of the room and asked, confused, “Senior Tingchuan, did you call me?”

Nanxu tugged at Tingchuan’s sleeve again. If Tingchuan asked Zhixing if he was curious, Nanxu would be embarrassed in front of Tingchuan. He would also have to trick Zhixing again, which was a real headache.

Tingchuan glanced at Nanxu, his eyes revealing something ambiguous. Noticing Nanxu’s nervous expression, he turned to Zhixing and said, “There’s a little demon deer from the eastern deer tribe whose antlers fell out over ten years ago and haven’t grown back. The elders asked me to ask if you have any advice on how to treat it.”

Nanxu breathed a sigh of relief. He knew Tingchuan was levelheaded, but he was also afraid Tingchuan would get jealous and try to compete with Zhixing. After all, You’an, the child he’d raised, was just that unreliable and childish.

After hearing this, Zhixing pondered for a moment and said, “It shouldn’t be a big deal. I’ll write a letter and ask the little demon to come to the mountains. I’ll take a look at him.”

Tingchuan wasn’t interested in whether Zhixing would see the little deer demon. He simply nodded. He had been asked to do so when he passed by the deer tribe, and he could have mentioned it at another time. Right now, he just wanted to tease Nanxu. Seeing him tense up would make Tingchuan feel better. Otherwise, if Nanxu kept talking about how good others were, Tingchuan’s kindness would be forgotten over time.

After Zhixing reentered the house, Nanxu lowered his voice and said a few more things to Tingchuan. His tone was filled with complaints about Tingchuan’s bad taste. Fearing that he had really irritated him, Tingchuan smiled and changed the subject: “The house is already remodeled. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

Thinking about the original courtyard renovations, he hauled all the stones back.

Feeling proud of having completed such a massive project by himself, along with Zhuang Si and Zhuang Wu, Nanxu said, “I’ve done it all. There’s nothing you need to help with.”

Just as he finished speaking, a system notification chimed in his head:

[Main Mission 3-1 Rewards Have Been Issued. Reward List: Zhuyu Mountain Map (Resource Version), 2 Blind Boxes]

[Main Mission 3-2: Accommodate Guests of Ten Races.]

Nan Xu stared at the next mission requirement announced by the system, stunned for a few seconds. Ten types of demon races? He hadn’t considered how many demons he had seen so far. With how slow business was at this inn, he wasn’t sure if he could complete the mission before spring began.

Nan Xu looked up at Tingchuan. “I take it back. You have work to do.”

Tingchuan: “What is it?”

Nan Xu: “Go capture ten demon clans and bring the little one back to stay at the inn.”

Tingchuan: “?”

 

---

Author’s note:

Nan Xu: Instead of waiting for guests to come, why not take the initiative?