Chapter Six: Nian'er’s Investigation

Yan Nianqing? Judging by his surname, Yan Yunqing’s expression remained calm and steady, yet his heart carried a trace of unease. The events of the previous night were still unresolved, and he still harbored doubts about the truth behind the Ghost Lord’s recent declarations.

Kito gathered his own shock. In his view, the Ghost Lord had no reason to lie about this matter. He had never denied those rumors, but what puzzled Kito was why the Ghost Lord hadn’t clarified things earlier—why wait until now? Stroking his chin, Kito glanced at Yan Yunqing, who stood there frozen. The answer likely lay with Yunqing himself. The Ghost Lord had just arrived, and Yunqing had openly admitted that he cared little for him; no wonder the Ghost Lord had been reluctant to speak before.

Now that it was out in the open, it was a good thing—the underworld had an heir. Yet, that boy just now didn’t seem inclined to acknowledge Yunqing at all! Tsk, this promised to be entertaining. Kito was never one to object to a little drama. “What do you intend to do?”

“Since he is an heir of the underworld, naturally he must be acknowledged,” Yan Yunqing replied calmly, analyzing the situation.

Kito pressed on, “What about the Ghost Lord? What’s your plan for him?”

“I’ve said before, he must have met the Ghost Lord during his tribulation. Now that he’s come to find us, and he’s brought a child…” Yunqing paused briefly, suppressing an indescribable joy within. His voice lowered, “If he’s willing, we give him the title. If he says nothing, then we let it go.”

Hearing this, Kito felt a twinge of sympathy for the Ghost Lord. Though unaware of the Lord’s full background, he knew that the Ghost Lord was a revered sovereign, worshiped by countless people. He had humbled himself to serve as a warden in the underworld, treating everyone politely, resolving many thorny cases. The damages in hell were even compensated by him personally, and he had taken the trouble to provide Yunqing with new clothes. Not to mention, the Ghost Lord was immune to the effects of Yunqing’s constitution. Though his temperament was fickle, with Yunqing, he saw genuine sincerity.

“Yunqing, won’t you reconsider? I can tell the Ghost Lord truly cares for you,” Kito urged.

But Yan Yunqing shook his head, saying, “Don’t forget, to him, the underworld is but an ant colony. How could he care about the lives of ants? The consort of the underworld’s lord—my wife—anyone could be that, except him. Besides, he is a man.” He was a sovereign, and also a man. He didn’t care what others thought, but as the lord of the underworld, he could not treat the entire realm lightly.

Kito fell silent. Yunqing was telling the truth. For now, that matter would have to wait. Kito raised an eyebrow teasingly, “What about that child? He hasn’t agreed to acknowledge you yet.”

Yan Yunqing showed no trace of urgency. “Check the Book of Life and Death.” The matter of an heir was not to be taken lightly. If what the Ghost Lord said was true, the child was his, and he would acknowledge him.

Kito clicked his tongue, turned, and waved his hand. “Do as you will.” Was it possible that Yan Nianqing hadn’t noticed the meaning behind his own name—“Nian” signifying remembrance, and “Qing” borrowed from Yunqing’s own name? The name stirred Kito’s curiosity about the story between the Ghost Lord and Yan Yunqing during his tribulation.

After Kito left, Yan Yunqing sighed softly, clutching the white garment. His mind was filled with the image of the Ghost Lord’s sleepy, tousled appearance. He did not truly believe the Ghost Lord would harm the underworld, but he had to remain cautious. What he feared most now was that he might not be able to remain indifferent.

He recalled the marks all over the Ghost Lord’s body, his ears flushed crimson—was it really him?

In the Yanluo Hall’s main chamber, the Ghost Lord sat cross-legged on the bed, amusedly watching Yan Nianqing sulk with his back turned. It had been a momentary whim to tease the “ice cube,” but the nap had lasted until dawn, and he had forgotten about his precious one.

The Ghost Lord reached out and gently poked Yan Nianqing’s back. “Little Nian, are you mad?”

Yan Nianqing shrugged off the hand, snorting, “I’m not!”

The Ghost Lord raised an eyebrow, eyes twinkling with amusement. “Is that so?”

Nianqing spun around, glaring at him. Though his glare did little, the Ghost Lord reached to touch his head, but Nianqing pouted and dodged him. “Be serious! Let’s talk business!”

Immediately, the Ghost Lord sat up straighter, nodding, “Alright, Mother, you speak.”

Nianqing’s eyes glistened with tears as he threw himself into the Ghost Lord’s arms. “Mother, I don’t want, I don’t want a father!” That ice-cold face was so fierce and unkind to him and Mother. If he admitted that man as a father, it would only bring sadness to them both.

The Ghost Lord feigned contemplation, troubled. “But he is truly related to you by blood, and that can’t be changed. If others find out, they might laugh at you.” He spoke the lie without a hint of shame—who in the Five Realms dared to mock him? Only if they were utterly foolish.

No matter what, Yan Nianqing listened. His eyes flickered as he sensed the Ghost Lord’s demeanor shifting towards the icy one. He settled for a compromise. “Then I want to test him! If he can meet my demands, I’ll consider it.”

The Ghost Lord smiled wryly, “We’ll do as you wish, Nian’er.” Having Nian’er acknowledge Yan Yunqing was not a whim. If anything happened to him later, Yunqing’s character guaranteed he’d protect his child. The Ghost Lord favored the one he loved and was reassured. Besides, after observing, he found the underworld’s atmosphere far better than the Asura Hall’s. Though a few had impure intentions, most were kind.

Leaving Nian’er in the underworld was better than letting him be corrupted in the Asura Hall.

A knock came at the door, followed by Bullhead’s call, “Warden, Lord Yanluo summons you to the side chamber.”

The Ghost Lord glanced at Yan Nianqing, who reluctantly stood. Together they opened the door, and the Ghost Lord smiled, “Thank you for your trouble.”

Bullhead scratched his head awkwardly. “Don’t mention it. I never thought the person you were looking for might be Lord Yanluo himself. You really took the long way around.”

The Ghost Lord shook his head. “I’m glad you could help. Thank you.” Then, from his storage ring, he took out a booklet and handed it to Bullhead. “I sense your cultivation has plateaued at the peak of the Profound Realm. This technique might help you.”

Bullhead nervously waved his hand. “I can’t accept such a gift without merit!”

The Ghost Lord pressed the booklet into Bullhead’s arms. Bullhead was surprised he couldn’t resist. “Warden, you…”

The Ghost Lord patted his shoulder. “You’ve done well guarding the underworld. If you break through your cultivation, you’ll protect my child even better. It’s my gain. If you feel it’s a free ride, then work harder!”

Bullhead’s eyes reddened; clutching the booklet tightly, he shouted, “Yes! Thank you, Warden!” He vowed not to disappoint the Ghost Lord’s kindness.

In the side chamber, Kito repeated himself with a hint of helplessness. “I’ve carefully checked the Book of Life and Death. It matches the Ghost Lord’s words exactly. The name in the heir’s section is indeed Yan Nianqing. Yunqing, what do you intend to do?”

Yan Yunqing’s gaze was complex. He said gravely, “Then let him acknowledge his ancestry as soon as possible.”

The Ghost Lord arrived at the door and overheard this. He entered with Yan Nianqing, speaking coldly, “Wait. This depends on Nian’er. If he refuses, I will leave the underworld immediately with him.”

Yan Yunqing quietly glanced at the Ghost Lord, avoiding his heated gaze. He looked at the child who resembled him, “Fine. He decides.”

At the right moment, Yan Nianqing stepped forward. “I agree to acknowledge you, but I have demands. I want to test you! You must meet all my requirements. If you pass, I’ll consider it.”

Yan Yunqing added, “If you fail, then you must outright admit your identity. If not, you can skip the test.”

The Ghost Lord looked up at Yan Yunqing but smiled without speaking. Yan Nianqing lowered his head, pondering briefly before nodding. “Okay.”

Yunqing took on a businesslike tone. “Then say what you want, and I will do it.”

Yan Nianqing grinned, holding up one finger. “First, Daddy must sleep with Mother and me.”

Ignoring the sudden change in Yan Yunqing’s expression, Nianqing calmly extended a second finger. “Second, Daddy must treat Mother and me well, and spend every day with Mother.”

The Ghost Lord was momentarily stunned, then burst out laughing. Nianqing solemnly raised a third finger. “Finally, Daddy must learn to smile.”

Kito laughed too. This kid had promise—bound for great things.

Yan Nianqing seemed oblivious to others’ reactions, stepping forward, tilting his head, staring into Yan Yunqing’s eyes. “So? Can you do it?”

Yan Yunqing stiffened, his ears flushing pink once more. He clenched his fists, covered his mouth, coughed twice, and said, “I can.”

Nianqing’s eyes sparkled. “Now smile for me.”

All three watched Yunqing expectantly. His body tensed rigidly, his mouth attempting a curve, then twitching uncontrollably.

The hall fell mysteriously silent, then erupted into roaring laughter like a tidal wave.

Yan Yunqing’s face darkened as he wiped the smile away, a subtle twitch lingering at the corner of his lips. He silently observed the three who laughed so heartily.

Kito finally regained composure. Clearing his throat, he said, “Yunqing, I have duties. You all chat well, alright?” He hurried out, fearing he might lose control again.

Yan Yunqing felt helpless and a bit lost. The Ghost Lord couldn’t resist and pinched the corner of his mouth, gently massaging the twitching spot. The spasms gradually ceased. Yunqing recalled Nianqing’s demands, hadn’t dodged them, but his eyes darted around, unsure where to look.

The Ghost Lord narrowed his eyes, leaning close to bite Yunqing’s lower lip, one hand steadying his head against himself.

Yan Nianqing opened his mouth, quickly covering his eyes with both hands, yet sneaking peeks. “Eh… Mother’s blushing…”

Instinctively, Yan Yunqing wrapped his arm around the Ghost Lord’s waist, steadying them both. His mouth fell open in surprise and immediately fell into the Ghost Lord’s playful trap. The Ghost Lord’s tongue teased Yunqing’s slightly awkward lips, inviting him to play. Yunqing, gifted indeed, soon took the lead, losing control. The Ghost Lord, slightly breathless, pushed Yunqing away first. A silver thread fell on the Ghost Lord’s robe, as if bearing witness to their recent intimacy.

The Ghost Lord shot a dissatisfied glare at the flustered Yan Yunqing, then sighed resignedly. With a “smack,” he kissed the corner of Yunqing’s mouth, accusing, “You fiend!”

Yan Yunqing’s face showed a trace of panic, but his eyes shone brightly, fixed on the Ghost Lord. Then, shyly, he looked away. He wanted to do it all again.

Yan Nianqing lowered his hands and slowly approached the Ghost Lord, tugging at his sleeve, shyly asking, “Mother, why do you kiss him like that but never kiss Nian’er that way?”

The Ghost Lord glanced sideways at the stunned Yan Yunqing, taking Nianqing’s hand as they prepared to leave. Papers on the desk remained untouched; Yan Yunqing hadn’t made much progress. Walking away, the Ghost Lord said, “Nian’er, only when you like someone in the future can you kiss them like that…”

“Is it okay if the one I like doesn’t agree?”

“Doesn’t matter. If you like someone, just go for it.”

Their voices grew faint as they walked away. Yan Yunqing, feeling somewhat despondent, stared at the untouched documents, absently touching his lips still warm with a lingering heat. He thought wryly, who is truly the fiend here?

It seemed he needed to bring Yan Nianqing closer soon, lest that man teach the boy more improper things again.