Pregnant with the Immortal Venerable's Child After Divorce - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Is the Immortal Venerable here too?

Yan Zhu had also watched plays when he descended the mountain before, mostly tired old tales of talented scholars and beautiful ladies. This was the first time he saw familiar faces, including his own, on a theatrical stage. His toes couldn’t help but curl and grip the floor.

What made him want to bang his head even more was that the story wasn’t actually about him and Wen Sucheng, but rather about the man who had just appeared, who was one of the play’s main protagonists.

The ‘him’ in the story was a disciple of the sect, who had always been by Wen Sucheng’s side, serving as Wen Sucheng’s right-hand man. This day, he came to deliver documents but overheard Madam Wen proposing divorce.

Yes, in the story, he didn’t even have his own name.

The ‘him’ in the story was a vicious villain, using his status to boss Wen Sucheng around. After learning that Wen Sucheng and the protagonist had secretly fallen in love, he constantly caused trouble. The reason he proposed divorce this time was because Wen Sucheng had agreed to leave with nothing, just to be with his sweetheart.

Yan Zhu’s initial excitement completely turned into speechlessness. He nudged Qi Ranyin beside him and asked, “Who wrote this? Do people really like this kind of awful plot?”

Qi Ranyin “shushed” him, pointing to the delighted crowd around them, and whispered, “Everyone is identifying with the protagonist, not you.”

Yan Zhu paused and considered it. The person they loved, who was perfect in every way, suffered endlessly at the hands of the vicious villain. The rare moments of tenderness between the two became their strength, but facing the villain’s repeated acts of malice, the lover finally couldn’t endure it any longer and chose to give up everything to be with them.

From the protagonist’s perspective, it was indeed alright. Moreover, the main focus of the play was the couple’s struggle against the world after they got together. The illusionary effects were magnificent, and the protagonist’s sword strike was even cooler than Wen Sucheng’s actual swordsmanship. It was definitely entertaining.

Yan Zhu folded his arms, “I didn’t expect the news of our divorce to spread so quickly.”

“It must have been out there for a while,” Qi Ranyin said. “After all, many people weren’t optimistic about you two.”

Yan Zhu was even more annoyed, “What ‘Madam Wen’? Do they really not know why Senior Brother is named Wen?”

Qi Ranyin couldn’t help but laugh at his disgruntled look, “So what now? Do you want to keep watching?”

Yan Zhu frowned and hesitated, but A’Fu on the side spoke up, “Let’s not watch. This play is purely fabricated and poorly written.”

Kong Fu, however, said, “I think we should take a look. Drama is inspired by life. Who knows, maybe Wen Sucheng really has such a person by his side?”

A’Fu glanced at him upon hearing this, “My Master is better looking than that person.”

Kong Fu instantly shut up.

Yan Zhu, who had been feeling sullen, burst out laughing when he heard the two bicker. He reached out and stroked A’Fu’s head, saying, “Then let’s go for a walk somewhere else. The fun things on this boat should be…”

Before he could finish, he heard a scream from the stage, and the sea of flowers created by the illusion suddenly caught fire.

Someone immediately cast a spell to try to put out the fire with water, but it didn’t seem to be an ordinary fire. It burned even fiercer upon contact with water.

The people on the stage didn’t seem to have high cultivation and couldn’t run fast. Seeing that they were about to be burned, Yan Zhu could only unhook the gourd from his waist and threw it over, “Lihua, thirty-two.”

Lihua did not appear, but the gourd pendant “thumped” and grew to the height of a man. Then the gourd tilted, and a cloud of smoke poured out of its small opening.

The fire that couldn’t be extinguished instantly went out when it met the smoke.

Seeing this, the gourd floated forward little by little until the smoke completely swallowed the flames. Then, it gently returned to Yan Zhu’s side, “thumped” and transformed back into Lihua’s appearance, rubbing against his cheek and calling him softly, “Xiao Zhu, Xiao Zhu!”

“You did great.” Yan Zhu curved his eyes and stroked Lihua’s head. He then dug out a few beautiful gems from his Qiankun ring and handed them over with the snacks on the table.

Lihua opened its mouth wide, swallowed them all, and then happily cupped its face and changed back into a pendant.

Yan Zhu hung the gourd back on his waist and turned his attention to the crowd. He didn’t speak but poked Qi Ranyin beside him.

Qi Ranyin looked at him helplessly, stepped forward, and asked, “Who started the fire?”

The question was too direct, and everyone thought the culprit wouldn’t admit it, but to their surprise, as soon as he finished speaking, someone jumped out, “I set it.”

The speaker wore a long, flowing dress and a playful updo. She looked like a very cute young girl, but the arrogance on her face made her seem hard to deal with, not to mention the jingling gold and silver artifacts she wore from head to toe and the four attendants with considerable cultivation behind her. It was clear she was a spoiled young lady from some powerful family.

Qi Ranyin frowned when he saw her background, “Why did you harm people?”

The girl just sneered, “Harm people? That fire was just an illusion. It only causes pain, it doesn’t hurt anyone.” As she spoke, her gaze swept over the people in the venue and finally landed on the stage, “If I see plays that smear my family again, I’ll burn you all.”

Qi Ranyin was stunned by this. He had also watched the play, and there were only a few characters who appeared. This girl claimed they were her family?

Qi Ranyin bowed to her, “I am a disciple of the Qi Clan of Lulin. Dare I ask the girl’s name and where she hails from?”

The girl lifted her chin, “The Yan Family of Fengshan.”

The group instantly fell silent, all looking at Yan Zhu. Some in the crowd who didn’t know the situation even whispered, asking others, “What is the relationship between the Yan Family and Immortal Venerable Jiangxue?”

Yan Zhu: “…”

He hadn’t expected her to be his relative. His ears felt a little hot, and he whispered, “I don’t know her.”

He used to go back to the Yan family often when his mother was still alive, but after his mother passed, he rarely kept in touch with those relatives. Now he only occasionally corresponded with his uncle. He really didn’t know any of the younger generation.

And she was a junior who would set fire to a stage in public.

Yan Zhu took a few deep breaths, preparing to go and apologize to the manager, but he saw that A’Fu had already rushed over and was now negotiating compensation with the person.

The disciple was reliable in a crisis.

But the little girl was not reliable. Seeing the situation, she frowned and aggressively tried to question A’Fu.

Yan Zhu quickly ran over and grabbed her, asking, “Which branch of the Yan family are you from?”

The little girl ignored him, but her attendant tried to block Yan Zhu.

Yan Zhu had to continue asking, “What is Yan Shengyun to you?”

Only then did the girl look at him, “You know my Great-Grandfather?”

Yan Zhu: “…”

He rummaged through his Qiankun ring and found a waist token, made of the unique jade from Fengshan, which every member of the Yan family had.

The girl took it. One side of the token was carved with the character “Yan,” and the other side detailed the identity of the token holder. If one didn’t believe it, they could use the token to verify the identity.

After reading the words on it, the girl’s expression also stiffened. Her cheeks turned crimson at a visible speed, and the arrogance she had moments ago disappeared. She lowered her head, handed the jade token back to Yan Zhu, and gave a stammered bow, “Maternal Great-Uncle.”

Yan Zhu was actually quite old and held a high rank in the Mingxin Sect, but since the disciples all called him Elder, he didn’t really feel it. Now, being called “Great-Uncle” made him instantly feel very old.

Yan Zhu nodded weakly, “What’s your name? How did you end up here?”

The girl answered obediently, “My name is Yan Zhitiao. I was originally waiting for the secret realm in Fengling Continent to open, but Great-Grandfather heard about your divorce and ordered me to pick you up and bring you back to Fengshan.”

Yan Zhu was stunned that this concerned him. “My uncle knows so quickly?”

Yan Zhitiao nodded, “Great-Grandfather was very angry, saying that Immortal Venerable Jiangxue was ungrateful, divorcing you after achieving great cultivation. It’s too much.” As she spoke, she pulled out a letter from her bosom and handed it to Yan Zhu.

Yan Zhu was even more stunned. Before he could grasp his uncle’s meaning, A’Fu had already blocked him, “He won’t go with you.”

Seeing the obstruction, Yan Zhitiao’s expression darkened, “Who are you! Get out of the way!”

Seeing A’Fu’s protective stance, Yan Zhu could only pat his shoulder as a sign of appeasement, then took the letter and opened it. The letter was indeed similar to what Yan Zhitiao said, except that his uncle also mentioned the residence and medicinal garden he had prepared for him. The implication was that he wanted him and Wen Sucheng to part ways forever.

Yan Zhu sighed and looked at Yan Zhitiao, “Senior Brother and I are not what you think.”

“Then you can still go to Fengshan,” Yan Zhitiao said. “You can see him later if you want.”

Yan Zhu countered, “But I am a disciple of the Mingxin Sect.”

Yan Zhitiao shook her head, “Great-Grandfather said you did not officially enter the sect. Since you took your Great-Aunt’s surname, you are a member of our Yan Family.”

Yan Zhu was speechless. He could become a disciple of the Mingxin Sect only because he was the Sect Leader’s son; otherwise, with his aptitude, he would never have been admitted.

“I’m already used to living in the Mingxin Sect,” Yan Zhu said.

“You will get used to Fengshan too,” Yan Zhitiao said. Seeing that Yan Zhu was still hesitating, she asked, “Great-Uncle, do you not want to go back?”

Yan Zhu certainly didn’t want to go back.

He was only out for a trip and a change of pace; he would go back once he had enough fun. Although the Yan family were his relatives, he hardly knew any of them. He didn’t want to go back.

But if he said this, his uncle would probably be hurt.

After his mother passed away, his uncle offered to take him to Fengshan, fearing he would not have a good life in the Mingxin Sect. He used marriage as an excuse to refuse at the time. Over the years, his uncle would bring it up from time to time, and he still used the same excuse, but now he was divorced.

Yan Zhu frowned slightly and explained, “No, not at all. I just… don’t understand what you mean. Senior Brother and I are perfectly fine.”

Yan Zhitiao looked at him strangely.

Once the lie started, it was easier to fabricate the rest. Yan Zhu continued, steeling himself, “We just had a little argument and said some things in the heat of the moment. I don’t know who spread the rumors.”

Yan Zhitiao didn’t believe him, “You should go back to Fengshan with me and tell Great-Grandfather yourself.”

Yan Zhu shook his head repeatedly upon hearing this, “I, I am also here for the secret realm in Fengling Continent this trip. I can’t leave.”

“It’s just a low-level secret realm,” Yan Zhitiao said. “Fengshan has everything you like, Great-Uncle, and if you want to explore a secret realm, Fengshan has those too.”

Yan Zhu said again, “But I’m out with friends. It wouldn’t be right to leave them.”

Yan Zhitiao generously offered, “You can invite them to be guests at Fengshan.”

“Then… then…” Yan Zhu didn’t expect the girl to be so persistent and was getting anxious, “Then… then… can Senior Brother come too?”

Yan Zhitiao was briefly stunned before she realized who Yan Zhu meant by ‘Senior Brother’ and asked suspiciously, “Is Immortal Venerable Jiangxue here too?”

Yan Zhu’s gaze swept to the side, finally settling on A’Fu.

He pointed to the face that was seven or eight parts similar to his, and said, “Isn’t this him?”

Yan Zhitiao followed his finger and looked at the person who had blocked her earlier. She was confused, “His cultivation is not even as high as…”

Before she finished speaking, she felt a powerful pressure descend, as if it would crush her divine soul, but it was only a momentary deterrence, not actual harm.

This was a warning to her.

Yan Zhitiao was stunned.

She looked at that face hesitantly.

Although Wen Sucheng was famous, he rarely appeared in public. Yan Zhitiao had only seen a distant image of him attending the Grand Sword Ceremony many years ago in a friend’s memory stone, and the rest were just portraits.

He did look very similar, and that divine soul…

Seeing Yan Zhitiao stunned, Yan Zhu thought she was suspicious, so he quietly explained, “He’s too famous, so it’s inconvenient for him to show his face directly, so he’s pretending to be my disciple to play with me.”

After saying that, he gave A’Fu a look, signaling him to cooperate with the act.

Wen Sucheng hadn’t expected to be out in disguise only to have his disguise forced to imitate his true self, but if he didn’t, Yan Zhu would most likely have to return to Fengshan.

Most importantly, this was what Yan Zhu wanted.

He could only adopt his real self’s usual indifferent demeanor and slightly nod to Yan Zhitiao. The cold and aloof manner immediately intimidated Yan Zhitiao.

Yan Zhitiao was already thinking of retreating. Yan Zhu had a friendly face and a gentle, easy-going temperament, which was why her attitude had been so aggressive. But she didn’t dare to be like that with Wen Sucheng.

But…

Thinking of her Great-Grandfather, Grandfather, Father, and the group of similarly strict elders at home, Yan Zhitiao instantly felt like pie filling that was fiercely clamped down with nowhere to run.

After struggling for a moment, she decided to use the tactic of delay, telling Yan Zhu, “Then I’ll go back and ask Great-Grandfather!”

She was about to slip away when A’Fu called out to stop her.

Yan Zhitiao froze upon hearing this and immediately hid behind Yan Zhu.

Yan Zhu found it amusing, “Weren’t you quite aggressive toward him just now?”

Yan Zhitiao wanted to cry, “It was because I didn’t know the immensity of heaven and earth.”

Just as she was about to beg Yan Zhu to speak up for her, a Qiankun bag was handed to her.

Yan Zhitiao was surprised and looked at A’Fu.

A’Fu originally wanted to remain silent, but seeing Yan Zhitiao’s confused look, he hesitated and explained, “This trip is just for fun; I didn’t bring much. I’ll make up for the meeting gift next time I see you.”

Yan Zhitiao took the blessing bag and peered inside, instantly finding this Maternal Great-Uncle so kind!

She put the blessing bag away and happily left.

Yan Zhu breathed a sigh of relief and looked at A’Fu, asking, “What did you give her?”

“An artifact Senior Brother gave me. I’ll ask him for a new one next time I see him,” A’Fu said. “Master, did I do well?”

Yan Zhu gave him a thumbs up, “You did very well, but the acting wasn’t convincing. Senior Brother doesn’t talk that much. He would at most say two words.”

A’Fu: “…”

He had actually only meant to say “For you.”

Yan Zhu understood him very well, but he didn’t understand himself.

At this rate, Yan Zhu would probably never discover the truth.