Pregnant with the Immortal Venerable's Child After Divorce - Chapter 28

Chapter 28: No Entering the Room at Night Anymore!

Wen Suchen’s appearance was silent but full of oppressive power.

His gaze lingered on Kong Fu for a few breaths before moving to Yan Zhuo.

Yan Zhuo felt a momentary pang of guilt when he saw him, but he quickly became righteous, glaring at him: “What are you doing here?”

Wen Suchen didn’t answer. Instead, he frowned slightly and said: “You didn’t listen to Headmaster Ying’s advice.”

Yan Zhuo looked at him, confused: “What advice?”

Wen Suchen didn’t explain. He reached out and immediately picked him up.

Yan Zhuo stiffened, then began to struggle: “What are you doing! Put me down quickly!”

“We’re going back,” Wen Suchen said.

Yan Zhuo couldn’t break free from his grasp and could only cast a pleading look at Kong Fu.

Kong Fu’s thoughts on this were quite similar to Qi Ranyin’s. Yan Zhuo came over, and he pretended not to know the situation and kept him company, which was fine. But now the husband was knocking on the door, and it was obvious the two didn’t have a real conflict. If he interfered again, he would be asking for trouble.

Especially with his former suitor status, if Wen Suchen misunderstood that he was trying to steal his wife, things would get complicated.

He didn’t want to fight Wen Suchen here.

So, Kong Fu simply smiled at him and said: “Good night.”

Yan Zhuo wilted. He could only turn his gaze back to the thief who was carrying him away, and snapped: “Let go of me!”

Wen Suchen murmured an “Mhm,” but didn’t release his hold, carrying him towards their residence.

Yan Zhuo immediately continued to make a scene.

He struggled without restraint. On the way back, Wen Suchen was hit with at least five or six slaps, but Wen Suchen didn’t say anything. He only gently pressed Yan Zhuo’s arm as a warning when his movements were too erratic, to prevent him from hurting himself.

By the time they reached their residence, Yan Zhuo was tired out from struggling. He could only cross his arms, sitting far away from Wen Suchen, looking at him displeased: “You only know how to bully me!”

Wen Suchen walked over, wanting to hold Yan Zhuo’s hand, but Yan Zhuo pulled it away. Wen Suchen could only kneel before him and say softly: “I didn’t.”

“Yes, you did!” Yan Zhuo accused. “You wouldn’t let me go out and have fun! You came and captured me after I was only out for a little while!”

Wen Suchen lowered his head slightly and fell silent.

Yan Zhuo immediately flared up. He took out an envelope from his Cosmic Ring and said angrily: “We are already divorced! You can’t control me!” As he spoke, he opened the envelope and flung the divorce paper onto Wen Suchen’s face. “Look! You signed it yourself! You even promised to listen to everything I say!! But the moment I agreed to keep the child, you turned your back on me! Scumbag!”

Wen Suchen froze. He carefully picked up the divorce paper, folded it, and placed it back in Yan Zhuo’s hand. His voice was gentle: “Be good. You shouldn’t drink while pregnant. You can play after the child is born.”

Yan Zhuo hadn’t expected him to destroy the divorce paper right in front of him. His eyes widened. He quickly opened and smoothed it out, only to see a large turtle drawn where Wen Suchen’s signature should have been.

Yan Zhuo: ?

He stared wide-eyed in disbelief. He looked closely at the content on the paper again, confirming he hadn’t misread it. Then he slowly turned his head to look at Wen Suchen, who had his head lowered and looked ready to be hit or cursed. Yan Zhuo felt like his heart was seizing up.

Wen Suchen kept his head down. After a long wait, he didn’t hear a single curse from Yan Zhuo. His heart instantly tightened. He quickly looked up, only to see that Yan Zhuo’s eyes were red, and a single crystalline tear was clinging to his fluttering eyelashes.

Wen Suchen’s face immediately paled. He quickly leaned in, wanting to comfort him, but his hand was swatted away by Yan Zhuo as soon as he reached out.

“Don’t touch me.” Yan Zhuo sniffled, holding back his tears. “You’ve been lying to me all along.”

His state made Wen Suchen’s heart ache in sharp bursts. He frantically reached out to pat Yan Zhuo’s back. He wanted to say a few words of comfort, but he didn’t know what to say and could only repeatedly say: “I’m sorry, please don’t cry.”

Yan Zhuo didn’t want to cry either, but the sudden rush of feeling wronged made the tears start welling up.

He heavily wiped his eyes with his hand. While feeling frustrated with himself, the tears kept falling. Eventually, he just gave up and started sobbing, telling Wen Suchen: “It, it won’t stop.”

Wen Suchen was startled. He subtly curved the corner of his lips, but upon seeing Yan Zhuo frown, he immediately composed himself. While patting his chest, he explained softly: “Headmaster Ying said that pregnant people are prone to melancholy and you’re too agitated.”

Yan Zhuo immediately hit his hand hard: “It’s all your fault!”

It was a heavy hit, making a “slap” sound. Wen Suchen’s hand was red, and Yan Zhuo’s palm was also red and throbbing. The numbness made Yan Zhuo feel a moment of guilt, but when he saw the turtle next to him, he got angry again.

He cursed: “Big turtle!”

Wen Suchen pressed his lips together and didn’t respond.

Yan Zhuo wanted to curse more, but then he thought that if Wen Suchen was a turtle, then the baby in his belly would be a “turtle egg” (a slang term for bastard).

So he changed his curse: “Bastard!”

He cursed two at once.

Yan Zhuo felt satisfied.

Wen Suchen observed his expression. Seeing that he didn’t seem as miserable, he poured him a cup of water and said softly: “Drink some.”

Yan Zhuo thought I’m not in the mood to drink now, but since the cup was brought to his lips, he still drank a sip from Wen Suchen’s hand.

After drinking, the discomfort lessened, and the tears stopped.

But even though the tears stopped, he was still unhappy.

He started to wonder if he was too easily placated. Wen Suchen had lied to him again and again, but he always let him off easy.

He smacked the turtle on the divorce paper and said: “Sign your name now! I’ll watch you sign!”

Wen Suchen didn’t move.

Yan Zhuo understood immediately: “You had it planned from the beginning.”

Wen Suchen lowered his eyes and said nothing.

Yan Zhuo crossed his arms: “Explain!”

Wen Suchen could only say: “I didn’t want you to be angry.”

But he also didn’t want a divorce, which was why he resorted to these little tricks.

He understood Yan Zhuo’s nature, knowing that he wouldn’t open the paper without reason. By the time Yan Zhuo had had enough fun outside and was in a better mood, he might decide a divorce wasn’t necessary anymore. At that point, Wen Suchen could burn the divorce paper without anyone knowing.

But he hadn’t expected so many accidents, and in the end, this divorce letter became a time bomb.

“Then why didn’t you tell me before!” Yan Zhuo said angrily.

Wen Suchen said: “I didn’t dare.”

He was so straightforwardly cowardly that Yan Zhuo didn’t know how to curse him and could only hit him to vent his frustration.

He was actually hitting quite hard, but Wen Suchen was thick-skinned and didn’t feel much. After Yan Zhuo had hit him a few times and seemed to be getting tired, Wen Suchen finally spoke to persuade him: “Go rest.”

Yan Zhuo didn’t want to go at all, but his eyes were indeed a bit dry from crying.

After hesitating, he agreed, saying: “You go guard outside.”

Wen Suchen frowned slightly: “It’s very safe here.”

“Safe, my foot. This is your punishment!” Yan Zhuo snapped. “You are not allowed to enter the room at night anymore!”

Wen Suchen looked puzzled, not understanding how this was a punishment, but since Yan Zhuo said so, he nodded in agreement. He went to fetch a basin of water for Yan Zhuo, and then went outside to guard.

Yan Zhuo watched his decisive retreating figure. As he washed his face, he thought weakly, I’m really too merciful.

In Wen Suchen’s mind, perhaps anything less than a stick beating wouldn’t be considered a punishment.

But Yan Zhuo couldn’t actually do that.

If he hit him lightly, it would be like scratching an itch for Wen Suchen. If he hit him hard, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

And no matter what, he would be the one who ended up exhausted.

After washing his face, he climbed into bed.

He snuggled into the warm quilt and reached out to feel the slight curve of his belly, his eyes curving slightly.

This was the first time he had greeted the little one.

It was also the most peaceful sleep he had gotten since he found out he was pregnant.

…

When he woke up the next day, Wen Suchen was already in the room, along with Ying Yunxian. The two seemed to be tinkering with something.

Yan Zhuo sat on the bed and watched for a while before figuring it out.

Oh, they were preparing his breakfast.

He walked over and looked at the porridge they had prepared. He immediately frowned: “What is this?”

“Medicinal congee,” Ying Yunxian explained. “You need a lot of nourishment during pregnancy, but you might not have much appetite when you wake up, so I’ve brewed everything into this for you.”

Yan Zhuo looked at the bowl of greenish, black-and-red mixed congee and said, frustrated: “Seeing this thing makes me genuinely lose my appetite. I’m not eating it.”

He turned to leave, but Ying Yunxian held him back.

“Don’t worry, I’ve adjusted the taste. It’s fine,” Ying Yunxian said. “I’ve got hundreds of years of skill!”

“I wouldn’t eat it even if you had tens of thousands of years of skill,” Yan Zhuo said, raising his hand to summon a Spirit Puppet. He instructed: “I want shrimp dumplings and thin noodles, with extra shrimp dumplings.”

The Spirit Puppet immediately turned and went to prepare it.

Ying Yunxian frowned: “Why don’t you follow the medical advice!”

“Haven’t you met enough people who don’t follow medical advice?” Yan Zhuo glanced at him. “Are you going to eat it? If you want some, you better go now and say so, or there won’t be any left later.”

Ying Yunxian was silent for a moment. He was about to say no, but when he heard Yan Zhuo say the shrimp dumplings were made from Full Moon Spirit Shrimp, he immediately chased after the Spirit Puppet.

The task of coaxing Yan Zhuo to drink the congee fell to Wen Suchen.

But he wasn’t good at it. After thinking for a moment, he could only say: “This is good.”

“It’s not good,” Yan Zhuo said. “You eat it yourself.”

Wen Suchen added: “It’s good for the child.”

Yan Zhuo looked at him: “You’re both fathers. It’s the same whoever eats it. You eat it.”

Wen Suchen: “… It’s in your belly.”

Yan Zhuo crossed his arms: “Then I’ll take it out, and you can feed it yourself?”

Wen Suchen immediately closed his mouth, picked up the congee, and drank it himself.

Yan Zhuo was satisfied. He turned to wash up. When he returned, his shrimp dumplings and thin noodles were ready.

The Full Moon Spirit Shrimp were large, and the meat was tender. Made into shrimp dumplings, they were crisp and chewy. With the thin noodles and broth simmered from good ingredients, Yan Zhuo ate every last bit, not leaving a drop of soup.

Ying Yunxian saw this and said: “Having an appetite during pregnancy is a good thing. Can you eat another bowl?”

“I don’t eat that much,” Yan Zhuo said. “I’m going to look around a bit later. Are you coming?”

When he said “look around,” he naturally meant checking on the spiritual plants.

Ying Yunxian actually wanted to say that it was best to avoid strenuous activity during pregnancy, but then he remembered they were Yan Zhuo’s spiritual plants, and he hesitated. In the end, he only symbolically advised: “You mustn’t overexert yourself.”

“How can this be tiring?” Yan Zhuo pulled him out the door. Seeing Wen Suchen try to stop him, he immediately frowned: “Stay out of my business.”

Ying Yunxian also chimed in: “Walking around is good for you. You are a little too tense.”

Wen Suchen hesitated, finally retracting his hand, and said: “Call me if anything happens.”

Yan Zhuo acknowledged him and left. As soon as they were out the door, he said to Ying Yunxian: “I feel like he’s more nervous than I am.”

“That’s normal,” Ying Yunxian said. “He cares too much about you and the child, but he can’t help, so he gets overly nervous.”

Yan Zhuo said: “He is helping.”

“At least he thinks he isn’t,” Ying Yunxian smiled. “If your pregnancy reactions were severe, he would be even more nervous than he is now, because he can’t perceive your condition, and he can’t share your hardship. This unreleased emotion will turn inward, becoming self-reproach. While it’s not a good thing, it at least shows that he truly cares about you both.”

Yan Zhuo was speechless: “With you around, what could go wrong? I think he’s just overthinking things.”

“Your carefree attitude makes him even more worried, but this mentality of yours is very good,” Ying Yunxian smiled. “Besides, it’s not entirely his overthinking. He was probably scared by what I said last night.”

Yan Zhuo looked at him, confused.

Ying Yunxian explained: “You yourself have the Physique of Bearing, so you should know that the birth of such a child is damaging to the mother.”

Yan Zhuo nodded: “But not that seriously. I was affected because my mother took too many messy elixirs while pregnant with me. You should know this best.”

After all, after he was born, Wen Tianren invited the previous Headmaster of the Seven Star Sect to examine his mother, and it was the same person who later diagnosed that he didn’t lack talent but had his spiritual roots destroyed.

And Ying Yunxian, as his disciple, would definitely know about this.

“There’s still some effect,” Ying Yunxian explained. “Most importantly, you’re different from ordinary cultivators.”

Yan Zhuo frowned: “Is the impact significant?”

Ying Yunxian nodded: “Let me put it this way: if your mother were just an ordinary person with no cultivation, she wouldn’t have survived giving birth to you. A child gnaws at the mother’s flesh and bl00d to be born, and a child with a special constitution even more so.”

Yan Zhuo nodded, still showing no signs of worry.

Seeing him like this, Ying Yunxian smiled: “I also told the Immortal Venerable that two geniuses are more likely to give birth to an ordinary child.”

It was just that Wen Suchen was still very worried.

Because strictly speaking, Yan Zhuo certainly wasn’t a genius, but in terms of physique, he was one in a million.

“Most importantly, it’s your cultivation,” Ying Yunxian continued.

Yan Zhuo’s current cultivation wasn’t achieved through practice. It was built up through the Dao Companion contract with Wen Suchen, sharing his lifespan, and supplemented by elixirs and dual cultivation. It was somewhat outwardly strong but inwardly weak. If he were to carry a child with a special constitution, his body might not be able to bear it.

“Then what should we do?” Yan Zhuo looked at him. “You promised me that if I kept it, you’d make sure I wouldn’t suffer.”

“I did say that, and I’m looking for a solution now,” Ying Yunxian smiled, genuinely not looking worried. “If you were to give birth now, I would be concerned, but we have plenty of time. I’m sure I can find a way.”

Yan Zhuo was satisfied and emphasized again: “I’m afraid of pain.”

“Don’t worry, that’s the minor issue,” Ying Yunxian said. “In the best-case scenario, the child is an ordinary person, and you’ll only be weak for a while after giving birth. It’s nothing. The current concern is that if the child is too gifted, your body won’t be able to handle it.”

Yan Zhuo murmured “Oh,” lowered his eyes, and started thinking about this matter.

The two arrived at one of the spiritual plant gardens on Fen Xue Peak. Ying Yunxian’s eyes instantly lit up, and he turned around to study a nearby flower.

Yan Zhuo took out Pear Blossom and started watering the spiritual plants.

After a while, he suddenly spoke: “Yunxian, do you think it’s possible for Youngest Senior Brother to share the burden for me?”

Ying Yunxian paused his work and turned to look at him, confused.

“Just like he shares his lifespan with me, I want to share half of the childbirth risks with him,” Yan Zhuo explained.

Upon hearing this, Ying Yunxian exclaimed: “You don’t miss any chance to benefit, do you?” Even as he said this, he thought about it and shook his head: “It shouldn’t be possible. Honestly, if people knew about your lifespan sharing method, they might even curse it as a heretical technique.”

“It is a heretical technique,” Yan Zhuo said. “If we can’t find a proper method, a heretical technique might work.”

Ying Yunxian was taken aback.

The reason why this method of sharing lifespan was deemed heretical by the righteous path was that lifespan couldn’t actually be shared. Otherwise, no one would need to cultivate; they could just form a contract with a high-level cultivator. After all, it wouldn’t cause any loss to the other party.

Strictly speaking, Wen Suchen and Yan Zhuo’s contract was to merge their lifespans into one through the Dao Companion contract and then divide it equally. It was just that Wen Suchen’s cultivation was high, and his lifespan was very long, so dividing it in half still meant he would live for a very long time.

But would ordinary people be willing to do such a thing? Hence, such techniques were usually used by rogue cultivators to steal others’ lifespans through deception.

There were certainly heretical techniques for sharing damage, but the ones Ying Yunxian knew of could either only protect the contracted partner or only guard against external harm.

Childbirth was like a major illness. Could one truly use a technique to share their suffering with another?

“That’s definitely worth a try,” Ying Yunxian said excitedly. “If it works, then in the future…”

He suddenly paused, his expression freezing: “Wait, are we going to research a heretical technique?”

“You don’t have to research it,” Yan Zhuo said, tapping Pear Blossom and asking it to tell Zui Xiu to call Wen Suchen over.

Not long after, Wen Suchen rushed over, asking what was wrong.

“Nothing, I just have something to discuss with you,” Yan Zhuo said, holding the gourd and looking at him. “I’m asking you, if there was a way for you to bear the child for me, would you genuinely be willing?”

Wen Suchen nodded without hesitation.

Yan Zhuo then repeated what he and Ying Yunxian had just discussed, adding: “We’re not sure if it can be done, but I think it’s worth trying. However, Ying Yunxian isn’t specialized in this path, so you’ll have to research it.”

Wen Suchen lowered his eyes and began to contemplate.

Ying Yunxian wanted to offer some ideas, but Yan Zhuo pulled him aside before he could speak.

He fetched a bucket, filled it with water from the gourd, and handed it to Ying Yunxian, saying: “Youngest Senior Brother is much better than you at formations and curses. Don’t cause trouble. Go water this entire area.”

Ying Yunxian was about to say that although Wen Suchen was highly skilled, he lacked experience, and having one more person to help was always good. Brainstorming was the way to go.

But then he remembered that these things were all interconnected. Just like how he was a physician, but if he were to make a poison, he would still be an expert. Wen Suchen must be the same.

So, he stopped talking and went off to work with the bucket.

After a short while, Wen Suchen finished his contemplation and said: “It can be attempted.”

Yan Zhuo knew his personality. If he said it could be attempted, it meant he was confident. So he asked again: “Are you truly willing?”

Wen Suchen nodded and said: “I will do my best.”

He already had a general direction, but since he hadn’t achieved any results yet, he didn’t dare to give Yan Zhuo a firm guarantee.

Ying Yunxian immediately came over and asked: “Can it really be done? Can illness also be transferred to someone else?”

Wen Suchen said: “Even the Golden Core and spiritual roots can be transferred. Why wouldn’t this be possible?”

Ying Yunxian was silent.

That made sense. He was being too conservative.

For some organ-related illnesses, if they couldn’t be cured, he would suggest the patient have the organ removed. After all, cultivators’ physical constitutions were different from mortals. As long as they had suitable elixirs or artifacts to support them, they could survive for a time even without a heart.

“Little Zhuo is different from women,” Ying Yunxian reminded him again.

Yan Zhuo didn’t have a uterus to nurture the child. He had only used the fertility fruit to create a similar environment. Thus, he couldn’t just have the child cut out and handed over to his husband to nurture, like women could.

Wen Suchen nodded, indicating he understood.

Ying Yunxian nodded, completely reassured.

If such a technique could truly be created, with Wen Suchen’s cultivation and physique, he wouldn’t be afraid even of giving birth to a reincarnated god.

He said happily: “Then I’ll prepare an extra serving of Little Zhuo’s meals for you in the future.”

Wen Suchen: “…”

Yan Zhuo secretly snickered nearby.

Ying Yunxian glared at him: “What are you laughing at? You have to eat it too.”

Yan Zhuo pretended not to hear him and asked: “Have you finished watering?”

Ying Yunxian immediately turned back to work.

Yan Zhuo then walked up to Wen Suchen and said: “You’ll have a tough time then.”

A faint smile appeared in Wen Suchen’s eyes. He softly murmured an “Mhm.”

Yan Zhuo continued: “It’s okay if you can’t figure it out. I’ve been prepared for a long time.”

Wen Suchen shook his head again: “It can be done.”

“Then don’t go too far,” Yan Zhuo warned him.

Wen Suchen looked puzzled.

Yan Zhuo didn’t explain. Instead, he said: “I know you understand.”

Given Wen Suchen’s personality, he would likely take the technique to the extreme, bearing all the potential harm himself.

Yan Zhuo knew Wen Suchen’s cultivation was high, but he still didn’t want him to research with such self-sacrificing thoughts.

After thinking for a moment, he said: “At least let me have some involvement.”

Wen Suchen looked down at him.

Yan Zhuo’s expression was serious, but his tone carried a hint of playfulness, as if he was discussing sharing a toy or food. But Wen Suchen felt he was doing it on purpose.

However, he hadn’t quite figured out why Yan Zhuo would say this.

“Thank you,” Wen Suchen said.

Yan Zhuo was surprised. He carefully examined Wen Suchen’s expression, confirmed his thought process, and chuckled: “You don’t know anything. What are you thanking me for?”

“I don’t know, but I can feel it,” Wen Suchen said.

He could feel that ambiguous good intention from Yan Zhuo.

“You really are stupid,” Yan Zhuo pouted. “You don’t understand such a simple logic. I’m worried about you.”

Wen Suchen said: “I’m not afraid.”

“Of course I know you’re not afraid. I’m worried about this.” Yan Zhuo pointed at Wen Suchen’s chest. “You are helping me, not atoning.”

Wen Suchen was startled.

Before he could say anything else, Yan Zhuo waved his hand, dismissing him: “All right, go get to work. Don’t be in the way here.”

After saying that, he picked up Pear Blossom and went back to his own work.

…

After Wen Suchen left, Ying Yunxian came over, smiling: “You really spoil him.”

Yan Zhuo glanced at him: “What are you talking about?”

Ying Yunxian raised an eyebrow: “Do you dare to say that bringing up this matter has nothing to do with what I said about his self-reproach?”

“Of course not,” Yan Zhuo said. “He keeps lying to me. Why would I spoil him? He deserves to feel guilty for the rest of his life.”

If he didn’t want to feel guilty, then Yan Zhuo would naturally have to figure out a way to share the burden with him himself.