Chapter 1705: Six Paths of Reincarnation (V)

This was a peach blossom paradise, with petals drifting lazily and blooming in vibrant splendor.

Deep within the peach blossoms, shrouded in mist, Chu Xuan and the others sat under the peach trees. Some were embroidering, others sewing clothes.

From time to time, they would lift their gazes, their eyes full of tender affection as they looked toward one side.

There, Ye Chen was busy at the stove, humming a little tune while chopping vegetables—a perfect picture of a devoted family man.

Beneath the stove, a row of little ones stood neatly. The boys were sturdy and lively, the girls plump and rosy-cheeked, their big eyes sparkling with innocence.

They were all Ye Chen's precious sons and daughters. The older ones had gone out to explore the world, leaving only the younger ones behind.

The little ones were quite mischievous, always sneaking a grab of food the moment Ye Chen turned away, their movements quick and sly.

"We can't afford to feed you all anymore. I might just take you to the market and sell you off—we'd make a pretty penny."

Well, that did it—the little ones scattered in an instant, toddling off on unsteady feet to bury themselves in their mothers' arms, afraid their unreliable father might actually go through with it.

"Stop scaring them."

Xi Yan shot Ye Chen a glare and casually tossed a peach at his forehead.

"Having kids really changes things. I remember when we were at Hengyue Sect, you were so well-behaved."

Ye Chen caught the peach effortlessly and took a bite, sighing and clicking his tongue.

"Tch."

Xi Yan pouted. "That's all your doing. You'd always trick me into stealing our master's undergarments for no reason."

"You can't blame me for that. Blame Chu Xuan—it's her fault I picked up this shameless habit."

Ye Chen shook his head with a smug grin.

"Was it me who taught you to put Hehuan San in the food?"

Chu Xuan blinked her beautiful eyes, smiling playfully.

"Enough joking around. We don't need to bring that up anymore—it's all in the past."

"I heard someone tried to force himself on her and got a thorough beating for it. And he even dragged people to a brothel—totally shameless and without any decency."

Shangguan Yu'er chuckled slyly.

Ye Chen's face darkened. Why bring up old troubles?

The women all burst into giggles—they loved seeing Ye Chen get embarrassed.

It was true—if you listed out all of Ye Chen's glorious exploits, you could talk for eight hundred years and still not finish. There were just too many.

Even the entire Da Chu had followed his lead down the path of shamelessness, getting wilder and wilder, shaping the people's customs that way.

It got so bad that visitors from the various heavens were afraid to bring valuables to Da Chu, for fear of being robbed. They walked on eggshells, terrified of getting beaten.

Ye Chen just kept on cooking, acting as if nothing was wrong.

In this lifetime, his proudest achievement wasn't slaying a great emperor—it was turning the people of this land into a vibrant bunch.

Breakfast was ready in no time, and the family gathered around, chatting and laughing.

Ye Chen held two of the little ones in his arms, beaming with joy. They had been back in Da Chu for nearly a hundred years, and this peach blossom grove was their home.

Far from the world's noise and chaos, in peaceful serenity without deceit or scheming—this was exactly the life he wanted.

"Is the holy master here?"

As they were eating, three figures entered from outside the grove. Dressed in Daoist robes, they were elders from Xingyue Palace.

"What brings you three elders?"

Ye Chen asked with a smile.

"It's nothing major, really."

One elder chuckled. "It's just that your third child kidnapped our holy maiden."

The moment those words were out, all the women turned and glared at Ye Chen. Having a father like him meant the kids picked up bad habits too.

"Why are you all looking at me? The third one is Bi You's child—go talk to her."

Ye Chen protested, shaking his head with an air of nonchalance.

"It's all because of you that they learned it."

Bi You's eyes flashed with anger.

"Nonsense, self-taught talent."

Ye Chen tucked his hands away.

The three Xingyue Palace elders twitched at the corners of their mouths. What a quirky family—they were all hard to deal with. Even though someone had been kidnapped, they didn't dare show anger.

"Call him back right now."

Bi You kicked Ye Chen.

"What's the rush? There, I've called him."

Ye Chen pulled out a transmission stone from his robe, glanced at the women, cleared his throat, and said,

"You little rascal, are you still alive?"

"Ah, Dad!"

A voice came from the transmission stone.

"Send the Xingyue Palace holy maiden back right away. Hurry up."

Ye Chen scolded. "You've got some nerve, huh? Rebelled against me, have you?"

"You taught us from a young age—if you like a girl, go after her. If you can't win her over, grab her. If that doesn't work, kidnap her."

The voice from the transmission stone made Ye Chen rub his brow hard. What a fine son he had—straight out of his playbook.

The three Xingyue Palace elders' faces had turned visibly dark. Kidnapping had practically become a family specialty.

"The three elders can head back first. Our holy maiden will be returned within three days."

Bi You stood up, her tone apologetic.

"In that case, thank you, fairy."

The elders forced a smile, not daring to say more. They cupped their hands in respect and left.

After they were gone, the women's piercing stares turned to Ye Chen again. What was this? Planning to pass down your shady skills through the generations?

Ye Chen ignored them completely, just focusing on shoveling rice into his mouth.

But this breakfast was far from peaceful.

After the Xingyue Palace group, several more waves of people arrived one after another—all complaining that sect holy sons or holy maidens had been kidnapped.

Some even showed up bruised and battered, beaten badly—it was all Ye Chen's precious son's doing, and he didn't hold back.

As soon as breakfast ended, a graceful figure entered the peach grove.

She was a purple-haired woman, stunningly beautiful and radiant, bearing a striking resemblance to Lin Shi Hua at first glance.

Indeed, she was Ye Chen's beloved daughter, named Ye Shi.

Behind her followed a young man, handsome and poised, with eyes like stars and hair like a waterfall cascading down.

"Dad, I've brought you a son-in-law."

Ye Shi grinned.

"Son-in-law?"

The women's eyes lit up as they sized up the young man. He had a bold and spirited presence, and his bloodline wasn't weak.

Ye Chen looked him over too, from head to toe and back again, making the young man shift uncomfortably, a cool breeze seeming to blow over him.

"I've come to meet the holy master."

The young man bowed with his hands cupped.

"Come closer."

Ye Chen crossed his legs and beckoned with a finger.

"Uh."

The young man laughed awkwardly, steeling himself to take a step forward, but he didn't dare go any further—he just stood there.

"Get closer. I won't eat you. Hey, hey, hey? Why are you running?"

Ye Chen stood up, but before he could finish, the young man bolted, his movements incredibly swift.

He tripped and fell headfirst, but quickly scrambled up and kept running—that posture was nothing short of impressive.

"Oh, Dad, what did you do?"

Ye Shi stamped her foot.

"I didn't do anything!"

Ye Chen protested innocently.

"It's because you scared him."

Ye Shi puffed out her cheeks.

"I don't like hearing that. Am I that scary? No, that guy's just a coward—runs pretty fast, though."

"When your daughter brings a son-in-law next time, can you just sit there and not move?"

Lin Shi Hua glared fiercely at Ye Chen.

"No one loves me anymore!"

Ye Chen sighed repeatedly.

Ye Shi rubbed her forehead. Having a dad like this was something to be happy about, but at this rate, she'd never get married.

The women just kept glaring at Ye Chen. He didn't act like a father at all.

In the human realm, night had fallen, but the peach blossom grove was still lively.

Ye Chen went into room after room, but each time, he was thrown out and pinned down for a beating by the women.

What a fine night—it left him out in the cold.

The night sky was profound, with shimmering starlight and bright moonlight cascading down, making the petals gleam with a lustrous, colorful sheen.

Ye Chen sat with his hands in his pockets, gazing up at the stars. The twinkling lights made his mind wander, and he stared absentmindedly.

For some reason, he always felt like something was missing, or perhaps forgotten. It grew stronger in the dead of night.

He sat there all night, unable to recall it, but a few strands of his hair had turned white—starkly noticeable.

In the morning, petals fluttered and butterflies danced, peaceful and serene.

The little ones were full of energy, running around on the grass, chasing butterflies, their giggles echoing nonstop.

Ye Chen still sat there, head down in thought, who knows what about.

The women thought he was meditating and didn't disturb him much.

But just because they didn't bother him didn't mean others wouldn't.

From outside the grove, someone had entered—or more accurately, a lump of flesh. It was all flab, wobbling with every step, and its tiny eyes were barely visible unless you looked closely.

Even Ming Jue and Bai Zhi couldn't help but click their tongues at the sight. What on earth had this thing been eating to grow like that?

It was Xiong Er, no doubt. After nearly a hundred years, he hadn't grown taller, just added layer upon layer of fat.

"These little ones are so cute."

He stroked his chin and approached Ye Chen, poking him with a hand.

"Spit it out if you've got something to say."

Ye Chen snapped, still looking down.

"With so many wives, getting bored of them yet? Mind if I borrow one for a bit?"

Xiong Er winked suggestively, his laugh sleazy.

And just like that, the peach grove erupted into chaos. Xiong Er was taken down.

The women worked together seamlessly—one held his legs, another his arms, and one pried his mouth open.

"You fat little bear, you come around every time and can't keep your mouth shut."

"Thinking of getting with us? You're not leaving until you've had your fill today."

"Hold him steady."

Ye Chen was the most enthusiastic, hauling a sack of Hehuan San and stuffing it in handful by handful.

The little ones were smart too, gathering around and cheering on their parents with tiny fists.

Xiong Er wailed and cried, regretting his decision to wander over.

Outside the grove, Ye Shi arrived again, dragging the young man from yesterday back with her after some persuasion.

But after seeing this scene, the young man didn't say a word—he turned and ran for it. What kind of family was this?

Ye Shi was at her wit's end, squatting on the ground and covering her face.

Dad was eccentric enough, but now the moms were joining in the mischief, and even the younger siblings were little demons.

It proved that spending too much time with Ye Chen rubbed off on you, and the next generation inherited it all.

Even the figures from Boundary Ming Mountain, including Ming Di and Di Huang, rubbed their brows. Talents like Ye Chen were rare in the world.

Just that sack of Hehuan San was enough to make anyone nauseous.