Chapter 1832: Filial Piety

Chapter 1832: Filial Piety

At night, Hengyue Zong was finally quiet. As the elders and disciples left, they all stroked their chins, their eyes on Xiao Ling'er full of meaningful glances—this was absolutely a bizarre event.

Some eccentric elders and mischievous disciples kept trying to squeeze milk from Chu Ling, just to get a taste.

On Yunu Peak, Xiao Ling'er sat on the grass, probably hungry, hugging a lingguo and munching away happily.

Ye Chen and the women were also sitting there, forming a circle around the little one, watching her over and over.

"It's not about the milk."

"Of course not." At the mention of milk, Chu Ling glanced sideways and glared at Ye Chen again, her cheeks still flushed.

"Have you figured something out?"

"In a past life and this one, the child was in Ling'er's womb for at least three hundred years." Ye Chen pondered. "Based on age, she's over three hundred years old, with accumulated energy leading to sudden growth."

"That explanation makes sense." Chu Ling rested her chin on one hand. "When I died, it went with me to the Mingjie. Though not born, it was always gestating in my womb."

"Does that mean Xiao Ling'er will keep growing quickly?"

"And her cultivation level will keep rising rapidly?"

"I don't know." Ye Chen shook his head. "It involves past and present lives, so anything's possible. It might happen, or it might not."

"Where is this place?" As they spoke, a voice came from the bamboo grove.

Then, a woman stepped out, holding her forehead and rubbing her brows, as if she'd had too much to drink. Her beautiful eyes were hazy, and she walked unsteadily, like she was stepping on sponges.

This woman was none other than Bei Sheng from Xuanhuang.

Earlier, the goddesses from Ling Zu and Gu Zu had used a soul-bewitching curse on her, putting her to sleep for several days. She only woke up tonight, still looking confused.

The women sighed endlessly—being able to bewilder Bei Sheng for so long showed just how powerful that soul-bewitching curse was.

Seeing it was Bei Sheng, Ye Chen stood up, ready to slip away.

Back in the ancient ruins, he had seen her body completely, and that scene was incredibly enticing.

He wanted to leave, but as soon as he got up, Chu Xuan pulled him back, smiling slyly. "Why run?"

"Nonsense, I need to pee." Ye Chen quickly protested his innocence.

"Pee? Hold it." Chu Xuan smiled even more cheerfully and, afraid he might bolt, placed a hand on his shoulder. Though it was light, it pinned him down completely—the power of an emperor's weapon was formidable.

"This is Yunu Peak?" Bei Sheng finally sobered up and recognized Ye Chen, naturally recognizing the women too.

The others were fine, but when she saw Chu Ling, she was stunned.

She looked exactly like Chu Xuan. With her intelligence, she could guess that this was the other peak master of Yunu Peak, also Ye Chen's master, named Chu Ling.

Xiao Ling'er from Hengyue Zong had once been part of the Da Chu expeditionary force, but she died saving Ye Chen.

This was Bei Sheng's first time seeing Chu Ling, but she'd heard the legends about her long ago—they had spread across the myriad domains and heavens.

"Mommy."

The tender call broke the silence.

Snapped out of her thoughts, Bei Sheng instinctively looked down and saw a little one at her feet, looking up with a small head, tugging at her clothes. Her bright eyes sparkled.

The word "mommy" left her a bit dazed and muddled.

The women's expressions turned a bit strange. Did this little one call every pretty woman "mommy"?

And as for Ye Chen, he looked utterly pleased!

The kid was so young, yet already learning to help his old man flirt with women. What filial piety—this was truly touching.

"Mommy, hold me."

The little one reached out her hands.

Bei Sheng's motherly instincts kicked in, and she bent down to pick up the little one. She even poked the child's cheek with a jade finger. Maybe she liked her too much, because she gave her quite a few treasures.

As she held her, Bei Sheng was shocked. "Kong Ming Jing?"

"You think her dad is just anyone?" Ye Chen tossed his head and smoothed his hair, his aura reaching new heights.

He really was acting like a dad now, and Bei Sheng's expression was priceless.

The night grew late, and Xiao Ling'er was tired. She nestled in Bei Sheng's arms, sleeping peacefully, occasionally murmuring "mommy" in her dreams.

"Good girl, time to sleep." Chu Ling stood up, took the little one, and gently rocked her as she headed to her own boudoir.

"Time to sleep!" Ye Chen quickly got up, patted his behind, rubbed his hands, and followed her in.

But the next instant, he came flying out, landing face-first like a dog eating mud, with a footprint on his backside.

Clearly, Chu Ling had kicked him out, and with considerable force—Ye Chen grimaced in pain.

"Time to sleep!" The women ignored it, pretending not to see, and each returned to their boudoirs, making sure to lock the doors.

Ye Chen felt awkward. He hadn't even planned to do anything—just wanted to cuddle with his wife and child for sleep. But that kick had ruined it all!

Bei Sheng clicked her tongue. The mighty emperor of Da Chu could still get shot down like this, completely tamed by his wife.

"Here's an invitation." Ye Chen handed Bei Sheng an invitation card.

"No money." Bei Sheng replied curtly, occasionally recalling the absurd events from the ancient ruins.

"You're Bei Sheng—how could you have no money? Make it generous."

"Hmph." Bei Sheng didn't argue, but she took it anyway, then asked, "Why am I on Yunu Peak?"

"The goddesses from Ling Zu and Gu Zu brought you here."

"You have to say, those two good sisters of yours are really something."

"I've never seen such a domineering soul-bewitching curse."

As Ye Chen spoke, he sidled up to Chu Ling and the others' boudoirs, peeking at each one like a thief.

Flames ignited in Bei Sheng's beautiful eyes, but not for Ye Chen—it was for the goddesses of Ling Zu and Gu Zu.

With Ye Chen's words, she remembered everything. It was after drinking a cup of wine from them that she blacked out.

Under the moonlight, her cheeks flushed red. The more she thought about it, the more embarrassed she got, realizing the implication from her good sisters.

The more she dwelled on it, the redder her face became. She turned and left, soaring into the sky and vanishing in an instant, heading back to Xuanhuang to settle the score.

Yunu Peak under the bright moon was peaceful again. Ye Chen stared longingly at the boudoirs, wanting to cry but unable to shed tears.

That damned heavenly tribulation meant he couldn't do anything. Without that loneliness, tonight's beautiful scene would have been utterly enchanting.

The sun and moon cycled on, and before anyone realized, the full moon arrived.

Over the month, Yunu Peak saw a constant stream of people—disciples and elders alike—all wanting to see if Xiao Ling'er had grown.

This time, the little one was more normal, still looking two or three years old, but her dao essence and aura were increasingly extraordinary.

The one who ran there most often was still that Xiong Er.

He always tried to trick Ye Chen into arranging a child betrothal.

Ye Chen always greeted Xiong Er with a special ritual—he'd enter standing and leave carried out.

But Xiong Er was shameless and persistent. He came back every time after getting beaten, and after every beating, he'd come again, until Ye Chen almost felt bad about it.

A new day dawned, and before the sky was light, the sound of firecrackers echoed through Hengyue Zong, crisp and loud.

At the foot of Yunu Peak, Ye Chen had brought a small stool, sitting there with one leg crossed over the other, cracking sunflower seeds rhythmically.

"Come on, keep in line, one by one."

Sure enough, as his good brothers, the first to arrive were Xie Yun and the others, each carrying a sack.

Even from a distance, you could smell the Hehuan Powder.

A specialty of Da Chu, with color, fragrance, and flavor all complete—it always came out for big events to show off.

"How's the weight? Enough?" Xie Yun smoothed his hair.

"Enough." Ye Chen said meaningfully, looking at those sacks of Hehuan Powder—he was truly gratified.

"Become a dad, cheer up." Situ Nan patted Ye Chen on the shoulder and strode into Yunu Peak with a handsome step.

"If it's not enough, there's more." Xie Yun also patted Ye Chen.

As for Xiong Er, when he went in, he tried to chat with Ye Chen about the marriage, but Ye Chen slapped him against the wall, turning him into a human pancake that everyone would stop to look at.

Then came the juniors, all in a neat line.

Leading them were Gong Xiaotian, Shao Yu (Xie Yun's disciple), and Wang Biao (Huo Teng's disciple).

The three of them carried bamboo baskets—or rather, everyone who came carried them, packed full of Hehuan Powder.

"Don't say a word. Anyone who dares mutter, I'll beat them to death."

Ye Chen warned them, then went back to cracking seeds, afraid that if these little brats spoke, he'd lose control and beat them senseless. It was just too frustrating.

The juniors were smart about it—they knew Ye Chen's temper and didn't dare say an extra word. Otherwise, the Xiong Er stuck on the wall was a naked example.

Liu Yi, Nie Feng, and the others also came, as upright as ever. At least, their gifts weren't Hehuan Powder.

That was just how Hengyue Zong was—the upright ones were too upright, and the unserious ones were too unserious. It was all extremes.

"Got any stock left at home? If not, just take some." Ye Chen pointed to the foot of the mountain, where sacks and baskets were piled up, all full of Hehuan Powder.

"Don't joke, Junior Brother Ye." Liu Yi shook his head with a smile and walked into Yunu Peak with Nie Feng and the others.

The elders arrived too, all with radiant faces. They dropped off their gifts and headed straight up the peak to snatch hugs with the little one—they hadn't seen her in just a day and already missed her terribly.

Outside the mountain, the guests had all arrived, coming from all directions and gathering at the base, a dense crowd like a sea of people.

Da Chu had countless forces, and every family received an invitation. Plus, many independent cultivators got one each.

Looking out, they formed various groups: like Wu Sanpao, Taiyi, and Niu Shisan; like Wuya and Gu Santong; like the kings of past generations; like descendants of emperors, either in groups of three or teams of five.

Though they looked proper, in reality, over ninety percent of them hadn't brought any money—they were just here for free food and drink.

"Fellow daoists, please come in." The elders guarding the mountain gate hurried forward to welcome them, all smiling.

"Come on, tell me, whose family is having the baby?" Wu Sanpao said roughly, grabbing a Hengyue elder.

"The invitation is clearly signed."

"Clearly signed? Last time that little fatty signed it as Ye Chen too." Taiyi cursed. "Trying to pull the same trick?"

"That was an accident." The Hengyue elder stroked his beard. "This time, it's real, absolutely genuine."

"I don't recognize invitations, only people." Niu Shisan pushed the elder aside and strode in, acting all tough.

"You want to fool me? No way." The crowd surged in.