Hua Xianle

Chapter 64:

Chapter 64:

Hua Ying was practically vibrating with excitement as the preparations for the trip finally wrapped up. The Nies had already begun their trek back to Qinghe, with Huaisang already plotting the downfall of the Chang Clan behind his fan. Lan Xichen was also on his way back to Gusu, with the promise to inform his parents of Lan Zhan’s trip with Hua Ying.

Hua Cheng and Xie Lian returned not long after with all three of their son’s spiritual animals. They also brought along two Qiankun pouches for him to bring with him. One held a wide variety of snacks that Hua Ying loved, along with some of Wangji’s favorites as well. The other contained a hefty sum of money, enough to buy any souvenirs or trinkets the boy desired along the way.

After a long exchange of hugs, kisses, and promises of communication, the two reluctantly parted ways with their son and his zhiji, allowing them to take flight.

The journey to Baoshen Sanren’s mountain was a long one, with the peak located somewhere just beyond the borders of the Jianghu. As such, going on foot was just not feasible. This was how Lan Zhan found himself holding a kitten-sized Shaung in his arms, the purring tiger warm against his chest. Jiaohua, also in his puppy form, was curled up in Hua Ying’s arms, panting happily with his tongue hanging out. Huoyan was just flying alongside them, doing some occasional flips as a way of showing her excitement.

For the first few hours of their journey, Hua Ying chattered endlessly, much to the amazement of both Song Lan and Xingchen. Neither of them knew anyone who could talk nonstop like that without getting tired. Xingchen was also amazed that Wangji never admonished him. The Lans were notorious for preferring quiet and peace, so why did this one seem so happy? 

“Do you even require breathing, Xianle?” Song Lan commented with a laugh. “I don’t think I’ve heard you take one since our journey began.”

“Indeed,” Xingchen nodded. “How are you not tired after speaking so much?”

“Selective mute as a child,” Wangji chimed in, glancing over at his zhiji with a slightly teasing expression. “Made up for all lost words.”

“Ah! How cruel!” Hua Ying dramatically wailed, putting one hand on his forehead. “To think my own zhiji would be so mean to A-Ying! Don’t the Lans have a rule about bullying?”

A ghost of a smile flickered on Lan Zhan’s face while Xingchen’s fell altogether.

“You…were mute?” Xingchen asked, getting a nod from Xianle.

“Mm-hm, Ziyuan didn’t like it when I made too much noise. She would always beat me and threaten to sell me to a brothel. After a while, I just stopped talking.”

“And you weren’t even old enough to have a weapon yet,” Song Lan snarled. “I pray that she rots in the deepest pits of Diyu…”

“She prays that too,” Wangji declared coldly. “Preferable.”

“Not that she’s gonna be going there anytime soon,” Xianle cackled, his grin becoming wicked as his eyes seemed to turn red. “A long, bitter life as a servant is exactly what she deserves.”

Not wanting his martial nephew to dwell on the bad memories of the past, Xiao Xingchen decided to change the topic to the spiritual animals that he’d brought with him.

"Normally, a cultivator would only be able to acquire one spiritual animal. I was quite surprised to see you have three of them, and they're all rare ones too. Mind telling me the story of how you got them, Xianle?" 

Hua Ying absolutely beamed at the question, immediately beginning his tale.

“I was very sick when my Baba and A-Die rescued me. By the time I recovered physically, I mentally began to process everything that happened, which just made me sick all over again. My aunties and uncles all came to visit me during that time, bringing me gifts to help me feel better and to show I was loved.”