A Dog Father Cannot Beget a Dragon Son

Word 50: My Little Brother Can't Be This Cute!

Fei Chuan watched carefully as his mother in this world let out a final breath of relief, and a piercing cry resounded in the room. His father, unbearably tense from all the stress, finally released the death grip he had on Fei Chuan's shoulder and surged forward in anticipation. 

"My beautiful wife," he said, breathlessly, kissing his spouse on her sweaty forehead. A midwife, cleaning her bundle in calm, practiced motions, soon handed Fei Chuan's new little brother to his father. His father laughed with joy, then brought the newly birthed child over to his laboring mother. Fei Chuan's mother looked at them all, the father, the son, Fei Chuan, and smiled a tired but happy smile. 

So far, so good, Fei Chuan thinks, looking over his new family, then ran forward to demand to hold the baby. 

Fei Chuan looked down at the child in his arms. From now on, no one will stand in his way. Yan Fucheng, I'll make you rise to the heavens! 

This time, I'll save you. 

** ****

Fei Chuan's father, one Yan Qing, was one of the main powerhouses of the Purple Firmament Sect. He had risen to fame very early on in his cultivation career, and now resided, along with his wife, Yan Xiaoling, as an elder in one of the main four houses of the sect. The reason for both their rises could be said to be pretty self-explanatory. Yan Qing had a Pure Yang special physique, whereas Yan Xiaoling had a Pure Yin special physique. Together, they could be considered the pride of the sect.

Their physiques were at least somewhat hereditary. Fei Chuan, in this world known as Yan Jing, had been lucky to be born with a Harmonic Ying-Yang physique. While it paled in comparison to a Pure Yang physique, it was still a prized physique that greatly eased the path of cultivation. 

His younger brother, also the [Villain] of this world, Yan Fucheng had been born with an 85% Yang physique. The sect was already bustling about to get the herbs needed to completely purify his physique, so that he too could achieve a Pure Yang body. Oftentimes that was how a Pure Yang cultivator came about -- being born with such a physique was far, far too rare of an occurrence. 

Fei Chuan, already 14, loomed over baby Fucheng's crib like a silent protector for the first three months. 

Fucheng, after the first two of them, finally gained enough consciousness to make curious faces at Fei Chuan and cooed. 

Fei Chuan scrutinized him. "Are you happy?" Fei Chuan asked, fully aware of his own irrationality. 

Fucheng babbled and tried to reach a strand of Fei Chuan's long hair. He'll take that as a yes. 

Fei Chuan leaned down and kissed Fucheng on the forehead. "Then I'll protect your happiness."

 Then a month later, he bid a temporary farewell to his parents and left (or else he would never leave).

Fei Chuan went to the apothecary, naturally. There was no other place that would know what herbs were needed to purify Fucheng's physique. 

"Yan Jing," remarked the alchemy elder, slightly surprised. His aged face peered down at Fei Chuan's shorter stature. "How can I help you?" 

"Elder Fong," Fei Chuan said, respectfully cupping his hands. "I hope to join the sect's endeavors to collect herbs for my little brother." He noted a small girl peeking at him from behind the door to the apothecary's living area. She was likely Fong Mushu, the elder's granddaughter. And, as it would happen, the bearer of a Pure Yin physique. Word was that she was likely to be engaged to Fucheng, right after he ascended to a Pure Yang body. 

The alchemy elder nodded approvingly. "You are truly a generous and precocious child. Have your parents agreed to this?" 

Fei Chuan nodded firmly. 

The elder slowly straightened up, and solemnly handed Fei Chuan a list of herbs. "If your parents agree, I will not stop you. Be careful on your journey child. Do not be afraid to return to the sect if misfortune befalls you." 

"Thank you very much, Elder Fong," Fei Chuan kowtowed to the elder. Elder Fong beamed at him a little more, before kindly dismissing him. 

Fei Chuan walked out the apothecary's main hall with a youthful spring in his step, before it casually transitioned to a deliberate walk the minute he was out of range.

"Turn left," the system gave the last of many orders, immediately falling silent, and Fei Chuan turned left. A young man two years older was sauntering over to him. 

"So you're an apprentice alchemist?" Fei Chuan raised a brow. 

The young man smirked. "Who else would you get to forge your pills for you?" he asked breezily. He extended a hand, "The name's Mu Hong this time. As always, happy cooperation."

 "If this doesn't work out, I'll skin you while you're still in your human form," Fei Chuan said, a little irritated by how happy-go-lucky the other man was acting. "Remember, you promised." 

Mu Hong only kept smiling, the oily snake. "Don't forget I'm as invested as you are. And I can keep my promises, White Rabbit." 

** ****