"Father."
Nie Shiyun and Zhai Bairong came to a halt outside Nie Li’s residence. As soon as Nie Shiyun called out, the door to the house swung open. It seemed Nie Li had been waiting for some time, likely having spent it mentally preparing himself.
Nie Shiyun exchanged a look with Zhai Bairong, nodded, and stepped inside.
"You’ve arrived," Nie Li cleared his throat, trying to maintain a calm expression.
"Greetings, Senior," Zhai Bairong bowed respectfully.
"..."
The words "I dare not accept such a gesture" nearly escaped Nie Li’s lips. After all, Zhai Bairong was the representative disciple of the Moon-Reflecting Sect. Though he was of the younger generation, even sect elders and leaders usually showed him a measure of deference. During Zhai Bairong’s previous visits, Nie Li had interacted with him almost as an equal; this sudden shift in dynamic was difficult to get used to.
However, he reminded himself that Nie Shiyun was introducing him in a different capacity today. Being too humble would only make things awkward, so he swallowed his words. Instead, he stepped forward and lightly supported Zhai Bairong’s arms to signal he didn't need to be so formal.
Seeing his father and his partner being excessively polite to one another, Nie Shiyun spoke up helplessly, "Father, I know you already know Bairong. But today, I must introduce him properly. Do you remember what I mentioned before?"
"You said you had a Dao companion."
Nie Shiyun nodded. "Indeed. It is Bairong. At the time, the situation was complicated, and I thought a sudden announcement might give you a fright. I figured it would be better to wait until he could visit so we could sit down and speak with you properly."
Nie Li took a sharp breath inwardly. He thought to himself that it would have been better to be told earlier so he could have prepared. He hadn't just been "frightened" this afternoon; he had nearly fainted.
Zhai Bairong looked somewhat embarrassed. Setting aside the blunder of Nie Li overhearing them earlier that afternoon, he also remembered that his last visit to Yunqing Pavilion had been in the company of Duan Mingyu. At that time, Nie Li had received them in his capacity as an elder. Now, a few years later, he had become the partner of Nie Li's son. He couldn't help but wonder if Nie Li harbored any dissatisfaction.
Nie Shiyun knew that since he had seemingly had no connection with Zhai Bairong before, suddenly declaring their relationship would leave Nie Li bewildered. He didn't hide the origins of their bond, informing Nie Li of their encounter in Fanhu City.
As for the matter of Duan Mingyu, it was better left unsaid. During the last visit, Nie Li had indeed thought Zhai Bairong and Duan Mingyu were a well-matched pair. However, Duan Mingyu had subsequently maintained intimate relationships with several other young talents simultaneously. As a devoted man who had never moved on since his wife’s passing, Nie Li found such behavior difficult to accept. It seemed he wasn't the only one with "old-fashioned" views.
Zhai Bairong nodded in agreement from the side, though he didn't say much due to his nerves. But just as Nie Shiyun had predicted, Nie Li held no grievances regarding their relationship. To put it simply, he was a father who doted on his son. Previously, Nie Li hadn't even opposed Nie Shiyun’s interest in Duan Mingyu; now, with someone like Zhai Bairong—whose cultivation and character were considered exemplary among the younger generation—the most important thing was that Nie Shiyun was happy. Naturally, Nie Li approved wholeheartedly.
His only concern was that Zhai Bairong belonged to a major sect. Nie Li was well aware of the internal machinations within such large organizations. Thinking of the immortal artifact Nie Shiyun had obtained in the Cold Heaven Secret Realm and the secret manuals within their own sect, Nie Li couldn't help but scrutinize the situation a bit more closely in secret.
"Senior, this is a Spirit-Mind Pill I refined specifically for you. Please accept it." Remembering something, Zhai Bairong produced an exquisite porcelain bottle from his storage bracelet. He had heard Nie Shiyun mention that Nie Li’s cultivation had been stagnant for a long time after reaching the Nascent Soul stage. The Spirit-Mind Pill was a rare Spirit-grade medicine that could assist cultivators at or above the Nascent Soul stage in increasing their power. Upon learning at the Moon-Reflecting Sect that he would be visiting Yunqing Pavilion, he had hurriedly spent a large sum to purchase rare spirit herbs from an auction house and refined this batch overnight.
Nie Li was stunned. He naturally knew of the Spirit-Mind Pill. However, because he had been unable to let go of the past and lacked the heart for cultivation, he hadn't considered advancing his level. After Nie Shiyun’s breakthrough, he had gradually realized that while his old friend was gone, their son had grown into such an outstanding man. Perhaps it was time for him to look forward as well.
This Spirit-Mind Pill had arrived at the perfect moment.
"This is far too precious." Beyond being moved, Nie Li felt a bit sheepish. Seeing Nie Shiyun’s smiling face, he couldn't help but sigh at the fact that as a father, he was making two juniors worry about his cultivation.
"Father, this is a token of Bairong’s sincerity. Please accept it. He doesn't charge cheap for his alchemy services to outsiders," Nie Shiyun joked.
Zhai Bairong nudged him with his elbow. "Why bring that up?"
Nie Shiyun turned and replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world, "To show that you can earn spirit stones! That way, Father can rest easy knowing that even if I stay holed up in my cave dwelling and never come out, you can afford to support me."
Nie Li didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "What nonsense are you talking? You're a grown man; how can you let someone else support you?"
"When it comes to earning spirit stones, I can't compare to you..." Zhai Bairong murmured the truth under his breath.
Nie Shiyun watched Zhai Bairong with a beaming smile. After this exchange, the atmosphere among the three lightened considerably. Nie Li no longer refused, thanking him and graciously accepting the medicine.
"Speaking of which, you’ve also reached the Nascent Soul stage. I was in a rush before and only refined one batch. I’ll make some for you when I have time," Zhai Bairong added quietly to Nie Shiyun.
"No rush. For now, just focus on enjoying yourself here at Yunqing Pavilion," Nie Shiyun said.
Nie Li had originally intended to keep Nie Shiyun behind afterward to privately caution him about his concerns regarding major sects. But the intimacy between the two was impossible to fake; Zhai Bairong’s eyes were filled only with Nie Shiyun, with no room for anyone else. Nie Li felt that perhaps his interference was unnecessary. Nie Shiyun had participated in the Grand Cultivation Meet and survived a Secret Realm; he surely understood the ways of the world better than Nie Li himself.
"Alright, you youngsters should head back to your cave dwelling to be lovey-dovey. I won't disturb you any longer," Nie Li said with a smile and a shake of his head. "Since I’ve received such fine medicine, there’s no time like the present. I shall enter seclusion to cultivate immediately."
Nie Li’s words were casual, but Zhai Bairong instantly thought of how "lovey-dovey" he and Nie Shiyun had been that afternoon, and he immediately became flustered. He stole a glance at Nie Li, and seeing that the elder wasn't actually teasing him about the earlier incident, he managed to suppress his embarrassment.
Nie Shiyun saw that Nie Li wasn't just making an excuse but truly intended to enter seclusion. He asked in surprise, "Starting right now?"
Nie Li laughed. "The indigo comes from the blue but excels it. Although I’ll eventually be surpassed by you rising stars, as a father, I don't want to be left too far behind."
Zhai Bairong hurriedly said he still had a long way to go. But Nie Li knew very well that with Zhai Bairong’s aptitude, reaching the Nascent Soul stage was only a matter of time—likely only a few years away.
After a few more heartfelt words, Nie Shiyun and Zhai Bairong bid Nie Li farewell and returned to Nie Shiyun’s cave dwelling.
"See? I told you he wouldn't make things difficult for you."
Now that they were alone in the cave dwelling, Zhai Bairong finally relaxed completely. Hearing Nie Shiyun’s words, he nodded. "That’s because you were looking out for me. I can tell he dotes on you quite a bit."
After a pause, he added, "It’s very good. You should know, not all parents in this world love their children like that."
Nie Shiyun paused and looked at Zhai Bairong. However, Zhai Bairong’s expression was normal; he spoke calmly, his tone laced with a sense of relief.
Nie Shiyun recalled how, in the illusion, Zhai Bairong had always worried about his parents back in his hometown. Perhaps that had indeed been a projection created from vague childhood memories.
He had wanted to ask Zhai Bairong if he still had lingering attachments and if he wanted to return to the mortal realm to take a look. But then he remembered that Zhai Bairong’s bone age was already over forty. Mortals did not live long; those parents in the mortal realm had likely already turned to dust. As people of the cultivation world, it was better not to invite unnecessary sorrow.
"Now you can call him 'Father' as well," Nie Shiyun said to Zhai Bairong seriously.
Zhai Bairong gave a faint smile. "I feel it’s a bit too soon. I’m afraid your father might not be able to accept it all at once... Let’s change how we address him gradually in the future."
"That works too," Nie Shiyun agreed readily.
Having already been intimate twice that afternoon, the two weren't in a rush that night. They lay together leisurely, chatting about everything under the sun.
Zhai Bairong had finally drawn a clear line with Duan Mingyu, come to Yunqing Pavilion to see Nie Shiyun, and officially met his father. His heart felt very light. But the thought of their upcoming separation—even though it was still a few days away—already made him feel reluctant to leave. Nie Shiyun was naturally unwilling to let him go so soon either. Hearing Zhai Bairong mention the matter helplessly, he asked tentatively, "Since you have nothing to do back there anyway, why not ask the Moon-Reflecting Sect if you can stay here for a short while?"
Zhai Bairong hadn't considered this. After all, before they left, Qu Zhanmeng had already given instructions on what gifts to prepare and how many days they were to stay.
Hearing him say this, Nie Shiyun felt there was room for negotiation. "When the time comes, that elder and the other disciples can return as scheduled. They can take the return gifts back with them. Oh, and I’ll add a few more items. Didn't you say Qu Zhanmeng is vain and loves saving face? If I give him enough face, he should agree to this much..."
Zhai Bairong laughed. "The way you put it... it sounds like you're selling me off."
Nie Shiyun intentionally put on a resentful expression. "If I could really buy you out like that, I’d be overjoyed. Then we wouldn't have to live in two different places every other day like before."
Zhai Bairong was very susceptible to Nie Shiyun’s charms. He told Nie Shiyun to personally bring it up with the Moon-Reflecting Sect elder; it wouldn't be appropriate for Zhai Bairong himself to ask Qu Zhanmeng, as it would make his position seem too passive.
Seeing Zhai Bairong so actively participating in the act of "selling himself," Nie Shiyun collapsed into laughter with him on the bed. He promised to ask in two days. For the next few days, he didn't want to think about such things; he only wanted to spend his time leisurely within the cave dwelling. Zhai Bairong wholeheartedly agreed.
***
