Just as they arrived in the Beast Realm, Liu Lixue helped Ying Heng disembark from the Mustard Seed Boat.
Sang Dai, following by Ying Heng’s side, introduced him: “Master, you must have visited the Beast Realm a few times before. It has changed a lot now. The Twelve Palaces of the Beast Realm have been replaced by the Xingque Palace, and the power of the Beast Realm is now entirely in Su Xuan’s hands. The medical cultivator by your side is a steward of the Xingque Palace.”
Ying Heng did not know what the Beast Realm looked like nowadays, but from Sang Dai’s words, he could roughly imagine it.
He was well aware of how warlike the elders of the Twelve Palaces were, but Sang Dai said that under Su Xuan’s governance, the Beast Realm had not seen war for over a century.
“Su Xuan is a good child,” said Ying Heng Immortal Lord.
The “good child” eagerly stepped forward to offer his services. “Immortal Lord, the Beast Palace is vast. Why not stay at the Lianfang Pavilion? It’s more secluded and spacious there, a good place for recuperation.”
Ying Heng responded with a light smile, “I won’t stay in the Beast Palace. I’ve already discussed it with Young Master Liu. I will reside at his residence. Young Master Liu is a medical cultivator and can help me heal.”
Liu Lixue raised his eyebrows at his own sovereign, signaling with his eyes: It’s Immortal Lord Ying Heng himself who wants to stay at my residence. I don’t want to interrupt you two.
Su Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly: The Beast Palace is so large; why can’t he stay here?
Liu Lixue: If Immortal Lord stays here, your lady will visit him ten times in three days.
Ying Heng himself understood how much Sang Dai cared about his injuries. Earlier, he had already discussed with Liu Lixue that the peacock’s residence, not far from here, was allocated to him by Su Xuan when he assumed his position. Its backyard contained a large medicinal garden, perfect for Ying Heng’s recovery.
Sang Dai supported her master and said, “Master, why not stay for a meal before leaving? Su Xuan’s cooking skills are excellent.”
Ying Heng was surprised. “The Beast King knows how to cook?”
Liu Lixue immediately chimed in, “My sovereign’s cooking skills are outstanding. Immortal Lord, why not stay and have a taste before going back with me?”
He blinked at Su Xuan, the meaning in his gaze unmistakable—it was clear he wanted to eat as well.
Su Xuan rolled his eyes at him. Then, meeting Ying Heng’s blank, unseeing gaze, he restrained his casual demeanor, even though he knew Ying Heng couldn’t see his expression.
“Immortal Lord, please stay for a meal before you leave.”
Since their relationship was not yet officially established, Su Xuan felt uneasy no matter what.
Ying Heng nodded hesitantly. “Alright, I’ll trouble the Beast King then.”
In truth, though only a few days had passed since he last left the Beast Palace, returning now felt somehow different.
Before leaving, this place was merely a temporary dwelling for Sang Dai. Once everything was settled, she might not stay here.
But now that they had returned, she and Su Xuan had already expressed their feelings for each other. The two were about to be bonded, and in the future, the Beast Palace would be their home. Ying Heng would also live in the Beast Realm from then on.
The whole family would be here.
Sang Dai tilted her head slightly to glance at Su Xuan, who was walking on Ying Heng’s other side. With an elder present, the young fox was much more reserved, even taking smaller steps. Previously, Su Xuan walked with swift, resolute strides, his broad robes sweeping behind him with a fierce rustling sound. Every time he came to find Sang Dai, she always felt as though he was coming for a fight.
Sensing her gaze, the little fox looked over.
Sang Dai softly smiled at him.
Before Su Xuan’s mind could catch up, the corners of his lips had already curved upward, his eyes suddenly brightening, and his ears turning noticeably red.
Liu Lixue looked at his sovereign, whose gaze seemed completely fixated on Sang Dai, and turned his head away like a peacock, shaking his folding fan with a helpless sigh.
Cui Shao had long been waiting at the main hall entrance. Seeing them return, she quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said, “Greetings to the Sovereign, the Madam, and Steward Liu.”
She glanced at the white-robed sword cultivator and recalled the message her sovereign had sent back. Using spiritual power, she transmitted her voice directly to him:
“Greetings… Immortal Lord Ying Heng.”
Ying Heng, unaccustomed to such reverence, softly replied, “No need for formalities.”
Cui Shao straightened and stole a glance at him.
The Sovereign had instructed that this matter must not be revealed; only the people of the main hall were to know that this was Immortal Lord Ying Heng. Although Ying Heng had altered his appearance, his gentle aura bore a striking resemblance to their Madam’s.
She hurried forward to lead the way. “Immortal Lord, please take a seat in the courtyard.”
Sang Dai entrusted Ying Heng to Cui Shao’s care.
She watched as Ying Heng settled in the waterside pavilion within the small courtyard. Cui Shao poured water and brewed tea, but Ying Heng looked distinctly uneasy.
He had always preferred quiet and, after the two years of being hunted, had grown unaccustomed to such respectful treatment. His discomfort was apparent.
Liu Lixue swaggered over to sit across from Ying Heng and began drinking tea on his own.
Sang Dai felt a profound sense of peace.
Standing at the courtyard gate, she gazed at Ying Heng from a distance, her smile spreading.
No matter what had happened in the past, at least the present was good. Ying Heng had truly returned to her side, and Sang Dai had found him.
As for the truth, they would uncover it eventually.
Her hanging hand was suddenly clasped by someone. Sang Dai looked up to see the young fox smiling at her, asking, “What do you want to eat tonight?”
Sang Dai pretended to think deeply. “Hmm…”
Su Xuan leaned closer and said, “After eating, how about going out for a walk with me?”
Sang Dai pinched his face and rubbed his fox ears. “Alright.”
“What shall we eat?”
“Crispy fish.”
The crispy fish Su Xuan fried was so tender even the bones were crunchy. Both Liu Lixue and Sang Dai loved it.
Taking Su Xuan’s hand, Sang Dai led him toward the kitchen. “Let’s make it together. I’ll help you.”
Su Xuan chuckled. “Miss Sang offering to help? Will this meal even be edible today?”
Sang Dai shot him a glare over her shoulder. “You shut up! I can at least manage washing vegetables.”
A sword cultivator might use a long blade to kill, but not a kitchen knife to chop vegetables.
However, a sword cultivator could wash vegetables.
The little fox cheerfully led his sword cultivator into the kitchen.
The Beast King waved his sleeve. “Everyone, leave.”
The servants of the Beast Palace all knew that Su Xuan was an excellent cook. He often visited the kitchen, and whenever the Beast King came, it meant he intended to cook personally.
The demon attendants bowed and replied, “Yes, Sovereign, Madam Sovereign.”
The spacious kitchen was left with only the two of them.
Sang Dai tilted her head and asked, “What else are you planning to make?”
Su Xuan rolled up his wide sleeves, revealing his lean and strong forearms. He splashed water to wash his hands and casually pressed the sword cultivator’s hands into the sink as well.
“What else do you want to eat?”
With someone helping to wash her hands, Sang Dai naturally stood still. She thought for a moment and said, “Master’s body is weak. Why don’t you make some medicinal dishes?”
“Alright.”
Su Xuan washed the sword cultivator’s hands clean with soapberry, dried them off, and then leaned in to kiss her lightly.
“Go wash the vegetables for me?”
Sang Dai smiled sweetly and nodded. “Alright.”
[Such a sweet smile.]
Sang Dai’s smile deepened.
[Kiss her.]
Sang Dai closed her eyes, and the little fox leaned in, holding the back of her head as he kissed her.
In the past, Su Xuan had only dared to think about such things in his heart. Now, the little fox dared to act on it, and the sword cultivator permitted his kisses and closeness.
Still mindful of the task at hand, he stopped after a moment. When he pulled back, he saw Sang Dai’s eyes open, her long lashes trembling slightly. In her pupils, he could see his own reflection.
Her eyes now held him.
Su Xuan’s smile grew even brighter. He kissed her eyelids again.
“My precious Dai Dai, my sweetheart, so beautiful.”
Sang Dai covered her eyes and laughed. “Go cook, I’m starving.”
The little fox finally stopped, gently patting her on the head.
Sang Dai stood by the sink washing vegetables while watching Su Xuan knead dough.
When he worked, he was very focused. Liu Lixue had once told Sang Dai that Su Xuan’s skill came from his younger days—Liu Ling loved snacks but was too clumsy to learn cooking, so Su Xuan had taken the initiative to learn. He had been skilled at it from a young age.
Sang Dai quickly finished washing the vegetables, but Su Xuan hadn’t yet finished kneading the dough. He didn’t notice her watching him. A strand of the little fox’s silver hair hung loosely as he worked, and the veins on his arms stood out from the effort.
She pulled over a stool and sat by the sink, watching him.
In the past, Sang Dai could go years without eating a proper meal. She would just take a few fasting pills, and occasionally buy a pack of osmanthus cakes.
Since coming to Su Xuan’s side, her life resembled that of an ordinary person without a spiritual root.
The kitchen was spacious, and Su Xuan didn’t mind her getting in the way. He allowed her to rest her chin on her hands and watch him work, only asking her to stand farther away when he was frying or stir-frying.
The sword cultivator felt the little fox was very capable and diligent—he could do everything, from washing clothes to cooking. This way, she could afford to be entirely incompetent at such tasks.
Meanwhile, Liu Lixue had spent nearly half an hour explaining to Immortal Lord Ying Heng the events of the past century in the cultivation world, recounting almost everything he knew.
Ying Heng remained quiet, much like Sang Dai when she first arrived in the Beast Realm—reserved and polite. For every ten sentences Liu Lixue spoke, Ying Heng might respond with one.
Liu Lixue didn’t mind. His own sovereign spoke just as little in his presence, and after a hundred years, he was used to it.
At that moment, a jade token sounded, and Su Xuan’s voice came through: “Come serve the dishes.”
Liu Lixue stood up and said to Ying Heng, “Immortal Lord, I’ll go bring the dishes. Please wait here for a while.”
Ying Heng nodded politely. “Alright.”
He didn’t notice when everyone left, leaving him alone in the courtyard.
The Chunying Sword rested on the table. Unaware of its presence, Ying Heng sipped his tea.
It wasn’t until a voice resounded in his sea of consciousness—this time from his disciple—that he snapped out of his thoughts.
“Master, come try Su Xuan’s cooking. It’s really delicious.”
Ying Heng smiled faintly and, under Chunying’s guidance, picked up some food from the dish in front of him.
He lacked a sense of taste, so everything he ate felt like chewing wax. Still, his disciple eagerly awaited his reaction.
Ying Heng nodded. “The Beast King’s cooking is excellent. Our Dai Dai will be lucky in the future.”
This was mostly said to appease the juniors, but even so, it brought him a sense of joy.
Peace was hard-won, and it had been a long time since he had eaten so quietly.
Sang Dai’s nose tingled, and she silently ladled a bowl of medicinal soup for Ying Heng. “Master, please have some soup.”
Su Xuan and Liu Lixue exchanged glances, both noticing the heaviness in her mood.
Liu Lixue sighed inwardly, while Su Xuan lowered his gaze and quietly peeled shrimp for Sang Dai.
The meal was eaten in near silence. By the time they finished, dusk had fully given way to night, and the courtyard was steeped in darkness.
Liu Lixue glanced at Su Xuan, who immediately understood, realizing he had something to discuss.
Liu Lixue rose and said, “Since Sovereign cooked, I shall wash the dishes.”
He gathered the plates and chopsticks and left in the direction of the kitchen.
Shortly after he left, Su Xuan also stood. “Immortal Lord, please remain seated. This junior has some matters to attend to and will return shortly.”
Ying Heng naturally agreed. “Very well. Please attend to your business, Beast King.”
The two left one after the other, and Sang Dai naturally discerned that they had something to discuss.
She glanced at Ying Heng, seated to her left, and suppressed the sourness in her heart. Forcing a smile, she began to chat with him.
“Master, your disciple misses your cooking even more. When you recover, will you make a meal for me first?”
No matter how grown she was, in front of Ying Heng, she was still a child.