Adoptive Father: C04-1

Chapter 4.1: Decision

This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)

_{Laughter erupted from Han Jiangxue, laughter that was hаrder to listen to than cries mixed with tears. "Even you look down on me—despise me… Hahahaha! Good—good! All of you are honourable men, after all.}
The surge of blood rushing to Han Xiling’s head in that instant made him almost faint.

Laughter erupted from Han Jiangxue, laughter that was hаrder to listen to than cries mixed with tears. "Even you look down on me—despise me… Hahahaha! Good—good! All of you are honourable men, after all. All of you are upright! I’m the only one who’s lеwd. I’m the only one who’s an androgynous whore. Ha! Whore, pervert, plaything… But what’s so wrong about liking men? I’ve never forced anyone to have me, yet they all chased after me and cursed that I was some temptress. Why? Why do such a thing? Not one of them really loves me, never… You want to know why I adopted? It’s just because I wanted a companion. I’m tired of being alone, especially at night. But I know you hate me, too. Just like everyone else… I won’t force you to stay. If you want to go, just go. Happiness has never been in the cards for me, so just go, go—everybody can just go. I’m destined to be alone anyway.”

_{Tears flooded Han Jiangxue’s face as he spoke, tears that became childlike sobs when he was done speaking.}A great deal of time passed as Han Xiling remained seated on that riverbank but wasn’t alone. He knew Uncle Wu was still there, watching over him from a distance. Perhaps the older man feared he might do something grave.

Tears flooded Han Jiangxue’s face as he spoke, tears that became childlike sobs when he was done speaking.

_{How could that boor of a man put his hand on him like that?! Why would Han Jiangxue let himself get treated like a woman…}
What those guys at the sword academy said is true. Han Jiangxue really is a kept man—he was really a whore!

How could that boor of a man put his hand on him like that?! Why would Han Jiangxue let himself get treated like a woman…

_{{Why would such a person have to be the one to adopt me?!}}Why would such a person have to be the one to adopt me?!

Why would such a person have to be the one to adopt me?!

_{{Did I mess with anyone? No! Everything was all because I was Han Jiangxue’s “son.” Because of that bastard!}}“Oi! Did someone put something in your drink, or are you always in some eternal heat?” While griping, Han Xiling struggled to hold up that man’s ever-sliding body. The more he tried to pull him to his feet, the sooner he realised that man’s body was terrifyingly hot all over.

Did I mess with anyone? No! Everything was all because I was Han Jiangxue’s “son.” Because of that bastard!

_{Han Xiling could barely grasp the meaning behind the older man’s words; after all, he was still a child, so seeing an adult’s angry outburst left him stunned stiff.}“Try it!” With this, the pitiful look only seen when he drank was completely gone and replaced with a furrow.

Han Xiling could barely grasp the meaning behind the older man’s words; after all, he was still a child, so seeing an adult’s angry outburst left him stunned stiff.

_{{Did Uncle Wu bring me back? Whoa, he really worked hаrd. It’s such a long trip.}}“Young master, you are still so young, and there are still things you cannot possibly understand, so please don’t pass judgements based on surface-level understandings alone.”

Did Uncle Wu bring me back? Whoa, he really worked hаrd. It’s such a long trip.

_{“So have you figured it out yet?” That man trаmpled on his efforts with his nonchalant question.}
Without a second thought, Han Xiling turned-tail and ran from that room, ran from that house, paying no mind to the panicked cries from Uncle Bo urging him to return.

“So have you figured it out yet?” That man trаmpled on his efforts with his nonchalant question.

_{Han Xiling was speechless, utterly unable to respond.}“Understood.” Han Xiling’s heart thundered. He was practically beside himself for the day to come.

Han Xiling was speechless, utterly unable to respond.

_{“Young master, you are still so young, and there are still things you cannot possibly understand, so please don’t pass judgements based on surface-level understandings alone.”}
With not a single destination in mind, he ran down the streets aimlessly, unable to wash away the scene in that bedroom from replaying before his eyes.

“Young master, you are still so young, and there are still things you cannot possibly understand, so please don’t pass judgements based on surface-level understandings alone.”

_{{Since that guy adopted me, what benefit have I gotten, huh?}}N/A

Since that guy adopted me, what benefit have I gotten, huh?

_{“Anyhow, you don’t have to go to Qingmiao today because you’ll be accompanying me to the Xuanyuan Sect. Since the current swordsmanship competition is in its final round, you can come over and watch the matches. After seeing it all in person, you can choose the path you would like to take in the future.”}Without a second thought, Han Xiling turned-tail and ran from that room, ran from that house, paying no mind to the panicked cries from Uncle Bo urging him to return.

“Anyhow, you don’t have to go to Qingmiao today because you’ll be accompanying me to the Xuanyuan Sect. Since the current swordsmanship competition is in its final round, you can come over and watch the matches. After seeing it all in person, you can choose the path you would like to take in the future.”

_{“Young master…” Uncle Wu’s thin frаme fell to his knees as he pleaded, “Please do not break the master’s heart. If it was not for fate, he would not have adopted you.”}Since that guy adopted me, what benefit have I gotten, huh?

“Young master…” Uncle Wu’s thin frаme fell to his knees as he pleaded, “Please do not break the master’s heart. If it was not for fate, he would not have adopted you.”

_{Tears flooded Han Jiangxue’s face as he spoke, tears that became childlike sobs when he was done speaking.}
Disgusting! So damn disgusting!

Tears flooded Han Jiangxue’s face as he spoke, tears that became childlike sobs when he was done speaking.

It was well into the night when Han Xiling regained consciousness, and everything around him was dead still. Looking around, he discovered he was lying in the bedroom of the western wing.

_{“Stop being all stunned. Han Jiangxue patted the back of his head. “Remember, for today, you are only allowed to watch, so don’t talk too much. Understood?”}
Why would a man want to embrace another to do something so improper?!

“Stop being all stunned. Han Jiangxue patted the back of his head. “Remember, for today, you are only allowed to watch, so don’t talk too much. Understood?”

Han Xiling quickly shook off his daze and carefully lifted that man into the nearby tub. The water had lost most of its heat, so his next move was to go ask Uncle Wu to bring him some more hot water, but that man grabbed hold of him.

_{Han Xiling ran all the way from the western district to the eastern city, then to the bank of the river he used to bathe in with his former Youmiao Academy brothers. When he finally plopped his butt on the ground, he was panting like a tired dog.}
Why would such a fearsome Sword Lunatic want to be held by a man like a woman?!

Han Xiling ran all the way from the western district to the eastern city, then to the bank of the river he used to bathe in with his former Youmiao Academy brothers. When he finally plopped his butt on the ground, he was panting like a tired dog.

_{“{Hahaha…} I’m starting to like you more and more.” Han Jiangxue hugged Han Xiling by the neck fiercely before sitting back in his seat and finishing his dessert in noticeably high spirits.}Tears flooded Han Jiangxue’s face as he spoke, tears that became childlike sobs when he was done speaking.

“Hahaha… I’m starting to like you more and more.” Han Jiangxue hugged Han Xiling by the neck fiercely before sitting back in his seat and finishing his dessert in noticeably high spirits.

_{Ha Xiling wanted nothing more than to return to his Youmiao Academy in that instant. He no longer wanted to be an adoptee. He just wanted to go back home.}“Fine. If I am, then that makes you a daddy pig, doesn’t it?” Han Xiling shot back.

Ha Xiling wanted nothing more than to return to his Youmiao Academy in that instant. He no longer wanted to be an adoptee. He just wanted to go back home.

_{“Try it!” With this, the pitiful look only seen when he drank was completely gone and replaced with a furrow.}For the umpteenth time in a short period of time, Han Xiling was left staring at Han Jiangxue dumbfounded. He was going to the Xuanyuan Sect! To the house of one of the five most famous families in the entire nation!

“Try it!” With this, the pitiful look only seen when he drank was completely gone and replaced with a furrow.

Despite his boiling anger, the cold weather still made Han Xiling involuntarily tremble. He was wearing clothes much too thin for the weather, and he could sense his body drifting from a stinging heat before it turned cold. With this, his last bit of strength left him, and only darkness filled his gaze.

_{Like hell I’d ever do something so stupid!}
Why would such a person have to be the one to adopt me?!

Like hell I’d ever do something so stupid!

_{{I got the life beaten out of me, my pants ripped off of me, humiliated in front of everyone, and even the word “whore” written on my face.}}The recollection of his first kiss left him completely stupefied for a long time before he got up and lazily changed his clothes. His hair was still a mess when he made his way down the stairs, and it turned into a bigger one as he tugged at it while thinking about how he would face both Uncle Wu and Han Jiangxue.

I got the life beaten out of me, my pants ripped off of me, humiliated in front of everyone, and even the word “whore” written on my face.

_☆☆☆“If you’re not a little pig, then you must be a piglet, hm?”

☆☆☆

_{For the umpteenth time in a short period of time, Han Xiling was left staring at Han Jiangxue dumbfounded. He was going to the Xuanyuan Sect! To the house of one of the five most famous families in the entire nation!}
I don’t deserve this!

For the umpteenth time in a short period of time, Han Xiling was left staring at Han Jiangxue dumbfounded. He was going to the Xuanyuan Sect! To the house of one of the five most famous families in the entire nation!

_{{Did Uncle Wu bring me back? Whoa, he really worked hаrd. It’s such a long trip.}}N/A

Did Uncle Wu bring me back? Whoa, he really worked hаrd. It’s such a long trip.

_{“Anyhow, you don’t have to go to Qingmiao today because you’ll be accompanying me to the Xuanyuan Sect. Since the current swordsmanship competition is in its final round, you can come over and watch the matches. After seeing it all in person, you can choose the path you would like to take in the future.”}
Han Xiling ran all the way from the western district to the eastern city, then to the bank of the river he used to bathe in with his former Youmiao Academy brothers. When he finally plopped his butt on the ground, he was panting like a tired dog.

_{{Ah! What the—! My first kiss!!} At that moment, Han Xiling greatly wanted to strangle the bastard in front of him.}How could that boor of a man put his hand on him like that?! Why would Han Jiangxue let himself get treated like a woman…

Ah! What the—! My first kiss!! At that moment, Han Xiling greatly wanted to strangle the bastard in front of him.

_N/AHan Xiling stopped chewing on his bun and thought it over with his head askew, then asked, “What if I told you no?”

N/A

_{Tears flooded Han Jiangxue’s face as he spoke, tears that became childlike sobs when he was done speaking.}“Understood.” Han Xiling’s heart thundered. He was practically beside himself for the day to come.

Tears flooded Han Jiangxue’s face as he spoke, tears that became childlike sobs when he was done speaking.

_{The recollection of his first kiss left him completely stupefied for a long time before he got up and lazily changed his clothes. His hair was still a mess when he made his way down the stairs, and it turned into a bigger one as he tugged at it while thinking about how he would face both Uncle Wu and Han Jiangxue.}Nonetheless, Han Xiling was quite sad. The image of Han Jiangxue and Di Wangchen wound around one another still lingered in his mind like a bad dream refusing to be forgotten. He hated Han Jiangxue. He hated Di Wangchen. But more than that, he hated the relationship between the two!

The recollection of his first kiss left him completely stupefied for a long time before he got up and lazily changed his clothes. His hair was still a mess when he made his way down the stairs, and it turned into a bigger one as he tugged at it while thinking about how he would face both Uncle Wu and Han Jiangxue.

_{“For this old servant, there is nothing more important than a person being upright! Things like becoming a Sword God are nothing but empty words for us common folk! Unlike such dreams, an upright person will bring benefits to our lives—an upright person will give us the chance to live! To this old servant, no matter how rebellious the master has been, he has always been an upright man in my eyes. So any insult you levy against him is also an insult to me and my wife.}
Just last summer, Han Xiling and his martial brothers were chatting about ways they could become peerless swordsmen—dreaming of the wealth, beauties, and title they would be gifted upon gaining the ultimate success! But today, he finally discovered the reality of the noble life he had longed for. It was dirty—it was lowly—and he couldn’t understand why it was so.

“For this old servant, there is nothing more important than a person being upright! Things like becoming a Sword God are nothing but empty words for us common folk! Unlike such dreams, an upright person will bring benefits to our lives—an upright person will give us the chance to live! To this old servant, no matter how rebellious the master has been, he has always been an upright man in my eyes. So any insult you levy against him is also an insult to me and my wife. If you truly wish to leave, then just leave. Master does not need a person like you!”

_{“If you’re not a little pig, then you must be a piglet, hm?”}Did I mess with anyone? No! Everything was all because I was Han Jiangxue’s “son.” Because of that bastard!

“If you’re not a little pig, then you must be a piglet, hm?”

_{{Why the heck is he calling me?}}Ha Xiling wanted nothing more than to return to his Youmiao Academy in that instant. He no longer wanted to be an adoptee. He just wanted to go back home.

Why the heck is he calling me?

_{From behind him, Uncle Wu watched over him, moving no closer in an effort to not disturb him, so he never said a word.}
Every single one of them at Qingmiao was hostile to the core! Then there was Han Jiangxue, who was completely shameless… completely shameless and depraved!

From behind him, Uncle Wu watched over him, moving no closer in an effort to not disturb him, so he never said a word.

_{“So have you figured it out yet?” That man trаmpled on his efforts with his nonchalant question.}“So what’s the truth then?” Han Xiling sprang to his feet, his arms flailing. “It doesn’t even matter because I’m never going back to that house! My surname isn’t ‘Han’! I’m Xiling! From now on, I’ll just be Xiling—Xiling the stray!”

“So have you figured it out yet?” That man trаmpled on his efforts with his nonchalant question.

_{Han Xiling was stunned, struggling to believe the body in front of him belonged to a man.}
Who’s to say that Sword Lunatic fame wasn't earned through his skills in bed!

Han Xiling was stunned, struggling to believe the body in front of him belonged to a man.

_{Han Xiling plopped back onto the riverbank again, the ripples of the water flowing before him earning his unfocused gaze.}While still in a daze, Han Jiangxue seemed to notice his burning temperature and began tearing off his clothes. It was the first time Han Xiling had a clear view of that man’s naked body. Despite them sharing a bed to sleep at night, that man was always in an undershirt set at the very least.

Han Xiling plopped back onto the riverbank again, the ripples of the water flowing before him earning his unfocused gaze.

_{Han Xiling could barely grasp the meaning behind the older man’s words; after all, he was still a child, so seeing an adult’s angry outburst left him stunned stiff.}
Disgusting! So disgusting! It’s so freaking gross!

Han Xiling could barely grasp the meaning behind the older man’s words; after all, he was still a child, so seeing an adult’s angry outburst left him stunned stiff.

_{{Ah! What the—! My first kiss!!} At that moment, Han Xiling greatly wanted to strangle the bastard in front of him.}Han Xiling could barely grasp the meaning behind the older man’s words; after all, he was still a child, so seeing an adult’s angry outburst left him stunned stiff.

Ah! What the—! My first kiss!! At that moment, Han Xiling greatly wanted to strangle the bastard in front of him.

_{{Dammit! Every single part of this pisses me off!}}☆☆☆

Dammit! Every single part of this pisses me off!

_{Since that guy adopted me, what benefit have I gotten, huh?}
Ha Xiling wanted nothing more than to return to his Youmiao Academy in that instant. He no longer wanted to be an adoptee. He just wanted to go back home.

Since that guy adopted me, what benefit have I gotten, huh?

_{“Young master…” Uncle Wu’s thin frаme fell to his knees as he pleaded, “Please do not break the master’s heart. If it was not for fate, he would not have adopted you.”}Why would a man want to embrace another to do something so improper?!

“Young master…” Uncle Wu’s thin frаme fell to his knees as he pleaded, “Please do not break the master’s heart. If it was not for fate, he would not have adopted you.”

_{“Oi, are you feeling alright?” Han Xiling frowned at him but still walked over as instructed.}
While sitting quietly on that riverbank, the earth beneath him gradually became dotted with tears. Even the night breeze offered him little comfort, as its very presence made his aching and worn-out body aware of its growing distress.

“Oi, are you feeling alright?” Han Xiling frowned at him but still walked over as instructed.

_{{Like hell I’d ever do something so stupid!}}It was well into the night when Han Xiling regained consciousness, and everything around him was dead still. Looking around, he discovered he was lying in the bedroom of the western wing.

Like hell I’d ever do something so stupid!

_{Han Xiling stopped chewing on his bun and thought it over with his head askew, then asked, “What if I told you no?”}Han Xiling was speechless, utterly unable to respond.

Han Xiling stopped chewing on his bun and thought it over with his head askew, then asked, “What if I told you no?”

_{Despite his internal protests, Han Xiling got up but did not bother to put on his slippers, walking straight to the bathroom with bare feet. That man was grinning like a fool when he met him; his eyes were veiled in a drunken haze. While half leaning on the wall, that man looked up at him, waving him over urgently. “Come on, Xiling. Get over here, hurry up.”}“For this old servant, there is nothing more important than a person being upright! Things like becoming a Sword God are nothing but empty words for us common folk! Unlike such dreams, an upright person will bring benefits to our lives—an upright person will give us the chance to live! To this old servant, no matter how rebellious the master has been, he has always been an upright man in my eyes. So any insult you levy against him is also an insult to me and my wife. If you truly wish to leave, then just leave. Master does not need a person like you!”

Despite his internal protests, Han Xiling got up but did not bother to put on his slippers, walking straight to the bathroom with bare feet. That man was grinning like a fool when he met him; his eyes were veiled in a drunken haze. While half leaning on the wall, that man looked up at him, waving him over urgently. “Come on, Xiling. Get over here, hurry up.”

_{{Dammit! Every single part of this pisses me off!}}“Stop being all stunned. Han Jiangxue patted the back of his head. “Remember, for today, you are only allowed to watch, so don’t talk too much. Understood?”

Dammit! Every single part of this pisses me off!

_{Every single one of them at Qingmiao was hostile to the core! Then there was Han Jiangxue, who was completely shameless… completely shameless and depraved!}
From behind him, Uncle Wu watched over him, moving no closer in an effort to not disturb him, so he never said a word.

Every single one of them at Qingmiao was hostile to the core! Then there was Han Jiangxue, who was completely shameless… completely shameless and depraved!

_{Chapter 4.1: Decision}Once downstairs, he saw that the man was already sitting at the table. He was dressed in all white, seeming as serene as every morning prior. He was as pristine as the Goddess of Water, Ling Bo, herself.

Chapter 4.1: Decision

_{Han Xiling was stunned, struggling to believe the body in front of him belonged to a man.}He really is beautiful… His features are pronounced yet delicate, like a sharpened and first-class sword.

Han Xiling was stunned, struggling to believe the body in front of him belonged to a man.

_{Why would such a fearsome Sword Lunatic want to be held by a man like a woman?!}
When he was ready, Han Xiling turned to the older man and asked him, “Uncle Wu, aren’t you disgusted by all this, too?”

Why would such a fearsome Sword Lunatic want to be held by a man like a woman?!

_{{Why the heck is he calling me?}}A great deal of time passed as Han Xiling remained seated on that riverbank but wasn’t alone. He knew Uncle Wu was still there, watching over him from a distance. Perhaps the older man feared he might do something grave.

Why the heck is he calling me?

_{“Why don’t you ask me and find out?” Han Xiling returned to chewing on his unfinished bun; his prior words shot out in anger.}Despite his internal protests, Han Xiling got up but did not bother to put on his slippers, walking straight to the bathroom with bare feet. That man was grinning like a fool when he met him; his eyes were veiled in a drunken haze. While half leaning on the wall, that man looked up at him, waving him over urgently. “Come on, Xiling. Get over here, hurry up.”

“Why don’t you ask me and find out?” Han Xiling returned to chewing on his unfinished bun; his prior words shot out in anger.

_☆☆☆While sitting quietly on that riverbank, the earth beneath him gradually became dotted with tears. Even the night breeze offered him little comfort, as its very presence made his aching and worn-out body aware of its growing distress.

☆☆☆

_{Han Xiling was speechless, utterly unable to respond.}
“Young master, you are still so young, and there are still things you cannot possibly understand, so please don’t pass judgements based on surface-level understandings alone.”

Han Xiling was speechless, utterly unable to respond.

_{{Why would such a person have to be the one to adopt me?!}}From behind him, Uncle Wu watched over him, moving no closer in an effort to not disturb him, so he never said a word.

Why would such a person have to be the one to adopt me?!

_{“So have you figured it out yet?” That man trаmpled on his efforts with his nonchalant question.}Did I mess with anyone? No! Everything was all because I was Han Jiangxue’s “son.” Because of that bastard!

“So have you figured it out yet?” That man trаmpled on his efforts with his nonchalant question.

_{Who’s to say that Sword Lunatic fame wasn't earned through his skills in bed!}
“So what’s the truth then?” Han Xiling sprang to his feet, his arms flailing. “It doesn’t even matter because I’m never going back to that house! My surname isn’t ‘Han’! I’m Xiling! From now on, I’ll just be Xiling—Xiling the stray!”

Who’s to say that Sword Lunatic fame wasn't earned through his skills in bed!

_{“Anyhow, you don’t have to go to Qingmiao today because you’ll be accompanying me to the Xuanyuan Sect. Since the current swordsmanship competition is in its final round, you can come over and watch the matches. After seeing it all in person, you can choose the path you would like to take in the future.”}Did I mess with anyone? No! Everything was all because I was Han Jiangxue’s “son.” Because of that bastard!

_{Han Xiling quickly shook off his daze and carefully lifted that man into the nearby tub. The water had lost most of its heat, so his next move was to go ask Uncle Wu to bring him some more hot water, but that man grabbed hold of him.}I got the life beaten out of me, my pants ripped off of me, humiliated in front of everyone, and even the word “whore” written on my face.

_{“Oi, Xiling! Come… come here!”}
“Young master…” Uncle Wu’s thin frаme fell to his knees as he pleaded, “Please do not break the master’s heart. If it was not for fate, he would not have adopted you.”

“Oi, Xiling! Come… come here!”

_{{Did I mess with anyone? No! Everything was all because I was Han Jiangxue’s “son.” Because of that bastard!}}He really is beautiful… His features are pronounced yet delicate, like a sharpened and first-class sword.

Did I mess with anyone? No! Everything was all because I was Han Jiangxue’s “son.” Because of that bastard!

“Hahaha… I’m starting to like you more and more.” Han Jiangxue hugged Han Xiling by the neck fiercely before sitting back in his seat and finishing his dessert in noticeably high spirits.

_{While still in a daze, Han Jiangxue seemed to notice his burning temperature and began tearing off his clothes. It was the first time Han Xiling had a clear view of that man’s naked body. Despite them sharing a bed to sleep at night, that man was always in an undershirt set at the very least.}
“I don’t care! Who knows what reason he had for adopting me? Someone who becomes another’s plaything is destined to never be Sword Knight, Sword Saint, or a Sword God! Do you not know that? Such a thing would be an insult to the art of the sword itse—”

While still in a daze, Han Jiangxue seemed to notice his burning temperature and began tearing off his clothes. It was the first time Han Xiling had a clear view of that man’s naked body. Despite them sharing a bed to sleep at night, that man was always in an undershirt set at the very least.

_{While sitting quietly on that riverbank, the earth beneath him gradually became dotted with tears. Even the night breeze offered him little comfort, as its very presence made his aching and worn-out body aware of its growing distress.}More muttering left Han Jiangxue as he sobbed, and Han Xiling had no choice but to hold that man up from behind to prevent him from slipping down under the water. As he held on, as he felt that man’s trembling body, for the first time in his life, Han Xiling experienced the emotion called “pity.”

While sitting quietly on that riverbank, the earth beneath him gradually became dotted with tears. Even the night breeze offered him little comfort, as its very presence made his aching and worn-out body aware of its growing distress.

_{{He really is beautiful… His features are pronounced yet delicate, like a sharpened and first-class sword.}}A great deal of time passed as Han Xiling remained seated on that riverbank but wasn’t alone. He knew Uncle Wu was still there, watching over him from a distance. Perhaps the older man feared he might do something grave.

He really is beautiful… His features are pronounced yet delicate, like a sharpened and first-class sword.

_{“Try it!” With this, the pitiful look only seen when he drank was completely gone and replaced with a furrow.}
Twack!

“Try it!” With this, the pitiful look only seen when he drank was completely gone and replaced with a furrow.

_{A hаrd slap across his face stopped Han Xiling from finishing his sentence, his arm lifting to cup his cheek as he stood there stunned. Not because of the strike befalling him, but at the anger on the face of the man before him, something he never saw before.}Han Xiling was speechless, utterly unable to respond.

A hаrd slap across his face stopped Han Xiling from finishing his sentence, his arm lifting to cup his cheek as he stood there stunned. Not because of the strike befalling him, but at the anger on the face of the man before him, something he never saw before.

_{“What?” Han Xiling was confused.}Ha Xiling wanted nothing more than to return to his Youmiao Academy in that instant. He no longer wanted to be an adoptee. He just wanted to go back home.

“What?” Han Xiling was confused.

_{“Young master, you are still so young, and there are still things you cannot possibly understand, so please don’t pass judgements based on surface-level understandings alone.”}Han Xiling was speechless, utterly unable to respond.

“Young master, you are still so young, and there are still things you cannot possibly understand, so please don’t pass judgements based on surface-level understandings alone.”

_{“Understood.” Han Xiling’s heart thundered. He was practically beside himself for the day to come.}Why would such a fearsome Sword Lunatic want to be held by a man like a woman?!

“Understood.” Han Xiling’s heart thundered. He was practically beside himself for the day to come.

_☆☆☆
A hаrd slap across his face stopped Han Xiling from finishing his sentence, his arm lifting to cup his cheek as he stood there stunned. Not because of the strike befalling him, but at the anger on the face of the man before him, something he never saw before.

☆☆☆

_{“Stop being all stunned. Han Jiangxue patted the back of his head. “Remember, for today, you are only allowed to watch, so don’t talk too much. Understood?”}While still in a daze, Han Jiangxue seemed to notice his burning temperature and began tearing off his clothes. It was the first time Han Xiling had a clear view of that man’s naked body. Despite them sharing a bed to sleep at night, that man was always in an undershirt set at the very least.

“Stop being all stunned. Han Jiangxue patted the back of his head. “Remember, for today, you are only allowed to watch, so don’t talk too much. Understood?”

_{“So have you figured it out yet?” That man trаmpled on his efforts with his nonchalant question.}“For this old servant, there is nothing more important than a person being upright! Things like becoming a Sword God are nothing but empty words for us common folk! Unlike such dreams, an upright person will bring benefits to our lives—an upright person will give us the chance to live! To this old servant, no matter how rebellious the master has been, he has always been an upright man in my eyes. So any insult you levy against him is also an insult to me and my wife. If you truly wish to leave, then just leave. Master does not need a person like you!”

“So have you figured it out yet?” That man trаmpled on his efforts with his nonchalant question.

_{Once downstairs, he saw that the man was already sitting at the table. He was dressed in all white, seeming as serene as every morning prior. He was as pristine as the Goddess of Water, Ling Bo, herself.}
“For this old servant, there is nothing more important than a person being upright! Things like becoming a Sword God are nothing but empty words for us common folk! Unlike such dreams, an upright person will bring benefits to our lives—an upright person will give us the chance to live! To this old servant, no matter how rebellious the master has been, he has always been an upright man in my eyes. So any insult you levy against him is also an insult to me and my wife. If you truly wish to leave, then just leave. Master does not need a person like you!”

Once downstairs, he saw that the man was already sitting at the table. He was dressed in all white, seeming as serene as every morning prior. He was as pristine as the Goddess of Water, Ling Bo, herself.

_{{I have a good reason to be angry, don’t I?}}I have a good reason to be angry, don’t I?

I have a good reason to be angry, don’t I?

_{When he was ready, Han Xiling turned to the older man and asked him, “Uncle Wu, aren’t you disgusted by all this, too?”}
Han Xiling could barely grasp the meaning behind the older man’s words; after all, he was still a child, so seeing an adult’s angry outburst left him stunned stiff.

When he was ready, Han Xiling turned to the older man and asked him, “Uncle Wu, aren’t you disgusted by all this, too?”

_{Han Xiling ran all the way from the western district to the eastern city, then to the bank of the river he used to bathe in with his former Youmiao Academy brothers. When he finally plopped his butt on the ground, he was panting like a tired dog.}Ha Xiling wanted nothing more than to return to his Youmiao Academy in that instant. He no longer wanted to be an adoptee. He just wanted to go back home.

_{Uncle Wu turned away after saying his piece, making his departure with slow steps.}
Uncle Wu turned away after saying his piece, making his departure with slow steps.

Uncle Wu turned away after saying his piece, making his departure with slow steps.

_{{I got the life beaten out of me, my pants ripped off of me, humiliated in front of everyone, and even the word “whore” written on my face.}}“Han Jiangxue!” Han Xiling cried out in shock. “Oi! Wake up! Get up!” He also slapped that man’s face hаrd to keep him conscious.

I got the life beaten out of me, my pants ripped off of me, humiliated in front of everyone, and even the word “whore” written on my face.

_{The well-proportioned muscles were hidden beneath silky smooth skin as fair and delicate as white jade. It invited one’s touch—compelled one to caress it endlessly.}It was a sight that took Han Xiling by surprise, but even more shocking was the strange ache flooding his heart.

The well-proportioned muscles were hidden beneath silky smooth skin as fair and delicate as white jade. It invited one’s touch—compelled one to caress it endlessly.

_{Han Xiling plopped back onto the riverbank again, the ripples of the water flowing before him earning his unfocused gaze.}Tilting his head upwards, he stared straight at Han Xiling with his drunken gaze, asking, “Do you look down on me, too?”

Han Xiling plopped back onto the riverbank again, the ripples of the water flowing before him earning his unfocused gaze.

_{Disgusting! So damn disgusting!}
Han Xiling plopped back onto the riverbank again, the ripples of the water flowing before him earning his unfocused gaze.

Disgusting! So damn disgusting!

_{Every single one of them at Qingmiao was hostile to the core! Then there was Han Jiangxue, who was completely shameless… {completely shameless and depraved!}}“Fine. If I am, then that makes you a daddy pig, doesn’t it?” Han Xiling shot back.

Every single one of them at Qingmiao was hostile to the core! Then there was Han Jiangxue, who was completely shameless… completely shameless and depraved!

_{{How could that boor of a man put his hand on him like that?! Why would Han Jiangxue let himself get treated like a woman…}}He really is beautiful… His features are pronounced yet delicate, like a sharpened and first-class sword.

How could that boor of a man put his hand on him like that?! Why would Han Jiangxue let himself get treated like a woman…

_{{Ah! What the—! My first kiss!!} At that moment, Han Xiling greatly wanted to strangle the bastard in front of him.}“So have you figured it out yet?” That man trаmpled on his efforts with his nonchalant question.

Ah! What the—! My first kiss!! At that moment, Han Xiling greatly wanted to strangle the bastard in front of him.

_{He really is beautiful… His features are pronounced yet delicate, like a sharpened and first-class sword.}
I have a good reason to be angry, don’t I?

He really is beautiful… His features are pronounced yet delicate, like a sharpened and first-class sword.

_{“Han Jiangxue!” Han Xiling cried out in shock. “Oi! Wake up! Get up!” He also slapped that man’s face hаrd to keep him conscious.}Han Xiling stopped chewing on his bun and thought it over with his head askew, then asked, “What if I told you no?”

“Han Jiangxue!” Han Xiling cried out in shock. “Oi! Wake up! Get up!” He also slapped that man’s face hаrd to keep him conscious.

_{“Anyhow, you don’t have to go to Qingmiao today because you’ll be accompanying me to the Xuanyuan Sect. Since the current swordsmanship competition is in its final round, you can come over and watch the matches. After seeing it all in person, you can choose the path you would like to take in the future.”}Who’s to say that Sword Lunatic fame wasn't earned through his skills in bed!

_{Without a second thought, Han Xiling turned-tail and ran from that room, ran from that house, paying no mind to the panicked cries from Uncle Bo urging him to return.}
Since that guy adopted me, what benefit have I gotten, huh?

Without a second thought, Han Xiling turned-tail and ran from that room, ran from that house, paying no mind to the panicked cries from Uncle Bo urging him to return.

_☆☆☆“If you’re not a little pig, then you must be a piglet, hm?”

☆☆☆

_{While sitting quietly on that riverbank, the earth beneath him gradually became dotted with tears. Even the night breeze offered him little comfort, as its very presence made his aching and worn-out body aware of its growing distress.}
I got the life beaten out of me, my pants ripped off of me, humiliated in front of everyone, and even the word “whore” written on my face.

_{“I’m not a little pig!”}More muttering left Han Jiangxue as he sobbed, and Han Xiling had no choice but to hold that man up from behind to prevent him from slipping down under the water. As he held on, as he felt that man’s trembling body, for the first time in his life, Han Xiling experienced the emotion called “pity.”

“I’m not a little pig!”

_{The second he bent over, lips pressed against his own in an impassioned kiss, only to be followed by a pair of arms wrapping around his neck that left Han Jiangxue hanging on him.}He looked so serious that Han Xiling was taken aback by this never-before-seen look.

The second he bent over, lips pressed against his own in an impassioned kiss, only to be followed by a pair of arms wrapping around his neck that left Han Jiangxue hanging on him.

_{More muttering left Han Jiangxue as he sobbed, and Han Xiling had no choice but to hold that man up from behind to prevent him from slipping down under the water. As he held on, as he felt that man’s trembling body, for the first time in his life, Han Xiling experienced the emotion called “pity.”}
Did I mess with anyone? No! Everything was all because I was Han Jiangxue’s “son.” Because of that bastard!

More muttering left Han Jiangxue as he sobbed, and Han Xiling had no choice but to hold that man up from behind to prevent him from slipping down under the water. As he held on, as he felt that man’s trembling body, for the first time in his life, Han Xiling experienced the emotion called “pity.”

_{“Ha!” Han Jiangxue reached over to conk that rude kid on the head. “Good thing you’re cute when you act like this, little pig.”}“Why don’t you ask me and find out?” Han Xiling returned to chewing on his unfinished bun; his prior words shot out in anger.

“Ha!” Han Jiangxue reached over to conk that rude kid on the head. “Good thing you’re cute when you act like this, little pig.”

_☆☆☆Disgusting! So damn disgusting!

☆☆☆

_{“Try it!” With this, the pitiful look only seen when he drank was completely gone and replaced with a furrow.}“Understood.” Han Xiling’s heart thundered. He was practically beside himself for the day to come.

“Try it!” With this, the pitiful look only seen when he drank was completely gone and replaced with a furrow.

_{More muttering left Han Jiangxue as he sobbed, and Han Xiling had no choice but to hold that man up from behind to prevent him from slipping down under the water. As he held on, as he felt that man’s trembling body, for the first time in his life, Han Xiling experienced the emotion called “pity.”}“Hahaha… I’m starting to like you more and more.” Han Jiangxue hugged Han Xiling by the neck fiercely before sitting back in his seat and finishing his dessert in noticeably high spirits.

☆☆☆

_{I don’t deserve this!}
A great deal of time passed as Han Xiling remained seated on that riverbank but wasn’t alone. He knew Uncle Wu was still there, watching over him from a distance. Perhaps the older man feared he might do something grave.

I don’t deserve this!

_{Han Xiling was stunned, struggling to believe the body in front of him belonged to a man.}Chapter 4.1: Decision

Han Xiling was stunned, struggling to believe the body in front of him belonged to a man.

_{“Han Jiangxue!” Han Xiling cried out in shock. “Oi! Wake up! Get up!” He also slapped that man’s face hаrd to keep him conscious.}
Like hell I’d ever do something so stupid!

“Han Jiangxue!” Han Xiling cried out in shock. “Oi! Wake up! Get up!” He also slapped that man’s face hаrd to keep him conscious.

_{From behind him, Uncle Wu watched over him, moving no closer in an effort to not disturb him, so he never said a word.}I got the life beaten out of me, my pants ripped off of me, humiliated in front of everyone, and even the word “whore” written on my face.

From behind him, Uncle Wu watched over him, moving no closer in an effort to not disturb him, so he never said a word.

_{Disgusting! So disgusting! It’s so freaking gross!}
Nonetheless, Han Xiling was quite sad. The image of Han Jiangxue and Di Wangchen wound around one another still lingered in his mind like a bad dream refusing to be forgotten. He hated Han Jiangxue. He hated Di Wangchen. But more than that, he hated the relationship between the two!

Disgusting! So disgusting! It’s so freaking gross!

_{When he was ready, Han Xiling turned to the older man and asked him, “Uncle Wu, aren’t you disgusted by all this, too?”}Han Xiling stopped chewing on his bun and thought it over with his head askew, then asked, “What if I told you no?”

When he was ready, Han Xiling turned to the older man and asked him, “Uncle Wu, aren’t you disgusted by all this, too?”

_{{I have a good reason to be angry, don’t I?}}He looked so serious that Han Xiling was taken aback by this never-before-seen look.

I have a good reason to be angry, don’t I?

_{The surge of blood rushing to Han Xiling’s head in that instant made him almost faint.}When he was ready, Han Xiling turned to the older man and asked him, “Uncle Wu, aren’t you disgusted by all this, too?”

The surge of blood rushing to Han Xiling’s head in that instant made him almost faint.

_{“Ha!” Han Jiangxue reached over to conk that rude kid on the head. “Good thing you’re cute when you act like this, little pig.”}
How could that boor of a man put his hand on him like that?! Why would Han Jiangxue let himself get treated like a woman…

“Ha!” Han Jiangxue reached over to conk that rude kid on the head. “Good thing you’re cute when you act like this, little pig.”

_{“If you’re not a little pig, then you must be a piglet, hm?”}Nonetheless, Han Xiling was quite sad. The image of Han Jiangxue and Di Wangchen wound around one another still lingered in his mind like a bad dream refusing to be forgotten. He hated Han Jiangxue. He hated Di Wangchen. But more than that, he hated the relationship between the two!

“If you’re not a little pig, then you must be a piglet, hm?”

_{While sitting quietly on that riverbank, the earth beneath him gradually became dotted with tears. Even the night breeze offered him little comfort, as its very presence made his aching and worn-out body aware of its growing distress.}A hаrd slap across his face stopped Han Xiling from finishing his sentence, his arm lifting to cup his cheek as he stood there stunned. Not because of the strike befalling him, but at the anger on the face of the man before him, something he never saw before.

_{Han Xiling sat down beside him without a word and reached over for a steamed bun while doing his best to go unnoticed.}
Dammit! Every single part of this pisses me off!

Han Xiling sat down beside him without a word and reached over for a steamed bun while doing his best to go unnoticed.

_{“Fine. If I am, then that makes you a daddy pig, doesn’t it?” Han Xiling shot back.}He looked so serious that Han Xiling was taken aback by this never-before-seen look.

“Fine. If I am, then that makes you a daddy pig, doesn’t it?” Han Xiling shot back.

_{Why would a man want to embrace another to do something so improper?!}
Despite his boiling anger, the cold weather still made Han Xiling involuntarily tremble. He was wearing clothes much too thin for the weather, and he could sense his body drifting from a stinging heat before it turned cold. With this, his last bit of strength left him, and only darkness filled his gaze.

Why would a man want to embrace another to do something so improper?!

_{{He really is beautiful… His features are pronounced yet delicate, like a sharpened and first-class sword.}}A hаrd slap across his face stopped Han Xiling from finishing his sentence, his arm lifting to cup his cheek as he stood there stunned. Not because of the strike befalling him, but at the anger on the face of the man before him, something he never saw before.

He really is beautiful… His features are pronounced yet delicate, like a sharpened and first-class sword.

_{{Since that guy adopted me, what benefit have I gotten, huh?}}“Stop being all stunned. Han Jiangxue patted the back of his head. “Remember, for today, you are only allowed to watch, so don’t talk too much. Understood?”

Since that guy adopted me, what benefit have I gotten, huh?

_{While still in a daze, Han Jiangxue seemed to notice his burning temperature and began tearing off his clothes. It was the first time Han Xiling had a clear view of that man’s naked body. Despite them sharing a bed to sleep at night, that man was always in an undershirt set at the very least.}“Oi! Did someone put something in your drink, or are you always in some eternal heat?” While griping, Han Xiling struggled to hold up that man’s ever-sliding body. The more he tried to pull him to his feet, the sooner he realised that man’s body was terrifyingly hot all over.

☆☆☆

_{Ha Xiling wanted nothing more than to return to his Youmiao Academy in that instant. He no longer wanted to be an adoptee. He just wanted to go back home.}
It was well into the night when Han Xiling regained consciousness, and everything around him was dead still. Looking around, he discovered he was lying in the bedroom of the western wing.

Ha Xiling wanted nothing more than to return to his Youmiao Academy in that instant. He no longer wanted to be an adoptee. He just wanted to go back home.

_{Han Xiling ran all the way from the western district to the eastern city, then to the bank of the river he used to bathe in with his former Youmiao Academy brothers. When he finally plopped his butt on the ground, he was panting like a tired dog.}The surge of blood rushing to Han Xiling’s head in that instant made him almost faint.

_{I have a good reason to be angry, don’t I?}
Did Uncle Wu bring me back? Whoa, he really worked hаrd. It’s such a long trip.

I have a good reason to be angry, don’t I?

_{Han Xiling could barely grasp the meaning behind the older man’s words; after all, he was still a child, so seeing an adult’s angry outburst left him stunned stiff.}☆☆☆

Han Xiling could barely grasp the meaning behind the older man’s words; after all, he was still a child, so seeing an adult’s angry outburst left him stunned stiff.

_{The morning sun hung high in the sky when Han Xiling awoke the next morning.}
The sound of the door opening interrupted his wandering thoughts. It was followed by a loud thud, then the familiar sound of retching from the adjacent bathroom. Han Xiling rolled his eyes; he was already tired of this habit of Han Jiangxue’s after drinking.

The morning sun hung high in the sky when Han Xiling awoke the next morning.

_{Han Xiling plopped back onto the riverbank again, the ripples of the water flowing before him earning his unfocused gaze.}Despite his internal protests, Han Xiling got up but did not bother to put on his slippers, walking straight to the bathroom with bare feet. That man was grinning like a fool when he met him; his eyes were veiled in a drunken haze. While half leaning on the wall, that man looked up at him, waving him over urgently. “Come on, Xiling. Get over here, hurry up.”

Han Xiling plopped back onto the riverbank again, the ripples of the water flowing before him earning his unfocused gaze.

_{Han Xiling plopped back onto the riverbank again, the ripples of the water flowing before him earning his unfocused gaze.}N/A

Han Xiling plopped back onto the riverbank again, the ripples of the water flowing before him earning his unfocused gaze.

_{Tilting his head upwards, he stared straight at Han Xiling with his drunken gaze, asking, “Do you look down on me, too?”}A hаrd slap across his face stopped Han Xiling from finishing his sentence, his arm lifting to cup his cheek as he stood there stunned. Not because of the strike befalling him, but at the anger on the face of the man before him, something he never saw before.

Tilting his head upwards, he stared straight at Han Xiling with his drunken gaze, asking, “Do you look down on me, too?”

_{Han Xiling quickly shook off his daze and carefully lifted that man into the nearby tub. The water had lost most of its heat, so his next move was to go ask Uncle Wu to bring him some more hot water, but that man grabbed hold of him.}Despite his internal protests, Han Xiling got up but did not bother to put on his slippers, walking straight to the bathroom with bare feet. That man was grinning like a fool when he met him; his eyes were veiled in a drunken haze. While half leaning on the wall, that man looked up at him, waving him over urgently. “Come on, Xiling. Get over here, hurry up.”

_{Why would such a person have to be the one to adopt me?!}
“Oi, Xiling! Come… come here!”

Why would such a person have to be the one to adopt me?!

_{“Anyhow, you don’t have to go to Qingmiao today because you’ll be accompanying me to the Xuanyuan Sect. Since the current swordsmanship competition is in its final round, you can come over and watch the matches. After seeing it all in person, you can choose the path you would like to take in the future.”}“Oi, are you feeling alright?” Han Xiling frowned at him but still walked over as instructed.

_{{Disgusting! So damn disgusting!}}Did Uncle Wu bring me back? Whoa, he really worked hаrd. It’s such a long trip.

Disgusting! So damn disgusting!

_{“Try it!” With this, the pitiful look only seen when he drank was completely gone and replaced with a furrow.}I don’t deserve this!

“Try it!” With this, the pitiful look only seen when he drank was completely gone and replaced with a furrow.

_{What those guys at the sword academy said is true. Han Jiangxue really is a kept man—he was really a whore!}
Why the heck is he calling me?

What those guys at the sword academy said is true. Han Jiangxue really is a kept man—he was really a whore!

_{Tilting his head upwards, he stared straight at Han Xiling with his drunken gaze, asking, “Do you look down on me, too?”}It was a sight that took Han Xiling by surprise, but even more shocking was the strange ache flooding his heart.

Tilting his head upwards, he stared straight at Han Xiling with his drunken gaze, asking, “Do you look down on me, too?”

_{Laughter erupted from Han Jiangxue, laughter that was hаrder to listen to than cries mixed with tears. "Even you look down on me—despise me… Hahahaha! Good—good! All of you are honourable men, after all.}It was well into the night when Han Xiling regained consciousness, and everything around him was dead still. Looking around, he discovered he was lying in the bedroom of the western wing.

_{A hаrd slap across his face stopped Han Xiling from finishing his sentence, his arm lifting to cup his cheek as he stood there stunned. Not because of the strike befalling him, but at the anger on the face of the man before him, something he never saw before.}The well-proportioned muscles were hidden beneath silky smooth skin as fair and delicate as white jade. It invited one’s touch—compelled one to caress it endlessly.

_{It was well into the night when Han Xiling regained consciousness, and everything around him was dead still. Looking around, he discovered he was lying in the bedroom of the western wing.}
Despite his internal protests, Han Xiling got up but did not bother to put on his slippers, walking straight to the bathroom with bare feet. That man was grinning like a fool when he met him; his eyes were veiled in a drunken haze. While half leaning on the wall, that man looked up at him, waving him over urgently. “Come on, Xiling. Get over here, hurry up.”

It was well into the night when Han Xiling regained consciousness, and everything around him was dead still. Looking around, he discovered he was lying in the bedroom of the western wing.

_{Han Xiling could barely grasp the meaning behind the older man’s words; after all, he was still a child, so seeing an adult’s angry outburst left him stunned stiff.}Every single one of them at Qingmiao was hostile to the core! Then there was Han Jiangxue, who was completely shameless… completely shameless and depraved!

Han Xiling could barely grasp the meaning behind the older man’s words; after all, he was still a child, so seeing an adult’s angry outburst left him stunned stiff.

_{Han Xiling plopped back onto the riverbank again, the ripples of the water flowing before him earning his unfocused gaze.}
“Oi, are you feeling alright?” Han Xiling frowned at him but still walked over as instructed.

Han Xiling plopped back onto the riverbank again, the ripples of the water flowing before him earning his unfocused gaze.

_{More muttering left Han Jiangxue as he sobbed, and Han Xiling had no choice but to hold that man up from behind to prevent him from slipping down under the water. As he held on, as he felt that man’s trembling body, for the first time in his life, Han Xiling experienced the emotion called “pity.”}“Young master, you are still so young, and there are still things you cannot possibly understand, so please don’t pass judgements based on surface-level understandings alone.”

_{“I’m not a little pig!”}
The second he bent over, lips pressed against his own in an impassioned kiss, only to be followed by a pair of arms wrapping around his neck that left Han Jiangxue hanging on him.

“I’m not a little pig!”

_{“Stop being all stunned. Han Jiangxue patted the back of his head. “Remember, for today, you are only allowed to watch, so don’t talk too much. Understood?”}“Oi, Xiling! Come… come here!”

“Stop being all stunned. Han Jiangxue patted the back of his head. “Remember, for today, you are only allowed to watch, so don’t talk too much. Understood?”

_{Han Xiling was stunned, struggling to believe the body in front of him belonged to a man.}Disgusting! So disgusting! It’s so freaking gross!

Han Xiling was stunned, struggling to believe the body in front of him belonged to a man.

_{“Why don’t you ask me and find out?” Han Xiling returned to chewing on his unfinished bun; his prior words shot out in anger.}How could that boor of a man put his hand on him like that?! Why would Han Jiangxue let himself get treated like a woman…

“Why don’t you ask me and find out?” Han Xiling returned to chewing on his unfinished bun; his prior words shot out in anger.

_{When he was ready, Han Xiling turned to the older man and asked him, “Uncle Wu, aren’t you disgusted by all this, too?”}“Stop being all stunned. Han Jiangxue patted the back of his head. “Remember, for today, you are only allowed to watch, so don’t talk too much. Understood?”

When he was ready, Han Xiling turned to the older man and asked him, “Uncle Wu, aren’t you disgusted by all this, too?”

_N/A
Ah! What the—! My first kiss!! At that moment, Han Xiling greatly wanted to strangle the bastard in front of him.

N/A

_{“Why don’t you ask me and find out?” Han Xiling returned to chewing on his unfinished bun; his prior words shot out in anger.}Nonetheless, Han Xiling was quite sad. The image of Han Jiangxue and Di Wangchen wound around one another still lingered in his mind like a bad dream refusing to be forgotten. He hated Han Jiangxue. He hated Di Wangchen. But more than that, he hated the relationship between the two!

“Why don’t you ask me and find out?” Han Xiling returned to chewing on his unfinished bun; his prior words shot out in anger.

_{Once downstairs, he saw that the man was already sitting at the table. He was dressed in all white, seeming as serene as every morning prior. He was as pristine as the Goddess of Water, Ling Bo, herself.}Han Xiling plopped back onto the riverbank again, the ripples of the water flowing before him earning his unfocused gaze.

_☆☆☆Laughter erupted from Han Jiangxue, laughter that was hаrder to listen to than cries mixed with tears. "Even you look down on me—despise me… Hahahaha! Good—good! All of you are honourable men, after all. All of you are upright! I’m the only one who’s lеwd. I’m the only one who’s an androgynous whore. Ha! Whore, pervert, plaything… But what’s so wrong about liking men? I’ve never forced anyone to have me, yet they all chased after me and cursed that I was some temptress. Why? Why do such a thing? Not one of them really loves me, never… You want to know why I adopted? It’s just because I wanted a companion. I’m tired of being alone, especially at night. But I know you hate me, too. Just like everyone else… I won’t force you to stay. If you want to go, just go. Happiness has never been in the cards for me, so just go, go—everybody can just go. I’m destined to be alone anyway.”

☆☆☆

_Twack!
“Oi! Did someone put something in your drink, or are you always in some eternal heat?” While griping, Han Xiling struggled to hold up that man’s ever-sliding body. The more he tried to pull him to his feet, the sooner he realised that man’s body was terrifyingly hot all over.

Twack!

_{Han Xiling sat down beside him without a word and reached over for a steamed bun while doing his best to go unnoticed.}“Have you figured out if you will stay as my adopted son or leave?” Han Jiangxue looked at him with a sense of caution.

Han Xiling sat down beside him without a word and reached over for a steamed bun while doing his best to go unnoticed.

_{“Try it!” With this, the pitiful look only seen when he drank was completely gone and replaced with a furrow.}I have a good reason to be angry, don’t I?

“Try it!” With this, the pitiful look only seen when he drank was completely gone and replaced with a furrow.

_{“If you’re not a little pig, then you must be a piglet, hm?”}Why the heck is he calling me?

“If you’re not a little pig, then you must be a piglet, hm?”

_{Ah! What the—! My first kiss!! At that moment, Han Xiling greatly wanted to strangle the bastard in front of him.}
“Han Jiangxue!” Han Xiling cried out in shock. “Oi! Wake up! Get up!” He also slapped that man’s face hаrd to keep him conscious.

Ah! What the—! My first kiss!! At that moment, Han Xiling greatly wanted to strangle the bastard in front of him.

_{“Oi! Did someone put something in your drink, or are you always in some eternal heat?” While griping, Han Xiling struggled to hold up that man’s ever-sliding body. The more he tried to pull him to his feet, the sooner he realised that man’s body was terrifyingly hot all over.}The recollection of his first kiss left him completely stupefied for a long time before he got up and lazily changed his clothes. His hair was still a mess when he made his way down the stairs, and it turned into a bigger one as he tugged at it while thinking about how he would face both Uncle Wu and Han Jiangxue.

“Oi! Did someone put something in your drink, or are you always in some eternal heat?” While griping, Han Xiling struggled to hold up that man’s ever-sliding body. The more he tried to pull him to his feet, the sooner he realised that man’s body was terrifyingly hot all over.

_{The second he bent over, lips pressed against his own in an impassioned kiss, only to be followed by a pair of arms wrapping around his neck that left Han Jiangxue hanging on him.}
While still in a daze, Han Jiangxue seemed to notice his burning temperature and began tearing off his clothes. It was the first time Han Xiling had a clear view of that man’s naked body. Despite them sharing a bed to sleep at night, that man was always in an undershirt set at the very least.

The second he bent over, lips pressed against his own in an impassioned kiss, only to be followed by a pair of arms wrapping around his neck that left Han Jiangxue hanging on him.

_{Nonetheless, Han Xiling was quite sad. The image of Han Jiangxue and Di Wangchen wound around one another still lingered in his mind like a bad dream refusing to be forgotten. He hated Han Jiangxue. He hated Di Wangchen. But more than that, he hated the relationship between the two!}“Anyhow, you don’t have to go to Qingmiao today because you’ll be accompanying me to the Xuanyuan Sect. Since the current swordsmanship competition is in its final round, you can come over and watch the matches. After seeing it all in person, you can choose the path you would like to take in the future.”

Nonetheless, Han Xiling was quite sad. The image of Han Jiangxue and Di Wangchen wound around one another still lingered in his mind like a bad dream refusing to be forgotten. He hated Han Jiangxue. He hated Di Wangchen. But more than that, he hated the relationship between the two!

_{“Ha!” Han Jiangxue reached over to conk that rude kid on the head. “Good thing you’re cute when you act like this, little pig.”}“For this old servant, there is nothing more important than a person being upright! Things like becoming a Sword God are nothing but empty words for us common folk! Unlike such dreams, an upright person will bring benefits to our lives—an upright person will give us the chance to live! To this old servant, no matter how rebellious the master has been, he has always been an upright man in my eyes. So any insult you levy against him is also an insult to me and my wife. If you truly wish to leave, then just leave. Master does not need a person like you!”

“Ha!” Han Jiangxue reached over to conk that rude kid on the head. “Good thing you’re cute when you act like this, little pig.”

_{It was a sight that took Han Xiling by surprise, but even more shocking was the strange ache flooding his heart.}Once downstairs, he saw that the man was already sitting at the table. He was dressed in all white, seeming as serene as every morning prior. He was as pristine as the Goddess of Water, Ling Bo, herself.

It was a sight that took Han Xiling by surprise, but even more shocking was the strange ache flooding his heart.

_☆☆☆“Try it!” With this, the pitiful look only seen when he drank was completely gone and replaced with a furrow.

☆☆☆

_{“{Hahaha…} I’m starting to like you more and more.” Han Jiangxue hugged Han Xiling by the neck fiercely before sitting back in his seat and finishing his dessert in noticeably high spirits.}“Hahaha… I’m starting to like you more and more.” Han Jiangxue hugged Han Xiling by the neck fiercely before sitting back in his seat and finishing his dessert in noticeably high spirits.

“Hahaha… I’m starting to like you more and more.” Han Jiangxue hugged Han Xiling by the neck fiercely before sitting back in his seat and finishing his dessert in noticeably high spirits.

_☆☆☆
The well-proportioned muscles were hidden beneath silky smooth skin as fair and delicate as white jade. It invited one’s touch—compelled one to caress it endlessly.

☆☆☆

_☆☆☆“I don’t care! Who knows what reason he had for adopting me? Someone who becomes another’s plaything is destined to never be Sword Knight, Sword Saint, or a Sword God! Do you not know that? Such a thing would be an insult to the art of the sword itse—”

☆☆☆

_☆☆☆
Han Xiling quickly shook off his daze and carefully lifted that man into the nearby tub. The water had lost most of its heat, so his next move was to go ask Uncle Wu to bring him some more hot water, but that man grabbed hold of him.

☆☆☆

_{Han Xiling stopped chewing on his bun and thought it over with his head askew, then asked, “What if I told you no?”}“What?” Han Xiling was confused.

Han Xiling stopped chewing on his bun and thought it over with his head askew, then asked, “What if I told you no?”

_{A great deal of time passed as Han Xiling remained seated on that riverbank but wasn’t alone. He knew Uncle Wu was still there, watching over him from a distance. Perhaps the older man feared he might do something grave.}
Tilting his head upwards, he stared straight at Han Xiling with his drunken gaze, asking, “Do you look down on me, too?”

A great deal of time passed as Han Xiling remained seated on that riverbank but wasn’t alone. He knew Uncle Wu was still there, watching over him from a distance. Perhaps the older man feared he might do something grave.

_{“What?” Han Xiling was confused.}Laughter erupted from Han Jiangxue, laughter that was hаrder to listen to than cries mixed with tears. "Even you look down on me—despise me… Hahahaha! Good—good! All of you are honourable men, after all. All of you are upright! I’m the only one who’s lеwd. I’m the only one who’s an androgynous whore. Ha! Whore, pervert, plaything… But what’s so wrong about liking men? I’ve never forced anyone to have me, yet they all chased after me and cursed that I was some temptress. Why? Why do such a thing? Not one of them really loves me, never… You want to know why I adopted? It’s just because I wanted a companion. I’m tired of being alone, especially at night. But I know you hate me, too. Just like everyone else… I won’t force you to stay. If you want to go, just go. Happiness has never been in the cards for me, so just go, go—everybody can just go. I’m destined to be alone anyway.”

“What?” Han Xiling was confused.

_{“What?” Han Xiling was confused.}
Han Xiling was speechless, utterly unable to respond.

“What?” Han Xiling was confused.

_{“Anyhow, you don’t have to go to Qingmiao today because you’ll be accompanying me to the Xuanyuan Sect. Since the current swordsmanship competition is in its final round, you can come over and watch the matches. After seeing it all in person, you can choose the path you would like to take in the future.”}Han Xiling sat down beside him without a word and reached over for a steamed bun while doing his best to go unnoticed.

_{{Disgusting! So damn disgusting!}}With not a single destination in mind, he ran down the streets aimlessly, unable to wash away the scene in that bedroom from replaying before his eyes.

Disgusting! So damn disgusting!

_{Despite his boiling anger, the cold weather still made Han Xiling involuntarily tremble. He was wearing clothes much too thin for the weather, and he could sense his body drifting from a stinging heat before it turned cold. With this, his last bit of strength left him, and only darkness filled his gaze.}
Laughter erupted from Han Jiangxue, laughter that was hаrder to listen to than cries mixed with tears. "Even you look down on me—despise me… Hahahaha! Good—good! All of you are honourable men, after all. All of you are upright! I’m the only one who’s lеwd. I’m the only one who’s an androgynous whore. Ha! Whore, pervert, plaything… But what’s so wrong about liking men? I’ve never forced anyone to have me, yet they all chased after me and cursed that I was some temptress. Why? Why do such a thing? Not one of them really loves me, never… You want to know why I adopted? It’s just because I wanted a companion. I’m tired of being alone, especially at night. But I know you hate me, too. Just like everyone else… I won’t force you to stay. If you want to go, just go. Happiness has never been in the cards for me, so just go, go—everybody can just go. I’m destined to be alone anyway.”

_{Just last summer, Han Xiling and his martial brothers were chatting about ways they could become peerless swordsmen—dreaming of the wealth, beauties, and title they would be gifted upon gaining the ultimate success! But today, he finally discovered the reality of the noble life he had longed for. It was dirty—it was lowly—and he couldn’t understand why it was so.}He really is beautiful… His features are pronounced yet delicate, like a sharpened and first-class sword.

Just last summer, Han Xiling and his martial brothers were chatting about ways they could become peerless swordsmen—dreaming of the wealth, beauties, and title they would be gifted upon gaining the ultimate success! But today, he finally discovered the reality of the noble life he had longed for. It was dirty—it was lowly—and he couldn’t understand why it was so.

_{“Try it!” With this, the pitiful look only seen when he drank was completely gone and replaced with a furrow.}“Oi, Xiling! Come… come here!”

“Try it!” With this, the pitiful look only seen when he drank was completely gone and replaced with a furrow.

_{It was a sight that took Han Xiling by surprise, but even more shocking was the strange ache flooding his heart.}
Tears flooded Han Jiangxue’s face as he spoke, tears that became childlike sobs when he was done speaking.

It was a sight that took Han Xiling by surprise, but even more shocking was the strange ache flooding his heart.

_{“Why don’t you ask me and find out?” Han Xiling returned to chewing on his unfinished bun; his prior words shot out in anger.}“Oi, Xiling! Come… come here!”

“Why don’t you ask me and find out?” Han Xiling returned to chewing on his unfinished bun; his prior words shot out in anger.

_{Just last summer, Han Xiling and his martial brothers were chatting about ways they could become peerless swordsmen—dreaming of the wealth, beauties, and title they would be gifted upon gaining the ultimate success! But today, he finally discovered the reality of the noble life he had longed for. It was dirty—it was lowly—and he couldn’t understand why it was so.}
It was a sight that took Han Xiling by surprise, but even more shocking was the strange ache flooding his heart.

_{“If you’re not a little pig, then you must be a piglet, hm?”}Despite his internal protests, Han Xiling got up but did not bother to put on his slippers, walking straight to the bathroom with bare feet. That man was grinning like a fool when he met him; his eyes were veiled in a drunken haze. While half leaning on the wall, that man looked up at him, waving him over urgently. “Come on, Xiling. Get over here, hurry up.”

“If you’re not a little pig, then you must be a piglet, hm?”

_{“Han Jiangxue!” Han Xiling cried out in shock. “Oi! Wake up! Get up!” He also slapped that man’s face hаrd to keep him conscious.}“For this old servant, there is nothing more important than a person being upright! Things like becoming a Sword God are nothing but empty words for us common folk! Unlike such dreams, an upright person will bring benefits to our lives—an upright person will give us the chance to live! To this old servant, no matter how rebellious the master has been, he has always been an upright man in my eyes. So any insult you levy against him is also an insult to me and my wife. If you truly wish to leave, then just leave. Master does not need a person like you!”

“Han Jiangxue!” Han Xiling cried out in shock. “Oi! Wake up! Get up!” He also slapped that man’s face hаrd to keep him conscious.

_☆☆☆Dammit! Every single part of this pisses me off!

☆☆☆

_N/AHan Xiling plopped back onto the riverbank again, the ripples of the water flowing before him earning his unfocused gaze.

N/A

_{“Hahaha… I’m starting to like you more and more.” Han Jiangxue hugged Han Xiling by the neck fiercely before sitting back in his seat and finishing his dessert in noticeably high spirits.}
More muttering left Han Jiangxue as he sobbed, and Han Xiling had no choice but to hold that man up from behind to prevent him from slipping down under the water. As he held on, as he felt that man’s trembling body, for the first time in his life, Han Xiling experienced the emotion called “pity.”

“Hahaha… I’m starting to like you more and more.” Han Jiangxue hugged Han Xiling by the neck fiercely before sitting back in his seat and finishing his dessert in noticeably high spirits.

_{“I don’t care! Who knows what reason he had for adopting me? Someone who becomes another’s plaything is destined to never be Sword Knight, Sword Saint, or a Sword God! Do you not know that? Such a thing would be an insult to the art of the sword itse—”}The well-proportioned muscles were hidden beneath silky smooth skin as fair and delicate as white jade. It invited one’s touch—compelled one to caress it endlessly.

“I don’t care! Who knows what reason he had for adopting me? Someone who becomes another’s plaything is destined to never be Sword Knight, Sword Saint, or a Sword God! Do you not know that? Such a thing would be an insult to the art of the sword itse—”

☆☆☆

_{The well-proportioned muscles were hidden beneath silky smooth skin as fair and delicate as white jade. It invited one’s touch—compelled one to caress it endlessly.}
The morning sun hung high in the sky when Han Xiling awoke the next morning.

The well-proportioned muscles were hidden beneath silky smooth skin as fair and delicate as white jade. It invited one’s touch—compelled one to caress it endlessly.

_{{Why would such a person have to be the one to adopt me?!}}“I’m not a little pig!”

Why would such a person have to be the one to adopt me?!

_{“Oi! Did someone put something in your drink, or are you always in some eternal heat?” While griping, Han Xiling struggled to hold up that man’s ever-sliding body. The more he tried to pull him to his feet, the sooner he realised that man’s body was terrifyingly hot all over.}
The recollection of his first kiss left him completely stupefied for a long time before he got up and lazily changed his clothes. His hair was still a mess when he made his way down the stairs, and it turned into a bigger one as he tugged at it while thinking about how he would face both Uncle Wu and Han Jiangxue.

_{While sitting quietly on that riverbank, the earth beneath him gradually became dotted with tears. Even the night breeze offered him little comfort, as its very presence made his aching and worn-out body aware of its growing distress.}When he was ready, Han Xiling turned to the older man and asked him, “Uncle Wu, aren’t you disgusted by all this, too?”

_{{Dammit! Every single part of this pisses me off!}}While still in a daze, Han Jiangxue seemed to notice his burning temperature and began tearing off his clothes. It was the first time Han Xiling had a clear view of that man’s naked body. Despite them sharing a bed to sleep at night, that man was always in an undershirt set at the very least.

Dammit! Every single part of this pisses me off!

_{“Anyhow, you don’t have to go to Qingmiao today because you’ll be accompanying me to the Xuanyuan Sect. Since the current swordsmanship competition is in its final round, you can come over and watch the matches. After seeing it all in person, you can choose the path you would like to take in the future.”}He really is beautiful… His features are pronounced yet delicate, like a sharpened and first-class sword.

_{Dammit! Every single part of this pisses me off!}
Once downstairs, he saw that the man was already sitting at the table. He was dressed in all white, seeming as serene as every morning prior. He was as pristine as the Goddess of Water, Ling Bo, herself.

Dammit! Every single part of this pisses me off!

_N/AHan Xiling stopped chewing on his bun and thought it over with his head askew, then asked, “What if I told you no?”

N/A

_{Laughter erupted from Han Jiangxue, laughter that was hаrder to listen to than cries mixed with tears. "Even you look down on me—despise me… Hahahaha! Good—good! All of you are honourable men, after all.}I got the life beaten out of me, my pants ripped off of me, humiliated in front of everyone, and even the word “whore” written on my face.

_{“I don’t care! Who knows what reason he had for adopting me? Someone who becomes another’s plaything is destined to never be Sword Knight, Sword Saint, or a Sword God! Do you not know that? Such a thing would be an insult to the art of the sword itse—”}
He really is beautiful… His features are pronounced yet delicate, like a sharpened and first-class sword.

_{Every single one of them at Qingmiao was hostile to the core! Then there was Han Jiangxue, who was completely shameless… {completely shameless and depraved!}}Han Xiling was speechless, utterly unable to respond.

Every single one of them at Qingmiao was hostile to the core! Then there was Han Jiangxue, who was completely shameless… completely shameless and depraved!

_{Twack!}“Young master…” Uncle Wu’s thin frаme fell to his knees as he pleaded, “Please do not break the master’s heart. If it was not for fate, he would not have adopted you.”

Twack!

_{{Disgusting! So disgusting! It’s so freaking gross!}}Han Xiling quickly shook off his daze and carefully lifted that man into the nearby tub. The water had lost most of its heat, so his next move was to go ask Uncle Wu to bring him some more hot water, but that man grabbed hold of him.

Disgusting! So disgusting! It’s so freaking gross!

_{“Why don’t you ask me and find out?” Han Xiling returned to chewing on his unfinished bun; his prior words shot out in anger.}
Han Xiling sat down beside him without a word and reached over for a steamed bun while doing his best to go unnoticed.

“Why don’t you ask me and find out?” Han Xiling returned to chewing on his unfinished bun; his prior words shot out in anger.

_{While still in a daze, Han Jiangxue seemed to notice his burning temperature and began tearing off his clothes. It was the first time Han Xiling had a clear view of that man’s naked body. Despite them sharing a bed to sleep at night, that man was always in an undershirt set at the very least.}“Han Jiangxue!” Han Xiling cried out in shock. “Oi! Wake up! Get up!” He also slapped that man’s face hаrd to keep him conscious.

_{Despite his boiling anger, the cold weather still made Han Xiling involuntarily tremble. He was wearing clothes much too thin for the weather, and he could sense his body drifting from a stinging heat before it turned cold. With this, his last bit of strength left him, and only darkness filled his gaze.}Laughter erupted from Han Jiangxue, laughter that was hаrder to listen to than cries mixed with tears. "Even you look down on me—despise me… Hahahaha! Good—good! All of you are honourable men, after all. All of you are upright! I’m the only one who’s lеwd. I’m the only one who’s an androgynous whore. Ha! Whore, pervert, plaything… But what’s so wrong about liking men? I’ve never forced anyone to have me, yet they all chased after me and cursed that I was some temptress. Why? Why do such a thing? Not one of them really loves me, never… You want to know why I adopted? It’s just because I wanted a companion. I’m tired of being alone, especially at night. But I know you hate me, too. Just like everyone else… I won’t force you to stay. If you want to go, just go. Happiness has never been in the cards for me, so just go, go—everybody can just go. I’m destined to be alone anyway.”

_{Tears flooded Han Jiangxue’s face as he spoke, tears that became childlike sobs when he was done speaking.}☆☆☆

Tears flooded Han Jiangxue’s face as he spoke, tears that became childlike sobs when he was done speaking.

_{While still in a daze, Han Jiangxue seemed to notice his burning temperature and began tearing off his clothes. It was the first time Han Xiling had a clear view of that man’s naked body. Despite them sharing a bed to sleep at night, that man was always in an undershirt set at the very least.}The second he bent over, lips pressed against his own in an impassioned kiss, only to be followed by a pair of arms wrapping around his neck that left Han Jiangxue hanging on him.

_{Chapter 4.1: Decision}
“So have you figured it out yet?” That man trаmpled on his efforts with his nonchalant question.

Chapter 4.1: Decision

_{{Like hell I’d ever do something so stupid!}}“For this old servant, there is nothing more important than a person being upright! Things like becoming a Sword God are nothing but empty words for us common folk! Unlike such dreams, an upright person will bring benefits to our lives—an upright person will give us the chance to live! To this old servant, no matter how rebellious the master has been, he has always been an upright man in my eyes. So any insult you levy against him is also an insult to me and my wife. If you truly wish to leave, then just leave. Master does not need a person like you!”

Like hell I’d ever do something so stupid!

_{A great deal of time passed as Han Xiling remained seated on that riverbank but wasn’t alone. He knew Uncle Wu was still there, watching over him from a distance. Perhaps the older man feared he might do something grave.}Despite his boiling anger, the cold weather still made Han Xiling involuntarily tremble. He was wearing clothes much too thin for the weather, and he could sense his body drifting from a stinging heat before it turned cold. With this, his last bit of strength left him, and only darkness filled his gaze.

_{Han Xiling plopped back onto the riverbank again, the ripples of the water flowing before him earning his unfocused gaze.}“Try it!” With this, the pitiful look only seen when he drank was completely gone and replaced with a furrow.

Han Xiling plopped back onto the riverbank again, the ripples of the water flowing before him earning his unfocused gaze.

_{Did I mess with anyone? No! Everything was all because I was Han Jiangxue’s “son.” Because of that bastard!}
“What?” Han Xiling was confused.

Did I mess with anyone? No! Everything was all because I was Han Jiangxue’s “son.” Because of that bastard!

_{Ha Xiling wanted nothing more than to return to his Youmiao Academy in that instant. He no longer wanted to be an adoptee. He just wanted to go back home.}It was a sight that took Han Xiling by surprise, but even more shocking was the strange ache flooding his heart.

Ha Xiling wanted nothing more than to return to his Youmiao Academy in that instant. He no longer wanted to be an adoptee. He just wanted to go back home.

_{While sitting quietly on that riverbank, the earth beneath him gradually became dotted with tears. Even the night breeze offered him little comfort, as its very presence made his aching and worn-out body aware of its growing distress.}The well-proportioned muscles were hidden beneath silky smooth skin as fair and delicate as white jade. It invited one’s touch—compelled one to caress it endlessly.

_{“Fine. If I am, then that makes you a daddy pig, doesn’t it?” Han Xiling shot back.}
“Have you figured out if you will stay as my adopted son or leave?” Han Jiangxue looked at him with a sense of caution.

“Fine. If I am, then that makes you a daddy pig, doesn’t it?” Han Xiling shot back.

_{{Like hell I’d ever do something so stupid!}}Since that guy adopted me, what benefit have I gotten, huh?

Like hell I’d ever do something so stupid!

_{I got the life beaten out of me, my pants ripped off of me, humiliated in front of everyone, and even the word “whore” written on my face.}
He looked so serious that Han Xiling was taken aback by this never-before-seen look.

I got the life beaten out of me, my pants ripped off of me, humiliated in front of everyone, and even the word “whore” written on my face.

_{The surge of blood rushing to Han Xiling’s head in that instant made him almost faint.}Dammit! Every single part of this pisses me off!

The surge of blood rushing to Han Xiling’s head in that instant made him almost faint.

_{“Have you figured out if you will stay as my adopted son or leave?” Han Jiangxue looked at him with a sense of caution.}
Han Xiling stopped chewing on his bun and thought it over with his head askew, then asked, “What if I told you no?”

“Have you figured out if you will stay as my adopted son or leave?” Han Jiangxue looked at him with a sense of caution.

_{It was a sight that took Han Xiling by surprise, but even more shocking was the strange ache flooding his heart.}Just last summer, Han Xiling and his martial brothers were chatting about ways they could become peerless swordsmen—dreaming of the wealth, beauties, and title they would be gifted upon gaining the ultimate success! But today, he finally discovered the reality of the noble life he had longed for. It was dirty—it was lowly—and he couldn’t understand why it was so.

It was a sight that took Han Xiling by surprise, but even more shocking was the strange ache flooding his heart.

_{“What?” Han Xiling was confused.}Despite his boiling anger, the cold weather still made Han Xiling involuntarily tremble. He was wearing clothes much too thin for the weather, and he could sense his body drifting from a stinging heat before it turned cold. With this, his last bit of strength left him, and only darkness filled his gaze.

“What?” Han Xiling was confused.

_{{What those guys at the sword academy said is true. Han Jiangxue really is a kept man—he was really a whore!}}He looked so serious that Han Xiling was taken aback by this never-before-seen look.

What those guys at the sword academy said is true. Han Jiangxue really is a kept man—he was really a whore!

_{The morning sun hung high in the sky when Han Xiling awoke the next morning.}N/A

The morning sun hung high in the sky when Han Xiling awoke the next morning.

_{The surge of blood rushing to Han Xiling’s head in that instant made him almost faint.}
“Why don’t you ask me and find out?” Han Xiling returned to chewing on his unfinished bun; his prior words shot out in anger.

The surge of blood rushing to Han Xiling’s head in that instant made him almost faint.

_{“Young master…” Uncle Wu’s thin frаme fell to his knees as he pleaded, “Please do not break the master’s heart. If it was not for fate, he would not have adopted you.”}Every single one of them at Qingmiao was hostile to the core! Then there was Han Jiangxue, who was completely shameless… completely shameless and depraved!

“Young master…” Uncle Wu’s thin frаme fell to his knees as he pleaded, “Please do not break the master’s heart. If it was not for fate, he would not have adopted you.”

_{Did Uncle Wu bring me back? Whoa, he really worked hаrd. It’s such a long trip.}
“Ha!” Han Jiangxue reached over to conk that rude kid on the head. “Good thing you’re cute when you act like this, little pig.”

Did Uncle Wu bring me back? Whoa, he really worked hаrd. It’s such a long trip.

_☆☆☆When he was ready, Han Xiling turned to the older man and asked him, “Uncle Wu, aren’t you disgusted by all this, too?”

☆☆☆

_☆☆☆Han Xiling quickly shook off his daze and carefully lifted that man into the nearby tub. The water had lost most of its heat, so his next move was to go ask Uncle Wu to bring him some more hot water, but that man grabbed hold of him.

☆☆☆

_{He looked so serious that Han Xiling was taken aback by this never-before-seen look.}
“If you’re not a little pig, then you must be a piglet, hm?”

He looked so serious that Han Xiling was taken aback by this never-before-seen look.

_{“Stop being all stunned. Han Jiangxue patted the back of his head. “Remember, for today, you are only allowed to watch, so don’t talk too much. Understood?”}The surge of blood rushing to Han Xiling’s head in that instant made him almost faint.

“Stop being all stunned. Han Jiangxue patted the back of his head. “Remember, for today, you are only allowed to watch, so don’t talk too much. Understood?”

_{“What?” Han Xiling was confused.}“Oi! Did someone put something in your drink, or are you always in some eternal heat?” While griping, Han Xiling struggled to hold up that man’s ever-sliding body. The more he tried to pull him to his feet, the sooner he realised that man’s body was terrifyingly hot all over.

“What?” Han Xiling was confused.

_{“So what’s the truth then?” Han Xiling sprang to his feet, his arms flailing. “It doesn’t even matter because I’m never going back to that house! My surname isn’t ‘Han’! I’m Xiling! From now on, I’ll just be Xiling—Xiling the stray!”}
“Fine. If I am, then that makes you a daddy pig, doesn’t it?” Han Xiling shot back.

“So what’s the truth then?” Han Xiling sprang to his feet, his arms flailing. “It doesn’t even matter because I’m never going back to that house! My surname isn’t ‘Han’! I’m Xiling! From now on, I’ll just be Xiling—Xiling the stray!”

_{Han Xiling sat down beside him without a word and reached over for a steamed bun while doing his best to go unnoticed.}More muttering left Han Jiangxue as he sobbed, and Han Xiling had no choice but to hold that man up from behind to prevent him from slipping down under the water. As he held on, as he felt that man’s trembling body, for the first time in his life, Han Xiling experienced the emotion called “pity.”

Han Xiling sat down beside him without a word and reached over for a steamed bun while doing his best to go unnoticed.

_{“For this old servant, there is nothing more important than a person being upright! Things like becoming a Sword God are nothing but empty words for us common folk! Unlike such dreams, an upright person will bring benefits to our lives—an upright person will give us the chance to live! To this old servant, no matter how rebellious the master has been, he has always been an upright man in my eyes. So any insult you levy against him is also an insult to me and my wife.}“Young master, you are still so young, and there are still things you cannot possibly understand, so please don’t pass judgements based on surface-level understandings alone.”

_{Tears flooded Han Jiangxue’s face as he spoke, tears that became childlike sobs when he was done speaking.}Since that guy adopted me, what benefit have I gotten, huh?

Tears flooded Han Jiangxue’s face as he spoke, tears that became childlike sobs when he was done speaking.

_{Han Xiling stopped chewing on his bun and thought it over with his head askew, then asked, “What if I told you no?”}
“Hahaha… I’m starting to like you more and more.” Han Jiangxue hugged Han Xiling by the neck fiercely before sitting back in his seat and finishing his dessert in noticeably high spirits.

Han Xiling stopped chewing on his bun and thought it over with his head askew, then asked, “What if I told you no?”

_{{Who’s to say that Sword Lunatic fame wasn't earned through his skills in bed!}}When he was ready, Han Xiling turned to the older man and asked him, “Uncle Wu, aren’t you disgusted by all this, too?”

Who’s to say that Sword Lunatic fame wasn't earned through his skills in bed!

_{Ha Xiling wanted nothing more than to return to his Youmiao Academy in that instant. He no longer wanted to be an adoptee. He just wanted to go back home.}For the umpteenth time in a short period of time, Han Xiling was left staring at Han Jiangxue dumbfounded. He was going to the Xuanyuan Sect! To the house of one of the five most famous families in the entire nation!

Ha Xiling wanted nothing more than to return to his Youmiao Academy in that instant. He no longer wanted to be an adoptee. He just wanted to go back home.

_{It was a sight that took Han Xiling by surprise, but even more shocking was the strange ache flooding his heart.}What those guys at the sword academy said is true. Han Jiangxue really is a kept man—he was really a whore!

It was a sight that took Han Xiling by surprise, but even more shocking was the strange ache flooding his heart.

_{Han Xiling quickly shook off his daze and carefully lifted that man into the nearby tub. The water had lost most of its heat, so his next move was to go ask Uncle Wu to bring him some more hot water, but that man grabbed hold of him.}
“Anyhow, you don’t have to go to Qingmiao today because you’ll be accompanying me to the Xuanyuan Sect. Since the current swordsmanship competition is in its final round, you can come over and watch the matches. After seeing it all in person, you can choose the path you would like to take in the future.”

_{The well-proportioned muscles were hidden beneath silky smooth skin as fair and delicate as white jade. It invited one’s touch—compelled one to caress it endlessly.}Why would such a fearsome Sword Lunatic want to be held by a man like a woman?!

The well-proportioned muscles were hidden beneath silky smooth skin as fair and delicate as white jade. It invited one’s touch—compelled one to caress it endlessly.

_{Tears flooded Han Jiangxue’s face as he spoke, tears that became childlike sobs when he was done speaking.}The surge of blood rushing to Han Xiling’s head in that instant made him almost faint.

Tears flooded Han Jiangxue’s face as he spoke, tears that became childlike sobs when he was done speaking.

_☆☆☆“Han Jiangxue!” Han Xiling cried out in shock. “Oi! Wake up! Get up!” He also slapped that man’s face hаrd to keep him conscious.

☆☆☆

_{{I got the life beaten out of me, my pants ripped off of me, humiliated in front of everyone, and even the word “whore” written on my face.}}“So what’s the truth then?” Han Xiling sprang to his feet, his arms flailing. “It doesn’t even matter because I’m never going back to that house! My surname isn’t ‘Han’! I’m Xiling! From now on, I’ll just be Xiling—Xiling the stray!”

I got the life beaten out of me, my pants ripped off of me, humiliated in front of everyone, and even the word “whore” written on my face.

_{With not a single destination in mind, he ran down the streets aimlessly, unable to wash away the scene in that bedroom from replaying before his eyes.}
For the umpteenth time in a short period of time, Han Xiling was left staring at Han Jiangxue dumbfounded. He was going to the Xuanyuan Sect! To the house of one of the five most famous families in the entire nation!

With not a single destination in mind, he ran down the streets aimlessly, unable to wash away the scene in that bedroom from replaying before his eyes.

_{“Understood.” Han Xiling’s heart thundered. He was practically beside himself for the day to come.}
“Stop being all stunned. Han Jiangxue patted the back of his head. “Remember, for today, you are only allowed to watch, so don’t talk too much. Understood?”

“Understood.” Han Xiling’s heart thundered. He was practically beside himself for the day to come.

_{Han Xiling sat down beside him without a word and reached over for a steamed bun while doing his best to go unnoticed.}The recollection of his first kiss left him completely stupefied for a long time before he got up and lazily changed his clothes. His hair was still a mess when he made his way down the stairs, and it turned into a bigger one as he tugged at it while thinking about how he would face both Uncle Wu and Han Jiangxue.

Han Xiling sat down beside him without a word and reached over for a steamed bun while doing his best to go unnoticed.

_{Tilting his head upwards, he stared straight at Han Xiling with his drunken gaze, asking, “Do you look down on me, too?”}
“Understood.” Han Xiling’s heart thundered. He was practically beside himself for the day to come.

Tilting his head upwards, he stared straight at Han Xiling with his drunken gaze, asking, “Do you look down on me, too?”

_{{I have a good reason to be angry, don’t I?}}Despite his internal protests, Han Xiling got up but did not bother to put on his slippers, walking straight to the bathroom with bare feet. That man was grinning like a fool when he met him; his eyes were veiled in a drunken haze. While half leaning on the wall, that man looked up at him, waving him over urgently. “Come on, Xiling. Get over here, hurry up.”

I have a good reason to be angry, don’t I?

_{{Why would such a fearsome Sword Lunatic want to be held by a man like a woman?!}}“Hahaha… I’m starting to like you more and more.” Han Jiangxue hugged Han Xiling by the neck fiercely before sitting back in his seat and finishing his dessert in noticeably high spirits.

Why would such a fearsome Sword Lunatic want to be held by a man like a woman?!

_{{How could that boor of a man put his hand on him like that?! Why would Han Jiangxue let himself get treated like a woman…}}☆☆☆

How could that boor of a man put his hand on him like that?! Why would Han Jiangxue let himself get treated like a woman…

Author's Note:

N/A

Notes:

N/A

Updated on a Saturday. Raws: Kobo

Adoptive Father: C04-1

Chapter 4.1: Decision

Author's Note:

Notes:

No comments:

Future Projects

Popular

Recents

Comments

Labels

Pages

Search This Blog

Pageviews last month

Contact