Futile Devices Scans

Wenren Li nodded expressionlessly. “Very well.”

The truth was that he had long wanted to pull Chen Yixin back from Qing Ruo’s side. Before leaving, Chen Yixin had promised him he would behave himself, yet he had not done even half of that. Right now, he was even openly jealous on Qing Ruo’s behalf because of Lin Yu, while when Wenren Li held Yinzi, Chen Yixin did not get jealous at all.

Even Lin Yu could not have guessed that such winding thoughts lay beneath Wenren Li’s expressionless face, but obtaining Wenren Li’s approval was enough to put him at ease. At the very least, he would not end up sleeping separately from Qing Ruo again that night.

Before Chen Yixin and Qing Ruo had even arrived at Heavenly Phoenix Valley, Lin Yu and Wenren Li were already there waiting for them.

The banquet had already been laid out. The wine had been newly brewed in Heavenly Phoenix Valley. The base liquor used was still the Thousand-Year Dream brought from the Taixuan Floating Isle, but after being steeped together with phoenix flowers, it had been renamed Phoenix Flower Wine. The flavor was vastly different, and it was greatly beloved among the Ten Divisions. It was a rather rare delicacy.

As for the dishes, Lin Yu had specially made another trip to an immortal city to buy them for these two picky brothers. They were steaming hot, allowing Chen Yixin and Qing Ruo to sit down and start eating immediately.

Chen Yixin walked with his hand draped over Qing Ruo’s shoulder. Had he not remembered that Wenren Li would be watching him at all times, he probably would have wanted Qing Ruo to carry him on his back. Back when he had still been a phoenix egg, Qing Ruo had never had the chance to carry him, but he had always held him and never let him out of his arms.

Now, hugging was not quite appropriate, and Chen Yixin did not dare suggest being carried, so he could only walk with an arm slung over Qing Ruo’s shoulder. Brothers who were close in the mortal world often did the same, and Chen Yixin saw nothing improper about it.

His gaze swept over and landed on Wenren Li and Lin Yu, who were drinking wine. He blinked, and the smile on his face brightened further. Pulling Qing Ruo along, he quickened his pace and sat down beside Wenren Li. “A-Li, why are you here…?”

Though surprised, all of his happiness was written plainly across his face. He turned his head and looked at Wenren Li as though he had not seen him in ages, the affection in his eyes straightforward and passionate.

Wenren Li lifted his hand and placed it on Chen Yixin’s hair, gently rubbing it a few times and rubbing away all traces of Qing Ruo’s lingering aura. He murmured softly, “I came to keep you company.”

With Qing Ruo around, Chen Yixin probably would not even remember that he needed Wenren Li’s company, nor remember that they had not spoken much for an entire month. Wenren Li wanted Chen Yixin to keep him company, but no matter how gloomy he felt inside, if Chen Yixin forgot, he could not simply let it go. That was why he had come together with Lin Yu.

“Mm,” Chen Yixin responded, taking hold of Wenren Li’s left hand and gradually tightening his grip around it. Then he parted his lips slightly. “Ah.”

He was treating himself like a newborn chick incapable of taking care of itself, and he was not the least bit embarrassed about it. The sheer naturalness of it made Lin Yu unable to stop himself from shaking his head. Yet it was not only Wenren Li feeding him food; even Qing Ruo dared compete with Wenren Li in this matter.

Chen Yixin narrowed his eyes and still did not think anything was wrong. His appetite was excellent. A bite from the left, a bite from the right—he ate everything. “Delicious.”

“A-Li and Qing Ruo should eat too,” Chen Yixin said before glancing at Lin Yu. “Big Brother Lin Yu should eat too.”

In any case, Chen Yixin was extremely satisfied with this meal and felt particularly happy. It was as though time had returned to how it had always been, as though they had never experienced those heartbreaking separations between life and death, and everything was perfectly complete.

Because he was so happy, Chen Yixin also drank quite a lot. His alcohol tolerance was fairly good, but by the end, both cheeks were flushed red, his expression dazed, and he was genuinely drunk.

When drunk, however, he was not troublesome the way he could be when sober. He simply sat there with his eyes narrowed, looking especially soft and obedient. Only whenever Lin Yu, seated across from him, made any move that crossed a line with Qing Ruo would his eyes immediately widen into perfect circles.

Turning around, he grabbed Wenren Li’s hand and began complaining in an especially aggrieved tone. “Great Emperor, look! Lin Yu is trying to steal Qing Ruo from me again. Hurry and help me steal him back…”

Qing Ruo and Wenren Li both looked over. Lin Yu could only withdraw his hand. He had merely reached out to touch Qing Ruo out of habit. Who would have thought that this little phoenix would still be watching him so closely even while drunk?

“A-Li, once we’re done being busy, we need to hold a wedding for Qing Ruo. Even though Lin Yu is annoying, Qing Ruo likes him…” As he spoke, Chen Yixin’s expression became even more aggrieved. He turned and buried himself in Wenren Li’s arms, letting out a drunken hiccup.

“Alright,” Wenren Li replied softly, rubbing Chen Yixin’s hair. Then he looked toward the slightly tipsy Lin Yu and Qing Ruo. “I’ll have An Cheng begin making arrangements for the wedding. Do not refuse. This is A-Rong’s wish.”

Though it was not the best timing, it certainly was not the worst either. Things that had been missed once should not be missed again.

“Thank you, Great Emperor,” Qing Ruo and Lin Yu rose at the same time and responded. They had long since settled into the pattern of an old married couple and did not place much importance on such ceremonies, but a certain sense of completion had always been lacking.

Wenren Li inclined his head lightly and rose while carrying Chen Yixin in his arms. “I’ll take A-Rong back.”

Qing Ruo lifted his gaze toward Chen Yixin in Wenren Li’s arms, his expression still somewhat reluctant, but Lin Yu seized his other hand at that moment. “Great Emperor, please take good care of the Sovereign Consort. This wine has a strong aftereffect. With the court assembly approaching, the Sovereign Consort cannot be absent.”

“That’s true,” Qing Ruo nodded. Then he stepped closer and patted Chen Yixin’s shoulder. “Your room in Heavenly Phoenix Valley will always be kept for you. For tonight, go back with the Divine Sovereign. Be good.”

Wenren Li glanced at Qing Ruo, then nodded before carrying Chen Yixin away in a teleportation.

Qing Ruo remained stunned for a moment before shaking his head and smiling helplessly. “How did the Divine Sovereign become just like A-Rong…?”

“That is exactly how he should be. You’re the one who always takes A-Rong’s side.”

Lin Yu pulled Qing Ruo back down into his seat, his tone carrying a trace of helplessness as well. A large part of the reason Chen Yixin had disliked him for so many years was because Qing Ruo himself had indulged it. He spoiled his younger brother without any limits at all, to the point that Lin Yu, his lover, often had to step aside.

Qing Ruo raised his wine cup and took a light sip. He glanced at Lin Yu, and that single glance swept away all of Lin Yu’s complaints. In a faintly cool voice, he said leisurely, “You have objections?”

“No, I wouldn’t dare. But below A-Rong, second—no, third place, I can at least count as that, right…” It was rather pitiful. In Qing Ruo’s heart, beneath Chen Yixin, there was also Wenren Li. Third place—or perhaps only then—would be Lin Yu.

Qing Ruo smiled at that. “You do. You’re third. I’m fourth.”

In other words, both Chen Yixin and Wenren Li were more important than Lin Yu, yet Lin Yu was also more important than Qing Ruo himself.

That was Qing Ruo’s way of speaking words of love, and it made this already pleasantly drunken night gain another measure of sincere and candid beauty.

As for Chen Yixin, who had been carried back to Yuxu Palace by Wenren Li, he was indeed drunk, but not to the point of complete unconsciousness. The intoxication merely made the emotions in his heart run a little more freely. As a result, he became even clingier and more affectionate toward Wenren Li.

“A-Li, A-Li, A-Li…”

He called Wenren Li’s name over and over again, smiling one moment and frowning the next. Even Wenren Li could not completely understand what Chen Yixin was thinking each time he called his name.

“Enough. I’ll help dissipate some of the effects of the wine.” Before the hand Wenren Li had placed on Chen Yixin’s back could do anything, Chen Yixin struggled in obvious dissatisfaction.

“You’re stupid, A-Li. Not that kind of dissipate. That kind, that kind. Understand…?”

As he spoke of “that kind,” he hooked an arm around Wenren Li’s neck and bit lightly at his lips. “Do you understand now?”

A life of abstinence was impossible when one was together with Chen Yixin. Even if Wenren Li occasionally failed to think of it, Chen Yixin would bring it up himself.

Wenren Li nodded. The assembly would be held three days later. Considering the potency of the Phoenix Flower Wine, dissipating all of its effects through that method within three days would truly be a test for him, though it was not entirely impossible. The consequence would simply be that Chen Yixin might have to suffer a little.

“A-Rong asked for it himself, so you’re not allowed to beg for mercy.”

Wenren Li tugged lightly at his clothing. In that instant, his bearing became completely different. Chen Yixin, enclosed within his arms, was like meat already caught between his teeth—something he was determined to swallow whole and something no one else was permitted to covet.

Chen Yixin vaguely sensed a hint of danger, but before he could think through how to respond, his lips were already sealed. Then he was kissed down onto the bed. Silver hair and ice-blue hair intertwined together. They appeared somewhat similar, yet were completely different.

But those completely different individuals became entangled with one another in this way, fiercely intertwined and impossible to separate. There was no longer any need for them to distinguish themselves so clearly. Their lives and deaths were one and the same. They would live together and die together.

The three days during which Wenren Li and Chen Yixin should have been the busiest were spent entirely rolling about together. Chen Yixin clenched his teeth and never begged for mercy, and Wenren Li truly showed no intention of letting him off. It continued until the effects of the wine had completely faded.

Chen Yixin’s legs trembled slightly, and the feeling of being unable to close them was especially obvious. His divine power circulated through his body several times, and the physical sensations disappeared, yet the impressions left within his sea of consciousness remained.

The phoenix within his sea of consciousness looked even more exhausted than his actual body. All of it had been caused by Wenren Li’s torment.

“A-Li, tell me honestly. Were you taking the opportunity to settle old scores and deliberately teach me a lesson?”

Chen Yixin was highly suspicious. Sitting astride Wenren Li and refusing to let him get up, he raised an eyebrow, radiating endless charm.

His tone sounded like an accusation, but to Wenren Li it felt more as though Chen Yixin was unsatisfied and was tempting him again.

Wenren Li hesitated slightly upon hearing that, then nodded. “I can’t bear to hit or scold A-Rong. This is the only way.”

Wenren Li admitted it frankly. Yet after receiving the answer, Chen Yixin found himself unsure how to react. His cheeks puffed out slightly, and his eyes widened even more. In the end, however, he obediently rolled aside and made room.

Feeling inexplicably aggrieved, he asked, “Then… has A-Li calmed down yet?”

Wenren Li slowly dressed himself and did not answer. Wasn’t that answer enough? It clearly meant he had not calmed down. No—“calmed down” was not quite accurate. Every time he remembered it, he still felt angry and his heart still ached.

That wound was still difficult to heal. Perhaps only after a thousand years, ten thousand years, or even longer would there be a slight chance that he would no longer care so deeply.

Chen Yixin also fell silent for a moment. Then he transformed from his huffy appearance into an especially obedient one. He handed clothes to Wenren Li, found his shoes, cooperated completely while Wenren Li dressed him, and from time to time offered sweet kisses.

He had dug this pit for himself. Since he could not cry, he could only fill it back in with a smile. Besides, this wound was one he had to heal for Wenren Li willingly. No matter how it was treated, he should cooperate.

Looking entirely well-behaved, he followed behind Wenren Li. Yet after taking only two steps out of the sleeping chamber, he walked straight into Wenren Li’s back. The next thing he knew, Wenren Li had lifted him into his arms.

The resentment in Wenren Li’s heart was difficult to dispel, but he still cherished Chen Yixin. Even knowing that he had not truly done anything excessive to him, he still could not bear even this slight sense of distance.

It was only when they were nearly at the main hall of Yuxu Palace that he set Chen Yixin down and merely held his hand instead.

An Cheng announced loudly, “The Divine Sovereign has arrived! The Sovereign Consort has arrived!”

The two entered hand in hand. Their clothing could only be considered everyday attire, yet the aura surrounding them still made it impossible for these Immortal Emperors and Immortal Lords to meet their gaze directly. They walked along the long red carpet and took their seats upon the silver throne in the main hall.

The assembled immortals immediately knelt and paid homage. “We pay our respects to the Divine Sovereign and the Sovereign Consort.”

“Rise.”

With a wave of Wenren Li’s hand, an invisible divine force lifted everyone to their feet.

Immediately afterward, an Immortal Emperor stepped forward from his place and bowed.

“Changdong, together with my people, offers congratulations. May the Divine Sovereign and the Sovereign Consort endure for eternity and restore the glory of the Divine Realm.”

Immortal Emperor Changdong was the same Changdong who had once taken Chen Yixin away, delivered him to the Sea of Ice Extremity, and later been trapped there by Chen Yixin. In the past, like Feng Yuan, he had chosen neutrality. Now, like Feng Yuan, he had chosen to stand with Chen Yixin and Wenren Li.

Among the Ten Emperors, he was considered one of the most senior and prestigious. His choice was enough to influence a portion of those who were still wavering.

After him, more people came forward one after another to pay homage and declare their allegiance. Yet these arrivals accounted for less than half of the Upper Realm’s Ten Emperors and Nine Clans. The other half had chosen Dongfang Jin and Nangong Chuan.

It was not particularly surprising. People’s hearts were fickle. Moreover, in the minds of most Immortal Emperors and Immortal Lords, Wenren Li represented a glory of the past—a glory that had once been dragged down from its pedestal. They trusted the currently ascendant Nangong Chuan and Dongfang Jin more.

Just as the Immortal Emperors and Immortal Lords were nearly finished paying their respects, a streak of golden light shot directly toward Yuxu Palace.

“The envoy of Sage Lord Nangong arrives with congratulations!”

When armies were at war, envoys were not executed. Though this envoy’s direct intrusion into Yuxu Palace was undeniably rude, it was still not easy to deal with him outright.

At that moment, Qing Ruo flew into the air. With a wave of the Heavenly Phoenix Token, the mass of golden light shattered instantly, and four figures tumbled out of it. The leader was someone nearly everyone present recognized—Immortal Emperor Guangle, Lan Xin’s father.

None of the four had expected that Wenren Li’s side would show not the slightest fear of Sage Lord Nangong’s name. Under Qing Ruo’s Heavenly Phoenix Token, even Immortal Emperor Guangle was unable to resist a single strike.

The saying about not killing envoys merely meant not taking their lives. In Qing Ruo’s eyes, there was nothing wrong with crippling or disabling them.

Moreover, for someone like Guangle, who could not distinguish right from wrong or good from evil, regret for his choices was inevitable. That regret would begin today.

“Kneel.”

Chen Yixin narrowed his eyes and uttered those two words. Instantly, all four of them were forced to kneel upon the steps before the main hall, facing him and Wenren Li.

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