After Transmigrating Into The Body Of The Chief Disciple, The Villain Was Reborn. - Chapter 3

“Your Majesty, there is a youth outside who claims to be from the cultivation world. He says he wants to take the little Prince away. What do you think?” Eunuch Liu hurried to the Emperor’s side and replied respectfully.

The Emperor of the Ning Kingdom raised his eyebrows, a flicker of displeasure in his eyes. “Someone actually dares to covet the heir of my Ning Kingdom?” His voice held a trace of majesty and chill that made others feel awe.

Eunuch Liu hurriedly lowered his head. “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. The person claims that he and the little Prince share a bond and wishes to bring the little Prince to the cultivation world.”

Hearing this, the Emperor frowned and pondered. The cultivation world? Why would people from that place come here? He tapped the table lightly, thought for a moment, and said, “Send him in. I want to see who is bold enough to try to take my heir.”

“Yes,” Eunuch Liu responded respectfully and turned to convey the Emperor’s decree.

Soon after, Lu Shi’an was brought into the palace hall. He wore simple robes, possessing an otherworldly aura and a calm, gentle expression. The Emperor sat quietly on the dragon throne, his gaze sharp as he measured Lu Shi’an with shrewd eyes. As an Emperor, his cultivation level was naturally not low. Royal family members enjoyed the rare treasures of the mortal world; even with poor talent, they could boost their cultivation using pills. The Emperor had reached the peak of Foundation Establishment, yet he could not perceive Lu Shi’an’s level. There were only two possibilities: either the youth possessed a powerful magical artifact, or his cultivation far surpassed the peak of Foundation Establishment.

After Lu Shi’an entered, he saw the Emperor staring at him with interest. He remained unruffled, offering a polite greeting between equals. Without unnecessary chatter, he stated his purpose directly.

The Emperor scoffed inwardly. A bond of fate? It was merely the Empress’s family knowing they were doomed and fearing that if Ning Yuzhao were left alone in the palace, he would be bullied to death. They had secretly contacted someone from the cultivation world to smuggle him away from this place of strife. However, sending the child to the cultivation world might not be a bad idea. After all, the Emperor would not let the Empress’s clan survive. Keeping the child in the palace would always be a thorn in his side. A tiger does not eat its own cubs; since he could not bring himself to kill the boy, yet did not wish to see him, sending him to the cultivation world was better than leaving him in the palace to suffer.

With this thought, the Emperor’s expression softened. “Since the Empress has already chosen his path, then take him away.” He waved his hand, signaling that Lu Shi’an could leave.

After leaving the palace, Lu Shi’an took little Yuzhao to the bustling, lively market. He looked down at the little fellow in his arms and sighed. Ever since they left the Kuning Palace, the child had been clutching his clothes tightly, remaining silent and dejected. Lu Shi’an felt a pang of pity. He gently pinched the child’s cheek and said softly, “Don’t be unhappy, okay? There will be opportunities to come back in the future.”

Little Yuzhao burst into tears, his voice filled with helplessness and grief. “Brother, even if I come back, I will not see Mother anymore. Mother said her illness cannot be cured. Mother does not want me anymore. She is going to leave me all alone.”

Lu Shi’an looked at the heartbroken, gasping boy in his arms and felt completely helpless. Having never raised a child, he did not know how to comfort him. He could only hold the boy tighter and stroke his back gently, hoping to soothe him.

After a long while, the child’s sobbing ceased. He looked up at Lu Shi’an with eyes full of insecurity. “Brother, will you abandon me? Can you please not abandon me? I will be very good. I will listen to you, and when I grow up, I will be filial to you.”

Seeing the child’s anxiety, Lu Shi’an felt his heart ache. He whispered comfortingly, “Yuzhao, be good. Brother will not abandon you.”

Upon hearing this, a smile finally appeared on Ning Yuzhao’s face. Seeing the boy laugh, Lu Shi’an finally felt relieved. He took Yuzhao’s hand to wander through the market, wondering when he might have another chance to visit the mortal world.

Ning Yuzhao had spent his entire life in the palace and had never seen the bustling market of the capital city. He was filled with curiosity. Soon, his sadness faded as he looked left and right, fascinated by everything. When Lu Shi’an noticed the boy’s eyes fixed on a candied hawthorn stick, he could not help but smile. The boy was so easily distracted by food. The look in his eyes clearly said he wanted it.

“Brother, I want to eat that.” Yuzhao pointed at the treat, looking at Lu Shi’an with red, swollen eyes.

Lu Shi’an smiled and led him to the stall. “Boss, give me one string of candied hawthorns. Keep the change.” He pulled out silver to pay. This money had been given to him by his master before he descended; since the currencies of the two worlds were different, gold and silver were more practical in the mortal realm. The stall owner beamed, delighted by such a generous young master. He quickly handed over the treat and offered pleasantries: “Young Master, you truly dote on your younger brother! This little lad is clearly a lucky one.”

Lu Shi’an smiled without replying. Yuzhao took the treat and began eating happily, sugar stains smearing his lips. Lu Shi’an gently wiped them away and said dotingly, “Eat slowly, don’t choke.”

Yuzhao nodded and continued enjoying the snack. Lu Shi’an watched him with compassion. The child was only six, yet he had endured so much change. Once a respected little Prince living in a luxurious palace, he now had to leave the mortal world for the unknown cultivation realm. Even more heartbreaking, he had to face the loss of his mother. Such a blow was hard for an adult to bear, let alone a young child.

After strolling through the street, they bought many small, novel trinkets. These toys excited Yuzhao, but he soon grew exhausted and fell into a deep sleep in Lu Shi’an’s arms. Seeing the boy’s fatigue, Lu Shi’an felt a surge of tenderness. He knew the little one needed rest, so he looked for a nearby inn and rented a room. He carefully placed Yuzhao on the bed, tucked him in, and sat by the bedside, quietly watching him sleep.

Looking at Yuzhao’s peaceful sleeping face, Lu Shi’an was filled with emotion and helplessness. He silently vowed to protect him well in the future. He looked forward to tomorrow, when he would take Yuzhao back to the cultivation world to begin a new life.