Growing Up with the Demon King Tyrant - Chapter 18

Several years had passed, and the manor had not changed much. The flower clusters by the stone wall bloomed all year round, and on the south side, several large rocks were piled together like a small mountain. Those were made by Xi Huai for Xue Yi last year, sprinkled with sand and gravel to simulate a cave for the young dragon to crawl into and play.

Xue Yi loved it, but he always got himself filthy, which in turn stained Xi Huai’s clothes. Getting dirty meant taking a bath, and frequent contact with water made it easy to catch a cold; thus, after Xue Yi played for several days in a row, Xi Huai would only allow him to go once every half month.

Xue Yi was the most obedient toward him, except for the occasional bout of picky eating and his reluctance to learn to fly. Since Xi Huai took him everywhere and had been inseparable since they entered the manor, Xue Yi wondered why he needed to learn to fly if someone was always carrying him.

There was an astrology class in the afternoon. Xi Huai accompanied Xue Yi in the study to read for a while before heading to the clock tower on time. Al was already seated at the front, a mechanical bird perched on his shoulder. Hearing footsteps, he looked up. “Sit.”

Xue Yi jumped down from Xi Huai’s arms and crouched in his designated spot. Al asked casually, “How is the progress with flight?”

The little dragon cub immediately turned his head to look at Xi Huai, who replied, “Very good. A few more days should be enough.”

Hearing this, Xue Yi felt a bit guilty. He had spent so much time perched in the tree but had only jumped down once; coming from Xi Huai’s mouth, it sounded as if he were already about to master it. Al did not press further, nodding. “Good. Let’s begin.”

He lowered his head and unfolded the star map, and the constellations they had watched for over four years appeared as usual. Having grown a few years older, Xue Yi’s restlessness and playfulness had diminished slightly, and he crouched quietly on the cushion. The star map projected and magnified from time to time; the little dragon cub watched seriously, his golden eyes unblinking. Because he still couldn’t transform, communication was limited, and no one knew how much Xue Yi actually understood.

Half an hour later, the projected star map was still rotating. Xue Yi quietly scooted over to Xi Huai’s side and rested a paw on his arm. Xi Huai, remaining impassive, scooped the little dragon cub into his lap and took a pack of small biscuits from his storage ring.

The biscuits were made by Queen Wei. A few months ago, the adjutant had visited, bringing some snacks and newly made small clothes. Queen Wei had asked about Xue Yi’s current size in advance, and she also inquired about Xi Huai’s height to pick out some clothes for him as well. Xi Huai accepted them all, and the adjutant brought back a “thank you” on his behalf.

The little dragon cub lay down practicedly, watching the packaging being slowly torn open, and opened his mouth to wait for the feeding. Several mechanical birds were perched by the window; this small commotion did not escape Al’s ears. He did not stop them, and the star map continued to operate as usual.

In over four years, the way Xi Huai and Xue Yi interacted had never changed. The little dragon’s appearance had hardly changed at all, and he remained extremely dependent on Xi Huai, treating him as his sole guardian. Meanwhile, Xi Huai appeared more steady and reserved than before, though he remained cold in front of others and never took the initiative to contact his tribesmen at the palace.

However, his performance and state since entering the manor had left Xi Mengya very satisfied. Before deciding to send Xi Huai here, Xi Mengya had spoken with Al several times and anticipated many scenarios. For example: could Xi Huai last more than six months? When would he be unable to resist slipping out of the manor, or get into fights and cause trouble like before? Or when would he lose interest in the little dragon and leave him to someone else’s care?

And as for Xue Yi—would a dragon, as it grew, realize its difference from those around it and choose to leave Xi Huai? Al had once said that he did not restrict Xue Yi’s freedom; if Xue Yi developed a resistance to his environment, Xi Mengya would relocate him. But in all this time, not one of the anticipated situations had occurred.

Had Xi Huai truly changed his nature?

Al rotated the star map, re-examining Xi Huai’s constellation. After a long while, he stopped. It seemed… they still couldn’t let their guard down. Life in the manor was day after day of dull repetition; nothing special could be seen. They would have to observe further once Xi Huai returned.

After the astrology class, before leaving, Xue Yi picked up a piece of packaged biscuit in his mouth and trotted forward. The little dragon cub placed the biscuit by Al’s hand and pushed it forward with a paw to ensure Al knew something was there. Al tilted his head slightly, picked up the biscuit, and said gently, “Thank you.” Xue Yi wagged the tip of his tail, turned, and ran off.

At night before bed, Xi Huai took a book as usual and leaned against the headboard to read to Xue Yi. The little dragon cub lay on Xi Huai’s lap, letting out a yawn. At age three, Xi Huai had begun teaching Xue Yi to recognize characters, and he had learned quite a lot by now. But a little dragon was still a little dragon; no matter how many words he knew, he couldn’t speak them.

With Xue Yi drowsy in his lap, Xi Huai’s mind wandered briefly. There were still no signs of transformation after all this time; perhaps he should find a physician in a few days to check Xue Yi’s body. He wasn’t sure if any physician in the capital could treat a little dragon…

Once Xue Yi was fast asleep, Xi Huai turned off the light. He supported the little dragon in his arms as he lay down slowly and pulled up the covers.

The next day, Xue Yi had to continue learning to fly. Xi Huai used the same method as yesterday, placing the little dragon cub even higher. Xue Yi had never been to such a high place; he didn’t dare look down at all, clutching the branch with his front paws and keeping his eyes tightly shut. The branch wasn’t thick enough, and the little dragon cub teetered precariously on top of it.

Xi Huai urged from below: “I’m here; you won’t fall.”

Xue Yi knew Xi Huai wouldn’t let him get hurt, but a fear of heights wasn’t a difficulty that could be overcome in one or two tries. The little dragon cub dawdled, and when he finally managed to open his eyes and look down, his paw slipped. He scrambled to steady himself, and the branch finally gave way with a snap.

It happened so fast that Xue Yi was too tense; he forgot to unfold his dragon wings and fell straight down. Demonic energy coiled around him in mid-air just in time, sending the little dragon cub steadily into Xi Huai’s embrace. Sensing that Xue Yi was trembling slightly, Xi Huai felt regretful and pained, stroking the dragon’s horns to soothe him. “Forget it. If you don’t want to learn, don’t learn.”

There was still plenty of time; there would be opportunities in the future. As for the punishment Al mentioned, Xi Huai would just take a double portion himself. The little dragon cub buried his head and whimpered. When he regained his composure, he looked up at the high tree canopy. Xue Yi knew in his heart that not learning was impossible; there was only a little over a week left before the end of the month.

Xi Huai returned to their quarters, coaxing him with a few more words and fishing out a piece of candy, tearing open the packaging to feed the little dragon cub.

That night, Xue Yi jumped onto a flowerpot, then the windowsill, and finally onto a coat rack. The rack was steady and wouldn’t easily wobble. The little dragon cub crouched alone on the platform at the top, looking down at the plush-covered floor. It wasn’t too high here—better than the tree branch.

Xi Huai was still showering, and Xue Yi wanted to try once on his own. If he could make up for the failed progress from today, he might learn by tomorrow. Xi Huai would surely be surprised then, and Al would offer a few words of praise. If he failed, he would at most fall onto the thick carpet; it wouldn’t hurt.

The little dragon cub was eager to try, his paws gripping the edge of the platform as he adjusted his posture back and forth. The sound of water in the bathroom stopped, and Xue Yi was finally ready. He jumped down with all his might. This time, he didn’t panic, flapping his wings with effort.

Xue Yi felt his body become much lighter, and the speed at which he fell toward the floor seemed to slow down. Realizing there was truly progress, the little dragon cub was excited but didn’t know how to land smoothly. The last two times, Xi Huai had been there to catch him; this time he was alone. Seeing the carpet getting closer and closer, Xue Yi stretched out his four limbs to buffer the impact.

However, he was still unskilled. His wings and limbs seemed to have become independent entities that wouldn’t cooperate at all. The little dragon cub skidded a short distance across the carpet, and at some point, the tip of a wing got caught on a front paw; he tumbled over and rolled twice on the floor.

The fall didn’t hurt, but Xue Yi suddenly felt a chill surge through his body. The cold spread rapidly; his paws became stiff and slow, and his entire body felt as if it were no longer his own. Simultaneously, a flash of white light covered the little dragon cub on the floor. The moment the light expanded, a human cub around four years old appeared in his place.

Thud—

In the final second of his successful transformation, Xue Yi bumped his head against the corner of a table. His forehead hurt a bit. Xue Yi lay on the floor, looking bewildered at the “hands” that had newly grown out.

Xi Huai actually rarely mentioned transformation, not wanting Xue Yi to have any psychological burden or misunderstand that he no longer liked the dragon form; he intended to wait patiently for the day it happened naturally. He had only glanced a few times at the clothes he bought last year before stuffing them all into the wardrobe. The Dragon Tribe’s heritage didn’t contain much about transformation either; if a dragon was willing, it could maintain its beast form forever—it wasn’t essential knowledge. Added to the suddenness of it, Xue Yi didn’t understand what had happened to him for a moment.

Did I break myself because of the fall?

Xue Yi was dazed and let out a small sneeze. Even the sound of the sneeze was different… Xue Yi’s mind went blank, and in his panic, his vision blurred. Another flash of white light appeared on the floor, and the little dragon cub was back.

Xi Huai happened to come out of the bathroom just then and saw the little dragon cub lying on the floor in a strange posture, almost motionless. He approached and picked up Xue Yi. “What were you doing just now?” He had heard a bit of a commotion and thought Xue Yi was playing alone.

The little dragon cub, still shaken, gave a “wuu” and clung tightly to Xi Huai’s hand. Fortunately, I’m back to normal, but I have no way to let Xi Huai know how scared I was.

Xue Yi buried his head and carefully inspected his two pairs of paws, then turned his head to see if his wings and tail were still there. When his gaze swept over Xi Huai’s palm and fingertips, the little dragon cub hesitated, finally realizing something. In the sudden event just now, Xue Yi had also seen a “hand,” only it was much smaller.

The little dragon cub looked up at Xi Huai again. Xi Huai stroked the dragon’s horns. “What’s wrong?” He noticed a small patch of redness on the scales at the corner of the cub’s forehead and reached out to gently brush over it.

The little dragon cub’s eyes were bewildered: “Mhm…”

Xue Yi had always known he was different from Xi Huai. He had scales and horns; Xi Huai didn’t. He had wings and a tail; Xi Huai didn’t either. Xi Huai had never turned into a dragon; by the age of two, Xue Yi knew he wasn’t a dragon.

So I didn’t break myself just now—I turned into a form similar to Xi Huai’s? Xue Yi wasn’t quite sure, and he stared at Xi Huai’s hand for a long time. The sudden chill had also vanished without a trace, nowhere to be found. The little dragon cub closed his eyes and held his breath for a while, but after a moment, he came up empty.

Xi Huai used demonic energy to quickly dry his hair and took the little dragon cub into the bedding. “No reading tonight,” he said. “You can play with the ball on the bed for a bit.”

On any other day, Xue Yi would have been very happy, but hearing Xi Huai’s words, the little dragon cub only let out two whimpers and curled into a ball against him. Xi Huai thought it was still because of the fall from the tree during the day; Xue Yi had been startled, and his interest in playing with the ball was gone.

“Xue-bao, don’t be afraid,” he soothed the little dragon cub. “We won’t learn to fly anymore. We won’t go anywhere tomorrow.”

Although he had long since stopped being afraid because of the day’s events, listening to Xi Huai’s voice, Xue Yi gradually relaxed. If he could become like Xi Huai, that seemed quite good too. In that case, it didn’t matter if Xi Huai wasn’t a dragon. The little dragon cub closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

After noon the next day, an assistant came to tell Xi Huai that Xi Nian was coming to see him and had already departed from the palace in the morning.

Because of the dragon in the manor, outsiders were usually not allowed to approach; only the adjutant could enter and leave freely. Xi Nian had wanted to visit for a long time, but his several requests were rejected by Al. Al was also considering Xi Huai; he had no brotherly affection for Xi Nian, and if they met and a conflict broke out over a disagreement, it would be bad for both sides. It wasn’t until recently that Al finally agreed to Xi Nian’s visit.

“The Second Prince will be here soon,” the assistant whispered. “Will you go to the front hall now?”

Xue Yi was currently taking a midday nap. Xi Huai withdrew his gaze. “Fine.” He didn’t wake Xue Yi, following the assistant out of the room and gently closing the door.

The front hall for receiving guests was in the building next door. When Xi Huai arrived, Xi Nian was already seated inside. He had arrived earlier than expected and hadn’t sent word ahead on the road. After not seeing him for several years, Xi Nian had grown quite a bit taller. He wore an academy uniform, and his hair was groomed meticulously, with a hint of brownish color in the sunlight—his only mixed-blood feature.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up and squinted his eyes to observe the newcomer. The assistant waited at the door while Xi Huai approached slowly and stood not far in front of Xi Nian. The two met each other’s gaze, and neither spoke.

Finally, Xi Huai spoke first: “What are you doing here?”

Xi Nian curled his lips. “To see if you’re dead yet.”

The assistant outside heard the dialogue and quickly fished the communicator out of his pocket, ready to call for someone at any moment. These two Princes haven’t seen each other for so long; why does it look like they’re about to fight as soon as they meet…

Inside the hall, Xi Nian stared at Xi Huai. He had said those words on purpose, wanting to see how Xi Huai would react. In several years, only the adjutant had visited the palace to check on him a few times, and every time he returned, he would praise Xi Huai, saying he had become mature, steady, and sensible… Xi Mengya also showed quite a bit of concern for Xi Huai, and Queen Wei even bought new clothes for him. It was as if Xi Huai wasn’t under house arrest but had gone somewhere on vacation.

Xi Nian had been holding it in for several years and finally had the chance to visit; he wanted to see if Xi Huai had truly changed.

To his surprise, Xi Huai didn’t get angry at the comment. Without a ripple of emotion, his dark eyes looked at Xi Nian, and then he walked to a chair on the side and sat down.

Xi Nian frowned. He really changed? No… that feeling about him was still there. Xi Nian couldn’t quite put his finger on what kind of feeling it was. The old Xi Huai would show his anger or impatience; his eyes were always cold, and he would use words to provoke and threaten. Now, he seemed to have learned to restrain his emotions, hiding everything beneath the surface—quiet and gentle one second, and perhaps pulling a knife the next. Thinking this, Xi Nian silently swallowed the next few snide remarks.

Xi Huai leaned against the back of the chair, his gaze shifting over. “When are you leaving?”

“…I just got here,” Xi Nian said, speechless for a moment, before asking about the second matter. “Where’s the little dragon? Why isn’t he with you?” His voice paused, and he let out a snort. “You haven’t gotten tired of him and dumped him on someone else, have you?”

At the same time, the little dragon cub napping in his nest opened his eyes.

So cold… Xue Yi was woken up by the cold; that strange feeling from last night was back. The little dragon cub crawled up with difficulty, and there was a flash of white light in the nest. Xue Yi slowly lowered his head. A pair of small hands moved in his line of sight, and the originally silver-white scales were replaced by delicate skin.

Yes, it was like this last night too…

Xue Yi hurriedly tried to find Xi Huai, but found he wasn’t in the room. The door was tightly closed, and someone seemed to be passing by in the corridor outside. Xue Yi was both nervous and afraid, diving into the covers by instinct.

On the other side, Xi Huai was still in the front hall. Xi Nian had a lot to say, asking about Xi Huai’s coursework progress and then wanting to see the little dragon. Xi Huai gradually lost his patience, responding perfunctorily: “Xue Yi is taking a nap; he has no time to see you.”

Xi Nian’s visit was also limited; he couldn’t stay in the manor for too long. “Really sleeping?” he said with a look of regret. “But I’m about to leave. Can you wake the little dragon up…”

Before he could finish, Xi Huai swept a glance over him. Xi Nian immediately went quiet, watching as he rose from the chair. “Then I won’t see you out.” After saying that, Xi Huai turned and left.

The assistant then walked in and asked cautiously, “Second Prince, are you departing now?”

Xi Nian picked up the fruit tea by his hand and drank it in one gulp. “Let’s go.”

Xi Huai returned to the bedroom; the door was still closed. He pushed the door open silently and saw at a glance that the covers on the bed were bulging into a clump; Xue Yi, who had been sleeping in the nest before he left, was gone. And what was hidden under the covers was clearly more than the size of a little dragon cub.

Xi Huai’s pupils constricted slightly, and he immediately stepped forward quickly. Footsteps approached, and there was a slight movement under the covers. Xi Huai knelt by the bed and called out, “Xue Yi?”

There was more movement under the covers, but he refused to come out.

“Have you transformed?” Xi Huai slowly grabbed a corner of the covers. “Don’t be afraid. Let me see.”

His tone was gentle. While soothing him, he pulled up the edge of the covers. The bedroom curtains were closed, and the light under the covers was dim, yet it couldn’t hide a pair of dazzling golden eyes and slightly messy silver-white hair.