The Villainous Senior Brother Doesn't Want to Wash White [Transmigration] - Chapter 46

When Ji Yanhui and Qi Ye spoke, they stepped forward to shield Ji Yanqing from the Emperor of Fengdu. Their eyes were filled with wariness; in their view, if the Emperor had to ask such a question, he might resort to force if Ji Yanqing refused.

Emperor of Fengdu: “?” The Emperor looked at the two men answering for Ji Yanqing with a look that clearly said: I’m asking my son, what does it have to do with you?

Ji Yanqing also found it strange. Though the request to stay in the Ghost Realm was odd, the Emperor’s tone was sincere and devoid of any coercion. He couldn’t fathom why his companions were reacting with such extreme alarm.

Did I miss some crucial information?

Caught in the center of this awkward “crematorium” of a standoff, Ji Yanqing decided to take a half-step back and observe the situation before speaking.

As he moved, Qi Ye addressed the Emperor: “Emperor, I can understand your grief over losing your beloved. But if you intend to forcibly keep Senior Brother in the Ghost Realm as a substitute for your lover, I will never allow it.”

Ji Yanqing: “…” Junior Brother, is your head filled with nothing but melodrama? And since when was I a substitute for his lover? Am I supposed to be a stand-in for my own aunt?

Since Qi Ye had “exposed” the Emperor’s supposed plot, Ji Yanhui prepared to activate the Soul-Guiding technique to flee. Even if the Emperor was a four-tribulation master, he was still bound to the Ghost Realm.

However, to their surprise, the Emperor didn’t fly into a rage. He simply frowned and said quite unpleasantly: “What kind of nonsense are you people reading? What’s wrong with a father wanting his son to stay by his side?”

Letting… his son… stay by his side??

Ji Yanqing was still internally mocking Qi Ye’s imagination when the words hit him. The “substitute lover” plot suddenly seemed much more reasonable than this bombshell.

So, I am actually… the Emperor of Fengdu’s son??

He wasn’t the only one stunned. Qi Ye and Ji Yanhui’s wariness didn’t decrease; if anything, Ji Yanhui asked with even more suspicion: “Why didn’t the Emperor say this sooner?”

“Did I not say it before?” the Emperor asked innocently.

You didn’t say it at all!

The Spirit Artifact floated out to clarify: “What the Emperor says is true. The seal on the Abyss of Qixue requires a password, but it also requires someone of the bloodline of either Ji Qixue or the Emperor himself to open. That person is clearly you.”

The Emperor shot the spirit a satisfied look. Now, he just needed to provide proof.

Despite the explanation, Ji Yanqing found it hard to believe. As a dedicated fan who had read Path of the Demon Immortal multiple times, his entire worldview was built on being the youngest son of the Ji Clan Head. This sudden “plot-breaking dad” was a lot to process.

“But, I should be the Clan Head’s son,” Ji Yanqing argued weakly.

Expecting his son might be too overwhelmed to accept a powerful new father immediately, the Emperor calmly added evidence: “You were born in the year 673. Your spiritual root is Wood-based, and you are exceptionally talented in illusions. If you still don’t believe me, I have various magical artifacts here that can prove our relationship beyond a doubt.”

With a wave of his sleeve, the hall was filled with “Paternity Mirrors,” “Bloodline Locks,” and a literal encyclopedia of cultivation-world paternity tests.

At this point, even Qi Ye and Ji Yanhui had to believe him.

“So, that’s how it is,” Qi Ye murmured. He felt a secret relief that he hadn’t said anything too offensive yet; at least he hadn’t ruined his “impression points” with his future father-in-law.

Ji Yanhui pondered and said to Ji Yanqing: “Aunt Qixue was originally betrothed to the current Sect Leader of Qingmen, Qin Shu. She broke the engagement and fled, leaving a child with the Ghost Emperor. If the wrong people found out, you would be in grave danger. Our father likely had his reasons for keeping this secret.”

Ji Yanqing: “…” You two are way too quick to flip sides! Why are you already making excuses for the Emperor?

“Ahem. With Yanqing’s talent, a little help was all he needed to form a High-Grade Golden Core. Reaching the Spirit-Severing stage will be no trouble at all,” the Emperor added. He offhandedly admitted to being the “unseen hand” in the abyss that pushed Ji Yanqing’s breakthrough, then looked at his son expectantly, hoping he’d realize that staying was the right choice.

However, the scene of Ji Yanqing throwing himself into the Emperor’s arms crying “Daddy” didn’t happen. Ji Yanqing just stared at him with an expression that said: Oh, so it really WAS you.

After a moment, Ji Yanqing simply replied: “Oh.”

Emperor of Fengdu: “…” This is not the reaction I expected!

Not discouraged, the Emperor continued confidently: “I am certain I can survive the fifth Heavenly Tribulation. When that time comes, the entire Ghost Realm will be yours.”

In the Ghost Realm, a Ghost Immortal (鬼仙) had yet to appear. To Ji Yanhui and Qi Ye, being the son of the ruler of an entire realm meant ascending to the heavens in a single bound. The temptation was massive.

“I refuse,” Ji Yanqing stated expressionlessly. “I am a humble and low-profile person; I don’t like relying on my father.”

If I stay here, how am I supposed to finish the plot? How will I get Villain Points? To him, this “dream thigh” to lean on was a total hindrance.

Qi Ye & Ji Yanhui: ?? Humble and low-profile?? Are those words even in your dictionary?

Since the Emperor was looking at his son through a hundred-meter-thick filter, he probably just thought: Yes, my son is indeed that humble. But seeing the refusal, the Emperor’s eyes dimmed. He turned back to his desk and gave a bitter laugh. “I understand. Like her, you will eventually leave the Ghost Realm.”

Ji Yanqing knew “she” meant Ji Qixue. Seeing the powerful Emperor—who moments ago was boasting about becoming a Ghost Immortal—now looking like a disappointed, lonely father, Ji Yanqing felt a pang of pity. As an orphan, he understood the value of a parent’s love. Even a four-tribulation master was just a father who didn’t want his son to leave.

“Actually, I’m not in a huge rush…” Ji Yanqing started. Realizing that sounded too soft-hearted, he quickly added an excuse: “I promised to lend you the hairpin for three days. I’ll stay until the time is up.”

The Emperor looked up, his eyes shining with joy. “Good!”

With just those words, the Emperor regained his vigor. He immediately ordered a grand suite prepared for his son, along with a mountain of “local specialties” to take back to the living world.

During his stay, Ji Yanqing experienced the full weight of “Fatherly Love as Heavy as a Mountain.” Under the Emperor’s guidance, he mastered the M416 rifle’s core; with the Emperor’s personal upgrades, the tool became a Heavenly-grade Spiritual Treasure capable of shifting forms.

With his attack power now massively boosted, he felt he could be even more reckless in farming Villain Points.

On the day before his departure, the Emperor found him again. “I plan to leave for a while,” the Emperor said. “A century at least, a millennium at most, and then we shall meet again.”

Ji Yanqing: ?? I haven’t even left yet and you’re leaving?

“Since you won’t stay, what is the point of a lonely old ghost staying here? I might as well go find you,” the Emperor smiled.

“You plan to reincarnate?” Ji Yanqing asked. In the book, ghost cultivation was a “side path” that peaked at Ghost Immortal. To practice the “Orthodox Dao,” one had to reincarnate. It was a perilous journey—many masters were killed before they could regain their power—but the Emperor was determined.

“I missed my chance when Qixue left,” the Emperor said. “I have thought it over. Without sacrifice, there is no gain. This is the path I must take. Once I achieve the level of Golden Immortal, I will come find you.”

Ji Yanqing nodded. He remembered a Golden Immortal named “Fengdu” in the book’s later chapters. But then he realized: according to the plot, he would be long dead by the time the Emperor returned. He’d likely be killed by Qi Ye.

If the Emperor finds out Qi Ye killed me, he’ll definitely slaughter him for revenge!

He wouldn’t admit he was worried about Qi Ye, but if the protagonist died, the world would collapse. He decided to use this chance to put in a good word for his junior brother.

Ji Yanqing turned to the Emperor and called out affectionately: “Daddy.”

The Emperor’s heart skipped a beat. “Yes! Son, what is it?”

“Do you remember… the youth who was with me?”

“Which one? I have no impression of him,” the Emperor replied. All his attention had been on his son.

Ji Yanqing coughed. “The one in white, the good-looking one. His name is Qi Ye. He’s my junior brother, and he’s… quite a good person…”

The Emperor looked at his son. Having loved someone himself, he saw through the awkward praise immediately. My son looks like he… likes that boy.

The Emperor wasn’t old-fashioned, but he felt a bit salty. He had to wait a century to be with his son, while this “Qi Ye” got to be with him right now.

“Yanqing,” the Emperor asked seriously. “Do you… like that Qi Ye?”

Ji Yanqing: ?? How did he get to that conclusion?

But then it hit him: if he admitted it now, then even if he died and the Emperor returned as a Golden Immortal, the Emperor wouldn’t kill someone his son “loved.”

Ji Yanqing nodded and admitted it openly: “That’s right. I like Qi Ye.”