Shen Yunzhou (single line): A Yuan
In the dead of winter night, heavy snow fell, covering the entire Lengyou Peak in a thick layer of silver, and all was silent.
Inside the cave, however, it was warm and cozy, with the luminous pearl emitting a soft glow.
Suddenly, Fang Li woke up with a start, grabbed Shen Yunzhou's hand beside her, and her forehead instantly broke out in a cold sweat. Her voice trembled as she said, "Yunzhou... my belly... seems... to be giving birth!"
Sword Master Shen Yunzhou, who was always unfazed even in the face of a collapsing mountain, turned deathly pale the moment he heard those words, and even his usually rock-solid hands began to tremble slightly.
He gripped Fang Li's hand tightly, his grip so strong it almost crushed her fingers, then immediately relaxed slightly as if realizing something, his voice taut: "...Don't be afraid! I'm here! I'm right here!" Almost instantly, he drew his fingers like a sword, and a dazzling, rapidly ringing communication talisman tore through space, his usually cold voice cracking with a sharp tremor: "Master! Mother-in-law! Come to Lengyou Peak immediately! Li'er is about to give birth!"
Little Liuli, who had been curled up and dozing in her nest, was startled by the noise and jumped three feet high. Her seven-colored scales popped open, and she spun around the room like a jumping bean, shouting incoherently, "It's going to happen! It's going to happen! Oh my god! The script didn't write out the specific steps! Hot water! Clean towels! And... and a calming and stabilizing medicine! Yes, yes, yes! Host, hang in there! Take a deep breath! Yes! Just like when you usually yell at Shen Bingkuai, push! Yell hard! No, push! Push!" She was completely incoherent.
Almost the instant the talisman was cast! In the night sky, the stars that had been obscured by the wind and snow suddenly shone brightly, and a bridge of light formed from the brilliant starlight, like the Milky Way pouring down, fiercely broke through the snow and snow, with one end reaching directly outside the Lengyou Peak cave!
On the bridge of light, Fang Qingyu and Yun Zhiruo appeared as if they had teleported.
Before Fang Qingyu could even stand up straight, his voice echoed across the mountaintop: "Zhiruo, go inside quickly! I will immediately set up the 'Zhou Tian Xing Chen Protective Spirit Array'! I will not allow any villains to disturb Li'er's delivery!"
Before he could finish speaking, the void on the other side was forcibly torn apart with a "rip," and Fang Yan rushed out, covered in dust and shards of ice left by the void turbulence in his hair. He tightly clutched a shimmering, cold jade box in his hand and shouted, "Ten-Thousand-Year Warming Spirit Lotus! I just snatched it from the core of the Northern Underworld Forbidden Land of Life! Quick! Use it on my sister! Protect her vital energy!"
Without even glancing at anyone else, Yun Zhiruo rushed into the delivery room like the wind, grabbed Fang Li's hand, which was covered in cold sweat from the contractions, and gently channeled her life force into her: "Mother is here, Li'er, Mother is here. Don't be afraid, calm your mind and follow Mother's guidance."
Outside the cave, Fang Qingyu's words became law. With a wave of his hand, countless profound star runes flew out, instantly drawing upon the power of the stars in the heavens to form a magnificent light array that enveloped the entire Lengyou Peak.
The array's radiant light not only isolated the area from all external prying and interference, but also drew upon pure star power to nourish the place, ensuring abundant spiritual energy.
At this moment, Qingxuan Zhenren arrived hastily on a lucky cloud. Upon seeing the magnificent star array that served as a luxurious protective barrier, he was so surprised that his mustache twitched: "Wow! What a grand display! Is this for childbirth or to defend against a demon invasion?" As he spoke, he hurriedly pulled out a handful of glittering golden talismans from his sleeve. "I'll add my own touches! 'Auspicious Talisman for a Hundred Sons and Thousand Grandsons, and a Talisman for Strengthening the Foundation and Promoting the Health of Mother and Child'! Stick them on! Stick them on! Stick them on!" Like an old child pasting Spring Festival couplets, he deftly pasted the talismans onto the cave's gate, windows, and even the pillars. In an instant, the golden light shone brightly, illuminating the snowy night as if it were daytime, a truly beautiful sight.
Shen Yunzhou was "invited" out of the delivery room and could only stand frozen outside the door.
From inside came Fang Li's suppressed groans of pain, each sound like a heavy hammer blow to his heart. He clenched his fists, his sharp sword energy surging uncontrollably around him, but it was gently suppressed by the soft starlight of the star array outside the door and the golden light of the childbirth talisman, unable to leak out even a little, which only added to his anxiety.
Little Liuli peeked out from the crack in the door, staring dumbfounded at the scene outside. She muttered under her breath, "This...this lineup...it's just having a baby, why does it look like they're gathering an army to attack the Southern Heavenly Gate...is it really necessary..."
The arduous process that took several hours is omitted here...
Finally, a loud and powerful cry of a baby suddenly pierced the tense snowy night of Lengyou Peak!
The delivery room door opened, and Yun Zhiruo walked out carrying a swaddled baby wrapped in soft brocade. Although she looked tired, her face was full of relief: "It's a big, healthy boy! Mother and child are safe!"
Shen Yunzhou almost staggered as he rushed in. He first rushed to the bedside, tightly grasped Fang Li's weak and powerless hand, his eyes instantly reddening, his voice hoarse, and all his words were reduced to just one sentence: "Li'er... you've worked so hard..." Then, as if remembering something, he carefully took the swaddled baby crying loudly from Yun Zhiruo's hands.
His arms were stiff as two iron rods, and he even held his breath, afraid of disturbing this fragile yet vibrant little creature.
Outside the cave, Fang Qingyu waved his hand to dispel the Star Array, stood with his hands behind his back, and watched the snow falling all around him, a smile he couldn't suppress playing on his lips. Fang Yan leaned over to peek at his nephew, grinning foolishly, "Hehe, look at that loud voice, that energy, just like me!"
Master Qingxuan stroked his beard and joined in the fun: "Look at the refined and intelligent air between his brows, he's clearly a promising candidate to inherit the Dao of Talismans!"
Little Liuli flew over curiously and gently rubbed her nose against the baby's rosy cheeks. The touch was warm and soft. She exclaimed in surprise, "Wow... rosy cheeks, all wrinkled, like a little monkey... Hey? Why isn't he crying anymore?" As she spoke, she carefully poked the swaddling clothes with her paw.
The baby, tickled by the qilin's whiskers, stopped crying, opened its toothless little mouth, and giggled, its voice clear and crisp.
Looking at the little life in his arms, who was connected to him by blood, and then at Fang Li on the bed, who was weak but smiling at him with gentle eyes, Shen Yunzhou was filled with a huge sense of happiness. His usually cold and icy eyes were uncontrollably filled with tears.
Fang Li leaned against the soft cushion and said softly, "Yunzhou, let's give the child a name."
Shen Yunzhou's expression turned serious, and he said earnestly, "I have recently been reading through ancient books and selected a few words whose meanings are acceptable."
The character '煜' signifies radiant light and a bright future; '珩' is the finest jade ornament, symbolizing noble character; '睿' signifies profound understanding and far-reaching wisdom…
Fang Li chuckled: "You're too serious. You can take your time to think of a formal name, but you can't use this as a nickname, can you?"
Fang Qingyu pondered and said, "My Fang family bloodline inherits the meaning of chaos, so my nickname should contain 'Yuan' or 'Chen' to indicate our origin."
Fang Yan interjected, "Call him 'Invincible Shen'! How domineering! It sounds powerful!"
Master Qingxuan leaned closer: "How about 'Chen Fu'? It's the 'Fu' in 'talisman'! Inherit my mantle and sweep across the talismanic path in the future!"
Little Liuli excitedly jumped out: "Call him 'Dog Egg'! A humble name is easier to raise! Trust me, you won't go wrong! Or 'Iron Pillar'! It sounds sturdy and durable!" She was very proud of herself.
Shen Yunzhou and Fang Li remained expressionless and said in unison, "Rejected."
Xiao Liuli shrank her neck and asked weakly, "...Then...'Shen Fugui' won't work either?"
Ultimately, the little guy's nickname was decided as "A Yuan," taken from the "Yuan" in "Li Yuan Fang Shi," signifying deep blood ties and a sense of composure. Shen Yunzhou privately felt that although the nickname wasn't imposing enough, it was still barely worthy of his son.
And so began the chaotic life of the new parents.
A-Yuan cried and made a fuss in the middle of the night.
Shen Yunzhou was on high alert. He picked up the child with a posture even more precise than holding a sword, but his movements were stiff and he paced back and forth, which was completely ineffective.
Fang Li was woken up and sighed helplessly, "Yunzhou, he's probably just hungry, or his diaper is wet and he's uncomfortable. I didn't mean for you to use your sword energy to soothe him..."
Shen Yunzhou suddenly realized what was going on and hurriedly went to warm the baby's milk and change the diaper, his movements so clumsy that it was unbearable to watch.
Yun Zhiruo came in upon hearing the sound and gently instructed, "Yunzhou, support the child's head and neck with your hands like this, gently, yes, with slow and gentle movements."
Fang Yan stood to the side, arms crossed, laughing, "Haha, brother-in-law, are you any good? Watch me!" But his attempt was even worse; he almost wrapped A Yuan up like a dumpling, not as well as Shen Yunzhou.
Little Liuli squatted beside him, shaking her head as she watched, and complained in an old-fashioned tone, "Tsk tsk, a dignified sword genius who can slay demons without batting an eye, actually lost to a mere diaper... Host, look at him! Swaddling the baby is like binding a rice dumpling! This technique is simply unbelievable!"
The days that followed.
Every time Fang Yan visits his nephew, he brings a bunch of "unique" gifts: a miniature axe, a palm-sized war drum, a puppet bird that breathes out tiny flames when touched...
He lifted A Yuan high, beaming with pride: "My good nephew! Look what fun things your uncle has brought you! Your uncle will teach you how to fight in the future! I guarantee you'll be much better than your father who only knows how to practice swordsmanship!"
Shen Yunzhou stood to the side, his face as black as the bottom of a pot, and said coldly, "...When children are first enlightened, they should first learn to read and write, understand principles and cultivate themselves."
Fang Yan curled his lip: "Give me a break! Boys need to toughen up from a young age! Brother-in-law, you're just too bookish! Boring!"
A Yuan was amused by Fang Yan and giggled, drool dripping onto Fang Yan's expensive star-patterned battle robe. Fang Yan, however, didn't care at all and laughed even more happily than a child.
Shen Yunzhou even attempted to provide early education for his infant son. Holding A Yuan with a serious expression, he earnestly explained, "...Therefore, the ultimate essence of swordsmanship lies in sincerity of heart—sincerity towards the sword, sincerity towards others, and sincerity towards oneself..."
Ah Yuan drooled as he gnawed on his chubby toes, thoroughly enjoying the act.
Fang Li, watching from the side, couldn't help but chuckle: "Yunzhou, he's only three months old. Do you think he can understand what you're saying to him?"
Shen Yunzhou said with a serious expression, "The way of nature is to start early. Subtle influence will naturally bring benefits." Then he continued to recite his sword principles to his son.
Little Liuli rolled her eyes dramatically and complained to Fang Li through her divine sense: "Playing the lute to a cow... no, it's like playing a sword to a child... Host, I seriously suspect that the first thing this kid A Yuan will call out isn't 'father' or 'mother,' but 'sword heart' or 'man and sword as one'..."
In the blink of an eye, her first birthday has arrived.
A Yuan's first birthday banquet was a lively affair at Lengyou Peak. A huge brocade carpet was covered with all sorts of items: a small wooden sword prepared by Shen Yunzhou, an enlightenment jade slip given by Xie Chen, a soul-soothing elixir placed by Yun Zhiruo, a miniature seal given by Fang Qingyu, and even a box of rouge placed there by Qingxuan Zhenren with his mischievous taste...
Everyone held their breath, watching A-Yuan, dressed in bright red like a New Year's picture doll, crawl around on the blanket.
The little guy looked left and right, touched right and left, and finally grabbed the tail hair of Xiao Liuli, who was curiously squatting on the edge of the blanket watching the fun!
Little Liuli froze: "??? What does this have to do with me?! I'm not an object! I'm not an option for the first birthday celebration! This is a foul! I protest!" With her tail grabbed, she dared not move and could only wail.
Upon seeing this, Master Qingxuan clapped his hands and laughed heartily: "Hahaha! Wonderful! This child is extraordinary! He doesn't grasp at ordinary things, but directly targets auspicious beasts! He will surely be able to subdue the Qilin in the future. He has profound blessings and his future is limitless!"
Looking at his son tightly gripping Xiao Liuli's tail and giggling adorably, and then at the amused crowd around him, Shen Yunzhou couldn't help but reveal a rare gentle smile in his usually cold eyes.
The moonlight, like water, bathed the cold, secluded peaks.
Fang Li held the sleeping A Yuan in her arms, while Shen Yunzhou gently put his arm around her shoulder.
Looking at her son's peaceful sleeping face, Fang Li said softly, "Time flies so fast. In the blink of an eye, A Yuan can already walk unsteadily."
Shen Yunzhou's gaze lingered tenderly on his son's features, which resembled Fang Li's. He gave a soft "hmm" and pulled her closer, saying, "Thank you, Li'er... for giving me a home."
Snow falls silently, and life is peaceful.
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