Chapter 283 It's Hard to Deceive Yourself
Taiyi raised his hand sincerely, "Thank you, Tongtian. We nephews are very grateful for your care."
Taiyi was very gratified that Chang Hao had such a good friend; even if he were to sleep forever, he could rest in peace.
The nine little golden crows, who had been seated in their designated places, saw the person entering the hall. In an instant, all the grand demeanor of disciples of a great sect that their second senior uncle had been teaching them recently vanished from their minds. "Uncle..."
"It's Uncle..."
"Uncle, where have you been? I haven't seen you in so long!" The little golden crows were so excited that they swarmed in front of Taiyi to make their presence known, successfully pushing Chang Hao out of Taiyi's sight.
With swift reflexes, Yuanshi pulled Chang Hao to his side and placed him safely. These impetuous little golden crows, no matter how many times he taught them, still couldn't learn to be calm and composed.
"It's a pity you've all taken human form, so Uncle can no longer put you in his sleeve." Taiyi patted Zhaoming's bun, feeling a little regretful; he had missed out on so much.
"Who said that? Watch me." Zhaoming transformed into his original form and felt that his size was larger than before. He also used the newly learned transformation technique to successfully shrink himself back to the size of a cub. Just like before, he rustled and crawled into Taiyi's sleeve.
Tongtian gasped, "This Zhaoming, how many times have I taught him this move, but he still can't learn it well. It seems he hasn't been putting in the effort. Look, when he needs to use it, he's incredibly skilled."
Yuanshi seemed to be deep in thought. These little golden crows had always been obedient in front of him, but being obedient did not mean they were learning diligently. It seemed that he had to give them something real; they were being too unruly.
Kunwu was extremely envious and couldn't resist transforming into his original form. "Uncle, Xiao Wu is here..."
Seeing his younger brothers running happily into their uncle's arms, the most sensible Boli could hardly hold back. He stared longingly at Tai's sleeve, already eager to get in.
"It's alright, come on." Taiyi also enjoyed having his nephew tucked into his sleeve, feeling a sense of embracing everything.
Boli immediately followed suit, climbing into his uncle's sleeve and feeling the familiar scent. The nine brothers huddled together, not moving an inch. If Xiao Shi could come in too, it would be perfect, just like before.
"My nephews are so disobedient..." Taiyi then remembered that his nephews had already joined Kunlun Mountain and was worried that they would leave a bad impression on their sect.
"They are innocent and lively, adding much color to Kunlun Mountain. The usually quiet Kunlun Mountain has become much more lively." Laozi said this with great seriousness, without mentioning the 'deeds' of these nine little ancestors.
Duobao, Xuandu, and Guangchengzi, who had been summoned back to Kunlun Mountain, lowered their heads and thought to themselves: Of course it's lively, it's too 'hot'. If they don't burn something every day, they all feel it's abnormal.
"Taiyi, please sit here." Tongtian was very enthusiastic; this was Chang Hao's uncle, so he had to be treated well.
The tables were not far apart, with two people per table. Chang Hao was led to a seat by Taiyi and sat down to Taiyi's left.
Yuanshi could only choose the table on Chang Hao's side, but fortunately it was close enough that he could reach out and look out for him.
The drinking continued throughout the banquet. Taiyi accepted every toast of fine wine offered to him, emptying every single cup, displaying his boundless generosity.
Just as the atmosphere was getting more intimate, Taiyi suddenly caught a glimpse of Yuanshi Tianzun tenderly peeling a Fusang fruit for his little ten, his eyes showing a rare gentleness, and his every move filled with affection.
Chang Hao looked toward the glass pot in the distance. The taste of that pot was rather peculiar. Just as he was about to grab it, Yuanshi stretched out his long arm and took it for Chang Hao, who couldn't reach it.
Yuanshi took a glass cup, poured a little water into it, and personally held it to Chang Hao's lips, saying, "You can only drink this much. Your body can't drink too much; you have to grow up first."
Chang Hao drank the fine wine directly from Yuanshi's hand, saying, "Not bad. Remember which kind it is, I want to drink my fill next time."
Taiyi's mind was a little muddled. The image of his elder brother angrily berating Yuanshi Tianzun in front of him... The eight words "Yuanshi Tianzun's affair with Chang Hao" resurfaced in his mind, and Taiyi was sobered up. How could he have forgotten this?
Yuanshi peeled another Fusang fruit for Chang Hao and was about to hand it to him when Taiyi's sleeve suddenly blocked their way.
Chang Hao looked at Taiyi in surprise, "Uncle..." with curiosity and questions.
Taiyi's smile was forced, and he tried his best not to be impolite. "No need for the Heavenly Venerable, I, as the uncle, will take care of my nephew."
Yuanshi's eyelashes swept up and down, and sure enough, Taiyi knew.
“We’re all family, Taiyi, why be so formal?” Yuanshi smiled and tentatively said, “If you’re willing, Taiyi, I don’t mind changing how you address me.”
Chang Hao quietly tugged at Yuan Shi's long sleeve, signaling Yuan Shi to behave himself. His uncle had just woken up, so why rush things? Besides, if his uncle made things difficult for Yuan Shi, wasn't that Yuan Shi's own doing? If they came sneakily, who would know? Who would object?
As long as he's happy, why bother with a formal title? Chang Hao sighed and rubbed his forehead. He had a headache; he was in for a lot of trouble. It was all Yuan Shi's fault.
"You jest, Celestial Venerable. I, Taiyi, cannot accept such a compliment." Taiyi pursed his lips. Who's family with you? How come he never knew that the Primordial Celestial Venerable had the ability to speak for himself?
Yuanshi smiled, his eyes full of satisfaction. Taiyi's difficult behavior was an affirmation and recognition to him. Why don't you see Taiyi making things difficult for others?
Chang Hao was already in his arms. The matter was settled. Yuanshi would accept whatever reaction Taiyi had.
Taiyi's face darkened. What did Yuanshi Tianzun mean by this?
Taiyi recognized that satisfied smile; his older brother and sister-in-law often had that same expression when they were together.
Thinking of Xiao Shi's nonchalant expression when he entered his Purple Mansion, could it be that Yuan Shi had entered Xiao Shi's Purple Mansion before? Or perhaps he opened his Purple Mansion to let Xiao Shi in?
Taiyi was completely unable to remain calm. He looked at Yuanshi as if he were looking at an animal. "Little Shi is still so young. Yuanshi Tianzun, you have no heart."
Chang Hao held up two fingers and tugged at Taiyi's sleeve. "Uncle, we're on someone else's turf."
“How could we not be able to bear it?” Tongtian noticed Taiyi’s strange expression and joked, “We’ve been family for a long time. You don’t need to call me Heavenly Venerable anymore. Just call me Second Brother Yuanshi.”
Facing his nephew's master, Taiyi forced a smile, listening without answering.
After the banquet, no matter what Laozi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian said, Taiyi refused to stay in Kunlun for a while. He used the excuse that he had just been appointed as the Heavenly Emperor of Gouchen Shanggong and could not put personal matters aside for public duty. He left his nine nephews behind, grabbed Xiao Shi, and fled from Kunlun as if he wanted to hide Xiao Shi in his sleeve. Judging from Taiyi's posture, he wished he could hide Xiao Shi in his sleeve.
"Uncle..." Chang Hao glanced at Taiyi cautiously and said softly, "Are you trying to make me angry?"
"No, why would Uncle be angry with you? Uncle is angry with himself, and even angrier with that..." Taiyi stopped talking, his face dark. Xiao Shi was still so young, and he had already been coaxed away.
Taiyi sighed. He couldn't lie to himself. Chang Hao had created two identities to distinguish between Chang Hao and Xiao Shi. This was clearly to save face for Yuanshi Tianzun and not want Yuanshi Tianzun to be too embarrassed in the future. Did he really care that much about Yuanshi?
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