Early in the morning, Zhen Huan Gong was staring out the cloud window. When Yan Cha came to bring him breakfast, he listlessly said: “I can’t eat today.”

Yan Cha was somewhat surprised. Following his gaze outside, she saw a stream of immortal energy floating from the direction of the Lower Xin Palace, extending for several miles, passing through the Ten Directional Cloud Sea, straight down below the Nine Heavens.

“What is that?” she asked curiously.

Zhen Huan Gong patted the soft couch beneath him, gesturing for her to sit down, then sighed: “Supreme Lord Xin Wu of the Lower Xin Palace requested leave from the Immortal half a month ago. Today he’s descending to the mortal world to live in seclusion.”

Yan Cha knew of Xin Wu. This man’s actions were somewhat ruthless, and his temperament peculiar, but the people of the Lower Xin Palace respected him greatly. Zhen Huan Gong also enjoyed dealing with him. His sudden decision to retreat into seclusion was unexpected.

After some thought, she gently comforted him: “If the Supreme Lord misses him, you could visit him in the mortal realm occasionally.”

“If he were going elsewhere, that would be fine,” Zhen Huan Gong snorted lightly. “But he’s going to the depths of the sea domain. How often could I possibly visit? It’s dark and damp down there. I don’t know what he’s thinking.”

Long Xu had already taken the Dragon King’s throne and was destined not to easily form marriage alliances. Even Zhong Su knew when to advance and retreat, so why had Xin Wu become so stubborn?

Taking a sip of water from Yan Cha, Zhen Huan Gong continued: “Whether I see him or not doesn’t matter much, but with his departure, there will be no one to keep those troublemaking True Lords in the Lower Xin Palace in check. The Nine Heavens will likely experience some disturbances soon. You might not be safe in the side hall, so perhaps…”

…

…

Clearing his throat, his eyes shifted left and right: “Perhaps you should move into my palace.”

As he spoke, he grew increasingly nervous, his hands balled into fists inside his sleeves. But Yan Cha showed no particular reaction to his words. After a brief contemplation, she said: “The Supreme Lord’s considerations are most thoughtful. Then I shall add a small couch in your palace.”

Zhen Huan Gong was overjoyed, quickly agreeing. Without letting her do the work, he added a peach blossom couch next to his bed.

“This,” Yan Cha blinked, “isn’t it a bit too close? This little immortal might not be quiet and well-behaved at night. It would be terrible to disturb the Supreme Lord’s rest.”

Rubbing his hands together and scratching his head, Zhen Huan Gong paced around for a few steps, reluctantly adding a screen between the two beds: “This should do. You won’t disturb me.”

He truly is a good person, Yan Cha thought. Through all these years of their false phoenix pairing, Zhen Huan Gong had always treated her as one of his own, constantly concerned for her safety. Her father had not misjudged him.

She nodded and gave a respectful bow of thanks. Zhen Huan Gong’s appetite suddenly improved, and he sat down at the small table to eat the breakfast she had prepared. The fresh, smooth shrimp made him narrow his eyes in delight, and he couldn’t help but praise her: “You’re amazing.”

“The Supreme Lord is too kind.” Yan Cha was pleased by the compliment and sat down to serve him some side dishes. “By the way, yesterday when I went out, I met several female immortals from Penglai. They said they had something for me to pass on to you.”

He nearly choked on a mouthful of porridge, breaking into a violent cough.

Yan Cha was startled and quickly helped him ease his breathing: “Please eat more slowly.”

Coughing while waving his hand, Zhen Huan Gong’s eyes darted about nervously: “Wha-what thing?”

“This little immortal didn’t open it, so I don’t know,” she took out a small package wrapped in cowhide paper and handed it to him, carefully recalling, “They said it was to thank the Supreme Lord for some favor—that female immortal spoke too softly and unclearly, I didn’t quite catch it.”

Cold sweat appeared on his forehead as Zhen Huan Gong took the cowhide package and placed it far away. Swallowing hard, he addressed her with a solemn expression: “I don’t have any entanglements with them. Last time when I went to Penglai to catch divine beasts, I happened to save several female immortals who had fallen into the water. They probably remembered this kindness and thus sent me something.”

By the end of his explanation, he was stuttering.

Yan Cha originally thought nothing of it, but seeing him so nervous, her face showed sudden realization. She smiled and said: “The Supreme Lord needn’t be nervous. This little immortal isn’t an unreasonable person. Those female immortals were quite beautiful, with dignified manners, not base individuals at all. The Supreme Lord should feel free to associate with them.”

Zhen Huan Gong became more anxious: “I don’t want to associate with them.”

As he spoke, he glanced at the paper package on the table and hastily pushed it even further away.

His behavior, attempting to cover up but only drawing more attention, left Yan Cha at a loss for words. They weren’t true immortal partners, so why would she concern herself with such matters?

Shaking her head, she stood up and packed his finished meal into the food box, curtseying: “This little immortal will go prepare things first. The Supreme Lord still has to report to the Heavenly Gate later, please don’t forget.”

With that, she turned and left.

Zhen Huan Gong sat on the stool, dazed for quite a while, both wanting to frown and to smile.

***

Qian Tian, who was teaching advanced magic to Meng Wan, was suddenly dragged out by Zhen Huan Gong.

Seeing the bustling immortal market before him, Qian Tian laughed helplessly: “Didn’t you always hate such places? What wind has blown today that brings you here specifically to browse?”

“You don’t understand,” Zhen Huan Gong said with a straight face, though the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but turn upward. “My wife is angry.”

His wife is angry, yet he’s so happy? Qian Tian looked at him with a complex expression.

Zhen Huan Gong rarely failed to argue with him, but now he dragged him into the market, looking at the curious items displayed by the various immortal sects. He pursed his lips and said: “Help me pick something. See what young ladies might like.”

Qian Tian surveyed the treasures in the shops while unable to resist teasing him: “Weren’t you previously displeased with Yan Cha? How come you’re suddenly trying to please her?”

“Without an immortal partner, of course, you wouldn’t understand,” Zhen Huan Gong sighed deeply. “Young ladies need to be coaxed. Otherwise, if they truly become angry with you, they’ll be heartbroken and cry, and who will feel the pain? None other than yourself.”

Qian Tian’s hair stood on end from this sickeningly sweet tone.

He scrutinized his brother, who had never understood matters of the heart, making sure he wasn’t some creature in disguise, before rubbing his shivering arms and asking: “Are you alright?”

Glancing at a plum blossom hairpin on the stall, Zhen Huan Gong snorted lightly: “What could be wrong? I just think that I’ve been too fierce in the past, making people feel I’m unapproachable. Taking this opportunity, I want to be nicer to her and change that long-standing impression.”

Just as he was speaking, the plum blossom hairpin was picked up by Gen Qi.

“Here,” Gen Qi quickly handed spirit pearls to the vendor.

Zhen Huan Gong’s temper flared up instantly. Without a word, he rushed forward and knocked the spirit pearls from his hand. Ten divine beasts manifested from the void, roaring wildly at Gen Qi.

Qian Tian: “…” Sometimes those long-standing impressions are quite accurate; perhaps it’s better not to change.

Gen Qi had come out to select a birthday gift for his wife and had just found something suitable when Zhen Huan Gong interfered. He immediately became angry as well: “What are you doing!”

“I saw that hairpin first!” Zhen Huan Gong shouted in rage.

Gen Qi rolled his eyes so hard they nearly reached the back of his head: “Items displayed on stalls—where is it written that you saw it first? Did you pay for it?”

Zhen Huan Gong was so angry that his fists clenched, and he lunged at him with his divine beasts.