When Xuan Wudao first heard from Chen Chang'an that his own father had shamelessly insisted on becoming Chen Chang'an's lackey, he thought there might be some exaggeration involved. After all, he knew his father well—a proud man with a strong sense of dignity.
Yet, to his surprise, his father seemed like a completely different person in front of Chen Chang'an.
Thankfully, Chen Chang'an wasn’t a woman—otherwise, Xuan Wudao would have seriously suspected his father had a secret crush on him.
If given the choice between Xuan Wudao’s life and Chen Chang'an’s praise, Xuan Wudao was certain his father would unhesitatingly choose the latter.
As for his own life… well, it seemed to matter far less.
"Enough joking around, can we talk about something serious?"
"Chen—"
"Damn it, what the hell am I even supposed to call him?"
Xuan Wudao felt utterly defeated as he saw his father’s hand twitch, ready to smack him again.
"Never mind, it’s just a title. No need to be so hung up on it," Chen Chang'an said with a sigh.
"No."
"I can’t accept that." Xuan Tianyu stubbornly shook his head.
"Fine, I’ll call him ‘Dad,’ okay? ‘Dad’—happy now?" Xuan Wudao snapped in frustration.
"Hmm… I suppose that’s acceptable."
What?
Holy hell!
Xuan Wudao was speechless. That actually worked?
"Dad, tell me, what the hell am I supposed to do now?" Xuan Wudao resigned himself to the absurdity—a father was a father, no matter who he called it.
"I already told you—hand you over to the Numinous Goddess Palace, and the Boundless Sect will be safe," Chen Chang'an said with a chuckle.
"Oh, so you only care about the Boundless Sect’s survival, not your own son’s, huh?"
"I even called you ‘Dad’!" Xuan Wudao grumbled.
"You made the mistake. The Boundless Sect shouldn’t have to suffer for it."
"Besides, the Numinous Goddess Palace just wants to take you back. They might not even kill you."
"Just apologize—it’s not that big a deal," Chen Chang'an said, still smiling.
Apologize?
If it were that easy, would things have escalated this far?
"First, you were in the wrong—apologizing is only natural."
"Second, if they still refuse to let it go after you apologize, then it’s their problem."
"Third, I’ll go with you."
Chen Chang'an would accompany him?
Hearing that, Xuan Wudao immediately felt a surge of confidence. This plan actually sounded pretty good.
The Boundless Sect wouldn’t suffer any consequences at all.
Heh heh heh.
"I’m coming too! I’m coming too!" Da Huang grinned, his expression downright lecherous.
"Da Huang, don’t cause trouble."
"We’re going to resolve this mess, not make it worse—got it?" Chen Chang'an said helplessly.
"Got it! Do I look like some irresponsible mutt?"
"I just want to broaden my horizons, see the sights."
"I’m a serious dog." Da Huang snickered, though the more he grinned, the more perverted he looked.
As they chatted, members of the Numinous Goddess Palace arrived, flying straight into the Boundless Sect’s airspace without even announcing themselves.
"Listen up, Boundless Sect!"
"Hand over Xuan Wudao, or don’t blame us for what happens next!"
The Boundless Sect’s sect master and elders frowned at the display. The Numinous Goddess Palace was powerful, sure, but this was downright arrogant!
No respect at all?
"May I ask who we have the honor of addressing?" the sect master asked, brow furrowed.
"Numinous Goddess Palace, Vice Palace Master—Hua Wulei."
Hua Wulei?
To think the Numinous Goddess Palace’s vice palace master would personally lead the charge. It seemed they were dead set on taking Xuan Wudao by force if the Boundless Sect refused.
Hua Wulei was a low-key figure, little-known in the Central Heaven Domain.
But that didn’t mean she was weak. The reason she held the position of vice palace master was simple—her strength was second only to the Numinous Goddess Palace’s palace master herself.
"What happened before was all a misunderstanding."
"Xuan Wudao was at fault, but his crime doesn’t warrant death. We hope—"
"Enough nonsense!"
"I’ll say it one last time—hand over Xuan Wudao, or we’ll raze the Boundless Sect to the ground, leaving neither chicken nor dog alive!" Hua Wulei said coldly.
"Hey hey hey, what kind of talk is that? Kill the chickens if you must, but what did dogs ever do to you?" Da Huang’s displeased voice rang out, drawing everyone’s attention.
The crowd turned to see Da Huang’s indignant face, along with Chen Chang'an and the others.
"Elder."
"Are we… really giving up Wudao?"
"Yes. His mistakes shouldn’t be shouldered by the entire Boundless Sect."
"Hand him over." Xuan Tianyu nodded firmly.
"But—"
"No ‘buts.’ He brought this on himself."
Xuan Tianyu’s decision took everyone by surprise, but many couldn’t help but admire him.
To sacrifice his own son for the sect—this was true righteousness.
Hua Wulei glanced at Chen Chang'an and the others, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Which one of you is Xuan Wudao?"
"Who are you?"
Seeing her gaze land on him, Chen Chang'an shook his head.
"Do I look like the kind of man who frequents brothels?"
Hearing that, Hua Wulei also shook her head.
"No, you don’t. But the one next to you… does seem a bit shady."
"And that dog… likewise."
She gave Xuan Wudao a disdainful once-over before shooting Da Huang an equally disgusted glare.
This infuriated both Xuan Wudao and Da Huang. Since when did looks determine guilt?
What was so special about Chen Chang'an? Just because he was handsome?
Since when were pretty boys incapable of being patrons of pleasure houses?
Prejudice!
This was pure, unadulterated prejudice!
Who’d have thought even the Numinous Goddess Palace’s vice palace master could be so shallow?
"I object!"
"You can say I’m guilty, but you can’t call me shady!"
"How am I shady?" Xuan Wudao fumed.
"Yeah! And what about me? I’m an adorable, innocent pup—pure as the driven snow!"
"You’re shallow!" Da Huang barked indignantly.
Hmph.
In response to their protests, Hua Wulei merely scoffed, not deigning to reply.
But that laugh said everything.
"If you’re Xuan Wudao, then come with me."
"Once we reach the Numinous Goddess Palace, our palace master will decide your punishment."
"Since the Boundless Sect has handed over the culprit, we’ll let the matter rest."
The Numinous Goddess Palace’s goal was simple—capture Xuan Wudao, the one responsible.
What they planned to do with him, what punishment awaited him, no one knew.
But given the Numinous Goddess Palace’s usual methods, it definitely wouldn’t be pleasant.
"No problem."
"You can take Xuan Wudao."
"But I’m going with him."
"That shouldn’t be an issue, right?" Chen Chang'an asked with a smile.
Hm?
Going with him?
Hua Wulei frowned, eyeing Chen Chang'an with suspicion.
"Why would you come?"
"The Numinous Goddess Palace isn’t a place just anyone can enter."
"Oh, I'm nobody special. I'm Chen Chang'an. So, can I go?"