He remembered that he had carefully planted Lan Jun in the territory of the Flower Fairy Clan.
Mu Lingzi glanced discreetly at Huan Changming behind Lu Pianpian. Huan Changming met her gaze, and the intimidation in his eyes was self-evident.
Mu Lingzi inwardly mocked him for having the desire to do something but not the courage to say it, but outwardly she continued to cover for him, saying, "Orchids are suitable for potted plants; they are not suitable for growing in the forest."
Lu Pianpian didn't know whether she believed it or not. Mu Lingzi and Huan Changming were the same kind of people, and she didn't have a good impression of Mu Lingzi either. "Now that they're trying to make amends, they don't know to leave a way out before they do things."
Mu Lingzi understood that Lu Pianpian was mocking his belated attempt to salvage the situation, so she accepted it and didn't retort.
Huan Changming, however, felt that Lu Pianpian was using Lan Junmu Lingzi's matter to mock him, and his expression immediately turned somewhat ugly. "He made a mistake, and now he regrets it and wants to make up for it. Can't we give him a chance?"
Lu Pianpian glanced at him sideways, "Whether or not to give him a chance is not up to you or me, but should be decided by the people who have been hurt by him."
"But he already knows he made a mistake, and he's willing to spend the rest of his life making amends, repenting, and treating him even better... Is it really impossible to get a chance for forgiveness from him?"
"He wiped out his entire family and caused his death, and now he thinks he can get his forgiveness with a few words of make amends and repentance! Who will erase the suffering and wounds he has endured? Who can make up for the blood and tears he has shed?"
"The forgiveness you want is far too cheap!"
Mu Lingzi realized that the two of them were using her and Lan Jun's story to allude to themselves. However, Lu Pianpian's words fit perfectly with Mu Lingzi and Lan Jun's story, making Mu Lingzi feel extremely bitter. Her guilt and regret towards Lan Jun were brought back to the surface.
He didn't want to listen to Lu Pianpian and Huan Changming's conversation anymore, so he picked up the potted orchid, closed the window, and blocked Lu Pianpian and Huan Changming from view, just to have some peace and quiet.
Huan Changming looked extremely dejected. Youlong couldn't understand what his parents were arguing about, but he keenly sensed his father's disappointment, so he took the initiative to cling to Huan Changming's hand to try to cheer him up, "Dad, what's wrong with you?"
Huan Changming yanked him off his hand and threw him to the ground, saying, "Get out."
The young dragon was thrown back into human form, the chubby little child sporting a large bump on his head. He wanted to cry but pursed his lips and held back, tugging at Lu Pianpian's clothes, "Mother..."
Lu Pianpian reached out her hand to him, gesturing for him to help her up. Youlong burst into laughter through his tears and hurriedly reached out to take Lu Pianpian's hand, but Huan Changming suddenly grabbed Lu Pianpian's hand and pulled it back.
“This little beast once breathed fire on you, hurt you, and almost injured you! You were able to lend a helping hand to him and gain some pity, so why are you so heartless to me?” Huan Changming asked in a low voice, “Why is that, Pianpian?”
"Then I'd like to ask you, who ordered him to hurt me?" Lu Pianpian said disdainfully, "This young dragon has only been hatched for a few months, he is extremely immature, and his temperament has not yet matured. He cannot distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong, and he only regards you as the person he trusts the most."
"But what have you, Huan Changming, done to him? You used him, you used him as a knife in your hand to quell the war and eliminate your enemies. Even now, you still treat him like a beast!"
"Huan Changming, you are inherently a selfish, heartless, and cold-blooded person. Don't pretend to be affectionate and deeply devoted in front of me!"
"I think you're not being sincere enough."
Seeing Huan Changming's expression gradually stiffen, Lu Pianpian withdrew her hand from Huan Changming's grasp without any hesitation, then picked up the baby dragon on the ground and turned to leave.
Huan Changming stood there stunned for a long time before he came to his senses and tried to chase after Lu Pianpian.
Pianpian's words were not even a fraction of the harsh words he had spoken to her when he left the palace, but he felt as if his heart was being torn apart. One could only imagine how painful it must have been for Pianpian to face him back then.
Thinking of this, Huan Changming raised his hand and slapped himself twice. He couldn't live without Pianpian, and he couldn't let Pianpian really sever all ties with him.
Although Pianpian harbored hatred and resentment towards him, she ultimately did not kill him. The fact that she did not take the life of Xuanwu when he was on the verge of death yesterday is the best proof of this.
Huan Changming was absolutely certain that Pianpian still had feelings for him.
"Do you really think Lu Pianpian still has feelings for you?"
Langxu stood under the tree and said in a low voice.
"Langxu, what are you trying to say?"
"The fact that I kept Lu Pianpian here for you last night is the best proof."
Huan Changming frowned and asked, "What exactly are you trying to say?"
“Changming, Lu Pianpian is by your side now and can get along peacefully with you, but only to achieve his own goals.” Langxu exposed Lu Pianpian’s thoughts. “He is only acting as a divine child, following the Heavenly Lord’s orders, and wants to convert you into a Buddha. Don’t be blinded by the illusion before you and really think that you and Lu Pianpian can reconcile as before.”
A dangerous glint flashed in Huan Changming's deep eyes. "Langxu, what else do you know?"
Langxu calmly said, "When I first saw you and Lu Pianpian in the Demon Realm, I recognized your identities. Since Lu Pianpian has already attained a divine position, the only one who needs to be reincarnated as a Buddha is Agana, who is a disciple of Buddha."
“You, Huan Changming, are Ajana.”
"So what? She came to my side and enlightened me; I couldn't ask for more."
"Do you really think that converting you would be a good thing?" Langxu laughed at his lack of understanding. "If you are truly converted, you will return to your Buddha form, go to the Western Paradise, teach all Buddhas, and save all sentient beings."
"Once you enter the Buddhist order, you will forget all the seven emotions and six desires of this mortal world."
"Don't even talk about love. By then, you won't even remember who Lu Pianpian is."
Huan Changming didn't know whether he believed it or not. "Even if I really am a Buddhist disciple, even if I am really converted, I will not forget Pianpian, and I will not forget my feelings for him!"
"You want to contend with these gods and Buddhas? Don't be confused. If they want you to become a Buddha again, they have plenty of ways to make you forget all emotions and love. The river of the underworld is one of them."
Langxu slowly coaxed him, "Changming, we have known each other for two hundred years. If you really want to be with Lu Pianpian, there is only one way."
"What method?"
"If our demon races join forces and attack the Heavenly Realm, who cares about the reincarnation of a Buddha? As long as you occupy the Heavenly Realm, won't Lu Pianpian, the divine child of the Heavenly Realm, still be yours?"
The demon race declined because they were suppressed for resisting the Heavenly Realm. Langxu appears to be indifferent to worldly affairs, but in reality, he harbors treacherous intentions, amassing an army and preparing to launch an attack on the Heavenly Realm sooner or later to avenge past grievances.
This is the most fundamental reason why he wanted to win over Huan Changming.
Using the reincarnation of a Buddhist disciple for his own purposes—what a tremendous help that would be!
Huan Changming had long seen through Lang Xu's intentions. "You just want to use me to eliminate the Heavenly Realm and avenge your grievances."
Langxu spoke frankly, "I wanted to use you to fight against the Heavenly Realm, but if you want to get Lu Pianpian back, this is the only way."
"He is no longer the minor cultivator in the lower realm that you could easily manipulate. He is a divine son revered by all in the heavens, while you are now a demon. Gods and demons cannot coexist. In the eyes of these gods, how can you, Huan Changming, be worthy of their noble divine son?"
"What you should do is pull this high and mighty god down from his pedestal, make him fall from the clouds, so that you can once again hold him firmly in your grasp, with nowhere to escape..."
Langxu believed he understood Huan Changming. Huan Changming was paranoid and cruel, and he would stop at nothing to satisfy his desires once he had them.
All he wants now is Lu Pianpian. Langxu boasted that his words reflected Huan Changming's true thoughts.
However, Huan Changming remained silent for a moment before speaking again: "If you've said enough, then get out."
Seeing this, Langxu was furious and laughed, "It seems you still believe that Lu Pianpian has a sliver of true feelings for you. Fine, I'll shatter all your hopes now!"
After saying this, he flew away and hurriedly returned to the demon realm. He arrived at the bird clan's territory, killed a lovebird demon, and took its heart.
The lovebirds are demons that always pair up. The surviving one, seeing that its mate was dead and that it was clearly no match for the powerful spiritual energy of Langxu, crashed into a stone wall and died for love.
The mournful cries of the lovebirds still echoed in the forest; anyone who heard their calls would be saddened.
Langxu watched without changing his expression as the heart of the lovebird in his palm slowly turned into a red stone.
With this, he could make Huan Changming completely give up on Lu Pianpian.
As Langxu carefully put away the stone and was about to return to the Demon Realm, a sudden gust of wind swept through the forest, and the stone in his hand was abruptly sucked away.
Langxu hurriedly went to chase after it, only to see the stone fall into someone's palm.
The newcomer had his hair tied up with a silver crown, was dressed in black, and exuded a cold and imposing aura.
Langxu narrowed his eyes. "What brings the Divine Lord Juntian here?"
Jun Tian glanced at the corpse of the Lovebird Demon not far away, and Lang Xu quickly said, "Could it be that you've come to avenge those two bird demons?"
As he finished speaking, he saw the stone flickering red light in Juntian's hand, but it quickly went out again.
Jun Tian said calmly, "My senior brother doesn't need useless emotions."
A note from the author:
If you agree with what my junior said, give him a round of applause.
Chapter 61
The young dragon led Lu Pianpian to a stream near the Demon Palace. Although his constitution was fire-based, he had not abandoned the characteristics of the dragon race and loved playing in the water.
He stripped himself naked, leaving only his underwear, and swam around in the stream, completely forgetting his earlier heartbreak.
Everything in the world has a spirit. When this young dragon was born, it was like a blank sheet of paper. It became black when it was near ink, and red when it was near vermilion.
Lu Pianpian sat down on a rock on the shore, watched the baby dragon play for a while, and then asked, "What's your name?"
The baby dragon swam up to him, looking completely innocent and naive. "Dad called me a little beast!"
Lu Pianpian couldn't help but frown. He didn't know what the words "little beast" meant, but he chuckled and continued, "Sometimes they call me Demon Dragon or Little Monster! Mother, these are all my names!"
“I’m not your mother. You only saw me when you hatched, so you think of me as your mother.” Lu Pianpian paused. “Also, these aren’t your names.”
Huan Changming raised him by his side for two hundred years, treating him like livestock, and never even gave him a name.
Such is the nature of beastmen; the first people they see at birth are their parents. Hearing their mother deny it again makes the young dragon feel more aggrieved than not having a name at all.
He pouted, looking like he was about to cry. Lu Pianpian picked him up from the stream, cast a spell to dry him, and sat him on her lap. "What do you want to be called?"
The young dragon blinked. "You little beast?"
"This is not a good name. Ordinary people would not let their children have such a name."
"Then why does Father call me that?"
“Because a humble name makes it easier to raise a child.” Huan Changming strode over to them and defended himself. “Many children die young. Parents give their children humble names so that they can grow up safely. The humbler the name, the stronger the life, and the more likely they are to turn bad luck into good and grow up safely.”
"Oh, I see!" The young dragon was overjoyed. "So that's why Dad calls me that—he wants me to grow up safely!"
Lu Pianpian glanced at Huan Changming, who coughed guiltily, "That's true, but you're already two hundred years old, you can't keep using this lowly name. Let your mother give you a new name."
The young dragon hugged Lu Pianpian's arm excitedly and said, "Mom! Please give me a name!"
Lu Pianpian was silent for a moment, then suddenly stood up and placed the baby dragon in Huan Changming's arms. "Huan Changming, let's not involve innocent people in our affairs."
Huan Changming's actions were simply intended to evoke Lu Pianpian's pity for the young dragon, thereby easing the tension between the two. Although Lu Pianpian felt pity for the dragon, she had no obligation to raise it and had even harbored resentment towards it.
"elegant……"
Huan Changming, holding the baby dragon, followed Lu Pianpian step by step. "I know it's impossible for you to accept me back in a short time, but I'm willing to wait and do anything for you. Pianpian, I only ask that you give me a chance to make it up to you!"
"The fact that you came to save me proves that you still have some feelings for me. Why won't you admit it?"
Lu Pianpian suddenly stopped in her tracks, and Huan Changming stopped just as quickly.
"Huan Changming, I saved you because I didn't want to owe you a favor. My junior brother will be saved by myself. Don't overthink it."
Huan Changming tightened his arms around the young dragon, making the dragon feel extremely uncomfortable. However, the dragon keenly sensed the abnormal atmosphere between its parents and frowned without daring to make a sound.
"Fine... I'll assume it's for Huan Juntian's sake, but I want you to know that I killed Xuanwu because of you. I don't need you to owe me anything; this is something I did willingly, simply because Huan Juntian's injury would make you sad."
"As for me, Huan Changming, I just don't want you to be sad, that's all."