Hii readers, sorry for the late upload, there were some issues with the site our account nearly got banned due to five translators logging in simultaneously and uploading all at the same time from different computers for one translator account, thankfully, we managed toresolve it. Enjoy the rest of the bonanza.

Chapter Bonanza (6/10)

━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

Tunfeng ran for a full day before Qin Zhou finally reached Kunxian Mountain.

The heavens and earth were vast and boundless, with layer upon layer of peaks.

Amidst the mountains, only one stood like a towering pagoda, rising straight up through the clouds.

Tunfeng descended slowly and landed. Qin Zhou dismounted with a swift leap.

After feeding Tunfeng a handful of elixirs, the horse galloped off on its own.

The legendary Immortal Restraint Prison lay right before him. Qin Zhou stood on a clearing halfway up the pagoda-like mountain. Even from this vantage point, he felt as though he were close to the heavens.

If Qin Zhou were still an ordinary person, he might be suffocating right now due to the extreme altitude.

The mountain’s peak pierced the clouds, like a pagoda, firmly pinning something down.

Just as the Five Finger Mountain had pinned down the most spirited monkey in the world, the “prisoner” was placed in the prison closest to the heavens, under the personal supervision of the Heavenly Dao.

Qin Zhou looked straight ahead and could see the gate of the Prison of Trapped Immortals.

Not a blade of grass grew near the prison gate, and the surrounding stone slabs were spotless.

As he approached, he could barely hear a sound; the surroundings were deathly silent.

Qin Zhou furrowed his brow, finding it hard to imagine what it would feel like to live here for over a hundred years.

After growing accustomed to the endless years and solitude that came with a long lifespan, to then lose one’s remaining freedom… The Heavenly Dao certainly knew how to drive a sane person mad.

Qin Zhou walked up to the door; it was unlocked. Looking through the openwork iron gate, he saw a long corridor.

Small rooms lined the corridor—undoubtedly prison cells. There was little light, but since it was daytime, he could make out the interior somewhat clearly.

He pushed the door open, and it creaked with the sound of long neglect.

“I heard you were bold—and here you are, daring to come.” Wen Jue’s voice, laced with malevolence, echoed from the end of the corridor.

His voice sounded lively; it seemed he was merely confined here and hadn’t suffered much. That’s what Qin Zhou thought.

He scanned the area carefully for a moment, detected no traps or mechanisms, and then continued inward.

“Hm? Not answering this master?” Wen Jue heard the footsteps and was taken aback.

“Such audacity…”

He suddenly looked up and met the gaze of the figure standing outside the cell door.

“……” In the dim cell, the faint light streaming through the bars fell entirely upon Qin Zhou’s face.

Qin Zhou tucked his hands into his sleeves. “Such audacity?”

Qin Zhou crouched slightly, as if to get a better look at him.

But he couldn’t see his face; only his hands, shackled in chains, were visible. He sat casually and appeared to have no visible injuries.

“Lord Wen, so you were waiting for my summons in a place like this.” Qin Zhou’s expression was a wry smile, his words gentle yet laced with venom.

The title “Lord Wen” jolted Wen Jue awake; he nearly jumped to his feet. “…What are you doing here!?”

“I came to see you.”

“You came here to see me?” Wen Jue paused, then suddenly realized something. “It was Zhanyu…”

“I went to Immortal-Demon City to buy some things and happened to run into Zhanyu.” Qin Zhou didn’t deny it, but his gaze remained fixed on him, not wavering for a moment.

Wen Jue gave a dry laugh. “Ah… ha ha…”

But as he laughed, he found he couldn’t laugh anymore.

Because Qin Zhou was staring at him, like a hawk watching a fluttering chick.

Wen Jue: “…I’m fine.”

What on earth was that kid, Zhanyu, thinking! Did he want Qin Zhou to come see him looking so pathetic, locked up in a cell?

Ultimately, it was because Zhanyu didn’t know Qin Zhou possessed Tunfeng. By his estimation, the time Qin Zhou arrived at the Immortal Restraint Prison should have coincided with the moment his uncle was being surrounded and attacked by several Union Realm experts.

A perfectly timed heroic rescue. Whether the “beauty” was actually beautiful remained to be seen, but the rescue itself was a certainty.

Just thinking about it, Zhanyu felt it was a splendid affair.

But Qin Zhou had Tunfeng.

If he’d arrived early, it wouldn’t be such a wonderful thing.

It would be like catching your own child, locked up in a cell after being secretly tortured by others for making a mistake.

Qin Zhou was a little angry; his jet-black eyes were as deep and unfathomable as a bottomless pool.

Wen Jue admitted he was a little panicked.

“I’m—I’m not hurt.” ” Wen Jue patted his chest and shook his arms, trying to prove he was fine, but the movement tugged at the long chains, making them clang loudly. “……”

He glanced at Qin Zhou again—there was no spark left in his eyes.

Qin Zhou pulled out a hammer.

Qin Zhou raised the hammer.

A crisp click. The door of the Immortal Restraint Prison swung open on its own.

Qin Zhou, still holding the hammer aloft: “……”

Wen Jue, who had sat inside the cell and tried every trick in the book to no avail: “……”

The two stared at each other in silence.

Qin Zhou had no choice but to lower the hammer and step inside.

There was no dramatic scene where the door locked itself behind him, as one might have imagined. If the Immortal Restraint Prison had a mind of its own, it would be a bully that picks on the weak and fears the strong. Unfortunately, the Immortal Restraint Prison has no such mind, so it’s that damn Heavenly Dao that’s the bully.

Qin Zhou crouched down in front of Wen Jue, picked up the chain in his hand, and examined it.

“Click.”

Two clicks, and all the iron chains on Wen Jue’s wrists suddenly snapped open.

Wen Jue: “……”

Seriously, your tendency to bully the weak and cower before the strong is starting to get a little scary, you know?

With the chains gone, Qin Zhou took the opportunity to pull him into his arms.

Wen Jue rested his chin on Qin Zhou’s shoulder and glanced at the top of the Immortal Restraint Prison.

He’s hugging me again.

But this time, Qin Zhou didn’t hold him for long. He seemed to just want to make sure Wen Jue wasn’t injured, then crouched down in front of him and asked, “Where’s the Heavenly Dao?”

Wen Jue blinked slowly. “What do you want with him?”

“I’ve got to get some answers.” Qin Zhou pulled the hammer out again.

Wen Jue:?

Seek an explanation with… a hammer?

Wen Jue held back for a moment, but couldn’t contain himself. He stared at Qin Zhou and burst out laughing. “I’m the one who smashed his Heaven. How come you’re the one coming here with a hammer to demand an explanation?”

Does the one with the power always have the right?

“You’ve been locked up for a hundred or so years. That’s long enough. I have to ask how much longer you’re going to be locked up.” Qin Zhou didn’t smile; he didn’t seem particularly pleased.

He’d deal with things one by one. Once he’d asked the Heavenly Dao, he’d come back to teach a lesson to the one in front of him who was laughing the loudest.

Wen Jue puckered his lips and pointed upward. “Then ask it yourself—how much longer I’m going to be locked up.”

【Locked up for two more days】

Golden light hovered in midair, and both of them could clearly see the four glowing characters.

Wen Jue:?

“Heavenly Dao, that’s not what you said last time!”

【No, I didn’t say that】

Pointing at the characters in the air as if pointing a finger in the other’s face, he turned to Qin Zhou to complain, “Last time it said I’d be locked up for ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine years.”

【……】

Qin Zhou refused to accept the complaint, replying coldly and ruthlessly, “You shattered the heavens. You were in the wrong first.”

Wen Jue whistled in amazement. This guy sure changes his tune fast.

“Since you’re locked up for two more days, we’ll have plenty of time to sort things out.” Qin Zhou sat down as well, raising his hand to adjust his wide sleeves.

He didn’t mind the cell’s shabbiness in the slightest.

“You’re not leaving?” Wen Jue asked, sitting cross-legged and staring at him.

“I came to take you back, so naturally I’ll return once I’ve picked you up.”

Wen Jue snorted lightly.

He liked that this man had come to fetch him.

It felt more sincere than a mere summons.

After all, Zhanyu had known him since childhood; he was far more capable than Lu Xiao’s dim-witted nephew.

“Last time, you were busy dealing with the Secret Realm and didn’t have time to talk. Now, we have plenty of time.”

Wen Jue: “What… are you talking about?”

This wasn’t quite what he’d imagined.

Qin Zhou seemed genuinely displeased.

Part of that displeasure stemmed from being confined by the Heavenly Dao, and part of it…

“The stars in the Secret Realm.”

Wen Jue looked away. “Oh, those…”

Feeling Qin Zhou’s gaze never leave him, he could only slowly lower his head and say dejectedly, “If you already know, why are you asking me?”

“It’s been so many years now. Isn’t it quite normal for people to fall from grace in the cultivation world?” Wen Jue’s voice was forced to sound lighthearted. “Those who are alive should just live their lives well, shouldn’t they?”

“Is that so?” Qin Zhou retorted. “Then why are you keeping a soul trapped inside a barrier stone? The living should live their lives well, and the dead should be reincarnated.”

“They haven’t been reincarnated, and looking at you, it doesn’t seem like you’re living your life to the fullest either.”

Wen Jue’s face turned deathly pale.

“Burdened by karmic debts, your reputation as a demonic fiend is known far and wide. The only good thing you have—this body—you’ve locked away here in self-pity.” Qin Zhou’s words cut deep.

Could Wen Jue really not get out? He believed that only three-tenths of the time.

His spirit had left his body; not to mention traveling all over the Upper Realm, he even ventured into the Lower Realm every day. Even if we take a step back, the Heavenly Dao might fear the Silver River Hammer, but before he brought it back, it had been in Lu Yi’s hands the whole time.

“Self-abandonment”—those four words were indeed quite fitting. Wen Jue wanted to give a cold laugh, but seeing Qin Zhou watching him, he pursed his lips and let that chill fade away.

“Then what else is there? What does ‘living well’ even mean?”

“According to your logic, I should have attained the Dao and ascended, should have a partner by my side, a pair of children at my feet, or perhaps a house full of grandchildren? To be a powerful figure revered by all under heaven, living up to the Village Chief’s nurturing and your expectations?”

As he spoke, Wen Jue’s mood soured. “If you’re disappointed, just say so. Why spout all these grand principles? You want me to ‘live well’? I’d love to live like that.”

“But the world’s spiritual energy is scarce. Never mind ascension—even breaking through to the Great Perfection Realm would drain the very essence of this world dry. ”

He grew angrier as he spoke. “It’s even more ridiculous with a beloved by my side. I’ve worn the hairpin you gave me for nine thousand years. I told you that a hairpin is a token of love, but you wouldn’t listen and insisted on giving it to me! I accepted your hairpin and waited for you for nine thousand years—surely that doesn’t make me ungrateful or heartless?”

After saying this, Wen Jue felt surprised.

In the past, mentioning such things would have sent him into a rage, causing his spiritual energy to surge violently—even the birds and beasts surrounding the Immortal Restraint Prison would have been unable to find peace.

Qin Zhou was like a calming pill; he hadn’t even swallowed it, yet just looking at him was enough to keep his inner demons from stirring, let alone causing chaos.

After a moment’s pause, he added—

“How am I supposed to live? If I don’t live well, you’ll be disappointed too.” Wen Jue poked his shoulder with a finger. “Qin Zhou, be honest—if I’d turned out exactly the way you wanted me to be, would you still dare to hug me now?”

Qin Zhou said nothing, but he took hold of the finger poking his shoulder.

“I asked Old Qi.” Wen Jue silently cursed himself for being so weak—he was completely at Qin Zhou’s mercy, and even his inner demons had fallen silent. “Old Qi said…”

“What did he say?” Qin Zhou took his wrist with his other hand, playing with his fingers.

Wen Jue closed his eyes and steeled himself. “If you hug me, it means you like me.”

“When did I ever say I didn’t like you?” Qin Zhou raised an eyebrow. He was certain Wen Jue was lying. Even if Lu Qi really had said that to him, the “hug” they were referring to was definitely not the same thing.

Wen Jue felt his throat go dry. He swallowed hard. “…But you never said you liked me either.”

“I like you.”

Those two simple words felt like a blow that struck Wen Jue right in the gut.

“……” He was just testing the waters, and this guy… just admitted it like that?

“All the disappointments over the years. Failing to break through to the next realm, the person who gave you the hairpin has been waiting for nine thousand years. Besides that, what else?” Qin Zhou asked again.

Wen Jue pressed his hand to his forehead. “Give me a moment to catch my breath before you ask more.”

Like? Hmm? Like?

“Like… the kind of ‘like’ that leads to becoming Dao companions?”

Qin Zhou pinched his ring finger. “Mm.”

Wen Jue’s eyes widened. “Weren’t you afraid that by the time you return, I might have truly attained the Dao and ascended, with a house full of children and grandchildren?”

Qin Zhou replied with a mischievous grin, “Wouldn’t I just take them?”

Wen Jue suddenly covered his mouth.

Village Chief! You’re being unethical!

Qin Zhou rubbed against the palm of his hand. “Just kidding.”

Wen Jue felt a tickle, but didn’t pull his hand away.

Qin Zhou wasn’t one to worry needlessly.

If he’d found out right after returning that Lu Yi had perfected his cultivation and had a house full of children and grandchildren, he’d likely be happy for him.

Yeah, probably.

“That’s really strange.” Wen Jue let himself fall onto Qin Zhou’s lap. It reminded him of when he used to fall asleep in the alchemy room as a child—he’d always curl up on the village chief’s lap, using his leg as a pillow, and sleep for hours on end.

“What?”

“As long as you’re here, I’m perfectly happy.” All the gloom in his heart would vanish in an instant.

Qin Zhou: “Well, since you’re in such a good mood, let’s talk about something that’s not so pleasant.”

Wen Jue:?

“Don’t you want to talk to me about that incident with the stars in the Secret Realm?”

Wen Jue: “……”

No wonder they say this guy’s a real killjoy.