Chapter 12 – Servitude

Over billions of years, Chi Qiong had experienced many emotions.

There was curiosity, respect, fear, yearning, and the utmost madness of worship and jealousy. Especially after obtaining the honorific title of “Phoenix,” human prayers often reached his ears, and he heard countless desires and requests, feeling the boundless greed and complex emotions of humanity.

He knew what tenderness and care were; he frequently received such prayers. There were parents hoping their children could grow up healthy, wives wishing for the safe return of their husbands who went out to war, and warriors willing to sacrifice their lives for the recovery of their disabled comrades.

Chi Qiong enjoyed the soulful colors brought by gentle emotions. He was curious and observing, yet he had never truly experienced it himself.

Now, cradled in Yun Xiguang’s arms, he felt this emotion for the first time.

Chi Qiong’s mood instantly became extremely complicated.

His thoughts oscillated between “A weak spirit servant dares to care for this Exalted One, he doesn’t respect this Exalted One” and “This human’s embrace is truly warm.” Chi Qiong, accustomed to singular emotions, lacked experience dealing with such mixed feelings. For the moment, he could only lean against Yun Xiguang, his body rigid, unsure how to handle the situation.

Yun Xiguang, however, very experiencedly opened the window to ventilate the room and disperse the gas.

As soon as the window was pushed open, the broken window frame fell down. Fortunately, it was late at night, and no one was hit.

Yun Xiguang looked expressionlessly at the falling window and silently calculated the cost required for renovation to appease the landlord’s irritable mood.

Numbers flashed through Yun Xiguang’s mind, but he sealed off his brain’s computing ability, deciding not to think about it for now and leave it for tomorrow.

Once the air inside the room became fresh again, Yun Xiguang tried to turn on the kitchen light.

The kitchen’s electrical wires had probably been blown apart, and the lights wouldn’t turn on.

Thankfully, the water pipes hadn’t burst, or there would have been additional compensation for the water damage downstairs.

Yun Xiguang didn’t want to ponder such heavy burdens in the middle of the night. He decided to leave the kitchen and take the little spirit bird for a bath.

Earlier, he had casually touched the little spirit bird’s wings, finding them charred black, but still silky smooth to the touch.

This proved that the little spirit bird hadn’t been injured by the explosion; the charred blackness was just soot from the blast. A good bath would suffice.

Yun Xiguang turned on the warm light in the bathroom and filled the small bathtub with water.

Hearing the sound of rushing water, Chi Qiong suddenly recalled the million-year-long rainstorm, becoming instantly uncomfortable. He chirped repeatedly in Yun Xiguang’s arms, struggling in disgust.

Chi Qiong: Human, this Exalted One despises water, do not desecrate this Exalted One with water!

This time, Yun Xiguang finally deciphered the little spirit bird’s meaning, asking, “Afraid of water?”

Little Spirit Bird: Chirp chirp chirp!

Chi Qiong: This Exalted One isn’t afraid of water, this Exalted One merely dislikes things that soak its feathers!

“I understand, don’t worry,” Yun Xiguang gently stroked the little spirit bird’s head, smudging his hand with soot.

He took out a towel, wetted it with hot water, wrung it out, and let the little spirit bird stand on it while using the towel to wipe its feathers and claws.

Although Chi Qiong disliked even damp towels, he could accept this method. Moreover, his current appearance was detrimental to the dignity of the Phoenix, and it mustn’t spread. A spirit servant’s service was necessary.

Thus, he nobly lifted his phoenix claw, placing it on Yun Xiguang’s finger, signaling the spirit servant to continue.

Wiping was certainly slower than bathing, but fortunately, Yun Xiguang was patient. He repeatedly rinsed the towel, cleaning the little spirit bird until it was spotless, returning to its fluffy, little yellow chick appearance.

Afterward, Yun Xiguang also took out a hairdryer, carefully drying the water droplets from the little spirit bird’s feathers.

The little spirit bird’s feathers were special; they didn’t absorb water, only allowing droplets to cling to them. Coupled with the fact that the earlier explosion hadn’t harmed the little spirit bird’s body, Yun Xiguang realized that the little spirit bird might possess defenses impenetrable to water and fire.

This little guy was more promising than he had imagined.

Perhaps the little guy could grow into a powerful spirit beast.

However, this world was too perilous. The little guy had just awakened and already faced the baptism of heavenly fire and Yun Xinglei’s attack. Recalling the day they met, when Yun Xinglei kicked out, Yun Xiguang furrowed his brow slightly.

If Yun Xinglei merely resented him, Yun Xiguang felt some sympathy, as the extreme education of the Yun family had corrupted Yun Xinglei. The predetermined fate imposed on Yun Xinglei had restricted his development and personality, distorting his emotions.

Yun Xiguang accepted all of Yun Xinglei’s enmity toward him.

In the past, Yun Xiguang had told Yun Xinglei things like “Don’t mind the Yun family,” “Your destiny belongs to you,” and “You can choose a path independent of the Yun family.” Unfortunately, Yun Xinglei regarded these words as Yun Xiguang’s arrogance, and over time, Yun Xiguang stopped saying them.

Even so, Yun Xiguang understood Yun Xinglei. Yun Xinglei was his junior, the same age as him, and another victim of the Yun family’s twisted system. Yun Xiguang rarely took Yun Xinglei’s antics seriously, even tolerating him more.

But on the day of the Awakening, when Yun Xiguang saw Yun Xinglei kicking away a helpless little spirit bird in frustration, his tolerance for Yun Xinglei vanished.

Yun Xinglei could lament the unfairness of fate, hate the Yun family’s system, and envy those who received resources and privileges — these were human nature, and there was nothing wrong with that.

But Yun Xinglei shouldn’t vent his pain and anger on the weak.

That wasn’t defiance of fate; that was weakness, uselessness, and baseness.

If he had grievances, he should direct them at the Yun family. If he couldn’t defeat the Yun family, he should strengthen himself, making them take notice. Venting on a little spirit bird was pointless.

Yun Xiguang’s sympathy for Yun Xinglei transformed into disdain.

The one truly deserving of care was the little spirit bird, not the scion of a house who already possessed abundant resources yet still complained about their inadequacy.

The little spirit bird was a spirit beast with potential. Yun Xiguang wanted to protect the little spirit bird and watch it grow.

After drying its feathers, the little spirit bird’s tender yellow fluff stood up, especially around its neck. The soft feathers became even more puffed up, making the little spirit bird appear rounder.

Yun Xiguang smiled, rummaging through a small comb and gently brushing the little spirit bird’s feathers.

Chi Qiong, enjoying the body wiping, feather drying, and combing massage, felt incredibly comfortable. In the past, with his massive size and terrifying aura, no one dared to serve the Great Phoenix like this. He had never been massaged before.

Chi Qiong: Human, you’ve done well. You may ask this Exalted One for a reward. This Exalted One is in a good mood; your request can be more extravagant.

Little Spirit Bird: Chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp!

Hearing the little spirit bird’s content chirping, Yun Xiguang’s facial features softened further. He laughed, saying, “Rest assured, I’ll protect you well and help you become a mighty eagle soaring through the skies, overlooking the world.”

Chi Qiong: “…”

What nonsense?

Bold human, what are you talking about?

Do you dare insult this Exalted One by comparing me to mere feeble eagles?

You’re too presumptuous!

This Exalted One decides to retract your reward!

To express his anger, Chi Qiong emitted a deep, brief “chirp.”

Yun Xiguang interpreted the little spirit bird’s brief chirp as an “okay.”

Only Chi Qiong decided to bestow a reward on the spirit servant and then unilaterally revoke it, unbeknownst to Yun Xiguang.

Having combed the little spirit bird’s feathers, Yun Xiguang found that he had also smeared soot and ash on himself.

Fortunately, the bathtub was already filled with warm water. Yun Xiguang decided to take a bath himself.

He turned on the bathroom heater, positioning the little spirit bird warmly under the heat. He stripped off his blackened clothes and tossed them into the washing machine, then sank into the bathtub. Warm water covered his beautifully contoured waistline, his abs barely visible beneath the water’s surface.

Chi Qiong, who had watched humans run naked through the mountains during a time when they had no sense of shame, didn’t care whether Yun Xiguang wore clothes or not. Instead, he believed that as a spirit servant, this was proper. Those who served gods in the past fasted and bathed in clear water for seven days before approaching them. This was entirely normal.

Chi Qiong perched on a high seat (the washbasin), curling his body and sitting on a cushion (lying on a dry towel), raising his head to scrutinize Yun Xiguang’s physique.

Indeed, he was more attractive than the humans Chi Qiong had seen before, combining strength and the streamlined beauty favored by birds. He was young and handsome enough to match his spirit servant identity.

Chi Qiong noticed Yun Xiguang’s lower half submerged in water, his straight, slender legs coming together, like a fish tail. This reminded Chi Qiong of an ancient humanoid race called merfolk. They shed tears that turned into pearls, wove their hair into silk, and sang like demons, beautiful creatures born of the sea…

Thinking of this, Chi Qiong inwardly spat.

What beauty were the merfolk? Yun Xiguang, without scales, was the true beautiful creature.

The bathing session passed amidst Chi Qiong’s chaotic memories. Yun Xiguang dried his body, changed into fresh clothes, and returned to the bedroom with the little spirit bird.

Passing by the pitch-black kitchen, Yun Xiguang decided to ignore it for now, planning to deal with it tomorrow morning.

He closed the kitchen door tightly and rummaged through the storage cabinet in the bedroom, pulling out some homemade cured meat and sausages. He handed them to the little spirit bird, saying, “You must have been hungry, searching the kitchen for food. It was my oversight. You’re young and just awakened, you surely need a large amount of food.

“This is food I tried making myself. My father told me that spirit beasts need to consume food made by humans to gradually be accepted by the Heavenly Law. However, spirit beasts have different dietary needs than humans, requiring a Spiritbond Master to infuse their emotions into the food to make it palatable to them.”

Chi Qiong, lacking energy and already hungry, didn’t listen to Yun Xiguang’s words, pecking at the cured meat right away.

Delicious! Chi Qiong gave Yun Xiguang an approving look before lowering his head again, pecking quickly like a woodpecker. In the blink of an eye, he consumed a piece of cured meat larger than his own body, and it was unclear where the food went.

Watching the little spirit bird eat earnestly, Yun Xiguang couldn’t help but recall his father’s teachings once more.

He had started learning to cook since childhood but had always failed to make anything tasty. His parents’ spirit beasts would sniff the snacks he made and look at him with disdain, turning their heads away.

Young Yun Xiguang was disheartened. He thought his food was unappetizing, eating it all until he lay on the ground unable to move. Eventually, his father came with digestive medicine to comfort him.

“I think the food I made is delicious,” Yun Xiguang said. “I tasted it, and it’s really good!”

His father patiently replied, “I know.”

“But the spirit beasts don’t like it, and they even detest it,” Yun Xiguang said, tears welling up in his eyes. “It’s unfair.”

Faced with his son’s tears, his father smiled happily, proudly declaring, “That’s not because you cooked badly, but because my wife’s and my spirit beasts love us too much.”

“Huh?” Yun Xiguang tilted his head to look at his father.

His father explained, “Spirit beasts have different dietary needs than humans. They won’t like food prepared by humans; they eat it only to avoid the Heavenly Law. But a Spiritbond Master can create food loved by spirit beasts by infusing it with emotion.

“When they think of their spirit beasts, hoping they will enjoy it and wanting to protect them, that given emotion merges into the food. At that moment, the food takes on the taste of the Spiritbond Master’s soul.

“Spirit beasts like the scent of a Spiritbond Master’s soul and find the food delicious.

“You’re a child with exceptional learning abilities. I know the food you make has reached the level of a master chef. My wife’s and my spirit beasts aren’t fond of your cooking not because it’s bad, but because they love our soul’s scent too much.”

“So how can I make food that spirit beasts will like?” Yun Xiguang asked.

“Make it with heart, with emotion. Make it with the anticipation of meeting. Then wait patiently, waiting for the spirit beast that likes your soul to appear,” his father said.

Yun Xiguang returned from his memories to reality, looking at the little spirit bird who had devoured all the food he had brought out, his belly round and full, still trying to peck at the cabinet. Yun Xiguang extended his hand to stop Chi Qiong.

He had waited for the spirit beast that liked his soul.

“I know you like me,” Yun Xiguang said happily.

Chi Qiong: What?

“But you really can’t eat anymore, your stomach will burst,” Yun Xiguang poked the little spirit bird’s belly. “Let’s eat again tomorrow, okay? All of this is yours, and I’ll make more if it’s not enough.”

This Exalted One can devour half the world, how could it not handle such a trivial amount of food? Chi Qiong thought resentfully.

But as he moved, he realized his abdomen was indeed uncomfortably full.

Since the spirit servant would continue to offer food, he would reluctantly accept it.

“Let’s sleep,” Yun Xiguang hugged Chi Qiong close.

The little spirit bird, now sleepy after a full meal, dozed off in the warmth of the blankets.

The man and bird fell asleep deeply and peacefully, temporarily forgetting about the need to renovate the kitchen the next day.

This time, neither of them dreamed.

Due to waking up once in the middle of the night, Yun Xiguang slept particularly long, only being roused by a series of “crunch crunch” sounds when the sun was already high in the sky.

Yun Xiguang opened his eyes to see a silver snow wolf crouched at the foot of his bed, its head buried in a cabinet, gnawing on something.

Yun Xiguang: “…”

At his movement, Chi Qiong woke up as well.

The little spirit bird rubbed upward, poking his head out from under the covers to look at the cabinet.

All the spirit beast food Yun Xiguang had made with the anticipation of meeting had been eaten by the snow wolf.

“Kill it!” Seeing this scene, the man and bird’s souls resonated strongly, their spirit bond unconsciously growing tighter.

Yun Xiguang raised his hand towards the snow wolf, and the little spirit bird also raised its wing.

Just as they were about to launch an attack, they realized there was not only the snow wolf in the room; there was someone attached to its tail.

Wu Ailang tugged at the snow wolf’s tail helplessly, saying, “Erha, Erha, stop eating, we’re at someone else’s place, it’s too impolite of you!”

Seeing Yun Xiguang awake, Wu Ailang greeted him enthusiastically, saying, “Good morning, Brother Yun! Let me explain, I didn’t barge in intentionally!

“Erha and I were left in the arena last night, sleeping the entire night. When I woke up this morning, my whole body hurt. I was just planning to do some calisthenics to loosen up, but Erha suddenly ran out of the school like a madman.

“I chased him all the way here. He jumped into your kitchen through the window, and it took me a while to catch up. As soon as I entered, I saw that your kitchen was in shambles. Oh my god, did Erha do all this? He’s gone too far, I’ll pay for everything!”

Yun Xiguang: “…”

Chi Qiong: “…”

In perfect synchronization, the man and bird lowered their arms/wings.