Don’t Discriminate Against Species

The Nian reacted even more violently to these words than when he was whipped. His ferocious mouth gaped open, letting loose a roar at Fu Li. "Ignorant human, how can the mere firecrackers in your human world scare me?"

The fuming Nian couldn't even be bothered to use honorifics anymore.

"The Nian isn't scared of firecrackers?" Fu Li really hadn't been aware of this matter. He turned slightly towards Zhuang Qing. "I was deceived by the legends in the human world?"

Zhuang Qing: …

"Forget it, this isn't important. Go save those humans first, there still seems to be some life left in them. I'll capture this Nian." Taking care of a Nian wasn't of much difficulty to Fu Li. Within a few breaths, the Nian was firmly bound by the whip in his hands, unable to do much apart from curse others.

"You follow the bad example of humans despite being a dragon, there is truly no greater disgrace to the yao race!" The Nian started berating Zhuang Qing after seeing that Fu Li was ignoring him. "If you're willing to kill this human, I'm agreeable to giving this human's heart - the most tender part - to you."

The Nian rarely came into contact with the dragon clan, but the dragons in the legends he had heard possessed immense strength and never lacked for any basic necessities. Thousands of years ago, it was said that a yao cultivator had offered the Dragon King the heart of a human born on the seventh day of the seventh month. Overjoyed, the Dragon King then bestowed him an incredibly profound cultivation technique.

The dragon race had always looked down on humans, so why was this dragon with powerful qi together with a human?

"Which countryside did this idiot come from?" The already-safe crested ibis shook his blood-stained feathers. "In this age, the world has long united and here you are still wanting to eat humans and yao, why don't you eat yourself?"

"Ignorant bird, I'm talking to the Dragon Lord, is there any space for you to cut in?" The Nian might have a vile appearance, but when he wanted to curry favor with someone, he could still be quite tactful.

"Laozi is a national treasure!" The crested ibis flapped his wings. Several bloody feathers floated onto the snow-covered ground.

"Eat this," Fu Li fished out a medicinal pill and tossed it to the crested ibis. Catching it with his claws, the crested ibis looked suspiciously at Fu Li. "What medicine is this?"

"Don't worry, I may be from the countryside, but you won't die from this medicine," Fu Li raised a brow, a hint of indifference in his voice.

"F*ck, you're too petty. I was cursing the Nian, not you," Smelling the fragrant scent of the medicinal pill, the crested ibis swallowed his saliva, gulping the pill down.

To his surprise, not only did a great half of his internal wounds heal right after he downed the medicinal pill, his cultivation also rose slightly. He couldn't help asking, "What medicine is this?"

"Nourishing Qi Pill," Fu Li didn't have the leisure to pay any heed to the crested ibis and was preoccupied with dealing with the Nian so that he could return home to watch the Lunar New Year celebratory party.

Although he often hid in homes the past few years to watch news broadcasts, the new year was of great significance to the humans, so he would always conscientiously avoid the new year period when humans gathered.

This year would be his first time watching the Lunar New Year's celebratory party. After finishing lunch, he had brought Uncle Feng and the King to Zhuang Qing's villa to sit by the television and wait for the party to begin. Now that a Nian had popped out to disturb him, his mood was no longer that wonderful.

The three insignificant words 'Nourishing Qi Pill' shocked the crested ibis till he nearly lost his grip on the tree branch and directly plunged to the ground. He had actually eaten a very costly Nourishing Qi Pill!

He finally understood why so many humans were fond of being sugar babies. The happiness of reaping without sowing was truly too great.

No no no. As a national treasure, how could he have such a depraved way of thinking.

He ought to struggle arduously and rely on himself!

"You're not human?" The Nian discovered a clue from their conversation. He looked at Fu Li with an expression of shock, as if he was looking at a monster. Just how terrifying was the cultivation of a yao who possessed tremendous strength yet didn't give off any yao qi?

"Is whether or not I'm human important?" Fu Li took out a Binding-Yao Lock issued by the management bureau and cuffed him.

"Sorry I'm late," A woman with a gentle expression and hair that reached her waist walked through the barrier. The woman wasn't beautiful, but her gaze was warm and magnanimous, as if her eyes encompassed all of spring.

"Who are you?" Fu Li smelled thick spiritual qi from this woman. She didn't seem like a yao. Rather, she was closer to what the humans called a 'god'.

But there were no gods in the world. The so-called gods were merely a type of spiritual body formed from human thought and worship.

"Greetings, daoyou," The woman smiled gently at Fu Li. Her smile made Fu Li think of the word 'mother'. He had seen many human mothers smile in this way.

"This humble one is called Nian Chuyi." The woman with the name of Nian Chuyi explained her origins, "The humans consider the first day of the Lunar New Year a beautiful beginning full of hope, so a monarch bestowed me the title of Spring God during the olden times. Please call me Chu Yi."

"Chu Yi?" Fu Li had been in deep sleep for close to two thousand years and wasn't aware of the presence of 'man-made gods' in the human world. When he turned towards Zhuang Qing, Zhuang Qing had already sent the unconscious people out of the barrier. Even the two terrified children had had their memories wiped by him and were merrily playing sparklers outside the barrier with the adults.

"Dragon Lord daren, it's been hundreds of years since we met, have you been well?" The instant Chu Yi saw Zhuang Qing walk through the barrier, she stepped forward and gave an elegant bow.

"Everything's fine," Zhuang Qing cast a glance at the Nian Fu Li had captured. "You came for him?"

“Yes,” Chu Yi nodded. “I exist to chase away the ferocious Nian and bring a peaceful new year to the humans.”

The Nian was eternally undying. He would perish every year, but whenever the new year arrived, he would once again revive. The Nian was born from human desires and fear, while Chu Yi was born from human hope, wisdom, and courage.

Chu Yi walked over to Fu Li, bowing towards him. "Many thanks to daojun for helping me to capture the Nian."

The Nian revealed a perpetual sneer after catching sight of Chu Yi. "The pitiful Spring God. So what if you kill me? I will still rise at the same time next year. I will never be exterminated so long as humans have desires rooted in greed."

"Without greed, there will be no pursuit of goals. Only with pursuit will there be hope," Chu Yi was not infuriated by the Nian's words. She placed a hand on the Nian's head, and the Nian dissipated with a roar.

The Yao-Binding Lock fell to the ground, as if the Nian had never existed.

Chu Yi sent Fu Li a smile after completing all this. "Though it is our first meeting, I smell the scent of someone alike."

She was born from human thought. Likewise, the yao before her with profound cultivation had likely also taken form through a heavenly chance. Hundreds of years ago, the Nian had been unable to condense its form due to weak spiritual qi in the Heavens and Earth, and she too had been in constant deep sleep. For some unknown reason, the Nian had once again risen this year, so she could only prop up her body that lacked spiritual qi in pursuit of the Nian.

The humans no longer hoped for celestial immortals to save them. Perhaps she would also dissipate into the Heavens and Earth not long after, never to exist.

This daoyou was different. After taking form, he no longer drew on the thought of other life forms to continue living. Such a thing was very good.

Chu Yi's smile became even gentler as she thought of this. "I spoke wrongly, I hope this daoyou does not mind. Since the Nian has been eliminated this year, I should be going back."

"You haven't seen the human world for a long time, Zhuang Qing and I will bring you around," Fu Li was moved by the smile on Chu Yi's face. He turned towards Zhuang Qing. "Okay, Zhuang little dragon?"

"No need," Chu Yi shook her head. "Thank you for your kind intentions. In my current state, the most I can last is two hours…"

"Two hours is enough to see plenty," Zhuang Qing said expressionlessly as he walked to Fu Li's side. "Let's go."

Chu Yi glanced at the glittering lights along the road. The corners of her mouth moved. A long while later, she said, "Thank you."

The streetlights that shone as brightly as the sun, the towering buildings, the cars and pedestrians all around them, the bundled-up children whose faces exuded joy - it was through all these that Chu Yi witnessed a new human world.

There was no slaughter, no starvation everywhere, no tortured howls. The flourishing world seemed like a transient dream that she would wake from with one poke.

"Can every person… eat meat now?"

"Yup, most of the humans in this country lead relatively good lives. Their tummies are full and they have warm clothing, but they still have many small troubles," Fu Li nodded.

"That's very good. Having a full tummy and warm clothing is very good," Seeing that a child had slipped and fallen at the roadside, Chu Yi reached out, wanting to help the child up. But the child's parents moved even quicker, scooping the child into their embrace.

"The day I sank into a deep sleep, many children had no food to eat," Chu Yi smiled, sending the family off into the distance with her gaze. The smile at the corners of her eyes and brows couldn't be suppressed no matter what. "It's really nice that things are now like this."

A few youngsters were stuffing a large bag of food into the hands of a beggar in slightly grimy clothes. The beggar wished them a happy new year with a smile.

The youngsters in bright and neat attire ran off with smiles.

"Are they the children of nobility?"

"No, they are just several of many ordinary youngsters," Fu Li shook his head. "There are many such youngsters in this country. Of course, there are also many not-very-good children."

Chu Yi merely smiled. She almost couldn't bear to blink, she wanted to look upon this world more. Even if it was just one extra glance, it would still be good.

Fu Li and Zhuang Qing brought Chu Yi to a huge public square where humans came and went. Boys and girls strolled about with their hands linked, the air thick with the scent of honey.

"Is it all right for them to be like that?" Chu Yi saw a couple locked in an embrace in the distance. There was shock in her eyes but no curiosity.

"There is freedom to love. Abiding by marriages arranged by parents is not necessary," Zhuang Qing glanced at Fu Li beside him, whose gaze was fixed on the big screen. "Most people have the chance to choose their own path."

Chu Yi recalled how a very, very long time ago, a ten-plus year old girl had been wedded to a man she didn't love by her parents. After her marriage, she was either beaten or scolded. In the end, she jumped into an icy lake on the eve of Lunar New Year.

She had no other choice apart from enduring it or dying.

"Things are very good this way," Chu Yi nodded. "Really very good."

On this night, she practically said nothing else other than 'good'. The human world was not perfect, but many things were very good. Tummies were full, there was warm clothing, and everyone had the freedom of choice, no matter whether they were woman or man.

Chu Yi lingered in the public square for a very long time. She was interested in the statues in the public square as well as the neon signs. In her eyes, even the huge screens were a novelty.

"Try these," Fu Li came over with many snack-filled bags. There was grilled sweet potato, cotton candy, baked chestnuts with sugar, biscuits, chocolates, melon seeds, peanuts, and so on. Everything that could be thought of was there.

"Thank you," Chu Yi accepted the snacks with a very warm smile.

Two hours was a very long but also very short time. When the hour hand on the clock was about to reach the number eight, Chu Yi stood up from the public chair, saying with a smile, "I won't be able to accompany the humans to usher in the new year this year."

Fu Li took out a medicinal pill from his Qiankun pouch and offered it to Chu Yi. "I have a Soul Condensing Pill here, perhaps you might be able to hold on a while longer after eating it."

"No need," Chu Yi smiled, shaking her head. "This country is too large and there are too many things I want to see. But I can rest easy now that I know that starvation and the chaos of war is no longer rampant in this country. Wait for next year. When I appear again next year, would you accompany me to visit other places?"

Zhuang Qing nodded silently.

Fu Li recited the address of Zhuang Qing's villa. "We live here. When you wake up next year, make sure to come find us."

Chu Yi smiled, nodding. If she could wake up.

"Dragon Lord and Daoyou have a very good relationship," Chu Yi spread out her palm. An object as transparent as ice lay in her palm. "This is Spring Jade, a toy formed from human hope and happiness. Although it doesn't have any use, its strong point is that it's nice to look at."

She placed the Spring Jade in Fu Li's palm and charmingly batted her eyes at him. "This is my gift in return for treating me to snacks."

At this moment, Fu Li saw the vitality and life force of spring in her.

Fu Li didn't know whether he ought to accept this gift and stealthily glanced at Zhuang Qing. A complex expression on his face, Zhuang Qing nodded lightly at Fu Li.

"Thank you," Gripping the Spring Jade tightly. Fu Li got up. "I'll send you home. You're welcome to be a guest at our house next year."

Chu Yi's body was already gradually fading. There were even people who passed through her body, though no one could see her nor were they aware that spring had already arrived.

Chu Yi knew that she wasn't going home. She was merely falling into a deep sleep due to insufficient spiritual qi. But this gentle way of putting it made her laugh out loud from joy. "Okay, I'll definitely go if I have the chance. I'm only returning home, there's no need to see me off."

Her figure became increasingly faint. In no more than a few minutes, only a blurry silhouette remained. Fu Li could vaguely make out her smile.

"Dragon Lord, you were still alone the year I met you. It is truly my fortune to see the Dragon Lord in this state today. When I next meet the two lords in the coming year, it will be the time of autumn harvests and blooming flowers in warm spring."

The Spring God vanished completely. Among the hordes of people in merriment, no one knew of her arrival and her quiet disappearance.

"It's snowing again!"

A child yelled out. Fu Li raised his head. Snowflakes floated down, noiselessly and ceaselessly.

"Let's go," Zhuang Qing looked at Fu Li.

"Where?" Fu Li stood there in a daze, his gaze somewhat vacant.

"Didn't you want to watch the New Year's Gala?" Zhuang Qing took hold of his hand. "It's only eight o'clock now, there's still plenty of time to watch."

Fu Li's tone was a little melancholic. "But I don't want to go back right away."

Zhuang Qing's footsteps halted. "Then I'll walk with you." He didn't release his grip on Fu Li's hand.

"Okay," Fu Li nodded. He held Zhuang Qing's hand tightly without the slightest discomfort. In any case, Zhuang Qing was already his dragon, it was fine no matter how they held hands.

Zhuang Qing turned back to look at the completely oblivious Fu Li. The tips of his brows shifted slightly.

Did the fact that he was willing to hold his hand mean that he wasn't averse to their close proximity? Did it mean that he would become his Dao Companion one day?

"Snow-covered heads, together till our hair turns white," A girl pushed aside the umbrella a boy was holding up for her. "Let's not use the umbrella."

"Even if snow doesn't fall on us, we'll still be together till our hair turns white. But if you fall sick, I'll be worried," The boy hurriedly covered her with the umbrella. In a low voice, he told his girlfriend, "Don't learn from those two brothers at the side. They're strong and vigorous, and can resist the cold."

The two brothers at the side, Fu Li and Zhuang Qing: …

"They're together?" The girl lowered her voice. "But they look like a good match."

The boy wanted to turn around and take a few looks at them, but his girlfriend turned his head back. "Don't look too much, it won't be good if they feel awkward."

"I just wanted to see what kind of men will dare to go against societal pressure and walk together hand-in-hand without fear of others saying anything," The boy muttered softly. Despite this, he didn't look back again. It was unknown whether or not he was afraid of his girlfriend becoming angry or because he didn't want Zhuang Qing and Fu Li to feel awkward.

The volume at which they conversed was indeed low, but they were not aware that the two brothers behind them were not human but yao with much better hearing ability than normal humans.

Fu Li sent the couple off with his gaze, looking thoughtful. It seemed he and Zhuang little dragon were a natural couple; they were only casually walking outside, and there were already people who said they were a good match.

But despite Zhuang Qing's high cultivation and the cold weather today, sweat had still seeped out of his palm. Was it because the time since his successful transformation was too short, and so the spiritual qi in his body was still slightly unstable?

"Ah!" A girl suddenly shrieked from a crowd of people at the side. "Chairman Zhuang and Little Assistant!"

"Where?" Her companions turned back one after another. Upon seeing Zhuang Qing and Fu Li, they covered their mouths, not quite daring to believe their eyes.

Did wealthy people also like strolling outside like them when on a date?

The girl who shrieked grew conscious of how discourteous her behavior had been and apologized to Fu Li and Zhuang Qing with a red face. "I'm s-sorry."

"It's fine," Fu Li replied with a smile. "Happy new year."

"Happy new year," The red-faced girl stuttered after seeing that Fu Li wasn't going to blame her. "Wishing you and Chairman Zhuang happiness."

"Thank you for the blessing," Fu Li was amused by the girl's actions.

"That…" Fu Li's easygoing attitude strengthened the girl's courage, and she asked a question that many netizens wanted to personally ask. "Are you and Chairman Zhuang really together?"

Zhuang Qing's palm tensed up. He turned to look at Fu Li, his expression as rigid as stone.

Fu Li held up his and Zhuang Qing's intertwined hands. "Yup, we're together."

"Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations to you. Congratulations, congratulations to you," In a small shop along the street, an outdated song was playing on a raggedy sound system. The sound was incredibly echoey, vibrating so intensely that Zhuang Qing's ears rumbled.

"Winter has come to an end, what great news."

Was he misunderstanding something?

"The icy snow has melted, the plum trees are about to blossom."

Zhuang Qing blinked. Chilly snowflakes floated into his eyes. It hurt a little and gave a slight burning sensation.

"Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations to you. Congratulations, congratulations to you."

The hand he was holding was warm and robust. This was probably… real, right?

Zhuang Qing stared at Fu Li dazedly. In his distracted state, he heard the unfamiliar human girl congratulating him.

He seemed to have said something. What did he say?

"Thank you."

Although he himself didn't know who he was thanking.

Ilyz: congratulations!!! 🎉🎉🎉