Voyage With The Pirate King

Ji Yao was especially ruthless with that whip sword cracking with an intent to kill or at least cause grievous harm. Ten strikes later the force of the flaming sparks reduced as sweat dripped down Ji Yao's body.

This task was incredibly tiring that he could barely hold on anymore, especially after his aether had just recovered from the stab. With his back slouched he glared at Qilin Hao who dispelled the last of the sparks.

The bright sky suddenly darkened as though someone had turned off the lights. Even the half crescent moon was obscured by the cloud of dust making it hard to see.

She was also panting her face flushed with a small drop of blood flowing down her cheek from the cut earlier.

Ji Yao proceeded to gather the last of his strength and swung his whip sword again but Qilin Hao was quick to respond this time as she had more strength than he had. She afflicted an extensive blow on his body so much so that he fell to the ground from the sky. As he fell his pupils were lifeless like he had no reason to live. He hoped the pain from hitting the ground would take away the pain he felt in his heart but he waited and waited yet the expected pain didn't come.

A warm aura surrounded his entire body and penetrated into his aetherial veins and aether. The comforting warmth spread to his heart easing his anguish. Like a vine the warmth crept around his heart before completely encasing it as though shielding him, protecting his broken heart.

An involuntary tear flowed down his eye as his body was gently placed on the ground. With his hand lying limply on his chest he closed his eyes and another tear flowed down from the corner of his other eye.

When he opened his eyes he saw Qilin Hao standing before him sporting a rare expression of concern. She crouched down and reached her hand out to brush his hair back as she said, "No need to be angry anymore. I will never give you my blessing but I also won't stop you. Since the portal was opened from this side it means that the keystones are in Niuq.... I can only help you find out where the next possible portal would open that is if that Huishe cub actively finds the keystones to open the gateway."

As she said this she kept pushing back Ji Yao's hair exposing his smooth forehead. Ji Yao didn't speak. He just looked at her thoughts unknown. Before he knew it Qilin Hao had leaned down and planted a tender lingering kiss on his forehead.

Ji Yao subconsciously closed his eyes and felt the warmth from the kiss spread all over his body calming his emotions. This was the familiar tender comfort he got whenever he held that antler in his hand. This was a mother's love that he never had the privilege to enjoy.

From within the cloud of dust Ji Wen's figure emerged and this was the sight he was met with. This was what he always wanted for his family but it was as though he was cursed with his wife and son always on opposite sides.

Seeing this his steps halted with a look of astonishment. He didn't want to ruin the moment but it was already too late. Qilin Hao had already felt his presence. She slowly straightened her back and looked at him.

Ji Wen walked over and knelt beside her as he gently slapped Ji Yao's cheek. "Are you playing dead?" he asked thinking he could carry his son if the boy was passed out.

Ji Yao who had been slapped for no reason pushed Ji Wen's hand away as he mumbled, "No..... jeez... it's just that I feel sore all over. Give me five minutes." A gleeful smile slowly crept up Ji Wen's lips as his eyes stung.

He suddenly felt like his son was back. As expected a good old fashioned scuffle could fix a lot of things that's among half Nocru and pure blood alike.

Qilin Hao's gaze shifted from Ji Yao who was still playing possum on the ground to Ji Wen. When she saw that smile on his face her heart melted into a puddle. Ji Wen who was stubbornly poking Ji Yao's feet while asking where it hurts noticed Qilin Hao's gaze and turned to look at her.

Their gazes locked and his heart was suddenly struck by a powerful spark. He subconsciously raised his hand to caress Qilin Hao's blood-stained cheek as he lightly bit his lower lip with a deep gaze.

Without warning he slowly leaned over for a kiss but before he even had the opportunity to taste those sweet lips that were as red as blood Ji Yao interrupted them.

"No, no, no..... uh ah not here. You should at least wait till I am gone to do such a thing. Seriously, I am injured yet all you can think of is, is.... that." As he said this he got up with a jolt. He finally had the terrible taste of dog food and as expected he hated it.

"Says the guy who was always sprinkling dog food for the entire crew to see. And yes, I heard about all that," complained Ji Wen as he watched his son get on his feet.

Qilin Hao felt irritated when she heard about her son and that Huishe cub's shenanigans but since she had decided to be a better parent she swallowed it back down.

"Uh uh, enough of that. Let's go inside," she said helping Ji Yao up and letting him lean his entire weight on her.

Ji Wen who couldn't scold his son about his illicit affairs and god... that fucking explicit painting fired back at her, "That is if we still have a roof. Maybe we should just sleep in the deep caves tonight."

Qilin Hao, "..."

Ji Yao, "...."