Chapter 1544: Advancement, Children, and Husband-Wife

Half a month later, Chen Chuyang stopped pill refining; he had many pills in hand, a heap of eighth‑grade and seventh‑grade pills, all for trade, very precious. He had used up many of the pills he had, and this time he had obtained plenty of materials, so he naturally had to use them, not leave them idle.

While refining pills, the successful refinement of the Five Poison Dragon Snake Pill boosted Chen Chuyang's pill‑refining skill again; taking this opportunity, he continued to refine pills—the effect was truly good, the speed truly fast. Once he got into the flow, he spent half a month refining pills straight.

He forgot everything else, focusing solely on pill refining. Looking at the pile of pills in his hand, Chen Chuyang nodded with satisfaction: "Hahaha, half a month of self‑forgetting pill refining, my pill‑refining skill has risen again, and my control of the soul has also improved."

"Such a state is rarely encountered; I have encountered it this time, and I must not waste it."

"It's a pity that this state lasted only half a month; if it had lasted several months, I would certainly not need to worry about pills."

He also realized it was time to leave seclusion; continuing to refine pills in this way would only cause him to fail and waste materials.

After simply recovering a bit of true qi, Chen Chuyang felt the emptiness of his soul and body—a feeling he had not experienced in a long time. The half‑month of self‑forgetting pill refining had not stopped; the consumption of this state was enormous, his soul and true qi were depleted to about seventy‑percent.

At the limit of consumption comes recovery; the soul and flesh also gain improvement, as does true qi. Chen Chuyang sensed the change in his body and said, "My body has been enhanced in every way; this round of pill refining ends here. If I continued, Hongxue might worry."

Chen Chuyang pushed open the gate and walked outside. He saw Hongxue—Shang Hongxue—leading her daughter in cultivation; the scene was utterly adorable, yet the girl bore a formidable air before the child.

In disciplining her daughter, she showed no mercy. Chen Qingning the little girl stood there, wronged and miserable, practicing cultivation, daring neither to resist nor to retort; tears welled in her eyes, ready to fall at any moment, yet she did not… she burst into tears, afraid to cry yet afraid not to act.

Upon seeing Chen Chuyang, Chen Qingning's grievance released at once; tears poured down with a splashing sound.

Seeing her like that, Shang Hongxue turned around, spotted Chen Chuyang standing behind her, and gave him a fierce glare, telling him not to come here to stir trouble, not to provoke the girl into crying. Chen Chuyang was warned, gave a grudging smile, turned, and prepared to leave.

Chen Qingning could not let Chen Chuyang leave; she sobbed, "Father."

She was just short of shouting "save me"; her pitiful appearance was truly heart‑wrenching.

Chen Chuyang halted his steps and said to Shang Hongxue, "Madam, why not let Qingning rest for a day? She's exhausted; wearing her out would be bad."

"When the parents come to blame us, neither of us will be able to… explain ourselves."

Shang Hongxue knew this would happen; this husband of hers always comes to help their daughter after leaving seclusion. The father‑daughter act is genuinely convincing—a single glance conveys their meaning. Chen Chuyang therefore spoke up on her behalf, and Chen Qingning naturally went along.

"Yes, Mother, just let me rest for a day; I promise not to disturb you and Mother." Chen Qingning, though young, is crafty; she won't pass up this chance. She wants to rest, to play, not to cultivate.

She also does not want to study; her duties are heavy, and the knowledge Shang Hongxue imparts is extensive—besides cultivation, there are letters and so on, requiring education in all aspects. Just like her brother Chen Qingfeng, they spend most of their time studying together, and only under special circumstances are they individually taught by their parents.

Chen Qingning before them had made a mistake, and Shang Hongxue singled her out for reprimand, while her brother Chen Qingfeng was cultivating not far away; one who cultivates alone can endure loneliness and would not say he was being singled out for punishment.

He is accustomed to this situation, does his own duty, and has a steady temperament—unlike his daughter Chen Qingning, who is flighty, curious about everything, eager to know all, and only thinks of playing.

Being rebuked by Shang Hongxue is a treatment that only she can enjoy.

"Hmph, this girl knows nothing but play; it would be fine if she were as diligent in cultivation and study."

"Look at her brother Qingfeng—there's nothing as difficult… educating her. Husband, you've come out; this is the perfect chance to properly educate your daughter."

Shang Hongxue gave up and let Chen Chuyang educate their daughter.

Their son cast a look as if watching a play, curious about this scene; each time it differs, yet he knows the outcome.

Still, he is very curious, his eyes fixed on this side, not forgetting to cultivate.

"Understood, the children are still young; we shouldn't keep them cultivating and studying nonstop—they also need to relax."

"All right, Qingning, and you too, Qingfeng—go play."

Chen Chuyang waved his hand, and the two ran off to play; they would not stand there foolishly, for the father had spoken, so they naturally left—so cheerfully it was almost frightening. Shang Hongxue watched them go and gave Chen Chuyang a white‑eye glance.

"Brother Chuyang, you always know how to spoil them; every time I'm the bad one while you play the good guy here."

Shang Hongxue felt helpless—who let this man be her husband, acting this way every time?

Chen Chuyang reached out and took her hand, saying gently, "All right, little one, they're still young; we shouldn't give them too much pressure. You're just too worried."

Embracing Shang Hongxue, Chen Chuyang lowered his head and kissed her cheek; her face flushed, she pushed him back, not hard.

"The children haven't gone far yet; you're too wicked."

"Hehehe, little one, do you miss your husband?"

Shang Hongxue nodded: "I do, but these few days I can't."

Chen Chuyang: "……"

"Hehehe." Seeing Chen Chuyang's embarrassed expression, Shang Hongxue was very pleased; that was exactly the effect she wanted.

This husband had good luck; he had never encountered such a thing before, but this time his luck abandoned him.

"Husband, I have no time, but Shang Hongchen does—she happens to be free."

Not far away, Shang Hongchen heard this, immediately looked over, and gave Shang Hongxue a fierce glare; she knew her sister would stir trouble, as always—though she herself did not deserve punishment, her sister constantly urged the husband to torment her.

Shang Hongchen stepped up to the two, pointed at Shang Hongxue, and said, "Husband, don't listen to her nonsense; she's fine with you, she's deceiving you."

Shang Hongxue gave a smirk: "Husband, what do you think?"

Chen Chuyang glanced at Shang Hongxue, naturally understanding her situation, and helplessly told Shang Hongchen, "Madam, it seems these few days you'll be accompanying me, isn't that what you want?"

Upon hearing this, Shang Hongchen's expression changed, and she involuntarily retreated a few steps.

"Gurgle."

"Husband, she hasn't deceived you?" Shang Hongchen pointed at Shang Hongxue, unable to believe it.

The smile on Shang Hongxue's face was full of teasing; she simply stared at Shang Hongchen, and once confirmed, Shang Hongchen turned and ran without a word.

It's a pity—no matter how fast she ran, she could not outrun Chen Chuyang. When she returned to her room, locked the door, and activated the formation, she found Chen Chuyang already waiting inside.

"Madam, are you in such a hurry?"

Shang Hongchen panicked, tried to turn and leave, but was seized and lifted up.