Only Human Here 26

When the word "husband" slipped out, Wei Huan almost bit his tongue in regret. He'd sworn at his parents' graves to gift them a bag of little phoenixes, so how could he casually refer to a man as "husband" in broad daylight? Especially when that man happened to be the humorless Yun Yongzhuo.

It felt akin to tempting the god of age or plucking hairs in front of a tiger. Mentally smacking himself, Wei Huan cautiously stole a glance at Yun Yongzhuo.

To his surprise, Yun Yongzhuo's face remained devoid of anger, as composed as ever. His gaze shifted from Wei Huan's nervous expression to the other students who were watching.

"Everyone, gather at the training ground, now."

The students hesitated briefly before responding hastily, "Yes!"

Zhao Xingjian, previously arrogant, simmered with frustration but held back upon encountering Yun Yongzhuo's gaze. He walked away muttering, "Yun Ge…"

"Instructor, call me Instructor."

See, he didn't even acknowledge you. Wei Huan couldn't resist gloating softly, "Yun Ge~"

Zhao Xingjian shot him a fierce glare before leaving the classroom in frustration.

Wei Huan stuck out his tongue at Zhao Xingjian's retreating back, laughing mischievously. However, when he turned to meet Yun Yongzhuo's eyes, he pretended as if nothing had happened. "Ah… I also need to head to the training ground…"

"Wait."

Wei Huan's steps halted, and he stiffly turned around, even closing his eyes nervously.

This is bad…

Please don't embarrass me…

At the peak of his nerves, a cool finger touched his brow, gently brushing against it.

Opening his eyes in a daze, Wei Huan stared at Yun Yongzhuo in bewilderment. Yun Yongzhuo didn't say a word, just tilted his head slightly, also staring at him.

"The training ground!" Wei Huan mentally snapped out of it. "Training ground…"

Covering his forehead, he quickly left the classroom.

Yun Yongzhuo watched his retreating figure for a moment. Yang Ling happily skipped past him, like a little rabbit, bouncing to the door. She turned back, "Shan Yue, let's go."

"Right away." Yan Shan Yue flipped through the books on the table. "I'm looking for something; you go ahead, and I'll catch up."

"Oh." Yang Ling smiled at Yun Yongzhuo again, whispered a tiny greeting, "Brother Yun, I'll go ahead."

As soon as he left, there was only one student left in the classroom – Yan Shan Yue. Yun Yongzhuo was about to leave when the Nine Tails, who had been searching for something just now, stood up and approached him, speaking casually, "I used the Reverse Soul Fruit as soon as I got it."

Yun Yongzhuo didn't turn around or respond. The two walked side by side. Yan Shan Yue continued, "I'm different from you. I aimed for the Reverse Soul Fruit when I wanted to rank first. There's a human girl, the sister of the one my brother kept before. You've heard of her. I watched that child grow up and become my brother's plaything."

Yan Shan Yue remained calm. "But I don't want to see her die."

Initially betrayed to the point where she couldn't help humans anymore, when she returned home and learned that the little girl was being tortured to the brink of death, Yan Shan Yue was defeated by guilt. She couldn't accept a living being leaving because of her indifference.

Yun Yongzhuo finally spoke, "You don't need to explain to me."

"True." Yan Shan Yue smirked, looking at Wei Huan arguing with Yang Ling not far away on the training ground. "I should tell that human, but he seems to be a big-hearted person. It's like he doesn't care whether I rejected his request or not."

Indeed, he was.

Big-hearted, never binding anyone, and never holding grudges.

"But, Instructor Yun, as the rare bloodline of the first reincarnation of the Golden Crow, taking the risk of being accused by the entire clan to form a blood contract with a human…" Yan Shan Yue approached, lowering her voice, "Because I heard that you used up the Reverse Soul Fruit seven years ago." She looked up at Yun Yongzhuo. "The taste of the hook vine must be uncomfortable. Instructor Yun, don't you need to take a break?"

"Thanks for your concern," Yun Yongzhuo halted, meeting Yan Shan Yue's eyes. "I appreciate your discretion, especially in his presence."

Yan Shan Yue raised an eyebrow, lifted her hand to shade her eyes from the sun. The purple iris on the back of her hand emitted a bewitching light.

"The weather is nice today." Her tone was cheerful, the corner of her mouth subtly curved. "Suitable for small talk and swindling."

During their silent communication, they didn't notice that two other individuals on the training ground had already formed an alliance. Yang Ling hid behind a shadowy tree, while Wei Huan sat below, legs crossed, chewing on a piece of grass, sneakily watching Yun Yongzhuo and Yan Shan Yue not far away.

"Hey, what do you think they're talking about?" Yang Ling nudged Wei Huan's head with her elbow. "Shan Yue is even laughing; she rarely does that."

"How am I supposed to hear from this far away? I'm just a weak, helpless human, okay?" Wei Huan rubbed his head, murmuring softly. "Maybe Shan Yue also likes Yun Yongzhuo."

"Impossible!" Yang Ling grabbed Wei Huan's head. "How is that even possible? Shan Yue would never like Brother Yun."

"Ouch, let go of my hair! It hurts, hurts, hurts…" Wei Huan struggled to escape from Yang Ling's clutches. "Not liking, not liking, she definitely doesn't like."

Coincidentally, two girls passing by commented, "Hey, look at Instructor Yun and Yan Shan Yue."

"They make a great pair."

"Exactly, both so good-looking, and both were the top students when they entered the school. Their backgrounds match too. What a heavenly couple!"

"Yeah, it's like that classic plot of 'After Growing Up, I Became Yours.' Perfect match!"

Yang Ling and Wei Huan turned their heads simultaneously, countering the girls in unison, "Match my foot!"

The two girls were startled and awkwardly walked away.

"Tsk, these young girls nowadays see everything as a perfect match," Wei Huan disdainfully looked at their retreating figures. "Childish."

Swinging her small ponytail, Yang Ling added, "Exactly, brainless shipper, always shipping our Shan Yue."

"You're right." Wei Huan's mind was filled with memories of Yun Yongzhuo being fancied in the Fuyao Forum. He even forgot his own past experiences of being shipped relentlessly, making it seem like half of Fuyao had a thing with him.

"What's right?" 

Hearing Yan Shan Yue's voice, both of them turned around abruptly. Yang Ling, feeling guilty, pushed Wei Huan, who was squatting on the ground, outwards. "I didn't say anything, I didn't say anything at all."

"Oh damn…" Wei Huan, pushed by her, ended up falling right at Yun Yongzhuo's pant legs. Realizing the situation, he quickly got up, playfully lifting his head. "I, I didn't say anything either."

Yun Yongzhuo gave him a faint glance and turned to walk toward the center of the training ground.

"Combat readiness class, assemble."

When Wei Huan was still studying in Shanhai, he relished the practical combat classes the most, especially since he used to be one of the main forces alongside Fuyao. Whether in close-quarters combat or abilities, he outstripped ordinary students by a significant margin.

After becoming human, Wei Huan initially thought he would feel frustrated, transitioning from the proud son of heaven who could take on hundreds to a powerless ordinary person. Stabilizing his mindset seemed incredibly challenging. However, when he actually started attending school, he found that he wasn't as despondent as he had imagined. After all, he was inherently an optimistic person.

There was just a tiny bit of reluctance.

After finishing the close combat training, Wei Huan sat on the grass, panting. He watched his classmates, one by one, displaying their demonic powers, flames soaring into the sky, even more dazzling than the sun. With nothing else to do, he began observing everyone's abilities.

Yang Ling's ability had a significant gap compared to Yang Sheng. If Yang Sheng's wind-summoning belonged to a support ability, sustaining the entire Fuyao with healing, then Yang Ling was undoubtedly a genuine offensive force. Her Lotus Fire not only had high speed but also explosive capabilities. If she could adjust the range freely, her combat power would be even more formidable.

Wei Huan's eyes turned to Yan Shan Yue, who was currently simulating a battle with the proud Tengu Zhao Xingjian. Unlike his brother, Zhao Xingjian inherited the fire attribute from their mother's side. Moreover, Tengu absorbed the essence of the sun, and the stronger the sunlight, the larger the fire he could summon. Like at this moment, under the intense afternoon sun, this little dog created a whole ring of fire walls, enclosing Yan Shan Yue.

"No wonder the dog family all likes Yun Yongzhuo…" Wei Huan spat out the grass root in his mouth, unintentionally sighed and looked at Yun Yongzhuo, who was instructing them from a dozen meters away. "Just wants to bask in the sun's warmth."

However, Yan Shan Yue's Foxfire wasn't a joke either. With extremely strong control, she was the best crowd control player, and she had the seal technique of the Yatagarasu Mirror. Even relying solely on robust close combat skills and the Nine Tails' expertise in illusions, she could easily defeat opponents.

Wei Huan suddenly thought that in the friendly match during the Shanhai Festival, Yan Shan Yue's older brother's Foxfire didn't seem to suppress Yun Yongzhuo. Instead, Yun Yongzhuo beat him quite badly. They had planned to carry the Pyroclasm Team, but it turned out to be quite embarrassing.

It seems that the control of Foxfire also has its limits.

So, that's why Instructor Yang said back then, "The power of the Golden Crow and ordinary fire is different. Among you younger generations, the power inside Yun Yongzhuo's body is the most terrifying."

As he watched, Wei Huan's eyes involuntarily shifted towards Yun Yongzhuo again. Such a formidable person, why bother being an instructor at Flame Ignition? And does anyone have the ability to subdue someone like Yun Yongzhuo?

Sigh. Wei Huan lay back on the grass, gazing at the deep blue sky, his eyes a bit sore.

Anyway, that person would definitely not be the powerless self he is now.

"Yun—In—Struc—tor!" Yang Ling shouted from a distance after the session, "Someone over there is slacking off."

Wei Huan sat up, stretched lazily, and gestured with his middle finger at Yang Ling. When Yun Yongzhuo turned to look at him, Wei Huan playfully poked his own cheek with two extended fingers, smiling sweetly.

I don't want to slack off, but relying solely on close combat abilities can't compete with demons. I have to hide my previous tactics so they won't be discovered. Life is really making it difficult for this little human.

In the last five minutes of the practical class, all students gathered. Yun Yongzhuo gave some comments and finally looked at Wei Huan, who was hiding at the back of the group, "The others can be dismissed. Wei Huan, come to Training Room 13 for extra practice at six tonight."

Laughter started to spread through the group, led by Zhao Xingjian, "Serves you right for slacking off, getting punished."

Wei Huan raised an eyebrow, smiling while forming words with his mouth, "I. Don't. Mind.”

During dinner, Jing Yun had already saved a seat for Wei Huan in the bustling cafeteria and greeted him with a wave as soon as she spotted him.

"How was your day?" she inquired.

"Alright," Wei Huan responded with a lack of enthusiasm, "just got some extra practice later."

"Oh?" Jing Yun's face softened with sympathy as she noticed something unusual, "Hey, what's with that golden spot on your forehead?"

Wei Huan instinctively touched his forehead, "You can see it?" No wonder Yun Yongzhuo had tried to wipe it off earlier.

A faint golden spot had appeared on his forehead since their last blood contract. Initially subtle, it had grown more pronounced in recent days.

"Yeah," Jing Yun snapped a photo with her phone, "Looks like a golden birthmark." She then enlarged the image with a pinch of her fingers, "Take a look."

But did every contract have to leave a mark?

Wait a second…

Wei Huan suddenly recalled that a typical blood contract would leave the demon's clan mark on the other person's body. How had he overlooked such a crucial detail? He hastily inspected his body and asked Jing Yun, "Do you see anything else on me, like flames or a sun symbol?"

Jing Yun scrutinized him carefully and shook her head, "Nothing like that."

"Really?" Wei Huan tugged at his school uniform collar, peering inside. He was almost ready to bury his head in there, muttering, "Where could it be… not in some embarrassing spot, is it?"

Jing Yun looked bemused, "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, nothing." Wei Huan adjusted his clothes, "Let's just eat."

Although Wei Huan had never owned a human before, such things didn't surprise him. He had seen many humans marked as slaves. He vividly remembered one boy, around fourteen or fifteen, with an enormous dark blue family mark from his right temple down to below his eye, a grotesque and horrifying design. The boy had been rejected by the demon lord because of the repulsive mark.

The day the boy was expelled from the city barrier, Wei Huan happened to pass by, just as he was about to meet up with Yang Sheng for a game.

Both his hands and feet were fitted with electronic restraints, and he kept his head low.

Wei Huan would never forget that scene, which is why he had such disdain for demons who kept humans.

But where was his own family mark?

After dinner, Wei Huan, following Yun Yongzhuo's punishment, arrived at Training Room 13. When he opened the door, the room was shrouded in darkness.

Shanhai University boasted hundreds of training rooms of various sizes and functions. Wei Huan remembered that each room had a touch screen at the entrance, and scanning a student's fingerprint would activate the lights and other training functions. He groped along the wall until he found a glass screen.

However, no matter how he touched it, the screen remained unresponsive.

Is it broken?

For some reason, the door to the training room suddenly closed with a thud.

Wei Huan spun around, finding himself enveloped in total darkness.

"Is anyone there?" he called out, receiving no response.

Did the system in this training room malfunction? Wei Huan attempted to make his way towards the door. Since his escape from the research institute, he had developed a discomfort with darkness.

In his mind, fragmented and unsettling images continued to flash.

Blood, bombs, armies clashing.

Corpses, barriers, crimson arrays in the darkness.

Light.

He yearned for light.

"Yun Yongzhuo…"

Almost instinctively, Wei Huan blurted out Yun Yongzhuo's name, without pausing to ponder his motives. He had called out to him.

But in the next moment, the door suddenly swung open.

Immersed in darkness visually, his other senses found solace and enhancement. He felt the familiar demonic aura, fierce and scorching, slicing through the thick black air instantly, potent and irresistible.

The aura of the Golden Crow.

And the long-missed sound of his breath, hurried to the point where he seemed less like the lofty Son of the Sun.

Dim moonlight outlined his tall figure, draped in a subtle glow.

"You…" Yun Yongzhuo slightly composed his breath, lowering his voice. "You've entered the wrong training room."

Wei Huan was momentarily taken aback.

"This is Room 12. The system is still down, not yet repaired."

He awkwardly chuckled, "Oh, I see… I was wondering why it's so dark. I got a bit startled just now. The lights wouldn't turn on, and then the door suddenly closed. I thought I was stuck."

He couldn't explain why, but he felt a bit nervous around Yun Yongzhuo. Nervous enough that his speech quickened.

"So, are we…" He gestured outside, "going to Room 13?"

Yun Yongzhuo shook his head, "This place will do."

Wei Huan didn't understand. It was pitch black, unsuitable for training.

"Even if we go to Room 13, the lights will be off too." Yun Yongzhuo walked past him into the dark training room.

"Off? What are you planning?" He blurted out, regretting it immediately.

Yun Yongzhuo's voice remained soft, steady, and matter-of-fact, "We made a blood pact. What do you think I'll do?"

After saying this, Wei Huan became even more flustered.

Yet Yun Yongzhuo proceeded into the darkness unperturbed. With each step, star-like dots of light ignited behind him.

Tiny specks of light became the sole source of illumination in the darkness, compelling Wei Huan to follow involuntarily. With each step he took, a glimmer vanished.

Reaching the center of the training room, Yun Yongzhuo stopped, turning around. Only a single golden point of light separated them.

Yun Yongzhuo extended his hand, and the light obediently moved into his palm, then clenched, extinguishing the light.

"Reach out, make a fist."

In the darkness, Wei Huan heard Yun Yongzhuo's voice. He obeyed, extending his hand and closing his fingers into a fist.

"Feel the darkness."

Wei Huan didn't grasp the meaning.

Yun Yongzhuo's voice echoed in the training room, clear and firm. "First, learn to understand darkness, accept it, get accustomed to it, so it won't consume your will."

Listening intently, Wei Huan was surprised to feel his heartbeat steady, the earlier unease fading.

"Darkness can swallow everything."

"But even the smallest glimmer will shatter it."

Even a glimmer…

Suddenly, Wei Huan felt a surge of warmth, as if a dormant volcano beneath him stirred, gradually heating up.

"Your body carries my blood. Use it to sense the darkness."

Abruptly, a cold hand covered his own. Deprived of sight, he relied on touch, his nerves manipulated. Yun Yongzhuo had somehow moved in front of him. "Ignite the light with your blood."

Instantly, intense heat erupted where their hands met— from fist to arm, surging upward like wildfire, fierce and unstoppable.

His heart pounded wildly, unable to contain the power.

Yun Yongzhuo's voice was persuasive, each word irresistible, compelling Wei Huan to comply.

"You desire light, don't you?"

Light.

Yes.

"I crave light."

The searing heat vanished instantly. The burning sensation, the agony, disappeared as if it had never been, leaving only his labored breath.

Yun Yongzhuo withdrew his hand, commanding, "Release."

Wei Huan, still reeling, mechanically opened his palm.

To his amazement, a faint light flickered. Not dazzling like starlight; it resembled a dim firefly, small but piercing through the engulfing darkness.

Illuminating Yun Yongzhuo's face before him.

Wei Huan couldn't believe it. The light emanating from his own palm felt tender, almost fragile, like a newborn child. Bewildered, he stammered, "This, this is…"

Yun Yongzhuo gave him a reassuring nod. "This is your light."

His heart raced.

In that moment, Wei Huan felt a surge of emotion. He hadn't expected that the newfound demonic power he possessed came from this person before him. Yun Yongzhuo affirmed, "It's yours."

Perhaps the light was dim, or maybe his inner self resonated with this newfound strength, but Wei Huan faintly perceived a smile on Yun Yongzhuo's lips.

"Now, you can control the light."

It felt odd.

Yet familiar.

This statement acted as a catalyst, triggering memories that flooded back.

Suddenly, forgotten recollections surfaced. The dark training room transformed into a building, where they stood in red and blue combat suits.

It all came rushing back.

Years ago, they were dispatched to the Dark Zone on a mission to capture an escapee from the Kunlun Void Prison. The Dark Zone was a labyrinth of human constructions, abandoned long ago. They had cornered the fleeing demon in one of these structures.

"Mission accomplished!" Wei Huan sealed the escapee into the Elysian Box, a reward from the Mountain and Sea Festival's friendly match. It had the power to contain demons with mid-level demonic abilities.

He secured the box to his equipment belt. Wei Huan was about to embrace Yun Yongzhuo when the latter raised his hand, and before a light blade appeared, Wei Huan withdrew, saying hastily, "No need, no need. You're my brother."

The stairs were ancient, narrow, and seemingly endless. While Yun Yongzhuo could've used the Boundary Crossing Technique to return directly to the Mountain and Sea, Wei Huan suggested, "Let's go a bit farther. We're almost at the rooftop. We can fly for a bit before heading back, alright?"

Surprisingly, Yun Yongzhuo agreed, albeit keeping a step's distance as they ascended.

"I'll share a secret," Wei Huan whispered, matching Yun Yongzhuo's quiet steps. Yun Yongzhuo trained in silent assassin combat, nearly soundless in his approach.

He cleared his throat, then spoke earnestly, "I can use the Light Manipulation Technique too."

Yun Yongzhuo remained silent, walking noiselessly.

"Don't believe me? Watch." Wei Huan took a deep breath and called out into the dark corridor, "Yun Yongzhuo!"

Instantly, the corridor lit up. The dim yellow glow dispelled the darkness, illuminating the narrow stairs.

In times of resource scarcity, humans devised sound-controlled lights to conserve energy. While demons couldn't freely enter the Mortal Realm, the Dark Zone had no such restrictions. Wei Huan had ventured there before, enjoying playing with human sound-controlled lights.

Seeing the lights come on, Wei Huan beamed like a child. "See! It works!"

Yun Yongzhuo glanced at him, unimpressed by the game.

They continued ascending, the lights flickering briefly before fading.

On another floor, Wei Huan called out again, "Yun Yongzhuo—"

And the corridor lights illuminated once more.

"Isn't it magical?" Wei Huan turned, grinning. "As long as I say your name, the light shines. Pretty cool, right?" His infectious smile outshone even the light.

As they climbed, Wei Huan whispered to himself with a smile, "The secret of Light Control Art lies in the name of Little Golden Crow."

On the next floor, Wei Huan tried his usual trick, but this time, it failed.

"Yun Yongzhu!"

No response.

What's wrong?

Frowning, he tried again, "Yun Yongzhu!"

Still, darkness prevailed.

Is the lamp broken?

Where is everyone? They didn't leave me here alone, did they?

Peering into the darkness, he searched for his silent companion. "Yun Yongzhu?"

Silence.

"Yun Yongzhu! Hey! Yun Yongzhu! Yun…"

As he turned to descend the stairs in search, he saw it.

Yun Yongzhuo, about to collide with him, slowly opened his hand, revealing a dazzling aurora floating in his palm. The delayed realization spurred Wei Huan to speak, "…Yongzhu."

I crave light.

The secret of light is you.