Chapter 2: Uncle As-He-Pleases Immortal

  "Divine Infant!" A cry came from outside the temple, with a hint of urgency and joy, causing the "Red Boy" who had just awakened not long ago and was still unaccustomed to his new identity to feel a sense of astonishment.

  Tie Shan Gong Zhu, who was about to speak but hesitated, frowned slightly and waved her hand to lift the restrictions around them. A Taoist in a green robe rushed in from outside the hall with rapid footsteps, his face revealing a joyful expression, just like Tie Shan Gong Zhu when she first arrived.

  The Red Boy raised his head to look at the approaching person, but saw that the man was wearing a star crown with flying colors, and wore a golden thread robe. His feet were covered in cloud shoes with brocade, and his waist was wrapped in a precious belt. A pair of embroidered silk stockings rose above the waves, half-revealing the skirt's hem flashing with embroidery. His phoenix eyes shone brightly, his eyebrows arched upwards, his sharp steel teeth gleamed red as he spoke. The whiskers under his forehead fluttered like fierce flames, and the short hair on the sides of his head stood up in a fiery mess.

  However, he was tall and sturdy, with a face as white as jade, which made Hong Haier's heart beat with surprise. He secretly guessed the identity of the newcomer in his heart, while sneaking a peek at his mother beside him, seeing that she didn't show any unusual expression, and felt a little puzzled. Turning his head to look at the newcomer, his eyes stopped on a pair of jade-colored golden hooks on his waist.

  Is this the Ruyi Jinhook? Or is it the Ruyi True Immortal? Hong Haier suddenly remembered that in Journey to the West, there was a powerful being who was skilled at using the Ruyi Jinhook. He had a close relationship with Hong Haier and was actually his uncle, the younger brother of his father, Niu Mo Wang. In his past life, when he read Journey to the West, he came across the story of how Tang Sanzang and his disciples passed through the Western Liang Kingdom and chased away the Ruyi True Immortal.

  Because Sanzang and others were unaware of the situation, they mistakenly drank the true water of the Yin Kuai River in the Female Country, became pregnant, and had to go alone to the Xiliang State Broken Child Cave Falling Spring to fetch the falling water. However, previously when the monks met the Red Boy at the Huoyun Cave, they asked for Guanyin's help and took the Red Boy as a good son under Guanyin's seat, causing both sides to bear a grudge. Also, because the monk did not bring flowers or red gifts, he was arrogant in appearance, and both sides fought without saying a word. As a result, the true immortal was defeated and fled, allowing the monk to take the Falling Spring away.

  At that time, the True Immortal Ruyi once ridiculed the practitioner: "Is it better to be a child with others than my nephew in Huoyun Cave being a king at will?" It can be seen that the True Immortal Ruyi has deep feelings for his own nephew Hong Haier.

  "Uncle! ~" As he thought of this, Hong Haier slightly stood up and smiled at the newcomer.

  "Haha! ~" As soon as the True Immortal heard that the Holy Infant had an accident, he rushed back from the Western Liang Kingdom with anxiety and urgency. Just arriving at Cuiyun Mountain, he saw Xiaoniuer and a maid walking out of his sister-in-law's bedroom. Upon asking, he learned that Hong Haier had turned over. Overjoyed in his heart, he quickly walked towards the wing room where Hong Haier was being treated for his injuries.

  At this time, seeing his nephew call him uncle, Zhenyuan True Immortal was naturally very happy, but he didn't lose his manners. Instead, he first walked forward and paid respects to his sister-in-law, then sat down beside her and said: "Earlier, I heard that the Holy Infant had encountered an accident, which made me extremely anxious. Now, seeing that the Holy Infant has recovered, I am overjoyed once again."

  He turned his head to look at Hong Haier, seeing that he was not seriously injured, only his breath was weak, and his cultivation was damaged. His eyebrows were slightly furrowed. Then, he reached out and took out a few things from his own bosom, which were tonics such as thousand-year-old red fruit, ten-thousand-year-old crimson pine, and purple ganoderma.

  "Now our Niu family only has you as the sole descendant, if something were to happen to you, how would your father, mother and I, this uncle of yours, be able to go on?" Apparently these words were spoken to Hong Haier, yet there was no anger on his face, but rather an abundance of doting love.

  "Uncle's teachings are indeed!" Hong Haier heard this, and hurriedly nodded in agreement, feeling a bit strange. Although it was clear that the two people in front of him were talking about and caring for the owner of this body, why did he feel uncomfortable? Was it because he was moved? Alright, now he was Hong Haier.

  "My child, rest well and quietly. I'll have someone make you some bird's nest soup." Princess Iron Fan suddenly stood up, reached out her hand to gently touch Hong'er's cheek, smiled slightly, and said. After finishing speaking, she turned around and walked out.

  "Little one! ~" Seeing his own sister-in-law going out, Yuanyang Zhenxian hurriedly came up and smiled at Hong Haier.

  "Uncle!~" Hong Haier was slightly stunned upon hearing this, and looked at the person in front of him with a hint of a smile. It's hard to imagine that someone with a majestic and intimidating appearance would give you a smile that's almost flattering, but it's a very simple and innocent smile, like that of a child.

  "Guess what good things Uncle has brought for you?" Ruyi Zhenxian looked at Hong Haier, but it was like a child hoping to be praised.

  "I guess..." Hong Haier looked puzzled, staring at the person in front of him, and suddenly felt a slight sense of loss in his heart. When had he ever thought that he wanted an uncle like this?

  "Windmill! ~" However, the True Immortal did not notice the fleeting disappointment on Red Boy's face and didn't wait for his response before taking out a windmill, which made Red Boy's eyes light up. Who hasn't seen a windmill? But this one was unusually dazzling, almost blinding with its titanium alloy shine. The windmill looked no different from ordinary ones, but it was made of crimson gold. On top of it, there were arrays of treasures and auspicious energy, making it look like a rare artifact that had been turned into a child's toy. In his past life, how many people would have exclaimed "Let's be friends, you rich guy!"

  "Hmph!~" The Red Boy couldn't help but stare at the carefree True Immortal waving a pinwheel in front of him, his eyes fixed on the sight. He looked so ridiculous that it was a wonder he didn't spit out a mouthful of old blood, yet he ended up laughing instead. This uncle really was "lovable".

  "And also, this, your favorite candied hawthorn." Before Hong Hai'er could react further, Ruyi Zhenxian took out a huge crimson lacquer carved food box, opened the lid, and inside was a dazzling array of snacks, among which the most eye-catching red ones were at least tens of thousands of candied hawthorns. Obviously, this food box was also a magical artifact, otherwise how could it hold so much food.

  What? Favorite? Uh, Red Boy suddenly felt a sense of powerlessness. What did this child like before?

  "Take good care of yourself, I still have a few days before returning to Xi Liang, and I'll come see you again tomorrow." After finishing speaking, the Immortal Like Intention inserted the windmill into Red Boy's hand, stood up, patted Red Boy's head, turned around and walked out.

  Looking at the back of Ruyi Zhenxian leaving, Hong Haier suddenly let out a breath and showed a desolate expression, unable to say or explain.

  Hong Haier played with the windmill in his hand for a while, and he felt that the casting technology of this windmill was at the level of an artist. He inserted it on the headboard, and the faint golden light from the windmill mountain reflected down, just like a night pearl, even the phoenix candle holder beside it was robbed of its light.

  After a long while, Hong Haier came back to his senses, reached into the food box and took out a few small pastries, stuffing them into his mouth, he was somewhat hungry...

  That night, Hong Haier fell into a long dream, under the faint golden light of the windmill on the bed.

  The little red boy dreamed of the moment before he crossed over, that golden light flying towards himself, and a voice calling out to him.

  "Little Red Boy!"

  "Red Boy..."

  Then there is endless silence, a sea of gold that causes visual arrest, sensory detachment.

  In a daze, Hong Haier seemed to have seen a child, on that day's street corner, there was a young child, gazing longingly at himself.

  "Red Boy." Red Boy involuntarily walked towards the child and then stopped, staring at each other.

  It turned out that the child had a faint resemblance to himself in his eyebrows and eyes, but his outfit was more like Little Red Riding Hood.

  The little boy suddenly found that a light appeared in the child's eyes, a joyful yet devouring light, as if welcoming some kind of return, some kind of longing.

  But in that child's pupils, Hong Haier suddenly discovered that there was no shadow of himself. Then a dizziness came over him.

  "I really want to become stronger, if I become stronger, I can protect them." A tender and weak voice whispered softly, sounding a bit frail.

  The little red boy suddenly found himself entering the other's body, with something entering his brain and soul in an instant. He felt a tearing pain, but couldn't make a sound.

  But Hong Haier knew that he must have shouted, but his head was aching, really painful and heavy. Until the gradually approaching light awakened him...