Chapter 250: CH. 250 | Lin Dong

"Xiu’er? What did you do to her?!" Hao Bao shouted.

Hao Xiu quickly turned to Lin Tian. She clasped her hands together and bowed her head respectfully.

She asked Lin Tian to release Hao Bao, promising she’d explain the whole situation to them herself. Lin Tian glanced at her, nodded in agreement, and released the pressure holding Hao Bao down.

Hao Bao finally managed to stand upright, though his body still felt far weaker than before. Hao Xiu moved to his side and helped steady him.

She bid farewell to Lin Tian, then walked out of the house with her brother. Just before Hao Ming could leave as well, Lin Tian stopped him briefly.

"My wife and I are currently living under disguise. I don’t want anyone else finding out our true identities," Lin Tian said.

Hao Ming listened obediently. "You don’t need to worry, Senior. I’ll make certain no one learns who you truly are."

"I’ll take my leave."

He flew off, leaving Xiayu Village behind. Lin Tian stepped outside, drawing in a long breath, savoring the cool, crisp air typical of the village at night.

An Yue walked over to him, smiling as she took his hand. "Thank you for sparing their lives."

"I’ve learned so much about forgiveness, love, and family during my time as a mortal. I hope this moment stays with us forever."

"Of course," An Yue said, resting her head against his arm. "I don’t want to forget this warm feeling we share right now."

The two of them looked at each other, shared a brief kiss, then turned their gaze up toward the night sky, scattered with countless stars.

The quiet peace of the village made them want to linger there a while longer.

Still, Lin Tian understood he couldn’t remain a mortal forever. He’d only keep this up until their child was born. The whole point had been to spare An Yue from being overwhelmed by her duties at the Technique and Weapon Hall.

Watching her now, Lin Tian could tell just how much An Yue had come to treasure this mortal life, despite all the trouble they’d faced and the modest little house they lived in, worlds apart from the grand halls of the sect.

The night air grew colder, biting at their skin. Lin Tian turned and suggested they head back inside.

"Let’s go in," Lin Tian said.

"Yes, husband."

***

Six months later.

Lin’s Blacksmith stayed closed that day. Wei Hutong sprinted down the main road toward the herb shop as fast as his legs could carry him. Once there, he found the middle-aged woman who owned the place.

Seeing him arrive in such a rush, she looked both startled and curious all at once.

"What brings you here in such a hurry? I haven’t even—"

"Miss Lin... she’s in pain, complaining about her stomach," Wei Hutong said. "She says she’s nearly nine months along."

The woman was utterly stunned, quickly setting down the woven basket on her table. "Nine months? That’s serious!"

She told Wei Hutong to go fetch her friend, whose house was near the food stall. She urged him to hurry, worried that Miss Lin might already be going into labor.

If it wasn’t handled quickly, it could put both Miss Lin’s life and her baby’s at serious risk. The woman rushed straight to Lin Yuxu’s house and stepped inside once the door was opened for her.

She entered the bedroom and found An Yue already lying on the bed, her belly swollen, both hands gripping the sheets tightly.

Lin Tian came in and explained everything to the middle-aged woman. Having helped deliver countless babies before, she knew exactly what needed to be done. She simply asked Lin Tian to prepare a few necessary supplies.

He listened to her requests and hurried out of the room to gather what was needed.

Once everything was ready, Lin Tian brought the supplies back into the room. The woman took them and began preparing herself for the delivery.

Lin Tian looked visibly panicked and worried, having never experienced anything like this before.

It was the first time he’d ever seen An Yue in such agony, her face pale and drenched in sweat, her hands gripping his tightly, damp with perspiration.

The woman instructed An Yue to spread her legs and push gently, checking to confirm how far along the delivery had progressed.

Before long, the midwife’s friend arrived and assessed the situation. She immediately stepped in to help guide An Yue, keeping her focused through the delivery.

An Yue took several deep breaths, exhaling slowly each time. She kept following their instructions exactly, trusting that they knew far better than she did how to handle a moment like this.

An Yue pushed through it all with remarkable composure. Lin Tian could see the pain etched across her face, but she fought to bear it with everything she had.

Lin Tian had no other option left. He raised his hand and channeled his primordial qi to help support her.

Both midwives stared at him, utterly stunned. "Y-You... are you a cultivator?!"

"Just focus on An Yue. I’ll help support her with my strength," Lin Tian said firmly, and they complied without further question.

An Yue pushed for what felt like a long while, until at last she felt an overwhelming wave of relief wash through her body. The sound of a baby’s cry filled the room, and one of the midwives quickly washed the infant with water and a cloth.

She brought the baby over to An Yue, who was utterly exhausted by then. The infant settled peacefully into his mother’s arms, drifting off into a deep sleep.

An Yue smiled, overwhelmed with emotion, tears rolling down her cheeks and falling onto their firstborn child.

Lin Tian found himself the most moved of all. "Congratulations, you’re a mother now, Yue’er."

"Thank you, husband," An Yue said, gazing at him tenderly. "It’s a boy. Have you already chosen a name for him?"

Lin Tian nodded. He’d already prepared a name for their first son, the future young master of the Lingxian Sect.

"I have."

"He’ll be known as Lin Dong!"