Extra 1

"Master, Second Master—Xue Shenyi is calling for you both!" A man hurried into the courtyard, addressing Ji Chun and Su Ran just as they were about to leave to see the child.

"Understood," Su Ran gave a slight nod, then turned to Ji Chun. "Where did you arrange for them?"

"Yixin Yuan," Ji Chun replied. Since Su Ran had fallen into a coma, the entire sect had followed his orders, including assigning quarters for the two renowned physicians. Lately preoccupied with Su Ran's condition, he had entrusted the doctors—Xue Yao and Mu Miefeng—with Ze'er's care. "Ze'er has been staying with them. We can head there now."

"Ze'er?" Su Ran paused, momentarily confused. He had only ever known the child as Xiao Roudan'er and had nearly forgotten his given name. The realization drew a faint, self-deprecating smile—how could he have been such an absent father?

Ji Chun read his thoughts instantly. With a quiet sigh, he gave Su Ran's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Let's go. We shouldn't keep the doctors waiting—they may have urgent matters to discuss."

Su Ran nodded. He owed his survival to the two physicians, not to mention their recent care for Ze'er. Gratitude settled heavily in his chest; he would thank them properly.

As they approached Yixin Yuan, the sound of a wailing infant pierced the air. Ji Chun tensed. "That's Ze'er."

Su Ran's brow furrowed. "Why is he crying so loudly?" Without another word, he strode into the courtyard.

Inside, Xue Yao paced frantically, bouncing the sobbing infant in his arms. "Hush now... if you keep crying, your demon father will gobble you up!"

Su Ran's expression darkened. "Xue. Yao."

The physician jolted, nearly dropping the child as he met Su Ran's icy glare. "S-Sect Leader Su! Forgive me!" He clutched the baby tighter, shrinking back.

Ji Chun, knowing Xue Yao meant no harm, opened his mouth to intercede—but Su Ran spoke first.

"Let it go," Su Ran said coldly, though his lingering tone carried a warning: "But if it happens again—"

"It won't!" Xue Yao blurted. He thrust the crying bundle toward Ji Chun. "Quick, take him! He's been like this for an hour!"

Ji Chun cradled the child, gently patting his back and wiping his tear-streaked cheeks. Guilt gnawed at him—he'd failed Ze'er too often as a father. Gradually, the boy's cries subsided in his arms.

Su Ran turned back to Xue Yao. Noticing Mu Miefeng's absence, he asked, "Where's your Shixiong?"

"He stayed up half the night soothing little Roudan. He's still asleep," Xue Yao admitted.

The answer kindled an unfamiliar warmth in Su Ran's chest. He was a man who kept strict accounts of debts and favors, and the physicians' kindness weighed on him. His earlier irritation faded; his sharp words were just their usual dynamic.

"Thank you—to both of you," he said abruptly, the words rough but earnest. "If you ever need anything, I won't refuse."

Xue Yao blinked. This humble, grateful Su Ran was unrecognizable from the arrogant, cold-blooded demonic cult leader he knew. "S-Sect Leader Su, there's no need—" He scratched his head, laughing awkwardly.

Su Ran pressed on. "The servant said you summoned us. Why?"

"Ah! First, little Roudan wouldn't stop crying, and we were at our wits' end. Second..." Xue Yao straightened, suddenly solemn. "We must take our leave."

"So soon?" Ji Chun stared. "You've barely stayed a week!"

The entire martial arts world had suffered a severe blow, leaving little of importance to attend to. "It's just that Shixiong prefers wandering about, unable to stay idle. I...I wish to accompany him." Xue Yao's chubby face flushed with excitement at the thought of traveling the mountains and rivers with Mu Miefeng.

Su Ran had long been aware of Xue Yao's feelings and wasn't surprised by this confession. Since both physicians were his benefactors, helping this lovestruck doctor wouldn't be amiss. Moreover, after years of leadership with little novelty, playing matchmaker might prove an entertaining diversion. Didn't Xue Yao constantly wonder how Ji Chun and him became a pair? Heh... A mysterious smile curled Su Ran's lips.

Ji Chun recognized that smile immediately - it signaled one of Su Ran's schemes. Yet he trusted his partner's judgment and chose not to intervene.

"Xue Yao," Su Ran began suddenly, "in three days I'll be marrying Ji Chun. Might I ask a favor? Keep your Shixiong occupied for a few days." As Xue Yao stepped closer, Su Ran lowered his voice: "I'll help you in return."

The marriage announcement shocked both Ji Chun and Xue Yao, though Su Ran had decided the moment he first saw Ji Chun after waking. Ji Chun's expression darkened as he watched Su Ran whisper to Xue Yao. Overcome by jealousy, he abruptly seized Su Ran's hand, pulling him away.

Su Ran looked up in confusion at the clearly angry monk who refused to meet his gaze. Understanding dawned, and he couldn't suppress a laugh. Ji Chun, embarrassed by being laughed at, maintained a pretense of anger while tightening his grip.

"Sect Leader Su...you...you're getting married?" Xue Yao gaped. While he knew of their relationship, the concept of two men marrying was unprecedented. He'd assumed they would simply live together discreetly.

"Indeed." Su Ran's faint smile radiated pride, happiness, and absolute certainty. He glanced up at the taller monk beside him, his tone playful yet tender: "Ji Chun?"

"Yes." Ji Chun's face warmed under Su Ran's affectionate gaze, his heart swelling with emotion. At this point in his life, Su Ran and their child were everything - marriage simply formalized what already existed. He nodded solemnly.

"But...won't the sect members..." Xue Yao hesitated, leaving "object" unspoken. While their relationship was tolerated, a public wedding defied convention.

"Don't fret." Su Ran dismissed the matter with casual arrogance. As sect leader, he had ample means to silence dissenters. Anyone foolish enough to protest might find themselves joining the countless souls who'd crossed him.

Xue Yao suddenly remembered - this wasn't just Su Ran, but the feared demon of the martial world. That unrepentant, domineering nature had never truly faded.

At that moment, Mu Miefeng emerged from the house and approached the group in the courtyard. "Greetings, Sect Leader Su. Ji Chun Dashi," he said with a respectful nod.

Su Ran returned the gesture politely. "I was just telling Xue Shenyi that Ji Chun and I will be wed in three days. We'd be honored if you both could stay to witness the occasion."

Mu Miefeng considered briefly before responding, "Congratulations, Sect Leader Su. Since you and Ji Chun Dashi are to be married, I would be pleased to attend." The prospect of a marriage between two men intrigued him, making the decision an easy one.

"Thank you," Su Ran said, his gaze flickering meaningfully toward Xue Yao. The starstruck physician was practically glowing as he stared at Mu Miefeng, making Su Ran shake his head in amusement before turning his satisfied attention back to his monk.

That evening, Ji Chun sat on the bed cradling little Roudan, smiling as the baby made soft cooing sounds. On the night of the twenty-fifth, Su Ran returned from handling sect affairs, washed up, and joined his family at the bedside.

"I never noticed how chubby this little one is," Su Ran remarked with a grin, eyeing the baby's plump arms and legs.

Ji Chun chuckled, but his laughter died when their son's smiling face suddenly crumpled. The infant blinked rapidly, tears welling up before he burst into loud wails. Both fathers froze in alarm.

"Did I upset him by calling him fat?" Su Ran asked incredulously, staring at the crying child. The baby's sobs only intensified under his gaze. "Can you actually understand me?" He leaned closer, poking a finger at Roudan's tear-streaked cheek.

"Enough of that," Ji Chun chided, swatting Su Ran's hand away gently. "Ze'er is far too young to—"

"Hmph, Ji Chun, are you forgetting your husband now that you have a son?" Su Ran moved behind Ji Chun, draping himself over the monk's back. He caught Ji Chun's chin, turning his face toward him. Ji Chun was, without question, the most handsome monk Su Ran had ever seen. The sight of his strong features and earnest expression melted Su Ran's teasing mood, and he couldn't resist stealing a quick kiss.

"I'm a father now..." Ji Chun protested, his face flushing even as he tried to maintain a stern demeanor. The contrast made him all the more endearing to Su Ran.

Smirking, Su Ran kissed him again before scooping the crying baby from Ji Chun's arms. "Alright, alright, I'll comfort our son," he said, rocking Roudan gently. With practiced motions, he wiped the tears away with his thumb. "My dear little Roudan, you're so slender and beautiful." Though Ji Chun recognized Su Ran's teasing tone, he held his tongue—the sect leader was at least making an effort to soothe the child.

As he watched his clearly pleased partner, Ji Chun recalled Su Ran's earlier marriage announcement. "Why bring up wedding plans so suddenly? And with such little time to prepare?" He hadn't dared press the matter before Xue Yao, but now in their private chambers, he sought answers.