Chapter 8: His Highness Really Dotes on You!

“So why can’t you eat anything? Are you fasting on purpose?”

Back in the bedchamber, Can He hovered around Qi Jiangyuan, pestering him with the same question over and over.

Qi Jiangyuan grew dizzy from his circling and finally reached out to pull him into his lap, answering calmly, “It’s not a deliberate fast. I simply can’t eat.”

Can He tilted his head, clearly unwilling to give up without a real answer. “But why not?”

“I’m not sure,” Qi Jiangyuan said. “It likely has something to do with my… ‘condition.’”

Can He let out a soft “Ah,” his long lashes fluttering.

He had always assumed Qi Jiangyuan’s claim of being “sick” was just a joke. After all, this Ghost King looked no different from any other ghost—there was nothing visibly wrong with him.

But it turned out he really was ill.

“So if you die from an illness, you just become a ghost? What’s the big deal? It’s just a different way of existing. At least you’re still in this world.”

Qi Jiangyuan glanced at him, noticing the Little Radish frowning in deep thought, and couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “It’s not that simple. After becoming a ghost, the five senses¹ gradually fade. The world shuts you out, and in that isolation, you dissolve into nothing.”

He spoke as if he had lived through it a million times.

Can He, of course, had never experienced anything like that. His eyes widened in sudden realization. “Then if I fix the issue so you can eat, you won’t die, right?”

Qi Jiangyuan’s expression shifted slightly. “You really want me to live forever?”

“Of course I do!” Can He blurted out.

The little radish’s mental abacus was clicking away.

Opportunities like this didn’t come twice. If Qi Jiangyuan vanished, where would he find another ghost so helpful for his cultivation?

Qi Jiangyuan fell silent, seemingly lost in thought.

Can He patted his chest confidently. “Just leave it to me. I’ll definitely find a way!”

Whether he actually could or not was another matter—but he’d already made the promise.

…

The chef they brought back had completely won over the radish’s heart. Early the next morning, Can He dragged Qi Jiangyuan along to reward him.

Every day, the Little Radish’s meals were specially sourced from the Human Realm by this Ghost Chef. Wujian Prison had even cleared out a large room to serve as the “Hall of Repose”—essentially, the kitchen.

At the moment, smoke curled lazily from the Hall of Repose, and fresh ingredients were laid out in the courtyard outside.

The Ghost Chef was inside preparing the day’s dishes. Can He looked around curiously, his sharp eyes catching sight of something oddly familiar.

It had a long, slender shape, pale white skin, and a tuft of green leaves on top… it looked just like him.

Can He picked it up. “What’s this?”

Qi Jiangyuan’s brow furrowed as he cast a cold glance at Xie Suoyan.

Xie Suoyan: …

That’s one of your kind.

Cold sweat broke out on his back. The Ghost Chef had only just arrived in Wujian Prison, and clearly no one had warned him about the taboos here. He’d just offended the Little Highness right in front of His Highness.

Forcing himself to stay calm, he answered honestly, “That’s a white radish.”

Can He’s eyes went wide with surprise. “So this is a white radish? It really does look a lot like me.”

Xie Suoyan found it strange. “Little Highness didn’t know what a white radish looked like?”

Growing up among ginseng, thinking he was one—it made some sense.

But how had he never even seen a white radish?

“I’ve never left the Longevity Ruins, and there are no white radishes there,” Can He said matter-of-factly. “If I hadn’t snuck over here these past few days, I’d still think the vegetables in the Human Realm were born pre-sliced, and chickens, ducks, cows, and sheep came pre-butchered.”

He cradled the white radish and studied it closely, frowning slightly.

A moment later, Can He suddenly transformed into his original form—a plump round radish—and rolled up beside the long radish, demanding, “Do you think we look alike?”

Qi Jiangyuan lied without blinking, “Not at all.”

His radish was much rounder and cuter.

“Exactly!” The Little Radish turned back into human form, smugly tossing the white radish aside. “You all must be blind. I don’t look anything like that thing.”

Qi Jiangyuan gave a subtle glance, and Xie Suoyan immediately understood. He quickly picked up the basket of radishes and went to find the Ghost Chef.

Of all the people to offend, why did it have to be the Little Highness?

Just then, the Ghost Chef, having heard the commotion outside, stepped out. Xie Suoyan could only stand there awkwardly, clutching the basket of vegetables.

Seeing the high-ranking figures gathered outside, the Ghost Chef was startled and quickly bowed respectfully.

Can He gave a casual “Mm.”

It wasn’t a secret that the Ghost King had brought back a beautiful young man from the Longevity Ruins. Before entering Wujian Prison, the Ghost Chef had already heard that he’d be cooking for the Little Highness. Now, seeing Xie Suoyan holding a basket of radishes, he quickly tried to curry favor. “Little Highness, these radishes are for the shrimp and shredded radish soup.”

The boy finally turned his gaze to him. “Oh?”

“Today’s shrimp is the freshest green-shelled kind. I marinate it to remove the fishy smell, then stir-fry it in a hot wok to bring out the aroma. Once the shrimp turns a bright orange-red, I shred some radish into fine strips, add it to the pot with water—no need for too much seasoning—it comes out naturally sweet…”

Can He swallowed hard. “That sounds delicious just hearing about it!”

Qi Jiangyuan’s expression darkened.

Seeing how enthusiastic Can He was, the Ghost Chef looked as if he’d finally found a kindred spirit after years of death. He grew even more animated. “Actually, that’s not the only way to cook it. You can also serve the radish cold, or stew it with beef. Braised radish is also incredibly tasty…”

Can He was practically drooling. “I want to try every single one!”

The ghost and the radish seemed like long-lost friends reunited at last. They clasped hands, eager to discuss a thousand and one ways to prepare radish dishes.

Qi Jiangyuan’s face had gone ashen, like the bottom of a scorched pot.

Noticing the Ghost King’s grim expression and catching Xie Suoyan’s frantic glances, the Ghost Chef finally came to his senses. He suddenly recognized Can He’s true form and was struck with shock.

Wait a minute—wasn’t the one His Highness brought back from the Longevity Ruins a ginseng? How could it be a radish?!

The Ghost Chef froze on the spot, then hastily apologized to Can He in a panic. “I’m sorry, Little Highness, I meant no offense.”

Can He hadn’t caught on. “Thanks?”

Qi Jiangyuan wrapped an arm around Can He’s waist and led him away, saying nothing about rewarding the Ghost Chef.

Xie Suoyan quickly shoved the radish back into the Ghost Chef’s hands. “From now on, don’t bring any other radishes into Wujian Prison.”

Wujian Prison could only accommodate one radish.

Once they were far from the kitchen, Qi Jiangyuan held Can He close. Can He kept asking, “Why’d we leave so suddenly? I wasn’t done talking to him.”

“Nothing worth talking about,” Qi Jiangyuan said, casting a glance at Xie Suoyan, who had just caught up.

Xie Suoyan flinched and froze in place.

This was his oversight—he hadn’t made things clear to the Ghost Chef.

“Pass down the order,” Qi Jiangyuan said coldly. “No one in the Ghost Realm is to refer to Can He as a radish.”

Xie Suoyan hesitated. “…Understood.”

So the day had finally come. The entire Ghost Realm now had to pretend a radish was ginseng.

Can He, on the other hand, was delighted. “Huh? Why the sudden decree? Just so we’re clear, I’m not happy about this. But if it means you’ll hold me a little longer, I’ll allow it.”

Qi Jiangyuan gave his soft palm a squeeze, then turned to Xie Suoyan. “Go receive your punishment later.”

Xie Suoyan resigned himself to fate. “Yes, sir.”

Qi Jiangyuan didn’t linger. After instructing Xie Suoyan to take good care of Can He, he left to handle Ghost Realm affairs.

Xie Suoyan wore a bitter expression. “Little Highness, shall we go read in the Library Pavilion?”

Can He followed him, but after a few steps, his face twisted in sudden rage as he finally processed it. “Wait a second—that chef called me a radish?!”

Xie Suoyan tried to calm him, trembling. “Please don’t be upset…”

That was one hell of a delayed reaction.

The more Can He thought about it, the angrier he got. He stormed a few steps back toward the kitchen, then suddenly stopped and turned around with a huff.

Xie Suoyan reached out but caught only air. “You’re not going back?”

“What for?” Can He snorted. “His Highness already gave the order. If I went around beating every ghost who got it wrong, I’d die of exhaustion.”

Xie Suoyan thought, As long as you understand.

“Besides,” Can He added, “I know how to tell right from wrong. That ghost is absolutely off-limits.”

Xie Suoyan blinked. “What?”

Did the Ghost Chef have some special status he hadn’t noticed?

Xie Suoyan’s expression grew serious.

Can He explained, “If I beat him and he holds a grudge, what if he spits in my food later?”

…Well, that was actually a very good point.

As long as there was no drama, anything was fine. Xie Suoyan silently wiped away imaginary sweat.

Can He stomped in frustration, muttering non-stop, “There’s not a single decent ghost in this whole realm. Every one of you mistook my original form. You did, the Ghost Master did, the chef did… even your Highness was the same at first. He’s better now, but honestly, all of you need your eyes checked!”

Xie Suoyan braced himself and echoed, “Yes, yes, you’re right.”

Qi Jiangyuan wasn’t just bewitched—he was completely blinded by lust.

The boy comforted himself, thinking back on the radish dishes the Ghost Chef had described. His mouth watered again.

He sighed wistfully. “It’s a shame your Highness can’t eat.”

Can He suddenly turned to Xie Suoyan, remembering something important. “Right, why can’t His Highness eat, anyway? Did someone stuff something in his mouth when he died?”

Xie Suoyan gave a pained smile. “Of course not. Who would dare do that to His Highness?”

Even the slightest movement would get him killed by Qi Jiangyuan’s Soul Threads.

Can He said matter-of-factly, “Of course I dare. What’s so hard about that?”

Then he changed the subject. “But don’t try to dodge the question. You definitely know the reason!”

Xie Suoyan let his tongue hang out and gave him a long, mournful look. “How could I possibly comment on His Highness’s affairs?”

Can He seized on the flaw in his words. “So you do know, huh?”

Xie Suoyan insisted stubbornly, “I don’t.”

“I’m only thinking of His Highness’s well-being,” Can He said righteously. “If I don’t understand his condition, how can I treat him?”

He raised a fist and threatened fiercely, “Spill it, or I’ll smash your magic tool to pieces.”

Xie Suoyan was speechless, tears almost welling up. He silently tucked away his chains. “I really don’t know.”

“You clearly know but just won’t tell me,” Can He suddenly started throwing a fit, eyes reddening. “I’m going to tell His Highness you bullied me, disrespected me, broke my heart, and now I don’t want to treat him anymore!”

He always pulled this routine. Xie Suoyan was completely worn down. Flustered, he tried to calm the little radish down. “I really don’t know for sure, but I can vaguely guess a little.”

Little Radish stopped crying and stared at him intently.

Xie Suoyan pulled out his Spirit Tablet from his Sumeru Space, glanced around, then whispered to Can He, “You absolutely can’t tell any other ghosts. This is just between us… I noticed a long time ago—His Highness doesn’t have a Spirit Tablet.”

Can He took the tablet and flipped it over a few times, but didn’t see anything unusual. There was no Yin Qi or spiritual power wrapped around it, so he handed it back to Xie Suoyan. “What’s so special about that?”

Xie Suoyan put the tablet away again. “This thing is incredibly important. Ghost Cultivators aren’t tolerated by the Heavenly Dao². They need offerings of incense to offset their karmic burden. The Spirit Tablet and incense are the medium that connects the Yin world to the living.”

“See, this tablet may look plain, but it holds deep meaning. A ghost with a tablet is a ghost with a master. If His Highness doesn’t have one… then he’s a wandering ghost with no one to collect his remains.”

A wandering ghost?

Can He froze, stepping on Xie Suoyan’s tongue to stop him from leaving. “Then why doesn’t anyone offer him incense? Don’t go yet—you haven’t explained.”

Xie Suoyan pressed his palms together, begging, “I’m begging you, I’ve already said more than enough today. If you want answers, just ask His Highness directly. It’s his matter—of course he knows best. I’m just guessing here.”

Can He grumbled in frustration, “You think I don’t want to? I’m scared.”

Even Xie Suoyan was terrified just bringing up the topic. What if this was a painful subject for Qi Jiangyuan? If he just barged in and asked, what if he hurt his feelings?

Besides, Qi Jiangyuan probably didn’t want to talk about it with him anyway.

Xie Suoyan said, “…What are you so scared of?”

His Highness dotes on you so much!

Just to let you bask in the sun, he spends immense spiritual power every day to bring sunlight into Wujian Prison.

He’s literally turned a whole crowd of damp, gloomy male ghosts into sunshine boys!!

Translator’s Notes