Chapter 191: Dahuang’s Miserable Night

Night fell and everything was silent.

Outside, the sky was pitch-black, like a giant curtain of darkness draped over the earth.

Gu Qingyi tossed and turned in bed, weighed down by worries that kept him wide awake.

He stared at the faint moonlight spilling in through the window, letting out a deep sigh.

Propping his head up with one hand, he reached out as if trying to grasp the bright moon hanging high in the sky.

Just then, a yellow shadow appeared at the edge of the bed—it was Dahuang.

Dahuang had just stretched with sleepy eyes when he noticed Gu Qingyi lying on the bed.

Curious, he padded over and scratched his head. “Host-dad, why aren’t you asleep this late? Got something on your mind?”

“How about telling me about it? I’ll lend an ear!”

Gu Qingyi paused for a moment, eyes drifting to the ceiling. After a short silence, he finally spoke:

“Right now, my father and mother have lost much of their strength due to some… special reasons.”

He suddenly trailed off, his voice tinged with helplessness and frustration. With a sigh, he continued:

“I keep thinking, how can I help them regain their old strength—or maybe even surpass it and reach the Jade Sword God Realm in one leap?”

Dahuang shook his head, totally unfazed.

“Host-dad, relax! I thought it was something serious, but bringing your parents back to their peak? That’s nothing!”

“Oh?” Gu Qingyi’s eyes lit up with hope, his voice growing eager. “Then, Dahuang, do you have some brilliant trick up your sleeve?”

“Well…” Dahuang paused, spun dramatically, and took a couple steps away. With his back to Gu Qingyi, he declared, “Easy! All you gotta do is complete a few tasks!”

“Oh?” Gu Qingyi immediately sat up straight, staring at Dahuang with a probing gaze. “And what kind of tasks would those be?”

Dahuang coughed and cleared his throat.

He turned back around, grinning at Gu Qingyi on the bed.

“For example… heh, just call me ‘dad’ once! Or, if that’s too much, how about a nice shoulder massage for the great Dahuang?”

“If you serve me well, I might get so happy that I’ll give you something good!”

“Like, say, a miracle elixir that can instantly pull someone out of the dumps and shoot them back to their peak!”

“Hm?” As Gu Qingyi heard this, his face darkened instantly.

He raised his hand and beckoned Dahuang over with cool detachment. “Dahuang, come here.”

Dahuang took the gesture as a win, thinking his request had worked.

“Oh? Looks like Host agreed.” Dahuang grinned with pride and marched straight up to Gu Qingyi.

Suddenly, Dahuang leaped onto the bed, staring eagerly at Gu Qingyi’s tightly shut eyes. He barked excitedly:

“Let’s go! Host, let me feel what it’s like to be called ‘dad’ for once!”

But before he could finish—

Gu Qingyi snapped his eyes open and grabbed Dahuang’s neck like a pair of iron tongs, lifting him up without effort.

Then Gu Qingyi started pummeling Dahuang with both hands, no mercy whatsoever.

The room echoed with sharp smacks—

“Crack! Smack!”

“Awooo! Nooo—don’t—please—”

“Oh, you want it? Sure!”

“Smack! Smack! Smack!”

“The nerve! Making me call you dad? Want a shoulder rub? Even dreaming I’ll serve you? Dahuang, you’ve really got some nerve lately!”

“Smack! Smack! Smack!”

“Awooo! Nooo—have mercy! I swear it won’t happen again!”

The moon hung high in the night sky.

Everything was still, except for Dahuang’s miserable howls echoing across the courtyard.

Gradually, his pitiful cries faded away…

The view fixed on the room inside.

On the pristine white bed, Gu Qingyi sat with eyes slowly closing.

And at the side of the bed—

Dahuang lay sprawled out, bumps all over his swollen head and bruises puffing up his face.

At that moment his eyes rolled back, tongue drooping limply from the side of his mouth.

His legs twitched helplessly, and to make matters worse, he’d already lost control of his bladder and bowels…

Gu Qingyi gave a soft chuckle. “So, Dahuang, want to try again next time? And about those tasks?”

Before he could even finish, Dahuang suddenly sprang back to life.

He shook his head frantically, his voice shaking as he said:

“N-no… never again! I’ll publish a task right away. And I’ll handle this one myself—no need to trouble you, Host-dad!”

Seeing this, Gu Qingyi nodded with satisfaction.

“Good! It’s rare to see you so sensible, Dahuang. I want the result before daybreak!”

“And in the future, whenever I need something, you get it for me. Understood?”

“Crystal clear!”

Dahuang scrambled to his feet and nodded with all his strength.

“Go on, I’m going to sleep.” Gu Qingyi yawned and waved Dahuang away, exhaustion heavy in his eyes.

“Woof! Sure thing, Host-dad, I won’t disturb your rest!” Dahuang replied, sounding a bit downcast as he slipped from the room.

He dragged his battered body out into the courtyard alone.

There, he quietly settled onto a stone bench, gazing up at the bright full moon and letting out a long, deep sigh.

“What a pitiful system I am. Not only do I never get to live a carefree life, now I’m stuck as a dog for good.”

“These days, I even have to finish my own tasks… is there a system anywhere more miserable than me?”

After brooding in silence, Dahuang gave himself a tough order deep down:

“Ding~ Congratulations! Dahuang has triggered the legendary mission: Staring at the Moon for Three Hours!”

“Mission Reward: Two Peak Pills, which can restore any person or item from rock bottom to their absolute peak!”

The promise of such an enticing reward brought a spark of hope to Dahuang’s tired eyes—but it was quickly snuffed out by resignation.

He knew this wouldn’t be easy. Still, determined to be a responsible system, Dahuang steeled himself and pressed on.

So for the long, silent next three hours, Dahuang sat perfectly still, gazing up at the moon without moving an inch…

Time seemed to freeze. The night grew deeper, spreading like ink across a painting as the air suddenly turned biting cold.

Dahuang yawned. His eyelids grew heavier and heavier, threatening to close at any moment.

But just as he was about to drift off—

A clear, cheerful chime cut through the night, sweet as heavenly music:

“Ding~ Congratulations! Dahuang has completed the mission: Staring at the Moon for Three Hours. Awarding two Peak Pills!”

The unexpected good news jolted Dahuang awake.

He stared at the sky in disbelief, pure joy lighting up his face.

So happy he couldn’t hold it in, Dahuang threw his furry paws high, dancing with wild delight.

He looked ready to tell the world all about his triumph.

“Yes! I finally finished it!” Dahuang shouted, his voice ringing out in the still night.

His gleeful bark echoed so loudly it broke the quiet all around.

But just as Dahuang was basking in victory, an impatient shout came from inside the house: “Shut up! Dahuang, stop that racket!”

Before the words even faded—

A brick shot out of the house, flying straight for Dahuang’s head like a missile.

“Bang!” went the heavy thud as the brick smacked him square on the skull.

“Ow! I’m seeing stars—so many stars!”

Dahuang howled miserably. After a few wobbly shakes, his eyes rolled up and he toppled over backwards, out cold.