Chapter 41

The author of *The Three Tiger-Slaying Brothers*, True Person Xunfang, has currently published three volumes, with more to come.

The story follows a kind and charming Talisman Cultivator who, fresh out of seclusion, encounters an aloof and cunning Sword Cultivator and a rakish and uninhibited Demonic Cultivator in a secret realm. After enduring life-and-death trials and jointly slaying a nine-tailed demon tiger, the trio transforms from mutually antagonistic rivals into sworn brothers, embarking on heroic adventures across the martial world.

True Person Xunfang's prose is exquisite, transforming a simple adventure into a thrilling, undulating saga. Interspersed with enchanting enchantresses, rare treasures, and exotic beasts, the narrative brims with masculine romance. Each character is vividly portrayed, and the scenes where the three reconcile, drinking and laughing together, are penned with magnificent spirit.

Song Qingshi, nestled in his bed, read by the glow of a luminous pearl, ignoring the Blood King Vines around his feet that tightened repeatedly, urging him to sleep. He simply couldn't put the book down.

At last, he understood the joy of reading such tales.

In the story, the Talisman Cultivator was gravely wounded by the demon tiger, and the Sword Cultivator, bathed in blood, rescued him. On Changfeng Mountain, ten thousand swords rained down, a heart-wrenching spectacle...

Song Qingshi was utterly engrossed when something cold and damp suddenly slithered up his leg. He pulled back the blanket to find Hao Long crawling over, attempting to bite through the bothersome Blood King Vine to reclaim its territory.

Its fangs were exceptionally sharp, tearing several gashes into the vine.

"Stop that," Song Qingshi quickly separated the snake's fangs from the vine, then picked up Hao Long and admonished, "This isn't a rope. No biting."

Hao Long immediately coiled around his waist, looping several times before nestling against his chest, refusing to move.

"You've gotten much heavier," Song Qingshi said, both exasperated and amused. "Fine, you can stay tonight." Then he wiggled his foot and instructed, "Wuhuan, don't wrap so tightly. I'm fine."

The Blood King Vine slowly loosened, continuing to gently encircle his ankle.

Song Qingshi was somewhat perplexed as to why Yue Wuhuan insisted on keeping the Blood King Vine wrapped around him rather than placing it by the bedside. When he'd asked earlier, Yue Wuhuan had looked troubled, hesitating to speak. Song Qingshi surmised that after his ten-year coma, Yue Wuhuan had grown accustomed to his constant presence and now felt insecure being apart, using the Blood King Vine as a way to "cuddle" him.

Even if his little angel had a few quirks, he deserved to be indulged.

What was one mere Blood King Vine? Even seven or eight wouldn't be a problem!

Song Qingshi patted Hao Long's head and resumed reading. So engrossed was he that he even climbed out of bed to fetch a notebook and charcoal pencil, diligently highlighting key points and taking notes. As he wrote, he shared his thoughts with Hao Long: "The characters in this book are so well-written, so true to life. I think Yue Wuhuan is the kind and charming Talisman Cultivator, An Long is the rakish Demonic Cultivator, and I'm the aloof and cunning Sword Cultivator! We started with conflicts, fought our way to friendship, and then embarked on adventures..."

Yue Wuhuan, eavesdropping via the Blood King Vine: "???"

An Long, eavesdropping via Hao Long: "???"

Song Qingshi quickly decided on their future direction: he would drag the two of them on an adventure, using the journey's various amusing incidents to deepen their brotherly bond. He recalled that Nanhai City, not far from Medicine King Valley, was currently holding its Blossom Festival. Though small, Nanhai City was renowned for its beautiful women and strong liquor—perfect for An Long's tastes. Sea merchants often brought precious gems for sale there, appealing to Yue Wuhuan's interests. Moreover, it was currently the peak blooming season for Blackhead Flowers, so he could conveniently procure some medicinal herbs.

Even if the plan failed, a trip to such a wonderful place would surely leave everyone in good spirits. Of course, before they set off, he would have them read this book to experience the depth of true brotherhood; then they would surely understand his earnest intentions.

The next day, Yue Wuhuan dutifully accepted the book: "If Master says it's good, then it must be."

"I've already read this book," An Long said, recalling what he'd overheard the previous night. He'd spent the entire night pondering it, utterly perplexed and restless, finally unable to resist asking, "Fine, you think I'm the Demonic Cultivator, but why is he the Talisman Cultivator and you the Sword Cultivator?" How in the world was this damned fiend "kind and charming"? And since when was his dear Qing Shi "aloof and cunning"?

Song Qingshi replied with righteous indignation: "Because the Sword Cultivator is the oldest and most responsible, the elder brother. The Talisman Cultivator is the youngest and needs care, the younger brother. Among the three of us, I am the eldest, you are second, and Wuhuan is the youngest. Is that not correct?"

His answer was logical, well-reasoned, and irrefutable.

An Long found himself unable to counter a single point...

"How did you know about this?" Song Qingshi detected a flaw in his words, realizing An Long was referring to what he'd said while alone in the middle of the night. He pondered for a moment, then grabbed Hao Long and inspected him, pulling a tiny eavesdropping bug from beneath a scale. Furious, he summoned his Inner Fire and hurled it fiercely at the "Alaskan Malamute." "You were trying to listen to me talk in my sleep again!"

He had done this before—not only spying on him while he slept but also mocking him for hugging his blanket, reciting medical texts in his sleep, and suggesting he should embrace something warm instead—like a man's embrace!

He wasn't a girl; why would he hug a man?

This was clearly mocking him for being unmanly!

The more Song Qingshi thought about it, the angrier he became, and the fiercer his red lotus flames burned. Since there were still a few days before their departure, he didn't mind having the "Alaskan Malamute" keep him company while he recovered!

An Long fled, clutching his head, then turned and pointed at Yue Wuhuan, who stood nearby as if nothing had happened. "He was eavesdropping too! Why am I the only one getting burned?!"

Yue Wuhuan set down the book and smiled. "I already reported the Blood King Vine to Master."

"And you're trying to drag others down with you!" Song Qingshi, seeing his lack of remorse, grew even angrier and retorted, "I have limited mobility. Wuhuan kept the Blood King Vine around for my convenience and care. What's your excuse for sending Xiao Bai to spy?"

An Long protested, "I heard you used to sleep with this guy every night before the incident..."

"You've slept with me too!" Song Qingshi found his grievance baffling. "Back when you were severely injured in Medicine King Valley and couldn't move, wasn't I by your side, caring for you? It was your terrible sleeping habits—tossing and turning as soon as your injuries improved slightly—that made me switch to two separate beds."

Wasn't it only natural for someone to stay with a critically ill patient?

An Long's retort died in his throat, choked by his own words. He only regretted the abundance of embarrassing black marks from his foolish youth, making it impossible to turn the tables.

Song Qingshi grew suspicious again. "How did you know I slept with Wuhuan?"

An Long's network of spies in Medicine King Valley had long been completely eradicated by Yue Wuhuan, cutting off his access to information from the valley. However, this was something Song Qingshi absolutely could not know; otherwise, if he probed further, An Long would have no explanation and would likely be blacklisted and expelled from the valley.

Song Qingshi's gaze grew increasingly suspicious, his Inner Fire flickering ominously in his palm.

An Long made a snap decision, grabbing the seemingly innocent Yue Wuhuan beside him. "He told me!"

Yue Wuhuan glanced at him and smiled.

"After we reconciled, we talked very congenially, and the topic came up unintentionally," An Long said with utmost sincerity, though the force of his grip on Yue Wuhuan's shoulder was so strong it threatened to crush bone, conveying a heavy threat. Yet, his voice was pleading, "I misunderstood you two, thinking you were doing something interesting behind my back, so I sent Xiao Bai to listen. Right, little brother Wuhuan? Didn't we agree on this?"

Song Qingshi was a master of forensics, capable of uncovering almost any cause of death.

He excelled in Gu arts, Yue Wuhuan in poisons. Neither of their killing methods could easily escape detection.

Neither wanted to anger Song Qingshi or leave any incriminating evidence...

Cultivators lived long lives; there was no need to rush. Even if they yearned to devour each other, they had to choose the opportune moment to strike. Otherwise, even if they succeeded in killing their opponent, leaving behind a black mark would render the act meaningless. Moreover, it would arouse Song Qingshi's suspicion, and his investigation might uncover other secrets.

And they both harbored many secrets...

An Long knew Yue Wuhuan shared the same thought, which was why he had offered reconciliation and tolerated him.

In fact, Yue Wuhuan was even more cautious than he, never revealing his venomous tail.

"Venerable An is correct," Yue Wuhuan said, understanding his thoughts and completely ignoring the searing pain in his shoulder. He played along, helping to smooth over the lie. "It must have come up casually during our chats. I'm touched that Venerable An still remembers. My health has greatly improved, so Master no longer needs to stay with me at night, nor would we do anything 'interesting' in bed. Please refrain from such actions in the future, Venerable An."

Song Qingshi was bewildered. "What else is there to do in bed besides sleep and read?"

Yue Wuhuan said dotingly, "Master is absolutely right."

An Long gazed helplessly into Song Qingshi's clear eyes. His anger, for some inexplicable reason, dissipated, and his fury towards Yue Wuhuan also faded considerably. He shouldn't have expected anything from this fool who cultivated the Emotionless Path—if even a peerless beauty like Yue Wuhuan couldn't stir his desires when placed in his bed, he was probably truly beyond redemption...

To make him understand these things, perhaps the only way was as he had seen in the Illusion Gu—through coercion, intimidation, control... forcibly instilling these experiences, compelling him to taste and savor the flavors of desire, so that the nascent bud could slowly unfurl into a beautiful blossom.

He recalled the scene from the illusion, almost unable to resist baring his fangs, wanting to utterly tear apart this pristine person...

But he absolutely could not do that; it would harm him...

No mistakes allowed...

An Long gently closed his eyes, restraining the malice within. He could not ruin everything he had so painstakingly regained.

"Venerable An," Yue Wuhuan's gentle voice roused him. "Will you accompany Master to Nanhai City?"

An Long opened his eyes, looked at Song Qingshi's expectant face, and smiled, revealing his canine teeth. "If you're going, of course I'll go."

Song Qingshi had cultivated for nearly a millennium, spending at least nine hundred years secluded indoors, with most of the remaining hundred spent gathering herbs in remote mountains and secret realms. The number of times he had gone out for leisure could be counted on one hand, and this was the first time he had actively invited someone to accompany him—it was truly exciting. If An Long didn't go, wouldn't he just be handing this golden opportunity over to that sly one?

An Long cheerfully slung an arm over Yue Wuhuan's shoulder. "Little brother Wuhuan, what's our relationship? Don't call me Immortal Lord—just call me big brother."

Yue Wuhuan nodded slightly, smiling. "Big Brother An."

Song Qingshi was overjoyed, instantly feeling that their relationship wasn't as strained as he had imagined; there was hope for the future. He would meticulously plan the itinerary for this trip, ask Ye Lin about the best food, wine, and sights in Nanhai City, and find plenty of interesting things to do and chat about. Who knew—by the end of the journey, they might discover each other's merits and completely resolve their differences.

They were all top students; why fight for no reason? Wouldn't studying together be far more appealing?

The author has something to say:

Song Xueba is determined to drag this story, kicking and screaming, into pure bromance territory.

Screw danmei! Isn't brotherhood just as sweet?

Song Qingshi: "Come on, everyone, let's sing Emil Chau's 'Friends' together~"

PS:

The author couldn't help but comment: "Qingshi... if seven or eight Blood King Vines wrapped around you, you'd probably be meowing like a scaredy-cat."

Song Qingshi: "???"