Chapter 88

Song Jincheng tried to cry for help, but Feng Jun sealed his voice with a hand seal.

He realized Feng Jun hadn't yet moved against Song Qingshi and frantically gestured, hoping to reveal the truth about the monster's human-eating nature before he died.

Song Qingshi pondered his gestures for a long time before understanding: "You're hungry? Want me to eat with you?"

Song Jincheng was so furious that tears welled up, wishing he could pummel the idiot.

"Qing Shi, you didn't rest well last night. Get some more sleep," Feng Jun said, walking in leisurely with thin gauze gloves. He smiled, "Little Bai is hungry too. I'll take them outside to find something to eat."

Hao Long, beside him, immediately rushed over and grabbed Song Jincheng's arm, sticking out his tongue and whining playfully, "I'm hungry."

What does a giant serpent eat when it's hungry?

Song Jincheng stared in horror at those innocent golden vertical pupils and the forked tongue, nearly fainting. Unable to resist the terrifying strength gripping his arm, he was dragged out the door under Song Qingshi's well-meaning send-off of "Eat well and be full!" and thrown into the woodshed. Then, he watched as Feng Jun cast a barrier around the shed, isolating it from the world.

Remembering the teachings of the Medicine King Valley, he resolved to meet his end with valor, dying like a hero.

Feng Jun lit a strange incense.

Song Jincheng smelled an odd scent, his vision darkened, and he passed out. When he awoke, he was locked in a dungeon filled with nothing but towering stacks of books and test scrolls… Mr. Yue appeared before him, saying he had made too many mistakes and was sent back to the Medicine King Valley for reflection. He wouldn't be allowed out until he memorized all the medical texts.

He spent ten whole years memorizing books and doing test scrolls, going bald from stress, yet still couldn't recall them all…

Song Jincheng clutched his head, collapsing into hysterical sobs until even his dream shattered.

When he woke, Feng Jun stood before him, the giant serpent coiled beside him, its massive body filling the entire woodshed. Its lantern-like eyes bore into him, its gaping maw revealing two sharp fangs, its long tongue nearly brushing Song Jincheng’s face.

Song Jincheng first touched his head, confirming his hair was still there.

Feng Jun picked up a second Dreamweaver Incense, preparing to light it…

Song Jincheng prostrated himself without hesitation: "I was wrong! I'll do anything as long as I don't have to study!"

Even being eaten by the serpent was better than returning to the dungeon to memorize books.

Having played with Dreamweaver Incense for so long, Feng Jun had never encountered such a hopeless case. What was meant to be a three-year nightmare was dragged out to ten years, forcing him to wake prematurely. Intrigued by this rare research subject, he considered testing a decade-long nightmare—or even a century-long one.

The giant serpent, finding the woodshed too cramped, shrank back into human form and obediently crouched at Feng Jun’s feet.

Song Jincheng suddenly recalled a book he had secretly read behind his parents’ backs: the Divine Lord of Indestructible Peak had a spirit snake companion… It had cultivated for thousands of years, was enormous in size, and had a vicious nature, having devoured Mountain-Sea Elephants and strangled Azure Cloud Tigers, its battle honors countless. Some cultivators who had seen it described it as a white serpent capable of taking the form of a child to lure prey—much like the one before him.

This terrifying serpent was completely deferential to Feng Jun, obeying his every word.

Then… what was Feng Jun’s true identity?

It was said the Divine Lord of Indestructible Peak had myriad manifestations in this world…

Song Jincheng’s thoughts involuntarily turned to something horrifying, his legs going weak. For millennia, any sect that offended Indestructible Peak had been annihilated. Any foolish word or action could bring ruin upon the Medicine King Valley. Thinking of his parents, teachers, and friends in the valley, he was too terrified even to cry. He regretted ever caring about something as trivial as Song Qingshi being pursued by a male monster.

So what if he had to submit?

A real man could just close his eyes and endure it—what was there to fear?

He decided he’d persuade Song Qingshi to yield.

Song Jincheng fawned: "I've noticed Qing Shi really likes you. You must be the one he's been longing for."

Feng Jun arched an eyebrow.

“When I found Qing Shi, he had lost some memories, but he remembered someone he loved dearly. He even wrote about her in a notebook, treasuring it, wanting to find her,” Song Jincheng resolved to sacrifice his friend for the Medicine King Valley’s survival. He divulged every last detail recorded in the notebook, strongly hinting that Feng Jun should assume this goddess's identity—at least letting Song Qingshi die happily in bed. “That person liked red and white, enjoyed swordplay, medicine-making, and reading. Loved collecting pretty stones and gems. Her birthday was around February something…”

Feng Jun froze: "February fourteenth?"

Song Jincheng: "Yes!"

Feng Jun remained silent for a long while, then signaled Hao Long to teach this fool a lesson—ensuring he learned obedience—before lifting the barrier and leaving the woodshed.

……

Having stayed up most of the night, Song Qingshi was in a drowsy haze when he felt something warm and fragrant slip under the covers. Instinctively, he pulled it into his arms, clinging tightly as if afraid to lose it.

So, the one he’d been searching for wasn’t a mission target—but himself…

Feng Jun gazed fixedly at the man in his embrace.

Every time he reviewed Zhao Ye’s memories, it pained him. In those so-called missions to save tragic protagonists, Zhao Ye would always go out of his way to be kind—devoted, gentle, strong, considerate, murmuring honeyed words, doing everything for the protagonist, even taking injuries or near-fatal blows for them… Every protagonist would fall hopelessly in love with Zhao Ye, surrendering heart and body to become his. Yet, in a new world, Zhao Ye would erase all emotions, accept a new mission, and repeat the same salvation, the same love story with a new protagonist.

Was this salvation—or manipulation?

He was consumed by fury and dread.

Feng Jun quietly reached out, placing a hand on Song Qingshi’s chest, feeling the heartbeat beneath. At his worst, he had more than once thought that if Song Qingshi ever did to a new mission target what he had done to him, he would tear out Song Qingshi’s heart, turn his body into a puppet, hide his soul, and keep him forever by his side. That way, he’d never hear sweet words meant for another or see gentleness given to someone else.

This was deep pathology, something that would hurt the one he loved…

He fought to restrain it. Some things, even death couldn't justify.

Fortunately, Song Qingshi had never disappointed him.

The residual resentment, the tangled grudges—like a breeze dispersing morning mist—all vanished, revealing a clear sky.

Feng Jun couldn’t help but laugh. Countless Bloodvine tendrils stretched out from all directions, coiling around Song Qingshi, wrapping him tightly in his embrace before kissing him. Song Qingshi opened his eyes to Feng Jun’s dazzling smile, utterly enchanted. Now he understood the historical tales of kings setting beacon fires to entertain concubines or neglecting court for love…

Though the red vines were strange, though his limbs were bound too tightly to move, though some tendrils insinuated beneath his robes, coiling around his waist, tickling him…

As long as Feng Jun was happy!

Feng Jun licked his earlobe and asked, "Can I see your Mustard Seed Bag?"

Song Qingshi obediently handed it over: "Take it all."

Finances should be handed to the one you love. An allowance sufficed for him.

Feng Jun searched through his Mustard Seed Bag for a long time before finally discovering a journal buried under piles of spirit stones. Flipping through it, he smiled and asked, "Jincheng said this notebook records the person you like? Tell me, who is it?"

Song Qingshi snapped to alertness, trying to snatch the notebook back, but the vines held him fast.

Another make-or-break question! A wrong answer could mean anything from a beating to being dumped!

Song Qingshi answered decisively: "It's you!"

Feng Jun waved the notebook and pressed, "Since you knew it was me, did you know if it was a man or a woman?"

Song Qingshi replied obediently: "A man."

Feng Jun lifted his chin, pretending to be cross: "How did you know?"

“The pelvis,” Song Qingshi quickly explained. “I’ve performed numerous dissections and studied osteological structures of all ages and sexes. Male pelvises are narrow, tall, and long, while female pelvises are broad, short, and low. The physiological structure affects gait—men walk with minimal pelvic movement, while women exhibit greater pelvic motion.”

At first, he was distracted by their beauty and then encountered a giant serpent, so he didn't think much of it. But when they reached the inn, he noticed something off about the physique and quickly put two and two together. After all, modern society had plenty of cross-dressing men—nothing too surprising.

Feng Jun froze for a moment. The medical student’s perspective was way too out there, focusing on points he’d never considered. After a long pause, he asked, “Why didn’t you expose me?”

Song Qingshi said sheepishly, "It's your hobby. Exposing you wouldn't be nice."

Though a bit odd, everyone had their own hobbies—just like how he enjoyed studying corpses and organs, which others might find strange. Since Feng Jun liked wearing women’s clothing and did so beautifully, pleasing to the eye, and since he wasn't some prudish traditionalist resistant to new things, why bother exposing him?

Song Qingshi thumped his chest in a show of loyalty, "I can accept cross-dressing! It's beautiful! I love it! You can wear whatever you want!"

Feng Jun looked at him and felt a pang in his chest.

Song Qingshi continued praising, "Though I was a little surprised to realize I liked a man, Feng Jun's petite figure takes the pressure off. It's easy to adjust to."

Feng Jun felt even worse. "You don't like tall men?"

His original form, though perfect, was even taller and stronger than Yue Wuhuan back in the day…

Song Qingshi had always disliked his own slender build. Figuring Feng Jun might feel sensitive about physique, he doubled down on reassurance, "Don't worry, I don't like tall, strong men. I prefer gentle, adorable figures like yours."

Feng Jun thought for a long time before cautiously asking, "Are you afraid you couldn't take it?"

Song Qingshi confirmed, "Yes, I couldn't."

His face was too youthful-looking—standing next to a tall, mature man might make him look like a child, which would hurt his pride.

Feng Jun’s heart was practically fit to burst. He decided to temporarily abandon changing back to his true form, keeping his youthful appearance until they adjusted. At least he had confidence in his beauty—male or female attire didn't matter. If Song Qingshi liked it, he could switch it up however he wanted.

Song Qingshi had already agreed to the trip to the Tianwu Sect—he wasn't about to back out now.

“I’m already here with you. You don’t need to keep this notebook anymore,” Feng Jun said after a moment's thought, before taking away the notebook documenting Yue Wuhuan’s past. He initially wanted to tear it up, but seeing Song Qingshi’s reluctant expression, he tucked it into his own Mustard Seed Bag instead. Then, he handed him a brand-new blank notebook and smiled, “Since we’re different from the past now, write a new chapter.”

Though the sentiment was touching, he wouldn’t feel at ease until all traces of Yue Wuhuan’s memories were dealt with…

Song Qingshi thought it over and agreed.

He scribbled down in the new notebook: *Likes cross-dressing.*

Feng Jun: "…"