Chapter 77

Chapter 77

Ming Fei Yu sighed again, hoisted the man onto his back anew, adjusted his position for maximum comfort, and continued towards their destination.

Truly, it was like carrying an ancestor on his back.

When Xie Zhi Gui awoke, it was already the evening of the next day, inside a cave behind a waterfall.

Before even opening his eyes, he heard the rush of water and smelled the invigorating dampness in the air, the coolness seeping into his bones.

Ming Fei Yu was sitting at the edge of the bed. "Awake?" he inquired.

"Mhm." Xie Zhi Gui's voice was nasally, and on first glance, he felt something was amiss in Ming Fei Yu’s gaze towards him, also noting a large, faint red mark on Ming Fei Yu's neck.

Had he been scratched by something?

But he didn’t dwell on it, as his eyes inexplicably ached terribly, as if swollen from a blow.

"Where are we?"

Speaking made his voice sound so hoarse that it startled even himself.

"My voice, what's happened to it?!"

Ming Fei Yu said, "You were crying in your dream."

"Crying?"

Xie Zhi Gui couldn't recall shedding any tears, "Why would I cry?"

Ming Fei Yu found it amusing, "You're asking me?"

Realizing his mistake, Xie Zhi Gui quickly apologized, "Sorry about that."

Rising, Ming Fei Yu fetched a few leaves from a small hole in the stone wall where herbs were kept, poured a cup of warm water, sprinkled the leaves into it, and after the water changed color, he handed it to Xie Zhi Gui, "Drink this, it's for your throat."

Xie Zhi Gui accepted it, "Thank you."

The sweet liquid was soothing as it went down, quickly alleviating the dryness in his throat.

As he drank the medicine, he couldn't help but survey his surroundings covertly, "Is this Wan Hua Cliff?"

Ming Fei Yu answered, "Sort of, we're at the base of the cliff."

Xie Zhi Gui inquired further, "How long have I slept?"

"Almost a day."

"A day?!" He exclaimed in surprise.

How had so much time passed?!

Judging by the light outside, Xie Zhi Gui had assumed he'd only slept from noon to afternoon. Counting the days, it would be a full moon tomorrow.

Time flies indeed.

But why didn't Ming Fei Yu seem the least bit flustered?

He cleared his throat and asked, "Do you need my help with anything tomorrow?"

Taking the empty cup, Ming Fei Yu disposed of the used leaves and stood up to fetch a cup of plain warm water for him, "For my situation, there's not much you can help with, just sitting here will suffice."

Xie Zhi Gui was puzzled, "Just sit here, that's it?"

"Hmm, don't wander off; you may move within a hundred meters around here, just make sure I know you're nearby."

Xie Zhigui still couldn't grasp the meaning behind Ming Feiyu's words.

Why must he stay within the range of his own perception? What would happen if he ran off?

But what worried him more was Ming Feiyu.

It was because Ming Feiyu was too composed and self-assured. To him, the morrow seemed like just another ordinary day—no cause for alarm, no excessive readiness for his arrival required.

Either he was completely confident that he could get through the full moon unscathed, that he himself was no threat, or perhaps his concern was so great that it manifested in an extreme calm.

He could only hope it wasn't the former.

Behind the grotto, there was a small space where a misty, cold vapor swirled around, and the walls glowed with the ethereal blue of polar ice fissures. Ten meters away from the entrance, Xie Zhigui was already covered in goosebumps. He didn't dare to follow Ming Feiyu inside, so he just stood at the entrance, watching and continually rubbing his body to keep warm.

Ming Feiyu bent down to check whether the chains on the ground were secure. The other end of the chain was fastened to the stone wall, clanging when tugged.

After checking, he turned to instruct Xie Zhigui, "Stay away from here. No matter what you hear tomorrow, you must absolutely not come closer."

"Alright." Xie Zhigui consciously stepped back a distance until he was far enough not to shiver from the cold.

He called out loudly, "Is this distance good enough?"

"It's enough."

As Ming Feiyu turned his head, Xie Zhigui's expression changed abruptly, his gaze becoming grave as he eyed the cave filled with chill air.

He never expected to find such a place, regretting not bringing a thicker coat.

He was not like Ming Feiyu, with his tough skin and flesh, free to move about in a space of minus ten degrees. He feared that just a few seconds in, his feet would freeze solid, making it impossible to move, let alone lay a hand on Ming Feiyu.

It was a careless oversight.

The next day came in a blink, and he tried layering several articles of clothing to go inside.

But he could only manage three steps before his blood seemed to freeze in his veins. Forget moving; even breathing felt like a blade scraping through his nostrils, his head ached violently, and he almost became frozen solid there.

It was only Ming Feiyu's timely discovery that saved him. Ming Feiyu pulled him out and held him for two hours to warm him up, continuously massaging his muscles until his body temperature returned to normal.

A few minutes later, and he might have perished from hypothermia.

Ming Feiyu’s face was so dark with anger it seemed it could drip ink, and he unleashed a torrent of fierce scolding upon him.

“How many times have I told you not to go in there? Did you listen at all? Do you have any idea how cold it is inside? Or do you think you’re invincible, seeking death for a thrill? If you want to die, just say the word! I’ll strangle you right now and put you out of your misery!”

Xie Zhigui had never been berated like this in his life; his mind buzzed, and fresh from the brink of death, he found himself under such a reprimand. He hadn’t even finished speaking before his eyes reddened, and he stared at Ming Feiyu through tear-blurred eyes.

Ming Feiyu was having none of it and scoffed coldly, “Crying? You think you’re the aggrieved party? Did I berate you unjustly? You’re the one courting death!”

Xie Zhigui couldn’t bear these harsh words, pushed him away, leapt out of bed, and ran out barefoot.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

Ming Feiyu immediately stood up and commanded in a deep voice, “Come back!”

Feeling indignant, Xie Zhigui kept walking out, ignoring him.

“Are you coming back or not!”

“……”

“Don’t go far! Can you hear me!”

Humph!

Xie Zhigui stormed outside in one breath.

Suddenly, the cave fell silent. Ming Feiyu's gaze darkened as he stared at the entrance, then he vented his raging anger and dissatisfaction by slamming his fist onto the bedside—crack—the stone bed split with a few significant cracks, his knuckles whitening from the force.

The air was thick with a stifling, unventilated heat of anger.

The guy was too disobedient; he shouldn’t have brought him here.

Of all times, he had to be troublesome when it mattered most!

Were it not for the exceptional circumstances, he would never allow him to make a mistake and then have the audacity to storm off in a huff. He should be punished until he acknowledges his error and begs for mercy.

A few days of kindness, and look how big his temper has grown!

Indeed, one should never be too kind to the greedy who are never satisfied and always want more.

They should be dealt with directly—killed or subdued, made to submit at one's feet like a dog.

“Everybody out!”

The gu insects poked their heads out from the rock crevices; linked with their master’s mood, they could sense how angry and irritated he was, so they moved with caution, fearful of provoking him further.

Ming Feiyu bent over to pick up the scattered shoes on the ground, handing them to the gu insects. His anger hadn’t subsided, and his tone was nowhere near friendly, “Take these to him to put on!”

The gu insects buzzed in response: “Buzz, buzz.”

The master is fierce and frightening.

If Xie Zhigui were still around, he’d surely get an earful—outside were stones and dry twigs, and venomous creatures wriggling on the ground; running out there barefoot, are you trying to mangle your feet? Or do you no longer wish to keep them?! Do you fancy spending the rest of your life paralyzed in bed, being carried by others?!

Unfortunately, he had run too fast, and the scolding did not reach him.

Ming Feiyu took some time to calm his emotions; he didn’t understand how he could be so affected by a human to such an extent.

Nearly losing his sanity, becoming a lowly creature driven by rage.

The moment he saw Xie Zhigui nearly frozen stiff, he truly panicked.

Afterwards, he was so flustered that the words he spoke bypassed his reason, driven purely by emotion.

He didn’t believe an ordinary human could change anything about him. It must be the influence of the full moon that made him so irritable and restless.

Yes, that must be it.

Time was pressing, and as today was nearing its end, Ming Feiyu had no time to waste on anger. He instructed the gu insects, “Keep a close eye on him. Don’t let him wander off, or come back in. Whatever he wants to eat, go find it for him. If there’s danger, protect him. If it’s too much to handle, then just...”

Ming Feiyu paused, the image of Xie Zhigui with his aggrieved, tearful eyes coming to mind. Why was he thinking of that fellow again…

In the end, he closed his eyes in a gesture of compromise, sighing softly for the soft-heartedness he shouldn't possess: “If it’s too much, come and find me, understood?”

“Buzz, buzz.”

——

Xie Zhigui hadn’t run far at all, merely hidden behind a stone grotto.

When the gu insects found him, he was sitting against the rock wall, knees hugged to his chest, his head buried deep within the crook of his arms, emitting faint sobs.

His shoulders trembled as he wept, evoking a sight of utter pitifulness.

The gu insects placed the shoes gently by his feet. Their master had not taught them how to console a human, so they could only sit quietly beside him for company.

A long time passed, and the sobbing ceased.

After a while, without lifting his head, Xie Zhigui’s voice emerged, hoarse and muffled.

“Is he… still angry?”

“Buzz, buzz.”

How foolish, asking a swarm of insects that couldn’t speak. What use was there in that?

He knew the answer anyway. How could Ming Feiyu not be angry with him? He’d been disobedient, ran off causing trouble, and after being rescued, had the gall to turn away the savior. Anyone would be irate in such a situation.

The more Xie Zhigui thought, the more agitated he became, continuously knocking on his head, muttering to himself, “What was I thinking just now?”

Why did he run?

Even if Ming Feiyu had scolded him, a few harsh words wouldn’t have hurt. He had already humbled himself before Ming Feiyu; a bit of lost pride was the least of his worries.

It should have been over after Ming Feiyu’s scolding, but his impulsive run had instantly complicated matters.

Why couldn’t he control his emotions? He had always been able to do so in the past.

Regret was futile; he could only think about how to apologize and make amends with Ming Feiyu.

He felt increasingly alien and strange to himself, and all the changes had begun with a certain creature.

Why him, why did it have to be him…

He spent the whole night hidden there, not daring to go back.

He didn’t dare face Ming Feiyu’s sarcasm and wrath, fearful that a moment of impulsiveness could ruin everything.

It was uncomfortable sleeping outside, the stones were excruciating, and he was not dressed warmly. The cold woke him several times during the night, and although the gu insects later brought him clothes and kept the mosquitoes away, he still slept fitfully, stumbling through until dawn.

What difference would dawn make?

It's not like he could return.

He had been here for half a day, staring blankly in one direction, until his growling stomach reminded him he hadn't eaten since yesterday.

The gu insects heard it too, flying out and swiftly returning with some berries.

"Thank you," Xie Zhigui teased the little azure-gold creature, which fluttered its wings happily in the palm of his hand.

Although it was a gift from Ming Fei Yu, it was far easier to please than its master.

Xie Zhigui felt a slight relief in his heart, deciding to address his hunger first.

These berries, varied in color and shape, were mostly unfamiliar to Xie Zhigui, but surely the ones they picked should be edible.

Seeing Xie Zhigui's hesitation, the little creature took the initiative to taste them for him, joyfully hopping and spinning in his hand when it found a particularly delicious one.

Xie Zhigui was amused by its adorable and comical behavior, "Alright, I get it, it's tasty. Thank you for keeping me company and helping me out."

They had picked ripe fruits, fragrant and juicy, which tasted wonderful.

After eating and waiting a while without feeling any adverse effects, Xie Zhigui allowed himself some peace of mind.

The wind grew colder. As Xie Zhigui noted the darkening skies approaching dusk, a heaviness settled in his heart.

Tonight was the night of the full moon.

Time was drawing near, and even without a plan, he had to return and prepare for the evening's events.

He entered the cave cautiously, looking around to find it empty. His gaze then shifted towards the ice chamber, presuming Ming Fei Yu had already retreated there ahead of time.

Better that he was inside; it spared them both an awkward encounter.

After tonight, it would all be over.

Only one of them, he or Ming Fei Yu, would leave this place safely.

Shooing away the insects, he rummaged through his backpack and withdrew the dagger, unraveling the cloth that wrapped it.

The blade sang as it slid from the sheath, its snowy surface reflecting his composed yet unnaturally flushed complexion.

The next instant, his hand trembled, and the dagger clattered to the ground.

Almost instantly, a peculiar weakness surged through him like a massive tidal wave, draining all his strength, making it nearly impossible to stand. He stumbled against a stone table, overturning his backpack, spilling its contents.

But his vision blurred again, as if a teetotaler had suddenly downed half a bottle of strong liquor, his cheeks aflame with intoxication, his eyes unfocused, a fierce, unbearable heat raging from his belly, spreading like wildfire through his veins, rampaging throughout his body.

There was no part of him that wasn't burning.

Fires seemed to blaze everywhere, leaving his skin flushed deep red like that of a drunken stupor.

Instinct told him to seek water; only the chill of water could rescue him from this scorching heat.

Where was it, where on earth was the water...

The sound of water seemed to surround him, yet he couldn't discern any direction to prepare himself.

He stumbled again on the scattered items on the ground, reeling backwards and slamming his waist against a protruding stone wall— "Hiss, ah!"

Feeling as if his bones had shattered, he collapsed to the ground, groaning in pain: "It hurts, it hurts so much..."

Rolling over a few times, he found himself unwittingly at the entrance of the ice chamber.

A trace of coolness slightly eased the intense heat and discomfort of his body.

But it wasn't enough, he yearned for more...

His mind, muddled as porridge, had completely forgotten Ming Fei Yu's warning.

All he knew was that he was unbearably hot, crawling towards the source of the cold air, his body writhing like a snake with seductive bones.

Inside the ice chamber, Ming Fei Yu sat cross-legged in the center, under a skylight that allowed the moonlight to cascade over him.

Every time he attempted to enter a meditative state, his mind was assailed by various distractions, leaving him restless and incapable of finding peace.

And all these distractions were related to one person.

Bringing Xie Zhigui here was meant to use his scent to soothe and stabilize his mind, but it turned out to be anything but soothing; his heart was in such disarray he didn't know how to settle it.

Xie Zhigui, Xie Zhigui, Xie Zhigui!... This name, this person, seemed to have cast a love spell on him, making it impossible for him not to think of him, whether he was near or far.

There's simply no way to even think about it, especially since I can't see him now.

"Ming Fei Yu."

Ming Fei Yu didn’t look back, assuming it was another auditory hallucination – an annoying delusion that had occurred dozens of times. He was too irritated to even consider acknowledging it.

"Ming Fei Yu... save me, save me..."

But this time, the plea sounded too real.

Nevertheless, Ming Fei Yu opened his eyes and turned towards the sound, only to see Xie Zhi Gui leaning heavily against the entrance's stone wall, gasping for air, his complexion terribly off, seemingly devoid of strength in his limbs.

His hair was in disarray, drenched in sweat, clothes disheveled; on seeing him, it was like glimpsing a savior, and with a piteous smile, Xie Zhi Gui stumbled towards him.

"You..."

"Ming, Ming Fei Yu, help me, I beg you to help me."