Chapter 65

Chapter 65

The man meticulously wiped Rong Yu’s face clean, then gently cleansed his neck. Strangely, Rong Yu noticed his movements growing slower, and the pressure seemed to intensify.

Next, the man cradled Rong Yu’s hand, slowly wiping it, not missing a single crevice between his fingers, with a meticulousness that bordered on unsettling.

Gradually, Rong Yu felt a flicker of impatience, his skin prickling. Just as he was about to speak, his hand was suddenly lifted, and a cool kiss landed upon it.

The "Senior Brother" quickly released his hand, his voice gentle as he said, "Junior... Brother, I apologize."

Rong Yu’s initial reaction was one of profound discomfort, an urge to snatch his hand back. Yet, a sense of familiarity then washed over him. This gesture... it felt like something they had done before.

Lu Shitu gazed intently at the person before him, allowing his eyes to caress him inch by inch, unseen by the other.

Though he remembered nothing, ever since waking, Lu Shitu had felt an inexplicable, boundless joy and a sense of relief, as if having survived a catastrophe, whenever he looked at the person before him.

He had no idea what kind of relationship he shared with this person, only that he felt a deep connection, as if woven into his very bone and blood, yet it wasn't the feeling of kinship.

But when he heard the term "dao companions," Lu Shitu instinctively wanted to refute it, his face flushing crimson in an instant.

He looked at the person before him—delicate features with a hint of youthful innocence. Even though he felt something was off and awkward, he had to admit that this person did resemble his junior brother.

Yet, he himself was also hesitant: Was the bond between senior and junior brothers truly the same as what he felt in his heart?

Then, when he saw the vacant gaze in the other’s eyes, his heart suddenly ached.

He felt... it shouldn’t be like this. The handsome youth before him should have been wearing a faint, somewhat arrogant smile, his peach-blossom eyes slightly upturned, as if he were powerful enough to have everything under control yet always a bit impatient. He shouldn’t be like this—sitting here with sightless eyes, seeming somewhat uneasy, forced to rely on his hands to grope his way around.

How could he... have let him become like this? He should have placed him securely in the best possible circumstances, protecting him thoroughly, ensuring he wanted for nothing, letting him worry about nothing more than what to eat each day.

As he continued wiping the other person, Lu Shitu gazed at his fair skin and, for some reason, suddenly felt the urge to apply more pressure, to see it blush, just like... just like he had done countless times before...

When he reached the other’s hand, Lu Shitu could no longer restrain his desire. He couldn’t help but lower his head and kiss it. The feeling... wasn’t just desire but also seemed like a need to confirm something. Only after that did his heart finally find peace.

It was as if, before this kiss, he had been drifting alone for far too long, and only now had he finally reached shore.

After the two had cleaned up, the Medical Cultivator took their pulses again, then looked somewhat puzzled. "Hmm... your condition... I beg your pardon for my limited skill. Though it doesn’t entirely resemble Soul-Loss Disorder, I can’t offer any other diagnosis. Since fate has brought us together, take these pills. Consume one daily to ease your spiritual meridians. As for the memory loss, it will likely just take time to recover. But this Immortal Master’s eyes... ah, never mind, forget I mentioned it. Well, I must pack and be on my way. You two are free to leave as well."

As he spoke, the Medical Cultivator sighed and stood up.

A servant nearby said sorrowfully, "Master, must you really leave?"

The Medical Cultivator sighed helplessly. "I don’t want to go either, but what choice do I have! Who can treat 'Mirage Qi'? That one is just being unreasonable. The medicine I sent yesterday had no effect, and he wasn’t joking. If I don’t leave now, I’ll be waiting for him to have my head chopped off!"

Rong Yu’s expression became serious, and he suddenly spoke up. "What exactly is this 'Mirage Qi' you mentioned? It sounds somewhat familiar. Perhaps I can help."

Clearly, this wasn’t some secret, so the Medical Cultivator answered without hesitation. "Ah, it’s a long story. Mirage Qi is a strange illness from the Eastern Continent. It came from the reverse side of the continent a few years ago when demonic cultivators invaded, and it’s basically incurable. Recently, demonic cultivators have started invading the Western Continent as well, and Mirage Qi has spread here too, though fortunately only in remote areas. But then, a few days ago, the Crown Prince of the Western Continent’s only son—the Crown Prince himself—his Crown Princess suddenly contracted Mirage Qi and now lies unconscious. The Crown Prince has ordered us to take turns diagnosing her, and those who fail will be thrown into the death prison. How could I possibly have that ability? If I don’t leave, what other option is there..."

At that moment, Rong Yu felt his "Senior Brother" suddenly reach out and slowly cover his hand. At the same time, the "Senior Brother" said, "This Mirage Qi does sound familiar. Why don’t you take us to see her? Perhaps we might have a solution. After all... leaving like this isn’t a perfect solution either, don’t you think?"

The "Senior Brother’s" burningly hot palm pressed against Rong Yu’s hand, making him momentarily dazed. Even without any memory of the past, the familiarity, closeness, and tacit understanding between him and this "Senior Brother" felt undeniably real. They must have shared a profound relationship before.

The Medical Cultivator seemed to have similar concerns. Hearing the "Senior Brother’s" words, he sighed heavily. After a long pause, as if truly out of alternatives, he hesitated and said, "Since both Immortal Masters say so... I suppose you immortals have your own mystical methods. I’ve vaguely heard that there were disciples from Eastern Continent cultivation sects who contracted Mirage Qi and were eventually cured. Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to try again."

As he spoke, his tone grew despondent again. "But our Crown Prince... since the Crown Princess fell ill, he’s truly... ah, I’m afraid if you two fail to cure her, you might needlessly incur calamity."

The Medical Cultivator seemed genuinely kind-hearted. Rong Yu smiled faintly. "It’s fine. You said yourself that our cultivation is profound, unlike anything you’ve seen in your life. In that case, do you think the palace guards could stop us? Even if we fail, we can protect ourselves."

The Medical Cultivator fell silent for a moment, seemingly finding this feasible. A hint of hope gradually crept into his voice. "If both Immortal Masters are willing, we can set off for the palace today."

Rong Yu nodded. The "Senior Brother" also smiled and said, "Good, but there’s one more thing I’d like to ask. Earlier, you implied that my... junior brother’s eyes might have a treatment? Could you tell us what it is?"

The Medical Cultivator also smiled. "Ah, what a coincidence. The thing I mentioned is actually a treasure in the palace—Ling Guang. It’s said to be formed from condensed light in a phoenix’s eyes. No matter what kind of eye ailment, as long as you have Ling Guang, it will surely restore them to normal. Under ordinary circumstances, there’s no way we could obtain it. But if the Immortal Masters can cure the Crown Princess, given the Crown Prince’s devotion to her, you might be able to request the precious Ling Guang from him."

This "Ling Guang" sounded somewhat familiar. Rong Yu vaguely sensed that it could indeed serve such a purpose. He nodded inwardly, thinking that this trip was undoubtedly necessary.

The "Senior Brother" clearly thought the same. He immediately said, "Good, then shall we set off as soon as possible? After all, my junior... brother’s eyes cannot be delayed."

The Medical Cultivator agreed readily. Just as they were about to leave, Rong Yu suddenly felt a sharp headache. The pain was so intense that he trembled, unable to suppress a muffled groan.

The "Senior Brother" instantly supported him, urgently asking, "Junior Brother, what’s wrong??"

Rong Yu couldn’t speak. The headache grew increasingly severe, as if a knife were being twisted into his temples. He pressed his hand against his head, completely unable to control his facial expression, which must have looked quite grim. Then, his legs began to weaken, and he almost knelt down.

The "Senior Brother" immediately partially supported him, firmly holding his body, then reached under his knees and carefully lifted him into his arms. He hurried to the bedside and gently laid him down on the bed.

The Medical Cultivator also rushed forward to examine him but could find nothing wrong, frowning in confusion as he pondered.

Rong Yu couldn’t help but tightly grip the arm supporting him. The pain was so unbearable that he felt like bashing his head against the wall—better to knock himself stupid and be done with it.

The "Senior Brother’s" voice sounded even more pained than his, tinged with a faint fear, as if afraid of something. "Junior Brother, where does it hurt? Is it your head? Let me help you..."

He seemed frantic, gently pressing on Rong Yu’s temples. Then, as if realizing something, he suddenly began searching his own body.

Rong Yu paid no attention to what he was doing, wholly focused on resisting the severe headache. Then, something cool touched his forehead. The "Senior Brother" seemed to have tied something around his head.

Miraculously, once this thing was in place, Rong Yu’s headache truly miraculously vanished—coming suddenly and leaving just as suddenly. In an instant, he was back to normal.

Rong Yu reached up bewilderedly and felt a cool jade circlet, which seemed to emit a cooling energy, and had immediately made him feel better.

Rong Yu vaguely remembered something and instinctively channeled a bit of spiritual energy into the jade circlet. For a while, nothing seemed to happen.

This seemed to originally be his... and it seemed related to that so-called "Mirage Qi." How did it end up in the "Senior Brother’s" hands? Had he accidentally dropped it during the earlier calamity?

The "Senior Brother" let out a deep breath, as if having survived a disaster. Then, he suddenly reached out and hugged Rong Yu tightly.

Rong Yu was startled, and the other’s hot breath brushing against his ear made him quite unsettled. But the "Senior Brother’s" body seemed to tremble slightly, his heart beating rapidly, likely due to the earlier tension. Rong Yu felt too reluctant to push him away.

The "Senior Brother’s" embrace... wasn’t unfamiliar. This burning heat was also very familiar.

Good heavens, could this "Senior Brother" really be his dao companion? But it seemed he had forgotten his feelings for him and wasn’t fully accustomed to his intimate gestures. What should he do...

Rong Yu secretly began to worry.

Author's Note: Little Lu is finally free of his shackles, transforming into the beloved straightforward attacker everyone enjoys...

(It should be beloved, right?!)

(Anyway, I'm having a blast writing it!)