Chapter 83

Chapter 83

Rong Yu: "..."

He had just been profoundly moved by Lu Shitu's words, still reeling from the emotional impact, when he was blindsided by such a twisted remark.

Why, then, could this person utter such words with a completely serious expression, even a hint of righteous dilemma? It almost felt as if the problem lay with Rong Yu—as if Rong Yu were the one making it impossible for him to restrain himself.

He fell silent for a moment, then expressionlessly pushed Lu Shitu's face away. "That's enough."

Lu Shitu chuckled, captured Rong Yu's hand in his, and relentlessly leaned in to find Rong Yu's lips.

Rong Yu ultimately didn't resist, allowing Lu Shitu to embrace him and deepen the kiss until he was almost breathless.

His lips were slightly sore from the fervent kissing. With a mix of helplessness and annoyance, he lifted a hand to wipe his mouth. "Let's go check on your Martial Uncle." Rong Baichuan had recovered quickly after waking up and was likely doing much better by now.

Lu Shitu murmured in agreement, gently stroking Rong Yu's hand. Then he added, "Shizun, do you think Diao Si can really come up with a solution in three days?"

"He said three days himself. We might as well wait and see," Rong Yu replied casually. After a pause, he sighed. "At this critical juncture... we might as well try anything. If he truly has a solution, that would be for the best."

A short while ago, in a desperate attempt to prove his worth, Diao Si had racked his brain and eventually thought of the miasma.

Diao Si eagerly explained, "Here's the thing—I had already largely conceived the original plotline and ending of the novel. Those storylines would definitely contain a method to resolve the miasma... Well, perhaps it's not entirely accurate to say I conceived it myself. Many of the plot inspirations just suddenly appeared in my mind, or I dreamed them. It's probably what you'd call... observation? Anyway, even though I haven't written it down and don't quite remember the details, if you give me some time, I'm sure I can recall it!"

Rong Yu remained unmoved, stating coldly, "But as I recall, in your book, Jiang Ziliu was able to go to Kaiyang Realm very early on? I remember... according to the latter half of your novel, the ending was most likely Jiang Ziliu abandoning this world and leaving, taking his harem to live happily in Kaiyang Realm, wasn't it? Where does this solution come from?"

Diao Si's expression flickered with panic for a moment. "...Yes, that's... but I remember, in the inspiration I received, someone eventually solved the miasma problem. It just wasn't Jiang Ziliu, so I didn't pay much attention. So... so give me a few days. I'm sure I can remember this method. Three days—three days is enough!"

Rong Yu snapped out of his thoughts and walked side by side with Lu Shitu into Rong Baichuan's cave dwelling.

Rong Baichuan was sitting by a table, tinkering with a small alchemy furnace. When he saw Rong Yu enter, his eyes lit up, and he smiled. "A-Yu, you're here."

Seeing that Rong Baichuan looked much healthier, had gained some weight, and was no longer the skeletal, critically ill man he had been, Rong Yu felt greatly relieved and smiled. "What are you working on, Senior Brother?"

"Ah, this?" Rong Baichuan tapped the alchemy furnace and smiled. "The sect has fallen. I can't just sit idle, so I'm refining some pills to keep myself occupied."

Seeing that he was in good spirits, Rong Yu nodded. "As long as you enjoy it, Senior Brother."

After chatting for a while, Rong Baichuan seemed to remember something. He hesitated, glanced at Rong Yu, and said uneasily, "A-Yu... actually, there's one more thing..."

"It's about Jiang Chengxue... He's in the sect's prison. He keeps saying that if you returned, he wants to see you..."

Rong Yu's smile gradually faded, his expression growing complex. He frowned. "The sect is gone, and he still hasn't left?"

Rong Baichuan's expression also darkened. "Yes. Earlier, I sent Zixu to gather spiritual herbs for my pill refining. He passed by the sect's disciplinary hall and saw... someone in the cell where Jiang Chengxue is held. It was only because he mentioned it that I remembered."

Zixu was the only young daoist boy who had stayed behind on Bingzhen Peak, willing to continue caring for the severely injured Rong Baichuan. It was only because of him that Rong Yu could focus on handling Jiang Ziliu's affairs.

Rong Yu was silent, first feeling a bit puzzled: Why was he held in the disciplinary hall and not the dungeon? The disciplinary hall was the aboveground section of the sect prison, mainly used for disciples who had committed minor offenses to reflect in seclusion. The conditions were simply simpler—it wasn't a true prison. In fact, disciples who needed a place to go into seclusion but had nowhere else to go would sometimes apply to stay there. The underground dungeon beneath the disciplinary hall was the real prison for holding criminals.

Lu Shitu seemed to sense what Rong Yu was thinking and explained, "Initially, Martial Uncle and I did intend to imprison him in the dungeon, but given his cultivation level, the sect prison couldn't hold him. So, to be precise, he..."

Lu Shitu paused here, then lowered his gaze and continued, "He stayed in the disciplinary hall voluntarily and didn't leave."

Voluntarily stayed... for what? Could it really be just to see him?

Rong Yu's feelings were incredibly complex. On one hand, he remembered that the current dire situation on the continent was caused by Jiang Chengxue opening the passage and releasing the miasma. He also recalled how Jiang Chengxue had deceived and used him for years, infiltrated Pofeng Peak to investigate Twelve Floors, and ultimately stole the jade ring, leading to this disaster.

But on the other hand, he couldn't help but think back to what the demonic cultivators had said in Liuyun Jian. For the continent's surface, this was a catastrophe, but for the continent's underside, it was the only path to survival—and Jiang Chengxue was their savior.

The scene from the depths of Changhen Abyss, where Jiang Chengxue had desperately tried to save him and cried out "Shizun" with heart-rending intensity, also resurfaced in Rong Yu's mind.

Besides, no matter what, Jiang Chengxue had been by his side for several years. Even raising a cat would have developed affection, let alone a disciple...

Rong Yu massaged his temples and stood up. "Senior Brother, I'll be going now."

Rong Baichuan seemed to want to say something but hesitated. He glanced at Rong Yu, then at Lu Shitu, and finally seemed reassured, saying nothing more.

The two of them walked out of the Bingzhen Peak residence.

"Shizun, are you going to see him?"

Rong Yu was a bit distracted and tilted his head to ask casually, "Do you want me to go?"

Lu Shitu shook his head honestly.

Only then did Rong Yu truly look at him and laugh. "Stop being so clingy."

Lu Shitu watched Rong Yu for a moment, then leaned in and gently kissed the corner of his lips. It was as if he were confirming Rong Yu's presence, or leaving an indelible mark.

Rong Yu found his attachment amusing and held the back of his head, not letting him pull away, deepening the kiss.

"Is that better now?"

Lu Shitu gasped for breath, burying his face in Rong Yu's neck. "Now... I want to let you go even less."

Author's Note: In Shizun's eyes, Little Lu is a spoiled brat who's always acting spoiled (what a strange filter...)

(Shizun dotes on him, that's for sure.)

For those friends who read the previous chapter before it was locked, remember to read it again. During the editing process, I moved some of this chapter's content to the previous one because the previous chapter needed cuts but couldn't lose word count.

Thank you all so much for your support. I will continue to work hard!