Chapter 145

Chapter 145

Shen Qichi retreated to the opposite bank, facing him across the water, his eyes curving slightly at the corners. "You can call me that."

Su Ying glanced down at his own, now empty, arms. "I?"

"Me, or 'I'—that's how we humans refer to ourselves now."

Su Ying swam over, his massive serpent tail churning the water with a loud splash. His arms wrapped around Shen Qichi's waist again, lifting him to sit in his embrace, chin resting on Shen Qichi's shoulder. "Should I refer to myself that way too?"

His breath fanned Shen Qichi's ear as he spoke. Sitting sideways in his arms, Shen Qichi turned his head away slightly, uncomfortable. "If you wish."

Both of them were naked. Shen Qichi curled his legs, his left hand braced against Su Ying's chest, unconsciously trying to put some distance between them, only to be pulled back in firmly.

Su Ying nuzzled his chin against Shen Qichi's shoulder. "I want to be like you."

Patches of serpent scales still lingered on his chest. Shen Qichi's hand was a buffer between them as he teased, "Then you have a lot to learn." Su Ying did not understand human speech, only the language of demons. Their current ability to communicate relied entirely on the half of his demon core that Su Ying had shared with him.

Su Ying frowned, gripping Shen Qichi's wrist to move the hand from his chest, while his other hand tilted Shen Qichi's chin, forcing their eyes to meet. "Do you not like my... my current form?"

His pupils were vertically slit, and he instinctively flicked his tongue, a snake's habit. Shen Qichi was taken aback. "Why would you say that?"

"You never avoided me before."

After all, snakes love to coil around things. The more they like something, the tighter they hold on.

Shen Qichi didn't know how to explain that in the mortal world, two unclothed people pressed together was improper. Seeing Su Ying staring at him expressionlessly and intently, he could only say, "It's not that I dislike it. It's just that the spring is making me cold. I want to go back."

Su Ying considered this, then reluctantly let go.

Shen Qichi waded ashore and picked up his clothes. The outer robe of this set was originally moon-white, but after months of washing, it had faded to pure white. Shen Qichi did his best to smooth out the wrinkles and put each piece on.

Su Ying turned in the water, resting his arms on the bank to watch him, his serpent tail idly stirring the water. "I modeled my form after yours. You shouldn't dislike it."

His appearance bore no resemblance to Shen Qichi's. Shen Qichi, who had been facing away, turned around upon hearing this. "Have you never taken human form before?"

"Why would I?"

Indeed, he had long been secluded in the mountains, so his true form was naturally the most comfortable.

Shen Qichi hadn't expected Su Ying to have transformed because of him and was momentarily speechless. He had taken human form because of him, entered the mortal world because of him, yet Shen Qichi had taught him nothing, ultimately leading to that outcome.

He stood there dazed for a long moment before turning away, pulling on the half-donned clothes, and walking out.

Behind him, the splashing of water grew louder. Shen Qichi stopped and looked back to see Su Ying bracing himself against the rocky bank as if to haul himself out. He was clearly still unaccustomed to his new body, his arms adjusting repeatedly before finding a position to push himself up onto land. His transformation was not yet complete; the scales on his abdomen grew denser lower down, and below remained a thick serpent tail. A golden dragon pattern coiled across his flat stomach, the water droplets upon it glistening as it wound into the scales at his waist.

Shen Qichi watched him approach, dragging his tail. Wet black hair clung to his pale shoulders and neck. His face was as fair as snow, but his lips were red as blood. His lashes were lowered, his eyes cold, his expression indifferent, yet Shen Qichi saw a lingering childishness there.

Great demons who undergo tribulations and ascend to divinity can live for thousands upon thousands of years. At just over seven hundred years old, compared to a human, he was merely a child.

With his serpent tail, Su Ying stood half a body taller than Shen Qichi. He stopped beside Shen Qichi and lowered his head. A cool coil wrapped around Shen Qichi's ankle; looking down, he saw Su Ying hooking him with the tip of his tail, as if to coil further up his leg. It was a familiar gesture between them, though if it coiled now, it would make walking difficult.

"You need to get used to using your hands." Shen Qichi took the initiative to grasp one of Su Ying's hands. "Like this."

Su Ying looked at their joined hands, still dissatisfied. He lowered his head again, the tip of his tail persistently circling Shen Qichi's ankle.

Shen Qichi sighed in resignation, interlacing his fingers with Su Ying's and gripping his hand tightly. "Is this better?"

Su Ying mimicked his action, tightening his fingers. The tip of his tail gave Shen Qichi's ankle a few final, gentle brushes before slowly withdrawing. A faint smile touched Shen Qichi's lips as he led him forward. After just a few steps, his hand was suddenly empty, and then his waist was seized. A powerful force yanked him backward, lifting his feet off the ground. He let out a soft gasp, instinctively grabbing the arm around his waist.

His back pressed against a cold, solid chest. Shen Qichi turned his head, his lips accidentally brushing against the Great Demon's cool cheek. He went still for a moment before asking softly, "What are you doing?"

Su Ying rested his chin on Shen Qichi's shoulder, burying his face in his neck and taking a deep breath. His voice was slightly muffled by the movement. "This is how I want it." With that, one arm wrapped around Shen Qichi's waist while the other supported under his knees, sweeping him up into a horizontal carry, and he headed toward the cave.

Shen Qichi was stunned for a beat before a chuckle escaped him. He wrapped his arms around the Great Demon's neck and said, "You can't carry me around forever."

The Great Demon lowered his head in confusion. "Why not?"

"If you're always carrying me, how can we do other things?"

"What other things?"

"For example, I need to eat, change clothes, bathe. You have your own things to do as well." The Great Demon moved swiftly; the faint glow of Langgan already appeared in Shen Qichi's peripheral vision. "Alright, put me down now."

Su Ying remained silent, carrying him to the Langgan Tree. He plucked a Jade Fruit and brought it to Shen Qichi's lips.

"I'm not hungry," Shen Qichi said. "For me, eating one every three days is enough."

Langgan fruits were not easy to produce, bearing only one every few years. They were celestial-grade treasures. After eating them for several months, some of Shen Qichi's old ailments and hidden injuries had completely healed. Previously, when rainy days arrived, his limbs would ache unbearably. Now, even soaking in the cold spring all day caused no discomfort.

His ability to live to a ripe old age of over a hundred in his previous life was also thanks to this fruit.

Su Ying still insisted on holding the fruit to Shen Qichi's lips. A sudden understanding dawned on Shen Qichi—was Su Ying trying to prove to him that he could still eat while being carried?

He took the fruit. "Fine, carry me if you want."

Su Ying then coiled his tail and sat down, holding Shen Qichi in his arms, resting his head on Shen Qichi's shoulder with closed eyes. For the next three days, as if to prove a point to Shen Qichi, Su Ying stayed by his side every moment except when Shen Qichi washed clothes or relieved himself. He followed Shen Qichi everywhere, even carrying him while he bathed.

Shen Qichi had only one set of clothes. To maintain decency, he had to alternate between wearing the outer robe and the undergarments while washing the other. Sitting in Su Ying's embrace, the thin layer of fabric was almost negligible. Yet, Su Ying didn't suddenly press him down and turn him over as he often did before. He simply held him lazily.

Shen Qichi counted the days. Sometimes, gazing at Su Ying's sleeping face so close, he would fall into deep thought. On this day, as usual, Su Ying carried him to the tree, plucked a fruit for him, and then familiarly found a comfortable position to feign sleep.

Shen Qichi stroked the smooth surface of the Jade Fruit, silent for a moment before speaking. "Since your mating season has passed, you should take back your Demon Core."

Su Ying opened his eyes soundlessly.

Shen Qichi covered his lower abdomen. "I am human. Having a demon core inside me for too long will only bring harm, no benefit."

"Without it, you won't understand my words."

"It's alright." Shen Qichi smiled. "I should go back too."

Su Ying straightened up, staring at his beautiful profile. "Go where?"

"Home." Shen Qichi said. "Listen, the cicadas outside have gone silent. Everywhere is the sound of crickets. Autumn is almost here. I've been away from home for a long time; it's time to return."

"Is staying here not good?"

"It's very good, but I can't stay here forever."

"Why not?"

"The wheat in the fields is ripe. I need to go back and harvest it, or there will be no food for winter."

"You won't starve if you stay here."

"It's not the same." Shen Qichi said gently. "Humans have desires for food and drink. No one can endure eating the same thing forever. I am human too; I am not exempt from this. Moreover, I can't wear the same clothes forever. When winter comes, it will be very cold here. Without means to keep warm, I would freeze to death."

"I can give you all my inner cores before I hibernate."

Shen Qichi shook his head. "I only gave the simplest examples. Beyond food and clothing, I have many other things to do. There are also people outside the mountains who need me." The top of the cave was pitch black, with soft starlight filtering through the cracks in the rocks, barely perceptible inside. Shen Qichi raised his hand to stroke the back of Su Ying's neck, tilted his head to press against his lips, and whispered softly, "Alright, now take back your inner core. When dawn breaks, send me off."

Su Ying remained motionless, his pupils narrowing into vertical slits. Finally, he suddenly bared his sharp fangs and bit Shen Qichi's lower lip hard.

Shen Qichi winced in pain and pulled back, tears instantly welling up in his eyes.

The metallic taste of blood spread across his lips, warm blood welling up and spilling out. Shen Qichi blinked, forcing back the tears of pain, only to see Su Ying staring at him expressionlessly, his lips parting coldly: "I need you too."

Shen Qichi was slightly stunned. The next moment, he was lifted by the waist and placed on the ground. The Great Demon turned and strode toward the darkness without looking back, dragging his tail behind him.

Shen Qichi wiped his lip and followed. In an instant, the Great Demon shed his human form, reverting to his true serpent form, coiling into a tight circle in the corner with his head buried low.

Shen Qichi hesitated for a moment before squatting beside him. "I'll be in Anmen Village at the foot of the mountain. If you want to retrieve your inner core or have any other needs, you can come find me." After a pause, he added, "If you don't wish to leave the cave, you can also send a message through the little Emerald Bird from that day. It's the same if I come to Deer Cliff to find you."

The great serpent only buried his head even lower.

Shen Qichi pursed his lips, returned to sit under the tree, leaned against the trunk, and closed his eyes to sleep. At dawn the next day, he packed his belongings, donned his bamboo hat, and prepared to leave.

"I'm leaving."

The great serpent remained in the corner from the previous night, as if it hadn't heard him.

Shen Qichi took a deep look at him, then turned and walked toward the cave entrance. Just as he was about to reach the cliff opening, a frantic rustling sound suddenly came from behind, followed by a massive figure shooting in front of him, blocking the daylight from the cave entrance.

Shen Qichi halted. The great serpent lowered its head, suddenly opened its mouth, baring its bone-white fangs. Its forked tongue flicked rapidly, and a low, rasping hiss issued from its throat. Simultaneously, a voice echoed in Shen Qichi's mind: "You are not allowed to leave!"

Shen Qichi sighed softly. "Your heat has passed. Why keep me here?"

The great serpent fell silent, only emitting continuous hissing sounds, its tail anxiously slapping the ground.

Indeed, his heat was over. He should focus on cultivation. Why argue endlessly with a mortal about whether to stay or leave? Yet, he simply didn't want this mortal to go. He enjoyed wrapping himself around this mortal, just as he enjoyed coiling around the Langgan Tree.

Shen Qichi also had nothing more to say. The man and the serpent faced each other for a long time, both falling into silence.

After a while, Shen Qichi said, "It's not like we'll never meet again. The distance from here to Anmen Village is only a few hours' journey for you. Why stop me?"

But those hundreds of miles marked a boundary between worlds—it was never that simple.

"Without me, you can't climb up."

"Not necessarily." Shen Qichi walked around him and moved forward. The great serpent grew increasingly anxious, following closely step by step. Several times, it wanted to simply coil the man back, raising its tail only to lower it again. The sharp crack of its tail slapping the stone echoed throughout the cave. Shen Qichi paid no heed, arriving at the edge of the cave entrance. He lifted his robe and stepped onto the trunk of the *Xunmu* tree, looked up to survey for a moment, then grabbed two protruding rocks on the cliff wall and hauled himself up with his arms.

He clung to the cliff wall, looked down, and saw that the great serpent had already followed him out of the cave, slithered onto the *Xunmu* tree, and raised its neck to stare at him.

Shen Qichi withdrew his gaze, gritted his teeth and kept climbing, thinking to himself that if Su Ying gave up and let him leave this time, this love tribulation would come to nothing. These past few months with Su Ying would be nothing more than a passing fling, after which each would go their separate ways.

He no longer looked down, but the sound of the serpent's tail slapping against the tree trunk below grew increasingly urgent. The rustling of trembling leaves and branches was clearly audible. Shen Qichi steadily ascended, his eyes searching for the next foothold, yet his heart felt as if it were suspended in mid-ocean—neither sinking nor floating, as if a thread, spun from the depths of an abyss, had tethered his heart fast.

After climbing several *zhang*, looking up, Deer Cliff appeared insurmountably high and boundless. To be on it was to feel like an ant. Shen Qichi did not hesitate, but suddenly his waist tightened, and he was pulled downward. In a dizzying whirl, he found himself back inside the cave.

The great serpent had enlarged its body, sealing the cave entrance shut, its tail tip tightly binding Shen Qichi's ankles. The cave was dim, with only the serpent's two eyes exceptionally bright, like two cold moons reflected in a dark pool.

Shen Qichi sat on the ground as the great serpent slowly lowered its head, its cold, slippery tongue lightly licking his face.

"You are mine. I forbid you to leave."

Shen Qichi remained silent for a moment before saying, "This cave is a blessed land. You live in freedom and cultivate in peace here. Forcing me to stay will only hinder your quiet cultivation. If a powerful enemy attacks someday, what will you do?"

"For a thousand *li* around, no demon is my match."

That's because you don't have a weakness yet, you fool.

Shen Qichi sighed softly, then laughed at his own naivety—still harboring hope. A tribulation wasn't meant to be passed easily. He looked up and said, "In that case, are you willing to come back with me?"

The great serpent froze, hesitantly raising its body.

"Come see the place where I live and witness what the human world is like. Consider it an outing. How about it?"

The great serpent pondered for a long while before responding, "Alright."

Shen Qichi smiled. "Before that, we must establish three rules."

"What three rules?"

"First, when a third person is present, you cannot assume your demon form—not even scales—and you cannot use magic arbitrarily. Second, you must not neglect your cultivation. Third, you must abide by the rules of the human realm and cannot act recklessly. Violating any one of these three rules is unacceptable."

The great serpent agreed without hesitation. Shen Qichi breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing his softened attitude, the great serpent also shrank in size, leaned in close, and affectionately nuzzled his chin.

Shen Qichi stroked the back of its neck, sighing inwardly: Once we descend the mountain, you still have much to learn.