Asianovel

Chapter 175 - One Step Closer

The aroma of the food drew not only the Chen family and their troupe of children into the valley to move stones, but also the Zhou, Lu, and Shi families, who lived on the other side.

Although it was already dark, the two blazing fires illuminated the area well enough.

The Shen family's dinner eventually turned into a midnight feast for the entire group in the valley. The ones who truly ate their fill were Chen Dashan, Shen Lie, and the younger Shen siblings.

Shen An and Shen Ning had no dietary restrictions, while the three Shen Jin brothers were reminded by Sang Luo not to overindulge in grilled meat. They were allowed only a small taste of chicken, with a focus on lighter dishes. Thus, they contented themselves with stone-grilled tofu and stone-grilled cabbage. Nonetheless, they were ecstatic, mainly due to the lively atmosphere. The children gathered together, with the Shen kids, excluding the food-obsessed Shen Tie, unable to sit still at the table.

Sang Luo had prepared plenty of food, including three whole chickens and a generous amount of wild boar. As Shen Ning grilled, the children from neighboring families fetched chopsticks and eagerly gathered around the stone stove, waiting for a taste. While the Shens ate, the Chens joined in. It was probably the happiest day for the children since moving into Yun Valley. Even Wang Yunzheng, known for his introverted nature, was lured to the stone grill by Xu Wenbo.

Xu Wenying was the quickest to react. In the midst of eating, she seized an opportunity to approach Sang Luo. "Sister A Luo, where did you find this stone slab?"

Sang Luo laughed upon hearing this. "Do you want to grill too? It's not far from the mountain stream outside the valley. Tomorrow, I'll ask Shen Lie to take your father or Uncle Xu to have a look."

Xu Wenqing chimed in excitedly, "I'll go! I'll go!"

Not only Xu Wenying was delighted, but all the children who heard this were thrilled as well. They promptly pulled their fathers along, asking them to search for stone slabs.

How could they refuse such an offer? Not only were the children eager, but the adults were also enticed. Moreover, this indeed created a lively atmosphere, and everyone readily agreed.

The midnight feast lasted for more than an hour before they gradually dispersed. This was mainly because each family needed to deal with the wild boar meat they had acquired that day.

There was no alternative; in just a few days, it would be the sixth lunar month, and the weather was scorching hot. Even though the cave was cooler than the outside, it was best to handle meat as soon as possible.

The pig's skin and head had been taken care of immediately after the hunt at a suitable location. The Lu and Shi families had more members, but their hunting skills were inferior to Shen Lie and Chen Dashan's. Concerned that the winter in the mountains might be colder than outside, they had taken the skin, leaving the Shen family to deal with the pork and offal.

Shen Lie and Chen Dashan were responsible for arranging the tables and chairs, while a few younger ones took charge of washing the dishes and utensils. Even dealing with the wild boar meat became a family affair. The benefits of having many hands were evident; even the youngsters, under the guidance of Shen Ning and Shen An, carried out their tasks competently. Cleaning the offal was primarily the responsibility of these children.

Both Jin and Yin studied diligently, knowing full well that they would need to master these tasks themselves in the future.

Shen Lie skinned and separated the meat, while Sang Luo began preparing the curing mixture for the bacon. It was a simple process: there was no mountain wine available, but fortunately, they had planted plenty of ginger. She prepared a small bowl of minced ginger and borrowed Xu's iron pot to roast salt and Sichuan peppercorns together. With these ingredients, the mixture was complete.

The meat cut by Shen Lie, excluding two large pieces of lean meat set aside, was evenly coated with the ginger and pepper-salt mixture. The pieces were tied up and hung, ready for smoking. There was no need to build a new smoking stove; the stone slab used for grilling had cooled down and was moved back into the kitchen. A bonfire was lit outside the grill, with a rack to hang the meat above it. They constructed a temporary, removable shelter using bamboo poles and wooden planks, allowing smoke to escape while keeping rain out. Periodically adding firewood was all that was needed.

Together, they checked on the children's progress in cleaning the offal, helping them finish the job. They saved the entire pig's stomach and portions of the heart, lungs, small intestine, and liver for a pork organ stew the next day. The remaining parts, along with the two large pieces of lean meat set aside earlier, were placed in a ceramic pot with cold water. They retrieved the spices they had purchased earlier, filling the pot to create a rich, flavorful broth.

The aroma was delectable, but fortunately, the high mountains surrounding the valley and the dense vegetation on their slopes absorbed the scent before it could spread too far. It merely tantalized the appetites of those in the Gou Gou valley, where each household had received their share of meat and was busy smoking their own bacon, each with their unique skills. In the end, the results were fairly similar across the board.

One could say that the only ones feeling down were the members of the Lu family's main branch.

They could only watch helplessly.

There was no other reason; none of them participated in hunting, and naturally, nobody would take them along. As for the meat given by Shen Lie, it was a repayment of gratitude for the rice they had received before, so it wasn't their concern. Thus, they could only watch and yearn with empty eyes.

The elderly couple of the Lu family, Second Brother Lu's family, and Third Brother Lu were still considerate. Whenever there was delicious food, they would invite the children from the main branch to share. However, as for Big Brother Lu and Wang Chunniang, forget it. They were grown-ups, so they should endure it. Could they really expect to be treated like children?

Therefore, on this night, it was Big Brother Lu and Wang Chunniang who suffered the most from the tantalizing aroma.

...

Shen Lie and Sang Luo, accompanied by the younger ones, were busy until late at night before they finally washed up and rested. Exhausted from the day's labor, they slept soundly till dawn.

There was no need to go out hunting today. After breakfast, they only needed to take a stroll around and check if any pheasants were caught in the traps set yesterday. Nevertheless, out of habit, they all woke up early.

Shen Lie and Shen An lit the fire to smoke the meat early in the morning, taking care of household chores and farming matters. Shen An and the children followed their usual routine of morning reading, while Shen Lie called the families he mentioned yesterday to search for slate. He then led them out together.

Sang Luo prepared breakfast with Shen Ning. Today's breakfast was simple. They reserved the rice water from last night's dinner, boiled it for a while longer, cracked two eggs into it, stirred well, and made egg drops in the boiling rice water – an extremely nourishing meal.

Cubed braised meat and wild amaranth are mixed for the filling, while half a bowl of flour is transformed into delicate skins for the pork dumplings.

The only regret was the lack of rice wine, which made it impossible to leaven the dough. The texture resembled that of dumpling wrappers. Sangluo pondered that, given the climate in the valley, producing some rice wine should be feasible. Since Shen Lie often hunted, having rice wine on hand during times when they had more meat or vegetables would be great for making steamed buns or pancakes.

As I kneaded the dough, I pondered the idea of brewing some rice wine when I had some spare time.

At dawn, Chen was indulging in breakfast - a dozen savory meat buns steaming with aroma, and a thick rice soup laced with delicate egg flowers. The simple yet satisfying duo filled the family with contentment.

In the valley, Shen Yin and Shen Tie had been nursing themselves for two days. Though they were still alarmingly thin, their spirits had visibly lifted, and they could now hold their own.

It was Shen Jin that Sang Luo caught a glimpse of, and she noticed the dark circles under his eyes. She found it odd and asked, "Did you not sleep well last night?"

Shen Jin was taken aback but eventually shook his head.

Sang Luo gave him a look but didn't comment further. After breakfast, Shen Lie and the others went out to check if they had any success with the traps they set the day before. When they returned at noon, each of them carried a load of firewood, and all households had caught mountain chickens. Shen Jin had three, plus the one from yesterday, making it a total of four.

He was delighted to rear them.

Shen Lie's mountain chicken was also alive. Since Shen Jin now fetched a large basket full of grass every time he went out, Sang Luo decided to clip the wings of those chickens and raise them until they needed meat.

In the afternoon, when it was time for an afternoon nap, Shen Jin slept exceptionally soundly. While everyone else had already woken up, he remained deeply asleep.

That night, when Shen Lie was about to extinguish the lamp to sleep, Sang Luo stopped him. "Leave the lamp on. Just move it to the lantern stand by the dining table. There are people lying on the platform, and they won't be able to see in the dark if they need to get out of bed. We don't want anyone accidentally stepping on them."

Shen Lie didn't give it much thought. Indeed, there were many people sleeping on the first level – five in total. Thus, he decided not to blow out the lamp and followed Sang Luo's advice, moving the lamp to the lantern stand carved into the stone wall beside the dining table. "If the light bothers you, just pull down the curtain."

Sang Luo smiled and agreed.

Shen Jin let out a sigh of relief, but since he had already lain down, no one noticed.

...

Two days passed in a blink. Chen Youtian and Shen Lie finished constructing the two-tiered bed, door, and a few simple shelves. The remaining furniture like tables, chairs, and cabinets could be made by Shen Lie at a later time.

The three Shen brothers officially moved into their new home. They didn't have much belongings – just a few sets of clothes, a bed, bedding, some pottery pots and utensils, a kitchen knife, and a bow and arrows. The rest were all gifts from Shen Lie and Sang Luo.

Following the agreement they had made, Shen Lie carried several large bags of grain up to the upper cave. Shen Jin, Shen Yin, and Shen Tie stood by and watched as the grains were placed on the upper shelf. All three brothers shed tears together.

When Sang Luo, accompanied by Shen An and Shen Ning, brought up nearly twenty pieces of cured meat, they witnessed this scene.

No one uttered a word. They helped construct a small wooden stand to hang the cured meat, instructing Shen Jin and Shen Yin to air it out on sunny days. Then, she descended again to fetch a jar filled to the brim with pure white salt.

By now, Shen Jin was genuinely weeping, choking out his gratitude to Sang Luo.

Sang Luo smiled gently. "There, there. Take good care of Xiao Yin and Xiao Tie from now on. Time flies, and before you know it, they'll have grown up."

Shen Jin wiped away his tears and nodded repeatedly.

With all the belongings moved, Shen Lie was upstairs installing door frames and doors. Shen Jin led Shen Yin and Shen Tie down to the plot of land designated to the Shen family. There, they had a small chicken coop, which now housed seven fully grown pheasants.

Shen Jin caught one and headed straight for his elder brother and sister-in-law's cave entrance. He didn't need to enter; he could already see Sang Luo moving stone slabs to practice writing. Holding the flapping mountain chicken, Shen Jin said, "Sister-in-law, I'm delivering mountain chickens to everyone. This first one is for you and Brother."

Sang Luo's brows furrowed slightly.

She remembered telling him that they didn't lack such things, and it was true. To someone like Shen Lie, the produce of the mountains was abundant. But seeing Shen Jin waiting for her response with the squirming chicken in hand, she understood his intentions. She smiled and took the bird from him. "Alright, thank you, Little Jin."

Hearing that she would accept it, Shen Jin was delighted. Without letting go, he said, "I'll put it directly in the coop for you."

He turned and dashed to the area enclosed by wooden bars where chickens and ducks roamed. He placed the mountain chicken down, then smiled at Sang Luo and called out to her before leading Shen Yin and Shen Tie to catch more chickens. This time, they were heading to the Xu family's residence.

Sang Luo watched with a smile before turning back into the cave.

...

Shen Lie's promise to take Sang Luo out of the valley didn't come true. As soon as June arrived, the mountain rain increased, making it less convenient to venture out. Occasionally, when the rain stopped, the mountain paths became slippery. At such times, Shen Lie would only go out with Chen Dashan and not bring others along, not even Shen Jin.

When it rained, the valley dwellers had to worry about drainage. Elder Chen, Elder Lu, and Village Chief Zhou gathered to discuss digging more ponds on the inner side of the valley.

The children's playground shrank significantly, but if the water accumulated in the pond, they could divert it to the new ponds. This way, the water wouldn't flood the fields and serve as a water reserve for hot and dry weather. Preparation was always better than regret.

Thus, whenever it wasn't raining, the people in the valley started digging ponds. It wasn't a massive project, and those who usually didn't leave the valley took on the task. Shen Lie, who often ventured out and chopped firewood, enjoyed a rare period of relaxation.

Fortunately, Shen Lie crafted a few cabinets and a comfortable table and chair set for Shen Jin and the others. Shen An, Shen Ning, along with Xu Jia's siblings and Ah Wu and Xiaoyar, found a new hangout spot. They all gathered in Shen Jin's brothers' cave to read and write. The cave was situated higher, providing brighter light, spacious tables, and comfortable chairs.

Shen Jin, having shed his previous laziness, actively joined in their studies. Although his progress couldn't match even the youngest, Ah Wu, he put in genuine effort. He cherished every opportunity to learn, not aiming for perfection but simply to be literate and understand basic arithmetic.

With the Shen family's cave now empty, it suited Shen Lie's intentions perfectly. Most of the time, he practiced calligraphy in the cave using bamboo slips, with one stone tablet each for him and Sang Luo. Initially, they shared half a table, sitting diagonally across from each other. As Shen Lie occasionally asked for explanations of characters and stroke order, within two days, Sang Luo pointed at the bench beside her, "You should sit here."

Unable to suppress his smile, Shen Lie moved his stone tablet and sat down beside Sang Luo.

Sang Luo pretended not to notice the corners of his lips that kept rising and then forcefully held back, focusing on practicing her calligraphy. However, she couldn't help but let a hint of a smile escape her eyes.

...

The rain persisted until mid-June, filling several reservoirs in the valley to nearly three-quarters capacity. Old Man Chen had already consulted Shen Lie about diverting the water if it continued raining, as only the entrance of the valley could handle the drainage.

Fortunately, the heavens seemed to be considerate, and just as the reservoirs and ditches were reaching their limits, the rain stopped and the clouds cleared.

Seeing the sun again, Sang Luo felt an immense sense of relief. Naturally, the valley would now resume its usual routine of drying grains and bedding.

Among all, Xue Shangjia was the most anxious about the prolonged rain. The shelter's door was slanted, supposedly preventing rain from entering, and the grain storage shelves were raised. However, his concern for moisture remained, given that they were underground after all.

As soon as the sky cleared, Xue Shangjia sought Shen Lie and Chen Dashan's assistance, asking them to protect the young and strong from the Xu family as they went out to retrieve grain.

Of course, this help wouldn't come for free. A third of the retrieved grain would be given to the Chen and Shen families.

Shen Lie and Chen Dashan declined the grain, saying, "We'll accompany you on the trip to assess the situation. If it's still safe, we can detour and stealthily transport the grain. If not, we'll have to postpone the operation."

"Of course, safety comes first," Xu Shopkeeper thanked repeatedly.

Shen Lie set the departure date for three days later.

Xu Shopkeeper had no objections. A day or two made little difference in such matters. Honestly, they were still unclear about the situation outside the county, and there was a high possibility of making a fruitless journey.

After Xu Shopkeeper left, Chen Dashan wondered, "Why three days later?"

Looking at Chen Dashan, Shen Lie asked, "Did you forget something that's happening soon?"

Chen Dashan pondered but couldn't recall anything. However, Sang Luo, who was standing aside, concentrated for a moment and uncertainly asked, "Could it be that the medicinal herb that Grandma Chen mentioned is ready to be harvested?"

Shen Lie smiled and nodded. "Yes, it takes time to gather and process the herbs. Before we leave, let's search nearby to see if we can find any. If we do, you can start making medicine in the valley. By the time Dashan and I return, we'll probably have nothing left, so this will ensure continuity. Besides, before we leave, I'll hunt some fresh meat and collect more mushrooms after the rain."

The old lady had taught her family members how to identify the herb, and apart from them, she had only instructed Sang Luo and Shen Lie. Thus, their trip would allow them to accomplish two tasks: finding the herb and gathering mushrooms.

Upon hearing that they could leave today, Sang Luo's eyes lit up.

Heaven knew how long it had been—over fifty days—since she had last ventured out of the valley. The only time she had gone out was when she strolled by the mountain stream and hastily returned.

Assured that they could leave today, Sang Luo reminded Chen Dashan, "Ask Uncle You Tian or Aunt if they want to come along. With all this rain, there must be plenty of mushrooms outside. I bet Aunt would love to go for a stroll."

The old lady might also want to join them, just like her, unable to sit still for long. But in this deep mountain, it was best not to risk it.

Chen Dashan chuckled and replied, "Alright, I'll go ask right away."

As soon as Chen Dashan left, Sang Luo began to prepare her gear— a basket, a pointed hoe, and even her bow and arrows.

Noticing Shen Lie watching her fetch the weapons, she smiled and said, "I'll bring them along, just in case. I've trained hard with them before."

She had used them to provide support while in the forest before, but that was a story she didn't feel like sharing.

Shen Lie laughed. The journey was set for three days later. He had his own motives, too. He had promised Sang Luo an outing, but the rain kept delaying their plans. Seeing how thrilled she was at the prospect of leaving the valley, a smile involuntarily tugged at the corners of his lips. He joined her in packing and preparing.

Before leaving, he informed the younger ones about their departure. Shen Jin put down his brush and sprang up, "Big Brother, take me with you. I haven't hunted in ages!"

Although his brother brought home game every few days, Shen Jin hadn't hunted in nearly twenty days, and it made him uneasy.

Shen Lie couldn't relate. Patting his head, he said, "This time, I'm taking your big sister out. I promised her long ago. Next time, I'll take you hunting. Focus on studying with Xiao An and the others. There's no rush."

He left with a smile on his face.

Chapter 129: A Lead

"The sir, that's Old Hong, my superior," the demon said promptly. "Not really a superior, just a team leader of sorts. He's responsible for collecting the life force we demons gather on the outskirts and delivering it."

The demon rubbed its hands together. "Old Hong isn't much of an exorcist, nor is he particularly tough. A few punches from you should get him to spill what he knows."

Wen Ying: "..."

He flew over. Old Hong appeared blind and deaf, but when Wen Ying approached, his gaze suddenly swept over. His eyes were sharp, not at all foggy.

Upon seeing Wen Ying, Old Hong was clearly taken aback. All he could see was a mass of black mist approaching, and the aura made his hairs stand on end. After a moment of stunned silence, he was about to make a run for it. But as the demon emerged from behind Wen Ying, Old Hong paused in his escape attempt.

"Fox Demon, who's this?" Teacher Hong asked cautiously.

Diao Mei? Hearing this name, Wen Ying glanced curiously at the petite, male-voiced low-level demon. Why was someone like that called 'Mei'?

Diao Mei spoke calmly, "Old Hong, you have a chance to earn some merit right now."

No sooner had Diao Mei finished his opening remarks than Old Hong took off running. The demon's mouth dropped open.

Wen Ying raised his hand, and the black magical fog, formed from his magic, swelled, blocking the path of Old Hong who was attempting to escape. Old Hong hastily hit the brakes, nearly crashing into the eerie mist.

Old Hong suddenly turned around, flashing a ingratiating smile as he walked back enthusiastically. "Diao Mei, why didn't you introduce me to this formidable demon? Your power just blew me away!"

Diao Mei curled its lips. This old man was sly; he had clearly been trying to make a run for it earlier. It pretended to be fierce, flying over and proudly placing its hands on its hips. "Allow me to introduce, this is my new boss..."

Wen Ying slapped Diao Mei aside, landing in front of Old Hong. "Who's your superior?"

Old Hong's eyes darted around. "I'm not too clear about that. I'm just a middleman. What do you, Lord Demon, wish to know? Perhaps an old, useless fellow like me could assist you with something."

Despite being pushed away by Wen Ying, Diao Mei wasn't angry. It happily returned and scolded, "My Lord, he's lying. This Old Hong was still talking to me about his superior's grand birthday celebration not long ago."

For a moment, Old Hong couldn't hide the murderous glint in his eyes. He gritted his back teeth. This traitorous Diao Mei, why did it have to betray him and drag him into this mess? All he wanted was peace and quiet. As for this powerful demon that suddenly appeared, he had no idea where they came from.

Regardless of their origin, it was clear that they weren't here with good intentions.

"Let's not put it that way," Old Hong argued. "I did grumble a bit, but I truly don't know the identity of that fellow. All I know is that he's one of the shareholders of the Demon Mobile Game, and officially, he has nothing to do with exorcists."

"The shareholder of the Demon Mobile Game?" Hearing a familiar term, Wen Ying felt as if a dimensional barrier had shattered.

"Yes," the old man Hong replied earnestly, his confusion genuine. "The person in charge of handing over to me was called Lin Wenpu. Although he made some attempts to conceal his identity when we interacted, they weren't thorough. I discreetly investigated and quickly uncovered his background. The crucial point is that his identity has no apparent connection to an exorcist. I investigated further secretly, but couldn't find any ties between him and the exorcists. To outsiders, he seemed like an ordinary person."

Wen Ying furrowed his brows. The Devil mobile game's depiction of devils felt authentic, not like a fabrication but rather a description. Even before he became a devil, he sensed that the various backgrounds within the game were realistic.

After becoming a devil, he discovered that the devil races in the game matched almost perfectly. The abilities, weaknesses, and attack methods of each race as described in the game aligned entirely with the Devil Realm.

Upon seeing the exorcists at the memorial exhibition, Wen Ying confirmed that the game had involved an exorcist, and it was likely created by one. But now, Old Man Hong said that the shareholder who dealt with him had no apparent connection to the exorcists, and he couldn't find any link either.

"Mr. Devil, I've also found out that the Devil mobile game company initially belonged to Lin Wenpu. All the shares were his, but later, he sold many of them, retaining only a portion. After that, the Devil mobile game started gaining popularity," the old man shared.

Seeing the black fog remain silent for a long time, he nervously asked, "Mr. Devil, since I've told you about the person I dealt with, can I leave now?"

Wen Ying snapped out of his thoughts but didn't answer immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes, recalling Aruda's innate magic. He drew a "Twisted Snake" on the spot.

The card transformed into a mist of light, and a series of serpentine vines burst forth from its position, hurtling straight towards Old Man Hong.

Old Man Hong nearly stopped breathing. The menacing snake vines had rushed over at such a terrifying speed that he barely had time to react. Their overwhelming presence crushed him.

Strangely, the twisted snake vines didn't inflict severe damage. They merely grazed him before dissipating into mist.

They vanished, and Old Hong stumbled and sat down, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead as he thought he had just narrowly escaped death.

Wen Ying flew in front of him and said, "If you reveal what happened tonight, don't even think about getting the antidote."

Old Hong looked at the spot where he felt the scrape. It was only a scratch, but it burned fiercely. Upon closer inspection, the wound was an abnormal green! His vision darkened, and he cursed inwardly. This devil was also a master of poison.

Old Hong forced a smile. "Don't worry, Mr. Devil. I definitely won't say anything. I just want to live my peaceful life."

Diao Mei, seeing this, suddenly realized that its treatment wasn't too bad. This devil hadn't poisoned it.

Old Hong rolled his eyes and said, "I won't say anything, but there are others who know, like Diao Mei. It has a big mouth. What do you think?"

Wen Ying remembered something and looked at Diao Mei.

Diao Mei: "..." Old Hong, you son of a bitch.

Wen Ying had also poisoned Diao Mei with Aruda's venom. At times like these, he missed his spatial magic tools. Aruda had given him all sorts of poisonous potions and antidotes. If he had them with him, he wouldn't have to replicate spells to create toxins on the spot, which would be less conspicuous.

Having temporarily investigated for the night, Wen Ying returned to ponder the information he had gained.

Diao Mei wished to accompany Wen Ying back, but Wen Ying sent it back to Yang Shize, insisting on seeing Yang Rixi fare better than Yang Shize. With teary eyes, Diao Mei vowed to fulfill its mission and subtly reminded Wen Ying not to forget about it and to remember to administer the antidote.

After dismissing Diao Mei, Wen Ying flew back to Yang Rixi's room, where Yang Rixi was already asleep. Wen Ying opened Yang Rixi's laptop and searched for Lin Wenpu.

The information that came up was quite standard.

Lin Wenpu was an entrepreneur who had built his fortune from scratch, founding the Devil Company (the company behind the popular Devil Mobile Game). Just as the company was on the brink of bankruptcy, it received an investment, leading to a rapid and unstoppable growth spurt.

Wen Ying felt that there was a discrepancy between the story of Lin Wenpu that Old Hong had shared tonight and the information he had gathered at the memorial exhibition previously.

Despite the abundance of exorcists present during the memorial exhibition, they didn't seem to be trying to conceal themselves. At that time, Wen Ying had assumed that the exhibition was a trap set by the exorcists. The same went for this mobile game, but today, one of its shareholders, Lin Wenpu, was forcefully distancing themselves from any ties with the exorcists. It all reeked of conspiracy.

As Wen Ying racked his brains, peculiar occurrences began to unfold in certain parts of the city.

A cotton doll with black hair and black eyes was eerily flying on its own, followed closely by several individuals.

Wu Fei was cursing his luck inwardly. What kind of terrible fortune did he have? He hadn't managed to attract any talented ordinary folks but instead caught the attention of an exorcist. Back then, he and the exorcist had locked eyes, and for some reason, his body suddenly gained the ability to fly. He immediately took off running.

Please stop chasing me!!!

"Phew... Damn, that demon up ahead sure can run."

"Is it a Rabbit Demon?"

In a luxurious apartment by the street, a young man in a bathrobe stood by the massive floor-to-ceiling window, with a palm-sized doll perched on his shoulder. They both watched the chase of cat and mouse unfolding below.

In an upscale residential area, a male student sat at his desk, glaring at his homework with a twisted expression before snapping his pen in half.

At a late-night barbecue stall, a composed young girl casually kicked a burly troublemaker away, stunning everyone around her.

In a nightclub with soothing melodies, a young man with chiseled features leaned against the bar, whispering playfully into the ear of a boy beside him. Invisible vitality flowed from the boy to the man, who absorbed it with evident satisfaction, a hint of pink flickering in his contented gaze.

...

When Yang Rixi woke up the next day, he found the demon doll sleeping on top of his laptop, its silver-white hair catching his attention.

Actually, he had always been curious about why demons had silver-white hair. Moreover, this particular demon, despite the eerie feeling it evoked, had a somewhat sanctified appearance. If one overlooked its demonic bat wings, tail, and horn, the creature could almost pass as a benevolent being.

Wen Ying looked up to see Yang Rixi sitting on the bed, staring at him blankly. Wen Ying sat up and said, "I took care of that Succubus around Yang Shize last night. You should be able to live peacefully from now on."

Waking up to such wonderful news, Yang Rixi felt that the sunlight outside was even brighter, and his lingering gloom vanished. He threw off the covers and rushed over in a few strides, eager to embrace Wen Ying. However, upon realizing Wen Ying's petite frame, he hesitated and stopped in front of the desk, eyeing him uncertainly.

Wen Ying noticed his half-open arms and said, "I have a partner."

Yang Rixi: "?" His mouth hung agape in astonishment.

Wen Ying stroked his chin. "You've reminded me. I should look for him when I get the chance." With only a month left, he needed to figure out how to locate Bellerophon aside from what happened last night.

Speaking of which, with Bellerophon's menacing aura, would it be possible to find a human willing to contract with him? Would anyone not be frightened away? Wen Ying fell into deep thought.

Yang Rixi snapped back to reality and asked curiously, "What's your partner like?"

Wen Ying shot him a glance. "A dog." A demon lurking in the trash can sneezed.

Yang Rixi: "???" Even more shocked, he stumbled downstairs.

The previous night, Wen Ying had used his computer to search for information on the demon mobile game. While he had previously focused on updates and characters, last night he turned his attention to the company itself, uncovering many new details.

From a video, Wen Ying traced Lin Wenpu's home. Coincidentally, the background of the neighborhood looked familiar – it was the very one he currently resided in. As for the exact building and unit number, he would need to investigate further.

Yang Rixi descended the stairs to receive some promising news. His father spoke with a conflicted expression, revealing that some witnesses had seen them argue, while others claimed Yang Rixi didn't seem to intentionally push Yang Shize into the water; it appeared to be an accident.

This was more than enough. At that event, they were not the main focus, so people naturally wouldn't pay too much attention. Under the moonlit garden, even with lights, human vision would still be influenced by the darkness. These accounts began to shake his father's conviction.

"Shize is not a bad person at heart. It's better to clear the air if there's any conflict between you two," Yang Zhenxing said. "After all, both of you are my children, and I don't wish for your relationship to become too strained."

Yang Rixi nodded readily. "Alright."

Yang Zhenxing was taken aback. He hadn't expected Yang Rixi to accept this without protest or a cold shoulder. His heart softened toward the child who had been mistakenly taken away. They owed him, after all.

Recalling Yang Rixi's earlier behavior, he now realized it was their fault. Had the switch not occurred, Yang Rixi would likely have received the same praise as Yang Shize does now.

Yang Rixi mused that Feng Luo, the demon around Yang Shize, had been dealt with, but the habits Yang Shize had developed wouldn't disappear overnight. He'd heard rumors that Yang Shize had close relationships with several peers from the same social class. The whispers suggested these connections weren't simply friendly but rather ambiguous, hinting at flirtatious behavior.

Yang Rixi eagerly awaited Yang Shize's downfall without the demon's influence. The sight would undoubtedly bring him immense joy. As he entertained this thought, Yang Rixi's face flushed with anticipation, radiating happiness.

He even found himself wanting to kiss Wen Ying.

Upstairs, Wen Ying didn't share the same sentiment. He felt a heightened sense of hunger within this body. Feng Luo hadn't mentioned that the clone puppet would feel hunger or that it could transform from a stuffed doll into a jointed one.

Yang Rixi opened the door and entered. Wen Ying caught a whiff of a sweet scent emanating from him. Yang Rixi smelled like a cake oozing with sugary aroma, causing Wen Ying's gaze to involuntarily turn cold, like that of a ruthless predator.

Yang Rixi inexplicably felt a chill. "What's wrong?"

Wen Ying snapped back to reality and flew in front of Yang Rixi. After circling around him, he said, "Can I borrow your body for a while now?"

Yang Rixi, who had let his guard down around Wen Ying, suddenly felt a shiver run down his spine, recalling the fear he had felt when they first met. He hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Okay, how long do you need it for?"

"Just a while. I want to conduct a small experiment. Don't worry, it won't have much impact on your body."

As Wen Ying spoke, he flew to Yang Rixi's forehead and pressed his own against it, closing his eyes. His consciousness swirled and shifted, and when he opened his eyes again, "Wen Ying" lifted his hand, swiftly catching the puppet body that was falling.

Sure enough, the nagging hunger he had been experiencing vanished. Now possessing Yang Rixi's body, Wen Ying looked at the puppet shell in his hands and finally understood why the first task of the final exam was to possess a human body.

After forming a contract with Yang Rixi, although the puppet body could move freely and he could use magic without hindrance, the consumption of magic power was accompanied by a sense of hunger. The stronger the hunger, the weaker the puppet body's mobility became. Most troublesome of all, even just maintaining the basic movements of this puppet body without using magic required magic power.

With time passing, this puppet body would soon become immobile.

The amount of magic power within Yang Rixi's body was pitifully small, and even after Wen Ying tried hard for a while, he could only gather a bit of it.

Those capable of forming contracts with them were all endowed with the gift of exorcism. When Wen Ying possessed Yang Rixi's body, this latent talent awoke. Wen Ying recalled setting up a spell to conceal any disturbances in the room before sitting cross-legged to cultivate.

For every bit of Yang Rixi's own cultivation increased, Wen Ying could draw upon a corresponding increment in power when possessing him. The exact ratio was unclear, but the principle remained the same.

When Yang Rixi regained consciousness, he saw Wen Ying hovering before him with a serious expression. "From now on, forget about Yang Shize. Let me teach you magic."

Yang Rixi: "????"

"No, wait," Yang Rixi struggled to wrap his mind around this. "I can learn magic?" He spoke tentatively, afraid that Wen Ying might retract his statement.

It was magic – real magic!

Wen Ying replied, "Of course, your ability to form a contract with me indicates that you possess this gift. From today onwards, focus on your training with me seriously."

Wen Ying's cultivation speed while possessing Yang Rixi was not as fast as when Yang Rixi cultivated on his own.

Now aware that his puppet body couldn't replenish its magical energy, Wen Ying began conserving his magic, refraining from unnecessary actions and simply sitting quietly.

Yang Shize was discharged from the hospital on the third day and returned home. However, his previously smooth-sailing life as a beloved figure suddenly hit a rough patch. His attempts to feign disdain for Yang Rixi and manipulate public opinion against him failed to elicit the same blind obedience he was used to. People no longer echoed his sentiments or reacted strongly to his ambiguous comments.

He noticed that Yang Zhenxing and Cai Yiyi were no longer entirely submissive to him. Free from the influence of the succubus's magic, they had regained their original intelligence and emotional acuity, no longer blindly following Yang Shize's lead or accepting his every word as truth. His attempts to portray himself as weak and vulnerable also fell flat. Even when he declared that "Yang Rixi should have my position back" or "I should move out," neither Yang Zhenxing nor Cai Yiyi would emotionally overreact or lash out at Yang Rixi for supposed private conversations.

Realizing that the succubus's spell had worn off, Yang Shize angrily smashed things in his own house, furious that the demon had disappeared without a trace or any prior notice.

With Yang Zhenxing and Cai Yiyi no longer in his pocket, and their loyalty fading, he needed to maintain his image among the other elite youngsters. Huo Jue became his prime target for manipulation!

Just then, Yang Rixi's younger brother, Yang Shiming, who had been traveling, returned home. Although he too had been freed from the magic, his habits formed under its influence hadn't immediately changed, given his lack of recent interaction with Yang Shize.

Upon his return, he had somehow learned about Yang Shize's mishap and the fact that his recently found elder brother had slandered Yang Shize. Fueled with rage, he stormed straight into Yang Rixi's room.

Lately, Yang Rixi had been engrossed in magic studies, rarely stepping out of his room except for meals. The sudden slam of the door interrupted his concentration, causing him to turn his head in annoyance. Ah, it was his younger brother.

Didn't he already dispel the succubus spell? Yang Rixi hadn't encountered anyone under the spell's influence recently, so he felt unfamiliar with Yang Shiming's current state, being used as a pawn by Yang Shize.

Yang Shiming burst in, grabbing Yang Rixi's collar. Before he could utter a word, he felt an immense pain in his wrist holding onto Yang Rixi's shirt, only to find himself thrown to the ground the next second, utterly bewildered.

"Wen Ying" sent a telepathic message to Yang Rixi's mind, "The succubus spell on your brother has been lifted. If he's still rushing to Yang Shize's defense, there might be some cognitive issues."

"You dare hit me?" Yang Shiming couldn't believe it. "Not once in my life have my parents even laid a finger on me!"

Wen Ying seized the opportunity to egg him on. "A brother with a dimwit brain just needs a good beating."

Recently, Yang Rixi had been practicing based on Wen Ying's teachings, so he instinctively followed Wen Ying's advice and gave Yang Shiming a sound beating.

Only after throwing a punch did he realize maybe he shouldn't be doing this. But with Yang Shiming's loud protests and the anger he'd been bottling up towards him lately, Yang Rixi didn't hold back.

Having awakened his magical talent, his strength had greatly increased, so pummeling the pampered Yang Shiming was no problem at all.

Yang Shiming, a tall and wealthy young noble, found himself completely unable to retaliate against Yang Rixi's blows. It was no longer an issue of pride but one of disbelief.

— Yang Rixi was actually such a formidable fighter?

The commotion in the room drew the attention of Uncle Lin, the butler. Upon seeing the scene, he was shocked. "Young Masters Shiming and Rixi, how could you...?"

He had meant to ask how they could be fighting, but upon closer inspection, Yang Shiming was bruised and swollen while Yang Rixi was unscathed. He hesitated, even entertaining the absurd thought: Could it be that Yang Shiming had done something to provoke Yang Rixi, who then felt guilty and allowed himself to be beaten as compensation?

With the butler's arrival, Yang Rixi reluctantly stopped. His body, invigorated from his practice, still had plenty of energy left even after beating up Yang Shiming.

Uncle Lin hurriedly helped Yang Shiming to his feet. Yang Shiming wanted to complain, but after considering the situation, he felt it would be embarrassing to do so. Facing Uncle Lin's concerned gaze, he endured the pain and said, "We didn't fight. I let him hit me. I was rude to him earlier, so I let him hit me back."

Uncle Lin was somewhat relieved that Yang Shiming had not succumbed to Diao Mei's enchantment. His thoughts had returned to normal, and he hoped that the young masters in the house could live in harmony. However, he looked at Yang Shiming disapprovingly and said, "But you shouldn't hurt yourself like that either."

As he spoke, he helped the limping Yang Shiming down for treatment, also reporting the incident to Yang Zhenxing and Cai Yiyi. They were both surprised, well aware of Yang Shiming's arrogant and domineering personality. It was unbelievable that he would willingly let Yang Rixi hit him. Still, with Yang Shiming himself confirming the story, they had no choice but to believe it.

Frustrated, Yang Shize once again smashed things in his room. Even Yang Shiming hadn't managed to strike a blow against Yang Rixi.

"Ya-ang, R-ix-i, Xi-e-e!"

He refused to accept this. Yang Shize composed himself, regained his composure, and sought out Huo Jue.

Huo Jue opened the door to welcome him in. Yang Shize, eager to achieve his goal, failed to notice that something was off with Huo Jue's expression. Although he was smiling, it didn't reach his eyes, revealing an icy demeanor.

Just a few days ago, he thought he liked Yang Shize. Then, he encountered a demon and made a wish that Yang Shize would fall in love with him.

The demon assured him that it was no problem at all. After signing the contract, however, the deceitful demon informed him that he was under the influence of a low-level demon's enchantment spell. The demon had conveniently removed it for free.

Once the enchantment was lifted, Huo Jue suddenly realized that he did not like Yang Shize! But the wish he had made could not be undone.

Huo Jue was furious, and now he had utterly no affection left for Yang Shize.

If he couldn't take revenge on that wicked demon, couldn't he at least retaliate against Yang Shize?

Chapter 94: Making a Move

Shen Xingzhuo was thrilled to receive a rare smile, feeling utterly flattered.

However, he couldn't understand why his mere trip to the restroom earned him praise.

So, he could only return a silly grin.

Seeing this, Lu Ran muttered "idiot" under his breath and turned to leave.

Shen Xingzhuo attempted to follow, but was stopped by two bodyguards.

Not far from where he stood, he encountered a familiar face.

It was Jin.

Upon seeing Lu Ran, he bowed his head, wearing a smile.

He deliberately displayed a hint of confusion in his eyes as he approached, asking, "Your house is so big, I seem to have gotten lost. Could you show me around?"

The two bodyguards instinctively tried to intercept.

But Lu Ran said, "I know him. Let him come over."

The two bodyguards exchanged glances and withdrew their hands.

Ji Min had only instructed them to keep an eye on the Shen family members, not to completely isolate Lu Ran from his social life.

On campus, when Lu Ran encountered teachers and classmates, they also did not intervene, maintaining a respectful distance while keeping close watch.

Upon hearing Lu Ran's words, Jin's lips curled into a knowing smile.

Indeed, it seems that Lu Ran has feelings for him.

Jin leaned closer to the young man before him.

Initially, he was displeased when his father suggested an arranged marriage.

But upon meeting the youth's pair of eyes, he suddenly found it just barely tolerable.

In a low, suggestive tone, Jin whispered, "I've always wanted to see you, but never had the chance."

Lu Ran gave him a quizzical glance.

Aware of the faintly unfamiliar gaze in the youth's eyes, Jin was suddenly reminded that their last encounter could hardly be considered pleasant.

Thus, with graceful magnanimity, he comforted the young man before him, saying, "Pay it no mind. I am well aware that the fault of the previous incident lies entirely with your younger brother. Rest assured, I harbor no intention of taking my anger out on you."

Saying this, he reached out to support himself with his hand on the wall beside Lu Ran's ear, whispering, "I can tell the difference. The wine you pour is entirely distinct from what your younger brother serves."

Upon hearing this, Lu Ran's expression grew even more peculiar.

Unable to contain himself, he asked, "Do you really think that way?"

"Of course!" Jin declared solemnly.

As he spoke, he let out a slight sigh, as if genuinely sympathetic. "It must have been tough for you, always being by Ji Min's side."

"He's the kind of person..." Jin shook his head disdainfully, "with an odd temper and ruthless methods. It serves him right to end up disabled and without any family or friends."

Lu Ran's gaze gradually turned cold as he looked at him.

Suddenly, he narrowed his eyes at Jin and said with a smile, "There are too many people around here. Shall we change the location to have a more private conversation?"

Jin's heart stirred.

He thought that this was indeed a good opportunity.

He could just take care of the matter right now.

Moreover, it was happening at the Shen family's residence. Even if Ji Min wanted to cause trouble, he wouldn't be able to pin it on the Linos.

Whether or not he would eventually marry this Lu Ran was irrelevant.

After all, he only wanted to have some fun.

"Sure," Jin agreed.

Jin immediately followed closely behind Lu Ran.

Falling in step behind Lu Ran, his thoughts wandering, his gaze couldn't help but linger with an undue scrutiny.

Now that the weather has turned warmer, our clothing has become more lightweight.

The youth was dressed in loose-fitting attire, yet beneath the hem of his garment, one could still discern the slender suppleness of his waistline.

As his gaze landed on Lu Ran, he noticed that the man had stopped in his tracks.

He paused in front of the restroom entrance.

Jin was taken aback.

He had assumed Lu Ran would lead him to his own room.

"This…" Jin appeared slightly bewildered.

But considering the two bodyguards trailing behind, he suddenly understood, "It's indeed less noticeable to be in the restroom."

"Yes."

Lu Ran continued to beckon him.

Jin followed, making sure to close the bathroom door behind him.

He accompanied Lu Ran to a stall and entered it first.

Turning around, he was just about to start his exploration.

Only to find Lu Ran standing outside, simply watching him.

The very next moment, the youth who had been wearing an expression of utmost docility mere seconds ago launched a swift, forceful punch directly at him.

This punch landed with staggering force, jolting his golden nose bridge with excruciating pain. Instantaneously, tears and a gush of blood from his nostrils erupted simultaneously.

At this moment, Jin was utterly bewildered. "Y-Y-You..."

Still in a daze, he wondered how those "little playful punches" could carry such weight in flirtation.

In the next moment, Lu Ran reached out and grabbed Jin's hair, looking down at him and asking, "Who did you say deserved it?"

"What?" Jin was stunned.

After a brief moment of confusion, he realized that Lu Ran was taking offense on Ji Min's behalf due to his earlier words.

Jin wasn't stupid. His expression changed, and he quickly caught on, "Are you playing with me? You and Ji Min...?"

But it was too late. The pressure on his head increased.

Jin's pupils constricted as he stared fixedly at the toilet bowl closing in on him.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Jin hurriedly cried out.

He flailed his arms to grasp the toilet seat, struggling to support his body as he immediately slid into a kneeling position.

"I-I was wrong, I shouldn't have said that about President Ji!" he admitted.

"Oh, so were you just now trying to seduce me?" Lu Ran inquired.

Jin immediately tried to shake his head.

But his hair was gripped tightly, preventing any movement.

He then attempted to wave his hand.

However, the slightest gesture brought him closer to the toilet bowl!

Staring at the toilet bowl's interior just inches away, Jin could only strain to sound sincere:

"No, no, no! I just admire you very much! Pure admiration!"

"Oh, is that so?" Lu Ran raised an eyebrow.

Jin was quite strong, propping himself up on the toilet with both hands, creating a deadlock.

Lu Ran wasn't in a hurry though.

He simply held Jin's head and asked, "What is that old thing of yours scheming? Why is he so insistent on forming an alliance with the Shen family?"

Upon hearing Lu Ran's words, Jin felt a chill run down his spine. However, when he glanced downward at the toilet bowl, he found the situation utterly absurd. In this toilet stall, with his face almost touching the porcelain, this guy was actually discussing such serious matters? Was he insane?! Yet, in just two seconds of stunned silence, Jin sensed his nose drawing closer to the toilet by another few centimeters. In a hurry, Jin replied, "I'm not sure either! Yes, it was my father who forced me to come. I even reminded him just now that you and President Ji have a great relationship, and we shouldn't be doing such immoral things!" As he spoke, Jin's voice trembled with anxiety.

He even used the formal 'you' address.

Yet, Lu Ran rolled his eyes and kicked him in the butt. "Speak the truth."

Jin slumped down, sweat dripping from his forehead into the toilet bowl.

But he had no idea what his biological father was planning.

He only vaguely sensed that Old Lino paid close attention to Lu Ran.

After racking his brains, Jin finally caught a glimpse of inspiration and shouted, "Ah! Right! He said you were raised by Elder Shen, that Elder Shen always kept you by his side. Maybe that's the reason!"

"Hmm?" Lu Ran was rather surprised.

Elder Shen had long passed away. After he returned to the Shen family, no one had mentioned him.

No one had talked about his relationship with his grandfather when he was young either.

But from the way Madam Shen and Shen Xingyu spoke, that Elder Shen didn't seem like an easy person to get along with.

"Thank you for sharing this with me," Lu Ran expressed.

Perceiving the slight easing of pressure on the back of his head.

Jin finally sighed in relief.

He also relaxed his grip on the toilet bowl slightly.

Yet, a hint of disdain surged within him.

Such a small gesture could melt his heart like this; he must have grown up in an orphanage.

Yet at this moment, the youth's voice behind him grew petulant:

"But the thought of the way you look at me still fills me with disgust. What should I do about it?"

"Hmm??" Jin was taken aback.

"So, you'd better soak in there, after all!"

Lu Ran swiftly kicked Jin's leg.

Jin lost his footing and stumbled, ultimately plunging into the nearby toilet with a "splash."

"Ahh!"

He only managed to let out a cry before the flush button was pressed.

As the water level rose, Jin was instantly silenced.

In the corridor,

Shen Hongyuan walked with a darkened gaze.

He had just witnessed Jin entering the restroom with Lu Ran.

This was a scene he had been hoping for.

It wasn't that he genuinely expected a union between the Linos and the Shens through marriage.

The Lino family was not sincere.

Shen Hongyuan had no good intentions either.

He narrowed his eyes at the bathroom door that had remained still for quite some time.

Ji Min was indeed very tolerant of Xiao Ran.

He could even endure all of Lu Ran's quirky habits.

But as a man, could he tolerate Lu Ran messing around with another man?

Shen Hongyuan gave a smile to the two bodyguards waiting in the corridor.

He took the initiative to approach them, looking concerned. "Where's Xiao Ran?"

The two bodyguards exchanged glances.

One of them coughed softly and said, "Young Master Lu Ran and Young Master Jin are having a conversation in the restroom."

Speaking, both of them wore solemn expressions.

Hadn't this conversation dragged on for too long?

"Something has come up with Xiao Ran, so could one of you help me call him over?" Shen Hongyuan suggested.

The two bodyguards nodded and headed toward the restroom.

The corner of Shen Hongyuan's mouth twitched faintly.

If it were him telling Ji Min that Lu Ran had cheated on him, Ji Min would surely not believe it.

But what if it was Ji Min's own bodyguard delivering the news?

Moreover...

Even if Lu Ran had no ulterior motives, what difference would it make?

The eldest son of the Lino family was quite the playboy, known for engaging in all sorts of debauchery.

Shen Hongyuan hung back at a discreet distance, eagerly anticipating the expressions of the two bodyguards in the upcoming scene.

Soon, one of the bodyguards rapped on the bathroom door.

There was no response from within.

Considering the presence of individual stalls, the bodyguard pushed the door open for a quick glance.

In that instant, the bodyguard's pupils dilated in shock.

One of the bathroom stalls stood wide open.

Inside the stall, a person was stuffed into the toilet bowl!

Judging by their attire, it was none other than the eldest son of the Lino family.

This same young master, who had just spoken disrespectfully to their boss, was now bent over with his upper body crammed into the toilet, while his legs kicked helplessly.

His arms were bound to the toilet tank, rendering him unable to free his head from its predicament despite his struggles.

Outside the cubicle, the very same Master Lu Ran, whom their boss had described as vulnerable, pitiful, and in need of protection, was holding a mop, repeatedly plunging Young Master Jin into the toilet bowl.

The scene was explosively shocking.

As bodyguards with years of experience, they had never witnessed such a horrifying spectacle.

Oh no, oh no! Is... is this toilet, no... this face still salvageable?

Amidst their astonishment, Shen Hongyuan approached them.

He attempted to peek, only to see the two bodyguards shut the door with a resounding "bang," as if they were escaping from a terrifying flood or a fierce beast.

"Well... What's going on? Isn't Xiao Ran inside?"

Shen Hongyuan pretended to be oblivious.

Inside, he thought to himself, judging from the expressions of these two bodyguards, the situation inside must be intensely dramatic.

What else could they do?

Lu Ran hadn't brought that dog along, so he couldn't pull any tricks.

The two bodyguards exchanged a glance, unable to recover from their shock for a long while.

"Um... Young Master Lu Ran is, uh, occupied. We should... not disturb him," one of them finally managed to say.

At this, the corner of Shen Hongyuan's mouth quirked up in a small smile.

Wasn't he indeed taking care of business?

He didn't believe that after witnessing such a scene, these two bodyguards wouldn't tell Ji Min.

Dazed, the bodyguards had no idea how to react. All they could do was stand guard on either side of the bathroom door like door gods.

Seeing this, Shen Hongyuan couldn't help but feel a sense of irony.

These bodyguards were indeed loyal, standing guard outside to prevent others from witnessing the scene inside and tarnishing Ji Min's reputation.

Satisfied, Shen Hongyuan left.

Whether Ji Min despised Lu Ran or vented his anger on the Lino family, it was a win-win situation for the Shen household.

After Shen Hongyuan had departed, the two bodyguards exchanged glances, and one of them finally couldn't help but speak up:

"Well... if the boss finds out that we allowed Young Master Lu Ran to do this personally, will he be angry?"

"Yes," the other bodyguard nodded in agreement.

This seemed to imply that they were rather incompetent.

"Should you go in and lend a hand, then?"

"No, no, no..."

"Give me a moment to mentally prepare."

Such a task isn't something just anyone can undertake!

Chapter 91: Station 23: The Eight Characters

The two guards moved with incredible speed and showed no intention of reasoning with her.

They roughly dragged Yue Pengpeng out and pinned her down on the rough stone pavement, their demeanor cold and merciless.

One guard held her firmly as she screamed and struggled, while the other stepped out to retrieve the instrument of torture.

In no time, a third guard returned with a thick, red rod as thick as a wrist.

Pinned to the ground and unable to move, Yue Pengpeng's vision swam at the sight of the rod, finally realizing the foolish mistake she had made!

How could she have forgotten that emotions were non-existent in this Realm of Endless Torment?

Blame it on how realistic this world appeared; she had foolishly applied human logic to these monstrous guards, thinking she could sway them with her looks...

She pleaded for mercy, her voice filled with desperate hope that they might spare her.

But the two guards paid no heed, dragging her away relentlessly.

Sù Bó, despite her tough exterior, couldn't help but soften upon hearing the cries. She rushed to the door to investigate.

Seeing Yue Pengpeng struggling on the ground, she involuntarily clenched her lower lip.

Suddenly, a maid emerged from the moon gate outside.

Struck by an idea, she promptly warned,

"Yue Peng... Little Idol! A woman has entered. Ask her for help quickly!"

At first, Yue Pengpeng was momentarily confused by the sudden call. However, she quickly regained her composure and recalled the rules they had exchanged the previous day.

If she remembered correctly, the rule stated... Yes, that was it.

—If you wish a woman "early birth of noble children," she will come to your aid!

She was already pinned onto the bench for punishment and couldn't see where the woman was. But with no time to hesitate, she steeled herself, closed her eyes, and shouted desperately,

"May you bear noble children soon! Save me! Early birth of noble children!"

The maid who had just passed through the moon gate was clearly there to assist with an errand. Upon hearing the cry, she immediately turned around and stared directly at Yue Pengpeng as if controlled by an invisible force.

Then, with agility, she hurried over and stopped the guards, "Hold on, what wrong has she committed? Why do you two need to discipline her like this?"

The guards maintained their stern expressions and calmly pulled on the struggling Yue Pengpeng, saying, "She attempted to make us defy Madam's order and show favoritism. According to the family rules, she deserves ten strokes of the cane."

The maid paused for a moment, then put on a gentle smile, "What if ten strokes cost her life? The young ladies are about to be married soon; such a joyous occasion shouldn't be tainted with blood..."

By now, Yue Pengpeng could finally see the maid standing before her clearly.

The maid was slender and had an attractive face. She wore a finely tailored silk robe, indicating that she was no ordinary servant.

The maid gave her a thorough once-over and spoke sensibly,

"Perhaps it would be better if the two of you handed her over to me. I happen to have some tasks at hand that are in dire need of assistance. If she were to join me, she would fulfill her duty and receive an appropriate punishment. What do you think?"

The guards exchanged another glance, their expressions enigmatic.

"Well then, we shall entrust her to you. Just make sure you don't show favoritism."

The maid nodded with a smile.

"Of course."

As soon as Yue Pengpeng was released by the two individuals, he promptly scrambled forward, clutching at the hem of the maid's skirt in sheer desperation, terrified that she might change her mind.

The maid smiled gently, not commenting on her disheveled state nor showing any disdain for her dirt-covered body. She simply said:

"Quickly tidy yourself up and come with me to work."

Yue Pengpeng hastily tidied her hair and brushed off the dust on her attire before closely trailing behind the maid, on high alert against any sudden attack from the guards.

It wasn't until she stepped through the Moon Gate that she let out a long, thorough sigh of relief.

The maid led her to a courtyard filled with bamboo groves and gently smiled, extending her arm towards the house.

"Go in and change your clothes. I'll wait for you here."

Yue Pengpeng nodded and hurriedly entered the room, only to find it completely empty.

Before her stood a round moon window. Beyond it, the bamboo forest whispered, and leaves drifted in, creating a picturesque scene.

Confused about where the clothes might be, she took two steps forward and noticed, to her surprise, a well right in the center of the room.

How could there be a well indoors?

She cautiously avoided the well, wanting to leave, but soon discovered that the door behind her had also transformed into a round moon window.

Attempting to exit through the window, she approached it closely, only to realize that it wasn't a view of a bamboo sea, but rather a wall painted with a bamboo landscape.

The only clue to escape was now that very well.

She approached the well cautiously and peered down into its depths.

Calm ripples spread across the icy, soft water.

Her vision suddenly inverted, and the ripples appeared right above her head.

Yue Pengpeng's eyes widened in astonishment.

No, it wasn't just the ripples appearing above her head.

Gentle bubbles brushed against the tranquil surface, creating silvery concentric circles.

A bamboo leaf drifted into the well, landing precisely at the center of those ripples.

Extending a pulsating lifeline.

-

With Yue Pengpeng's experience as a warning, the remaining three abandoned their thoughts of forcing their way through.

Liao Xinya and Su Bo closed the doors and windows, acknowledging the sense of helplessness that now prevailed—neither heaven nor earth seemed to hear their cries.

Si Shuhao propped her chin on her wrist, observing the scene unfold.

"This can't continue; we simply can't sew the sachets. But if we don't, it seems like Madam Old Bai is pushing us towards starvation as part of her plan."

"You're absolutely right."

Si Shuhao's perspective resonated with Liao Xinya, though their interpretations diverged slightly:

"In this world of ceaseless strife, the societal structure is a typical feudal one, and its governing principles reflect that."

"For instance, the phrase 'early birth of an honored child' embodies the feudal society's longing for women's reproductive roles, encapsulating traditional feudal notions of women's status. It appears to be a blessing, but in reality, it's a systemic exploitation of women's reproductive resources."

"…You're quite the professional."

Si Shuhao couldn't help but express her admiration with a fist bump.

Liao Xinya didn't expect such an adorable gesture from her; a hint of a smile graced her cold expression.

"No, although I've gathered some information on the subject, my understanding is quite superficial. I can only offer a humble perspective."

"Uh-huh, your analysis is already impressive to us."

Si Shuhao's eyes sparkled as she looked at her:

"You continue."

Liao Xinya nodded slightly:

"In feudal society, not only did it exploit and oppress women, but it also exploited and oppressed men themselves. This exploitation presented itself in a pyramid structure. The strong preyed on the weak, making the underprivileged sacrifice their inadequacies to serve the privileged."

"One of the ways this was exemplified in the old times were the so-called 'Three Great Joys.'"

"Meeting an old friend in a foreign land, achieving fame by ranking high on the golden list, and the night of the wedding candlelight in the bridal chamber."

Su Bo felt somewhat perplexed:

"How does analyzing these help our current situation?"

Liao Xinya opened the hastily written rules from yesterday and pointed to the "early birth of an offspring" clause:

"In the current rules, there's essentially a command that can make women do anything for you. Just like what Yue Pengpeng mentioned earlier, 'early birth of an offspring.' Given the situation where there's a command to manipulate women, there must naturally be one to manipulate men as well."

Her slender eyes shimmered with determination:

"I speculate that the counterpart to 'early birth of an honored son' could be 'promotion and wealth.'"

"Brilliant!"

Si Shuhao was almost applauding her deductive reasoning.

But Su Bo still wore a worried expression:

"But... how do we test this? Yue Pengpeng was merely taken away, not returned."

Liao Xinya picked up the water pitcher on the table without hesitation:

"This is my theory, so let me be the one to verify it."

Si Shuhao was taken aback, instinctively reaching out to stop her, only to feel a sharp pain in her hand from the sudden exertion.

Liao Xinya gently patted her hand.

"Nothing's wrong."

Without hesitation, she carried the empty water jug to the door and addressed the two guards, "Greetings, may you advance in rank and prosperity. We need ample water and snacks; I hope you can assist us."

The guards exchanged another glance, this time with evident struggle in their expressions. After much deliberation, they surprisingly took the water jug from her hands and turned away, leaving!

Liao Xinya covered her pounding heart, maintaining a calm facade.

The two guards returned hastily. Like thieves, they stuffed food and water into her arms before slamming the door shut. No amount of knocking would open it again!

"Food..."

Si Shuhao was dumbfounded, joyous enough to jump for joy, "You're amazing, Yaya!! We've secured our provisions for today!"

The three of them were ecstatic.

Liao Xinya consumed the food and tea first to ensure they were safe, then passed them on to the others.

However, the joy of having their basic needs met gradually faded with the passage of time.

Unease crept back into their hearts.

This was because Yue Pengpeng, who had wished for an early birth of an esteemed child, had yet to return.

After finally making his way back from the storage room to the accounting office, Shi Wenguang kept a cautious eye on Yan Qiling, who was diligently examining the ledgers, hoping to find an opportunity to apologize.

-

But before he could seize that chance, the door was rapped loudly with a "knock, knock."

This time, before he could approach to open it, the wooden door creaked open by itself.

The scene seemed eerily familiar.

Sven Guang's heart leapt to his throat. Without any prompting, he hurriedly walked over to Yan Qiling and gestured for him to look at the entrance.

A long shadow stretched across the doorway, indicating someone was stepping in.

First, a pair of red shoes embroidered with mandarin ducks came into view.

Then, a dusty gray horse riding jacket.

The man who entered was unremarkable in appearance, so ordinary that one would struggle to remember his face in a crowd.

His walking posture was incredibly peculiar.

Objects hanging from his waist jingled with each step.

With his sunken eyes rolling about, he directly headed towards Yan Qiling.

Sven Guang retreated in fear, immediately hiding behind the shelf, as far away from this ominous figure in red shoes as possible.

Yan Qiling didn't speak but instead took out a handful of copper coins and scattered them towards the man.

The man paused for a split second before a chilling gust of air burst from his mouth!

His head suddenly split into two from the center, revealing a set of interlocking fangs as he lunged towards Yan Qiling!

Yan Qiling nonchalantly tossed out a dried fish.

Sure enough, the man crouched down like a ravenous beast to devour the treat.

After consuming it, he let out a deep growl and, just as before, transformed into a vibrant red foam that vanished into thin air.

While Shi Wenming was still reeling from the shock, Yan Qiling had already composed himself and started picking up the clothes scattered on the ground.

Just like before.

Beneath the clothes, bloody characters appeared.

Two words:

Eight characters.

Chapter 174: Everything Can Be Grilled on a Stone Plate

The meal was hastily consumed by Shen Lie and his companions. After some preparation, they were ready to leave the valley. It was still the same group, minus Shen Jin.

As they were about to depart, Sang Luo came to see them off. Shen Lie whispered, "This morning, we spent two hours hunting, setting traps, and picking wild vegetables. This time, we'll head straight for our target, so it should be faster. However, since we're ambushing the boar, we can't predict its activity time. If we're delayed, it might expose our valley if we return with torches at night. Don't wait up or worry. We've all spent nights in deep forests before; we can handle ourselves."

His words were accompanied by a smile, which touched Sang Luo's heart. "If that happens, we'll enjoy your stone-grilled meat another day."

Sang Luo looked into his smiling eyes, and her heart was unexpectedly brushed by an indescribable sensation.

It was gentle but lingered, remaining even after Shen Lie and his companions had climbed up to the cave, left the valley, and disappeared from sight. Sang Luo pressed her chest, feeling a strange tenderness there.

This feeling was unfamiliar, but Sang Luo understood its meaning.

She realized that she had been touched by the gentleness and affection in Shen Lie's demeanor.

Was it affection?

She belatedly noticed that every time Shen Lie went out, he would meticulously inform her of his itinerary and return date. Had he looked at her this way before?

At first, it was a pure and exhilarating joy because of the food and water she had provided. But later, when some other emotions began to seep in, she hadn't noticed at all.

Recalling that he was supposed to leave and might even spend the night outside, she mentioned going to find a stone slab. Despite this, Shen Lie didn't mention preparing any food or water; instead, he accompanied her to search for the slab, catch fish, and test the stone.

Now, thinking about Shen Lie's constant smile throughout the journey, Sang Luo finally sensed something different.

She could almost hear the faint thumping of her own heartbeat.

Lost in thought, she returned to her cave. Shen Ning heard her footsteps and poked his head out from the kitchen, holding a freshly washed piece of ginger.

"Brother-in-law, is this piece of ginger enough?"

"Enough. Wash some garlic and grind some Sichuan peppercorns as backup." Gathering her wits, Sang Luo started preparing dinner with Shen Ning.

The stone slab she found was intended for grilling meat or frying various cuts. Clearly, today's chicken was more suitable for frying chicken cutlets.

She didn't hide anything from him and taught Shen Ning how to debone, tenderize, and marinate the meat.

Living in the valley, all ingredients were precious. So, while removing the bones, they left some meat attached, not wanting to waste anything.

"To make the chicken cutlets taste delectable, the meat needs to be marinated for one or two hours. Moreover, Xiao Jin and the others can't digest too much greasy food, so we can fry the chicken later. For now, let's simmer a pot of chicken soup while waiting for your brother and Big Mountain to return. The bones with some meat on them, along with the heads, wings, and feet, make excellent soup ingredients."

As per usual, the Shen family had their evening meal at around four o'clock. The three chickens' meaty bones and scraps were combined with the fresh mushrooms that Shen Jinhua and Shen Lie had picked in the morning, resulting in a half-clay pot of aromatic chicken soup. Dried jujubes from the Xu family and two mulberries from Sangluo added an extra depth of flavor. The scent wafted over to the Xu family next door, making them salivate as they ate wild vegetables and tofu stew.

The Chen, Lu, and Shi families also had mountain chickens. Sangluo took two bowls and instructed Shen An and Shen Ning to deliver generous servings to both the Xu and Zhou families. Once the siblings returned, their own meal would commence.

For dinner, they would enjoy the nourishing chicken soup, its taste sweet and savory, a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, and light yet restorative.

"Let's eat this for now. Later, when your big brother comes back, we'll prepare some grilled meat."

None of the younger ones declined, let alone with the prospect of roasted meat. Just the thought of having chicken soup for dinner, served in clay pots, with two bowls per person, was enough to satisfy even Shen Tie, who always felt he didn't get his fill.

What more could they ask for?

...

After the evening meal, the sun was no longer shining directly into the valley. Each family stored away their provisions, and the children, now idle, waited for the sun to set and the sky to darken. Then, the younger ones all rushed over to the Shen household, for they had heard that tonight, they would be cooking with stones, just like playing house, and preparing meat!

They were no strangers to using stones to ignite leaves for fire, but witnessing meat being cooked this way was a first. They arrived early, crouching nearby in anticipation.

Widow Chen and Qin Fangniang were delighted by the commotion and joined Sanluo to watch the spectacle. They examined the makeshift stove and stone slab. Widow Chen found it curious and asked Sanluo, "Is cooking on this better than using a clay pot? Wouldn't all the soup and water leak out?"

Sanluo chuckled. "It can be. Auntie and Grandma, come over tonight and try it out. If you like it, look there, I've chosen that stone slab for your family. Just take it away."

Widow Chen was amused. "Well, my kids are always craving your food. I'll definitely come tonight to see for myself. If it works, I'll carry it away right away."

As they chatted, Shen Lie's group returned to the valley.

Everyone was waiting for them, frequently glancing towards the entrance cave. The children were the first to spot them but refrained from cheering, instead rushing back to their homes to alert their families.

The six baskets were lowered one after another, stunning Village Chief Zhou and the others. "So much?"

Liu Sanlang, who had descended first, smiled. "Three wild boars, one large and two small. But they were all shot by Lie and Dashan."

Initially, they had spotted five wild boars, but their hiding spots were too far away. Their arrows lacked the strength and accuracy needed for such a distance, even for Liu Sanlang's brother. Their missed shots startled the boars, causing them to flee. Thus, they had only done the physical labor today.

When Sanluo came over, Shen Lie had just descended. Seeing her, he couldn't help but smile. However, feeling the strong scent of blood on him, he didn't approach. Instead, he said, "I'll distribute the meat and return."

The distribution of meat followed established precedents, allocated according to effort. Thus, Shen Lie and Chen Dashan received the lion's share, as they had hunted two of the three wild boars together, while each took down one of the smaller ones. They also distributed some portions to the brothers who had joined them and offered a few pounds to the Zhou and Xu families for their meals. The remainder was split evenly between the Chen and Shen households.

As they were all acquaintances, there was no need for precise weighing; they simply took what they deemed appropriate.

Shen Lie carried home two large baskets brimming with meat. After consulting with Sang Luo, they decided to distribute over twenty pounds to each family, and more than forty pounds to the Xu family as a token of gratitude for the food they had provided to Shen Jin and his siblings previously.

This distribution left them with a manageable amount at home.

Sang Luo found this satisfactory. With one basket of meat still remaining, she knew they would have their hands full preparing it for dinner. Considering the prospect of roasting meat and the excitement it would generate among the children, she asked Shen Lie to select a piece with a good balance of fat and lean meat. Only then did she send him off to bathe and change clothes so they could enjoy a relaxed meal later.

Upon seeing Sangluo specially cut off a piece of meat just for them, all the children swallowed their saliva.

"Sister-in-law, are you still making pork for dinner tonight?"

To the eyes of the young ones present, Sister-in-Law had prepared an exceedingly abundant spread of food. There were chicken legs, chicken breasts, giblets, tofu, leeks, mushrooms, and Chinese cabbage, alongside several bowls filled with minced ginger, garlic, leek greens, scallions, crushed Sichuan pepper, and dried zanthoxylum berries reduced to fine powder. And yet, there was still talk of adding meat to this already lavish array.

Despite not having a clue what this stone-grilled meat would taste like, and despite having eaten only in the afternoon, the younger ones couldn't help but salivate uncontrollably. This was especially true for the Shen brothers; after all, they had endured unbearable hunger for those preceding months.

Sang Luo smiled. "Prepare some extra, I suspect we won't be the only ones enjoying it later."

As predicted by Sangluo, just as she had sliced and marinated the pork belly, a group of children who had accompanied their elders to fetch meat earlier returned to the Shen residence.

Especially when Shen An and Shen Ning lit the fire; with the tall trees above, the flames were invisible from the top of the valley, but those living within the valley could see them clearly. They all flocked over to join in the excitement.

Sangluo was amiable, warmly inviting the older children to help carry the tables and chairs out of her house. They brought out several more stools as well.

There weren't enough chairs for everyone, so Chen Ershan, Xu Wenbo, and their friends led a group back to their own homes to retrieve additional chairs. As the sky darkened, the lively atmosphere at the bottom of the valley seemed to be just beginning.

With plenty of stools available, Sangluo placed a few near the stone slab specifically for her ingredients, and she found herself a chair to sit on. Even before the barbecuing started, the spectacle was already set up, drawing the curiosity of the adults from the Chen and Xu families.

When Shen Lie and Chen Dashan emerged, freshly cleaned, they found not only tables and chairs arranged, but also the tempting aroma of meat wafting through the air. A circle of children surrounded Sangluo, slurping in anticipation.

Spotting her brother, Xiaoya's face lit up. "Big Brother, hurry, come here, you can sit here."

She had known since the afternoon that her big brother would have dinner at Sister An's tonight. With the tables and chairs set, there was a spot reserved especially for him. Xiaoya was both envious and thrilled. This was far more exciting than their pretend play.

Chen Dashan exclaimed, impressed by not just the aroma but also the grand scene that promised a lively gathering.

"Ah Lie, it has to be your wife!"

Shen Lie was also taken aback by the sight, but he soon broke into a smile. He didn't sit down and instead moved closer to Sang Luo. He noticed that a stone slab was piled high with chicken meat and offal, garnished with a colorful array of white, green, and red seasonings. The dish had been brushed with sauce and sprinkled with scallions, making it look incredibly appetizing.

"Can I lend a hand?"

Sang Luo waved him off. "You'll have to learn first. Eat for now; you've been busy all day. Enjoy your meal with Big Mountain. This is meant to be eaten as it's being grilled."

While they spoke, the chicken skewers were ready. Since there were no knives, the skewers had already been cut into bite-sized pieces. Sang Luo called for Shen Ning to bring a plate, then started piling the chicken onto it. She first filled a plate with a dozen small pieces for Shen Ning to take to the children before serving the second helping.

The crowd was overwhelming, so she had marinated the meat from three chickens all at once. Shen Lie stood by, assisting her by taking and passing plates. In no time, a platter of fried chicken cutlets and another of fried offal were served on the table.

Chen Dashan devoured his food with gusto, praising it profusely as he ate. As for Shen Lie, while Sangluo was still busy, his mind was not on the food at all. He frequently glanced over to where she was working.

Jin Ning rushed back and joined Sangluo in frying pork belly slices and vegetables.

Madame Chen, Qin Fangniang, Madam Xu, and Wei Lingzhen watched in awe, exclaiming, "What an innovative way to cook! It smells so delicious!"

Madame Chen could hardly contain her excitement. Seeing that the stone slab Sangluo had mentioned was already clean, she promptly called out to Old Man Chen and Chen Youtian, "Go gather some stones. Let's set up one beside them. Fangniang, learn from Ah Luo and prepare some meat and vegetables."

The vegetables are grown right outside our doorstep, always readily available.

At the old Lady Chen's directive, the entire Chen family sprang into action. Even Chen Ershan and Little Ya, who were still indulging in their chicken drumsticks, eagerly joined the search for stones, followed by a swarm of children lending their help.

In the blink of an eye, one barbecue stall turned into two. After Sang Luo had grilled a few servings, Shen Ning was able to take over. With the task in his capable hands, she finally allowed herself to taste a few bites.

Well, not bad at all. The heat is substituted by prickly ash, though there's still a subtle distinction in texture. More importantly, the absence of pepper and cumin means it's lacking that essential spark of flavor, its very soul.

It stands to reason that "pepper" refers to spices imported from foreign lands. It's unlikely that the Great Qian Dynasty would have had access to it. Even if they did, it would be incredibly expensive, perhaps valued at a thousand copper coins. Only the elite families and wealthy aristocrats could afford such a luxury.

As for chili peppers, just like cotton, they didn't exist at all, at least not in the original owner's memory.

Yet, in the eyes of everyone in the valley, the soulless chicken cutlets and various skewers were incredible delicacies. A long table was gradually filled with an array of stone plate dishes. The Xu family members shamelessly came over to sample a few bites. Manager Xu, who ran a restaurant himself, had his eyes shining: "Madam Sang, this is remarkable! This way of eating is innovative. If you add more variety to the ingredients, you could even open a food stall on its own."

Sang Luo chuckled. "Master Xu, you truly live up to your reputation as a merchant."

Should there be chili peppers, peppercorns, or cumin in the mix, she would indeed give it serious thought. Barbecue, hotpot, Western cuisine – she could experiment with various styles. But without these essential spices, it would merely be a lively feast. Moreover, such indulgences would only be possible in a peaceful world where she had the means to safeguard the recipes.

Shen Lie watched as Sang Luo finally found a moment to eat amidst her busy schedule. Hastily, he began exchanging dishes he had personally tasted and found delicious with those on her side. Just as he lifted the plate, however, Sang Luo stayed his hand, saying, "I've already had my evening meal at the hour of Shen. I'm not accustomed to consuming too much after nightfall; tonight is merely for merriment and sampling a few bites. Please, all of you enjoy the food. I'll go assist Aunt You Tian for a while."

Shen Lie was aware that she didn't usually eat much at night, so he reluctantly withdrew his offer. However, Chen Dashan was quite delighted and called out in a loud voice, "Sister-in-law, apart from the family's money-making culinary skills, could you teach my mother some common techniques? I genuinely enjoy this dish."

Chen Po scolded her with a smile, "Is there anything from Ah Lie's household that you don't like?"

Everyone chuckled.

Chapter 128: Eating Melon Seeds

With everything going too smoothly, Wen Ying felt that there must be a catch. He sized up this excessively sycophantic devil and couldn't see any signs of it being a succubus. Yes, this ugly creature was actually a succubus.

Images of Essence constantly treading the path of seduction flashed through Wen Ying's mind. Looking at this devil now, he was utterly disgusted. Yet, this devil was attempting to use its succubus charm to evoke pity from Wen Ying, hoping to dissuade him from killing it.

An eyesore.

"How do you contact the Saint?"

Exorcists in the Human Realm mainly belonged to two large official organizations, the Exorcist Association and the Church of the Archangel. From what this succubus said, the Church of the Archangel had actually colluded with the extremist faction of the Devil Realm?

This was shocking news, both to humans and devils.

But if it were true, Wen Ying flexed his wooden puppet-like fingers and clenched them tightly—he would definitely be the top scorer in the final exams!

The thought of Poros and the others' furious faces made Wen Ying happily beckon at the succubus with his finger. The succubus eagerly approached. "My Lord, demons like us who are on the periphery of these organizations have to submit the negative emotions we've collected from humans once a month. Very coincidentally, tonight is the time for me to contact my superior."

"Didn't you say you could help me contact the Saint?"

"I can't contact them directly, but my superior should be able to. If they can't, cough cough," the succubus rubbed its hands together, a sly glint flickering in its eyes, "their superior should be able to."

Wen Ying looked at it expressionlessly, "Are you trying to get something for nothing?" This creature was even more cunning than he was.

The succubus smoothly knelt on one knee, "My lord, I've provided a very reliable starting point for a chain reaction!"

It meant toppling one would cause a cascade of others to fall, Wen Ying rested his chin in his hand, "Alright, arrange a meeting."

"Got it."

The succubus flipped its hand and conjured a miniature magic circle, addressing it, "Old Hong, let's meet at that abandoned building in the south tonight. I'll head there now."

With that, the black magic circle dispersed as the succubus switched back to its fawning tone, "My lord, Old Hong doesn't know as much as I do. You know how humans are, they're full of lies and can't be trusted."

Wen Ying looked at it with a faint expression, and the succubus blinked rapidly.

The door suddenly opened, and Yang Rixi walked in. Although the succubus in the room was close to being an intermediate demon, its essence was still that of a low-level demon, invisible to ordinary humans. Thus, Yang Rixi was completely unaware that there was another demon in the room.

He asked Wen Ying, "I forgot to ask before, do demons need to eat?"

Wen Ying stroked his stomach. "Ordinary food can't satisfy me."

"The Lord, I have excellent human essence here!" The incubus fawned, extracting a vibrant ball of energy from its small body. "If you need more, I still have plenty of treasures!"

On the white energy ball, Wen Ying sensed an aroma. His eyes were instantly captivated, unable to look away. His silver-white eyes turned cold and focused like a predator on the hunt.

"What's that?" Yang Rixi noticed Wen Ying staring intently at something and followed his gaze, but saw nothing.

Wen Ying forced himself to look away. He couldn't start down this path or he might not be able to stop.

"It's nothing. I'll be out tonight, so no need to leave a pillow for me."

He rose from the bed and flew out through the balcony. The incubus put away the essence and followed.

"Lord, is that human your chosen reserve?" the incubus asked. "The quality of his essence is quite good. No wonder you're a Lord, different from lowly devils like us who just take what we want."

Listening to the incessant babbling behind him, Wen Ying turned with an unbearable glare. The incubus, attempting to flatter him, promptly shut up.

The incubus cautiously observed the demon before it. Though this was a strange white demon, it was indeed powerful, and it felt there was great potential in following such a being.

"Wen Ying instructed, "Remove all the magic that Yang Shize has granted you."

The succubus promptly replied, "No problem, done already." It didn't hesitate at all since it was about to abandon its host anyway, sooner or later.

Wen Ying knew the abandoned building in the south, so he flew straight towards it.

After bonding with Yang Rixi, this avatar puppet had become much stronger than when it was in cotton doll form. Wen Ying flew openly through the night sky, and ordinary people could only see a black smoke trail passing by.

"Do the peripheral demons like you in your organization know about the connection between the Church's Saint and the extremist faction from the Realm of Devils?"

"Of course not. Those simple-minded guys only know that their superiors' superiors might be exorcists from the Church. Unlike me, who knows that many high-ranking members of the Church have ties with the extremist faction. Whatever the Saint knows, I know too."

Wen Ying looked at it sidelong, examining it curiously. Despite its claims, it seemed to be just an ordinary low-level demon.

The succubus read the meaning behind Wen Ying's gaze and puffed out its chest proudly. "I was born from the Saint's lust."

Wen Ying: "..." He almost blurted out a curse as he stared in shock at this succubus that didn't look the part at all.

"I didn't have a physical form when I was born. I lurked in his shadow, confused and unseen. I followed him and watched many events unfold right before my eyes!"

"Does he know about your existence?" Wen Ying asked earnestly, genuinely curious.

The incubus pouted. "He found out, but fortunately, I ran fast. He thought he got rid of me, but I managed to escape with half my body."

Wen Ying, entertained, continued, "From which Saint's... you know what... were you born?"

There were more than one Saint in the Church of the Archangel, some still young and vibrant, others already middle-aged.

The incubus spilled the tea. "The human-like Xiao Long. Don't be fooled by his holy facade; he's quite lustful. Otherwise, I wouldn't exist."

Xiao Long... Wen Ying dug through the information he had learned from his demonic teacher. This Saint seemed to be one of the older ones.

As he feasted on the gossip within the exorcist community, listening to the incubus divulge Xiao Long's affairs and hypocrisy, they soon arrived at the abandoned building in the south.

This unfinished building was left behind by a developer due to financial issues, and no group had taken over the clean-up yet. In the dead of night, the wind blew through the steel and concrete, producing eerie whispers.

Inside the derelict structure, a figure of an old man could be seen. Wen Ying almost immediately threw a ball of flame to "banish the ghost."

Chapter 93: Unwillingness

"Only that," Lu Ran said.

He put the remote back and secretly glanced at Ji Min, who was engrossed in playing with the robotic puppy.

Recalling the gifts Ji Min had received today, he whispered, "I don't have much money, and I might not be fully prepared."

After a moment of silence, he lifted his chin and added, "But I've put in a lot of effort. So, please don't nitpick."

Ji Min looked up at him and asked, "What if I insist on being picky?"

Lu Ran: "..."

He puffed up with indignation and reached out to retrieve the puppy from the wheelchair's remote control. "Then give it back!"

Ji Min blocked his hand and hid the puppy in his palm.

"No," he hurriedly said. "I really like it, every single one of them. And your performance as well."

Hearing this, Lu Ran lifted his gaze to study the expression on Ji Min's face, as if trying to discern the sincerity behind his words.

"Really," Ji Min replied, unusually candid.

He pondered for a moment before speaking slowly and with effort, "No one has ever put so much thought into celebrating my birthday before."

"Really?" Lu Ran was somewhat surprised.

Earlier, for easier remote control, he had simply taken a seat on the floor next to Ji Min's wheelchair.

Now, he leaned against the armrest to look at the man.

"But many people have always attended your birthday parties, haven't they? You've been like that since you were young," Lu Ran pointed out.

Ji Min only managed a small tug at the corners of his mouth, not saying anything in response.

Lu Ran thought of Ji Yue, whom he had met earlier today.

Unable to resist, he asked, "Does your family treat you badly too?"

Hearing the word "too" in the child's question, Ji Min chuckled and said, "What's wrong? Are you comparing yourself with me?"

"No, I'm just curious," Lu Ran replied.

Ji Min rubbed the metal puppy in his palm with his fingertip.

He began to recount his past slowly:

"My mother and father were married for business reasons. After I was born, she moved abroad."

Ji Min's mother passed away during an overseas trip when he was five years old.

His father then brought back his first love to the Ji family, causing Ji's grandfather to be hospitalized from the shock.

It was rare for someone like Ji Min's father, who was so driven by love, to emerge from the Ji family.

Not only did he deeply love his first love, but he also extended his affection to the stepson brought into the family, going as far as to plan to leave his shares in the Ji Corporation to this child.

On the surface, Ji Min's life back then seemed glamorous, but in reality, it was far from easy.

His father favored a stepson with no blood ties over his own biological son, showing him no concern or care.

As a result, young Ji Min placed even more value on familial bonds and took great care of his illegitimate younger brother.

This was precisely why Ji Yue felt untouchable during that period.

However, in the end, he was betrayed by that very same younger brother, who ruthlessly crippled him at a crucial moment.

Listening to the story, Lu Ran leaned his chin on the armrest of Ji Min's wheelchair.

Upon hearing this part, he exclaimed, straightening up, "So you mistook me for an illegitimate child back then, which led you to say those things!"

Ji Min: "..."

He pressed his finger to his lips, coughed softly, and whispered, "Didn't I apologize to you later?"

Lu Ran didn't seem to mind this at all.

He rested his chin on the armrest again and gazed at Ji Min for a while.

The man's expression remained calm as he recounted these past events, though a hint of coldness shimmered in his eyes.

"Boss, you were so pitiful back then," Lu Ran said.

After some thought, he asked, "So, is that why you're so kind to me, because our families aren't reliable?"

Ji Min glanced down at him and replied, "Guess?"

Lu Ran shot him a glance before lowering his head to watch Big Yellow play with the ball on the floor. He didn't respond.

Ji Min, however, reached out to pat his head and said, "That's partly the reason, I suppose."

But only a few.

Ji Min traced his fingertips through the soft strands of the youth's hair, gently caressing them.

His mind drifted back to the day of his car accident.

Realizing the culprit behind the car trouble, Ji Min quickly identified the culprit.

But there was no emotional resentment; instead, he quickly regained his composure and earnestly took measures.

Otherwise, he would lose more than just his legs.

Upon admission to the hospital, learning about his disability was not unexpected for Ji Min.

Over the years, he had keenly experienced the inconveniences in life and the myriad of judgmental gazes from those around him.

Ji Min was indeed temperamental, yet he remained consistently composed.

He was acutely aware that this was the price the Ji family had to pay for their power struggle, and it was also due to his own failure in judging people's character.

As for Ji Chi, whom he had sent to prison, Ji Min merely viewed him as a defeated rival in his eyes.

He wasn't even consumed with anger over the betrayal.

It wasn't until their recent negotiation with Shen Xingyu that things changed.

Shen Xingyu had brought up the matter of their engagement.

Ji Min didn't show any sign of cowardice then and calmly replied that he would consider it.

However, upon returning home, he spent a long time alone in his room in deep thought.

The following day, Ji Min asked Manager Chen to gather information on eligible candidates from prominent families.

He placed this data on his computer and meticulously screened through it every day.

It was as if he had truly become an elder to Lu Ran, attentively selecting suitable marriage partners for the young one.

Preferring a background of distinction, admirable character, and personal strength, not merely relying on family resources.

He laid out a multitude of criteria, scattered yet precise.

Yet, the most crucial prerequisite was: good health, with no disabilities.

Ji Min sat in front of his computer, thoroughly reviewing the entire document.

He appeared to be a considerate "elder" figure.

Yet, he scrutinized and criticized every character in the document with biting wit.

Like an unscrupulous rival.

In the end, gazing at the blank last page of the document.

A rare surge of resentment unexpectedly welled up within Ji Min.

In that moment, he acutely realized that he harbored a profound desire to harm Ji Chi.

If it weren't for Ji Chi, his leg wouldn't be broken.

He wouldn't have to sit in front of the computer, struggling with this indescribable conflict and pain, to view this document.

If it weren't for Ji Chi, he could have logically appeared on this list.

Right at the top.

Ji Min had assumed he could genuinely be content as an "elder."

It wasn't until that day when he noticed those subtle marks on Lu Ran's neck.

Ji Min's gaze softened as his fingers, entwined in Lu Ran's hair, delicately shifted.

Tenderly, he brushed aside the youth's stray locks at the tip of his hair.

Near the collar, those glaring red marks had vanished.

Ji Min's finger gently brushed against the other's palm, an unspoken intimacy lingering in the gesture.

He pondered, could he truly bear to see upon the youth's form any vestiges left by another, should such a day ever come to pass?

The man's fingers lingered with reluctance for a long while.

Until Lu Ran couldn't bear it anymore, his voice trembling as he asked:

"Boss, what are you searching for in my hair?"

Ji Min froze.

There, the youth lifted his head, his face alight with sheer terror as he asked, "Could there be a cockroach in my hair?"

Ji Min: "..."

He withdrew his hand and gently patted the child, saying, "So you do know fear, huh?"

He reached out to touch again.

Yet, Lu Ran blocked his head, preventing him from touching it.

He reached out to gather the four robotic dogs.

Ji Min raised an eyebrow and asked, "weren't these for me?"

Lu Ran: "…"

He fell silent for a moment, then looked at the man in the wheelchair with a complicated expression. "Do you really think I could afford something like this?"

Ji Min: "…"

"I borrowed them from a classmate who's into DIY," Lu Ran said, unable to resist the urge to boast. "But I assembled them and wrote the programs myself!"

Recalling the pitiful performance just now, Ji Min nodded. "I can tell."

Probably because he had to learn programming and assembly from scratch, it had taken him a long time.

That was why he'd been staying up until late these past few days.

And he had even found the time to secretly make a cake for Ji Min.

The next day, Lu Ran returned the four robotic dogs.

Unbeknownst to him, those four mechanical canines were swiftly purchased by a "mysterious person."

After wrapping up Ji Min's birthday celebration, Lu Ran recalled Gu Zhi's words from that day and made a special trip to the Shen family residence.

Upon arriving at the Shen household, he noticed two cars parked in the courtyard, indicating the presence of guests.

As Lu Ran entered the living room, he was surprised.

Seated were the Lino family.

The trio was engaged in conversation with Shen Hongyuan, the atmosphere appearing amicable.

There was no sign whatsoever of the previous "unpleasantness" that had occurred some time ago.

Lu Ran found the situation impressive.

Shen Hongyuan was truly remarkable. Despite Shen Xingran almost offending them severely last time, he had somehow managed to reconcile with the Linos.

The Linos were also quite impressive.

To think they could sit together at a dinner hosted by Shen Hongyuan after drinking that stuff – it showed their ability to adapt and compromise.

However, it was likely that each of them had ulterior motives for putting aside their grudges.

When Shen Hongyuan saw Lu Ran approaching, he was momentarily taken aback.

Anxiety flashed across his face instantly.

He subconsciously glanced at Lu Ran's feet but didn't see the dog. Only then did he heave a huge sigh of relief.

Lu Ran not bringing the dog was equivalent to not bringing a weapon.

And upon further reflection...

He had just instructed someone to empty the trash cans in the first floor restrooms today.

There seemed to be no room for Lu Ran to showcase his abilities in this situation.

Shen Hongyuan felt completely at ease and smiled warmly at Lu Ran, asking,

"School wasn't too busy today, so why did you come back so early?"

"I came back for something."

Stopping briefly after entering the house, Lu Ran glanced at the three individuals present and then at Shen Hongyuan.

He could clearly sense that the mischievous intentions of these four were connected to him.

However, that was not what Lu Ran was most concerned about.

Looking at Shen Hongyuan, he asked, "Are you sure there's nothing else you've forgotten to give me?"

Shen Hongyuan's heart skipped a beat at Lu Ran's question.

He studied Lu Ran's expression carefully before asking with a smile, "Did you forget something? Perhaps you should ask your mother later?"

Lu Ran smiled back at him. "It's fine if you don't."

He didn't pressure Shen Hongyuan further.

Instead, he strolled around the backyard on his own.

Seeing him leave, Shen Hongyuan smiled helplessly and shook his head.

He then sighed towards the Linos and said,

"Don't mind him, my son is at an energetic age but is forced to spend his days with that... individual. It's only natural for him to feel frustrated."

The three Linos nodded understandingly.

Old Lino let out a particularly poignant sigh, remarking, "It truly isn't easy."

After Shen Hongyuan finished speaking, he couldn't shake off his concern over Lu Ran's earlier question.

He excused himself and caught up with Lu Ran who was walking ahead.

When Shen Hongyuan had also left,

The three Lino men exchanged glances.

Gin was the first to speak, "Father, what are your thoughts? Are we really going to let the Shen family have a share of this project?"

Old Lino maintained a calm expression, but he chuckled. "There's no such luck."

However, after a moment of contemplation, he said, "But we can consider an alliance. Ignoring that chaotic Shen Xingran, Lu Ran could be a possibility."

"An alliance?" Gin sounded displeased.

He did have some interest in Lu Ran.

Moreover, because of Lu Ran's connection with Ji Min, the thrill of pursuing him was even more exhilarating.

But Gin didn't believe that Lu Ran was worthy of being allied with him.

"Just a casual fling, that's all," he said with a frown.

He continued, "Father, about Lu Ran and Ji Min..."

Old Leoni detected the evasion in his tone and sternly replied, "You don't know anything. It's precisely because of Lu Ran's connection with Ji Min that I want you to intervene."

Jin was still puzzled. "If Ji Min takes action against us because of Lu Ran..."

Old Leoni puffed on his cigar, squinting slightly as he said,

"That remains to be seen. I've heard that Ji Min recently compiled a list of eligible candidates from prominent families, as if he's searching for the right person to approach Lu Ran."

At this point, Old Leoni smiled wistfully before sighing,

"It seems that Ji Min has truly taken a liking to him. He even believes himself unworthy of Lu Ran and is willing to protect him from the shadows for life."

Looking up at Jin, Old Leoni said,

"If you can truly win Lu Ran's heart to the point that he can't live without you, perhaps this could be a golden opportunity for our Leoni family!"

Over there, Shen Hongyuan found Lu Ran inspecting the rooms in the villa as if he were a bandit.

"What are you looking for?" Shen Hongyuan approached.

However, he was blocked by the two bodyguards trailing behind Lu Ran.

Lu Ran didn't beat around the bush and asked straightforwardly, "Where's the gift that the Gu family sent me?"

Upon hearing his words, Shen Hongyuan was initially taken aback before he secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

He said, "Oh, I thought you were going to say something else. How could Father possibly keep a gift meant for you? It's just that I haven't found the right time to give it to you."

With that, Shen Hongyuan went upstairs and opened the door to his study. He took out a gift box from inside and handed it to Lu Ran.

Lu Ran glanced down at it and noticed that it was a wristwatch.

It seemed quite valuable.

If this item had been secretly taken by Shen Xingran to wear, Lu Ran would have understood.

Yet, he didn't believe that Shen Hongyuan would deliberately hide a watch.

"Is that all?" Lu Ran asked.

Shen Hongyuan's eyes were calm as he replied, "The Gu family hasn't been as close to us in recent years. It's understandable that they only sent a watch."

Lu Ran gave Shen Hongyuan a deep look but said nothing, putting the watch away instead.

He didn't continue staring at Shen Hongyuan and strolled down the hallway for a while.

Surprisingly, he encountered Shen Xingzhuo.

Shen Xingzhuo had just come out of the restroom and was somewhat surprised to see Lu Ran.

Then, his eyes lit up. "You still know how to come back! Tell me, did that Ji guy bully you?" As he spoke, he reached out to pat Lu Ran's neck.

Halfway through, his hand was blocked.

Shen Xingzhuo lifted his gaze and noticed two bodyguards standing on either side of Lu Ran.

"What's going on here?"

He raised an eyebrow, brushing off the bodyguard's hand as he attempted to embrace Lu Ran once more.

But his attempt was in vain; his arm was firmly blocked.

The bodyguard explained sternly, "Apologies, Mr. Ji has instructed that no one from the Shen family is to approach Young Master Lu Ran within two meters."

Upon hearing this, Shen Xingzhuo's eyebrows nearly shot up to the sky.

"He's quite the control freak, isn't he? I'm his brother!"

The straightforward bodyguard replied, "Mr. Ji specifically instructed us to pay extra attention to anyone who claims to be his brother."

Shen Xingzhuo: "..."

Not bothering to beat around the bush, Lu Ran asked, "Do you know what the Gu family sent on the night of my official return?"

"Hmm? They specifically sent something?"

Seeing his reaction, Lu Ran lost interest in further conversation with Shen Xingzhuo and turned to head back to the living room.

But after taking a couple of steps, he glanced at the bathroom door behind Shen Xingzhuo and asked, "Did you just finish using it?"

"Yes," Shen Xingzhuo nodded.

Upon hearing this, Lu Ran finally smiled at him and said, "Well done."

Chapter 82: Making the Best Use of Everything

At the end of the twelfth hour of the night.

It was already the third night in the dungeon. Liang Zhen couldn't sleep. He took out the jade pendant from his bosom and held it in his palm, gently rubbing it. This was the only thing left from Zhu Yunxuan. The flowers and sugar in the bamboo tube were lost when he fell into the water, which was truly regrettable.

As midnight approached, faint noises could be heard from outside, accompanied by the smell of suffocating smoke filling the air. Liang Zhen leaned against the straw pile, frowning slightly but not feeling worried.

After two quarters of an hour, someone appeared at the door of the cell, slashing through the iron chains with a saber. In a hoarse voice, they reminded Liang Zhen, "Come on, County Magistrate Liu sent me to pick you up."

Liang Zhen stood up, glanced at the person, and asked nonchalantly, "What's going on outside?"

"Stop asking so many questions," the person replied impatiently, "Hurry up! No tricks!"

Liang Zhen looked up at the small window high on the wall, just big enough for a hand to fit through. Beyond it was an endless night. He smiled and followed the person out.

The further they went, the thicker the smoke grew until they had to cover their noses with their sleeves to keep going. They escaped through a secret tunnel from the dungeon, leading all the way to a pier by the sea.

Upon emerging from the tunnel, they could see the blazing flames behind them. The fire originated from the most prominent mansion in the center of the island. Screams and shouts echoed everywhere, as if hell had descended upon them.

Someone behind Liang Zhen gave him a gentle push. "Stop looking, hurry up and board the ship."

Three boats were docked at the pier, including the one that had brought back the deserter that day. These were likely the last three remaining vessels on the island. This Clerk Liu Gen was a ruthless man. Not only did he set a massive fire, but he also had no intention of leaving any boats for the people on the island, determined to trap them with no escape.

The three ships quickly raised their sails and set off. More and more people rushed to the seashore, helplessly watching as the boats departed, collapsing to the ground in despair, wailing in agony.

Liang Zhen was pushed into the cabin, where Liu Gen and several unfamiliar individuals were present. Liu Gen seemed to hold the highest rank among them and had convinced these people to join him in surrendering to the Great Yan. On the floor nearby, their captured lord lay bound with hemp ropes. His limbs were tied, and he struggled fruitlessly, his muffled cries reduced to whimpers due to the tape over his mouth.

Liang Zhen raised an eyebrow. He had initially intended to persuade them to kill this lord, but they had unexpectedly taken him alive. It appeared they were genuinely resolved to present a grand gift to the Emperor of the Great Yan as a gesture of sincerity.

Liu Gen treated Liang Zhen with a certain degree of politeness, inviting him to sit and enjoy tea. The others, however, were on high alert. One of them bluntly suggested to Liu Gen, "Why do we need to take him along? He's cunning. Who knows if he'll scheme against us again? Why can't we just go and seek refuge with the Great Yan court on our own?"

Looking at Liang Zhen, who remained smiling and unflinching, Liu Gen frowned and shook his head. "No, it's too risky. If we go alone, we might not even make it to shore before the Great Yan naval forces sink our ship with their cannons. With him there, at least he could help mediate."

Liang Zhen chuckled. "Counselor Liu truly is a wise man. Rest assured, with your sincerity, I will do my utmost to assist you in gaining favor with the Great Yan court."

Taking you back to meet your deaths would indeed be the truth.

The lord lying on the ground, overhearing their conversation, struggled even more violently. His face twisted in rage, his eyes glaring fiercely, seemingly ready to bleed. Yet, no one paid him any attention.

The ship gradually sailed away from the island, and Liang Zhen finally learned how these pirates, who had hidden on this haunted land for two hundred years, managed to enter and exit the island. They could only find safe passage by sailing along a specific route at particular times and with favorable winds. Two hundred years ago, they stumbled upon this island by chance and barely survived until now.

The Great Yan court had indeed speculated about this secret, even dispatching experts in tidal and wind patterns to investigate. Unfortunately, the island was too well-concealed, and the chances of aligning all the natural factors were incredibly low. Every expedition sent had never returned, causing the court to abandon further attempts.

Heaven had offered them a path to survival, but they chose the life of outlaws, ultimately leading to their own destruction.

Exiting the island took much longer than entering. It took three days for the ship to leave the haunted area, with another two days' journey to Quanzhou. Liang Zhen was eager to return home, though he concealed his impatience. Most of the time, he stayed in the cabin, occasionally venturing onto the deck, with someone always following him discreetly. He paid no attention to it; whether Liu Gen believed him or not was irrelevant. Once the ship docked at Quanzhou, Liang Zhen wouldn't need to worry about what followed.

On the fourth evening since boarding the ship, Liang Zhen stepped out of the cabin to see someone crawling up from the hold, head bowed, carrying a food box. It was likely a servant delivering meals to their lord, who was imprisoned below. The figure swayed slightly, and as they passed, Liang Zhen suddenly halted, casting a sidelong glance. In the next moment, he reached out and firmly grasped the other's shoulder.

Little did he expect the man to materialize a dagger in his hand and instantly stab at him. Liang Zhen instinctively dodged sideways, releasing his grip on the man's shoulder, allowing him to slip away from Liang Zhen's grasp.

Seeing the man attempting to flee, Liang Zhen swiftly kicked the back of his ankle. The pirate reacted swiftly, tumbling forward without falling. Half-kneeling on the ground, he turned and lunged the dagger back at Liang Zhen, who was closing in behind him.

Liang Zhen evaded once more, narrowing his eyes. He had now recognized the attacker's face – it was the man who should have been locked in the hold. Gasping for breath, the man glared at him with anger, then charged again with the dagger, ready to fight Liang Zhen to the death.

For a moment, the two were locked in a fierce struggle. To Liang Zhen's surprise, despite the pirate captain's seemingly weak appearance, he proved to be quite skilled. Unarmed, Liang Zhen found defending against the dagger more challenging than he'd anticipated.

The spy watching Liang Zhen, sensing the danger, dared not intervene. Instead, he hurried back to the cabin to call for reinforcements.

The man, drained by wine and lust, was no match for Liang Zhen. After a few exchanges, he realized his defeat and attempted to escape again. Liang Zhen had already grabbed him, but the vigorous movement caused the jade pendant in his embrace to fly out, hitting the ship's railing. A huge wave rocked the boat, and seeing his precious jade pendant sliding towards the edge of the barrier, he reluctantly pushed the man away and lunged forward, managing to seize the tassel just as the jade was about to slip.

In the next moment, a sharp pain pierced his back. The deranged lord, laughing maniacally, fiercely pulled out the dagger embedded in Liang Zhen's back and raised it to strike again. But before he could, the crew who had rushed from the cabin pinned him to the ground.

Liang Zhen remained unconscious for two hours before stirring. There were no medical experts on board, so they merely bandaged his wound with a type of seaweed they commonly used, barely stemming the bleeding.

Upon hearing that Liang Zhen had regained consciousness, Liu Gen personally came to apologize, explaining that they had been careless, allowing the lord to conceal a dagger on his person. After killing the food server, the lord disguised himself and tried to flee, only to encounter Liang Zhen.

"Tomorrow, we should reach the waters where the Great Yan Navy is stationed. By dusk, we should arrive at the Quanzhou port. Fortunately, your wound on the back is only three inches away from your heart. You've survived the bleeding, and with time to find a doctor on land, there shouldn't be any issues."

Liang Zhen, barely holding back curses, nodded. He lacked the energy for pretense and drifted back into an unconscious state.

Liu Gen's prediction proved accurate. At dawn the following day, they encountered the Great Yan Navy still searching for Liang Zhen. Instantly, their ship was surrounded.

Awakening from his sleep, Liang Zhen felt much better. Just as the Great Yan soldiers burst through the door, he opened his eyes, looking at the dozen sword-wielding soldiers before him. Helplessly, he waved the dragon-patterned jade pendant and croaked, "This is the Emperor's pendant. Send someone to inform your admiral."

He Huailing, who was also personally searching for Liang Zhen at sea, received the news and promptly arrived, accompanied by a military doctor.

Liang Zhen's injuries were far worse than the pirates had described. It was fortunate that the bleeding had been stopped in time, or he would have lost his life the previous day. After the military doctor examined and re-dressed his wounds, Liang Zhen, now assured of survival, nonchalantly asked He Huailing, whose face was grave, "How is the Emperor?"

He Huailing gave him a glance and said solemnly, "The Emperor will be fine... as long as you return to him."

Liang Zhen felt relieved and curved his lips. "Of course."

He Huailing: "..."

For the first time, he began to question why he had specifically returned to the capital three years ago to lead the troops and save the emperor.

When Zhu Yunxuan received the news, he was convening the court officials for a meeting. Since he had instructed that any news about Liang Zhen should be immediately reported, the messenger dared not delay and informed him in front of everyone. Zhu Yunxuan froze for a moment before rising from his seat under the watchful eyes of the courtiers and rushing out.

The ministers exchanged awkward glances before dispersing separately.

In the afternoon, Zhu Yunxuan's falcon suddenly flew into the window and perched on Liang Zhen's bedside. Liang Zhen sat up in delight. The falcon pecked his hand twice fiercely before lifting one foot proudly.

Liang Zhen chuckled softly. He didn't have anything else on him at the moment. After some thought, he simply cut off a strand of his hair, tying it around the falcon's leg. The bird glanced down at the hair with what seemed like disdain, pecked Liang Zhen again, then flapped its wings and flew out swiftly.

Zhu Yunxuan's imperial carriage remained parked at the harbor from noon until dusk. Originally, he intended to board a ship and set sail to retrieve Liang Zhen. However, after receiving the item sent by the falcon, he changed his mind and decided to wait at the harbor. His fingers continued to twirl the strand of hair, and a smile finally appeared on his gloomy face.

Approaching the harbor, Liang Zhen untied the bandages wrapped around him, deliberately aggravating his wounds to make them appear more gruesome. He even stained his fresh clothes with blood. Satisfied, he rewrapped the bandages and lay back down comfortably.

Given that he's already injured, it would be wise to make the most of it, and evoke even more concern from His Majesty.

Chapter 83: A Reunion After Parting

Upon docking, Zhu Yunxuan stepped off the boat onto the pier. Liang Zhen, supported by others, descended from the ship. Zhu Yunxuan strode forward, staring blankly at the man before him, pale and with blood on his chest. Liang Zhen smiled slightly at him, "Your Majesty..."

Zhu Yunxuan reached out and, in full view of everyone, embraced Liang Zhen.

Liang Zhen placed his hand around Zhu Yunxuan's waist and whispered hoarsely into his ear, "A Xuan, it hurts so much..."

Zhu Yunxuan's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and he pressed his lips together before holding Liang Zhen even closer.

After embracing for a while, He Huailing, who had followed Liang Zhen, coughed awkwardly and, with great effort, reminded them, "Your Majesty, let's get in the carriage and return home first... Many people are watching."

On the ship, on the pier, and among those waiting below, countless pairs of eyes were upon them. Zhu Yunxuan took a step back, then naturally took Liang Zhen's hand, "Come on, let's go back."

Liang Zhen chuckled softly as he allowed Zhu Yunxuan to personally help him into the carriage.

Once inside, Zhu Yunxuan hastily began to tear at Liang Zhen's clothes, "How did you get hurt? Is it serious? Let me see."

Liang Zhen caught his hand, smiling as he reassured him, "It was just an accidental trap set by someone else. It's nothing."

Zhu Yunxuan forcefully tore open his clothing, revealing the blood-soaked bandages pressed against his chest. His brows knitted together in concern. "Why is the wound so close to your heart? What happened with Duke Ding? Weren't there military doctors on the ship? Why didn't he call for someone to stop the bleeding? Does it really hurt?"

Liang Zhen nonchalantly held his hand, teasing him. "If you kiss me, A Xuan, the pain will go away."

Zhu Yunxuan replied irritably, "How can you be like this? You're injured like this and still have the mind to joke around?"

"I'm not going to die anyway... Alright, I won't say anything more. Don't be angry, please."

Suppressing the untargeted anger in his heart, Zhu Yunxuan carefully avoided Liang Zhen's wound, leaning in to embrace him. He whispered hoarsely, "Thank goodness you're back..."

His tone was a mix of relief and lingering fear.

Liang Zhen reached up to caress Zhu Yunxuan's face. "I've caused Your Majesty to worry. It won't happen again."

"Okay."

Upon returning to the General's residence, Zhu Yunxuan promptly summoned the accompanying Doctor Fang to examine Liang Zhen. The old physician's hands trembled as he almost failed to take Liang Zhen's pulse. Liang Zhen chuckled, reminding him, "Why are you so nervous? I wouldn't eat you."

Zhu Yunxuan asked with a frown, "How severe is his injury?"

The experienced old physician quickly regained his composure and undid the bandages that Liang Zhen had been wrapped in. Zhu Yunxuan's eyes narrowed at the sight of the bloody mess, clenching his fists tightly.

Doctor Fang carefully examined Liang Zhen's wound, then looked up at him with some uncertainty before lowering his head again. After a moment of hesitation, he reported to Zhu Yunxuan, "The injury is indeed severe, quite close to his heart. The bleeding might have stopped initially but could have started again due to movement. There's a risk of infection, which would be troublesome. However, there's no need to worry excessively. This old servant will stop the bleeding, apply medicine, and prescribe some internal medication. As long as he remains in bed for the next two weeks, frequently changing the dressing, he should recover."

"Are you sure there won't be any complications?" Zhu Yunxuan asked anxiously.

"As long as the wound doesn't bleed again, there won't be any issues, Your Majesty. Please rest assured."

After applying medicine and re-bandaging the wound, the physician retreated to prepare an internal medication prescription. Zhu Yunxuan sat by the bed, taking Liang Zhen's hand in his, still feeling uneasy and worried. He asked, "Is there anywhere else that hurts? Are you hungry? Should I ask someone to prepare some light food for you?"

Seeing the unmasked anxiety and concern on Zhu Yunxuan's face, and the faint dark circles under his eyes, Liang Zhen realized that the other must not have slept well these past days. He suddenly felt regretful for causing such distress.

"I'm fine, A Xuan. Didn't the physician say that I'll recover in two weeks? I have a strong constitution; I won't die. I'm still waiting for you to crown me as your queen when we return."

Knowing that it was rare to hear anything sincere from this person, Zhu Yunxuan decided not to pursue the matter further. Instead, he leaned down and tenderly kissed Liang Zhen's chapped lips.

Liang Zhen blinked, smiling, and grabbed the back of Zhu Yunxuan's head, fiercely biting his lip. His tongue forcefully entered Zhu Yunxuan's soft mouth, licking and teasing playfully, their embrace seemingly endless.

Outside the window, twilight deepened, and the fading sunlight illuminated the edge of the bed, outlining their intertwined figures.

"Father!"

The sudden voice made both of them pause their actions. Liang Zhen chuckled softly and bit Zhu Yunxuan's lips playfully. Frustrated, Zhu Yunxuan sat up and turned his head to look. Rong'er was curiously peering at them from behind the screen.

"Daddy!" The child's eyes lit up instantly upon seeing Liang Zhen, and he rushed to the bed, calling out repeatedly, "Daddy! Daddy! You're back!"

Liang Zhen smiled and tickled his nose. "Missed your father, did you?"

Rong'er nodded vigorously. Zhu Yunxuan scooped him up and reminded, "Don't squirm around. Your father is injured. Don't touch his wounds."

Rong'er paused, no longer daring to be mischievous. He carefully sat on Zhu Yunxuan's lap, gazing at Liang Zhen with concern. After a long hesitation, he held Liang Zhen's hand and softly consoled him, "Father doesn't hurt you, don't cry."

Liang Zhen couldn't help but laugh, gently rubbing Rong'er's nose again. "Yes, don't cry."

The meal was brought into the room. Due to his injuries, Liang Zhen could only consume light porridge. Zhu Yunxuan personally held the bowl, feeding him spoonful by spoonful.

Liang Zhen playfully teased, "With His Majesty serving me like this, it would be worth lying here for another year or two."

Zhu Yunxuan frowned. "You might as well say you want to lie there forever. I don't nurture good-for-nothings. This is a one-time exception, don't let it happen again."

Rong'er chimed in from the side, "Father, please get better soon. Otherwise, Daddy will cry every day."

Zhu Yunxuan: "..." When did I cry every day?

Liang Zhen looked at him with a smile, "Are you really that upset? You cry every day without me?"

Before Zhu Yunxuan could reply, Rong'er nodded eagerly, "Daddy cries secretly every night. It's so sad, Rong'er saw it."

Zhu Yunxuan poked his son's forehead, "Don't talk nonsense."

The amusement in Liang Zhen's eyes deepened, "Rong'er is a good child and never tells lies. Why should His Majesty be angry over a joke?"

Zhu Yunxuan lowered his gaze, remaining silent. After a moment of tranquility, Liang Zhen took his hand, "Are you angry? I was just joking with you."

Zhu Yunxuan lifted his eyes to glare at him, his eyes gradually reddening, "If you knew, why didn't you come back sooner? Why didn't you try to send any news? Do you have any idea how worried I've been these past few days? You did this on purpose, didn't you? You wanted me to worry and be anxious, isn't that right?"

Liang Zhen was momentarily at a loss for words. He indeed had numerous reasons to placate Zhu Yunxuan, considering he hadn't intended to disappear after falling into the water. However, intentionally causing Zhu Yunxuan's concern was indeed his fault. He hadn't expected such a strong reaction from Zhu Yunxuan.

He didn't offer an excuse, instead gesturing to Rong'er, "Come, my little darling, and cheer up your Daddy."

Rong'er looked at Zhu Yunxuan in confusion, "Father, don't cry anymore..."

Faced with Rong'er, Zhu Yunxuan couldn't bring himself to say any harsh words. He composed himself and smiled at the child, "I'm fine, son."

He then stuffed the bowl back into Liang Zhen's hands and said, "Eat on your own," before carrying Rong'er outside for dinner.

Liang Zhen stirred the congee in his bowl, smiling helplessly with lowered eyes.

As night fell, after sending the wet nurse to take Rong'er back, Zhu Yunxuan stayed alone and asked for hot water to be brought in to bathe Liang Zhen.

"You don't have to do this yourself, just call a eunuch," Liang Zhen reminded him with a smile. Zhu Yunxuan ignored him, undressed Liang Zhen, and gazed at the old and new scars on his chest, feeling deeply uncomfortable. Holding the warm towel, he suddenly felt unsure of where to begin. After a moment, he averted his gaze and called for a eunuch to come in.

Liang Zhen patted the space beside him, inviting Zhu Yunxuan to sit down. Zhu Yunxuan leaned over and nuzzled against his forehead. Liang Zhen held his hand and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

"....I'll stay with you tonight."

"I, a severely injured person, can't serve in bed," Liang Zhen teased him on purpose.

Zhu Yunxuan gently closed his eyes. "I didn't ask you to serve me in bed, so why are you talking so much nonsense?"

Liang Zhen turned his head and kissed Zhu Yunxuan's cheek. "How many days haven't you slept well? Can't you sleep without me? How did you manage those first few years?"

Zhu Yunxuan didn't answer, instead nestling against Liang Zhen's earlobe, finally finding complete calmness in his restless heart.

After Liang Zhen finished cleaning himself, Zhu Yunxuan also quickly freshened up. He extinguished the lamp, climbed into bed, and lay down on the side that Liang Zhen wasn't injured, wrapping his arms around Liang Zhen's arm.

Liang Zhen lightly kissed his nose. "Is A Xuan being coquettish with me?"

"… I'm not Rong'er."

Liang Zhen chuckled. "Of course, I know you're not that little brat."

"Why do you always call your own son a brat? … I've already prepared to confer him as the crown prince. In the future, Rong'er's formal name will be Zhu Yinhuan. 'Yin' is the character for his generation. What do you think?"

"The emperor's decision is final. As he's destined to be the crown prince, he naturally needs to follow the proper protocols," Liang Zhen said nonchalantly. "Zhu Yinhuan, it sounds good."

Zhu Yunxuan lowered his voice. "You don't need to be jealous of him. If he's the crown prince, you'll be the empress. Your enthronement ceremony will come before his. I have to give you your title first before I can give him his."

Liang Zhen curled his lips. "Why would I be jealous of my own son? Am I that petty?"

Zhu Yunxuan scoffed softly, not exposing his true thoughts. "Sleep."

Liang Zhen embraced him and kissed his lips again, whispering hoarsely, "When I recover, I'll serve His Majesty in bed again."

Zhu Yunxuan's lips curved slightly. Lying close to Liang Zhen, he finally felt a weight lifted from his heart after so many days and drifted into a peaceful sleep.

Liang Zhen raised his hand to touch the wound, gasping at the pain. It was truly a self-inflicted suffering.

But when he heard Zhu Yunxuan's steady breathing beside him, he no longer regretted his actions. If not for this, he wouldn't have gained such a caring Emperor. It was worth it.

Chapter 84: Husband as the Guiding Principle

In the early morning, Liang Zhen opened his eyes to find the bed beside him empty. Zhu Yunxuan had risen early to attend to state affairs, while he, having been injured, slept deeply and only stirred as the hour of Chén was nearly passing.

By his pillow lay two strands of hair bound together with red thread. Liang Zhen picked them up, twirling them around his fingertip before breaking into a silent laugh.

Gao An entered with his attendants to serve Liang Zhen with his morning ablutions and breakfast. Liang Zhen raised an eyebrow and asked, "You didn't accompany His Majesty?"

Gao An said expressionlessly, "Your Majesty has kept this servant to attend to you."

Liang Zhen clicked his tongue. "In the future, this palace will be the Empress. You'll need to show more respect, do you understand?"

Gao An: "..."

Truly shameless indeed, how is it that His Majesty, after all his twists and turns, has singled him out above all others!

In the following days, Liang Zhen was confined to his bed for recovery, while Zhu Yunxuan spent half his day attending to official duties and the other half by his side, ensuring that all matters were organized seamlessly.

Under the guidance of Liu Gen and his associates, He Huailing set sail with the Great Yan Navy, their mission being to eradicate the last vestiges of sea bandits. As for the former lord of the previous dynasty, captured alive and brought back by them, he was executed in the bustling marketplace of Quanzhou, publicly beheaded under the ignominious title of a notoriously wicked pirate chieftain.

In addition, the man who pretended to be Zhu Yunxuan and eventually jumped into the sea was also fortunate enough to be rescued. Considering his attempt to make amends, Zhu Yunxuan forgave him for his past transgressions and allowed him to stay in Fujian with his brother, who had already joined the Fujian-Guangdong naval forces.

Under the careful treatment of the imperial physicians, Liang Zhen's injuries gradually improved day by day. Soon, they scabbed over, and within ten days, he could occasionally get out of bed to stroll in the courtyard, thus learning more about the world outside.

His remarkable contributions in the naval battle had piqued the curiosity of the entire kingdom. As the second male Empress in the two-hundred-year history of the Great Yan dynasty, Liang Zhen's mysterious background and exceptional courage and wisdom made him an intriguing figure. It was well-known that the Crown Prince was fathered by the Emperor himself, and the one who could make the ruler willingly submit and bear a child could hardly be an ordinary person.

Regardless of how curious others were about him, Liang Zhen remained unperturbed, focusing on recuperating in the small courtyard.

On this afternoon, when Zhu Yunxuan arrived, Liang Zhen was napping on a chaise lounge with a book covering his face. Zhu Yunxuan didn't disturb him, dismissing the servants in the yard before walking over and sitting on a low stool beside Liang Zhen. He gently removed the book from Liang Zhen's face, flipping through a few pages. It was a popular folk storybook, somewhat entertaining, so he continued reading.

Only when his eyes started to feel strained did he place the book face down on his knees, leaning against Liang Zhen and falling into a deep sleep.

He woke up to Rong'er's laughter. Liang Zhen had been awake for a while, playfully interacting with the child who sat on his lap. Zhu Yunxuan sat up, concerned that Rong'er might accidentally bump into Liang Zhen's wounds if he lost his balance. Swiftly, he reached out to scoop the boy into his arms.

"Daddy's awake!" Rong'er called out brightly. "When Rong'er came earlier, Daddy and Father were both sleeping. Rong'er was very good and didn't disturb you."

Zhu Yunxuan smiled, not mentioning that Rong'er's laughter had awakened him. "Good boy."

Liang Zhen peeled a lychee and offered it to Zhu Yunxuan's mouth. "Delicious?"

Zhu Yunxuan nodded, reminding him, "Don't eat yet, your wounds haven't healed."

Liang Zhen smiled and replied, "Alright, I won't eat."

He continued peeling the lychee and feeding it to Zhu Yunxuan, who opened his mouth to receive it. Their eyes met, filled with deep affection for one another.

Rong'er watched them eagerly. After a long while, he whispered, "Rong'er wants to eat too..."

Zhu Yunxuan was taken aback, realizing that he had neglected his son. He felt embarrassed for a moment. Liang Zhen chuckled and pinched the child's chin, offering the freshly peeled lychee to his mouth. "Here you go, little foodie."

The child was easily pleased. With something to eat, he was delighted, completely unaware of being an extra in this scene. Nestled in Zhu Yunxuan's embrace, he ate until his mouth was stained with juice.

Zhu Yunxuan wiped his mouth, sighed with a smile, and said to Liang Zhen, "I've already issued an edict to confer a title posthumously on your father. When we return to the capital, you can be buried together with your father."

"Thank you for Your Majesty's generosity," Liang Zhen accepted unhesitantly, then cheekily asked, "So, am I getting a free ride here? Did Your Majesty actually intend to grant me a title?"

He knew that was how his emperor was – generous towards those he considered his own. It was the same with his brother before, and now with him. His emperor always wanted to give the best to the person he cared for.

Zhu Yunxuan smiled in acknowledgment. After some thought, he hesitantly asked, "You now bear the Xiao surname, which represents the bloodline your father preserved for your father with great effort. It can't just end with you, right? ... Rong'er is the crown prince and must take the royal surname. What are your plans for yourself?"

Liang Zhen hadn't considered this aspect and chuckled softly, blinking at Zhu Yunxuan. "Then perhaps Your Majesty could give me another child?"

Zhu Yunxuan was slightly taken aback, his gaze wandering away. "What are you talking about?"

"I was joking," Liang Zhen said nonchalantly. "The Xiao family's lineage is thin. My father had no siblings, and our grandparents passed away early. There are a few distant relatives, so if we truly want to continue the ancestral worship, we can adopt one from them."

As for his own father, his name would be recorded in the Xiao family genealogy, ensuring that future generations of the Xiao family would pay their respects. There was no need to be associated with the now-dispersed Liang family, which was for the best.

Zhu Yunxuan frowned slightly, hesitating for a long time before he held Rong'er's hand and asked, "Good baby, do you want a younger brother or sister?"

The child was startled, tears instantly welling up in his big eyes. "Do you have another baby? Don't you want Rong'er anymore?"

Zhu Yunxuan replied helplessly, "Of course not. Your Daddies still love you and Ming'er just as much. Don't you want more people to play with?"

With teary eyes, the child pouted. "I don't want anyone else. I only want Daddy and Father."

"Alright, alright, then we won't have any more. No more crying."

Zhu Yunxuan hurriedly comforted the child, turning to Liang Zhen. "You see, it's not that I don't want to have more children. Your son doesn't allow it."

Liang Zhen playfully pinched Rong'er's plump cheeks, "You little cunning one."

In truth, he never intended for Zhu Yunxuan to bear another child. The first time was already a painful ordeal; how could he endure it a second time? Moreover, he had promised Rong'er long ago. He hadn't expected that his casual jest would be taken seriously by Zhu Yunxuan. What was once considered a humiliation, the emperor now faced with openness and frankness. How many people in this world could be as straightforward and sincere as his Majesty?

To have a partner like this, how fortunate he was.

As night fell, Liang Zhen's wounds were redressed and bandaged anew. Zhu Yunxuan's fingers traced the fresh bandages gently, whispering, "You're finally on the mend. In another four or five days, we can set off back to the capital."

Liang Zhen caught hold of his hand, smiling as he asked, "Does Your Majesty truly wish for me to recover quickly, or do you simply long to return sooner?"

Zhu Yunxuan didn't respond, instead wrapping his arms around Liang Zhen's neck and leaning into the other side of his embrace, gently closing his eyes.

Liang Zhen lowered his head to kiss the crown of Zhu Yunxuan's head. "A Xuan..."

"Hmm?"

"My injuries have mostly recovered. Doctor Fang said that moderate movement won't affect the wounds."

Zhu Yunxuan frowned, discerning the hidden meaning in Liang Zhen's words. He softly scoffed. "Not allowed."

"Why not?"

"You're severely injured. It'll take more than just ten or so days to fully recover. Don't think about unnecessary things. When you're healed..."

Before Zhu Yunxuan could finish his sentence, Liang Zhen flipped him over and pressed down on him. He instinctively tried to push back but hesitated when he remembered Liang Zhen's injuries, refraining from any further movement.

Liang Zhen supported himself with both hands on either side of Zhu Yunxuan's body, gazing at him intently with his lowered eyes. Meeting Liang Zhen's dark, profound gaze, Zhu Yunxuan froze for a moment, his eyelashes fluttering gently as he murmured, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Liang Zhen leaned closer, tracing the outline of Zhu Yunxuan's lips with his tongue. Zhu Yunxuan let out a soft hum under his breath and turned his head away. "Don't..."

Liang Zhen then pinched his chin, turning his face back, his pupils narrowing as he stared deeply into Zhu Yunxuan's eyes. "A Xuan, say something sweet."

"...What kind of sweet words?"

Liang Zhen chuckled, caressing Zhu Yunxuan's damp lips with his fingers, drawling, "Like husband, my lord, or my beloved spouse..."

Zhu Yunxuan playfully smacked his shoulder. "You're the one who's supposed to be my Empress. You should be the one calling me those names."

Liang Zhen smiled, curling his lip. His fingers had already slipped into Zhu Yunxuan's soft mouth, mimicking the intimate act, moving in and out repeatedly. With his other hand, he slid beneath Zhu Yunxuan's clothing to massage his sensitive waist and hips. His hot breath brushed against Zhu Yunxuan's ear. "Say it again, A Xuan. Who is the wife, and who is the husband?"

Zhu Yunxuan panted softly, "…Impudent."

"Hmm?"

His touch grew more provocative, and Zhu Yunxuan soon found himself overwhelmed, unable to utter another word as he was teased. He mumbled against Liang Zhen's ear, "My lord husband…"

Liang Zhen kissed his cheek in contentment, "So obedient."

In public, His Majesty was the emperor, ruler of all, and Zhu Yunxuan willingly took on the role of his queen, the man behind him. But only in bed did he insist that Zhu Yunxuan understand the meaning of "husband as the head of the household."

Zhu Yunxuan's hands clasped onto Liang Zhen's shoulders, rising and falling with his movements, no longer able to utter a refusal. Only sweet moans escaped his lips.

Their sweaty bodies pressed tightly together, Liang Zhen lifted Zhu Yunxuan, seating him on his lap. He slowed down his actions, leaning down to kiss his fair chest.

Zhu Yunxuan cried out, tears welling up in his reddened eyes from the intense pleasure, only to be kissed away by Liang Zhen.

He should have known from the beginning – in their intimate moments, he could never gain the upper hand. This man held him firmly in his grasp, body and soul, leaving him utterly captivated.

Lying on Liang Zhen's shoulder, Zhu Yunxuan, in a daze, called out to him once more, "My lord husband…"

Liang Zhen paused, then chuckled softly, his voice strained. He held onto the other person even more tightly, drawing them both deeper into an abyss of sensation.