Asianovel

Chapter 88: Wedding (3100+)

As Luo Le felt the gentle biting of his glands, he abruptly regained consciousness and struggled fiercely to break free.

However, his hands were held tightly, making escape impossible.

The fire within him seemed ready to consume him entirely.

Wanting to turn back, Luo Le found his neck pinned down, preventing any movement.

Realizing this wouldn't do, he collided forcefully with Huo Lanjing's head as it leaned in.

Moments later, he heard a muffled groan behind him. With the constraining grip on his wrists finally released, Luo Le quickly pulled away.

The sting of blood and pain jolted Huo Lanjing back to his senses.

Luo Le staggered as he walked, the heat within him showing no sign of subsiding.

Huo Lanjing watched Luo Le's retreating figure, lost in thought.

Arriving at the stairway, Luo Le gazed ahead, deep in thought.

An Omega in heat wandering the streets was an extremely risky and unwise move.

Should he call Qing Yi over?

But they were both Alphas; that might not be appropriate either.

Just as Luo Le was grappling with this dilemma, his wrist was suddenly seized.

Huo Lanjing covered his left eye, struggling to suppress his feverish desire. "You're really going out like this?"

Luo Le shot him a tepid glance and replied with a single word, "Scram."

Upon hearing this, Huo Lanjing's face darkened as he pulled Luo Le back inside.

Their strength was vastly different.

Luo Le was effortlessly led back to the door next to the room they had just been in.

Without hesitation, Huo Lanjing opened the door, pushed Luo Le inside, and then locked it.

The action was swift and decisive.

Luo Le knocked on the door, but there was no response.

After a moment, a muffled groan came from outside, followed by Huo Lanjing's voice: "In the back, there's an inhibitor on the desk."

Then, silence fell outside the door. Luo Le pounded on it in frustration.

However, the next second, he was consumed by desire. This rut was more intense than any before.

But he had just gone through his rut a month ago. Omegas typically experienced them every three months.

This was abnormal.

Luo Le managed to walk in and spotted a small fridge on the table.

Approaching it, he opened the fridge to find two inhibitor shots inside.

Luo Le paused, recalling the scene from before when he continuously injected inhibitors into his arm.

Another wave of heat surged, and moisture had already overwhelmed him below.

With no time to spare, Luo Le grabbed the inhibitor, administered it, but there was no response.

Luo Le bit his lip until blood stained his teeth.

As expected, it was still ineffective.

With that, Huo Lanjing, barely holding onto the last vestige of his sanity, descended the stairs and entered a room downstairs. After closing the door, he could finally allow his pheromones to run wild without restraint.

From that point on, Luo Le didn't show up again. His condition worsened significantly.

Initially, it was just an inability to express emotions and a lack of emotional sensitivity.

But now, not only was his rut abnormal, but his body had also started experiencing inexplicable pains.

Today marked the final day of their mission. He planned to seek help after it concluded.

In this month, minor calamities seemed to follow me around: I'd get rear-ended by another vehicle every time I stepped out, or nearly be struck by a low-flying hovercar as I neared the sidewalk, and so on.

Fortunately, all those close calls ended without incident.

The wedding venue is located within the Xu family's estate, which was also built by the elder Mr. Xu for Xu Ming.

It's said that it cost a fortune, amounting to tens of them.

A novice was attending guests at the entrance, with Qing Er by his side, while Qing San observed from a short distance away.

"Xiao Ming, now that you two are married, you must strive to live your lives to the fullest. Remember, Omega partners should always support one another in the days to come."

Previously, Xu Ming's aunt and uncle had a strong reaction to their marriage, and Chen Wuxing even warned him to be cautious of his uncle and aunt.

Originally, Xu Ming found it quite strange, but now it seems that they were just unable to think it through at the moment and had become fixated on a particular issue.

While the empire allowed for free choice in marriage, a union like theirs was far from being favored.

Xu Ming smiled and said, "Alright, I understand. Thank you, auntie. Please come in. By the way, I heard that my younger brother will be returning from the branch company to take up the position of manager in a few days. Congratulations!"

Upon hearing this, an awkward expression flickered across Aunt's face but vanished quickly.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, she entered the house with Uncle, who was nearby.

Huo Lanjing carried Chen Chen in. Chen Wuxing greeted him warmly.

However, Luo Le could sense Huo Lanjing's occasional glances his way. He pretended not to notice.

After that incident, Luo Le hadn't returned. Instead, Huo Lanjing had found excuses to visit under the pretense of seeing Chen Wuxing.

Several times, he had wanted to come and find Luo Le, but was either kept at a distance or turned away with the door shut.

They only exchanged a couple of words before Huo Lanjing came in.

Chen Chen was placed on the floor and ran over with a grin on his face.

Luo Le, who had intended to leave, stayed for some inexplicable reason when he witnessed this scene.

"Uncle, I've missed you so much! Have you missed me?"

Luo Le, almost as if possessed, reached out to touch his head, but then promptly pinched his cheek instead.

"Why are you taking him along?"

He tilted his head, his gaze passing through Chen Chen to the person standing behind him.

Huo Lanjing was well aware of what might happen shortly.

There was a momentary pause before Huo Lanjing replied, "He wants to see you. With me here, nothing will happen to him."

Luo Le was speechless. Did Huo Lanjing really trust his abilities that much?

The hour has struck, and the wedding commences promptly.

After going through a series of procedures, Xu Ming, with Chen Wuxing's hand in his, approached the priest.

One was attired in a pristine white suit, while the other donned a sleek black one.

The residual radiance of divinity bathed upon them, and both were smiling.

He seemed destined for greatness.

Huo Lanjing deliberately chose to sit behind Luo Le, observing the man whose gaze was slightly distant as he stared ahead.

Huo Lanjing paused, suddenly unable to recall their wedding scene.

In truth, it had been a grand ceremony, unprecedented in scale. Huo Fei had invited numerous guests and even booked all the pastry shops in the Empire.

On that day, anyone in the Empire who visited a shop and offered a blessing could enjoy a free treat.

If not for Huo Lanjing's attitude towards Luo Le after the marriage, coupled with rumors spreading on the Star Network,

many might have regarded them as a match made in heaven.

Huo Lanjing was unaware of all this. He only remembered that Huo Fei had orchestrated an extravagant wedding.

And that he had gotten into an argument with Huo Fei that same day.

It seemed he hadn't truly taken the time to appreciate Luo Le during their wedding.

Priest: "Mr. Chen Wuxing, do you take Mr. Xu Ming to be your husband, to honor and love him from this day forward?"

Chen Wuxing couldn't wait to interrupt, "I'm willing."

The priest smiled and said, "Mr. Xu Ming, would you be willing to..."

Xu Ming said, "I am willing."

The priest chuckled. This newlywed couple was indeed too eager.

Next, the priest invited them to exchange their rings.

As they were about to slip rings onto each other's fingers, a knife suddenly flew towards them. Qing Er, who was always by their side, swiftly kicked it away.

Luo Le's gaze had already locked onto the culprit the moment he saw the knife flying toward him.

He rushed over, but didn't expect the man to casually emerge from the crowd.

Upon seeing that person, Xu Ming was taken aback.

"Xu Bin, is that you? Why?"

Xu Bin is the person he mentioned earlier, the one going back to the headquarters.

Xu Bin laughed heartily. "Why? I want to ask why too. I'm clearly Grandpa's grandson as well. So why does he think of everything for you but never once consider us?"

Xu Ming was taken aback, wondering what he was talking about.

"What do you mean by that?"

Xu Bin's cold gaze swept over Xu's father, then shifted to Xu Ming, and suddenly he understood. Instead of reacting with anger, he burst into a louder laughter.

"You actually don't know? That's truly hilarious."

Xu Ming: "What do you mean by that?"

"Your father is lacking in every aspect. Aren't you curious how he managed to outmaneuver my father and become the helmsman of the Xu family?"

Seeing Xu Ming's stunned expression, Xu Bin continued, "It's not that he has any particular talent, nor that he is the most outstanding, but rather, it is because he has given birth to a good son."

Xu Ming became increasingly confused as he listened: "What does that mean?"

Xu Bin was about to speak when Xu Ming's father stormed out, furiously shouting: "Shut up! Someone, get this troublemaker out of here."

Xu Bin said, "Uncle, why the rush? I'll leave on my own once we're done talking."

Xu Ming glanced at his father and signaled for him to wait for a moment.

Xu Bin slightly tilted his head towards Xu Ming and said, "Have you ever been told that you resemble Grandmother a lot?"

Xu Ming: "How could that be possible? In what way do I resemble my grandmother?"

Xu Bin: "No, this is my grandmother now, your grandmother..."

After that, Xu Bin unfolded the story with a captivating narrative.

It turns out that Mr. Xu had been married twice. His first wife was his childhood sweetheart, who passed away after giving birth to Xu Ming's father at the age of twenty.

The second wife was a marriage of convenience, devoid of love.

Xu Ming bears a striking resemblance to his grandmother, both in appearance and demeanor.

Thus, it was that Elder Xu favored him, virtually deciding from their first encounter that he would entrust the Xu family to this young man.

Before his passing, he made a will stating that if Xu Ming had not married, the Xu family would temporarily be entrusted to Xu's father to manage.

If wed, it would be entrusted to his partner's care.

Regardless of whether Xu Ming is remarrying or anything else, the Xu family will follow his lead.

All who heard this were profoundly shocked, never having imagined such an absurd occurrence.

No wonder the Xu family has become disunited.

"Pity my grandmother, who even invoked his name in her final moments. But did he ever spare a thought for her? Hah, you, who have never contributed a single thing to the company, enjoy the highest privileges. I started working at a subsidiary at eighteen, securing numerous projects and generating substantial profits for the company. Not to mention myself, think of my father, who dedicated his life to the company, constantly cleaning up after your father. And now, just because you're getting married, the Xu family is supposed to hand everything over to an outsider? On what grounds?"

Xu Ming stood there stiffly, without uttering a single word.

Xu Ming's father took a step forward and said, "Binbin, the contributions you have made to the Xu family are seen by everyone. Rest assured, nothing will change. You can still continue to..."

"What can I do? Stay at the Xu Family and be at your beck and call? No, thank you. I don't want anything, but I won't let the Xu Corporation fall into someone else's hands. Rather than hand it over to an outsider, I'd prefer to destroy it."

Xu Bin's father couldn't remain seated upon hearing this. "Rebellious child, what do you think you're doing?"

Huo Lanjing kept his gaze on Luo Le, noticing that his expression hadn't changed throughout.

He seemed like an emotionless robot.

Huo Lanjing's eyes darkened, sensing something off about Luo Le.

Xu Bin learned of this a month ago, and in that moment, he was overwhelmed by despair. He felt it was unjust for his grandmother, for his father, and for himself.

He fell silent.

Chen Wuxing must die, while Xu Ming, as long as he remains alive, that will suffice.

Xu Bin: "What are you standing there for? Why aren't you moving?"

Hardly had the voice faded when several figures descended from the trees, and just as many emerged from the crowd.

Upon seeing the leader, Qing Yi paused. It was actually Poison.

Poison was also a mercenary group, one of the top-ranked teams among mercenaries.

They ranked several spots ahead of Qing Yi's team.

Rumors had it that the members of Poison were as skilled as the elite first-line soldiers.

Qing Yi had seen this face before, only in the files.

Chapter 161: Airborne Arrival

The girl returned promptly, followed by a good-looking young man. As he openly sized up Wen Ying, he said to the girl, "Go back to work."

She left immediately.

He was inspecting Wen Ying, who was also observing him. The young man disguised himself well. At first glance, he seemed like an ordinary person. There must be some enchanted item on this demon that helped conceal his demonic aura.

After all, they were right across from the Calamity Department. If anything suspicious could be detected at a glance, this place would have been wiped out long ago.

Wen Ying's thoughts drifted to an unusual direction. The demon in the guise of a young man said with a slightly disdainful tone, "You're the intern arranged by them?"

Wen Ying nodded.

"Follow me. Don't wander around. There are things stored down here. You'll get lost if you stray," the demon said arrogantly before turning around and walking ahead without even looking back to see if Wen Ying was following.

Instead of being upset, Wen Ying found it intriguing. It had been a long time since he felt looked down upon due to being a Mirror Demon.

Images of those demons' haughty expressions flashed through Wen Ying's mind from a few months ago.

In the capital, those demons who had doubted his strength paid a bitter price in gold after the ranking matches. A fleeting hint of schadenfreude flickered across Wen Ying's face.

The current Chief Justice of the Demon World's Human Realm Judicatory was a fallen angel, one who had condensed their powers to enable their activity in the human world.

Before coming, Wen Ying had asked Muershi about the Human Realm Judicatory. Muershi's response was, "Most of them are weak native demons from the human world. Don't worry; it used to be difficult for the Demon World to enter the human realm. The Devil King could only assign key positions to demons from the Demon World, like the Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice. Anyway, they can't defeat you now. You don't need to inquire about the other dispatched demons."

The demon leading the way took him down to the basement before turning into a dimly lit passageway. After walking through several labyrinthine corridors, a door painted on the wall came into view at the end.

"There's a dead end ahead," Wen Ying warned.

The guide scoffed. "There's magic here. Can't you see it?"

Wen Ying's relaxed index finger trembled slightly. In the shadows, a small branch emerged to the length of a palm before retracting back.

Their headquarters relocation was indirectly because of him, so it was natural that they looked down on him. He didn't feel justified in retaliating if they made a move against him.

Following behind, Wen Ying watched with curiosity as the man operated.

After sarcastically belittling the demon mirror behind him, the man pressed his index finger on the doorknob. The door, which had been painted on the wall, suddenly swung inward, catching Wen Ying by surprise.

He had truly never encountered such magic before.

The demon took a step forward and, despite appearing to be about to hit a wall, simply passed through it. Wen Ying followed hesitantly, his head almost colliding with the barrier before he continued forward, his eyes involuntarily twitching.

There was no sensation of hitting anything, and the surroundings changed before him. They had passed through the door, now standing on a well-decorated staircase descending to the second basement level, where the tiles gleamed so brightly they could reflect one's image.

"I'm Captain San Lin of the Law Enforcement Squad," the guiding man said, reverting to his demonic form as they arrived, his face adorned with eerie magical patterns and his eyes no longer resembling those of a human.

Unlike Wen Ying, who relied on enchanted items to transform into a human appearance, San Lin remained in his demonic form, with black hair and dark eyes.

The second basement was similarly well-furnished. The entrance hall contained several partially divided offices, each occupied by demons. Hearing their arrival, these demons peered out curiously or with hostility.

Wen Ying greeted them with a smile. Some were intrigued, while others were unwelcoming; their condescending gazes were all too familiar to him, stirring the branches within his shadow.

Knowing it wasn't appropriate to confront colleagues upon first meeting, Wen Ying suppressed his urge to act, smiling as he introduced himself, "Hello everyone, I'm Wen Ying, an intern judge."

The response was lukewarm, and Wen Ying noticed malice in some demons' eyes, as well as a sense of anticipation.

Speaking of which, he felt as if something had subtly altered in the air when he first entered. Was it poison?

What a coincidence, he had just climbed out of Aruda's poison bath.

Wen Ying pretended not to notice and continued walking with San Lin.

"One would think he didn't sense anything."

"Could it be that the effect hasn't kicked in because it's too soon?"

"Hey, why is your poison so weak?"

"That can't be. Even if he's a Devil from the Demon Realm, Mirror Devils are universally acknowledged as good-for-nothing. How could he be immune to my poison?"

The devils whispered amongst themselves.

Most of those gathered here were native Devils from the Human Realm. Upon hearing that a Mirror Devil had been parachuted into the position of Chief Justice, they were all indignant and had no intention of letting this newcomer's appointment go smoothly.

It was also said that the headquarters was relocated here because of this Mirror Devil, which made everyone even more resentful.

Just a mere Mirror Devil.

They had been secretly observing for quite some time. Despite the demon in the magical mirror wearing a mask and having his eyes partially obscured by glasses frames, it was evident that he was completely unfazed, with no flushed cheeks or rapid heartbeat. His breathing remained steady.

"You must have an issue with your poison," suggested one of them.

"How could that be? Try it for yourself."

"I will."

"So, how does it feel?"

"..."

Earlier, San Lin hadn't given Wen Ying a single glance while leading the way down. Now, his gaze kept drifting towards Wen Ying. Curious, Wen Ying asked, "Is there something wrong with my face?"

"....Your mask looks nice."

Wen Ying was surprised. "You like white?"

San Lin's demeanor clearly indicated that he didn't favor white, yet he casually replied, "The style is appealing. It would look even better in black."

Did those guys' poison not work? Seriously ineffective.

San Lin led Wen Ying to the door of an office and knocked. Wen Ying caught sight of a sign that read "Third-Rank Law Enforcer" hanging on it.

The demon who emerged was female, with a cold demeanor. She glanced at Wen Ying and said, "Come with me. The Chief Justice is out, and I have no idea when he'll be back. You can wait in his office."

Wen Ying nodded and followed her into the Chief Justice's office.

This office was spacious, and the first thing Wen Ying noticed upon entering was a jar of Vitality Pendants displayed in a transparent cabinet.

The enforcer brought him in, made no further delay, and left, closing the door behind him.

Wen Ying sat and waited for a while. The judge didn't come, so he took out his phone to play mobile games. It had been a long time since he last played this demon-themed game, and today was a rare occasion when he had both the time and energy.

He played from day until night, but the judge still hadn't returned. At one point, the door opened, and a demon claiming to be a Third Rank Enforcer entered. He informed Wen Ying that the judge might be delayed, as he was dealing with an extremist group outside.

As they spoke, the demon deliberately exuded a bloodthirsty aura, mentioning how he had recently slain many extremists. Wen Ying responded with tepid praise, leaving the demon questioning the effectiveness of his intimidation.

Unbeknownst to the demon, the covert poison magic continued uninterrupted. Wen Ying pretended ignorance, engrossed in his demon-themed mobile game.

The demon outside had paid several visits, peering in through the cracks.

"How is it? Still on your phone?"

"He's really engrossed in it..."

"How long has it been? It's not logical that he's still so lively!"

"Our magic isn't bound by science anyway. That snake tested the poison just now and was paralyzed in no time. Why hasn't this Magic Mirror Demon shown any reaction?"

"Could it be that the distance is too great? Maybe that guy's proficiency in poison magic isn't up to par."

When it was time for lunch, Wen Ying put away his phone and stood up to leave.

The demon lurking at the door hurried back to its desk, pretending nothing had happened as it watched Wen Ying open the door and step out.

After Wen Ying left, San Lin led the way into the Chief Justice's office, followed by a few perplexed demons.

"How can that kid be completely fine after being exposed to a mix of paralysis and frenzied poison spells?"

"I feel numbness creeping through my body, but it's not due to magic – it's that fellow's doing."

"Hurry up and dispel the poison here. My head is pounding."

Their intended intimidation backfired; they were the ones who ended up stunned. It would be humiliating if word got out.

"Demons of the Magic Mirror have no resistance to toxins. Perhaps he has some enchanted artifact on him. How fortunate. I've heard he's backed by a mighty devil."

After Wen Ying left, he headed straight for the second floor to dine. The restaurant served both Western and Chinese cuisine. After scanning the menu, Wen Ying casually ordered a plate of fried noodles and took a seat to wait.

Soon, his noodles arrived. Halfway through his meal, an unfamiliar, well-dressed gentleman with an elegant demeanor sat down across from him.

Wen Ying suspected that this man might be a devil, but without concrete evidence, he couldn't determine whether the man was human or demonic.

"Hello, allow me to introduce myself. I am the Deputy Judge," the refined man smiled warmly, his voice soothing. "I must tell you something that might not please you. In truth, the Chief Judge isn't on a mission at all – he's at a hot spring."

Chapter 207: The Third Summer

In the depths of the mountains, the wedding was exceptionally simple, without a bridal chamber or wedding attire, not even candles or incense. However, the blessings they received were the most sincere.

Due to the absence of their parents and elders, villagers from both sides gathered as witnesses. A group of half-grown boys addressed them as Master and Mistress, each offering unique congratulations, likely having learned from Wei Qinghe, Wang Yunzheng, and Xu Wenqing beforehand.

Of course, what mattered most was that the person by her side was the one she had earnestly wished to marry.

Chen Dashan and Xu Wenqing's hunted venison were stewed with the help of Gan Shi and Zhou Ge, along with Shen Lie's contribution of rabbits and pheasants from home. Combined with vegetables from the mountain fields, they prepared two steaming pots of bean rice. As dusk fell, they invited everyone to bring their own utensils for an informal feast, adding a festive touch to the celebration.

When Shen An and Shen Ning had also offered their congratulations, as darkness fell, they all retreated to the small wooden huts, leaving only the couple in the cave. With the entrance sealed, it was truly just the two of them, alone.

Their vows to the heavens and earth, their legitimate union, and the sharing of the marriage cup and entwining of hair spoke volumes of their deep affection.

The warmth of the wine mingled with the sweetness of their love, and the scattered bed of red dates were swept by Shen Lian to the far corner, forming a pile. He had initially thought it would be like those previous nights, where his sole purpose was to please her. However, when emotions ran high, Sang Luo pulled him down, whispering into his ear.

Shen Lian's breathing grew heavy, and his Adam's apple moved rapidly in his throat. He gazed at her intently, his eyes burning: "Really?"

Sang Luo opened her mouth, but the end of her words were swallowed by his kiss. How her voice transitioned from a sob to shattering, then struggled, rose, fell, and ultimately lost control, she could not tell. She had no knowledge that such pleasure between a man and a woman existed. Apart from the initial struggle and near-missteps, Shen Lian took complete control of the moment.

The pent-up youth was truly ruthless. His towering stature and boundless energy were deadly enough, but he was also skilled in learning, applying it in this situation as well. Despite his eyes being bloodshot, he could still meticulously observe her every reaction. Sang Luo was merely a theoretical expert; she couldn't withstand such intensity. Her spirit was swept away, and tears trickled down the corners of her eyes.

In ordinary times, Shen Lie would never have been able to bear seeing Sang Luo cry. Even the slightest hint of moisture in her eyes would make him anxious. But now, under the flickering candlelight, he could clearly see her expressions. Especially when she called his name between sobs, it stirred an uncontrollable desire within him. Midnight arrived, and the pile of red dates on the bedside had scattered into a mess. This time, both body and soul were thoroughly satisfied, ensuring a peaceful night's sleep.

...

The consecutive celebrations brought a glimmer of hope to the people living in these remote mountain villages, dispelling some of the lingering gloom that weighed heavily on their hearts. In this vast wilderness, they banded together, determined to live a normal and fulfilling life.

As New Year's Eve approached, preparations were made days in advance outside the valley. On the night itself, Shen Lie and Chen Dashan secretly gathered all the elders and children left behind in the valley and led them out. Several dozen people gathered in a hastily constructed shed, with over ten tables of all sizes. Some sat, some stood, celebrating a joyful and united New Year's Eve.

Upon seeing Sang Luo again, both Old Man Lu and Old Woman Lu appeared much healthier and more vibrant, reminiscent of their first meeting in Shili Village.

It turned out that since Lu Erlang and Lu Sanlang had returned, they had found a relatively safe haven for the children and assisted in fortifying it. They left behind two wolf carcasses and two bear meats, as well as the hides, which they gifted to Shuanzhu and his siblings. Their new residence was situated near Zhou Lazi's place, allowing them to cultivate land too.

With Wang Chunniang gone and Lu Dalang mute, the most crucial issue was that the children, having witnessed their parents' experiences, had become more lucid. When they were about to leave, Lu Dalang was still restless, and it was Shuanzhu who insisted on departing. After entering the depths of the mountains, the siblings paid respects to Lu Erlang and Lu Sanlang, requesting them to come back and fetch them when the outside world was peaceful. If it remained unrestful, they decided not to venture out.

Shuanzhu took charge of the eldest branch of the Lu family, thus eliminating the greatest threat to their stability. Being deep in the wilderness, they no longer needed to guard against people, only wild beasts. As long as they could live peacefully, even by farming and raising chickens, how could they not survive?

With the burden of worry lifted, the elderly couple's vitality gradually returned.

Please provide the Chinese text you would like me to translate into English as a professional novel translator, ensuring elegance and contextual appropriateness for each line.

With the grass sprouting and swallows darting, another spring had come and gone. It was now the third year since Sang Luo had traveled through time. Apart from the secluded Yun Valley hidden in the high mountains, the people living in the surrounding hills also enjoyed a sense of peaceful settlement.

Starting from the Outskirts Village and extending to the areas that Shen Lie and his companions once hunted and explored, there were roughly half a dozen small settlements. In the vicinity of the Outskirts Village, Zhou Family's hamlet, and the village between them, more than ten thatched cottages and wooden houses had been added. Fields for crops and vegetables had been cultivated, rabbits were being raised, and chickens were tended to. The lives of those who ventured into these mountains last year had taken root and flourished.

The sheep jointly raised by Sang Luo and the Chens in the valley had also become pregnant. The pair of sheep that were given as a congratulatory gift to Chen Dashan earlier were expecting as well.

In late February, the pregnant ewe that Shen Lie had kept in the outskirts of the village gave birth to three lambs. By the time they were two months old, the Zhou and Xu families took one lamb each in exchange for grain or meat. Sang Luo kept only one for herself.

Shen Lie's ability to catch live sheep was of little concern to Sang Luo; she was more delighted with the daily consumption of goat's milk. During Qingming, she picked some spring tea, roasted it herself, and the aroma effectively masked the goat's milk's pungency, making it even more nourishing.

During this period, over ten groups of people gradually entered the inner circle. The restless ones, observing that every village was martial and armed, quickly changed course and kept their distance. On the other hand, those who were law-abiding but isolated saw hope; they couldn't get too close to the nearby three villages, so they sought refuge in the distant ones.

As more people from the outskirts took refuge in the mountains, they inevitably brought news from the outside world to the inner circle.

The Great Qian Dynasty had fallen. Rumor had it that a new kingdom had been established in their region, though no one knew its exact size or who the emperor was. Their main goal seemed to be persuading the people to return and settle down for agricultural life.

The idea of peaceful farming sounded idyllic, and everyone desired stability, but the current state of the world had left them wary. They feared that their harvests might end up as military provisions, and they themselves could be conscripted into the army once again.

Some ventured into the tempestuous times to seek their fortune, but the majority were content with securing their lives and protecting their families in their corners. Even those who had previously taken refuge in the outer mountains feared being accidentally captured by the imperial authorities, thus prompting the more courageous among them to move deeper into the inner circle for better concealment.

In early May, Shopkeeper Xu approached Shen Lie, expressing his desire to make a journey outside the mountain.

Under Shen Lie's and Chen Dashan's personal tutelage for over half a year, the Xu family had become far from helpless. Not mentioning others, Xu Wenqing could now protect himself when entering or exiting the mountain, and even the scholarly Wei Qinghe had developed some fighting skills, becoming a valuable asset.

Shopkeeper Xu planned to take Xu Wenqing and Wei Qinghe on this trip. Firstly, to investigate the current situation outside, as Wei Lingzhen and Wei Qinghe's parents were still in Shezhou; secondly, to check if there was an opportunity to inspect the food storage in the underground cave.

Shen Lie was well aware of the abilities he had taught his disciples. As long as they avoided direct confrontations with large groups, they could manage with some caution. He and Chen Dashan had also emphasized the skills to evade both wild beasts and people in the forest.

Both Shen Lie and Chen Dashan needed to know the situation outside, but with so many people in the village and valley, it wasn't convenient for them to travel far.

After some thought, Shen Lie didn't immediately agree. Instead, he asked Shopkeeper Xu to wait two more days, instructing Xu Wenqing to inquire if the Feng family had any intention of exploring the outside world.

When it came to the largest group of able-bodied individuals, the Feng clan was unmatched.

The Fengs readily agreed. With their entire clan living in the mountains, it was impossible for them not to keep tabs on the situation beyond for a year or two. Feng DaLang and one of his cousins would accompany the Xu family to venture beyond the mountains.

Shopkeeper Xu's party left the village in early May and didn't return to the outskirts until later that month, on a particular night. Lately, there were always people waiting outside the village daily, mostly Xu Wenhong and his siblings at night.

With their father and elder siblings gone for over twenty days, the increasingly anxious Xu siblings were immensely relieved to see them return safely, along with their uncle. Their eyes lit up with joy as they witnessed the load of grain they had brought back.

Despite the darkness, households in the village remained awake, and those from neighboring villages could vaguely sense the commotion and came out to greet them. The Feng brothers, eager to get back to their village, bid farewell to Shen Lie and company before departing. Only Shopkeeper Xu remained, sharing news with the gathered villagers about the situation beyond the mountains.

Having traveled tirelessly for over twenty days, it mattered little to Chen Youtian and his companions to take a momentary break. They helped unload the grain, then settled down in the shed. Sang Luo offered them tea to soothe their hoarse voices before Shopkeeper Xu began recounting their findings.

"Qiyang County no longer exists."

His words left everyone stunned.

Shen Lie quickly grasped the situation. "No one has rebuilt since last year's fire, right?"

It was more practical to conquer a new city than to restore a burned-out, empty one.

Shopkeeper Xu nodded. "Indeed, that's why we took so long to return. Qiyang County is now a ruin. Along the mountain roads, there are officials beating drums to recruit mountain folk – either from nearby counties or from Shezhou. My connections lie in Qiyang County and Shezhou, so we took to the mountain trails and made our way to Shezhou, which prolonged our journey."

Chen Youtian asked the question on everyone's minds. "How is it outside? Are the battles still ongoing?"

Shopkeeper Xu sighed. "Of course they are, but they're not as chaotic as before. It's been nearly three years since the first rebellion in the north. Some semblance of order has emerged amidst the fighting. Numerous warlords have either been absorbed by larger factions or eradicated. Now, only six remain, and territories they've conquered are guarded. A level of stability has returned, at least in regions with garrisons."

They exchanged glances, and Shen Lie asked, "Which six families are we talking about?"

Shopkeeper Xu said, "Xizhou is currently under guard. I was afraid that it would be easy to enter but difficult to leave, so I didn't dare go in. Instead, I spent some money to ask for help and managed to get in touch with an old acquaintance from the Wang family who had left the city. It was through them that I learned this news. Last year, when Great Qian’s emperor passed away, two dukes with substantial military power in their hands—one in the capital, the other in the north—each declared themselves kings. Of course, by now, that young emperor has abdicated in favor of someone else. Rumor has it that he has already fallen ill and passed away."

Whether it was stepping down gracefully or genuinely dying of illness, no one here bothered to differentiate.

Xu, the shopkeeper, continued, "At present, the capital has become a separate entity, with the name Chen. The northern region is called Qi. The other four are rebel kings from the lower classes, one is known as the King of Qin, another as the King of Wu, and another as the King of Yan. Our Huainan region is now under the rule of a rebel king with the surname Li, and the nation is called Chu."

Upon hearing that it involved six kingdoms, Lu Erliang furrowed his brow. "So there's still going to be fighting, then?"

But Shopkeeper Xu shook his head. "Not necessarily. I've heard that Prince Qi is renowned for his bravery in his youth. Since he declared himself a king, he has never suffered a defeat. His momentum is fierce. Now that his troops have reached the borders of Qin, it seems that King Qin is considering surrendering."

Upon hearing this, those who had experienced battles, like Shen Lie, Chen Dashan, Shi Dalang, and Lu Erlang, immediately understood the implication. As for the well-read Wang Yunzheng and Sang Luo, they also grasped the meaning, their faces breaking into smiles.

In the struggle for supremacy, the worst scenario was a stalemate among multiple factions. If one side proved exceptionally strong, the chaos of the world would be brought to an end more swiftly.

Chen Dashan chuckled. "That's excellent news."

Although life in the mountains could sustain them, who wouldn't yearn for a peaceful and prosperous era?

Sang Luo inquired of Shopkeeper Xu, "How's the situation in the outer parts of the mountain?"

Shopkeeper Xu replied, "There are still people, but not many. It could also be that we just didn't encounter them."

Shen Lie said, "Those who could hide have likely already done so. We know there are seven settlements within our area, and there might be more further out, but it's unlikely. Most who didn't enter the mountains beforehand were either forced into the county, killed, or captured. How many families like Butcher Zheng and Dong Ge's were lucky enough to escape? If any captives are still alive, they must have been taken by the rebels to other cities or counties."

He paused and looked at everyone before continuing, "The situation outside seems relatively stable now. It shouldn't descend into chaos like last year. The mountain is also quite peaceful. Even if we don't know when the larger situation will stabilize completely, we can live peacefully in this mountain for the time being. There aren't any fierce beasts nearby, and our own martial strength is sufficient for self-defense. While Shopkeeper Xu and the others are away, perhaps those in the valley who wish to move out can do so? If there comes a time we can no longer cope, we can always retreat back inside."

The valley was indeed beautiful, but it was too small, and the sunlight exposure was limited. Prolonged stays wouldn't be beneficial for health. Farming could still be done by entering the valley at night, and during peak farming season, they could reside inside for a while.

Upon hearing this, everyone was somewhat tempted.

Liu Er Lang smiled first, saying, "That's a good idea. Every time I return, Ah Wei keeps asking to study with Shen An and the others."

Shi Er Lang also chuckled. "My Qiao'er is the same. Let's bring them out tonight then. We'll squeeze together for now, and later on, we can build a few more wooden huts. If the neighbors notice our increased numbers, they'll assume it's due to Shopkeeper Xu and the others. They won't suspect anything. As for necessary items, we can retrieve them gradually once we've built more huts."

With the discussion reaching this point, Xu Wenying, who had been waiting patiently, finally seized her chance to ask, "Father, did you find the steward from the Wang family? If the Wang family is fine, have you asked about my grandparents? Are they well?"

Her eyes shimmered with anticipation, but Shopkeeper Xu lowered his gaze.

Wang Yunzheng, who had refrained from asking about the Wang family, furrowed his brow. A sense of unease began to spread within him. "Uncle?"

Only now did Sang Luo notice that neither Xu Shangguan and his son nor Wei Qinghe appeared particularly joyful since their return. She had initially attributed it to their exhaustion from traveling. But seeing the unusual expressions on the Xu family's faces and Wei Qinghe's, she started to comprehend the situation.

Others seemed to have sensed something was amiss as well. Their initial joy vanished, replaced by concern. Xu Wenying anxiously urged, "Father, say something."

Xu Shangguan's eyes reddened slightly, and his voice turned hoarse. "Your maternal grandparents... They... passed away during the chaos in the Wang family."

Tears immediately rolled down Xu Wenying's cheeks. Xu Wenhong and Xu Wenbo's eyes also turned red. Wang Yunzheng clenched his fists tightly. The once reserved youth, who had become more outgoing over the past year, trembled slightly as he stared at Xu Shangguan. "Did Uncle inquire about the safety of my grandfather, grandmother, uncles, aunts, siblings?"

The question was about peace, but the expression on his face was sharp and wary, like an injured lone wolf, anticipating the sword hanging above him to strike down.

Shopkeeper Xu fell silent, not uttering a word.

Wang Yunzheng looked at his uncle again, seeing that Wei Qinghe had also lowered his gaze. Suddenly, the young man broke into a smile, his eyes reddening as he laughed.

They were all alive, coinciding with his stepmother's rule over the household, and his maternal grandparents had perished amidst the chaos. As he laughed, he slightly tilted his head back, yet even with it raised, he couldn't hold back the tears.

Those who had spared no effort to protect him as he grew up in that cold mansion, those who had served the old master and mistress their entire lives – because of his mother and his existence that hindered others, they had lost their lives in that very same cold residence.

He was an eyesore, but did his mother have a choice back then? Had he ever been given the chance to choose?

No one had offered them the luxury of choice.

Chapter 117: Station 24: Siege

The rusty elevator clanked through the grimy space.

Yan Qiling carried a bag of freshly baked bread, his heterochromatic eyes devoid of any emotion. His exquisite silk shirt fluttered like a breeze, resembling a delicate glass vase, in stark contrast to the simplicity of the elevator.

As the lift ascended to the corridor, a gentle smile flickered in his amorous peach blossom eyes, imbuing his entire being with warmth and vitality, as if this was his most genuine sentiment.

The elevator doors swished open, but he didn't exit immediately. Instead, he tapped rhythmically on the metal walls with three short taps followed by one long one.

Soon, the seemingly seamless sheet metal wall of the corridor shifted aside. A gap emerged, and a mix of human warmth and damp, humid air rushed out. The man stepped in without altering his expression.

It was a small storage room, packed with people alongside rubber, straw, and an assortment of tools. With eight individuals squeezed into this airless space, it was especially crowded, especially considering that most were tall.

Yet, despite its intimacy, three individuals found themselves excluded from it.

They sat in the heart of the warehouse, seemingly both surveilled by and isolated from the surrounding crowd, existing there like pathogens.

Among them were two familiar faces.

Tall and slender Hu Gaoming, alongside the blind youth with golden-blue eyes, Patland.

Hu Gaoming surveyed his surroundings with a vigilant gaze.

Compared to his previous self, he now appeared like a wolf dog obedient to its master's command, exuding a heightened sense of danger and vigilance.

And Patland still wore his harmless demeanor, instantly turning toward the sound of the door opening, like a child eagerly awaiting a gift.

And the one who opened the door for Yan Qiling was the other person who had originally been at the center.

Also, he is but a youth.

This youth possesses a Latino countenance, his two emerald green eyes exuding a feline allure. His black hair is finely curled, evoking the softness of Teddy bear fur, and he appears quite young, seemingly no more than fifteen or sixteen years of age.

His name is Pandela.

Originally, teenagers were the ones who should be protected the most. Yet, for some reason, they had now become a burden and the target of hatred from others.

"Yan."

The brown-haired man sitting in the corner spoke English with a strong regional accent:

"What have you brought?"

"A bit of food, which should be enough for each of us to share."

Yan Qiling carried the food towards the center:

"However, I couldn't find any water. These might be a bit hard to swallow."

A golden-haired woman, huddled in the corner and shivering, asked:

"Yan, have you found Steve? We can't get in touch with them at all right now."

Yan Qiling, who had finished distributing food to the children first, looked up with an apologetic expression.

"No, I didn't encounter anyone when I went out. I think... they must have already hidden themselves."

He carried the remaining food and approached each person.

The man on the far left had curly light brown hair.

His name was Mobis, holding a dagger, with a scruffy beard. After accepting the food, he didn't thank Yan Qiling but silently broke it open to inspect the inside of the bread.

Although Mobis wasn't at the center, it was clear that no one else dared to approach him, except for Yan Qiling.

Moving clockwise, the second person was a woman named Dory, who appeared to be significantly older. After receiving the food, she made the sign of the cross over her chest.

"Thank you, God, for providing us with a new source of sustenance in these difficult times. Your grateful servant will forever be thankful."

Next to this woman was another young girl, Yi Lan, who did the same thing.

"Thank you, God, for granting us fresh, clean food."

The fourth person to receive food was the blonde woman, whose name was Isabelle. The Steve she mentioned earlier was her boyfriend.

She wasn't particularly pleased with the prayers of the two women beside her:

"Why thank God? It's Yan who brought you the food now. If not for Yan, there would be no food, and yet you thank God?"

The two women clearly weren't happy with her remark. Dory replied coldly,

"All destinies are arranged by the Lord, whether it's food or water. How can human will surpass that of the divine?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Qiling's actions paused slightly.

But he quickly gave the remaining food to the brown-haired man who had spoken first. No one noticed his brief abnormality.

This man was named Cabyss, and his arm was bandaged.

Beside him stood a bloodied fire ax, which seemed to be his weapon.

He was more eager for the food than anyone else, so his gratitude was the most straightforward:

"I love you, Yan. Your arrival saved everyone's lives."

"The thought of Steve not having food to eat pains me."

Without engaging further in a debate with the deranged woman, Ibesa, holding her food, couldn't help but feel down, thinking about her boyfriend whose fate was uncertain.

Cabis chewed on his bread voraciously. Upon hearing this, he extended his hand towards her directly.

"If you can't finish it, give it to me. I'll finish it all."

This time, Ibesa didn't remain gloomy. She bit into her bread and replied coldly, "In your dreams!"

The atmosphere turned silent as everyone focused on stuffing their mouths. The hungry had no interest in discussing highbrow or lowbrow topics; filling their bellies was of utmost importance.

Yan Qiling made his way to the center of the warehouse.

Hu Gaoming deliberately vacated a freshly cleaned straw mat for him to sit on, ignoring the sharp glances from those around them.

Indeed, the tranquil scene before them was deceptive, concealing a lurking peril.

For the culprit behind this contraption was hiding among them.

-

Yan Qiling, as always, opened his eyes on the train.

The fleeting scenes outside the window and the silent carriage, quiet as an empty tomb, were devoid of conversation or movement. If no one was deliberately concealing themselves, it indicated that there were no so-called special individuals among the passengers.

Without turning around, Yan Qiling could sense the presence of fifteen people in the carriage through their auras, a full capacity load.

Past experiences had taught him that this would be a slaughterhouse.

A full load often led to a massacre.

Only this time, there were two familiar faces added to the mix.

His blue artificial eye swiveled impossibly towards the back of his head, revealing a new purple eyeball bulging from the rear of the socket.

Without turning his head, he could observe everyone around him.

The golden-haired youth lay prone on the train table, slumbering deeply, still exuding an air of fragile helplessness that rendered him utterly dependent.

Yet where once stood the bright and cheerful youth, his uncle was now conspicuously absent, replaced instead by a somewhat sinister scar etched upon the lad's brow.

The youthful, slender cheeks that were once carefree and untroubled had lost their initial innocence. Even in slumber, his brow was deeply furrowed, as if he carried an indomitable burden.

It was Patland and Hu Gaoming.

In the interplay of light and shadow, the train entered its second phase.

The vehicle disintegrated automatically, melting into an invisible snowflake under the faint light.

In its place appeared black hoods that seemingly came out of nowhere, along with ropes that suddenly materialized, tightly binding everyone's hands and feet!

Those who had just awakened found themselves in a trapped situation before they could even grasp what was happening!

There were gasps and muffled grunts, but eventually, everyone tacitly fell silent, beginning to feel their way around the surroundings.

Yan Qiling detoured away from the crowd, his luminous purple iridescent right eye piercing through the darkness, allowing him to easily discern the situation outside.

They were in an unknown wilderness, devoid of human activity and roads.

All of them were seated on a colossal wooden cart.

In front of the cart, lumbering along, was a grotesquely large giant, standing somewhere between six to nine feet tall.

The giant bore a vertical scar across his left eye, which had fused with the flesh of his face, indicating that eye was completely disabled.

He wore a massive anti-bite mask over his face, heavy black shackles on his hands, and his entire body was marred with grotesque scars, layered upon each other.

Due to the abundance and density of the scars, it was difficult to discern the origins of some, yet they easily evoked a vicarious sense of pain in others.

Surprisingly, it was another giant driving this one from behind!

This giant had an intact visage, but his ugliness was shocking.

It was as if his face had been split open and then healed, causing it to cave in entirely, a countenance one would never wish to lay eyes on a second time.

He was equally muscular, covered in scars, but unshackled, appearing far more agile than the giant pulling the cart. He also seemed to hold a higher status.

As Yan Qiling didn't know the giant's name, he temporarily labeled him as the Driver.

The Driver bellowed with a voice like a bronze bell, "Ubitos, fresh meat."

Perhaps due to his massive chest cavity, anyone standing too close would experience a resonating buzz in their heads, an unpleasant sensation.

In this unfamiliar environment, everyone remained as quiet as church mice, not daring to interrupt or engage in conversation.

Yan Qiling mentally ran through the languages he had learned and realized that the Driver was speaking English.

After understanding the meaning of the words, he sensed a slight accent that resembled those from the Kanor region. However, it wasn't a significant clue.

Silently, the giant called Ubitos dragged the small, dilapidated cart that held fifteen people, trudging forward with effort.

As they drew closer, Yan Qiling could see the industrial complex rising from the plains.

The complex consisted of buildings ranging from five to one story high, their uneven heights adorned with rusted patches. Some walls had lost all their paint, revealing cracks that spoke of neglect and possible structural instability.

Ubitos pulled the wooden cart into an pitch-black warehouse. The pungent stench of blood assailed their nostrils the moment the door swung open, overwhelming those present. Yet, the carriage driver seemed indifferent to the discomfort it caused.

He firmly shut the massive iron door behind them, severing the last sliver of light from the outside world as if by a guillotine. They were now plunged into utter darkness, save for a dim bulb casting its glow from an adjacent chamber.

Having secured the door, the driver addressed Ubitos, "Prepare yourself, fresh meat."

Ubitos, accustomed to such tasks, lifted the tattered hemp curtain and entered the sole illuminated compartment. Soon, the heavy sound of sharpening blades echoed from within.

The carriage driver, with the callousness of butchering livestock, grabbed the hemp ropes tied to their legs, casually pulled down an iron hook with a spring clasp from the ceiling, hooked it through the ropes around their legs, and then released it, effortlessly suspending them upside down from the ceiling!

The first one to be hung was Steve.

His hood was swiftly removed, and he squinted to make out the grim details of the room through the dim light. The horrifying scene caused him to struggle and cry out in terror, much to the displeasure of the carriage driver, who promptly delivered a punch to his chest.

Steve let out a pained scream, which soon turned into chilling gasps, casting an even darker shadow over the hearts of the others, particularly his girlfriend, Ibesa, who couldn't see the specifics of the situation.

Coincidentally, the second person captured was Ibesa.

She let out a short sob, and Steve, hearing his girlfriend's voice, gritted his teeth against the pain and whispered hoarsely,

"Don't cry, Ibesa, please, don't make a sound..."

Ibesa, upon hearing her boyfriend's faint warning, suppressed her fear with great effort, trying not to emit a single noise. However, her silence only intensified the anxiety of the others.

When the third person was seized, this individual finally lost their composure, leaping off the trolley in an attempt to escape—they had somehow managed to sever the ropes binding their limbs!

Yet, that very action cost him the chance to introduce himself.

He darted around the cramped room like a headless fly, first pounding on the iron door at the far end before it was quickly slammed shut. Dodging the driver's massive palm, he dashed into the illuminated compartment.

However, upon discovering something within the compartment, he immediately retreated, crashing right into the muscular driver.

The driver's enormous hand swung down, knocking him to the ground. Then, as if handling a chicken, he lifted the near-unconscious man up.

In the darkness, an inhuman scream echoed, sending shivers down everyone's spines. Most were clueless about what was happening, except for Steve, whose hood had been removed, and Yan Qiling, who had a clear view.

The reason for the man's shrieks became apparent: he had been hung up.

Unlike others with hooks through their leg ropes, he was pierced through the chest like a freshly slaughtered pig, hoisted high while still alive!

Struggling desperately, blood poured down like a steady stream. His hands trembled as he clutched the hook in his chest, desperately trying to pull it out despite the excruciating pain that made him howl. Yet, his will to survive seemed to overpower everything else.

Miraculously, he succeeded, freeing himself from the hook with a loud thud as he landed on the tile floor, drenched in filth. He wriggled, attempting to crawl away from this hellish place.

But the driver, treating him like a disobedient prey, lifted him up again. This time, he pulled out the hook and reinserted it through the man's abdomen, restringing him on the hook once more!

The man let out a final, mournful cry as his body convulsed involuntarily from the immense pain.

In the end, only twitching and the scent of fresh blood intertwined with this true abattoir of human flesh.

No one dared to challenge the authority of these two giants anymore.

For those who had never encountered a Profound Level Wujian Lord, such swift and seemingly rule-defying deaths were dozens of times more terrifying than any condition imaginable.

Finally, the driver approached Yan Qiling and held out a hand to him.

Chapter 74: This Seat Is Not Amused

"..."

Mo Ran stood there like a block of wood.

After what seemed like an eternity, he finally came to his senses, scratching his head and blushing as he waved his hands frantically. "No, it's not... I don't know. This isn't my handkerchief, then where did mine go? ...I, I, I, oh, I can't even clear my name by jumping into the Yellow River..."

Staring at the handkerchief embroidered with faint peach blossom patterns, he couldn't recall how it had ended up in his possession. After fretting over it for a while, he suddenly slapped his forehead.

"Aha!"

"...What's wrong?"

"I remember!" Mo Ran let out a sigh of relief as he took the handkerchief back from Shi Mo, smiling. "Sorry about that. This handkerchief isn't mine, so I can't give it to you."

Shi Mo: "..."

I didn't even ask for it.

"But this handkerchief isn't from Master either. Don't just assume it's Master's whenever you see a peach blossom pattern," Mo Ran folded the handkerchief neatly and put it back in his own bosom, clearly relieved and comforted that he hadn't mistakenly taken his Master's. "This is actually Junior Brother Xia's."

Shi Mo seemed lost in thought. "Junior Brother Xia's?"

"Yes, I've been living with him these days. Maybe the handkerchiefs were washed together, and I accidentally picked up his by mistake this morning. Haha, my apologies."

"...It's alright." Shi Mo still smiled gently and stood up. "It's getting late. Let's go fetch Junior Brother Xia."

The two left their quarters and headed straight for the prison cave.

But before they had gone too far, Shi Mo's pace gradually slowed down. At first, it wasn't noticeable, but then he suddenly stumbled over a loose stone and almost fell. Fortunately, Mo Ran was walking beside him and caught him just in time.

Mo Ran saw that his face was pale, devoid of any color, and couldn't help being startled. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing." Shi Mo caught his breath. "I didn't eat much for lunch, so I don't have much strength. A short rest will do."

The more vague Shi Mo tried to be, the more concerned Mo Ran became. Thinking carefully, Shi Mo wasn't good at light footwork, and everything in Peach Blossom Paradise required feathers as currency. In the past, Mo Ran would pluck his own feathers to give to Shi Mo, but these days, he'd been locked up, and Xue Meng, who lacked brains and consideration, hadn't...

The more Mo Ran thought about it, the more worried he became. "Back when you were in the sect, you often skipped lunch, but I never saw you this weak. This isn't just because you missed one meal, is it? Tell me the truth, how long have you gone without eating?"

"I..."

Seeing him hesitate and unable to speak, Mo Ran's expression grew even darker as he pulled him in the opposite direction.

Shi Mo panicked. "Ran, where... where are we going?"

"I'm taking you to eat!" Mo Ran growled, but when he turned his head, his eyes were filled with concern. "Can't you take care of yourself when I'm not around? You're always thinking about others and putting them first! But what about you? Have you ever considered yourself?"

"Ran..."

Dragging Shi Mo along, they headed for an inn. Logically, as a Healer, Shi Mo wouldn't have been able to enter the Aggressor territory where Mo Ran and his ilk usually stayed without a staff. However, after the incident with Eighteen, everyone was on edge, and the Feathered People had lifted the restrictions between the different branches to deal with emergencies.

"What do you want to eat? Order whatever you like."

"I'll just have something simple." Shi Mo looked a little guilty. "I'm sorry. I came here to help, but in the end, I've only become a burden to you..."

"There's no need to apologize between us." Mo Ran reached out to tap his forehead gently, softening his tone. "Order your food. After that, I'll pay, and you can sit down and enjoy your meal properly."

Shi Mo was taken aback. "What about you then?"

"I need to fetch Junior Brother Xia; the culprit is still at large. Although there are guards near the prison cave, I can't help but feel uneasy."

Upon hearing Mo Ran's intention to leave, a fleeting hint of disappointment flickered in Shi Mo's eyes, but he quickly said, "Just get two buns. I'll go with you and we can eat on the way."

Mo Ran was about to dissuade him when he heard a chorus of giggles and chirping voices outside the tavern. A dozen young female cultivators, all dressed up in their finest, entered the building merrily.

"One question for the owner," the leader of the group asked with a coquettish smile. "Has Eldest Senior Brother reserved this tavern for tonight's banquet?"

"Yes, yes," the owner replied, beaming with delight. These days, the Feathered had learned that Eldest Senior Brother loved drinking and listening to music, so he would always find a tavern for a feast every evening. And wherever Eldest Senior Brother was, a flock of chattering female cultivators would swarm in beforehand.

Sure enough, the female cultivators became even more thrilled and hastily began to reserve tables. Now and then, snippets of their conversation drifted into Mo Ran's ears.

They talked about things like, "Xiao Fang, do you think my eyebrows look good today? Will Eldest Senior Brother like them?" "They look great! But tell me, is my eyeshadow too bold? Will he think I'm too forward?" and also, "You're so beautiful, Eldest Senior Brother will surely like you. Yesterday, I saw him glance at you several times." "Oh, stop it. How could that be? You have an elegant demeanor, Eldest Senior Brother must prefer talented women like you who are well-versed in literature."

"..."

In such extraordinary times, these people were still so captivated by a man that they were lost in reverie. Mo Ran's lips twitched as he turned to his junior sister and said, "Let's just get the buns and leave. I can't leave you alone in this den of wolves."

Shi Mo couldn't help but shake his head with a gentle smile, observing Mo Ran's expression.

Within this establishment, the most delectable item was the Drool-Inducing Meat Bun. Mo Ran bought ten in one go and gave them all to Shi Mo. As they walked, he would occasionally steal glances at Shi Mo, who was savoring his food, and Mo Ran's mood finally eased up.

But nobody could have foreseen that it was these buns that ended up hurting Shi Mo.

He had always had a delicate stomach and hadn't eaten much for a long time. With an empty abdomen, the sudden consumption of such greasy buns soon led to unbearable abdominal cramps.

Now, Mo Ran was completely unable to meet Chu Wanning. He hastily carried the pale and sweating Shi Mo back to High Heaven Pavilion, laid him on the freshly made bed, and went outside to summon a physician.

After medicine was prescribed and warm water was given, Mo Ran sat by the bedside, gazing at Shi Mo's exhausted appearance and blaming himself endlessly. "Still hurts? Let me rub your stomach."

Shi Mo's voice was soft and weak. "No need... It's fine..."

But Mo Ran's slender fingers, with their distinct joints, had already reached over, pressing gently against Shi Mo's stomach through the covers.

Perhaps his touch was just right, quite soothing, for Shi Mo didn't say anything more. Gradually, under this intimate massage, his breaths slowed, and he fell into a deep sleep.

Mo Ran waited until Shi Mo was sound asleep before he prepared to leave.

Yet, before he could stand, his hand was caught.

Mo Ran's eyes suddenly widened, his black irises shimmering with a subtle purple hue: "Shi Mo...?"

"Pain... Don't leave..."

The beauty on the bed still had his eyes closed, as if muttering in his sleep.

Mo Ran stood there, dumbfounded. Shi Mo had never asked for help before; he was always the one lending a hand without expecting anything in return. It was only when he was sound asleep that he would softly plead with Mo Ran to stay.

So he sat back down by the bedside, gazing intently and wistfully at that face that haunted his dreams, continuing to gently massage Shi Mo's stomach. Through the open window, petals from peach blossoms drifted down, and the sky gradually darkened.

It wasn't until midnight that Mo Ran suddenly remembered his promise to have dinner with his junior apprentice brother.

"Oh no!" He sprang up, slapping his forehead. "Oh no, oh no, oh no!!"

By then, Shi Mo was already deeply asleep. Mo Ran rushed outside, ready to dash to the prison cave. But a blue light suddenly illuminated the sky. Elder Xuan Ji appeared, cradling a child in her arms. The child held a small earthen jar close to his chest as they descended from above.

"Elder!"

Xuan Ji glanced at Mo Ran with a hint of reproach: "What's going on? Didn't you say you were going to fetch him? If I hadn't gone to check, Yu... ahem, my disciple might have had to wait until dawn in that cell."

"It was my fault." Mo Ran lowered his head, but after a moment, he couldn't help looking back at Chu Wanning. "Junior Apprentice Brother..."

Xuan Ji placed Chu Wanning down. Chu Wanning held the jar and quietly glanced at Mo Ran. "Have you had dinner?"

Completely unprepared for this question, Mo Ran stammered, "N-No, not yet..."

Chu Wanning walked over and offered him the jar. "It's still warm. Have some."

Standing rooted to the spot, Mo Ran remained motionless for a long while. By the time he realized what he was doing, he had already scooped up the child and the jar in his arms.

"O-Okay, I'll drink it."

The silly child, worried that the soup would cool down, had taken off his outer robe and wrapped it around the jar, so that when Mo Ran hugged him, he felt slightly chilled.

Pressing their foreheads together, Mo Ran gently nuzzled him. Two lifetimes' worth of sincerity tumbled out of his mouth. "I'm sorry. It was my fault."

After bidding farewell to Xuan Ji, the two returned to their room.

The outer robe was too wrinkled to wear anymore, so Mo Ran, fearing the child would be cold, rummaged through the inner chamber for a small blanket to give to Chu Wanning. Chu Wanning yawned, climbed onto a stool with the little jar, and was just about to ladle the soup into two small bowls when his eyes suddenly blinked twice, landing on the half-eaten bun Shi Mo had left behind.

"..."

Leaving the stool behind, Chu Wanning strolled into the bedroom and gazed at the sleeping beauty on the bed with an unreadable expression. He felt a chill seeping through his bones, turning his previously warm heart cold and still.

By the time Mo Ran returned to the kitchen, Chu Wanning was still seated by the window, one foot on a bench, the other hanging down, with his arm casually leaning against the windowsill.

Hearing the sound, he turned his face indifferently and gave Mo Ran a fleeting glance.

"Come here, I found a fox fur blanket. You can drape it over yourself for now, it gets chilly at night."

Chu Wanning didn't respond.

Mo Ran walked over and offered him the blanket, but Chu Wanning didn't take it, merely shaking his head slowly as if closing his eyes to meditate.

"What's wrong? Don't you like it?"

"..."

"I'll look for another one then, see if there's something else you might prefer."

Mo Ran smiled and gently ruffled Chu Wanning's hair before turning to fetch another piece, only to suddenly notice the earthen jar missing from the table. He was taken aback. "Where's my soup?"

"It's not yours," Chu Wanning finally spoke up, his voice cold and detached. "It's mine."

Mo Ran's lips twitched, assuming Chu Wanning was throwing a childish tantrum. "Fine, fine, it's yours if you want it. But where is your soup, then?"

Chu Wanning said indifferently, "I threw it away."

"Thrown... thrown away...?"

Chu Wanning ignored him, gracefully leaping off the bench and turning to push open the door.

"Mm? Junior Apprentice Brother? Where are you going?" Mo Ran abandoned the blanket. The culprit was still unknown, and it wasn't safe outside. He hurriedly followed after him.

But he saw that under the peach blossom tree, the small clay pot with the soup was still clumsily left there, not having been discarded. Mo Ran let out a sigh of relief, thinking that it was ultimately his fault. Perhaps Junior Apprentice Brother had just been suppressing his anger earlier, and now, finding he could no longer endure it, there was nothing wrong with venting a little.

So he walked over and sat beside Chu Wanning.

Under the peach blossom tree, Chu Wanning picked up his small clay pot, paying no attention to Mo Ran. He opened the lid by himself and took up a spoon larger than his own face, attempting to scoop out some soup. Discovering that it wouldn't fit at all, he grew even angrier. With a snap, he smashed the spoon into pieces, sitting there in a daze, hugging the pot.

Mo Ran propped his cheek on one hand, turning to offer advice beside him. "Just drink it straight from the jar. It's just the two of us here; no one will see."

"..."

"Not drinking? Then I'll drink it. This is the first time my junior apprentice brother has made soup for me; I can't let it go to waste." He intended to tease him, grinning as he reached to snatch the jar.

Unexpectedly, Chu Wanning slapped away his hand. "Get lost."

"..." Mo Ran blinked, feeling a sense of déjà vu from their conversation. But then he shamelessly leaned in with a smile. "Junior Apprentice Brother, it was my fault. Don't be angry. I wanted to come pick you up earlier, but your Mingjing Senior Apprentice Brother suddenly wasn't feeling well, so I was delayed. I didn't mean to keep you waiting on purpose."

Chu Wanning still kept his head down, not speaking.

"You see, I've been busy until now and haven't had dinner. I'm really hungry." Mo Ran tugged at his sleeve pitifully. "Junior Apprentice Brother, kind-hearted Junior Apprentice Brother, my good Junior Apprentice Brother, please, just let your senior apprentice brother have a taste of the soup."

"..."

Chu Wanning shifted, finally placing the soup jar on the ground. He lifted his head slightly, turning it away slightly. The gesture indicated that if Mo Ran wanted to drink, he should get it himself.

Mo Ran chuckled. "Thanks, Junior Apprentice Brother."

The small earthen pot was brimming with contents, and at a glance, it was clear that the junior brother had barely eaten for himself, instead saving most of the meat for him, resulting in a pot filled with more meat than broth.

Mo Ran gazed at it for a moment, his eyes curved into a warm smile. "This isn't soup at all; it's clearly a pot of stewed meat. Junior Brother is so thoughtful."

"..."

Putting aside idle chatter, Mo Ran, who had genuinely been starving after tending to Shi Mo for so long, couldn't bear to waste his junior brother's efforts. He snapped off two thin branches from a peach tree, gathering qi at their tips to whittle them into makeshift chopsticks. He picked up a piece of chicken and popped it into his mouth.

"Woah, it smells amazing."

With the chicken in his mouth, Mo Ran's eyes took on a hazy sheen as he chuckled. "It tastes great. My junior brother is so capable."

In truth, the soup wasn't particularly delicious—it was too salty. But to please his little junior brother, Mo Ran made a valiant effort to chew through it, soon consuming most of the chicken. Throughout, Chu Wanning never once looked at him, sitting quietly by his side.

Taking a large gulp of the soup, which was even saltier than the meat and had a slightly bitter taste upon entry, Mo Ran found it tolerable nonetheless.

He plucked up another chicken leg, ready to eat it when he suddenly paused. "How many legs does a chicken have?"

Of course, no one bothered to answer him.

Mo Ran answered himself, "Two."

Then he looked at the chicken leg on his chopsticks and compared it to the bone from the one he had already eaten.

"..."

The slow-witted man finally lifted his head and stared blankly at Chu Wanning, "Junior Brother, did you... were you perhaps..." The latter half of his question hung unspoken, lacking the courage to be uttered.

Were you waiting for me, and didn't have dinner?

This pot of soup was full of meat; were you waiting for me, until the soup had almost evaporated, leaving only bits of meat? And I thought...

I thought you had eaten some and left me a little... I even thought your cooking skills weren't good enough, turning a nice chicken soup into a stewed chicken dish...

Mo Ran quietly set down the clay pot.

But he realized too late; there were only a few scraps of meat left in it.

Finally, Chu Wanning spoke up.

The voice remained calm and pleasant, with a touch of innocence and clarity characteristic of a young child.

"You were the one who said you'd come back for dinner," he spoke slowly, devoid of joy or sorrow. "So I waited. If you're not going to eat, at least send someone to give me a message, so I don't end up looking like a fool alone. Can you do that?"

"Junior Martial Brother..."

Chu Wanning still refused to look at him, turning his face away, leaving Mo Ran unable to read his expression.

"You could have sent someone to tell me that you were accompanying... that you were accompanying Senior Martial Brother Mingjing. Was that really so difficult?"

"..."

"Before drinking from my soup jar, you talked on and on. Didn't you ask if I had eaten? Was that hard?"

"..."

"Before eating, was it too difficult to check how many chicken legs were in the jar?" The last question held a hint of amusement, a tease that might provoke a smile even amidst embarrassment. But before Mo Ran's dimples could form, they froze.

His little junior martial brother... was crying.

If he were in his adult form, he would never shed tears over such trivial matters. But no one knew that the Heart-Plucking Willow had caused his transformation, affecting his mind, albeit not severely, but still leaving some impact. When in a weakened state, his childlike nature became even more pronounced.

This hidden characteristic was extremely difficult to detect, which is why neither Madame Wang nor Elder Greedy Wolf had discovered it during their pulse-taking.

"I get hungry, I feel pain too... I'm human, you know..." Even though his childlike nature was dominant, Chu Wanning still tried to suppress his emotions. He sobbed silently, his shoulders quivering, tears streaming down his face, his eyes reddened with moisture.

For so many years, as Elder Yu Heng, he had always endured in silence. No one loved him, no one accompanied him; he pretended not to care, walking coldly and distantly through the crowd who revered him.

But only when his mindset took on a childlike quality did he speak the truth, break down, and express the pent-up gloom that had accumulated for so long.

He wasn't unfriendly to others; he just did many things quietly.

But doing things quietly, without being seen or cared about, was torturous in the long run.

Seeing his junior brother's shoulders tremble slightly, Mo Ran felt pained. Reaching out to comfort, his hand was slapped away without mercy.

"Junior Brother..."

"Stay away from me." Chu Wanning, despite his vulnerability, was stubborn. Whether young or old, he fiercely wiped away his tears and abruptly stood up. "I'm going to sleep. You can go be with your junior brother. Get lost far from me."

"..."

In a fit of anger, he had even forgotten that Shi Mo was actually older than Mo Ran.

Mo Ran opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but Chu Wanning had already stormed off and quickly entered another bedroom, slamming the door shut behind him.

But in the High Heaven Pavilion, each courtyard only had two bedrooms.

Mo Ran's original plan was to let Shi Mo have one room to himself while he squeezed in with his junior apprentice brother. However, his junior apprentice brother was so furious and had locked the door, so it seemed he couldn't enter that room anymore.

He also didn't want to sleep in Shi Mo's bed. Besides, after being scolded by Chu Wanning and making him cry, Mo Ran's mind was in chaos. He had no thoughts for romantic dalliances, only sitting dazedly in the courtyard filled with peach blossoms, holding the clay jar Chu Wanning had carried all the way for him. After a long while, he sighed, slapped himself, and muttered, "I'm a terrible person."

So that night, Mo Ran simply laid on the ground beneath the peach blossoms, using the sky as his roof and the earth as his bed, staring blankly at the starry expanse above.

Junior Apprentice Brother... Shi Mo... Master... Xue Meng... the fake Chongchen under Jin Chengchi... the unseen murderer... the Chu Xun and his father in the illusion...

Many vague figures flashed before his eyes. He vaguely sensed something was amiss, but the feeling was too faint. Before he could even register it, it vanished.

Peach trees bloom, their beauty blazing.

Reaching out to catch a falling peach blossom, Mo Ran gazed at the fading soul in the moonlight.

For an instant, it felt as if he had returned to the end of his previous life, when he had lain in the coffin he had prepared beforehand. That day too, the mountains were filled with withering flowers, their departure silent and unnoticed.

Only, back then, they were crabapple blossoms.

Crabapples...

Why, despite loving Shi Mo both in his past and present lives, did he inexplicably choose to be buried beneath a crabapple tree, in front of the Tower of Heaven, where he had first met Chu Wanning?

Thinking back on many actions from his previous life now filled him with horror. The longer he lived in this new existence, the more perplexed he became about why he had once acted with such brutality.

Slaughtering cities, forcing himself upon others, killing his master...and compelling Chu Wanning to do those things with him...

Mo Ran discarded the peach blossom, covering his forehead with his hand and slowly closing his eyes.

His junior apprentice brother had just said, "I get hungry too, I feel sad too. I'm human, after all." Those words echoed in his ears, spoken by his junior apprentice brother, but for a moment, Mo Ran's mind was suddenly flooded with another figure.

A man dressed in snowy attire. In an instant, his white clothes transformed into a crimson phoenix robe trailing on the ground, resembling the figure that had stood before him in the Ghost Conductor's illusory world during their ghostly wedding ceremony.

"I am human too..."

I feel pain and sorrow as well.

Mo Ran...

I can feel pain too.

Suddenly, Mo Ran felt a sharp constriction in his chest, as if something was struggling to burst out. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

He closed his eyes, breathing slowly.

Muttering softly, "I'm sorry..."

Apologizing to whom, he wasn't sure—his junior apprentice brother or the old friend in the crimson phoenix robe...

In the bedroom, Shi Mo sat up.

He didn't turn on the light. With his translucent bare feet, he silently approached the window and peered through the crack, gazing at Mo Ran lying among the petals with a pottery jar in one hand from afar. His eyes were dim, lost in thought.

Come dawn, Mo Ran, lying amidst the flowers and grass, wrinkled his nose and took in a deep breath of fresh air before stretching to wake up.

But halfway through his stretch, a piercing scream shattered the tranquility of the High Heaven Pavilion.

"AHHH-!!"

Mo Ran snapped open his eyes, shot up, and was instantly frozen in horror by the scene before him!

Fifteen elite Feathered guards tasked with protecting the High Heaven Pavilion had all been slaughtered overnight, their deaths identical to that of No. 18—each of their necks strangled by a glowing crimson willow vine.

Good lord!

The fifteen bodies were suspended among the lush peach blossom trees of the pavilion. Their red sleeves fluttered, long skirts dragged on the ground, and their bodies swayed gently with the wind passing through the grove, resembling dried flowers in a macabre display of eerie beauty.

The shriek had come from a low-ranking Feathered who had arrived to deliver breakfast. She trembled violently, her bamboo basket already fallen to the ground, its contents of porridge, noodles, and pastries spilling out.

Seeing Mo Ran standing in the courtyard, the Feathered quivered even more, fumbling behind her back to retrieve something.

Without thinking, Mo Ran stepped forward. "Wait, let me explain..."

It was already too late. The Feathered Man had activated the Breakdown Incantation tattooed on his back. The Breakdown Incantation was the most critical form of communication among the Feathered People, and within moments, crimson-winged Feathered Men descended from the sky like a dark cloud, converging upon the peach blossom forest from all directions.

The sight before them left everyone stunned.

"A Sister!"

"Sis—!"

After an eerie silence, anguished screams and cries erupted among the Feathered People. The commotion drew the attention of cultivators from Peach Blossom Island, who soon surrounded High Heaven Pavilion with exclamations, disbelief, fury, and howls.

"Mo Ran! What do you have to say for yourself now?!"

"Murderer! Insane monster!"

The Feathered People were seething with rage, their shrill cries echoing: "An eye for an eye! Kill him! Kill him!"

Mo Ran truly had no defense. "If I were the murderer, why would I stay in this High Heaven Pavilion instead of fleeing, waiting for you to catch me?"

A red-haired Feathered Man, tears streaming down his face, spat in disgust, "Disgusting! It's already come to this, yet you still have the nerve..."

Somebody else raged, "If you weren't the culprit, then why did the killer spare you while slaughtering all the guards?"

"Exactly!"

"How can one truly know someone's heart?"

"The murderer might not be you, but they must be related to you! Otherwise, why would they leave you alive? Explain yourself!"

"Blood debts must be paid in blood!"

Mo Ran was on the verge of laughing out of sheer frustration.

In his previous life, he had killed without mercy, and few dared to mention "blood debts" to him. Yet in this lifetime, where he hadn't committed the murders, he was being unjustly accused. The world... It truly was... He closed his eyes, about to speak, when suddenly a streak of crimson light flew across the sky.

The celestial immortal Feathered gracefully descended from the clouds, surveying the area with a cold expression that spoke of deep displeasure.

"Mo Weiyu."

"Immortal."

The Feathered Immortal gazed at him for a moment before approaching one of the corpses. He lifted the willow vine stained with blood from the neck of the lifeless body.

"Where is your weapon? Show it to me."

"..."

"Are you unwilling?"

Mo Ran sighed. His weapon, See-the-Damned, had been seen by countless people during his recent cultivation sessions, and even more had witnessed it when the Eighteenth incident occurred. Presenting it now, side by side with the willow vines entwined around the deceased Feathered Folk's necks, would undoubtedly weigh heavily against him as evidence of guilt. But if he didn't show it, it would only make him appear even more suspicious.

With a swish, a brilliant scarlet light appeared in his palm. From his very bones and blood, a demonic entity took form, shimmering with crackling red splendor. "If the Immortal wishes to see, then let him look."

Author's Note: The illustrator "Meatball Big Devil" has updated a beautiful ink painting of "Called Qingqiu" on Weibo. I absolutely adore this one! I warmly invite everyone to take a look when you have the time.

Yesterday, there were three dear companions whose IDs appeared but were actually in an unlogged-in state; I was unable to send them hongbao (red packets), fearing it might be an inconvenience for my darlings should they attempt to retrieve them. So, allow me to gently remind you all here:

First update of 7,500 words is here, with another nearly 4,000 words coming tonight at 10 PM. It's a double update! Double the fun, my dear readers, see you tonight!

Fu Luoyin assumed he had heard Lin Shuicheng's head hitting something with a loud thud, and now, fearing that he had injured his head, all his anger dissipated in an instant, leaving him unable to be fierce anymore.

He quickly reached out to touch Lin Shuicheng's head but found him unharmed, save for a hairline crack on his phone.

Gently embracing Lin Shuicheng tightly, he stroked and patted the nape of his neck near the roots of his hair, attempting to soothe him.

Leaning against Fu's embrace, Lin Shuicheng gradually stopped trembling. It was as if all his strength had been drained, leaving him like a smoldering ember in the wind, barely clinging to life.

In a soft voice, Fu asked, "What's wrong, Lin Shuicheng?"

He reached out to caress Lin Shuicheng's slightly reddened eyelids. "Are you uncomfortable from the alcohol? Or is there something else?"

Lin Shuicheng's skin felt cool, and his usually shimmering peach blossom eyes appeared exhausted and devoid of spirit, tugging at Fu's heartstrings with a sharp pang of pain.

After a long while, he heard Lin Shuicheng whisper, "I want to go home."

His voice was hoarse but, at least, he was speaking.

Fu Luoyin continued to hold him closely, soothing him softly, "Then let's go home, shall I accompany you? Huh? Don't tell me you don't want me to come with you. It's almost New Year, what will I do if you leave?"

Lin Shuicheng didn't react at all, but Fu Luoyin continued talking to himself, softly murmuring in his deep voice right next to his ear.

He guessed that Lin Shuicheng might be homesick. The Quantum Analysis Department was closed, and it was almost New Year's; with his brother alone in the hospital, Lin Shuicheng suddenly found himself with nothing to do, and he might be more vulnerable than usual.

He was trying to divert Lin Shuicheng's attention and soothe his emotions.

He wasn't very good at comforting others. Throughout his life, he had never needed to comfort anyone or been consoled himself. He acted on instinct, like when he was a child and loved cats, picking them up and petting them regardless of their wishes. As he grew older and accepted that cats and dogs disliked him, he would stroke a cat if he could, but if not, he would simply watch from afar. When he saw a stray kitten, he would still take care of it, but no longer overly cling to it.

Nowadays, apart from Su Yu and his childhood friends, few people knew that he still liked cats.

Just as he gradually realized that there were some things he could never have.

But Lin Shuicheng couldn't be one of those things.

Lin Shuicheng's voice was also low: "I can't get tickets for Winter Camphor City, the roads are closed..."

"I know, but there must be other ways, right?" Fu Luoyin said softly. "I'm having someone look into it. Even if there's a storm, it'll pass eventually. Do you want me to go home with you?"

Lin Shuicheng didn't respond.

Fu Luoyin held him close, chuckling softly into his ear. "Is it inappropriate for me to say this, Lin Shuicheng? I've never celebrated New Year's before. Honestly, I don't know how people usually do it. If you're alone, shall we just spend it together this year? The base's way of celebrating is giving the lab mice an extra meal and extending the patrol time. If you'd like, we can also take a cable car tour around the magnetic levitation loop or try the vacuum simulation chamber. But I don't find them particularly enjoyable. Are you interested?"

Lin Shuicheng remained silent.

Fu Luoyin continued to embrace him, patting his back. "Drinking without eating, then feeling terrible after—there's no such thing as being a top student like that," he said in a softer tone. "You've been hospitalized twice due to overwork and anemia during your college project… How can you not take care of yourself, Lin Shuicheng? You need someone by your side."

Lin Shuicheng lowered his gaze.

Fu Luoyin smiled again. "I guess… I still know you better than you think. I'm slowly learning about your past, Lin Shuicheng. Otherwise, if someone asks if you were my partner before, I wouldn't be able to say a word except that you're a great scientist. They'd think I'm bragging. I'd have to mention how incredible you are—caring for cats, cooking, and effortlessly helping the Su family secure business deals…"

He exhaled gently. "Lin Shuicheng, when something's bothering you, tell me."

Lin Shuicheng responded with a soft "Mm."

Gently extracting himself from Fu Luoyin's arms, he looked intently into his eyes.

"I'm really okay, Fu Luoyin. I just got drunk and felt a bit homesick. My phone accidentally fell," Lin Shuicheng explained. "I'm fine, thank you so much, Fu Luoyin. Really, thank you. You should go back; I'll be fine after a nap."

Fu Luoyin watched as Lin Shuicheng climbed up and sat on the bed, unable to resist frowning.

Fu Luoyin also stood up. He glanced at Lin Shuicheng, and in that moment, he felt his anger return, his voice tinged with coldness, "I'll watch over you while you sleep."

Lin Shuicheng looked up at him and saw Fu Luoyin drag a sofa from the corner to the door, positioning it with his back to Lin Shuicheng. He then sat down and said stiffly, "Sleep with peace of mind."

There was an innate sense of security that Fu Luoyin exuded, possibly due to his military background in the Eighth District. Strangely, it didn't carry the same intimidating presence that he gave others. Lin Shuicheng had never been afraid of him.

Fu Luoyin pondered for a moment and realized that indeed, only Lin Shuicheng had never feared him. In the past, when they were together, Lin Shuicheng would ignore him when he wanted to, and tease him when he pleased.

Just as he sat down, he turned around to look at Lin Shuicheng and found that he had already fallen asleep, still clutching the blanket without covering himself.

Adjusting the temperature with his phone, Fu Luoyin then saw a message from Su Yu, "Minus Two, where did you go? Your favorite udon is on the cheese udon noodles. Have you seen your wife? My mom wanted to toast her, but now she can't find her."

"You think about eating all day," Fu Luoyin replied, "Lin Shuicheng is sleeping. There's something important I need to ask you, keep it confidential for now."

Su Yu: "What's going on?"

He quickly picked up on the key point in Fu Luoyin's message and teased, "How do you always know when your wife is sleeping! You must be following him around all day!"

Fu Luoyin didn't respond to that, instead asking, "Did you notice anything about Lin Shuicheng's state today? You've been spending more time with him than I have lately."

Su Yu was confused. "What do you mean?"

"He's not acting like himself." After a moment of contemplation, Fu Luoyin typed and sent the message, "Lin Shuicheng's behavior is reminiscent of depression. I have experience with patients at home. Tell me what you've observed. I'll look into it right away."

Exhausted, Lin Shuicheng wasn't sure if he had fallen asleep or not.

He thought he had, because he dreamt of that gray city once again. Yet, he also felt like he hadn't slept, as he vividly witnessed the room gradually dimming. He saw Fu Luoyin sitting on a single sofa with his back turned, his spine straight and head slightly lowered as he looked at his phone, which emitted a faint glow.

Half-asleep and half-awake, Lin Shuicheng reconstructed his body. When he regained some strength, he opened his eyes.

Fu Luoyin sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, leaning slightly to prop his head up. This allowed Lin Shuicheng to catch a glimpse of half his profile, his expression stern.

Lin Shuicheng sat up in bed.

Fu Luoyin said, "You're awake. Get ready and let's go out for dinner. If you keep neglecting meals like this, I'll send you to the hospital for nutrient drips."

Lin Shuicheng managed a weak smile before getting out of bed to freshen up in the bathroom.

When he emerged, Fu Luoyin was standing with his back to him, holding a bouquet of eternal flowers and earnestly trying to stuff them into a vase in his room. The bouquet was large, while the vase was small, but he persistently attempted to fit all the flowers inside, though his efforts proved fruitless.

Only one rose was fresh; Fu Luoyin covered his nose and mouth with a handkerchief, sneezing violently as he struggled to insert it into the vase after a long while. The delicate vase was under pressure beyond its capacity, teetering on the edge. Fu Luoyin then placed a crystal ashtray beneath it to stabilize it and prevent it from toppling over.

After stuffing the flowers, Fu Luoyin turned around to see Lin Shuicheng. Unable to resist, he sneezed again—his appearance was rather disheveled, his sneezing unceasing, and his eyes began to redden. He wiped his face, glanced at Lin Shuicheng, then hastily left the room, "I have something else to attend to, I'll be going first."

In the hotel lobby, there was an automated medication dispenser. Fu Luoyin rushed down to purchase an antihistamine and a bottle of water. After taking two pills, he gradually felt the discomfort in his throat subside.

The atmosphere at the evening banquet was more relaxed than during the day, due to the open dance floor and lounge areas. People, both acquaintances and strangers, mingled and shared drinks.

Yan Zi brought Su Yu along and pulled Lin Shuicheng aside to express their gratitude for quite some time. Lin Shuicheng also joined in, sipping a bit of alcohol.

He had never enjoyed drinking as a social obligation, but today, the alcohol brought a subtle sense of relief. The floating sensation it induced was distinct from depression, and it momentarily freed him from his anxiety.

Lin Shuicheng ordered a cocktail for himself and sat alone in a corner, savoring it slowly after Su Yu and Yan Zi left.

Before long, a young and attractive woman approached, smiling as she asked, "Teacher Little Lin, would you do me the honor of joining me for a seat?"

Lin Shuicheng lifted his gaze, recognizing her slightly.

"I'm Fu Xue, and I'm also Luoyin's older sister." Fu Xue extended her hand, smiling politely. "Teacher Little Lin has been busy lately and isn't taking on any projects. But since we've met, why not get to know each other as friends and relatives, rather than in a business context? Luoyin is like a child I've watched grow up. Since you're with him, would you like to join us for a chat?"

Fu Xue was slightly nervous, her hand holding the cup slightly sweaty.

Lin Shuicheng had an innate aura about him, perhaps due to his striking appearance or the unique aloofness of a scientist, giving off an air of being unapproachable.

But now, she had no choice but to step forward. Everything that happened at this birthday party had already made their small circle feel a serious threat – not only the relationship between Fu Luoyin and Xia Ran, but also the secondary corporate powers outside the core circle of Star City.

If it weren't for Lin Shuicheng, Yangfeng Nanotechnology could have potentially formed a great collaboration with the Lu Shengwen Group, indirectly pushing the Su family out of the clinical market. However, with Lin Shuicheng's entrance, the situation immediately shifted. Fu Xue had already spoken, leaving no room for retreat – they had truly offended the Su family in the open!

Su Yu and Xia Ran were already at odds, making it unrealistic to approach the issue from Su Yu's side. Instead, directly seeking out Lin Shuicheng might leave some room for softened words.

As for Xia Ran and Bai Yiyi, they were genuinely panicked. Regardless of Lin Shuicheng's excellence or Fu Luoyin's attitude towards him, both had stirred a deep sense of crisis within them. They were anxious and eager to uncover the truth about Lin Shuicheng. After much deliberation, they asked Fu Xue to invite Lin Shuicheng over, emphasizing beforehand that it would only be a casual discussion, nothing provocative.

Lin Shuicheng looked at her for a moment before smiling, narrowing his eyes.

Fu Xue expected him to decline, but to her surprise, he replied softly, "Sure."

As the two left their booth, Dong Shuoye caught sight of them from the other side and raised an eyebrow.

Lowering his head, he sent a message to Fu Luoyin: "Where are you? Your sister-in-law has been taken by Fu Xue to join Xia Ran's table for drinks. Hurry up and come over."

Rong Shu nodded, her eyes lowered in a graceful gesture.

She couldn't have cared less where her father spent the night; after all, when her mother awoke, she wouldn't wish to see him either.

Let him never set foot in the Qingheng Courtyard for the rest of his life.

"Ying Que, please deliver a message to Chang Ji in the outer court. Inform him that I'll be staying at the Marquis residence to tend to my mother. Tell him to return to Phoenix Lane first."

Ying Que promptly agreed and, as soon as she left, Rong Shu gently leaned her head against Madam Shen.

After a long while, she finally stood up and spoke to Ama Zhou with a calm expression, "Ama, during Mother's illness, Qingheng Courtyard will be under my supervision. From today onwards, Qiuyun Hall and Ho'an Hall's expenses will no longer be managed by us. If anyone comes from there, tell them to speak with me."

Chapter 27

When Sun Daoping had treated Shen for her ailment, Ama Zhou had divulged the entire backstory of Shen's "illness" to Rong Shu.

More than two months ago, Father had spent a night in Qingheng Courtyard after getting drunk.

On the day Rong Shu returned from her visit to her natal home, Shen's monthly cycle was delayed by a few days. Shen suspected that she was pregnant and wanted Ama Zhou to fetch medicine to terminate the child.

But she was dissuaded by Madam Zhou, who suggested that, given she had consumed contraceptive medicine, the exhaustion from organizing Rong Shu's wedding might have delayed her monthly cycle.

Madam Zhou spoke with an ulterior motive, having long hoped that Lady Shen would bear a son. Such an event would enable her to stand tall within the Marquisate.

In Nurse Zhou's estimation, the reason why the lady of Qiuyun Hall had won the favor of the matriarch and the marquis was most likely due to the fact that she had given birth to the only son in the third branch of the family.

Determined not to bear Rong Xun a second child, Madam Shen, upon noticing her delayed monthly cycle, left the estate to seek a doctor's consultation. After confirming her pregnancy, she promptly requested an abortion-inducing medication.

It so happened that on the day Rong Shu returned to the marquis manor, she had no choice but to discard the medicine. It was only when she revisited the Gu family ten days later that she instructed someone to brew the medicine anew.

After consuming the medicine, Madam Shen endured excruciating pain for several days, believing she had lost her child.

"Noble Lady, that child yearned to enter this world. Despite swallowing such a potent and toxic brew, it still refused to leave," Aunty Zhou wiped away tears from the corners of her eyes. "But Madam was determined to part with the child, compelling this old servant to prepare an even more potent medicine. Upon taking that, Madam suffered through a day and night of agony. The bleeding hasn't ceased since this morning."

When Madam Shen drank the second dose, she couldn't hold back her tears. Touching her small belly, she apologized silently.

Upon realizing the blood wouldn't stop, she told Aunty Zhou, "Let's just say the child couldn't bear to part from its mother and wants me to join it. Thankfully, Zhaozhao is already married, so I have no major regrets."

Recalling those moments now, Aunty Zhou felt immense regret.

She should never have tried to persuade her back then. If that child had been dealt with sooner, Lady likely wouldn't be in this predicament now.

She was prepared. If Lady didn't make it, she would not live either.

But before she died, she would definitely create a scene at Ho'an Hall and Qiuyun Hall. After all, the eldest miss had already married; she no longer needed to care about her reputation.

Upon hearing the entire story, Rong Shu's hatred for her father reached its peak.

When she left the marquis residence at four years old, her grandmother had broken her leg, blaming it on Rong Shu. Mother went to Qiuyun Hall to confront Father, only for the two of them to end up in a fierce argument.

Father was a filial son, but he was never a good husband or father.

After returning from Yangzhou, she realized how difficult Mother's days were in the marquis residence. Everyone in the household believed that Father's heart belonged solely to Concubine Pei, and that he had married Mother only due to Grandfather's command.

But if he didn't like her, why did he still touch Mother?

If he had been a good husband, Mother wouldn't have had to take two bowls of toxic medicine to terminate the pregnancy. If he could control himself when drunk, Mother wouldn't be facing this calamity today.

Gu Changjin disliked her, at least he didn't elevate a concubine to humiliate her, nor did he disdain her while also desiring her body.

Rong Shu thought to herself that should her mother truly befall some misfortune, she would ensure not a single day of peace for the inhabitants of this Marquisate Residence.

In the past, her mother had always yielded for her sake.

For the sake of her mother, she endured patiently in every situation.

Is this ultimately the fate that awaits me?

Lost in thought, she was abruptly interrupted by the gentle tapping of knuckles on her door.

Rong Shu pushed the door open and saw a woman draped in an autumn-scented cloak standing in the corridor, slightly out of breath as she urgently asked, "Zhaozhao, how is your mother? Your aunt paid a visit to the temple for a ceremony today, and upon her return, she heard that something had happened here. I hurried over to inquire."

This woman was Rong Shu's maternal aunt, Lady Zhu.

Since her father's elder brother passed away, her aunt had been living as a widow at home, solely tending to her eldest nephew's life. She rarely ventured outside, limiting her outings mostly to visits to temples for religious rites.

Although her aunt did not have frequent interactions with Rong Shu's mother, Rong Shu had a genuinely good relationship with her aunt and her eldest cousin.

When Rong Shu was three years old, she once got lost in the estate and unintentionally wandered into her aunt's residence, the Silent Moss Courtyard.

Back then, due to the influence of the old madam, everyone in the household considered her an ominous person. Despite her young age, she could sense others' affection or dislike towards her.

She accidentally wandered into her eldest aunt's courtyard, feeling anxious and afraid of being scolded by the elders.

But her eldest aunt took no offense at all. After a moment of surprise, she picked Rong Shu up gently and said, "Where did this lovely jade snowball come from?"

Then, she instructed a servant to bring snacks and fruits for Rong Shu and fetched a pair of sheep knuckles for her to play with.

When her eldest cousin Rong Ze returned from school, he was asked to accompany her in making snowballs outside in the snow.

"First Brother, this is your little sister Zhaozhao. It's rare for her to visit; please accompany her well for a while and don't spend all day buried in your study."

Eldest Cousin Rong Ze was an extremely gentle and filial person. Upon hearing this, he agreed and devoted his attention to playing with Rong Shu for the entire afternoon.

Despite the freezing cold, Rong Shu played until she was drenched in sweat. When Madam Shen came to pick her up, she clung tightly to an old apricot tree in Chen Yin Courtyard, refusing to let go, much to Madam Shen's amusement and exasperation.

On the day Rong Shu returned from Yangzhou, Ho'an Hall was packed with people.

Among that group of siblings, it was her eldest cousin who first approached her, smiling as he said, "Zhaozhao has finally come home."

Lin Shuicheng, with a gentle smile ever present on his lips, listened attentively as Lu Shengwen spoke to him, occasionally sipping on his wine.

Behind them, Lu Shengwen and Yan Zi were so engrossed in their conversation that they decided to draft a contract on the spot. Their secretaries and assistants hurriedly prepared the documents. Lu Shengwen's curiosity was thoroughly piqued. With Lin Shuicheng's verbal assurance, he was afraid that the path for Medical Essence might be completely blocked by the Su family. Even if it was a trap, he was willing to take the risk and forge ahead!

Partnering with the Su family is by no means a disadvantageous proposition. The reason he had been hesitant all along was merely because he was unwilling to forgo the possibility of assimilating the Su family's market share.

Fu Xue rose from his seat with a pale countenance, an evident air of distress etched on his face.

With both executives off to sign the contract, Su Yu finally let out a sigh of relief and began to enjoy his steak in a relaxed manner.

As he ate, he spoke to Lin Shuicheng, "Sister-in-law, you've done us a tremendous favor this time. That book can't be given to us for free. Our consultants' annual salaries start at two million, and there are three types of patent buyout contracts. My mother will definitely offer you a graduated profit-sharing contract, equivalent to your technological investment. I'll transfer you several million as a good faith deposit later. Really, Sister-in-law, don't be too modest with us. You deserve every penny; otherwise, our Su family would feel unworthy of your generosity. We have principles."

Lin Shuicheng lowered his head and smiled softly, but it seemed distant, as if such occurrences were common and didn't elicit much excitement. "Thank you."

"Also…" Seeing that Lin Shuicheng had smiled, Su Yu gained some courage. He noticed that Fu Luoyin was still watching their direction, making him a bit nervous yet sincere as he whispered into Lin Shuicheng's ear, "About what you mentioned earlier, chasing me... heh heh, I think it's not necessary. I know you're kind to me, but the favor you did today has already been repaid. Besides, we're all friends, so why dwell on such details? And, Sister-in-law, your feelings for me aren't those of a lover, right? I still want to find someone I love, who loves me back, that's when marriage becomes meaningful."

Lin Shuicheng replied, "Mm."

Looking at Su Yu's earnest expression as he tried to explain, almost afraid of hurting him, Lin Shuicheng couldn't help but smile again.

Su Yu inquired with curiosity, "What are you smiling about, Sister-in-law?"

"Very much like E-E," Lin Shuicheng observed him quietly. "If E-E had grown up normally, he would likely be as likable as you."

Initially, Su Yu hadn't been affected, but with Lin Shuicheng's gentle gaze and tone, he couldn't resist the allure, his heart pounding fiercely.

Feeling embarrassed, Su Yu said, "I-I'm actually two years older than you, Sister-in-law..."

Pushing his untouched food towards Su Yu, Lin Shuicheng replied, "Have more. I'll go out for some fresh air."

As Lin Shuicheng stood up to leave, Fu Luoyin also rose from his seat, involuntarily following in his direction.

Fu Luoyin couldn't quite explain why, but it seemed that Lin Shuicheng was like a magnet, drawing his attention at all times, becoming the center of his world.

The entire table was focused on the conversation between Lu Shengwen and Lin Shuicheng, but Fu Luoyin's attention was solely on Lin Shuicheng.

He noticed that throughout the morning and into lunch, Lin Shuicheng hadn't touched a single bite.

Lin Shuicheng had selected some stir-fried rice and side dishes according to his previous preferences, but these items remained untouched on the table. Although it appeared as if he was using utensils to pick at the food, in reality, Lin Shuicheng was merely using a clean spoon and fork to rearrange the presentation without actually consuming anything.

Lin Shuicheng didn't touch a single bite of food but kept drinking instead.

Fu Luoyin had no idea why he was fixating on such matters at this moment, just as he always found himself nagging about Lin Shuicheng going to bed with damp hair. He simply felt that it mattered.

He was someone with a gastric condition; he knew how terrible it was to drink on an empty stomach. It was clear that Lin Shuicheng wasn't much of a drinker either; otherwise, how could he have gotten drunk and been taken away by Fu Luoyin back then?

The more Fu Luoyin thought about it now, the more he believed their encounter was nothing short of miraculous – that he happened to come across the stubborn Lin Shuicheng in his drunken state, that he took a liking to him at first sight, and waited for him in the parking lot. Back then, he had just left Sector Eight and hadn't decided when to return to Star City. If Lin Shuicheng hadn't gotten drunk that day, would his impression of him have merely stopped at "a rather good-looking student"?

He had never been one to take the initiative in pursuing someone.

Otherwise, where would he have met Lin Shuicheng?

He simply wanted to talk to him again.

He was annoyed just by seeing him and hearing his voice now, but he still yearned for another conversation with him.

As lunchtime arrived, the guests started to leave for their accommodations, preparing to rest for the afternoon before the evening banquet and ball – the Su family had set up a dance floor, offering a range of venues from classical ballroom to rock music spots for relaxation and entertainment. In addition, there were outdoor beach barbecues, skydiving, and artificial ski slopes available.

Lin Shuicheng didn't linger at any of these places nor pay attention to his surroundings. He seemed lost or unsure of where he was headed. Following about fifty meters behind, Fu Luoyin saw Lin Shuicheng head towards the beach.

The artificial island's sandy beach was clean and soft. Lin Shuicheng wandered aimlessly for a while before sitting down to stare into space.

The sea breeze blew, and they were the only two people on the deserted beach.

Lin Shuicheng didn't notice him. He gently buried his head in his arms, as if he were dozing off, looking as pitiful as a leader who had no food to eat.

But when the leader was hungry, it would wag its tail and come to him for food. Lin Shuicheng wouldn't utter a single word.

As Fu Luoyin looked at his back, he had a feeling for the first time: he didn't understand Lin Shuicheng, and he had no idea what Lin Shuicheng was thinking.

Despite having read through all of Lin Shuicheng's files and memorized every adorable word that could pierce one's heart, he still had no clue what Lin Shuicheng was thinking now.

This feeling made him even more angry and frustrated.

Fu Luoyin strode over and plopped down next to Lin Shuicheng, shoving a bag of hot congee and sushi rolls he had just packed from the banquet into Lin Shuicheng's arms.

Since Lin Shuicheng was leaning forward with his head resting on his knees, Fu Luoyin considered the angle and rolled the packaging bag into a shape that wouldn't scratch Lin Shuicheng's face, squeezing it under Lin Shuicheng's arm.

Lin Shuicheng snapped out of his reverie and looked up at him, questioningly.

Fu Luoyin's expression was somewhat grim — he also realized that he had just acted rather foolishly. Thus, with a stern face, he said, "Eat something, Lin Shuicheng, or people might think I've dumped you and that you're heartbroken to the point of skipping meals."

Lin Shuicheng looked down at the bag in his arms but didn't move or speak.

Seeing that he was about to sigh, Fu Luoyin smiled first, though it was a rather forced smile. "I know it's not because of me, but you should still eat properly, Lin Shuicheng."

Lin Shuicheng seemed tired and didn't say much. He opened the bag and began to eat.

Fu Luoyin watched on.

Eating had seemingly become an insurmountable challenge for Lin Shuicheng. He took a small bite of the sushi roll, chewed it slowly, and then swallowed with a blank expression, his actions mechanical.

Drinking the congee was even more painstaking. The pork and century egg congee Fu Luoyin had brought for Lin Shuicheng came in a transparent, sealed cup. After several sips, Fu Luoyin doubted that Lin Shuicheng had consumed even a third of the straw's capacity.

Furrowing his brow, Fu Luoyin asked, "Are you unwell? Your appetite is so poor?"

"No," Lin Shuicheng denied promptly, changing the subject. "What brings you here this time?"

Fu Luoyin choked again before responding, "To bring you food."

"Delivered. Thank you, you can go now," Lin Shuicheng said. "I'd like to be alone for a while."

He rubbed his temples, unable to conceal the fatigue in his eyes.

Looking at Fu Luoyin, he noticed that the other had no intention of leaving, so he stood up and brushed off the dust from his clothes.

Fu Luoyin promptly rose to his feet and took a deep breath. "Can't I even talk to you, Lin Shuicheng? Do you treat all your admirers this way? Why is it that someone named Han can enter your home and take pictures of you? You opened the door in a white T-shirt—what if he had ill intentions?"

Lin Shuicheng spoke softly, "Are you pursuing me, Fu Luoyin?"

Fu Luoyin was taken aback.

—Was he pursuing Lin Shuicheng?

He almost immediately denied it. "How could that be? I don't have feelings for you. I..."

He found himself struggling to continue as he saw Lin Shuicheng smiling gently.

That smile was open and pure, as if all his thoughts had been seen through like a child's, leaving only an unyielding and cold adult unfazed.

"I'm merely reminding you that you still owe me two favors. I don't have feelings for you, so why would I pursue you if I were out of my mind?" Fu Luoyin said coldly. Lin Shuicheng took a step forward, and he followed suit, not leaving his side for an inch. "But why not? You haven't answered my question yet. Why did you say you're pursuing Su Yu?"

"Because, later on, the Su family did me a favor," Lin Shuicheng replied. "Su Yu is well aware that I don't have romantic feelings for him, and likewise, he doesn't for me. Such a relationship wouldn't affect his future life significantly."

They arrived at the entrance of the arranged hotel. Lin Shuicheng walked in and pressed the elevator button. Fu Luoyin unhesitantly squeezed in with him.

Again, they were in a confined space, and he could smell the fragrance on Lin Shuicheng's body—the same scent of shower gel. Did Lin Shuicheng still use that shower gel after moving away?

With great effort, Fu Luoyin suppressed the urge to pull Lin Shuicheng into his embrace. He repeated, "No romantic feelings, yet you want to repay your debt by offering yourself? Lin Shuicheng, you owe me more than you do Su Yu. Why can't it be me?"

Why couldn't it be him?

Han Huang could, Su Yu could—why not him?

Why did Lin Shuicheng leave him halfway through their living together?

The elevator dinged open, and Lin Shuicheng stepped out, softly saying, "Go back, Fu Luoyin. You're acting like a stubborn child right now."

Fu Luoyin's gaze turned terrifying in an instant. He clenched his fists and asked in a low voice, "What did you just say?"

He was so exasperated that he almost laughed. He had no idea how Lin Shuicheng could still infuriate him further.

"I heard you. I'm really tired," Lin Shuicheng said. "Thank you for the congee and sushi. I'll be heading back to my room."

As Lin Shuicheng swiped his room card, Fu Luoyin paused right outside his door.

He watched as Lin Shuicheng opened the door, his movements pausing slightly.

The bed in the room faced the entrance, visible from the outside. A clean piece of silk covered the bed, with a bunch of pink preserved flowers arranged on top.

The pink, cheerful blooms were clean and soft, concealing a blooming rose within.

At that moment, Fu Luoyin's heart beat a little faster.

He recalled instructing Zhou Heng to leave a bouquet of flowers in Lin Shuicheng's room before he came over, as Lin Shuicheng might appreciate it. Last time, when he sent Lin Shuicheng flowers, he received a thank-you message via text.

Given how fiercely this little kitten had treated him today, would seeing the flowers make things better?

He observed Lin Shuicheng walk step by step towards the flowers, then gently embrace them in his arms. A hint of anticipation couldn't help but surface in the depths of his eyes.

A large bouquet of eternal sakura flowers was in Lin Shuicheng's arms, complementing his complexion beautifully. He was fair, and the pink of the flowers exuded vitality, blending seamlessly with his clean aura – it was a delightful sight.

Lin Shuicheng carried the flowers out and bent down to place them on the ground outside the room. Holding the room card, he looked at Fu Luoyin. "Room 313 at Star Alliance Luxury Hotel."

Fu Luoyin was taken aback.

"I don't appreciate my personal space being intruded upon, nor do I wish for something similar to happen again in the future—like finding myself unable to enter a room booked for me, forcing me to stay in 313, only to discover someone waiting for me there," Lin Shuicheng said. "I'd appreciate it if you kept the flowers for yourself."

He closed the door behind him.

Back in bed, Lin Shuicheng lay quietly, staring blankly at a point in mid-air.

There was no sound from outside; Fu Luoyin must have been furious.

After a long while, he struggled to sit up and fumbled for his phone, instinctively opening the search page.

Previous searches: Winter Chestnut City flights and train tickets.

Search result: No available tickets at the moment.

Previous search: Redirect to Server Website - Attempting connection to Harbor Forum - This forum is expired and closed. Please try again.

No matter how many times he tried or what methods he employed, he couldn't access that forum. All he could see from the snapshot was the post's title: "Damn it! Something huge just happened at the Harbor!..."

That was the closest he had ever come to uncovering what he sought to know.

Lin Shuicheng's fingers trembled slightly. After a moment, he abruptly raised his hand and slammed his phone violently against the wall!

The edge of the wall was covered with a flexible wallpaper, so instead of shattering as expected, the phone merely thumped to the ground with a dull sound.

Lin Shuicheng's eyes were bloodshot. After taking a deep breath, he got out of bed to retrieve it. The anger and gloom he had been suppressing threatened to overwhelm him once more, making him feel like a cluster of atoms adrift in the darkness, disconnected from gravity.

A knock on the door sounded. "Lin Shuicheng?"

It was Fu Luoyin's voice.

Fu Luoyin hadn't left yet.

Hearing the commotion inside, Fu Luoyin's hoarse voice suddenly turned anxious. "Lin Shuicheng? What's wrong with you? Did something happen?"

Lin Shuicheng wanted to reply that he was fine, but all the pent-up emotions had surrounded and overwhelmed him, leaving him unable to utter a single word. His vision was filled with swirling illusions, gray figures moving back and forth, bright light shining in his eyes, and warm blood splattering on him.

—And the deafening crash that shattered his world.

After trying to open the door a few times, Fu Luoyin resorted to kicking it down. He immediately saw Lin Shuicheng kneeling on the ground, holding his phone in a daze.

He rushed over and knelt down beside him, pulling Lin Shuicheng into his arms. His voice was laced with concealed panic and anxiety. "What's wrong with you, Lin Shuicheng? What's going on?"

Lin Shuicheng gasped for air, still unable to speak. In a fit of nerves, he bit his fingers relentlessly, biting hard and fiercely. Blood seeped from his wound, but even the pain couldn't dispel the illusions before his eyes.

Fu Luoyin was both startled and furious. "What are you doing, Lin Shuicheng?!"

He grabbed Lin Shuicheng's hand, holding his wrist with one hand. Seeing that Lin Shuicheng was about to bite his lip again, he reached out, his fingertips gently brushing across Lin Shuicheng's lips before accurately lodging them between his teeth.

"It's alright now," Fu Luoyin said, despite being bitten fiercely and showing no sign of letting go. Yet, his expression remained calm and gentle. "It's alright, Lin Shuicheng, little kitten. I... I'm here."

Chapter 87: Estrus vs Heat Sensitivity? (3200+)

"What exactly do they intend to do? Every time I ask Father, he doesn't tell me, only urging us to be cautious."

Inside the room, Xu Ming sat down on the sofa with a furious expression.

Chen Wuxing also sat down, soothing her.

In fact, Xu Ming's father had already told him, but after some thought, he decided to keep it a secret from his parents-in-law.

Qing Er sipped her soda. "Fortunately, no one was hurt. These people are utterly insane, launching indiscriminate attacks."

Ever since Qing Yi returned from the hospital, his face had been clouded with gloom.

Chen Wuxing cleared his throat, suggesting they retreat to their rooms for rest.

At his words, they nodded and departed.

Chen Wuxing kept his gaze on the staircase until he was certain they had all left, only then feeling relieved.

"Dear child, they are not worthy to be your family."

After Chen Wuxing finished speaking, he embraced him tightly, giving his face a gentle peck. He spoke softly, "You still have me."

Xu Ming wearily leaned on his shoulder: "I'm really exhausted."

Chen Wuxing gently ruffled his head. "Baby, I know. Like I said, you've got me."

No sooner had the words left their lips than they were met with a chorus of jeers.

Their bodies froze, all turning in unison to look up at the balcony.

It was Qing Er who had been instigating the commotion; now, he was being lifted by his collar by Qing San.

Qing San apologized, "My apologies, I'll take this eavesdropper back with me right away."

The two downstairs found themselves unable to protest.

Qing San then proceeded to walk away with Qing Er in tow. After two steps, Qing San turned back and said, "Carry on with your conversation."

Even Xu Ming felt a bit embarrassed. He reached out to push the person beside him, only to find that they didn't budge an inch.

Today, Chen Wuxing seemed somewhat unusual.

Xu Ming raised his head and was drawn into the swirling vortex that flowed in Chen Wuxing's eyes.

"You."

No sooner had the words left her lips than they were covered by another pair of gentle ones, which then nibbled softly and hurriedly intruded into her space.

Xu Ming couldn't help but close his eyes in compliance with the act.

Her eyes were filled with the tender concern in Chen Wuxing's gaze.

One cannot deny that the wounds within my heart are being tenderly mended, bit by bit.

Upstairs, the atmosphere was utterly distinct.

Qing Yi's face was dark with concern. "Why wasn't the food inspected beforehand? After just a few days of comfort, have we already forgotten the dangers?"

Qing Si still stood before the vast floor-to-ceiling window, silent as ever.

Qing San and Qing Er were bowed, receiving their scolding.

"If the one who ate that poisoned pastry today had been the employer, who would have taken responsibility? You or you?"

The two kneeling figures shook their heads in unison.

Qing Yi huffed. "Both of you will apologize to the employer with me later. If something like this happens again..."

Qing Yi didn't pay attention to their remorseful words but instead focused on the person ahead.

After a moment's contemplation, he spoke, "Qing Si, ever since I took you in three years ago, you've been cold and distant, barely uttering a word. I don't know what happened to you, but I didn't inquire back then, and I won't now about your matter with the General. If you don't wish to see him, return home first. We'll handle things here."

When they first encountered Qing Si three years prior, his clothes were tattered, and his skin was almost entirely scarred.

He had stared wide-eyed at the sky, seemingly oblivious even to lying in the mud.

It was as if he belonged there, a part of the landscape itself.

In that instant, Qing Yi's first impression was sheer astonishment.

After the rescue, they discovered that Qing Si's bones were damaged to varying degrees, preventing him from standing or moving about.

Initially, Qing Yi assumed that he couldn't move due to his condition, but after healing him in a treatment chamber, he realized it might not be the case.

Qing Si spoke no more than five sentences a day, spending his time sitting in a tree, watching the sunrise and sunset.

They were uneasy leaving Qing Si alone, especially with his striking appearance.

Upon discovering that Qing Si possessed surprising agility, they decided to bring him along and gave him the name Qing Si.

Three years passed this way.

After a moment, Qing Si turned back and said, "No need, I can't."

Qing Yi nodded upon hearing this, relieved that it was so.

"You can go rest if you're tired," he offered.

Uncharacteristically, Qing Si acknowledged the request and started walking toward the room.

This is clearly favoritism.

However, neither Qing Er nor Qing San had any objections. If there was favoritism, they were both on the receiving end of it.

The sound insulation of the house is quite good. Once the door is closed, all the words of Qing Yi's scolding are blocked outside the door.

Qing Si strolled nonchalantly over to the table and sat down, a mirror placed before him.

It's all because of this face. If only I had mustered the courage to alter it back then.

Qing Si, also known as Luo Le.

He is him, yet not him.

His memory was intact; he vividly remembered everything Huo Lanjing had done, including the fact that she had given birth to their child alone.

Yet, he didn't despise Huo Lanjing; he merely looked down on him. It was the kind of disdain one would have toward a stranger, disdain for the actions Huo Lanjing had taken.

He didn't have any affection for Chen Chen either. Three days ago, he had wiped away the child's tears because, biologically, he was the kid's father and felt obligated to do so.

Not out of fatherly affection, nor out of pity.

At present, he has no understanding of what love truly is.

No exception applies to familial love, friendship, or romantic affection.

Perhaps it was the effect of the medication.

But it no longer matters.

What he aspired to be was Qing Si, not Luo Le.

Now, this nomadic existence has its charm.

The following day, due to the events that had transpired the previous day, Chen Wuxing and Xu Ming decided not to venture outside.

Qing Yi and Qing Er were meticulously planning their schedule for the wedding day, cross-checking every detail of the ceremony.

Qing Si, or Luo Le as he was also known, listened with an absent-minded air.

Qing Yi caught a glimpse of his distraction and asked if there was something on his mind. Luo Le replied that there wasn't anything.

It was the first time Qing Yi had seen him so preoccupied.

Contemplating for a moment, Qing Yi suggested that Luo Le take a walk outside, with plans to inform him of their discussion later.

Upon hearing this, Luo Le's mind couldn't help but drift back to the morning's message from the soft, young voice.

He acknowledged the suggestion and stood up to leave.

Qing Er looked towards the door and inquired, "Is it alright to let him go like that?"

Qing Yi sighed, "Let him deal with his own affairs."

At noon, Luo Le, guided by memory, arrived at Huo Lanjing's usual residence - the house they once shared as newlyweds.

After ringing the doorbell, he saw a child who reached only up to his knees.

A fever patch adorned his forehead, and he was dressed in pajamas, looking rather worn out.

Upon seeing him, the boy's face lit up with a smile as he called out, "Daddy!" But then, he promptly covered his mouth.

Luo Le immediately recalled what he had said that day. The child must be afraid that he would leave.

Looking at the child standing barefoot on the floor, he disapproved and bent down to scoop him up.

"He left you alone at home?"

Surveying the surroundings, Luo Le noticed that not even a household robot was present.

Chen Chen pressed his lips together, hesitating for a moment before saying, "Uncle, can you not leave after I tell you something?"

Luo Le was taken aback. "Go on."

Seeing his cold and distant father again, Chen Chen still felt a twinge of sadness. He was on the verge of tears, but the memory of that day made him suppress them.

"I saw that uncle upstairs, but no matter how much I called out to him today, he wouldn't respond. He told me to stay away from that room."

Luo Le paused, likely guessing what was going on.

Suddenly, there was a rumble from Chen Chen's stomach.

Looking at him, Luo Le walked into the kitchen on his own and opened the fridge for a look.

He cooked some fried rice with eggs.

Chen Chen held his cute little plate, nervously scooping up a spoonful and taking a bite.

In the next moment, tears streamed down his face.

It tasted like Father.

It had the exact same taste as Father's cooking; Uncle hadn't lied to him.

Confused, Luo Le asked, "Why are you crying?"

Chen Chen wiped away his tears messily. "Nothing, it's just really hot."

...

After the meal, Luo Le played with Chen Chen for a while longer.

When it was time for their afternoon nap, Chen Chen stubbornly refused to sleep.

Luo Le let him be. However, about twenty minutes later, he himself fell asleep.

He approached and felt Chen Chen's burning forehead. He then replaced the fever patch on Chen Chen.

Children under ten years old were not allowed to use treatment pods. When they were sick, they could only take medicine; injections were out of the question.

After placing Chen Chen in bed, Luo Le left the room, closing the door behind him.

As he passed by the master bedroom, Luo Le unconsciously sensed a dense scent seeping through the crack of the door.

His body weakened, and he leaned against the wall, his neck gland burning and itching, demanding to be marked.

This sudden wave of heat was inexplicable. Could he be going into rut again?

Sweat beads formed on Luo Le's forehead, and the corners of his eyes took on a faint red hue.

His mind went blank in an instant.

He knew nothing now; he only craved being marked.

His legs grew weaker, and unable to support himself, he tumbled to the ground.

Suddenly, the door swung open from inside, revealing the culprit standing in the entrance.

Huo Lanjing frowned. Upon seeing the person lying at the door, his pupils constricted, seemingly surprised by Luo Le's presence.

He immediately crouched down. Before he could speak, Luo Le, with reddened eyes, clung tightly around his neck, exhaling onto the skin of his shoulder blade.

It was like being gently scratched by a kitten, igniting a trail of flames that seared straight into his heart.

Huo Lanjing's renowned self-control teetered on the brink of collapse. He reached out to push Luo Le away, "Qing Si."

Luo Le's gaze was dazed, and though his grip weakened, his hands continued to cling uncontrollably around his neck.

Over the past three years, his rutting periods had become increasingly intense, and the effectiveness of the suppressants dwindled with each passing episode.

The last time, Luo Le locked himself in a sealed room alone.

He prepared an abundance of suppressants and administered forty-two injections over the course of a week, yet he still found himself consumed by desire.

After that episode, he slept for an entire month before regaining consciousness.

No Alpha could withstand being embraced by their beloved Omega during their sensitive period, and Huo Lanjing was no exception. He was already reacting, his ears turning crimson from the strain.

He subtly pulled away from Luo Le, noticing the flush on his labelless face, causing him to involuntarily swallow.

"You, go back first."

With these words, Huo Lanjing rose to leave. However, as he turned around, Luo Le tugged at his hand.

Being in his sensitive phase, his body was weak, and he stumbled, falling to the ground after half a turn. His head struck the wall with a loud thud.

He closed his eyes with a muffled groan, and when he opened them again, he saw Luo Le's gaze unfocused. His usually stern face now held a hint of allure.

Before he could speak, Luo Le straddled his lap, pinning his shoulders with both hands.

Then, an unskilled kiss landed on his lips, parting them.

Both kept their eyes shut, instinctively tilting their heads up and down.

Alphas typically took the lead, so such provocation was clearly a challenge to them.

Huo Lanjing could no longer restrain himself. With his right hand, he grasped Luo Le's head, flipping him over onto his back.

He then held both of Luo Le's wrists in one hand, positioning him facing away. Bending down, he gently nipped at the inhibitor patch with his teeth before licking it.

A strong scent of pomelo filled the air, and as Huo Lanjing drew closer, he detected a faint, cold pine fragrance mingling within.

That was... an irreversible mark.

A flash of surprise passed through Huo Lanjing's eyes, even though he had always suspected that this person was indeed Luo Le.

Yet, the joy she felt upon learning that he was indeed Luo Le was indescribable.

It was truly him.

Chapter 73: This Seat Is Confused (End of Inverted V)

Running into Mo Ran unexpectedly, Xue Meng froze for a moment. This was the first time they had met since Mo Ran's imprisonment.

Recalling Xue Meng's defense of him in front of everyone, Mo Ran couldn't help but flash him a smile. However, Xue Meng was startled by this smile and showed a disgusted expression, gritting his teeth as he said, "What are you doing? What are you looking at?! There's nothing to see! Why are you smiling?! There's nothing funny!"

"…I was just greeting you."

"Disgusting!"

Mo Ran: "…."

His arrival interrupted Mo Ran's words. Shi Mo fell into thought for a moment but didn't press further. Instead, he smiled at Xue Meng and asked, "Young Master, who has provoked you this time?"

"Who else could it be? Who else?! So shameless! Ignorant of shame! Vile and despicable, lowly and obscene!"

Mo Ran sighed. "That doesn't rhyme."

"Mind your own business! If you have the ability, come at me!"

"Useless, useless, not an educated man," Mo Ran chuckled. "Well then, who's the culprit this time?"

Shi Mo smiled. "I bet it's Elder Brother Deity again."

"What kind of Elder Brother Deity! A beast! A lecher! How can he be so casual and not catch any venereal diseases?! I'd gladly sacrifice ten years of my lifespan to curse him with sores on his head and pus flowing from his feet, with a rotten nose and eyes – let's see who would still find him attractive then! This despicable, shameless, vulgar scoundrel..."

Mo Ran: "......"

Seeing Xue Meng about to launch into another endless tirade, Shi Mo hastily stopped him and pointed behind them, shouting, "Shh, look, the female cultivators who fancy Elder Brother Deity are coming!"

"Ah!" Xue Meng was startled, a hint of panic appearing on his usually arrogant face. He muttered an insult, "sensual and filthy," before darting away without looking back, truly resembling a dog whose master had just died. As he fled, he tried to save face by yelling, "I suddenly remembered an urgent matter – I'll take my leave first!"

Watching him disappear in a flash, Mo Ran said in surprise, "Wow, this Elder Brother Deity is quite something to scare him like that."

Shi Mo held back his laughter. "Ever since he accidentally ran into the guy at a tavern two days ago and got into a dispute, he's been like this. Looks like he's met his nemesis."

"I'm impressed. I must meet this person someday." Although Mo Ran said this, he had a good idea of who the 'Elder Brother Deity' was. Whoever could make Xue Meng hide like this had to be the person he suspected.

But now wasn't the time to watch Xue Meng's antics. In the Drunken Dew Pavilion, Xue Zhengyong and Xuan Ji had already arrived and were discussing the case of the eighteen murdered people with the owner of Peach Blossom Spring, a celestial from the Feathered clan.

The Immortal Feathered was nearly divine, her form surrounded by a gentle glow of spiritual light. Though she appeared to be a young maiden in the bloom of youth, no one knew her true age.

She was leisurely recounting the details of the situation to Xue Zhengyong when a servant entered and whispered, "Immortal, the person has arrived."

"Ask them to come in," Xue Zhengyong replied.

Mo Ran followed Shi Mo into the warm chamber, scanning the room and spotting Xue Zhengyong holding his famous scholar's fan as he conversed with someone. Immediately, he called out, "Uncle!"

"Child, child," Xue Zhengyong turned at the sound of his voice, his eyes lighting up as he hurriedly beckoned him over, patting his shoulder. "Come, sit beside your uncle..."

"I didn't kill anyone..."

"Of course not, of course not," Xue Zhengyong sighed repeatedly. "Who knows how this misunderstanding came about? The Immortal just told me everything. I've come here to find a way to clear your name, ah, heavens have mercy, look at how disheveled you are."

He led Mo Ran over, and Immortal Feathered made no move to stop them, simply observing the pair with a faint expression.

Mo Ran also greeted Elder Xuan Ji, then sat down next to Xue Zhengyong. What puzzled Mo Ran, however, was that Xuan Ji didn't immediately notice the absence of his disciple Xia Sini, only nodding at Mo Ran naturally.

It was instead Immortal Feathered who asked, "Huh? What about the other child? The one with the surname Xia?"

"Oh, right," Xuan Ji came back to his senses. "…Where's my disciple?"

Seeing that Mo Ran didn't seem concerned about Xia Sini, he was a bit displeased. "My junior brother is still in the Heavenly Prison. He asked me to convey his greetings to you."

"Mm-hmm." Xuan Ji nodded. "Why isn't he here?"

Mo Ran replied sulkily, "Cooking."

"…"

Xue Zhengyong was taken aback for a moment before bursting into laughter. "Cooking is more important than clearing his name?"

Xuan Ji also smiled. "Truly impetuous and capricious. After the meeting, I'll go take a look at him."

"No need. We still have to eat after the meeting," Mo Ran said. "If you want to interrogate him, do it quickly."

Xue Zhengyong then said, "Immortal, let's continue where we left off. You see, our sect has another elder skilled in alchemy. Before coming here, I specially asked him to refine several Child's Truth Pills."

"Child's Truth Pills?" The Immortal was slightly startled upon hearing this, tapping his rosy fingertips against his lips. "Are these the pills that can make mortals speak the truth?"

"Indeed."

The Immortal was slightly surprised. "The ingredients for this pill are complex and extremely difficult to refine. Even in my Peach Blossom Paradise, it would take no less than half a month to concoct it. I never expected that Immortal Lord's disciple would have such a talented Medicine Sect expert. Why didn't you bring him along?"

Xue Zhengyong explained, "He has an introverted nature and prefers not to travel with others." "The pill is already being refined and can be delivered by carrier pigeon to Peach Blossom Paradise within ten days. When the time comes, please inspect the pill's efficacy and administer it to my disciples. The truth will then come to light."

The Immortal pondered for a moment before nodding. "This method is feasible."

Xue Zhengyong sighed in relief and smiled. "In that case, I'll go retrieve my other disciple from the prison cave right away."

"Wait."

"What's the matter?"

The Immortal said, "Before the truth is revealed, Mo Weiyu and Xia Sini are still suspects. Even with Lord Zun's guarantee, I cannot release them both without constraint."

Upon hearing this, Xue Zhengyong snapped his fan shut with a loud clap. A smile lingered on his face, but his gaze had turned chilly. "Immortal, your actions seem rather unjust."

The Feathered Immortal lifted his gaze, his scarlet eyes fixing onto him. "Does Lord Zun Xue have an issue with my decision?"

"Yes, since both my disciples have not been convicted and are under the watchful care of Elder Xuan Ji and myself, what is the reasoning behind Immortal's continued insistence on imprisoning them?"

"Not exactly imprisonment," the aloof Immortal corrected. "I haven't mistreated them; their daily provisions have never been interrupted. I've merely restricted their movements, which isn't excessive."

Xue Zhengyong's smile had turned cold.

"How is it not excessive? As far as I know, that dungeon lacks sunlight and moonlight, meant for confining convicted criminals. For Immortal to casually dismiss it as not excessive with a mere flick of the tongue, that takes quite some audacity."

A Feathered tribesman nearby immediately interjected sternly, "Lord Xue, please watch your words!"

"What's the matter? Have I said something inappropriate? I haven't insulted your esteemed Immortal, only spoke the truth without unnecessary courtesy. That's hardly excessive."

The Feathered Immortal grew more agitated at Xue Zhengyong's response. "You—!"

A delicate, jade-like hand reached out and halted him. The Immortal looked up, offering Xue Zhengyong a cold smile. "I've heard rumors from the mortal realm that Lord Xue of Death and Life Peak is a learned man, though perhaps lacking in knowledge and skilled in rhetoric. However, upon meeting you today, I find those rumors to be misleading. Lord Xue, your argument is quite compelling."

Xue Zhengyong returned a faint smile, devoid of warmth. "I'm just an unrefined person, Immortal. Please don't take offense."

The Feathered Immortal chuckled, picking up an orange and peeling it meticulously before holding it out to Xue Zhengyong. "Then let us compromise. It's impossible to grant them complete freedom, but it's indeed improper for them to remain in prison. I will have Xia Sini released immediately, while Mo Weiyu and Xia Sini will reside in the High Heaven Pavilion, a place for entertaining guests. However, I must assign someone to keep a close eye on them, ensuring they don't leave the pavilion. How does that sound?"

Xue Zhengyong fell silent for a moment before raising his hand to receive the orange that hung suspended in mid-air.

Despite being a place for guests, High Heaven Pavilion did not often see visitors. Thus, it had been deserted for a long time. Since the Immortal had agreed to let them settle here first, Mo Ran decided to tidy up the premises himself. Once he was done, he would fetch Chu Wanning.

Xue Zhengyong and Xuan Ji still had important matters to discuss, so under the watchful eyes of a few Feathered, Mo Ran accompanied Shi Mo to High Heaven Pavilion.

Located in the northwest of Peach Blossom Spring, the pavilion was surrounded by lush flowers and a picturesque landscape.

"It's a lovely place. Living here wouldn't be an injustice," Mo Ran said with a grin.

Shi Mo sighed. "How could it not be? You didn't kill those people, yet they're blaming the innocent. It's a shame Master can't come. If he were here, he'd use Heavenly Inquiry to question you, and there'd be no need for Red Child Pills to reveal the truth."

"Haha, Shi Mo thinks too simply. Heavenly Inquiry is a divine weapon, capable of extracting the truth, but its effectiveness depends on whether the user has the intention to interrogate. Do you think those bird people would allow my Master to question me? Would they believe him?"

"…That's true."

As twilight approached, Mo Ran started cleaning the house, with Shi Mo assisting him.

It was peculiar. After finishing the cleaning and taking a moment to rest with a cup of tea, Mo Ran realized that he wasn't secretly delighted at the chance to be alone with his junior disciple sister nor did he entertain any romantic thoughts.

This realization left Mo Ran momentarily speechless, almost causing him to choke on his tea.

His junior apprentice brother jumped in surprise. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing." Mo Ran waved his hands hastily, inwardly groaning.

Could it be that from practicing with Chu Wanning for so long, he had also become a paragon of self-restraint like Liu Xiaohui? Looking at this isolated High Heaven Pavilion, surrounded by no one but the swaying peach blossoms, if this were in the past, he would surely have first indulged in some affectionate moments with Shi Mo before getting down to business.

What was going on lately? He was so detached and devoid of desire. This wasn't normal...

Scratching his head, Mo Ran met Shi Mo's gaze.

Their eyes locked, and Mo Ran broke into an honest, dimpled smile, endearingly charming. "The peach blossoms outside look beautiful. I'll pick a branch for you to take with you."

Shi Mo replied, "Plants have feelings too. Let them bloom peacefully on their branches."

"Ah... You're right. Yes, yes, I won't pick them then!"

Sitting in silence for a moment, Mo Ran tried desperately to think of something else to talk about, but he realized that with fewer opportunities to meet, there was actually nothing new to bring up.

Lifting his gaze, he noticed the fine beads of sweat on Shi Mo's forehead from helping him clean the quarters. Filled with compassion, Mo Ran took out a handkerchief from his sleeve and offered it to him.

"Use this to wipe your sweat."

"..." Shi Mo glanced down, seeing Mo Ran nervously clenching the handkerchief. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he softly said, "Thank you."

He accepted the handkerchief and gently dabbed at his forehead.

The fabric felt soft and delicate, made from the finest silk of silkworms. After using it, Shi Mo commented, "I'll take this back with me, wash it, and return it to you."

"Sure, sure, sure," Mo Ran hastily agreed, his fawning towards Shi Mo now instinctive and deeply ingrained. "If you like it, you can keep it."

Shi Mo chuckled. "That might not be appropriate. Look how well-made this handkerchief is..." As he spoke, he unfolded the cloth, preparing to smooth out any wrinkles and fold it neatly again.

But as his slender, fair fingers brushed against the freshly opened fabric, Shi Mo froze and softly exclaimed, "Huh?"

"What's wrong?"

Shi Mo paused, lifting his gaze with a smile. "Are you really giving me this handkerchief, Ah Ran?"

"If you like it, just take it. What's mine is yours," Mo Ran said generously.

A hint of enigmatic amusement flickered in Shi Mo's eyes. "Offering someone else's flowers to Buddha, aren't you afraid your Master will find out and punish you?"

"Huh?" This time, it was Mo Ran's turn to be taken aback. "What do you mean by offering someone else's flowers to Buddha? What does that have to do with my Master?"

"Look for yourself," Shi Mo said, his tone carrying an indiscernible nuance. "Such a large peony blossom, when did your Master ever give you this handkerchief?"