Translator: transcendentwings
Meng Chongguang lightly pressed against his upper lip with his thumb as if he were reminiscing and preserving the soft touch of brushing against Xu Xingzhi’s lips just now.
Xu Xingzhi saw his savoring look, fearing that he would mess around again, he scolded the other in a low voice: “Go back.”
Meng Chongguang reached out and took away the cup that Xu Xingzhi used to drink just now and found the shallow water stains left by the wine, tilted the copper cup backwards and overlapped the place where Xu Xingzhi lip’s touched, partaking of the residual half of wine left inside. After he finished drinking, he hid the cup in his palm again: “Shixiong, do you still have anything to say to Jiu Zhideng-shixiong?”
Without waiting for Xu Xingzhi to answer, Meng Chongguang answered for him: “. . . Then I’ll return to the hall and wait for Shixiong. Shixiong has already drunk enough today, so don’t drink any more.”
Xu Xingzhi: “. . .”
Meng Chongguang didn’t give Xu Xingzhi any time to interject before he pressed persistently: “When will Shixiong come back?”
Having been messed around by this little brat, Xu Xingzhi had the misconception that he was a young wife who was caught and forced kissed by her husband, which felt quite funny.
He questioned back: “When do you want me to return?”
“Come back right away. Run back.” Meng Chongguang answered bluntly, “Once I depart from this door, I hope to see Shixiong on the bed as soon as I return.”
Xu Xingzhi lifted his robes, even his slender lips were folded up in an unruly manner unbefitting of etiquette, though it still looked particularly pleasing to the eye: “En. I hear you, go ba.”
Meng Chongguang went out cheerfully.
From the beginning to the end, he didn’t even glance at Jiu Zhideng.
Xu Xingzhi wasn’t in a hurry to get up, he took the cup that Jiu Zhideng used to drink, topped it up and complained without hesitation: “Little rascal, he’s getting braver, daring to threaten me now.”
Jiu Zhideng was still standing stock still, his voice unbelievably hoarse: “Shixiong is going to leave now?”
Jealousy boiled away his originally peaceful heart that was as still as a lake, gradually revealing the ugly and unsightly rocks underneath.
“He wished.” Xu Xingzhi snorted, “I’m not heading back, let’s drink. If you don’t give him some attitude, he’ll really push his luck.”
Jiu Zhideng heard his own voice asking with difficulty: “Shixiong, are you and Meng Chongguang. . . cultivation partners?”
He was obviously aware of the answer, just like a drowning person who knew that the water would overflow and turn them into a floating mass of decaying flesh, yet he was still unwilling to accept it. In the end, savoring this transient reignited hope and expectation was also a type of happiness for Jiu Zhideng.
Shixiong, I’m begging you, please leave me a way out.
Give me a reason to continue living ba.
“What cultivation partner?” Xu Xingzhi’s expression looked a little awkward and his cheeks were flushed with a rarely seen blush as he held up the wine cup to cover it up, “. . . We haven’t told Shifu about it yet.”
Jiu Zhideng’s lungs spasmed, throbbing sharply and for a moment he forgot to exhale: “Why. . . Just why?”
Why him?
“I’m afraid of being scolded. It’s easy to confess to Shifu, it’s just that with Guangfu-jun. . .” Xu Xingzhi explained up to here then when he casually lifted his head, he was startled by the color of Jiu Zhideng’s face which was akin to a deceased person’s, “Xiao-Deng? What’s the matter?”
Jiu Zhideng didn’t know what kind of expression he should make, so he could only reveal the smile that he had practiced a hundred times in his spare time while facing a mirror, hoping that he could show this kind of smile to Xu Xingzhi when they saw each other next.
The corners of his lips curved upwards and he asked word by word: “Shixiong, are you aware that Meng Chongguang is a demonic spirit?”
Before this, Jiu Zhideng had never used such a cold and viscous tone and had never spoken badly about others behind their back.
However at this moment, he just wanted to see Shixiong’s shocked and angry expression when he found out that he had been deceived, as if this could make his broken and rapidly distorted heart feel better.
However, Xu Xingzhi only used three simple words to mercilessly tear off the scab that was crusted over the wound which acted as sorry consolation.
Xu Xingzhi was shocked and exclaimed: “. . . You know?”
At the beginning, Jiu Zhideng couldn’t comprehend these twowords.
When he understood, the invisible tide flooded over his mouth and nose, slowly tearing him apart from the inside, silently.
Shixiong. . . Already knew?
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Seeing that Jiu Zhideng also knew about this, Xu Xingzhi simply confessed and stated: “Do you still remember when I was the overseer of the Eastern Emperor Sacrificial Ceremony and I went to Lingqiu Mountain and brought back two Yingtiangchuan who caused trouble and met Chongguang?”
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“When those two disciples tried to snatch his floating jade fruit, I was already in the forest. I noticed a lot of demonic energy surging within the mountains, but wasn’t sure if it was Chongguang. He proposed to enter the sect, so I brought him back. After testing his spiritual root, Shifu confirmed that he was indeed a sprite and was also a heavenly sprite which is rarely seen in even a thousand years.”
“Shifu agreed to accept him because he was afraid that he would be left outside with no one to guide him and develop a disposition to commit crimes and misdeeds over time if he remained so. If he made trouble in the future, it would surely bring disaster upon the common folk.”
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Jiu Zhideng listened until his blood flowed in reverse and his throat felt itchy.
The reason why he didn’t dare to express his feelings to Shixiong so easily was because he himself had assumed that Shixiong’s so-called “all the cultivation paths are equal” were just words of comfort that he had told to him alone with no deeper meaning.
He didn’t dare get close, he was terrified, he was afraid that if he revealed his affections to Shixiong, the other would become like Ye-gong who liked dragons and ended up avoiding him in fear.
It was only now that he realized that the fool was actually himself.
How could he have misunderstood his Shixiong so much.
Shixiong was obviously not Ye-gong, because he had already found his beloved dragon.
In the past, Jiu Zhideng would always naively ask himself as a result of Xu Xingzhi doting on Meng Chongguang: In which way was he worse than Meng Chongguang? Virtue? Talent? Appearance? Or was it the extent of his heartfelt treatment towards Shixiong?
Why did Shixiong only treat Meng Chongguang more familiarly? Giving him kisses, pampering, cuddling, even sleeping on the same bed. . . How was he lacking in any way compared to Meng Chongguang?!
. . . Probably because of his origin ba. It must be because of his birthright.
What he saw and what he heard today made the last bit of hope he had die in his heart. He thought he would become hysterical, but his words were enunciated gently and calmly: “Shixiong, you’d better go back quickly, if Meng-shidi sees that you haven’t returned even after a long time, he’s going to cry again.”
. . . However, the fact was that if he were to look at Xu Xingzhi under these circumstances any further, he would be driven crazy by the longing and pain in his heart.
In fact, after Meng Chongguang came over to make a fuss, Xu Xingzhi couldn’t taste the wine in his cup anymore, and he would always be reminded of the sadness and shock he had felt when that child had stormed over to his doorstep in anger.
Ever since that kiss under the plum blossom tree with the moon as witness, this entire year had been taken over by Meng Chongguang chasing after him the whole time. Then ever since he developed feelings for the other, although he hadn’t officially agreed to accept him, it wasn’t really good of him to run over and drink with someone else without notifying him first.
Furthermore, at this moment, he heard Jiu Zhideng guess that Meng Chongguang would cry, making him feel even more flustered as he drained the wine in his cup in a flash. Rising to his feet, he queried: “When are you leaving?”
Jiu Zhideng answered in a dull manner: “Tomorrow morning.”
“You won’t stay for a few more days?”
“There are many affairs in the main palace. . .”
Xu Xingzhi revealed a slightly regretful expression and placed a hand on the other’s shoulder: “Whenever you pass the thunder tribulation for the Nascent Soul realm, send me a letter so that I may accompany you.”
Jiu Zhideng, who was torn bloody internally, resisted the pain as best he could to respond warmly: “Much appreciated, Shixiong.”
After making this promise and having been able to meet with Jiu Zhideng, who he had been fretting about day and night, Xu Xingzhi felt his heart settle down. Without any further misgivings, he crossed over the threshold, transformed Xianbi into a flying sword that could take flight at the speed of light and hopped on to it.
At that time, the moonlight was bright and clear and Jiu Zhideng stepped out to see the other off.
In every second that passed after returning to the main palace of the demonic sects, Jiu Zhideng was used to seeing all manners of people. If he found someone with a slight resemblance to Shixiong in the eyebrows or eyes, he would be delighted for two or three days, and even if it was just the way another held chopsticks in a method similar to that of Xu Xingzhi’s, he would be able to stare at that hand for the duration of a meal.
But when he finally departed from there, he was only faced with the scattered silhouette of Xu Xingzhi’s back as the other walked away.
. . . The other didn’t even turn back to look at him.
Jiu Zhideng retreated back into the guest hall and collapsed onto a chair.
After a while, he pulled out a decorative short dagger from his waist, drew the sleeve of his left arm up with his right hand and then pressed the extremely blunt tip of the knife against his left forearm.
Earlier when he divulged to Xu Xingzhi that Meng Chongguang was a demonic being, his despicable behavior in this matter made Jiu Zhideng, who had always been proud, almost feel as if it were unbearable.
He gripped the handle of the knife, then with the tip facing down, he exerted force slowly such that the gradual onset of pain could cover up various emotions.
After he put the blade away, Liu Yunhe pushed the door open and asked: “My Lord, is it your wish to leave today?”
Jiu Zhideng raised his sore red eyes, his mind was like a desert that experienced its first blizzard.
He murmured blankly: “. . . What did you say?”
It was rare for Liu Yunhe to see Jiu Zhideng in such a state. After some thought, he amended: “Want some wine? I’ll accompany you.”
Jiu Zhideng paused, then whispered softly: “. . . How much have you brought? Bring it all out ba.”
When Xu Xingzhi returned to the guest hall where he stayed for the night, he found that the door of the hall was locked.
Feeling exasperated and amused, he scolded “little scoundrel”, then plopped down on the steps by the door. Placing the paper bag in his hand off to the side, he called out loudly: “Chongguang, I just left the valley and bought you a bag of the crispy duck that you like.”
The hall was terribly quiet.
Xu Xingzhi deliberately crumpled the steaming paper bag making it crinkle with a hualala: “Shixiong will eat it for you to hear ah.”
The palace door behind him was jerked open suddenly and before Xu Xingzhi could turn his head back, he was embraced from behind.”
“A quarter of an hour. . .” Meng Chongguang felt so aggrieved that he had the heart to die, “It’s been a whole quarter of an hour. Shixiong, I missed you so much.”
Xu Xingzhi’s heart softened in response to the hug, and reached behind him to rub the other’s hair: “So fussy. It was only a quarter of an hour, it’s not like I wouldn’t have come back at all to sleep.”
Meng Chongguang exerted more strength in his arms: “. . . You dare to not come back!”
Xu Xingzhi teased him: “What will you do if I don’t return ah?”
Meng Chongguang stopped talking.
After a short while, there was a burst of warmth from the place where the other burrowed into Xu Xingzhi’s neck that made Xu Xingzhi’s scalp tingle.
“. . . F*ck me?” Xu Xingzhi couldn’t bear this and felt unbearably discomfited in his heart in an instant, “Ai. . . ai! Chongguang, don’t cry. . . Shixiong was wrong, didn’t I go buy you delicious food? After you left, I only stayed a moment longer and then exited the valley, really.”
The little pup who hadn’t yet weaned off milk bared its teeth and cried: “Briefly staying longer is also not allowed! That Jiu Zhideng harbors no good intentions for Shixiong!”
Xu Xingzhi felt his head throb.
How could he have speculated that Meng Chongguang and Jiu Zhideng were a couple in the past? Now it just seemed like the biggest joke in the world.
But the little pup still needed to be coaxed, especially people like Meng Chongguang who were especially wicked. Wiping away his tears, a thin layer still shimmered in his eyes as he took a small breath and side-eyed Xu Xingzhi with a hurt look which made Xu Xingzhi’s heart melt into a puddle.
He softly comforted: “Xiao-Deng isn’t that sort of person, don’t overthink it.”
Meng Chongguang hollered: “How is he not?! He touched Shixiong’s hand! I saw it!”
Xu Xingzhi: “. . .”
He scratched the area by his temple in vexation, then attempted to divert the other’s attention away from Jiu Zhideng: “Okay, fine, Shixiong was wrong. If I meet up with him in the future, I’ll inform you in advance first, okay?”
Meng Chongguang glared at him: “You still want to meet with him?”
The expression on Xu Xingzhi’s face changed: “Meng Chongguang, don’t push it ah. Even if it were your Shishu, who wanted to control who I wanted to have relations with, when have you ever seen me heed him before?”
Noticing that Xu Xingzhi was showing signs of anger, Meng Chongguang immediately softened his expression and voice, nuzzling against Xu Xingzhi pitifully: “But I’m jealous and feel stuffy in my heart. Shixiong, don’t you care?”
Seeing the other switch freely between expressions, Xu Xingzhi almost couldn’t hold back his bark of laughter.
He coughed and pretended to be stern as he lectured: “Meng Chongguang, reach out to your conscience. When have I ever left you to your own devices?”
Meng Chongguang blinked, looked down at his chest, then loosened his arms which were looped around Xu Xingzhi’s shoulders, then felt his way over to Xu Xingzhi’s front from the side, pulling apart the pajamas the other just pulled on.
His chest which was previously covered by clothes were exposed, revealing the distinct lines of his muscles while the glow of his skin became softer like porcelain under the beams of moonlight.
The two temperaments of innocence and cunning attained a strange sense of harmony on Meng Chongguang’s face: “Shixiong, help me touch it ba.”
Xu Xingzhi couldn’t hold back his snorts of amusement now: “Meng Chongguang, have some shame ah.”
Meng Chongguang pillowed on Xu Xingzhi’s two legs and acted coquettishly: “Having Shixiong is enough for me, what use would I have for dignity.”
After that, he peered at the paper bag placed beside Xu Xingzhi, his eyes lighting up: “What is this?”
“Last time I brought you to play near Qingliang Valley, you mentioned it and praised that it was delicious.” Xu Xingzhi dropped the paper bag that had been softened by the heat on Meng Chongguang’s stomach, “Eat ba.”
Meng Chongguang’s eyes brightened: “It’s been three years since Shixiong brought me to Qingliang Valley. . .”
“Has it been three years?” Xu Xingzhi frowned slightly, “Perhaps ba.”
Meng Chongguang tugged on Xu Xingzhi’s lapel: “I mentioned it casually three years ago and Shixiong still remembers it? Even I’ve forgotten.”
Xu Xingzhi’s face flushed crimson: “. . . So talkative. Eat quickly, it won’t taste good when it gets cold.”
Meng Chongguang opened his mouth slightly: “. . . Ah.”
Xu Xingzhi was indifferent: “Surnamed Meng, how old are you?”
The expression on Meng Chongguang’s remained unchanged: “Twenty-one.”
“Then do you know that in the mortal world, a man your age can pretty much be the father of two or three children already?”
Meng Chongguang brought his face closer to the side of Xu Xingzhi’s firm abdomen and suggested roguishly: “Then Shixiong give birth to some for me ya.”
Xu Xingzhi was completely helpless against this little brat as he snorted and ridiculed “just laze around to death” before ripping open the paper bag. He morphed “Xianbi” into fine cloth, wiped his hands clean, and tore the crispy and tender meat apart diligently before feeding it into Meng Chongguang’s mouth.
The moonlight was like jade, like pearls, like glimmering lights, like the sleet and snow. Xu Xingzhi sat on the steps washed by the moonlight with Meng Chongguang on his lap and drunken disciples were playing festive music, the sound traveling over from afar washing over everything, making it more distinct, more dazzling.
Yet in a different palace more than a hundred paces away, Jiu Zhideng had already used nearly one whole hour in order to sink himself into a drunken stupor.
Wine consumed while drowning in sorrow and melancholy was the most intoxicating, so Liu Yunhe picked Jiu Zhideng up, who was too inebriated to sit upright, and moved the other onto a soft divan. He took off the other’s half blood-soaked clothes and removed the other’s black high-top boots.
In the mere hour earlier, Liu Yunhe listened to Jiu Zhideng give an account of how well Xu Xingzhi treated him, replaced him in receiving punishment, took beatings in his place, and even suffered from a body-chilling condition because he had blocked the silver-ringed serpent seal for him and how the other still refused to take his clothes before an audience to this day and so on and so forth.
Liu Yunhe untied the other’s hair for him, letting the raven hair flow down the edge of the bed and then slowly massaged the other’s temples, his movements were considerate, but his words were full of malice: “My lord, don’t think about Xu Xingzhi any longer. He cultivates the way of immortality and is fundamentally not the same as demonic cultivation.”
“But Meng Chongguang is also a demonic being, why can he be with Shixiong. . .” Jiu Zhideng mumbled drunkenly, “If Shixiong is with him, how could Guangfu-jun agree to give him the seat of the Lord of Fengling Mountain? What is Shixiong to do in the future. . . Meng Chongguang is always selfish and never considered the impact on Shixiong’s future or reputation. . .”
Liu Yunhe leaned in close to him and murmured quietly into the other’s ear: “If he doesn’t become the leader of Fengling Mountain and just becomes a wandering cultivator, wouldn’t that be better?”
Jiu Zhideng gritted his teeth and squeezed out: “It’s impossible for him, there’s absolutely no chance. . . Guangfu-jun would never let him go. . .”
“. . . Why is that?” A hint of anticipation flashed in Liu Yunhe’s eyes, “Why, my Lord? Can you tell me about it?”
Jiu Zhideng squinted his eyes in an attempt to see the appearance of the person in front of him more clearly, but no matter how hard he tried, all he could capture was a shadowy phantom swaying in his field of view.
However, this shadow was the only one who was by his side when he was this frustrated.
The secret that had been buried in his heart for many years, similar to a wooden box that has been stored in a utility room for numerous years, no matter how strong it originally was, could not escape the fate of retting and would even press scars and festering ulcers onto the heart.
Usually one wouldn’t feel pain because of it, but at this time, any slight touch would cause heart-tearing pain to Jiu Zhideng.
“. . . I heard it.” Jiu Zhideng mumbled vaguely, “Back then. . . That year, Shixiong went to the main palace to deliver a letter to my mother for my sake and was later punished by the Xuanwu stick. After I learned of it, I wanted to go to Shishu to confess my crimes, but overheard Shifu and Shishu, they were, were discussing Shixiong. . .”
The author has something to say:
Guang-mei: testing the extent of Shixiong’s bottom line before he blows up.jpg
Jiu-mei: wipe away your tears, do not ask, just why.jpg
Author’s Chapter Summary:
Catching adulterers, drunk, crispy duck
The translator has something to say: XXZ is just way too oblivious and JZD is suffering from his unintentional displays of affection and given JZD’s personality, he wouldn’t let XXZ know until this emotional scar festers and he does something drastic
Update 2/2 for this week and I’ll try to push out two more chapters next week
香酥鸭 (xiāngshūyā) a traditional Sichuan dish
Thank You for the new chapter -ω(´•ω•｀)♡