On the fifth day, Li Yu brought Xie Xihai’s package.
After bathing in the evening, Xie Xihai asked the maids to leave, and with half-damp hair hanging over his shoulders, he opened the package. Inside were several sets of clothes he had bought on the way.
The fabrics were rough and out of fashion, and Xie Xihai remembered the first time he wore these market-bought clothes; he had developed a rash all over his body. The next day, he couldn’t speak, and he reluctantly showed Sheng Lin the redness on his chest. Sheng Lin impatiently pushed him away, saying it was inappropriate in public and could tarnish their reputation.
Thinking back, Sheng Lin was simply a lecherous person. They were in a private room, not in public. How could it be inappropriate?
Xie Xihai looked around and picked up a set of deep purple clothes. He buried his face in it, trying to smell the dusty scent from the journey. Unexpectedly, the voice he had been yearning for came from behind.
“What are you doing?”
Xie Xihai was startled, almost falling down, and half of the clothes slipped off. He turned around in disbelief, his knees knocking against a low table, and the pain made his eyes teary.
Sheng Lin, dressed in black, leaned against the doorpost with a sword in his arms, watching Xie Xihai endure the pain by the table. He didn’t come over to help.
“Why are you so scared?” Sheng Lin asked again. He exuded a forest-like scent, as if he had crossed mountains and ridges. He held the sword with one hand, gazing down at Xie Xihai.
Xie Xihai felt like his heart was about to leap out of his chest. His face was as hot as being held over a stove, but he stammered, trying to appear calm, “Wh-what are you doing here?”
Sheng Lin placed his life-taking sword next to the door and said, “Is this place too precious for me to come?”
“I thought you went back to Hancheng,” Xie Xihai whispered.
He thought Sheng Lin wouldn’t go to Hancheng. He just wanted to hear Sheng Lin deny it, to hear Sheng Lin say he wouldn’t go to Hancheng or play chess without Xie Xihai. Seeing Sheng Lin made Xie Xihai feel alive again. He wished to share some of his favorite jokes with Sheng Lin and have a hearty laugh together. If Sheng Lin remained as unsmiling as ever, Xie Xihai would laugh on his behalf.
Upon hearing this, Sheng Lin put down the teacup, walked towards Xie Xihai, and, with folded arms, looked down at him sitting on the bed. “No.”
Xie Xihai blinked at Sheng Lin. Sheng Lin rarely explained himself, so Xie Xihai was surprised when he said, “I didn’t come to Jing for chess.”
“Then why did you come?” Xie Xihai asked.
After watching him for a while, Sheng Lin answered, “My father promised me that if I sent you to the capital, he wouldn’t force me into marriage.”
“Then, my father said you came for a chess game with my brother. You didn’t deny that, did you?” Xie Xihai’s eyes darted around, eager to clarify the situation.
“This matter is complicated,” Sheng Lin said.
“Why are you stupidly standing there?” Xie Xihai patted the bed next to him, saying, “Come and sit.”
Sheng Lin complied, and Xie Xihai made some room for him. Leaning against the bedpost, Xie Xihai sighed, “Ah, the great hero Sheng is also of marriageable age now. My brother is a few years younger, and the courtesans in the mansion are already too many to fit.”
Sheng Lin paused for a moment before agreeing, “It’s about time.”
Xie Xihai frowned and suddenly had an idea. He suppressed a smile and asked sweetly, “So, who are you getting married to?”
Seeing Sheng Lin’s silence, he placed his hands on the bed, propped his body up like a puppy, and begged, “Tell me.”
Sheng Lin stared at him, tugging at his hair. Xie Xihai had no choice but to move forward. He crawled a bit, and seeing Sheng Lin unmoved, he approached to rescue his hair from Sheng Lin’s hands. Taking advantage of Sheng Lin’s non-anger, Xie Xihai changed the topic, saying, “Go and find out how Hancheng is doing for me.”
Sheng Lin replied in an unchanged tone, “Wasn’t I going to find Xie Xilin? I don’t have the time.”
Unable to resist, Xie Xihai got closer to Sheng Lin. He extended his hands to hook around Sheng Lin’s neck, bringing his face closer and softly saying in Sheng Lin’s ear, “You’re not allowed to go find Xie Xilin. Not now, not ever.”
Wrapped closely around Sheng Lin, almost hanging onto him, Xie Xihai’s sweet breath brushed against Sheng Lin’s cheek. It felt like he wanted to capture every bit of Sheng Lin’s essence. Then, in a seductive manner, he continued speaking incomprehensible words to Sheng Lin.
“Why?” Sheng Lin grabbed Xie Xihai’s arms, allowing him to get close but preventing him from moving away. It seemed like he wanted to observe Xie Xihai’s expression up close. Xie Xihai, feeling a bit shy, lowered his head. Sheng Lin pinched his chin, forcing him to lift it. Tempting him further, Sheng Lin asked, “Why can’t I go find him?”
“Yeah, why?” Xie Xihai pretended to be clueless, avoiding answering Sheng Lin’s question.
After holding him for a while, Sheng Lin let go and said, “Today, I received a letter from my master.”
“I was just about to ask you what you’ve been doing these days. Why did you come so late? I’ve been getting mossy from boredom,” Xie Xihai said. “How about you tell me what you’ve been up to these days?”
“I went to inquire about some news in Hancheng; everything seems normal. However, the palace has been in chaos for a while,” Sheng Lin briefly informed Xie Xihai about the situation in the palace.
Four years ago, for some reason, Emperor Xie Hangyan invited a Daoist who was said to be over eight hundred years old and well-versed in the secrets of eternal life. Emperor Xie Hangyan quickly became obsessed with cultivation, desiring immortality. The Daoist built a large alchemy furnace in the palace, feeding Emperor Xie Hangyan with strange elixirs daily. Over time, Emperor Xie Hangyan transformed into his current state.
Half a year ago, Emperor Xie Hangyan received information from secret reports about a potential rebellion led by the King Ning. It was this Daoist who suggested that the King Ning send his heir as a hostage. Emperor Xie Hangyan, consumed by his pursuit of immortality, rarely attended court sessions, and chaos ensued in the government. Unscrupulous officials took advantage of the situation, imposing new taxes for their own gain, and the country suffered.
Strangely, Emperor Xie Hangyan’s numerous sons had died one after another. The consorts who were pregnant also gave birth to unknown outcomes.
Yesterday, Sheng Lin received a letter from his master, stating that he should not rush back and should take care of Xie Xihai in the capital. Sheng Lin was expected in the capital on June 23, and he would need Sheng Lin’s help at that time.
Sheng Lin followed his master’s instructions and visited Xie Xihai that night, as requested.
Xie Xihai listened and felt a bit unhappy, saying, “You only came because your master told you to, didn’t you?”
Sheng Lin looked at him, a faint smile on his lips, “Do you want to see me that badly?”
“Not really,” Xie Xihai cleverly caught Sheng Lin’s hand, “I thought you missed me so much that you wanted to see me every day.”
“Is that so?” Sheng Lin let him hold his hand, neither confirming nor denying.
“Your master said you can come and accompany me whenever you’re free, right?” Xie Xihai lowered his head, looking at Sheng Lin’s hand as they clasped, and after the first sentence, he paused for a long time before speaking the truth, “I miss you when I don’t see you for a day.”
As soon as he said that, Xie Xihai felt his whole body heat up, but he had already said it, so he decided to say even more, “I can’t sleep well when you’re not around.”
Sheng Lin didn’t speak. He gently touched Xie Xihai’s cheek with his hand. Xie Xihai lowered his head and continued, “So, you should come and be with me more often.”
“What do you think I’m here for?” Sheng Lin asked in a low voice, lifting Xie Xihai’s face and looking deeply into his eyes.
“Isn’t it to discuss matters with me?” Xie Xihai said softly, opening his eyes slightly.
“Xie Xihai, stop pretending,” Sheng Lin pinched Xie Xihai’s face, saying ruthlessly, “You know very well, don’t you? Even if you don’t want me to accompany you, I want to be with you.”
Xie Xihai finally smiled, pursing his lips, showing a hint of white teeth, “Yes, yes, I want you to be with me.”
He looked at Sheng Lin, afraid to reveal too much of his affection, although it seemed like he had already revealed too much.
In fact, the two were very familiar with each other’s bodies, but they had never confessed to each other. If Sheng Lin had a hundred good qualities, Xie Xihai only had average qualities. He thought about it but didn’t understand what Sheng Lin liked about him. Generally, liking someone seemed so unreasonable.
Xie Xihai also liked Sheng Lin unreasonably.
Allowing Sheng Lin to get close, Xie Xihai’s body heated up as Sheng Lin’s lips chased his. After a while, Sheng Lin took the lead, pressing Xie Xihai onto the bed and kissing him passionately.
Xie Xihai was already not wearing much, and with a casual pull from Sheng Lin, Xie Xihai’s clothes opened. Sheng Lin squeezed the protrusion on his chest, and Xie Xihai couldn’t help but gasp. Sheng Lin lowered his head, covering Xie Xihai’s mouth, suppressing all his sounds.
After playing with Xie Xihai for a while, Sheng Lin let go and told him, “There are still people outside.”
Xie Xihai was startled, “Then, what about you…”
“I’ve pointed out the sleeping points of the two guarding outside the door,” Sheng Lin lifted Xie Xihai’s waist, stroking his tender back, pressing him down, and whispered in his ear, “Don’t be too loud, or you’ll wake them up.”
Being told by Sheng Lin, Xie Xihai dared not make any sound. But the delicate moans seemed to make Sheng Lin’s movements even more intense.
With Sheng Lin’s legs holding Xie Xihai open, Sheng Lin’s fingers, coated with ointment, moved in and out of him. Without the aphrodisiac effect, the sensation of his fingers rubbing against the inner walls was much stronger than the previous two times. Xie Xihai, ashamed, turned his head to the side, closed his eyes, unable to see anything, but his body became more sensitive.
Sheng Lin used his fingers to stretch him open, pressing on the sensitive areas that Xie Xihai remembered. Every touch made Xie Xihai feel a tingling sensation from his tailbone to his chest. His fair thighs trembled slightly, and biting his lips, he looked at Sheng Lin with a hint of watery eyes, scolding him, “Don’t touch randomly.”
Staring at him, Sheng Lin was momentarily stunned. Xie Xihai felt a hard and hot object against him.
He subconsciously looked down, but Sheng Lin’s clothes were still intact, covering Xie Xihai’s lower abdomen. Xie Xihai couldn’t see anything but felt that the object was slowly entering his body, spreading apart every inch of him unreasonably, intruding without reason, making Xie Xihai ache to the point of almost unbearable. Tears quickly filled his eyes and slid down his cheeks into his hair.
“It hurts…” Xie Xihuai cried softly with a soft voice, but felt that the thing inside his body was a little harder. He immediately closed his mouth and did not dare to speak anymore.
Sheng Lin pushed all the way in and slowly began to twitch. Xie Xihuai almost fainted from him. He was pushed by Sheng Lin in a daze. His hands were on Sheng Lin’s shoulders. He felt Sheng Lin’s eyes staring at him. Xie Xihuai turned his head again, not wanting to take advantage of Sheng Lin.
The hard object inside his body moved faster and faster, pulling out and then pushing in. Xie Xihuai got used to having his head spread open for so long, and the ointment in his body was rubbed into oil by Sheng Lin’s hot giant object. The same thing made his insides soft and slippery. Gradually, Xie Xihuai felt less pain and more indescribable pleasure.
The bed made a soft shaking sound, which made Xie Xihuai nervous for a while. The thing in front of him that had been limp due to pain stood up again. As Sheng Lin pushed forward, it rubbed against the hem of Sheng Lin’s clothes. Suddenly, a hand pinched Xie Xihuai. Sheng Lin used his hand to serve Xie Xihuai’s front and stabbed him diligently in the back. Xie Xihuai was still his opponent. After a while, he clamped Sheng Lin tightly and spit out some thick liquid from the front.
When Sheng Lin arrived, it was around Rooster Hour (5-7 PM), but by the time he withdrew from Xie Xihai’s body, it was already close to Midnight Hour (11 PM – 1 AM).
Xie Xihai’s face was smeared with tears, his eyelashes still moist, and his lips reddened from Sheng Lin’s actions. His body looked battered, as if he had undergone some intense torture.
Sheng Lin held him and cleaned him up. Xie Xihai felt Sheng Lin’s fingers moving behind him, and something uncontrollable seemed to flow out, leaving a mess between his buttocks. His eyes turned red with embarrassment. He scolded Sheng Lin for not hurrying up, but his legs inadvertently pressed against Sheng Lin’s crotch, and the tormenting thing that made him cry non-stop seemed to have become hard again.
Xie Xihai had no choice but to close his mouth, pretending not to know anything, letting Sheng Lin wipe him clean and cover him with a blanket.
Standing at the edge of Xie Xihai’s bed, Sheng Lin, who Xie Xihai thought would join him for sleep, unexpectedly straightened his clothes and prepared to leave.
“Sheng Lin!” Xie Xihai hurriedly called him, “Where are you going?”
Sheng Lin turned around, saying, “It’s late. You should rest well.”
“You, you, you!” Xie Xihai tried to sit up, propping himself up on the bed edge. However, without paying attention, he slipped forward. Fortunately, he didn’t realize it, and Sheng Lin pressed him back.
Xie Xihai grabbed Sheng Lin’s hand, questioning him, “You made me like this and now you want me to sleep alone?”
Sheng Lin felt a bit helpless. He coaxed Xie Xihai in a low voice, “I can’t sleep well without you.”
Xie Xihai stared at him for a while before saying, “Fine, go then, go.”
Sheng Lin sighed almost inaudibly, wrapped Xie Xihai’s thin blanket around him, blew out the candle, widened his clothes, and lay down beside Xie Xihai.
Xie Xihai, without clothes, pressed himself against Sheng Lin. Eventually, the two kissed again. Xie Xihai willingly responded to Sheng Lin’s kisses, legs entangled with Sheng Lin’s, paying no attention to whether they might disturb someone outside.
When Xie Xihai woke up, Sheng Lin had already left.
In a haze, he vaguely remembered agreeing to something with Sheng Lin last night. Upon closer thought, he couldn’t recall anything. Holding the blanket, he thought for a while, and the soreness in his body confirmed that Sheng Lin had indeed been there. He grumbled at himself for not asking Sheng Lin if he would come again tonight.
Would he come again?
Xie Xihai thought about all sorts of things, casually threw on a robe, and went for a bath.
On this evening, inside Wan’an Inn located to the south of the capital, Sheng Lin sat in the reserved elegant compartment, sipping tea. Before long, Jixiu arrived.
He wore a Daoist robe, with a white beard and eyebrows, exuding an ethereal and immortal aura. Seating himself beside Sheng Lin, he poured a cup of tea for himself, drank it all, and then asked, “How is the Crown Prince now?”
Seeing Sheng Lin looking at him, Jixiu continued, “I know you and him don’t get along well. This time, letting you escort him to the capital is a test of your patience.”
Sheng Lin put down the tea cup, glanced at him, and ambiguously responded with a “Hmm.” Jixiu, understanding his taciturn nature, continued, “After you lend me a hand to rescue the Crown Prince, once this matter is settled, I won’t bother you anymore. You can go wherever you want.”
“Rescue Xie Xihai?” Sheng Lin looked at Jixiu and asked in a low voice.
“This matter is a long story, and it’s not that I wanted to keep it from you. It’s Sister who said not to let you know too much, so I didn’t mention it,” Jixiu sighed before continuing, “I don’t know if you remember or not, but I have a younger sister.”
“I’ve heard Master mention her,” Sheng Lin said.
Jixiu filled his tea cup and slowly began to recount the story.
His younger sister was none other than Shang Ling.
When Shang Ling was born, an eminent scholar of divination among their acquaintances claimed that her destiny required her to stay away from home and practice martial arts. Thus, she was sent to the Wenhé Sect. Externally, she was known as Miss Shang, never leaving her boudoir.
Shang Ling adopted the name Jixiu and lived in the Wenhé Sect for over a decade.
During her adolescent years, she encountered Ning Wang, who was casually traveling outside the mountains. The two fell in love at first sight. Fearful that Ning Wang, upon knowing her martial arts background, might harbor some resentment, she deliberately concealed this part of her past. She only said that she was from the Shang family. Even after they got married and had Xie Xihai, Ning Wang remained oblivious to the fact that she was a disciple of the Wenhé Sect.
Shang Ling and Sheng Lin had some additional connections. When Sheng Lin’s mother was pregnant with him, she was abducted by a group of bandits while visiting her family.
The Sheng family was a well-known wealthy family in the Central Plains, and Sheng Lin’s mother, feeling at ease near her family, didn’t bring many guards. The bandits were well-prepared and, despite the guards fighting bravely, they were about to lose their lives. Fortunately, Shang Ling and several disciples of the Wenhé Sect happened to pass by, rescued the mother and son, and formed a bond between the Sheng family and the Wenhé Sect.
Later, Jixiu, recognizing Sheng Lin’s extraordinary aptitude, and considering the connection between him and his little sister, took Sheng Lin as his only disciple.
This time, Ning Wang agreed to send Xie Xihai to the capital, intending to set fire to the place where Xie Xihai was residing, causing his death inside. This would serve as the pretext for raising troops in the capital, demanding an explanation from the emperor.
A highly regarded advisor of Ning Wang suggested dividing the forces into two groups to prevent Xie Xihai from meeting with misfortune halfway. The reasoning made sense to Ning Wang, and thus, he simultaneously sought the emperor’s approval and enlisted skilled individuals from the martial world.
Shang Ling, upon hearing the news from an unknown source, hurriedly came to seek Jixiu’s help, hoping his disciple could assist in escorting Xie Xihai to the capital.
Jixiu found that he couldn’t persuade Sheng Lin, so he sought the help of Sheng Manor again. When the lord of Sheng Manor learned that Shang Ling’s son was involved, he readily agreed and helped Jixiu convince Sheng Lin.
After Ning Wang informed Xie Xilin about finding skilled individuals to escort Xie Xihai to the capital, Xie Xilin also paid attention. With his own selfish motives, he thought Xie Xihai might still have a way back. He wanted to eliminate his troublesome brother and believed that facing successive challenges from an expert like Sheng Lin would be difficult for Xie Xilin.
The employers of the assassins on this journey included enemies of Ning Wang who were deceived, as well as Xie Xilin and his mother.
Shang Ling arranged for Jixiu and Xie Xilin to have a chess game. Xie Xilin happily agreed, and Jixiu, accompanied by Sheng Lin, went to meet him.
Upon Jixiu’s introduction of his beloved disciple, Xie Xilin indeed fell into the trap. Jixiu allowed him to win a game, promising to fulfill one of Xie Xilin’s conditions. Xie Xilin then requested Sheng Lin to escort his brother to the capital.
Sheng Lin’s reputation with the Wandering Sword was well-known. When Ning Wang heard that Sheng Lin had agreed, he was so pleased that he drank a few extra cups that evening, feeling confident that the throne was within his grasp.
After hearing all this, Sheng Lin asked Jixiu, “Why did the Queen want to keep it from me?”
Jixiu smirked and said, “She wanted Xie Xihai to experience some hardships and learn a lesson. If you knew everything, it’s possible you might have warned Xie Xihai, and he, in turn, might have faced the situation calmly, wasting all her efforts.”
Seeing Sheng Lin nodding without objection, Jixiu sighed, “In my opinion, my little junior sister is overthinking. I don’t know about you, but the young prince has probably suffered quite a bit on this journey.”
“He has suffered quite a bit,” Sheng Lin replied with lowered eyes.
“It’s also making it difficult for you. I’ve heard my little junior sister talk about him. It seems he’s a pampered young master who has never experienced the trials of the mortal world,” Jixiu said. “If you’re unwilling, I can take him back to the Wenhé Sect myself.”
Sheng Lin remained silent, and Jixiu continued to inquire about their journey. Sheng Lin briefly answered, and as it was getting late, they finished their tea. Jixiu and Sheng Lin returned to their rooms in the inn.
After loosening his clothes, Jixiu suddenly remembered that Sheng Lin seemed to have reached the ninth level of the Wandering Sword. He hurriedly went out and, forgetting the reason, was surprised to find Sheng Lin standing in his night attire near the table, seemingly ready to go out.
Not understanding Sheng Lin’s intentions, Jixiu asked in surprise, “Where are you going so late?”
“To the palace,” Sheng Lin replied, with the Wandering Sword strapped to his back.
“Why are you going to the palace?” Jixiu still didn’t grasp Sheng Lin’s meaning.
Sheng Lin only replied with “I have an appointment” and left. Jixiu was left standing in place, wondering if Sheng Lin had taken an interest in some palace maid.
