*T/N: Smut is marked~
The last fifty miles were covered quickly. In no time, Xie Xihai could see the mist-shrouded Qingyi Mountain from the carriage.
Qingyi Mountain was extremely high, higher than any mountain Xie Xihai had ever seen, towering into the clouds. The highest peak was the main peak of Qingyun Mountain.
Upon reaching the mountainside, Sheng Lin stopped the carriage and said, “The carriage can’t go any further. We’ll ride horses to the rear mountain and use the cable car.”
“Is it far?” Xie Xihai, peeking out from the carriage with a soft blanket wrapped around him, asked Sheng Lin as he untied the rope from the carriage.
“Not far,” Sheng Lin untied the rope and led Xie Xihai down. “You’ll ride with me.”
Xie Xihai, not wanting to complain about his sore backside, obediently mounted the horse behind Sheng Lin. Sheng Lin’s chest was against his back, his arms wrapped around Xie Xihai, holding the reins. Sheng Lin whispered, “Are you stable?”
Xie Xihai whispered back that he was, and Sheng Lin flicked the reins, urging the horse forward.
As Xie Xihai bumped along on the horse, every turn made him lean outward. Sheng Lin supported him, likening him to a toy that never falls.
Annoyed, Xie Xihai intentionally leaned to the right, shifting his weight onto Sheng Lin’s hands. He heard Sheng Lin laugh behind him. The moments of relaxation on the horseback were short-lived. Xie Xihai relaxed, watching Sheng Lin’s well-defined hands holding the reins, and he covered them with his own.
“This should be more stable,” Xie Xihai said, looking back.
He remembered the night he and Sheng Lin left Hancheng. Sheng Lin had been close to him, riding the same horse.
Back then, Xie Xihai had left home for the first time, with desolate landscapes, dangers, and his feet kicking a bag containing a corpse. It was a frightening experience, approaching the mass grave like approaching death.
Months had passed unknowingly, and he and Sheng Lin had become very familiar. The imposing hero who forced him onto the horse in the backyard, once hesitant and breaking the rules for him, now carried him across the river and covered him in the carriage during rain.
Sheng Lin held Xie Xihai as if he were precious, unwilling to let him suffer. Xie Xihai lived somewhat in a daze, feeling uncertain about the future after leaving Shangling. He clung to every moment, wanting to argue with Sheng Lin more, just to cover up his worries and anxieties.
But he wasn’t entirely clueless. Recently, Xie Xihai often felt regret and remorse. He couldn’t help but wonder why he hadn’t met Sheng Lin earlier when there was still plenty of time.
If they had met when there was ample time, they could have walked the road to the capital many times, seen the lanterns many more times. Even if there were few people on the street with lanterns, Xie Xihai would want Sheng Lin not to let go of him.
It would be best if Sheng Lin’s hand was still warm, just like when they held hands for the first time, nervousness apparent.
The horse ran fast, passing by a stone stele that Xie Xihai couldn’t clearly see, but he vaguely saw a character engraved on it. Curiously, he turned to Sheng Lin and asked, “Is this your sect? I heard from the books that you belong to the Anhe Sect.”
Sheng Lin replied, “Anhe is in Wuling. Qingyi Mountain is where my master’s senior resides. I stayed here when I was young.”
Sheng Lin’s master uncle, Man Qu, was a renowned physician with a reputation that spread far and wide. Man Qu possessed exceptional medical skills, but his temper was eccentric. Those seeking medical help had to climb three thousand stone steps from the mountainside to the main gate of Man Qu’s mansion on Qingyi Mountain to demonstrate sincerity.
Man Qu’s disciples, however, used a cable car to ascend from the rear mountain. Sheng Lin took Xie Xihai directly to the rear mountain. Upon dismounting, two disciples guarded the cable car.
Not recognizing Sheng Lin, the two disciples initially tried to stop him. The one in white, with sharp eyes, possibly having heard many stories in tea houses at the foot of the mountain, noticed Sheng Lin’s sword and was momentarily stunned. “Sheng, Senior Brother Sheng! Why are you here?” he exclaimed.
Glancing at the hand holding Sheng Lin beside him, Xie Xihai, the disciple inquired, “Who is this?”
Looking at Sheng Lin, Xie Xihai saw Sheng Lin squeeze his hand, but before they could respond, the disciple in gray interrupted them, “Are you here to seek treatment?”
Sheng Lin gave him a glance before nodding.
Stepping forward, the disciple blocked their path, saying, “Those seeking treatment should use the stone steps.”
“Xiao Yue, let Senior Brother Sheng take his friend up with the cable car,” the disciple in white, carefree, patted the shoulder of the disciple in gray, who dodged the gesture.
“Master has ordered, regardless of status, if you want treatment, you climb the steps,” the disciple in gray insisted.
The disciple in white became anxious, “Why can’t you be flexible?”
Sheng Lin remained silent, and Xie Xihai, sensing trouble, promptly restrained Sheng Lin, intervening, “It’s alright, let’s just walk up. Fellow disciples should be more amicable.”
What’s the big deal about climbing a few stone steps? Xie Xihai wasn’t disabled.
The disciple in white glared at Xiao Yue, saying, “I’ll take you to the stone steps.”
Following the disciple in white, Xie Xihai pulled Sheng Lin along, lecturing him as if scolding a child, “You have quite the temper.”
The stone steps were not far from the rear mountain. The disciple in white stopped, not daring to speak to the stern-faced Sheng Lin. Instead, he said to Xie Xihai, “You can climb up from here.”
Xie Xihai looked up, seeing countless layers of endless stone steps. He was immediately shocked, “So high?”
“Three thousand steps,” Sheng Lin said with a cold expression.
Xie Xihai paused and honestly admitted, “I definitely can’t make it up there.”
The white-robed disciple, accustomed to seeing people seeking medical help, stood here on the forgotten steps with a sigh. However, the person in front of him was Sheng Lin, the senior brother of the Ask-Hey Sect whom he had admired since childhood. Despite feeling extremely embarrassed, he scratched his head and said to Xie Xihai, “It’s not that difficult to climb. It takes just over ten hours, and then—”
The white-robed disciple paused, his eyes widened as he stared at Sheng Senior Brother, who, according to rumors, was indifferent to everyone. Without uttering a word, Sheng Lin effortlessly lifted the seemingly healthy young man he brought along and headed towards the stone steps.
The young man showed no sign of resistance. Sheng Lin’s shoulders were broad, providing a solid barrier. The white-robed disciple couldn’t see the young man’s face, only a pair of slender white hands that circled around Sheng Lin’s chest. Afraid that Sheng Lin might put him down, the hands tightened around Sheng Lin’s neck.
Sheng Lin was adept at light skills, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye. The white-robed disciple stood below for a while before slowly walking back to the hanging ropes.
Xie Xihai, being carried by Sheng Lin, admired the passing scenery of lush pine and cypress trees. Just as he was about to compliment Sheng Lin, the most feared thing happened to him.
The excruciating pain struck without warning. Xie Xihai, who had a cheerful expression a moment ago, was now captivated by the overwhelming pain. His grip around Sheng Lin’s neck loosened, and he curled up, attempting to resist the pain flooding over him like a tide.
Sheng Lin immediately noticed Xie Xihai’s abnormality. He halted and placed Xie Xihai on the stone steps, gripping his hand. Xie Xihai’s hand was ice-cold, with fingertips twitching.
Xie Xihai found it difficult to furrow his brows; his lips turned pale. He half-opened his eyes, trying hard to steady his mind, but the pain engulfed him like a tidal wave.
The pain persisted for half an hour, but to Xie Xihai, it felt like more than half a year. This time, he didn’t faint, enduring the torture while soaked in cold sweat. When the pain finally subsided, he felt a tickle in his throat, spat out a mouthful of blood onto the stone steps.
Unable to even scream from the pain, Xie Xihai clutched Sheng Lin’s clothes. Tears welled up due to nausea, dripping into the almost brownish blood he had vomited.
As the blood seeped into the steps, Xie Xihai’s vision blurred. His heart raced, and only then did he have the strength to turn his head, wanting to see Sheng Lin. However, everything appeared unclear. In a trance, he felt Sheng Lin wiping the blood from the corners of his lips and lifting him up again, heading upward.
In less than half a joss stick’s burning time, they reached the entrance of the full pavilion.
The entrance to the Full Pavilion was painted in crimson, with two large bronze rings hanging on either side. The door was tightly closed, making it inconvenient for Sheng Lin to knock with Xie Xihai in his arms. As Xie Xihai improved slightly, he signaled Sheng Lin to put him down.
Sheng Lin glanced down at him, released Xie Xihai, who struggled to stand on his shaky legs. Luckily, Sheng Lin supported him, pulling him close.
Sheng Lin raised one of the bronze rings and knocked twice, but there was no response from inside.
“Perhaps they’ve gone for lunch,” Xie Xihai weakly guessed. He had several other thoughts, each with its own merits and reasoning, but his throat was dry, and he didn’t feel like explaining.
Sheng Lin withdrew his hand, and as Xie Xihai raised his head, he saw Sheng Lin slowly unsheathing his lifesaving sword, thrusting it through the middle of the door, and forcefully striking downward.
With a resounding “clang,” it seemed like something inside had been severed by Sheng Lin. He retracted the sword and sheathed it, then kicked the Full Pavilion’s door. It slowly opened, revealing two disciples standing inside, staring blankly at them.
Sheng Lin embraced Xie Xihai again, lowered his head, and said to one of the disciples, “I am Sheng Lin. Where is Master Man?”
Master Man was currently lecturing in the Longevity Hall, sharing the legendary story of his herbal trials in the barbarian lands with over twenty disciples when the door was pushed open.
Sheng Lin, his senior brother’s inner disciple, stood at the doorway, cradling someone in his arms.
“Sheng Lin?” Master Man allowed the disciples to read medical books on their own for a while, then walked over quickly. Seeing the person in Sheng Lin’s arms, he suddenly frowned, raised his hand to signal Sheng Lin to stop, and scrutinized Xie Xihai, whose complexion was gray. After a while, he asked Sheng Lin, “Is he poisoned?”
Sheng Lin nodded slightly.
Master Man pointed to the side door of the Longevity Hall and said, “Come, follow me this way.”
Master Man led Sheng Lin to the place where he usually treated patients, asked Xie Xihai to lie down, and examined his pulse, palpating for a while. His brows furrowed more and more.
Anxious, Xie Xihai watched as Master Man released his wrist. As soon as Master Man let go, Xie Xihai immediately asked, “Elder, is there any hope for me?”
“You…” Master Man paused before asking, “Are you Prince Ning’s son?”
Though Xie Xihai didn’t understand the relevance, he nodded.
“Did you use the Harmony-Seeking Heart Technique to dispel the poison for him?” Master Man turned to Sheng Lin, anger and astonishment evident in his expression. His voice grew louder, “This is absurd… too absurd!”
Ignoring Master Man’s reprimand, Sheng Lin, the calmest of the three, briefly explained the incident of Xie Xihai’s intense pain and blood vomiting. He then asked Master Man, “Has Xie Xihai been poisoned by something else?”
“Your Harmony-Seeking Heart Technique is the poison,” Master Man slammed the table, his voice rising, “The Harmony-Seeking Heart Technique is the most yang-focused skill, and you’ve cultivated it to the eighth level. Meanwhile, the Harmony-Seeking Heart Technique is extremely yin, and when the yin and yang clash in his body, it causes severe pain… Nonsense! Any man under the heavens who comes to dispel poison for him would be better than you!”
Xie Xihai took a look at Sheng Lin, whose face had turned blue, and felt a sense of urgency. He quickly spoke up in defense of Sheng Lin, “In the wilderness, where else could he find someone? It’s not his fault.”
Unexpectedly, Sheng Lin’s expression darkened even more upon hearing Xie Xihai’s words. He grabbed Xie Xihai’s hand and coldly questioned him, “If not in the wilderness, whom were you planning to find?”
Xie Xihai shrank back, touching Sheng Lin’s hand and trying to pacify him, “I was just saying… you know, just speculating. You don’t really know.”
“Stop arguing,” Master Man impatiently interrupted them. After a few more words about “nonsense,” he turned to Xie Xihai and asked, “How many days have passed since your first poisoning attack?”
Before Xie Xihai could answer, Sheng Lin spoke, “More than five days.”
“…” Master Man looked helpless, waved his sleeve, and said, “Alright, go to the backyard for now.”
“Can’t he be treated now?” Sheng Lin inquired.
Master Man looked at Sheng Lin and stood up. He opened the door, letting a disciple outside take Xie Xihai to the backyard. Then he said to Sheng Lin, “Stay, your senior uncle has something to tell you.”
Xie Xihai didn’t want to leave immediately. He glanced at Sheng Lin and discussed with Master Man, “Can I wait for him outside?”
Sheng Lin raised his hand to tidy up Xie Xihai’s somewhat disheveled hair before saying to the disciple, “Xie Xihai is not feeling well. Take him outside to find a place to sit and rest.”
Xie Xihai obediently left. Master Man, free of concerns, turned to Sheng Lin with a stern expression, “He is Xie Xihai! Didn’t your master instruct you to take good care of him? How did he end up being poisoned with the Harmony-Seeking Heart Technique?”
Seeing Master Man’s anger rising, Sheng Lin explained the situation briefly and then asked, “Can’t his pain be alleviated?”
Master Man sighed before saying, “The pain caused by the clash of yin and yang can only be naturally alleviated by his body. After experiencing the pain three to five more times, it should subside.”
“Oh, by the way,” ignoring Sheng Lin’s grim face, Master Man continued, “Three days after the poisoning attack, the Harmony-Seeking Heart Technique’s gu worms entered a dormant period. We’ll need to wait until the next attack for the poison to be fully expelled. Senior uncle’s suggestion is, if the young master agrees, to find a new disciple or someone non-martial within our sect to undergo the procedure—”
“Senior uncle,” Sheng Lin interrupted Master Man’s rambling. He looked at Master Man with a cold and indifferent expression, yet it carried a chilling murderous intent.
Master Man suddenly fell silent, sensing the deep meaning in Sheng Lin’s eyes.
Sheng Lin’s attitude towards Xie Xihai was vastly different, and Master Man should have noticed it long ago. In the desolate wilderness, unable to find someone else? If Sheng Lin truly didn’t want to, he wouldn’t have to. The silent youth who once visited his Full Pavilion had grown into a tall swordsman, now with someone he admired and shared intimate moments with, how could he allow anyone else to touch him?
“But if it has to be you, Young Master Xie…” Master Man spoke halfway, feeling the unusual sword aura emanating from Sheng Lin. It was too strong to be from someone at the eighth level of the Harmony-Seeking Heart Technique. Master Man tried to check Sheng Lin’s pulse, but Sheng Lin brushed him away.
“I reached the ninth level when I dispelled the poison for him,” Sheng Lin admitted.
Master Man stared at Sheng Lin in disbelief. After a moment, he sighed and said, “Well… it has to be you then. The ninth level of the Harmony-Seeking Heart Technique is too yang-focused, absorbing the yin energy of the Harmony-Seeking Heart Technique’s gu worms. Only your essence and blood can keep them alive. If someone else were to do it, they probably couldn’t cure the young master’s poison.”
“If I dispel the poison for him again, will his pain intensify?” Sheng Lin furrowed his brows, questioning Master Man.
Shaking his head, Master Man replied, “Since you are already at the ninth level, the young master’s pain shouldn’t worsen. If the poison is dispelled, perhaps he won’t experience pain again.”
Seeming to breathe a sigh of relief, Sheng Lin nodded.
Looking at Sheng Lin, Master Man hesitated for a while before advising, “Ah Lin, can’t it be someone else? Why does it have to be him? If the young master’s mother finds out, how will your master explain?”
Sheng Lin raised an eyebrow and looked at Man Qu, asking, “Was it his mother who entrusted it to my master?”
“You don’t know?” Man Qu was also surprised.
“My master and my father only mentioned that it was a request from an acquaintance,” Sheng Lin replied.
Sheng Lin’s master hadn’t instructed him to treat Xie Xihai well, just to get him to the capital alive. Thinking about the letter Xie Xihai sent but received no response, doubts arose in Sheng Lin’s mind.
“In that case, don’t say it was your senior uncle who leaked the information,” Man Qu quickly remedied, forcing Sheng Lin to nod impatiently before letting him go. He continued to advise Sheng Lin persistently, “In fact, even if we don’t say anything, the young master won’t disclose it himself. No one will know that he was once poisoned with the Harmony-Seeking Heart Technique. Listen to my advice; there are so many good people in the world, why choose someone so special?”
Sheng Lin fell silent for a long time before saying, “It’s up to him entirely. I have to follow his wishes.”
With the matter settled, Sheng Lin walked over and opened the door. Xie Xihai, who found a small stool from somewhere, sat at the door, cracking sunflower seeds with Man Qu’s disciple. Seed shells were scattered all around.
Xie Xihai was enthusiastically telling the disciple a story about the Snowfall Sword technique, and the disciple was listening with great interest. Xie Xihai’s voice was somewhat hoarse, making the story sound even more exciting. He was even moved to tears by the fabricated tale.
“The old lady picked up a roasted chicken and gave it to me and Sheng Lin, saying she would never forget our kindness. Then the young master and I set out again,” Xie Xihai concluded his story. Turning around, he saw Sheng Lin and Man Qu standing behind him. He casually handed some sunflower seeds to Sheng Lin and grabbed another handful for himself, “Take these for me. I’ll eat them when I get back to my room.”
“Take all of them, young master,” the disciple said enthusiastically, handing over a bag of sunflower seeds to Xie Xihai. “I’ll buy more when I go down the mountain tomorrow.”
Xie Xihai politely declined a few times but eventually accepted the bag. Holding the seeds with one hand and calling Sheng Lin to follow with the other, he went to the backyard with the disciple.
The disciple who gave sunflower seeds to Xie Xihai was named Man Li. Man Li was good at many things, but he lacked the ability to judge the situation.
He arranged two rooms for Xie Xihai and Sheng Lin, which were quite far apart. Xie Xihai and Sheng Lin’s belongings were sent up from below the mountain. Man Li first took them into one room and said to Sheng Lin, “Senior brother, your luggage is here.”
“What about mine?” Xie Xihai hadn’t seen his bag of clothes. He interrupted.
“The young master’s room is at the other end of the courtyard,” Man Li said. “I’ll take you there first.”
Although Xie Xihai and Sheng Lin were used to sleeping together, it was awkward with others around. Xie Xihai couldn’t say anything and just waved his hand to Sheng Lin. Carrying his sunflower seeds, he went to his room with Man Li.
Manor rooms were spacious, and the furnishings were impeccable, but it looked quite empty with just Xie Xihai alone. He found his luggage on a wooden rack but had no intention of opening it.
Man Li was oblivious to Xie Xihai’s dejection. He explained some miscellaneous matters about the dining hall and meal times and then took his leave.
Closing the door, Xie Xihai sat at the table, poured himself a cup of hot tea, rested his chin on his hand, and sighed. Just then, the door was knocked again.
“Come in,” Xie Xihai said towards the door.
Sheng Lin pushed the door open. He asked Xie Xihai, “Is the pain still there?”
“It’s gone,” Xie Xihai replied. His eyes were bright and shiny, and he sighed in admiration at Sheng Lin. “The room in the Full Pavilion is a bit too big.”
“Is it bigger than your residence in the royal mansion?” Sheng Lin asked indifferently.
“How could it be the same?” Xie Xihai replied bluntly.
Sheng Lin approached a bit but didn’t get too close. He lowered his head and asked, “What’s the difference?”
Xie Xihai thought for a long time and turned his eyes, saying, “There’s no you in the mansion.”
“Xihai,” Sheng Lin paused for a moment before speaking, “if I had known that practicing the Harmony-Seeking Heart Technique and Harmony-Seeking Heart Poison would—”
“I don’t blame you,” Xie Xihai interrupted Sheng Lin. While waiting for Sheng Lin outside, he had fabricated a story for Man Li while thinking about it.
Ignoring whether he himself was entangling Sheng Lin, even if he knew it would be as painful as bone-piercing agony and unbearable, he couldn’t think of anyone else who could dispel the poison for him except Sheng Lin. Otherwise, after dispelling the Harmony-Seeking Heart Poison, another Heart-Seeking Poison might be produced.
“Will it hurt again?” Xie Xihai looked at Sheng Lin and asked, “What did Elder Man say to you in private?”
Sheng Lin remained silent for a while before saying, “After dispelling the poison, it won’t hurt again.”
“It’s all your fault,” Xie Xihai scolded Sheng Lin, completely forgetting that he had just said he didn’t blame him.
“My fault,” Sheng Lin looked at Xie Xihai, and his words carried a hint of helplessness.
Xie Xihai lowered his voice, pulled Sheng Lin closer, and earnestly made a request, “It’s your fault, so you should accompany me.”
“Okay,” Sheng Lin agreed.
Xie Xihai curled his lips and asked, “What about the poison? When can it be removed?”
Sheng Lin repeated to Xie Xihai everything Man Qu had told him. Xie Xihai listened with surprise and blushed when he heard that the poison needed to be dispelled again.
“Do we have to do it again?” Xie Xihai repeated, his face turning red. He absentmindedly imitated Sheng Lin’s words a moment ago, “Do we have to do it again?”
Sheng Lin nodded, and Xie Xihai dragged his words, “Oh,” picked up a teacup, took a sip, looked up at Sheng Lin, his face turning slightly red. He had a naive look with a hint of shyness. Although he had cried and begged Sheng Lin to do it when the poison was active, it was embarrassing for him to mention it when he was clear-headed.
“You don’t want to?” Sheng Lin pulled Xie Xihai up, looking straight into his eyes.
Xie Xihai blushed all over and tried to push Sheng Lin away, but Sheng Lin was not someone he could easily push. He had no choice but to act calmly and said, “What’s there not to want? I can’t not dispel the poison. It’s just… it’s just…”
Sheng Lin looked at him without revealing any emotions, waiting for him to continue.
However, Xie Xihai didn’t finish his sentence for some reason. He stammered for a while, and before he knew it, his lips met with Sheng Lin’s. Startled by the unexpected kiss, Xie Xihai’s legs went weak. He held onto Sheng Lin’s arm, leaning into him.
Sheng Lin supported Xie Xihai and placed him on the bed, continuing to kiss him. Xie Xihai grabbed Sheng Lin’s hand, feeling a bit flustered. As their skins touched, Sheng Lin was likely in the most pain, dispelling the poison for him.
When Sheng Lin moved away from his lips, Xie Xihai’s earlobes were already red. He looked at Sheng Lin, his eyes filled with watery light, and muttered to himself, “It’s strange; maybe the symptoms were like this before the poison attacked.”
Sheng Lin smiled at him, a rare sight. He played along, “Is that so?”
“Yes,” Xie Xihai was unusually clever this time. Not only did he find the reason for his embarrassment, but he also extended, “Or maybe it’s because your Harmony-Seeking Heart Technique’s Yang energy is too strong, causing the poison to activate prematurely. Alright, tonight you’ll sleep in my room. In case I have an attack at midnight, you can help me detoxify.”
Xie Xihai insisted that Sheng Lin stay in his room for the night. After bathing, they went to bed together, and Xie Xihai tossed and turned. Watching Sheng Lin sleeping beside him, he felt a bit uneasy. When Sheng Lin asked if he couldn’t sleep, Xie Xihai said, “I’m thinking about things. I have to think about many things every day, not something a country bumpkin can imagine.”
“Oh?” Sheng Lin chuckled, “Can you share it with a commoner like me?”
Xie Xihai crawled over and whispered in Sheng Lin’s ear, “I’m thinking that if I can survive, I want to travel to famous mountains and rivers, see the sunrise in the mist on the famous mountains in the north, and the pleasure boats in the Fuling River in the west. I want to visit places written in books that no one has found, especially the mythical Penglai Island mentioned by a sea traveler. I really want to go.”
Xie Xihai’s eyes sparkled in the dark night. Sheng Lin looked at him, but all he could see was the silhouette of Sheng Lin. He then asked Sheng Lin, “Have you been to all those places?”
“Except for Penglai Island, I’ve been to all of them,” Sheng Lin honestly answered.
Xie Xihai was stunned for a moment, feeling a bit envious.
He had never really traveled much from childhood to adulthood, not even leaving his hometown of Hancheng much. He had thought that if Sheng Lin hadn’t been to those places, they could agree to travel together. Unexpectedly, Sheng Lin had been to all of them. Feeling a bit sour, Xie Xihai said, “You’re older than me, so it’s only natural.”
“If you’re willing, after your poison is dispelled, I’ll take you there,” Sheng Lin said.
“I want you to take me,” Xie Xihai insisted. Only then did Xie Xihai feel satisfied. He covered himself with the blanket, ready to sleep, but his hair was lightly tugged again.
This Sheng Lin only allowed an official to set fire but not the commoners to light lamps. Xie Xihai was pulled again, and he could only crawl a bit closer to Sheng Lin. Both of them were now pressed against each other. Sheng Lin finally let go.
“You’re too childish. When will you grow up?” Xie Xihai said angrily, “You’ve been to so many places for nothing.”
He pressed against Sheng Lin, ready to sleep.
Xie Xihai’s poison really acted up in the middle of the night.
His body was burning with heat, as if being roasted by fire in his dreams. Moaning, he moved away a bit from the heat source beside him.
Gradually, Xie Xihai was awakened by the scorching heat, and even the heat on his hair tips carried a smell of desire. He crawled towards Sheng Lin in his daze.
As soon as his scalding hand touched Sheng Lin’s arm, Sheng Lin woke up. Sheng Lin pulled him with one hand, and Xie Xihai pounced onto Sheng Lin.
Feeling uncomfortable, Xie Xihai rubbed his face against Sheng Lin’s chest, sensing that Sheng Lin stiffened. He raised his hand to cradle Xie Xihai’s face. Seeing that Xie Xihai had no further reaction, Sheng Lin gently licked him once, then bit Xie Xihai’s fingertip. The voice was filled with soft, sticky, and moist complaints as he asked, “Do you understand?”
He stood up, leaned his back on the bed, and pulled Xie Xihuai to sit on him. Xie Xihuai reluctantly rubbed against him, took Sheng Lin’s hand, and put it on his belt. Sheng Lin pulled, and Xie Xihuai’s clothes were pulled apart a little. Xie Xihuai finally bravely leaned forward and captured Sheng Lin’s lips.
As they kissed, Sheng Lin’s breathing became heavier. Xie Xihuai also took off his clothes completely. He was so anxious that the hard object against him could enter his body quickly.
Sheng Lin used his fingers to spread Xie Xihuai’s open and closed posterior acupuncture point, thrusting slowly and slowly. Xie Xihuai almost cried because of his friction, and whispered in Sheng Lin’s ear: “I’m so itchy…”
Sheng Lin expanded him for a while, then put Xie Xihuai on the bed and asked him to open his legs. In a daze, Xie Xihuai felt that the hard thing was rubbing against his soft and moist entrance. Xie Xihuai raised his hand to hold it, using his legs to hold Sheng Lin’s waist, trying to tell him to go faster than before.
When it came time to go in, Xie Xihuai was stretched out inch by inch by the hard object. Xie Xihuai was in great pain again. He gasped and looked at the person on top of him aggrievedly, and said, “Don’t push me so hard.” As soon as he finished speaking, Sheng Lin moved. Suddenly, the voodoo bug in Xie Xihuai’s body became excited and swallowed up all his pain. Xie Xihuai’s legs were weakened by his push. The legs that were originally holding Sheng Lin were curled up in front of him. Sheng Lin held Xie Xihuai’s ankles. , and slowly started to move in and out.
This time, Sheng Lin was more restrained than the previous time, but as soon as he restrained himself, time passed so slowly. Xie Xihuai was tossed and turned by Sheng Lin, changing countless movements. The place where he was entering and leaving was numb and swollen, swallowing Sheng Lin’s huge object. It was also unclear when this pleasure like torture of criminal would come to an end.
Xie Xihuai’s blood essence made his lower abdomen wet and sticky, and his face was covered in tears. Sheng Lin pinched his hand and touched the spot where they met. Xie Xihuai couldn’t help but cry out, “Are you okay?”
Sheng Lin finally followed Xie Xihuai’s wishes and dispelled his bewitching. Xie Xihuai vaguely felt a surge of essence and blood enter his body, and the restless blood on his body returned to calm, leaving only the fatigue and weakness after the love affair.
Sheng Lin picked him up and asked if he wanted to take a shower.
Xie Xihuai’s hair was covered in sweat and his own things. He was so ashamed that he didn’t know how to face it, so he had to say, “Of course I want it. Look at what I look like now?”
Sheng Lin put on a windproof robe for him and carried him out to the sauna.
Xie Xihuai leaned against Sheng Lin’s chest, gazing at the glow emanating from the east. His nose was filled with the scent of Sheng Lin and the smell of hay from early summer nights in the mountains. After shaking for a while, he arrived at the bathtub. Sheng Lin caressed him while cleaning in the pool, and he leaned against Sheng Lin to doze off.
The lanterns by the pond were dim and swaying, and the peach blossoms on Xie Xihuai’s residence were faintly visible. Sheng Lin washed him clean, took him out of the water, and headed straight to the full of channels.
At this moment, the sky was just beginning to dawn. In his dream, Man Qu met with Duke Zhou and exchanged medical skills with legendary doctors from all over the world. He effortlessly climbed to the top, but suddenly a thunderbolt struck and woke Man Qu up.
He opened his eyes only to realize that someone was knocking on his door.
Mán Qú was infuriated; he threw on a robe and went to open the door, still half asleep. Shrouded in confusion, he opened the door to find Shèng Lǐn holding Xiè Xīhuái outside. There was an indescribable smell emanating from them, and Mán Qú, with his keen sense of smell, could tell that they had just done something and even took a bath afterward.
“What were you doing?” Mán Qú asked his impolite nephew without hiding his irritation. “It’s not even daylight yet.”
“Xiè Xīhuái’s Gu erupted, and I helped him resolve it,” Shèng Lǐn explained. “His Héhuán Gu tends to relapse, and I was afraid Uncle wouldn’t treat it thoroughly, and his body couldn’t endure it.”
Mán Qú looked at Xiè Xīhuái, who was tightly wrapped by Shèng Lǐn, feeling a headache coming. He turned back to his room, saying, “Come in, come in.”
Mán Qú lit the lamp inside the room and had Shèng Lǐ lay Xiè Xīhuái on the bed. He went to the medicine box at the back of the room and took out the medicine prepared during the day, lighting it near Xiè Xīhuái’s right hand.
The medicine burned slower than a candle, and the light black smoke slowly rose into the air. Xiè Xīhuái’s fingertips moved, and a very fine silver thread crawled out from under the middle finger’s nail. At the top of the silver thread was an extremely small circle.
Shèng Lǐ glanced at Mán Qú, who held a pot in his hand, and the pot also contained a small piece of burning medicine. He placed the pot mouth in front of the silver thread, and the silver thread crawled into the pot along the mouth. It took almost half an hour for the medicine to burn out completely, and the silver thread crawled out of Xiè Xīhuái’s fingertip, entering the pot.
Mán Qú quickly covered the pot and sealed the mouth, saying, “Done.”
He walked to the back, threw the entire pot into the incense burner, added some fire inside, and came out to find Shèng Lǐ still guarding Xiè Xīhuái. He asked, “Why haven’t you left yet?”
Xiè Xīhuái, feeling uncomfortable, furrowed his brows, woke up, saw Mán Qú, hesitated, and then looked at Shèng Lǐ.
Shèng Lǐ explained, “The Gu is resolved.”
“So fast?” Xiè Xīhuái was somewhat surprised.
Mán Qú unhappily said, “Where is it fast? It’s the young master falling asleep. This old man attracted the Gu worms until his old waist was about to break.”
Xiè Xīhuái blinked, said thank you, and Mán Qú waved his hand, urging them to leave. He wanted to go back to sleep.
Shèng Lǐn lifted Xiè Xīhuái into his arms and walked towards Xiè Xīhuái’s room. Xiè Xīhuái’s body was aching all over, but he didn’t modestly decline Shèng Lǐn’s support. He said, “This Héhuán Gu truly shortens one’s life.”
“Xiè Xīhuái,” Shèng Lǐn carried him, his breath steady.
For some reason, whenever Shèng Lǐn called Xiè Xīhuái’s name, Xiè Xīhuái felt a tingling sensation. He softly responded with a “Hmm” and prompted Shèng Lǐn to continue speaking. He was curious to hear what rebellious words this rascal might utter when addressing him by his name.
“Cángmíng Mountain is not too far from Qīngyí, just over ten days by carriage,” Shèng Lǐn said as if he had considered it for a long time before telling Xiè Xīhuái, “There is still some mountain mist in early summer, but by midsummer, it disappears.”
Xiè Xīhuái could sense the deeper meaning behind Shèng Lǐn’s words. He knew Shèng Lǐn was asking, “Do you want to go?” and “If you don’t go now, it might be too late.”
As long as he nodded, Shèng Lǐn would take him along the mountain path to see the sunrise amid the mist at Cángmíng Mountain—a carefree and leisurely experience. Xiè Xīhuái had never shared a drink with Shèng Lǐn. He heard that the flower wine of Cángmíng Mountain was renowned for its fragrance, but he didn’t know when he would find the time. When that moment arrived, he vowed to drag Shèng Lǐn along to savor it.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Xiè Xīhuái regained clarity and whispered, “Not for now, save it for later. You can accompany me when the time comes.”
He genuinely wanted to travel with Shèng Lǐn, but given the circumstances, he could only imagine it as if it had already happened.
Xiè Xīhuái and Shèng Lǐn, not related by blood or acquaintance, had encountered some physical intimacy due to the Héhuán Gu. However, the things that lingered in his mind and the words stuck in his throat were not to be shared with Shèng Lǐn. Xiè Xīhuái’s future was still shrouded in thick fog, obscure and unclear, and he dared not speak of it to Shèng Lǐn.
![How to Escape from the Hands of Yandere [QT]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/images-94.jpeg "How to Escape from the Hands of Yandere [QT]")
