The room was simple, with only a bed, a few wooden stools, and a square table. Feng Lingjun fumbled in the dark, pulling the person up onto the bed in a staggered manner.
There was no blanket on the bed, just a thin straw mat, lying on it would surely be very uncomfortable. However, given the situation, there was no room for complaints. Feng Lingjun was burning with desire and his internal strength was in disorder. He was worried that if he didn’t detoxify himself quickly, he would succumb to qi deviation1Qi Deviation (走火入魔 zǒuhuǒ rùmó) – also known as Qigong Deviation. Literally translates as “to catch fire and be entered [possessed] by devils”. A state wherein the cultivation base becomes dangerously unstable, causing internal damage to the body and symptoms of psychosis. People who succumb to their Internal Demons, who practice cultivation/martial arts incorrectly, or who rashly use forbidden arts are all at risk of falling into this state..
“What is your name?” He pressed the person down onto the bed, assuming a posture like that of riding a horse. His waist had already gone weak, both legs straddling the other person’s sides, barely managing to straighten his back.
The man said, “Chu Qian.”
Feng Lingjun softly repeated, “Qian? Which Qian?”
“The Qian from ‘Heaven and Earth.'”
Oh, that’s still a good name; at least it’s not called Chu Daniu2楚大牛 Chu Big-Cow or Chu Ergou3楚二狗 Chu Second-Dog? Feng Lingjun chuckled it off, not thinking too much about it. The owner of this nice name showed resistance on his face, but his body was quite honest; that part between his legs was very disobedient, pressing on him hardly. Perhaps he didn’t want it to be noticed by Feng Lingjun, Chu Qian dodged several times and tried pushing him off.
Feng Lingjun still had a bit of strength left, he used the last of his energy on the bed. He suppressed his breathing, grabbed onto Chu Qian’s pants, forcibly pulled down the coarse cloth garment, leaving the two of them exposed to each other.
—
That night, he lost track of how many times they did it, Feng Lingjun fell into a deep sleep before dawn.
He was exhausted, but fortunately remembered to help Chu Qian untie his bindings. Chu Qian shifted to the side, making room for him, and the two of them squeezed onto the bed to sleep together.
The next day, when Feng Lingjun woke up, his first reaction was to reach for his sword. Usually, he carried it with him and placed it by his pillow while sleeping, but this time he felt around and felt nothing. His eyelids twitched violently, and he was instantly startled awake.
Only then did he recall what had happened the night before.
“…”
Feng Lingjun sat dazedly on the edge of the bed, lost in thought for a moment.
He was alone in the room, the door tightly shut, and Chu Qian was nowhere to be found. He looked down at himself; he was a mess, covered in marks, and his clothes were dirty. It seemed he wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon, he needed to clean himself up first.
He got out of bed, enduring his discomfort as he put on his clothes, picked up his sword from the table, and was just about to push the door open when he bumped into someone coming in.
“You’re awake?” Chu Qian held a bunch of fruits in his arms, still glistening with dew, looking as if they had just been picked from the mountains. He stood at the door, blocking Feng Lingjun’s way. “Where are you going?”