AND SO IT SEEMED they couldn't depend on Guyueye. As the meeting adjourned, Xue Zhengyong asked the Tanlang Elder to come with him to the greenhouse to discuss tracking spells with Madam Wang. Every type of spiritual technique had its specialists. This one was outside the realm of Chu Wanning's expertise, so he wasn't much help. Thus, for a while, he would be less busy.
Some days later, as Chu Wanning was watching the fish from the pontoon bridge, there came a knock on the gate of the Red Lotus Pavilion. "Come in," he called.
Nangong Si stepped over the threshold, his face bright beneath the rising moon. "Zongshi wanted to see me?"
"I heard you and Ye Wangxi intend to leave Sisheng Peak the day after tomorrow," said Chu Wanning. "Where do you plan to go?"
Nangong Si lowered his lashes. "Mount Jiao."
Mount Jiao was one of Rufeng Sect's strongholds outside Linyi and a place of sacred importance. Legend had it that, centuries ago, Rufeng Sect's founder had formed a pact with a legendary jiao dragon. When this jiao died, its bones became the mountain, and the heroes of Rufeng Sect were henceforth laid to rest on its slopes. Any outsider who trespassed upon this peak that guarded generations of valiant Rufeng souls would be instantly slaughtered, their corpse mutilated beyond recognition. It was among the duties of the Rufeng Sect leader to offer sacrifices to the mountain at the Qingming festival5 and the winter solstice each year.
In effect, Mount Jiao was Rufeng Sect's great ancestral hall.
"My dad…" Nangong Si's eyes seemed to darken. "My dad told me previous generations of sect leaders left relics in the shrine on Mount Jiao, in the event their descendants should someday require them. I think that day has come."
Nangong Si was unguarded with Chu Wanning; he revealed the location of those treasures without a second thought. Although he wasn't as close with Chu Wanning as Xue Meng and the rest, their connection was undeniable. It was only because fate had other plans that Nangong Si never became Chu Wanning's disciple in truth. Over these past weeks, Nangong Si had wondered—if his mother's life hadn't been ruthlessly cut short for a weapon from Jincheng Lake, would he now be calling Chu Wanning shizun?
"It's a long journey to Mount Jiao," Chu Wanning said. "And I've heard travelers must show their respect to the mountain by fasting for ten days before crossing its borders or the jiao's spirit will expel them. If you intend to go, you should complete the fast at Sisheng Peak before setting out."
Nangong Si shook his head. "Too many people from the upper cultivation realm have it out for me and Ye Wangxi. If they had their way, we'd be dead already. They're sure to find us if we stay here too long, and that'll be a headache for Xue-zhangmen. It's time for us to be on our way."
"Don't be stupid." Nangong Si blinked.
"Fasting for ten days is a dangerous venture. What if your enemies
catch you on the road?" Chu Wanning asked. "Besides, Xue-zhangmen is too kind to let you leave now. Take my advice—don't go yet."
After days of exhaustion, Nangong Si was worn thin. His heart throbbed painfully at these words, and tears filled his eyes. He quickly looked at his feet. "I will not forget Zongshi's benevolence."
"It's not benevolence—you're just staying a few more days," Chu Wanning replied. "Anyway, I called you up here to tell you something else."
"Please go on, Zongshi."
"Xu Shuanglin mentioned your spiritual core is difficult to control and prone to qi deviation. You should ask Madam Wang to take a look."
Nangong Si was taken aback; he smiled wryly. "This affliction has plagued the Nangong family for generations. My dad once asked Hanlin the Sage from Guyueye to examine me—even he deemed it impossible to suppress and said I can only let it run its course. If the best doctor in the world couldn't cure me, how could Madam Wang?"
"It may not be that Hanlin the Sage couldn't cure you—maybe he didn't want to," said Chu Wanning. "There are always grudges between sects; it's not out of the question that he might have some reservations. But Madam Wang has devoted extensive study to restraining an unmanageable spiritual core. She might be able to help."
Nangong Si was perplexed. "Why would she study that?"
"A happy coincidence. Don't ask too many questions—go on now."
After thanking Chu Wanning profusely, Nangong Si took his leave from the Red Lotus Pavilion. Chu Wanning watched him go, sighing. He remembered Nangong Si as such a spirited youth, haughty and bold. When he smiled, his eyes were bright as the dawning sun. Chu Wanning didn't know when he'd see such a smile again.
As he turned back inside, Chu Wanning heard another knock from the gate. Thinking Nangong Si had backtracked, he again said, "Come in."
The door opened, but the young man outside was not Nangong Si.
Mo Ran held a wooden bucket in his arms and wore a tentative expression. He cleared his throat before speaking, as if wary of seeming overeager. "Shizun."
Chu Wanning was caught off guard. "What is it?"
"Not much—I just came to ask if you wanted to bathe together."
Something seemed to be stuck in Chu Wanning's throat; he coughed softly. "Where?"
Mo Ran hesitated. "Melodic Springs."
Chu Wanning didn't know what to say. Melodic Springs was a winding maze of pools, the mist so thick one could scarcely see their hand in front of their face. In a suitably covert spot, no one would notice a thing. But Chu Wanning hadn't imagined Mo Ran would invite him to bathe in Melodic Springs together. He began to panic slightly—could Mo Ran be this brazen?
That brazen man continued, "Xue Meng just returned from his bath and said it was pretty empty…" His face reddened. This seemed too direct, so he tried a different approach. "It's chilly out. I was worried Shizun might catch a cold if you bathe here at the pavilion…"
Of course Chu Wanning wouldn't catch any cold—he could set up a warming barrier with no more than a thought. Mo Ran knew this as well as anyone, yet here he was inviting Chu Wanning to Melodic Springs. His intentions were beyond transparent. He even dared say he was worried about Chu Wanning in the cold—the man had no shame.
Mo Ran ever-so-shamelessly fixed his eyes, dark as pitch, on Chu Wanning. "Shizun, shall we?"
Chu Wanning said nothing. If he nodded, it was as good as telling Mo Ran that he understood his impure intentions, yet was still swallowing his sorry excuse.
Swallowing…
He suddenly recalled their frenzied night at the inn. Mo Ran had gone down without hesitation, drowning him in an entirely new kind of pleasure. The eyes Mo Ran had turned on him then had been gentle yet fiery, misted by desire. Chu Wanning's heart had melted beneath that gaze.
"Come with me, pretty please?" "What are you, five?"
The troublemaker flashed a good-natured grin. "Uh-huh. It's almost nighttime, and I'm sooo scared of ghosts," he said softly. "I can't walk in the dark unless Wanning-gege goes with me."
Pfft. This man was truly a lost cause. But Chu Wanning still went with him in the end.
Most of Sisheng Peak's disciples bathed after their evening cultivation training. At this hour, only a handful remained in Melodic Springs. Mo Ran lifted the gauze curtain, his bare, slender feet stepping onto the agate pathway. Wreathed in steam, he turned to grin at Chu Wanning. He pointed out a direction, then walked away.
Inwardly, Chu Wanning snorted. Pretty eager for someone scared of ghosts, aren't you?
Lotus Pool and Plum Pool were the two largest areas of Melodic Springs. Medicinal plants grew along their banks, and the waters teemed with spiritual energy. Most disciples preferred these two pools. Though there were smaller, unnamed ponds as well, those remote corners had no special properties, so most wouldn't bathe there unless it was very crowded indeed.
The Yuheng Elder trod the narrow path alone, a vision of ascetic purity. From the corner of his eye, he spotted shadows in the larger pools, but it was impossible to make out faces through the steam. Clearer were the snatches of conversation that reached him as those disciples chatted idly.
As he neared Plum Pool, the mist thickened until he could barely see his own fingers. A large hand suddenly grabbed him from behind and Mo Ran's warm, firm chest pressed up against Chu Wanning's back.
They were so close, with only the flimsiest layer of clothes between them. He could distinctly feel Mo Ran's burgeoning erection.
Chu Wanning jumped. "What are you doing? Stop messing around." Mo Ran chuckled, mouth to Chu Wanning's ear. "Wanning-gege, don't go over there. There are ghosts up ahead."
Chu Wanning hesitated, torn between blurting Ghost, my ass and Ge, my ass. What came out in a low voice was, "Let go."
Mo Ran did no such thing. He laughed softly. "It's so hard to let go. I can't."
"What is wrong with you?"
"Mn, there really is something wrong with me," Mo Ran murmured. "If you don't believe me, take a look."
Chu Wanning's ears were turning red, but he snapped caustically, "I won't."
Mo Ran's reply was another chuckle. When he spoke again, his voice had roughened. "All right, whatever you say."
His words were dutiful, but his actions were quite the opposite. His fingers trailed over Chu Wanning's throat before tracing its line upward and closing around his jaw.
"Stop…messing around!"
Chu Wanning could hardly see in the mist, and his other senses seemed to sharpen in compensation. He felt Mo Ran bury his face in the crook of his neck. Chu Wanning trembled as his hot breaths skimmed over his skin.
"Wanning-gege's shaking. Are you scared of ghosts too?" "Don't call me that!"
Mo Ran chortled and looped an arm around his waist from behind.
Kissing down the side of Chu Wanning's neck, he said deferentially, "Okay, okay, I'll be good. Then…Shizun, would you please permit this disciple to help you undress and bathe?"
Somehow, this was even worse. Chu Wanning was at the limit of his tolerance, and the steam was scalding him inside and out. He blurted, eyes red with humiliation, "I'm not taking a bath. I'm leaving."
Mo Ran knew he was thin-skinned, but he still found Chu Wanning's attempt to turn tail and flee adorably hilarious. "But Shizun, can you make it out of here in your current state? What if someone sees?"
"Who cares," Chu Wanning shot back with a scowl. "I'd rather be bitten by a dog than mess around with you."
"Bitten by a dog?" "You heard me."
Mo Ran laughed. His gaze was dark with desire, with an edge not
usually present. Baring his teeth, he bent and ghosted his lips across the back of Chu Wanning's ear.
Chu Wanning thought he was going to say something outrageous again. He was about to lose his temper when he heard Mo Ran rumble softly and dangerously into his ear, "Rrrruff."
"…I beg your pardon?"
"Hey, I thought that was pretty good." Mo Ran sounded genuinely disappointed. "I used to have a little puppy with blue eyes and a flame- shaped mark on his forehead. He barked just like that."
"Don't be absurd," replied Chu Wanning, exasperated. "Why are you barking?"
"What do you think?" Mo Ran chuckled. He kissed Chu Wanning's ear, then licked up the side of his neck. "I've barked and everything— Shizun, you said it yourself, you'd rather be bitten by a dog."
Chu Wanning went rigid; all the blood in his body seemed to boil. Of course Mo Ran had to add, "Can I bite you now, Shizun?"
Without waiting for a reply, he pulled Chu Wanning into a deep kiss. They
tangled together, losing themselves in each other. Mo Ran had wanted to take his time, but it was a hopeless endeavor. Chu Wanning was a poison that corrupted his mind and fanned the flames of his desire. Far from slow, he found himself careering forward, his willpower evaporating with each labored breath.
By the time they broke apart, Chu Wanning's phoenix eyes were glassy. Yet he hadn't forgotten his mission. "I came here to take a bath, so let's bathe first…"
Mo Ran made a soft noise of agreement, between an mn and a hmph. Chu Wanning braced himself against the drag of that low-pitched hum, even as a jolt of electricity raced down his spine and flames kindled in his eyes.
He led Chu Wanning down the steps into the warm pool by the wrist. The rushing waterfall covered the sound of their quickened breathing.
Chu Wanning was still uneasy. Just as Mo Ran was about to draw him into another kiss, Chu Wanning raised a hand to forestall him. "There's no one here?" he asked quietly.
"No, I've checked everywhere." Mo Ran's voice was low and heated, more fervid than the water lapping at his legs. "Shizun, feel this—I think there's really something wrong with me. Why is it so hot…and so… hard?"
Chu Wanning's cheeks flamed red with shame, but he couldn't pry his hand from Mo Ran's grip. His palm pressed against something so fearsome his ears seemed to ring, and his entire body prickled with pins and needles. He wanted to pull away, but Mo Ran's hold was unrelenting. Chu Wanning's hand began to ache; he felt as if Mo Ran wanted to crush his fingers into his palm.
Mo Ran's breath came so quickly, so ardently—almost adorably impatient. Amidst the swirling steam, only those dark eyes in his handsome face were close enough for Chu Wanning to see, misty yet burning with desire. Chu Wanning watched him swallow, throat bobbing. He gazed into Chu Wanning's face and beseeched softly, "Shizun, help me…"
Then he captured Chu Wanning's lips once more.
The inferno of his lust was doused with oil; even water couldn't drown the flames. Waves of heat crested and crashed, a vast forest burnt to ash.
They kissed, their lips crushed together, tongues slipping past for a taste of one another. It was torturously, fruitlessly unsatisfying, leaving them aching for more.
Mo Ran led Chu Wanning into the depths of the spring, where the water was just below their waists. He pressed Chu Wanning's back to a slippery stone wall, showering him with fevered kisses as he tore open the last flimsy layer of his bathrobe; they had rushed into the water too quickly to undress.
Water splashed against the stone and cloaked them in a fine mist.
The roar of the waterfall filled their ears, drowning out all else.
Chu Wanning's robe was wide open as Mo Ran kissed him against the wall. His lapels, pulled down to his elbows, pinned his arms in place.
"D-don't…"
But the mortification and thrill of this restraint only increased Chu Wanning's sensitivity as he panted under Mo Ran. As a rough tongue lapped over the pale blush on his chest, Chu Wanning furrowed his brow.
He was disoriented by want; bewilderment blurred the lines of his solemn features. As desire and reason clashed within him, the sparks flying in his gaze were enough to drive Mo Ran mad.
"Not… Not so hard…" Chu Wanning rasped. He threw his head back, phoenix eyes narrowed as he heaved for breath.
Mist billowed around them, shrouding the world from sight. Mo Ran spun Chu Wanning around so he faced the wall. He felt Mo Ran's leg braced solidly against his beneath the water. Compared to the cool stone against his cheek, the heat of this contact was startling.
His eyes were half-lidded. Never had he imagined fooling around like this with his own disciple, engaging in such acts in the pools of Melodic Springs, where anyone could come across them at any moment. Shame, confusion, lust, and exhilaration fogged his gaze. He felt something huge and blazing-hot press between his legs, rubbing against the cleft of his ass. Caught off guard, he let out a soft cry of surprise. "Ahh…"
Behind him, Mo Ran stilled. Then, as though inflamed by that bitten-off gasp, Mo Ran's hand closed around Chu Wanning's waist as he thrust forward harshly below the water. Although he was only caught between Chu Wanning's legs and not actually inside him, Mo Ran was unbelievably turned on. The man beneath him was Chu Wanning—this alone was the most potent aphrodisiac in the world. The water's surface betrayed but a few ripples, yet in the depths of the hot spring, his thick length rubbed hotly between Chu Wanning's thighs, brushing past that hidden entrance. So muddled was his awareness that he almost wanted to heedlessly lift Chu Wanning's leg and press into him, to bury himself as deeply as he had so many times in the past life. He almost wanted to take Chu Wanning into his arms and claim him completely, to hook Chu Wanning's legs around his waist and fuck him to tears, to release.
"Wanning…" Mo Ran's voice was low, scattered with glowing embers, his eyes dark. The soft splash of water sounded so much like the rhythm of their joining from another lifetime. Wrapped in the warmth of the spring and the silky skin between Chu Wanning's legs, Mo Ran saw his rationality slipping away.
Before he could cross the line, he drew in a breath and pulled Chu Wanning around to face him. He pressed that chest to his own as the spray clouded their vision, scalding droplets falling over their enraptured faces. Mo Ran kissed him frantically, trailing his way down to his chin, only to fiercely take his lips again, consumed by yearning. His other hand felt its way down, closing around Chu Wanning's painfully hard arousal and pressing it to his own.
Chu Wanning had never dreamt such a thing was possible. His lashes fluttered shut with pleasure as Mo Ran stroked them together. "Mo…Mo Ran," he whined, letting his head fall back.
He only had time to utter that name once before Mo Ran stoppered every other sound with a kiss. He lined up Chu Wanning's cock with his own, his hand moving feverishly as he wrapped his other arm around his shizun. He could feel Chu Wanning shivering in his embrace, rousing his tender adoration, his manic obsession.
Their lips were slick when they came up for air. Swept up in this outpouring of primal desire, Chu Wanning opened his eyes and unconsciously looked down at where the two of them were pressed together in Mo Ran's hand. His scalp went numb with that glance. For the first time, he got a clear look at Mo Ran's cock. It was a weapon of flesh and blood, thick and hard with an alarming heft, veins bulging in its current state of arousal. It rubbed against Chu Wanning's abdomen, its gleaming tip gliding over skin.
Chu Wanning squeezed his eyes shut. A tremor ran through him, his mind crumbling. How was it so big… How would it possibly fit? He was sure he couldn't fit it in his mouth without gagging. How…
The corners of his eyes burned with mortification. If that thing went inside him, wouldn't he die? Those dreams must have been figments of his imagination after all. Chu Wanning's cheeks were flushed crimson. How could he possibly… How could he possibly kneel on the bed and be invaded like that? How could he possibly take in something like that while panting and moaning so wantonly, begging to be fucked harder and faster like an animal in heat? How could that possibly feel good? How could he possibly come from that…
How.
The more he thought on it, the more preposterous it seemed. Shame, indignation, and self-loathing threatened to drown him. Fortunately, Mo Ran gave him no time to ruminate. His broad hand was wrapped around both their shafts, deftly stroking them off. The tendons in their necks strained as heat built between them. Soft cries slipped from between Chu Wanning's lips.
"Shh. You can't see through the fog here, but you can still hear noises," Mo Ran cautioned, reaching up to cover Chu Wanning's mouth and nose.
The sweltering mist eddied around them. He felt like he was suffocating under Mo Ran's tight grip. With his arms pinned by his robe and his voice stifled, that feeling of being held against his will was both agony and thrill.
"Ngh…" He couldn't stop the tears that leaked from his eyes. He was like a sacred crane drawing his final breaths, delicate neck arched to reveal his vulnerable throat, shaking his head repeatedly—I can't, I can't…
But Mo Ran didn't stop; he bent his head to nip at the jut of that throat. Slowly, he raised his eyes, taking in Chu Wanning's harrowed expression—his furrowed brow, his helpless despair. "Shizun…" he murmured.
He couldn't hold back a moment longer; he released Chu Wanning's mouth and pulled him into a bruising kiss. Water surged around them, and the falls thundered down from above. Chu Wanning could scarcely breathe through Mo Ran's kiss. His lips were swollen, his gaze unfocused as he gasped for air.
Mo Ran held him close, burying his face in his neck. In the hidden depths of the spring, their ardent breaths mingled. They were near to drowning, drenched in sweat and torrid water. They tangled like mating beasts, as though no closeness was too much; they wished to meld together, flesh into flesh, bone into bone.
"Enough… Really, that's enough…" Chu Wanning struggled to free himself, shuddering against that prickling onslaught of pleasure. "Stop, I'm done…"
At Chu Wanning's low mumbling, Mo Ran's eyes only darkened. He kissed him on the cheek. "Just a little longer, babe," he panted. "Wait for me…" His hand moved faster, his hips instinctively bucking forward. Eventually there was nothing left in their minds save for the man before each of them, save for love and desire.
"Ah… Ahhh…"
Whether it was the physical ecstasy or the rush of adrenaline from sneaking around in Melodic Springs, their climax was overpowering. As Chu Wanning came, he couldn't help the hoarse moan that escaped him, completely forgetting to keep his voice down. The two of them gasped as one, rough yet adoring, filthy yet pure, their eyes filled only with one another's faces as they came…
They kissed again, lingering and tender, the afterglow spreading through them like ripples on the water.
"You came so much…" Mo Ran murmured indistinctly. His hand was covered in it. He reached over with a distant look in his eyes, smearing his fingers over Chu Wanning's stomach, along his toned abs, all the way up to his chest. Chu Wanning shivered in his arms, shaking uncontrollably with pleasure and overstimulation. Mo Ran gathered him close, whispering into his ear, "That felt good, didn't it?"
Chu Wanning couldn't speak.
"Next time…if you're ready…" Pressing his damp torso to Chu Wanning's, Mo Ran kissed him. "We'll do it for real, okay?"
In some sense, Chu Wanning had long known this was coming. But upon hearing these words spoken aloud, added to the fact that he had just seen that monstrosity with his own eyes, Chu Wanning's spine tingled, and all his muscles tensed.
Mo Ran could feel Chu Wanning flinch in his embrace; he kissed him ever so gently. "I won't hurt you; I'll make sure it's good for you…"
They entwined in the depths of the waterfall, lingering pleasure coursing through them. Mo Ran's voice was husky with adoration and desire. "I'll make sure you like it, really… It might hurt just a little when I first go in, but I'll go as slow as you want…"
Shame blazed through Chu Wanning. He wanted to throw Mo Ran off and leave in a huff, but his legs were unsteady. "Stop talking…"
Perhaps Mo Ran knew Chu Wanning wasn't actually opposed to the idea; he forged ahead with uncharacteristic willfulness. He pressed wet lips to Chu Wanning's earlobe, his voice mesmerizing. "I'll make sure everything will go right… Shizun, if you're scared, I'll get some medicine… Trust me, once you get used to it, it'll feel amazing."
In the past life, I saw you get fucked senseless. But back then it was all hatred and punishment. In this life, I want you to hold me, to become one with me, to never part from me. I want you to want it, to enjoy it, to never forget me.
He kissed Chu Wanning, his eyes glowing as though embers smoldered within. His next words were devious yet tender, lascivious yet earnest, doting yet ferocious. The first half of the sentence was respectful, but the second was entirely out of line. "My dear shizun, next time, could I make you come on my cock?"