That was what he meant, right?
Xi Yu’s gaze fell on Lu Zhixing, whose arms were wrapped around his neck. After a pause of two seconds, he explained first, “I didn’t take you as a substitute, nor was it that charm demon that stirred up my seven emotions and six desires. I simply had them to begin with.”
Then, somewhat awkwardly, he said, “I really am not a good immortal who has completely abandoned worldly desires. Today, I originally thought that if I could dual cultivate with the charm demon and relieve it a little, that would naturally be good.”
Xi Yu’s palm rested lightly against Lu Zhixing’s waist, his voice gentle, almost coaxing. “But you drove him away. Now I’m suffering terribly because my desires have been stirred up. What should I do about that…?”
Hearing this, Lu Zhixing’s heart, which had just fallen to the bottom of the valley, suddenly warmed again.
As long as he wasn’t a substitute.
As long as it wasn’t because of someone else.
It was because Xi Yu had desires to begin with.
Then it was simple.
He was willing to be the tool Xi Yu used to relieve his desire—and he wanted nothing more.
“Then let me,” Lu Zhixing tightened his arms, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “You don’t need anyone else. I can help you… relieve it.”
………………………
Xi Yu had been waiting for him to say exactly that.
So innocent, Xi Yu thought.
He lowered his eyes and looked at Lu Zhixing nonchalantly, yet his expression was troubled and considerate. “This… isn’t good, is it?”
Although Xi Yu said that, the hand around Lu Zhixing’s waist had already begun slowly drawing circles, and there was a hint of amusement in his shimmering eyes.
“It’s fine.” Lu Zhixing gripped Xi Yu’s collar, his heart burning hot. “I can do it. I’ll do it better than they can. If you need it, I can.”
No one was more qualified than him, nor was anyone better at serving Xi Yu.
His master was also a man. Having desires was only natural.
He had once hated Xi Yu for being so oblivious. Now that Xi Yu had desires, no one else could even dream of getting close to him before Lu Zhixing.
Only him… only he could.
As Lu Zhixing spoke, he lowered his head and moved to kiss Xi Yu.
Xi Yu’s gaze fell on Lu Zhixing’s flushed cheeks, and he could feel the faint trembling in his body.
Xi Yu felt that he was somewhat wicked. Lu Zhixing was clearly so reserved, yet Xi Yu had coaxed him into becoming like this.
But even though he was already condemning himself inwardly for being disrespectful as a master, when Lu Zhixing leaned toward him, he still turned his head and dodged the kiss.
Lu Zhixing’s slightly cool lips landed against Xi Yu’s earlobe.
Xi Yu’s earlobe was very soft, so soft that Lu Zhixing wanted to hold it between his lips and bring out a vivid flush, sucking it until it was swollen and red.
But he didn’t dare. He could only turn his head to look at Xi Yu and wait for him to speak.
Xi Yu met his restrained, tormented eyes. The two of them were pressed so closely together that Lu Zhixing could feel Xi Yu’s desire, and naturally Xi Yu could also feel Lu Zhixing’s surging desire.
Precisely because of this, Xi Yu’s wicked side suddenly magnified several times over.
His hand rested on Lu Zhixing’s shoulder, looking like a gesture that could either be pushing him away or accepting him.
A strange silence formed between the two of them.
Whether their lips and teeth would become entangled, or whether they would return to a safe distance, depended entirely on Xi Yu’s single thought.
Xi Yu was a person who was both righteous and wicked.
Before realizing his feelings, he had maintained a measure of distance even when he was intimate with Lu Zhixing.
After realizing his feelings, he wanted them to be intimate without any distance at all.
He had coaxed Lu Zhixing, yet he refused to simply go with the flow.
He insisted on pretending to be reserved. Even though he already wanted nothing more than to make the man cry and crush him into pieces, his words remained extremely gentle, as though he were the most reasonable parent in the world asking a child for his opinion.
“Although I’m uncomfortable, I can endure it. The charm demon can’t bewitch me. I’ll definitely protect you.”
“You don’t have to force yourself for my sake.”
As Xi Yu spoke, his palm rested against Lu Zhixing’s shoulder with only the lightest pressure, without giving him the slightest sense of oppression.
It was as though he were telling Lu Zhixing that if he didn’t want this, he could leave immediately.
Xi Yu blinked as he waited for Lu Zhixing’s answer. Meanwhile, his other hand, resting at Lu Zhixing’s waist, slowly stroked the dark green ring.
A few seconds later, Lu Zhixing seemed unable to hold himself back any longer. He kissed Xi Yu’s soft earlobe, drawing out a muffled, hoarse whisper.
“Willingly.”
Only then was Xi Yu finally satisfied.
That was simply the kind of bad temper he had.
He had to make Lu Zhixing admit it.
He had to make Lu Zhixing come to him of his own accord.
He had to hear Lu Zhixing say that he was willing before he would be satisfied.
Lu Zhixing’s kisses traveled from Xi Yu’s earlobe to his neck.
Xi Yu closed his eyes and tilted his head back. His slender neck formed a beautiful curve, like a swan stretching out its neck to receive its fate, giving Lu Zhixing the greatest possible permission.
Lu Zhixing…
Lu Zhixing…
Lu Zhixing…
Zhi Yue…
Zhi Yue…
Zhi Yue…
Xi Yu silently called his name in his heart.
He straddled Lu Zhixing and lowered his head to kiss him. His pajamas hung loosely from his shoulders, exposing a large expanse of jade-white back and beautifully shaped shoulder blades.
As his desire rose, Xi Yu murmured soundlessly,
“Good boy…”
He would never tell Lu Zhixing that if Lu Zhixing had retreated just now, the Immortal-Binding Lock inside the ring would have tightened into his flesh.
He was glad Lu Zhixing was willing.
Otherwise, how could they have enjoyed such a wonderful night?
Stars adorned the pitch-black night sky.
In the courtyard, the roses were wrapped in the wind, swaying unsteadily as morning dew trembled and spilled from the flower buds.
Only after a satisfied sigh did everything finally return to calm.
The next day, Xi Yu slept until the sun was already high in the sky.
When he woke, there was already no one beside the bed.
Propping his head up, he ran his fingertips across the empty space on the bed, his eyes carrying an ambiguous warmth.
Xi Yu’s pajamas hung on him in a wrinkled mess, the collar hanging wide open and revealing the originally smooth skin of his chest, now dotted with little red marks.
They bore witness to the passion of the previous night.
And it wasn’t only his chest.
Xi Yu sat up and rubbed the inside of his thighs. His lips were still somewhat swollen.
Xi Yu got out of bed and walked to the bronze mirror.
Even though he knew exactly what he looked like now, when he actually saw himself, the tips of his ears still turned red.
Xi Yu touched his neck. There weren’t many marks there, but their color was deeper than those on his chest.
When Xi Yu raised his hand and touched them, he couldn’t help remembering how Lu Zhixing’s wet, soft tongue had traced circles over his body the previous night.
Even Xi Yu, who didn’t particularly care about his appearance, knew that going out like this would invite too much gossip.
He looked at himself again and again, and in the end, extremely reluctantly, stroked his lips and neck.
The swollen redness of his lips and the mottled marks on his neck immediately disappeared.
Even the pajamas, which had lost two buttons from being tugged on, were changed into a dark green satin robe.
Only after Xi Yu was sure there was nothing unusual left to see did he open the door feeling refreshed.
When he saw Lu Zhixing standing outside like a pillar, he froze for a moment before revealing a teasing smile.
“Lu-ge, are you waiting for me here?”
Seeing Xi Yu’s ears red enough to drip blood, Lu Zhixing’s gaze darted away.
“No, I… I… I was afraid someone would disturb you while you were sleeping, so… so I stayed here.”
Every word came out of Lu Zhixing’s mouth haltingly. He lowered his head as though he were desperately searching for a hole to crawl into.
Xi Yu smiled.
Seeing Lu Zhixing like this made his fingertips itch.
If Lu Zhixing had been open and composed, Xi Yu probably wouldn’t have done much.
But the more embarrassed Lu Zhixing became, the more Xi Yu couldn’t help wanting to tease him.
Something stirred in Xi Yu’s heart.
He reached out, pulled Lu Zhixing into the room, and pressed him against the door.
The two of them were about the same height. Xi Yu only needed to raise his head slightly to press his lips against Lu Zhixing’s.
But he didn’t.
Instead, he reached out and held Lu Zhixing’s head, making him lean closer, and teased him, “So Lu-ge was considerate enough to realize I didn’t sleep well last night, and stood guard outside the door so I could make up for it.”
Being looked at like this, Lu Zhixing saw scene after scene from the previous night flash before his eyes.
Those scenes that had previously existed only in his dreams had, without warning, become reality.
And they were even sweeter and more intoxicating than his dreams.
Lu Zhixing couldn’t help swallowing.
He… he and Xi Yu had already become this intimate.
Even if he kissed him now, that should be okay, right?
Even if he was merely a tool for relieving Xi Yu’s desire, he should still be allowed to kiss him once, right?
Thinking this, Lu Zhixing couldn’t help lowering his head.
Xi Yu blinked.
Only when Lu Zhixing’s lips were about to touch his did Xi Yu lean back and dodge.
Lu Zhixing missed completely, his long, narrow phoenix eyes reddening from being held back.
…………………………
Xi Yu adored this expression on him.
His shimmering eyes curved into half-moons. He raised his brows slightly, hooked an arm around Lu Zhixing’s neck, and whispered beside his ear, “But this is what you should do. Last night, I clearly told you to rest. It was that fire of yours that wouldn’t go down, disturbing me so much that I couldn’t sleep.”
“I didn’t…” Lu Zhixing whispered in protest.
But the protest had very little credibility.
Seeing Lu Zhixing’s face turn so red it almost seemed ready to drip blood, Xi Yu’s heart floated and swayed as though he had stepped onto a cloud.
His voice was light and slow, but the teasing meaning was unmistakable.
“You didn’t? Then why do I remember someone grabbing my hand yesterday and insisting that I hold…”
“Don’t say it.”
As though utterly helpless, Lu Zhixing buried his head against Xi Yu’s neck and begged in a muffled voice,
“Don’t say it…”
How could he have endured it yesterday?
With his master lying beside him looking like that, how could he possibly have endured it…?
Xi Yu wrapped his arms around Lu Zhixing’s waist and couldn’t hold back his laughter.
“All right, all right. I won’t say it.”
What an adult, yet his skin was still so thin.
He had clearly not been like this last night.
Last night, Lu Zhixing had been like an affectionate little dog. His wet tongue had practically soaked every inch of Xi Yu.
Even though the two of them hadn’t gone all the way, Xi Yu still thought the experience had been quite pleasurable.
He coaxed Lu Zhixing, but he had no intention of staying together right now.
The wedding within the Heart-Probing Stone would surely be displayed exactly as it had happened.
Once Zhi Yue recovered his memories and broke free of the demonic aura, Xi Yu would announce it to all the lands under Heaven and beyond, and grandly welcome him onto his bed.
Only then would they truly be able to do whatever they pleased.
When Xi Yu pulled Lu Zhixing outside again, he saw Luo Cheng’an carrying Xiaoyu, while Xiaohua was behind him, stopping Sang Biao, who was baring his teeth viciously.
Xi Yu helplessly looked at the chaos in the courtyard.
Luo Cheng’an really could make friends with people wherever he went.
“Brother, Brother, Brother!”
Luo Cheng’an’s eyes lit up when he saw Xi Yu. Holding Xiaoyu, who was grinning so widely that all his teeth showed, he ran toward him.
As he ran, he shouted,
“Sang Biao wants to bite me! Save me! Save me!”