The person in this world who was least qualified to criticize Murong Chuyi was Yue Chenqing.
He had worshiped Murong Chuyi since childhood and loved this uncle who was not related to him by blood. It was precisely because of this that a young master who had grown up in luxury was willing to follow Lord Xihe to the northern borderlands of Liao, burying his head in all kinds of books and scrolls, desperately searching for traces of an immortal medicine that could cure every illness.
As for secretly running to Bat Island, he already knew that he had been wrong. Yet no matter how he apologized, Murong Chuyi showed not the slightest sign of relenting. He kept scolding him, blaming him for not cherishing the “life that was exchanged for his mother’s life.” In the end, he had even said such heart-piercing words to Jiang Yexue, who had exchanged blood to save him. Yue Chenqing’s heart could not help but become utterly chaotic and unbearably distressed.
“…Fourth Uncle… I know I was wrong. I’m too stupid, too impulsive… I really only wanted to see you be well. You never tell me anything, and I had no way of knowing, so I could only search everywhere by myself… I’m sorry. I couldn’t find the medicine for you, and I even caused you more trouble… But you… but you…”
His eyelashes closed, and tears streamed down.
“Why won’t you even listen to my explanation…?”
“You said my life was exchanged for by my mother, and then you said Jiang… you said he was a bastard… But he didn’t want to be born to a concubine either… I didn’t want to kill my mother the moment I was born, either! Why do you blame all of this on us? Fourth Uncle, I respect you and love you. For all these years, whatever you said, I took as right. Whatever you did, I liked. But have you ever really turned around and looked at me even once?!”
Yue Chenqing sobbed, “Have you really… really ever regarded me as your nephew, even just once?”
Jiang Yexue said softly, “Chenqing, forget it. Chuyi, he—”
Murong Chuyi’s face was pale and gloomy. He abruptly interrupted Jiang Yexue. His pair of glazed-colored eyes stared at Yue Chenqing’s face as he ground each word into pieces.
“Let him speak!”
Jiang Yexue: “…”
Yue Chenqing wiped his tears and lowered his head, sobbing for a long while before murmuring sadly, “…I won’t say anything anymore… I-I shouldn’t have yelled at Fourth Uncle… I shouldn’t have argued with Fourth Uncle either…”
It seemed that he was trying to slowly calm himself down, so he kept repeating things like “I shouldn’t have confronted Fourth Uncle.” But as he murmured and murmured, in the end, he suddenly raised his hands and buried his face deeply in them.
His sobs sounded like the whimpering of a young beast.
“Do you wish I had never been born…?”
Murong Chuyi: “…”
“My mother is already gone. I’m not Murong Huang. I’m Yue Chenqing!”
The atmosphere inside the cave became terribly rigid. Anyone could see that Murong Chuyi had been driven into trembling from head to toe by the overly intense emotions surging in his chest. A faint flush spread across his porcelain-jade-like face, while his pale fingers clenched tightly into fists.
He looked at Yue Chenqing, then at Jiang Yexue, and finally closed his eyes and gritted his teeth.
“Fine… fine.”
After a while, Murong Chuyi opened his sharp phoenix eyes. His reddened, damp eyes swept fiercely over the two of them, the cold gleam suppressing all his sorrow.
“I’ve heard your explanation. I won’t scold you anymore, Yue Chenqing.”
His palm was almost bleeding from the pressure of his own fingertips, yet he still slightly raised his chin, forcing himself to remain aloof and composed.
“Take care of yourself.”
With that, he turned and swept out of the cave.
“Little Uncle!” Jiang Yexue called.
Seeing Murong Chuyi’s expression, Yue Chenqing seemed to awaken from a painful nightmare. With tear tracks still wet on his face, he stared blankly and bewilderedly at Murong Chuyi’s back.
“Fourth Uncle…”
But Murong Chuyi had already left the cave on his own. Even Gu Mang and Mo Xi, who were standing at the entrance, were treated as though he had not seen them. His face was as pale as the first snow of a winter night, and he walked away without looking back.
The room fell into silence.
After a long while, Mo Xi broke the silence.
“…How did you suddenly end up fighting like this?”
“…” Jiang Yexue sighed. “As soon as Chenqing woke up, Little Uncle started losing his temper with him, asking why he had come to Bat Island alone. Chenqing explained that he had come here to find medicine for him, and he… sigh, he thought it wasn’t worth it, so he got angry and blamed Chenqing for being thoughtless. …My little uncle is simply like this. He didn’t mean any harm. I’m sorry. The Yue family’s affairs… have made fools of us in front of you.”
With this complete mess before him, Mo Xi did not know what to say. By nature, he disliked meddling in other people’s affairs, so after a pause, he merely said, “It’s too dangerous outside. I’ll go bring Murong back.”
“Hey—” Gu Mang grabbed him.
“What is it?”
“That beauty won’t go far. He’s very clever. He just wants some peace and quiet. Didn’t you see his face when he went out?” Gu Mang glanced at Yue Chenqing and the others and lowered his voice so that only Mo Xi could hear. “He was practically about to cry from anger. If you go looking for him now, you’ll only embarrass him further. Let him stay outside alone for a while.”
“…” Mo Xi froze for a moment.
Who was crying? Murong Chuyi?
Hadn’t he left looking absolutely ferocious?
Although Mo Xi had not noticed any vulnerable expression on Murong Chuyi’s face, Gu Mang had always been far more perceptive at reading people’s expressions. Since Gu Mang had said so, Mo Xi did not agree, but he also stopped insisting.
Jiang Yexue was still worried. “My little uncle alone, I’m afraid…”
“Don’t worry.” Gu Mang entered the cave and waved his hand. “You two rest for a bit. Once his anger has subsided, I’ll go out and find him. Then we’ll set off back for Chonghua.”
Jiang Yexue froze. “You found the weak point in the barrier?”
“Of course. Who do you think I am? I’m amazing.”
Since Gu Mang had said so, Jiang Yexue knew that it indeed would not be wise to forcibly drag Murong Chuyi back at this time. He could only sigh and let the matter go.
They made some preparations inside the cave. Gu Mang had the most free time, so he leaned against the cave wall to rest, conjuring his demonic dagger and idly twirling it between his long fingers.
Halfway through playing with it, he suddenly noticed two hesitant gazes secretly peeking at him.
Gu Mang lowered his head and met Rongrong’s fluffy, wide eyes.
Rongrong had not expected Gu Mang to suddenly notice her. She hurriedly tried to look away, but it was already too late.
Gu Mang smiled. “Little beauty, why are you still secretly looking at me?”
“You, you…” Rongrong’s pretty face flushed crimson. After hesitating for a long while, she murmured softly, “Brother Gu Mang, can I secretly tell you something?”
“Sure.”
Rongrong hesitated for a moment.
“…Why does your body… suddenly have that older brother’s scent? And… it’s very strong.”
Gu Mang’s fingers, which had been skillfully twirling the dagger, suddenly stopped. He stared blankly.
“Who?”
Rongrong said nothing, but her eyes secretly shifted toward Mo Xi, who was checking Yue Chenqing’s injuries nearby.
“…” Gu Mang froze for a moment. Then his eyes darkened. The smile hanging from the corner of his lips curled slightly upward.
“…Oh, him. That’s normal. We were just very close earlier.”
“No, it’s not. You two seemed to—”
Gu Mang immediately covered her mouth with one hand, then rubbed her head as well. He bent down close to her ear.
“All right, all right. I know about your Featherfolk abilities. There’s demon blood in me, and your sense of smell for demons is very sensitive, right? But, little beauty, demons and humans are ultimately different. Since you’re staying with us, you need to learn some human rules—there are some things that, even if you know them, it’s best to pretend you don’t know them. Be good.”
Hearing the commotion, Mo Xi turned his head.
“What are you two doing?”
Gu Mang released her and smiled.
“Nothing. I was just teasing the little girl.”
With that, he raised a finger and lightly flicked the center of Rongrong’s forehead, where traces of flame remained.
“Remember what I said. Get ready to leave the island with us.”
The events that followed went fairly smoothly.
Murong Chuyi was indeed not reckless. He had not gone very far, and Gu Mang soon found him resting with his eyes closed beneath a peach blossom tree. After coaxing him back, they quickly located the weak point in the barrier according to the information Gu Mang had previously gathered.
Jiang Yexue stood amid the roaring sea wind and turned toward Murong Chuyi.
“Little Uncle, your body is still very weak. Why don’t you come aboard my nuclear boat…”
Murong Chuyi’s response was to raise a hand and pluck a flower, transforming it into his own painted pleasure boat. Without even looking back, he lifted the bamboo curtain and walked inside.
Jiang Yexue: “…”
Wrapped in a thick fur cloak, Yue Chenqing stood by the mast, his dark eyes staring rather anxiously at Murong Chuyi’s back.
Although his Fourth Uncle normally did not pay much attention to him either, Yue Chenqing was not stupid. He could feel that this time was different.
Murong Chuyi had truly been hurt to the point of losing heart.
The child was feeling miserable on his own when Jiang Yexue patted him on the head and sighed.
“Stop looking. Let’s go.”
Breaking through Bat Island’s defenses and leaving without making a sound was not difficult. The two nuclear boats burst through the clouds, and by the time the patrolling bat demons noticed them, it was already too late to pursue.
The group rode the wind at full speed, leaving Bat Island far behind as they flew toward the sea beyond the island.
Gu Mang also brought the Featherfolk girl Rongrong aboard. Once they reached the depths of the sea of clouds, he brought her out of the cabin and then knelt down on one knee so that they were at eye level.
“Jiuhua Mountain is right below us, Miss Rong. You can go home now.”
“R-Really?!” Rongrong excitedly leaned over the side of the boat and looked downward. Sure enough, beneath the vast layers of clouds, stretches of verdant mountains appeared, with the faint radiance of the Featherfolk barrier shimmering among them.
Her face flushed. She gazed at them for quite a while before turning around.
“Thank you, thank you, big brothers…”
“Big brothers?” Gu Mang laughed. “You can call us that if you want. Although you’re older than all of us, you look younger. I won’t hold it against you.”
Jiang Yexue said, “The young lady has already done us the kindness of removing the Gu from Chenqing. How could we possibly accept another word of thanks from you?”
With that, he gave a bow.
“Please take good care of yourself, Miss.”
Rongrong was eager to return home. After bidding them farewell once more, dazzling golden-red wings sprang from her back. She lightly leaped into the sea of clouds, circled around the two nuclear boats several times, and then flew toward the depths of Jiuhua Mountain, where verdant cypress trees stretched across the landscape.
Gu Mang watched her figure slowly disappear into the boundless golden light until she could no longer be seen. He could not help sighing.
“All right. We saved the person, cured the poison, and can finally go back and get some proper rest.”
After saying that, he cautiously added, “You guys can’t betray me. I plan to keep pretending to be an idiot after we return to Chonghua. We agreed on that before.”
Yue Chenqing stood beside the mast, wrapped in a thick fur cloak, staring blankly at Murong Chuyi’s painted boat in the distance. He still did not know much about Gu Mang’s situation. Hearing this, he turned around in confusion.
“…What did you agree on?”
Seeing that Gu Mang was about to speak, Jiang Yexue said, “I’ll explain it to him. You two have been exhausted all night. Go into the cabin and rest early. Once we reach the royal city, you still have to report back to His Majesty.”
Gu Mang said, “Then can you switch rooms with Lord Xihe? You sleep with me, and Lord Xihe can sleep in another cabin.”
Jiang Yexue hesitated. “Did you two quarrel again?”
“Haven’t we always been quarreling? We’ve never made up.” Gu Mang smiled. “Look, I hate him so much that my teeth itch, and he’s so ridiculously good-looking. What if this perverted great demon king of Liao gets carried away and rapes him, kills him, then rapes him again and kills him again? What are we supposed to do then?”
Mo Xi: “…”
Jiang Yexue: “…”
“What? Is it inconvenient? If it really is inconvenient, then forget it. I’ll go make do for one night on Mr. Murong’s boat.”
Jiang Yexue immediately said, “How could it be inconvenient? Little Uncle is in a bad mood, so you absolutely must not bother him again.” He smiled slightly at Gu Mang. “Brother Gu, do as you please.”
“You’re still as easygoing as ever, Brother Jiang.” Gu Mang winked at him, the smile at the corners of his eyes lifting upward. Then he swept aside the bamboo curtain and went into the cabin on his own.
Mo Xi was silent for a moment.
“…Then I’ll leave too.”
Yue Chenqing was completely bewildered. He stammered, “Th-They… what’s going on with them?”
“It’s a long story. If you don’t mind, and you want to hear me tell it, I’ll explain it to you slowly.” Jiang Yexue moved his fingers lightly, bringing the wheelchair to a stop beside Yue Chenqing. “Chenqing, are you willing to talk to me?”
“I…” Yue Chenqing glanced at Murong Chuyi’s boat among the sea of clouds, then lowered his eyes to Jiang Yexue’s injured hand. In the end, he lowered his head.
“…I’m sorry. I caused trouble for all of you.”
Jiang Yexue sighed.
“I know you meant well on this journey. You weren’t acting out of recklessness. Little Uncle must know that too. It’s just that this is how he gets when he’s anxious. Don’t think that he doesn’t care about you.”
Yue Chenqing hung his head dejectedly and said nothing.
“You’ve already apologized many times. Let the past remain in the past. Just don’t be so reckless again in the future. Otherwise, your father, your uncle, Little Uncle… and me—we’ll all worry about you.”
As Jiang Yexue spoke, he ordered two little clay figures to bring over a cushion and some pastries. Then he said to Yue Chenqing, “Sit down. Your body has only just recovered. Eat something. Sweet flower cakes will make you feel better too. Try some.”
The morning breeze gently brushed Yue Chenqing’s forehead. He sat down as instructed, glanced at the cross-eyed little clay figure that had brought the pastries, and said another word of thanks. Then he held the flower cake in small bites and began eating.
After eating half of it, he hesitated before raising his head.
“That…”
“Hmm?”
“Does transferring blood… hurt? The scar on your hand looks very deep. I-I have medicine…”
“If you have medicine, I have medicine too.” Jiang Yexue smiled. His eyes were like two clear pools into which gardenia blossoms had fallen, ripples carrying their hidden fragrance spreading across the surface. “Don’t worry. It doesn’t hurt, and I won’t blame you either. You don’t have to be so tense when talking to me.”
Yue Chenqing’s eyes reddened, and his head nearly sank into his chest.
“I’m sorry…”
Jiang Yexue let out a long sigh.
“Silly child, why are you apologizing again?”
“I-I treated you like that before, and you still… still helped me. I… I feel really terrible about it.” As Yue Chenqing spoke, a faint blush spread from his ears to his cheeks. He looked embarrassed and awkward. “I also want to apologize on Fourth Uncle’s behalf. We… we shouldn’t have spoken about you like that.”
He set down the flower cake and hesitated for a while before raising his clear black-and-white eyes.
“Jiang… uh, Elder Qingxu, thank you.”
In the end, he still did not call Jiang Yexue “Big Brother,” but at least he no longer called him “Hey” or directly addressed him by name.
Jiang Yexue smiled. That smile was like pearls submerged in water, like wind brushing flowers, and like a long stretch of goose-feather snow drifting tenderly along a river in the dead of night.
“Since I don’t blame you, naturally I won’t blame him either.” Jiang Yexue said softly, “I’ve lost many people—my mother, my wife… my home. Perhaps because of that, I see some things a little more clearly than you do. Apart from life and death, nothing is truly a great matter. If something can be overlooked, I won’t hold it against anyone. And besides, he… he’s actually a pretty good person. At least when I was at the Yue residence before, he never bullied me.”
Yue Chenqing asked, “Do you still want to return to the Yue residence?”
“I teach at the academy now, and my disciples are all very lovable.” Jiang Yexue turned back and smiled. “Whether I return or not isn’t important anymore.”
Yue Chenqing softly exhaled.
“You have such a good temper. If only Fourth Uncle could be that nice—”
“Then he wouldn’t be Murong Chuyi.” Jiang Yexue laughed. “All right, let’s not talk about these things anymore. Once his anger has subsided, talk to him properly. Weren’t you curious about Gu Mang’s affairs just now? I’ll tell you.”
Yue Chenqing nodded and dragged his cushion a little closer to Jiang Yexue.
Jiang Yexue’s voice was warm and gentle like flowing water.
“Have you heard of the Mirror of Time…?”
After he finished recounting everything that had happened, the sun was already high in the sky.
Jiang Yexue took a delicate yet very old little water clock from his robes. The drip inside it was extremely peculiar. It contained neither sand nor water, but drop after drop of bright-red beads.
He lowered his head and glanced at it.
“It’s about time. Before we reach the royal city, go get some rest. Remember to keep Brother Gu’s secret. We promised him.”
After Yue Chenqing went to sleep, Jiang Yexue ordered the little clay figures to clean up the cushion and the half-eaten tea snacks on the ground.
The nuclear boat’s sails and mast billowed loudly in the wind. Jiang Yexue sat alone beside the railing, gazing toward Murong Chuyi’s boat.
Suddenly, the bamboo screen of Murong Chuyi’s painted boat rolled upward, revealing the gloomy face of the man inside.
Murong Chuyi seemed troubled by his thoughts. He had originally intended to lift the curtain and get some fresh air, but before he could even take a breath, he saw Jiang Yexue looking at him across the sea of clouds.
Murong Chuyi: “…”
“Little Uncle…” Jiang Yexue smiled gently at him. His infinitely tender face was bathed in brilliant golden sunlight. Then, with a slight movement of his fingers, a paper crane materialized and flew toward the bamboo window of Murong Chuyi’s painted boat.
With a loud swish, Murong Chuyi unceremoniously dropped the curtain.
Jiang Yexue raised his brows slightly, looking as though he had expected this. He did not mind, merely shaking his head before returning to his own cabin.
The cabin was very quiet.
Gu Mang was already asleep, lying facedown among the bedding.
Jiang Yexue had not paid much attention to him at first. He merely glanced at him and intended to go bathe himself.
But after pushing his wheelchair for a short distance, he suddenly caught the faint, clean fragrance of soapberry lingering in the air.
Jiang Yexue could not help freezing.
Hmm?
Had Gu Mang just taken a bath?
He went behind the screen to take another look. Sure enough, the bathing tub and soapberry had been used.
Jiang Yexue could not help slightly furrowing his brows, and a vague, uncertain suspicion rose in his heart.
Everyone knew that Gu Mang was famously lazy. Normally, he did not like bathing before bed and preferred to wash after getting up in the morning. Jiang Yexue had once been his comrade and brother, so he knew this habit of Gu Mang’s all too well.
Why had he suddenly changed his mind and bathed before going to sleep?
Without making a sound, Jiang Yexue came to Gu Mang’s bedside and leaned against the back of his wheelchair, looking him over twice.
He noticed nothing unusual the first time.
But on the second look, he suddenly realized something.
He abruptly stopped.
His dark-brown eyes slowly shifted and fell upon the still-unremoved hair ribbon in Gu Mang’s hair.
It was a black ribbon with golden edging—
Lord Xihe’s hair ribbon?!