Half an incense stick later, Xie Shuci borrowed the kitchen of Manjiangtang and cooked two bowls of noodles for himself and the king.

In the lobby, Xie Shuci sat at the table, intently slurping noodles.

"hey-hey……"

Two men with bruised and swollen faces were sitting on the ground; one of them looked like a frail scholar.

"Young hero, do you think... you can let us go?" the scholar asked with a smirk.

"Awooo!" The king stood guard at Xie Shuci's feet and barked fiercely at the scholar.

Xie Shuci finished the last sip of noodle soup, elegantly wiped his mouth, and said, "Your Majesty, please go and eat."

"Aww!"

After saying that, Xie Shuci stood up and walked to the two of them.

Upon seeing Xie Shuci, the pageboy immediately grinned, his face crinkling with wrinkles, and bowed, saying, "Daoist Master, my young master is just a poor, penniless scholar. Few people ever read his writings. He just thought that since you are so famous, writing something related to you might make him famous too. He has no other intentions."

The scholar nodded in agreement, “Yes, that’s right. I absolutely did not covet anything from you, it’s just… it’s just…”

Xie Shuci crossed his arms and sat down facing them.

"Wait a minute, wait a minute!"

Seeing him sit on the ground, the pageboy quickly brushed the dust off the ground with his sleeve, saying, "Please."

Xie Shuci: "..."

This guy is quick to understand.

Xie Shuci glanced at them dismissively, then sat down.

"What do you write?" Xie Shuci asked the scholar.

The scholar chuckled dryly: "I have loved storytelling since I was a child, and I have written a few mediocre stories, none of which have received any attention."

"So how do you plan to make fun of me?"

"Well... well, hehe..." The scholar raised an eyebrow at him meaningfully, "Young hero, how about this, I'll write a few more handsome male concubines for you in the book? Like the young master? You can 'play' whatever you want?"

"Cough..." Xie Shuci almost choked on his own saliva. He quickly glanced upstairs and saw that Xie An was resting in his room.

"Don't talk nonsense! I'm not in that kind of relationship with him." Xie Shuci's ears turned red, and she quickly stopped the scholar from continuing.

Seeing the scholar's excited appearance, Xie Shuci muttered to himself, "Isn't this guy from ancient times? He says he can do whatever he wants. Does he have to be so unrestrained?"

After saying that, Xie Shuci hesitated for a moment and asked, "Do we really look that close?"

Is it because he usually gets too close to the blind boy that outsiders think this way?

The scholar paused for a moment, thought carefully, and then said seriously, "Oh no, that's not true."

Xie Shuci: "..."

"Are you crazy? Why do you insist on writing a story about the two of us?" Xie Shuci rolled her eyes.

"Isn't that because you like men!" the scholar said in a low voice. "That disciple of the Free and Unfettered Sect, proposing to someone in front of everyone, wasn't that..."

"Stop, stop, stop!"

Upon hearing this, Xie Shuci felt a headache coming on and said helplessly, "I was just trying to annoy him, who knew he would take it seriously."

The two scholars exchanged a glance.

"So, you don't like men?" the page asked.

"Ah." Xie Shuci nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Then, he frowned and added, "Anyway, I don't like Deng Changqing. The thought of becoming his Daoist partner and having a romantic relationship with him makes me feel nauseous."

"What about the others? Like that young master beside you?" the scholar asked tentatively.

With Xie An? Xie Shuci was taken aback.

She became Xie An's Daoist partner and they discussed love...

For some reason, Xie Shuci suddenly pictured the little blind boy's naked back, his fair skin, powerful muscles, smooth muscle lines, water droplets slowly flowing along the skin's texture, steam rising into the air, creating an atmosphere that made his head spin...

A flame ignited in Xie Shuci's chest, almost instantly spreading to his cheeks. His cheeks were burning hot, and his heart was pounding like crazy, feeling like it was about to burst out of his chest.

Xie Shuci cupped her face in her hands, her mind filled with thoughts of the little blind boy... and the little blind boy...

The pageboy and the scholar looked at each other, exchanged a glance, and tiptoed to their feet, intending to make a quick getaway.

Just as the two turned their backs and prepared to walk out.

Realizing what was happening, Xie Shuci roared, "Come back here!"

"Aww! Aww!" Did you hear that? Diedie is calling you back!

The two scholars turned around stiffly, "Young...Young hero?"

"How old is Xie An? Huh? You dare to make up stories about him like that? In my hometown... in my own country, minors are absolutely not allowed to date!"

The scholar and his page were both dumbfounded. "Underage?"

Xie Shuci snorted coldly and said to the two of them, "Sit down."

"Oh..." Forced by the intimidation, the two obediently sat back down in their original seats.

"Listen carefully, Xie An and I are brothers, completely innocent and pure. Even in stories, don't make things up for me. You'd better portray me as some kind of peerless hero, unbound by love and affection, wandering the world with Xie An, always ready to help those in need, understand?"

"I know, I know!" The scholar practically nodded his head off like a sieve.

Seeing their prompt agreement, Xie Shuci snorted coldly, barely managing to calm down.

He dusted off his clothes, stood up, and helped the two of them up as well.

“I understand your thinking. It’s similar to those marketing accounts in my hometown that jump on trending topics, writing about whatever’s popular.” Xie Shuci said the last few words with a hint of smugness, “I have some absolutely exclusive news. Do you want to hear it?”

The two scholars tilted their heads, thinking that this alchemist was indeed a figure from the Floating Pagoda Realm. They couldn't understand any of the words he used, but they could roughly guess what they meant.

"What news?" the two asked, puzzled.

Xie Shuci waved to the two men, signaling them to come closer, and said, "The truth about the mysterious disappearance of the Water God Clan and the Banxia Clan."

Both of them were stunned upon hearing this.

For ordinary people like them, the Water God was a legendary figure from ancient times, often heard of in myths and legends.

The cultivation world knows very little about the Banxia clan. If he could really find out the truth about the disappearance of the Banxia clan, he would definitely become famous in the cultivation world!

"Tell me about it?"

Xie Shuci said, "I can guarantee that this matter is absolutely true. If you don't believe me, you can ask the Chu family of Yingzhou, the Xiaoyao Sect, and the Hehuan Sect for verification. This time in the Dragon Fang Secret Realm, we entered a tomb of immortals..."

Xie Shuci, having slept too much during the day, was exceptionally energetic. He dragged the two scholars along and recounted everything that had happened in the Immortal's Tomb, omitting some details that were inconvenient to reveal. In short, he described his moment of glory in vivid detail.

As dawn broke, the candles in the hall burned out.

The king leaned against Xie Shuci's feet, dozing off, while the page boy also slumped to one side, emitting soft snores.

Only Xie Shuci and the scholar were present. Xie Shuci was particularly eager to express himself, embellishing his description of his heroic figure in great detail, while also praising the disciples of the Hehuan Sect and Chu Guiyi. The scholar, on the other hand, listened intently with a bright light in his eyes.

When the waiter, rubbing his sleepy eyes, came to open the door, the two were still reluctant to part.

"Brother, we're all brothers, you understand? We've been best buddies who've talked late into the night. When you become famous, remember to write about me, okay? It would be best if you described me as an all-powerful hero who can go anywhere!" Xie Shuci put one foot on the stool and put his arm around the scholar's shoulder.

In reality, he could only be an ordinary "drug dealer," but in the book, he could certainly show off his power and prestige.

That evening, he and Xie Shuci had a very pleasant conversation. Although Xie occasionally uttered unfamiliar words, a scholar should not be ashamed to ask questions. After a while, he was able to understand the meaning of those strange words Xie Shuci used.

"My name is Du Pingsheng, and all men are brothers across the five lakes and four seas!"

"I hereby decline this offer. If I become rich and powerful, please do not forget me!"

"If I become rich and powerful, I will not forget you."

So when Xie An and Chu Guiyi slowly went downstairs, Xie Shuci and Du Pingsheng blocked the entrance of the inn, looking reluctant to part and appreciating each other, as if they had found their best friends.

"Brother Xie, it is a great pleasure to meet you today."

"Brother Du, though we are separated by oceans and seas, we are as close as neighbors!"

"What a wonderful saying! Though separated by vast oceans, we are as close as neighbors! Thank you, brother. It is truly regrettable that we part today, for I do not know when we will meet again..."

"Brother Du, I feel the same way as you..."

"What's going on with these two?" Chu Wenfeng leaned against the counter, nodded towards Xie Shuci and the other person, and asked the waiter.

The waiter said listlessly, "They spent the whole night in the lobby flattering each other and developed feelings for each other."

"Young master, are we leaving or not? We'll miss the carriage leaving the city," the page urged, yawning.

Xie An appeared behind Xie Shuci without anyone noticing, lowered his eyes, and asked, "Who are you talking to?"

"Ah?" Upon suddenly hearing Xie An's voice, Xie Shuci was taken aback. He turned around, pulled Xie An to his side, and introduced him, "Brother Du, this is my younger brother, Xie An. Although we are not blood brothers, we are closer than blood brothers."

Du Pingsheng nodded knowingly and said with a righteous expression, "Last night I was judging you by my own petty standards. Your relationship with Young Master Xie is clearly a pure and innocent brotherhood. I will definitely clarify this in the book."

Thank you!

You're welcome!

"Xie Shuci." Xie An bent down and took Xie Shuci's hand hanging by his side. "I didn't sleep well last night."

The warmth of their fingers touching made Xie Shuci pause for a moment, then he realized what Xie An meant. His attention was immediately diverted, and he frowned with concern as he came back to his senses. "What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?"

Xie An pursed his lips, lowered his head, and shook his head, saying, "I can't sleep."

Seeing Xie An's hesitant expression, Xie Shuci realized what was going on.

Despite his calm demeanor, the little blind man has his moments of fear. Xie Shuci has been keeping him company every night until he falls asleep. Last night, he couldn't sleep and left the little blind man alone in the room. The little blind man must have been terrified, but he didn't want to force himself, so he suppressed his fear and didn't come down to find him.

Thinking of this, Xie Shuci couldn't help but feel annoyed. He lowered his voice and said, "Eat something first, and I'll sleep with you later."

Xie An lowered his head, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Du Pingsheng looked at their clasped hands, then at Xie Shuci's caring gaze, then at their intimate posture, and then at Xie An's nonchalant attitude. A sense of doubt crept into his expression.

Was I wrong?

So this is what true brotherhood looks like?

"Thank you, Brother Xie. In that case, I shall take my leave."

Then he saw his best buddy, who had been shoving him around at the door for half an incense stick's time and calling him brother, turn around without even looking back, and even waved his hand as if he was in the way, saying, "Okay, let's go."

Du Pingsheng: "..."

Goodness.

Du Pingsheng felt that he had seen through Xie Shuci's true nature in just a quarter of an hour, so he left with his servant without looking back.

Xie Shuci and Chu Wenfeng sat back down at the table. Chu Wenfeng said with a half-smile, "Xie Shuci, you're something else. You've already become sworn brothers with a thief so quickly?"

“Hey! You can’t say that.” Xie Shuci said seriously, and firmly defended his newly acquainted brother, “He’s a writer, and he steals things to find inspiration. Of course, I’m not advocating this kind of behavior. It’s just that in my hometown, artists are just like that, so what he did was relatively mild. And let me tell you, I’ve already recruited him. From now on, you’ll be able to read about my glorious deeds in the storybooks.”

Upon hearing this, Chu Wenfeng sneered: "Glorious deeds? What glorious deeds? Is it the deeds of having several male concubines by your side, or the deeds of being pounced on by your male concubines?"

"You..." Xie Shuci blushed and glanced guiltily at Xie An. "Don't talk nonsense."

Xie An reacted indifferently, sitting quietly with his eyes lowered. Chu Guiyi took a sip of tea and said gently, "Wen Feng, don't talk nonsense."

Upon hearing Chu Guiyi speak, Xie Shuci felt as if he had found a backer, puffed out his chest and said, "Did you hear that? Senior Brother told you not to talk nonsense."

Chu Wenfeng curled his lip and rolled his eyes at him.

A short while later, the waiter served food to the four of them.

Chu Wenfeng looked up at Xie Shuci and the other person and asked, "Shuci, what are your plans for the future?"

This question stumped Xie Shuci.

He originally planned to find a small place to hide from Xiao Xun and earn enough money to make a living. Later, he met the little blind man, encountered some inexplicable things, and discovered that he was actually very wealthy. It seemed that he could live a good life without much effort.

Xie Shuci glanced at Xie An and asked, "Xie An, do you want to restore your cultivation?"

Xie An paused for a moment, then shook his head.

Seeing this, Xie Shuci said to Chu Guiyi, "I might take Xie An and the King on a trip to see the sights and learn how to refine elixirs. With the King around... and I've gained some fighting ability now, nothing should go wrong."

Chu Guiyi nodded and said, "Shuci, the bronze cauldron and the Fulong magic weapon are not only used for alchemy and defense. We will inquire about them for you after we return to the Chu family. You two need to be careful."

After saying that, he turned to look at Chu Wenfeng and said, "Wenfeng, take out your waist token."

Chu Wenfeng reluctantly took out a brown waist tag from his sleeve, on which was written the character "Chu".

Chu Guiyi added, “Shuci, this is a belt that only inner disciples of the Chu family possess. It may not be of much use to you now, but in the near future, the Chu family will surely become the number one immortal sect in Yingzhou.”

Xie Shuci carefully took the waist token and asked, "Aren't you going to the Floating Pagoda Realm?"

Chu Guiyi chuckled and said, "It's fine if we don't advance to the Floating Pagoda Realm. But in the Immortal Sect Selection six months from now, I will definitely make the Chu family one of the top ten Immortal Sects among the Hundred Sects."

In other words, even if they get the chance to move to the Floating Pagoda Realm, they will not return there.

He just wanted to prove that the Chu family was capable of returning, but that the Floating Pagoda Realm was no longer worth their return.

Xie Shuci nodded. "I don't think the Floating Pagoda Realm is anything special either."

Chu Guiyi smiled but remained silent.

After a moment, he said, “Shuci, mid-July is the time when the startled bird returns to its nest once every ten years. At that time, its companion flower will bloom. I was fortunate enough to see it once. The flowers bloomed all over the fields, like the sunset. If you are interested, go and see it.”

"Is it pretty?" Xie Shuci's eyes lit up.

Chu Guiyi stared at him intently, then lowered her eyes and smiled faintly, saying, "The scenery is indeed beautiful, but unfortunately I have no heart to appreciate it. Shuci, if you like it, I will not be very happy."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xie An, who had been sitting quietly with his eyes down, frowned.

Chu Wenfeng was also taken aback.

Xie Shuci found the place quite interesting when he heard him talk about it, so he asked, "Where is it? If it's not far, I'll take Xie An to see it."

Chu Guiyi said, "It's not far, only five days' journey from here. You and Young Master Xie can set off tomorrow and arrive in Tianzhu City before the startled birds return to their nests. You can then enjoy a few days of sightseeing in the city."

Chu Wenfeng glanced at Xie Shuci with a complicated expression, his eyes still showing a hint of frustration, and his words were tinged with resentment: "Tianzhu City is the city with the most merchants coming and going. The city is famous for its rouge and face powder. It is said that Tianzhu City is like a brothel that encompasses everything. There are countless singers, courtesans, dancers, musicians, and courtesans. The city's most beautiful courtesan, Luo Xianyu, is even known as the most beautiful woman in the world."

"The most beautiful woman in the world? Even more beautiful than the sisters of the Hehuan Sect?" Xie Shuci asked in surprise.

Chu Wenfeng glanced at him and said, "I've never seen it before, how would I know?"

Xie Shuci immediately looked at Chu Guiyi. To be honest, Xie Shuci had seen very few truly beautiful women, and with the little blind girl by his side, he always felt that no one he met, man or woman, was as beautiful as the little blind girl. Perhaps it was because the little blind girl was so beautiful that he vaguely felt there was something wrong with his sexual orientation. Maybe if he saw a young lady even more beautiful than the little blind girl, he wouldn't blush at the mere thought of Xie An's naked back.

Seeing him looking over, Chu Guiyi said helplessly, "Miss Luo is elegant and radiant, while Elder Ye is unpretentious and charming. They each have their own merits."

Upon hearing this, Xie Shuci became even more interested and hurriedly said to Xie An, "Xie An, let's go to Tianzhu City to see the Jingyu Flower!"

Chu Wenfeng said with a forced smile, "Are you going to see the flowers? I'm too embarrassed to call you out on it."

"What's the conflict between looking at flowers and looking at beautiful women? Don't you know that beautiful women are like flowers? I always appreciate them with pure eyes. What do you know, you little brat?"

"You understand, you understand perfectly, you understand the king."

Xie Shuci: "..."

Although these were words she herself had said, Xie Shuci was still a little uncomfortable to hear such a futuristic term come out of Chu Wenfeng's mouth.

After they finished arguing, Xie An coldly uttered two words, "Whatever," and then went back to his room.

Xie Shuci, remembering that he hadn't slept well the night before, said goodbye to Chu Guiyi and returned to his room.

"Shu Ci, Wen Feng and I left after noon."

Before leaving, Chu Guiyi said to him.

Xie Shuci was taken aback for a moment, "Oh...then I'll come down and see you off."

"good."

Xie Shuci followed Xie An back to his room. He had been chatting with Du Pingsheng all night and was actually a little sleepy in the morning. Hearing that Chu Guiyi and the others would be leaving after noon, he felt a pang of sadness and couldn't fall asleep in bed.

After he tossed and turned twice, Xie An said, "You can't bear to part with it?"

"Ah..." Xie Shuci shook her head, "No, I just don't know when we'll see each other again."

Xie An pursed his lips, his expression gloomy. "It's better not to see him."

Xie Shuci sighed, put his hands behind his head, looked at the bed curtains, and asked, "Little blind man, what did Guiyi mean by what he just said? What did he mean by saying that if I like it, he won't be happy? He wouldn't be..."

"He suggested you go to Tianzhu City to see the Jingyu Flower, and naturally hopes you will like it."

Xie Shuci was interrupted by Xie An before he could finish speaking.

Xie Shuci looked confused; what he said didn't seem wrong.

"sleep."

Before Xie Shuci could think it through, Xie An turned to the side and placed his hand on Xie Shuci's waist.

The sudden close contact left Xie Shuci stunned, and all the strange thoughts in his mind vanished instantly.

He unconsciously held his breath, tensed all his muscles, and focused all his senses on Xie An's arm, feeling a gentle, tingling sensation.

Although she had slept in the same bed with Xie An in the past, the two always kept their distance and neither of them touched the other.

Xie Shuci's sleeping posture was actually not very good. He liked to stick to heat sources, and he deliberately kept his distance from Xie An so as not to disturb Xie An's sleep. Xie An was probably not used to sharing a bed with someone.

One night, Xie Shuci was thirsty and tried to get out of bed to drink water, but he accidentally bumped into Xie An. He was immediately thrown against the headboard by Xie An. The moment their eyes met, Xie An's breathing became rapid, making Xie Shuci think that he was about to be devoured.

Xie Shuci later wanted to sleep in a separate bed with him, but he didn't dare... um... no... it's not that he didn't dare, it's just that... they always encountered danger, how could he let the little blind boy sleep alone?! Right?

But this time, Xie An took the initiative to run into him.

Xie Shuci was being gently pressed down by him, yet he dared not move. He rolled his eyes and secretly glanced at Xie An's face.

The latter didn't seem to notice anything amiss, keeping his eyes closed and breathing evenly, looking like he was about to fall asleep.

Realizing she was about to suffocate, Xie Shuci slowed her breathing. When she smelled Xie An's faint fragrance, her face flushed red, as if it were on fire.

He couldn't help but swallow, his eyes darting around unnaturally, sometimes to Xie An's eyelashes, sometimes to Xie An's nose, sometimes to Xie An's lips...

Xie Shuci abruptly looked away, his heart pounding in his chest. But after a moment, he couldn't help but look back. His gaze followed Xie An's sharply defined chin down to his slightly protruding Adam's apple, his jade-like collarbone, his slightly open robe, and a patch of snow-white chest...

Thank you for your reply! Stop looking!

Xie Shuci covered his eyes with his hands to prevent himself from looking around.

Xie Xiaoci, are you crazy?! You're a man! The blind man is a man too! He's just a man who's better looking than others, makes you feel especially safe, is especially accommodating, and especially obedient to you! How could you peek at him!

The blind boy doesn't understand anything! Doesn't your conscience hurt?!

Think of Sister Ye, think of the sisters of the Hehuan Sect, aren't they beautiful?

Get the hell out of your head all those filthy thoughts!

Calm down... calm down...

Xie Shuci took a deep breath; he must have been too tired lately.

Brothers...brothers...

After repeating it to himself several times, Xie Shuci finally felt his boiling brain cool down.

He tried to calm his breathing and lowered his hand. Xie An's breathing was even, and he was not disturbed.

Sleep! Sleep! Go save the world in your dreams, Xie Xiaoci!

Xie Shuci didn't dare to glance at Xie An again, and kept his eyes tightly closed.

But the surroundings had only been quiet for a short while when Xie An's hand on Xie Shuci's waist suddenly tightened unconsciously, pulling Xie Shuci closer to his chest.

Xie Shuci stiffened, still not daring to open his eyes. He gritted his teeth, thinking, "How am I supposed to sleep if you keep acting like this?"

So Xie Shuci gently pinched Xie An's wrist, then gently placed it back on him, then gently widened the distance between them, and then gently turned around, turning his back to Xie An.

After all that, Xie Shuci's pounding heart gradually calmed down, and the thin air around him felt much more comfortable.

But he couldn't see that as he relaxed, Xie An behind him slowly opened his eyes.

He looked at Xie Shuci, who was pressed against the corner of the wall, in a sleeping posture that could be described as facing the wall in contemplation, and silently raised the corners of his lips.