prove

"I was so focused on their injuries that I forgot to ask if they would blame me."

Ji Wang paced back and forth in front of the disciples' quarters, hesitant to go in: "I have to ask them. This place... may never be peaceful again. If they want to leave, return to the old site of the Monastery, or go to a more stable place, I should..."

Bu Jiu, standing to the side, followed Ji Wang's steps with his eyes. Remembering what Liu Yang had said at Bu Nian Temple, he stepped forward and pulled him aside. As they walked into the disciples' quarters, he comforted him, saying, "Since Daoist Liu Yang has brought the person here, it means he believes in your abilities and that this place is trustworthy. Let's go and ask him."

Inside the residence, the fellow disciples were talking in hushed tones. Although the atmosphere was somewhat somber, the previous fear and helplessness had vanished.

When Ji Wang and Bu Jiu entered, everyone looked up.

The eldest brother, who was leaning back on the couch, immediately struggled to sit up straight upon seeing this, his face showing obvious worry: "Sixth Brother? Why are you here again? Did we cause you some trouble? Those people are after us. If we stay here, will..."

His words were full of concern and self-blame, fearing that he had become a burden and brought more trouble upon himself.

Ji Wang felt a pang of sadness and quickly stepped forward, pressing down on his senior brother's shoulder to stop him from moving: "Senior brother, what are you saying! What do you mean by trouble! You are family members I invited here, how can family members be troublesome?"

He glanced around at the familiar faces in the room, seeing the injuries on their faces, the lingering fear in their eyes, and their worry for him, and his throat tightened.

"I'm here to formally ask everyone." Ji Wang's gaze swept over each person, "Those people came for me and Bu Jiu. I dare not hide it from you, the days ahead may not be peaceful, and dangers like today... will occur again."

He saw the tension on Sui An's face and his heart tightened, but he had to finish his sentence: "So, I want to ask you, after this ordeal, are you still willing to stay here and lend me a hand?"

His voice was not impassioned, but it was full of sincerity and respect for giving up the right to choose: "If you feel scared and want to go back to the Temple of No Remembrance, or want to go to a more stable place, I understand and will make proper arrangements without any objection."

The room fell silent for a moment after Ji Wang's words.

Sui An, who had been clutching Xuan Shi's sleeve, looked at Ji Wang, then at Bu Jiu beside him, who was silent yet had a strong presence. She recalled how Ji Wang had protected them like a divine warrior during the day, and how Mr. Huai Qing and a group of spirits had been busy and dedicated to treating them...

She took a step forward and pulled a crumpled talisman from her sleeve: "Senior brother, I can draw it now, don't worry about me... I want to stay here."

"Sixth Brother," the eldest brother followed up, "We who came from the non-Buddhist sect may not have great abilities, but we still understand the concept of 'righteousness.' You are the junior brother we watched grow up, and now you want to protect us and find us a better place. I understand your heart."

He took a breath and continued, "Today was terrifying. But if you hadn't arrived in time, we would probably be... It's dangerous here, but is it really safe outside? We were willing to come with you in the first place not for complete security, but because we trusted you as a person and trusted the new path you found for us."

The senior sister who was taking care of him immediately chimed in, "Junior Brother Ji Wang, now that we're here, we have no intention of deserting! The spiritual energy here is abundant, and the location is excellent, much better than our dilapidated Taoist temple! Danger? How can a cultivator not take any risks at all?"

Xuan Shi chimed in, "That's right! Although we may not be very skilled, we can still manage to guard the gate, patrol the mountains, and grow medicinal herbs! We can't let you do everything by yourself all the time!"

Sui'an clenched her little fists: "My senior brothers and sisters are here, and I've made friends. This place feels like home..."

For a moment, the room was filled with a cacophony of voices, each seemingly sharing the same sentiment, and no one suggested leaving.

Although there was still a hint of unease about the future in their eyes, there was more of a determination to face it together and a sense of belonging.

Bu Jiu, standing to the side, observed everyone's reactions. Just as Master Liu Yang had said, and as he had predicted. Ji Wang treated people with sincerity, and naturally, he received their sincere trust in return.

The heavy weight in Ji Wang's heart finally lifted, and he smiled with relief. He carefully instructed everyone to take good care of their injuries before walking out with Bu Jiu.

Dusk gradually enveloped the entire valley. The two had already traveled some distance from the disciples' residence, and the surroundings gradually quieted down, leaving only the sound of their footsteps and the faint chirping of insects in the distance.

Ji Wang looked at the person walking half a step to the side: "Before we went in, I was actually quite unsure of myself. I was afraid they would really leave, and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep them. But as soon as you started talking to me, I suddenly felt less panicked."

He took Bu Jiu's hand and swayed it back and forth, his eyes almost overflowing with love: "As long as I see you standing there, even if the sky falls down, I'm willing to try."

Bu Jiu looked at him helplessly: "How could I let you shoulder this alone..."

Ji Wang laughed out loud, then let out a satisfied yet wistful sigh that drifted gently into the air between them: "What I mean is... I really like you."

Having heard "I like you" so many times these past few days, Bu Jiu didn't feel shy like before. He simply pulled his hand away but didn't leave.

Instead, her fingertips traced the line of Ji Wang's forearm, slowly climbing upwards: "Words are no proof. Prove it to me."

"How can you prove it?" Ji Wang's smile deepened as he looked at the person in front of him. He leaned forward slightly, closing the already small distance between them.

Bu Jiu didn't answer, only pursed his lips, as if guarding the last line of defense. But his slightly reddened earlobes and the fox tail gently curling around Ji Wang had already completely betrayed him.

Ji Wang knew exactly what he meant, so he lowered his voice even further: "Or tell me, where should we begin, and where would be enough?"

His hand covered the tail and stroked it upwards: "It's not convenient here. Let's talk about it when we get back. After all, I have to fulfill your request to the fullest extent."

As soon as Fang returned to the house, almost as soon as the door was locked, Ji Wang pulled him back and pinned him against the wall beside him.

"Wait a minute—" Before Bu Jiu could finish speaking, he felt Ji Wang's hands encircle his waist, forming an inescapable circle of confinement.

Ji Wang lowered his head, found Bu Jiu's slightly pursed lips, and gently covered them. At first, it was just a gentle rubbing of lips, filled with tentative exploration and tenderness.

But in Bu Jiu's response, he sensed a subtle compliance, like a spark hitting dry tinder, and the flames that suddenly ignited instantly burned away the idea of ​​"taking it slow" in his mind.

The hand that was originally just around Bu Jiu's waist suddenly tightened, the palm exerting force, firmly clamping his waist, and then lifting him up slightly.

The person in front of him instantly detached from the wall's support, instinctively lifting their toes slightly, and was pulled closer to Ji Wang by that force.

This sudden change in altitude caused what was originally a light touch to deepen abruptly due to the change in angle.

A short, muffled groan escaped Bu Jiu's throat as his fingers gripped the fabric of Ji Wang's chest tightly.

He was somewhat taken aback by the sudden assertiveness and control, yet his mind was stirred by the deep kiss.

After a long while, Ji Wang stepped back slightly. He pressed his forehead against Bu Jiu's, their noses touching, their breathing slightly unsteady, but his eyes were locked on Bu Jiu's misty eyes.

Bu Jiu struggled for a moment, his toes still on tiptoe, making him feel uncomfortable as if he were suspended in mid-air.

Ji Wang obviously knew this too, and his mischievous thoughts resurfaced. He loosened his grip and took half a step back.

All of Bu Jiu's support points suddenly disappeared. Before he could even utter a single syllable, the arm that was still wrapped around his waist pulled him forward with an inward force, causing him to fall solidly into Ji Wang's arms.

"Ugh!" Bu Jiu groaned as he bumped into Ji Wang, his cheek pressed against Ji Wang's collarbone, his breathing completely erratic. He quickly reached out and wrapped his arms around Ji Wang's waist, like a drowning person grabbing onto a piece of driftwood.

Ji Wang laughed upon seeing this. He embraced the person in his arms with satisfaction, rubbed his chin against Bu Jiu's soft hair, and said in a voice full of triumphant pleasure, "Got him, now you have to listen to me."

The morning light lazily spread throughout the room, and a lingering, ambiguous atmosphere remained in the air.

Ji Wang was awakened by the noise beside him. He lay on his side, propping his head up, his gaze tracing the outline of the person next to him with undisguised affection.

Bu Jiu sat on the edge of the bed with his back to him, wearing a loose nightgown, his dark hair disheveled and draped over his shoulders.

He held a small bronze mirror in his hand, facing it intently as he looked at his neck.

The sunlight just illuminated that small patch of skin, leaving several rosy marks of varying shades.

Bu Jiu looked intently, his fingertips lightly brushing over one spot, his eyes somewhat complicated, as if confirming something, or perhaps pondering something.

Ji Wang moved over silently, resting his chin on his bare shoulder, his breath deliberately brushing against the marks on his earlobe and neck.

"What?" Ji Wang's gaze also fell on the mirror, meeting Bu Jiu's eyes in the mirror. "Regret it?"

He saw Bu Jiu glance at him.

Ji Wang tightened his arms, pulling the person closer into his embrace, and slowly reminded him in a breathy voice, "But I remember every word you said last night clearly."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and placed it on the most prominent hickey on Bu Jiu's neck, easing his pressure and gently tracing the outline of the mark: "Here, and here, don't they all prove that what you said back then was true?"

In the mirror, Bu Jiu's cheeks flushed a deeper crimson at a visible speed, spreading all the way to her ears. She lowered her eyelashes, trying to avoid Ji Wang's gaze in the mirror, and also to avoid the overly obvious evidence on her neck.

He neither denied it nor broke free from Ji Wang's embrace. He simply placed the bronze mirror, which reflected their intimate posture and mottled marks, on his lap.