40. Hibernation
The wind gradually subsided, and the sun hid behind the clouds. The mountaintop was a bit chilly at night, but at that moment, two warm hearts nestled together, dispelling all the coldness.
When the two returned, Yin Li no longer walked forward with his head down as before. He stood beside Chu Qing, but he was like a newborn calf, somewhat at a loss. He tentatively took her hand, gentle and considerate.
He had longed for this moment for a long time.
Now, the moon hanging high in the sky is coming to him willingly, even if it is full of thorns.
"Master, are you cold?"
Yin Li casually took out a thicker cloak and draped it over Chu Qing without saying a word, tightening the front straps to make sure she didn't catch a cold.
"It's alright. I'll be fine once my spiritual power is fully restored in a few more days."
"Okay, sure."
Yin Li tightened his grip on her hand. The surrounding demonic energy emanated warmth, and a gentle breeze lifted the long hair on her shoulders and neck. Only then did Chu Qing notice that the white silk had been placed over his eyes again.
Intuition told him that this must be related to the fall off the cliff, but he still couldn't help but ask, "Yin Li, your eyes... were they injured after the fall?"
"Not really." The young man smiled faintly. "Master, would you like to know?"
"Um."
A thin blush spread across the woman's cheeks, adding a touch of gentleness to her originally cool expression.
"Then Master—hug me, and I'll tell you."
Yin Li pressed the tip of her tongue against her palate, suppressing the urge to blurt out "intimate," and pretended to be gentle and harmless.
well
Since Chu Qing had revealed most of her true feelings, she was not too resistant to some intimate actions. She took a step forward, gently hugged the boy's waist, and pressed her ear against his chest. The warmth of his skin through his clothes made her heart beat faster.
"Yin Li, you are very strong."
In an instant, the desire that had just sprouted seemed to be watered with a ripening agent, surging and growing wildly upwards, exuding vigorous vitality, and fiercely entangling his reason.
Chu Qing felt a strong force binding her, and their bodies pressed even closer together. The golden light of dusk scattered across the ground, adding a touch of romance to the desolate scene.
Immediately afterwards, a trembling voice came from above.
"My eyes are refining the spirit pearls. The Fire Dance Spirit Pearl is a product of the demon race, which provides me with demonic energy. However, the Xuanbing Spirit Pearl has too much spiritual energy and needs a container to slowly transform its immortal energy into demonic energy."
When did you—
The young man lowered his head and gently rubbed against the woman's warm neck, revealing a vulnerability he only showed in front of his master. He inhaled the unique fragrance emanating from her and lazily replied, "To survive the fall, I had to refine them into my eyes."
At first, due to difficulties in getting used to each other, there was a period when I couldn't even see. But it's much better now. Covering myself with white silk is to prevent the strong demonic energy from being exposed and harming innocent people.
The big dog in his arms rubbed against him again, letting out a satisfied sigh: "Master, you smell so good."
Chu Qing:! ! !
"You, you, get up! That's enough."
"oh."
Yin Li looked unwilling, but still complied with Chu Qing's wishes. When she looked up, she looked at her with a wronged expression, as if she had been bullied badly and was about to cry.
She subconsciously turned her face away, afraid that she would soften her heart. They had been lingering in the mountains for a long time, and it would be dark soon if they didn't leave.
"Let's go back first, let's go back."
"Um"
Their hands remained clasped tightly as they passed through the front courtyard, the palace, and the pool, eventually returning to a side hall that resembled the Cloud Mist Sect.
"Master, have some tea."
Once inside, Yin Li was no longer the cold and aloof person she had been in front of others. Instead, she opened her big, watery eyes and skillfully served everyone.
"Am I going to have to stay here for the next few days?"
The familiar floral scent filled her mouth. She was now unsure of Yin Li's attitude. After all, he seemed docile and obedient, but his dark side hadn't shown any signs of change.
Sure enough, the moment she finished speaking, a chill filled the air.
"My master promised to stay by my side forever."
Only then did Chu Qing see some traces of the Demon Lord in the other person. His gaze was very cold, and his gloomy eyebrows seemed to be suppressing anger that had nowhere to be vented.
"I just wanted to go out for a walk, that's all."
The person opposite him remained silent, staring at the white jade porcelain cup in his hand. After a long while, Yin Li suddenly smiled, as if the person from before was not the same person, and then returned to normal: "Where does Master want to go?"
Chu Qing had originally planned to probe the location of the library, but now, to avoid saying anything wrong, she thought for a moment and changed her mind, saying, "Um... wherever you are tomorrow, that's where I'll be."
Yin Li let out a muffled groan of pleasure. He placed the porcelain cup on the table, then curled his lips into a smile as he poured himself a cup of tea. His eyes were clear and bright: "Alright, Master, you have to stay with me all the time."
Chu Qing nodded, but before she could say anything, the person opposite her said first, "It's getting late, let's go to sleep."
Chu Qing:? ? ?
What?
It shouldn't be what she thinks...
It wasn't actually what she thought. Yin Li skillfully and persistently dampened a silk cloth, gently covering the other person's cheeks, carefully wiping every wrinkle and crease, then moving on to her hands and fingertips…
Chu Qing felt a little itchy at these sudden actions, her fingers seemed to be on fire, making the cold of the night seem insignificant.
"You—are you going to sleep here?"
As soon as she said it, she regretted it. The other person had already taken off their coat; how could they possibly go outside and freeze?
Yin Li, still wearing a red inner robe, paused upon hearing this. He smiled indifferently, picked up his outer robe, and was about to leave when he heard this: "Since Master is unwilling, then forget it."
[Current corruption level: 81, 82, 83, 84]
"No!"
Chu Qing gasped, trying her best to persuade him to stay in a normal tone: "It's late, Master will stay with you."
A gloomy mood flashed through Yin Li's mind, and she put the clothes aside again, lifted the quilt, and was about to crawl inside.
Feeling the warmth and fragrance of the person beside him, he sniffed and said with deep affection, "Master, I have no father or mother, only you. I know that the punishments before were not intentional."
Are you angry? I treated you so badly before.
"If Master hugs me, I won't be angry anymore."
He forcefully pulled Chu Qing's hand and placed it on his waist, patting it repeatedly as if soothing a baby, wanting Chu Qing to pat him like that.
well
Chu Qing showed no expression, but Yin Li could see clearly that there was heartache, self-blame, and—reluctance in her eyes.
Why would I be reluctant to part with it?
Is his master really going to leave him?
No, he won't let his master leave him.
Never.
Under the quiet yet unsettling night sky, no one spoke a word. The boy lying on the bed must have found a safe haven, for he soon closed his eyes and began to breathe shallowly.
Chu Qing seemed to be affected by the atmosphere as well, unconsciously patting the other person's back before quickly falling asleep.
Contrary to her initial expectations of being captured, humiliated, and forced, Yin Li did not go mad and do those unforgivable things. Instead, he often accommodated her and rarely showed his anger in front of her.
That's enough.
Chu Qing thought that everything should be done slowly, and that getting him back on track and eliminating the villain would be the final victory.
The next morning, the sunlight was blinding, forcefully taking over every shadow in the room. She rubbed her eyes and realized that Yin Li had already gotten up and was being helped to get dressed in front of the screen.
Perhaps hearing a sound from inside, the tall figure paused, gave a gesture, and then the group of people around him filed out, leaving only the two of them.
"Master is awake?"
Yin Li walked in with a smile, and the sunlight made Chu Qing momentarily dazed, as if he were still a child, like when he had finished practicing his skills at the Cloud Mist Sect and wanted to ask for praise.
It was only when I saw the elaborate clothing he was wearing that I was brought back to reality.
"Master, go wherever you want, just remember to come back early to change the dressing."
What are you doing—
"It's just some business to take care of. I'll come find you when I'm done."
Chu Qing nodded, then seemed to think of something to ask, but the other person had already hurried away, so she kept the question to herself.
I don't know how things are going on Qingshan Peak now.
"Jing'an, have you learned the seventeenth move? Teach me, please."
"No, you can practice on your own."
"Tch, stingy."
Chi Yuanhan pursed his lips. Ever since the Demon Lord kidnapped Elder Qingge last time, he had become Elder Hua's disciple. He and Zhao Jing'an were practically inseparable, and their rooms were even next to each other!
"But you learn so fast! The elder said to ask more questions if you don't know something. Sigh, he doesn't have time, but you do!"
Zhao Jing'an was speechless for a moment, but his expression did not reveal much emotion: "At noon, I will be waiting for you in the courtyard."
"!real?"
Before he could even reply with an "um," he saw Hua Qi hurrying towards him from ahead.
"Master."
"Master! Master!"
"Jing'an, Yuanhan, you're both here. Have you seen Mo Yu?"
"Senior Brother Mo...shouldn't he be at the Cloud Mist Sect?"
"Alright, come with me."
Chi Yuanhan and Zhao Jing'an exchanged a glance, not understanding their master's meaning, but still obediently followed.
As soon as they sat down inside, Hua Qi's expression turned serious, as he hesitated, unsure of how to begin.
"Master, please speak." Zhao Jing'an poured a cup of tea for the other party, his tone calm.
"You've probably heard about the battle in the secret realm a year ago. Wen Ruyu is currently missing, and we're intensifying our investigation. This shouldn't be related to you new disciples, but—"
Even the most oblivious person like Chi Yuanhan could sense the problem in the other person's tone.
"But now traces have been discovered, and they are in—the imperial city."
"The Imperial City!"
Without noticing, Chi Yuanhan bumped into a corner of the table, and the tea almost spilled.
"The five major families are deeply entrenched in the imperial city. Without alerting them, the best person to track them now is—"
Zhao Jing'an and Hua Qi exchanged a glance, seemingly having made a decision in their hearts. They stood up, cupped their hands, and said earnestly, "Disciple is willing to share Master's burdens."
"This disciple is also willing to share Master's burdens!"
Chi Yuanhan understood his master's meaning from Zhao Jing'an's words. He was just worried about not having a place to train, and now an opportunity had come knocking on his door.
"You should contact Senior Brother Mo Yu first; this matter cannot be rushed."
"yes."
The two answered in unison, and after Hua Qi left, Chi Yuanhan revealed a somewhat excited look: "Master means that we have a mission!"
Zhao Jing'an raised his eyelids slightly, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the hem of his clothes, without answering.
He knew very little about Wen Ruyu, except that he had heard she was a former elder who had seized a divine artifact, and nothing else. Why was she hiding in the imperial city now…?
It is still the human realm.
[Author's Note]
Haha, the villains are starting to cause trouble!
Actually, I think this book will be finished around December? (I really hope so, I don't want to have to stop updating during finals week...)
I'll try my best to save up some drafts soon!
Hope you little angels will comment and favorite this post~ Love you all ε=(ο｀*)))[Sprinkling flowers]
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