Chapter 149
A deathly silence fell over the room. In the steamy atmosphere, Su Zhelan remained standing in the same spot, her lips slightly swollen and glistening with a damp sheen from being ravaged.
His eyes were somewhat vacant, as if he had not yet recovered from that extremely aggressive kiss, and a faint blush appeared on his cheeks.
That blush and those lips, clearly the color of someone who had been pampered, pierced Shengxuan's eyes like needles.
Almost the instant the door closed, Sheng Xuan moved abruptly. He stepped forward, grabbing Su Zhelan's wrist without a word, the force almost leaving a red mark. His other hand forcefully gripped Su Zhelan's lower back, pulling her sharply into his arms. Caught off guard, Su Zhelan let out a soft groan as her slender body crashed into Sheng Xuan's firm, burning chest.
"What does he mean?!" Sheng Xuan's voice was low and deep, filled with suppressed jealousy and anger, his hot breath brushing against Su Zhelan's sensitive earlobe. "'Wait for me tonight'? Hmm? When did you two make this plan? Behind my back?"
His arms were wrapped tightly around Su Zhelan's waist like iron hoops, locking her firmly in his embrace. He lowered his head and pressed his forehead against Su Zhelan's, his gaze intense, as if he wanted to see every emotion in Su Zhelan's eyes clearly.
"It's only been a few days, and he's already...been so intimate with you?" Sheng Xuan's tone was a mixture of grievance, anger, and a sense of being violated. "And you just let him kiss you? Why didn't you push him away?"
Su Zhelan was struggling to breathe from his grip, and her wrists ached from his tightness. She could clearly feel Sheng Xuan's violent heartbeat and his almost explosive possessiveness.
He didn't struggle, but merely frowned slightly and looked up to meet Sheng Xuan's eyes, which were burning with jealousy.
The grievance and unease in her eyes were too obvious, and Su Zhelan sighed softly in his heart. He softened his voice, offering a reassuring tone tinged with helplessness: "We didn't make plans. Don't be silly."
"I'm not making a scene!" Sheng Xuan's voice suddenly rose as if a cat's tail had been stepped on, but he realized his loss of composure in the next moment and forcibly suppressed it, turning it into a low whisper through gritted teeth. His gaze was fixed on Su Zhelan's slightly swollen lips, his eyes dark. Suddenly, he lowered his head and, with a sense of defiance and declaration, heavily pressed his lips against the territory that had just been invaded by another person.
This kiss carried a sense of punishment and cleansing, rough and urgent. Unlike Xiao Qiyun's controlling kiss, it was more turbulent and direct, as if it wanted to cover up all the scents that did not belong to it.
Su Zhelan leaned back slightly from his kiss, but didn't truly resist. Only after Sheng Xuan bit her a few times in a fit of rage did he pull away slightly, his breathing a little unsteady, yet he still held Su Zhelan tightly, his chin resting on her shoulder, his voice muffled, filled with an overwhelming, bittersweet emotion: "I missed you so much..."
The last sentence was almost mumbled out, carrying the stubbornness and irrationality characteristic of a teenager.
Su Zhelan listened to his childish complaints and possessive declaration, feeling both helpless and amused. He could feel Sheng Xuan's arms still taut around him, but the sharp anger seemed to have been mostly soothed by the jealous kiss and clumsy declaration.
He raised the hand that wasn't being held and gently patted Sheng Xuan's back. "I know." Su Zhelan's voice was soft, carrying a hint of barely perceptible indulgence.
Sheng Xuan buried his face in Su Zhelan's neck, took a deep breath, and felt the unique scent of Su Zhelan mixed with a faint herbal aroma around his nose, which completely calmed his restless mind.
He gave a muffled "hmm," his voice still slightly nasal, but devoid of the anger and accusation he had shown earlier. Looking up at Su Zhelan's still slightly weary eyes and lips that were slightly red from his kiss, a strong sense of protectiveness and heartache welled up within him.
"Alright," Sheng Xuan's voice was extremely soft, with a coaxing tone. He released his arms from around Su Zhelan and gently grasped his wrist, pulling him towards the soft couch. "Let's not talk about him anymore. Go lie down and rest."
He gently helped Su Zhelan to the soft couch, his movements much softer than before. Su Zhelan obediently sat down without resistance.
Sheng Xuan immediately squatted down, helped Su Zhelan take off his shoes, and carefully settled him in so that he could comfortably lean against the soft couch.
Su Zhelan leaned back on the soft couch, not lying down immediately. He remained silent for a moment, his gaze falling on his hands, which were folded across his knees, his fingertips unconsciously curling slightly. When he spoke again, his voice was soft, with a barely perceptible tinge of difficulty:
“Shengxuan…”
Sheng Xuan was about to grab a light blanket when she heard the sound and immediately stopped, looking up at him: "Hmm? What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Su Zhelan shook her head slightly, her eyelids lowered, avoiding Sheng Xuan's concerned gaze. Her voice was even lower, as if she were talking to herself, or as if she were struggling to confess: "Actually... I'm not as... as I seem... harboring many... dark thoughts. What you see, perhaps..."
Before he could finish speaking, Sheng Xuan suddenly stood up, took a step in front of him, and moved so fast that it created a gust of wind. Without hesitation, he reached out and covered Su Zhelan's mouth with his warm, calloused hand, stopping him from saying anything more.
"Rest when you're tired," Sheng Xuan's voice was low, almost close to his ear, with an undeniable gentleness. "Don't think about useless things."
He stepped back slightly, picked up a thin blanket, and carefully covered Su Zhelan with it. His movements were somewhat forceful and angry, yet he covered her with utmost care, all the way up to her chest, as if he wanted to use the blanket to shut down all of Su Zhelan's chaotic thoughts.
"Close your eyes and sleep for a while." Sheng Xuan pulled over a thin blanket and carefully covered Su Zhelan up to her chest, his movements as meticulous as a servant caring for a patient. "I'll stay here with you and won't go anywhere."
He pulled over the low stool and sat down next to the soft couch, his gaze fixed intently on Su Zhelan's face. The jealousy and grievance in his eyes had been completely replaced by pure worry and protection.
Looking at his cautious yet incredibly earnest demeanor, Su Zhelan felt a pang of helplessness melt away. He was indeed exhausted, both physically and mentally. He softly hummed in agreement and obediently closed his eyes.
The only sounds in the room were the gentle gurgling of the hot spring water and the soft breathing of the two people. Su Zhelan's eyes were closed, but his long eyelashes trembled slightly, clearly indicating that he was not asleep. After a long while, he suddenly called out very softly:
“Shengxuan…”
"I'm here." Sheng Xuan's voice rang out immediately, deep and clear, without the slightest hesitation. He remained seated close to the soft couch, his gaze never leaving it.
Su Zhelan remained silent for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully, or perhaps gathering his courage. When he spoke again, his voice was still soft, but it carried a cold, poisonous determination: "When the time comes... if we capture that cult leader... could you... let me finish him off with my own hands?"
Sheng Xuan answered almost without hesitation. He reached out and precisely located Su Zhelan's slightly cool hand under the thin blanket, enveloping it tightly in his own palm with a firm yet warm touch. His answer was decisive, leaving no room for negotiation, as if it were a matter of course:
"That's natural."
He paused, then squeezed Su Zhelan's hand slightly, as if conveying some unspoken promise and power. His voice was calm but carried a bloodthirsty murderous intent: "His life is meant to be taken by you."
These words were like a heavy floodgate closing, temporarily sealing away the dark thoughts churning in Su Zhelan's heart. That cold, poisoned resolve, strangely soothed by Sheng Xuan's unreserved agreement and calm killing intent, found a sliver of comfort. Her taut nerves seemed to relax for a moment, followed by a deeper weariness.
Su Zhelan closed his eyes and remained silent. The warmth from Sheng Xuan's palm and that unquestionable promise were like a warm current, slowly dispelling the chill from his limbs. His slightly trembling eyelashes gradually calmed down, his breathing changed from shallow to long and even, and his body completely relaxed on the soft couch, sinking into a true sleep.
Sheng Xuan remained motionless, holding his hand. He sat on the low stool, his back straight, his gaze calmly fixed on Su Zhelan's sleeping face. The face had lost its usual coldness and occasional gloom, appearing exceptionally fragile and serene in the dim light. Sheng Xuan watched as his slightly furrowed brow slowly relaxed in his sleep, and saw the marks he and Xiao Qiyun had left on his lips. A complex mix of emotions welled up within him—heartache, a determination to protect, and a lingering bitterness, but ultimately, all coalesced into a steadfast resolve.
Time slipped away quietly amidst the gurgling of the hot spring water and Su Zhelan's steady breathing. The sky outside the window changed from a bright afternoon to a magnificent dusk, finally sinking into the inky blue of night. Soft lights were lit inside the Suyu Temple, and the steam shimmered in the light, creating a hazy glow.
Su Zhelan was awakened by a slight feeling of hunger. He slowly opened his eyes, his vision still a little blurry, and it took him a moment to adjust before he could make out the familiar gauze curtains above him and the flickering candlelight. As his consciousness returned, he felt his hand still being tightly enveloped by a warm, large hand.
He turned his head slightly and saw that Sheng Xuan was still sitting on the low stool, his posture almost unchanged, but his gaze had returned from the window and was now focused on him.
"Awake?" Sheng Xuan's voice was slightly hoarse, clearly indicating he hadn't spoken in a while. He released Su Zhelan's hand and naturally touched her forehead. "How are you feeling? Hungry? Thirsty?"
Su Zhelan gently shook his head and tried to sit up. Sheng Xuan immediately reached out to support his back and adjusted the position of the cushion.
"I slept for quite a while." Su Zhelan's voice was slightly hoarse from just waking up, her gaze sweeping across the deep night outside the window.
“Hmm,” Sheng Xuan responded, got up and walked to the table to pour a glass of warm water. He tested the temperature before handing it to Su Zhelan’s lips. “Drink some water first.”
Su Zhelan drank a few sips of warm water from his hand, which soothed his dry throat. He leaned back on the cushion, watching Sheng Xuan put down the water glass, then turned and picked up a scroll from the low table beside him.
"While you were asleep this afternoon, Xiao Qiyun sent someone to deliver this." Sheng Xuan handed the scroll to Su Zhelan. It was the map of the secret path in the back mountain that Xiao Qiyun had promised. "There are also some other things you asked me to prepare before, all of which are over there."
He pointed to an inconspicuous package in the corner.
Su Zhelan took the scroll, its leather surface cool to the touch. He untied the cord and slowly unrolled it. The map was drawn with exquisite detail, on fine parchment, the ink clear and distinct.
Not only were the hidden paths leading to the core altar of the Burning Heart Cult marked, but different colored lines also indicated possible sentry posts, patrol routes, and several areas marked with danger symbols. Next to some key points, there were even annotations written in tiny, sharp characters, the handwriting of Xiao Qiyun.
"Your Highness is very well prepared." Su Zhelan's fingers gently traced the fine lines and annotations on the map, her eyes focused and sharp. However, as her gaze moved across the map, a deeper chill gradually settled beneath that sharpness.
Although the location has changed, the familiar symbols on the map reveal the deep-seated mark of the cult.
Su Zhelan's fingertips unconsciously paused on the altar pattern, as if she could feel the touch of that cold stone ground in her memory under her fingertips, as well as the nauseating smell of blood and incense that permeated the air.
“That’s their style…” Su Zhelan’s voice lowered, carrying a chilling insight. “Even if they change their nest, their inherent malice and cunning will not change.”
His gaze swept across every corner of the map like a hawk's, his brain racing, combining his deep understanding of the Burning Heart Sect's ways of doing things, he began to deduce all the worst possibilities.
“This seemingly most secluded path,” he pointed to the trail clinging to the cliff on the map, “has a narrow entrance, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. But knowing their nature, they wouldn’t just set up one post. Here,”
He pointed to an inconspicuous corner, "It looks flat, but there must be a deep pit or a spike trap underneath. And here..." He pointed to the intersection of patrol routes marked on the map, "The patrol intervals are marked, but they often use deception, mixing the real and the fake. The real sentries are likely hidden..."
Su Zhelan spoke slowly, but every sentence carried a heavy weight. His face was still pale, but his eyes shone with an astonishing light, burning with a cold flame—a profound understanding of the cult's insidious nature and the extreme vigilance that followed.
“The poisonous miasma area,” Su Zelan’s fingertip traced several skull markers, his eyes growing increasingly unfathomable, “marked the area, but the concentration and type are unknown. They are skilled at cultivating mixed poisons; even a slight change in wind direction could be fatal. And these traps…” He pointed to several cross-shaped symbols, “marked as ‘trigger-based,’ but given the cult leader’s nature, they will definitely include some delayed or even remote-controlled traps, specifically designed to hunt down trackers.”
He analyzed each point meticulously, dissecting the deeper and more insidious traps that might be hidden behind the seemingly detailed markings on the map.
This wasn't just empty talk; it was an understanding of the enemy's very marrow, gained through blood and tears. Sheng Xuan listened with a chilling unease. He had thought the map, along with Xiao Qiyun's annotations, was detailed enough, but he never imagined that in Su Zhelan's eyes, so many deadly whirlpools lurked beneath those calm lines.
He looked at Su Zhelan's focused and cold profile, and the immense pressure and determination for revenge surging beneath the calm surface both shocked and tugged at his heartstrings.
Su Zhelan's fingertip finally stopped at the center of the altar. He was silent for a moment, his gaze seemingly piercing through the map, seeing the place that held his endless nightmares.
In those cold, deep eyes, besides the resolute determination, there was also a clear understanding of the perilous path they were about to enter.
“All preparations need to be more thorough.” Su Zhelan’s voice was low and heavy, with an undeniable solemnity. “Their cunning far surpasses that of the illustrations. Any oversight could lead to utter ruin.”
Sheng Xuan looked at him, his gaze equally solemn and resolute. He reached out, not to grasp Su Zhelan's hand, but to press firmly on Su Zhelan's shoulder, conveying an unwavering determination and commitment.
"Yes," Sheng Xuan replied, his voice deep and powerful, carrying the resolve of a warrior. "Together, we'll completely overturn their snake den."
His gaze swept across the map before returning to Su Zhelan's slightly pale profile. With a hint of barely perceptible worry, he subtly shifted his body to shield him from the cool night breeze seeping in through the window cracks.
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