Gu Baiqing took several rapid breaths, his cheeks flushed, somewhat speechless. They had been walking just fine, he had merely said a few words to Ji Chuling and temporarily hadn’t paid attention to him and suddenly he was pulled into Void Spirit Space and kidnapped here.
Gu Baiqing had been kissed breathless and didn’t answer in time. Mo Xuanli leaned in again, wanting to kiss him. Gu Baiqing quickly raised his hand to block him, every time it was really like pushing away an overenthusiastic dog that rushes up and licks wildly.
“Speak properly.”
“Master clearly doesn’t even want to talk to me.” Even though his mouth was covered, Mo Xuanli’s body moved another step closer.
Gu Baiqing had originally been pressed against the wall. Mo Xuanli was almost standing toe to toe with him. At this moment, Mo Xuanli directly spread his legs, slipping one between Gu Baiqing’s feet. His knee swayed left and right, lightly tapping Gu Baiqing’s knees on both sides. It was as if he were tapping numb tendons, making Gu Baiqing’s legs feel numb and itchy.
His hands were also restless, rubbing along Gu Baiqing’s slender waistline.
Gu Baiqing’s waistline was very beautiful. If not for his powerful cultivation giving him an innate sense of strength, Mo Xuanli always felt that when his hands gripped tightly, he might accidentally snap it.
Gu Baiqing naturally sensed the atmosphere gradually becoming wrong. They had agreed to come out to have fun tonight; he didn’t want to do anything else.
Moreover, this was still a street with people coming and going. Outside the alley there was still a lively crowd. If someone with a bit too much curiosity poked their head in, wouldn’t they see this indecent scene?
Gu Baiqing felt that he really couldn’t afford to lose any more face.
“Let go of me, and I won’t be angry.”
Hearing this, Mo Xuanli’s sword-like brows knit slightly, as if he were being put in a difficult position. But since Master had said so, he could only take a step back.
Gu Baiqing adjusted his slightly wrinkled clothes. Looking at the dejected little dog beside him, he knocked him lightly on the head and smiled, “Let’s go. Weren’t we going to stroll the night market?”
Mo Xuanli’s mood quickly improved. He hurried to follow Gu Baiqing’s steps and said, “Master, today actually is Xiayang City’s……”
The two chatted idly as they walked, admiring the scenery along the way. When they saw something fun, they stopped their steps; when they saw something tasty, they would try it. Coming back to their senses, it really felt like a couple strolling together, a romantic date.
When they encountered crowded places, Mo Xuanli would secretly interlace fingers with Gu Baiqing below, holding his hand as they walked. If they ran into an especially crowded throng, Mo Xuanli would even seize the chance to pull him into his arms, holding him tightly, only reluctantly letting go when there were fewer people.
Along the long street market, they wandered for a full hour. When they reached the end, reluctance showed in Mo Xuanli’s eyes,
In truth, what Mo Xuanli longed for most was precisely such ordinary days, being able to stroll through bustling crowds like this with Master, enjoying the passage of time, feeling each other’s companionship. It really was… happiness that felt unreal, as if all potential dangers no longer existed, and there was no need to worry about the future.
Such ordinary, plain happiness.
“Do you want to walk it again?”
Suddenly Master’s voice came. Mo Xuanli turned to look and saw Master gazing at him gently, as if seeing through his thoughts, willing to fulfill all his small happinesses, no matter how childish.
A clear breeze blew, willow branches danced lightly. Beneath the willow tree, Mo Xuanli couldn’t help but wrap his arms around Master and murmured, “Master, in the future… later on, shall we stroll through the street markets of all the cities and experience their festivals?”
Gu Baiqing lightly patted Mo Xuanli and said, “Alright.”
Mo Xuanli immediately grew excited, “When the time comes, whatever Master fancies, I’ll buy it for you; whatever Master likes to eat, I’ll go learn how to make; if Master likes a certain place, we’ll stay there a few more days.”
“Alright.” Gu Baiqing said softly with a smile.
Mo Xuanli suddenly felt his nose grow a little sour. Master had promised to accompany him to see the world’s mountains, rivers, seas, and natural beauty, and also promised to accompany him to enjoy the smoke and fire of the mortal world, its customs and amusements. The happy future he had only been able to fantasize about since birth… or rather, had not even dared to think about, Master had agreed to all of it.
The moment he agreed, it was as if Mo Xuanli could see it with a sense of reality.
His chest felt swollen, as if already filled with Master’s promises, no longer a hollow heart leaking air everywhere.
“Baiqing, thank you.”
Mo Xuanli tilted his head and gently kissed Gu Baiqing in the hair, as if no amount of love could be clearly expressed.
Gu Baiqing also felt the peace in his heart at this moment and the fullness of happiness. Accompanying Mo Xuanli to see the world’s beautiful scenery and experience the myriad states of human life was also his wish and his vision for a beautiful future. It felt as if living together like this for thousands, tens of thousands of years would never grow tiresome; he looked forward to it.
However, very quickly, Gu Baiqing realized someone was watching them. After all, male love was still rare. Gu Baiqing quickly patted Mo Xuanli and said, “Are we still strolling or not? I don’t even know where the others went? We actually haven’t run into them at all.”
Mo Xuanli was just about to let go of Master when suddenly a streak of light drifted past his eyes. Looking out, he saw countless points of light.
It turned out to be countless bamboo rafts and small boats on the river, being guided by passengers, enjoying the nighttime river view.
With his sharp eyes, Mo Xuanli saw in the distance, on a small wooden boat, the figures of Li Xiuran and Ji Chuling accompanying each other.
A thought stirred in Mo Xuanli’s heart, and he pulled Gu Baiqing along.
Seeing it was interesting, Gu Baiqing agreed, without thinking too much.
As a result, not long after they boarded the small wooden boat, Mo Xuanli activated his magic power, causing the boat that could only carry two people to move away from the shore and sail into the scattered points of light.
People on the surrounding small boats who were enjoying the moon and the river scenery saw a new small boat drifting by. They only saw the lantern hanging on it and didn’t see anyone, guessing that they were drinking and chatting under the canopy. It was just a pity not to come out to appreciate the scenery.
But someone inside did not feel it was a pity.
The dissatisfied breath was somewhat hurried, “You… you boarded just to do… do this kind of thing?”
There was no lamp lit under the canopy; it was a bit dark. But the moonlight in the sky and the lantern and candlelight around were enough for Mo Xuanli to see everything he wanted to see.
Mo Xuanli sat on the boat planks but did not give Master space. Facing him, one hand wrapped around Master’s waist to prevent him from retreating, making him sit where he should sit; the other hand worked to ensure Master had no extra thoughts to speak.
Gu Baiqing’s clothes were already somewhat disheveled; his outer robe was even hanging on the crook of his arm, the lapel of his inner garment pulled down a bit, the fair skin revealed seeming to glow even in the darkness.
Enchanted, Mo Xuanli left red marks from the collarbone downward all the way, then shifted to one side and lightly bit, instantly making Gu Baiqing tilt his neck back.
“With such a scene and such a moment, this disciple still wants to leave behind some beautiful memories. Besides, how does Master know that the other boats aren’t engaged in secret affairs? Most of those here are cultivators; setting a barrier so others can’t hear or see is very simple. Master, rest assured, this time, this disciple has made all the preparations that should be made.”
“Absurd! Full of… all…” Gu Baiqing hadn’t finished speaking when Mo Xuanli made him let out a muffled sound, like a little milk kitten being lifted by the scruff of the neck, freezing stiff.
Mo Xuanli kissed Gu Baiqing’s raised jade neck again.
“Master, this disciple has admired you for a very, very long time. Now that I’ve obtained your promise, I don’t dare to make a grand announcement to the world. At the very least, in private, may Master allow me to indulge a little?”
He spoke as if extremely aggrieved, when in truth it was simply… Gu Baiqing slightly opened his eyes. In his eyes there was already a dense haze of water, and he could vaguely see the scattered points of light on the river behind them. They were sitting under a canopy open at both the front and back, with only a clear gauze curtain billowing in the wind. Although he knew that under the barrier people outside couldn’t see inside, being able to see the outside himself was still too stimulating. He somewhat evasively closed his eyes, and for some reason felt a bit of understanding toward the feelings of the Master in fanfiction. Why did it feel like his little disciple was developing more and more toward the kind of rebellious disciple in fanfiction in this regard?
He had originally thought that after confessing they would slowly have a pure, innocent romance. He had really been too foolish, this was simply rocket speed.
Unable to withstand the grinding, the clinging, the coquettishness, the feigned pitifulness, and with very few ways to restrain Mo Xuanli, he could only accept his fate.
Letting him continuously challenge his own sense of propriety.
Seeing that Master had finally given up resisting, Mo Xuanli naturally devoted himself fully to serving Master, gradually entering a better state, letting the two of them together.
Mo Xuanli released the hand that was holding Master and said softly, “Master, I need to free up my hands. Don’t lean back, you’ll fall. Come, don’t brace against my shoulder anymore, put them up there, be good……”
In this kind of situation, Gu Baiqing had very little rationality left, so naturally, whatever Mo Xuanli said, he did.
Slender wrists rested on Mo Xuanli’s straight shoulders, as if they had no strength at all. Until everything suddenly sped up…… Gu Baiqing abruptly arched his entire body like a fish pulled up from the river, forming a beautiful curve. His two hands went from weakly resting to tightly wrapping around, and in the end he clawed wildly at Mo Xuanli’s back.
Gu Baiqing didn’t want to make a sound. Even with a barrier, it was still instinctive for him to bite his lip, yet in the end he was kissed by Mo Xuanli, all sounds swallowed by the other party.
Only when Gu Baiqing collapsed backward as if utterly drained did Mo Xuanli quickly pull him into his arms, take a blanket out of the storage pouch to pad underneath, and then carefully lay him down. His movements were extremely gentle, making Gu Baiqing mistakenly think everything was over, but the next second, someone directly pressed down following the embrace, without even changing position.
Gu Baiqing was startled awake immediately and hurriedly reached out to block him, “What are you doing! Isn’t once enough? Aren’t we admiring the scenery anymore?”
“What scenery compares to the river’s romance in the river.” Mo Xuanli said softly.
Gu Baiqing panicked, “In a place like this, what just happened is already enough…… still…… no, absolutely not.”
Mo Xuanli looked at Gu Baiqing with a very aggrieved expression, “Baiqing, after tomorrow we’ll be returning to Zixiao Sect. Once we get busy, there won’t be many opportunities. I……” In truth, Mo Xuanli had some hidden worries, afraid that once Gu Baiqing returned, he would be more like ‘Master’ rather than his lover. Under that kind of environmental restraint, he didn’t know whether Gu Baiqing could still indulge him like he was doing here.
Hearing this tone, being called by name, and sensing the other party’s physical state, Gu Baiqing knew he couldn’t stop him anymore. But even with all kinds of barriers, the open wilderness was still outdoors. His sense of propriety couldn’t withstand this kind of destruction. He simply changed his approach and compromised, “Hands, I…… I’ll help you, alright.”
Immediately he heard Mo Xuanli’s light laughter. Gu Baiqing’s ears were already red all over. He felt like he had been tricked by his disciple.
Mo Xuanli knew Master would soften. Pushing his luck, he said, “Then Master has to take the initiative. This time I won’t assist you. You have to complete everything yourself.”
Gu Baiqing’s gaze flickered, instantly feeling awkward. “You……”
“Master regrets it?”
But Mo Xuanli didn’t give him a chance to regret it. He directly turned sideways and lay down, propping his head with one hand, looking as if he were comfortably lying there chatting with someone, his gaze blazing as he looked at Gu Baiqing, waiting for his move.
Seeing Master extremely shy, Mo Xuanli said, “Master, hurry a bit. Didn’t you say we still have to find everyone and go back together later. If we go back late, it really won’t be my fault.”
Gu Baiqing pressed his lips together, feeling that Mo Xuanli had learned bad habits. Fine, since he had agreed, he wouldn’t chicken out. He turned over decisively. With a downward glance, he was instantly speechless.
“Then you don’t…… don’t take too long,”
“That depends on Master’s ability.”
Hearing Mo Xuanli say that, Gu Baiqing truly had a bad premonition, always feeling he had definitely fallen into a trap.
But the result was something he never would have expected. The time was probably a bit shorter than the last round. Gu Baiqing stood at the prow of the boat feeling refreshed, looking at the moonlight, in a very good mood.
He had thought it would be difficult. The brat was just so-so.
Mo Xuanli was now lying gloomily under the canopy. He had overestimated himself. It wasn’t that he wasn’t capable, but the first time Master took the initiative had really made him overly excited. He had wanted to enjoy it properly, but Master’s hazy eyes looked over softly and tenderly, red lips slightly parted as he gently called out “Xuanli,” then came another kiss.
Mo Xuanli went completely blank, like a greenhorn, utterly unable to withstand it.
Then Master, as if he had found a way to deal with him, happily ended the battle, got up and left, leaving Mo Xuanli almost doubting himself.
In the end, he could only come out aggrievedly and obediently accompany Master in admiring the scenery.
After a while, they finally ran into Li Xiuran and the others.
Judging by their shy appearance, they probably also had sweet memories left in the river, just not as restricted-level as Mo Xuanli’s.
The four gathered and chatted for a bit. Before Mo Xuanli led Master away earlier, he had instructed Three Bean and Ao Hang to help keep an eye on Lou Zixiao.
Li Xiuran and the others saw that Lou Zixiao had also taken a small boat and didn’t know where she had gone.
However, when they returned later at night, they did run into Lou Zixiao. There was nothing abnormal about her. She ate and drank, seeming quite happy.
Only afterward did they learn from Three Bean that when they passed by Immortal Medicine Valley, Lou Zixiao had wanted to go up and take a look, to see if she could recover her memories, so she had gone back for a visit.
Immortal Medicine Valley had indeed suffered an incident and was in complete chaos, with no one managing things, so no barrier had been set up. By a stroke of luck, it allowed Lou Zixiao to enter and leave freely. This time, even when passing by the area of the divine tree that only left a pit of earth, Lou Zixiao showed no abnormal discomfort at all. Presumably, the person underground had finally been laid to rest.
When they went, they learned that in fact Lou Zihan had self-detonated very early on, because her physique had been designed by Lou Xuan from the start, and naturally no consideration had been given to whether falling into demonic cultivation and transplanting someone else’s origin bone would conflict.
As a result, Lou Zihan fell into demonic cultivation, and not long after could no longer withstand the power of the origin bone, detonating herself along with Lou Zixiao’s origin bone.
Because the Valley Master had been right beside her at the time, he was affected and suffered severe injuries, and also experienced a shock emotionally, so he could only go into seclusion to recuperate.
All the aftermath matters in Immortal Medicine Valley were handled by other elders.
They happened to run into Immortal Medicine Valley disciples preparing the bodies of the deceased.
Lou Zixiao wanted to see if there was anyone who could trigger her memories.
In the end, she passed by almost every coffin at an even pace, including that person’s, and finally left empty-handed.
After that, they returned.
Hearing this whole process was really somewhat indescribable.
Early the next morning, everyone parted ways.
Mo Xuanli procured a flying boat. Everyone boarded it and rushed back to Zixiao Sect at the fastest speed.
The matters of collecting new fragments here, destroying the spirit-gathering array, and striking at the man-eating demons had already been reported back long ago. The cultivation alliance formed by Taixu Hall was extremely satisfied.
When they returned to Zixiao Sect, the rewards were delivered along with them.
Among them were quite a few good items that could help Mo Xuanli improve his cultivation. It could be considered a rare act of generosity, though it was probably all thanks to Second Senior Brother. A profiteer, after all, always likes to pull things back home. According to Second Senior Brother’s way of putting it, you can’t have some people putting in the effort yet getting no benefits at all, while others rely on being weak to hide behind the scenes and enjoy everything as a matter of course. Things ought to be balanced. With rewards in place, everyone would naturally be more willing to safeguard the collective’s interests.
After entering Zixiao Sect, Gu Baiqing first took Mo Xuanli and Lou Zixiao to Zixiao Pavilion to pay their respects to the Sect Leader Senior Sister.
When they walked into the small courtyard, Gu Baiqing was truly afraid the two juniors would see their own sect leader being neglectful of proper duties. Fortunately, when they arrived, Song Xingkui was meditating, with a little attendant boy serving beside her, presenting quite the air of a sect leader.
“Greetings, Sect Leader!” Gu Baiqing led the two of them in a salute.
Song Xingkui finally couldn’t hold it in any longer and quickly opened her eyes, her gaze bright as it swept back and forth over the master and disciple pair, the corners of her mouth barely able to stay down. Because she could already clearly sense that their auras were mingled, their spiritual powers interwoven. Not to mention the matching rings on their hands, simply… Song Xingkui felt like her heart might not be able to take it. Mo Xuanli had grown up, and standing together with Gu Baiqing, they were even more well-matched.
However, with outsiders present, she naturally had to maintain some decorum. She coughed lightly and said, “Mm, you’re back. You did well this time. Second Junior Brother sent word and was very pleased. But you returned midway…”
Song Xingkui looked toward the somewhat nervous Lou Zixiao, a girl with a gentle and obedient appearance.
Gu Baiqing first repeated Mo Xuanli’s prepared explanation in a very proper and dignified manner. Song Xingkui raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing it.
But she still cooperated, nodding and having the little attendant first take the person away to be settled, with arrangements to be made later.
After the others left, without waiting for Song Xingkui to speak, Gu Baiqing directly explained the truth.
The corner of Song Xingkui’s mouth twitched. “Are you treating our Zixiao Sect as a shelter for mixed-bloods?”
Mo Xuanli, who had been standing respectfully all this time, felt his heart tighten the moment he heard this. Although he had heard his Master say that Song Xingkui already knew his identity, he was still uneasy inside, afraid the sect leader would make things difficult for his Master.
Gu Baiqing said, “Strictly speaking, only Xuanli still counts as one. Lou Zixiao is already an ordinary person. I want to give her to Third Senior Sister. Her medical cultivation level is very high, Third Senior Sister will like her.”
“And you still want to take her in as a disciple?”
“Otherwise, do you want to drive an amnesiac person down the mountain?” Since Gu Baiqing dared to bring it up, he felt that someone as open-minded as Song Xingkui would agree.
Song Xingkui thought for a moment, her large eyes staring straight at them in scrutiny, making Mo Xuanli tense all over.
“Agreeing is fine, but you have to answer me one question first,” Song Xingkui said seriously.
Gu Baiqing nodded solemnly as well. Mo Xuanli glanced at his Master, worried the sect leader might ask something difficult to answer.
Then, the very next second, Song Xingkui blurted it out.
“Are you master and disciple together? Have you dual cultivated?”
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