They made their way back to Xinfeng Peak with nothing gained.
Or so it seemed on the surface.
While they traveled, the Immortal of a Thousand Blossoms spent a part of the journey wallowing in silence. And the demon king, as generous as he always tended to be, allowed him space to brood.
Zhang Wang was stuck in a state of confusion and indecision. He felt a nagging anxiety, in part due to his feelings and the talk he had with the demon king that fateful night. But there was also the whole matter over the debugger.
The more he thought about it, the more he agonized over it.
Unsettled, he pulled up his system UI.
A disturbing image was reflected to him on his Main Quest Progress.
[ 13.05% ]
What?
Since when did it increase? And why? He couldn't even begin to fathom what might have triggered the progress! Thus far, it seemed that sexual activities with Yu Yanlin seemed to have an effect on it. Not much else affected the thing.
But they didn't even have sex.
Speaking of which, it was going to be really bad if they go too long without doing so!
Zhang Wang cursed at the thought, remembering that sexual intercourse with Yu Yanlin had become a chore that he had to partake in out of necessity.
"What's wrong?" Yu Yanlin's voice was ever gentle, and summoned Zhang Wang out of his thoughts, bringing him back to reality.
They were almost there at the top of the mountain, the Virtuous Phoenix Sect Manor only a few li away. "No…it's nothing." Zhang Wang sighed. He was still caught up with frustration from their previous conversation. The thought of doing…that still really freaked him out.
An evil part of him almost wished that he never asked the demon king about what he wanted so that he could have remained ignorant. Now he couldn't stop agonizing over the fact that he felt inapt and couldn't even fulfil Yu Yanlin's desires with something that Yu Yanlin had already surrendered to him.
Another long sigh left Zhang Wang's lips. Yu Yanlin turned his head, this time his question was silent but he made it clear that he was aware of Zhang Wang's inner turmoil.
"It's…It's just my weird Uncle," Zhang Wang said. "And who knows. Sikong Ren might have returned since our departure or something with Shizun and the others. I just want to go back to my room and ignore all those idiots."
"Hm, that would be ideal," Yu Yanlin pointed out as they stopped at the tall gates, waiting for them to be opened from the inside.
"Yeah but we don't really have that luxury…"
"Why not?"
Zhang Wang stopped in the front court, suddenly wishing to turn right instead of left and retreating into privacy before seeing Sikong Yong. The thought was only there for a second, flickering out as reason took hold.
A sigh. "Better go appease the Sect Leader now before he makes a fuss about us being rude.I don't want to deal with him disrupting us later."
"Disrupting us later-- ah. I see. I understand now. Alright, let us get it over with quickly and see him now." That was all it took for Yu Yanlin to take the lead instead. And Zhang Wang had to hold back another sigh. At least the demon king was a little cute running off like that. A bittersweet smile stretched Zhang Wang's lips as he steeled himself and followed after.
They had to wait for Sikong Yong to come join them and the Sect Leader sure took his time. Zhang Wang almost fell asleep. A strange feeling plagued him, not knowing if he should be excited or anxious about when their greeting ended.
Because after that was going to be the shared moment of intimacy that was long overdue. Was Yu Yanlin looking forward to it? Zhang Wang didn't know, but he fretted over it anyway, allowing anxiety to marinate in his stomach.
While he had not a single complaint about the things they've done and the physical passion that they shared, Zhang Wang was suddenly struck with uncertainty and the knowledge that he couldn't even…
He couldn't even…
"Welcome home, my beloved A-Yun," Sikong Yong's smile was radiant and brought Zhang Wang out of his wayward thoughts.
"Greeting, Uncle--" and it took him a full minute to realize that Sikong Yong had ignored Yu Yanlin entirely! A sharp annoyance burned through his heart and Zhang Wang had to bite down on his lower lip to stop himself from hollering in complaint.
"Greetings, Sect Leader Sikong," Yu Yanlin acted appropriately, bowing with his hands clasped. All he received in return was the barest nod of acknowledgement.
"I see that the Princess of the Steppes has made her way off. Hmm, good good. That's one less guest to worry about. Well, since A-Yun has returned how about sharing a meal with your beloved Father?"
Zhang Wang instantly cringed at the term. Sikong Yong might have been good to him and was to him like a real blood uncle, but there were lines that he crossed that made everything feel off. There were many rumors about Sikong Yong's relationship with Zhang Wang's mother and he was horrified to know that they held at least somewhat true.
After all, it was only after Tang Wennan's death that Sikong Yong began to act so strange and possessive over Zhang Wang. The Immortal of a Thousand Blossoms always bore a stronger resemblance to his mother than his father.
"I would love to, Honorable Uncle…" He stressed the word 'uncle' just to be clear, "However, A-hu and I are extremely exhausted from travel and would prefer to retire for the night. How about we join Honorable Uncle for a meal tomorrow?"
Sikong Yong's smile did not falter but his voice was cold and stern, "That won't do. I only invited my cute A-Yun. It's been long since we've had proper alone time together. And plus, tomorrow that idiot Master of the Strays is due to return and I would have to deal with his buffoonery. Even the Jade Flower Elder has grown idiotic in his presence. I swear that child is cursed."
"..." Zhang Wang held back a sigh. Sikong Ren's return was even more reason he wanted to get rest now. And he also couldn't help but feel that Sikong Yong's animosity toward Sikong Ren was only growing worse over the years, despite the latter being the former's blood nephew.
But Sikong Yong's relationship with his blood brother was always a strained one. When he had died and Sikong Yong was left to become the unwanted guardian of the Virtuous Phoenix Sect heir, he was more than upset over the matter. Since Sikong Ren had been too young at the time, Sikong Yong simply taken over the entire sect himself and there was none who really objected over the matter. He claimed that he was only keeping the position until Sikong Ren was old enough and ready.
Sikong Ren was old enough and ready. But Sikong Yong had grown comfortable in his position and refused to relent anymore.
"But…isn't that more reason to join Honorable Uncle tomorrow? Then it will be like a big family reunion! And if Honorable Uncle has complaints about the affair then I can join him after in private so that he may complain to me. I'm sure that Honorable Uncle will have much to talk to and about his nephew…"
Sikong Yong's lips pulled up into a grimace. "I suppose you are right about that." His hatred toward his own nephew made the words come out with a hiss.
Zhang Wang let out a breath feeling like he'd just dodged a bullet.
Not that bullets existed in this world in the first place.
"Very well, then I shall take up A-Yun's suggestion about tomorrow's arrangements. However, if he doesn't follow through then I fear that not even cute A-Yun could be forgiven for his transgressions…"
Zhang Wang smiled and bowed, "Yes, A-Yun understands."
And with that, he was finally able to breathe easy.
Or at least he did until he finally made it back to his bedroom.