The shopkeeper was preparing to open for the day and had just
released the door bolt with a yawn and a languid stretch. Her bleary eyes
beheld a tall, handsome stranger standing at the entrance to her store,
bathed in the light of the morning's brilliant sun.
An individual of such elevated bearing, tall and straight as a mighty
pine, ought to be carrying a blade and walking coolly through the city
streets, heedless of all around him. But this dashing man was smiling
brightly, all soft dimples and gentle, thick eyelashes. In his arms was a
bamboo basket, filled not with spiritual stones or cultivation scrolls, but
fresh fruits and vegetables—vibrant red apples, plump white radishes, and
verdant green celtuce, leaves dew-laden as they peeked over the rim. Light
danced off the crystalline droplets and reflected onto his handsome face.
The shopkeeper froze mid-yawn as she stared blankly at this vision of
tender masculinity standing before her. She blinked, but stood dazzled for
some moments.
"Ma'am?"
"Yes! Hello, what would you like?"
"These." Mo Ran picked up a pair of pale red crystal pendants. "How
much?"
"Gongzi has fine taste; these pendants are made using top-grade
dragonblood crystals and crafted by artisans at Kunlun Palace.
The materials may not be the most precious, but the pendants themselves
are quite special. The red color of dragonblood crystals, as I'm sure you
know, becomes more vibrant as the wearer's body temperature rises…"
The shopkeeper paused to smile before continuing, "Since Xianjun
picked out a pair, one must be for your dual cultivation partner? Aiyo, I
wonder what lady was so lucky as to claim your affections. Definitely get
these, I guarantee you won't regret it. It'll certainly spice things up if you
both wear one while dual cultivating."
Mo Ran had been drawn to the pendants because dragonblood crystals
had a warming property excellent for people predisposed to catching cold;
such a thing would be perfect for Chu Wanning during the winter. But his
heart skipped a beat at shopkeeper's words. He imagined how Chu Wanning
would look, dazed by pleasure with that pendant swinging from his neck,
glowing scarlet from the heat of its wearer's body, red as a bead of blood
quivering at the tip of a blade.
He cleared his throat. "I'll take the pair. Please wrap them up for me."
In order to not arouse Chu Wanning's suspicion, Mo Ran bought gifts
for Xue Meng, Xue Zhengyong, and Madam Wang as well. When he
returned to the inn, he put down his bundles and withdrew the small paper
packet holding the dragonblood crystals from inside his sleeve. The dropletshaped pendants had already turned crimson from the heat of his body. He
picked one to leave in the package and hung the other around his neck.
Then he straightened his collar, making sure the pendant wasn't visible, and
re-wrapped the other. As he patted at his lapels, he noticed his heart was
beating a little fast. After all the preposterous things he'd done in his past
life, he was surprised to find himself flustered over a small secret hidden
under his clothes.
"For me?"
Over breakfast, Xue Meng held the sword tassel Mo Ran had given
him, looking like he'd seen a ghost. "What're you giving me this for?
Trying to make up for yesterday?"
Unaware that Chu Wanning had been awake and overheard last
night's exchange, Mo Ran remained perfectly calm, not batting an eyelid.
The same could not be said of Chu Wanning. He grabbed his cup and
gulped down a few mouthfuls of cold tea in an effort to cover his unease
while he schooled his expression into one of neutrality.
Mo Ran replied with a grin, "What d'you mean? You're the one who
started it. I grabbed the tassel because it looked nice and I thought you'd
like it." He paused, then added, "We rarely travel together like this, so of
course I gotta buy some souvenirs. I got things for Shizun, Uncle, and Aunt
as well. Just some trinkets, nothing expensive."
"Us too?" Madam Wang seemed quite surprised.
"I got Aunt an agarwood cosmetic box, and a pendant for Uncle's
fan." Mo Ran handed out their gifts as he spoke. "And this, for Shizun." He
handed Chu Wanning the dragonblood crystal pendant.
Chu Wanning eyed the red crystal. "What is it?"
"A pendant." Mo Ran's palms felt hot and sweaty. "Dragonblood
crystals are a product of Linyi and have warming properties, so I got one for
Shizun to keep warm."
The crystal was inexpensive but useful, so Chu Wanning accepted.
"Thanks."
"Don't mention it. Won't Shizun put it on?"
Chu Wanning glanced over at Mo Ran but did not see through his
disciple's selfish, intimate motive. He put it around his neck without a
second thought. The pale red crystal glistened brilliantly. Xue Meng,
watching all this, piped up, "That looks nice, better than my tassel. Where'd
you get it? I want to buy myself one too."
"They don't have any left," Mo Ran replied. "They only had one in
stock, I couldn't even get one for myself."
Disappointed, Xue Meng picked up his sword tassel and looked it
over, then turned to look at Chu Wanning's pendant once more, mumbling,
"No way, this stuff's supposed to be common in Linyi. I'm gonna ask
Nangong Si when we get to Rufeng Sect, I bet he has a whole mountain of
it…"
Mo Ran paid him no mind; he was too busy watching Chu Wanning.
He was antsy; Chu Wanning hadn't tucked the pendant inside his clothes
next to his skin but left it hanging on the outside instead. After biting his
tongue for a while, he said, "Shizun, the pendant isn't meant to be worn
over your clothes."
"Hm?"
"You have to put it inside." He leaned over to tuck the pendant in for
Chu Wanning. But he moved too close, too fast; the heat of his breath
burned Chu Wanning's ear, and he was unceremoniously shoved away.
Chu Wanning's features were cold and stern, lashes lowered over
downcast eyes. But Mo Ran had gotten a close look this time—
Chu Wanning's ears were pink as a haitang blossom, pitiful and adorable.
Mo Ran wanted to kiss one, to put that trembling petal between his lips and
suck. But he was also somewhat surprised: Why was Chu Wanning
blushing? He hadn't done anything inappropriate; was arranging the
pendant for him such a big deal?
As he mulled it over, he suddenly remembered the words he'd just
spoken. You have to put it inside.
Mo Ran momentarily froze, and his face turned red as well. If not for
his tanned complexion, he'd probably be even redder than Chu Wanning.
He swore he hadn't meant anything suggestive when he'd said that…
Then astonishment set in. If even his mind hadn't gone to the gutter,
then how had Chu Wanning's, with all his propriety? No matter how he
thought about it, he couldn't figure it out. Even when Chu Wanning, ears
pink and face glum, stuffed the pendant into his clothing without a word,
Mo Ran was still none the wiser.
That wooden wall, no thicker than the width of a few fingers, had
blocked Taxian-jun from so much the night before. He'd missed the
ripening of the first haitang fruit of spring, missed a Chu Wanning made of
flesh and blood, who'd stumbled into the muddy swamp of carnal desire.
He knew nothing of what had happened on the bed on the other side of the
wall; he didn't know that this morning's Chu Wanning was still caught in
yesterday's mire, heart throbbing with his love-born desire and filled with
shame because of it, overly sensitive because of it. Still haunted by his
dream and the filthy words contained therein, still desperate to suppress
evidence of that vision, Chu Wanning had uncharacteristically read dirty
thoughts into such a simple sentence.
Chu Wanning looked up and shot Mo Ran a quick glance. His chest
felt a little hot; he must still have an excess of internal heat from yesterday.
He reached for the handle of the teapot, only to be beaten to it by Mo Ran.
"Don't drink so much cold tea; it's bad for your stomach."
Chu Wanning said nothing, but stared at him with his hand
outstretched, indicating that he'd like the cold tea anyway, thank you.
"I'll get you a cup of hot tea instead."
"There's no need…"
But Mo Ran had already gone to find the shopkeeper, returning after a
few minutes with a pot of fresh-boiled tea which he poured into a cup for
Chu Wanning. "Here you go, Shizun."
"He's right, Yuheng, you should drink your tea hot. Cold tea really
isn't good for your health," said Xue Zhengyong.
Chu Wanning had no choice but to accept the steaming cup of tea. He
blew on it a little, then set it down without taking a sip. His insides were hot
enough. Any warmer and he feared that last layer of thin ice in his gaze
would melt and allow his unrestrained lustful feelings to overflow. He
feared that, if their eyes were to meet, there would be no way to hide his
embarrassing thoughts. And if that were to happen, how could he, the
Beidou Immortal, face anyone ever again?
As they finished breakfast and got ready to leave, a new group came
in. At their head was a man wearing a thick, sky-blue cloak with a
scrollwork pattern, his face hidden under the hood, inconspicuous within
the group. As he set foot inside the inn and saw Xue Zhengyong, however,
he broke away from his party and came over to make a formal salute.
"Greetings, Uncle Xue."
"Who…"
The man pushed back his hood. Xue Meng let out a small sound of
surprise and took a big step back. Xue Zhengyong laughed. "Aiya, if it isn't
Hanxue!"
Mei Hanxue lifted his face. His skin was fair, and with his high nose
bridge and defined brows framing deep-set eyes, he possessed an exotic
handsomeness that set him apart from the rest. His skin glowed even in this
dimly lit space. He had been raised in the frigid lands of Kunlun, and his
features carried the chill of frost and snow, giving him an air of cool
detachment and keen intelligence.
Simply put, based on looks and mannerisms alone, no one would
believe this was the infamous philanderer, Mei Hanxue.
"There were some matters to take care of back at the sect, so I've
only just arrived at Linyi. I didn't expect to see Uncle Xue here."
Mei Hanxue's looks were so naturally cold that his eyes were frosty even as
he smiled politely, and his gestures of respect had a coolness to them. "So I
came over to greet Uncle and Aunt."
"Very good, very good. Aiya, if only Meng-er had your manners."
Xue Meng was less than pleased to hear this. He glared daggers at
Mei Hanxue from where he stood at the back, the venom in his gaze only
growing.
This damnable Mei Hanxue! Xue Meng thought to himself. So
freakin' two-faced! This sleazy scoundrel would do anything and anyone,
male or female, dead or alive. He had even tried to grope Xue Meng back at
Peach Blossom Springs. But look at him now, acting prim and proper like
some enlightened monk in front of his elders. What a poser!
Mei Hanxue didn't glance even once at his childhood playmate. His
gaze remained fixed, and his lips barely moved as he spoke, the very image
of propriety. "Uncle jests. Xue-gongzi is the darling of the heavens and the
winner of the Spiritual Mountain Competition. I'm sure he is outstanding in
other respects."
"That's right, Dad, I beat this guy before, you know—"
"Meng-er…" Embarrassed, Madam Wang tugged at Xue Meng's
sleeve. The irascible little phoenix reluctantly subsided, though he
continued to mutter under his breath, puffing fire from his nostrils.
Mei Hanxue asked, "Is Uncle heading up to Rufeng Sect?"
"Well, it's about time. There's no harm getting there a little early; if
nothing else, Nangong Liu has an abundance of rooms to spare. Didn't he
say something about turning the whole city into guest lodging for the
months before and after the wedding?" Xue Zhengyong said with a laugh.
"We're gonna head over first. That way the youngsters can spend some time
getting to know each other too." At that, he glanced over at Xue Meng, his
matchmaking intentions none too subtle. Xue Meng abruptly went quiet. "Is
Hanxue not going straight to Rufeng Sect?"
"I have some errands to run for the sect master and I need to purchase
a considerable number of spiritual stones, so I'll be staying in Dai City for a
few more days. It won't be too late to arrive the day before the wedding."
Xue Meng muttered under his breath, "Yeah, right. You're just afraid
of arriving early and getting beaten like a dog by all the girls from every
sect whose hearts you've played with."
"What was that, Mengmeng?" Mo Ran, who had been listening,
teased. "Something about a dog?"
Xue Meng hmphed and crossed his arms. "Nothing, I was reciting
cultivation scripture."
"Pfft, sure, the Mei-be-gone scripture."
"You shut up!"
At the sound of their bickering, Mei Hanxue finally deigned to glance
over. Their eyes met, and Xue Meng paused.
Something was off about Mei Hanxue; he was acting completely
weird. When last they'd met, it'd been at Peach Blossom Springs, and that
sleazy playboy had been shooting seductive glances in every direction. His
eyes had seemed like they'd smile even when angry. But the eyes of the
person in front of Xue Meng now had not even the slightest inclination
toward flirtation, much less any seductive glances to shoot. His gaze was
icy cold, logical, and admirably restrained. These eyes seemed like they'd
be angry even when smiling.
Xue Meng blinked, rooted in place as he recalled how Mei Hanxue
had led the disciples of Taxue Palace in battle at the Heavenly Rift, the way
he had acted so serious in front of everyone. He couldn't help the flash of
anger that burned through him. How was this guy so good at pretending?
How did he fake it so well? This duplicitous beast! This scum in
gentleman's clothing!
"Hey, Meng-er, where are you going?"
"It's too stuffy in here! I'll wait outside; don't come out till you're
done chatting!" With this, Xue Meng strode toward the door, flipped the
curtain, and left in a huff.
The poor darling of the heavens was far too vexed. He really didn't
get it—the whole damn room had that sleazy stink. How come no one else
could tell? Infuriating!