Dongfang Bubai gradually began to pay attention to the servant called Yang Lianting. Despite trying to suppress the attention he paid him due to his own withdrawn and sensitive nature, despite finding the attention to be strange, he felt that his company was precious, rare and real.
Of course Dongfang Bubai’s miniscule change was the result of Yang Lianting’s painstaking efforts. In this lifetime, he knew Dongfang Bubai best. He knew what he liked to eat and what he avoided, he knew when his expression looked angry and when it looked happy, he knew Dongfang better than Dongfang himself. He used his understanding to approach him day by day.
Dongfang actually feared being alone.
Yang Lianting did not know why he feared being all alone. It could be because of practicing the Sunflower Manual or because of usurping the cult master’s position.
He couldn’t trust anyone.
Ironically, the Invincible East, the Wulin’s top martial artist, the Cult Master of the Holy Cult, did not dare to trust in anyone. He disliked others getting too close to his residence, he despised others getting too close to him. If someone annoyed or offended him, he would never hesitate to take their life with a palm strike. Everyone respected him, revered him, and feared him, so no one dared to go near him. Who would think that the cruel and vicious Invincible East, who treated human lives as if they were dirt, was subconsciously afraid of being alone.
In his past life, as if grasping at straws, Dongfang Bubai had desperately clung to him and regarded him as his sole salvation, he had given him all his trust, all his dependence, all his love to Yang Lianting. Only before him had he no longer been the high and mighty Cult Master, no longer been the infamous Invincible East. Before him he had been sensitive, timid, and fragile.
In his past life, Yang Lianting had not harbored any thoughts he should not have when he had gotten together with Dongfang Bubai. He had struggled with himself, felt confused and pained, but he accompanied Dongfang Bubai for a period of time.
They had spent warm and happy days together.
Back then, Dongfang had smiled so beautifully.
Satisfied and joyful.
One night, Dongfang had grabbed his hand fearing he would leave. In a cautious and persistent tone, he had softly said to him, “Lian di, don’t leave me.”
Yang Lianting had not understood and casually muttered one or two sentences in reply. Tired, he had closed his eyes and slept snoring loudly. Even though Dongfang Bubai had received such perfunctory treatment, as long as Yang Lianting was still around and could still be touched after reaching out, to Dongfang Bubai Yang Lianting was considered precious company.
The Sun Moon Holy Cult’s peerless Cult Master, able to call the wind and rain[7], had been content with such a selfish, impatient and perfunctory companion.
Yang Lianting only faintly remembered the happenings after that day. It seemed that in order to maintain his authority, he had built an isolated courtyard on the back side of the cliff range and used beautiful lies to imprison Dongfang Bubai within. How could he with his meager martial arts imprison the world’s first in a huge golden cage? Yang Lianting had simply said to him, “Dongfang, you stay here and when I’m free I’ll come see you.”
Time passed, and he returned to Dongfang Bubai’s courtyard less and less often. Even when he had willingly made time to go back, his expression had been perfunctory, without any intention to greet him. He had turned more and more distracted, more and more impatient.
Occasionally they had sex.
After making love, he had not even looked at Dongfang who was covered in cuts and bruises,[8] instead he had turned over and gotten out of bed. Once, as if afraid of incurring his disgust and annoyance, Dongfang had cautiously pulled on his sleeve, raised his head framed by disheveled black hair, and pleaded in a lowly and humble tone, “Lian di, don’t leave me.”
How had he replied?
Yang Lianting remembered that, for the sake of the authority he had yet to fully grasp, he suppressed his impatience, forced a shallow smile and lightly patted Dongfang’s head. “Cult Master, how can I bear to leave you? But, atop this towering Blackwood Cliff, if I don’t make any achievements, how can I be worthy of you?” Pulling his sleeve out of Dongfang Bubai’s hand, he had turned around and left the courtyard.
Back then, he had been proud of the power in his hands. Why had he never noticed that after he had left, Dongfang’s face had paled and the light in his eyes dimmed little by little.
Dongfang had told him that he feared being alone.
But after listening he had treated his sincere words as a mere joke, indifferently thought that the top martial artist of the Wulin would not be afraid of being all alone. Never taking his words to heart, he had imprisoned Dongfang who feared being on his own in that empty courtyard day after day with his own hands.
For nearly ten years.[9]
Yang Lianting, standing in front of the entrance to Dongfang Bubai’s residence, thought about his previous life in a trance and felt a dull pain stabbing his heart. He was truly an abhorrent and abominable villain, capable of harming the one closest to him in such a manner. He had wronged him for years yet that person in red had never resented him until he died.
Even in death that person had thought of him.
That person had died because of him.
Faintly exhaling to quiet his erratic thoughts, Yang Lianting forced himself to calm down and dropped his gaze on the warm wine he held in his hands. Curbing the dull pain in his heart.
He had been reborn.
All he owed Dongfang, he would return in this life.
Creak–
The doors were opened from the inside due to a sudden burst of powerful internal energy, then Dongfang Bubai’s clear voice coming from within could be heard.
“Yang Lianting, why are you here again?”
This was already Yang Lianting’s third visit today.
He brought him breakfast in the morning, brought him a hand stove after lunch, and then brought him a jug of heated wine after dinner. In late autumn, chilling winds were common on the cliff. The heavy snowfall of winter had yet to fall, but the air was cool and frost covered the cliffside. The Sunflower Manual Dongfang Bubai cultivated was yin in origin. Now that he had mastered its martial art, cold yin qi[10] had crept into his bones and blood. There was no threat to his life but this person’s body felt uncomfortably cold day and night. The Invincible East was famed as the world’s first, everyone thought he was an exceptionally powerful martial artist who was without weakness and able to defy fate.
Even Ping Yizhi was unaware of his body’s frailty.
Only Yang Lianting knew.
He had brought over a heated hand stove for Dongfang Bubai while he took an afternoon rest and then brought over medicinal wine he had brewed after consulting Ping Yizhi because he knew his condition. Today’s actions could not cure him, but they were better than nothing. The details he had never paid attention to in his past life, in this life, he would pay close attention to. As long as it benefited Dongfang Bubai and as long as it comforted him, he would do every minor action meticulously and patiently.
“Cult Master, this Subordinate is here to offer warmed wine.” Yang Lianting slightly lowered his head, the shadow hiding the emotions that must not appear on his face, and then respectfully replied to his question.
Dongfang Bubai was reclining on his soft bed at the moment, still holding the stove Yang Lianting had brought over earlier in his slender hands. Hearing him speak, he did not know why, but his heart felt faintly flustered and weird. It was an uncomfortable and awkward feeling, but it did not disgust him. Rather, brightly burning warmth engulfed his heart.
Dongfang Bubai’s good mood was a rarity, it was so rare that the always cold and aloof Cult Master did not dare to think more and instead turned his good mood into immature hostility. “Yang Lianting, who allowed you to interfere in this Seat’s life?”
“Cult Master, this Subordinate is your personal guard and he must keep the Cult Master’s well-being in mind at all times–” In Yang Lianting’s mind the current expression of Dongfang Bubai emerged, he likely looked a little unhappy and his brows creased as if he intended to throw a tantrum. The more he thought about him, the more his heart softened. This person’s words are always harsh and deceptive, yet his heart is kind. “This wine was newly brewed by this Subordinate the taste is different from usual. This Subordinate thinks Cult Master might like it…”
“Bring it in.”
Dongfang Bubai coldly snorted but did not realize that he did not reject Yang Lianting’s arrival in his heart at all. The personal guard poured the still warm alcohol into a wine cup, immediately the cold vanished and the whole room appeared warm and cozy. Dongfang Bubai received the wine cup politely handed over by Yang Lianting with both hands.[11] He took a sip and after tasting it for a bit he faintly frowned as if in thought, then raised his head to look at Yang Lianting and questioned, “Medicinal wine?”
“The Cult Master is wise.”
Hearing Yang Lianting’s affirmation, the crease between his eyebrows deepened. Placing the wine cup audibly on the bedside table in dissatisfaction, he stated, “Take it back, this Seat doesn’t like the taste.”
The wine contained ginger, angelica and a few other warming herbs that helped cure a cold body. Yang Lianting had done his best to conceal the taste of medicine yet he couldn’t prevent him from noticing the initial bitter taste. Knowing that he would react like this, Yang Lianting felt helpless but had no intention to give up. “Cult Master, the air is freezing and the wind is fierce atop the cliff all day. This Subordinate brewed the jug of medicinal wine after thorough research, drinking a few cups at night will be very beneficial to your health.”
“This Seat doesn’t have any health problems. No need to care, Guard Yang.” Dongfang Bubai’s voice resumed its indifference that always kept everyone at a distance of a thousand li. The Cult Master’s greatest taboo was others finding out that he had a yin physique after cultivating the Sunflower Manual.
“Cult Master, have another sip, the wine tastes great.”
Yang Lianting didn’t have the slightest intention of giving in. He poured another cup, handed it to Dongfang Bubai and looked into his eyes while speaking as gently as he could.
Patient yet accommodating.
It had not been a day or two since Dongfang Bubai ascended to the cult master’s position, attained matchless martial arts skill. Everyone respected him, revered him and feared him, when had anyone dared to look into his eyes like this and oppose him?
Instantly, he felt displeased.
Dongfang Bubai reached out intending to throw the wine cup aside, yet when he raised his head he met Yang Lianting’s pitch-black eyes. The look within deep, patient, and warm. He creased his brows and pursed his lips in hesitation, yet did not look away. His voice sounded as cold as ever, yet the anger in his eyes had clearly receded.
“This Seat won’t drink.”
“Cult Master this wine is strong, except for the initial taste of medicinal herbs, once it runs down the throat it doesn’t leave any bitter aftertaste. This Subordinate warmed the jug of wine before presenting it to you. Have another try, alright?”
No one had ever dared to force him to do anything. If one of his maids or guards dared to disagree with his orders, he would kill them with a merciless strike of his palm. Dongfang intended to fly into a rage at first yet he abruptly withheld his rage without knowing why. Frowning faintly, he made an order that could be considered a step backward.
“Go and change it to the usual wine.”
Yang Lianting understood his meaning and his heart melted. He felt happy yet had to sigh as well, he had gone to great lengths to brew this jug of medicinal wine, how could he watch the Cult Master only take a sip then never touch it again? So, he resumed his previous actions, he lowered his voice and slowed down his speech as if coaxing a child. “Cult Master, this jug of medicinal wine is good for your health. Please have another try, alright?”
Dongfang Bubai was sensitive and irritable. He had tolerated Yang Lianting again and again, yet this man did nor seem to care at all. Dongfang Bubai looked at Yang Lianting, who repeatedly opposed him, and the anger in his heart surged violently. “Yang Lianting, this Seat told you to bring the usual wine, don’t pretend to be deaf!” He reprimanded him without thinking and raised his hand to indignantly sweep aside the wine cup Yang Lianting had just handed over.
There was a clear and crisp sound.
The wine cup fell to the floor and shattered into thousands of pieces. The clear liquid within the cup flowed out, spread out on the floor, and the subtle fragrance of wine permeated the air. The two people’s attention shifted to the broken wine cup on the floor once they heard the crisp breaking sound.
Dongfang Bubai froze and furrowed his eyebrows, unable to discern the emotions in his heart. After a long time, he raised his head and looked at Yang Lianting.
Yang Lianting sighed in relief. Slowly kneeling down on the wet floor, he bowed forward and stretched out his hands to pick up the broken pieces one by one. He knew Dongfang’s changing temperament well and would not get angry at him, but he could not avoid feeling a little annoyed.
When will Dongfang fall in love with me?
Solely the Yang Lianting who was loved by Dongfang Bubai, could interfere in his life without being rejected.
Yang Lianting’s silence looked like resentment in Dongfang Bubai’s eyes. He had never faced anyone mad at him because no one dared to express the slightest anger, even if they dared to do so he carelessly struck them to death in one move.
Except Yang Lianting.
The air was filled with the unique aroma of medicinal herbs and rice wine. Glancing at the broken wine cup, he recalled the figure he grazed when he had waved his sleeve to sweep aside the wine cup held in its hand. He frowned deeply in confusion, feeling faintly nervous. For a moment, he did not know what to say. Standing still, he could merely maintain a frigid expression and pretend as if nothing had happened.