Dongfang Bubai never thought that Yang Lianting could firmly stand on Blackwood Cliff this quickly. In just over a year, he had replaced him as the regent of the Sun Moon Holy Cult, all major and minor matters of the cult passed through his hand, presiding over them with both mercy and might.[8] He implemented a series of measures to improve the lives of the congregation as well.
The Holy Cult’s businesses throughout the Jianghu regained their strength and expanded their scope, doubling their revenue. The cult stopped instigating conflict with the righteous sects too.
Coupled with the fact that Dongfang Bubai rarely showed his face in public and was no longer as bloodthirsty, the horrific and panicked atmosphere had faded and the cult was filled with joy.
Yang Lianting was respectfully addressed as ‘Chief Steward’ by the congregation when they greeted him. On Blackwood Cliff Dongfang Bubai and Yang Lianting no longer avoided anyone.
One winter day.
Today, Yang Lianting was helping Dongfang Bubai wash his hair in the courtyard. The maids waiting upon them stood quietly in the distance. Serving Dongfang Bubai with personal matters, Yang Lianting had never been willing to use outsiders’ hands.
“Is the water too hot?” Yang Lianting softly stroked the long black hair before him, saying with a chuckle, “Dongfang, do you know? I like your black hair the most.”
“Shiny, smooth and silky.”
Dongfang Bubai felt faintly itchy, but he did not struggle out of his hands. Clearly, he loved Yang Lianting’s tenderness very much. Closing his eyes, he allowed him to do as he pleased.
Yang Lianting soaked Dongfang Bubai’s hair in tepid water, then smeared high-quality paste onto his hair. His actions patient and gentle. “It’s so cold these days, you shouldn’t soak your hair for too long at night. That’s why I’m washing it during the day. Does your scalp hurt? Do you want me to massage it for you?” Although he had asked him for his permission, his hands did not halt their movements and wandered towards his temple to gently press against it.
Dongfang Bubai’s eyes remained closed, appearing languid. The rims of his eyes and tips of his brows were curving upwards, he contentedly and peacefully smiled.
Sitting together like this, Yang Lianting who towered above Dongfang Bubai could not prevent his line of sight from moving along the slightly open collar to Dongfang’s chest. His neckline was embroidered with golden thread into subtly complex flower patterns, the figure beneath the red robe was so fair he appeared translucent. The colors matched together looked purely beautiful as if he had emerged from a lovely painting.
The two of them had been together for a long time, had been together for two lifetimes, in the past and in the present, yet from beginning to end Yang Lianting’s gaze could endlessly linger on the man in red beside him.
Eyes darkening, he lowered his head slightly and softly blew against the back of Dongfang Bubai’s earlobe. Yang Lianting’s voice sounded deep and low, faintly infatuated, as he asked him with an obvious bright smile, “Dongfang after I’ve taken care of today’s cult affairs, I’ll quickly come back, alright?”
Listening to him whisper in his ear, Dongfang Bubai instantly understood his implied meaning. A light flickered in his watery eyes and his cheeks blushed faintly red. After being together for more than two years, Dongfang Bubai naturally did not oppose matters between husband and wife out of shyness as before. He glanced at Yang Lianting and smiled softly, the sincere affection of ten thousand peach blossoms blooming in his fluid glance.
Yang Lianting swallowed dryly in an instant, eyes darkening.
Dongfang is deliberately seducing me!
“Lian di, you must return early.” Dongfang Bubai beautifully laughed, ten thousand flirtations expressed within a single smile. He appeared as enchanting as an immortal banished to the mortal realm. Wet hair fell over his slender shoulders, the water soaking the red robe beneath. His hair looked a shade darker when it was wet, making his fair skin seem even paler. Curling his lips, Dongfang Bubai gently hugged Yang Lianting. “If I had known, I wouldn’t have made you the chief steward to deal with all these troublesome affairs.”
“Hahaha.” Yang Lianting laughed out loud.
The maid waiting upon them in the distance noticed that her master’s hair had been washed, so she hurried forward to dry it. But as soon as she approached, she saw Yang Lianting help take off Dongfang Bubai’s boots on the spot. Kneeling on the ground, he softly kissed his bare foot. Yang Lianting glanced upward and saw Dongfang Bubai’s face flush deep red. Flinching in shyness, Dongfang Bubai wanted to quickly pull his foot away but he then felt Yang Lianting stretch out his hands and embrace him tightly.
Yang Lianting called out to the maids, who waited upon their master at the side, to clean up the stuff scattered in the courtyard and then looked at the Cult Master within his arms and smilingly ordered, “If I don’t come out, no one is allowed to disturb us. All of you, leave and wait outside.” Once spoken, he swiftly entered the house while carrying Dongfang Bubai in his arms.
“My dear Cult Master, you known I can’t resist your teasing. It’s broad daylight right now, but–”
“Yang Lianting, mustn’t you take care of the cult affairs?”
“Don’t worry, don’t worry. Nothing is as important as you.”
“Humph!”
The Cult Master glared at Yang Lianting with an angry humph, not knowing that after a while he did not have strength to clamor anymore.
Only after the sky darkened did Chief Steward Yang open the doors and walk out of the inner chambers in a new set of clothes. The corners of his lips were curved into a smile, looking satisfied from the bottom of his heart.
However, the Cult Master could not be seen.
Chief Steward Yang personally went to the kitchen again, he was likely going to prepare the Cult Master’s meal with his own hands. The several maids looked at each other, their lines of sight meeting knowingly. The blushing maids were all yellow flowers[9] who had served in this residence for a long time. Although they were still unmarried maidens and had not experienced the ways of the world, how could they not guess what had just occurred.
“Chief Steward Yang is so gentle–” They were unclear who spoke up first, but the little maids could not help but huddle close together and sigh with emotion.
“Even though Chief Steward Yang is plagued with the Holy Cult’s affairs after taking over all authority, he still prepares the Cult Master’s daily meals and accompanies him to eat.”
“Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”
“He helps the Cult Master wash his hair, puts on his shoes for him, and frequently carries him on his back as well.”
“The Cult Master is truly blessed!”
“Right! The Cult Master and Chief Steward Yang are truly a match made in heaven.”
The lively maids chattered ceaselessly, unable to control their volumes out of excitement. Yang Lianting had listened to almost their entire conversation and could not help but smile. Today, he had failed to restrain himself out of joy, had intensely tossed and turned Dongfang till dusk.
Standing in the kitchen, Yang Lianting cooked a meal for him that would be sent over later. He likely would have to bear those disdainful looks again, the cult’s affairs had piled up into stacks of memorials atop his desk and had still not been dealt with.
Yang Lianting shook his head and laughed.
Charm leads astray, charm leads astray, ah!
However, he felt more than willing to drink turtledove wine.[10]
In the past few days, there had been many and varied matters throughout the cult. It was the end of the year and a lot of matters had to be prepared, no wonder Dongfang Bubai would complain. Yang Lianting counted the days and called for Tong Baixiong to come over. Over the past two years all of Blackwood Cliff, from the highest to the lowest, had accepted Dongfang’s relationship with him. Even if there were dissenters, he would suppress and dismiss them all. In addition, Yang Lianting truly exhausted his thoughts and ingenuity for the Holy Cult with all his heart. Tong Baixiong had long changed his opinion of him, familiarly calling him ‘Brother Yang’ day by day. Today as well, the first thing he did after he had come over was to firmly smack Yang Lianting’s shoulder. Loudly and rudely saying, “Brother Yang, why’d you call over this Old Man?”
Yang Lianting staggered forward due to Tong Baixiong’s one firm pat. Lightly coughing, he helplessly glanced at him. He then smiled and said with a serious expression, “Elder Tong, in a few days it’s the New Year, right?”
“Recently, I’ve been dealing with the Holy Cult’s affairs and am nearly finished. I called you over because I want to descend the cliff.”
“Go down the cliff?” Tong Baixiong was taken aback at first, then a thought crossed his mind and he rashly asked, “Does the Cult Master know?”
Yang Lianting raised an eyebrow, “We’re leaving together, I just haven’t told him yet.”
“…” Tong Baixiong finally understood his meaning. Shaking his head, he smiled in embarrassment. Before he could continue speaking, Yang Lianting preempted him.
Solemnly looking at Tong Baixiong, he stated, “Elder Tong, I’ll leave the cult affairs to you for the time being.”
“Also,” Without waiting for Tong Baixiong to respond, Yang Lianting said in a just and stern tone, “Previously, I had you look for that Monk Huiming, but there’s still no report as of now.”
“Dongfang keeps thinking about this matter. If he isn’t found, I’d feel uneasy–”
“Elder Tong, among the entire congregation Dongfang trusts you, his brother, the most. Naturally, the cult’s authority must be handed over to you. May we trouble you, Elder Tong, to oversee the Holy Cult?”
Yang Lianting raised his eyebrow with a light hum, throwing the matter at the back of his mind. After patting Tong Baixiong’s shoulder, he walked out of the hall. Stunned still, Tong Baixiong stood in place for some time and watched Yang Lianting’s back disappear before he suddenly reacted. Slapping his thighs, he let out a booming roar.
“Damn you, Yang Lianting!”
“Dumping all these matters on me!”
“So stupid, so stupid, ah!” Tong Baixiong snorted angrily and said to himself after a while, “Humph, I’m only giving you face for the congregation’s sake.”
Dongfang Bubai stood up when he saw Yang Lianting return. He was about to help him take off his large overcoat,[11] but Yang Lianting held his hands and said, “It’s nearly New Year’s Eve.”
Dongfang Bubai nodded and smiled softly, “I never cared for such events and usually retreated to the back of the cliff on New Year’s Eve.”
“Do you want to go down the cliff?” Dongfang Bubai’s eyes lit up, but before he could speak Yang Lianting pulled him along and continued in a hearty and cheerful tone, “Let’s go, let’s go.”
“I’ve already handed the cult affairs to Elder Tong. This year, I’ll spend the New Year together with you under the cliff.”
“Lian di, you treat me well. I couldn’t be happier.” Dongfang Bubai gazed at the man before him with unconcealed love in his eyes. Letting himself be pulled along, the corners of his thin lips curved into a bright smile.
Dongfang Bubai had always been like this. Never concealing his own emotions, neither pretentious nor hypocritical. After two years of Yang Lianting’s fondness the inferiority and bitterness from before had faded long ago. Dongfang had become free and easy-going, willfully and confidently standing tall. He had come to calmly accept Yang Lianting’s love and to calmly express his own love. Sometimes when the two of them were together, Yang Lianting nearly lost his self-control and felt truly moved because of Dongfang Bubai’s current self. This kind of lively, direct, and heart piercing Dongfang was to his liking.