Ch34 - A Reluctant Appearance

Editor: Sahloknir

The night was silent.

There was a little devil banging on his gong outside to announce the time. The moonlight crept through the window’s lattice to scatter across the floor.

This was the first time Jiang Yinghe visited Wanyao City. He had met many archdevils before and treated smaller ones devoted solely to cultivation with kindness, but he never thought that devils, with their beast-like qualities, would be able to also maintain such a civilized society.

He also never thought that the Seven Days of Joy could torture him so much. Even with just the one day remaining, the effects were still powerful.

Jiang Yinghe sat by the window cooling his fevered skin for a long time before he could calm down the lust-filled force heating up his body. He took off his outer cloak and returned to bed. He wasn’t feeling too well.

He was reminded again of his failure to be a good teacher and his mood soured. He tossed and turned on the bed for a while before he noticed that his temperature was warm again.

Normally, someone with an ice cultivation like him should be cool to the touch.

Jiang Yinghe buried his head in the blanket, which caused the snow white rabbit ears on his head to droop as well and land on top of the covers. The sensation of another pair of ears was uncanny.

He couldn’t help but fondle them, but he withdrew his hand after a light touch. He felt like both his ears and cheeks were burning—was he this sensitive before?

Jiang Yinghe turned over and tried to clear his mind while glancing at the ceiling. His head was filled with thoughts like “You’re fucked, you’re not clean anymore”. He tried touching the artefact linked to his senses again.

How could a grown man like him be so physically sensitive? He was like some horny teenager.

Jiang Yinghe lost all hope. He was debating if it was the incomplete treatment or the artifact that was causing his problem. It was fine if it was the latter, but if it was the former…did he have any face left to lose?

He started to consider how long Tong Guiyu would laugh at him if he asked about this.

The sound of the little devil announcing the hour grew distant.

In the end, Jiang Yinghe was forced to circulate his inner energy to endure the torment. Just as the abnormal warmth was starting to fade, a familiar figure crept into his bed and then his arms.

Chang Ye hugged him with bright and clear eyes. His beast ears twitched. “Shizun, are you not sleeping yet?”

He had slipped into his Master’s bed many times before. He squirmed in Jiang Yinghe’s lap to get more comfortable, then innocently said, “Can Ye-er sleep with Shizun tonight?”

Normally it would be fine, but Jiang Yinghe was hard and ready and about to burst after being brushed against by Chang Ye’s taut body. He silently shifted away and warned himself as he looked into the obedient little disciple beside him,

No. This is Chang Ye. He trusts and relies on you so much, so you can’t show him such a humiliating sight.

But he didn’t know that, as the moonlight grew hazy, his face was already slightly flushed. Even those inky black eyes were moist and glittering, as if they were melted snowflakes on plum blossom welcoming in spring.

Unseen by others, Chang Ye swallowed his saliva. It was the first time he found out how much of a good-for-nothing he was.

Shizun was just too alluring, and those rabbit ears really suited him. It made people think…

He shuffled closer to the other person until he was touching Jiang Yinghe’s shoulder. He softly said, “Shizun?”

Jiang Yinghe groaned, “En.”

Chang Ye looked at him and asked, “Are you uncomfortable right now?”

Jiang Yinghe reached for his own face after hearing that. It was a bit hot.

“No.” Jiang Yinghe steadied his voice, “I’m fine…”

He watched the little disciple before him reach out to also touch his face.

Chang Ye’s fingertips were soft and careful, as if he was brushing over a priceless piece of pottery. His gaze remained between Jiang Yinghe’s eyebrows. He spoke in a quiet voice. “Shizun, your face is flushed.”

Before Jiang Yinghe could reply, Chang Ye pressed down on his shoulder until he was underneath him. A somewhat hot breath came from above.

The little disciple on top of him said with absolute sincerity, “Is Shizun in heat?”

Jiang Yinghe: “…I’m not a devil.”

He paused and slightly scrunched up his brows. “How could you say it like that? I’m just…experiencing some side effects.”

Chang Ye wasn’t one to let go easily after latching on. He lowered his head and began to massage Jiang Yinghe’s long ears while saying in an ambiguous tone, “Really? Shizun can tell me everything—”

Jiang Yinghe, ‘!!!’

The next moment, the little disciple that had never even been scolded by him was pushed off the bed. Jiang Yinghe curled up in a corner with the blanket. His nails were threatening to tear the fabric tightly grasped in his hands.

It was quite some time before he was able to push down the feeling that made his mind go blank. He took in a burning breath before closing his eyes and saying, “…Ye-er, go back to sleep by yourself.”

Chang Ye did not answer.

Jiang Yinghe also didn’t hear the sound of footsteps, so he thought his little disciple was saddened by his rejection and had just slumped on the floor. Just as he was about to lift his head to explain, a thick and furry tail ensnared his calf.

His body was slender and his calf was as straight and fine, so the tail was able to wrap around it completely.

Chang Ye returned to his side like a cat reclaiming its territory. The tip of his tail brushed over the back of Jiang Yinghe’s foot with a feather-light touch.

“Shizun…” The little disciple called out, “What’s gotten into you?”

His tone was far too pure, how could Jiang Yinghe bear to reply?

While he was hesitating, Chang Ye captured his hand again and leaned over to continue questioning him. “Where exactly do you feel bad?”

Jiang Yinghe closed his eyes, then reopened them after finding his composure. “Everything’s fine. You should go.”

The little disciple that has always been obedient in his heart didn’t react to his words and even shifted closer to sniff delicately at Shizun’s lingering fragrance.

That tail became more and more brazen, rubbing repeatedly against Jiang Yinghe’s silky, white skin.

…Why does this tail seem to have a very wanton mind of its own?

Jiang Yinghe rubbed at his eyebrows. “Are you still not leaving?”

It was a precarious situation. If he lost control over his desires and made moves on his own disciple right now, wouldn’t he regret it for the rest of his life?

Jiang Yinghe was completely oblivious to his current precarious position in his disciple’s eyes. His sight was filled with Chang Ye’s innocent but dazzling features. He took a deep breath to try and calm down—even if he became completely bent because of this, he couldn’t drag his little disciple down with him.

Then, Chang Ye’s breath drew closer. He directly reached out to grasp Jiang Yinghe’s wrist, saying in a soft voice, “Shizun, let me help you.”

Before Jiang Yinghe could reply, that mischievous tail came around.

“Hiss…” Jiang Yinghe unconsciously shrunk back, but he was unable to avoid it. He was gently pressed down onto the other person’s chest.

The rich fragrance emanating from the other mingled with Jiang Yinghe’s own cold scent.

Jiang Yinghe was unable to push him away. He could hear Chang Ye’s mutterings.

“I’ll just use the tail, alright? It’ll just be a tool to speed things along. Shizun, you look truly miserable. Unfortunately I can only control it half the time, it sometimes moves on its own…”

Jiang Yinghe felt even worse now. He wanted to cry. He tried to stop himself from asking, “…Where did you learn this from?”

Chang Ye leaned over to kiss his tear-stained eyelashes. “Has Shizun always thought of me as a child?”

Jiang Yinghe turned his head away to catch his breath. “What else would you be?”

The little disciple lightly laughed from beside him. “En… But now Ye-er has grown up.”

Jiang Yinghe raised his eyes and looked over to see enough desire to swallow a man whole in those usually clear, black eyes. There was also the possessiveness of a beast nestled within.

He suddenly found out that the child in his eyes had grown out his sharp teeth a long time ago. A predator looked back at him.

Chang Ye lowered his head to kiss Jiang Yinghe’s neck and Adam’s apple before slowly licking it. He asked in a low voice, “What is Shizun thinking now?”

Jiang Yinghe did not reply. He felt like his ability to judge those around him was truly abysmal.

This wasn’t an abandoned kitten, but instead a wild beast that had grown wicked some time ago.

Chang Ye’s sharp teeth traced his long neck. He paused from biting his Adam’s apple again to ask, “Are you still thinking of Li-shixiong?”

He gave off a very dangerous feeling while asking this question. Jiang Yinghe shrunk back and held his disciple’s shoulder. He asked, “Chang Ye, are you…you couldn’t be…”

“Yes.” Chang Ye spoke frankly, “Ye-er likes Shizun.”

Jiang Yinghe was too shocked to speak.

“Ye-er wants to be intimate with Shizun.” The other’s words conveyed a strong longing. “There’s no one that can make me happy other than Shizun.

Jiang Yinghe frowned and the frustration in his heart rose. “Do you know what you’re saying? Qin Jun lied to me and deceived me, how are you any different from him right now?”

Chang Ye spoke sincerely. “His feelings were lies but Ye-er’s are sincere.”

Jiang Yinghe felt that suspicious tail grab onto his hand. The other person came closer to lap at the soft rabbit ears on his head.

Jiang Yinghe’s body grew weak. All of his strength was taken away by this little bastard.

He had no idea what a sight he was right now. In Change Ye’s eyes, the Jiang Yinghe that was always mild and distant was now scalding him in a pool of tears. The contrast stimulated his sensitive mind.

His instincts as a devil awoke and he was almost excited out of his mind.

Chang Ye carefully brushed away the loose strands of hair on Shizun’s delicate face. He paused when he reached the other man’s eyes.

Jiang Yinghe’s clear and slender eyes, whose edges were as cold as a morning star were now stained by the beginning of tears. He didn’t know if it was from being played with or anger.

It seemed like…anger was more likely the case.

While Chang Ye paused, Jiang Yinghe reached his breaking point. Tears slid soundlessly down his face, but he was too proud to let the other person see. He ducked his head and looked away.

Every drop burned away at Chang Ye’s heart and ruined his motivation to continue.

As Chang Ye stopped, so did that fuzzy tail of his. He embraced Jiang Yinghe and wiped away his tears with a pained expression. He quietly said, “I won’t do it anymore Shizun. It was just a joke, please don’t get angry. Ye-er was wrong.”

Jiang Yinghe’s mouth pinched into a flat line. His voice was high and cold. “You did it on purpose.”

The anger in his heart continued to build up.

I treated you like a disciple, but you were thinking of sleeping with me the whole time? Does a Shizun like me have even a shred of respect left?

But no matter how angry Jiang Yinghe was, his first reaction was still to find a way to peacefully resolve the situation. How could he bear to beat to death the little disciple he’d raised?

He had to suppress his fury to analyze the problem—where exactly did he go wrong? One could be explained as coincidence, so what was this? Was this some kind of terrible joke?

Chang Ye continued to comfort him in his arms. His true self that he had exposed was gradually hidden away again to reveal his harmless persona. “Ye-er just… I saw the way Qin-shixiong acted towards Shizun…”

Jiang Yinghe, “…Don’t copy things like that.”

“Was Shizun really scared?” Chang Ye blinked his large eyes, “Does this count as bullying Shizun?”

How could it not? He was about to be scared silly. Jiang Yinghe was not willing to dignify that question with a response. He turned his back to him before stating, “Get out.”

The other person was silent for a while. His thought process was unknown. He suddenly said, “I should really…help Shizun with the side effects.”

It was fine when he didn’t mention it, but now that he did, Jiang Yinghe’s fury reached new heights. If Chang Ye hadn’t come in and started kissing and licking him, how could the bit of medication that remained have such a profound effect? Wasn’t this his disciple’s fault for not respecting boundaries?

I bet I can get through this kind of thing just fine without any of you bothering me about it.

Chang Ye waited a while only for his Shizun to swear at him through gritted teeth.

“Fuck off.”

He glanced deeply at Jiang Yinghe’s back while putting his shoes on. He began softly, “Then…have a good rest Shizun. If you need me, just call and I’ll come right away.”

Chang Ye slowly backed out of the room and closed the door. He turned to lean against it as he stared at the ground for a while. Then he raised his head to look at the bright moon in the sky.

…What should he do? He lowered his hand to brush over the saber at his side and laughed at how pathetic he was.

He planned it all out down to the last detail, only to crumble under a single one of Shizun’s tears…This wasn’t who he was.

Chang Ye breathed the crisp night air deep into his lungs.

—-

The next day.

The atmosphere between the two was slightly strange.

Jiang Yinghe tried to convince himself to pretend like the events of last night never happened, but he couldn’t help remembering that sly, curling tail. He ended up paying special attention to the tails of other devils.

What kind of devil beast was on Chang Ye’s body? He didn’t feel like it was one he’d seen before…

Jiang Yinghe thought about it for a while but he couldn’t figure it out.

Back on Earth, he was an honourable civics teacher, so he had a very high sense of responsibility. There were complicated feelings in his heart now that he had somehow led his disciples astray.

…In the end, this all happened because his sexual education wasn’t up to par. What if Chang Ye misunderstood his own orientation due to being influenced during a vulnerable part of his development?

This wouldn’t do. He needed to clarify some concepts for him when they had time. It wasn’t too late yet to rein in this child.

Jiang Yinghe had thought of him as a kid for many years, so it was hard to change his habits immediately. Just as he was zoning out, someone knocked on the room’s door.

The dog-eared bellhop came in with food. It was all regular fare for devils. Even if Jiang Yinghe hadn’t begun practising inedia a long time ago and therefore had no desire for food, he wouldn’t be interested in these dishes.

Jiang Yinghe glanced at him and said in a neutral tone, “Leave it here.”

The attendant looked at him and suddenly said, “Um, forgive this servant for asking, but you…do you have two companions?”

Jiang Yinghe was taken aback. He asked: “Companions…and two at that?”

“Yeah.” The bellhop nodded his head rapidly, “Didn’t you abandon one and elope with…the other one?”

Jiang Yinghe had no idea what he was saying. He could only listen as the dog devil went on.

“Please don’t blame me for being nosy, honoured guest. It’s just that apparently the one you offended is very powerful. He seems to be at Nascent Soul level at least. They’re looking for you, and our small establishment can’t afford to offend such a character…”

As he spoke, he took out a piece of blood jade and placed it on the table.

The blood jade was originally a deep colour, but it began to flash before Jiang Yinghe and dissolved. At the same time, the entire floor of the hotel started to leak a vividly red fluid, as if the Blood Pool of the demonic cultivators had moved here. A wrathful and strong killing intent wafted through the air.

Then, the bloody fluid converged into a pond and poured out like a geyser. A familiar figure emerged from the liquid.

Before Jiang Yinghe could get a good look, an aroma that he knew well enveloped him. The strong scent of blood accompanied by a sudden and tight embrace.

Jiang Yinghe was actually in a fair amount of pain from being hugged like this. He heard erratic and fast panting from beside his ear. Li Huanhan spoke in a deep and raspy voice.

“Shizun…I’ve found you.”

His entire body was covered in fresh blood, both from the Blood Pool and his own unhealed wounds. The red dyed his black clothes an ever darker shade.

—-

Li Huanhan held him rigidly against himself. He buried his head in his Shizun’s neck to try and suppress his violently fluctuating emotions. He was on the brink of suffering a qi deviation, and his cruel and bloodied aura was barely restrained. Even so, he slowly unclenched his arms, as if he was afraid of scaring the other person.

“I wanted to avoid this…” His voice was barely above a whisper, “I didn’t want to face you like this.”

He lifted his head to reveal a pair of blood-red eyes to Jiang Yinghe. There were visible red veins on his face and neck, stopping just an inch from his heart. It was a sign of being entangled by internal demons.

Jiang Yinghe stared at him in shock. He took in the heavenly demon energy radiating from him before asking in a shaking voice, “Did…did you have a qi deviation?”

No, it wasn’t possible, right? With Huanhan’s personality and mental fortitude…how could he…

His tangled thoughts came to a sudden halt as his hand came into contact with something. He looked down to see his fingers covered in blood.

The other person was injured, but it was as if he didn’t even feel it.

Jiang Yinghe was reeling from all these revelations. It was already very fortunate to survive an encounter with Qin Jun. His heart suddenly ached for this disciple of his. He said quietly, “Why are you running around while injured? Why are you in such a rush to find me?”

Author’s Corner:

HeHe: Fuck me. Every single day’s like a dream.

Chang Ye: …I just left for a bit…

Rain:

Two down, one to go…

Sahl:

All Shizun’s real disciples are coming home to roost. 😂  As the editor I know I shouldn’t be biased, but damn Li Huanhan’s got just as much BOSS energy as Lan Wangji when he makes an entrance. And I am Here For It. 😏