Song Qing Shi feels that eavesdropping is impolite, but it's too late to leave now.
"Master Zun," Yue Wu Huan senses his presence, sets aside the leaf he was holding, and gives a slight nod to the man beside him, signaling him to leave. The man doesn't dare to offend Yao Wang Immortal Zun, bows hastily, and leaves—though he steals several lingering glances back at the beauty.
Even the usually slow-witted Song Qing Shi senses something off. After a long pause, he can't help but ask, "Is he a friend of yours, Wu Huan?"
"More like an acquaintance," Yue Wu Huan smiles as he approaches, tidying up the stray strands of Song Qing Shi's hair, "He helped me when I was injured, leaving a lasting impression. We happened to run into each other today, so he wished to catch up, and we exchanged a few words."
Song Qing Shi finally understood, "He's helped you? Then... he must be a good person. Make sure you thank him properly."
Yue Wu Huan tidied his hair for him, looked into his innocent eyes, and smiled, "Mhm."
How many good people could there be in this world? None who came to the Jin Feng Mountain Villa for leisure, that's for sure. Wu Jing is even more laughable. He loves to play the savior to distressed beauties. Feigning modesty and integrity, he bestows small favors and mouths sweet nothings, making grand promises. He seduces these women into loving him hopelessly, and once he grows tired, he'd discard them under some pretense, reveling in their heartbroken misery.
There was once a foolish maid who, in her despair, took her own life.
Wu Jing feigned a few tears, penned a couple of lovelorn elegies, and then turned around to "rescue" other distressed beauties.
Yue Wu Huan never begged for mercy in intimate situations and was highly suicidal, indifferent to serving cruel guests. He even intentionally provoked their sadistic tendencies. Thus, he suffered the most torment of anyone in Jin Feng Mountain Villa. When Wu Jing encountered him, he was covered in injuries from various punishments and could hardly get out of bed.
Such beauty, such fragility, such helplessness—these make for the perfect prey…
Wu Jing took a liking to him and was determined to have him. He launched an intense charm offensive, displaying attentive manners and offering medicine for his wounds and jewelry as gifts. From time to time, he'd also share interesting stories. Regrettably, his patience wore thin, and unable to control his desires, he tried to deceive and seduce him as soon as he saw him healing.
How could Yue Wu Huan not see through Wu Jing's vile intentions? However, in such circumstances, he had no other choice but to feign naïveté and play along, using the opportunity to gather some external information. Unbeknownst to him, his performance was so convincing that Wu Jing took it seriously, becoming fixated on him. Seeing his disfigured appearance now, Wu Jing thought him an easy target and wanted to ensnare him once more.
Disgusting, utterly disgusting...
The world is so filthy, it's hard to breathe.
Yue Wu Huan moved closer to Song Qing Shi and subtly sniffed the clean scent of his hair, finding some relief.
This is the only person whose kindness towards him never seeks anything in return.
...
The Chi Long Sect had arranged for their accommodation in a nearby village. Unfortunately, the village was too small to have any inns. Despite having cleaned and prepared the best available courtyard, it was still just an ordinary farmer's home.
Yue Wu Huan, disliking the filth, cleaned Song Qing Shi's room again and laid out a complete set of bedding he had brought himself. Afterward, he left to clean his own room and explore nearby for ingredients to cook with.
Song Qing Shi attempted to help a few times but was rebuffed. He obediently sat in a corner, reading, trying not to interfere.
However, today, for some reason... his mind was unusually unsettled. He couldn't concentrate on his beloved texts. He kept mulling over the encounter between Yue Wu Huan and that unidentified man, his thoughts a chaotic mess.
He had been unconscious for ten years, missing out on so much…
Yue Wu Huan had ventured out alone, surely making many friends?
His little angel is so clever, kind, competent, and agile; there must be many people genuinely fond of him, right?
The System Teacher mentioned that the protagonist should find happiness—could that mean finding someone he loves and starting anew? The man they met earlier seemed quite nice: tall, handsome, and had even saved Wu Huan. Moreover, he didn't mind Wu Huan's disfigured appearance. Perhaps they have a chance for a good relationship? What would he do if they decided to become Daoist companions?
Yao Wang Valley has never celebrated a joyous occasion. Should he prepare a dowry for Wu Huan? No, wait, Wu Huan is male; perhaps a betrothal gift? This doesn't sound right either… He's clueless about matters of the heart and has no one to consult. In any case, he should just wish them well, mind his language, prepare his script in advance, and ensure he doesn't mess up, embarrassing Wu Huan.
The more Song Qing Shi pondered, the more flustered and confused he became…
Finally, he couldn't help but stand up, deciding to take a walk to clear his mind.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and the evening breeze cooled the air, his jumbled thoughts somewhat cleared, making him feel foolish and eager to find something to occupy himself with.
On the roadside, a group of children were playing some sort of game, attempting to push a large stone into a ditch. Despite their efforts, they couldn't move it. Accusations flew: you said I'm weak, I said you're useless, and an argument broke out.
Song Qing Shi observed the children for a moment before walking over to them. "You might try using the principle of the lever," he suggested.
The children looked bewilderedly at the handsome cultivator.
Seeing their confusion, Song Qing Shi picked up a tree branch and squatted down to draw equations on the ground. He earnestly explained, "There are different types of levers—mechanical advantage levers, effortful levers, and balanced levers. Right now, you're trying to move a heavy object, so a mechanical advantage lever would be ideal. First, let's calculate the weight of the stone, and then..."
The children glanced at the equations on the ground, looked back at him in horror, and immediately backed away before turning and fleeing, asking each other as they ran:
"Is he an idiot?"
"Must be a madman, right?"
"I think he might be the new teacher in town."
"Oh my god, this is terrifying!"
"..."
Song Qing Shi remained squatting in the same spot, perplexed. After a long while, he discarded the branch in his hand, slowly stood up, and looked at the physics equations he had drawn on the ground. He gave an awkward smile. Despite his many attempts to communicate with others, he had always failed. Sometimes he had provoked people, other times he had killed the conversation, and most often, he was simply ignored...
He didn't even know where he went wrong.
He shouldn't be so insistent...
Quietly, Song Qing Shi sat in the grass beneath a tree, listening to the chirping crickets and watching the clouds change shape under the moonlight—morphing into dragons, birds, mice, and cats. Their endless transformations were so fascinating that he never grew tired of watching.
He was accustomed to solitude and never felt lonely.
Set the dragon free into the sea, let the phoenix soar to the skies.
When the patient is healed, it's time for discharge.
It's fine if he stays behind, all by himself...
...
Yue Wu Huan finished preparing dinner and noticed that Song Qing Shi was missing. Feeling uneasy, he searched for a while before finally finding him lost in thought under a tree. He probably had some unfinished experiment on his mind. Relieved, Yue Wu Huan shook his head with a smile and decided to play a little prank. Using a lightness skill, he silently leapt into the tree. After observing for a while to make sure Song Qing Shi hadn't noticed him, he suddenly shook the tree, sending leaves raining down on the man below.
Startled by the falling leaves, Song Qing Shi was about to probe the area with his spiritual sense when his inner fire flared up in protest. Just then, he heard the familiar laughter from the tree. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, he called out, "Wu Huan."
Yue Wu Huan jumped down, landing beside him, and smiled as he asked, "My lord, are you not afraid of an enemy attack?"
"You lack a murderous aura," Song Qing Shi explained, "My ethereal fire releases automatically when it senses killing intent, so there's no need to worry."
Yue Wu Huan paused, then seriously said, "Don't go around telling people this. You could become the target of a trap."
"Only you know about this," Song Qing Shi reassured him quickly, "I'm not foolish enough to casually share my lifesaving secrets. Even if someone were to discover it during battle, the ethereal fire would leave no survivors to spread rumors."
Yue Wu Huan sighed in resignation, "Why tell me?"
After a moment of thought, Song Qing Shi answered, "You are not just anyone. You're my little angel."
With relief, Yue Wu Huan asked again,
"My lord, what are you doing here?"
"I'm watching the clouds."
"Clouds?"
"Mhm."
"I'll watch too."
"Oh? You like this? But everyone says it's boring," Song Qing Shi brushed off fallen leaves from his clothes, turned around in surprise, and noticed that Yue Wu Huan had already taken a seat beside him. Quickly, he said, "There's nothing in the sky; I'm just watching the clouds change. You don't have to keep me company. You can go do whatever you wish."
Yue Wu Huan looked at him, his eyes twinkling with deeper amusement, "No matter what it is, it becomes interesting when two people are doing it together."
Song Qing Shi stared at him, taken aback. For some reason, his ears felt hot, and his eyes moistened slightly.
Thankfully, the deepening night concealed his momentary vulnerability.
Yue Wu Huan stayed silent, simply sitting quietly beside him. It was the same mundane activity, but now it felt heartwarming, as it once did when they were both in the study, doing nothing but reading—yet somehow more interesting than usual.
What was this feeling? Was there any theory that could explain it in books?
Song Qing Shi pondered for a long time but couldn't find an answer.
It was a sensation he had never experienced before—indescribable but intensely delightful.
Could this feeling last longer if he were more attentive and considerate toward Yue Wu Huan?
Would that be too selfish?
Song Qing Shi took a furtive glance at Yue Wu Huan, noticed his good mood, and finally mustered the courage to ask, "The person from today, he's a good friend of yours, right? You and him..." He struggled to find the right words for his question.
Yue Wu Huan snapped back to reality, smiling as he responded, "My lord jests. We're hardly good friends, just acquaintances."
Song Qing Shi stammered, "He saved you, should we... perhaps give him a token of gratitude?"
"Rest assured, my lord, I've already sent him a thank-you gift," Yue Wu Huan's smile brightened, a glint of something ambiguous in his eyes. "I can't say if Master Wu will like it, but he's a good man and wouldn't reject a gift, putting me in an awkward position."
Song Qing Shi asked with concern, "Should I prepare another gift if he doesn't like it?"
"There's no need," Yue Wu Huan hesitated for a moment, his gaze becoming distant. Then he smiled again. His voice grew slightly husky, his breathing a little uneven, as if restraining some intense joy. He took a few deep breaths, regained composure, and then leaned closer to gently nuzzle his head against Song Qing Shi's shoulder, murmuring, "He's going overseas soon. If my lord encounters him again, we can always send another gift."
Song Qing Shi smiled warmly, "Alright."
Yue Wu Huan cast a covetous look at the person beside him, desire tinting his beautiful phoenix eyes hidden beneath his golden mask.
The trap he had laid was finally about to capture some delicious prey.
...
In a secluded and tranquil room, a beautiful figure was faintly visible behind the layers of dark veils. The prey sneaked in, avoiding everyone, then slipped under the quilt, preparing to share an intimate moment with the beauty who was already lying there, reliving their blissful dreams.
However, what he touched was a cold, rigid hand.
Sensing the whiff of a trap, the prey acted instantly, swiftly snapping the neck of the beauty beside him.
The decapitated beauty eerily turned around, emitting a bizarre laughter, "Hehehehe—"
To his horror, the prey realized this was not a living being but a poisoned corpse puppet. Its face was marred with chaotic, terrifying needle marks, resembling a horror doll from hell. Wanting to flee, he took a few steps but found his body increasingly unresponsive. Though he tried to scream for help, his throat had turned rigid, muting any cries.
The poisoned puppet crawled over like a spider, entangling him with its twisted limbs and injecting more venom.
Following that, countless Blood King Vines spread from all directions, wrapping around, snapping, and then penetrating through his mouth and skin into his body. They wreaked havoc inside, breaking bones inch by inch, crushing organs bit by bit, and slowly draining the blood while corroding and devouring...
The hunter had become the hunted—a moth caught in a spider's web, watching his own descent into death.
No chance for escape, only despair…
Hell seems to be the most fitting place for him to belong.
...
Yue Wu Huan stayed seated beside Song Qing Shi for a long while, until the Blood King Vines had processed everything, stashed away the toxic puppet, and cleaned up the scene, leaving no trace. Then, with a wave of his consciousness, he destroyed the contaminated vines and grew new ones. Finally, he stood up and said, "Master, the osmanthus sugar water I made for you must have cooled by now, right?"
Song Qing Shi immediately jumped up, "Why didn't you say so earlier?"
Yue Wu Huan answered with a smile, "I apologize. I was preoccupied with some important matters and forgot."
"So, you daydream like I do?"
"Occasionally..."
"Are you not feeling well?"
"No, I'm fine."
...
Both of them chatted and laughed as they walked away, gradually disappearing into the distance.
Under the eaves, a hungry spider cautiously weaved its web, patiently awaiting the white butterfly fluttering in the air.
This would be a true feast.