Bai Zi Hao was biting his nails, visibly agitated.
Jin Fei Ren was bitten by a Flame Wolf in the Extreme Flame Secret Realm to protect him. The injury on his leg was severe. Although spiritual medicine managed to contain the spread of the flame poison, enduring the sensation of being burned alive every day wasn't exactly pleasant. This agony would continue for two full years. Filled with guilt, he devoted himself to taking care of Jin Fei Ren, who was becoming increasingly irritable.
The Thousand-Year Water Spirit Pearl could suppress the agony from the flame poison, but it was a rare consumable item, and despite their long search, they hadn't found it.
Fortunately, a Thousand-Year Water Monster appeared in Yue Yin Lake and was successfully hunted by the Wan Gu Sect and Yao Wang Valley...
Jin Fei Ren had always been wary of Yao Wang Valley. He never imagined that Wu Huan would successfully become the favorite disciple of Yao Wang Xian Zun. He knew well what he had done to Wu Huan in the past. Though Wu Huan might harbor resentment, what mattered more was what Song Qing Shi thought.
Logically speaking, Xie Que was the primary culprit, and Golden Phoenix Manor had legally purchased slaves without violating any celestial laws or morals. Even if they hadn't bought Wu Huan, he would have ended up in a brothel due to his beauty. The outcome wouldn't have been any different.
However, Yao Wang Xian Zun was rather unpredictable and often acted irrationally. It was hard to know what he might do next.
Unless absolutely necessary, Jin Fei Ren had no desire to provoke Yao Wang Valley. Though small and isolated, the valley was led by Song Qing Shi, the premier healer in the celestial realm. He had saved people across many sects over the years, and the rare elixirs produced by Yao Wang Valley were irreplaceable.
Though there was a fee for medical consultation and it depended on his mood, one's life was priceless.
Elder Niu from the Five Mountains Sect, who was halfway into the gates of the underworld, was pulled back by him. The elder couldn't help but feel indebted.
Lady Ling Miao from Chang Kong Island regained her youthful beauty with a Rejuvenation Pill and couldn't praise him enough.
There were countless such examples...
Over the years, Wu Huan had avoided causing trouble with Golden Phoenix Manor and hadn't shown signs of seeking revenge.
Yao Wang Xian Zun had reached the grand completion of his Nascent Soul, inherited the toxic fire skills of Nie Shi Du Zun, rarely left his home, and likely had many aces up his sleeve. The cost of eliminating him would be too high and might even attract the attention of the madmen from Wan Gu Sect.
If he were to act impulsively because of past slaves or worries about things that hadn't happened, it would be both humiliating and detrimental to his reputation. It simply wasn't worth it...
Jin Fei Ren was extremely torn...
The injury from the Flame Wolf offered a chance to test the waters.
He sent Bai Zi Hao with a lavish peace offering to acquire the Water Spirit Pearl, eager to gauge the attitude of Yao Wang Valley.
...
The setting sun bled across the sky as Yue Wu Huan finally appeared in the courtyard.
Adorned in vibrant red brocade, a golden mask with feathery wings, captivating phoenix eyes, and an upright posture...
He was resplendent, resembling a real phoenix, far more beautiful than when he was at Jin Feng Mountain Villa.
Bai Zi Hao found himself momentarily captivated. He wanted to greet him, exchange a few nostalgic words, but didn't know what to say.
Before being sold to Jin Feng Mountain Villa, he lived in a simple village and never thought that men could be subjugated like this. Jin Fei Ruo forced him to learn how to serve men, and the first person he saw was Yue Wu Huan. That scene terrified him, then still innocent; he wanted to run but couldn't. Forced to confront his grim future, he felt almost hopeless.
Yue Wu Huan lifted his head from that hellish moment and looked at him, breaking into a reluctant smile.
Bai Zihao had no idea what he was laughing at, but he found himself inexplicably drawn...
He had never seen such a captivating individual; it was as if a bewitching flower had bloomed atop decaying bones in a chasm of sin. The allure was so potent it made one forget all that was sordid. Every eye was irresistibly drawn to that perfect form. He knew he shouldn't look, yet he couldn't help but steal glances, feeling a mysterious sensation stir within him.
It was only later that he realized this sensation was desire, a desire he felt for another man...
A hairline crack appeared in the shackles of his self-restraint; his pride began to show fissures...
When Jin Feiren kissed him again, he ceased his vehement resistance, attempting instead to embrace the experience.
In moments of agony, the smile of Yue Wuhuan always surfaced in his mind. Such a good person had also descended into hell.
What use was his feeble resistance, after all?
Days later, when he saw Yue Wuhuan again, he had for some unknown reason angered Jin Feiren in their private chambers. Not only was he whipped as punishment, but he was also dragged into the dreaded black dungeon and forbidden from eating for three days. The dungeon was a place all slaves dreaded: dank, cramped, and infested with rats; wounds could easily fester, and the torment was unbearable...
He stealthily gathered food and medicine, intending to bring them to him...
The guard, aware of his favored status and given some incentive, turned a blind eye.
He successfully snuck into the black dungeon, only to find Yue Wuhuan lying on a cold stone bed. His long, black hair was strewn about, his crimson garment soiled and bloodstained. Yet his expression seemed relaxed, and he was quietly humming a tune—a lullaby familiar to anyone who had ever had a mother sing them to sleep...
Upon seeing him enter, Yue Wuhuan rose to his feet, puzzled.
Bai Zihao silently handed over the items, wanting to say something but finding himself at a loss for words.
Seeing the items, Yue Wuhuan burst into laughter, as if he had witnessed something incredibly amusing. "Foolish," he commented.
Bai Zihao felt perplexed by Wu Huan's laughter, uncertain about what he had done wrong.
"I've seen many people like you, full of pity for others, yet absurdly naive," Wu Huan said, casually twirling a medicine bottle between his fingers. "You should focus on learning how to please that man with your body. After all, you have the looks he fancies and a submissive nature. So long as you obey, you might suffer less. Don't worry, your body seems well-suited for this sort of thing. I noticed you had a reaction when you looked at me. Where did you feel it? Or should I guess? Do you find the concept of submission arousing?"
His small secret exposed, it was as if his face had been unceremoniously torn off and stomped on.
Red-faced with anger, Bai Zihao stood up and exclaimed, "Why are you so ungrateful?"
"Take it back, I don't need any of this," Wu Huan said, tossing the food and medicine bottle back to him. "Keep it for yourself; you'll need it after serving that man."
Holding the items, Bai Zihao hastily retreated from the dark cell, finding Wu Huan incredibly irksome.
Wu Huan cast him a cold glance, laid back down, and said nothing more.
The third time they met was on the Langgan Terrace, where Wu Huan was saved by the Medicine King Immortal Master during an attack by a demonic tiger.
He was almost scared out of his wits, then felt a wave of relief when he saw Wu Huan being taken away.
That night, Bai Zihao became Jin Feiren's concubine and found, to his horror, that everything Wu Huan had said was true. Even when treated roughly, he was responsive. Gradually, he submitted, learned to be obedient, learned to please, and finally, sank into moral decay. Jin Feiren was a proud and arrogant man who relished conquering not just the body but the heart as well.
In reality, life could be far better if one simply flattered and adored him.
Bai Zihao did precisely that, considering Jin Feiren his world, and as a result, received the highest favor.
When attacked by a mad Taoist, he took a fatal blow for Jin Feiren.
Jin Feiren fell in love with him, trusted him, freed him from his slave status, and provided him with various valuable cultivation resources and a fair amount of authority. He was not required to serve other men, was rarely punished, and earned the same educational and training opportunities as other disciples. He even made significant concessions on his behalf during negotiations with the Songhe Sect.
Bai Zihao told himself that this was love, that this was happiness.
He was already very fortunate.
And yet, he couldn't forget about Wu Huan.
After gaining Jin Feiren's complete trust, he secretly began to investigate Wu Huan. The more he discovered, the more puzzled he became. Wu Huan had initially enjoyed Jin Feiren's highest favor when he first arrived at the Golden Phoenix Manor. Why had he ended up in such a wretched state? Why had he, with his exceptional beauty, led a life comparable to the lowest slaves, serving any guest indiscriminately?
Bai Zihao couldn't understand but found himself unable to stop pondering it.
Then one day, waking up bruised and battered, he understood.
This was a defiance against Jin Feiren.
He was telling Jin Feiren that even if he had to stoop to debasing himself with countless guests, even if he suffered humiliation and mistreatment, he would never surrender his heart to him. He'd rather be the lowest of slaves, serving anyone with his body, than be Jin Feiren's exclusive concubine.
Therefore, he became a thorn in Jin Feiren's heart.
Jin Feiren never spoke his name, but for a long time, he sought to purchase young men who resembled him.
Bai Zihao felt no jealousy, only a sense of admiration.
Because this was something he couldn't bring himself to do.
Later, he heard that Wu Huan had become a disciple of Medicine King Valley, favored by Medicine King Immortal Master, and seemed to be living a good life. Even later, he heard that for some reason Wu Huan had disfigured himself, seemed mentally unstable, and bore numerous scars, yet he remained free.
The slaves of Golden Phoenix Manor didn't particularly like Wu Huan, because he was too beautiful and his temperament clashed with theirs. They laughed at him for being foolish, for losing favor, and for squandering a good life.
Bai Zihao never participated in these discussions; his quiet world seemed to have room only for Jin Feiren.
A white bird in a gilded cage quietly envied the wings flying across the sky.
He couldn't let his master discover this...
...
Wu Huan approached Bai Zihao with a smile and handed him a brocade box containing the Water Spirit Pearl. "Take this back to fulfill your task."
Bai Zihao took the brocade box, feeling as if a weight had lifted from his heart, and repeatedly expressed his gratitude.
"No need to thank me," Wu Huan smiled. "I heard that you will soon become Jin Manor Lord's Daoist partner. I offer you my early congratulations. Our master isn't fond of social engagements, but Medicine King Valley will send a congratulatory gift. Do you have any preferences?"
Hearing this, Bai Zihao blushed slightly, "That's not necessary."
"It is appropriate. When I first saw you, I knew you were a good person," Wu Huan glanced at the visible scars on Bai Zihao's neck and said sincerely, "Being able to rein in Jin Manor Lord is also a good thing. He must really love you, down to his bones."
Bai Zihao adjusted his collar and shyly said, "Yes, I love him just as much."
Wu Huan praised genuinely, "A match made in heaven."
"Thank you," Bai Zihao looked at Wu Huan's mask, thought for a moment, and finally couldn't help but ask, "What actually happened to your face?"
"It's nothing," Wu Huan removed his mask to reveal his grotesque, discolored face, and said, "Medicine King Valley keeps a lot of highly toxic creatures. I was unlucky enough to come into contact with the venom of a modified 'Ghost Face Snake.' Unfortunately, our master was in seclusion at the time, which led to a delay in treatment, resulting in this condition."
Bai Zihao took a step back in shock, then regained his composure and said sympathetically, "What will happen to you now that you look like this? How will you remain favored?"
In Golden Phoenix Manor, everyone says he won the favor of Medicine King Immortal Master through his beauty and physique. Now that his good looks are gone, wouldn't he be cast aside?
Wu Huan put his mask back on: "My master has not rejected me."
Bai Zihao was somewhat relieved and praised, "He's truly a good person."
From then on, he never again spoke of Medicine King Immortal Master as a weirdo; at least the man had a good conscience and was not fickle.
Wu Huan knew that Bai Zihao was timid by nature, confined to Golden Phoenix Manor for many years, had little contact with the outside world, and had long lost the ability to judge things like a normal person. This was generally the case for most slaves in Golden Phoenix Manor, so their unusual circumstances were no longer surprising to him.
His primary purpose for coming this time was to inquire about something else.
When his master had visited Golden Phoenix Manor, he had already planned for his demise at Langgan Terrace, so he hadn't paid attention to many other things. At that time, Bai Zihao was with Jin Feiren and would likely know about most things...
He briefly mentioned the situation, and then asked Bai Zihao, "Back then, did Manor Lord Jin invite this person over?"
Bai Zihao thought carefully, "He did, but the person left without saying goodbye, which greatly displeased the Manor Lord, who complained for quite some time afterward."
Wu Huan smiled contentedly.
He once again wholeheartedly wished the couple eternal love, before turning to leave.
Bai Zihao secured the Water Spirit Pearl, took a deep breath, and turned back to his room. Yet, as he approached the window, he saw Medicine King Immortal Master leap down from a tree and anxiously examine Wu Huan from head to toe, as if he had just emerged from a perilous place, seemingly afraid that he might be missing a piece of flesh.
Medicine King Immortal Master really did dote on him.
Bai Zihao shook his head with a smile and was about to close the window when he noticed Medicine King Immortal Master lifting Wu Huan's sleeve, seemingly discovering something. Wu Huan tried to pull his hand back in embarrassment but was firmly held in place.
What exactly had happened?
Driven by curiosity, Bai Zihao extended his spiritual sense to take a closer look.
He saw a few minor scratches on Wu Huan's wrist. They weren't serious, just surface wounds that were already beginning to heal.
Wu Huan explained awkwardly, "Master, I accidentally scratched myself. It's nothing serious..."
"Once you've bled, you need to apply medicine properly to prevent infection," Song Qingshi insisted. He took out an ointment for external injuries from a small pouch, bowed his head, and carefully applied it to the wounds. Then, he wrapped the injuries in gauze, handling everything so gently as if afraid to hurt him further. After everything was done, he earnestly admonished, "Be careful in the future. Don't get hurt. It will cause pain..."
Bai Zihao stared in bewilderment...
Since Song Qingshi kept his head lowered, Wu Huan couldn't see his expression.
However, Bai Zihao caught sight of those clear eyes, filled with unfathomable sorrow.
Was he pained even by such a minor injury?
Why?
Bai Zihao suddenly felt as though his heart was being squeezed, and some of his perceptions began to blur.
He felt confused but didn't quite understand what he was puzzled about...
Eventually, Bai Zihao left the small town and set off on the road back to Golden Phoenix Manor.
Upon seeing the Water Spirit Pearl, Jin Feiren suppressed the toxic heat within him and joyfully carried Bai Zihao to the bed as a reward...
It was the usual madness, the usual roughness, and the familiar blend of pain and pleasure.
Over and over, he told Bai Zihao, "I love you, you are my greatest love."
Bai Zihao stared at the green canopy overhead, and for the first time, an irreverent thought flashed through his mind:
If you love me...
Why do you let me feel pain?
...
A single tear quietly slid from the corner of his eye, falling onto the pillow and disappearing without a trace.