Mo Yuan, Wu Huan, and Feng Jun are the same soul. Regardless of the form they take, they are the one he loves.
Song Qing Shi had some reservations and wanted to ask Wu Huan about his views on past and present lives. What he ended up writing, however, was interpreted by the other as a declaration of commitment. Recognizing this as another scripted event from Mo Yuan's memories, one without an option for refusal, he decided to follow his own feelings.
He was willing.
In any world, any place, any form, he was willing to become dao companions with Wu Huan.
They returned to Peach Blossom Valley, where Song Qing Shi concocted seven Xuan Tian Tai Ming Pills. Consuming one a day would gradually neutralize the Udambara poison. Not knowing when the poison would be fully neutralized, he covered Wu Huan's eyes with layers of light gauze, instructing him not to be hasty when his vision returned.
One evening at dusk, while Wu Huan was practicing swordsmanship, his vision blurred momentarily. He saw a rain of vibrant fragments scattering from the sky. Reaching out, he picked up a tender and delicate petal, confirming it to be from the peach blossoms that had kept him company every day.
Qing Shi had told him that the peach blossoms in the valley were red.
So, this stunning hue was red?
After adapting to the light, Wu Huan slowly unwrapped the gauze around his eyes. He saw the dazzling peach blossoms, the lush grass, the dew on the leaves, and birds singing in the trees. He matched the myriad colors to the vocabulary he had read about, distinguishing red, green, black, blue…
This wasn't a dream.
Because the dreams of the blind contain no images.
Wu Huan rubbed his eyes, overwhelmed with a joy he had never felt before. He wanted to share this newfound happiness, to describe the vivid colors of peach blossoms, the multiple shades of brown and black in sparrow feathers, and the many layers of green in the forest.
Most importantly, where was Song Qing Shi? Was he concocting medicines?
Calculating the time, Wu Huan sheathed his sword and hurried toward the alchemy room, only to find it empty and the furnace cold. Using his spiritual senses, he finally located the young man by the riverside herb garden.
Years of successful cultivation and nourishment had restored Song Qing Shi to his original state. Relying on the privacy of Peach Blossom Valley and Wu Huan's blindness, he had let himself go. Each day he dressed carelessly, leaving his soft, delicate hair loose or occasionally tying it up.
Wu Huan stood behind him, watching quietly for a long while.
After completing his task, Song Qing Shi sensed the intense gaze behind him. When he turned around, he met eyes filled with charisma, as if a master painter had added the finishing touch to a perfect canvas, animating a glorious phoenix.
His heart rate quickened as he realized Wu Huan had regained his sight. Overjoyed, he was about to offer his congratulations when he noticed Wu Huan's peculiar gaze. Assuming it was due to his disheveled appearance, he quickly picked up his basket, intending to retreat and change his clothes.
However, as he passed by Wu Huan, his arm was abruptly seized and he was pulled into an embrace.
Wu Huan looked incredulously into the clear eyes staring back at him. Wasn't his beloved supposed to be unattractive? How could he look so captivating? Each detail of his appearance struck Wu Huan deeply, making his heart itch with delight. Was such beauty even possible? Could this be a hallucination induced by the medicine?
He lowered his head cautiously and gently touched the delicate, fair skin to confirm the tactile sensations. Then he leaned into the nape of the neck to inhale the herbal fragrance, confirming his sense of smell. Skillfully, he lifted the weight to assess its feel, then meticulously inspected Song Qing Shi from head to toe multiple times, not missing a single detail.
Song Qing Shi's outer robe had accidentally slipped off in the pulling, leaving him in a thin silk undergarment he wore to bed, secured casually by a belt. The sensation of the silk felt almost like wearing nothing at all. How could he resist responding when touched so intently by someone he was fond of? Unable to break free or stop him, Song Qing Shi had no choice but to stand on his tiptoes, grasp his neck, and quietly beg for an end in a low, whimpering voice near his ear.
"I'm sorry," Wu Huan finally realized the inappropriateness of his actions and hurriedly released his hold. "I didn't expect you to look like this. I usually explore the world through touch, and I'm accustomed to it. But it seems I may have gone too far this time."
Song Qing Shi shook his head to indicate it was okay. His clothing, already scant and light, clung closely to his frame, delineating every curve. The belt was almost undone, creating an indecent appearance. When Wu Huan put him down, he tried to undo the belt to retighten it.
After so many years together, there were no taboos between them, and they had become adept at navigating each other's boundaries.
This time, however, as Song Qing Shi loosened his belt, Wu Huan sensed something was amiss. He looked at what lay beneath the undone robe, pondered for a moment what a man's responsive touch signified, then considered what it meant for a man to disrobe before his prospective life partner...
"Qing Shi, do you... do you desire me?" Wu Huan grasped his wrist excitedly, understanding the implications instantly.
Song Qing Shi: "???"
"I'm so happy." Wu Huan joyously kissed Song Qing Shi's lips. Sensing the other's compliance, his eyes glinted with the light of a hungry beast. Overwhelmed by his longing, and assuming consent, he lifted Song Qing Shi by the waist and set him down on a low tree nearby, employing a variety of techniques to attend to him diligently.
A good man should never say no when his partner desires him, no matter the time or place.
He would make every effort to ensure his partner's satisfaction.
Song Qing Shi was bewildered for a while but eventually accepted the misunderstanding, finding himself rather comfortable with how things had evolved.
During the process, he realized that being mute could be quite problematic. He was often left disoriented and couldn't voice his dissent or opinions. His only option was to comply, thus recreating the dining fiasco because he was too obedient.
One form of dissatisfaction is the fear of Wu Huan that his partner might not be satisfied.
Song Qing Shi felt he was close to bursting.
...
Afterward, the two became dao companions.
The dao companion seal was a peach blossom-shaped imprint, emblazoned on the back of their hands—the hands they used for sword-wielding and alchemy crafting. It was impossible to overlook.
Legend has it that such marks between dao companions would reemerge in their next life when they reunite. The deeper the bond, the more vivid the mark.
Successful cases are rare; only one or two instances are recorded in books.
"I wish to confine your soul to be near me," Wu Huan whispered, fervently kissing the peach blossom mark on Song Qing Shi's hand the night the seal was engraved. "Qing Shi, never feel affection for anyone else, be good to no one else. Across lifetimes, let it only be me…"
Song Qing Shi was already overwhelmed with ecstasy, his senses blurred. He could barely make out what the other was saying and could only nod in agreement.
"I like you," Wu Huan whispered into his ear, "Promise me you won't seek out that man with the surname Qu, okay?"
Song Qing Shi snapped back to reality, shaking his head vigorously and shooting Wu Huan a reproachful look as if to say: you promised you'd help me.
Wu Huan smiled, "Yes, I'll help you find him."
Song Qing Shi knew Wu Huan was somewhat resentful, but he had no choice. The mission tied to the title of Mo Yuan Sword Master was to rescue Qu Yu Rong. Although he was sure that he would prioritize saving Wu Huan in any situation, when an exam paper goes missing, one can't simply ignore it, can they? So, whenever they arrived in a new place, he'd have Wu Huan assist with communication, making inquiries about Qu Yu Rong's whereabouts, hoping against hope.
However, the immortal world was vast, without the convenience of the internet, making the search for a single person tantamount to finding a needle in a haystack.
Over the years, Song Qing Shi had almost given in to despair…
Wu Huan never understood why Song Qing Shi was so intent on finding this man named Qu Yu Rong. He had met Qu Yu Rong at Tian Xiang Tower once; a naive young master with a pretty face but utmost foolishness, so gullible that he'd even help count the money after being sold.
The more Song Qing Shi focused on Qu Yu Rong, the more unhappy Wu Huan became. Though he kept a smiling facade, deep inside, he hoped that Qu Yu Rong would never show up. In hindsight, Wu Huan had harbored feelings for Song Qing Shi for a long time and couldn't bear the thought of anyone coming between them.
Now that they had become Dao companions, Wu Huan's desire for exclusivity was stronger than ever.
Wu Huan knew that Qu Yu Rong held a special place in Song Qing Shi's heart, a place so special it made him uneasy.
Song Qing Shi had even said something bizarre once, claiming that he was not from this world, and that Qu Yu Rong was a mission objective that he had to save to complete his task.
Wu Huan was devastated. Though blind, he was no fool. Such an absurd jest was inappropriate. And if Qu Yu Rong was the mission, what was he in the grand scheme? An incorrect answer? Where would he go after the mission was complete?
Wu Huan remained silent and sullen for many days...
Realizing Wu Huan's heartache, Song Qing Shi pondered deeply, regretting his prior comments. Although he persisted in searching for Qu Yu Rong, he mentioned him only as a friend who had fallen on hard times and needed rescue. Yet when questioned about further details, his answers were stuttering and inconsistent, full of holes.
"A good friend?" Wu Huan mulled it over and finally broke into a gentle smile. "I'll help you take care of it."
No matter who Qu Yu Rong was, Wu Huan secretly hoped he would never appear.
These matters were simply too complicated to handle.