Xue Manzhuang and Mu Zhe fought.
Amidst the raging phoenix flames, Mu Zhe grabbed Xue Manzhuang by the neck, his eyes coldly fixed on him: "Are you courting death?"
A bloody gash ran down Xue Manzhuang's cheek, the precious phoenix blood slowly trickling down his face and staining his clothes. He raised an eyebrow, showing no fear even with his neck gripped, and chuckled, "Just a fair competition. If you can't kill me today, I'll come back."
Mu Zhe, expressionless, slammed Xue Manzhuang's neck into the ground with a force so great that countless cracks appeared on the bluestone pavement, quickly spreading to the surrounding area.
"I once researched how to kill a phoenix," Mu Zhe said with a sinister expression. "Would you like to experience the feeling of being dissected?"
Xue Manzhuang: "..."
Xue Manzhuang shivered imperceptibly, but still felt that if he was willing to face death for the Holy Lord, Shen Gurong might see his true feelings.
Mu Zhe frowned, finding the situation extremely troublesome.
The phoenix was an ancient divine beast, and Xue Manzhuang was the only one still alive. Killing him would likely bring endless trouble; but Xue Manzhuang was completely oblivious to human feelings, constantly coveting Shen Gurong.
Since Mu Zhe's childhood, this flirtatious phoenix had been relentlessly pursuing Shen Gurong, and it was said that he had even boasted of kidnapping his master to use as a cultivation vessel.
Mu Zhe felt uncomfortable even when Shen Gurong called someone else's name, let alone tolerating Xue Manzhuang.
Mu Zhe pondered for a long time, then his eyes hardened, and he summoned the Jiu Xi Sword, his body radiating murderous intent.
Even the fearless Xue Manzhuang was startled by his killing intent, staring at him in astonishment.
He had previously relied on his status, believing that even the Southern Lord wouldn't kill him, which was why he had acted so recklessly. But now… for the first time, Xue Manzhuang sensed genuine killing intent.
Mu Zhe… really would kill him!
Xue Manzhuang trembled, but still forced composure, saying, "I will never let go, no matter what. Only I am worthy of the Holy Lord. You… you're still an ugly monster, your face is so repulsive."
Mu Zhe looked at him indifferently, unmoved: "Continue speaking, I will remember your last words."
Xue Manzhuang: "…"
Mu Zhe had reached his limit, gripping the Jiu Xi Sword without blinking, and coldly swung it down.
Xue Manzhuang's pupils contracted; this strike might truly kill him.
Although the phoenix is called the immortal bird, it is not truly immortal; otherwise, Xue Manzhuang wouldn't be the only phoenix left in the entire Three Realms.
Just at the critical moment, Shen Gurong's voice suddenly rang out from the side.
"Stop."
Mu Zhe's hand paused, the murderous intent on his face vanishing completely. He turned his head blankly.
Shen Gurong must have rushed over. His clothes were disheveled, barely covering his jade-like body. He stood barefoot on the bluestone steps, his long robe and white hair trailing on the ground.
His tone was casual and gentle, yet it seemed to possess a thousand pounds of force, instantly freezing the two of them in place.
Mu Zhe quickly reacted, immediately sheathing his Jiu Xi Sword, looking at Shen Gurong with lingering fear.
He felt a strange embarrassment, like a child caught doing something wrong by an adult, his mind filled with fear and panic at being reprimanded.
Shen Gurong glanced at him, casually adjusting his sleeves.
Upon seeing Shen Gurong, Xue Manzhuang exclaimed excitedly, "Holy Lord! You've come to save me! I knew you still had some genuine feelings for me!"
Shen Gurong: "..."
He watched helplessly as Mu Zhe's hand dented the hilt of the Jiu Xi Sword.
If Shen Gurong felt helpless towards Mu Zhe, he completely ignored the flamboyant phoenix, Xue Manzhuang. He didn't even bother to look at him, instead extending his hand to Mu Zhe as if no one else was there, saying indifferently, "My hair is wet, help me dry it."
Mu Zhe, who had been expecting Shen Gurong to scold him for indiscriminately killing innocents, froze for a moment, looking at Shen Gurong in confusion.
Shen Gurong glanced at him: "What are you still standing there for? I'm about to lose my balance."
Mu Zhe was stunned for a moment, then a surge of joy welled up inside him. He rushed over and half-embraced Shen Gurong.
Xue Manzhuang, completely bewildered, scrambled to his feet, pointing blankly at himself, and stammered, "Holy Lord, what about me?"
"Oh right." Shen Gurong glanced at him casually, as if only just noticing him, and said nonchalantly, "I almost forgot about you."
He raised his hand, took out a spirit stone, casually infused it with his spiritual energy, and tossed it to Xue Manzhuang.
This was the first time Xue Manzhuang had received a gift from his beloved, and even a spirit stone was a precious treasure to him. He exclaimed joyfully, "Holy Lord, is this a token of our love?! I will cherish it!"
Shen Gurong: "..."
So why is this phoenix so arrogant and self-satisfied?
Mu Zhe, standing to the side, was green with envy, wishing he could snatch the spirit stone back.
But before his killing intent could fully surface, Shen Gurong's casual remark forced him back.
"That?" Shen Gurong lazily smoothed his damp hair, shifting his position to subtly lean against Mu Zhe's arm to avoid back pain from standing for too long. He casually said, "Mu Zhe and I will hold our marriage ceremony sometime soon. Bring your spirit stones then, and you can even get a cup of celebratory wine."
Xue Manzhuang: "..."
Xue Manzhuang: "???"
Xue Manzhuang's confident smile suddenly froze on his lips. He maintained that eerie smile for a long time, unable to believe his ears, and forced a dry laugh, saying, "Was the Holy Lord joking just now? Haha, hahaha, that's hilarious."
In contrast, Mu Zhe was practically floating. If Shen Gurong hadn't been leaning on him, he would have almost floated into the sky.
Marriage ceremony...
Master said he wanted to marry him!
Marriage ceremony!
“I’m not joking,” Shen Gurong said. “We’ve already planned to register our household together, but things were delayed by what happened before. Once we’ve decided where to register, we’ll have Qingyu tell you.”
Xue Manzhuang: “…”
For the first time, Xue Manzhuang felt an urge to cry. He choked out, “Holy Lord, but… but he’s your disciple! You two are master and disciple.”
Shen Gurong said, “Isn’t that even more exciting?”
Xue Manzhuang: “…”
Mu Zhe: “…”
After saying what Jing Zhuchen had told him, Shen Gurong inexplicably felt his face burning, but in front of the two juniors, he had to maintain his composure, calmness, and the authority of a Holy Lord.
"Ahem." Shen Gurong feigned nonchalance. "This matter will be announced to the Three Realms within three days. Go back and wait for the news."
Xue Manzhuang sobbed, "Holy Lord, Holy Lord, what is it about him that I lack?"
He pointed at Mu Zhe: "He's not as handsome as me, not as noble as me, doesn't live as long as me, and his feathers aren't as beautiful!"
Shen Gurong: "..." Seriously, who in their right mind would compare their feathers to yours?
Xue Manzhuang had pursued him for so long, and had even helped him before, so Shen Gurong didn't want to hurt him too much. He patiently said, "It's just because I like him."
Xue Manzhuang said, "But I'm much more handsome!"
Shen Gurong: "I don't judge by looks."
He turned around and saw that Mu Zhe had quickly removed the birthmark, revealing a handsome face. Mu Zhe was now looking at him with shining eyes, unable to hide his joy.
Shen Gurong's heart skipped a beat.
Although he didn't care about looks, being more handsome would be a big plus.
Xue Manzhuang was utterly desperate. He stood there for a long time, watching the two gaze at each other, their eyes filled with a tenderness he could never have imagined. He suddenly felt like he was an eyesore.
With a "waa," he spread his wings and flew away crying.
Shen Gurong breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the phoenix would never bother him again.
Mu Zhe couldn't wait any longer. He scooped Shen Gurong up in his arms, making sure the pebbles on the ground wouldn't hurt his feet, and quickly flew back to the bedroom in the pavilion. He impatiently pressed Shen Gurong onto the bed.
Shen Gurong quickly pushed his shoulders away, dodging his kisses, and mumbled, "No, my back still hurts."
Mu Zhe, like a puppy that had received a bone, kissed Shen Gurong's cheeks left and right. If he had a tail, it would have been wagging long ago.
"Master, Master, Master!" Seeing that he was only expressing his overwhelming joy by kissing him, Shen Gurong chuckled softly and let him be.
He raised his hand to stroke Mu Zhe's cheek and said gently, "So happy?"
Mu Zhe had never been so happy. All his previous anxieties and uncertainties had vanished, even the last trace of resentment from his past life had instantly disappeared.
"Master, when will we officially become a couple?" he asked impatiently.
Shen Gurong tilted his head and thought for a moment, "I need to ask my senior brothers."
Mu Zhe had previously been very wary of the senior disciples from Liren Peak, always feeling that they would come to hinder him again, secretly hiding Shen Gurong so he could never find him again. But this time, he surprisingly felt no fear, but rather great anticipation.
“Alright, ask our senior uncles, they should all know.”
Shen Gurong laughed for a while: “What do they know? Have you ever seen any of your senior uncles with a Daoist partner?”
Mu Zhe was taken aback; it seemed none of them did.
“Liren Peak has never held a joint marriage ceremony before; this is their first time too.”
Mu Zhe affectionately kissed the corner of Shen Gurong's lips, his eyes crinkling, and said, “Then let’s go back to Liren Peak tomorrow.”
Shen Gurong raised an eyebrow: “So eager?”
Mu Zhe shook his head: “I wanted to leave now.”
Shen Gurong: “…”
Shen Gurong smiled and said, “I’ve already betrayed Liren Peak. Let’s go to Suihan City tomorrow. Have Fourth Senior Brother send a message to Third Senior Brother and the others to come to Suihan City for a reunion.”
His main concern was not wanting to go back to Liren Peak to see Nan Yangjun.
Speaking of Suihan City, Mu Zhe’s eyes lit up.
Shen Gurong, as if reading his mind, turned green with anger and snapped, "Don't you dare ask your Fourth Martial Uncle for any more random stuff!"
Mu Zhe nuzzled his face, looking somewhat aggrieved, "But Master clearly liked it."
Shen Gurong glared at him resentfully. He'd almost been tortured to death by that thing; which eye of his had seen that he liked it?!
Mu Zhe stroked Shen Gurong's waist, gently soothing his aching back with his spiritual energy.
Shen Gurong felt a warm sensation spread through his limbs, and in just a moment, the unbearable soreness completely disappeared.
Shen Gurong sighed with admiration. Cultivators were indeed fortunate; no matter how tired they were, they could instantly recover with spiritual energy.
Mu Zhe bit his lip and mumbled, "Master, since you don't like that, let's try something else."
Jing Zhuchen had given him a storage ring full of things.
Shen Gurong kicked him away, his face flushed: "If you want to try it, use it on yourself! I'm not playing games with you!"
Mu Zhe thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Okay, I'll use it myself."
That very night, Shen Gurong realized that whether it was worn on his body or inserted inside, he was the only one suffering.
It was the third day before they set off for Suihan City.
Mu Zhe carried Shen Gurong on the wind, and they quickly arrived at Suihan City.
Jing Zhuchen, unusually, didn't spend the night in bed, but instead came to greet them with a lazy air.
Shen Gurong, completely covered up, sat down expressionlessly, sleeves rolled up.
Jing Zhuchen glanced at him, then suddenly raised an eyebrow.
Mu Zhe served tea to his master, which Shen Gurong reluctantly accepted.
Jing Zhuchen rested his chin on his hand, smiled ambiguously, and said meaningfully, "Youth is truly wonderful."
Mu Zhe looked at him suspiciously.
Jing Zhuchen lazily made a "cross" gesture, a half-smile on his face, and said, "Are you planning to let your master die in bed?"
Mu Zhe: "..."
Shen Gurong: "..."
Shen Gurong spat out a mouthful of tea.
Comments
Post a Comment