Mu Zhe jumped directly into the icy spring and helped Shen Gurong up.
Shen Gurong choked on the water, struggling and coughing violently a few times while clinging to Mu Zhe's shoulder, finally regaining his senses.
He gritted his teeth and looked at Xi Guxing, who stood on the shore with his arms crossed, saying each word slowly and deliberately, "Xi...Gu...Xing."
Xi Guxing raised an eyebrow and asked, "Feeling better?"
Even with his good temper, Shen Gurong finally couldn't hold back anymore. He roared, "I'll kill you!"
He struggled to hit Xi Guxing, but didn't realize he was being held in Mu Zhe's arms. The sudden movement caused his waist to go limp, and he fell back onto Mu Zhe's shoulder, letting out a low groan uncontrollably.
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe's entire body went limp.
Xi Guxing, who had been watching the spectacle with amusement, belatedly realized that the obnoxious Mu Zhe was embracing Shen Gurong. His face turned green, and he roared, "You, don't touch him!"
Mu Zhe's ears turned bright red, and he stammered, "But Master can't stand steadily..."
Xi Guxing said impatiently, "What do you care if he can stand steadily? Get out here!"
Mu Zhe hesitated. If he went out, Shen Gurong would surely be submerged in the icy spring again. His master was already afraid of the cold, and without spiritual power to protect him, how could he withstand that?
Seeing him hesitate, Xi Guxing was so angry that he immediately stepped into the icy spring to drag Mu Zhe out.
Perhaps harboring resentment, Shen Gurong grabbed Mu Zhe's neck, glaring at Xi Guxing with reddened eyes, and coldly said, "I want him here with me."
Xi Guxing: "You!"
Shen Gurong pressed his entire body against Mu Zhe's chest, clinging to his shoulders, and defiantly glared at Xi Guxing: "If you're so capable, then snatch him from my grasp."
Xi Guxing: "..."
Xi Guxing turned and stormed off, furious: "You can live or die as you please! I don't care!"
He'd said this countless times, even he himself found it unbelievable, but it still slipped out every time he was enraged.
Lou Bugui glanced at his senior brother's angry retreating figure. Perhaps afraid Shen Gurong would be upset, he squatted down on the bank and said, "Eleventh, Senior Brother was just saying that in anger. He does care about you."
Shen Gurong snorted.
After venting his anger, Shen Gurong finally came to his senses. He looked at the frozen Mu Zhe, then at Lou Bugui, and said expressionlessly, "Why was I thrown into the ice spring?"
Lou Bugui explained to his junior brother, "Because you were in heat..."
Mu Zhe interrupted his senior uncle with a startled "Ah!", his face flushed. He stammered, "Because of the demonic spiritual power within Master's body, causing internal energy imbalance. Staying in the ice spring for a while will be fine."
Shen Gurong: "Really?"
Lou Bugui looked at Mu Zhe suspiciously, wondering why he said internal energy imbalance instead of...
Fearing Lou Bugui might say something else that would embarrass his master, Mu Zhe quickly said, "Martial Uncle, I'll take care of Master. Thank you for making this trip."
Lou Bugui never forced himself to understand things he didn't. Seeing that he was done, he nodded, gathered his sleeves, and slowly walked away.
Once the bystanders had left, Shen Gurong realized his hands were gripping his disciple's shoulders, and his face inexplicably flushed.
However, his waist and legs were weak, and he didn't even have the strength to stand firmly in the icy spring, so he could only let Mu Zhe hold him.
The chill emanated from all around, much like a scene from a dream. Shen Gurong instinctively pressed himself against Mu Zhe. He couldn't bear this suffering, and before long, he murmured, "When can we get out?"
Seeing that his fox ears were perked up and his body was burning hot even in the icy spring, Mu Zhe could only say, "Wait a little longer."
Shen Gurong had no choice but to wait.
After enduring a few more moments, he opened his bloodshot eyes and asked with dissatisfaction, "Isn't it ready yet?"
Mu Zhe murmured, "Excuse me," and reached out to touch Shen Gurong's forehead. Noticing that his fever had almost subsided, he nodded, "It's fine."
Shen Gurong's legs were so weak he could barely stand, so Mu Zhe had to carry him out of the icy spring.
Shen Gurong coughed, trying to remain calm. He asked, "My internal energy is disordered. Why do my legs and back hurt?"
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe's face flushed even more. He didn't answer, but removed Shen Gurong's soaking wet clothes and changed him into clean ones, quickly drying his hair—this time he dared not touch those fox ears again.
Mu Zhe carried Shen Gurong back to the room.
Shen Gurong was exhausted, as if he had just been in a fight. The moment his back touched the bedding, his brows furrowed; he looked quite uncomfortable.
'My back hurts,' Shen Gurong thought. 'I really want Mu Zhe to massage it for me.'
But the thought was too embarrassing, and Shen Gurong couldn't bring himself to ask. He decided to just endure the pain.
He pulled the blanket up to cover half his face and said in a muffled voice, "You should go and rest."
This whole ordeal had dragged on until almost midnight.
Mu Zhe shook his head. "I'll massage Master's back."
Shen Gurong's eyes lit up. He felt like someone was offering him a pillow just when he was feeling sleepy. He pretended to think for a moment before saying reservedly, "Okay." His lower back was extremely sore. Shen Gurong turned over slightly, his waistline slightly taut, revealing his slender waist even through his clothes.
Mu Zhe prepared himself before placing his warm hand on that barely encircling waist.
Shen Gurong suddenly let out a soft "haha."
Mu Zhe paused, his hand still. "Master?"
Shen Gurong buried his face in the soft pillow, mumbling, "Don't touch me so lightly, it's a little ticklish. Try a little harder."
Mu Zhe had no choice but to apply slight pressure, and Shen Gurong "haha"ed again.
Mu Zhe used even more force, his fingertips almost sinking into his jade-like flesh, and only then did Shen Gurong feel less ticklish.
Seeing that Shen Gurong didn't laugh again, Mu Zhe carefully controlled the pressure and began to gently massage Shen Gurong's waist.
Silence filled the surroundings.
Shen Gurong, having enjoyed his disciple's service for a while, suddenly asked, "Does the morning class at Liren Peak involve mortals entering the Dao?"
Mu Zhe paused, then said softly, "There's a lecture by an elder from the Book Pavilion on the first day of the month; you may ask any questions—it happens to be tomorrow."
Shen Gurong mumbled, "Alright, call me tomorrow."
Mu Zhe replied, "Yes."
Mu Zhe rubbed his hands together and asked, "Is Master going to audit the morning class again?"
Shen Gurong: "Yes."
The disciples of Liren Peak had been replaced within the last ten years, and Mu Zhe, since forming his core, had been training with Xi Guxing or Wen Liubing, and hadn't attended the morning class for many years. Upon hearing this, Mu Zhe pursed his lips, thought for a long time, and said, "I'll stay with Master."
Shen Gurong opened his eyes and hummed in a nasal tone, "Hmm?"
Seeing that he was so sleepy his eyes were almost closed, Mu Zhe softened his voice and said, "I happen to have a few questions I don't quite understand, I need to ask the Elder of the Library Pavilion."
Shen Gurong then closed his eyes and mumbled, "Okay."
After saying that, he stopped moving.
Mu Zhe rubbed him for a while, and only stopped when he saw that his breathing was even and he had fallen asleep.
Just as he raised his hand, Shen Gurong suddenly turned and grabbed his hand unexpectedly.
Mu Zhe thought he wasn't asleep and was about to speak when he saw that Shen Gurong still had his eyes closed, his lips moving slightly, murmuring in his sleep, "Master..."
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe's face darkened.
Master.
It's Master again.
Since childhood, Shen Gurong had always mentioned, intentionally or unintentionally, the teacher who used to punish him with books. Mu Zhe hadn't thought much of it at first, but when he revealed his true face, Shen Gurong seemed to be looking at someone else through that face, giving Mu Zhe the unsettling feeling that Shen Gurong was using him as a source of comfort for an old friend.
Mu Zhe clenched his fists tightly, his eyes dark and menacing.
He didn't want to be someone else's shadow.
Mu Zhe was Mu Zhe, not the teacher Shen Gurong spoke of.
Mu Zhe sat on the edge of the bed, defiantly pressing his index finger lightly against Shen Gurong's lips.
"Master." Shen Gurong, already fast asleep, instinctively uttered a soft "Hmm?", his voice thick with a nasal tone.
Mu Zhe, as if bewitching someone with a demonic cultivation technique, whispered, "Who am I?"
Shen Gurong frowned, his lips parted slightly, and he murmured, "Mas..." Mu Zhe pressed down hard on his bright red lips, forcing Shen Gurong to swallow his words.
"Wrong," Mu Zhe whispered, "Master, you're wrong."
Shen Gurong whimpered.
He probably felt uncomfortable; he parted his lips slightly, like a small animal, and bit Mu Zhe's index finger in frustration.
"Mu Zhe," he mumbled, "You traitor."
Mu Zhe's pupils widened slightly, and the sinister look on his face vanished instantly.
He didn't ask for much; he didn't crave that his master belonged solely to him. He only hoped that Shen Gurong wouldn't always look at his face while calling out someone else's name.
That was the only thing he couldn't tolerate.
Hearing Shen Gurong call his name, the gloom in Mu Zhe's heart instantly dissipated. He didn't even feel the pain from his finger being bitten, and gently pinched Shen Gurong's chin, saying, "Master, let go."
Shen Gurong was probably still resentful about him pressing his lip earlier; he snorted and continued grinding his teeth, refusing to let go.
Like a small animal grinding its teeth.
Seeing him sleeping so soundly, Mu Zhe's mind was initially quite calm, but the warm, damp touch between his fingertips and the lingering blush on Shen Gurong's face made him unconsciously hold his breath, his eyes fixed on those thin lips.
His heart fluttered, but only for a moment.
Mu Zhe felt his heart pounding. He gently pulled his finger from between Shen Gurong's teeth, and, as if possessed, looked at Shen Gurong's slightly parted lips.
Suddenly, the kiss in Xianyun City, that fleeting touch, flashed through his mind.
As if bewitched, Mu Zhe unconsciously leaned closer to Shen Gurong.
The ever-burning candle on the table had burned down to its lowest point, flickering violently as it struggled to release its last glimmer of light, emitting a faint sound before slowly extinguishing.
The room was plunged into darkness.
The pale moonlight streamed in softly from the window.
Mu Zhe gently kissed Shen Gurong's lips.
This kiss was unlike the one from before, when Mu Zhe's heart pounded so hard it felt like his eardrums would burst.
'Am I going mad?' Mu Zhe thought.
'If my martial uncles find out, they will never let me off easily.'
'I shouldn't have coveted Master.'
'Clearly... just wanting to be by his side is enough.'
In an instant, the wicked thought of "possessing Master" overwhelmed his mind, completely occupying Mu Zhe's consciousness.
Mu Zhe's pupils instantly turned a blood-red and dilated, looking eerily strange.
Shen Gurong was kissed and instinctively struggled, but Mu Zhe grabbed his wrist and pressed him onto the bed before he could even move.
'Why is he resisting?' Mu Zhe thought almost obsessively, 'I'd give him my life.'
Normally, Shen Gurong would have been fully awake, but he was exhausted and weak from the demon clan's mating season, so much so that he couldn't even wake up from this restraint.
He seemed unable to bear it any longer and let out a soft whimper, a muffled plea: "No..."
Mu Zhe kissed those lips, his voice hoarse, and said, "You want it."
The moment those three words left his lips, the sense of transgression against his master surged within Mu Zhe.
He kissed him again, this time his tongue slightly protruding, gently exploring Shen Gurong's tightly closed lips.
Shen Gurong turned his head, choking out, "No..."
A loud noise rang in Mu Zhe's ears, making him completely oblivious to what Shen Gurong was saying.
Just then, Shen Gurong, seemingly unable to bear the torment any longer, suddenly mustered the strength to pry open Mu Zhe's hand, grab his shoulder, and flip him over, pinning him to the bed.
Mu Zhe: "..."
Shen Gurong opened his sleepy eyes, glaring at Mu Zhe with an almost fierce look, it was unclear whether he was truly awake.
"I just..." Mu Zhe's heart sank into an ice cellar, the fervor in his heart quickly receding, and reason slowly returning.
He had just...
Ignoring Shen Gurong's resistance, he had forcibly pinned his master down...
Mu Zhe's face turned deathly pale.
Just as despair filled his heart, he heard Shen Gurong speak, almost aggrieved.
"I already said no." Shen Gurong's voice was trembling with tears, and he said angrily, "Didn't you hear me?"
Mu Zhe said blankly, "Master, I..."
Before he could finish, Shen Gurong pressed down on his shoulder, leaned forward, and bit Mu Zhe's lips hard—just like how he had treated that annoying finger earlier.
Mu Zhe: “…”
After biting him, Shen Gurong angrily questioned him, “Do you know you’re wrong?”
Mu Zhe wasn’t sure if Shen Gurong was sleepwalking or truly awake. He hesitated for a moment before saying, “I…”
Shen Gurong wasn’t awake at all. Sleepiness clouded his mind, making it impossible for him to distinguish between dreaming and reality.
Seeing that this rebellious disciple who dared to silence him still didn’t know he was wrong, he was so angry that he leaned in again and bit Mu Zhe.
Mu Zhe: “…”
“Do you know you’re wrong?”
Mu Zhe: “I…”
Shen Gurong bit him again.
After three times, Shen Gurong still persistently asked, “Do you know you’re wrong?”
Mu Zhe said without blinking, “No.”
Shen Gurong was furious. He bit Mu Zhe hard again, this time finally exhausted from the struggle, and fell asleep on top of Mu Zhe in anger.
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe remained stunned for a long time before gently touching his swollen lips.
His ears were almost red, his mind a complete mess.
It's okay.
It's just that my lips hurt so much.
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