After Accidentally Entering the Forbidden Land and Forming a Bond with the Grandmaster - Chapter 25

Come here.

Just like that, covered in blood, did they still have to proceed with the wedding night? Chu Lanci was bewildered. But Xie Zhuo took his hand, turned, and commanded a few disciples, “Clean this place up.”

At his word, Lin Jingchi led the way by dropping to one knee. Everyone behind him followed suit, kneeling in a disciplined wave. “Yes, Sect Leader!” Their voices shook the hall.

Under the gaze of ten thousand people, Xie Zhuo held Chu Lanci’s hand and walked away, stepping over the fresh blood.

Chu Lanci let himself be led, having no idea where Xie Zhuo was taking him. They did not return to the new residence assigned to him. Instead, Xie Zhuo brought him to a cave. Although it could not compare to the one in the forbidden area, it bore a striking resemblance.

Xie Zhuo set down his divine sword and sat cross-legged to regulate his breathing. Chu Lanci did not dare disturb him and stayed quietly by his side. Having fought so many people, Xie Zhuo surely needed to recover. Chu Lanci did not know how long the meditation would last; he simply waited.

During this time, a fine drizzle began to fall. A cool mist drifted in from the cave entrance. Just as Chu Lanci was about to find something to block it, he approached the opening and was terrified. The cave was nestled in a cliff face; the exit led straight to a bottomless abyss.

Did all these cultivators enjoy practicing in places like this?

Chu Lanci had no choice but to retreat further into the cave.

Fortunately, the rain stopped later, but the mountain air turned exceptionally cold at night. Chu Lanci’s lips turned blue from the chill.

Just as he was shivering, Xie Zhuo opened his eyes. He had spent one breath in meditation to rest and heal his injuries, but to Chu Lanci, that breath felt like an eternity.

Xie Zhuo glanced outside. It was already dark. He had made his new little Dao companion wait for a very long time.

He reached out his hand. With a flash of spiritual light, the cave entrance was sealed, and oil lamps flickered to life, illuminating the space. With another flash, a bed, blankets, and a table appeared. These were the very furniture the two had crafted together in the forbidden area.

Except for the location, everything was a perfect recreation.

“Is this better?” Xie Zhuo asked.

Chu Lanci looked around happily. “Much better! It feels like home.”

At the mention of home, Xie Zhuo glanced at him but did not respond.

Noticing the blood remaining on Xie Zhuo’s face, Chu Lanci said, “Master, there is blood on your face that has not been wiped clean.”

Xie Zhuo sat still and asked, “Where?”

Chu Lanci pointed to his own cheek. “Right here.”

“Come over and wipe it for me.”

Chu Lanci thought this was reasonable for a disciple to do. He stepped forward, took out his clean handkerchief, and carefully wiped Xie Zhuo’s skin.

Xie Zhuo was tall; even while sitting, he seemed to look down on him. His presence was overwhelming. His lean, broad frame and strong arms exuded masculine energy, and his breath seemed to pull the very air away from Chu Lanci.

Being a man himself, Chu Lanci felt like a woman by comparison. His mind wandered aimlessly as he continued to wipe.

Xie Zhuo’s eyes burned as he stared at Chu Lanci. “What are you thinking?” he asked. His voice had dropped several octaves, sounding low and ambiguous in the enclosed space.

“Nothing. It will not come off.”

Xie Zhuo reached out, and Chu Lanci instinctively flinched back. But he immediately stopped moving.

Xie Zhuo actually wanted to grab Chu Lanci’s hand and hold those pale fingers. His spiritual consciousness had fully recovered, and he had completely broken through the Frost Cold Curse, allowing him to see Chu Lanci’s features with perfect clarity.

It was a delicate, beautiful face, soft and gentle. It seemed as though a bit of force would scare the boy to tears. Beneath the corner of his left eye was a very faint tear mole that would likely turn red when he cried.

Because of Chu Lanci’s flinch, Xie Zhuo did not push further. Instead, he asked, “There are many people at Thousand Mountains. Friends from Chaoyu Peak and Medicine King Valley would have visited.” That was why he chose this place.

Chu Lanci was confused. “Friends?”

Xie Zhuo replied, “Some of my friends, knowing I have contracted, would come to cause a scene. It is too annoying.” Although they could not actually disrupt him, it was still a bother to be watched.

It was the same at Thousand Mountains. In the cultivation world, forming arrays relies primarily on the strength of one’s spiritual consciousness. A master can lay a Hundred Mile Immortal Slaying Array with a single thought, while those with weak consciousness struggle to maintain a basic defensive barrier.

After thinking it over, he felt a cave was more reliable. However, he still had to ask for Chu Lanci’s opinion.

Chu Lanci gave a sound of understanding. “It is fine. I do not mind at all. Haha.” He truly did not mind; he actually wanted to get things over with quickly.

Xie Zhuo smiled and nodded. “Good that you do not mind.”

Silence fell between them. After a while, he asked, “Why did you dodge just now?” He looked forward and said softly, “Do you think I am a bad person? Are you afraid of me?”

Chu Lanci countered, “Why would you think that?”

“Do you not think so?”

Chu Lanci said, “They were the ones who came to attack you first.”

“That is because I killed their masters and seized their lands. They came for revenge.”

“But you also said you do not like to kill. You did not take their lives, did you? That is already showing mercy.”

“I did not kill today because it is my wedding day; I wanted to keep it auspicious. Furthermore, while I did not take their lives, I destroyed their cultivation. For them, that is a fate worse than death.”

“Why did it have to be on our wedding day?”

Chu Lanci’s gaze was calm and steady as he asked this. Xie Zhuo looked back at him. Because the boy’s eyes were so pure, it was difficult to harbor foul thoughts. Xie Zhuo found it laughable. He had lived for several hundred years, yet the one who understood him best was a nineteen year old youth, his new Daoist husband.

His kindness was hidden in the shadows. Without looking and listening carefully, one would never find it.

He asked coolly, “You tell me, why was it today?”

“Because you chose the wedding date, Master. You intentionally let them come for revenge at this time. Today, anyone can enter Thousand Mountains; on any other day, they would never get in.”

Xie Zhuo gave a faint smile.

“Is that not right?” Chu Lanci asked curiously.

Xie Zhuo smiled again. “Let us not talk about them anymore. Let us talk about us.” Despite his words, Xie Zhuo felt his heart warming. It was perhaps the first time someone had correctly guessed his intentions. He had not expected Chu Lanci to be so perceptive.

Chu Lanci obeyed. “Okay, us? What do you want to talk about, Master?”

“Those dreams.”

Chu Lanci faltered. “What about them?”

“Are there many? What did you dream about?”

Chu Lanci’s usual fluency vanished, but he forced himself to stay calm. “They are okay. Every night when I sleep, I dream of you doing many things to me.” It was like an erotic novel.

“What things?”

Chu Lanci decided to take the initiative. “Master.” He had a faint feeling that his Master was not being forced by him. Master actually wanted this.

Before Chu Lanci could answer, Xie Zhuo spoke. “What did I do to you in the dreams? Why would I do those things? Is it possible you enjoyed them, and do you want to do them again?”

He laid everything out in one go.

Chu Lanci asked, “Do you want to?”

Xie Zhuo was speechless. His little disciple was too blunt.

Chu Lanci hummed in agreement. “It is me. I want to.” He assumed Master was only complying with his wishes. “Then come here. By the way, Master, can you be a bit gentle?” He was too embarrassed to say he was afraid of pain, but in the dreams, he had indeed cried several times until his voice was too hoarse to speak. “How about it, Master?”

Xie Zhuo remained silent.

“Also, Master, what is your frequency?”

Xie Zhuo replied, “It is very low. Once a month, perhaps.” He could not have his head full of nothing but dual cultivation.

The weight on Chu Lanci’s heart finally lifted. “That is good, that is good. Hahaha. Actually, my desire is also very low. So, once a month?” He held up one pale finger.

Xie Zhuo gave a barely audible hum of agreement. Suddenly remembering something, he asked, “Before, you asked me to erase your memory. Do you want me to restore it now?”

Thinking of those hazy, illusory memories from the dreams, Chu Lanci shook his head. “No, it is fine.”

Since they had cleared the air, there was nothing left to say. It was time for the wedding night. For Xie Zhuo, this had happened many times in his spirit, but for Chu Lanci, it was the first.

Xie Zhuo thought he would have little patience, but when he looked at Chu Lanci, and the boy looked back with eyes full of starlight, he felt an inexplicable sense of redemption. He found himself looking forward to seeing vivid colors appear on that pure face.

“Come,” Xie Zhuo said, patting his thigh. He was four hundred years older than Chu Lanci and felt he should be patient. He did not like the idea of rushing in blindly. His temperament followed that of his father: gentle, polite, and opposed to using force.

“Come where?” Chu Lanci did not understand.

Xie Zhuo found this amusing and could not help but laugh. Seeing him laugh, Chu Lanci laughed too. Although he did not know why his Master was laughing, he joined in regardless.

After laughing, Xie Zhuo stopped himself, but Chu Lanci was still giggling. “What are you laughing at?” Xie Zhuo asked.

Chu Lanci said innocently, “Laughter is contagious.”

Xie Zhuo sighed. “I meant for you to come and sit on my lap.”

Chu Lanci gave a sound of understanding and walked over. He sat across Xie Zhuo’s lap and adjusted his position, shifting slightly.

The movement made Xie Zhuo feel hot. This was their wedding night; he should have gotten to the main point after regulating his breathing. Why were they still going in circles? He waited patiently for Chu Lanci to settle.

Once seated, Chu Lanci looked up at Xie Zhuo’s sharp, tensed jawline. “Master, should we sit apart, or on one side, or…”

Xie Zhuo, feeling tortured, said, “Just stay like this. Do not move.”

“Oh, okay. Then shall I start?”

Xie Zhuo thought for a moment and said, “Once I start, I will not stop.”

“Huh?”

Innocent Chu Lanci.

Xie Zhuo decided to state the issue seriously. “That is to say, you might cry.”

Chu Lanci looked aggrieved. “Can you make it so I do not cry?”

Xie Zhuo was speechless. Was he really going to discuss this? He also wanted to know how to keep him from crying. But it was impossible to be gentle every time. It had been too long since the last time. “I will try my best.”

Chu Lanci beamed again. “Thank you, Master. Here I go.” He spoke as if he were about to start a meal. He puckered his lips and leaned in, pressing them against Xie Zhuo’s thin lips with great focus.

They had kissed before, so it was fine.

Xie Zhuo smiled and shook his head. He leaned forward slightly and pressed one hand against the back of Chu Lanci’s head. He should have started kissing sooner; he would be smarter next time and not talk so much.

The moment they kissed, everything felt right. The breath, the heat, the taste. Setting everything else aside, they were a perfect match in this regard. Their bodies liked each other.

Chu Lanci’s mouth filled with saliva, making him feel a bit messy. He tried to pull back, but Xie Zhuo forced him to continue the kiss, making him swallow it.

“Master, mm,” he called out weakly.

Beyond the kiss, there were hands. Chu Lanci finally understood what it meant to have hands all over. His sword hilt was gripped.

At that moment, Xie Zhuo loosened his hold slightly. “Hmm? What did you want to say?” He asked politely while acting quite the rogue, his hand in a place it should not be.

If he thought swallowing saliva was messy, there was worse to come. He just had to wait.

Chu Lanci felt there was no point in talking; it was better to get it over with. He remembered what happened before. “Master, do you want me to help you with that?” He was too embarrassed to say it clearly.

Xie Zhuo asked with a smile, “Help me with what?”

“What you did for me at my house last time.”

Xie Zhuo stopped smiling, his eyes turning deep. “Next time.”

“This time.” He had already been rewarded with entry into the inner sect. Now he had to settle the debt for that time he was served. One thing at a time.

“I said next time.”

Chu Lanci did not understand. “Why?”

Xie Zhuo raised a damp hand. His fingers were as long as jade and well-defined like bamboo. He placed it behind Chu Lanci’s back and felt around. Then, he said in a wicked voice, “Why do you think, my little disciple?”

Like a wolf revealing its true face, he extended one finger.

Taken by surprise, Chu Lanci leaned forward into Xie Zhuo’s embrace and let out a low cry, “Master!”

“Now you know whether I truly beat you or not, right?” Xie Zhuo still found it funny every time he thought about it, a mix of exasperation, affection, and amusement.

Cute little Lanci.

Chu Lanci looked at Xie Zhuo’s other hand. So that was what beating meant. He was so stupid. “Is that all?”

“What?”

“Is it just the hand?”

It was meant as a question, but to Xie Zhuo, it sounded like a challenge. Only the hand? Do you think I only know how to use my hand?

He whispered, “You will find out in a moment.”

Thinking of what was about to happen, Chu Lanci looked down in shock. His expression was one of absolute astonishment.

“Master!”

Xie Zhuo casually extended a second finger. “Do not speak. You have said all of this before.”

With sun to nourish and dew to irrigate, things naturally grow well. This is the law for every plant, especially since his cultivation was so high. It was evident from how Chu Lanci was always kissed to the point of tears.

Chu Lanci bit his lower lip, appearing deep in thought. Xie Zhuo looked down and found him adorable. “What are you thinking about now?”

“Master, are you fast?”

Xie Zhuo smiled, a hint of playfulness in his eyes. “Of course I am fast.”

Chu Lanci started to smile. But seeing how happy the boy was, Xie Zhuo added with a grin, “With my cultivation, a day and a night should be no problem.”

The smile on Chu Lanci’s face vanished instantly. He suspected he had misheard. “That is impossible.” He had heard that normal men lasted the time it takes to drink a cup of tea at most.

“Are you doubting your Master?”

Chu Lanci stuttered, “You surely would not do it with me for a whole day, right?”

At the word right, Xie Zhuo felt as if Chu Lanci was teasing him. It sounded like he was saying, you will do it with me for a whole day, right?

Life is short; one should enjoy it while they can. “I will try.”

Chu Lanci was confused. “What?”

“I understand!” Xie Zhuo reached out and gently pinched Chu Lanci’s chin. He laughed and said, “I will dual cultivate with you for a whole day.” Before Chu Lanci could respond, he leaned in for a serious kiss.

Stop talking, my little Daoist husband. Talking is really not appropriate right now.

This kiss was no longer a game. He began to immerse himself, and he wanted Chu Lanci to immerse himself as well, to do this with total focus. He lifted the boy up, letting him wrap his legs around his waist.

“Hold on tight.” He caught Chu Lanci’s soft hands.

Chu Lanci stared with wide, innocent eyes and reached out to hug Xie Zhuo’s neck. From this moment on, it truly felt like their wedding night.

He was pressed down onto the bed, just like in the dreams. During the deep kiss, time seemed to stand still. When they first began, Chu Lanci let out a scream. “Master, wait a moment!”

“Mm, not like that.”

“We, I.”

By the third time, it was like this. By the fourth, it became a long, drawn out hum, a response to Xie Zhuo. Sometimes, a response does not need words; a single sound is enough.

Xie Zhuo was in a good mood. He admired Chu Lanci’s expression and laughed. “What is it? Do you like this?”

“Master, gentler.” Chu Lanci did not know what to say. It did not hurt, but he could not describe the feeling. His head was full of the desire to act spoiled toward Xie Zhuo, and he even wanted to call him husband. What is wrong with me?

“I am being very gentle, Cici.” Xie Zhuo leaned down to kiss Chu Lanci’s face. “If I go any harder, you will cry.”

Chu Lanci’s face crumpled. No, this is too intense. But why was Master’s way of speaking suddenly becoming so cute?

As the kissing went deeper, Chu Lanci and Xie Zhuo held each other tightly. Pressed so close, he could even feel the man’s powerful heartbeat. He stared blankly, finding it all unbelievable. He was doing things only a husband and wife do with this man he had only known for a few months. They were truly Dao companions, husband and wife in every sense.

Xie Zhuo looked down in surprise. This was only the beginning.

Just like that, the two had only been interacting for a short while before his new little husband, Chu Lanci, finished.

After it was over, Chu Lanci saw Xie Zhuo looking at him with a meaningful gaze. He could not help but lightly knock on the man’s chest, saying softly and weakly, “What are you doing?” His voice was exceptionally sweet and soft.

Xie Zhuo could not help but laugh.

At his laughter, Chu Lanci became even more embarrassed. “What are you laughing at?”

Xie Zhuo leaned close to Chu Lanci’s ear and whispered, “You are very good at this.”

Chu Lanci did not even know how to react. “I am finished,” he managed to say.

Xie Zhuo replied, “You are finished? But I am only just beginning.”

Chu Lanci was speechless.

The “kissing” that followed was just like in the dreams, eventually becoming uncontrollable. He was pushed and pressed until his head was spinning, occasionally crying out or making a fuss. Sometimes he thought his Master was incredibly handsome; other times he thought, This is actually a man. He and his Master, his Master and him.

Heavens. He never expected things to turn out this way.

The two kissed in perfect harmony, through pulling and pushing, retreating and advancing, deep and shallow, until everything finally came to an end.

He lay there paralyzed, looking at Xie Zhuo, who was still full of energy.

Xie Zhuo felt Chu Lanci watching him. “Why are you looking at me?”

Chu Lanci shook his head. “Master, you are quite different on the inside compared to your outward appearance.”

“How so?” Xie Zhuo asked.

“Last time I saw you, you were so serious when speaking to your disciples, very modest and gentle. Now, you are like this.” Chu Lanci said exactly what was on his mind; it was entirely heartfelt.

Xie Zhuo thought, Well said. “In truth, I am a refined scoundrel.”

Usually, a person would protest, saying, “How could you be a scoundrel? You are a genius of the ages, a matchless master!” Instead, Chu Lanci actually agreed:

“Yes, that word suits Master well, at least in bed.”

Xie Zhuo was speechless. It seemed irony did not work on Chu Lanci.

After they finished, Xie Zhuo said, “Let us go. We are returning to the village.”

Chu Lanci was dazed. “Why return to the village?”

Xie Zhuo smiled. “I thought we were supposed to make the customary post-wedding visit to your family?”

Chu Lanci remembered what he had said before; his Master had actually taken it seriously. “Oh.”

Xie Zhuo smiled and patted his head. “Let us go. It is time to tell them. I have already had Wei Daoping prepare the gifts.” As he spoke, he stepped closer and put an arm around Lanci’s shoulder.

Thus, having finished their wedding night, the two returned to Wind Listening Village.

Upon reaching the village entrance, Xie Zhuo asked Chu Lanci, “This village currently has no one guarding it, right?”

Chu Lanci did not understand. “Master, what do you mean?”

“I suspect there is no one,” Xie Zhuo replied.

He said no more but began to chant a mantra and form hand seals. In an instant, seventy-two spiritual seals were created. As the final seal fell, a transparent light shield covered the village. Countless ancient runes spread out, each character glowing with a faint golden light.

The clouds for ten thousand miles were summoned, rushing in from the horizon. Red, gold, and purple waves of clouds tumbled above the barrier, painting the sky into a magnificent scroll. The light refracted through the barrier, plating every inch of the village in a flowing glow.

This was supreme Daoist magic, illuminating the sky.

Chu Lanci looked up and saw the transparent barrier like an inverted crystal bowl, protecting the entire village perfectly. His Master would be the guardian deity of Wind Listening Village from now on!

Once finished, a dazzling character for “Suppress” appeared in Xie Zhuo’s palm, as if cast from molten gold. The character grew larger until it covered the sky and the sun.

The word “Suppress” hung in the nine heavens. Its power was so immense that cultivators within a radius of a dozen provinces—disciples of Thousand Mountains, monks of the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect, and even those as far as the Northern Border—could not help but look up.

This was Xie Zhuo’s declaration to the entire cultivation world: From now on, Chu Lanci of Wind Listening Village was his, protected by him. It was now an unshakeable fact that Chu Lanci was Xie Zhuo’s Dao companion.

Afterward, Xie Zhuo wanted to see Chu Lanci’s reaction, as the spell needed to be constantly extended, which took some time. However, his new Daoist husband had only watched for a moment before going to help old Grandpa Li next door plant vegetables.

He had no choice but to go to Grandpa Li’s house to find him. He saw Chu Lanci helping out in the backyard. Seeing Xie Zhuo, Lanci smiled at him. “Master, wait a moment.”

Xie Zhuo was speechless. He was just so handsome, and Chu Lanci did not see it at all, did he!

He watched as Chu Lanci helped pour the Reincarnation Soil and gave Grandpa Li a few reminders before walking out. As they left, Grandpa Li followed, holding several heads of fresh cabbage. “Lanci, take these.”

Chu Lanci pushed the cabbage back. “Grandpa, keep them for yourself.”

“Eat them, eat them! It is not easy for you to come back to the village,” Grandpa Li insisted. He looked at the tall, handsome man standing beside Chu Lanci and added, “Eat them with your friend.”

Xie Zhuo corrected him, “He is my Dao companion. Lanci and I are married.”

The old man was stunned. “What?”

Chu Lanci’s face turned red. Master is really… the old man is old, he cannot handle a scare. Well, it was said now. “Grandpa, I am married. This is my Dao companion. He said he wants to invite everyone for wine tonight. Remember to come to my house and bring little Maodou.” He patted the head of the child next to Grandpa Li.

Grandpa Li was truly frightened silly. “What!”

His grandson, Maodou, said, “Grandpa, the Teacher is married to this man and is inviting us for wine.”

Xie Zhuo was not good at dealing with such people, but he still smiled. “Grandpa, remember to come for a cup of wedding wine.”

Only then did Grandpa Li react. “Oh, oh, oh!”

After greeting him, the two went to the next house. But there was no need; the whole village already knew. Earlier, Xie Zhuo had sent people to distribute gifts throughout the village, completing all the betrothal rituals according to mortal customs.

By evening, everyone in the village had come to the front of Chu Lanci’s house to drink wedding wine and congratulate the village’s most handsome man on his marriage.

There were not many people in the village, but toast after toast was still exhausting. Eventually, Chu Lanci was completely drunk and went into the house to sleep. Xie Zhuo stayed to look after the villagers.

The villagers were not familiar with Xie Zhuo and were even a bit afraid of him. They did not say much, exchanged polite words, and then excused themselves to go home. Looking at Xie Zhuo’s tall frame, they could not help but worry about the slender Chu Lanci. Our little Lanci won’t be “bullied” to death, will he? You can tell at a glance who is on top and who is on the bottom.

As the head of the household, Xie Zhuo politely and patiently saw everyone off. He respected Chu Lanci’s mortal customs and wanted to fulfill the etiquette perfectly. It was clear that Chu Lanci loved his village.

When most of the villagers had left, only a ten year old boy named You Xiaozhang remained.

You Xiaozhang asked, “Who are you to my Teacher?”

“What do you think?” Xie Zhuo replied.

“Teacher says you are his Master.” The boy stared at Xie Zhuo, looking quite fierce. “I want to tell you, no matter who you are, Teacher belongs to me.”

“Then I shall tell you as well,” Xie Zhuo said. “Your Teacher is already mine.”

“You are lying! You are his Master, how can you marry him?”

“You are his student, how can you marry him?” Xie Zhuo countered calmly.

“I am different!” You Xiaozhang shouted. “I can protect him. I have passed the entrance test for Thousand Mountains. My spiritual root was determined to be a True Spiritual Root. In the future, I will become a very, very strong person, and I will protect Teacher. Teacher needs my protection!”

A True Spiritual Root! His talent is actually decent. Xie Zhuo glanced at the boy. Wind Listening Village was indeed a place of spiritual beauty; it could produce a handsome man like Chu Lanci, and of course, it could produce an excellent cultivator. He had to admit the boy was indeed promising material.

But compared to a genius like himself, the boy was still a bit lacking.

“Well, then work hard. I am taking my wife away now.” Chu Lanci did not need the boy’s protection, because Xie Zhuo would protect him.

You Xiaozhang watched in a daze as Xie Zhuo entered the room and closed the door, stomping his feet in anger. Damn it, only nine years difference!

After sending off the last little guest, Xie Zhuo reinforced the barrier and entered their wedding chamber. His Dao companion was already dazed from the alcohol.

Because of the heat, his collar was half open. The crimson wedding robes hung loosely on his body, revealing a section of jade like neck and a slightly moving Adam’s apple. The waistband had also been partially loosened, with the red gauze ribbon draped loosely over his hip bone, making his waist look even thinner.

Xie Zhuo approached slowly, his gaze deep.

Chu Lanci was groggy when he suddenly felt himself becoming lighter as he was picked up. “Mm…” He was drunk and felt the oppressive embrace. He weakly pushed with his hands and half opened his eyes. Seeing who it was, he had already forgotten about the marriage. Looking at Xie Zhuo, he was still a bit confused. “Master…”

Xie Zhuo gave a hum of response. The fire began to spread while Chu Lanci lay innocently before him, completely unaware of the approaching danger.

“How much did you drink?” Xie Zhuo asked in a low voice.

“No… none…” Chu Lanci replied softly. He lazily leaned his face against the cool bedding.

As soon as he spoke, his lips were covered. Before he could react, a hand slid into his collar. He felt a chill below and was already pressed onto the bed.

The red curtains were lowered. Chu Lanci was drunk and his body was incredibly soft. In his state of half resistance and half compliance, he did not even have time to question Xie Zhuo. Did we not agree on once a month? We just had our wedding night yesterday, why are we dual cultivating in the village again tonight?

The youth’s thin body was pressed down and held by the strong man. This was their true wedding night. Under the cover of night, the two lost count of how many times they joined.

The next day, Chu Lanci woke up with his whole body aching. Xie Zhuo was still lying by his side. He blinked, finally remembering the events of last night. He turned to look at the sleeping Xie Zhuo, and as he did, Xie Zhuo opened his eyes. Their eyes met.

“So sore,” Chu Lanci groaned. It felt like being back in the forbidden area.

Xie Zhuo felt a bit apologetic. His self control was usually good, but last night was truly an exception. Since being with Chu Lanci, there were far too many exceptions. “Shall Master rub it for you?”

Chu Lanci agreed. Xie Zhuo began to massage him with a steady rhythm.

Chu Lanci leaned there lazily. Memories of last night slowly returned. He could almost hear his own gasps and hoarse cries, and how he had scratched and bitten Xie Zhuo’s back when things got too intense. He had been so fierce, yet his Master had only become more…

It felt different from the dreams, perhaps because of the change in their status.

“Are you hungry?” Xie Zhuo asked.

Chu Lanci snapped out of his thoughts just as his stomach growled.

Xie Zhuo laughed. “I will go cook for you.”

“The cabbage we got from Grandpa Li yesterday,” Chu Lanci said. As he spoke, he saw the naked body of Xie Zhuo getting out of bed. Sure enough, his back was covered in marks left by Lanci. His cheeks instantly turned red. What is wrong with me?

Xie Zhuo got out of bed and cooked a meal for Chu Lanci. Chu Lanci had already seen Xie Zhuo’s culinary skills, so he was not surprised and ate everything.

After eating, he asked, “Master, are we returning to Thousand Mountains?”

“We will stay here for a few days,” Xie Zhuo said. “Is a post wedding visit not supposed to last three days?”

Chu Lanci was stunned. He had thought this bond contracting was just an act for his Master, but now it felt more and more real.

After the meal, Chu Lanci thought that since they were staying for a few days, he might as well tidy up his flower fields. He would sell what needed to be sold, as he likely wouldn’t have time to care for them later. He also wanted to finish weaving his lanterns. He was busy planning in his head.

Just as he was about to help, Xie Zhuo said, “Tell me what to do. I will handle the yard work for you.”

“But Master, it is fine. You should rest,” Chu Lanci said. He did not truly have the intention of living a life with Xie Zhuo; he still felt his Master was the Sect Leader and should go be busy if there was work.

“Let me do it,” Xie Zhuo said. “We are married now.”

Chu Lanci gave a sound of agreement. Since his legs were sore anyway, he handed the tasks over to Xie Zhuo. The two had worked together in the forbidden area for a while, so this leisurely farming life felt quite familiar.

Xie Zhuo went to work the land while Chu Lanci wove some lanterns. By evening, Xie Zhuo took the initiative to cook again. Seeing the table full of food, Chu Lanci finally felt as if he were truly married. And his Master’s skills were indeed very good.

After dinner, Xie Zhuo prepared a bath for him. Once Chu Lanci finished bathing and got into bed, he saw Xie Zhuo coming over as well.

When the lights were extinguished, Chu Lanci felt a solid body embracing him from behind and the familiar hot breath. He turned around, feeling a bit curious. Before he could speak, Xie Zhuo had already kissed him.

In the silent night, only the sound of their kissing remained. After the kiss, Chu Lanci’s clothes were slowly removed. What followed were things only a husband and wife do.

The two spent three days like this. Every day was the same. During the day, Xie Zhuo stayed with Chu Lanci, weaving lanterns or helping the villagers plant vegetables. At night, they fulfilled their duties as a couple.

Although Chu Lanci felt it was strange, he thought it must be a necessary process after bond contracting. He did not think much of it, assuming that once they returned to Thousand Mountains, it would be as his Master said—once a month—and everything would return to normal. He had no idea that from the beginning, Xie Zhuo had regarded him as his “wife,” and being a wife naturally meant performing such acts every day.

As for Xie Zhuo, after three days of pure married life, he finally understood the joys of a mortal couple. Unfortunately, there was much to do at Thousand Mountains and they could not delay any longer, so he planned to take Chu Lanci back.

Since they were leaving, Chu Lanci packed many bags. Hearing that he was leaving, the villagers enthusiastically brought vegetables and tofu, and Chu Lanci accepted them all as was his habit. Xie Zhuo watched from the side and understood that this was likely a village custom where people helped each other.

There were too many things, so Xie Zhuo helped Chu Lanci pack. He already knew Lanci’s habit of being unwilling to throw anything away, but bringing the cabbage and tofu given by the villagers was one thing since it was food. However, seeing him wanting to bring a bronze mirror, Xie Zhuo could not hold back.

“You are going to practice cultivation. Why are you bringing a bronze mirror?”

Chu Lanci pouted and took the mirror from Xie Zhuo’s hand. “What if Thousand Mountains has no mirrors? I need to look at myself.”

“It is impossible for Thousand Mountains to lack even a bronze mirror,” Xie Zhuo said.

“Just in case! Besides, I like using my own things.”

Xie Zhuo shook his head with a smile. “Bring it if you want.” He looked further. “This truly does not need to be brought. You are about to learn Inedia soon.” It was a commode.

Chu Lanci immediately grabbed it. “This must be brought! What if I fail to learn Inedia? I won’t have a place to… that would be too embarrassing.”

Xie Zhuo laughed. “Learn the basics first, then enter the gate. I will give you Spirit Grain Pills to help open your spiritual root. Even if you cannot open it, you can take the path of an Alchemist. I have found that your constitution is very special; it seems it does not matter what you eat. In short, you won’t be so bad that you cannot learn Inedia.”

“We will talk about that after I learn it. I will bring it for now,” Chu Lanci said. “But Master, is a constitution where one can eat anything a good thing or a bad thing?”

“It has both good and bad points,” Xie Zhuo replied.

Chu Lanci nodded. “It is likely because when I was young, my uncle tested many medicines on me.”

Xie Zhuo frowned. “What uncle?” He wondered if it was some master living in seclusion.

“Just a biological uncle.”

Xie Zhuo became increasingly curious, but the three realms were full of talented people; it was possible such a person existed. Perhaps Chu Lanci was immune to all poisons and could even withstand various pills that ordinary people could not take. He had even withstood the Frost Cold Curse.

Once the packing was finished, Xie Zhuo finally brought Chu Lanci back to Thousand Mountains. Upon reaching their residence, Chu Lanci saw Xie Zhuo leave and finally relaxed, collapsing onto the bed. He needed to rest properly; his Master was too powerful.

Only after resting could, he face the upcoming training. He hoped he would truly learn something from his studies.