After the Stand-in Hugged the White Moonlight's Thigh Tightly - Chapter 42

Chapter 42: “Are You With Me, or With Him?”…

Shen Yanyuan wanted him to stay, but Ruan Mingyu said: “I’m not used to your place. A golden cage is not better than one’s own dog kennel. Call me when you’re getting married.”

His words were too direct. Shen Yanyuan wouldn’t let him leave. He looked displeased. What did he mean by ‘when you’re getting married’? Was he going to become a Dao Companion with himself?

Ruan Mingyu immediately tried to trick him: “According to the customs where I come from, meeting the newlywed couple three days before the wedding is bad luck for their future fortune.” He resisted the urge to vomit, held Shen Yanyuan’s hand, and said: “For the sake of our future, it’s best if we don’t see each other for these two days.”

Only then did Shen Yanyuan reluctantly let him go. After all, the person was still in the sect. Where else could he go?

Ruan Mingyu’s leg hadn’t fully healed. He dragged his limping leg back to his small house.

The house hadn’t been lived in for a long time and was covered in dust. Ruan Mingyu spent the whole afternoon cleaning it thoroughly. Normally, he wouldn’t clean so meticulously, but since he had something on his mind, he channeled his focus into cleaning. He even emptied the contents of the cabinet, wiping each item clean before putting it back.

When he pulled out the bottom drawer, he suddenly froze. He found a jade seal.

Isn’t this the seal he bought for Song Chenxi for a large sum of money back then? He was quite generous back then, but now he wouldn’t be willing. He had spent so much money on this jade seal for Song Chenxi, and afraid it might be stolen, he purposely placed it at the bottom of the drawer. Later, he forgot about it and never took it out.

Ruan Mingyu held the jade seal in his palm, planning to give it to Song Chenxi the next time he saw him.

He also thought that Song Chenxi might be angry after waking up, so this could be used to appease him.

He truly was resourceful!

Ruan Mingyu continued cleaning. After an afternoon of work, the room became bright and clean, finally feeling a bit like home.

Ruan Mingyu was tired and lay down on the bed, spreading his arms. The bed was a bit small. It was just right for one person, but very cramped for two. He couldn’t believe how he and Song Chenxi had managed to squeeze onto this bed for so long. Thinking about it now was incredible.

Ruan Mingyu held up the seal. The large characters carved on it read: “Invincible and Mighty, Peerless Senior Brother Song Chenxi.” Why did he carve those words back then? Flattering, too flattering.

While lying in bed, his door was violently pushed open.

It was his Senior Sister, Cen Tao.

Cen Tao heard the news that Ruan Mingyu was going to become Dao Companions with Shen Yanyuan and rushed to see him: “Junior Brother, you’ve given me quite a surprise coming back. I saw you and Song Chenxi being so affectionate, glued to each other all day. Why are you suddenly becoming Dao Companions with Shen Yanyuan? If he’s forcing you, tell me. It’s still not too late to back out.”

Ruan Mingyu just smiled without speaking.

Who told him that Shen Yanyuan had leverage over him?

He didn’t tell his Senior Sister the truth: “Senior Sister, stop worrying about me. I’m a grown man, how could anyone trick me? In the days I was away, is everything in the sect well?”

Cen Tao: “Speaking of that, when you sent me the message asking me to bring people to clean up the mess, you and Song Chenxi suddenly vanished without a trace. By the way, where is Song Chenxi? Why didn’t he come back with you? Did you really break up? You shouldn’t get together with Shen Yanyuan just to spite him!”

Ruan Mingyu: “…” What breakup? They hadn’t even started anything serious yet.

“Let’s not talk about that. Senior Sister, why did you come looking for me?” Ruan Mingyu asked.

Cen Tao took out a letter from her robes: “A letter from your family. You didn’t return for a long time, so I kept it for you.”

Ruan Mingyu opened the letter and saw it was from Yisheng. It said her father had returned safely and expressed great gratitude to Ruan Mingyu for helping her find him.

It’s good that he’s fine. Ruan Mingyu was happy for a rare moment.

Cen Tao and Ruan Mingyu hadn’t seen each other for so long that they had endless things to talk about. His Senior Sister excitedly told him all the gossip in the sect since he left. Ruan Mingyu listened with great interest. Cen Tao only remembered to leave when it was dark.

Ruan Mingyu was so busy chatting with her that he forgot the important matter and quickly called out to her: “Senior Sister, can I borrow some of your pills and talismans? Especially the ones that can help me escape through the ground.”

Cen Tao looked enlightened and gave him all the good stuff she had.

“I knew you wanted to run. If you want to run, do it early. Choose a time when no one’s around. Call me anytime if you need anything.”

Ruan Mingyu nodded and saw her off.

Time flew by, and soon it was two days later. Seven Stars Sect hadn’t had such a joyous occasion in a long time. Coupled with Shen Yanyuan’s high status in the sect, he was very likely to become the next Sect Master, so almost everyone in Seven Stars Sect, from elders to ordinary disciples, attended.

On this day, Seven Stars Sect was bustling with activity. Red silk streamers covered almost the entire sect. Even the big yellow dog at the entrance got an extra meat bone to eat.

Ruan Mingyu was pulled into a room, where maidservants were preparing to apply makeup and powder to make him look lively. Ruan Mingyu immediately waved his hands, saying, “No need for all this trouble,” and only put on the bright red wedding attire before going out.

The moment he stepped out, Shen Yanyuan’s eyes followed him. He extended his hand, motioning for Ruan Mingyu to place his hand in his palm.

Ruan Mingyu suppressed the urge to punch him and did as he was instructed.

Shen Yanyuan led him to the high platform.

Ruan Mingyu had never been to this place before. After all, it was a platform reserved for the Sect Master and the Elders to address the disciples. Looking down from it, one truly felt a sense of looking down on the mountains, with all the people below looking like tiny black sesame seeds.

Shen Yanyuan whispered into Ruan Mingyu’s ear: “Are you happy? Everyone in the sect is here today. I want to give you a grand wedding.”

Ruan Mingyu remained silent. He wished for as few people as possible. Now that so many people were here, it would be messy when he inevitably ran away later.

He was focused solely on getting the medicine. He quickly urged him: “Hurry up and start.”

Shen Yanyuan showed joy on his face: “Are you as impatient as I am?”

Of course, he was impatient. He was impatient to get the medicinal herb and immediately run away.

Shen Yanyuan tightly held his hand, leading him up the steps several meters high. The people below applauded and cheered.

Shen Yanyuan looked radiant and energetic today, completely shedding his usual cold demeanor.

He asked Ruan Mingyu to recite a series of incomprehensible words with him. After they finished, he told him: “Once our Dao Companion contract is formed, we will be bound together forever, regardless of life or death.”

“…” Ruan Mingyu screamed for help internally. He certainly didn’t want to be bound to him for life.

The Dao Companion contract could be forcibly broken, but it would cause a drop in cultivation. Ruan Mingyu’s cultivation wasn’t high anyway, so there was no room for decline.

He said with a forced smile: “That’s great.”

Shen Yanyuan tightened his grip on his hand: “I’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time.”

Just as they were about to recite the final binding incantation, an unexpected guest burst in, right in front of everyone.

On such a joyous day, the person was dressed all in white, looking less like someone attending a wedding and more like someone attending a funeral.

Ruan Mingyu looked over and froze. How could it be Song Chenxi? How did he wake up? Didn’t he give him a pill that meant he absolutely shouldn’t wake up for at least ten days to half a month?

Song Chenxi didn’t greet anyone, marching straight onto the high platform to confront Shen Yanyuan.

He was immediately impolite, directly swinging his sword, interrupting their contract formation process.

Shen Yanyuan looked furious, treating him like a formidable enemy: “What are you doing here? You were not invited to this wedding.”

Song Chenxi didn’t respond to him. His gaze was fixed on Ruan Mingyu. His deep voice opened: “Do you remember the bet you made with me in Cangzhou?

It’s time to honor that promise.

I demand you marry me.”

Ruan Mingyu was stunned on the spot.

Was he proposing marriage by force?

Song Chenxi lowered his head and sneered: “People must take responsibility for their actions. You said you cared about me before, yet now you are marrying someone else. I don’t care. Today, you must leave with me.”

Shen Yanyuan stepped forward, blocking Ruan Mingyu behind him: “Junior Brother, I know you are frustrated, but since he has already decided to become Dao Companions with me, he has nothing to do with you anymore.”

“Get lost. You have no right to speak here,” Song Chenxi roared in a low voice.

Ruan Mingyu froze, caught between a rock and a hard place. This… what should he do? He originally just wanted to trick Shen Yanyuan for the Ice-Frost Flower and leave immediately. Now that Song Chenxi had intervened, he was losing control of the situation.

Shen Yanyuan was extremely unhappy with Song Chenxi’s attitude: “It’s a day of great celebration. I don’t want to argue with you. If you leave now, I will pretend none of this happened.”

The other elders of the sect also stepped forward to persuade him: “It’s your Senior Brother’s wedding day. Don’t cause trouble here.”

Song Chenxi stretched out his hand towards Ruan Mingyu: “Come with me.”

Ruan Mingyu suppressed the urge to reach out, his voice choked: “Senior Brother, I can’t leave with you right now…” He went to all this trouble, and he still hadn’t gotten the medicine. He would explain to Song Chenxi after he got the medicine.

Shen Yanyuan said triumphantly: “Did you hear that? He doesn’t want to leave with you!”

“Doesn’t want…” Song Chenxi repeated the phrase over and over. The demonic energy around him uncontrollably leaked out. His pupils slowly turned blood-red, and blood-patterns crawled across his face. He was no longer merely cultivating demonic arts; he was completely demonized and indistinguishable from a true demon.

“What? He’s actually a demon!” A scream erupted in the crowd.

“A demon has been hidden within Seven Stars Sect for so long! What a disgrace to the cultivation world!”

“Our sect was harboring a demon! No wonder Song Chenxi acted so strangely!”

The crowd immediately erupted in discussion.

Seeing the situation quickly spiraling out of control, the Sect Master finally arrived. He stepped forward and commanded: “All disciples, listen to my order. Today, no matter what, we must capture Song Chenxi. Life or death is irrelevant.”

Soon, everyone surrounded them.

Song Chenxi was cornered by these people. Ruan Mingyu stood on the outside, anxious.

“Senior Brother, run!” he shouted.

Seeing Ruan Mingyu care so much about Song Chenxi, Shen Yanyuan’s face instantly darkened. He forcefully grabbed Ruan Mingyu’s wrist: “Continue completing the contract with me! Only a little time is left!”

Ruan Mingyu shook off his hand. His initial compromise with Shen Yanyuan was solely to find the medicine for Song Chenxi. If Song Chenxi was captured now, what was the point of finding the medicine?

Fortunately, his worry was unnecessary. Song Chenxi’s strength was terrifying. He knocked two people away with a single palm. Ruan Mingyu felt he still held back slightly out of a sense of camaraderie. If he had acted as usual, those two people probably wouldn’t have survived.

Shen Yanyuan clung to him like a piece of sticky plaster.

He looked utterly shattered: “You promised me you would become my Dao Companion! I still have the marriage contract you signed with both our names on it! How can you be so heartless!”

Ruan Mingyu was instantly furious: “Heartless? That medicine was hard-earned by me, and you snatched it away by force, then blackmailed me into marrying you with it. Since you were unjust, don’t blame me for being unkind!”

Song Chenxi broke through the obstruction and arrived in front of Ruan Mingyu. His dark pupils held a deep persistence: “I’ll ask you one last time: Are you coming with me?”

Seeing Song Chenxi so arrogant, and Ruan Mingyu acting like he couldn’t cut ties with him, Shen Yanyuan pointed his sword at Song Chenxi: “Junior Brother, the duel we didn’t finish back then must be continued now.”

Song Chenxi scoffed: “The current you is no longer my match.”

Shen Yanyuan put on a righteous expression: “You and I represent good and evil now, an irreconcilable difference. You are a demon, and I am a cultivator. Naturally, I must eliminate the demon and protect the Dao.”

“Talking nonsense,” Song Chenxi sneered.

The two fought fiercely, causing the sky to dim. Ruan Mingyu immediately ran back to Shen Yanyuan’s residence and searched high and low. The maidservant, Xiaowei, saw Ruan Mingyu return in his wedding attire and asked him: “Young Master, what are you looking for?”

Ruan Mingyu quickly grabbed the maidservant’s shoulders and said: “Xiaowei, have you seen a plant covered in ice and frost?”

Xiaowei shook her head, but she then said: “The Master keeps all his precious treasures in his study. I’ll take you there.”

Ruan Mingyu immediately followed her. After searching around, he finally found a locked box. Ruan Mingyu couldn’t open it.

Although he didn’t know what was inside, he could feel a chilling aura emanating from it. It was likely the Ice-Frost Flower. He took the box, intending to leave. Before doing so, he said to Xiaowei: “Xiaowei, thank you. You helped me. Aren’t you afraid he’ll make trouble for you?”

Xiaowei smiled and shook her head: “I’ve saved enough money and am leaving the mountain!”

Ruan Mingyu didn’t think further, pulling out all the spirit stones he had and giving them to her: “Take more. It’s always good to have money on hand. Don’t let others trick you.”

Xiaowei: “I’m not an idiot, Young Master. Hurry and leave. A person who loves freedom like you shouldn’t be confined here.”

Ruan Mingyu felt teary-eyed. He nodded, said goodbye to Xiaowei.

The moment he stepped out, he saw the two fighting fiercely outside, causing chaos. As soon as they saw Ruan Mingyu, they immediately stopped fighting and both looked at him.

Shen Yanyuan looked at him gloomily, asking: “Are you with me, or with him?”

Wasn’t that obvious? Now that he had the item, he didn’t even need to pretend anymore.

Ruan Mingyu didn’t hesitate, grabbing Song Chenxi’s hand. He even shook their tightly held hands in front of Shen Yanyuan: “Well, are you satisfied?”

Then, he immediately urged Song Chenxi to leave, afraid they wouldn’t be able to escape if they delayed another second.

Song Chenxi was quick to comply, picking him up and flying away rapidly. Ruan Mingyu mocked before leaving: “Bye-bye!”

Shen Yanyuan watched their retreating figures, silently clenching his fists, his face filled with sorrow.