After the Stand-in Hugged the White Moonlight's Thigh Tightly - Chapter 44

 Chapter 44: Stop Saying Such Vulgar Things…

“I guess so…” Ruan Mingyu no longer wanted to struggle. After all this effort, he was still with Song Chenxi. As a return gift for the jade pendant, why couldn’t this be considered a similar token?

Ruan Mingyu said: “I meant to give it to you earlier, but I forgot.”

Song Chenxi “Mmm’d” in acknowledgment: “I will treasure it.”

Song Chenxi then gently stroked Ruan Mingyu’s head, a faint smile on his face.

He rarely smiled so normally, without any hidden sarcasm. Yet, Ruan Mingyu had seen this kind of smile on his face many times recently.

Song Chenxi whispered: “You like me, you just don’t want to admit it.”

Ruan Mingyu glanced at him and surprisingly chose not to refute him.

…

Another three months passed, and Ruan Mingyu worked tirelessly every day refining pills. He finally produced the medicine. He desperately hoped that this was the antidote. He wanted to change their destiny—his destiny and Song Chenxi’s destiny… to stop being puppets of the plot.

Ruan Mingyu cautiously opened the furnace and handed the precious pill to Song Chenxi.

He nervously swallowed: “Try it.”

Song Chenxi swallowed it in one gulp, without any hesitation.

“Feeling better?” he asked.

Song Chenxi nodded.

Ruan Mingyu knew he was just comforting him. It had just been swallowed; how could it possibly take effect so quickly?

Since giving the pill to Song Chenxi, he had been avoiding Ruan Mingyu lately. Previously, Song Chenxi was always the one taking the initiative. Ruan Mingyu was disgruntled, pulling petals off a flower and complaining to himself: “Did this person lose interest after getting my heart? Or is he hiding something from me?”

He crept to Song Chenxi’s door, not using the front entrance, but suddenly climbed in through the window.

The moment he entered, Song Chenxi knew.

“Mingyu, why did you come through the window? You don’t need to be so sneaky to see me.”

The room was pitch black. Song Chenxi hadn’t lit a lamp.

Ruan Mingyu reached for the lamp on the table and lit it, only to see Song Chenxi suddenly turn his head, anxiously wiping away something.

Ruan Mingyu: “What are you hiding!”

He rushed over and grabbed Song Chenxi’s hand, only to see him tightly clutching a blood-stained handkerchief.

Ruan Mingyu’s questioning voice turned into a sob: “You… did you spit blood?”

Even at this moment, Song Chenxi managed to sound relaxed: “My little sparrow is smart, nothing can be hidden from you.”

“Why didn’t you tell me!”

He had thought that after taking the pill, Song Chenxi’s condition would be effectively controlled. He hadn’t expected him to still spit blood so frequently, just like before.

Ruan Mingyu was so angry he couldn’t help but cry. He had gone to great lengths to try and cure Song Chenxi, only to be told that all his efforts were in vain. How could he not be hysterical?

At this point, it was Song Chenxi’s turn to console him.

“I’m not dead. Why are you crying? Cry when I’m dead.”

Ruan Mingyu was already upset. Hearing this, he angrily punched Song Chenxi’s chest and buried his head in his arms.

“You’re standing right here alive! Don’t say such depressing things!”

This reaction, instead, amused Song Chenxi.

“Initially, I wanted to kill you, but now you want to save my life. Life… is full of changes…”

Ruan Mingyu wiped his tears with Song Chenxi’s sleeve.

“I really have no ideas left. Let’s go ask someone else. I heard there’s an ‘All-Knowing Man’ in the cultivation world. I don’t know if he really has the ability or is just a charlatan, but we should treat a dead horse as a live one!” Seeing Song Chenxi’s indifferent look, he clenched his teeth: “Treat a dead Senior Brother as a live Senior Brother!”

Song Chenxi patted his back: “Alright, whatever you say.”

…

After some effort, they finally found the legendary All-Knowing Man.

The man sat in a private room of an inn, with a small mustache and a jade fan in his hand. He only met one person at a time, so Ruan Mingyu went in alone while Song Chenxi waited outside the door.

“What news does this customer wish to inquire about? Feel free to ask any questions. I will tell you everything I know. First, let me give you an estimate.”

Ruan Mingyu asked: “Does your Excellency know about the Delusion?”

The All-Knowing Man paused before answering, building suspense: “This—I truly know about it.”

Ruan Mingyu’s eyes lit up, and he quickly asked: “Is there an antidote?”

The All-Knowing Man shook his fan: “Yes. Give the money first, then we’ll talk business.”

“My fees are not cheap. Ordinary spirit stones cannot satisfy the information you seek. You must exchange it for an item.”

Ruan Mingyu didn’t hesitate, taking out the pill he had just refined: “This pill contains the Ice-Frost Flower. It specializes in curing cultivation deviation.”

The All-Knowing Man poured the pill out of the bottle, sniffed it under his nose, and satisfied, put the medicine away. He beamed with joy after receiving the item.

“Accepted. This is the exchange.”

Ruan Mingyu looked at him with anticipation, hoping to hear some useful information.

But he heard him say: “This thing has no cure.”

“How can that be!” Ruan Mingyu grabbed the All-Knowing Man’s collar in disbelief: “You must be lying! Give me back my item!”

The All-Knowing Man knocked his hand away, and before Song Chenxi could draw his sword, he hastily said, “Though there is no cure, it can be alleviated. I know of a second person in the world who suffered from the Delusion.”

“Elder Mu Chengzhou of the Myriad Swords Sect. Go find him. Perhaps he has a solution.”

“…”

Ruan Mingyu pushed the door open, and Song Chenxi came forward.

“How was it?”

Ruan Mingyu put on a joking expression: “It’s curable. It can be cured right away.”

“Your expression suggests otherwise.”

“What expression?” He pulled him downstairs: “Like this. We’re going to Myriad Swords Mountain immediately.”

“Do you think Myriad Swords Mountain is my bedroom at home, where we can come and go as we please?”

Ruan Mingyu: “…” Stop saying such vulgar things, okay?

Although Seven Stars Sect and Myriad Swords Sect were both sword sects, the latter was reclusive, with few rumors about them in the cultivation world. It was said that their sect adhered to principles similar to ascetic monks: enduring hardship, being diligent, and severing all emotional attachments, believing that only the purest heart could forge the most powerful sword. They felt that love and affection would only hinder their sword practice, so very few disciples entered the mundane world.

The two rushed to Myriad Swords Mountain, randomly knocked out two disciples, disguised themselves, and blended in.

Although they got into Myriad Swords Mountain, they couldn’t find Elder Mu Chengzhou.

After much inquiry, they learned that Mu Chengzhou had been sequestered in his hall for several centuries and had never left.

That night, taking advantage of the darkness, Song Chenxi and Ruan Mingyu stealthily approached the hall where he was located. They expected heavy security, but there wasn’t even a single formation.

Ruan Mingyu got close to the hall and poked a hole in the window, trying to see the situation inside.

It was completely dark inside. Nothing could be seen. No lamp had been lit.

“Who’s there? Sneaking around! What are you doing!” He was engrossed in watching and didn’t notice the patrolling disciples approaching.

However, when the patrolling disciples got closer, they found nothing, only the rustling sound of the wind sweeping across the grass.

The disciple looked around and, finding no trace of anyone, left.

Song Chenxi held Ruan Mingyu and leaped onto the roof beam. Ruan Mingyu had lost a lot of weight recently; his face used to have some baby fat.

Song Chenxi: “I know you’re worried about me, but there’s a limit to worry. When we get back, I’ll cook you three dishes and one soup, plus a plate of your favorite peanuts.”

Ruan Mingyu: “Now… is not the time to be talking about this.”

Song Chenxi smiled: “Then when is the time?”

Ruan Mingyu pointed below the roof beam. He lifted a tile to look at the person in the hall from that angle. He saw a person kneeling right in the center, eyes tightly closed. He didn’t know what mistake he had committed to punish himself in this way.

Ruan Mingyu was watching intently when he heard a voice: “Two young friends, please come down.”

Oops, they’ve been discovered.

Song Chenxi and Ruan Mingyu exchanged glances. Song Chenxi jumped down and landed inside the hall.

The man didn’t even open his eyes and said: “And one more young friend, please come out too.”

Ruan Mingyu had no choice but to show himself, but it was a bit high, and he couldn’t easily climb down. Song Chenxi seemed to read his mind, leaping up and carrying him down.

The two stood before Mu Chengzhou.

“We apologize for the intrusion…” Ruan Mingyu was just saying polite words when Mu Chengzhou spoke: “Speak plainly.”

Ruan Mingyu: “We want to know the cure for the Delusion.”

Mu Chengzhou still kept his eyes closed, not looking at them: “Leave. I have sealed all my memories. I don’t remember anything from the past. If you ask me for a cure, I don’t know it.”

Ruan Mingyu changed his question: “Elder, are you willing to disclose the method of alleviation?”

“If you want to live longer,” Mu Chengzhou said coldly, “Forget everything you care about: money, fame, lover. Without desires, there is no Delusion in your heart. With no Delusion, you can achieve eternal life.”

What’s the difference between saying this and saying nothing?

Seeing that he was uncooperative, Ruan Mingyu spoke frankly: “Then I would like to ask, what was your Delusion, Elder? How have you managed to restrain your desires for so many years?”

Mu Chengzhou: “You talk too much.” He waved his hand, “inviting” them out of the room.

Ruan Mingyu was unwilling to give up and tried to rush back in.

Song Chenxi pulled him back: “We are no match for him. Actually, he has already told us the solution.”

Ruan Mingyu: “What? Just stop having obsessions? No medicine, no cultivation? That’s the cure? I don’t believe it.”

Song Chenxi’s obsession was simple: to be with Ruan Mingyu forever. Asking him to forget all that was like asking him to die. He smiled and said, “Let’s go. We don’t need those things.”

“We finally made it here. Are we giving up just like that?” Ruan Mingyu was frustrated.

Song Chenxi: “We’ll live one day at a time. Besides, with the pill you gave me, living to a hundred years old shouldn’t be difficult.”

Now it was Ruan Mingyu’s turn to not know whether to laugh or cry. He used to think living to a hundred was a good thing, but in the cultivation world, a mere hundred years was nothing.

Ruan Mingyu couldn’t help but feel a little discouraged: “I said before that I would cure you.”

Song Chenxi: “Don’t worry about it so much. Living well the remaining days is what matters.”

Ruan Mingyu: “What else can I do? Should I find another one?”

Song Chenxi frowned: “While I’m alive, you can naturally only be with me. If I die, it’s not impossible for you to find another.”

Ruan Mingyu: “No, why do you think you’ll die earlier than me?”

Song Chenxi: “Do what we can and leave the rest to fate. I’ll try to live as long as possible.”

Ruan Mingyu: “At least a hundred years…”

Song Chenxi patted his head.

“Alright, I promise you.”

Ruan Mingyu looked downcast, clearly unhappy. Song Chenxi lifted his chin with one hand.

“You really don’t want me to die.”

Ruan Mingyu: “Bah, bah, bah! Stop talking about death all the time. You’ll jinx all the good things.”

A faint smile appeared on Song Chenxi’s face. He had gotten what he wanted.

He had no regrets in this life.

…

Ruan Mingyu still kept in touch with his Senior Sister. She would occasionally share news of the sect with him. Although Ruan Mingyu was far away, he could stay updated on the sect’s situation. He was mainly afraid that the sect would suddenly go crazy and try to capture Song Chenxi again. If Song Chenxi were captured, he certainly wouldn’t have a good ending. Only imprisonment or death would await him.

His Senior Sister messaged him: “Where did you go? Why aren’t you replying to my messages? Do you know the whole sect is looking for you now?”

What could Ruan Mingyu do? Tell her he eloped with Song Chenxi and wasn’t coming back?

He replied: “Did something big happen?”

Senior Sister: “Don’t even mention it! After you and Song Chenxi left last time, the sect was in turmoil. First, a person from the Joyous Union Sect came, and then a demon with horns showed up. Luckily, our Seven Stars Sect has some strength and chased them all out.”

Why were these people causing trouble at Seven Stars Sect? It was confusing.

The two had planned to admire the scenery at Myriad Swords Mountain and then leave. Since they couldn’t rely on others, Ruan Mingyu decided to go back and refine more pills. He refused to believe he couldn’t cure Song Chenxi’s illness.

Unexpectedly, they stumbled upon an event.

Someone at Myriad Swords Mountain had captured the legendary Deer Demon. The Deer Demon was surrounded by a seven-colored glow. It looked less like a demon and more like a god, and was currently locked in the dungeon.

An ordinary demon wouldn’t cause much of a stir, but the problem was that this demon had very deep cultivation and had already taken human form.

The news that Myriad Swords Mountain had captured a demon that had cultivated a human form and was about to achieve immortality—with a beast core—was deliberately leaked by interested parties. It spread like wildfire. Since the beast core of the demon would be highly beneficial to cultivators who were just a step away from forming a Nascent Soul or achieving Spirit Transformation, everyone in the world was driven by profit, and various sects wanted to obtain the Deer Demon.

The news spread widely, and soon even the lower-level disciples knew about it.

Outside the Elder Hall, a loud-mouthed young disciple was telling his companion: “Did you hear? Someone captured a Deer Demon. I heard it could speak human language and actually transformed into a beautiful woman.”

“Really? I heard that because demons commit many evil deeds, their human forms are usually very ugly, with sharp mouths or big fangs. They are very scary. How could it become a beautiful woman? That must not be its true form.”

The tightly closed door of the Elder Hall suddenly opened with a “bang.”

Then, Mu Chengzhou’s figure appeared in their sight.

The Elder of Myriad Swords Sect, who hadn’t shown his face for centuries, had surprisingly left his seclusion.

“Is what you say true?”

Ruan Mingyu finally got a good look at Mu Chengzhou’s appearance. Although his face still looked young, his brows were clouded with an undeniable sense of exhaustion, as if he had experienced great vicissitudes.

The young disciple stammered: “I heard it from others. I haven’t seen the Deer Demon’s true appearance yet.”

Mu Chengzhou’s expression became extremely grim. He returned to the hall and took out a sword. Even though the sword hadn’t been unsheathed, looking at it from afar gave off a chilling aura.

Who knows how many people’s blood was stained on that sword?

Ruan Mingyu immediately followed.

Song Chenxi: “Why are you running to join the fun?”

Ruan Mingyu: “Look at him. Before, he was all about severing emotional attachments, but now he looks distraught and distracted. Something big must have happened. Are you not going to watch a spectacle this huge?”

Song Chenxi crossed his arms and said: “I don’t like watching spectacles, but for you, I’ll go.”

“He’s pretending again. He clearly wants to watch,” Ruan Mingyu muttered.

Song Chenxi glanced at him smilingly. Ruan Mingyu closed his mouth.

He grabbed Song Chenxi’s wrist: “Hurry up. If we’re late, we won’t get a good spot.”

The distance between them and Mu Chengzhou wasn’t far. Mu Chengzhou surely knew they were following him, but after walking a short distance, he managed to shake them off.

Ruan Mingyu was furious:

“The spectacle is gone.”

Song Chenxi was still making sarcastic remarks: “If you want to watch a spectacle, it’s simple. Let’s have another wedding ceremony.”

Ruan Mingyu: “I just like watching spectacles, not being turned into a joke…”

Ruan Mingyu was regretting losing the trail, but then he overheard from passing disciples that the Deer Demon would be executed tomorrow at noon in the Disciple Square, in front of everyone.

No wonder they say Myriad Swords Mountain doesn’t engage with the mundane world. If it were any other sect, even if they didn’t use such a treasure themselves, they would trade it for resources from other sects. Yet, Myriad Swords Mountain chose to execute the demon. They were probably frightened by the people who had infiltrated the sect recently, trying to steal the Deer Demon’s core. Ruan Mingyu could clearly sense that the number of suspicious people in Myriad Swords Mountain had increased recently.

When they saw the massive crowd in the square the next day, Ruan Mingyu knew this matter was definitely not as simple as it seemed.

Surrounded by the crowd, a beautiful woman stood in the center. Her two bright deer antlers confirmed her unusual identity.

The Deer Woman was tied to a wooden stake, with firewood piled beneath her. Her face was serene, showing no sign of sadness or distress at her impending death.

At noon, an elderly man with completely white hair and beard raised a torch.

“This demon harmed countless people back then. It is a blessing from the heavens that our disciples have captured it today.”

Back then? Ruan Mingyu, squeezed in the crowd, heard this phrase and knew the situation was far from simple. What was the relationship between this Deer Woman and Mu Chengzhou? Why did he rush out so anxiously upon hearing the Deer Woman was captured, even breaking his own principles? Would it be feasible to rescue the Deer Woman and use her as leverage to demand the cure for the Delusion from Mu Chengzhou?

Several ideas flashed through Ruan Mingyu’s mind. He pulled Song Chenxi aside and told him his plan.

Song Chenxi shook his head: “That approach is too dangerous. The Deer Woman carries something other sects desire. Rescuing her will be several times more difficult than stealing you away from a wedding.”

“…” Can we please stop bringing up the topic of stealing the bride…

They discussed for a long time. Ruan Mingyu said: “Let’s try this one last time. We’ll exchange her for your antidote. Think about it: the Deer Woman gains a life, you gain a life, and perhaps I can gain a life too.”

Song Chenxi hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Although Ruan Mingyu’s symptoms were not obvious, and he hadn’t had many attacks, Song Chenxi was still apprehensive because Ruan Mingyu had drunk his blood and had the potential to be controlled by the Delusion as well.

He absolutely could not let Ruan Mingyu suffer even a little more.

The elder recounted the Deer Woman’s crimes one by one.

The Deer Woman laughed loudly: “What a righteous sect! If you hadn’t caught me off guard, I wouldn’t let you manipulate me! I can die, but I hope you keep your promise!”

“The crime does not extend to the children,” the elder threw the torch at her feet: “Do not struggle. Rest in peace.”

The light in the Deer Woman’s eyes gradually dimmed. She seemed to have truly accepted her fate. The fire grew hotter, but she showed no sign of struggling. This was no ordinary fire, but the Samadhi True Fire. Not to mention the Deer Woman, even the most indestructible weapon in the world would melt in it.

The pain on her face gradually intensified. The two knew they couldn’t wait any longer. They exchanged a look, ready to act.

But someone beat them to it.

A gust of wind blew, actually extinguishing all the fires!

Mu Chengzhou, in front of everyone, drew his treasured sword, which hadn’t seen the light for a long time, cut the restraints on the Deer Woman, hugged her, and disappeared from the sight of the crowd.