Chapter 142 - Arc 10: The Affairs of Sword Cave | Chapter 142: Reaction

Translator: Lynn

In the subterranean darkness, the flames conjured by the talisman raged on relentlessly.

Amidst the fiery glow, a striking young man slouched against the wall, his head drooping with a sense of powerlessness. His flushed countenance, eyes half-lidded, lent him an irresistibly alluring aspect. Set against his ebony hair, the effect was remarkably captivating.

Bent legs supported the young mans form, his grip on a dark wooden sword betraying a tenacious effort. Quivering fingers, clenched white from exertion, conveyed both vigilance and fragility. Bedraggled attire revealed a hint of pallor through the rents, accentuating his pitiable state.

Parting his lips slightly, he breathed softly, encased in an aura of warmth. Beads of sweat adorned his forehead, testimony to a struggle against an invisible forcedetermined yet vulnerable, a paradox that left one conflicted.

Kneeling before the youth were two figures, blood-red vines spiraling out from the youths arms to envelop their lifeless forms. Along the vines coursed their crimson essence, a delicate and eerie beauty. Soon, the vines siphoned every drop of blood, a sudden convulsion flinging the corpses aside before constricting around the young man.

Blood vines, lifeless bodies, and a handsome youth with flushed cheeks intertwined in an enigmatic tableau, a juxtaposition of beauty and morbidity.

As if borne on the wind, Yun Lie navigated countless tunnels and corridors to reach this spot.

However, upon arrival, the sight that met his eyes halted him in his tracks.

For Xu Ziqing, the reasons were elusive.

Moments ago, he had been locked in battle against the sibling duo. Suddenly, an array of inexplicable sensations surged within him, akin to being tossed into a searing cauldron, subject to overwhelming torment.

He had rarely encountered inner turmoil of this nature before, but now a fiery tide surged beneath his navel, igniting a tingling sensation that emanated from his tailbone, seeping upward to numb his scalp and cloud his mind.

Uncharted territory for him, this pervasive heat compelled him to shed his clothing almost immediately.

However, Xu Ziqing possessed a modic.u.m of sensibility. He bent his legs before him, ma.s.saging them gently, and pressed himself snugly against the cool embrace of the stone wallan attempt at comfort, all things considered.

The perils surrounding him remained ever-present, and he now perspired profusely, his const.i.tution barely supporting him amidst the trial. Preparedness had reached its limitshis grip tenuous but tenacious.

Yet, what Xu Ziqing hadnt antic.i.p.ated was that, just as his body succ.u.mbed to exhaustion, a familiar aura brushed against his senses.

His older brother had arrived in search of him!

Had he been awake, the joy in Xu Ziqings heart would have known no bounds. However, the awkward and compromising position he now found himself in, if witnessed by his elder brother

Such thoughts sent waves of embarra.s.sment and mortification cras.h.i.+ng over him. If not for his unwavering resolve, tears might have already blurred his vision.

Unintentionally, Xu Ziqing called out, Yun, Yun s.h.i.+xiong

Convinced his voice carried, he remained oblivious to its faintness, akin to a whisper on the wind.

But given Yun Lies prowess, he captured every syllable.

Observing his delicate and refined junior raises his head, eyes watery and cheeks aflame, clothes bearing more than a dozen tears, unveiling flushed skinYun Lie could hardly mistake the implications.

Confronted with such a tableau, Yun Lies gaze darkened slightly as he took measured steps forward.

Originally wis.h.i.+ng to meld with the floors crevices, Xu Ziqing found his brothers sudden presence startling, stumbling over his words, s.h.i.+xiong, y-you shouldnt have come!

The words, once spoken, left his face a deeper shade of red. In the brief span of time, the heat coursing through him intensified, fostering an inexplicable sensation further south, resulting in a rather inconvenient hardening.

Fl.u.s.tered, Xu Ziqing, accustomed to modesty and asceticism, was thrown off-kilter by this unexpected reaction. Confusion reigned as he grappled with unfamiliar feelings. With his brother standing before him, the prospect of discovery posed a dilemma.

Between mortification and resentment, Xu Ziqing drew his legs closer and s.h.i.+fted slightly sideways, seeking refuge from his predicament. Embarra.s.sment engulfed him, a conviction of losing composure in his elder brothers presence driving him to instinctively curl inward. Nervous tremors laced his voice as he implored, s.h.i.+xiong, please stay back

Yun Lie halted mid-step in response to the plea. Lowering his gaze as it traced Xu Ziqings movement, he noted the subtle bulge in the younger mans attire. Instantly, comprehension dawned.

In the realm of Yun Lies ruthless and lethal swordsmans.h.i.+p, emotions and desires were eclipsed by the relentless currents of bloodshed. He surpa.s.sed even Xu Ziqing in desirelessness. Nonetheless, his extensive knowledge encompa.s.sed various occult practices and heretical methodologies. However, despite their long-standing mentor-student relations.h.i.+p, witnessing his junior brother in such a predicament stirred a hint of distress within Yun Lies otherwise impervious demeanor. Offering guidance seemed ill-timed, yet providing solace remained elusive. Thus, he opted for silence, a silent vigil over the turmoil.

Initially, Xu Ziqing brimmed with embarra.s.sment and resentment. Even though his esteemed senior brother refrained from drawing nearer, those unchanging eyes locked onto him, unsettling his equilibrium.

Thus, one stood while the other leaned, the former scrutinizing the latter. Meanwhile, the one reclining averted his gaze, staunchly unwilling to meet the scrutiny.

Such an odd atmosphere enveloped them. For the standing figure, the anomaly escaped notice. Conversely, the reclining form found it inescapable.

With Yun Lies gaze seemingly affixed to him, Xu Ziqing grappled with his internal struggle. As time stretched on, his body simmered with heat, his mind growing muddled, and a strange stiffness crept from the depths. Itching sensations crawled along his spine, evoking the urge to alleviate the discomfort, yet he dare not stir.

Finally, Yun Lie deliberated before offering, Your response wasnt your doingit seems someone plotted against you.

At his mentors words, Xu Ziqing battled his overwhelming desire, summoning a response despite his unease. s.h.i.+xiong, could you enlighten me? I dont know the source of this manipulation. Could it be the meat from that creature? He struggled to articulate his thoughts, striving for coherence. The animal leg I obtained from Ji Ruiis it possible that it was tampered with? Amidst his mental haze, fragments of recollection surfaced. The questionable animal leg stood as the most plausible lead, even if Xu Ziqings uncertainty was palpable. He hoped his senior brother could shed light on the matter.

Yun Lies gaze s.h.i.+fted away as he absorbed the words, momentarily separating from Xu Ziqings direction.

Exhaling in relief, Xu Ziqing sensed the s.h.i.+ft in attention.

Despite the absence of overt emotions in his senior brothers gaze, Xu Ziqing found the situation nearly unbearable.

As Yun Lie cast his gaze downward, his eyes fell upon the discarded animal leg. Understanding dawned, and he explained, This is a leg from the Juyang Red Bull. Due to its highly yang nature, women can consume it without repercussions, while men who partake experience an intensified desire.

Xu Ziqing instinctively recoiled, his voice trembling as he queried, I wasnt aware. During the battle earlier, it was just just

Yun Lie clarified, Previously, you absorbed the essence of the First Wooda yang element. The First Wood is governed by yang, while Ethereal Wood is a.s.sociated with yin. The essence of Ethereal Wood lies dormant within your blood, balancing your inherent yin nature. This is why your initial consumption had no adverse effects.

Xu Ziqing inquired further, So why

Yun Lie elaborated, Your cultivation has kept your pure yang energy in check. Although you dont possess a purely yang const.i.tution, your pure yang energy has been suppressed by the essence of Ethereal Wood. As such, it remains dormant, curbing your desires. Guiding Xu Ziqing through this aspect of cultivation, Yun Lie continued, However, when you consumed the Juyang Red Bull, its extreme yang energy stirred your pure yang energy. The essence of Ethereal Wood struggles to maintain its restraint, leading to a more intense response.

For various reasons, Xu Ziqings reaction surpa.s.sed that of most individuals who consumed the beef, rendering his speech challenging.

These explanations foreshadowed unsettling revelations, causing Xu Ziqings anxiety to mount.

Continuing, Yun Lie warned, To alleviate this, you need to release your pure yang energy. Failure to do so may result in harm to your meridians.

Xu Ziqings eyes widened, questioning, So I cant endure it?

Yun Lie, sensing Xu Ziqings struggle to comprehend, murmured and then clarified, Theres no need to be fearful. You can ma.s.sage your pure yang energy point manually to alleviate the effects.

Xu Ziqings thoughts raced, dumbfounded by his senior brothers seemingly straightforward instructions. His emotions surged, grappling with a mixture of sentiments he struggled to put into words. Overwhelmed by the unexpected situation, he alternated between laughter and tears.

Observing Xu Ziqings inaction, Yun Lies expression grew stern. Time is of the essence, s.h.i.+di. If youre incapable, why not seek my a.s.sistance

Xu Ziqing recoiled, exclaiming, Theres no need, I appreciate your concern! Interrupting Yun Lie for the first time, he hastily added, Its just that I dont wish to inconvenience s.h.i.+xiong. Please, allow me privacy.

Noticing his students discomfort, Yun Lie nodded, turning away. At that moment, he understood that Xu Ziqings reticence to divulge private matters was genuine. Consequently, he chose not to press further and honored his request.

Yun Lies earlier remarks played like a haunting melody in Xu Ziqings mind. Despite his overwhelming desire, beads of cold sweat adorned his brow. Swift action had spared him the embarra.s.sment of a telltale blush, all thanks to his timely intervention. Otherwise, he would have been engulfed in a mixture of shame and anger due to his own uncontrollable reactions.

As he witnessed Yun Lies averted gaze, a wave of relief washed over Xu Ziqing. While still feeling somewhat awkward, he steeled himself, his hand inching downward to attend to his aroused state.

The touch felt unfamiliar, even though it was his own body. Every movement was tinged with nervous antic.i.p.ation as he tentatively explored. Sensations danced across his senses, and he found himself oscillating between pleasure and discomfort. Suppressing a potential moan, he clenched his teeth and shut his eyes tightly to maintain control.

Aware of Yun Lies proximity just a few steps ahead, Xu Ziqing quickened his movements, eager to expedite the process and relieve his pent-up tension. His foremost wish was to hasten through the experience, sparing himself undue embarra.s.sment. Luckily, being a novice at this, his journey was brief. The mounting intensity culminated in an explosive climax that shattered his restraint, drawing from him an involuntary groan as he released.

Unbeknownst to him, despite Yun Lies spiritual recitations, he could discern the unfolding behind him.

A while later, Xu Ziqing turned as Yun Lie finally ceased his chants.

In that instance, Xu Ziqings hand remained coated in his essence. As his eyes met Yun Lies gaze, he hurriedly swiped his hand against his garments. The heat that once consumed him had receded, but the crimson hue of his embarra.s.sment continued to flourish on his cheeks. Expressing grat.i.tude, he stuttered, Thank you, s.h.i.+xiong.

Yun Lies response came in measured tones, You have recovered, well done.

Echoing with a subdued, En, Xu Ziqing found his shame escalating in the face of his senior brothers words.

Observing his junior closely once again, Yun Lies scrutinizing gaze ran from head to toe.

The relentless battles and the recent intimate encounter had left Xu Ziqings green s.h.i.+rt in tatters, and his overall appearance was far from pristine.

Recognizing the state of his disheveled clothing, Xu Ziqing understood the need for an explanation. He spoke in a hushed tone, s.h.i.+xiong, please forgive me. Ive exhausted all the robes in my storage ring, which led to my loss of composure

Yun Lies nod carried a degree of understanding rather than reproach. With a subtle movement of his arm, he removed the black robe he wore and tossed it over, saying, Such a disheveled appearance is inappropriate. Put this on.

Xu Ziqing caught the robe with haste. Observing his brothers plain attire beneath the black robe, he refrained from further comment. Swiftly, he discarded his outer garment and slipped into the provided robe. Given Yun Lies taller stature, the robe was naturally slightly loose on Xu Ziqing, but it adequately enveloped him.

The black robe still retained a hint of chilling murderous intent, yet when worn by Xu Ziqing, it seemed to emanate a gentler aura, the martial energy subdued.

Suddenly, Xu Ziqing realized he had remained prostrate and felt the need to rectify his lapse in manners. Attempting to rise, he found his legs betraying him, causing him to topple backward.

Before he hit the ground, a supporting arm intercepted his fall. With a slight jolt, he realized he had collided with a chest and felt his waist being encircled.

Comprehending that Yun Lie had acted to prevent a harsh impact, Xu Ziqing couldnt help but feel thankful. He leveraged the support to push himself up and said, Thank you, s.h.i.+xiong.

Yun Lies voice was calm yet advising, Even though youve managed to suppress the excessive yang energy, it has still caused considerable strain on your body. Your condition is weak now due to energy loss, and forcing yourself will be counterproductive.

Agreeing with a nod, Xu Ziqing responded, I appreciate your warning, s.h.i.+xiong. I acted impulsively.

A twinge of weakness surfaced as he tried to stand hastily, and he nearly stumbled again. He a.s.sessed his conditionhis true energy wasnt flowing smoothly, his qi and blood were depleted. At this rate, not only would his combat prowess be compromised, but even walking might become a challenge.

Upon witnessing the unsteady swaying of Xu Ziqings black robe, Yun Lies brows furrowed slightly. Without hesitation, he turned around and inclined his body slightly.

Baffled, Xu Ziqing questioned, s.h.i.+xiong?

Yun Lies instructions were succinct, Climb onto my back and regulate your breath.

Caught off guard, Xu Ziqing responded, I can manage my breath here. I dont wish to trouble s.h.i.+xiong.

Yun Lies tone was firm, Youre weakened now, and the demons see you as bait. Ill carry you while maintaining a protective sword intent. Dont hesitate.

Though the words carried a cold veneer, Xu Ziqing recognized the underlying concern. Letting go of his reservations, he dispelled his myriad thoughts and complied by clambering onto his brothers back.

The corners of Xu Ziqings lips curved slightly as he settled into his senior brothers embrace. Yun Lies formidable sword intent exuded a solemn presence, yet his strong back radiated warmth and securitya comforting contrast that left a sense of solace in Xu Ziqings heart.

Translators Notes:

Listen guys, consent is s.e.xy.

Danggg, Yun Lie. Ma.s.sive respect, I know you love him already(Idk if he realize that tho)

Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.

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