BAAF Chapter 77

Mount Shengqi, Imperial Palace.

 

Night-luminous pearls illuminated the room as bright as day. A figure holding a jade slip stood before a writing desk, tall and slender, wearing white robes and a golden crown.

 

Discovering that there was no response from the other end, as if the person had entered a state of playing dead, Di Yunyu’s brows furrowed. He stared at the jade slip for a while, then swept his sleeve and left the room.

 

He needed to go to the demon realm for a trip.

 

Outside the door, a figure with a conflicted expression paced back and forth, unable to stop for a moment due to agitation.

 

“What are you doing here.”

 

“Huh?!” Suddenly hearing a voice, Xu Xingchen turned his head, looked toward the doorway, his face showing a startled expression, “Imperial Father, you haven’t—haven’t rested yet.”

 

Di Yunyu: “What matter brings you to me?”

 

Xu Xingchen had been waiting outside his door for nearly half an hour, wanting to knock several times, but thinking that he might be resting, didn’t dare disturb him, and dejectedly lowered his hand again.

 

Xu Xingchen glanced at him and said: “I heard that something happened in Qilin City, and I wanted to ask about the people from the Imperial Palace there—Zhang Miaomiao, Jin Xiaojiu… are they well?”

 

After returning to the Imperial Palace, he had limited access to news and only just learned about the turmoil in Qilin City.

 

Xu Xingchen had summoned a group of people to question, all saying that Young Lord Shen was unharmed, but he was still somewhat worried. Later, hearing that Imperial Father had sent a strand of his divine consciousness to the demon realm and should know the situation most clearly, he came to the bedchamber and hesitated for a long time.

 

Xu Xingchen trusted Imperial Father’s words the most.

 

But after he asked, he had expected the other to calmly say there was nothing wrong, but unexpectedly saw Di Yunyu’s expression become strange.

 

Xu Xingchen’s heart sank, and he hastily asked: “Has something happened to my brother?!”

 

Di Yunyu didn’t answer, his gaze falling on him, his light-colored eyes staring for a moment before suddenly asking: “Do you want to be the Emperor?”

 

Xu Xingchen’s expression changed, his heart pounding “thump,” “thump” violently.

 

This question, he had never thought about before.

 

Previously, as the only Young Lord of the Imperial Palace, the center of attention, everyone thought he would naturally be the next Emperor, and Xu Xingchen thought so too.

 

As for whether he wanted to be the Emperor, Xu Xingchen had never pondered this, only feeling that it should be his, but later, Shen Liuxiang’s appearance was like a heavy blow, making what should have been his no longer exclusively his.

 

Xu Xingchen was momentarily silent.

 

Di Yunyu clasped his hands behind his back, his tone showing no emotion: “Who do you think is more suitable to be the Emperor, you or Shen Liuxiang?”

 

Xu Xingchen was stunned for a long time before stammering: “…Shen Liuxiang.”

 

Imperial Father had told him to learn from Shen Liuxiang, surely because he had many inadequacies. Xu Xingchen looked dejected, his expression unwilling, with a trace of loneliness in his eyes.

 

Di Yunyu took in his expression completely, making no comment but only saying: “No matter who becomes the Emperor, they must treat the three realms equally, without bias. To achieve this, one must control the word ‘distance’ well, regardless of any person or matter.”

 

“Once one loses proportion, the aftermath is endless.”

 

After speaking, Di Yunyu left a somewhat confused Xu Xingchen and headed straight to a quiet room.

 

In the center of the floor was placed a star lamp. Di Yunyu’s fingertip touched it, and instantly the lamp wick ignited with a cluster of flames. A phoenix feather appeared, its patterns dancing in the firelight.

 

Di Yunyu reached out to grasp it and disappeared from the spot in the blink of an eye.

 

***

 

Ao Yue, having eaten and drunk his fill, lay in the spacious corridor, sleeping peacefully with closed eyes until a cool breeze blew past. He opened his eyes to see that the door had opened at some point, with light from inside spilling onto the corridor floor.

 

Luo Yu and others were a step behind, and by the time they rushed out, Zhou Xuanlan’s figure was already gone.

 

Several people looked at the Celestial Dog on the floor, stunned for a moment: “Lord Ao Yue.”

 

Ao Yue: “Where did he go, in such a hurry?”

 

Luo Yu: “It seems that the Demon Consort… ahem, Master has something urgent.”

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s figure appeared outside the bathroom, looking at the tightly closed door before raising his hand to push it open.

 

A wisp of thin mist dispersed outward.

 

The night’s cool breeze blew into the room, dispersing some of the faint fragrance wafting from inside.

 

Zhou Xuanlan held the jade slip in his hand, his expression slightly tense. The voice from the jade slip earlier had been mixed with soft moans—it must be the Love Flower Gu acting up, though he didn’t know why his Master had gone so far as to talk about “collecting corpses.”

 

Zhou Xuanlan frowned slightly as he stepped inside.

 

The outer area had a cold pool with a jade-carved dragon head spewing pure, cool water. He glanced around, saw no one, and headed straight for the inner chamber.

 

The gauze curtain at the doorway swayed back and forth in the gentle breeze.

 

Zhou Xuanlan lifted it with one hand, taking in the scene of the inner bathroom at a glance.

 

A faint mist floated above the warm pool. There was no one in the water, but ripples remained on the surface, clearly indicating that the person who had caused them had left not long ago.

 

On the ground by the pool’s edge, some water marks had dripped, extending all the way to the large, exquisite folding screen.

 

A slender figure sat on the ground, leaning against the screen, wearing snow-white undergarments that clung to his body, soaking wet.

 

Shen Liuxiang sat with his arms wrapped around his knees, his hastily donned undergarments disheveled and loose. The exposed half of his calves were white as jade, his bare feet resting on the cold floor, rounded toes showing a hint of pink.

 

His black hair lay in disarray behind him. Because he was sitting, his waist-length wet hair pooled on the ground, creating dripping water marks surrounding his body.

 

Zhou Xuanlan froze for a moment: “Master—”

 

Shen Liuxiang didn’t respond. His slender hand gripped the jade slip, his face buried between his knees.

 

Looking closely, his figure was trembling.

 

Zhou Xuanlan came to his senses and quickly walked to him, crouching down and grasping the hand still beaded with water droplets. Noticing an unusual heat, he frowned.

 

He pushed aside Shen Liuxiang’s black hair, his gaze falling on the nape of his neck where a flush rose beneath the skin.

 

The strange-formed love flower was like a living creature, its curled petals extending outward, blooming on skin like jade.

 

Breathtakingly beautiful.

 

Zhou Xuanlan lowered his eyelids, his finger resting on the wet nape, about to cut the skin to drip dragon blood into it.

 

At this moment, Shen Liuxiang raised his head.

 

A face of unparalleled delicacy appeared, reflected in Zhou Xuanlan’s eyes. Under the bright lamp, crystal-clear water droplets shimmered with fragmented light as they fell along his clean white face.

 

As if he had just been crying, his phoenix eyes were wet and red, the corners showing a hint of moisture.

 

Zhou Xuanlan was stunned and asked slowly: “Master, where are you uncomfortable?”

 

He had asked An Qin before, who said that without the mother Gu’s control, the child Gu’s behavior would be unpredictable, and the reactions it produced with the body were beyond anyone’s understanding.

 

Shen Liuxiang’s current condition was completely different from last time.

 

Zhou Xuanlan didn’t dare act rashly. He crouched down, his clearly-jointed fingers hooking the wet hair on Shen Liuxiang’s cheek and tucking it behind his ear. Looking at his beautiful phoenix eyes, he called out soothingly: “Master.”

 

Shen Liuxiang stared at him for a while, his long black eyelashes fluttering slightly as if waking up.

 

He reached out, hooked the figure within arm’s reach, and leaned over completely. His arms encircled Zhou Xuanlan’s neck as he lowered his head, burying his face in the crook of Zhou Xuanlan’s neck.

 

His posture docile, embracing him as if seeking comfort.

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s body froze. He raised his hand to support the supple waist, feeling the delicate texture through a layer of wet clothing.

 

Belatedly, he realized his master had actively thrown himself into his arms.

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s fingers tightened slightly, his heart beating with unprecedented intensity. Shen Liuxiang, wearing soaked garments, felt somewhat cool, yet his body radiated scorching heat.

 

Silently, leaving no escape, entwining around him.

 

“Master…” Zhou Xuanlan’s gaze darkened slightly as he held the person in his arms tighter.

 

This wasn’t Master’s true intention—he was merely deluded by the child Gu.

 

Zhou Xuanlan clenched his hand, detecting the faint, elusive fragrance emanating from Shen Liuxiang, his gaze growing even deeper.

 

His breathing grew heavier, feeling that he was the one who needed to clear his head. Immediately, he pulled Shen Liuxiang closer, bent down to lift him up, and walked directly out of the inner chamber.

 

The gauze curtain lifted, and a moment later, ripples spread across the cold pool.

 

Zhou Xuanlan raised his hand, using spiritual energy to turn the water-spewing dragon head in another direction. Mist-enveloped cold water instantly gushed out.

 

A cold current rose from the bottom of the pool, flowing upward, bone-chillingly cold.

 

After staying in the cold pool for a moment, Zhou Xuanlan’s expression returned to calm. One hand supported the slender waist to prevent slipping underwater, while the other pulled down Shen Liuxiang’s shoulder garment. Spiritual energy flashed, and a streak of fresh blood oozed out.

 

The skin, originally flushed, now appeared even more exquisitely crimson.

 

Zhou Xuanlan said softly, his fingertips touching the wound: “It’s a bit cold, Master. Please bear with it.”

 

But no matter what he said, Shen Liuxiang ignored him, only squirming in his arms.

 

Zhou Xuanlan had no choice but to wrap one arm around his waist, pressing him against the pool wall to restrain some of his restless movements.

 

The dragon blood slowly seeped into the bloody flesh.

 

Shen Liuxiang ignored the activity at his nape, seemingly feeling cold as he grabbed Zhou Xuanlan’s robe, wanting to press his entire body against him. Half his face buried in Zhou Xuanlan’s neck, whether intentionally or not, his mouth slightly open, exhaling against Zhou Xuanlan’s long neck.

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he said hoarsely: “Master, please stop moving.”

 

Shen Liuxiang tilted his head slightly, lifting his dark eyelashes. In the next moment, he kissed Zhou Xuanlan’s neck.

 

The soft sensation of his lips traced along the clean line of Zhou Xuanlan’s neck, extending all the way to behind his ear, teasing methodically.

 

Zhou Xuanlan came to his senses, suddenly feeling it was somewhat lethal.

 

Master was seducing him…

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s forehead broke out in a light sweat. One hand resolutely pressed against the nape, while the other held the head at his neck, forbidding any more reckless movement.

 

But with this pressure, Shen Liuxiang, leaning against him, lowered his eyelids slightly, seemingly realizing something. Suddenly, he opened his mouth, his white teeth loosening Zhou Xuanlan’s collar slightly.

 

In the next moment, Shen Liuxiang stared at a particular spot and lowered his head to place a gentle kiss.

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s entire body stiffened, his expression changing instantly.

 

—A dragon scale.

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s hand supporting the waist suddenly tightened. The hand on the nape moved to the back of Shen Liuxiang’s head, pressing him against the pool wall before lowering his head to capture the inciting lips, unable to restrain himself any longer.

 

Shen Liuxiang’s back struck the cold pool wall. Just as he shivered, his chin was gripped, and he was kissed.

 

After a moment, feeling suffocated, he instinctively began to struggle.

 

Shen Liuxiang pushed at the chest so close to him, but the other didn’t budge. Dragons are naturally lustful creatures; despite Zhou Xuanlan’s strong willpower, facing such a situation, his lucid consciousness was mostly washed away.

 

He lowered his head, his breath pressing against the reddened nape. One hand untied Shen Liuxiang’s sash, his slender hand exploring inside, touching the white, delicate skin.

 

The person in his arms didn’t resist, only trembling all over, his throat carrying an almost imperceptible sob.

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s gaze grew darker. Just as he was about to take the next step, he saw the crimson love flower, like a bucket of cold water poured over his head.

 

Zhou Xuanlan froze, suddenly coming to his senses. After a moment of silence, he buried his head in Shen Liuxiang’s nape, his thin lips parting slightly as his teeth broke the delicate skin.

 

A drop of blood oozed from his tongue.

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s face paled for an instant, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

 

Shen Liuxiang trembled in pain, struggling forcefully, unable to resist wanting to escape. Only after that drop of scorching dragon blood had completely seeped in did he gradually calm down.

 

His long black eyelashes fluttered slightly, the light in his eyes gradually regaining clarity. After a moment, he closed his eyes and collapsed in Zhou Xuanlan’s arms.

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s face was as white as paper. He stood in place, resting for quite a while before recovering his breath.

 

Sensing the bone-chilling cold in the pool, Zhou Xuanlan took off his outer robe, wrapped it around the soaking wet Shen Liuxiang, lifted him up, and walked out of the cold pool.

 

Just as he stepped out the door, the spiritual energy in the air suddenly tightened.

 

The newcomer wore a white robe with a dazzling golden crown, emanating supreme divine majesty in the night.

 

Having just lost a drop of blood from his heart, Zhou Xuanlan couldn’t withstand this pressure. His face turned white, and a sweet fishy taste welled up in his throat.

 

Di Yunyu looked at him, withdrew his divine majesty, and then his gaze fell on the person in his arms.

 

The corridor was silent for a long time. Di Yunyu raised his hand and rubbed between his eyebrows.

 

The supremely powerful Emperor suddenly let out a helpless sigh.

 

“Sigh——”

 

 

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