BAAF Chapter 116

Shen Liuxiang didn’t know how long he had stayed in bed, only remembering that through the bed curtains, he vaguely saw the light entering the room through the window cracks, changing from bright to dark, alternating between day and night several times.

 

During this period, he relied on a single medicinal pill. When the pill’s effects wore off, his stomach began to cry with hunger.

 

He wanted three large bowls, but due to the spiritual herbs added, one small bowl of porridge was enough to make him feel full, so he had to give up. His weariness hadn’t dissipated, and he rubbed his sleepy eyes: “Where is this?”

 

Zhou Xuanlan brewed a cup of tea, saying unhurriedly: “Cangxue Residence.”

 

Shen Liuxiang was stunned, then curved his lips: “This is the place you mentioned before. Have you remembered everything?”

 

Zhou Xuanlan handed him the teacup, meeting his delighted expression, and said gently: “A little.”

 

Since he could recall some, the memories would eventually all return. Shen Liuxiang breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes lighting up with joy: “Then I’ll take a tour around Cangxue Residence later.”

 

Zhou Xuanlan: “Master can move freely inside.”

 

Shen Liuxiang nodded, tasted a sip of tea, but suddenly felt something was wrong. This place was most likely in the Eight Cardinal Realms. Why had Zhou Xuanlan brought him here? Not being in Xuanyao Palace, could Xu Xingchen still find him…

 

Shen Liuxiang’s heart skipped a beat, but he lowered his eyes, drinking tea with an outwardly calm demeanor. After finishing, he lay back on the bed, yawning and saying he would sleep a bit more.

 

Seeing this, Zhou Xuanlan left, closing the door.

 

After he left, Shen Liuxiang lifted the blanket, put on his clothes, and climbed out of the half-open window.

 

This place was extremely large, with pavilions and buildings, beautiful scenery, but not a single person around. Shen Liuxiang leaped onto a high building, but in the distance was nothing but a sea of white clouds; he couldn’t see anything.

 

He chose a relatively nearby spot, moved past pavilions and waterside terraces, arriving at a tall stone wall. He tried to climb over it, wanting to leave Cangxue Residence, but an invisible barrier in the air immediately stopped him.

 

Shen Liuxiang: “…”

 

The disturbance at the barrier alerted Zhou Xuanlan, who came over.

 

The red-clothed youth was sitting on the ground, resting his head on his hand at an angle, one corner of his mouth turned down, his expression quite displeased. Noticing Zhou Xuanlan’s arrival, he lifted his eyelids: “Give me a reason.”

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s footsteps paused: “Wanting Master to stay and accompany me, is that enough?”

 

Shen Liuxiang was speechless. After all this, Zhou Xuanlan still believed he wouldn’t return. “I’m just going to the Imperial Palace for a while, I’ll come back. Don’t you trust me?”

 

Zhou Xuanlan said: “To some extent, those words aren’t worthy of trust.”

 

Shen Liuxiang was so angry his teeth itched: “You can’t possibly keep me locked up for a lifetime.”

 

Zhou Xuanlan: “That’s exactly my intention.”

 

Shen Liuxiang: “?!”

 

Shen Liuxiang was rarely angry, and he ignored Zhou Xuanlan, returning to his room by himself. Near evening, Zhou Xuanlan went to the outside world for a while, bringing back a table of delicious food for him.

 

Shen Liuxiang said: “I won’t eat. If you won’t let me out, I’ll starve to death.”

 

Zhou Xuanlan pondered for a moment: “True, it’s time for Master to practice abstinence from food.”

 

Shen Liuxiang: “…”

 

Not eating wouldn’t actually cause death, but to prevent the stomach from growling and reach the stage of abstinence from food, the process was extremely difficult.

 

Shen Liuxiang persisted for two days. At night, covering his growling stomach, he sighed lightly, tossing and turning the whole night, unable to sleep.

 

Zhou Xuanlan, who had been squeezed onto the floor to sleep, in the dim light, fixed his black eyes on the figure turning over on the bed, his gaze obscure.

 

The next day, after Shen Liuxiang had finished cultivating, on the path back to his room, he saw a table of fine wine and food, with Zhou Xuanlan pouring wine and enjoying the meal alone. His footsteps paused slightly, and he sniffed the aroma wafting through the air, saliva almost dripping from the corner of his mouth.

 

Zhou Xuanlan turned his head, seeing the young man by the road, lips pressed together, his phoenix eyes bright and shining, just short of having “take a bite” written on his face.

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s thin lips curved slightly: “Does Master want to come and eat?”

 

Hearing the invitation, Shen Liuxiang seemed to wake from a dream, quickly looking away, snorting coldly: “I said I won’t eat.”

 

Zhou Xuanlan slightly raised his eyebrow: “A

 

pity, these are all Master’s favorites.”

 

Shen Liuxiang pressed his lips tightly, his gaze peeking toward the jade table. After a moment, his feet involuntarily walked over: “…Actually, tasting a bit wouldn’t be impossible.”

 

There was only one pair of jade chopsticks. Shen Liuxiang saw Zhou Xuanlan pick up a slice of beef and bring it toward his mouth, immediately opening his mouth.

 

At this moment, the jade chopsticks paused in the air: “I almost forgot, Master is practicing abstinence from food.”

 

Shen Liuxiang became angry: “Hey!”

 

Zhou Xuanlan curved his lips: “Does Master really want to eat?”

 

Before Shen Liuxiang could speak, his stomach first issued a sound of agreement, immediately making him say irritably: “Hurry up, don’t waste words.”

 

So Zhou Xuanlan turned his face to the side, extending his well-defined index finger, pointing at his cheek.

 

Shen Liuxiang: “?”

 

Zhou Xuanlan: “Master has to kiss me.”

 

Shen Liuxiang nearly bit him, but thinking of the taste of meat he hadn’t experienced for days, he perfunctorily kissed Zhou Xuanlan’s cheek. “There.”

 

Where did he learn this trick? Utterly unconscionable.

 

Zhou Xuanlan pointed to his right cheek: “This side too.”

 

Shen Liuxiang: “…”

 

He lowered his head and leaned in again. Just as his lips were about to touch, Zhou Xuanlan turned his face, his thin lips perfectly taking over.

 

Meeting the slightly widened phoenix eyes, Zhou Xuanlan laughed lightly: “This whole table is now Master’s.”

 

Shen Liuxiang ate several dishes, then looked up at the person staring at him. “How is the outside world? Have you found Xinglian?”

 

Zhou Xuanlan: “She’s been found, safe and sound.”

 

Shen Liuxiang breathed a sigh of relief, then glared at him: “I’m going to suffocate here.”

 

Zhou Xuanlan: “This afternoon, I’ll take Master to the back mountain.”

 

Shen Liuxiang thought to himself that he only wanted to leave, but saying so would be useless. Zhou Xuanlan had been receiving more communication talismans recently, and if he hadn’t guessed wrong, Xu Xingchen was looking for him in the outside world. With Zhou Xuanlan hindering in every way, he certainly wouldn’t let him out now.

 

Shen Liuxiang sighed and followed him to the back mountain.

 

The back mountain was more interesting than he had imagined, with a mountain full of various spirit fruits and herbs. Shen Liuxiang picked fruits all afternoon, and before he knew it, the sky had darkened. On the way back, he unexpectedly saw a ginseng plant.

 

Shen Liuxiang couldn’t help but crouch down and touch the leaves: “Little ginseng, do you know Shen Bobo?”

 

A breeze blew past, the ginseng leaves rustling in his hand, as if responding to him. Shen Liuxiang’s lips curved into a smile. He stood up, took a bite of an orange, and left the back mountain.

 

After bathing, Shen Liuxiang returned to his room. Just as he collapsed on the bed, Zhou Xuanlan came back with dozens of story books.

 

Zhou Xuanlan poured a cup of tea, watching the person on the bed selecting a book. Wearing a thin inner garment that outlined his slender, lean form, lying on the bed, he flipped the book open, saying: “You used to often read story books to me, remember?”

 

Zhou Xuanlan drank his tea: “I don’t remember.”

 

Shen Liuxiang sighed, instantly losing his mood to read the story book. He sat up: “Why don’t I tell you about the past, so you can remember everything sooner.”

 

Zhou Xuanlan looked at him: “What’s Master in a hurry for?”

 

Shen Liuxiang spread the story book, covering his head with it, saying: “Once you recover your memories, you won’t keep me locked up like this anymore.”

 

Zhou Xuanlan lowered his eyelids, putting down the teacup: “Does Master think he was any better?”

 

Shen Liuxiang: “…Don’t insult him.”

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s face suddenly turned cold: “You’re still defending him!”

 

Shen Liuxiang rubbed his brow, pulling the diverted topic back, trying to reason with him emotionally: “You never forced me before. If I didn’t want to stay here, you would definitely let me leave, so you should also…”

 

“So he was wrong.”

 

Zhou Xuanlan interrupted, walking toward the bed. “Sixteen years ago, when I woke up, I was holding your corpse. I could remain calm, but could that former me do the same? When I suddenly appeared, wasn’t it because he had already collapsed, desperately trying to escape the fact that you were already dead!”

 

“He regretted not having kept you.” “He resented you for abandoning him.”

 

Shen Liuxiang was stunned, suddenly recalling the blood-red black eyes in his dream. His face turned pale as he shook his head: “No, I didn’t, I didn’t. Master took me away; I had no choice.”

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s eyes deepened, seeing the young man on the bed with reddened eyes, his handsome face full of helplessness.

 

He bent slightly, pulling him into his arms, his slender fingers threading into the soft black hair, contentedly inhaling the young man’s scent, saying softly: “Does Master still blame me? This disciple is only afraid of repeating past mistakes.”

 

Shen Liuxiang’s mind was in chaos: “I don’t blame, I don’t blame you.”

 

He couldn’t say it out loud, but back then, he had even thought of dying at Zhou Xuanlan’s hands, although he had changed his mind in the end… Now, just thinking he was dead had already made Zhou Xuanlan like this. If he hadn’t changed his mind back then, wouldn’t he have pushed Zhou Xuanlan into the abyss with his own hands?

 

Shen Liuxiang felt cold all over, his face bloodless as he said: “I’m sorry…”

 

Zhou Xuanlan frowned, looking at Shen Liuxiang’s face. That night when he said his heart was cold, Shen Liuxiang had suddenly collapsed in tears, later claiming he was acting, but he could feel that the usually cheerful person had truly felt sad and upset.

 

Just like now.

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s mind was slightly chaotic, somewhat regretful for using this method.

 

He held Shen Liuxiang’s face, lowered his head to kiss the cold lips, imparting some warmth, saying gently: “It’s all in the past. Master staying by my side now is enough.”

 

Shen Liuxiang said with a trembling voice: “Don’t hate me.”

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s heart suddenly ached, wishing he could go back in time to shut his own mouth: “I don’t hate you, Master is the best.”

 

He tried hard to recall the past, attempting to find some happy events to cheer Shen Liuxiang up.

 

As he frowned, several fragments flashed through his mind. Zhou Xuanlan’s heart stirred, and he said: “I remember in a bamboo grove at Qinglin Sect, Master taught me to strengthen my divine consciousness, is that right?”

 

Shen Liuxiang was stunned, then nodded: “Before the disciple’s competition.”

 

At that time, he didn’t know any techniques and didn’t know what to teach Zhou Xuanlan, so he had consulted his senior brother. His senior brother had told him to blindfold himself with Zhexing, close off his divine consciousness to avoid attacks, and he had suffered a beating. When he returned to teach Zhou Xuanlan, he also blindfolded him and gave him a harsh beating.

 

Zhou Xuanlan curved his lips: “Master was truly good.”

 

Shen Liuxiang’s cheeks regained some color, even becoming slightly red: “Not, not really good.”

 

How to put it…

 

At that time, he had been beaten by Ling Ye, and when he came back to teach Zhou Xuanlan, he immediately felt like a slave who had turned the tables and was singing in triumph, feeling gleefully delighted as he beat his disciple.

 

Zhou Xuanlan noticed Shen Liuxiang’s change in mood, breathed a sigh of relief, then untied his storage pouch, reaching inside: “I want to show Master something.”

 

Shen Liuxiang blinked curiously. After a moment, he saw a black silk ribbon appear in Zhou Xuanlan’s hand.

 

It was the magical tool Zhexing, which would close off divine consciousness when covering the eyes, an excellent tool for training and expanding divine consciousness. Shen Liuxiang had received it from Ling Ye and later gave it to Zhou Xuanlan: “You actually kept it?”

 

Zhou Xuanlan didn’t answer, only staring at the black silk in his hand, thinking of something unknown, his eyes darkening slightly. He suddenly raised his hand and used Zhexing to blindfold Shen Liuxiang, tying the end into a knot at the back of his head.

 

“What are you doing? I don’t need to train my divine consciousness,” Shen Liuxiang’s vision went dark, and he tried to remove it, but his outstretched hand was grasped and pushed back.

 

“Master, don’t move,” Zhou Xuanlan’s voice was deep.

 

The young man sitting on the bed, wearing a white inner garment, with waist-length black hair, had his exquisite phoenix eyes covered by the black ribbon, leaving only his fair face visible. Unlike his usual bewitching gorgeousness, he now exuded a somewhat cold and sacred aura.

 

In that instant, Zhou Xuanlan seemed to merge with the young man from years ago who had seen this scene in the bamboo grove. His Adam’s apple bobbed, his heart surging with excitement.

 

But the difference was that back then, the young man looking at his master was like gazing at the moon in the night sky—visible but unreachable, only able to anxiously hide his thoughts.

 

And now, he had plucked the moon from his heart, could hold it in his arms, and savor it at will.

 

Shen Liuxiang’s vision was completely dark. Finding the person by the bed had fallen silent, he was about to speak when he was pushed onto the bed, felt a weight on him, and hot, delicate kisses fell on his slender neck.

 

Shen Liuxiang: “—?!”

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s slender fingers untied the clothing, instantly making the young man’s inner garment loose, exposing a large area of skin below his neck and shoulders, dazzlingly white.

 

Before long, Shen Liuxiang went from initial bewilderment to panting with reddened eyes, his consciousness scattered.

 

He wasn’t accustomed to being blindfolded.

 

When his vision was pitch black, his other senses involuntarily heightened. Zhou Xuanlan’s heavy breathing by his ear seemed amplified several times, and the hands roaming over his body could easily ignite fires, making Shen Liuxiang flush red, unable to resist tearing off the blindfold.

 

But when he tried to do so, he was quickly detected, his half-extended hand pinned to the couch.

 

His slender, fair wrist was gripped, unable to move.

 

At the same time, Zhou Xuanlan’s other hand, which had been on his waist, moved downward. Shen Liuxiang’s expression changed, his lips trembling slightly, unable to speak.

 

Zhou Xuanlan noticed the tense person beneath him, his thin lips curving slightly as he whispered by his ear: “Master, relax a bit.”

 

How could Shen Liuxiang relax? He bit his lip tightly, but before long, he involuntarily let out a trembling voice, his tone sweet and almost tearful. “Let go… stop that…”

 

Zhou Xuanlan chuckled softly, ignoring his pleas.

 

 

The black silk ribbon was dampened with tears. Zhou Xuanlan untied Zhexing to see the dazed phoenix eyes beneath, flashing with bits of light, tears seeping from the corners, reflecting an alluring wet redness.

 

The young man was breathing lightly, his entire body as soft as pliable clay, ready to be shaped.

 

Whether immersed in passion or in the languid aftermath, he was breathtakingly beautiful.

 

Zhou Xuanlan kissed the rosy lips, his voice, held back all night, extremely hoarse: “Master, it’s time to dual cultivate with this disciple.”

 

Shen Liuxiang’s scattered consciousness gathered, suddenly realizing what was happening. His pupils contracted slightly as he shook his head, struggling and pushing away: “No… not now, I’m so tired… don’t…”

 

But having been teased all night, he was now completely lacking strength, his struggles minimal, almost seeming like a pretense of resistance.

 

Zhou Xuanlan lowered his head, his face buried in the fair neck, inhaling the intoxicating scent, tightening his hand on the young man’s waist, suddenly entering him.

 

For the first time, Shen Liuxiang felt he might die on the bed. The dual cultivation technique prevented him from sleeping or fainting; he could only remain conscious as he endured again and again. Finally, he broke down in tears, and under Zhou Xuanlan’s coaxing, he said all manner of pleading words before being spared.

 

After waking from sleep, he wanted nothing more than to find a crack in the bed to crawl into.

 

Zhou Xuanlan, discovering the person in his arms was awake, curved his lips and said: “Master’s lips are so sweet, it turns out.”

 

Shen Liuxiang’s cheeks burned hot as he said through gritted teeth: “Shut up, don’t say anymore.”

 

If he ever dual cultivated with Zhou Xuanlan again, he would…

 

“Hmm?” Shen Liuxiang made a confused sound, and in the next moment, “!”

 

Na-Nascent Soul?!

 

He looked at Zhou Xuanlan in shock. The latter’s black eyes contained a smile, his thin lips moving slightly: “If Master is willing, with a bit more effort to endure longer, advancing cultivation further wouldn’t be difficult.”

 

Shen Liuxiang involuntarily trembled, stuttering: “Na-Nascent Soul is good enough, I’m already satisfied. Cultivation should be steady and practical, step by step is most fulfilling!”

 

Zhou Xuanlan: “I didn’t expect Master to have such insight.”

 

Shen Liuxiang: “Learned it from my good-dis-ciple.”

 

Zhou Xuanlan gave a low laugh, pretending not to understand the criticism in those words, holding him a bit tighter, one hand helping to massage his waist.

 

Shen Liuxiang closed his eyes in comfort, but after a while, remembering his situation, his heart sank again.

 

He said in a muffled voice: “Let me out. If you’re worried, you can come with me. Isn’t your cultivation very high? What are you afraid of? Won’t you be able to bring me back then?”

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s massaging fingers gradually weakened, saying nothing.

 

Shen Liuxiang sensed his inner wavering and quickly pressed his advantage, wrinkling his nose slightly, his tone choked: “Father Emperor is gone, I am Xingchen and Xinglian’s elder brother. I haven’t fulfilled any brotherly responsibilities these years. If I don’t go see them now after returning, what face will I have to see Father Emperor in the future?”

 

Zhou Xuanlan was silent, and after a long time said: “Doesn’t Master understand yet? The more you care about them, the less I want you to go.”

 

Of course, he could take Shen Liuxiang to the Imperial Palace. No matter who tried to stop him, he could bring him back safely.

 

But what worried him was, after seeing those two, would Shen Liuxiang’s attitude change? Would he still be willing to return with him? If not, wouldn’t he be abandoned again…

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s fingertips tightened, and after a long while, he sighed softly: “I’ll go out first, and when I return, I’ll take Master to the Imperial Palace.”

 

Shen Liuxiang’s face lit up with joy. He moved closer to Zhou Xuanlan’s handsome face, kissing his thin lips, but was quickly held down with a low warning: “Does Master not want to get out of bed anymore?”

 

Shen Liuxiang immediately behaved himself.

 

After Zhou Xuanlan got up and left, Shen Liuxiang also climbed up, put on his clothes, casually took two oranges, and walked outside while eating them.

 

Zhou Xuanlan hadn’t returned all afternoon. Feeling bored, Shen Liuxiang decided to go to the back mountain to pick spirit fruits. Remembering the ginseng he had encountered that day, he deliberately chose that path, slowly climbing the mountain.

 

Halfway there, Shen Liuxiang was holding an orange, tossing it in his hand playfully. When he reached the ginseng, his jade-white hand fell on the green leaves, gently stirring them.

 

Years ago, during his training journey, he had spotted a place of great fortune. After great effort, nearly excavating the entire mountain, his heart set on finding a great treasure, a ginseng baby had popped out instead.

 

Calling: “Father!”

 

Shen Liuxiang had been stunned at the time. For days, his ears were filled with joyful calls: “Father,” “Father,” “Father”…

 

Perhaps because the memory was so profound, as Shen Liuxiang recalled it now, he seemed to truly hear Shen Bobo’s calls.

 

He took a bite of orange, coming back from his memories, and was about to continue forward when he found an attachment on his leg.

 

This attachment was plump and white, wearing a festive bellyband, a golden leaf swaying atop its head, its small face happily nuzzling against his robe.

 

“Father! Father! It’s Bobo!!”

 

Shen Liuxiang widened his eyes, shook his head, and after confirming it wasn’t an illusion, holding his orange, immediately extended both hands to pick up Shen Bobo.

 

At this moment, he noticed a deep gaze from the side.

 

Shen Liuxiang, sensing something, turned his head to the side. The moment he saw the tall figure clearly, he heard a low call: “Elder Brother.”

 

This voice was familiar yet somewhat strange.

 

Unlike sixteen years ago when calling “Elder Brother”—whether reluctantly, mockingly proud, or the near-pleading when trapped by the barrier…

 

Now, Xu Xingchen’s voice was steady, his thin lips uttering words gently and evenly, yet impossible to ignore. The two words “Elder Brother” immediately struck deep in the heart of the one being called.

 

Shen Liuxiang’s eyes widened slightly, and the orange in his hand dropped to the ground with a “plop.”

 

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(advanced chapters available on kofi)