Chapter 19
Part 2
Lian Wushang sat upright on the straw mat, as if the one who had just coughed up blood wasn’t him at all.
He replied slowly, “My home lies in the distant Qinglianzhou. I came here seeking a young relative who had committed an error. Unexpectedly, upon reaching this place, my old ailment flared up, and I collapsed by the roadside. Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Wen.”
Doggie chewed on a hard steamed bun. “Qinglian Continent? Never heard of it. Must be really far away. Did you find that youngster who messed up?”
Lian Wushang glanced at the bristling leopard by the door and said, “I found his trail outside Xiaoyan Town, but then it vanished. He must have left already.”
The leopard by the door stared at Lian Wushang in shock. This bastard had hunted him from the Yuanling Realm to the Yuling Realm—why the sudden change of heart now?
Indeed, this seemingly carefree, handsome man, Lian Wushang, was the very one pursuing the leopard. The leopard feared his power, now cowering like a fur ball by the door hinge, every hair on end. The leopard realized Lian Wushang’s old ailment had truly flared up again.
Lian Wushang had suffered severe injuries before. Everyone in the Yuanling Realm knew he was a sickly individual, though he rarely ventured out. When he did appear, he carried himself with an air of “I’m above the world,” and even when he collapsed, few witnessed it. Over time, people had forgotten he was genuinely ill.
Lian Wushang’s breath was ragged, his body weaker than even Baozi’s. This was the perfect moment to take advantage of him. Baozi bared his teeth, bristling fur as he crept closer.
Then a hand reached out, grasping the leopard’s scruff. Wen Heng lifted the animal and stroked it gently.
“Wushang, are your hands cold? My little cat here is nice and warm. Use it to warm yourself.” In just a few sentences, Wen Heng had shamelessly dropped the formal “Mr. Lian,” now calling him “Wushang” with intimate familiarity.
The bristling leopard was thus delivered into Lian Wushang’s hands. Lian Wushang took the warm leopard with some surprise. Then he lowered his head and locked eyes with the leopard. The leopard was stunned!
It was going to be killed! The leopard despaired. Everyone in the Yuanling Realm knew that Lian Wushang could kill from a thousand miles away. Within a thousand meters of him, anyone he intended to kill had no chance of escape.
The leopard glared resentfully at Wen Heng. It shouldn’t have believed this creature’s sweet talk! It had actually been packed up and delivered into Lian Wushang’s hands! Its life was over!
“How about it? Feeling a bit warmer?” Wen Heng reached out to rub the leopard’s forehead, ignoring its gleaming white fangs. Lian Wushang smiled faintly and stroked the leopard as well. “It is warm. And this pattern is quite unique.”
Leopard was puzzled. Surely Lian Wushang should recognize him? But then he realized this was their first face-to-face encounter. Though Lian Wushang had hunted him before, he’d never even seen his face. Leopard concluded he must have suppressed his demonic power to the extreme, so even Lian Wushang hadn’t detected it.
Doggie joined the conversation: “My cat’s super well-behaved. Sanhu says it’s a rare leopard-patterned cat. Just don’t know which heartless bastard broke its leg, but it should heal up fine.”
Comrade Wen Heng, the heartless bastard, grinned as he stood up, leaning on his beggar’s staff: I’ll go into the woods to find something to eat. Wushang is too weak. Doggie, take good care of him.”
Doggie readily agreed: “Alright, go ahead.” Leopard leaped out of Lian Wushang’s arms, landing with a thud, then followed Wen Heng’s footsteps.
Doggie wondered aloud: My cat really hates staying in this dilapidated temple. Old Wen was probably right—there aren’t even any rats in here.”
Lian Wushang sat cross-legged in meditation while Gouzi rustled about gathering things, occasionally glancing back at him. Such a beautiful person—how did Ah Heng end up with him? What a waste.
“Gouzi, do you know how old Wen Heng is this year?” Lian Wushang opened his eyes and asked softly, “Is there anything about him that’s different from the rest of you?”
Gouzi’s eyes gleamed brightly. “Oh my, I’m family with Ah Heng! I know everything you want to ask. Come on, come on!”
Leopard roared angrily, “What the hell do you think you’re doing! Handing me over to him! Do you want me dead?!”
Leopard waited for Wen Heng’s reply, but after a moment of silence, he climbed up the bamboo basket onto Wen Heng’s shoulder. “I’m talking to you! Why aren’t you answering?”
Wen Heng’s face flushed slightly, lost in thought. A hint of bashfulness flickered across his sallow cheeks.
Inside, Baozi screamed, “Holy shit! No way! You’ve got feelings for Lian Wushang? Do you even know who he is?!” This beggar dared to dream big!
Wen Heng turned to look at the dilapidated temple, the flush fading from his cheeks. “I know.” Baozi’s mouth twitched. “You know and still dare to fantasize? Don’t you want to live?”
Wen Heng spoke softly. “I’m just a beggar. He must be a nobleman born of the highest lineage. Someone like me isn’t even worthy to tie his shoes. But…”
But Wen Heng touched his chest. He felt that being near Lian Wushang made his heart beat, made him feel truly alive.
Author’s Notes:
Wen Heng: I want to live a simple life with Wushang someday—raising chickens, feeding ducks.
Yun Qingqing: As long as you’re h
appy, Master.
Yun Baibai: Who’s the duck? Make that clear!
![Flying Dust [Fei Chen]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/9k.png "Flying Dust [Fei Chen]")