Chapter 46: A Heart Laid Bare

The room was extraordinarily quiet.

After Xie Jue finished speaking, Su Zhuozhi was stunned. His mind went blank, his lips slightly parted, too shocked to speak.

Xie Jue… what did he just say?

Like? Love?

But isn’t he a man? Both of them are men.

Su Zhuozhi had never even thought about marriage, let alone with a man. This was completely beyond his imagination.

He had heard of same-s*x relationships, but that was for others, having nothing to do with him.

The shock was immense. He stood frozen, unable to offer any response for a long time.

Such silence itself was a kind of answer.

He had planned to wait until Su Zhuozhi gradually grew accustomed to him, maybe even started to like him, before confessing. Otherwise, the most likely outcome was to scare him away. But he simply couldn’t wait any longer. Overcome by emotion, he had blurted out his feelings. After saying it, a weight lifted from his shoulders; he no longer had to suppress his heart. If given another chance, he would probably do the same. He wanted Su Zhuozhi to know.

Su Zhuozhi looked at him, shocked and bewildered. He opened his mouth as if to say something.

Afraid of hearing rejection, Xie Jue couldn’t help but bend down and embrace him first, pressing his face into Su Zhuozhi’s neck, breathing in his scent. The faint sweetness of his fragrance calmed him down.

He cut off Su Zhuozhi’s words, whispering, “I will do my utmost to treat you well, listen to you, and do whatever you ask.”

The fearsome, violent Demon Lord, a being as powerful as a monster, was bowing his head only to him, harboring an obsessive, intense love, willing to do anything for him. This contrast, this unique exclusivity, could indeed stir one’s desire for conquest and make one’s heart flutter.

Su Zhuozhi blinked.

Xie Jue continued, “Weren’t you curious about dual cultivation? If you do it with me, it can greatly improve your cultivation. I heard it’s also very pleasurable. Would you like to try?”

He took Su Zhuozhi’s hand and guided it under his own robe, pressing it against his abdominal muscles. The muscles were defined, ridges clear, and they felt wonderful to touch.

Su Zhuozhi had always envied his beautiful muscles, so now he couldn’t help but be momentarily distracted.

Xie Jue carefully watched his expression. Seeing no disgust, and no rejection, his heart trembled with unbearable joy. He couldn’t resist tentatively, slowly, kissing the lips he had longed for.

Soft, warm, faintly sweet—far better than he had imagined.

He couldn’t help but extend his tongue and lightly lick.

Su Zhuozhi also felt the strangeness on his lips. Dazed, he only realized something was wrong when he came to.

He had been completely led by Xie Jue by the nose.

He suddenly stepped back, shoving Xie Jue’s chest with both hands to create distance.

His kissed lips had turned even redder, with a hint of ambiguous moisture, like a peach petal touched by dew—sweet, soft, and alluring.

Xie Jue stared fixedly, unable to look away.

Su Zhuozhi’s scalp tingled under his gaze. He swallowed nervously, face flushed, voice tight. “Y-you… how could you kiss me?”

What should have been an indignant accusation, because of his belated shyness, only made the atmosphere more intimate and ambiguous.

It was as if flames had burst around them, heating up and making one feel scorched.

Thick, sweet syrup seemed to pour into the air, soft and stringy, flowing slowly.

“Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”

Xie Jue lowered his long lashes, obediently apologizing, but his unblinking gaze and his tall frame pressing closer betrayed a strong sense of aggression, looming over him, nearly engulfing him.

Su Zhuozhi wanted to step back again, but that would make him seem cowardly. Xie Jue had confessed to him; the decision was in his hands. What was he afraid of?

That was what he thought in his heart, but his face burned, his fingertips trembled faintly, and his body leaned back, his spine arching into a beautiful crescent curve.

When he retreated, Xie Jue advanced, hands braced on either side of him, so close their breaths intertwined. If he lost his support and fell, it would become a position where Xie Jue was leaning over him, a pose that invited wild thoughts.

Su Zhuozhi’s small face tightened as he forced calm and said, “Whether to try or not is also up to me.”

Xie Jue stared at him, his voice hoarse. “You agree?”

“Of course not!” Su Zhuozhi’s eyelashes fluttered violently as he denied it quickly.

The moment the words left his mouth, Xie Jue’s face turned dark and gloomy. His eyes became bloodshot, demonic energy surging, as if being rejected would cause the whole world to collapse, and he would lose everything, falling into painful madness.

He doesn’t like me.

He is going to abandon me.

In his mind, Xie Jue could already see Su Zhuozhi’s back, running away without hesitation, not looking back, getting farther and farther.

He should have locked him up, imprisoned him, and killed anyone who tried to get close to him. Not a single one should be spared.

Lock him up.

Lock him up, and he can’t run.

More and more bloodshot veins appeared in Xie Jue’s eyes, and his mind gradually slipped into chaos.

Su Zhuozhi’s lips were numb, his heart flustered. He didn’t dare meet Xie Jue’s eyes, so he didn’t notice Xie Jue’s abnormality. He refused to let himself be at a disadvantage.

“Is this all you can do when you like someone? You can’t even make my heart flutter, and you just kiss me without my permission. That won’t do at all.”

Su Zhuozhi looked up to glare at him, putting on a fierce expression, but the moment he raised his head, he saw a tidal wave of demonic energy surging toward him.

He couldn’t help but shudder. His knees went weak, unable to support him, and his upper body fell back, landing on the plush carpet.

Xie Jue descended on him like a powerful, fierce beast, his eyes glinting with the dark light of a predator.

The person beneath him had dark hair spread out, a pale small face, and a hint of red at the corners of his eyes, as if about to be frightened into tears.

Xie Jue squeezed his eyes shut, struggling to suppress the dark desires churning inside him. When he opened them again, his eyes were still dark, but the terrifying red had faded somewhat, making him appear more normal.

His Adam’s apple bobbed, and his voice came out extremely hoarse. He asked word by word, “Does that mean, with your permission, I can kiss you?”

Su Zhuozhi’s body trembled. He instinctively wanted to curl up, but as soon as he moved his legs, they touched Xie Jue’s thigh. The scorching heat seeped through the fabric, irresistible.

He had meant exactly that, but now he regretted it… Could he still take it back?

He strongly suspected that if he said no, Xie Jue would go crazy immediately.

Feeling cowardly, Su Zhuozhi slowly nodded and whispered, “…Mm.”

Having received an affirmative answer, the tension in Xie Jue’s entire body relaxed. He collapsed his weight onto Su Zhuozhi, nuzzling his nose against the side of his neck, like a big dog begging for affection—completely different from his earlier near-madness.

He whispered, “Thank you. I’m very happy.”

Su Zhuozhi’s neck was very sensitive. It trembled, and the touched skin instantly flushed pink, the color spreading like peach blossoms. He pushed at Xie Jue’s body uncomfortably, murmuring, “I know. Get up first. You’re so heavy.”

Xie Jue obediently rose. The hand at his side clenched; his palms were sweaty. In truth, ever since confessing his feelings, he had been extremely nervous, his back soaked with cold sweat. He had been terrified that Su Zhuozhi would reject him, that he didn’t want him.

Fortunately, the outcome wasn’t that bad.

He had previously wondered if Su Zhuozhi might have some goodwill toward him, but the other had never said so, and his behavior was ambiguous. Maybe he was just flattering himself.

But now, Su Zhuozhi hadn’t outright refused, which meant he had been given a chance. Given the young master’s proud and aloof nature, if he truly disliked someone, he would never be polite or hold back. So even if he didn’t like him much, at least there was a little bit.

What he needed to do was to make that little bit of liking grow, until Su Zhuozhi often thought of him, couldn’t bear to leave him, and wanted to be with him forever.

“I will only do things that make the young master feel good,” Xie Jue said with a smile.

This was obviously a good line, but Su Zhuozhi inexplicably felt a chill down his spine, as if he was going to suffer later. Did Xie Jue’s idea of ‘feeling good’ mean the same as his own understanding?

Seeing that Xie Jue’s demonic energy had completely receded and he now seemed docile, even harmless, Su Zhuozhi temporarily set aside his worries.

Having grown up until now, Su Zhuozhi had never developed feelings for anyone. He didn’t understand romantic love, nor did he know what it felt like to like someone. But when Xie Jue said these things to him, he didn’t feel repulsed. When meeting Xie Jue’s eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to say no.

Su Zhuozhi couldn’t figure it out. His mind was in a mess, so he wanted to go out for a walk to clear his head.

Just as he tried to get up, his legs suddenly gave way and he fell back. Luckily, Xie Jue beside him quickly reached out and caught him, so he was fine.

Su Zhuozhi glared at him and snorted in annoyance.

If he was going to complain, it was all his fault.

Xie Jue wanted to go for a walk with him. But Su Zhuozhi used the words Xie Jue had just said against him, tilting his head and retorting, “You said you would listen to me. Can’t you even do such a small thing?”

Xie Jue pressed his thin lips together and said nothing.

Su Zhuozhi said frankly, “I won’t run away. I said I’d give you a chance, and I meant it. Instead of blindly clinging to me, think about how to win my favor. If you can’t make me willing to stay, I’ll leave sooner or later anyway.”

After saying that, he patted Xie Jue’s head reassuringly. “Don’t you have things to deal with? Be good and go handle your business.”

He waved his hand casually and actually stepped out the door to wander around.

As soon as he was outside, Su Zhuozhi curled his lips into a sly smile. The words he had just said were really impressive! Xie Jue hadn’t been able to refute a single one. He had turned the tables!

Su Zhuozhi shook his head, and his soft, fluffy tail wagged left and right, proud and smug, like a clever, adorable little fox.

However, he didn’t wander outside for long, because it started raining.

The rain came suddenly, pouring down in a torrent, drenching a person in an instant.

Thunder rumbled, and purple lightning tore across the sky, startling everyone.

Su Zhuozhi instinctively ran back quickly.

He only stopped when he reached the shelter of the corridor. Letting out a breath, he found himself soaked, his robes clinging to his body, looking rather disheveled.

Xie Jue came out, holding a blanket, and wrapped him up completely. Then he took him to soak in a hot bath.

He arrived just in time, and everything was prepared perfectly afterward, so Su Zhuozhi didn’t feel any discomfort.

After finishing his hot bath, Su Zhuozhi’s cheeks were rosy, a faint white mist surrounding him, his body wrapped in a warm, soft blanket. Xie Jue sat behind him, drying his wet long hair.

Outside, raindrops pattered, but he nestled comfortably indoors, holding a white jade teacup in both hands, sipping hot spirit tea, squinting his eyes in contentment.

Actually, these things could have been handled with magic. But then he wouldn’t have enjoyed the comfort of hot water soaking through his limbs and dispelling the chill, and Xie Jue wouldn’t have had a natural excuse to stay close to him for such a long time, slowly drying his wet hair.

Rainy days were damp and heavy with moisture.

The young master never liked them and would lose his appetite. So when a lavish feast of spirit food was laid out on the table, Su Zhuozhi showed little interest and couldn’t be bothered to pick up his chopsticks.

In the past, when the young master didn’t want to eat, Xie Jue would just watch indifferently, thinking he was worse than a child. But now, Xie Jue frowned slightly, extremely attentive, patiently coaxing him to eat.

One of the dishes on the table was crystal shrimp, which Su Zhuozhi loved. But peeling the shells was too troublesome; if he had to do it himself, he would rather not eat.

Xie Jue took the crystal shrimp in front of himself, picked up a large one, and skillfully peeled it. His fingers were pale and slender, the joints distinct, a pleasing sight.

When peeled, he placed it into the white jade bowl in front of Su Zhuozhi.

Su Zhuozhi didn’t want to eat. He originally said he would only have two. But Xie Jue peeled the shrimp quickly; as soon as he finished one, more came, and even the speed at which he ate couldn’t keep up with Xie Jue’s peeling.

“I don’t want any more,” Su Zhuozhi refused weakly, pushing it away. “Don’t give me any more. You eat it.”

Xie Jue brought a shrimp to his lips, whispering, “One more?”

Su Zhuozhi looked at it, thought Xie Jue had gone to the trouble of peeling it, so he opened his mouth and ate it, his cheeks puffing slightly as he mumbled, “No more, okay.”

Xie Jue then fed him a slice of green vegetable, tender and green. “After the shrimp, have some greens to cut the richness?”

Su Zhuozhi stared at him silently. “You said just now it was only one more shrimp.”

Su Zhuozhi: “…”

He opened his mouth and chomped down, chewed noisily.

He looked at Xie Jue and said darkly, “Don’t think you can trick me again.”

Seeing this, Xie Jue stopped coaxing and instead said, “Can I ask for a reward? I want to eat shrimp too.”

Su Zhuozhi was a bit puzzled. “Then eat.”

What kind of reward is that?

Xie Jue stared straight at him, somehow like a pitiful dog begging for food.

Su Zhuozhi suddenly understood a little. Did he want him to feed him?

Such a small thing shouldn’t matter, but when he actually picked up a piece and brought it to Xie Jue’s mouth, watching him open and eat it, Su Zhuozhi inexplicably felt uncomfortable.

He had fed Jiang Yangyu before, after all.

Su Zhuozhi looked away, so he didn’t notice that although Xie Jue’s face was calm, his ears were red.

After the meal, Xie Jue continued handling business. Su Zhuozhi finally got his storage pouch back. He took out the Mystic Light Mirror and first contacted Senior Brother Qin Zhao, telling him he was fine and not to worry.

Qin Zhao didn’t believe him. “Are you Xie Jue?”

Su Zhuozhi had to say something through the mirror to prove it was him. But Qin Zhao was convinced he was being forced to say it.

No matter what he said, he couldn’t clear up the misunderstanding.

Su Zhuozhi looked up. Xie Jue was also staring at him, expressionless, his gaze dark and heavy, as if he wanted to do something but was holding himself back.

“…”

Su Zhuozhi decisively tossed the Mystic Light Mirror over. “You caused this trouble. You fix it.”

Xie Jue froze, as if he never expected Su Zhuozhi to hand it over so easily. This was a perfect opportunity to escape—to contact the cultivators outside, coordinate from inside and out, and cleverly slip away. If Su Zhuozhi wanted to, he could do it.

Xie Jue was momentarily dazed, unable to believe it.

This should be a good thing, indicating that Su Zhuozhi was willing to stay, not trying every means to distance himself or abandon him.

But for some reason, his heart was in turmoil, as if he were dreaming, a feeling of unreality.

Fear of gain and loss, panic and helplessness.

He urgently wanted to do something to prove that the person before him was real, not an illusory phantom.

He reached out and grasped Su Zhuozhi’s ankle, gently rubbing the anklet he had put on himself, which still carried his body heat.

Xie Jue leaned over, close to Su Zhuozhi, his voice low and soft, as if afraid of scaring him, pleading for permission. “Young master, may I kiss you?”

Su Zhuozhi was very confused, not understanding why he was suddenly like this. He shrank his shoulders, instinctively leaned back, and moved his lips, “No…”

Xie Jue then settled for the next best thing. He lowered his head, buried it in Su Zhuozhi’s neck, and restrainedly bit down lightly.

Su Zhuozhi let out a low moan. His face flushed with a rosy hue. He bit his lip, his eyes slightly moist.

…At this rate, it would have been better to just kiss.

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