Cheng Sheng has already visited Jing Rui along with the others before, and so he doesn't need to show up his face again, since Zheng Yi's life and Lei Ling's life is on the line. Jing Rui may be gravely injured, but not to the point it is life-threatening. It's just that, the longer his injuries were left totally cured, the bigger his chance to become invalid.
It happened during one of their rescues. They were going back along with the people they saved when Jing Cheng found an orphan on the street that was crying loudly. Jing Cheng wanted to save him, but the demonic cultivators are hot on their trail. But, Jing Cheng just can't leave her alone. She reminded him of himself before Jing Bai's and Jing Hei's parents took him in.
Jing Cheng decisively ran back and took the girl just in time the demonic cultivators saw him running back and immediately sent him their sword glares. Jing Cheng got no time to dodge, and so he hugged the child to protect her. However, the pain he expected didn't arrive.
He raised his head and saw Jing Rui standing tall and firm before him and blocked him from the demonic cultivators. "Go!" Jing Rui ordered.
Jing Cheng immediately ran after Jing Bai and Jing Hei, only to glance back which made his blood freeze. Jing Rui was surrounded by the demonic cultivators, and his figure can't be seen. "Jing Bai!" he called and threw the girl to Jing Bai's hands before he flew back and sent sword glares to the demonic cultivators.
The demonic cultivators didn't expect for him to go back, and so they were caught off-guard. Some died, while some who were quick to respond immediately retreated, showing Jing Cheng the sight of Jing Rui obstinately standing despite his wounds all over his body. "Jing Rui… uncle!" he cried and immediately flew down to help Jing Rui. "Uncle, I'm sorry. I – " he said but was cut off when the demonic cultivators attacked again, giving them no chance to talk.
Jing Bai and Jing Hei had successfully returned to their base. An hour after, Jing Cheng and Jing Rui had detoured because of the demonic cultivators' pursuit. They hid in one of the houses and rested.
"Uncle." Jing Cheng called as he held Jing Rui's wrist to give him his qi, only for Jing Rui to pull his hand back. Hurt flashed in Jing Cheng's eyes from the rejection, and he lowered his head to hide it. "How are your wounds?" he asked.
Jing Rui didn't answer.
"I'm sorry." Jing Cheng's voice is hoarse. "I… I can't just leave her alone – "
"And so, even if you knew there was no escape, you still want to save her?" Jing Rui finally spoke, only to criticize Jing Cheng. "Even if it costs you your life?" he asked as he opened his eyes and coldly looked at Jing Rui.
"… yes." Jing Cheng hung his head, unable to look at Jing Rui in the eyes.
Jing Rui sneered. But, he didn't speak again just closed his eyes to rest. Jing Cheng didn't disturb him and let him sleep. However, he didn't expect for Jing Rui to wake up in the middle of the night. And it's –
Jing Cheng was sitting on the cold floor and leaning on the cold wall while sleeping. But, he's vigilant to his surroundings so when he heard footsteps approaching him, he opened his eyes and squinted. Only to widen them after when he saw Jing Rui was standing in front of him. "Uncle?!" he was startled. "Uncle! You scared me! Can't sleep?" he asked as he rose from the floor. "Why did you – " he was cut off when he felt a soft and burning sensation touched his lips.
His eyes widened and he felt his mind exploded. He recognized he was kissed. And it was the kiss he had been dreaming for so many nights, and the kiss he wanted from the person in front of him. Now, it came true. Am I dreaming? He thought as his eyes reddened before he kissed Jing Rui back. If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up! He thought before he pushed Jing Rui on the bed and frantically kissed him. However, every kiss of his is gentle, and his hands that are trembling as he held Jing Rui in his embrace were careful. He doesn't want to hurt him.
As Jing Cheng kissed Jing Rui, he isn't aware his pupils are glowing red. It was his heart demon that awakened after his desire was evoked by Jing Rui's kiss. Jing Rui, who was exhibiting the same blood-red pupils, are staring at Jing Cheng who was raining tender kisses on his skin and is now slowly undressing him.
Jing Rui was struck by the demonic cultivators earlier. It was inevitable if he wanted for Jing Cheng to escape. However, he didn't expect for the demonic cultivators to be very sly this time. They coated their sword with demonic poison. If Jing Cheng was struck by it, Jing Cheng's heart demon would worsen. And Jing Rui doesn't want that to happen, so he felt comforted that he helped Jing Cheng escape, even if it costed him so much.
Jing Rui could feel the demonic poison running through his blood earlier, thus he was holding back himself to continue speaking harsh words to Jing Cheng. He immediately pulled back his wrist Jing Cheng held earlier since he doesn't want the other to find out the abnormality in his body.
The demonic poison is best to evoke his deepest, darkest secrets and desire. Thus, even if he knocked himself out earlier to sleep, but he still woke up in the middle of the night and walked towards the defenseless Jing Cheng who was sleeping. He doesn't want to ruin Jing Cheng. He doesn't want these feelings he had towards his nephew. But, the demonic poison is forcing him, breaking all the shackles restraining him all these years.
However, to his surprise, Jing Cheng kissed him back! What is this child doing?! He angrily thought as he tried to break free from Jing Cheng's embrace, but the demonic poison didn't permit him to. And so, Jing Cheng effortlessly pushed him on the bed and started moving on top of his body, making Jing Rui blush in anger and shame, as well as desire. This is wrong! He thought and, can't hold back anymore, before Jing Cheng could enter him, he sobbed.
Jing Cheng's body froze when he heard Jing Rui's choked voice. He raised his head, only to feel he was doused by a cold water when he saw Jing Rui's red pupils that of a demonic cultivator's. "You…" he muttered under his breath and immediately pulled the blanket to cover Jing Rui's body filled with hickeys. Regret flashed in Jing Cheng's eyes and he clenched his fists in anger towards himself. How can he be so inconsiderate? Jing Rui was injured! He was actually poisoned earlier! And so, Jing Rui kissing him isn't Jing Rui's initiative! "Uncle, I – " he spoke with difficulty.
Jing Rui didn't respond and let out a sigh of relief, but also a sigh of disappointment. He doesn't know what to feel. They almost did it, but because of him… however, this isn't right, either. He loves hm, but he is his nephew. He seduced Jing Cheng.
However, he stunned when he heard Jing Cheng's words after. "I love you. I have loved you for a long time." He told him.
"But, we – " Jing Rui cried in pain.
"You have returned to the Jing Manor late, and so you thought I am your brother's son. However, I am adopted." Jing Cheng said as he finally raised his head and stared at Jing Rui's wide eyes in shock.
Jing Rui was stunned by Jing Cheng's words. "We… aren't blood-related?" he asked, breathless.
Jing Cheng shook his head as he tenderly kissed Jing Rui's forehead. "Do you think, with my righteous personality, I would be attracted to my own relative?" he asked and chuckled when he saw Jing Rui's blushing cheeks. "Uncle, you love me, too, right?" he asked and looked at Jing Rui's swollen red lips he kissed earlier. His beloved repressed uncle is restraining himself not to lay his hands on he though his blood-related nephew.
Now that Jing Cheng thought of that scene, he found it both heartbreaking and cute.
"Yes, but – mm!" before Jing Rui could continue his words, Jing Cheng kissed him again. The flames of their desire were rekindled, and this time they became one.
After that, their heart demon finally disappeared, and their cultivation rose again. However, the demonic poison in Jing Rui's body was still not removed, and Jing Cheng, afraid the poison would burden Jing Rui's body more, didn't let him go out of the Yunxiao Inn.
Jing Cheng regretted he drank the water they took from the Spring of Life. He wanted to give it to Jing Rui as a gift and then confess to him. However, he, Jing Bai, Jing Hei and Jing Kang were overpowered by the demonic cultivators through their number and thus were forced to drink the Spring of Life they procured.
Jing Cheng looked at Jing Rui sleeping again with his knitted brows. He is impatient for Jing Rui's recovery, but he knew Cheng Sheng is very busy, and Zheng Yi and Lei Ling are in greater danger than Jing Rui. Thus, he had to wait.