148 Please just end him now

Liu Sumeng and Yuan Xuelan were not trying to injure anyone, and the whole fight was more a ruse than anything else. They focused on fleeing, carving out a way out of the hall and made a run for it.

The poor beaten disciples groaned and held their wounds on the floor. Chen Leike let out a long, exasperated sigh. "What are you fools even doing? Ah, so pathetic. Now, get up! After them! Make a scene, would you?"

Reluctantly, the disciples pulled themselves up to their feet. Many of them had fought as the side of Liu Sumeng, and Yuan Xuelan were not interested in fighting them.

Alas, Sect Leader Chen did not ask them to fight. Only to make a scene.

So make a scene they did.

A horde of people chased after Yuan Xuelan and Liu Sumeng. Nan Chang had to rush to ready the horses.

Hilariously, many of them were shouting well wished for the two, even with their feet stampeding their way and swords raised.

"Make sure to take care, Young Master Yuan! I don't care what Sect Leader Chen says but you're always welcome back here."

"Ivory Sword Saint will return to Reling, right? Come back when the Seven Moons guys are gone!"

"Wait, come back here, I have a letter I want to deliver to someone still stationed at Xinlie! Young Master Yuan please come back here!"

Yuan Xuelan was in an exceptionally good mood and doubled backward to grab the disciple's letter before dodging the swing of a sword and kicking him aside.

"Hurry," Liu Sumeng urged him softly, and Xuelan perked up like an eager puppy.

"I'm coming!"

Nan Chang was waving at them at the front entrance, two horses with their items packed and strapped to the saddles, "You better bring Nan Chang back a souvenir or else I'll surely seek vengeance for mistreatment!"

"What are you even talking about?" Yuan Xuelan shoved her playfully before mounting the steed. "How does that count as mistreatment."

The girl rolled her eyes and stepped away from the horses. "If you don't get Nan Chang gifts, how will Nan Chang know you care about her? Don't be selfish, okay?"

Yuan Xuelan rolled his eyes, but he was smiling, "You're being ridiculous. Anyway, I'll see you around so try not to drop dead before then. Bye, Nan-jie!" He kicked his horse ahead, only to slow after a few steps in wait for the Ivory Sword Saint.

Liu Sumeng straightened the saddle before climbing up. "Do not worry about Xuelan," he hummed with his usual stoic expression. "I will get you a souvenir."

She squealed at his declaration, eyes sparkling with girlish excitement, "Oh good! I think you're definitely Nan Chang's new favorite now. I will pray for your good travels then!"

With a final wave, he departed as well.

…

The trek toward Wangyun Peak was long on horseback. The beasts they rode were not ordinary steeds by any means but even their thundering hooves and prideful charge ahead; these horses could not traverse the lands as quickly as flying swords. But Yuan Xuelan wasn't going to complain about that. Instead, he was more than ecstatic.

Ecstatic that the time spent would only be the two of them. The two of them plus one annoying Huo Tang.

Whatever. As much as that would grate his nerves, it didn't matter. Not after the time where they could hardly see each other when Liu Sumeng was drowning in affairs and yuan Xuelan was running around to take care of his Shijie.

Now it was just the two of them. And whether it was storming or the roads steep with traitorous slopes, Yuan Xuelan did not care in the least. He didn't mind the days they found shelter in caves, and the sky would thunder and roar outside.

"Sumeng, are you cold?" He'd ask, keeping the hearth alive with a spell. The climate was getting colder as well, the further north they traveled and Yuan Xuelan wondered just where in the world did he pack away those coats? But this was good as well, draping his arms over his beloved to share their body warmth in front of the hearth.

"No," the Ivory Sword Saint hummed, cuddling even closer. Xuelan's arms were around his waist, his chest against Liu Sumeng's back and his chin resting on the Ivory Sword Saint's shoulder. "I'm warm."

Yuan Xuelan purred in response, nuzzling into the curve of Liu Sumeng's neck and demanding even more attention than he was currently receiving.

Liu Sumeng remembered Xuelan to be a needy person past his twenties and even into his thirties. But this Xuelan, who was even younger, was clingy on a new level. It was quite cute how he could cuddle up like an affectionate cat. And Liu Sumeng was an indulgent owner, who would eagerly lean in.

Xuelan perked up, and that's all it took for their lips to meet. What was meant to be to sweet peck devolved into tongues entwining, neither able to hold back the heat of desire. The air was moist with the scent of rainfall and hearth, drowning out the little sounds of playful biting, sucking and licking.

Liu Sumeng chuckled, reached and tilted Yuan Xuelan's chin to his favor. Sometimes he'd forget that this Xuelan was young and inexperienced, yet to entwine with prostitutes to learn the ways of the bedroom. He kissed passionately, but clumsily, licking wide and biting with too much eagerness. Liu Sumeng had the pleasure this time to be the one to show Xuelan the ropes.

And so he did, holding Yuan Xuelan but the point of his chin and forced him not to press in too quickly. A cute little whine escaped Xuelan's throat but allowed himself to be held at just a hair's length away.

Liu Sumeng smiled slyly before brushing his lips over Yuan Xuelan's. Gentle and slow in his movements, he teased those lips open with his tongue, showing Xuelan that subtlety could serve more in moments of passion. He lulled Xuelan into this slow drawl, following soothing licks with teasing nibbles.

Yuan Xuelan was a fast learner and responded to him in turn, reigning in his ravaging hunger for something more controlled. Liu Sumeng keened with both pride and pleasure.

Thunder roared outside.

And Yuan Xuelan pulled away, eyes dilated upon the sight before him. Glossy wet lips and lidded eyes as dark as the blackest pearls. He meant to catch his breath but all the air was stolen from his chest merely from the sight and able to control himself, he pressed a kiss into Liu Sumeng's brow.

"Sumeng must think I'm really clumsy and dumb…" He said, face flushed with both happiness and embarrassment, knowing well that what Liu Sumeng had done was something to teach him manners.

"Hmm," Sumeng's hum was lazy, he reclined completely into Yuan Xuelan's hold. "You are young. You will learn."

But Yuan Xuelan suddenly froze when a thought struck him, causing his face to redden even more. "Sumeng…could it be…that you're experienced?" The thought sent him reeling and dizzy. The truth was, he always saw the Ivory Sword Saint as a very pure and pristine person, unmarred and restrained.

Okay, maybe he wasn't always restrained, there were moments that Sumeng lost his temper and patience as well but…not when it came to lust.

Liu Sumeng might have been older than him and it made sense that he my have accumulated experience throughout his life but…

But…

Yuan Xuelan just couldn't imagine it!

Surely, the Ivory Sword Saint was a virgin right!? Yuan Xuelan squirmed at the thought, suddenly feeling anxious and a little self-conscious. He must just seem like an untamed little brat to Liu Sumeng then!

Liu Sumeng raised a brow, observing the silent panic that was gathering in Yuan Xuelan's expression. Just what was he thinking about now? He was about to ask but then held back on it and decided to wait and see if Xuelan might bring it up himself.

To test him further, he glared at the younger pointedly, making it obvious that he was waiting for some sort of response.

At some point, Yuan Xuelan snapped out of his stupor and saw that the Ivory Sword Saint was glaring at him. "What is it…?" He asked hesitantly, realizing that he was being stared at with pointed intention.

"..."

But the Ivory Sword Saint kept staring at him, his chin lifted and arm crossing in front of his chest.

Yuan Xuelan pouted, "I think…Sumeng is trying to tell me that he's waiting for me to say something." His arms wound around even tighter, hands coming up to pry Sumeng's arms out of its crossed position. "But I'm stupid. I have no idea what he might want me to say." He leaned in for another kiss but Liu Sumeng pulled out of reach.

"Then think about it." The scolding was soft, playful and Liu Sumeng couldn't quite smooth out the smile on his face either.

"...I think that Sumeng wants me to tell him about…how much he's amazing!" Yuan Xuelan grinned.

That was enough to make the Ivory Sword Saint's smile fall, "No."

"Ah, then, then…" Yuan Xuelan's expression fell a bit, dejected that Liu Sumeng still refused compliments. But he wasn't in the mood for arguing and didn't want to anger Sumeng right now. "Maybe he wants to tell me about how he wants to take a detour to Xi Town because they have the best spicy fish soup and I heard there's a spiritual beast nearby that grants happiness to new couples."

"What are you even talking about? Stop listening to strange rumors. You're wrong. Again." Liu Sumeng rolled his eyes and wiggled out of Yuan Xuelan's grasps so that he could turn around.

Yuan Xuelan drew a deep breath and thought about it again. Well, usually Liu Sumeng was criticizing him for not speaking his mind about his feelings. Yuan Xuelan's eyes instantly went red as they cycled back to his thoughts from just a few minutes prior.

Liu Sumeng had a feeling that Xuelan was no longer floundering around in confusion. He raised a brow, encouraging and patient.

But Yuan Xuelan had no idea how to express his thoughts! His heart was dancing to the humming pitter-patter of the rain outside. The fire needed stroking, and Yuan Xuelan couldn't focus very well.

Should he say…that it was awkward because he doesn't have any experience with romance…?

Should he admit…that he didn't even know what he was doing…?

Or should he mention…that he was curious about Liu Sumeng?

Ah, it was all incredibly embarrassing! It wasn't as though Yuan Xuelan was a particularly shy person but…he didn't want to seem like a confused idiot in front of Liu Sumeng.

"So?" Liu Sumeng prodded again, seeing that Yuan Xuelan had gone silent in his thoughts.

Yuan Xuelan, a whole idiot, blurted out, "Is Sumeng a virgin?"

"..."

"..."

Someone, please just end him now.