CH 51

April 22nd, 2023

Xie Huai looked at the young man who was leaning against the side of the pool. 

Probably because he’d been soaked through by the effects of the herbs, he was already deep asleep.

The young man’s hair was damp from the steam, clinging messily to his back and the sides of his face. His skin, which had originally been on the pale side, was slightly flushed red from the herbal soak. When he was asleep, he had the same calmness and contentment as in the past.

Xie Huai slowly reached out and carried the young man out of the pool…… After a long time, an unsuppressable greed emerged in the depths of his eyes, greedily taking in the sight of the person before him.

Right now, this person was alive and well before his eyes.

He would cry, he would laugh, he would play the fool……

And only at this moment did Xie Huai dare to be so unrestrained in approaching this person without having to face his avoidance…… Xie Huai’s hand tightened slightly around the young man, as if wanting to melt him into his own bones, a hint of murky obsession in the depths of his black eyes. He lowered his head, and a soft kiss fell onto the young man’s lips.

You’ve finally come back. How could a life of a hundred years be enough? I’ll make it so that no one in the world can ever hurt you again. 

Everything you want, I can give it all to you. 

So, please don’t leave me again.

……………………….

Fang Li turned over groggily. He slowly opened his eyes and stretched out his arms. The weariness throughout his entire body seemed to be gone, and he only felt full of energy. It seemed like yesterday’s herbal soak had been pretty effective. 

Cough, Xie Huai’s treatment had probably also had an effect……

Or else, he probably wouldn’t have been able to absorb it so quickly.

Fang Li propped himself up into a sitting position, cracking open his sleep-lidded eyes to discover that he was dressed in an unlined white robe, and that he was clean and dry. Had Xie Huai helped him dress?

He couldn’t help but recall what had happened yesterday……

His ears became slightly hot.

But when he turned his head, he found Xie Huai sitting quietly to one side, and his expression immediately froze on his face, and he thoroughly woke up right away. What are you being so quiet for!

Fang Li scrambled up with a shiver—

But Xie Huai only glanced at him impassively, getting up and pressing him back down. Then, he got down on one knee and grasped his foot with one hand, slowly and unhurriedly helping him put on his shoes.

Fang Li quivered faintly.

Just now, he’d been too nervous and had forgotten to put on his shoes before……

He lowered his eyes.

The man in front of him had a face as cold and aloof as a celestial’s, the expression on his face as bland as water, but even with such a submissive posture, his back was straight as a pen, with an existence that was as impossible to ignore as a god’s. Looking down at him from above, Fang Li could see distinctly each of his eyelashes, and underneath the high bridge of his nose, his thin lips softly pressed together with a hint of indifference……

He slowly helped Fang Li put on his shoes, and only then did he raise his head and stand up, saying blandly, “Come out and eat.”

Fang Li’s feet were shaking.

Although, although he was a fool right now, but, but Xie Huai didn’t need to play along with him to this extent……

Really.

The demonic palace felt like spring year-round, and the floor was extremely clean. Running around barefoot was fine……

But Xie Huai had already turned around.

Yet Fang Li’s heart trembled.

After a long time, he took in a deep breath and pushed the door open.

In the outer room, the table was already arranged full of dishes.

He silently recited to himself three times.

He was a fool, he was a fool, he was a fool.

He didn’t understand anything at all.

Only, even if he kept reminding himself, his thoughts remained a tangled mess.

Xie Huai acted as if he hadn’t sensed anything, as if he hadn’t done anything at all. He only looked at Fang Li as if nothing had happened. “Eat, or else it’ll get cold.”

Forget it, forget it, he really was a bit hungry. No matter how big the problem, it could wait until after he’d eaten.

Fang Li started to eat with his head down like an ostrich.

Xie Huai’s gaze rested on the person beside him.

Could you be any more obvious in your avoidance?

Since that was the case, then back then, why did you……

Xie Huai’s fingers clenched tight.

Only when Fang Li was done eating did Xie Huai glance at him and say, “Today, we’ll continue the medicinal bath.”

Fang Li: ……

He was led by the hand with heavy steps, returning once more to the side palace with the white jade pool.

Although the medicinal bath really was very effective, if yesterday’s events were repeated, and he wasn’t able to control himself and accidentally revealed his ugly state, then he’d die of embarrassment on the spot…… After all, Xie Huai was only treating his illness! Yet he was……

But Xie Huai wrapped one arm around him to help him disrobe……

Fang Li grit his teeth and said, “No……”

Xie Huai’s movements paused. After a moment, he slowly and unhurriedly opened his mouth. “If you don’t need me to help you, say it more clearly. With this…… How should I understand what you mean?”

Fang Li: “……”

The corner of Xie Huai’s lips hooked up slightly, the expression in his eyes as turbid as the sea. “It looks like you still need my help.”

Fang Li: “……”

Several minutes later, he was lifted into the pool again, and everything from yesterday was repeated.

Clearly, Xie Huai was still being perfectly proper.

But Fang Li wished he could simply faint.

………………………

For three days in a row, Straight Man Fang experienced the most difficult to endure period of his life.

Although the damage to his body and meridians recovered at a godly speed, his spirit suffered an enormous attack……

No matter when or where, as long as he closed his eyes, he would see Xie Huai helping him treat his entire body, not overlooking a single pressure point, seriously clearing out his meridians. The cold man’s face had no expression, and his voice was icy without a trace of warmth, his movements methodical to the letter, yet it still somehow made Fang Li……

Things couldn’t go on like this.

Although Xie Huai’s looks were as otherworldly as god’s, no matter how good he looked, he was a man, after all. Xie Huai was only helping him cure his illness with no ulterior thoughts…… His own thoughts were simply a profanity toward Xie Huai!

But this wasn’t even the most terrifying thing. The most terrifying thing was, Fang Li didn’t even like men at all. Why were things like this……

Just whose problem was it? It couldn’t be his own problem, could it?

Or, was this just a man’s instinct?

Fang Li sat on the bed, his eyes vacant.

His stomach rumbled with hunger.

He knew that just outside was a table full of delicious delicacies.

But he didn’t want to go outside.

Because Xie Huai was just outside waiting for him……

These days, Xie Huai was no longer a little snail maiden. Every day, like clockwork, Xie Huai would accompany him to eat, meticulously taking care of him no matter how big or small the task, so that Fang Li couldn’t even find an opportunity to avoid him……

Fang Li felt tremendous pressure.

But if he didn’t go outside soon, Xie Huai would come inside.

He took a deep breath.

Then got up and went out the door.

As expected, Xie Huai was already waiting for him, and the table was full of dishes that he liked.

Fang Li walked over silently.

Going on like this wasn’t a solution. He needed to think of a way to make Xie Huai stop watching over him all day. Besides, you’re the great and mighty number one in the world, a sword cultivator detached from earthly desires. Aren’t you busy, don’t you need to cultivate?

Even if you’re treating a patient, you don’t need to give it your all to this extent, right?

Fang Li’s expression shifted. 

As he ate, he suddenly reached out and grabbed a piece of braised meat, bringing it to Xie Huai’s lips. His eyes curved as he smiled at him, “You, you also, eat……”

Although he was a fool. 

But Xie Huai would toss food his way every day without rest. Sharing a bit of food with the person feeding him wasn’t out of the question, right?

Xie Huai’s eyes lowered slightly. 

The young man’s slender, milky fingertips were coated in grease, and just like that, he grabbed a piece of braised meat in his hand, looking at Xie Huai with expectant eyes. And in the depths of those eyes…… was a trace of familiar craftiness.

As if afraid that Xie Huai wouldn’t eat, he purposefully scooted closer, his greasy fingers grasping the meat, practically poking Xie Huai in the face.

What?

You want to drive me away that badly?

A faint trace of laughter leaked out of Xie Huai’s throat.

Although Fang Li was secretly a little nervous, how lofty and cold of an immortal was Xie Huai? Seeing me grab a piece of braised meat in my hand, how are you going to eat…… Fang Li was just waiting for Xie Huai to turn his face aside…….

At the very least, he would dodge a little, right?

But what happened was that the man before him, who was cold as a celestial, opened his mouth and ate the piece of braised meat in one bite…… along with his fingertips. 

The man’s eyes were slightly lowered, his long, delicate lashes quivering slightly. The edges of his teeth slowly and unhurriedly ground a bit, then his throat rolled, and he swallowed the piece of meat. 

Fang Li’s face immediately flushed red. 

He abruptly withdrew his hand as if electrified, but even if it had only been a second, the tips of his fingers still felt the lingering sensation of the other person’s, cough…… the other person’s tongue and teeth.

Help……

Fang Li’s hand was shaking. 

What was one supposed to do with that?

But there wasn’t a trace of emotion on Xie Huai’s face. He still looked extremely aloof, as if nothing had happened. So…… Had he been overthinking things again?

Fang Li lowered his head.

He’d never dare to harass Xie Huai again. 

He properly finished his meal with a good deal of resignation to his fate. He didn’t dare try again at all. 

Xie Huai shot him a bland look.

Just this, and you’re embarrassed?

I thought you had even more tricks up your sleeve?

……………………

In this way, another three days passed.

Pretty much all of the medicinal effect of that pool had been absorbed.

Fang Li felt that the meridians all over his body were completely smooth and unhindered, and his old injuries of over a decade were completely healed. Even the other old, hidden injuries on this body had all been thoroughly cured. Now that the foundations were built, he could start to cultivate. With just a little bit of prompting, spiritual energy would quickly be absorbed by his body. The pace of the Heaven’s Spirit physique in absorbing spiritual energy was truly incredible. Fang Li tried it a little and then hastily stopped.

In fear that with a moment’s inattention, he would reach Foundation Building level.

That would be revealing that he wasn’t a fool. 

These days were far too difficult. 

He could only make it through by pretending to be a fool.

Or else he really didn’t know how he should face Xie Huai……

But Fang Li let out a small breath of relief. 

Because the injury to his meridians had already healed, and he didn’t need to soak in the herbal bath anymore. He finally didn’t need Xie Huai’s help to get treated anymore……

He didn’t want to recite heart-cleansing mantras anymore.

But that night, after finishing dinner, Xie HuI didn’t leave.

Fang Li suddenly shivered inside. Since he was already cured, what was Xie Huai staying around for?

Right, Xie Huai was only keeping him around because he suspected him. Was he finally going to act? Was Xie Huai going to expose him?

Should he stay silent to the death, or stay silent to the death, or stay silent to the death?

But Xie Huai only took out a lustrous gold pill and said blandly, “Eat this.”

Fang Li: …… Although I don’t recognize this pill, at a glance, I can tell it’s expensive. 

He looked at Xie Huai doubtfully. 

Xie Huai slowly opened his mouth. “Your dad told you to listen to me.”

Fang Li: I don’t understand what you’re saying. 

Xie HuI let out a soft sigh a little helplessly, then reached out and gathered Fang Li into his arms. With Fang Li held in his arms, his thumb softly pressed against Fang Li’s lip, and with a little bit of strength, he forced Fang Li to open his mouth, coaxing in a tender voice, “It’s candy, eat it.”

A fool didn’t have speaking rights, if you say it’s candy, then it’s candy.

Fang Li quivered, swallowing it with a gulp, and the pill was swallowed into his stomach.

Xie Huai’s fingertips brushed past like feathers, and the corners of his lips rose slightly. Then, he quickly let go of Fang Li.

Fang Li immediately scampered away.

I’ve even eaten the pill. You can go now, right?!

Xie Huai gave him a profound look, his cool voice simple and elegant as a spring. “This is a Dragon-Bone Body Forging Pill.”

Fang Li stared blankly for a moment. 

Cough cough cough—

He almost spat the pill right out. This was too valuable, he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to pay it back!

This was a Dragon-Bone Body Forging Pill!

Legend said that the Dragon-Bone Body Forging Pills had been made by the number one pill refiner a thousand and eight hundred years ago, Daoist Ning You. Daoist Ning You traveled far and wide and unexpectedly found a set of dragon bones in the depths of Bluewave Sea. He extracted the essence of the dragon bones and used eighty one types of spirit herbs and a full ten years to refine just three pills. From them on, these three Dragon-Bone Body Forging Pills became known as masterpieces, and they were said to be the absolute best medicine for forging the body.

If a cultivator could acquire a Dragon-Bone Body Forging Pill to forge their body and establish their foundations, their body and soul would naturally be many times stronger than an average person. One had to know that in this world, cultivators mostly prioritized training their qi, and the body was frequently a cultivator’s weakness. The Dragon-Bone Body Forging Pill could make up for this weakness, causing a cultivator’s battle power to increase, becoming practically without match against other cultivators of the same level, and even becoming able to fight against those of a higher cultivation.

He already had an innate Heaven’s Spirit physique, and with the Dragon-Bone Body Forging Pill, his last flaw was also patched. He basically had no weaknesses……

Even an OP protagonist’s eyes would turn green seeing this……

This…….

Who would give this kind of pill to their enemy? Was this the way to hate someone?

Fang Li’s mind was an expanse of white. He couldn’t keep thinking about it.

But Xie Huai’s tone was extremely flat, as if he hadn’t just given out a one-of-a-kind pill, but some worthless, offhand thing. He slowly opened his mouth. “Only, the Dragon-Bone Body Forging Pill’s medicinal effect is too strong, and the body forging process is particularly painful. Right now, you only have a mortal body that hasn’t cultivated yet, and you don’t know how to cultivate by yourself to digest the pill. If there’s no one beside you to aid you, I’m afraid you won’t be able to withstand the body forging process……”

Fang Li very much wanted to say, actually, I can cultivate by myself, digesting this won’t be any problem at all, but he’d already realized that Xie Huai still had more to say.

As expected. 

Xie Huai said coolly, “Little fool, since you can’t digest the medicine yourself, in order to avoid having your body burst and die, it would be better if I safeguarded you.

“These few days, you need to stick by my side like my shadow.”

Fang Li: “……”

At that moment, an absurd notion suddenly arose in his consciousness. Xie Huai wouldn’t have gone so far as to use such a valuable treasure as the Dragon-Bone Body Forging Pill just for this, would he?

This…… could this still count as a doctor’s benevolent heart?

Fang Li stood there in bewilderment.

At some point, Xie Huai had already pulled him over to the bed. Xie Huai lowered his eyes and smiled at him. “Go to sleep. With me by your side, you can’t die.”

But that night, Fang Li couldn’t fall asleep no matter what.

His mind was an utter mess.

As if he had a thousand thoughts, but no matter what, he couldn’t get them in order.

The truth that he was seeking had been hidden who-knows-where, and even after searching all night, he didn’t find it.

Xie Huai’s body was as scorching hot as always, the temperature of his innate Dao physique impossible to ignore. Fang Li knew he was just by his side. Back then, he’d also slept in the same bed as Xie Huai night after night, and at the time, he hadn’t thought anything of it. It was just sleeping together with a good friend, nothing more……

But now……

Fang Li squeezed his eyes shut, the emotions in his chest in disarray.

As if there were many, many fragments floating past his consciousness, and he wanted to reach out and grab something, but couldn’t. Or maybe, there were some things that had always been just before his eyes, but he’d been meticulously ignoring them.

Fang Li truly didn’t want to sleep anymore.

But this body of his was temporarily still that of a mortal, and in the end, he couldn’t withstand it and fell asleep.

Somewhere between sleeping and waking.

Perhaps it was the Dragon-Bone Body Forging Pill taking effect, but his entire body felt like it’d been thrown into a furnace to cook. Every bone in his body was crackling, as if being roasted again and again inside a pill furnace. He furrowed his brow a bit in pain, but before he’d had time to react……

Warm spiritual energy swept through his entire body, immediately scattering much of the pain. Although it still hurt, it was like he was soaking in the middle of a spring, and the pain was separated by a layer of mist, no longer so difficult to endure.

Xie Huai’s low, hoarse voice spoke gently. “Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Fang Li thought blankly.

Had Xie Huai not slept the whole time?

That was why he’d been able to protect him so quickly?

In the midst of his daze, the fragments in his mind that he hadn’t been able to see clearly slowly became clear……

Three sword talismans. 

A room that didn’t change.

A pool full of herbs. 

The Dragon-Bone Body Forging Pill……

He couldn’t possibly convince himself any further that all of this was because of hatred.

That nearly impossible answer suddenly appeared in Fang Li’s mind.

But no matter how he thought about it. 

He couldn’t understand why Xie Huai would like him……

To Fang Li, this was a riddle that he truly couldn’t solve. 

He grit his teeth.

Remaining completely still. 

Xie Huai’s palm was on his back, protecting his heart, cutting off the pain of the body forging pill, dissolving bout after bout of spiritual energy……

With the number one in the world personally safeguarding him, naturally, nothing could happen. 

To the point that the process was even more relaxed than expected……

This kind of good fortune as tall as the heavens.

The people of the world could only pray for it.

But Fang Li only felt like his heart was endlessly heavy, a hundred times more ill at ease than if Xie Huai wanted to kill him.

He……

Truly didn’t like men!

………………………….

Author: May I ask, what your thoughts on this life of having cracked the cheat code? (Raises mic

Fang Li: I can’t find any more excuses, my good bro might really like me, what should I do, waiting online, urgent!