Dao Qing appeared abruptly and vanished mysteriously. Qixue was stunned by his words for a moment, but once he reacted, he flew into a rage. He glared fiercely at the spot where Dao Qing had disappeared and snapped, “What the hell are you to say that His Majesty and I are ill-matched?”
He immediately felt that the punishment he had chosen for Dao Qing was too lenient. He should have given him a good thrashing with three lashes of the whip. But now Dao Qing was gone, so Qixue had nowhere to vent his anger. He could only settle it when they met that evening.
As for why Dao Qing had suddenly said such things, Qixue did not care.
What nonsense about not being a good match? He and His Majesty were clearly a match made in heaven. If not, he would poke a hole in the sky, replace it with a new one, and see who dared say they were ill-matched then.
In the afternoon, Qixue finally met Xuan Yang and mentioned the matter with Dao Qing.
Xuan Yang pondered for a moment. “There is no disciple named ‘Dao Qing’ in the temple. If he claims to be from the Back Mountain and is a demon clan member with silver hair and horns, then he might be the silver dragon kept by Xie Shu.”
Qixue asked in surprise, “Dragons really exist in this world?”
He had thought that “dragons” were just mythical creatures from human imagination, existing only in strange tales. No wonder Dao Qing was so odd—he was actually a silver dragon.
Xuan Yang nodded. “Dragons existed in this world long before the birth of the Cave Abyss. The silver dragon you saw might even be older than me. They are powerful demons beyond my control, so you must be extra careful and try not to provoke them.”
Qixue said dejectedly, “But it’s not me who wants to provoke him—he keeps coming to me on his own. I don’t even know why he always seeks me out.”
Xuan Yang said, “I’ll go talk to Xie Shu right now and tell him to keep his dragon in the Back Mountain under control so it doesn’t bully you.”
“No need, Holy Monarch. Don’t trouble yourself with Xie Shu. I’ve come up with an idea.”
Qixue’s eyes darted as a plan formed in his mind. “Maybe I can use this silver dragon to probe for information about Xie Shu. I might even find his weaknesses, which would make dealing with him much easier for us.”
In the original story, Xie Shu was depicted as extremely powerful. Apart from being overly aloof and impersonal, he had almost no flaws, let alone weaknesses. He was utterly flawless. Even Ji Yuheng did not know him well and had never seen him in a vulnerable state.
However, Xuan Yang did not approve of Qixue’s idea. “What you need to do now is take care of your health. Leave these matters to me. I don’t want you facing any danger.”
“It’s fine. I know my limits, Holy Monarch. You don’t need to worry about me.”
Qixue tugged at Xuan Yang’s sleeve and coquettishly pleaded in a soft voice, “I’m not going to the Back Mountain to find Xie Shu. I’m just talking to Dao Qing. He can’t do anything to me.”
“Besides, the Holy Monarch is right here in the temple. If I run into any danger, I’ll use the rabbit fur to call for your help. I won’t push myself too hard, okay, Holy Monarch…?”
When he acted spoiled like this, even a deity could not remain unmoved. Xuan Yang sighed helplessly. “Very well, have it your way. But remember, never take any risks. It doesn’t matter if you can’t get information on Xie Shu—your safety is the most important thing.”
“A Xue understands.”
Qixue replied sweetly. Just as he was about to release Xuan Yang’s sleeve, Xuan Yang caught his fingers instead and rubbed them gently in his palm.
Xuan Yang lifted his hand and lightly tapped Qixue’s nose tip, his expression tender and doting. “You’ve teased me like this and now you want to just walk away? No such good deal.”
“How did I tease the Holy Monarch?” Qixue’s ears turned red. He felt Xuan Yang was wronging him—he hadn’t done anything.
Xuan Yang pointed to the sleeve that had been tugged. “You know I like you, yet you act spoiled toward me like this. If that’s not teasing, what is?”
Qixue mumbled softly, “Then I was wrong. I won’t act spoiled with the Holy Monarch anymore.”
Xuan Yang pulled him onto his lap and nuzzled faces with him in intimate closeness. “This time, A Xue is wrong. You should tease me more—maybe even… seduce me.”
He pinched Qixue’s chin, his fingertip rubbing the soft lips. “Come, lick it.”
Qixue’s eyes grew misty with shyness as he shyly took Xuan Yang’s fingertip into his mouth and gave it a gentle lick.
Xuan Yang smiled with pleasure. “Good boy.”
He lowered his hand and whispered in Qixue’s ear, “Last night, I smelled a milky fragrance in my bedding. Which little rabbit rubbed her milk on the sheets and secretly watered the tea tree without letting me have a taste?”
Qixue broke out in a sweat from embarrassment and tried to stand, but Xuan Yang held him firmly on his lap. “H-Holy Monarch, how did you know I poured milk on the tea tree?”
Xuan Yang laughed. “The brocade carp in the pond saw it. They were all very envious. I’m just as envious as they are—and of the tea tree too.”
He gently placed his palm over Qixue’s heart. “So I want to ask the master for some. I wonder if A Xue is willing to give it to me?”
“I…”
Qixue’s face flushed bright red as he stammered, “If the Holy Monarch wants to taste it, I’ll prepare a cup for you.”
“Can’t you give it to me directly?” Xuan Yang asked.
“No…” Qixue clutched his collar and shook his head lightly.
Xuan Yang showed a hint of regret but did not press Qixue. “I’ll look forward to it.”
He brought up another matter. “If you want to learn the Flight Technique, just tell me. I’ll arrange the time in advance.”
Qixue touched his burning cheek and asked expectantly, “Can I learn it?”
“Of course.” Xuan Yang stroked his hair. “I’m usually free at night. When do you plan to come find me?”
“After His Majesty returns to the palace.”
Qixue blinked. He planned to dual cultivate with Helan Ji as much as possible before he descended the mountain, helping him recover his health and reduce the witchcraft backlash.
“Alright.” Xuan Yang nodded. “I’ll wait for you.”
–
That evening, Qixue secretly left a cup of rabbit milk and had Dong Yuan deliver it to Xuan Yang. He was too embarrassed to hand it over personally, hoping it would lessen his shame a bit.
After wiping his chest clean and changing into fresh clothes, Qixue arrived at the Ancestral Master Hall as planned. But once inside, he was alone—no sign of Dao Qing. Only then did he remember that he hadn’t set a specific time with Dao Qing, so he didn’t know how long he would have to wait.
Qixue wanted to leave, but thinking of his grand plan, he endured and waited patiently for Dao Qing.
“Creeeak…”
After a moment, someone pushed open the door from outside. Qixue thought it was Dao Qing and looked up eagerly, but the newcomer was beyond his expectations. “Seventh Brother, are you here for me?”
It was not Dao Qing, but Wei Huai. Wei Huai looked dejected and somewhat haggard as he softly called out, “Yes, A Xue. I came to see you.”
Seeing his expression, Qixue recalled how Wei Huai had fled in distress the day before. He hadn’t had time to comfort him then, and Wei Huai must have been heartbroken since. Feeling some pity, Qixue immediately stood and walked over, gently hugging him.
“You always bring trouble on yourself.”
He tenderly stroked Wei Huai’s back. “You know you can’t compete with His Majesty, and I won’t side with you. Why do you always insist on comparing yourself to him? In the end, the one who ends up heartbroken is you.”
Wei Huai smiled bitterly. “I know I shouldn’t have let a moment of sharp words turn into jealousy with His Majesty. But you understand me—I’m not a magnanimous person. Knowing you and His Majesty were enjoying yourselves in the carriage, yet being asked to pretend I saw nothing… I really can’t do it. It would be better to just kill me outright.”
Qixue huffed lightly. “Lower your head.”
Wei Huai obediently lowered his head to a height Qixue could reach. Qixue flicked his forehead hard. “For picking a fight with His Majesty—you’re just a lover. Instead of minding your place, you go strutting in front of the principal husband? If His Majesty finds out, he might forbid me from being with you, and I’d definitely abandon you. Do you understand?”
Wei Huai’s gaze trembled with pain. Qixue quickly hugged him again and kissed his thin lips. “There, there, Seventh Brother. Don’t be sad. I’m not really going to abandon you. Cheer up, okay? I still like it when you smile.”
Only after Qixue hugged him first did Wei Huai dare to embrace him back. He tightened his arms fiercely, as if trying to meld Qixue into his very bones. “I’m sorry, A Xue.”
“I’m not angry. You don’t need to apologize to me.”
Qixue nestled softly against his chest. “If you really want to atone, apologize to His Majesty. The one you wanted to anger wasn’t me—it was him.”
Wei Huai said, “I won’t apologize to him.”
Qixue was not surprised at all and said softly, “Then just hold me more.”
They embraced for a long time before Wei Huai asked softly, “A Xue, do you have any worries? If you do, leave them all to me. I’ll do anything for you.”
Qixue was surprised. “Why bring this up so suddenly?”
Wei Huai said, “My sadness isn’t entirely from jealousy of His Majesty. It’s because he’s naturally empathetic and can effortlessly consider your needs everywhere. I don’t know how to do that and struggle to understand what you truly need.”
“You prefer His Majesty not just because of your youthful bond, but because he’s better than me. I admit I fall far short.”
“I’m a cold, selfish person who doesn’t know how to love, but I can learn. Use me as you wish. I’m willing to die for you—it’s no empty words. If that day comes, I’ll prove it to you…”
Qixue covered his lips. “Don’t say such inauspicious things. I don’t want you to die for me.”
Wei Huai gazed at him sadly. Qixue’s heart softened with a sour ache, and he said softly, “There is one thing I need Seventh Brother’s help with.”
Wei Huai’s eyes lit up. He grasped Qixue’s hand and gently pulled it down. “Tell me.”
“I might need to go to the Back Mountain to find Xie Shu,” Qixue said. “But I might not get his permission… If I need to sneak into Xie Shu’s Dao Field, Seventh Brother, you’re the only one who can help me.”
After much thought, Wei Huai was indeed the only one who could accompany him to the Back Mountain. This was a secretive and dangerous matter. He needed someone powerful and completely trustworthy—and that was Wei Huai.
“No problem.” Wei Huai agreed immediately. “Whether you end up sneaking into Xie Shu’s Dao Field or not, I’ll start preparing right away.”
“Good Seventh Brother. I knew I could count on you.”
Qixue was delighted and took the initiative to kiss Wei Huai. Wei Huai immediately kissed him back fiercely.
He knew he had value to Qixue because of being used, and that made him happy. Finally, he had a reason to kiss Qixue. As long as a dog could hunt for its master, the master wouldn’t abandon it. As long as he had value, his A Xue surely wouldn’t discard him.
The two kissed passionately, losing themselves in the moment and nearly out of control. At that instant, the door to the Ancestral Master Hall was kicked open.
The silver-haired youth stood there holding a thick stack of scripture books, his face expressionless as he looked at Qixue. “Who exactly is your husband?”
