Chapter 45: A ‘beautiful’ two-for-one.
The Demonic Domain did not have very distinct seasons. Even in the height of summer, it was still not so hot that it was suffocating. Yan Jingyu wore thin clothes during the day, but at night, he had to add another layer whenever he went out.
Liao Chen probably didn’t know what other medicines he could go and ruin. He hadn’t gone out for several days and was meditating and cultivating on the jade bed again. But when Yan Jingyu was moving around outside, he could hear his voice from time to time. For example, when playing leaf cards, Liao Chen would deliberately tell him what the other person had. When teaching the little demons formations, he would also transmit his voice to Yan Jingyu for advice. Including when he was drinking and boasting with Yu Qiuye, he would also let out a light laugh from time to time and expose his shortcomings in a sarcastic tone.
This day, Yan Jingyu went to the Lingxi Hall to study pharmacology. He actually followed him directly, sat down on a chair on the side, and didn’t say anything, just supported his forehead with his hand, looking at him as if he were bored.
Yan Jingyu was stared at inexplicably and would cast his gaze at him from time to time. Liao Chen also did not dodge, but quietly met his gaze, it was hard to tell what he was thinking.
He was gradually made uncomfortable by his staring, and finally glared at him fiercely. “If you have nothing to do, come and help.”
How could the immortal physicians dare to let him help? They repeatedly said, “No, no…”
But Liao Chen had already swayed over and dragged a stool to sit directly beside Yan Jingyu. Yan Jingyu handed the pestle and mortar over. “Pound the medicine.”
“…” Liao Chen’s eyelashes flickered subtly. He picked up the pestle with a straight face and slowly pressed it into the mortar, pressing the juice out of the herbs. Yan Jingyu was wholeheartedly flipping through a book. Not until he cast his gaze over, with deep meaning, “Should I be gentle? Not pound and grind fiercely?”
Before Yan Jingyu could react, the immortal physicians had already said, “That’s right, that’s right. Some herbs, if you use too much force, will splash everywhere. The herbs are precious, and every drop that flies out is a drop wasted.”
Liao Chen nodded, still looking at Yan Jingyu, his hand rocking the pestle back and forth. “It will splash everywhere…”
The immortal physicians felt that he seemed to be hinting at something, but they didn’t quite understand what he was saying. Yan Jingyu immediately said, “Don’t mind him.”
A nearby immortal physician glanced at him, then at Liao Chen, a little afraid that he would suddenly lose his temper.
But Liao Chen smiled good-naturedly, lowered his head, and continued to pound the medicine slowly and methodically.
He studied it on his own for a while, then moved closer to Yan Jingyu again. “Immortal Lord, have a look. Is my technique correct?”
Yan Jingyu’s mouth twitched. He subconsciously wanted to pull his stool away from him, but a foot stretched out from the side and directly hooked the leg of the stool, not moving a bit.
Liao Chen pounded a few times, then slowly ground it a few times. Yan Jingyu’s eyelids twitched wildly. He heard him say, “Is it like this?”
“…” Yan Jingyu looked left and right and found that there was no one beside him. He gritted his teeth. “What on earth do you want?”
“Pounding medicine.” Liao Chen said, “You said last time that my pounding was not good. How does it look now?”
Yan Jingyu’s ears were already a little red. He kicked the other fiercely, then again. Liao Chen did not dodge. On the contrary, he himself kicked his foot until it hurt.
Yan Jingyu took a breath and said in a low voice, “Go pound it over there.”
“You too?”
“…Liao, Qi, Mei.”
“Hmm?”
Their four eyes met. In his provocative gaze, Yan Jingyu suddenly picked up a book and stood up, directly changing to another seat.
Liao Chen did not chase after him and was still grinding the herbs in the mortar with a light and heavy hand. He suddenly spoke. “When pounding medicine, can you put your hand and the pestle in together?”
Yan Jingyu: “…”
An immortal physician said subconsciously, “Wouldn’t that smash your hand?”
Liao Chen put the pestle to the side, held up the mortar for everyone to see, and put his finger in from the edge. “I mean like this.”
The crowd: “…Just don’t put strange things in.”
Liao Chen nodded and continued to pound.
Yan Jingyu knocked his forehead with a book, calming his heart. After a while, Liao Chen suddenly spoke again. “Recently, the phoenix I’m raising seems to be a little restless.”
In less than three moments, all the immortal physicians had gathered around, all looking as if they wanted to solve his problems for him. “What kind of restlessness?”
“How is it restless?”
“Demon Lord, can you describe it in detail?”
“It all seems to have started from… feeding the Immortal Lord medicine.”
“Whoosh—” A book was directly thrown at him. The immortal physicians all retreated. The book stopped steadily in front of Liao Chen. He picked up the book. Yan Jingyu had already stood up and walked out with big steps.
Not until his figure had completely disappeared did the immortal physicians hesitantly speak. “The restlessness the Demon Lord is referring to is, that evil beast… wants to mate?”
Liao Chen’s face was slightly unhappy, then his lips curved. “He told this Lord that he only wants to mate with the Immortal Lord. I wonder what the reason for this is?”
Mentioning Yan Jingyu, the immortal physicians began to hesitate between giving advice and cursing him. After a long while, someone finally said, “Could it be that that beast has fallen in love with the Immortal Lord…”
Liao Chen immediately looked at him, his hand holding the pestle tightening. But another voice suddenly came from his ear. “What love or no love? How would a demonic beast know what love is? It’s nothing more than a fledgling’s affection. He must have taken the Immortal Lord as a nesting partner…”
“That’s right, that’s right.” Someone immediately said, “It must be because he has entered the breeding season from a mature body, which is why he is so restless. Breeding itself is the nature of a demonic beast.”
“This beast is truly ridiculous. The Immortal Lord can’t even give him a little phoenix…”
“We suggest finding another bird-type demonic beast for that phoenix demon, preferably also of the undying bird race. This way, the bloodline of the next generation can be purer.”
The immortal physicians chattered on. Liao Chen listened quietly and slowly nodded. “This Lord understands.”
The crowd all sent him out of the Lingxi Hall, nodding and bowing. “If the Demon Lord has any more questions about the phoenix demon in the future, you can ask us.”
“Thank you all for today.” Liao Chen stood at the door and said faintly, “This Lord wants to reward you with something.”
The immortal physicians’ eyes widened. Everyone showed an incredible expression. Before they could be surprised, they were all suddenly sent flying, and instantly fell into a pile in the hall, their wails filling the air.
The Demon Lord, who had been so good-natured just now, had a sinister expression, his whole body overflowing with killing intent. “That phoenix demon has been with this Lord for many years, as close as a brother. In the future, if anyone dares to insult him again, this Lord will directly slap his head off.”
He turned and disappeared, leaving only demonic energy in the air, which did not dissipate for a long time.
When Liao Chen’s figure broke through the air, Yan Jingyu had already sorted out his emotions and was sitting at the table, teaching the little demons to weave grass grasshoppers.
His appearance immediately changed the atmosphere of the entire academy. The little demons all lined up and stood up straight, at the same time hiding all the half-woven grass branches behind their backs, respectfully and crisply saying, “Greetings, Lord Demon.”
Liao Chen waved his hand. The little demons had originally thought that this was to let them continue to do what they were doing. Just as they were about to surround Yan Jingyu again, Mo Dong stood up at once. “I’ve already learned it. Let’s go over there. I’ll teach you.”
Mo Xia was very unhappy. “Who wants to learn from you?”
“Alright, let’s go.”
The small tables in the academy were all short. Yan Jingyu was already tall and slender when he sat there. After Liao Chen dragged a stool and sat down, he looked even more imposing.
Yan Jingyu continued to weave the unfinished grasshopper in his hand, his slender white fingers deftly shuttling between the green grass branches. Liao Chen stared at him for a while, until Yan Jingyu cast his gaze over. “What do you want now?”
“This Lord should have entered the breeding season.”
“…” Yan Jingyu’s mouth twitched. He subconsciously looked around. In the courtyard outside, the little demons were chattering away. It seemed that no one was paying attention here. He let out a breath and looked at Liao Chen with a smile. “Then you should go find other bird clans and prepare for the marriage.”
Liao Chen’s eyes were deep. He stared at his exquisite and flawless face without blinking. “Ever since we came out of Jiuyi Mountain, I see you as more and more beautiful with each passing day…”
He reached out his hand. Before he could touch the back of Yan Jingyu’s hand, he heard the sound of a stool being dragged. Yan Jingyu directly stood up and walked out with big steps.
Liao Chen’s Adam’s apple rolled. He followed with his hands behind his back. Seeing him smiling and bending down to hand the woven grasshopper in his hand to a little demon whose beast ears hadn’t yet retracted, he said, “It seems you like children very much.”
Yan Jingyu pursed his lips, stroked the head of the curious little demon, and walked straight out of the academy. He walked all the way to a giant banyan tree in a certain part of the back hall before he leaned against it and spoke. “Alright, Liao Chen, stop hiding it. Just say what you want to do.”
Liao Chen’s gaze averted for a moment, then met his again. “At that time in Jiuyi Mountain, it was you who wanted to build a nest with me. So now I may have… a fledgling’s affection.”
“After all that, you just want to do it with me.”
Liao Chen raised an eyebrow. He had originally wanted to refute, but he felt that this was not false, so he nodded. “Yes.”
“Who was it that said they would never have feelings for me?”
“This is not having feelings for you.” Liao Chen said, “This is the breeding instinct carved in the bloodline of the demon race.”
“Then you should at least find a member of the opposite sex.”
“I have already been ruined by you. It is impossible for me to have any other Daoist companion.”
Yan Jingyu reacted for a moment. “…Ha?”
Liao Chen’s gaze was gloomy. “That kind of thing should have happened with this Lord and his beloved when both were willing. It was you who ruined me and made me an unclean person. Now that I can barely accept being… like that with you, don’t be ungrateful.”
“…I, ungrateful?!”
“What else?” Liao Chen said coldly, “I should have burned you to death at that time to eliminate future troubles! If it weren’t for the fact that you were just a waste, I would have crushed your head long ago! Then I wouldn’t have been gradually driven by my demonic nature and always have fantasies about you.”
“…Can you be reasonable!” Yan Jingyu said, “You have fantasies about me, and it’s my fault?!”
“That’s how a fledgling’s affection is!” Liao Chen’s voice was full of hatred. “I don’t love you, but when I’m out, I’m always thinking of you. I want to touch you, hug you, kiss you, and even possess you! I almost really thought I had fallen for you. It turns out I’ve entered the breeding season…”
He suddenly took a step forward. Yan Jingyu, with no way to retreat, pressed his back against the banyan tree. The other’s tall figure completely enveloped him, making his heart inexplicably tighten, and his breathing involuntarily constricted. Liao Chen looked down at him from above and said in a deep voice, “I swear I really want to kill you. It won’t change in the past, it won’t change now, and it won’t possibly change in the future…”
He stared at him, swallowed with restraint, his breathing heavy. “But I have to kiss you now.”
Yan Jingyu immediately dodged his lips, at the same time ducking under his armpit and slipping out. Liao Chen faced the banyan tree, took a restrained breath, and suppressed the impatience that had surged up in that instant, then slowly turned around.
Yan Jingyu stood three steps away from him. “I suggest you calm down a little.”
“How do you expect me to calm down?!” Liao Chen’s eyes showed double pupils, one black and one red, closely pressed together. He raised his hand and stroked his neck. Fine feather scales had uncontrollably appeared on his skin. He frowned and looked at Yan Jingyu, the desire in his eyes undisguised. “I am a half-demon. Breeding is an instinct carved in my bloodline. You have taken the position of my spouse, so you should fulfill your responsibility.”
“…Between us, I, with you.” Yan Jingyu felt that he had never been so confused, his words were almost incoherent. “Spouse?!”
“Of course you are not my real spouse.” Liao Chen forcefully pressed down the hard growth on the side of his neck. “You just stole the position of my spouse. I also know you are not my spouse, but we have already had the reality of a spouse. What’s the harm in doing it a few more times?!”
“I really…” Yan Jingyu said, “You, you, we…”
“Of course it doesn’t matter to you as a human.” Liao Chen sneered. “You actually saw it that day, but you didn’t say a word. Weren’t you just waiting for me to be unable to suppress my instincts and actively ask you for it? Now I’m here. What are you being coy for?!”
“…” Yan Jingyu’s mouth moved. His tongue even swayed drunkenly in his mouth. He felt as if he had been entangled in a dense and difficult to peel off spider web. He could feel its hazy existence, but he couldn’t get rid of it no matter what.
“I could have had my own spouse. If I had my own spouse, then I wouldn’t have to communicate with you about such an outrageous thing in such an embarrassing way. We could have solved each other’s needs in some deserted corner… But because of you, because of you, I can never have a Daoist companion again in this life!”
“You don’t have to be so pessimistic…”
Liao Chen’s eyes seemed to be filled with water vapor. He closed his eyes heavily, his eyelashes even a little wet. He raised his hand and pulled at the clothes on his collar, then took a breath. “Yan Jingyu, I know what you’re thinking. You’re just worried that things between us will be unclear, right? My approaching you now is just because of an instinctive impulse. It will definitely not affect my reason… I have half a demon body, which is why I want to get close to you. But my humanity will always only want to kill you! This will absolutely not change!”
“…Can you really do it?”
“Of course I can!” Liao Chen emphasized repeatedly, “There is no love between demonic beasts, only instinctive impulse. The impulse will disappear sooner or later. When you can pick up Du Fang and face me in a duel, I will still do my best to kill you! Mating with you will not affect me drawing my sword. Or… are you not confident in yourself?”
“…” Is this a matter of confidence or not?
Liao Chen’s expression was mocking. “You don’t think that if this continues, you will like me, do you?”
“…” Yan Jingyu paused for a moment. “I’m not sure.”
“…” Liao Chen stared at him blankly for a while. A blush suddenly crept up behind his ears. He said subconsciously, “If, if you really like me in the future, then tell me before the decisive battle. This way, I won’t kill you… But if you only say it after the decisive battle has started, I will treat it as you playing tricks again. I will absolutely not show you any mercy.”
The two of them stood quietly for a while. The wind during the day was already a little warm.
Liao Chen said again, “I’m already giving you a lot of face now. If I didn’t care about face, you wouldn’t be able to resist now, would you?”
“…” Yan Jingyu said, “Does this have to be done?”
“Of course it has to be done.” Liao Chen said, “I’ve been enduring you for a long time. On what grounds should I have to suppress myself when I come back to face you after being blown by the wind and sun all day helping you find medicine? You sleep next to me every day, and I’m enduring it every moment. Clearly, every time I saved you, when you were the main one, you were willing to do it. Why can’t you do it when it’s time to satisfy me? Isn’t your Immortal Lord Dufang famous for being kind and just?!”
“…” Countless refutations surged in Yan Jingyu’s mind, but because there were too many, he couldn’t spit out a single one for a moment.
“Besides, this kind of thing should be a humiliation for you, right?” Liao Chen suddenly had a new angle. “Think about it. If you can’t defeat me for a day, then you will have to endlessly accept my humiliation. In that case, after your soul-lamp is repaired, won’t you have to cultivate day and night? This matter can also be considered a kind of training for you. I believe you will definitely be able to reach your peak as soon as possible under this Lord’s whip.”
“…” Yan Jingyu forced a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “You really are a genius.”
Liao Chen let out a light laugh and came directly in front of him. “Then this Lord doesn’t have to discuss anything with you. As the saying goes, a strict teacher produces a good student, and adversity forges a talent. This Lord is willing to become your calamity in the future… It can both satisfy my own demonic nature and also help you break through your realm sooner. Isn’t that a beautiful two-for-one?”
“…” Yan Jingyu was really so angry he laughed this time. “The one who gets the two-for-one is you, this ‘qimei’ (beautiful), right?”
Liao Chen directly wrapped his arms around his waist. Yan Jingyu’s body was instantly pressed against his. Compared to Liao Chen’s Demigod body, this physical body of his could indeed be called delicate and soft. Liao Chen very lightly placed him on his own instep, his voice low. “Who cares.”
The crimson wings opened, instantly wrapping the two of them up tightly.
