Chapter 3: “I Told You To Stay Away”

Lin Shijin couldn’t fly on a sword. With the other lad so faint, he could only just keep him upright. Only then did he realise how flushed Sheng Rufei’s face was. He brushed a fingertip across Sheng Rufei’s forehead to find that it was scaldingly hot.

If they didn’t get back to the sect soon, things would go badly.

He glanced towards the first cave. The stench of blood was thick there, certain to draw demonic beasts. Anxiety prickled at him. He sent a voice-transmission to the other disciples, then half-supported, half-dragged Sheng Rufei into another cave further away.

This trial was being held in Misty Mountain; caves dotted the mountainside. He found one relatively safe and eased Sheng Rufei down.

He could only hope the others hurried over.

Lin Shijin propped Sheng Rufei against the wall. Even walking that short stretch had left him drenched in sweat and a little weak. He slumped down to one side.

After catching his breath, his gaze drifted to the youth leaning against the wall. Sheng Rufei’s eyes were shut, his cheeks flushed, his brows faintly furrowed.

Before Lin Shijin could look twice, the youth’s eyes snapped open. Those ordinarily cold features darkened, making his face even more striking.

“Sheng Rufei?” Seeing that he was conscious, Lin Shijin exhaled in relief. “I’ve already notified the shixiongs. They should be making their way here.”

Sheng Rufei gave no reply. He simply stared straight at him. After a moment he closed his eyes once more, pale fingers tightening slightly, his aura icy and forbidding.

Neither of them spoke. The cave was deathly quiet. Seeing Sheng Rufei so frigid, Lin Shijin couldn’t help recalling the day he first entered Fuguang.

He’d been brought to the sect by an immortal, and it was Sheng Rufei who’d come to receive him.

At the time, he’d actually been relieved that he could bid “bye-bye” and avoid Sheng Rufei for a bit. They were only childhood betrothed; no one even knew about it.

There was a marriage contract, but Sheng Rufei held it. Worst case, he could retrieve it in a few years and dissolve it.

Yet that very day, reality slapped him. Not only were they in the same sect… they served the same master.

Their master instructed Sheng Rufei to arrange his accommodation. Sheng Rufei assigned him a mountain peak as isolated and precipitous as his own. On the way, Lin Shijin had brooded endlessly, determined not to be dragged into Sheng Rufei’s personal mess.

Before he’d even managed to raise the subject, Sheng Rufei had spoken first, his expression as icy as ever:

“Don’t let anyone know what our relationship is. We’re only married in name. Once I avenge my parents, I’ll divorce you.”

Lin Shijin had answered perfunctorily. After all, he could hardly wish for anything better. “Fine, fine, fine.”

Still lost in that memory, a hoarse voice cut through his thoughts.

“Stay away from me.” Sheng Rufei’s breathing was heavy, his hot breath brushing Lin Shijin’s ear. His skin felt feverish, too.

Those normally chilled eyes flickered with sudden heat, only for it to be ruthlessly smothered, returning to their usual stillness.

“Your injuries…” Lin Shijin faltered, eyeing Sheng Rufei’s shoulder. The claw marks left by the demonic beast had begun to turn black. It was an alarming sight.

Drugged by Xue Ning, then mauled by a beast causing several injuries. How long could he possibly last?

But since Sheng Rufei had told him to keep his distance, he decided to trust him.

The moment he stood, his wrist was seized. Xue Ning’s earlier binding had been rough, the ropes had been very tight, leaving two red marks. Now Sheng Rufei gripped that wrist hard enough to sting.

Lin Shijin sucked in a breath and turned. Sheng Rufei stared at him intently. He’d told him to leave, yet he was holding onto his wrist refusing to let go.

“Sheng Rufei?”

With no one else around, he didn’t need to follow sect etiquette and call him shixiong.

“How am I meant to leave if you don’t let go?” Lin Shijin sense a prickle of danger from the current Sheng Rufei. The latter’s fingertips were calloused from years of sword practice, and burning hot.

He tried to pull free, but the instant his fingertips brushed Sheng Rufei’s skin, the boy’s pupils shifted.

A sensation like being locked onto by some predator surged up Lin Shijin’s spine. The hairs on his arms stood on end.

Something was wrong. The next moment, Sheng Rufei, who’d been holding onto his wrist exerted his strength. The astonishing power hauled Lin Shijin back.

“…!”

How could he still be this strong in such an injured state!?

Although Lin Shijin was in shock and swearing silently, his instincts were stronger and screaming out to him:

—Hurry and flee!!

But it was already too late. Sheng Rufei dragged him in, lunging forward with inexplicable force.

Both his wrists were seized, pinned above him, Sheng Rufei leaning over him, looking down from on high.

A cold voice fell:

“I told you to stay away.”

Lin Shijin’s calves trembled. Some inner voice was having a full breakdown. How did this turn into him voluntarily throwing himself into Sheng Rufei’s arms!?

“You let go first,” he managed, twisting away, trying to escape the hold. Lying on the ground, the bruises on his wrists had already gone purple. And now two new finger-marks throbbed atop them.

“Sheng Rufei—”

He shoved lightly, and for a moment it seemed Sheng Rufei loosened his grip. A cool sensation brushed his wrist. It was a rope. The rope Xue Ning had used. It materialised again around his wrist.

It wasn’t tight, not enough to hurt, but enough to keep him from breaking free.

Sheng Rufei’s eyes were tinged red, almost like flowing flame. Beautiful to the point of something eerie. His gaze crawled from Lin Shijin’s forehead, to his nose, to his lips.

The boy on the ground, his white robe embroidered with gilt thread slightly askew, looked even more striking. Skin pale as snow, black hair spilling like ink, red lips, and long lashes. His normally forbidding features now animated with anger. It resembled three thousand snowflakes melting at once, more luminously beautiful than a moonlit cereus blossom.

A vibrant, burning heart hammered in his chest.

The drug and the beast’s poison tangled within Sheng Rufei, driving his blood wild. Darkness seeped into his ice-cold heart.

—Take him. Tear him apart. Hold this vivid life completely in your hands.

The thought flashed and vanished. Sheng Rufei forced his eyes shut, refusing to look at him. A smear of blood trickled from his lips.

Lin Shijin, certain he was doomed, watched him close his eyes again. His heart pounded like mad. He sighed silently in relief, though he dared not entirely relax.

This position was far too strange. He felt wholly at Sheng Rufei’s mercy. His possessiveness was overwhelming. Sheng Rufei didn’t move him, yet the moment Lin Shijin shifted even slightly, the other’s eyes snapped open, cold and warning.

He was the one tied up… yet somehow Lin Shijin felt wronged. The position was uncomfortable, and Sheng Rufei clearly wouldn’t allow movement, through his expression relaxed a little.

His heart hadn’t calmed at all. His wrist twitched faintly. “Sixteenth shixiong… could you untie me first?”

“Bear with it. The shixiongs will be here soon.”

When he wanted help, he called him “sixteenth shixiong”. Only moments ago, he’d been calling his name. Sheng Rufei’s eyelashes lowered. He watched Lin Shijin’s red lips move, a faint displeasure between his brows, his legs trembling.

Lin Shijin, panicked and frightened, received no reply. His fingers dug at the ground. He tried to undo the rope himself, awkwardly pressing both bound hands together.

A long, blood-stained pale hand descended on his wrist. Sheng Rufei slowly began untying him. Lin Shijin’s heart thumped madly; he watched every movement warily, trying to edge away.

Sheng Rufei’s fingertips brushed his wrist, and he instinctively shifted back. Sheng Rufei paused, then continued untying the rope.

The moment it loosened, Lin Shijin heard footsteps outside, disciples calling their names.

“Sheng-shixiong? Lin-shidi—”

“Are you in there?”

Lin Shijin’s eyes lit up. He was elated; the word “Here…” hadn’t left his mouth when a cold, oppressive aura pressed against him. The same hand that had freed him now clamped over his lips.

He let out two muffled sounds, eyes widening. His heart lurched violently back into his throat. Who could understand this emotional rollercoaster? Sheng Rufei was a menace.

Was this on purpose!?

Sheng Rufei’s eyes darkened to a deep, stormy red. His fingertips brushed Lin Shijin’s lips, stroking lightly twice, his gaze growing even darker.

“Mm-mm-mm!!” Shixiongs, Shizun, hurry and save me!!

Lin Shijin tried to shove him away, but the instant he touched Sheng Rufei, something snapped. Tension breaking like a string pulled too tight.

The scent of plum blossoms engulfed him. The youth above him seemed to crack apart. White hair fell loose, shadows deepened over his features, his whole presence turning sombre as he lunged yet again.

He was already restrained by Sheng Rufei. Now he couldn’t resist at all. As the other’s breath descended, Lin Shijin instinctively turned his head… but failed to avoid the impact.

His lips brushed something cool. Sheng Rufei’s fingers clamped his wrist. Their mouths made contact.

Lin Shijin’s mind buzzed and his thoughts went blank. Before he could react the instant their lips came into contact, he glimpsed a faint red thread pulsing at Sheng Rufei’s heart.

“Sheng-shixiong! Lin-shidi!”

At last the disciples found them. They sighed in relief… then froze as their eyes took in the scene inside the cave.

“Sheng…” The word “shidi” caught in their throats.

A short distance away lay two figures:

One cold-faced, dark-eyed.

The other wearing an expression of pure despair.