Lin Shijin met the youth’s eyes and felt an inexplicable flutter in his chest. He had been clutching Sheng Rufei’s collar, but his fingers loosened slightly, no longer daring to fidget against Sheng Rufei’s chest.
He instinctively sensed danger.
He released Sheng Rufei, wisely remaining still, and obediently nestled into Sheng Rufei’s arms, letting him examine his injuries. Each time Sheng Rufei lifted the collar slightly, his fingertips brushed the small mole on Lin Shijin’s collarbone, making him feel oddly uncomfortable. His ears twitched.
Sheng Rufei closed the collar, his gaze falling on Lin Shijin’s legs. He understood Sheng Rufei’s intention.
“Shixiong… the same for my legs?”
Sheng Rufei gave a soft, “Mm.” Lin Shijin, startled, dared not disobey.
He slowly loosened his sash, expecting nothing out of the ordinary, until Sheng Rufei’s gaze landed on his legs, making him feel self-conscious.
The youth was naturally fair-skinned, his complexion as smooth as snow-white brocade, without a single blemish. His straight legs lay hidden beneath his robes. On the soft couch, he casually removed his shoes, pressing his toes together, legs slightly closed, skin faintly tinged pink.
Lin Shijin hugged his knees to shield himself. There were no injuries on his legs, save for two bruises on his knees, though he didn’t recall how he’d gotten them.
“Shixiong, there shouldn’t be any injuries. The bruises… I don’t know when I got them.”
Lin Shijin squirmed under Sheng Rufei’s gaze, his earlobes flushing. He glanced at Sheng Rufei, whose expression remained cold and meticulous, like a detached machine as he examined him.
He knew Sheng Rufei was concerned for him. Fortunately, Sheng Rufei merely glanced at the bruises before quickly covering his legs with the blanket.
“I’ll apply the medicine later. Come with me to the banquet afterwards.”
Lin Shijin nodded and hastily dressed. Sheng Rufei’s gaze pricked him like needles. He had tied his robe sash carelessly, leaving it half-done, when a pair of pale, slender hands landed on his waist.
“Not like that,” Sheng Rufei said, taking Lin Shijin’s fingers to remove his hand, undoing the knot. He lowered his eyes. “Tied like this, your robe won’t last long.”
“There are too many cords; I can’t tie it properly,” Lin Shijin murmured, his fingers twitching. If he remembered correctly, the bow Sheng Rufei tied himself hadn’t looked any better.
Sure enough, Sheng Rufei tied a clumsy bow around his waist. Lin Shijin, slightly dissatisfied, untied it and tried again. It still looked ugly.
Noticing Sheng Rufei’s slight frown as he prepared to redo it, Lin Shijin grasped his fingertips. “Shixiong, this is fine. Really, it looks good.”
Sheng Rufei studied him for a moment before withdrawing his hand. “Tie it like this from now on.”
Lin Shijin: “…So ugly.”
“Shixiong, do I still need to visit Su Lian-shixiong?” he asked, reaching to adjust the bow, then withdrawing his hand when their eyes met.
“No need,” Sheng Rufei’s eyes cooled. “Was it Su Lian who arranged for you to go with Ye Lang?”
“Not exactly,” Lin Shijin recalled. “It’s inconvenient for Su Lian-shixiong to take me to the immortal sects. It’s better for Ye Lang and me to go to the demon realm together.”
He couldn’t shift into human form, and Ye Lang easily leaked demonic energy. So it made sense for them to travel together.
Sheng Rufei said nothing further, his gaze falling again on the ears Lin Shijin had hidden with an illusion, as if he could see them clearly.
His ears twitched at the thought. “Shixiong, will there be powerful immortal disciples at the banquet? What if they notice I’m a demon?”
“You wear the veil and stay by my side,” Sheng Rufei replied. “No one will question you.”
“Okay,” Lin Shijin said, obediently donning the veil. He was delighted to follow Sheng Rufei.
Outside, the scourge-slayers stood guard. A knock came at the door, revealing a baby-faced youth in a long robe patterned with swords and crescent moons. He glanced at Lin Shijin with hesitation.
Sheng Rufei said nothing, giving tacit consent. The baby-faced youth spoke.
“Sheng-shixiong, we discovered an array on the golden platform for the banquet. It has demon-immortal patterns.”
“It might be triggered during today’s boat performance. Shall we destroy it?”
Sheng Rufei considered. “Destroying it now will alert them. Investigate its location and assign guards. We’ll act only when summoned.”
“Understood,” the baby-faced youth replied, disappearing. Lin Shijin, who had overheard everything, asked, “Shixiong, were they your team’s disciples?”
Sheng Rufei nodded. “The three of us are all Scourge-Slayer Envoys.”
He led them, the others his deputies. All three harboured deep hatred for demons and evil spirits, merciless in their duty. Their coordination was flawless.
A soft, almost gentle “Shixiong” tugged at his sleeve. The youth’s eyes crinkled with delight, fingers pointing nearby.
“Shixiong, may I pretend to be a scourge-slayer and stay by your side? Then I won’t be so easily recognised.”
Sheng Rufei understood. Perhaps the youth wished to avoid attention. He said, “Fine,” and the youth pressed closer.
“You’re so kind, Shixiong! Can I stay with you a little longer?”
Lin Shijin noticed Sheng Rufei stiffen slightly. He fidgeted, and when Sheng Rufei hummed in agreement, a hand landed on his head, patting him awkwardly.
“I won’t leave you behind.”
…
The city was alive with bustle, lights glimmering along both riverbanks like a flowing jewel.
Not far from the long bridge, a youth wearing a snow demon mask lurked in the shadows. He glanced at the approaching scourge-slayers, then at the direction the other youth had gone, his expression darkening.
Chains around Xue Ning’s neck clinked. Su Lian, cloaked in black with crane-patterned sleeves, remained hidden. He noticed Xue Ning’s chains, slightly surprised.
“A slave contract?”
Seeing Xue Ning’s grim expression and recalling the earlier scene, Su Lian already knew what had happened.
“You attacked him?” Su Lian’s voice was gentle, lightly scolding. “Feng Rugao and Sheng Rufei treated him specially. I reminded you before leaving. How could you forget?”
“Specially?” Xue Ning’s cheek still bore a sword-mark. “How? That useless rabbit can’t do anything. How could they treat him specially?”
Su Lian said nothing. The silence made Xue Ning realise his words were foolish and a little sour.
“Don’t meddle in others’ business. Focus on yourself,” Su Lian said, half his face hidden. “Don’t forget what His Lordship instructed… Fail to bring back the curse this time, and I can’t protect you.”
Xue Ning’s veins bulged. He remained silent.
“Sheng Rufei is young; feelings for a shidi are not unreasonable… but Feng Rugao? He left Changming Hall twice for him.”
Su Lian left only these words before disappearing.
“If you truly wish to know… ask His Lordship after the mission. His Lordship will know his true identity.”
The alley grew silent. Xue Ning clutched his sword, glanced at the distant boat, then at the snacks in his arms. Soon he vanished, leaving the treats scattered.
…
At the appointed time, the boat glowed with lanterns. Lin Shijin changed into the black robes of a scourge-slayer, patterned with swords and crescent moons, wearing Fuheng’s mask. He resembled the others following Sheng Rufei, though slender, his waist emphasised by a tightly cinched belt, and the veil hid his face.
He followed Sheng Rufei. The Scourge-Slayer Envoys accompanied the city lord’s manor to the banquet as guards.
One by one, lanterns lit the boat. A massive golden platform dominated the centre, red lotuses blooming in the river below. Seats lined the vermilion railings. A magical array was set up; any performance on the platform could be seen from the riverbank.
Lin Shijin quietly observed from behind Sheng Rufei. Among outsiders, he behaved well, watching the crowd.
As the appointed time arrived, people boarded the boat. city lord’s manor officials were easy to identify by the Yixiu Ghost King insignia on their robes. Each of the fifty cities in the three thousand worlds had distinct characteristics and worshipped different gods.
Immortal sect disciples arrived next, wearing Daoist robes. Lin Shijin spotted Su Lian.
Some scourge-slayers were in plain view, others hidden. Once most guests had arrived, music and song filled the air. On the golden platform, a red-clad girl danced with a sword, light as a feather, every move graceful yet sharp.
“For months, demons have caused havoc. The immortal sects set up a Spirit-Building Platform in Yixiu City, but infiltration continues,” said an attendant.
“My lord is troubled. The demons’ rampages have harmed citizens. Several markets were destroyed. After the Scourge-Slayer Envoys intervened, they audaciously attacked in groups.”
“Today, the Ghost Exorcism Festival. The immortal sects have located the source and set up an array. When the demons arrive, we will wipe them out.”
Even with scourge-slayers present, the crowd was sceptical. Whispers spread, questioning whether it was bluff, reality, or meant for those with ulterior motives. The scourge-slayers merely executed orders.
Lin Shijin overheard, gathering information. He noticed a gaze fall upon him. It was Su Lian.
Recognising him, Su Lian gestured toward the stern. Lin Shijin approached, tapping Sheng Rufei’s sleeve with his scabbard.
“Shixiong, Su Lian-shixiong wants me to go. He has something to say.”
Sheng Rufei glanced toward Su Lian. “I’ll go with you.”
He couldn’t let the youth go alone. He instructed the baby-faced youth, who nodded and stood in his place.
The stern was sparsely populated; their approach went unnoticed. Lin Shijin spotted Su Lian at the corner. Su Lian turned, seeing them arrive together, expression slightly helpless.
“Rufei, you’re on opposing sides now. Isn’t this somewhat inappropriate?”
Sheng Rufei’s expression remained indifferent.
Su Lian’s gaze then settled on Lin Shijin. His voice was gentle. “Seventeen, come here first. I have something to say.”
