Capítulo 312: Chapter 312: Tranquil Life
—This story takes place two years after the final battle—
The scent of rice porridge filled the small cabin.
A child with pointy ears and a pumpkin leaf on his head crouched by the fireplace, adding more firewood to the flames. Beside him sat a girl with red hair, nibbling on honey while keeping an eye on the cooking process.
"I think the fire could be a bit bigger."
"I don't think so, it'll burn if it gets any hotter."
"I don't think it will burn."
"Shush, what do you know? You only know how to eat honey."
Chu Wanning entered, carrying a hunted rabbit and followed by a chattering group of grass sprites, flower spirits, and even tiny green moss fairies no larger than fingernails.
The tree spirit siblings seated by the hearth immediately stood up, hastily bowing to him. "Immortal Sir Divine Tree."
The Divine Tree Immortal was the term the tree spirits used to address Chu Wanning.
In retrospect, many things had shown their signs earlier on. He had never known in his previous life why he was born with the Divine Song weapon or why he had such immense control over plants. Even before this, he hadn't understood why the wine gourd that had escaped from the Golden Drum Tower had been so respectful towards him.
Now, he understood everything.
He was the Flame Emperor's Divine Tree, and as such, the source of all vegetation in the world.
After the Battle of the Gate of Life and Death, Chu Wanning and Mo Ran retreated to the Southern Screen Misty Valley. There was no need for those brutal spells anymore, but life was rather uneventful. So Chu Wanning developed a technique to summon tree spirits, gathering the little monsters in the valley under his command.
"It looks like you're claiming the mountain as your kingdom," Mo Ran commented with a smile. "All you need now is a tiger skin rug on the ground."
But Lord Chu, the king of this mountain, was restless these days. A few days ago, Xue Meng had sent them a message, reluctantly expressing his desire to visit South Screen Mountain for this year's Mid-Autumn Festival and reunite with them.
Two years had passed, and the awkwardness between the master and disciple trio had finally faded somewhat. Chu Wanning was naturally eager to see his beloved disciple again. So a month before the festival, he started seriously considering what dishes to prepare for Xue Ziming.
"What are you writing, Shifu?"
As the candlelight flickered at night, Mo Ran leaned over and hugged Chu Wanning from behind, resting his chin in the crook of his lover's neck. His dark eyes gazed at the ink, paper, and brushes spread out on the table.
He had only asked casually, mainly to coax Master Enong to go to bed earlier. He wasn't actually very interested in what Chu Wanning was writing.
What else could this guy be doing? Most likely, he was designing more mechas like the Night Traveler, then sending the blueprints to Master Ma at Peach Bud Manor, asking him to replicate them and sell them cheaply, ending his letter with an earnest request: "Don't give me any profits, they all belong to the Peak of Life and Death."
As a result, the production cost was far higher than the selling price, causing Master Ma to lose money every time, chasing after Xue Ziming with invoices for payment.
"Mm? You're not drawing blueprints today?"
Chu Wanning replied absentmindedly, " Inspiration doesn't strike every day."
Mo Ran brushed against his cheek and kissed his earlobe. "Shifu..."
"What's up?"
"..."
Mo Ran couldn't help but straighten up, touching his nose.
He began to wonder if Chu Wanning was getting tired of their secluded life, because how else could such an intimate gesture only elicit a stiff "What's up?" devoid of any emotion.
Truly a ghostly encounter.
Only now did Mo Ran begin to closely examine what Chu Wanning had written on the table. It would have been better if he hadn't looked, for this glimpse left him recoiling in astonishment.
"What are you writing?!"
His tone was laced with fear this time, not just curiosity.
Chu Wanning was displeased by his tone and set down his brush. He lifted his aggressive phoenix eyes slowly, narrowing them slightly. Even his long, soft eyelashes couldn't conceal the sharpness in his gaze.
However, no menacing stare could compare to the terror of Chu Wanning's next words.
"It's a recipe for the Mid-Autumn feast."
Mo Ran: "...."
Indeed, the Northern Dipper Immortal Venerated, feeling rather guilty towards his disciple, intended to personally prepare a reunion banquet after the great battle.
Mo Ran stared at Chu Wanning's solemn and resolute face in the candlelight, a chill running down his spine.
Is he serious...???
Regrettably, Lord Chu was a serious individual and never cracked unnecessary jokes.
In the following days, he was deeply engrossed in scrutinizing the menu, occasionally crossing out a few dishes – each time this happened, Mo Ran would secretly let out a sigh of relief. Or he would add more dishes to the list – every time this occurred, Mo Ran could feel his stomach twitching in anticipation.
When Chu Wanning finally handed him the completed list after a light cough, Mo Ran forcefully composed himself and scanned the ten cold, ten hot, and twenty dishes listed. He then closed the bamboo scroll.
"...Is there something wrong? Perhaps the selection is inadequate?"
"No," Mo Ran thought. Unless he wanted to witness the new leader of Death's Peak perish on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, he had to do something to prevent his heroic brother from such a fate.
He pondered for a moment, then looked up at Chu Wanning with a smile. "I just feel that if the reunion feast were prepared solely by Master, it wouldn't show enough sincerity."
Chu Wanning frowned slightly. "Is that so?"
"It is a gathering for unity, after all," Mo Ran coaxed. "It would be more lively if we prepared it together."
Noticing the hesitation in Chu Wanning's silence, Mo Ran had an idea. He knew that Wanning was usually quite competitive, so he continued, "What do you think, Master? How about we each prepare five cold dishes and five hot dishes, but without telling each other what they are. When Xue Meng arrives, we'll mix all twenty dishes and serve them. Then, we can ask him which ones he thinks are well-cooked and which he dislikes. How does that sound?"
Chu Wanning didn't speak right away, but a faint glimmer appeared in his eyes.
All these subtle thoughts and expressions were noticed by the observant Mo Ran, who suppressed a smile and intertwined their hands again. He asked softly, "Is everything alright?"
Looking up at him, Chu Wanning replied, "Is this a cooking competition?"
Mo Ran touched his nose and chuckled. "If you say so."
After a moment of silence, Chu Wanning suddenly stood up and pulled away the bamboo slip that was under Mo Ran's other hand. Confused, Mo Ran asked, "What's wrong?"
"I won't let you know what I'm doing," Chu Wanning said with unusual seriousness. "What's written here doesn't count. I'll rewrite it."
Mo Ran was speechless.
Chu Wanning narrowed his eyes. "Actually, my cooking skills aren't much worse than yours."
"Sure, sure." Mo Ran barely managed to hold back his laughter. "Whatever Master says is right. Then I'll look forward to indulging myself at the Mid-Autumn Feast." As he spoke, he took Chu Wanning's hand, caressing the calloused fingertips from years of working on mechas and carving wood, before leaning down for a kiss.
In the candlelight, he saw Chu Wanning's slightly widened eyes, surprised that he wasn't being mocked. He watched as Chu Wanning's tense body gradually relaxed during the kiss.
He smiled gently with tender eyes.
"Whatever Hero Zhen does is always the best."
It was effortless to resolve this crisis; he was indeed becoming more intelligent and resourceful. Mo Ran silently cheered himself on in his mind, then got up with a grin under Chu Wanning's gaze to tidy up the unwashed dishes still scattered on the low table.
That night, when Mo Ran finished cleaning up and bathing before returning to the room, Chu Wanning was sitting by the window, studying the cookbook he had delved into countless times.
Upon hearing the door creak, he instinctively hid the scroll, seemingly treating Mo Ran as a genuine competitor. However, Mo Ran found the guy amusing. There were only a few leisure books on his bookshelf, and among them, only two were related to food: "Sichuan Food Chronicles" and "Lingan Gastronomy Notes." What was there to hide?
But Chu Wanning clearly felt it necessary to conceal his tricks. Thus, he extinguished the lamp by the window and looked up at the young man. "You're done?"
Mo Ran nodded with a smile.
Chu Wanning gave a brief nod of approval, casually returning the book to the wooden shelf as if it were nothing. Then he said, "Alright, I'll go wash up now."
Mo Ran's smile grew wider. "Shifu."
"Hmm?" Chu Wanning turned back.
For a moment, Mo Ran seemed uncertain whether he should speak, but eventually he scratched his head bashfully and reminded, "You bathed before me… Didn't you forget?"
"…"
When someone wants to hide something, they tend to become distracted, even a renowned figure like the Esteemed Northern Dipper Immortal was no exception.
In this awkward silence, Mo Ran looked at him with a mix of amusement and indulgence, then leaned closer. The space by the window was narrow, with only a chair and a row of bamboo bookshelves fitting, leaving no extra room. With one hand supporting himself on the window frame, Chu Wanning had nowhere to retreat.
Chu Wanning didn't plan to back away either. His tendency to say the opposite of what he felt had improved significantly over the years, but he still wasn't accustomed to affection in such a place—especially since just a few days ago, when Heaven-Stepping Lord's persona appeared, he had entangled with that irrational obsessive here.
The memory made his cheeks flush hot, making him all the more determined.
Chu Wanning said, "No. To the bed."
Mo Ran's response was to lean in and capture his slightly cool lips.
It had to be said that the things that Heaven-Stepping Lord and Grandmaster Mo enjoyed in their hearts were quite similar, except that Heaven-Stepping Lord expressed it roughly, while Grandmaster Mo was more subtle.
But the outcome was the same.
Before he could resist, Mo Ran had already coaxed and deceived Chu Wanning into sitting on the lantern chair. Similar to Heaven-Stepping Lord, Grandmaster Mo flicked his fingers, using demonic energy to activate the divine weapon Ghost-Seeing Blade, binding Chu Wanning's hands and feet to the chair.
"You couldn't have chosen a more normal spot?" Chu Wanning ground out through gritted teeth.
Mo Ran's long eyelashes fluttered innocently as he lowered his body and reached out to touch Chu Wanning's face. His voice was unexpectedly gentle. "I was afraid you'd get bored."
"..."
Despite doing such monstrous things, he sounded like a girl who was afraid of being abandoned.
Mo Ran's gaze was earnest. "Shifu, we've only lived together for two years. We have a long lifetime ahead of us. If we spend every night obediently in bed, you might find me dull."
"You're quite intriguing," Chu Wanning stared at him intently. "Now, let me go."
Mo Ran also knelt before him, gazing intently into his eyes.
"Let go," Chu Wanning insisted firmly.
Perhaps it was because his gaze was too intense, piercing through the young man's heart that had already been shattered a thousand times over. Mo Ran suddenly lowered his long eyelashes and remained silent. He looked somewhat hurt but still obediently murmured, "Damn it, come back."
The willowy vine retreated obediently.
Mo Ran still kept his head down and added softly, "I'm sorry."
"..."
When the young man half-knelt before him, he appeared significantly shorter than Chu Wanning, without that towering, stalwart figure standing in his way. In truth, this made it quite evident to Chu Wanning that this was a junior, a decade younger than himself, who consistently chose to tolerate and embrace him in every aspect.
He rubbed his wrists, sore from the binding of willow vines, but suddenly wondered if his tone had been too harsh just now.
Chu Wanning cleared his throat, about to speak, when he heard Mo Ran, head bowed, murmur softly, "Although I don't remember much of what I did while I was Heaven-Stepping Lord, I... have a few scattered memories."
Chu Wanning's hand, still rubbing the red mark on his wrist, stilled.
Viewed from above, Mo Ran's eyelashes appeared even more dense and lengthy, like those of a devoted creature. Chu Wanning almost imagined at one moment that this young man's long hair would suddenly sprout two fluffy ears, which would then droop in disappointment, accompanied by an imaginary furry tail.
"I thought you would like it," Mo Ran said. "But it seems I was mistaken."
"..."
Chu Wanning thought to himself, acknowledging the mistake.
But still, he reached out and gently stroked the young man's head.
This comforting gesture finally made Mo Ran lift his face. His handsome, captivating features were bathed in the soft glow of candlelight. The flames reflected in his dark eyes, creating shimmering fragments that seemed like two galaxies twinkling. Those eyes were beautiful, but the corners were slightly reddened from distress.
"I'm sorry, Shifu. I originally wanted to make you happy."
"..."
"I did it wrong again. I upset you."
Suddenly, Chu Wanning felt a pang of guilt.
He sighed and exerted a little more pressure with his hand, but the youth, now unresponsive, stiffened like a boulder, stubbornly keeping his neck straight.
Chu Wanning tried to turn him a few more times, but still no response. He couldn't help but say, exasperated, "Come here."
The young man was slightly taken aback before he knelt obediently and leaned in. Chu Wanning embraced the back of his head, pulling him close to rest against his waist. He stroked his soft black hair and sighed, " Fool."
The lamp flame continued to flicker silently. In the tranquil room, Chu Wanning untied the silk ribbon holding up his hair, letting it cascade down. Unbothered, he lifted his hand to cover his eyes with a lotus white ribbon. Some things were less shameful when unseen.
Mo Ran could be genuinely foolish at times. He paused for a moment and asked, "What are you doing, Master?"
"..."
Even through the dim candlelight, one could discern the flush rising beneath Chu Wanning's snow-white skin in early spring. He bit his lip. Mo Ran had a knack for making his heart soften in an instant and then harden just as quickly.
Steam almost seemed to rise from Chu Wanning's head. If not for the silk covering his eyes, reducing his humiliation, he might have pushed Mo Ran away and stormed out of the room.
After a brief silence, he gritted his teeth and said, "Do it if you want, or get lost if you don't."
Grandmaster Mo was an honest man.
He spent a moment in surprise, another in delight.
For the remainder of their precious time, he devoted himself sincerely to their intimate embrace.
Clothing was swiftly shed, revealing skin to the cool night air. Chu Wanning shielded his eyes, instinctively lifting his chin as he couldn't see what was happening before him.
In truth, this was rather perilous. Under the pale white silk, a straight nose bridge lay, gentle contours leading downward and drawing one's gaze toward his lips.
Ordinarily, because Chu Wanning's eyes were too bright and too cold, all who looked at him would direct their attention to those pools of moonlit snow.
But now, with his eyes covered, he lost that authoritative presence. Thus, Mo Ran discovered quite naturally that the lower half of his face was actually very gentle, with refined facial lines and soft, pale pink lips.
Due to the loss of sight, those lips were currently parted slightly without conscious thought, a posture all too reminiscent of a plea for a kiss. Although Mo Ran was certain that his master had no such intention, he still leaned in obediently to kiss him.
Their lips intertwined moistly between teeth, while their hands continued their movements. Mo Ran's calloused fingers caressed Chu Wanning's waist and chest. After the kiss, both of them found their breathing hastened.
Mo Ran pressed their foreheads together, his voice slightly hoarse. "Is this okay?"
The man with his eyes covered panted deeply, his lips appearing even more alluring, like the first blooms of a crape myrtle, a tender, pale red.
Chu Wanning asked, "What?"
"Here, is it alright?"
...
At times, Chu Wanning felt that even though Grandmaster Mo was an upright and virtuous man, always considering his feelings and never forcing him to do things he disliked, in certain situations, this "asking for consent" was more humiliating than all the absurd acts combined that Heaven-Stepping Lord had ever done.
Chu Wanning said with a hint of anger, "You should have asked me before undressing me."
"Mmm..." Somewhere out of Chu Wanning's sight, Mo Ran's face flushed slightly.
He probably realized that he had asked a redundant question, so he sheepishly pursed his lips and leaned over to give his master a gentle kiss on the cheek. He whispered, "I'm sorry."
In response, there was only a cold snort.
Mo Ran didn't want to embarrass Chu Wanning further. His eyelashes fluttered like butterflies, and his kisses traveled down from Chu Wanning's face, to his neck, collarbone, and then his chest...
He could feel Chu Wanning's muscles tense up, and his arms subconsciously gripping the sides of the chair tightly—he knew that Chu Wanning disliked excessive attention on his chest. Although the scar no longer caused pain, it remained a vulnerable spot where he had once been hurt.
So, Mo Ran just gave the tip of Chu Wanning's nipple a light peck before leaning down between his legs.
He looked up at Chu Wanning's nervous and stiff expression, then leaned closer, his hot breath caressing the already hardened shaft.
Chu Wanning's Adam's apple bobbed, even with his eyes covered, he still turned his face in shame.
"Ahh...?"
Suddenly, his arousal was engulfed by the youth's moist mouth, encapsulating him in the darkness. The sensation of being orally pleasured was especially intense, as if all his senses were concentrated in that one area. A spark of electricity seemed to crawl up his spine, numbing all the way down to his toes.
Chu Wanning leaned back slightly, biting back the gasp that escaped his lips unprepared.
Despite his efforts to suppress it, his arousal honestly betrayed his arousal to the youth lying between his legs. Mo Ran sucked on him more deeply, his tongue dancing agilely around the tip and shaft. When he pulled away, the dampness of his saliva coated the engorged member.
"Hero Brother..."
Chu Wanning's face flushed entirely, and he grumbled in a low voice, "Don't call me that."
Mo Ran smiled gently. His lips were close enough to Chu Wanning's intimate area that he could clearly feel the air currents from his speech.
"Alright," Mo Ran said. "I'll listen to Master."
It was unclear whether the title 'Master' was more embarrassing or 'Hero Brother' made him more uncomfortable.
But Chu Wanning didn't have much time to ponder, as Mo Ran's moist kisses and licks continued to assault him. Blinded by desire, he could only gasp for air with his lips slightly parted beneath the silk ribbon. Yet, he could almost visualize Mo Ran's position and how his tongue was caressing him.
After a deep kiss, he involuntarily reached out, his fingertips delving into Mo Ran's dark hair. He trembled slightly and whispered, "Alright, that's enough."
This time, however, Mo Ran had no intention of listening to him.
Chu Wanning was an incredibly stubborn person, even in bed. So when he said "that's enough," it was far from being enough.
During their initial intimate encounters after they retreated from the world, Mo Ran had fallen for his deception. As a result, Chu Wanning was left severely torn, leaving Mo Ran staring at the bloodstained sheets in a daze for a long while.
From then on, Mo Ran learned to treat Chu Wanning's "that's enough" as mere hot air.
Ignoring his words, Mo Ran instead captured Chu Wanning's other hand that tried to stop him, entwining their fingers together. He then moved downward, licking along the trail of desire, going even further.
Pausing for a moment, his black eyes shimmered with lust, "Shifu, you need to sit a bit more forward. Like this... it's difficult for me to take care of you..."
Though he spoke gently, Chu Wanning still felt a surge of heat in his head.
Seeing no resistance but also no movement from Chu Wanning, Mo Ran released his hand, lifting him to the edge of the chair. Then, he knelt down, causing Chu Wanning's legs to part even wider.
As the lick swept across, it targeted his rear entrance, and the sensation was even more intense than before. Chu Wanning couldn't help but cry out softly, leaning back with his neck arched, his head resting against the chair's high backrest.
He could feel Mo Ran's tongue exploring him, moistening and invading him vividly.
This was not something he could easily accept, yet a warm current welled up in his chest, filling him with the warmth of being completely accepted, every inch cherished and cared for. It felt as if he were immersed in the world's warmest spring.
When Mo Ran lifted him up, Chu Wanning's legs were numb from excessive stimulation. They switched positions, with Mo Ran now sitting on the chair. His arousal was fully erect, its impressive size daunting.
One hand on Chu Wanning's waist, the other still preparing him for the act. As Chu Wanning winced and uttered his ninth "enough" of the night, Mo Ran finally chuckled, planting a kiss on the corner of Chu Wanning's brow.
"Alright..."
Even with ample lubrication, the intrusion of such a thick and hard member still caused pain.
Chu Wanning's brows knitted together, a slight tremble running down his spine. He could feel Mo Ran's desire sinking deep into his flesh inch by inch.
"Ah..."
When they were fully joined, both of them couldn't help but let out a muffled groan.
"Master, does it hurt?"
"…Try it yourself and see."
Mo Ran didn't reply. He began to move gently. No matter how wildly he might lose control in the depths of passion, this young man was entirely different from Heaven-Stepping Lord at the start of their lovemaking. He thrust with great restraint, yet his handsome face became all the more alluring due to his suppression of desire. His shaft swirled softly within Chu Wanning's warm and tender body, being sucked and embraced by the intestinal walls. This sensation drove him mad, forcing him to exert all his strength to hold back, preventing himself from immediately pinning the man in his arms down for a wild, frenzied coupling.
His chest rose and fell, his black eyes shimmering like polished gems, radiant with desire and heat. Sweat trickled down his naked skin, filling the room with an air of sensuality.
He panted, his breathing growing more rapid.
That subtle motion was almost teasing, even though each penetration was deep, brushing against Chu Wanning's sensitive spots that he knew so well. The head of his penis repeatedly nudged intimately, causing a sweet torment.
"Ahh… ahh…"
In his ear, Chu Wanning's muffled yet low groans could be heard, a soft sound, yet husky and alluring.
Mo Ran was almost hypnotized as he sought out his lips, hungrily invading the moist petals with his tongue as he pressed against him below with increasing urgency.
Seated on Mo Ran's lap, Chu Wanning was on the verge of breaking down from the relentless pounding—Mo Ran was gentle, but such gentleness felt like cruel torture. Mo Ran knew him too well; he was continuously stimulated in the spot that made him shiver with pleasure, the thrusts swift yet not forceful, like an itch that couldn't be scratched. It was like a feather dancing around that area, taunting without landing, escalating that sweet torment without allowing release.
Tormented beyond endurance, he moaned and gasped incoherently, almost like a plea amidst this torturous manipulation.
He could feel the heat intensifying behind him, their union growing increasingly slick. It flushed his cheeks even more, as he was moistly enveloping him, drawing him in...
Chu Wanning dared not, nor did he wish to entertain such thoughts any further.
Fortunately, Mo Ran was not like Heaven-Stepping Lord, with a penchant for hearing him lose control and cry out in bed. Perhaps he had such a desire, but it wasn't an obsession with him.
Mo Ran sensed Chu Wanning's gradual acquiescence, and his thrusts gradually grew more forceful. His hard, hot erection pierced upward, while his hands caressed Chu Wanning's buttocks tenderly. Seated in the chair, he gazed at his lover with a deep, moist gaze full of affection.
"Master, is it pleasurable?"
"..."
There was naturally no answer to such a question, but Mo Ran could sense Chu Wanning's state from his shivers, his fragmented moans, and labored breathing.
He therefore accelerated his movements, thrusting more forcefully upward. Their lovemaking gradually became frenzied and uncontrollable, evolving from their initial tenderness into a sweaty and intense encounter.
The chair creaked under the strain, and the moist slapping sounds of their union grew louder. Amidst this escalating intensity, Chu Wanning finally reached his limit. His waist weakened, and he leaned against Mo Ran's muscular chest, shaking his head slightly. His hair fell across the silk ribbon, partially obscuring it as he gasped, "Slow down... slow down a bit..."
But by this point, the youth had already lost himself in the moment and was no longer as compliant.
This intense penetration continued for a long while until Chu Wanning spasmed and released from Mo Ran's fervent and obsessed thrusting, his semen spilling onto Mo Ran's firm abdomen.
At that moment, Mo Ran looked up at the man sitting on his lap. The silk sash had become askew during their passionate lovemaking, revealing a slightly closed, moist phoenix eye.
Seemingly provoked, Mo Ran suddenly lifted his lover, who was still basking in the afterglow of orgasm, to his feet. With the change in position, his hardness plunged deep, causing the already somewhat disoriented Chu Wanning to moan, "Ah..."
"Shifu, Wanning... my treasure..." He held him close, kissing him as they fell back onto the bed together. During this, Mo Ran's arousal slipped out of Chu Wanning's overly lubricated and debauched entrance.
Chu Wanning's gaze was nearly blank. Men were more sensitive during climax, and he could feel his rear shamelessly clenching in desire, yearning for the sudden absence of the shaft. He panted deeply, his trembling hand reaching up to pull off the now-loosened sash.
His slightly raised, thinly flushed eyes gazed into Mo Ran's soul with tearful vulnerability.
Mo Ran cursed inwardly. Lifting the man on the bed by his legs, he pressed his rigid, scorching arousal against Chu Wanning's entrance and pushed forward, entering only halfway before eliciting a muffled groan of both pain and pleasure from beneath him.
Unable to endure any longer, he whispered an apology and, holding onto Chu Wanning's waist, fiercely and passionately drove his entire length inside.
What followed was a primal union.
In the depths of their passionate love, there was little distinction between Heaven-Stepping Lord and Grandmaster Mo. Both lost all sense of reason, absorbed in the fervent and urgent thrusting, eager to hear more of the muffled moans and gasps from the one beneath them. On the bed, two muscular and well-proportioned bodies entwined in a fiery embrace, Mo Ran spread Chu Wanning's legs wide and moved his hips relentlessly, driving his member swiftly into that warmth.
"Ahh... ahh..."
Everything was in disarray. The relentless penetration and storm-like pounding made Chu Wanning feel like a soul adrift in a river, unable to grasp anything or maintain control.
The only tangible reality was the face of the young man before him, consumed by an obsession and immersion in love.
Before climax, Mo Ran's thrusts became savagely intense, bordering on madness. The final, searing pushes were so fierce they seemed to seek to engulf everything within, followed by a powerful surge of semen that spilled unreservedly into Chu Wanning's body.
His toes trembled slightly from the stimulation, his vision almost blurring.
"Are you alright?"
After a long while, Mo Ran recovered from the afterglow of his climax, tenderly kissing Chu Wanning's damp brows, eyes, lips, and the tip of his nose.
"Did I hurt you?"
"Do you like it like this?"
Chu Wanning turned his face slightly, feeling weary yet with a blazing heart. He gazed at the sincere and gentle countenance of the young man, the man he had once lost, the one who had descended into hell for him, the one who had once been cold by his side.
Now, this vibrant and lively figure intertwined with him on their bed.
Before his eyes.
By his side.
Within him.
He suddenly closed his eyes, an inexplicable bitterness rising in his throat, but sweetness surged forth in his heart, mingling with the sourness and making his voice sound somewhat hoarse.
Chu Wanning was not a man of many words, nor was he thick-skinned.
Don't expect him to honestly answer any questions in bed, so Mo Ran would obviously not get the answers to his silly inquiries this time.
But he would receive something else.
Something better.
Chu Wanning slightly lifted his face. A strand of sweat-dampened black hair was still disheveled across his forehead, and those beautiful eyes gazed upon the young man's face before he leaned in and gently kissed the youth's beautifully shaped lips.
He placed his hand against Mo Ran's chest, over the spot where a scar still lingered.
Both of them bear a scar upon their hearts.
But, all of that is in the past now.
The scar remains, but the pain no longer lingers.
"I love you," Chu Wanning whispered, then, perhaps to avoid letting Mo Ran see his embarrassment and flushed cheeks, he pulled the other man down for another kiss.
This night was no different from the previous one. They didn't stop after just once. With the power of the demonic race coursing through him, Mo Ran seemed to have even more stamina than before, which was already exceptional.
Amidst the lush seclusion of Nanping Valley, their bodies entwined in fiery passion, the bed creaked beneath them. Chu Wanning was flipped over, kneeling on the bed, while Mo Ran held his mouth from behind, pounding into him with the force of a rutting beast. Amidst their rhythmic movements, the semen left inside Chu Wanning frothed white, some of it oozing between their thighs, sticky and slick.
"Wanning..." In the midst of their frenzied lovemaking, Chu Wanning, almost delirious, lay on the bed, with a few strands of black hair obscuring his vision. He vaguely heard Mo Ran calling his name from behind, filled with affection, desire, obsession, and reliance.
He wished to respond, but his voice had grown hoarse from the numerous trysts throughout the night, leaving him barely able to speak.
With his face turned sideways, Chu Wanning lay on the mat, being penetrated. After a while, he saw Mo Ran's hand stretch over and cover his own palm.
The air was filled with Mo Ran's deep, heated breaths and the most erotically captivating voice in the world.
His brows knitted as he keenly felt Mo Ran gasping, once again releasing his essence inside him, like an electric jolt of sensation.
He heard Mo Ran lean close to his ear, speaking with solemnity, just as this young man had often done over the past two years, as if he would continue to do so for a lifetime.
No, it wasn't as if.
It was a certainty.
Mo Ran said, "Wanning, I love you."
I love you.
From the break of dawn till the dusk of night.
Each and every day.
A lifetime.
An entire existence.
As for the Mid-Autumn Festival feast...
Though Chu Wanning was not skilled in cooking, his taste buds were impeccable.
After much effort and failing to grasp the essence of culinary arts, and witnessing Mo Ran deftly prepare ingredients, mix sauces, and marinate fish without any hindrance, three days before the festival, Chu Wanning finally gave up on the idea of doing it himself.
And that was how the opening scene unfolded.
Around Chu Wanning, dozens of monsters, formed from plants and trees, went about their tasks. Some chopped wood, others tended to the fire, some sliced vegetables, and still others stirred the pot.
Looking at the bubbling soup in the pot, its color and aroma both tantalizing, Chu Wanning couldn't help but address the two little demons who were cooking the porridge. "Thank you both."
"No need to thank us, we're doing this willingly," the tree spirit maiden smiled. "Immortal Divine Wood called upon us for help, and we're more than delighted."
Chu Wanning glanced outside the house. He saw Mo Ran sitting obediently at the end of the courtyard, earnestly chopping wood. No one was assisting him; beads of sweat trickled down his tanned cheeks, and his muscular chest and lean waist were visible despite his clothing.
He was quite a handsome man.
Too bad Chu Wanning didn't dote on pretty things.
Although it was unfair for him to secretly summon the monsters to help with cooking, who could blame him when Mo Ran relentlessly tormented him every night? This was simply a necessary response...
With that thought in mind, Chu Wanning clasped his hands together and closed the kitchen door tightly, casting a barrier to keep Mo Ran out. Afterward, he turned back to the grass and tree spirits, picking up the recipe from the writing platform.
"The next dish will be Squirrel Mandarin Fish."
The voice of the Northern Dipper Immortal Venerated faintly echoed from the kitchen, occasionally interrupted by the peculiar whispers of the little monsters.
"Who knows how to catch fish?"
Smoke curled up gently, and as the sun set into dusk, the aroma of tea, rice, oil, and salt filled the air of an ordinary household.
In the midst of such tranquility and warmth, the biting cold and snowy winter of that year in Nanping Mountain would eventually fade gently from memory. Perhaps one day, all the pain they had endured would turn into a faint shadow, like a stain on clothing that might not wash out after one or two attempts, but as time passed, that dark spot would ultimately transform into a gentle and subtle mark.
In every subsequent year of their lives, be it spring, summer, autumn, or winter, they would spend it in the very best of worlds.
——The End of Extra Chapter "Return to Rural Life"——
Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder