After Sheng Jun Chapter 16 (Part 1)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 16 Hints of Ambiguity (part 1)
The blue-robed young man nestled in the embrace of the man in black robes, his pale complexion and slender frame adding to his fragile appearance. A blue and a red jade pendant were particularly eye-catching, seemingly silently confirming the relationship between the two.
Wan Xing narrowed his eyes as he examined the two of them, noting that one was at mid-Golden Core stage and the other at late Golden Core stage.
Hmph, not worth worrying about at all.
He raised his hand in a gesture of invitation, "Since you are weak, it wouldn't be good to keep fellow cultivators standing. Please follow me inside to be seated and we can talk at leisure."
As he moved, the jade ring on his thumb flashed blindingly in the sunlight, looking even more ostentatious than the Moon-Holding Pearl around Jiang Xingzhi's neck. Jiang Xingzhi closed his eyes, dazzled by the glare.
Zhong Ming pulled him closer, displaying a very doting manner, "That would be excellent."
Jiang Xingzhi: "......"
The people from Yuhua Sect led the way, and the group passed through the mountain gate, climbing up the steps.
On both sides of the path were lush, verdant trees, while stone steps wound their way up toward the inner gate.
Jiang Xingzhi was tucked under Zhong Ming's arm, making it somewhat difficult for him to breathe freely. He secretly transmitted, "Bai Mu, what kind of nonsense is 'Dao companion'?"
Zhong Ming's expression remained unchanged, "It's acting, of course."
Jiang Xingzhi: "Couldn't we act something else......"
Zhong Ming raised an eyebrow, "Can you think of a more suitable excuse?"
Jiang Xingzhi: "......"
Risking danger to find a flower to treat one's Dao companion's illness was indeed the simplest and most straightforward reason.
He temporarily accepted this setup, "But you don't need to hold me so tightly."
Zhong Ming's strong arm encircled him, with about half a head's height difference between them. As they followed the Yuhua Sect people toward the inner gate, he was almost floating off the ground, hovering over the steps.
Zhong Ming said, "To emphasize your frailty and reduce their vigilance."
Jiang Xingzhi thought about it and agreed it made sense.
Subsequently, he relaxed and quickly immersed himself in the role, "You should show more concern for my health in a moment."
"......"
They soon arrived at a hall, with a red-lacquered plaque hanging over the entrance bearing the three large characters "Honor Martial Hall."
Ping Lan and the other two stopped at the entrance, and Wan Xing glanced at them, "You can go back first."
Ping Lan glanced toward Jiang Xingzhi, seeing him raise his hand to cough lightly, revealing a slightly trembling wrist......
Even these small details were portrayed so vividly, appearing thoroughly immersed in the role, so there was no need for him to worry.
"Yes, Martial Uncle."
After Ping Lan and the others left, Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming followed Wan Xing into the hall and took their seats.
The inside of the hall was colder than the outside. As soon as Jiang Xingzhi sat down, he was wrapped in a cloak lined with fine fleece.
As Zhong Ming wrapped him up, he fussed over him, "Be careful not to catch cold with that frail body of yours."
Jiang Xingzhi: "......"
Wan Xing observed the two, "This fellow cultivator truly dotes on his Dao companion."
Zhong Ming secured the cloak tightly and fastened the ties, "After all, he is my beloved. I can't bear to see him suffer even a little."
The intimate words fell softly into one's ear, sounding direct and sincere. Wrapped in the cloak, Jiang Xingzhi thought that if they weren't just acting—if he hadn't already given his heart to someone else—he might have been emotionally stirred by such words.
He transmitted admiringly, "You're acting very enthusiastically." Previously, when playing the role of the lamp holder, he hadn't shown this level of enthusiasm. Could it be that he didn't like "non-human" roles?
Zhong Ming replied, "So you should cooperate well too."
Jiang Xingzhi: "Mm! I'll do my best."
While the two were secretly communicating, Wan Xing's voice came from the main seat, "Where did you two hear about the flower at the bottom of the lake?"
Jiang Xingzhi quickly got into character, "We heard it from a traveling physician. What about you?"
Wan Xing gave a dry laugh, "It was mentioned in ancient records, that's all."
Jiang Xingzhi nodded in understanding, "So your sect's trial is based on content from ancient records."
Wan Xing choked for a moment, "......" He considered for a few moments, then sighed with partial truth, "Actually, I consulted ancient records to find a cure for the Sect Master, my senior brother. It just happened to serve as a trial, asking his disciples to search for a good remedy."
"I see." Jiang Xingzhi smiled.
Wan Xing asked again, "What illness does fellow cultivator suffer from?"
"Cold poison." As Jiang Xingzhi spoke, he touched the Moon-Holding Pearl at his chest. The bright red spirit-gathering bead was faintly visible beneath the cloak. "My breath is solely sustained by this spirit bead, so I need to find a complete cure quickly."
"Oh... I see." Wan Xing's gaze lingered several times on that Moon-Holding Pearl.
They say wealth shouldn't be flaunted, and these two young men were truly foolish, so ostentatiously displaying their treasures. When the time came, he would just take the spirit bead, and one of them would be eliminated without him even having to lift a finger.
From the seat below, Jiang Xingzhi felt the greedy gaze from above and cooperatively played with the pearl and jade, turning it three times left... three times right... displaying it from all angles without any blind spots.
As he played with it, he transmitted to Zhong Ming, "You're truly far-sighted."
The plan was to flaunt their wealth; time reveals a person's true nature.
Zhong Ming had already given up on this topic, "Mm."
After a series of probing questions and answers, Wan Xing found he couldn't get more information for the time being, so he spoke up to keep them, "It's getting late. Why don't you two rest in our sect for now? If we find that flower at the bottom of the lake later, we'll certainly share it with fellow cultivators as a token of gratitude."
Tears welled up in Jiang Xingzhi's eyes in an instant, "You are truly a great benefactor."
Zhong Ming raised his hand to wipe away the tears from the corners of his eyes, saying softly, "You finally have hope."
"......" Jiang Xingzhi: "Mm!"
Wan Xing had no desire to watch this display of "deep affection," so he turned to instruct Protector Qian who was waiting to the side, "Take our two guests to stay at Mist Pavilion."
Protector Qian: "Yes, Grand Elder."
With Zhong Ming's support, Jiang Xingzhi slowly rose and exited the hall. He transmitted to him, "I don't look like a Mahayana cultivator—I look like an invalid."
Zhong Ming glanced at his comfortable demeanor without exposing his superficial sighing.