After Sheng Jun Chapter 52 (Part 1)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 52 Unable to Endure Any Longer (part 1)
Jiang Xingzhi wasn't deliberately trying to seduce him either.
He was completely unable to control his emotions. Being held by the waist by Zhong Ming, his earlobe being nibbled, he was like prey that had fallen into a tiger's mouth, completely at the mercy of another's touch.
His entire body heated up, even his brain felt as if it were soaked in hot water.
Amidst his chaotic thoughts, Jiang Xingzhi even admired himself for still being able to think about how to control the pace: Should he say "yes" or "no"?
But given his current state, wasn't it already obvious?
Jiang Xingzhi simply tightened his arms around Zhong Ming's neck and buried his head in the man's embrace.
Zhong Ming lowered his head to bite and nibble at his ear, then as if reluctant to hurt him, he held it in his mouth and sucked gently. Then he released it, planting light kisses at the base of his ear.
While kissing, he felt Jiang Xingzhi's movement of hiding in his embrace. Zhong Ming paused, the fire in his heart burning even more fiercely—what kind of hiding was this? It was practically offering himself up on a silver platter.
He didn't hear Jiang Xingzhi's answer, but this action seemed like an admission.
An admission that he liked him.
Zhong Ming's entire chest cavity contracted with a sour ache. He pressed against Jiang Xingzhi's trembling spine and asked through gritted teeth, "Don't you like Xu Jian anymore?"
After asking, he couldn't help but add bitterly, "You liked him for so long, and now you can just forget him?"
"No." This time, Jiang Xingzhi finally spoke softly from where he was buried in his neck, "I haven't forgotten."
The hot breath he exhaled was like wildfire scorching his rationality. Zhong Ming pulled the man from his embrace again, gripping the back of Jiang Xingzhi's neck and firmly pinning him between himself and the stair railing.
Facing each other, Jiang Xingzhi's face was brilliantly beautiful, like crimson clouds filling the sky—an expression he had never seen when he was "Xu Jian."
"Haven't forgotten?" Zhong Ming's gaze was fierce, yet his hand still carefully cushioned behind Jiang Xingzhi's back, afraid he might be hurt by the railing. "If you haven't forgotten, then with him in your heart, what are you doing with me?"
Jiang Xingzhi: "......"
Xu Jian must have completely split personalities.
He roared in his heart: Of course I have you in my heart! I'm doing lovey-dovey things with you!!!
His lips moved, finding it quite difficult to express.
This hesitant appearance of his, in Zhong Ming's eyes, seemed like wavering uncertainty.
Zhong Ming raised his hand to rub his lips, momentarily unsure whether he should use "Bai Mu's" identity to press his advantage, or focus on long-term development and maintain his position as "Xu Jian's" primary love interest.
Being touched on the lips, Jiang Xingzhi's eyes grew moist.
He secretly anticipated in his heart: Was the scene of forceful possession finally about to come?
He lowered his eyes and tightened his arms around Zhong Ming's neck, waiting in a posture of complete submission. After waiting for a long time without anything happening, he finally couldn't help but look up. This glance revealed that the other person's gaze was wandering—he was actually spacing out!
Jiang Xingzhi's eyes widened slightly: What was this? Even in this state, Xu Jian could still space out?
Had he lost his appeal? Jiang Xingzhi glanced down... that didn't seem to be the case.
He paused, then pretended to casually move his lips.
His fingertip heated up. Zhong Ming's conflicted thoughts suddenly came to a halt! He immediately looked down at the person in front of him—Jiang Xingzhi was being pressed against his lower lip, gazing at him with a pair of moist eyes.
His fingertip trembled as he pressed down hard. "You..." Was this person trying to torment him to death!
Zhong Ming was now completely certain: Jiang Xingzhi was indeed seducing him.
He stared intently at the person in front of him.
As their eyes met, something in their hearts seemed to crack with a soft "pop," and some tacit emotion broke free from its cocoon.
Zhong Ming's Adam's apple bobbed. Jiang Xingzhi's eyes clearly reflected his expression of restraint. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he had barely suppressed those overwhelming emotions. Looking at the person in front of him, he said, "Deng Deng."
Jiang Xingzhi, with his lips being pressed, could only make a muffled "Mm?"
Zhong Ming said, "I'll give you some time to think it through properly. Between Xu Jian and me, which one do you prefer more?"
This would determine which storyline he should develop.
Jiang Xingzhi, being firmly pressed against, watched him with his completely serious expression, as if there really was a peerless rival in love. "......"
Jiang Xingzhi froze slightly: Xu Jian seemed to have completely regarded him and his alternate identity as two separate people in his mind.
He obediently nodded, "Mm."
****
The examination was at noon, leaving them little time to compose themselves.
Jiang Xingzhi went back and recited the Heart-Clearing Mantra several times before it was time for the examination. He straightened his clothes and pushed open the door. Zhong Ming was already waiting outside.
He walked over, and the two exchanged glances. Jiang Xingzhi's face slowly reddened again. He quickly put on his silver mask, "Let's go."
The mask only covered his face, leaving his reddened ear tips exposed on both sides. A hand reached up, and Zhong Ming stroked the faint teeth marks still visible on his earlobe. "Red again."
His tone was both sour and sweet. Jiang Xingzhi glanced at him and slapped his hand away with a "pop," putting on a serious expression. "We have important business to attend to. Don't touch me."
Zhong Ming withdrew his hand. "I won't touch you. I'm still waiting for your answer."
Jiang Xingzhi: "......"
He didn't understand this obsession with self-division. But he now understood that Xu Jian's brain definitely had some issues.
He reached up to pull at the man's sleeve. "Let's go."
….
The crowd participating in the examination had already been led through the mountain gate by Zhu Yan and the others, and were now all waiting in the training ground.
When Jiang Xingzhi and his companion appeared together wearing masks, all eyes in the field turned toward them—with admiration, curiosity, nervousness, and doubt.
Jiang Xingzhi swept his gaze over everyone present, noting that their cultivation levels varied greatly: from late Foundation Establishment at the lowest to even Out-of-Body at the highest. But according to their selection criteria, each should possess unique skills.
After one sweep, he sat down in the main seat with Zhong Ming.
Zhu Yan had already changed his address according to his instructions, introducing them to the crowd, "These two seated above are our Kunlun Divine Lords. This is Xue Jun, and this is Xuan Jun."
Everyone paid their respects in unison. "Greetings to the Divine Lords!"
Jiang Xingzhi slightly raised his chin, maintaining his mysterious and noble bearing as he raised his hand. His voice, like jade stones lightly tapping together, seemed to fall from the heavens, enveloping the entire training ground. "Begin."
The voice washed over everyone's consciousness like a clear spring melting snow, making them all shudder involuntarily! Their expressions became solemn.
The first examination had been organized by cultivation level, with participants paired for duels.
Jiang Xingzhi sat high above, watching the matches below as the participants displayed their various abilities.
While watching, he suddenly felt a gaze from beside him. Jiang Xingzhi turned to meet Zhong Ming's eyes and said seriously, "What are you doing, Xuan Jun? Weren't you supposed to supervise the matches?"
Caught in the act, Zhong Ming's expression remained calm. "My divine consciousness is watching for me."
Jiang Xingzhi asked, "Then why are you looking at me?"
That gaze fell on his ear tips. "Looking at how red your ears are—how is that like a desireless, passionless Divine Lord?"
Having been exposed, Jiang Xingzhi seemingly casually brushed down a few strands of hair to cover his ears. "Who says Divine Lords must be without desire or passion? If we can ascend in the future, wouldn't it be nice to become a pair of immortal lovers in heaven?"
Zhong Ming was filled with longing by his words, but couldn't help asking, "With whom? Who do you want to become immortal lovers with?"
Jiang Xingzhi: ...Was there a difference?
"Whoever can ascend, I'll be with them."
A hand suddenly reached over to grasp his, interlocking their fingers. Zhong Ming squeezed him lightly. "What if we all ascend?"
Was this ever going to end? Jiang Xingzhi pulled his hand back and played along with the scenario. "Then you can have your immortal battle."
Zhong Ming: "......"