After Sheng Jun Chapter 53 (Part 1)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 53 Turbulent First Kiss (part 1)
Zhong Ming's actions and words revealed subtle emotional wavering.
Jiang Xingzhi keenly caught this, his heart filled with joy as he decided to add fuel to the fire.
He clung to Zhong Ming's arm, looking away insincerely, "You're just one candidate... there are thousands of candidates, who else has such strong possessiveness like you?"
Thousands! Zhong Ming was infuriated.
His hands gripping the man's waist lifted up, making Jiang Xingzhi's feet leave the ground. Then with a turn of his body amid the other's soft exclamation, he sat down on the meditation stone behind him.
Jiang Xingzhi was clamped at the waist, straddling the other's legs. The firm thighs beneath him bulged from exertion, making his heart race.
His face flushed as he looked at the man he had provoked—Zhong Ming was already half a head taller than him, and this sitting position brought their gazes level.
The last ray of sunset in the distance sank below the horizon, disappearing into the night-shrouded peaks of Kunlun Mountain, leaving only the startling brightness of the fire in Zhong Ming's eyes.
Jiang Xingzhi felt uncomfortable from the hard surface and tried to get up, but after rising only half an inch, he was pulled back down into Zhong Ming's embrace. "Where are you going?"
He wrapped his arms around Zhong Ming's neck, smoothing his feathers, "Ah Zuo, are you unhappy?"
"What do you think?" Zhong Ming stared at him, his fierce gaze falling sometimes on his ears, sometimes on his lips, and lingering on that slender neck for a while, as if considering where to bite first.
Wherever it was, just hurry up and bite! Jiang Xingzhi silently urged.
To cooperate with the other's actions, he slightly parted his lips, making it convenient for Zhong Ming to kiss him. This small movement didn't escape the latter's eyes, and the hands gripping his waist immediately tightened.
A dark gleam flashed in Zhong Ming's eyes as he leaned forward—
Hot breath enveloped Jiang Xingzhi's lips, but stopped when only half a finger's width away, as if making some life-or-death decision.
Jiang Xingzhi's heart grew anxious, and he unconsciously raised his chin, moving forward slightly.
Like asking for a kiss.
The falling breath suddenly grew heavier!
Then his lips felt heat as a fierce, harsh kiss covered them.
Perhaps mixed with emotion, Zhong Ming's kissing was somewhat lacking in technique. But this domineering, plundering posture was enough to make Jiang Xingzhi tremble with excitement all over—just as he had hoped, clinging to the man's neck and being forced to endure.
Disordered breathing intertwined back and forth, impossible to tell who was more confused.
Only when he felt the hands on his shoulders gradually losing strength and sliding down did Zhong Ming spare the person in his arms who could barely breathe, looking down at Jiang Xingzhi's intoxicated expression.
His emotionally overwhelmed mind cleared a little.
Zhong Ming steadied his breathing: He had finally kissed his Xingzhi, but...
He raised his hand to pinch Jiang Xingzhi's nape, asking in a hoarse voice, "Jiang Xingzhi, do you know who's kissing you now?"
Jiang Xingzhi leaned back in his palm, his eyes reflecting the man's handsome and tension-filled face, with only boundless night surrounding his vision.
He softly hummed, "Ah Zuo."
What Ah Zuo! Zhong Ming pinched him lightly, "Say the name."
Jiang Xingzhi pursed his moist, bright lips, "Bai Mu."
Zhong Ming's jaw clenched tight, whether from anger or satisfaction unclear, and he bit his lips again. The force was much heavier than before, making Jiang Xingzhi actually feel pain, causing him to pat the man's shoulder.
Zhong Ming released him, looking at the teeth marks on those lips—left by himself.
His pupils deepened as he leaned down to kiss again.
...
Jiang Xingzhi couldn't count how long Zhong Ming had pressed him down and kissed him that night, only remembering that his lips were numb at the end.
He was kissed dizzy and confused, still mindful not to call the wrong name. He leaned on Zhong Ming's shoulder begging for mercy, "Bai Mu, you're already the first-priority candidate... no more kissing, no more kissing..."
"No more kissing?" Zhong Ming looked down, his fingertips lovingly stroking the side of Jiang Xingzhi's neck. This time it was he who was still unsatisfied.
Jiang Xingzhi quickly shook his head.
He really couldn't take any more kissing. Tasting the flavor of a first kiss for the first time, it seemed like his body had lost its soul, leaving him so tired he could only nestle in Zhong Ming's embrace, almost falling asleep.
In his hazy consciousness, he felt himself being lifted by Zhong Ming in a face-to-face position, walking toward the courtyard.
A jealous yet satisfied voice sounded in his ear, "Bai Mu... Bai Mu, all you know is Bai Mu..."
The low voice made his eardrums itch.
Jiang Xingzhi shrank against the man's shoulder: Whether it was Ah Zuo or Bai Mu, weren't they both his Xu Jian?
Was this person stupid?
He muttered in his heart, soon sweetly sinking into dreamland again.
****
The next day, when Jiang Xingzhi woke up, he found something different from usual.
The soft pillow from past days was gone, replaced by something harder but with some resilience—muscle. Turning his head, he faced a familiar belt, and a voice came from above his head, "Awake."
A hand reached over to smooth his sleep-tousled hair.
Jiang Xingzhi looked up to meet the man's gaze as he leaned down. He opened his mouth, but for a long moment only managed one syllable, "Mm."
What was going on? Why was Xu Jian sitting by his bed serving as a human pillow?
As if seeing through his confusion, Zhong Ming displayed himself tenderly, "After carrying you back last night, I sat here all night giving you a pillow."
Jiang Xingzhi, "......"
He asked, "So you watched me all night?"
Zhong Ming, "Mm."
A breath of cold morning air entered his chest, and thousands of words instantly stuck in Jiang Xingzhi's throat, his hands under the covers trembling slightly. He screamed silently in his heart:
Do you think this is romantic?! This is somewhat horrifying!!!
But considering not wanting to dampen the other's romantic enthusiasm, Jiang Xingzhi still got up and praised, "You're so reliable."
Zhong Ming smiled like a peacock spreading its feathers.
Jiang Xingzhi looked deeply at him and straightened his clothes as he got up from the bed. The man behind him came over again, pulling his outer robe to help him dress, "Deng Deng."
"What?" Jiang Xingzhi was happy not to move his hands, letting him fuss.
Zhong Ming asked, "What's our relationship now?"
Oh, still hung up on yesterday's words. Jiang Xingzhi glanced at him, "Didn't I say? You're already the first-priority candidate."
The hands pulling his outer robe suddenly tightened!
Zhong Ming gripped his lapels and pulled him two steps into his embrace, staring intently at him, "First priority? So there's still a second priority? Can the second priority still push me out and rise up?"
Jiang Xingzhi, "......" One persona, yet he didn't know what he was competing with his true self for.
He asked, "Do you want the second priority to rise up?"
Zhong Ming was stunned, suddenly stumped by the question: Yes, did he still want his true self "Xu Jian" to rise up? Actually, he still preferred his identity as "Xu Jian" in his heart, but his "Bai Mu" persona was making gratifying progress now.
If Jiang Xingzhi fell in love with his "Xu Jian" identity again later, Zhong Ming felt he would definitely be annoyed—annoyed that this person's speed of transferring affection was a bit too fast!
Jiang Xingzhi observed his expression, "Do you want it or not?"
Zhong Ming suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his heart and assumed a neutral stance, "Then let's compete based on ability."
Jiang Xingzhi, "......"
Actually still competing for position.
He had no idea what to say, only responding with a complex expression, "Mm," as he finished adjusting his clothes, "It's almost time for the examination, let's go."
...
The entrance examination consisted of three rounds, testing strength, mental fortitude, and character respectively. Today's examination tested mental fortitude.
The examination venue was in the dense forest behind the mountainside of Kunlun Mountain. A maze illusion was set up in the forest, and those who walked out within the specified time were considered winners and could remain for the final examination.
Although the examination was in the forest, everyone first gathered at the training ground beforehand to count attendance and check for any cheating devices.
When Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming arrived, the inspection phase had ended, and a group of people were arranged neatly in the field.
Zhu Yan stood beside Luo Chu, the latter standing alone, apparently waiting specifically for their arrival. Seeing Jiang Xingzhi and the other, Zhu Yan immediately led Luo Chu forward, "Divine Lord."
Jiang Xingzhi asked, "What’s the matter?"
Luo Chu bowed and said, "Yesterday, this humble one has already sent messages to all fellow cultivators. Recently, many will be submitting recommendation letters to join Kunlun. I wonder if they can still participate in the examination?"
"Naturally they can." Jiang Xingzhi said, "All ambitious people are always welcome to our Kunlun."
Luo Chu breathed a sigh of relief, "The Divine Lord is benevolent." After speaking, he returned to the group.
After confirming the pre-examination matters, Zhu Yan led the examinees through the mountain steps toward the dense forest. Jiang Xingzhi called out to Zhu Xu, "What recommendation letters have been submitted?"
Zhu Xu immediately flipped open his small notebook and respectfully handed it over, "All have been recorded. Please review, Divine Lord."
Jiang Xingzhi took it and scanned line by line, his gaze suddenly fixing on a familiar name—Liu Chuan.
The figure of a young man in white robes carrying a sword instantly appeared in his mind—a natural sword cultivator. At the time, he had even extended an olive branch to him, though in the name of Guixue Sect. But the other had said his aspirations lay elsewhere and politely declined. He hadn't expected him to now actively submit a recommendation.
Jiang Xingzhi pointed to Liu Chuan's name for Zhu Xu, "Admit this person directly, I'll interview him personally."
Zhu Xu didn't know they had met before and was somewhat surprised, "Yes, Divine Lord."
Jiang Xingzhi was just handing the notebook back to Zhu Xu when two hands circled around his waist from behind. A chin rested on his shoulder as Zhong Ming spoke with a hint of vinegar, "Oh, a sword cultivator."
Jiang Xingzhi, "......"
After last night, their relationship had rapidly warmed up. Zhong Ming had always been thick-skinned, and now he completely ignored everyone's gazes, directly embracing Jiang Xingzhi.
They stood outside the field, with some examinees who hadn't left yet not far away.
The entire inside and outside of the field suddenly quieted for a moment.
Several surprised, inquiring gazes carefully and covertly cast over: The two Divine Lords are... are...?
This time, Zhu Yan couldn't use the excuse of "exchanging divine consciousness" to brush things off, so he could only keep his mouth shut and pretend it was perfectly normal as he quickly led everyone away.
Feeling the gazes falling on them both, Jiang Xingzhi didn't stop Zhong Ming, indulging in this person's intimate actions, "Yes, a sword cultivator."
The steady heartbeat from the chest behind him came through, "You like sword cultivators."
Jiang Xingzhi said, "I told you I don't... and besides, Ah Zuo is the most amazing sword cultivator."
Zhong Ming's breathing suddenly grew heavier. He snorted lightly in his heart: When he liked his Xu Jian identity, he said Xu Jian was the most amazing sword cultivator; now that he liked his Bai Mu identity, he said Bai Mu was the most amazing sword cultivator.
His Deng Deng was truly a versatile divine lamp.
But undeniably, Zhong Ming was still coaxed by these words until his heart flowed with honey. If not for the troublesome mask in the way, he would definitely kiss his Deng Deng, "Mm."
****
With Jiang Xingzhi's personal order, before the second examination had ended, Liu Chuan was summoned to Kunlun.
They had met before, so to avoid arousing suspicion, Jiang Xingzhi placed a one-way barrier at the long steps leading to the mountain peak—this barrier led up to what he had previously marked as their "world for two," claimed externally as "the divine residence, not to be glimpsed."
Now the two of them stood within the barrier, while Liu Chuan stood outside it.
Jiang Xingzhi looked toward the white-robed young man several steps down.
Liu Chuan stood with his sword on his back. Even facing the legendary "Kunlun Divine Lord," he maintained his upright posture with an attitude of neither servility nor arrogance. Seeing this, Jiang Xingzhi's eyes revealed several traces of appreciation.
Just as he was appreciating, his finger was pinched twice.
The man beside him looked directly over, his eyes seeming to accuse: Don't forget who the most amazing sword cultivator in your heart is.
Jiang Xingzhi: "......"
Fine, men who had just fallen in love—he'd endure it.
He cleared his throat and spoke to Liu Chuan, "Why do you wish to join Kunlun?"
Liu Chuan said, "I heard that Kunlun was established to uphold justice and benefit all living beings. All innocent victims can come here seeking protection."
Jiang Xingzhi asked, "So you're here seeking protection?"
"No." Liu Chuan's expression was firm, his clear voice ringing like a sword chime, "This junior has come to protect all living beings."