After Sheng Jun Chapter 60 (Part 1)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 60 Who's Pressing Whom (part 1)
According to his memory of the Demon Realm's layout a thousand years later, Jiang Xingzhi set up five great teleportation arrays in the "East, West, South, North, and Center."
The holes torn in the sky were also patched up one after another.
Aside from Zhong Ming, who had been restless all along, everything proceeded quite smoothly. While wielding spiritual power to refill the torn barriers, Jiang Xingzhi glanced sideways at Zhong Ming.
Ever since Su You had publicly read aloud from the little booklet, Zhong Ming hadn't spoken again.
Only occasionally when their eyes met, Jiang Xingzhi could glimpse from the depths of the other's gaze a wantonly blazing light. Fierce, as if it would break free at any moment. Yet forcibly restrained, interweaving into an intense fire.
The area around his waist where the booklet was tucked instantly grew hot.
Jiang Xingzhi pretended nothing had happened and looked away, suddenly wondering if the promise he'd made to the man yesterday was perhaps a bit too grand?
Looking at Xu Jian's expression, if he really let him do whatever he wanted... that would be quite something.
While the two exchanged meaningful glances with ambiguous gazes, Su You beside them cast a sideways look and suddenly chuckled, speaking lightly, "By the way, there's a river ahead..."
River! Zhong Ming, who had been immersed in ambiguous fantasies, immediately scattered all romantic thoughts and turned around sensitively—
Jiang Xingzhi was startled by his reaction.
Su You said, "It's the moat of my Demon Realm."
Zhong Ming secretly breathed a sigh of relief: A moat, not the Night Crossing River, so no problem.
The three flew on for another stretch.
Su You pointed to the city below, "Below here is my Demon Realm's Night..."
Zhong Ming made an emergency stop, his whole body sliding back two steps, "Night what?"
Su You drawled leisurely, "Life-Death Tower, known as the 'Night Pearl.'"
Jiang Xingzhi: "......"
Su You raised his tone, "How about it? Beautiful, isn't it~"
A sharp sword intent flashed in Zhong Ming's eyes, "Are you tongue-tied? Can't you speak properly?"
Su You turned to Jiang Xingzhi with an innocent face, "Xingzhi, did this lord say something wrong?"
Two gazes fell on him simultaneously, clearly expecting him to take sides. Jiang Xingzhi took a deep breath, "Perhaps I was the one who was wrong." Wrong to participate in this boring farce.
Seeing his displeased expression, Zhong Ming quickly and perceptively tried to smooth things over, "How could that be? Deng Deng did nothing wrong, I was the one who erred. Why should I argue with a demon lord?"
Su You scoffed disdainfully, "Heh."
…..
The pointless quarrel came to an end.
Below them along the way were ruins and rubble. They could see the Demon Realm's guard army leading various demon cultivators in rebuilding their homeland, with several free supply distribution points set up in the city.
As Jiang Xingzhi's trio flew through the air, a demon cultivator who appeared to be a commander looked up and saw the three of them, quickly calling out to Su You and bowing, "Demon Lord!"
"What is it?" Su You descended.
Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming also landed. The demon commander seemed to have something to report to Su You, so the two walked aside to talk while Jiang Xingzhi remained in place, looking around.
Nearby happened to be a magical artifact shop displaying various magical tools and robes.
As Jiang Xingzhi was looking around, a figure moved beside him, and he saw Zhong Ming walking over.
Zhong Ming approached and began picking and choosing. Unable to resist, Jiang Xingzhi followed over, only to see that what the other held seemed to be all defensive magical artifacts, including a thin undergarment. "Ah Zuo, what are you doing?"
Immersed in his selection, Zhong Ming didn't even look up, "I'm buying some things."
Seeing this, the demon cultivator selling magical artifacts immediately introduced them, "These magical artifacts are all purely defensive types. Especially this undergarment—though light as a feather when worn, it's quite resistant to beatings!"
Crash—a pile of spirit stones fell onto the table. Zhong Ming collected the artifacts one by one, "I'll take them all."
Jiang Xingzhi's eyes widened as he reached out to grab Zhong Ming's arm, "What are you wasting this money for!"
This spendthrift Xu Jian, what had he bought? He was a peak Mahayana stage—with a casual wave of his hand he could tear holes in the sky. What need did he have for these protective artifacts!
"They're needed, they're needed." Zhong Ming moved quickly, stuffing everything into his storage bag as if afraid Jiang Xingzhi would make him return them. He gripped Jiang Xingzhi's hand in return, "Money should be spent on the blade's edge."
What kind of broken blade's edge was this? Jiang Xingzhi didn't understand, but he was greatly shocked.
As the two tugged at each other, Su You just finished talking with the commander and walked back. He glanced over, "......Ha!" Another burst of laughter.
Zhong Ming gave him a warning stare, and Jiang Xingzhi turned his head, "Su You, what are you laughing at?"
"Nothing~"
Su You looked knowing: Buying so many protective artifacts was naturally because someone could only take beatings without daring to fight back.
Jiang Xingzhi was suspicious, but Zhong Ming had already pulled him away, "Let's go, this place isn't suitable for lingering."
"......"
Now, all the holes in the Demon Realm had been patched, and the major teleportation arrays had been set up. Jiang Xingzhi looked around and asked Su You, "There shouldn't be anything else left, right?"
"Basically nothing." Su You crossed his arms and turned to look in one direction. A strand of crimson hair fluttered in the wind, "The only hidden danger remaining is the Night Crossing River."
"What's wrong with the Night Crossing River?" Zhong Ming was instantly on guard.
Su You sneered, this time genuinely not trying to tease anyone, "After the Night Crossing River collapsed, it has now become an underground dark river. Originally, the Night Crossing River flowed from its entrance into the Soul-Devouring Abyss, with thousands of soul lamps in the river suppressing the dead souls beneath the abyss. Now that the Night Crossing River has changed course, I fear the souls will be difficult to suppress."
Jiang Xingzhi asked, "Is there any other solution?"
"There is one. We need to find an ancient malevolent object to replace the Night Crossing River in suppressing the souls. But unless it's extremely fierce and malevolent, I fear it won't be able to suppress them."
Extremely fierce and malevolent—why did that sound so familiar?
As Jiang Xingzhi thought about it, his gaze slowly fell on the ancient malevolent sword at Zhong Ming's waist...
Su You's gaze also followed, his eyes brightening.
Zhong Ming frowned and moved the ancient sword behind him, "What are you looking at?"
Su You unceremoniously turned and pointed at Jiang Xingzhi, "This lord thinks that sword would do nicely."
"Heh, don't even think about it." Zhong Ming glanced at him disdainfully, then pulled Jiang Xingzhi's hand over and slowly showed off, "My sword is meant to protect Deng Deng!"
Jiang Xingzhi: "......"
Though very touched, it was really unnecessary—was your natal sword just going to be hidden away like this?
But even if Zhong Ming were willing to use the ancient malevolent sword to suppress spirits for the Demon Realm, with the abyss entrance right beside the Night Crossing River, he wouldn't go there in front of Jiang Xingzhi.
Perhaps understanding this point, Su You didn't press the matter further and waved his hand, "Let's end the repairs here. Xingzhi has worked hard today too."
Jiang Xingzhi looked at the sky—it was indeed getting late, so he prepared to take his leave, "Then we'll head back first."
Su You curved his lips at him, "Not going back is fine too—this lord would be happy to have the beautiful Xingzhi stay here for the night~"
Heh heh heh. Zhong Ming swept Jiang Xingzhi into his arms, "No need, we're returning to our own love nest."
......Love nest! Jiang Xingzhi touched his chest—he was truly sickened by that term.
Seeing that Su You's face also clearly showed a disgusted expression, he cleared his throat and sent over a refreshing breeze, "No thanks, I still have chives to harvest."
"Chives?" Su You frowned in confusion.
"Just a small business, nothing much." Jiang Xingzhi waved goodbye as he spoke, pulling Zhong Ming away. As he walked, he continued lecturing, "Look at your wasteful spending—only this lamp can supplement the household income."
Not knowing which word had struck Zhong Ming's heart, he cheerfully leaned over to whisper in his ear, "So good at managing the household, my Deng Deng."
The low, lingering voice brushed against his ear like intimate murmuring.
Jiang Xingzhi's face reddened with pride, "Hmph."
****
On the way back to Kunlun from the Demon Realm, Jiang Xingzhi made a detour to the pawn shop in Xunyang City to pawn his nine-linked rings.
Not knowing how long before they'd have to return, he had to harvest the chives he'd planted before leaving!
The jade ring from last time had already been bought, and according to the shopkeeper, the buyer had come a few days ago.
This time he was pawning the eighth ring. Jiang Xingzhi attached a trace of divine consciousness to it—when this ring was bought, he could directly contact the buyer to sell the final jade ring.
After exchanging for spirit stones, he left the pawn shop.
As Jiang Xingzhi was hanging the money pouch at his waist, he noticed a corner of the booklet Su You had given him peeking out. Ah, this shameful book... He hurriedly tucked the corner back in, and when he looked up, he met Zhong Ming's gaze.
Heat rose in Zhong Ming's eyes as he looked down at him, "What are you tucking away?"
Heh, asking when he already knew—no good intentions.
Jiang Xingzhi turned away, ignoring him, and flew back to Kunlun.
….
Just as they landed on Kunlun's peak, the man who had followed closely grabbed him. Zhong Ming gripped Jiang Xingzhi's arm and turned him to face himself, looking down with a smile, "Is Deng Deng shy?"
Jiang Xingzhi looked up at him defiantly, "Isn't your neck red too?"
Zhong Ming leaned down to capture his lips, admitting freely, "Mm, I wanted to kiss you back in the Demon Realm."
"Mmph..." With his lips and tongue invaded, Jiang Xingzhi's arms instinctively hooked around Zhong Ming's neck as he said hazily, "You have no shame."
"What need is there for shame before one's dao companion?" Zhong Ming gripped his waist and smoothly laid him down on the nearby meditation stone, leaning over him and saying hoarsely, "Open your mouth a bit more... you promised to kiss deeply."
Jiang Xingzhi's whole face flushed red: Xu Jian... was truly improper.
He lay back on the meditation stone and obediently opened his mouth, his eyelashes trembling as he let Zhong Ming kiss him intensely and passionately.
Between ragged breaths and racing heartbeats, even his outer robe had slipped to his elbows. Jiang Xingzhi's hands gripped the raised shoulder blades on Zhong Ming's back, one leg unconsciously lifting.
A muffled groan came from between their intertwined lips.
Zhong Ming lifted himself slightly to look at him, using one hand to wipe away the moisture at the corner of his lips, "Don't tease."