After Sheng Jun Chapter 8 (Part 1)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 8 Zhong Ming Gui Xue (part 1)
The mountain wind rustled through the forest as a strand of hair gently brushed against Jiang Xingzhi's cheek. His eyes held a softness that Zhong Ming had never seen before.
First came a flutter in his heart, followed by an indescribable feeling.
Zhong Ming's breath slowed, his heart suspended high as if awaiting judgment. His hand, hanging at his side, clenched tightly, leaving crescent marks on his palm.
"...The person you want to see?"
Jiang Xingzhi returned from his thoughts, only to see the other's lips pressed into a straight line. "What's wrong?"
His voice was low and hoarse, "Who is the person you want to see?"
As long as he wasn't in front of Xu Jian himself, Jiang Xingzhi had never known shyness when discussing this topic. His eyes reflected the mountains and sea of clouds, his smile as gentle as spring wind, "Of course, it's love."
As the words fell, the surrounding air suddenly froze.
Zhong Ming's gaze fell to his feet, where scattered grass blades came into view. All those secret longings that had existed in his heart were shattered by this single sentence, scattering into fragments that surged with tumultuous thoughts.
Bitterness and jealousy.
And an almost uncontrollable possessiveness that crashed against his chest.
Seeing Zhong Ming's silence, Jiang Xingzhi leaned closer and nudged him with his elbow, "Does Brother Bai have someone he loves?"
Two breaths of silence.
The extended hand was suddenly grasped. The other's palm was broad and warm, completely enveloping his hand and pressing it against his chest. He could faintly feel the heartbeat beneath the ribcage.
Zhong Ming lifted his eyes while gripping his hand, his throat moving, "I do."
The words were spoken so softly and brokenly, they almost scattered in the wind.
Jiang Xingzhi was momentarily startled by the thick and complex emotions in those eyes, actually forgetting to withdraw his hand.
After a moment, he came to his senses and gulped: judging by this tone, could Brother Bai's loved one have ascended...
Jiang Xingzhi glanced again at the hand gripping his, as if it was drawing strength from him. He hesitated for a moment, then placed his other hand over Zhong Ming's.
He patted heavily twice, pat, pat. Rest in peace.
Zhong Ming: "..."
Zhong Ming moved his lips, "What are you thinking?"
Jiang Xingzhi slowly shook his head, "At times like this, silence speaks louder than words."
Their clasped hands finally released. Zhong Ming suppressed certain wildly growing thoughts and took a deep breath, "Let's head back."
…..
When they returned to the banquet hall, the situation had already settled down.
The origin of the "evil entity" and the whole story had been fully disclosed by the Kouyue Sect, with a very proper attitude and timely admission of fault, reportedly coming from Yue Fu Zhenren's mouth.
Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming took seats beside Shang Luxing. As Tong Yu Zhenren was still decrying rights and wrongs from the main seat, Jiang Xingzhi commented softly, "How convenient, this 'reportedly.'"
Shang Luxing smiled helplessly, "Someone needs to be the target, and Yue Fu Zhenren isn't wronged either."
Jiang Xingzhi nodded. Even if not the instigator, they were at least one of the main conspirators.
Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly received a message from Shang Luxing, "Brother Jiang, what's wrong with Brother Bai?"
Jiang Xingzhi glanced at the silent Zhong Ming beside him, secretly sighing at the merchant's keen intuition. He said, "Perhaps a painful memory was touched."
Shang Luxing: "Hmm?"
Jiang Xingzhi shook his head - such sorrowful matters shouldn't be spoken of.
Especially for someone as deep as Bai Mu, who surely would prefer to bury this lost love alone in his heart.
Who knows if he had ever counted the countless stars on cold nights, wondering which star his loved one had become?
Jiang Xingzhi sympathetically: "Ah..."
Shang Luxing: ??
A vein throbbed at Zhong Ming's temple.
Certain thoughts he had just suppressed surfaced again.
Though the banquet had lost its original purpose, it still had fine dishes and wine to accompany it, plus a "Divine Lamp" performance no less spectacular than the "Torch Dragon." The guests felt the trip wasn't wasted and gave face by not leaving early.
While the main seats were cold and empty, the seats at the Shang family's table were full of toasts and conversation, rather giving the impression that the guests had become the hosts.
--Truly outshining all others, unmatched in glory.
Until sunset when the banquet was ending, people still gathered around Jiang Xingzhi, all inviting him to visit their homes. Jiang Xingzhi looked at the dense crowd, "Arrange an order, and we'll gather another day."
The Pavilion Master of Qingfeng Pavilion asked, "May I ask Divine Lamp Daren, what's the standard for the order?"
Under everyone's expectant gazes, Jiang Xingzhi replied without hesitation, "We'll start with whoever has the best food."
"..."
The crowd froze for a moment before quickly becoming fired up with competitive spirit.
The banquet ended with all guests satisfied, and the various sects finally left Kouyue Sect before sunset, setting off on their return journey.
****
The sunset glow spread across the entire mountaintop, with the huge luxurious Lanyu boat stopped outside the mountain gate.
Shang Luxing walked with Jiang Xingzhi toward the mountain gate, "This Shang is indebted to Brother Jiang today."
Jiang Xingzhi: "We each got what we needed." He hadn't left empty-handed either.
Shang Luxing: "If you don't mind, Brother Jiang and Brother Bai can stay at the Shang mansion, the guest house has been empty for a while."
This approach was more sophisticated than other sects' attempts to curry favor. Just as Jiang Xingzhi was considering how to "pass through a flower garden without a petal sticking," the communication stone in his sleeve suddenly rang.
He stopped, "Excuse me for a moment."
He turned toward an empty space to receive the message.
After he left, Shang Luxing looked at Zhong Ming, "Brother Bai isn't going with Brother Jiang?"
Zhong Ming said flatly, "We're not that close."
Shang Luxing was surprised - hadn't they been "unable to sleep enough nights" this morning? How were they suddenly not that close? Moreover, seeing how they interacted, he had thought they were longtime traveling companions who knew each other well.
He smiled, "Seems like it was old friends at first sight."
-Old friends at first sight
Zhong Ming looked at the rose-colored sunset without responding, the golden-red sky dyeing his pupils with a blurred light.
He might not be the "old friend" the other wanted to see.
Soon Jiang Xingzhi returned hurriedly, "Family head Shang, I have an urgent matter to attend to."
"No problem, Brother Jiang, please go ahead," Shang Luxing quickly said.
Jiang Xingzhi nodded and turned to leave, with someone following like a shadow. He turned back to see Zhong Ming, "You're coming too?"
Zhong Ming made an affirmative sound, "What's wrong with that kid again?"
The word "again" was worth pondering.
The situation was urgent, so Jiang Xingzhi had no time to dwell on his subtle choice of words. He grabbed Zhong Ming's arm and they flew away together - their figures instantly shot several li away. In the whistling wind, he briefly explained:
"The people who were hunting Zhu Yan that day have returned and taken his brother hostage."
Zhong Ming frowned, "Why are they so determined to eliminate them?"
"Don't know," Jiang Xingzhi said, "Let's ask after we save the person."
"Alright." Zhong Ming responded, looking down at the hand gripping his arm - the back of the hand was so white it was almost transparent, you could see the delicate blood vessels underneath the skin.
Along with the cool temperature of the palm, it made him uncontrollably recall the soul-shattering moment under that thunderous tribulation.
Sensing that gaze, Jiang Xingzhi suddenly realized he was still gripping the other's arm. He quickly let go, "Special circumstances, don't think too much about it." We each have someone in our hearts.
Zhong Ming: "..."
The next moment, the released hand was firmly gripped back. Jiang Xingzhi tried to pull away but couldn't, "???"
Zhong Ming pulled him along at full speed, "You're too slow."
Jiang Xingzhi was pulled along at full speed toward the outskirts of Xunyang City, the vast sunset glow falling on both their figures. He glanced sideways at Zhong Ming, feeling relieved - who knew this person with such a cold exterior would be so warm-hearted.
…..
Outside Xunyang City.
Besides the few people from last time, there was now an additional Golden Core cultivator. He was gripping the neck of a youth - Zhu Yan's brother Zhu Xu.
Separated by a barrier, Zhu Yan's face showed hatred, but neither side had hastily made the next move in their standoff.
When Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming arrived, Zhu Xu's face was already pale.
Zhong Ming glanced from afar and was about to act when Jiang Xingzhi held him back, "Don't rush."
Not far from the standoff was a forest. Jiang Xingzhi pulled him to hide in the woods. He pulled Zhong Ming behind himself, the two standing close, "Let me give an opening speech first."
The high-tied long hair brushed his face, and Zhong Ming could almost touch Jiang Xingzhi's crown with a slight bow of his head.
He held his breath, "What opening speech?"
Just as the words fell, he heard Jiang Xingzhi clear his throat, and that rich voice once again echoed through the mountains and wilderness, "In the territory of the Mountain God--"
Zhong Ming's brow twitched.
Ahead, Zhu Yan's eyes lit up, waves of excitement surging in his heart. The few Foundation Establishment cultivators who had been blocked outside earlier heard this familiar opening and almost choked.
One of them rushed to say, "We haven't been loudly clamoring or chasing and fighting wildly this time! What reason does your excellency have to interfere?"
The Golden Core cultivator was confused, "Who is that?"
Jiang Xingzhi's voice was rich, "Already said it's the Mountain God."
After speaking, he realized this tone was too characteristic, so he steadied himself and spoke again, "Today happens to be the day of sacrifice, and I am quite satisfied with the offering you've brought. I'll accept it, now leave!"
The Golden Core cultivator was furious, "What offering, this is--"
Before he could finish, there was a sudden pain in his wrist! He cried out "Ugh!" and released his grip. Zhu Xu, who had been held hostage, seemed to be pulled by some mysterious force and instantly fell inside the barrier.
Thud - Zhu Yan quickly caught the person.
A barrage of attacks immediately "pata-pata" against the barrier, sparks flying in the air, but inside the barrier remained perfectly peaceful.
After dealing with the matter at hand, Jiang Xingzhi turned to Zhong Ming behind him, "I..." His words suddenly stopped. His bangs brushed against his lips, warm breath fell, and he instinctively leaned back.
Thump - his back hit the tree trunk.
The setting sunlight penetrated through the branches and leaves, tree shadows swaying.
As their eyes met, both were stunned for a moment.
Finally, Zhong Ming regained his senses first, lowering his eyes to ask, "Did you forget there was still a living person behind you?"
Jiang Xingzhi collected himself and straightened up, raising his hand to push against Zhong Ming's chest to move him away, "I overestimated our distance."
As they spoke, outside, the attacking group saw their attacks were ineffective and, after some discussion, withdrew. From the looks of it, they hadn't given up, but probably wouldn't return for a while.
Zhong Ming stepped back to stand before Jiang Xingzhi, eyebrows slightly raised, "Mountain God?"
Jiang Xingzhi: "Had to have some identity."
"How credible do you think it is?"
"About the same as Divine Lamp, I suppose."
Zhong Ming was speechless: True enough, with Divine Lamp appearing out of nowhere, what's another Mountain God legend in the Three Realms?
Soon, Zhu Yan brought Zhu Xu over, familiar with the way.
Zhu Xu had barely begun Qi Condensation, and after being held by the throat by a Golden Core cultivator all the way, he hadn't yet caught his breath.
He looked up and first saw a frost-cold man in black, making his spine tremble. His gaze shifted to see the youth opposite the black-clad man - born with noble and elegant features, looking more approachable than the former, but his pale complexion gave an impression of frailty.
Could it have been the black-clad man who helped just now?
While in a daze, Zhu Xu's back was patted, and Zhu Yan said, "Hurry and thank both darens!"
Zhu Xu quickly bowed in thanks, "Many thanks to the darens for saving my life!"