Villainous Junior Chapter 19
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 19: Marks
It was late at night. The disciples had just expended much spiritual energy setting up the protective array, and were now exhausted and sleepy. They really had no strength left to continue traveling through the night. Meng Chen thus led them to find an inn in Heyang City, deciding to rest here for the night and set out to return to Taixuan Sect the next day.
For the eleven people, they got six rooms. The disciples paired up two to a room, while Meng Chen had a room to himself.
He returned to his room and quickly freshened up, only then realizing he was still wearing Xue Lang's outer robe. The other was probably already asleep by now, so Meng Chen took off the robe, folded it neatly, and placed it on the table, planning to return it in the morning.
Just then, there came a "knock knock knock" at the door, one after another, very urgent and forceful. Meng Chen went over to open the door and saw a disciple standing outside, looking anxious and flustered.
Meng Chen remembered this was the disciple rooming with Xue Lang, and immediately had a bad feeling. "What's wrong?"
"Senior Brother Meng, come quickly to check on Xue Lang," the disciple said anxiously. "He seems to have been stung by a Thorn Demon earlier!"
Meng Chen's heart sank. He immediately followed the disciple to the room, only to see Xue Lang lying on the bed, already unconscious, his body burning hot, face flushed red, brows tightly furrowed, looking very much in pain.
Meng Chen stepped forward and quickly examined him, indeed finding a red spot on his right calf, the mark of being stung by a Thorn Demon.
The disciple asked worriedly. "Senior Brother Meng, is this poison severe? What should we do now?"
"Fortunately, it was discovered in time. We just need to force out the poison." Meng Chen dared not delay. He immediately mobilized his spiritual energy to force the poison out bit by bit from the wound, then stuffed two detoxification pills into Xue Lang's mouth.
However, after waiting for a moment, the heat in Xue Lang's body did not subside. His expression seemed to become even more uncomfortable.
Meng Chen frowned slightly, his fingers pressing on Xue Lang's pulse to carefully examine. Then, a look of surprise appeared in his eyes.
The energy in the other's dantian was full and vigorous, with a faint circular object emitting a golden color. Judging from these signs, he was actually about to form his golden core!
Although Xue Lang seemed troublesome, after entering Taixuan Sect, he had actually been diligently cultivating every day. Combined with his extraordinary talent and excellent comprehension, breaking through to the Golden Core Realm now was indeed a natural progression. It was just that at this crucial moment, he had the misfortune of being stung by a Thorn Demon. The poison caused his internal true qi to lose control and become chaotic, running wild in his dantian, resulting in his current state of fever and unconsciousness.
The most urgent matter now was to help him successfully form his golden core.
"You go rest," Meng Chen said, supporting Xue Lang on his shoulder, while the disciple looked on with a confused expression. "I'll take care of him."
He brought Xue Lang back to his own room, laid him on the bed, and held his wrist to input his own internal energy, helping to regulate the chaotic true qi inside him.
Sensing the intrusion of an external force, the vigorous spiritual energy in the youth's body immediately jolted, instantly entering a state of alertness and vigilance. But soon, it sensed that this force harbored no malice, and could even be described as gentle. Upon closer feeling, there was a cool, very comfortable sensation. The turbulent spiritual energy immediately became docile, even actively approaching, shamelessly embracing this force into itself.
Seeing that Xue Lang's internal true qi did not reject him, Meng Chen felt slightly relieved and closed his eyes to concentrate on regulating the other's energy. However, after a short while, his wrist suddenly felt hot as something burning pressed against it. Meng Chen opened his eyes to see that Xue Lang had somehow groggily nuzzled over, pressing his entire face against Meng Chen's arm, even contentedly humming a couple of times.
Meng Chen had a water spiritual root, and due to his cultivation method, his body temperature had always been lower than normal. Xue Lang was already delirious with fever, and it seemed he had instinctively taken Meng Chen for some sort of cooling object and snuggled up to him.
Meng Chen glanced at his flushed cheeks and didn't stop him, letting him be.
However, having tasted sweetness, the person did not settle down, but instead began to push his luck.
He wriggled on the bed like a big caterpillar, inching closer and closer to Meng Chen's side. Then he opened his arms and embraced Meng Chen fully.
Forced to interrupt his meditation, Meng Chen had to push him away. "Go back and lie down properly. Bear with it a little longer, it won't be hot soon."
It was unclear if Xue Lang understood. He frowned and grunted twice, clearly very unwilling. He tightened his arms stubbornly, hugging even closer. His mind had turned to mush, knowing nothing except that the thing he held felt especially comfortable. Not only was it cool and could reduce his temperature, but he could also smell a faint fragrance of orchid grass. He loved it immensely, wanting to hold on forever without letting go.
The youth closed his eyes, letting out a satisfied sigh, and comfortably tilted to the side, preparing to continue his deep sleep.
Caught off guard, Meng Chen was pulled down onto the bed with him. He felt quite helpless and reached out to push him away. Xue Lang sensed the beloved object in his arms trying to escape again and again, and suddenly became annoyed. Angrily, he pressed Meng Chen back down, shouting loudly. "Don't move!"
Tch, what a temper.
Meng Chen didn't know whether to be angry or amused. He managed to free one hand from the youth's embrace and pinched his cheek gently. "Get up. Don't you want to form your golden core properly?"
Xue Lang grunted incoherently, refusing to let go. He buried his face in Meng Chen's neck, nuzzling a couple of times. After a moment of quiet, he murmured. "Meng Chen..."
Meng Chen's hand, ready to push him away again, paused.
"Can you...smile?" the youth said softly. "Smile... more..."
Meng Chen was silent for a moment, his gaze gradually softening. The raised hand finally landed on the youth's jet-black hair, patting it gently a couple of times.
****
The next day.
The sun had risen high, filling the room with brightness.
Xue Lang opened his eyes groggily, first seeing a small patch of jade-like, flawless skin.
Then he realized his face was pressed closely against this skin.
Finally, he discovered his arm was tightly wrapped around something - slender, soft, and warm, seemingly someone's waist.
His brain slowly processed for a moment. Some hazy, blurred fragments gradually took shape. Xue Lang's eyes widened. He sharply sucked in a cold breath, springing up from the bed like a reanimated corpse!
With a broader view, he now saw the bed's condition more fully: the quilt and sheets were crumpled into a mess, the pillow had fallen to the floor. Of course, these weren't the main points.
The key was that Meng Chen was sleeping beside him with closed eyes, his long hair disheveled, clothes wrinkled beyond recognition. The collar was even pulled open, revealing his fair, unblemished neck. For some reason, there were several red marks on some parts of his skin, as if something had repeatedly rubbed against it.
Without a doubt, that something was Xue Lang's face.
Xue Lang froze on the bed, his internal organs beginning to tremble violently. He felt as if the sky had fallen and the earth had split open, the sun and moon losing their light. He gradually remembered - last night, for some unknown reason, his whole body had been burning hot. Feeling something cool nearby, he had thoughtlessly clung to it. How could he have imagined it would be Meng Chen!!
He was shocked and terrified, anxious and uneasy. Yet beneath the surging, overwhelming emotions, a subtle but undeniable excitement and wild joy broke through the surface, bubbling up exuberantly.
Why hadn't Meng Chen pushed him away?
He had been so excessive, so brazen, committing such a presumptuous and disrespectful act. Given Meng Chen's personality, he should have found it intolerable. So why hadn't he pushed him away?
The youth's heart began to race uncontrollably. His throat felt parched. He held his breath, cautiously looking at the person beside him.
Meng Chen was still asleep. Unlike his usual calm indifference when awake, the sleeping young man showed a rare expression that could be described as peaceful. His whole being was relaxed, long black eyelashes gently closed. Just looking at his profile, he almost gave off a docile impression.
Xue Lang stared at him without blinking, momentarily forgetting to breathe.
Perhaps his gaze was too intense. Meng Chen's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and he finally slowly woke up. Xue Lang met those light-colored eyes, so nervous he could barely speak coherently. "Are... are you alright?"
Meng Chen moved his sore, compressed shoulder, propping himself up. His unbound black hair cascaded down his back like flowing water. "Shouldn't I be asking you that?"
Xue Lang stared blankly. "...Huh?"
Meng Chen: "Check your dantian."
Xue Lang was stunned. He looked inward at his dantian, only then discovering that, miraculously, a golden core had formed there!!
"To only realize you've broken through after forming your core, Junior Brother, you must be the first in history." Meng Chen stepped over him to get out of bed, looking down at himself. Estimating these clothes were no longer wearable, he took out a new set from his storage ring.
Xue Lang: "...So, my fever last night was because I was forming my core?"
"Also because you were stung by a Thorn Demon." Meng Chen picked up a hairpin from the table, re-tying his long hair. He turned and reprimanded, "You were too careless about this. How could you not notice being stung? What if no one had been around?"
Xue Lang sat on the edge of the bed. Hearing this, he seemed not to have listened, mumbling. "So last night, you stayed with me to help me form my core?"
Meng Chen glanced at him, seeming slightly puzzled by this obvious question. "Of course. Why?"
Xue Lang paused, slowly shaking his head. The corners of his mouth twitched upward, feeling somewhat like laughing—
At his own unreasonable, foolish, stupid, arrogant, and absurd thoughts from earlier.
He must have truly gone mad to dare have such unrealistic fantasies.
Meng Chen noticed his odd expression and came over to check his pulse. "Is something wrong with your golden core?"
Xue Lang gently avoided his hand, shaking his head as he jumped off the bed.
"I'm fine," he said softly, eyes downcast. "Thank you for last night. And, I apologize for my offenses, Senior Brother."
Now it was Meng Chen's turn to be stunned.
Since joining Taixuan Sect, Xue Lang had occasionally addressed him with a "hey," mostly called him by name, but had never addressed him as "senior brother." Not only did he use the term now, but his words were also so polite and courteous. It was indeed very strange.
Meng Chen: "...What's really wrong with you?"
Xue Lang still shook his head, walking past him towards the door. He paused at the entrance, then came back, picked up his folded outer robe from the table, and left the room.
****
After a night's rest, the disciples had regained their spirits. With this mission successfully completed, they bid farewell to Ah Chu and the other girls, then flew their swords back to Taixuan Sect.
Meng Chen first went to report the details of the mission to the Sect Leader, then returned to Qixue Residence. He was concerned about Xue Lang and planned to check on him after a brief rest, but first saw someone he didn't want to see.
"I heard you encountered a demon cultivator on this trip down the mountain?" Pei Yuze entered the room, asking with concern, "Were you injured?"
Meng Chen was distracted, not in the mood to deal with the person before him. He lowered his gaze, replying perfunctorily with a brief "Nothing happened."
Pei Yuze looked at his indifferent expression and said, "Ah Chen seems to have grown much more distant with me lately."
"Senior brother is overthinking," Meng Chen said. "I'm just a bit tired and want to rest early."
Pei Yuze wasn't Yin Chi. Yin Chi was best at being spoiled and arrogant, while he knew best how to grasp boundaries. However, this time, he acted as if he didn't understand Meng Chen's meaning. Not only did he not leave, but he also walked forward without a word. Seeing the distance between them shrinking, Meng Chen frowned slightly and stepped back.
Pei Yuze reached out and gripped his wrist, leaving no room for refusal.
Meng Chen's nerves tensed. His scattered thoughts sensed danger and quickly gathered. His lowered eyes finally lifted. "Senior brother?"
As he spoke, he tried to pull his hand away, but Pei Yuze, contrary to his usual behavior, didn't let go. In the struggle, Meng Chen's collar shifted slightly.
Pei Yuze was about to say something, but his gaze suddenly froze, moving inch by inch to Meng Chen's neck.
"These marks," the man's ever-gentle demeanor vanished, his black pupils unreadable, his face expressionless as he asked, "Who did it?"
