Villainous Junior Chapter 62
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 62: Returning to the Origin
Late at night, a light rain fell, dripping from the eaves and pattering against the wooden window frames, breaking into scattered water droplets.
The candle was nearly burnt out, casting a dim light on the soft couch, while a delicate fragrance lingered in the air.
Meng Chen had no strength left, tiredly curled up on the inner side of the couch. His plain thin clothes were damp with sweat, outlining the slender lines of his back and waist.
Yet someone was still quite energetic, like a clingy leopard, nuzzling his head against Meng Chen's neck, restlessly moving back and forth, inhaling that captivating cool fragrance.
Meng Chen couldn't push him away and had to let him be clingy. When the man leaned in for another kiss, he suddenly remembered something. He squeezed the other's mouth flat and asked seriously with furrowed brows. "Wait, why are you so experienced?"
Xue Lang blinked innocently with his flattened mouth. "...Mmm?"
Meng Chen grew more suspicious. They should both have been... their first time, so why was he fumbling and confused while Xue Lang seemed so knowledgeable?
He usually appeared so easily embarrassed, blushing at the slightest touch to his ears, yet in bed he showed no inexperience, knowing exactly what to do and when to do it.
He narrowed his eyes slightly. "I almost forgot, you were already a Demon Venerable three thousand years ago. Before meeting me, you must have had plenty of beautiful concubines and vessels, and engaged in some improper relationships..."
Hearing him get more and more outrageous, Xue Lang immediately became anxious. He pulled down the hand squeezing his mouth and said, "How can you slander me like this? What beautiful concubines and vessels? I swear I've never had anything like that!"
Meng Chen snorted. "You've lost your memories, so you wouldn't remember even if you had..."
"Even with my lost memories, I can guarantee my complete devotion to you!" Xue Lang declared firmly, "If I'm skilled, it must be from practicing on you!"
Meng Chen's face instantly turned red. "Stop talking nonsense."
"I'll keep talking. That's what you get for doubting me." Xue Lang hummed, and in revenge, he leaned down and gave a moderate bite to Meng Chen's soft neck.
"Hiss... are you a dog?" Meng Chen raised his hand to push away the man's head. His clothes had fallen from his shoulder, clearly revealing a distinct red bite mark on his jade-like skin.
Not just one mark. On his neck, arms, waist... and other places, there were similar marks, all left by someone's bites.
"You smell so good," Xue Lang said in a low voice, his strong arms wrapped around the waist of the person beneath him. He lowered his head to gently suck on the youth's crimson, moist lips, "I can't control myself."
Meng Chen naturally had a faint orchid fragrance about him. Perhaps due to their intimate contact, that originally cool scent had become rich and sweet, making him... unable to stop.
"...Get lost," Meng Chen said softly with a red face, pulling up a small blanket to cover himself, "I'm tired, I want to sleep."
"Don't, we've only done it a few times, the poison in your body hasn't been completely drawn out yet." Xue Lang quickly pulled away the thin blanket and drew the youth into his arms, "Don't believe me? Look—"
He mischievously pressed somewhere, causing Meng Chen to suddenly gasp and go completely soft. Xue Lang took advantage of this to press down, rolling with him to a deeper part of the bed where the candlelight couldn't reach.
…..
—
Due to the matter of treating the poison, Meng Chen and Xue Lang stayed in Plum Blossom Valley for another day, departing on the morning of the third day.
Mei Xiaohan and Li Feng came to see them off. Mei Xiaohan brought a package filled with various magical pills and medicines. He handed the package to Meng Chen, then secretly pulled out two small bottles and quietly gave them to him, asking in a low voice. "So, um, are you doing okay?"
Meng Chen: "..."
"Cough, this medicine not only treats waist pain but also reduces swelling, it's especially effective, don't ask how I know," Mei Xiaohan said, "Two pills after the act, you deserve it."
Meng Chen: "...Thank you."
"No need to thank me, good brother." Mei Xiaohan patted Meng Chen's shoulder generously, then went to bid farewell to Xue Lang.
Li Feng stood aside for a while, then suddenly walked up to Meng Chen. Meng Chen hadn't expected him to initiate conversation and looked up in surprise.
"I have a presumptuous request," Li Feng hesitated before speaking, "Those Moon Frost flower seeds... could you give me some?"
Meng Chen smiled gently and immediately replied. "Of course. Once I return to the Demon Realm, I'll send them to you right away."
Li Feng clasped his hands and bowed sincerely. "Thank you."
The four bid farewell to each other, and Meng Chen and Xue Lang boarded the carriage they came in.
Yesterday's poison treatment had left him exhausted, and Meng Chen hadn't fully recovered his energy. As soon as he sat in the carriage, he began feeling drowsy. Xue Lang watched him with concern and quickly laid out thick blankets on the seat, saying, "Lie down and get some sleep, I won't hold you this time."
Worried Meng Chen might overthink, he explained. "My thighs are too hard, it wouldn't be comfortable for you right now."
Meng Chen: "..."
He kicked Xue Lang with his foot, turned his face away, wrapped himself in the blanket, and lay down to sleep.
The nightmare horse pulled the carriage swiftly yet steadily, and with Xue Lang beside him, Meng Chen quickly fell asleep. When he woke up, he was slightly disoriented about the time and asked Xue Lang drowsily. "Where are we?"
Xue Lang poured him a cup of tea to soothe his throat and said mysteriously, "See for yourself."
Meng Chen didn't understand what he was being cryptic about, but when he lifted the curtain to look, he was slightly stunned.
This wasn't the road back to the Demon Realm. Looking at the bustling prosperity around them, they seemed to have arrived at some unknown town.
"Where is this?"
"Guiyuan City," Xue Lang handed him the tea and smiled, "Since we're already out, there's no rush to return. Didn't you once say you wanted to see the plum blossoms in Plum Blossom Valley, the waterfall at Wild Goose Bay, and drink the peach blossom wine at Guiyuan Inn? We've already been to the first two places, now let's explore Guiyuan City."
Meng Chen hadn't expected that casual remark would be remembered until now. His heart warmed slightly, and he held the cup of tea, smiling with a soft "Mm."
Guiyuan City was located in Liang Country and was one of the most prosperous towns, peaceful, harmonious, and affluent. Guiyuan Inn was particularly famous - its cuisine was exceptional, and its signature peach blossom wine was renowned throughout the world. Thus, although Guiyuan City was a mortal town, many cultivators came here attracted by its reputation. The inn's environment was also very pleasant, with blue banners fluttering in the wind outside and peach blossoms leaning against the windows. The guest rooms were bright and the furniture clean, so business was extremely good, with an endless stream of customers coming and going.
When Meng Chen and Xue Lang entered the inn, a waiter immediately came forward with a smiling face. "Gentlemen, are you stopping for a meal or staying the night?"
Xue Lang: "We need a superior room, and bring us some good wine and dishes."
The waiter was experienced and could tell at a glance that these two were extraordinary and definitely not short of money. He immediately smiled broadly and personally led them to a bright spot by the window to sit down, then went to prepare tea and food.
Back in the sect, they rarely came down the mountain except for missions, and even when staying at inns during occasional trips, they seldom had such leisure time. Meng Chen rested his chin on his left hand, turning to look out the window at the bustling, smoke-filled street. Who knows what he thought of, but he suddenly smiled softly.
Seeing him smile, Xue Lang's own mood lifted, and he leaned closer to ask with a smile. "What good things are you thinking about? Tell me."
Meng Chen turned his face and said, "I was thinking that when we're older and just want to live peacefully, we could consider buying a house here, spending each day tending flowers, playing with birds, and drinking tea. That wouldn't be bad."
"That can be arranged," Xue Lang immediately said, "Then I'll be responsible for cooking delicious food for you every day, cleaning the house, fertilizing and weeding the flowers, and you can just lie in the rocking chair in the courtyard sunbathing."
Meng Chen rested his chin in his hand and looked at him. "You won't be the Demon Venerable anymore?"
"Whoever wants to be can be it." Xue Lang grabbed his hand, "I'm sticking with you no matter what, and you're not allowed to find me annoying."
Meng Chen smiled with pursed lips. His downcast eyes and gentle smile were truly captivating. Xue Lang's heart itched at the sight, but being in public, he couldn't do anything. He could only rather brazenly squeeze Meng Chen's palm twice, then gulp down a cup of tea.
While waiting for the dishes, several more people entered the inn. When the waiter turned to look, his face immediately showed an even more enthusiastic smile than when he'd seen Meng Chen and Xue Lang, calling out loudly. "Distinguished guests! General Meng, please come in, please come in!"
His voice made many customers turn their heads curiously. At the front was a tall, strong man with proper features and an air of military valor. He looked around the hall, then turned back to help a middle-aged woman behind him, saying with a smile. "The food here is quite good, you should all like it."
Beside the woman was a young lady of marriageable age, pretty-faced, who pouted playfully. "Big brother, stop rambling, we've been walking all morning, I'm starving."
Another young man flicked the girl's forehead, laughing and scolding. "You're just greedy for food."
The group appeared close, clearly a family. That General Meng seemed to be a regular here, declining the waiter's guidance and leading his mother and siblings to their usual spot.
Xue Lang glanced once then looked away, but noticed Meng Chen kept staring in that direction. Thinking he was curious about the family, and since the waiter had come to serve their dishes, he asked, "What's this General Meng's background?"
The waiter set down two bottles of peach blossom wine and smiled. "You two must not be locals. In Liang Country, everyone knows Meng Zhao—recently, when Zhao Country invaded with two hundred thousand troops, Meng Zhao fought against overwhelming odds and achieved great merit, personally receiving the title of Cavalry General from His Majesty. General Meng came from a poor background, joined the army at eighteen, earned all his achievements through his own efforts, and is especially filial. After making his fortune, he brought his parents and siblings to live with him, and recently even arranged an excellent marriage for his sister."
Xue Lang nodded. Viewed this way, this general was indeed a person of loyalty and righteousness.
The waiter left after serving the wine and dishes. Xue Lang saw Meng Chen still hadn't turned back and became displeased. "Tsk, haven't looked enough?"
Meng Chen finally came to his senses and slowly turned back.
"Is that general so good-looking?" Xue Lang grumbled while picking up some vinegar-dressed peanuts, "He can't be more handsome than me, right?"
"Mm." Meng Chen said softly, then after a moment of silence added, "But, I think he's my older brother."
Xue Lang froze, his chopsticks clattering to the table.
Meng Chen stared blankly at the tabletop.
When he was sold from the village at age nine, Meng Zhao was already sixteen or seventeen. Even after more than ten years, his appearance wouldn't have changed too much.
Most crucially, that woman—his mother—he couldn't possibly mistake her.
Meng Chen had never imagined he would encounter his family again one day, especially in such an unexpected situation. That year when famine struck the village, his parents had sold him for two bags of rice. He had wondered later how long those two bags of rice would feed the family, whether they would be enough to keep everyone alive.
Now it seemed they had all survived.
And were doing very well.
And his sister, who had been just a baby in swaddling clothes, was now even engaged to be married...
As he was lost in his thoughts, there was a sudden clatter as Xue Lang abruptly stood up from across the table.
He was slightly startled and quickly pulled back Xue Lang, who looked murderous and clearly wanted to start a fight, saying softly, "Sit down."
Xue Lang frowned, full of anger and wanting to say something, but seeing Meng Chen's expression, he held back and sat down, taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have brought you here, I didn't know we'd meet them..."
Naturally, Xue Lang knew all about Meng Chen's past. If he hadn't been heartlessly sold by his birth parents, Meng Chen wouldn't have suffered so much hardship, and if he hadn't met Zhongli Jing, he might have frozen to death that snowy night.
Yet who could have imagined that this family who abandoned their own flesh and blood would have such good luck and live such a good life.
"What are you apologizing for?" Meng Chen smiled slightly and added, "I'm fine. So many years have passed, I don't feel anything anymore."
In those first few years after being sold, when he wandered alone, he occasionally still felt resentment. But later, after entering the immortal path and cutting worldly ties, he had let go of the past.
Whether those people lived or died, whether they fared well or poorly, had nothing to do with him anymore.
"Let's eat," Meng Chen said naturally, handing new chopsticks to Xue Lang while picking up some dishes himself, "It'll get cold if we don't eat now."
Seeing Meng Chen's calm expression, Xue Lang's heart felt both sour and painful, increasingly uncomfortable.
How could he not know what kind of person Meng Chen was?
Though he appeared cold and detached on the surface, he actually valued relationships more than anyone. After so many years, seeing the family who abandoned him happily eating together, laughing and talking, with none of them recognizing that Meng Chen sitting nearby was once part of their family, their blood relative—how could he feel nothing? How could he not care?
Xue Lang felt frustrated on his behalf, but he couldn't actually go beat those people up. After a moment of silence, he said to Meng Chen. "Wait here for me, I'll step out for a bit."
Meng Chen immediately caught his sleeve. "Don't..."
"Don't worry, I'm not going to confront them," Xue Lang grimaced, "I wouldn't stoop to fighting with mortals."
He could make those people vanish without lifting a finger, but he knew that wasn't what Meng Chen wanted. Besides, the real culprits were Meng Chen's parents—the others, especially the baby from back then, were innocent. He couldn't do anything excessive to them.
Meng Chen looked at him once and let go.
True to his word, Xue Lang didn't head toward Meng Zhao's direction. After walking a few steps, he vanished, going who knows where. Meng Chen waited distractedly for a while, then felt his left clothes hem being tugged.
He turned to look and saw a small boy about five or six years old standing beside him. The child was fair and cute, with bright eyes staring at him unblinkingly.
Meng Chen: "..."
He was completely speechless—the little boy before him was clearly a miniature version of Xue Lang!
The tiny Xue Lang looked at him, his tender little face showing a sweet and somewhat shy smile. He opened his short arms toward Meng Chen and called out in a childish voice.
"Immortal big brother, hug!"