142: 4.7 To The Dark Side

4.7 To The Dark Side

And here he was now, inside an unknown cave with the aforementioned Jingxue-Jun, his wounds having been cleaned and treated, firewood crackling in between the silence. It was so… cozy and peaceful. Heimo almost thought that he had died and ascended. Otherwise, how could he lay here, beside Jingxue-Jun whose features look even more prominent and sharp under limited lights with his head cushioned with the softest fabric that smelled faintly like winter itself? Heimo couldn't even bring himself to blink, afraid that he would miss the slightest change in the other's face. Jingxue-Jun's silver eyes reflected the amber of the flame and he was glaring at the fire as if it had personally offended him. He didn't even notice that Heimo had stirred awake by his side.  2

He deliberately slowed his breathing and stayed still, admiring the perfection by his side.

This… wasn't what he had expected to see when he woke up. He assumed that he would be brought into a physician in the nearest village with Jingxue-Jun leaving a few taels of gold for his treatment. Not this. Intimate, soothing, alone in a narrow space with the sky gradually darkening. 

Jingxue-Jun's title wasn't for nothing. He was cold. Righteous, kind, yet unattainable. He kept everyone at arm's length, proven by how he often chose to go monster hunting alone. But look at them. If Heimo scooted a bit closer, he could even lay his head on the man's lap — not that he would try it, he still wanted to live. This kind of Jingxue-Jun wasn't as rigid as how everyone painted him to be. Or had the rumors been exaggerated? Or maybe… His heart skipped a beat. It couldn't be. Had the man guessed Heimo's identity and that's why he kept him by his side?

His breath stuttered but that was enough to bring the man out of his reverie. The pair of silver eyes he had been admiring turned to him and for a while, he forgot how to breathe. Their eyes locked midair for a few seconds before the edges of Jingxue-Jun's features softened. "You're awake."

If Heimo hadn't died, he thought that this time he would surely be. No, no, no, there's no way. That was a lethal play. What was with that gaze? That voice? Previously, Heimo had thought that the man's voice had a nice timbre but it couldn't compare to now. Being blasted by the full velvety impact in such a close proximity, he could feel each word seep into his skin and coiled around him, warming him up from head to toe. He blamed it on the fever. Right, this must be the poison working! Otherwise, why was he so flustered now?! He had no idea what his expression looked like but it must be ridiculous. He hoped he wasn't gawking. He hastily clamped his jaw shut and cursed inwardly. Damn it, he was really gawking at him like an idiot!

Think, think, Heimo. What was the poison he had coated on his weapon? Goodness, his mind was a jumbled mess and every thought he had screeched to a halt under those attentive silver eyes. Anyway, how could anyone think properly when they had Jingxue-Jun's intense gaze fixed on them?!

Having gone a few beats without answer, the man's brows furrowed deeply and he reached out to place the back of his palm on Heimo's forehead. Jingxue-Jun hummed — what the hell, he shouldn't have been allowed to make this kind of voice! — and measured Heimo's wrist before he lightly tilted Heimo's chin to coax him into parting his lips so that he could check Heimo's tongue.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, still in that gentle and soft tone as if Heimo was a small and badly terrified animal.

Heimo… Heimo decided that he should bash his head onto the nearest wall and lost consciousness once again. Jingxue-Jun's eyes on him, his fingers on Heimo's chin just a hair's breadth away from his lower lip, his close proximity — fuck, he looked even more gorgeous up close. Somehow, Heimo could even smell the faint scent of winter clinging on him, mixed with a tinge of sweetness he couldn't name. It was the same scent as the robe that his head pillowed on. Instead of reacting like the fearsome Black Demon he was, he almost turned putty under Jingxue-Jun's attention, his whole body melting like a satisfied cat and if Heimo had a tail, it would surely be wagging right now! Snap out of it, Heimo, you—you aren't the kind of person that can be bewitched so easily!

(Except that the other party didn't even try to bewitch him at all.)

Heimo was mortified of how he was the one who was feeling flustered as Jingxue-Jun's face darkened by each second. Okay, that was — hot. "Your fever is still high and your lips are tinged with purple. Can you talk? Are you… poisoned?"

This time — finally! — Heimo managed a feeble, "P—Probably…"

Was it only his imagination or did he see a flash of fury in Jingxue-Jun's eyes? Nah, it should be the trick of light. After some careful consideration, Heimo let his face pale further. If he couldn't be strong, then he should act weak. It was the basic knowledge to fool the enemy. He made the move to sit up. "This humble one offers his sincere gratitude to Gong-zi[1] for rescuing him. This humble one should—" 

His shoulders were pressed back down and Heimo had to resist flinching because the man's touch on his bare skin was searing, despite the chill on his fingertips. Heimo could have slipped away, he was better than this, even if he lost an arm, he could still fight an army. Yet once again, he let Jingxue-Jun move him however he wanted like a damn puppet. "Stay. You're gravely injured." The man pulled out a long vial filled with translucent liquid. "Here, drink this."

Heimo's heart gave a lurch as he eyed the vial. Was it poison? Would he die as soon as he drank it? Was this Jingxue-Jun's ploy all along? To let him lower his guard down before killing him softly?

"This is not a poison." He said, as if sensing the turmoil in Heimo's heart. "It's just spiritual liquid. It can strengthen your core and let you recover faster. If you don't trust me—" Jingxue-Jun tilted his head and downed one third of the vial. Heimo's eyes lingered longer than necessary on the bob of the man's throat and his glistening lips. He only snapped his gaze up when Jingxue-Jun spoke again, softer this time. "See? It's safe. You should drink this if you want to get well soon. Okay?"

He remained dazed as Jingxue-Jun lifted his chin to put the vial against his mouth. Right on the place where the man's lips were a few seconds ago. By now, Heimo could no longer differentiate whether the blush on his face was merely acting or because of his heightening fever. He gulped down the liquid almost mechanically before he promptly cursed himself. Get yourself together, Heimo, how can you trust this person so easily?! 

There was no medicine for regret. Heimo panicked for a split second before the effect of the liquid surface immediately. A cool sensation spread across his chest, dousing the fire beneath his veins and wrapping around his core like a soft ice blanket. It was so soothing that Heimo let out a sigh of relief. 

Jingxue-Jun wasn't lying… Heimo mused. It was indeed only spiritual liquid which was beneficial for his current condition. Moreover... He smacked his lips. He had no idea that spiritual liquid could taste this sweet. What Jingxue-Jun gave him must be a high level one and the price would be exorbitant for sure. Yet the man didn't even hesitate to give it to Heimo, this suspicious stranger he had only met for less than half a day. Jingxue-Jun truly lived up to his reputation. So kind and benevolent. 

"Thank you very much, Gong-zi." He murmured, offering the other a little genuine smile.

Jingxue-Jun's eyes softened further as he tucked the robes around Heimo as a blanket. "You can rest. Tomorrow, I will descend the mountain to buy medicine. Until then, you should bear with it for a while."

Heimo gasped. "How can I—"

"Stay." Jingxue-Jun's eyes were completely sincere that he was at an utter loss of words. His silver eyes pinned Heimo in place and Heimo was helpless to do anything but obey. He had wanted to incite Jingxue-Jun's pity, enough to let him slip away unnoticed and perhaps if he was smart, harvested a few benefits for himself as well. But this… this seemed too much to be a mere pity.

It couldn't be… right? Heimo knew that he was more beautiful than average. His features were more refined than any cultivators who had been fighting at least 95% of their lives to the point where people always mistook him as a non-cultivator. His build was also more inclined to lean than muscular, with thin shoulders, lithe waist and long slender legs. He had a small oval face with delicate brows, charming amber cat eyes and full lips. He deliberately grew his hair long as it was smooth and silky, letting it run down the expanse of his waist. Heimo knew that, for a particular group of people, he was very attractive but he couldn't have guessed that Jingxue-Jun was included into the group!

Heavens, had the esteemed Jingxue-Jun fall in love with him at first sight?!

Oh no. Oh no, this couldn't be happening. Heat crept up his cheeks like boiling kettle and it made him dizzier. Something foreign was bubbling in his chest, he almost felt giddy. He stared unblinkingly at Jingxue-Jun, the ultimate winner of life, the cultivation world's darling, the pure and unreachable flower, as the man fussed over him — checking his temperature, adding the firewood, taking off his outer robe and covering Heimo with it so that he was extra warm— and felt like he was dreaming. Could it be that he had really died and ascended to Heaven? Otherwise, how could such a person want to take care of him?

"Gong-zi…" He tried to probe, his tone gentle and pitiful. "There's no need to go to such lengths. This humble one has imposed on you for too long."

Jingxue-Jun paused for a split second before he continued like he had heard nothing. However, the hard set of his jaw betrayed his stubbornness.

Oh. Oh my…

—goddamnit, it was true! Heimo didn't even realize he was grinning until his cheeks started hurting. With Jingxue-Jun's back on him, he massaged his face and tried to school his expression to a fragile and untainted white lotus, a weakling who needed the protection of someone like Jingxue-Jun.

He just had a great idea.

If he couldn't kill Jingxue-Jun, then he should be the one that occupied his heart. He was going to be the enchantress who led Jingxue-Jun down the path of demonic cultivation. Heimo's eyes sparkled at the idea. To achieve that, he had to make Jingxue-Jun like him so much that he couldn't live without Heimo; that when he realized something was amiss, there's nothing he could do to amend that. 

Having the cultivation world's darling defect to the dark side… wasn't this the perfect way of revenge?

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[1] Gong-zi = it's an honorific usually used for the son of noble rank or sorta like young master. Heimo used it because he refers to himself as the humble one. I think it sounds more pleasant if I use pinyin directly :)

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