The two sects stared at each other in a stalemate, neither willing to back down from the confrontation.
Fearing for Yan Zhanjin's safety—knowing that falling into the hands of Wang Biming and Miao Mingzhu could lead to inhuman torture—Zhu Mingyang made a calculated choice. He also knew that because of Yan Zhanjin's connection to Jinfeng Sect, Fu Yuanjun would likely treat him well. Thinking quickly, Zhu Mingyang walked toward Wang Biming and Miao Mingzhu.
Zhu Mingyang looked at Wang Biming and Miao Mingzhu. "If you release Zhanjin, I will go with you," he offered.
Wang Biming scoffed. "Why would I do that?"
Zhu Mingyang laid out the bait. "If you want to see Mu Dishi, you take me." He looked directly at Wang Biming. "As long as you let Zhanjin leave with Leader Fu, I will follow you back. Mu Dishi promised Zhanjin he will save me, so when Mu Dishi comes to save me, it will be your opportunity to see him."
Wang Biming considered the proposal, finding the prospect of luring Mu Dishi too enticing to refuse. He looked at Yan Zhanjin and ordered, "Walk toward Cheif Fu."
When Zhu Mingyang passed by Yan Zhanjin, he grabbed Yan Zhanjin's left wrist. "Zhanjin, you don't owe me anything. You don't need to put yourself in danger for me. I'm thankful that I know someone like you." He took four steps forward, but then he felt Yan Zhanjin's arms wrap around his waist.
Yan Zhanjin hugged Zhu Mingyang tightly and whispered against his back, "Mingyang... I know you only like Yingjie, but I also like you very much. I tried to think differently, but I can't help it."
Zhu Mingyang turned around to face Yan Zhanjin. Yan Zhanjin quickly rose on his tiptoes and kissed Zhu Mingyang's lips. "I like you very much." He immediately let go of Zhu Mingyang and ran toward Fu Yuanjun and the Ten Elders of Tianshan.
Zhu Mingyang watched Yan Zhanjin, Fu Yuanjun, and the Ten Elders of Tianshan walking toward the Cao Manor. Zhu Mingyang shouted after them, "Leader Fu, if something happens to Zhanjin, I will come after you!"
The Ten Elders of Tianshan walked ahead, followed by Yan Zhanjin and Fu Yuanjun. Fu Yuanjun looked at the young and shy doctor and commented, "You are brave to express your feelings in front of many people."
Yan Zhanjin replied, "Chief Fu, I am not brave, but I don't want to regret it."
Fu Yuanjun sighed wistfully. "I wish back then, I was as brave as you. If I was as brave as you, today, I would not end up regretting."
Yan Zhanjin, sensing a kindred spirit, asked, "What regrets do you have?"
Fu Yuanjun sighed again. "My regret is to let the person I love marry someone else, so that I could achieve my dream."
Yan Zhanjin replied with understanding, drawing a parallel to his own past. "Those with great ambitions always have the greatest regrets. My master has great ambitions, and as a result, ended up losing everything, including his wife."
Fu Yuanjun agreed. "Sometimes, the surrounding environment determines who we are. We can't control it, just like we can't control who our parents are."
Yan Zhanjin smiled. "If we could choose, we would all be princes and princesses."
Zhu Mingyang was detained in a cell inside a branch of the Yueguang Sector. Wang Biming walked in and sat on a wooden bench outside the prison cell.
Wang Biming began his interrogation. "What is the relationship between you and Mu Dishi?"
Zhu Mingyang gave a terse reply. "No relationship."
"If you have nothing to do with him, why would he rescue you from Gu Tingfang?" Wang Biming pressed.
Zhu Mingyang maintained the facade. "He's just paying the debts he owed."
Wang Biming scrutinized Zhu Mingyang. "You are a very handsome man. I was thinking, since my nephew left him for a woman, he changed to liking you." He then offered a direct proposition. "How about you join us? Our sect can protect you from Gu Tingfang."
Zhu Mingyang sneered and shook his head. "I'm sorry, I can't take your offer. As a guard, I am only loyal to my master, not to anyone else." He looked at Wang Biming. "Not even Gu Tingfang."
Wang Biming sighed. "Zhu Mingyang, I will let you think about it for a few more days."
"No matter how many days pass, my answer is the same," Zhu Mingyang stated.
Wang Biming's face hardened. "Aren't you afraid that you will make me angry and I will kill you?"
Zhu Mingyang remained perfectly composed. "I am very important to you. Without me, you can't enter the Mu Treasure Cave. I suggest you treat me kindly. If something happened to me, you can kiss the free pass goodbye." He then turned back and began to meditate, signaling the conversation was over.
Mu Dishi is staring at Ma Jingguo in the kitchen cooking. He still remembers the days when he and Ma Jingguo were living freely in the cave. Ma Jingguo would wake up early in the morning and cook for them. Even if he comes back late in the evening, Ma Jingguo will wait for him to eat together. During that period, although he had such a big hatred in his heart, he was still very happy to see Ma Jingguo. Seeing Ma Jingguo cooking for them now, he was no longer happy. Knowing that Ma Jingguo will always be his enemy, his heart is full of sorrow. If he wants to kill Wang Biming and Wang Zedong, Ma Jingguo will stop him. If he let them go and decide to live in seclusion with Ma Jingguo , then he will be a selfish and unfilial son.
Ma Jingguo put two plates of food on the table and smiled at Mu Dishi. Then he quickly returned to the kitchen, grabbed two bowls of rice, and placed them on the stone table.
Ma Jingguo looked at Mu Dishi and said, "Xiao shushu, I have a plan." He walked over to Mu Dishi and sat beside Mu Dishi. He picked up the bowl of rice. "I will rebuild this place. When we come back from the cave, I will rebuild this place. I will restore it to its original environment and we can live here."
Mu Dishi said, "Release me."
Ma Jingguo refused, "If I let you go, you will leave me."
Mu Dishi, "I won't leave, I won't leave you today."
Ma Jingguo hesitated for a moment, staring at Mu Dishi. He sneered and said, "Liar." He clenched his chopsticks. He took a deep breath, gritted his teeth and said, "Liar."
Mu Dishi said, "After we finish eating, I want to take a bath by the creek."
Ma Jingguo smiled and asked, "Xiao shushu, are you telling the truth?"
Mu Dishi asked, "Aren't you tire feeding me?"
Ma Jingguo smiled and said, "No." He hit the two pressure points on Mu Dishi's chest.
Mu Dishi slowly reached out for the chopsticks. Ma Jingguo grabbed Mu Dishi's hand and held it tightly. When Mu Dishi stretched out his left hand to touch Ma Jingguo's face, Ma Jingguo's eyes were already wet with tears.
Mu Dishi wiped away Ma Jingguo's tears and said, "Hurry up and eat. The sun is not waiting for us."
The bamboo shed in the bamboo forest remained the same, and so did the old water well. The disciples of Sword Village had done a great job keeping the place spotless.
After they finished dinner, Mu Dishi and Ma Jingguo went to the back stream and soaked in the cool water. When Mu Dishi looked at Ma Jingguo, he noticed that Ma Jingguo was deliberately keeping his distance. Mu Dishi knew that Ma Jingguo did this because he was terrified of offending him and driving Mu Dishi away again. Looking at Ma Jingguo's hesitant expression, Mu Dishi vividly recalled the scene when he had forcefully driven Ma Jingguo out of the cave years ago.
Mu Dishi finally broke the silence. "Jingguo... come wash my hair for me."
Ma Jingguo slowly walked toward Mu Dishi and began washing his hair. Ma Jingguo missed the feel of Mu Dishi's hair texture, and he gently stroked the long strands.
Ma Jingguo confessed, "Xiao Shushu, I lied to you more than once."
"Is that so?" Mu Dishi asked.
Ma Jingguo explained, "I can explain... I thought you left me for Wang Biming. I was very hurt, and I took Suyin's hand to hurt you." He wrapped his arms around Mu Dishi. "The thought of you having promised Wang Biming that you two would sleep in the same room makes me very heartbroken." He hugged Mu Dishi tighter. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry that I made you cry."
Mu Dishi pulled Ma Jingguo's hands away and turned to face him. Seeing Ma Jingguo lowered his head, unwilling to meet his gaze, Mu Dishi lifted Ma Jingguo's chin and gently kissed his lips. "I forgive you," Mu Dishi said softly. Mu Dishi knew there was only one liar between them, and that liar was him.
Ma Jingguo pulled Mu Dishi into a fierce hug, wrapping his arms around Mu Dishi's slender waist, and burying his face in Mu Dishi's chest—the position he had always cherished. He picked up Mu Dishi, letting him sit on his lap, and began to kiss Mu Dishi's chest. His tongue slid toward Mu Dishi's breast, licking lightly, and his right hand slid toward Mu Dishi's rear.
Mu Dishi stopped Ma Jingguo's hand. "Jingguo... not here."
"Alright," Ma Jingguo agreed instantly. He picked up Mu Dishi and carried him toward the bamboo shed, closing the door with his foot.
Once inside the bamboo shed, Ma Jingguo lowered his head and continued to kiss Mu Dishi. He placed Mu Dishi on the bed and took off his own pants, then began slowly taking off Mu Dishi's, kissing him all the while.
Ma Jingguo kissed Mu Dishi's neck and his lips. He whispered softly, "Xiao Shushu, please never leave me."
Mu Dishi wrapped his arms around Ma Jingguo's naked body. "Alright," he promised.
Ma Jingguo smiled and kissed Mu Dishi's forehead. "Have I told you that I really, really like you?" He put his hands behind Mu Dishi's head. While kissing Mu Dishi deeply, he slowly thrust down, and the old bed began creaking to the rhythm of Ma Jingguo's thrusts.