Li Zhameng flinched, his face twisting with disgust as he tried to pull away from Bao Yu, tilting his head to escape the man's invasive presence. "Yunwu, you can't escape me," Bao Yu sneered, his voice dripping with malice. His hand brushed against Li Zhameng's cheek before snaking downward to his chest, the touch slow and deliberate, like a serpent coiling around its prey.
Li Zhameng's sea-green eyes widened in terror, glinting with the light of desperation. He tried to scream, but the gag muffled his cries, turning his voice into strangled whimpers. He thrashed violently, his bound form trembling as he tried to retreat from Bao Yu's looming figure.
Bao Yu cupped Li Zhameng's face, his grip firm and possessive. His one good eye, beady and gleaming with a twisted delight, locked onto the younger man's gaze. "Let me see those beautiful eyes," Bao Yu hissed, his tone drenched in sinister amusement. He forced his injured eye—marked with a deep, jagged scar—to open, the trembling orb taking in every detail of Li Zhameng's anguished expression.
"You even shape-shifted into a man," Bao Yu said, a crazed grin stretching across his face. "But that's no matter." He seemed entirely delusional, consumed by his obsession with Li Yunwu to the point where he either couldn't recognize or refused to acknowledge the truth: that Li Zhameng was his own offspring. This child, cruelly conceived during months of his so-called exorcisms, had become a victim of his deranged fixation.
The old man's gaze burned with fervor as he watched Li Zhameng struggle. "Why do you reject me?" Bao Yu snarled, his voice rising with anger. He yanked Li Zhameng's hair, forcing his head back as he pressed his lips to his neck. His hands roamed wickedly, exploiting the younger man's vulnerability.
Fueled by adrenaline and rage, Li Zhameng slammed his head forward, the impact cracking against Bao Yu's skull. The older man stumbled back with a groan of pain, clutching his head as Li Zhameng twisted violently, desperate to free his bound hands. His breathing was erratic, his chest heaving with exertion as he fought against the ropes.
"You insolent bitch!" Bao Yu spat venomously, his voice quivering with both fury and pain. Struggling to regain his balance, he retrieved a whip from nearby, the leather glinting ominously in the dim light. Just as he raised it to strike, Li Zhameng finally managed to slip free from his bindings. His hand shot up, catching the whip mid-swing. With a furious yank, he pulled Bao Yu off balance, sending the older man sprawling to the ground.
Tearing the gag from his mouth, Li Zhameng surged forward. His eyes blazed with fury as he stomped on Bao Yu's back, keeping him pinned. The old man screamed in agony, writhing under the pressure. Li Zhameng crouched, his hand fisting the collar of Bao Yu's robes as he dragged him upright.
"Who are you? What did you do to my mother?" Li Zhameng demanded, his voice sharp and laced with raw emotion. Strands of his disheveled hair fell across his face, his chest rising and falling as his rage boiled over.
"Mother?" Bao Yu rasped, a cruel smirk twisting his lips. "That stupid bitch drowned herself after her husband set his home on fire. But you already knew this… Yunwu." His voice was mocking, the words dripping with venom. Bao Yu raised a trembling hand to Li Zhameng's arm, stroking it softly, the gesture as unsettling as it was deliberate.
Disgust and fury overwhelmed Li Zhameng. With a growl, he flung Bao Yu against the wall, the impact sending a resounding thud through the room. The old man crumpled to the floor, coughing and groaning as he struggled to rise.
"Yunwu, you ungrateful bitch!" Bao Yu spat, his voice a venomous hiss as he lay sprawled on the cold, unforgiving floor. His body convulsed with pain, each movement eliciting a wince. Despite his agony, a twisted sneer curled his lips. "You're still smitten by that fox demon. No matter how much I loved you, it was never enough."
Li Zhameng advanced toward him, each step deliberate and echoing in the oppressive silence. His eyes, once vibrant emerald, now darkened with a storm of emotions, casting shadows over his chiseled features. The air between them thickened with tension, charged with unspoken words and past betrayals.
"No matter," Bao Yu continued, his voice dripping with sinister resolve. "I will make you mine, just as I did countless times before." His expression contorted into a grotesque mask of desire and madness, his one beady eye widening with a manic gleam.
A surge of rage coursed through Li Zhameng, his heart pounding like a war drum in his chest. His gaze flickered to the gun resting on the nearby table, its surface gleaming under the dim light. He reached for it, the weight of the weapon grounding him as darkness consumed the emerald in his eyes. His hands trembled, a single, ominous click resonating in the otherwise silent room as he chambered a round.
Oblivious to the peril, Bao Yu crawled toward Li Zhameng's feet, his mind ensnared in delusions. To him, Li Zhameng was never his offspring but the embodiment of Li Yunwu. He grasped at Li Zhameng's legs, his touch a repulsive caress. "Oh, how I long to have that body," he murmured, his voice thick with lust. "To touch it once more. To—"
Before he could utter another word, Li Zhameng raised the gun, his movements swift and resolute. He aimed with precision, the barrel aligning with Bao Yu's forehead. A deafening gunshot shattered the silence, the recoil jolting through Li Zhameng's arm. Blood splattered across the room, painting a macabre tableau. Bao Yu's body crumpled, lifeless, the grotesque expression frozen on his face.
The gun slipped from Li Zhameng's grasp, clattering to the floor as he collapsed to his knees. Tears streamed down his face, mingling with the blood spatter on his skin. Sobs wracked his body, the weight of his actions crashing over him like a relentless tide. In the dimly lit room, amidst the echoes of violence and the scent of gunpowder, Li Zhameng wept for the loss of innocence, for the horrors inflicted upon him, and for the irrevocable step he had taken.
Xue Laohu arrived at the Bao estate, greeted by loud chaos. Shouts rang out through the air as guards rushed back and forth, their armor clanking in disarray. "The fox demon! He's here!" one of them bellowed, rallying others to prepare for battle.
Xue Laohu frowned, his brow furrowing in concern. I hope Meng Meng is okay, he thought, his heart tightening. But something didn't add up. If Yin Huli was supposedly in the western quadrant of the estate, why did the GPS indicate that Li Zhameng was underground?
Placing a hand on his chin, Xue Laohu pondered deeply, his mind racing to piece the puzzle together. Before he could act, a sharp voice broke through his thoughts. "Hey, you! Who are you?" one of the guards demanded, eyes narrowing with suspicion.
Oh, shit, Xue Laohu cursed internally. With a flourish, he whipped out his fan, a burst of wind erupting as he sent a pack of guards flying in all directions. "No time to waste," he muttered, flipping open the bright neon screen. A red flashing light pulsed, pinpointing Li Zhameng's exact location. Gritting his teeth, Xue Laohu sprinted toward the underground chambers.
Meanwhile, in the western quadrant of the estate, Yin Huli was a blur of motion, darting through the chaos with unmatched speed. Guards closed in on him, arrows whistling past as he leapt and twisted through the fray. Swordsmen lunged at him, their blades cutting the air, but he retaliated with razor-sharp claws, each strike deliberate and devastating.
"I don't have time for this," Yin Huli growled, irritation flashing in his golden eyes. His mind was consumed with worry for Li Zhameng, and every wasted moment gnawed at his patience.
"You leave me no choice!" he roared, his voice cutting through the battlefield. "If you wish to live, flee now!" He extended his hands, igniting them with his blazing blue fox fire. The flames roared to life, consuming the nearest guards. Their screams of agony pierced the air as their bodies disintegrated into ash. Those who survived scrambled away in terror, clearing a path for Yin Huli to make his way to Li Zhameng.
Deeper within the estate, Xue Laohu reached the underground chambers. The corridor was eerily quiet, the air thick with the metallic tang of blood. An oppressive darkness loomed, broken only by the faint, muffled sound of crying. Xue Laohu's heart clenched as he approached a heavy wooden door, his hand hovering over the handle. He steeled himself, then pushed it open.
The sight before him was both haunting and heartbreaking. At the center of the dimly lit room knelt Li Zhameng, his sobs barely audible, like the soft whispers of a breaking soul. His shoulders quivered with each shallow breath, his composure crumbling in silent agony. The air was suffocating, the weight of the scene pressing down like a physical force.
"Meng Meng," Xue Laohu exclaimed, his voice tinged with relief as he stepped inside. Quickening his pace, he moved toward Li Zhameng, but his breath hitched as the full horror of the scene came into focus. At Li Zhameng's feet lay the headless corpse of an old man, blood pooling around the shattered remains of his skull. In Li Zhameng's trembling hands was the gun, still smoking, its barrel pointed toward the floor.
Xue Laohu's eyes widened in shock. His gaze darted to Li Zhameng, who slowly turned to face him. Tears streamed down his cheeks in glistening trails, his expression a portrait of guilt and anguish. "Shizun, I—" Li Zhameng choked out, his voice breaking.
Before he could finish, Xue Laohu closed the distance between them, pulling Li Zhameng into a tight embrace. The younger man's composure shattered entirely, his soft cries escalating into heart-wrenching sobs. He clutched at Xue Laohu's sleeves, burying his face into his Shizun's shoulder as grief overwhelmed him.
Xue Laohu held him firmly, his presence a steady anchor in the storm of Li Zhameng's emotions. "It's okay," he murmured, his voice soft yet resolute. Li Zhameng cried until his body trembled with exhaustion, his sobs fading into quiet whimpers.
The system blared triumphantly in Xue Laohu's mind, the sound of trumpets and raucous cheers reverberating as if heralding a great victory. He furrowed his brows in irritation, his jaw tightening. Now is not the time, system! he thought, a sharp spike of anger coursing through him.
The neon screen materialized before his eyes, flickering obnoxiously. Animated balloons and confetti rained down across its surface in a chaotic celebration.
CONGRATULATIONS USER!
SIDE QUEST COMPLETED:
"PATERNITY PUZZLE: SECRETS, LIES, AND MISSING LINKS"
REWARD: 250 LIFE POINTS ACCUMULATED
A vein visibly throbbed on Xue Laohu's temple. "Now is not the time, system!" he shouted through gritted teeth, his voice echoing in the dim chamber. His frustration boiled over as he cradled the unconscious Li Zhameng in his arms, his breaths uneven from both exertion and anger. As if responding to his rage, the system's neon screen flickered one last time before disintegrating into nothingness, plunging the room back into its oppressive darkness.
Xue Laohu's sharp gaze shifted to the mutilated body on the floor, his mind racing. The corpse was grotesque—unrecognizable, its head blown to pieces, blood pooling beneath it. So this must have been— His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps and a guttural roar echoing down the staircase.
"Li Meng!" Yin Huli's voice thundered, cutting through the tense air. The fox demon descended like a whirlwind, his golden eyes blazing with urgency. The moment his gaze landed on Li Zhameng in Xue Laohu's arms, Yin Huli shoved him aside with surprising force, pulling the unconscious man into his own embrace. He immediately checked Li Zhameng's meridians, his clawed fingers gliding with precision.
"Hey, what the fuck?!" Xue Laohu barked, bristling at the rough treatment. But his protest was silenced by the glare Yin Huli shot him—a glare so sharp it could cut stone.
"He's just unconscious," Yin Huli muttered, exhaling in relief as his hand brushed a few stray strands of hair from Li Zhameng's pale face. His expression softened for a fleeting moment before his gaze shifted to the gruesome sight on the floor. His nose wrinkled in revulsion as he inspected the bloodied remains.
"Do… do you know who this was?" Xue Laohu asked, breaking the heavy silence. The single flickering candle in the room casting eerie shadows, barely illuminating the macabre scene.
"His father," Yin Huli replied coldly, his tone laced with disdain.
The revelation sent a jolt of shock through Xue Laohu, his eyes widening. It took him a moment to process the words. His father? It made sense, though, given that the system had confirmed the completion of the quest. Yet, he couldn't help but scratch his head, puzzled by the deeper implications. Why would Meng Meng murder his own father?
Before he could voice his questions, his jaw dropped as Yin Huli leaned down, pressing his lips firmly against Li Zhameng's. The sight left Xue Laohu momentarily stunned, his eyes narrowing in confusion and barely concealed annoyance. He quickly realized what Yin Huli was doing—transferring his demonic energy. Yin Huli clasped Li Zhameng's hand tightly, his power surging through him, but the younger man's body resisted the energy, trembling violently before finally giving in.
Xue Laohu clenched his fists, his annoyance bubbling beneath the surface. He wanted to yell at Yin Huli for his brazenness, but he bit his tongue. He's saving Meng Meng, he reminded himself. The tension in the air felt stifling as Li Zhameng's breathing steadied, and his eyelashes fluttered weakly.
Finally, Li Zhameng's eyes opened, his gaze dazed and unfocused before locking onto Yin Huli's face. "Shizun!" he cried out, panic lacing his voice as his hands grasped for him.
Across the room, Xue Laohu sat cross-legged, his brows knitted together, his lips pursed in a childish pout. "Yo," he greeted simply, his tone flat with thinly veiled irritation.
Yin Huli ignored Xue Laohu, his tail flicking once as he stood. "We need to leave," he said, his voice curt. He wrapped Li Zhameng in his cloak with care, shielding him from the gruesome sight of his father's remains. Holding him securely, Yin Huli turned toward the exit, his movements precise and deliberate.
As they ascended the stairs, Yin Huli snapped his fingers, igniting the estate behind them in a cascade of blue flames. The fire roared to life, devouring everything in its path. Xue Laohu followed closely, his fan unfurling as he waved it with an exasperated sigh, fanning the flames higher. The inferno consumed the darkness of the Bao estate, leaving nothing but ash and embers in their wake as the trio disappeared into the night.
They departed the smoldering ruins of the Bao estate under the shroud of night, Yin Huli carrying Li Zhameng securely in his arms. The journey back to the inn was silent, the tension obvious in the stillness of the air. When they arrived, the faint glow of a lamp flickered through the trees, casting warm shadows over Xue Tuzi, who sat on a log with Jiao Jiao nestled in his lap.
Xue Tuzi, ever meticulous, peeled tangerines with precision, even removing the delicate inner membranes before feeding the juicy pulp to the little Gu worm. Jiao Jiao devoured each morsel greedily, his tiny mouth opening wide in anticipation, his big, glistening eyes watching every movement of Xue Tuzi's hands.
Shudu approached from the other side of the camp, the faint smell of wine lingering around him as he rolled his eyes. In one hand, he gripped a heavy jug, its contents sloshing faintly as he swayed toward Xue Tuzi. "Hmph. If you keep coddling him like this, he'll forget how to eat on his own," he muttered with irritation, tipping the jug to his lips. His red eye narrowed at Jiao Jiao, who turned his head with a dramatic "hmph" of his own.
Undeterred by the scorn, Jiao Jiao opened his tiny mouth again, pleading for another tangerine. Xue Tuzi, unbothered, sighed and obliged, dropping another perfectly prepared slice into the Gu worm's eager mouth.
"Ridiculous," Shudu grumbled, leaning against a nearby tree. He shook his empty jug and frowned. "If only your dedication to Xiao Jiao matched your dedication to refilling my wine."
The tension broke when Shudu lifted his gaze toward the forest path. "Ah, they've arrived," he remarked, lazily twirling his empty jug. His tone was casual, but his crimson eye gleamed with curiosity as he took in Yin Huli carrying Li Zhameng, followed closely by a sullen Xue Laohu.
"Shizun!" Xue Tuzi exclaimed, leaping to his feet. Jiao Jiao squealed in protest at being jostled, curling deeper into Xue Tuzi's arms as the latter hurried forward. However, Xue Tuzi froze when he saw the grave expression on his master's face, his steps faltering as Yin Huli carefully lowered Li Zhameng to his feet.
Kneeling slightly to meet Li Zhameng's eye level, Yin Huli cupped his trembling hands, his amber eyes glowing with an intensity that seemed to pierce into Li Zhameng's soul. "I know a lot has happened," he began softly, his voice laden with emotion. "But my offer still stands. Will you come with me?"
The question hung in the air, heavy and charged with meaning. Yin Huli's gaze was pleading, his tail swaying slowly, ears slightly flattened. Li Zhameng looked away nervously, his feet shuffling backward as he struggled to avoid the intensity of the fox demon's eyes.
"I wish to remain by Shizun's side," he said with resolution, his voice barely above a whisper.
Yin Huli's face fell, a shadow of sadness darkening his expression. His tail drooped low, his ears flattening against his head. "I see…" he murmured, stepping back reluctantly. His voice was soft but tinged with disappointment as he glanced sideways at Xue Laohu, who stood a few paces behind them.
Yin Huli turned back to Li Zhameng and added with a sly smile, "If you ever wish to elevate your cultivation, I would be more than happy to be your partner."
The remark earned a sharp intake of breath from Xue Laohu, whose lips twisted into a deep scowl. But before he could unleash the tirade building in his throat, Yin Huli leaned down, brushing his fingers gently against Li Zhameng's cheek. He whispered something inaudible into his ear, his tone low and honeyed. Whatever he said, it made Li Zhameng's cheeks flush faintly pink, his wide eyes betraying both embarrassment and confusion.
Watching the faint blush creep onto Li Zhameng's face sent Xue Laohu over the edge. "That pervert," he growled under his breath before storming forward and stomping hard on Yin Huli's tail.
The fox demon yelped in pain, jerking back with a hiss. "What's your problem, little man?" Yin Huli barked, clutching his tail protectively.
"Who are you calling little?!" Xue Laohu shot back, pointing his fan directly at Yin Huli's face. The two glared at one another, the tension crackling like a live wire.
Yin Huli eventually broke the standoff with a dismissive scoff, his golden eyes narrowing as he turned away. Without missing a beat, he gently clasped Li Zhameng's hands again. "May I have a word with you? In private?"
Li Zhameng turned to look at Xue Laohu, whose face had gone beet red with fury. The grandmaster looked ready to snap his fan in half and throw a full tantrum, his arms crossed tightly as he glowered at Yin Huli. Still, Li Zhameng gave a small nod, his voice timid. "Of course."
As Yin Huli led Li Zhameng away into the shadowed grove, Xue Laohu remained behind, seething. His fists clenched and unclenched as he tried to suppress the urge to storm after them. He could only watch in frustrated silence as the fox demon disappeared into the night, his tail flicking smugly. Shudu, who had been watching the entire scene with faint amusement, chuckled quietly to himself and poured what little was left of his wine into his mouth.
"Not too far!" Xue Laohu barked, his voice sharp and commanding. "Stay where I can see you!" His tone betrayed a mixture of frustration and worry, and his phoenix eyes burned with a protective intensity.
"Li Meng…" Yin Huli's deep voice pulled his attention. The fox demon's usual confidence wavered as his golden eyes softened, his tail flicking slowly behind him. His ears, normally perky, drooped slightly, betraying his apprehension. "Your heart… belongs to your master, does it not?" he asked, his voice laced with vulnerability.
Li Zhameng froze, his face heating up at the question. Crimson bloomed across his cheeks as he stammered, trying to form words that wouldn't come. "Shizun… doesn't feel that way about me," he finally managed, his voice shaking. His gaze falling to the ground, unable to meet Yin Huli's piercing stare.
The fox demon's ears perked up at the words, his tail wagging faintly with excitement. "So there's a chance?" Yin Huli said, his lips curling into a teasing smile, though he didn't wait for an answer. Li Zhameng glanced up in confusion, a soft "Huh?" escaping his lips.
Yin Huli chuckled, reaching into the folds of his robes to retrieve a necklace. Dangling from the chain was a delicate orb, translucent and faintly shimmering. "I want you to have this," he said, his voice low but steady. With a flick of his fingers, a small flame—his fox fire—sparked to life and settled within the orb, casting a gentle blue glow. "This is my fox fire. For as long as I live, the fire will never burn out."
Li Zhameng stared at the necklace in awe as Yin Huli stepped forward, slipping it over his head. The orb settled against his chest, warm and comforting, its glow reflecting in his wide eyes. "I-I can't possibly accept something so precious," Li Zhameng stammered, his hands hovering over the necklace as if afraid to touch it.
"Then how can I make it up to you?" Yin Huli teased, his golden eyes gleaming mischievously as he leaned closer. His breath was warm against Li Zhameng's flushed face. "Perhaps… with a kiss?"
Before Li Zhameng could react, Yin Huli pulled him into his arms, his strong hands cradling him as their lips met in a deep, passionate kiss. The world seemed to stop, and all Li Zhameng could hear was the rapid thudding of his own heartbeat. Yin Huli's lips were soft yet commanding, and he lingered, savoring the moment as if trying to etch it into eternity.
From afar, Xue Laohu watched the scene unfold. His jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides as he glared at the fox demon. The kiss seemed endless, every second stretching out unbearably as rage and jealousy bubbled in his chest. He ground his teeth, barely able to contain the urge to intervene.
When Yin Huli finally released Li Zhameng, the young man's face was a deep scarlet, his eyes wide with shock. His lips were swollen and tinged with a faint pink, betraying the intensity of the kiss. He stared at Yin Huli, unsure whether to speak or flee.
"Farewell," Yin Huli said softly, his voice lingering in the night air like a haunting melody. He took a step back, his tail swaying as his gaze locked onto Li Zhameng. "If you ever change your mind… I'll be waiting."
With that, the fox demon turned and disappeared into the darkness, his figure blending into the shadows of the night. Li Zhameng stood frozen in place, his fingers trembling as they hovered over the glowing necklace on his chest.