Xue Tuzi patted Jiao Jiao's small back in slow, rhythmic motions until a soft burp escaped the child's tiny lips. Satisfied, Jiao Jiao nuzzled closer against Xue Tuzi's chest, his hunger for negative energy now sated. Xue Tuzi adjusted the child, sitting him upright before moving to stand, only to wince as a sharp pain shot through his injured foot. He gritted his teeth but said nothing, limping toward the wash basin to prepare a bath.
Jiao Jiao's sharp little eyes caught the momentary grimace. Without hesitation, he scrambled down from the bed and dashed toward Xue Tuzi. "Mama!" he called, his voice high and urgent. Before Xue Tuzi could react, Jiao Jiao bent down, his tiny mouth pressing against the wound, his warm, wet tongue leaving behind a trail of saliva. A strange sensation washed over Xue Tuzi as the pain dissolved instantly. His eyes widened, startled at first, but then he let out a slow sigh of relief, flexing his foot experimentally.
"You little monster," he muttered, ruffling Jiao Jiao's hair before scooping him up. "Come on, it's bath time."
The water in the basin was warm, steam curling from the surface as Xue Tuzi lowered Jiao Jiao in. The moment his feet touched the water, Jiao Jiao kicked out, splashing wildly like a little frog in a pond. Droplets flew in every direction, soaking Xue Tuzi's sleeves.
"Hey, quit playing around," came Shudu's irritated voice. He stretched lazily before getting up from the bed and walking toward them, his sharp eyes narrowing on the splashing child.
Jiao Jiao ignored him, reaching his chubby arms toward the bed. "Ruan Tang!" he called, fingers grasping for his worm plushie.
Xue Tuzi glanced at the soft toy before shaking his head. "Ruan Tang can't play with you right now. If you bring him in, he'll get soaked," he said matter-of-factly.
Jiao Jiao's lips curled into a deep pout, brows furrowing as he slumped back into the water. Xue Tuzi chuckled, reaching for the soap to wash his hair.
"Little brat," Shudu scoffed, tapping Jiao Jiao's forehead with a single finger. "You don't know how good you have it. I was lucky if I even got a bath at your age." He exhaled, blowing his bangs out of his face as he dropped onto a stool beside Xue Tuzi.
Jiao Jiao wrinkled his nose. "Hmph" he turned his face in disdain.
Xue Tuzi, amused, lathered Jiao Jiao's hair with careful hands. "Xiao Jiao, close your eyes," he instructed gently, shielding the child's face as he tilted his head back, letting the soapy water run down.
As he rinsed the foam away, his voice softened, almost wistful. "I was lucky to have Gege, or else—"
He froze. His breath hitched. Pain bloomed behind his eyes like a thorny vine, squeezing his skull. The bowl slipped from his grasp, hitting the wooden floor with a hollow clunk.
Black and red. The colors of his memories, sharp and unrelenting. The warmth of his Gege's hand, the laughter that once filled the orphanage—then the nightmare that followed. The insect demons. Their grotesque, chittering forms. The cruel mockery of his Gege's smile as it twisted into the gaping jaws of a demonic wasp, fangs glistening, ready to devour him—
A firm hand gripped his shoulder.
"Hey."
Xue Tuzi gasped, his vision snapping back to the present. His eyes met Shudu's, steady and grounding.
"Sit down," Shudu ordered, his voice firm. "I'll take it from here."
Still trembling, Xue Tuzi nodded numbly, handing over the cloth rag before sinking onto the stool. His breathing was uneven, his fingers curled tightly around his knees as he fought to steady himself.
Shudu, in contrast, was anything but gentle. He grabbed Jiao Jiao with a firm grip, the child yelping as he was unceremoniously scrubbed down. "Quit squirming," Shudu muttered, roughly rubbing the child's body.
Xue Tuzi exhaled, his shoulders loosening slightly as he watched the scene unfold. "Don't forget behind the ears," he murmured, a small ghost of a smile tugging at his lips.
Jiao Jiao protested every second of it, kicking and flailing until Shudu finally deemed him clean. With little care, he pulled the child from the basin, tossing a towel over his head and ruffling it aggressively. Jiao Jiao let out a dramatic wail of indignation, muffled beneath the fabric.
"I wish someone would help me bathe," Shudu mumbled under his breath, shaking water droplets from his hands.
Xue Tuzi glanced at him, arching an eyebrow. "What?"
Shudu cleared his throat, his voice deliberately louder this time. "I said, I wish someone would help me bathe."
A smirk played on Xue Tuzi's lips as he stood, stepping closer. He reached out, trailing a slow finger down the demon's spine, his voice low and teasing. "Does Shushu want me to take a bath with him?"
Shudu turned to face him, sharp teeth bared in a grin. "I'd love that."
Shudu dressed Jiao Jiao in the freshly dried clothes, the fabric still warm from the fire. With practiced ease, he dragged his long nails through the child's damp hair, combing out the knots with swift, precise strokes. Jiao Jiao wriggled in protest, his face scrunching up as he let out a series of dramatic whines. This was nothing like Xue Tuzi's gentle hands.
"Hold still," Shudu scolded, his voice edged with impatience.
Jiao Jiao huffed, his little arms crossing over his chest, brows furrowed as deep as they could go. He looked every bit the stubborn little prince, utterly betrayed by this rough treatment. Shudu ignored his sulking, deft fingers weaving a tiny braid into the side of his hair before tying it off.
"Xiao Jiao," Shudu murmured softly, pulling the child close to his chest. His voice carried a tinge of sadness, a lament that seemed to linger in the air. "I haven't held you in such a long time." He paused, his hand gently brushing over the tiny braid he had just finished. "You are my son. Your wants are my wants. You are flesh of my flesh—anything you desire, I desire as well. We are connected. Bonded by blood and soul."
With those words, Shudu leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to Jiao Jiao's forehead. The child's stubborn pout softened, if only for a moment, as if the warmth of the demons love had melted away the edges of his defiance.
"Alright, you stay put," Shudu instructed, dusting his hands off. "We are going to bathe."
Jiao Jiao's ears perked up at that. His scowl emerging once more.
As Shudu moved to pull out the folding divider, setting it up for privacy, Xue Tuzi approached, carrying Ruan Tang. He knelt down, pressing the worm plushie into Jiao Jiao's arms with a soft smile.
"We won't take long," he murmured, leaning in to kiss Jiao Jiao's forehead.
But the child turned his head at the last moment, puffing his cheeks out angrily. He was still upset, still stewing over the less-than-pleasant hair-combing session.
Xue Tuzi chuckled, shaking his head before turning to Xiao Zongzi, who had been resting in the corner, her many legs tucked beneath her like a proper lady. "Xiao Zongzi, can you keep an eye on him?" he asked as he began to untie his robe.
The spider demon tilted her head, her sharp, glistening fangs peeking from her lips as she answered, "It is as Second Master wishes." With fluid grace, she crawled over, her delicate spider legs maneuvering around the bed as she positioned herself next to Jiao Jiao.
Satisfied, Xue Tuzi and Shudu disappeared behind the folding divider, the sound of robes slipping from shoulders rustling against the quiet room.
But the bath was anything but quick. And certainly not quiet.
The moment the water sloshed, it was accompanied by a loud, breathy moan from Xue Tuzi, followed by a low, guttural grunt from Shudu.
Jiao Jiao's grip on Ruan Tang tightened. His round little ears perked up as more noises followed—splashes, gasps, and Xue Tuzi's voice, high and keening, calling out between sharp breaths.
The child's brows furrowed in deep worry. What was happening? Was Xue Tuzi in pain?
Clutching Ruan Tang tightly, Jiao Jiao hopped down from the bed. His tiny feet padded across the floor as he made his way toward the folding divider, drawn toward the sounds of distress.
What he saw beyond the dim light of the screen made his breath hitch. Looming shadows cast upon the divider, shifting and writhing—a large form mounted atop another, like a beast devouring its prey.
"Mama?" Jiao Jiao's voice was small, uncertain.
He took another step forward, only to be stopped by a firm leg.
"Xiao Jiao, go back to the bed," Xiao Zongzi said, her voice unusually tight. She swallowed, sweat rolling down her temple as another sharp moan from Xue Tuzi echoed through the room.
"But Mama—" Jiao Jiao's lip trembled. His little hands clenched at Ruan Tang.
"Second Master is fine," she said hastily.
A loud, shuddering cry tore through her sentence, making her wince.
"They're… just playing," she added, her voice slightly strained.
Jiao Jiao's frown deepened. He knew what playing sounded like—this wasn't it.
Shudu let out a deep, growling breath, his pace relentless, the water sloshing violently. Xiao Zongzi's many legs twitched in visible distress.
Without another word, she reached for her silk glands, spinning a fine, sticky web between her legs. With precise movements, she formed two small wads of silk and promptly stuffed them into Jiao Jiao's ears.
The child blinked in surprise, opening his mouth to protest, but the muffled silence was an immediate blessing.
Xiao Zongzi sighed in relief, sagging slightly as she watched him settle back onto the bed, none the wiser to the continued "playing" happening behind the divider.
At least now, she thought grimly, she wouldn't have to explain why Second Master screamed like he was being devoured alive.
Xue Tuzi and Shudu emerged from the bath, their skin flushed from the heat, the lingering scent of sandalwood and jasmine clinging to their damp robes. Xue Tuzi, looking thoroughly satisfied, rested his hands on Shudu's waist, adjusting the demons belt with a languid ease. Shudu, in turn, methodically buttoned up his shirt, though his movements slowed as their eyes locked. A quiet tension pulsed between them, their gazes searching, almost as if they were falling into each other, drawn by some invisible force neither could resist.
Just as the moment stretched into something near unbearable, a sharp clearing of the throat cut through the air.
"Ahem."
Xiao Zongzi crawled over, her many legs clicking lightly against the floorboards. "Should we depart?" Her voice was edged with amusement, her eyes flicking between the two.
Xue Tuzi exhaled through his nose, letting his hands slip away from Shudu's waist with a reluctant slowness. "Yes, yes," he muttered, ruffling his damp auburn locks. Shudu, composed but slightly stiff, turned his gaze toward the innkeeper, intending to bid her farewell—but she was nowhere to be found.
Odd. He scanned the empty hall, but before he could dwell on it, the moment they stepped outside, the inn let out a groan, as if exhaling a final breath, and then, before their eyes, it collapsed into dust.
Shudu froze.
"How strange," Xue Tuzi murmured, gripping Jiao Jiao's small hand tightly. The child clung to his robes, blinking up at the vanishing remains of the inn, his dark eyes filled with wonder rather than fear.
"It seems this place was enchanted," Shudu said, his voice even, though his fingers twitched at his sides.
Xue Tuzi hummed in thought, a smirk curling at the edge of his lips. "I wonder…" he mused, hiding his amusement behind the long sleeve of his robe. "If the magic will fade away completely…"
Shudu's eyes narrowed. "You don't mean to say—"
"I'm just joking," Xue Tuzi interrupted smoothly, his voice a soft purr. He turned his head slightly, his gaze catching Shudu's with a teasing glint. A heartbeat passed before he reached for the demon's hand, his fingers curling over Shudu's. "Let's go."
Their journey up Mount Dingfeng was uneventful, the air crisp and cool as they ascended the stone paths. When they finally arrived at the towering gates of the sect, Xue Tuzi retrieved the disciple seal of Sect Mount Dingbu from his sleeve and presented it to the guards. At once, the heavy doors groaned open, and they were ushered inside.
The moment they stepped through, nearly every man and woman turned their heads, murmurs rippling through the sect grounds like wildfire. Xue Tuzi had made quite the impression during the baseball match, and many disciples who had witnessed his beauty firsthand had returned with embellished tales. Now, those who had not seen him in person craned their necks, eager to witness the legend with their own eyes.
And they were not disappointed.
Xue Tuzi was nothing short of breathtaking. His wavy auburn hair shifted in color beneath the sun's touch, rippling between shades of copper and iridescent pink. His round, doe-like eyes, perpetually holding a sensual luster, seemed to invite attention effortlessly, as though pleading to be adored. His lips, plump and full, bore a small beauty mark at the corner, an accent to his already flawless face. Though small in stature, his slender frame exuded an ethereal charm, his pale skin smooth as polished jade. He was, in every sense, a dream—an untouchable vision of beauty that left those who gazed upon him stunned and breathless.
Shudu, however, was far from impressed.
His arms crossed, his nose twitched, and his crimson eye gleamed with barely restrained irritation as he watched the men and women around them ogle at his lover.
Soon, they arrived at Sect Leader Mao's brother's study, the scent of ink and old parchment clinging to the air. The moment they stepped inside, the old crone—Sect Leader of Dingfeng himself—greeted them with an oily smile.
But Shudu was not in the mood for pleasantries.
His sharp eyes flicked to the small bottle on the table. He picked it up, uncorked it, took a single whiff—then, with a snarl, he hurled it across the room.
"This isn't the potion," he growled.
The Sect Leader of Dingfeng yelped, scrambling beneath his desk for cover. "My apologies! My deepest apologies! That was the wrong one!" His forehead beaded with sweat as he fumbled beneath his sleeve, producing another small flask. With a nervous chuckle, he extended it toward Shudu. "This one—this one is the correct one."
Shudu took it without hesitation, uncorked it, and let a single drop touch his tongue. Almost immediately, his lips curled into a slow, satisfied smile. His teeth gleamed.
"That's more like it," he said smoothly.
With that, he turned on his heel, his long braid billowing as he strode toward the door. "Let's go," he commanded, Xue Tuzi and Jiao Jiao falling in step behind him.
"Would you—would you like to stay for tea?" the Sect Leader of Dingfeng called hesitantly, dabbing at his damp forehead.
"No thanks," Xue Tuzi and Shudu answered in unison, not sparing him another glance as they departed.
The journey back to Mount Dingbu was swift, the mountain paths familiar beneath their feet. They stopped only briefly to drink water before continuing on, their pace steady, their goal clear. But just as they reached the base of the mountain and began their climb—
A flash of black.
A long, sharp spear cut through the air, aimed directly at Xue Tuzi's heart.
Shudu reacted instantly.
With inhuman speed, he grabbed Xue Tuzi, pulling him flush against his chest. His arm came up in a protective arc, blocking the incoming spear—
A sickening thunk.
The spearhead pierced through his forearm, crimson blood oozing down his arm in thick rivulets.
From the shadows of the forest, a sharp, maniacal laughter echoed, twisted with frenzy. The voice slithered through the trees, crawling beneath their skin.
A voice only Shudu could recognize.