"Those are marks left by acupuncture," Song Qingshi clarified when he noticed Yue Wuhuan mistook them for bug bites. "My capillaries are rather prominent. Needle insertion often results in minor subcutaneous bleeding, leaving marks. Don't worry, they're neither painful nor itchy and will fade in a few days."
Yue Wuhuan carefully examined the marks, slowly releasing his grip, lowering his head and said, "Master suffered while practicing acupuncture for my sake; I was too presumptuous."
"How can one practice medicine without using needles on oneself?" Song Qingshi responded nonchalantly. "In the future, when you practice acupuncture, you'll have to do the same. If you need, I can serve as your practice subject. Before…"
He stopped here, recalling amusing anecdotes. The first step in learning acupuncture was self-practice, then practicing on each other. To stay awake while studying, a needle on the crown of the head would provide an instant boost.
His original self had also first practiced on himself to get the feel of the needle insertion.
The first time he tried acupuncture, he had to perfect it on himself before daring to administer it to others.
Yue Wuhuan turned away, seemingly displeased at Song Qingshi's self-inflicted wounds.
Song Qingshi felt a deep admiration for a moment. Fearing another mishap, he discussed medical theory while administering acupuncture, taking a lot of time to turn his beauty into a "beautiful hedgehog." After confirming each acupuncture point, he injected spiritual power to minimize local anesthesia. Then, he prepared a bath with rejuvenating herbal ingredients, adjusted the temperature skillfully, and invited Yue Wuhuan to step in.
During this medicinal bath, Yue Wuhuan let out a stifled groan after only a short while.
The domineering medicinal efficacy permeated all his meridians, rampaging wildly and causing internal turmoil.
Yue Wuhuan finally understood what Song Qingshi meant by "very painful." Even though acupuncture reduced much of the pain, he still gripped the edge of the tub tightly, his face flushed and forehead beaded with sweat.
"I can't completely eliminate the pain," Song Qingshi said, his consciousness probing into the other's body for insights. "The human body is a complex network of meridians. When the medicine is infused, it's like a flood breaking through a dam. You have to feel the pain at every blockage for me to know if it's been thoroughly cleared. If it hurts, don't hesitate to cry out. Just endure for half an hour, and it should suffice."
"Master need not worry," Yue Wuhuan panted. "You've already done so much for me; I can endure it."
The forcibly cleared blockages in the meridians were now free of obstructions, causing the pain to dissipate instantly.
Song Qing Shi carefully removed the corresponding gold needles.
As more and more meridians were unblocked, the pain gradually lessened.
Before removing the final needle from the crown of the head, Song Qing Shi took out a pill and commanded Yue Wu Huan, "Open your mouth."
Yue Wu Huan's mind was a blank canvas of pain. He obediently opened his mouth, only to find Song Qing Shi placing a scalding-hot pill inside. The slightly cool touch of Song Qing Shi's fingertips accidentally grazed his lips. Instinctively, Yue Wu Huan pursued the fleeting chill with his tongue, wanting to keep it in his mouth forever.
The burning pill melted upon contact with his mouth and slid down into his abdomen. Suddenly, a explosive pain emanated from his Dantian, stirring his internal organs.
Unable to hold back any longer, he let out a heart-wrenching scream, clutching tightly onto the person beside him before collapsing weakly.
Song Qing Shi caught him gracefully and held him close, patting his back and gently comforting, "This is the Nine-Turns Blood Lotus Pill. The effects are quick; just hang in there a little longer."
The Six Meridians Rejuvenation Soup cleared his meridians, while the Nine-Turns Blood Lotus Pill revitalized his Dantian. From his research and experiments, Song Qing Shi knew the pill would not alleviate the pain, but the agony would be short-lived. Hence, he chose not to disclose this initially to avoid adding to Yue Wu Huan's emotional burden. Like giving an injection, swift action was preferable.
Yue Wu Huan's lips were already bleeding from biting down hard. Unable to hold on, he let out a low, animalistic growl, clinging tightly to the person in his arms as if wanting to meld into one with them.
If not for the advanced cultivation level of a YuanYing-stage cultivator, his bones would've been crushed by the force.
Song Qing Shi, immobilized and fearing Yue Wu Huan might further injure his own lips, suggested, "If you're in pain, you can bite on something else. Here, I can give you a towel..."
Before he could finish speaking, Yue Wu Huan viciously bit down on an unsightly red mark on Song Qing Shi's neck, exerting enough force to nearly tear off the flesh and swallow it.
Knowing that Yue Wu Huan had lost his reason, Song Qing Shi withdrew all his protective spiritual energy, not daring to counter with any poisonous techniques. Consequently, a deep wound was bitten into his neck. The pain almost brought tears to his eyes, but he suppressed any cries, pretending it didn't hurt while gasping for air.
He had allowed himself to be bitten, and would endure the biting to the end, even if he had to kneel.
Song Qing Shi persevered through his tears...
Roughly half a moment later, the pain in the Dantian gradually faded, and a slight flow of spiritual energy emerged. It was as though a long-withered tree had sprouted new buds under the nourishment of spring rain, life bursting forth in full vigor. Yue Wu Huan, finally exhausted, loosened his grip and gently licked the blood traces he had inflicted before collapsing into a deep unconsciousness.
...
When Yue Wu Huan woke up, it was already dark.
He moved his body slightly, and found that his long-dormant spiritual energy was now flowing smoothly, his talent surprisingly surpassing that of when he first entered the realm of cultivation.
Suddenly, he realized something beside him. Slowly turning his head, he found his hand tightly gripping Song Qing Shi's sleeve. His fingers were stiff and numb from clutching for so long, and it took considerable effort to release his hold.
Song Qing Shi was soundly asleep beside him.
He had intended to explain the treatment process to Yue Wu Huan upon waking, but he had been so exhausted that he fell asleep while waiting.
Yue Wu Huan stared at the guileless sleeping face before him, a flurry of indescribable emotions rippling through his heart. Seeds of desire began to take root and sprout, as tumultuous feelings roiled and surged in his mind.
Silently, he reached over and lifted a delicate strand of long hair, placing it near his nose. He greedily inhaled the lingering scent of medicinal herbs, before softly kissing and licking it.
The bite mark visible on the neck also stirred an unspeakable sense of satisfaction in him, as though he had branded this person with his own imprint.
Even though his body had already shed the influence of the drug, he still found himself consumed by an unstoppable desire for the man before him.
Such a good man, and yet he coveted not just his body, but his very soul. He wanted to see him lost in a sea of desire, under his control.
Truly a base and shameless thought…
"Wu Huan, you are a creature born of desire."
Perhaps, that statement was accurate.
He had already fallen into demonic ways, unworthy of being paired with purity.
Song Qing Shi had already done so much for him, the weight of his kindness as immense as a mountain, with no way to repay it.
Knowing he shouldn't, yet unable to let go.
At the very least, he should distance himself, hide his tail, and not expose his true nature, so as not to tarnish him with his malevolent thoughts…
With resolve, Yue Wu Huan took a final breath and reluctantly let go of the long hair in his grasp.