As soon as Yichen could, he headed to his room on the second floor, actively refusing Zhu Yuan's repeated offers to carry him again, insisting that he should be very tired, which he was, but he wasn't going to accept any of his offers because one, he could walk just fine and two, he was now quite aware of the growing attraction he had for Zhu Yan, with his imagination running wild now that their private time seemed to have been cut short.
Once inside the safety of his room, he ignored the throbbing pain throughout his body from the removal of the layer, as well as the crackling of the others and the different types of energy collapsing against themselves before his core was mended. He was tired, but he desperately needed to meditate and get Zhu Yan out of his head, not to mention trying to find a way to block him as well as the rest of his unit.
The ordeal of the bond would undoubtedly complicate things for him more than for the others. He knew about the relationship between his younger brother and Ying Lei, he was also aware of Wen Xiao's attraction to their Commander, Pei Sijing, and, of course, he was aware of his brother's possible relationship with Li Lun, having already told him he wouldn't object if it happened, and he had no problem with it. His unit was very understanding and supportive, so at most, he would feel some embarrassment on his part, but his case was different.
He was already involved in a physical relationship with Zhu Yan, who had become an omnipresent force in his life since they crossed paths. For three long weeks, he resisted this closeness, convincing himself that he didn't share the same feelings, that he was only using Zhu Yan's warmth to counteract the coldness that Bing Yi's energy often instilled in him. In truth, there was nowhere he felt safer than by his side, yet he fought those emotions, telling himself that he was only a temporary refuge.
However, everything changed in an instant when Zhu Yan kissed him, or rather, when he kissed him, encouraged by the wine they had drunk that night. That moment ignited a fire within him, one he had been blissfully unaware of until it was lit, consuming his resolve and leaving him wanting more. Now he felt lost, unable to quench this new desire or lessen its intensity. Once he have crossed that line, it was impossible to go back, but he also couldn't allow his desires to take control of his mind, especially when there was a chance that others could also see how vulnerable he was about his feelings for Zhu Yan behind his close door.
Yichen wanted to scream in frustration, but being a disciplined man, he did his best to truly meditate, to let go of everything else that wasn't necessary to fulfill his mission to keep his people safe, to save Bing Yi, to save the world, but even after a few hours of trying really hard, in the end those damn words of him telling them to seize the opportunity while they still could kept coming back to slap him in the face and laugh at his futile attempts to forget.
"That damn monkey!" Yichen yelled in frustration as he tried to refocus on his meditation to raise his mental shields.
Elsewhere, Zhu Yan smirked at the sound of his beloved Yichen cursing him, knowing full well why he did so, having seen him struggle in his meditation while sitting on his bed in the lotus position. He was amused to see Yichen frown as he meditated, not because of the pain or discomfort of having undo a core layer that morning, but because he probably couldn't get over what he had said earlier. Zhu Yan could even feel his young lover's heat from his favorite tree where he was looking down on him. It was too easy to provoke him, still so young, but he knew that in time, Yichen will grow and mature, and then he will be the one in troubles, when his lover learns to tease him back, in an even more irresistible way. Ah, he was looking forward to that moment.
However, that would be for much later in their relationship, as now he needed to ensure that everyone survived the imminent threat looming over them. Not only did he have to worry about Bing Yi being confined within the demon realm, but he also sensed an increase in the ferocity of the forest demons. The demons of the Forest of Convergence had been mostly hostile among the demon hunters, as it was in their nature to do so, though not to the extent he perceived. Perhaps Li Lun was right, and something was influencing not only the demons inside their realm, but those in the human world as well. So far, he sensed the change, but not the reason, though that could likely spell trouble for the demon hunters still patrolling the forest.
Reluctantly, he tore his gaze away from Zhuo Yichen and focused on the depths of the forest. He could see the towers the humans had built for both protection and barriers, and the numerous units ensuring no demons entered the Citade, something that was now routine, but he could also see some high-level demons going out of their way to... gather? Since when did demons work together?
Surprised, he listened intently as the demons murmured their plans, their desire to kill humans, massacre them, enter cities outside the protection of the Demon Hunter Citadel, then when the demon hunters left his dimension to fight them, they planned to kill them too, painfully and even some whisper to want to eat them and open a path for other demons from the other realm to tempt them in as well. They had grown thirsty for blood and power in the few weeks that the humans had shown them mercy. They had also forgotten to fear him, since he had allowed humans to enter his personal dimension.
Perhaps he had been too distracted by the humans in his mansion, most of all, Yichen, that he hadn't been able to keep a better eye on things outside the mansion. Since his barrier couldn't be breached by any of the forest demons, he had neglected his previous careful surveillance to keep an eye on them and now they think they could do as they pleased in his territory?
Deep anger erupted inside Zhu Yan chest. He had waited patiently for things to develop as they were now, had endured centuries of solitude waiting for his destined one, and now that he was delighted to have him by his side for the rest of eternity if it was up to him, no other demon, weak or strong, would ruin the happiness he finally enjoyed. No will will take away what he cherish, love and will die for, more less feed on it! NO ONE!!! Feeling a little guilty for having to intrude into his young lover's mind when he was struggling to keep him out, Zhu Yan connected with all the humans within his mansion and mentally told them not to panic or leave the barrier, as he was about to manifest above the forest, having detected an unwanted change in the forest's demons.
Then, to the astonishment of the demon hunters in the inner ring and the many towers overlooking it, they saw a huge white dragon in all his magnificent glory manifest above the forest as it roared with power. For all the demon hunters who saw or heard it, that was the first time in who knows how many centuries that the great demon Zhu Yan had displayed one of his true forms and terrifying power.
Everything in the forest for hundreds of kilometers around felt the pressure of his demonic energy, felt his anger deeply rooted in their bones and souls, and Li Lun, still somewhere within the forest, almost collapsed to his knees under Zhu Yan's demonic pressure, forcing him to root himself to a tree to avoid it and he is the second strongest demon within the human world, which speaks volumes about how much energy he was releasing at once, barely holding on to the remainder of his crushing power, as any more pressure could even break bones. Zhu Yan was mad, no, he was enraged and Li Lun thought it was about time he figured out what he had missed, but it was clear that he was also overdoing it.
"Here me out, demons of this forest... this is my territory. Don't you dare think you can start another war under my watch. I warn you that although I was previously reluctant to get involved in the affairs of this world and allowed you to do as you pleased, that is no longer the case. Any attempt to massacre humans here or in nearby cities will be met with my wrath multiplied tenfold. Next time I will reduce you to ashes, one by one and I will enjoy it!" The deep voice, a mixture of something animal and human at the same time, could be heard all the way to the very foundations of the Citadel, where alarm bells were ringing everywhere.
Fan Ying, like all the other demon hunters in the Citadel, watched the forest as Zhu Yan delivered his warning. He was pleased that the great demon had been attracted to the young Zhuo, which strengthened his desire to protect humanity on a deeper level, because if he ever decided to switch sides, nothing could stop him. Demonic pressure was something that all demons with great power had, but how they used it depended entirely on how they needed it, so only demons could feel it in their bones, but judging from the resonance of the voice, clearly not completely human, Fan Ying could tell that Zhu Yan was enraged and wasn't exactly holding back on those who had made him like this.
Then, he also watched as the purple mist that used to cling to the ground across the thousands of miles of the forest began to recede, as if it had been absorbed by the colossal white dragon with its shining scales that reflected the sun, giving it an almost heavenly golden glow. This mist was the source that the demons used to cultivate, and if Zhu Yan removed it, it would weaken those who had yet to acquire the ability to change form and curtail the power of those who fed on it to become stronger. In short, Zhu Yan's fury was truly terrifying, and by the time he was satisfied, only a third of the mist remained in the forest and all the demons shrank under the pressure that threatened to break them as easily as branches break in a wind storm.
Back at the mansion, Yichen and the others went outside to watch Zhu Yan on his dragon form, which shone in the sun like a god, terrifying and fascinating at the same time, as it glided through the sky above the forest like a hunter watching for its prey. Yichen heard Wen Xiao say that this was the only time Zhu Yan had manifested in human history, and he found it hard to believe that such a powerful beast was his lover, his soulmate, the source of his desire and at times, even despair.
"Xiao Zhuo Ge... Is Zhu Yan angry with us too?" Bai Jiu asked from beside him, fear evident in his caramel innocent eyes. Yichen smiled at him as he put an arm around the young man's shoulders.
"Of course not. I don't know what happened, but you heard it too, right? Before he took his dragon form, he asked us not to panic and his anger wasn't directed at us... but still, this is too much..."
"Do you think so?" Bai Jiu asked, looking at him with intrigue.
"Yes, he's showing off, as always." Yichen replied, which greatly relaxed him.
"I wonder what happened to him to make him act like this. Did the forest demons act against him in some way?" Ying Lei asked, and a breeze whipped through them, bringing leaves that took human form right next to Zhuo Yixuan.
"The demons were planning a war against the humans inside the Citadel. He just found out..." Li Lun said as he looked at Zhu Yan's dragon form.
"Did you knew about it?" Yixuan asked.
"How long have I been here... three days at most? Yet, I've just been informed of the unusual activity of the demons living in the forest. It should be a shame for Zhu Yan to discover that they've started acting in his territory. Of course, doing that it's not only foolish, but also dangerous. They used to fear him, but since he briefly looked away, they've become too arrogant, and a dragon with a human mate right inside his territory isn't something you want to threaten. It's a miracle he didn't burn the forest and everything inside and only took the demonic energy away. He'll need to cultivate it for a couple of days, but he will be even stronger when he's done with it." Li Lun explained.
"I suppose we should stay out of his way, right?" Cao Wei asked, as the others stared at Li Lun.
"Not really. Zhu Yan's anger is directed at demons, so I guess I'll be the one to get out of his way. Not that he will take it on me, he's too soft for that." Li Lun said, and Yichen smiled.
"That he is, but I think it's best to leave him alone for a while, at least until he calms down." Yichen suggested, and Li Lun laughed at his naiveté.
"Zhuo Yichen, with an enraged dragon acting to protect his mate and those he equally cherish, he will seek you out for comfort once he cultivates the energy he just absorbed. I'm afraid you won't stay away from him, as he will be in heat..." Yichen looked at him in surprise, his face burning with flames.
"Heat?" He managed to ask, though he already had an idea of what it meant.
"Yes, heat. When a dragon goes into protective mode, his instincts are ignited. He will seek you out right after he finishes his cultivation, and what he does next will depend entirely on his self-control and your willpower, which is the only thing that can stop him. Zhu Yan will most likely be torn between the primal urge to wrap you in his fierce embrace, wanting to take you in a way to mark you as his, and the conscious decision to temper that instinct with restraint, since you are still human. Until that protective fervor subsides, he will be completely devoted to you." Li Lun said with an intensity that sent shivers down Yichen's spine, not really knowing whether to fear this new side of Zhu Yan or not.
"And how long will that last?" Yixuan asked, somewhat worried for Yichen, although he knew Zhu Yan would never hurt his brother.
"I don't know. I've never seen it before. I only know the old stories. Dragons are fierce lovers, which is why they mate with only one partner for life. Consider how a threat will feel to your lover, even if that threat comes from someone of lesser power. The mere thought of someone trying to hurt what is so precious to him is enough to infuriate him, and in return, only his partner can calm his fears, whether rationals or not."
"You'll have a hard time, Xiao Zhuo..." Wen Xiao said with a mocking smile, and Yichen blushed even deeper. Not only was he now unable to forget Zhu Yan, but the great demon too was going to follow the same path. Of course, he knew how it would end, and worst of all, a part of him longed for it.
"By the way, Li Lun, there's something else we need to discuss regarding the upcoming mission to the demon world. Can we talk a little now? Not that there's anything else to do, now that Zhu Yan needs a few days of cultivation. I promise to be brief, as I need to go to the Citadel and assure the High Commander that Zhu Yan has no disloyal intentions toward humans." Yixuan said politely, and Li Lun stared at him for a moment before sighing.
"You're too polite. I... will no longer oppose your plans to come with us. If you want to risk your life, that's your right, not mine." Li Lun admitted a little uncomfortably, and Yixuan smiled at him.
"I'm very glad you agree, but what I need to ask you is something else, I'm afraid no less disturbing than the first matter that enraged you." Yixuan explained, making Li Lun frown. What else had those crazy humans plan in the few hours he'd been gone?
"What now?" He asked, almost afraid of hearing his answer.
"A group binding spell with you included if you agree, of course." Yixuan said as he gently took Li Lun's by his arm and guided him back inside the mansion, somewhat in a dazed from which Li Lun didn't want to wake up. Damned humans...
AN: LOL. Ah, poor Li Lun, but well, you will benefit great it of it. Next, there will be some heat! I hope you like this development and until next time, take care. Thanks for reading!