Feng Xiao naturally wouldn't scram.
Not only did he refuse to scram, he even challenged Cui Buqu: "Push me away if you can."
Cui Buqu couldn't push him away.
He needed strength even to breathe, fully relying on Feng Xiao's inner strength to minimize his pain. Since he's depending on Feng Xiao right now, he'd have to give him his way.
And so Second Commander Feng pushed his luck, hugging him tight and then sniffed him from the crook of his neck to the corner of his eyes and all the way to the back of his ear, leaving behind heavy and thin traces of his breath.
Feng Xiao adored cleanliness. He was especially demanding of others, forbidding them to even get close to him. Even his personal maidservants had to wash their hands thrice before helping him change his clothes. Yet, he found the scent of medicinal herbs on Cui Buqu quite alluring, unlike the norm. He was gentle when he held that thin, skinny and stiff body in his arms, leaving his mark on those pale-white skin.
Feng Xiao thought that something was wrong with him. Something was wrong with his brain.
But the most terrifying thing about it, is that he doesn't want to get better.
"Giving me those three Bingzhi Pellets was like tossing a stone into the sea. If I failed to get better, descended into the throes of qi deviation and died, then I would never have known what you did. The Jiejian Bureau might even suspect that it was those three Bingzhi Pellets that caused my condition to worsen. Cui Buqu, you have always aimed for the better bargain, and you have never failed to do so. I don't believe you have never thought of this."
Feng Xiao's instincts told him that it was impossible for Cui Buqu to answer his question honestly, but he stubbornly wanted an answer nonetheless.
They glared at each other.
He saw weakness, illness, and fatigue in Cui Buqu's eyes.
This was a body that has been chronically ill for a long time. It could not even afford to withstand an attack with just fifty percent of his strength, for even rain or a gust of wind would make him lie on his bed for at least ten days to half a month. Oftentimes he struggled by the gates of the dead; any physicians who paid him a visit would only come to one conclusion: this life wouldn't last long.
Yet, the owner of this body had lived until now.
No one could tell how determined this strength supporting a decaying tree would be, but Feng Xiao knew:
If Cui Buqu could practice martial arts, his achievements would have already surpassed his by now.
The world of mortals held many woes, and all of them could not champion fate.
Cui Buqu did not believe in fate. Though he may be dragging this deteriorating body, he had the strongest determination that could be found in this world.
"In order to give a favour that might never deliver returns, you gave away practically your own life. This isn't like the kind of person you are."
Cui Buqu closed his eyes, yet the redness at the corner of his eyes became more conspicuous. They looked like blushers that were purposely painted on, looking quite flattering.
It was because of this, his face brightened up.
Feng Xiao secretly felt proud.
"Aren't you awake now?" Cui Buqu replied hoarsely.
"What if I did not?" Feng Xiao was displeased with this answer, and so he pushed further, wanting to get to the bottom of it.
Cui Buqu felt his body grow cold. He needed to curl up tightly in an embrace only could he gather enough warmth. If one desired to catch a glimpse into the most sincere and honest part of his heart, this would be their only chance.
"If you hadn't woken up," He opened his eyes and slowly said, "This debt would be attributed to the Jiejian Bureau."
Feng Xiao: "…"
"You really know how to strike a beneficial bargain." There was an enigmatic aura about Second Commander Feng.
"Looking at you from this perspective, I feel that there is a good reason you've set your standards so high. This face of yours truly is peerless in this world." Cui Buqu sighed.
"Finally, you sound human." The great peacock who was previously upset now felt like someone was combing through his feathers, feeling so highly flattered that the only thing he hadn't done yet was spreading his colourful train.
"But it is such a pity you can talk."
Feng-er: "???"
Cui Buqu gave him a sincere look: "An oleander is useful enough exhibiting its brilliance at the tip of its branch, there is no need for it to speak."
Feng Xiao raised his voice: "So, an oleander is what you used to mock me with all along?!"
Cui Buqu coughed twice: "Didn't you also curse me for being a sickly invalid in your heart?"
Feng Xiao: "Of course not, what I cussed at you was—"
Both of them stared at each other.
Cui Buqu blinked sincerely, a sheen over his black-coloured iris.
Feng Xiao corrected himself at the last minute: "A person as open-minded and benevolent as me would naturally have nothing to hide and be sincere in heart and mouth. How would I be similar to you?"
Cui Buqu snorted as a response. He had no strength to bicker with him.
By speaking a few sentences to the other just now, some of the pain had been lifted. His body gradually felt warm, no longer as painful as it was before.
"You gave me three Bingzhi Pellets because you were certain that I would not die." Feng Xiao refused to let this go. He insisted on having an answer, and if Cui Buqu refused to give him one, he would get it himself.
That is right. Even if everyone beneath the Heavens died, nothing would happen to Feng-er who holds a high opinion of himself, who would give everything to be like a peony on a daily basis. Cui Buqu thought in his heart.
Only, one cannot tell that on the surface. It was impossible to want him to give the other another reason to be cocky.
"Because the Bingzhi Pellets were poisonous, and I was attempting to take your life while you were ill." Cui Buqu coldly stated.
Feng Xiao smiling. "Ah, Cui Buqu, it's exactly this attitude of yours which expressionlessly betrays your conscience that I like. It's extremely adorable."
In order to prove that he liked this "extremely adorable" look, he even offered him a wantonly ruthlessly deep kiss, making use of the opportunity to transfer qi, he satisfied his own private interests and swallowed all the scent in the other's mouth, replacing it with his own until everywhere was his scent, only then could he feel satisfied.
When he saw that Cui Buqu hadn't even moved, he was enlightened: "You're not even fighting back now. It seems like you've long been covetous of my beauty, but was afraid you'd be rejected, so you fought back just now?"
Before the other could respond, Second Commander Feng sighed: "Nevermind, take it as feeling sympathy for you. Who made me so considerate and gentle and understanding? I agree with this."
Cui Buqu: "…".
Agree with what?
Aren't you over flattering yourself now, Feng-er?
Feng Xiao has said everything on his own, what else is left for him to say?
Cui Buqu snorted coldly.
Someone was knocking on the door outside.
"It's me, Commander Cui." It was Qin Miaoyu's voice.
"Come in." His seizure had passed. No longer feeling pain, Cui Buqu could speak with more strength now.
"Cui–" Qin Miaoyu came in, and when she saw Feng Xiao, she had forgotten what she wanted to say.
She recalled that she was still wearing her superior's face. Two Feng Xiaos looked at each other, a hilarious sight.
After the battle in the tavern, she should have returned to her usual look. But Cui Buqu had allowed her to remain because before Feng Xiao went into conclusion, he allowed them to temporarily be under Cui Buqu's command, and so she did. She used Second Commander Feng's identity to scare the living lights out of Wu Yi and the others, and so now when the true owner of the face is here, it was difficult for her not to feel guilty.
Feng Xiao raised an eyebrow at her.
Qin Miaoyu smiled awkwardly back.
This superior of hers wasn't as leisurely as he looked on the surface. Everyone had two sides to them; if one were to say that one of Feng Xiao's side was a reckless, bold, and unrestrained narcissist, then his other side was ruthless and vicious towards those he deemed his enemies.
Qin Miaoyu had once experienced a bitter taste from him. She has no desire to experience it again.
However, with Commander Cui present, surely her superior would be more lenient?
As expected, Feng Xiao cast her a brief and fleeting look but said nothing.
Qin Miaoyu sighed inwardly, and reported to Cui Buqu honestly: "Commander Cui, according to the place Li Geng's eldest son provided, fresh grains have been uncovered. Although the Li family strongly denied it, they should be the same grains from the batch the Imperial Court delivered. Quite a number of grains were also discovered from other families. According to the number, they should be around twenty to thirty percent of what the Imperial Court gave. Presently, we could only find so much. The rest were already sold by them to the people of this Prefecture at a high price. They can no longer be returned."
Cui Buqu replied with an "En, keep your eyes on them and watch the account made. Take all of Li Geng's sons, as well as the Ding family's people. Let Rong Qing bring them back to the capital."
Qin Miaoyu didn't understand. "This is?"
Cui Buqu: "I promised not to kill them, but I never said not to question them. Whether these were members of distinguished families or Yang Yun, once they arrive at the capital, they will still think of ways to free themselves from charge and deny everything. The Li and Ding families relied on Yang Yun for benefits, as well as for having many descendants. There are surely a lot of internal conflicts within them. I will notify Zhangsun, allow him to bring those people to the Zuoyue Bureau for one round of questioning. We could surely uncover something fishy."
As he spoke until this part, he laughed coldly. "Making use of the internal conflicts between them might make them yield more information."
Qin Miaoyu bowed and said she understood.
She wasn't surprised at Cui Buqu's design. From the moment she met this Zuoyue Commander, the other was like someone who planned three steps in advance with every step he took.
For someone who was in good health, this naturally meant nothing. But Cui Buqu's body was already in such a weak state, yet he was still able to keep himself conscious all the time; wouldn't it be too tiring for him?
She couldn't help thinking of a saying.
The heart is mentally exhausted. The natural lifespan is not eternal. The oil is fully depleted from lamps.
Regardless of which one it was, it was not a good sign.
Feng Xiao, who was sitting at the side and hadn't interrupted even once, finally opened his mouth to inquire.
"Qin Miaoyu, were you using my face for the last few days?"
Qin Miaoyu instinctively looked at Cui Buqu.
The latter closed his eyes and turned around. One could not look clearly at his expression, and from his posture, it seemed like he had fallen asleep.
This isn't good. She's fallen into a pit!
A few days ago Qin Miaoyu had already felt her eyelids twitching, and it had come into reality at this moment. She finally understood why she felt something was off.
Cui Buqu told her that Feng Xiao was in seclusion, and so he needed her to borrow Feng Xiao's identity in order to punish those distinguished families. Firstly, it was because the Jiejian Bureau's name was more widely known, and hence more people knew about it, it would be useful for them to quickly settle everything. Secondly, although she did not have Feng Xiao's level of martial arts, those distinguished families didn't know martial arts at all, and thus using Feng Xiao's face to show up would be enough.
Qin Miaoyu hadn't pondered over it for too long, because her current identity was a scout of the Jiejian Bureau. There was no need to fight battles that required her to walk on thin ice on a daily basis like she used to. Moreover, with Feng Xiao's prior words, she naturally listened to Cui Buqu's orders. Perhaps when days passed, she had put down the guard she used to have, and only now did she notice where it had all gone wrong.
Outsiders wouldn't know that it was Qin Miaoyu; they would only take her for Feng Xiao, and be convinced that this case was in charge by both the Zuoyue and Jiejian Bureaus. As for offending people, naturally, they'd have to take responsibility for that as well.
The Zuoyue Bureau was responsible for cases related to the Jianghu. This time, if it wasn't for the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai's manipulation, they would have not shown up. Getting rid of all the top-tier martial artists in the tavern, as well as forcing Xiao Lu to leave heavily injured, had all been contributions of the Jiejian Bureau. But outsiders wouldn't know, and would just think that the Zuoyue Bureau did their job well.
And what of the Jiejian Bureau? Not only did they have to be responsible for the offence caused, the most they'd receive was Cui Buqu's light and weightless words: "It's just thanks to the Jiejian Bureau's aid" when he stepped up to announce his meritorious deeds.
Feng Xiao sighed and turned around to say: "I took a lot of trouble defeating Xiao Lu, fell into the peril of death, then took a saunter before the afterworld's gate and came back, yet you still want to pit me. Cui Buqu, won't your conscience hurt?"
Cui Buqu looked peaceful and serene with hints of sickness on his face like it was hard-earned for him to have a sound slumber. He was even snoring lightly.
Even if a clap of thunder struck, Feng Xiao could not wake up someone who was already determined to pretend to be asleep.
====
Author's Notes:
[Small Theatre]
Cui Buqu: Love is another story. Pitting is a story of its own. Both of them are unrelated.
Feng Xiao: Alright, you've said this. Tomorrow I am going to allow some people to distribute leaflets on the street.
Cui Buqu: "…"