Chapter 26#
The Gift#
How does it feel to destroy a favored child of heaven?
To trample the bright moon into the mud, to trap a phoenix in a cage. To break his knees, to wear down his pride. To let his bright eyes be stained with despair, to bend his upright back, making him kneel before you to be toyed with and admired at will. You nonchalantly enjoy his struggle, controlling his life.
Shen Liyuan wanted to destroy Yin Yuheng, yet also wanted to possess him.
He wanted to see him cry, see him in pain, see him plead helplessly. He wanted to throw him into the mire of despair and then appear like a god, becoming his only light. He wanted to lock him in the most exquisite and magnificent birdcage, so that from then on, those eyes could only gaze at him, and those hands could only touch him.
Even just the fantasy was enough to make Shen Liyuan feel dizzy and enchanted.
For this wild ambition, Shen Liyuan did many things.
He investigated Yin Yuheng’s experiences from childhood to adulthood, reading through them again and again, pondering them over and over. He found Zhu Anning and exerted great effort to meticulously set up a trap. He gave Zhu Anning a silver bracelet, telling him it was a spiritual tool for sound transmission. In reality, the silver bracelet was mixed with special materials that could amplify the evil within a person’s heart, influencing them to ignore details of kindness and invisibly driving them to harm those around them.
The trap he had painstakingly arranged—now that the first act was about to conclude, how could he let it end hastily?
From the beginning, Shen Liyuan had no intention of keeping the secret for Zhu Anning. Being betrayed by a close junior brother—no matter how gentle or inclusive Yin Yuheng was, he would surely be in agony, wouldn’t he?
What he wanted was Yin Yuheng’s complete collapse and despair.
He had Zhu Anning stall Yin Yuheng simply to facilitate killing someone.
*
Zhu Anning’s courtyard was the warmest place in the State Preceptor’s Manor. Peach blossoms bloomed outside the courtyard; when the wind blew, they drifted through the window lattice.
Zhu Anning begged Yin Yuheng to stay today, and Yin Yuheng actually stayed.
Yin Yuheng sat by the window reading a book.
The thin pages were set off by his pale fingers, and peach blossoms fell on his shoulders. Sitting there, refined and elegant, he looked like a meticulously painted picture.
The youth in the painting was smiling, his gaze not focused on the book.
“Shen Liyuan wants to destroy me.”
When saying this in his heart, Yin Yuheng’s tone was no different from saying the weather was nice today. This made Xiao Bai slightly apprehensive, unable to gauge his mood.
Yin Yuheng still smiled and continued: “What a coincidence, I also want to destroy him.”
“Specially having my little junior brother stall me—tell me, what is he doing it for?”
“—I feel like Lu Yan is in danger.”
Xiao Bai hesitated: “Lu Yan is the divine Golden Crow; ordinary people can’t kill him. Besides, he’s a plot character, he won’t die.”
“I know,” Yin Yuheng turned a page of the book, “that’s why I’m sitting here.”
Yin Yuheng raised his eyes and looked out the window. Under the peach tree, Zhu Anning stood there, gazing over blankly, who knows what he was thinking.
“What are you doing standing there? Come over.”
Zhu Anning hesitated for a moment and walked over. He lowered his head nervously, stammering: “Senior brother, let me close the window for you so you don’t catch a cold.”
The current Zhu Anning treated Yin Yuheng like a piece of fragile porcelain, taking care of him with meticulous attention.
Yin Yuheng closed the book and said with a light smile: “Your birthday is in three days, isn’t it?”
Zhu Anning’s expression froze, and he nodded.
“That’s good, another year older.”
Yin Yuheng reached out, and Zhu Anning consciously and piously bent down. Yin Yuheng straightened his collar and said softly: “Are you looking forward to senior brother’s gift?”
The surrounding wind was slightly warm, and the peach blossoms were like pink light clouds. Zhu Anning’s breathing lightened; he felt as if he were almost drowning in this intoxicating gentleness, even forgetting his apprehension and unease.
“I’m looking forward to it.” A hint of hope appeared in Zhu Anning’s eyes.
Yin Yuheng’s laughter was soft: “As long as you’re looking forward to it.”
He put down the book and stood up. Zhu Anning immediately said nervously: “Senior brother wants to leave?”
Yin Yuheng nodded: “It’s time to go back.”
Zhu Anning grit his teeth, thinking that senior brother had already stayed much longer, surely satisfying that person’s request. But…
But he couldn’t bear to let his senior brother go.
He whispered: “Senior brother, stay with me a bit longer, okay? Senior brother…”
“Be good, listen,” Yin Yuheng smiled nonchalantly, “otherwise, senior brother will be angry.”
Yin Yuheng’s tone was gentle but brook no argument. Zhu Anning froze.
He had a guilty conscience and was most afraid of his senior brother being angry and not wanting him, fearing it to the point of madness every moment. He carefully maintained the current situation, not daring to go against Yin Yuheng’s wishes. He could only force a smile and see Yin Yuheng to the entrance of the State Preceptor’s Manor.
Yin Yuheng was injured and didn’t walk fast.
At the entrance of the State Preceptor’s Manor, Yin Yuheng stopped.
“Is senior brother waiting for someone?”
“Waiting for someone,” Yin Yuheng suddenly took a step forward, “He’s here.”
Zhu Anning looked up blankly, only to see at the end of the long street, Lu Yan holding a sword, walking towards the State Preceptor’s Manor through the firelight.
The tip of the sword was still dripping blood.
Yin Yuheng revealed a heartfelt smile, which then turned cold, “Are you injured?”
Lu Yan’s face had been scratched by something, and a few drops of blood slid down his cheek. Lu Yan raised his hand to wipe away the blood and said indifferently: “It’s nothing.”
Yin Yuheng was very sensitive to emotions…
Lu Yan walked up to Yin Yuheng, raised his eyes… his hand holding the sword tightened, “Your name is Zhu Anning?”
Zhu Anning nodded warily, the hair on his body standing on end, feeling as if the surroundings were filled with killing intent.
Just as Zhu Anning thought the other party was about to strike, Lu Yan suddenly sheathed his sword and didn’t look at Zhu Anning again.
“Let’s go.” Lu Yan stretched out his hand with a cold face.
Yin Yuheng knew why Lu Yan was angry. He coughed lightly and obediently reached out to let him take his hand. Lu Yan pulled Yin Yuheng and turned to leave. Zhu Anning instinctively chased after them for a few steps: “Senior brother!”
Yin Yuheng seemed not to hear.
*
On the way back to the palace, Lu Yan didn’t say a word.
Yin Yuheng tried to find some topics to distract Lu Yan’s attention.
“You’re injured. Someone wanted to kill you?” Yin Yuheng was somewhat worried. “Was it people from the Demon Race hunting you, or…”
“It wasn’t the Demon Race.” Lu Yan was expressionless.
“…Then you were implicated by me,” Yin Yuheng sighed with guilt. “You know, my relationship with the aristocratic families and sects isn’t good. There are many people who want me dead. You’re close to me, so they moved against you.”
“I’m fine,” Lu Yan said indifferently, “They are the ones who died.”
Yin Yuheng smiled and reached out, wanting to wipe the wound on Lu Yan’s face for him. However, just as he touched Lu Yan’s cheek, his hand was suddenly grabbed.
“Yin Yuheng,” Lu Yan grit his teeth, pulling Yin Yuheng’s wrist and pushing him against the wall of the carriage, “If there are many people who want you dead, I can risk everything to save you; but if you yourself want to die, tell me, what should I do?”
It was the first time Yin Yuheng had seen Lu Yan so angry.
Lu Yan pressed Yin Yuheng against the carriage wall, the two of them so close their breaths mingled. Yin Yuheng was confined in the small space and had to look into Lu Yan’s eyes.
“I don’t want to die,” Yin Yuheng said softly, “A-Yan, I just…”
Just had no other way.
If possible, who would want to make a joke of their own path of cultivation?
“Do you know, I was really driven mad with anger today,” a look of pain appeared in Lu Yan’s eyes. “Sometimes, I really wish I could lock you up.”
Yin Yuheng was stunned.
His originally soft and guilty expression suddenly turned cold.
He suddenly remembered that in the original plot, Lu Yan had indeed done so.
In the book, Lu Yan used him to reclaim the position of Demon Emperor, becoming one of the most noble people in this world. Having lost his utility value, he became Lu Yan’s plaything, locked in the bedchambers for Lu Yan to toy with and amuse himself, no amount of crying or pleading being of any use.
Yin Yuheng was a person with a strong desire for control; he couldn’t accept losing his freedom and being confined by others.
“Oh?” Yin Yuheng’s gaze was dark. “How do you plan to lock me up? Lock me up, and then what?”
“And then?” Lu Yan grit his teeth, “And then I’ll lock you to the bed…”
Just as expected.
Yin Yuheng’s expression became even colder, a hint of mockery appearing in his eyes—whether for Lu Yan or himself. He thought Lu Yan would be different, but the destined plot would inevitably happen after all…
Lu Yan continued:
“…Lock you to the bed and force you to rest.”
“You must take your medicine on time every morning, noon, and night.”
“No throwing fits, otherwise no candied fruit.”
“Not allowed to leave the bed until your injuries are healed.”
Lu Yan’s tone was fierce.
Yin Yuheng: “…”
After a moment of daze, Yin Yuheng suddenly lowered his head and began to laugh silently, his shoulders shaking.
Lu Yan thought he was crying and instantly couldn’t stay harsh, becoming flustered: “I was just joking, I, I’m just angry that you don’t cherish yourself… I won’t lock you up, don’t cry… But you must take your medicine, even if you cry it won’t work… I can give you candied fruit, it won’t be bitter…”
Yin Yuheng laughed until he buried his face in Lu Yan’s shoulder.
Lu Yan froze.
Yin Yuheng finally stopped laughing and said softly: “Alright.”
Lu Yan was dazed for a long while before saying: “Then will you still go to the State Preceptor’s Manor behind my back in the future?”
Yin Yuheng blinked: “My little junior brother’s birthday is coming up, and I’ve already prepared the gift. I definitely have to go.”
Lu Yan: “…”
Before Lu Yan could go mad with anger, Yin Yuheng hurriedly said: “Don’t worry, this time I definitely won’t get injured. Really, I’m not lying to you.”
Yin Yuheng’s tone was coaxing, forcefully wearing down Lu Yan’s temper. His breath was stuck in his chest, and his expression was very unsightly.
Yin Yuheng fumbled a jade pendant from his robe and blinked: “Let me show you the gift I prepared.”
“I’ve prepared two gifts. What do you think of this jade pendant? I carved it myself.”
Lu Yan: “…”
The quality of this jade was excellent, yet it was carved with an ugly bird.
The craftsmanship really didn’t match the material.
Yin Yuheng toyed with the jade pendant nonchalantly and said leisurely: “I won’t deliver the second gift personally.”
Shen Liyuan would help him deliver it.
Yin Yuheng thought with a soft smile, the scene would definitely be very lively then.
Yin Yuheng looked up and stared at Lu Yan seriously: “A-Yan, actually I’m not as good as you think.”
He could lift a person to the clouds.
He could also let go and let that person fall into a deep abyss.
For example, he had supported his teacher and junior brother for so long.
—Now, he didn’t want to support them anymore.