Chapter 108: Chapter 107. Ice and Snow Alliance.

Chapter 107.

After two grueling, sleepless days, followed by a night of unrestrained passion, Yin Chengyu sank into the depths of slumber, oblivious to the world from dawn until the dead of night.

When he finally opened his eyes, the room was steeped in darkness—silent, undisturbed, not even a lamp dared to flicker to life, likely to avoid waking him.

As he shifted slightly, the warmth of a hand clasped around his own anchored him to the moment. Beneath his palm, he could feel the heat of a body pressed intimately close. Retreating from the broad, firm chest he’d been resting against, Yin Chengyu moved back, only to lock eyes with Xue Shu’s dark, intent gaze.

In the shadowed room, Xue Shu’s face seemed carved from the night itself—sharp, defined features bathed in darkness. His elongated, ink-black eyes glimmered like polished obsidian, unblinking and ravenous, drinking in every detail of the man before him.

It was clear he hadn’t just woken. Yin Chengyu’s hand drifted upward, fingers brushing against Xue Shu’s lashes, their softness a stark contrast to the cold precision he usually exuded.

“Not asleep?” His voice, thick with sleep, emerged as a gravelly murmur, rough yet enticing, the kind of sound that scraped against one’s nerves and lingered.

A low hum came in response, accompanied by the faint curve of Xue Shu’s lips—a rarity. His voice was a deep rumble, soft but deliberate. “The quarters are crude. I’ve kept them warm for Your Highness.”

Yin Chengyu’s hand slipped under Xue Shu’s robes, fingers wandering with lazy amusement. A sly smile curled his lips as he teased, “You’ve done well.” His tone shifted as he inquired casually, “What hour is it?”

Xue Shu tensed, his earlier composure giving way to a hint of hesitation. His voice tightened as he admitted, “It’s just past the first quarter of the Xu hour (7:15-7:30 PM.).”

A whole day lost to sleep. Yin Chengyu rubbed his temples, propping himself up on one elbow. “This late already? Have someone prepare food. I’ll eat before tackling the matters I’ve neglected.”

Now wasn’t the time for indulgence. Work awaited—a mountain of it, no doubt, given his brief lapse.

Xue Shu moved to comply, shrugging on a robe in haste before attending to Yin Chengyu. “I already had the kitchen keep some porridge warm. Considering… your current state, something light is best.” His voice faltered, cautious not to provoke irritation, though the implication hung heavy in the air.

Yin Chengyu wasn’t as irritable as expected. Despite the exertion of the previous night, it had been, without a doubt, worth every lingering ache. A smirk tugged at his lips as he cast Xue Shu a sidelong glance. “No harm done.”

But as he rose, he froze mid-motion, brows knitting together in discomfort.

Xue Shu stiffened instantly, worry flickering in his expression. “Are you hurt?”

Despite his meticulous care, Xue Shu knew that such intimacy defied nature. The first few times always left their mark.

Sensing his concern, Yin Chengyu’s frown softened. “Just a little sore,” he remarked dryly, his gaze sliding toward Xue Shu with a knowing glint. “Still, far better than the first time.”

The “first time” he referenced wasn’t tonight, but rather a memory from another life—one fraught with friction and raw, unchecked desire. Back then, their encounters had been a clash of wills, passion entwined with dominance, devoid of the tenderness that now lingered between them.

The recollection brought a faint flush to Xue Shu’s cheeks. He hesitated before murmuring, “That time, I was… too eager. I lacked experience.”

A quiet scoff left Yin Chengyu, but he didn’t press further. Instead, he waved dismissively. “Enough. I’m hungry—bring the food.”

Over the next few days, Yin Chengyu and his entourage remained in the mountainous regions, where they systematically dismantled the bandit strongholds. With the assistance of Hualin Stronghold's insiders, the campaign was swift and decisive, clearing out all the dens in the area.

More than 500 bandits were rounded up and taken down, leaving just a few cowards who managed to slip away into the mountains. While this haul might seem impressive for dealing with bandits, it barely scratches the surface compared to the massive numbers the East Bureau spies uncovered earlier.

It wasn’t just bandits they unmasked. Most of these so-called outlaws turned out to be private soldiers under the guise of criminals, manipulated by the corrupt Zhou Zhiling. A mole within the city had been tipping them off, allowing them to disguise themselves and evade authorities.

It's no surprise the government's attempts to crush the bandits kept failing miserably—they were outmatched, outsmarted, and left fumbling in the dust every single time.

This time, there would be no escape.

Yin Chengyu ordered the confiscated wealth to be transported back to the city for disaster relief. Civilians kidnapped by the bandits were identified and returned to their homes, while the private soldiers were interrogated thoroughly. Their confessions, along with mutual accusations, laid bare their crimes.

Those with lighter offenses were sentenced to labor, repairing infrastructure and assisting with relief efforts under strict supervision. Meanwhile, the truly irredeemable were sent back to the city to face justice.

By the time Yin Chengyu returned to the city, the disaster relief was running smoothly. Supplies had been distributed, and reconstruction was underway. Satisfied, he handed the reins over to Jiang Zheng, whose steadfast dedication made him the perfect candidate to oversee the efforts.

Jiang Zheng might have been a touch old-fashioned, but he was the kind of authoritative figure who truly gave a damn about his people.

When bandits stormed the city, he didn’t waste time wringing his hands or running scared. Instead, he and his fellow officials rallied the scattered, unprepared soldiers and charged into the chaos, clashing with the marauders in multiple bloody battles. They lost plenty of men, but their grit and guts spared the city’s people from far worse atrocities.

As one of the culprits, the Zhou family faced dire consequences: their property was confiscated and repurposed for disaster relief. While most members of the Zhou family were oblivious to Zhou Zhiling's crimes and thus escaped direct punishment, their family's fortune was entirely seized. Zhou Zhiling, the prime offender, was implicated alongside Shao Tian and awaited judgment in the capital.

By mid-February, Yin Chengyu gave the order to prepare for the return journey to the capital.

The night before their departure, Xue Shu came to bid Yin Chengyu farewell.

"I must make a detour to Mount Wudang. From here on, I can't travel with Your Highness."

Though their relationship was in its fiery prime, time and duty had left little room for indulgence. Since the passionate night at the hot springs, Yin Chengyu had been relentlessly busy, and Xue Shu, considerate of his lover’s exhaustion, had suppressed his desires, contenting himself with only brief moments of solace.

But tonight, as he announced their impending separation, his reluctance was palpable. Hovering over Yin Chengyu, he pinned him against the bedding, showering him with fervent kisses, as if trying to consume him whole.

Yin Chengyu arched beneath him, his fingers entwined around Xue Shu’s neck, pulling him closer. His breath hitched. “That old immortal on Mount Wudang… Isn’t that just an excuse you made up for my father?”

When Yin Chengyu had left the capital, Xue Shu had followed close behind. He had assumed the so-called immortal was merely Xue Shu’s clever ploy to placate the emperor.

Xue Shu bit gently at Yin Chengyu's jawline, leaving a faint imprint before greedily claiming his lips once more. The soft sounds of their mingling breaths and tongues filled the air. “The immortal exists. But not for your father’s sake.”

Yin Chengyu, his breath stolen, pressed a hand to Xue Shu's face, pushing him back just enough to gasp for air. His eyes, rimmed red, narrowed. “You believe in this nonsense now?”

Xue Shu’s dark eyes locked onto his, voice low but firm. “I didn’t before. But I do now.”

Though simply said, the words carried a weight that caught Yin Chengyu off guard. He had never asked what happened after his death in the previous life, but in Xue Shu’s rare, fleeting confessions, he glimpsed shadows of unspeakable pain.

“I’ll go with you,” Yin Chengyu declared, his lips brushing against the curve of Xue Shu’s throat.

Xue Shu’s control snapped. His eyes reddened, and he crushed Yin Chengyu in a desperate embrace, his strength almost suffocating.

After a long silence, his voice, hoarse and trembling, whispered: “Alright.”

*

The following day, after arrangements were finalized, Yin Chengyu sent He Shan and Ying Hongxue ahead with their entourage. Traveling lightly, he and Xue Shu set off toward Mount Wudang.

The Emperor Longfeng, a fervent devotee of Taoism, had a passion for constructing grand Taoist temples, adorning the land with his piety in recent years.

Perched high above the Five Sacred Mountains, Wudang Mountain stands as a regal masterpiece, hailed as the "Royal Family Temple." Its dominance is unquestioned, with whispers echoing far and wide: “The four famous mountains bow before it, and the five immortal peaks kneel in reverence.”

This holy sanctuary once thrived with the fervor of worshipers, its incense smoke curling boldly into the heavens. But now, the grandeur has waned. The unforgiving snowstorm that ravaged Huguang left mountain paths treacherous, sealing the area in an isolating silence.

Through the icy expanse, two horses trudged over the endless white, their hooves crunching against the snow. They snorted, their breath visible in the frosty air, and halted defiantly at the mountain's base, as if daring the desolation to break their spirit.

The mountain stood majestic even in winter’s chill, its white-capped peaks towering like an ethereal guardian beast. Its temples, tucked into the snowy wilderness, offered faint glimpses of crimson through the frost.

The rugged mountain path was no place for horses, so the two men swung off their saddles, secured the restless beasts to a sturdy tree at the base, and began the climb on foot. The silence of the snow-covered path was broken only by the occasional cry of startled birds.

Side by side, they climbed the stone steps, each step pulling them higher into the crisp mountain air. The trek was arduous, and by the time they reached the summit’s Purple Cloud Palace, Yin Chengyu was flushed and sweating, while Xue Shu remained composed, unbothered by the exertion.

Pulling a silk handkerchief, Xue Shu gently wiped the sweat from Yin Chengyu’s brow.

“I need to offer incense in the Purple Cloud (Zixiao) Hall. Will Your Highness rest and have some tea, or…” He hesitated, his tone unreadable.

After all that effort scaling the mountain, Yin Chengyu sure as hell didn’t come all this way just to sit in some dusty side room, sipping tea like it’s a lazy afternoon.

“I’ll join you.” Yin Chengyu’s gaze gleamed with determination.

The Taoist priests had clearly been informed of their arrival. Though Yin Chengyu did not reveal his identity, the young Taoist who greeted them treated them with marked deference, bowing deeply.

“This way, honored guests.”

Inside the hall, the priest handed Xue Shu the incense sticks. Xue Shu lit them, performed three solemn bows, and placed them into the censer with practiced precision. Yin Chengyu mimicked his actions, albeit less gracefully, his eyes occasionally darting toward Xue Shu.

As he finished, he turned and asked softly, “Did you achieve what you sought?”

In his past life, Xue Shu never believed in gods or Buddhas. Even though he spent his days gathering renowned monks and priests at the request of Emperor Longfeng, he himself held not an ounce of respect for them. Until the moment of his death, he never showed such devotion.

But now? This newfound piety reeks of desperation. Clearly, he must have had something he desperately wanted.

Xue Shu’s dark eyes fixed on him, reflecting only Yin Chengyu’s image.

“I did.” His voice carried a resolute heat as his fingertips brushed Yin Chengyu’s cheek. “I searched tirelessly, found the immortal, and fulfilled my wish.”

———TN:

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