Chapter 97 – Sneaking a Taste

The dinner was rather mediocre, thanks to the limited culinary skills of the chef. Fortunately, neither of the two diners was particularly picky, and Lao Ye had regained his usual vigor, devouring a large bowl of shrimp and even shamelessly asking for an extra small fish. Watching the old turtle eat with such gusto, Wei Yang finally felt at ease. Perhaps the effects of the formation had worn off. The once-prominent Great Derivative Diagram on its shell was gradually fading, with most of the ink spots merging into the reddish-brown carapace, leaving only a few traces at the edges. It now looked eerily similar to the symptoms of shell rot, though Wei Yang dared not mention this to the old turtle.

After dinner, Little Celestial Master Zhang Xiuqi didn’t continue drawing Soul Stabilizing Talismans. Instead, he opened his backpack and began organizing his exorcism tools. The copper coins he had bought earlier were almost depleted, and a significant amount of Dead Jade had been used. Thankfully, the Red Nitre and Hongwu Coins provided by Director Sun were still available, making the contents of his bag appear somewhat presentable. However, the most pressing issue was the dwindling supply of Yellow Ritual Paper used for drawing talismans. This was crucial for the Soul Stabilizing Talismans, and Wei Yang frowned, asking, “Brother Qi, is there a specific type of Yellow Ritual Paper needed? Should we go buy some more?”

Zhang Xiuqi silently shook his head. “Uncle bought it. It’s not available outside.”

Unlike cinnabar, which could be ground and mixed by oneself, the paper used for drawing talismans was produced through special processes and obtained through specific channels. It wasn’t something that could be found in ordinary stores. While regular Yellow Ritual Paper could be used, its affinity for magic was significantly inferior. Such minute differences could mean the difference between life and death in a battle. Although Zhang Xiuqi knew how to prepare cinnabar, he had no idea where to buy talisman paper, leaving him at a loss.

Wei Yang couldn’t help but sigh. It seemed Master Zeng hadn’t anticipated being pursued by enemies. But since the talisman paper was running low, he must have been planning to return soon, right? Now that Xu had been dealt with, perhaps the pressure on Master Zeng had lessened, and he might return in a few days…

The thought that Master Zeng would return soon stirred mixed feelings in Wei Yang. Of course, he hoped the elder would come back, preferably with Zhang Xiuqi’s Heavenly Soul in tow. But if Master Zeng returned, would Zhang Xiuqi remember the things his uncle had forbidden? And how would Master Zeng view their relationship? When he had entrusted the Little Celestial Master to Wei Yang, he certainly hadn’t expected Wei Yang to take advantage of the situation.

As Wei Yang watched Zhang Xiuqi crouching on the floor organizing his bag, he suddenly remembered the fleeting kiss in the hallway. Did his Brother Qi even understand the meaning of a kiss?

Driven by an inexplicable impulse, Wei Yang swallowed hard. “Brother Qi, let me scrub your back when we shower later. We’ve been out for so long, and we should clean up properly. Also, the wound on your shoulder—I’m not sure if it’s reopened today. I think we should be careful…”

His words were tinged with nervousness and a hint of hidden desire, but Zhang Xiuqi didn’t seem to understand. He merely looked up, giving Wei Yang a puzzled glance, as if curious why his voice was trembling. But as usual, he nodded. “Okay.”

With this answer, Wei Yang became restless. This wasn’t like any of their previous interactions. His intentions were impure this time, and he wanted to test Zhang Xiuqi’s reaction. But with someone who had lost their soul, such thoughts were over the line, far from honorable. Yet, despite knowing how despicable his desires were, he couldn’t stop himself—driven by both longing and fear.

Time seemed to fly by in his anxiety. When Zhang Xiuqi finished organizing his things and stood up, Wei Yang’s throat tightened, and he involuntarily took a step back.

Seeming slightly puzzled by his reaction, Zhang Xiuqi asked, “Shower?”

“Yes, shower!” Facing those clear eyes, Wei Yang’s palms were practically sweating, but he forced a smile and answered firmly.

Receiving the confirmation, Zhang Xiuqi didn’t hesitate and headed straight for the bathroom. Wei Yang, however, paused for a few seconds before following.

The bathroom was as cramped as ever. Before Zhang Xiuqi could step inside, Wei Yang squeezed in ahead of him. “Brother Qi, let me adjust the water temperature. I’m not sure how it’ll be today…”

He was clearly grasping at straws for conversation, but Zhang Xiuqi didn’t notice anything amiss. Instead, he began undressing with his usual methodical approach, starting with his shirt and hanging each piece on the hook by the door. In no time, he stood completely naked in the center of the bathroom.

The sound of running water filled the room, but Wei Yang couldn’t tear his eyes away from the sight before him. He stared greedily until Zhang Xiuqi walked up to him and reached out to touch his hair, which had been splashed with water. “Yangyang, your clothes are wet.”

Wei Yang knew his clothes were wet, but what bothered him more was the heat surging within him. He swallowed hard, walked to the side, and took off his half-wet shirt. After a moment of hesitation, he decided not to remove his pants, merely rolling up the cuffs. He then grabbed a towel and returned to Zhang Xiuqi’s side, saying softly, “Turn around. I’ll scrub your back.”

This wasn’t part of Zhang Xiuqi’s usual shower routine, but he obediently turned around, exposing his back. On his broad shoulders, a fresh wound still bore a faint red hue—a reminder of the injury sustained at the old house. The afternoon’s battle had caused the wound to reopen slightly, with traces of blood barely visible. Wei Yang’s heart clenched, and he raised the towel, gently wiping the area around the wound. His movements were tender, less like scrubbing and more like caressing, carrying an indescribable gentleness and care. Seemingly unaccustomed to such touch, Zhang Xiuqi’s shoulders tensed, his muscle lines becoming more pronounced. Warm water cascaded from above, flowing over his shoulders and down the towel, almost merging the two of them into one.

Wei Yang didn’t dare stop his movements. He feared that if he paused, he might do something inappropriate. But no matter how much he lingered, there was only so much of Zhang Xiuqi’s back to scrub. After a few minutes, as if sensing that the back was clean, Zhang Xiuqi hesitated for a moment and then turned around, grabbing Wei Yang’s arm that held the towel. “I’ll help you.”

This caught Wei Yang completely off guard, and he froze in place. The bathroom was too small, and with their similar builds, Zhang Xiuqi’s turn brought them almost chest to chest. The distance Wei Yang had tried to maintain vanished, and even the hand gripping his arm felt scorching. The water continued to pour down, soaking Zhang Xiuqi’s soft black hair. His dark eyes were unusually bright, carrying a strange intensity. The steam softened his typically cold features, and a playful trickle of water ran down his lips, making them appear soft and inviting.

Wei Yang tried to resist the temptation but failed.

The towel fell to the floor, and his fingers tangled in Zhang Xiuqi’s hair. He leaned in and kissed Zhang Xiuqi’s lips fiercely, the force of it causing Zhang Xiuqi to stumble back until his back hit the cold tiles.

The kiss was passionate, filled with desire and urgency. Zhang Xiuqi was momentarily stunned, unsure how things had escalated to this point, but he didn’t stay dazed for long. The strange heat that had been coursing through his body seemed to find an outlet, and he opened his mouth, kissing back. His hand gripped Wei Yang’s waist, pulling him closer. Their wet skin pressed together, just like their warm, moist lips.

The sound of flowing water filled their ears, warm and soothing, accompanied by the subtle noises of their intertwined lips and heavy breathing. Wei Yang felt like he was on fire. His unremoved pants were soaked, clinging tightly to his hips and pressing against his erection, making his movements even more frantic.

In a rush, Wei Yang undid his pants and grabbed Zhang Xiuqi’s waist, wanting to get even closer. But when he slid his thigh between Zhang Xiuqi’s legs, a flicker of rationality returned. They were too close, and every reaction was painfully obvious. While Wei Yang was fully aroused, there was no sign of a similar response from Zhang Xiuqi. He could kiss with equal passion, but he showed no trace of actual sexual desire.

This realization was like a bucket of cold water. Wei Yang abruptly stopped the kiss and struggled to create some distance. Instead of letting go, Zhang Xiuqi wrapped his arms tightly around Wei Yang, his nose brushing against Wei Yang’s temple. It was unclear whether this was a gesture of affection or a request for another kiss. Wei Yang swallowed hard and asked hoarsely, “Brother Qi, don’t you… don’t you feel anything else?”

Zhang Xiuqi clearly didn’t understand the question. He simply nuzzled Wei Yang’s damp hair and then, as if remembering something, reached for Wei Yang’s pants. “They’re wet. Take them off.”

When his long fingers brushed against Wei Yang’s abdomen, Wei Yang’s lower body tensed. He inhaled sharply, placing a hand on Zhang Xiuqi’s flat stomach and hesitantly adding, “Brother Qi, don’t you feel anything… down there?”

Zhang Xiuqi let out a muffled sound and replied softly, “Locked Yang.”

“What?” With his bare lover clinging to him, Wei Yang’s mind was in disarray, and he repeated the question.

“Yang energy is strong in a virgin. Uncle said it’s better this way.” Zhang Xiuqi reached out, seemingly mimicking Wei Yang, and gently pressed against his groin. “You’re about to release Yang.”

The touch nearly made Wei Yang gasp. He grabbed Zhang Xiuqi’s hand, closed his eyes, and tried to make sense of the words. In Taoist practice, ejaculation was indeed considered a release of Yang energy. A true “virgin” wasn’t just someone who hadn’t had sex but someone who had never ejaculated. Once ejaculation occurred, the “Primordial Yang” was lost, and one could no longer be considered a true virgin with the highest Yang energy. Zhang Xiuqi’s explanation confirmed that he was a true virgin who had never ejaculated.

But how was that possible? This wasn’t something one could control. Surely he must have had wet dreams after puberty? Could this be a side effect of losing his Heavenly Soul? For a moment, Wei Yang didn’t know how to react. He suddenly realized he was dealing with a true blank slate, and he was the one trying to lead this person across the boundary into real desire.

Something was pounding in Wei Yang’s head—whether it was shame, regret, or something else, he couldn’t tell. But in the end, he took Zhang Xiuqi’s hand and guided it down to his own erection. The hand was as hot as the rest of Zhang Xiuqi’s body, radiating a scorching heat. He taught Zhang Xiuqi to grasp it.

“Yes, Brother Qi, I want to release…” His throat trembled as he leaned in to kiss Zhang Xiuqi’s lips again.

Zhang Xiuqi didn’t resist, whether it was the kiss or the touch. He learned quickly, as always, his calloused hand stroking Wei Yang’s hardened length. Every touch, every movement sent shivers through Wei Yang, and the tongue in his mouth became more agile, exploring every inch of his oral cavity and dancing with his own tongue. The water had turned cold at some point, but Wei Yang felt like he was burning up. They were so close that their skin seemed to sense each other, generating a mutual longing. He didn’t want to let this person go, no matter what it took!

With a low groan, Wei Yang came into Zhang Xiuqi’s hand, the sticky fluid staining his long fingers. Zhang Xiuqi paused for a moment before reaching out to brush Wei Yang’s damp hair. “Yangyang, are you okay?”

Taoist practice emphasized refining essence into qi and replenishing the brain with essence. In Zhang Xiuqi’s understanding, releasing Yang energy wasn’t a good thing and could harm the body. But Wei Yang leaned in again, kissing Zhang Xiuqi’s lips softly. The kiss was almost pure, especially after such a carnal act.

“I’m fine. Brother Qi, don’t leave me. Don’t go with your uncle. We’ll find your Heavenly Soul, and then we’ll continue this. I’ll show you how good it can be…”

His fragmented words were lost in the intermittent kisses, and the small traces of semen were washed away by the water, disappearing between their tightly clasped hands.