148 Please just end him now (1/2)
Liu Sumeng and Yuan Xuelan were not trying to injure anyone, and the whole fight was more a ruse than anything else. They focused on fleeing, carving out a way out of the hall and made a run for it.
The poor beaten disciples groaned and held their wounds on the floor. Chen Leike let out a long, exasperated sigh. ”What are you fools even doing? Ah, so pathetic. Now, get up! After them! Make a scene, would you?”
Reluctantly, the disciples pulled themselves up to their feet. Many of them had fought as the side of Liu Sumeng, and Yuan Xuelan were not interested in fighting them.
Alas, Sect Leader Chen did not ask them to fight. Only to make a scene.
So make a scene they did.
A horde of people chased after Yuan Xuelan and Liu Sumeng. Nan Chang had to rush to ready the horses.
Hilariously, many of them were shouting well wished for the two, even with their feet stampeding their way and swords raised.
”Make sure to take care, Young Master Yuan! I don't care what Sect Leader Chen says but you're always welcome back here.”
”Ivory Sword Saint will return to Reling, right? Come back when the Seven Moons guys are gone!”
”Wait, come back here, I have a letter I want to deliver to someone still stationed at Xinlie! Young Master Yuan please come back here!”
Yuan Xuelan was in an exceptionally good mood and doubled backward to grab the disciple's letter before dodging the swing of a sword and kicking him aside.
”Hurry,” Liu Sumeng urged him softly, and Xuelan perked up like an eager puppy.
”I'm coming!”
Nan Chang was waving at them at the front entrance, two horses with their items packed and strapped to the saddles, ”You better bring Nan Chang back a souvenir or else I'll surely seek vengeance for mistreatment!”
”What are you even talking about?” Yuan Xuelan shoved her playfully before mounting the steed. ”How does that count as mistreatment.”
The girl rolled her eyes and stepped away from the horses. ”If you don't get Nan Chang gifts, how will Nan Chang know you care about her? Don't be selfish, okay?”
Yuan Xuelan rolled his eyes, but he was smiling, ”You're being ridiculous. Anyway, I'll see you around so try not to drop dead before then. Bye, Nan-jie!” He kicked his horse ahead, only to slow after a few steps in wait for the Ivory Sword Saint.
Liu Sumeng straightened the saddle before climbing up. ”Do not worry about Xuelan,” he hummed with his usual stoic expression. ”I will get you a souvenir.”
She squealed at his declaration, eyes sparkling with girlish excitement, ”Oh good! I think you're definitely Nan Chang's new favorite now. I will pray for your good travels then!”
With a final wave, he departed as well.
…
The trek toward Wangyun Peak was long on horseback. The beasts they rode were not ordinary steeds by any means but even their thundering hooves and prideful charge ahead; these horses could not traverse the lands as quickly as flying swords. But Yuan Xuelan wasn't going to complain about that. Instead, he was more than ecstatic.
Ecstatic that the time spent would only be the two of them. The two of them plus one annoying Huo Tang.
Whatever. As much as that would grate his nerves, it didn't matter. Not after the time where they could hardly see each other when Liu Sumeng was drowning in affairs and yuan Xuelan was running around to take care of his Shijie.
Now it was just the two of them. And whether it was storming or the roads steep with traitorous slopes, Yuan Xuelan did not care in the least. He didn't mind the days they found shelter in caves, and the sky would thunder and roar outside.
”Sumeng, are you cold?” He'd ask, keeping the hearth alive with a spell. The climate was getting colder as well, the further north they traveled and Yuan Xuelan wondered just where in the world did he pack away those coats? But this was good as well, draping his arms over his beloved to share their body warmth in front of the hearth.
”No,” the Ivory Sword Saint hummed, cuddling even closer. Xuelan's arms were around his waist, his chest against Liu Sumeng's back and his chin resting on the Ivory Sword Saint's shoulder. ”I'm warm.”
Yuan Xuelan purred in response, nuzzling into the curve of Liu Sumeng's neck and demanding even more attention than he was currently receiving.
Liu Sumeng remembered Xuelan to be a needy person past his twenties and even into his thirties. But this Xuelan, who was even younger, was clingy on a new level. It was quite cute how he could cuddle up like an affectionate cat. And Liu Sumeng was an indulgent owner, who would eagerly lean in.
Xuelan perked up, and that's all it took for their lips to meet. What was meant to be to sweet peck devolved into tongues entwining, neither able to hold back the heat of desire. The air was moist with the scent of rainfall and hearth, drowning out the little sounds of playful biting, sucking and licking.
Liu Sumeng chuckled, reached and tilted Yuan Xuelan's chin to his favor. Sometimes he'd forget that this Xuelan was young and inexperienced, yet to entwine with prostitutes to learn the ways of the bedroom. He kissed passionately, but clumsily, licking wide and biting with too much eagerness. Liu Sumeng had the pleasure this time to be the one to show Xuelan the ropes.
And so he did, holding Yuan Xuelan but the point of his chin and forced him not to press in too quickly. A cute little whine escaped Xuelan's throat but allowed himself to be held at just a hair's length away.
Liu Sumeng smiled slyly before brushing his lips over Yuan Xuelan's. Gentle and slow in his movements, he teased those lips open with his tongue, showing Xuelan that subtlety could serve more in moments of passion. He lulled Xuelan into this slow drawl, following soothing licks with teasing nibbles.
Yuan Xuelan was a fast learner and responded to him in turn, reigning in his ravaging hunger for something more controlled. Liu Sumeng keened with both pride and pleasure.