Liu Buli was extremely resolute this time.
Even after Lu Wuming pleaded with him for a long time, he remained unyielding, his stance unchanged.
The two remained locked in a stalemate.
Finally, Liu Buli let out a huff and said, "If you insist, you'll spend another night in the Hall of Reflection. I'll come to see you tomorrow. If you've reflected enough, you can come back with me. If you still haven't realized your mistake, then..."
"I've realized it, Master. Wuming has realized it."
Lu Wuming interrupted Liu Buli, pitifully wrapping his arms around the other's waist. He nuzzled his head against Liu Buli's chest, looking exactly like a large dog begging its owner for affection.
It was a shame that this large dog's previous actions had left too deep an impression. Having been "persecuted" once, Liu Buli was determined not to fall into the same trap twice.
Though he felt a pang of reluctance, he resolutely pushed Lu Wuming away from him. Staring at the other man, Liu Buli delivered his ultimatum: "As the Sect Master, I have many other matters to attend to. I don't have time to dawdle here with you. So, either hand over the silk ribbons, or I leave right now. Consider it, I'll give you five seconds."
As he spoke, Liu Buli held up one hand.
"Five."
Lu Wuming was still hesitating, his eyes filled with pleading and affection, clearly expecting Liu Buli to relent out of concern.
However, Liu Buli pretended not to see, retracting one finger and continuing, "Four."
Lu Wuming pouted and called out pitifully, "Master..."
Liu Buli's expression remained impassive. "Three."
Lu Wuming began to panic.
Liu Buli sighed. As he said "Two," he turned around, making a move as if to leave.
Lu Wuming finally grew scared. He took out all the red silk ribbons from his Qiankun bag and piled them in front of Liu Buli. Then, with teary eyes, he said aggrievedly, "Master, I've given them all to you. Please don't be angry with Wuming anymore."
Liu Buli hadn't actually planned to leave.
He knew he was Lu Wuming's weakness. If he had shown any sign of anger, Lu Wuming would have stopped insisting.
And as it turned out, his gamble had paid off.
Turning back with a bright smile at Lu Wuming, Liu Buli walked over and picked up the silk ribbons.
He had initially intended to burn them all after tidying them up. But as he counted them, the smile on Liu Buli's face gradually stiffened.
Finally, his smile completely vanished, replaced by a somewhat grim expression. A vein throbbed at Liu Buli's temple. He asked, "Wuming, I think you need to explain this to me. How much more exaggerated do you plan to be? Do you really need to hoard over a dozen of these things?"
Lu Wuming, having sensed his Master's forgiveness, had now returned to his usual, tail-wagging, obedient, and adorable dog-like demeanor.
When he heard the question, Lu Wuming didn't think too much about it. He simply nodded and said, "In that secret realm before, I hadn't finished trying everything, and you kicked me out, Master. These remaining silk ribbons are for other uses. Your novel described it, I..."
"You can continue to stay here."
Liu Buli sneered and turned to leave.
Even after the door was closed again, Lu Wuming couldn't understand.
What had he said wrong this time?
Didn't he answer whatever his Master asked and act exceptionally well-behaved?
Why was his Master angry again? Was he perhaps upset that he hadn't tried everything?
But now that all the red silk ribbons were confiscated, he didn't even have a chance to try if he wanted to.
Lu Wuming felt utterly wronged.
That night, Liu Buli lay alone in bed, his mind replaying Lu Wuming's words.
Those suggestive novels were written by him, and he knew better than anyone what they contained.
Things like bondage and restraint; Lu Wuming might not have the visual imagery for it, but he himself had watched so many Japanese films. His understanding and immersion in this aspect were exceptionally profound.
Liu Buli pressed his temples forcefully, expelling all the strange thoughts.
He was absolutely certain that Lu Wuming was a very obedient child.
Therefore, even with a hundred reservations, if he told the other to stay in the Hall of Reflection, Lu Wuming would absolutely not sneak back.
And precisely because of this, he should have been alone in the room that night. Having finally gotten a chance to sleep alone, why should he think about those messy things?
Liu Buli chanted a purification mantra several times in his heart. Once he felt his emotions had calmed down, he quietly breathed a sigh of relief and closed his eyes again.
According to his plan, he should have slept soundly that night.
Unfortunately, after closing his eyes, it wasn't long before various dreams began to entangle his thoughts.
The scenes in his dreams were all the same: red silk curtains, and Lu Wuming's familiar smiling face.
And in his dream, he was bound in a Kikkō-dori (tortoise-shell binding), the visual impact of which made Lu Wuming's previous actions seem exceptionally childish.
Liu Buli was almost mortified by his own dream.
He finally endured until dawn. The moment the rooster crowed, Liu Buli woke up instantly and sat up as quickly as possible.
Just as he had expected, Lu Wuming was not by his side.
He hadn't even left a trace of his presence, proving that everything that had happened last night was indeed just his own dream.
The moment he reached this conclusion, Liu Buli's face turned red again.
He was the one who had adamantly said they couldn't do this, yet when the other person wasn't around, he had had such strange dreams by himself. Wasn't that a joke?
It was utterly embarrassing!
He fanned himself vigorously near his temples, trying to lower the temperature of his cheeks. But before he could succeed, he heard the voice of the Grand Elder from outside the courtyard.
The Elder was an excellent steward. Not only when Liu Buli left the sect, but even when he was within the sect, unless there was a crucial matter or something the Grand Elder himself couldn't resolve, he would hardly bother Liu Buli with sect affairs.
Liu Buli was accustomed to this, so he was somewhat surprised to hear the Grand Elder calling him, wondering what had happened.
He quickly threw on a robe and hurried out of the bedroom.
Upon reaching the courtyard, Liu Buli saw the Grand Elder pacing anxiously.
Seeing Liu Buli emerge, the Grand Elder looked as if he had seen a savior. He immediately rushed to Liu Buli and said anxiously, "Sect Master, they're fighting! Your disciples are fighting! I can't stop them, please go and handle it!"