"Can you do it?"
This was a question Liu Buli had been asking himself, even without Lu Wuming voicing it.
He looked at the young man before him.
This could no longer be called a youth.
His face had gained definition and contour, his build had become tall and sturdy. Especially his deep voice and gentle smile, this was clearly a mature man—
The kind of man he liked.
Swallowing hard, Liu Buli finally shrank back.
He admitted that he had said all those things himself, and it seemed only natural that Lu Wuming would have these thoughts.
But…
He was still scared, and a little nervous.
Liu Buli felt utterly despicable.
He secretly glanced at Lu Wuming in front of him, intending only to gauge his emotions. To his surprise, he clearly saw a sense of loneliness and sadness in the other's eyes. It seemed if he didn't respond soon, this sadness would turn into the self-pity he hated the most.
Lu Wuming took a step back, sighing heavily. Bitterness filled his eyes. He murmured, "Master, am I truly not good enough for you, so..."
"No! Absolutely not!"
Liu Buli immediately shook his head.
He didn't know where he found the courage. He was terrified that Lu Wuming would revert to being the child who hid in the darkness, afraid to come out. So, hearing Lu Wuming's words, Liu Buli's mind raced. He reached out, wrapped his arms around the other's neck, and kissed him on those thin lips.
As their lips met, Liu Buli's mind went blank.
He completely lost the ability to think, so he chose to strategically close his eyes.
Because of this, he didn't see the fleeting smile that flashed in Lu Wuming's eyes.
It was the joy of a successful scheme.
Reaching out, Lu Wuming cupped Liu Buli's head, preventing him from escaping. He savored the kiss his Master had willingly offered. His other hand slowly moved up, caressing Liu Buli's slender waist.
His Master...
So clean and pure, so easy to understand.
As long as he feigned a little self-pity, as long as he uttered a few sad words, Liu Buli would act exactly as he wished, eagerly and diligently giving him whatever he wanted, whatever he thought.
Lu Wuming's gaze deepened.
He had always considered himself a complete scoundrel.
He was a monster from the darkness. If the light wanted to pull him into the sunlight, shouldn't it be prepared to be tainted by the monster as well?
This kiss lasted for a long time. Liu Buli eventually struggled to breathe. He truly felt as if he had suffered heatstroke from the hot spring.
Lying limply in Lu Wuming's arms, his mind was a muddled mess. He could only feel his young disciple holding his waist, lowering his head to whisper his affection in his ear.
Everything was chaotic, everything was a mess...
Liu Buli finally realized that things were not unfolding in the direction he had anticipated. And the current direction and momentum seemed to be beyond his control...
Taking a few deep breaths, Liu Buli pushed away Lu Wuming, who was still nibbling at him. His eyes were glistening, his cheeks flushed. He opened his mouth and said, "Wuming, you are my disciple. You have formally apprenticed. If we were to be together, I mean, as Dao companions, do you know what others would say about us?"
Lu Wuming smiled. Of course, he knew.
The hand around Liu Buli's waist tightened slightly, pulling him closer. Lu Wuming brushed aside a stray lock of hair from his forehead and said, "I know. They will say we are shameless, that we are going against the established order, that we are a tumor in the cultivation world, that we shouldn't exist."
Liu Buli frowned, "You know that, and yet you..."
"I'm still doing it?" Lu Wuming smiled, nuzzling Liu Buli's neck. He continued, "Master, please don't worry. Wuming has a way to resolve these matters. I've already thought of it."