Lu Wuming nodded. Leaning into Liu Buli's embrace, he mumbled, "I know what I'm saying. I like Shizun, so I want to be with Shizun. It's warm in Shizun's arms, and Wuming likes to sleep holding Shizun. Is there anything wrong with that?"
The string of questions left Liu Buli momentarily stunned.
If put that way, it seemed there was indeed nothing wrong.
No, it wasn't quite right.
Frowning slightly, Liu Buli said earnestly, "Wuming, you need to think from a different perspective. Shizun knows you like Shizun, but this kind of liking is different from the liking one has for a lover. Besides, you like men, and I like men, but that doesn't mean we are in that kind of relationship. Sleeping holding each other all the time is actually not very appropriate, do you understand?"
Lu Wuming shook his head resolutely.
He didn't understand, and he didn't want to understand.
So he burrowed further into Liu Buli's embrace, giving up on the conversation.
Listening to the steadying breaths from his arms, Liu Buli knew that the conversation tonight would yield no results. However, having not rested much on the journey back, Lu Wuming was indeed tired. He sighed, thinking he would discuss this another day, and embraced Lu Wuming, falling into a deep sleep together.
He didn't know that after he fell asleep, Lu Wuming, who had been quietly closing his eyes, reopened them.
The Ghost Clan had lived in darkness for too long. Their innate ability was to see clearly in pitch blackness.
The night was deep, and dark clouds obscured the moonlight, plunging the room into an unfathomable darkness. Yet, even so, Lu Wuming could clearly see the face of Liu Buli embracing him.
His skin was fair, his features picturesque, serene, and beautiful.
It seemed all adjectives describing beauty were fitting for him; he was the most beautiful existence, beautiful to the point of madness.
Taking a deep breath, Lu Wuming slowly leaned closer.
His lips stopped an inch away from touching Liu Buli's, feeling the warm breath from his exhales. Lu Wuming couldn't help but smile.
He dared not touch Shizun's lips.
He knew his Shizun's alertness was high. Even though this alertness had never been directed at him, he feared that a rash touch of Shizun's lips would startle him awake and catch him in the act.
He didn't know how Shizun would react if his actions were discovered. But he remembered what Shizun had said about the kind of person he liked.
Tall, handsome, and strong.
Even if he transformed into that, he wouldn't be worthy of Shizun's affection. Especially now, having gained nothing, what right did he have to expect Shizun to like him?
Therefore, he couldn't act rashly.
At least not until he became the person Shizun liked, he couldn't let Shizun detect the madness that was almost beyond his control.
Things were good as they were.
The book Shizun gave him stated that emotions couldn't be forced. Slow and steady wins the race, and developing feelings over time was also a good strategy.
As long as Shizun didn't lie to him, as long as they could stay together, there was plenty of time, and the days were long.
He could wait.
Taking another deep breath of the other's scent, Lu Wuming contentedly nestled back into Liu Buli's embrace.
Shizun was almost completely unguarded with him. Just like now, after he had tossed and turned for a while, Liu Buli still showed no signs of waking.
This was truly wonderful.
Dreamless sleep.
When Liu Buli opened his eyes the next morning, he found Lu Wuming already awake in his arms, gazing at him intently.
Seeing him awake, Lu Wuming immediately smiled and called out sweetly, "Shizun!"
"Good boy," Liu Buli yawned and instinctively rubbed Lu Wuming's head.
He felt like this young disciple was like a pampered pet dog he had raised. Every time he reached out to stroke the other's head, Lu Wuming would actively shake his head and rub against his palm. His beautiful eyes would narrow into slits, as if thoroughly enjoying his touch.
He was utterly adorable.
Liu Buli's heart bloomed with joy, and he couldn't help but laugh along. Pulling Lu Wuming up to change clothes, he said, "We won't rush cultivation today. You'll come with me to Yun Jin Pavilion in the back mountain. The clothes I had them make for you a few days ago should be almost done. We'll also go ask the Grand Elder to arrange your disciple-acceptance ceremony. It should be in the next couple of days."
Lu Wuming obediently nodded in agreement.
Following Liu Buli to Yun Jin Pavilion, his clothes were indeed finished.
After changing into the Dan Sect's robes, Liu Buli tidied his hair and looked him up and down. Liu Buli couldn't help but smile and nod in satisfaction, saying, "Wuming, look at yourself. I told you that if you ate well, you'd grow into a handsome man. Now that your face has filled out a bit, and you're wearing nice clothes and tidied up, aren't you looking extremely handsome?"
As he spoke, he handed Lu Wuming a bronze mirror.
Lu Wuming stared at his reflection. Honestly, he didn't find anything particularly handsome about it. Compared to his Shizun, he was not even one-ten-thousandth as beautiful. How could he be considered handsome?
However, how he saw himself was not important.
Pressing his lips together, Lu Wuming asked, "Shizun, do you really think Wuming is handsome?"
"Of course, our Wuming is the most handsome person in the world," Liu Buli said with considerable pride. After a pause, he added, "But not yet. You need to eat more and exercise more. If you have a bit more flesh on your body, and are a bit stronger, then you will be undeniably the most handsome."
Liu Buli spoke very seriously.
Lu Wuming could tell that this was not perfunctory or comforting, but that he genuinely thought this and truly believed it.
He subconsciously pinched his cheek.
Lu Wuming dazedly contemplated the future.
Could he truly become the most beautiful person in Shizun's eyes?
If he could...
Would that give him the right to hope that Shizun might one day fall in love with him?
His fingers, hanging by his side, clenched into fists. Imagining that scene, Lu Wuming couldn't help but stiffen, his body growing a little hot.
Fortunately, through their interactions during this period, he had learned to hide his emotions. He didn't let Liu Buli notice anything amiss. He just smiled and then followed Liu Buli to the Grand Elder's residence.
He remembered this person; it was the one who had spoken of using him for a transaction yesterday.
Upon seeing him arrive with Liu Buli, the Grand Elder coughed lightly, feeling guilty, and spoke with some difficulty, "S-Sect Leader, are you here this early for a particular reason?"
Liu Buli narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "I asked you to prepare the disciple-acceptance ceremony. Have you prepared it?"
The Grand Elder choked.
He glanced at Lu Wuming with a conflicted expression, then looked at Liu Buli with difficulty. After much hesitation, the Grand Elder asked, "Sect Leader, are you sure you've thought this through? Do you really want to accept this monster... this child into our Dan Sect?"
"I thought I made myself clear yesterday," Liu Buli said, enunciating each word. "Your main job in our Dan Sect is to prepare ceremonies and rituals. If you can't even do this properly, I think I can find someone else to be an elder. I'll give you two days to prepare this disciple-acceptance ceremony. If it's not ready in two days, then you can leave. Don't expect me to chase you out again."
The Grand Elder's face stiffened.
Liu Buli continued, "Also, if I hear you speak ill of a fellow disciple again, we will deal with it directly according to sect rules. I will personally cut out your tongue, as a courtesy to your status as Grand Elder."
With that, Liu Buli glanced at him again, then turned and left.
The chill in his eyes was piercing, like blades, making the Grand Elder dare not utter another word.
He stood rooted to the spot, watching Liu Buli leave.
It wasn't until Liu Buli was far away that he finally took a deep breath and moved his body, realizing that he had been so frightened that his limbs had gone numb at some point.
The Sect Leader must have been bewitched by the monster, completely unable to listen to reason now.
However, their plan couldn't change. After all, the deposit had been received. If they broke the agreement now, they wouldn't be able to bear the consequences.
The Grand Elder stood there, staring into the distance for a long time.
Finally, he took a deep breath, turned around, and went out to find his trusted disciple, instructing him, "Go find a poison that is colorless and odorless, one that can be mixed into wine. It should cause seven orifices to bleed upon ingestion, resulting in a gruesome death."
The disciple hesitated, "Elder, when is this poison to be used?"
"At the disciple-acceptance ceremony," the Grand Elder sneered. "That monster won't die, but after drinking this poison, its death throes will clearly resemble death. I want everyone to see its apparent death and resurrection. By then, even if Liu Buli wants to protect him, he won't be able to."