Chapter 57
Cheng Xuyuan seemed to lose consciousness.
In his sight was pure darkness, but after an enduring silence, the scene gradually came into focus. He was surrounded by furnishings of an ancient room, the light reflecting in his eyes, causing his pupils to slightly contract.
In front of him was a man who looked just like Tang Yunxian, dressed in a black robe decorated with golden dragon patterns. His eyes were full of ineffable tenderness.
Cheng Xuyuan was immobile, even his breathing turned slow and laborious.
The man slowly approached him, his handsome face getting closer until his well-defined nose was touching Cheng Xuyuan’s.
"Yuan'er," the emperor's voice usually exuded authority, even under this intimate atmosphere he still carried a trace of dominance, "you are mine."
Cheng Xuyuan’s mind froze, and before he could react, a pair of soft lips descended on his, a hand gripping the back of his head tightly.
The scent of the incense burner beside them wafted throughout the room, the fragrant aroma was intoxicating.
From a distance, the anxious calls of others came, seeming to clear Cheng Xuyuan's mind somewhat. The surrounding scenery blurred once more, plunging into endless darkness.
Cheng Xuyuan seemed to hear someone calling him from not far off, although his ears felt full of sand and he couldn't hear clearly. All he was left with was that voice in his head.
"Stay, stay forever."
Just as the sand was about to reach his chin, the system's voice finally sounded, "Wake up, the protagonist is in danger."
Cheng Xuyuan jolted awake. He realized that his body was almost entirely buried in the sand. The voice beside his ear disappeared, his heart began to pound.
A faint golden halo radiated from the palm of his hand, quickly forming a protective grid enveloping his entire body. The sand, encountering the sudden rise of the protective barrier, flew up around Cheng Xuyuan forming a vacuum zone around him.
Wherever the young man went, the sand was pushed aside. He expanded the protective grid to shelter more people.
Outside the palace, Tang Yunxian suddenly saw the golden halo in front of him, reflecting in the boy's obsidian-like eyes, radiating a dazzling diamond-like shimmer.
"Let's go." The boy stepped in front of Tang Yunxian, extended his hand and gripped his arm, "Come with me."
Tang Yunxian was freed from the confines of the sand, and warmth filled his heart due to the safety he felt within the protective grid. The young man was a bit cold yet determined, just like how he appeared in his dreams.
He Zhen was standing not far away, dumbstruck while watching this scene. He previously thought of rushing in to save the little fairy, but at this moment, he realized that the little fairy's power far exceeded his imagination.
Cheng Xuyuan used the protective grid to save everyone. Everyone gaped at the golden shield, so shocked they forgot to express their gratitude.
It occurred to He Zhen that he had been saved by the little fairy quite a few times now.
This headstrong, justice-filled little fairy was so similar to the young man in the illusion. The light in his eyes was both captivating and commendable.
Suddenly, He Zhen recalled his previous claim: he wanted to skin and tear apart all demons in the world, and scatter their ashes. This was the constant teaching of his Taoist master, but his master never told him that such beautiful and kind beings could also exist among the demons.
He Zhen subconsciously drifted towards the little fairy, but unexpectedly, Tang Yunxian shoved him away.
Tang Yunxian gave He Zhen a sideways glance, his expression clearly dictating, "Keep your distance from him."
Cheng Xuyuan, striving to maintain the protective shield against the increasing sandstorm, didn't pay attention to this. It was only after completely leaving the palace that he exhaled in relief, his tensed nerves finally relaxed.
The eastern sky began to show a white belly, the stars gradually fading. Everyone turned to look at the palace, discovering the place where the palace once stood had sunk into the ground, not leaving any traces.
The nightmarish experience had left everyone exhausted. They decided to return to the small town to rest and regroup before discussing the next steps. The adventure came at the cost of one life, a heavy price indeed.
In the small town, the residents were astounded at the sight of this ragged but safe group. The inn they stayed at quickly filled up as countless locals came to look at these people who had walked out of the desert alive.
Of course, there were also many who doubted that they had reached the center of the desert, arguing they couldn't possibly look so unscathed otherwise.
While preparing their dinner, the innkeeper asked Tang Yunxian, "Did you actually make it to the center of the desert?"
"Mm-hm." Tang Yunxian nodded, his features looking somewhat haggard. After hesitating for a bit, he added, "We also lost someone..."
"My God, did you see the ancient kingdom then?" The innkeeper asked in surprise.
Tang Yunxian remained silent, and after a moment slowly nodded his head.
That palace had become a haunting memory for them all.
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After resting for a few days in the inn, their disheveled appearances gradually improved. Zhao Xintong insisted on taking a stroll around the picturesque small town during this time, snapping many selfies.
He Zhen often accompanied her, but his mind seemed elsewhere. However, once when he went out to buy water with Cheng Xuyuan, he surreptitiously took a selfie that included them both.
The little fairy seemed quite photogenic, He Zhen thought.
There was a WeChat group for their desert expedition team. He Zhen casually posted the picture in it.
Upon seeing the photo, Tang Yunxian scoffed: The man who vowed to eradicate all demons was now taking a selfie with one — it was laughable! Weren’t they a terrible match?
Tang Yunxian was taken aback by this sudden thought. But upon further reflection, he realized that after several dream sequences, he had seemingly acknowledged in his heart that the emperor and the young man in white were a pair.
Then he and Tai Sui... should be a pair too, right?
Suddenly, Tang Yunxian remembered what Taisui had said, "The cost of forming a contract with Tai Sui is never being able to possess your beloved."
Your beloved... but Tai Sui is not human. Why couldn't it be possible?
Tang Yunxian's previously troubled mood quickly lifted. That very afternoon, he invited Cheng Xuyuan for a meal at a nearby restaurant. He was overly charming and ingratiating throughout, which made Cheng Xuyuan suspect that he might be planning to use him for some other hidden motive.
In truth, Tang Yunxian's condition had improved greatly — he no longer needed Tai Sui lodged in his heart just to survive. He only needed to have Taisui inject some spiritual energy into him every now and then.
His attention to Tai Sui was driven entirely by certain selfish motives.
After dinner, Tang Yunxian took Cheng Xuyuan to the edge of the desert, eloquently proposing they “enjoy the natural spectacle of the stars” together.
Surviving a disaster often leads one to appreciate the preciousness of life, and Tang Yunxian was no exception. He sat on the edge of the road, glancing from the young man next to him to the glittering stars above.
Suddenly, Tang Yunxian said to Cheng Xuyuan, "I've been having some strange dreams recently."
"Strange dreams?" Cheng Xuyuan's heart skipped a beat as if he had a premonition.
"Mm-hm..."
Tang Yunxian stared at the distant moon, which seemed much larger than when viewed from other places. A long silence lingered between them, and just when Cheng Xuyuan thought the topic was over, Tang Yunxian spoke again.
"Dreams about you."
Cheng Xuyuan's brain buzzed as images from earlier flooded his mind, sharp and lucid, leaving him momentarily speechless.
Tang Yunxian didn't look at him, instead, his gaze was fixated on the far distance. "I'm someone who doesn't believe in fate or reincarnation. I would say I firmly believe in Marxist materialism."
At this, Cheng Xuyuan listened quietly.
"But then I met you, a mysterious, beautiful, and brave person."
The vastness of the starlit sky was reflected in Tang Yunxian's eyes. He wondered if the Zhaixing Tower, if it still existed, would have been considered an historical attraction? Would the view from atop of the skyscraping tower bring a distinct glow of the moon?
Cheng Xuyuan exhaled softly and responded, "Tang Yunxian, knowing too much could remove the bliss from life."
"I don't want happiness," Tang Yunxian turned to look at him, "I want you."
Cheng Xuyuan was completely taken aback. He hadn't expected such a straightforward declaration. Suddenly, he noticed the young man leaning in, his handsome visage carrying a familiar aura.
A hand clasped his head, and a pair of thin lips claimed his own.
This scene was identical to the illusion he had within the palace, the only difference being that the young man now bore no dragon crown or dragon robe.
The kiss was lingering and full of tenderness. Only when Cheng Xuyuan was gasping for breath did Tang Yunxian finally release him.
The youth being kissed felt as if his entire body, from hair tips to toes, was slightly trembling, as though he'd been waiting for this kiss for three thousand years, and his wish was finally granted.
When Tang Yunxian moved in for another kiss, Cheng Xuyuan finally voiced his refusal, "Enough, enough..."
Tang Yunxian didn't force him, his eyes filled with affection. He gently pinched the boy's face, whispering, "You know, right? The story of the Emperor and the astrologer."
Taking a deep breath, Cheng Xuyuan slowly nodded.
"Why didn't you tell me? You've waited for me for three thousand years, it must have been tough, right?"
Cheng Xuyuan wanted to retort, "I've only just arrived three months ago, stop making up stories." But his body indeed held the essence of an ancient entity, leaving him speechless.
"What a tragically beautiful love story, I'm touched myself," Tang Yunxian, in the moment, didn't resemble the reincarnation of an emperor but more of a vagabond, "You waited three thousand years for me, turning into a stone spirit that longs for its husband, oh no, I mean a lingzhi..."
Cheng Xuyuan stood up to leave.
Tang Yunxian quickly grabbed him, "Hey, hey, I was only joking, don't go!"
Cheng Xuyuan turned to look at him and said coldly, "Enough, Young Master Tang, it's best to limit such nonsensical talk. Are you just that certain that your dreams are the reality?"
"Of course!" Tang Yunxian patted his chest, "A fortune teller once told me, although I have a short life, I have the aura of an emperor. I must have been an emperor in my previous life."
Cheng Xuyuan sneered, about to say something, when Tang Yunxian's phone suddenly rang.
It was a call from Zhao Xintong.
"Hello, Young Master Tang," Zhao Xintong's voice sounded very anxious, "The compass that you brought has experienced some issues..."
Tang Yunxian frowned and asked, "What kind of issues?"
"The pointer on it has been continuously quivering towards one direction..." Fear was evident in Zhao Xintong's voice, "The most horrifying part is that it has been expelling sand non-stop, almost burying your room."
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Author's note:
Aside from Gu Juncheng, finally, there's another kiss scene. Thanks to all the little angels who have cast their emperor tickets or showered me with nutrient water support!
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