Applaud for Happiness - Chapter 81

 

Chapter 81

Shen Qi felt thoroughly provoked this time.

From start to finish, Ru Deng hadn’t expressed any opinion about the matter with Zhuang Shan. Yet, his actions spoke volumes: he didn’t like it, and he was very unhappy.

Shen Qi understood that his displeasure wasn’t related to romantic feelings — perhaps just a hint of it — but more about things being beyond his control.

However, Shen Qi had no choice. He wasn’t a true spirit; he needed Ru Deng to see him as an equal. In his eyes, he was akin to an intelligent robot from the future — capable of complete control, hence naturally looked down upon.

So, he had to make Ru Deng aware of his independence. He wasn’t entirely dependent on him, nor would he blindly follow his orders. He had his own personality, his own thoughts, and things he wanted to do.

He gritted his teeth and accepted Ru Deng’s “punishment.” The flying vessel had restrictions: cultivators couldn’t use their divine senses to observe others. Otherwise, what was the point of separate rooms? Even without divine senses, cultivators were still sharp-eared and keen-eyed. A slightly louder sound behind a wooden wall would give them away.

When it was all over, Shen Qi felt almost drained. His previous upright stance, leaning against the table, had transformed into him slumping over a round stool. Ru Deng held his waist with one hand, occasionally retrieving items from storage pouches and pretending to rearrange them, masking the final intense collision and sticky sounds.

As the flying boat was about to touch down, Ru Deng hadn’t finished yet. From outside, Zhuang Shan kindly reminded them, “Master, Shen Qi, the flying boat is about to land.”

“Respond to him,” a deep voice echoed in Shen Qi’s ears. 

He straightened his waist, trying to maintain a normal tone, and replied, “Almost there.”

“Understood,” Zhuang Shan replied without noticing anything amiss.

Finally relieved from Ru Deng’s grip, Shen Qi stood up with his help. Ru Deng gently adjusted his disheveled clothes. Shen Qi remained lost in the recent excitement, his gaze vacant, and he made no resistance.

The young man was unusually compliant. Ru Deng lowered his head and lightly kissed Shen Qi’s lips, his gaze warm. “Xiao Qi is so obedient. Will you continue to be this way in the future?”

Startled out of his daze, Shen Qi responded almost reflexively, “No.”

Ru Deng’s gaze darkened.

Shen Qi raised his gaze to meet the other’s eyes, revealing a sincerity that seemed to stretch infinitely. In a soft voice, he said, “Rest assured, I swear I will never do anything harmful to you. You can trust me completely.”

The other person’s expression remained calm. “I like you, and I think you know that. So, I would never harm you. Even if you can’t fully trust me, you can still use my feelings for you. I won’t object or mind. I just hope you can trust me. Can you give me a chance?”

These words were already pushing his limits. After saying them, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. He hadn’t yet probed the depths of Ru Deng’s boundaries, but he himself had repeatedly broken his own.

The young man’s eyes sparkled with astonishing sincerity and hope. The intensity of that gaze made Ru Deng’s heart skip a beat, almost rendering him unable to meet it directly. He even took a step back involuntarily.

Realizing what he had just done, he stood frozen in place, struggling internally. His rational side urged him to accept quickly — this was a good thing. With emotions as a binding force, Shen Qi would go to great lengths to help him. All he needed to do was offer a smile or a few coaxing words. Besides, he had willingly allowed himself to be used, so he bore no burden.

Yet, emotions tugged at him, albeit for entirely different reasons. They urged him to comfort the young man, to kiss him, to assure him that he harbored no ulterior motives. To tell him…

He had developed feelings for him.

Yes, feelings.

As this sudden realization washed over him, Ru Deng’s pupils dilated dramatically, leaving him stunned.

Turns out, he actually liked Shen Qi. 

He wasn’t foolish — quite the opposite, he was remarkably intelligent. Swiftly, he analyzed the reasons that led to this conclusion.

In the Nine Provinces, there were more than a few instances of cultivators and spirits sustaining their connection through love. He had heard about many such cases, so the concept didn’t surprise him. What did surprise him was that it had come to involve him.

Being human, he was subject to emotions and desires. Moreover, he was acutely aware of his strong need for control and possessiveness.

Apart from Shen Qi’s occasional disobedience, everything else aligned perfectly with his inclinations. Their constant companionship naturally fostered a fondness.

And with fondness came affection.

So, this was entirely normal.

But what did liking someone change? He wasn’t heartless; disliking someone didn’t automatically mean he would like them. He had anticipated this, but even if he liked Shen Qi, it wouldn’t hinder his quest for revenge or his pursuit of strength. Besides, Shen Qi’s presence didn’t pose an obstacle; in fact, it could even be an advantage.

Shen Qi was his spirit vessel, destined to follow him and remain by his side. And yes, they had already shared their most intimate moments.

Considering all this, perhaps liking or not liking made little difference.

As long as Shen Qi didn’t become an impediment or a hindrance, allowing himself to like him seemed reasonable.

Having coldly analyzed the situation, he had no intention of revealing his thoughts to Shen Qi. He simply met his gaze and responded to his earlier words: “Alright.”

Shen Qi observed the subtle change in his expression and visibly relaxed, a bright smile gracing his lips.

Due to its geographical location, Youzhou wasn’t particularly large compared to other provinces. Mortals inhabited the entire realm, ruled by the city of Frostmoon. While there were several sects of cultivators, most were small or medium-sized. The Wanfo Sect didn’t operate within Youzhou’s boundaries, but due to the presence of the Wushen Sect, they maintained outposts throughout the region to safeguard peace.

The Wanfo Sect, dedicated to aiding the suffering, naturally held the frontline position near the border between the Wushen Sect and Shuangyue City.

The Twelve Cities, though they're called cities, were comparable in size to ancient kingdoms. Shuangyue City alone covered over five million square kilometers, yet it wasn’t the largest among the twelve.

Having settled matters with Zhuang Shan, Shen Qi and Ru Deng boarded a flying vessel to accompany him. It seemed Zhuang Shan was committed to maintaining his facade as an ordinary disciple of the Lingxiao Sect; he hadn’t produced any personal transportation. Instead, he rented a flying carriage, leading them on the journey to his secluded abode in Youzhou.

Throughout the trip, Zhuang Shan enthusiastically explained various aspects of Youzhou.

And so, Shen Qi learned that Youzhou boasted no fewer than forty sects of varying sizes. However, the aristocratic families held sway over the cultivation world here, rendering the sects relatively insignificant. Especially the smaller ones, which experienced rapid turnover. For well-off cultivators with family support and bloodline connections, why bother joining a sect at all?

Only commoners or those from impoverished backgrounds are sought after by sects to join them. However, these sects are too diverse and small in power. No matter how they cultivate, they can’t catch up with the deeply-rooted noble families.

Therefore, most of the spiritual veins in the Youzhou region are held by noble families, which hinders the prosperity of the sects.

However, with the increase in noble families, competition naturally arises. Coupled with blood relations, it leads to the inability of noble families to unify, forming the current situation.

As for the Shuangyue City where mortals reside, it’s much simpler. The city lord, similar to an emperor, governs the entire city. The city is divided into prefectures, counties, townships, and villages, managed by subordinates appointed by the city lord. Various sects or noble families would send cultivators who are unable to build a foundation or have no hope of further promotion to help, acting as guest officials. They provide protection and assistance to the city lord, which can also be considered a form of indirect surveillance.

Zhuang Shan’s cave dwelling is located in the northeast direction of Youzhou, not far from the grassland border occupied by the Wushen Sect. It belongs to the Ye family, a cultivator noble family.

In order to make money, noble families would offer some of their spiritual veins, build cave dwellings on them, and collect a certain rent for cultivators to live in.

Zhuang Shan’s cave dwelling was rented in this way. He paid ten years’ rent in one go, and only five years have passed.

For an ordinary disciple of the Shenxiao Sect, this move is normal. However, both Shen Qi and Ru Deng know that he is not an ordinary disciple. Concealing his identity and quietly arranging a secluded cave dwelling is suspicious no matter how you look at it.

Shen Qi knows that he did this to facilitate meetings with Sang Yunyan. Ru Deng doesn’t know, but it doesn’t prevent him from having doubts and wanting to resolve them.

After all, Zhuang Shan’s surname is Zhuang. His elder brother, Zhuang Liang, is the one who ordered the massacre of Ru Deng’s entire clan. When Sang Yunyan went to the Shenxiao Sect to become a disciple, she recognized her enemy through the same clothes. Before Ru Deng reestablished contact with her, he also knew her background. Because they are both righteous, he found Zhuang Liang faster than Sang Yunyan.

The three sects and nine schools of the righteous path have always been led by the Shenxiao Sect, the Yujian Sect, and the Wanfo. The Yujian Sect has the fewest disciples, but the strongest combat power. The Wanfo Sect, after all, carries the word “Buddha” and advocates compassion, not competing with others. Therefore, the three sects have always been led by the Shenxiao Sect.

The Shenxiao Sect has twelve peaks, each with a peak master. The father of Zhuang Liang and Zhuang Shan is one of the powerful peak masters.

Therefore, if Ru Deng wants to take revenge, he must do it without anyone knowing. Otherwise if he beats the small ones, the old ones will come. A peak master is not something he can currently compete with. Even if he has the power to compete, killing a peak master, the Shenxiao Sect will not let him go. Not only the Shenxiao Sect, once he is exposed, the entire Righteous path will not let him go.

Shen Qi couldn’t help shaking his head and sighing. This level of challeng... no wonder he ended up being the ultimate boss.

Now that he has met Zhuang Shan, Ru Deng will naturally not miss this opportunity.

The cave dwellings in the outside world are naturally much more luxurious than those in the Wanfo Sect. It’s more appropriate to call it a separate courtyard rather than a cave dwelling. Moreover, it’s two stories high. There’s even a small garden in the courtyard, with bamboo, water, and rockeries, which is very elegant.

Zhuang Shan opened the door with a specific array key and warmly invited them in. He took them on a tour and was pleased to see the lush flowers and plants in the courtyard. “I haven’t been here for a year. I didn’t expect these flowers and plants to grow so well. It seems that the management here is quite responsible.”

Upon entering the small building, he introduced, “There are two floors here. The first floor has a pill refining room, a tool refining room, and a seclusion room. The second floor is the bedroom. I have always lived on the west side. How about you two live on the east side?”

Ru Deng put his hands together in thanks, “In that case, I’m imposing on you, Brother Zhuang.”

Shen Qi also expressed his gratitude, but he needed to return to his room quickly. He didn’t have much time to appear in his current form and was about to collapse. He had to hurry back to his room to avoid Zhuang Shan.

So, he put on a tired expression. Zhuang Shan was very understanding and arranged for him and Ru Deng to rest first. The small building had plenty of rooms, so he gave one to each of them. Shen Qi raised his eyebrows and chose a room to go in. Once Zhuang Shan left, he decisively returned to his true spirit form and went back to Ru Deng’s side.

Ru Deng was sitting on the edge of the bed. Seeing him come over, he waved him over, “Come.”

Shen Qi floated over, “What are you planning to do?”

He was asking about Zhuang Shan.

Ru Deng pulled his hand gently and pulled him into his arms, seriously, “Do it lying down.”

Shen Qi choked, speechless, “I mean Zhuang Shan. He must have something to do coming to Youzhou. Perhaps we can make a breakthrough from him.”

He got to know Zhuang Shan, brought him to find him, and pushed him in front of Ru Deng. This was to get his attention and then take this opportunity to discover his and Sang Yunyan’s affairs. As for what to do after the discovery, he believed that Ru Deng would know what to do. It’s always better than making a fuss until he has to personally end his own sister.

“Don’t rush.” Ru Deng gently pushed his shoulder and pushed him down on the bed. Then he pressed down, gently stroking his cheek, his tone casual, “Since he’s here to do something, he naturally won’t leave in a hurry. He will always find the reason.”

His voice changed, becoming low, his eyes smiling, “Was it comfortable this morning?”

Shen Qi’s mind immediately floated up to the scene on the bed. His body trembled and he couldn’t help but cough, “Cough, cough, it’s okay…”

But he was a little strange in his heart. This was the first time Ru Deng had discussed this kind of thing with him. What was he thinking…

He couldn’t help but observe his intentions.

Ru Deng heard his words and raised his eyebrows. He seemed not very satisfied with his statement, thoughtfully, “It seems that it’s not enough…”

What’s not enough? Not enough of what?

Shen Qi subconsciously swallowed, feeling a bad premonition.

But Ru Deng just smiled and didn’t seem to want to do anything further. He lay down next to him and said softly, “Rest well.”

Is he really not going to do anything?

Shen Qi was skeptical, but seeing him really close his eyes as if he was going to sleep, he also closed his eyes, even though he didn’t need to sleep.

But why does he have a vague feeling that something is not quite right?

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