Chapter 18: You’re Craving My Body!

In the main hall of the Song residence.

As soon as Song Yan saw his father, he exploded in anger.
“You trying to get me killed with that heavy hand of yours, you old geezer?! What kind of father treats his own son like this?! I thought I was just loafing around all day, so I went out to earn a position, and I even got a hereditary title! And this is how you welcome me back?!”

At first, the head of the Song family, Song Yang, looked furious, but his expression gradually softened, and then turned to surprise.
Wow—he really missed his calling as a face-changing opera performer.

Song Yang snapped back, unrelenting:
“You’ve got some nerve talking back! You ran off without a word and no one could find you! I was worried you’d offended some powerful noble and gotten yourself killed!”

Clearly, deep love often comes with harsh scolding.

Song Yan pointed at Xiao Jing.
“If it weren’t for Die-die these past few days—taking care of me, putting me up, helping me win my official post—I’d be screwed! He’s my benefactor! From now on, I’m sticking with him! In a couple of days, we’re heading to the border to fight and serve our country! We’ll just stay here for two days.”

Song Yan didn’t even ask for permission. It was more like informing his father—everything had already been decided.

Song Yang didn’t object much. He gave Xiao Jing a good look and thought he seemed extraordinary, likely a solid leader type, so he said nothing more.

Xiao Jing stood up, offered a polite greeting, introduced himself, and sat down.

There was no father-son reunion nonsense—if anything, they might’ve started a fight if they stuck around. So, Song Yan took Xiao Jing to his room.

Xiao Jing was arranged in the room next to Song Yan’s. Probably because Song Yan figured he wasn’t familiar with the place and wanted him close.

Though honestly, the concern was a little over the top. Still, Xiao Jing appreciated it. Song Yan might be a little wild, but he was loyal.

To be fair, though Liang Country was poor, it was the commoners who were poor. Officials? They were rolling in it.

Just look at the Song residence: ornate beams, painted rafters, majestic and spacious. It had everything—rock gardens, lotus ponds—you name it. It rivaled any government mansion back in Ji Country.

Xiao Jing took a quick stroll around, then joined Song Yan for dinner.

As soon as the food was set, Song Yan’s eyes lit up like lamps!
He hadn’t eaten anything decent in days—just bland gruel and rough grains. He dove straight into a roast suckling pig, gnawing away, then grabbed a leg of lamb. He chomped left and right, thoroughly enjoying himself, grease smeared across his face!

Xiao Jing was stunned by the sight. Damn—if he didn’t jump in now, there’d be nothing left! So he dropped all pretense and joined the feast.

Like two tornadoes, they cleared the table.
Afterward, Xiao Jing decided to head out for a walk.

Liang Country didn’t have a curfew. After dinner was when things really got lively.

Xiao Jing looked left, looked right—his mind a bit elsewhere.
On the other hand, Song Yan was carefree and interested in everything. He was also trying to spend extra money to get back at his dad.

Xiao Jing found a tavern, ordered a fine bottle of peach blossom wine, and a plate of peanuts. He drank while eavesdropping on nearby conversations.

“Hey, did you hear? A brilliant talent has emerged in our great Liang! His Majesty personally sent him to conquer Ji Country. With him, we’ll surely sweep the enemy aside and become rulers of all!” said a skinny young man.

“Of course! His name is Die Die. He’s a distant cousin of mine. He’s tall, with sharp fangs, super strong! He loves drinking Ji Country blood. Just his presence can tear a hundred Ji folk apart, and he punches generals like nothing!” his buddy added.

One of his eyes was straight, the other skewed upward—like one standing guard while the other scouted ahead. At first glance, he gave off strong “village genius” energy.

“For real? That scary? Good thing he’s one of us. If he were from Ji Country, we’d be screwed!” the first young man replied.

“Think you can get me in? I want to fight alongside him against Ji Country!”

“He grew up on the border. I haven’t seen him in years. Don’t even know if he remembers me. But I’ll do my best!”

He said it with a straight face, clearly spouting nonsense without a hint of shame—and even looked proud of himself.

Xiao Jing’s mouth twitched.
“Do I really look that terrifying? And since when do I have this long-lost cousin in Liang Country?”

【Happy now? You were just watching the show, and it turned out to be your drama! Who would’ve thought our host is a raw-meat-eating beast?!】the system teased.

After finishing his drink, Xiao Jing hadn’t picked up any useful information. He decided to head back.

On the way, he spotted a pair of small earrings that looked just like his audio device. While they didn’t have its features, they matched perfectly as a pair. Xiao Jing bought them, planning to give them to Lin Yaoyu.

Xiao Jing returned to the manor and quickly fell asleep.
That night, he had a dream—he dreamed that he’d completed his mission and returned to the modern world. Everything felt the same, yet something was missing. His heart felt empty. Then he saw a girl who looked just like Yun Yi. Their eyes met—and they smiled at each other.

Late that night, a few servants and maids saw a figure who looked like the young master heading into the guest room next door. Rumors began to swirl.

At dawn, Xiao Jing was jolted awake by his body’s usual reaction.
He opened his eyes—only to find himself hugging Song Yan!

“Aaaahhhh—!”
A blood-curdling scream shattered the morning peace of the courtyard!

Then—wham!—he kicked Song Yan off the bed.
Xiao Jing wrapped himself in the quilt like a wronged maiden!

Song Yan rubbed his sleepy eyes in confusion.
“Why am I here?!”

Xiao Jing growled through gritted teeth, “You were sleepwalking again, weren’t you?! What are you trying to do? Are you craving my body or something?!”

Song Yan was helpless. He had no memory of sleepwalking and couldn’t understand why he kept clinging to Xiao Jing in his sleep.

He was also pretty heartbroken—he’d been kicked again.
Didn’t Die Die say he wouldn’t kick him anymore?

…

Xiao Jing wanted to run—far, far away from Song Yan!
This guy’s preferences were way off. If his rear got compromised one day, what future would he have—whether on Earth or in the heavens?!

After breakfast, Xiao Jing promptly took his leave.
He didn’t want to see Song Yan within ten miles of him!

Meanwhile, two maids—one carrying refreshments, the other holding clothes—were whispering behind the scenes.

“Did you see it last night? Young Master went to the guest’s room! And there were screams this morning!”

The one holding the clothes replied, “No way! What happened?”

The refreshments maid replied smugly,
“Our young master’s never been close to any young ladies, but last night he shared a bed with a man! They say… our young master likes men!”

“Well, that would explain it. He’s always been so handsome and never shown interest in women. And that guest from yesterday—he’s really good-looking!” the other maid agreed.

“We must keep this a secret. If word gets out, the young master won’t be able to show his face in public again!”

“Absolutely, I know how to keep quiet!”

Elsewhere, a couple of young manservants were also gossiping about the young master spending the night in a man’s room.

One rumor led to another…
Soon, the entire Song household knew.
And then—word spread throughout the capital of Liang Country:

“The Song family’s heir, Song Yan, is a cut-sleeve…”

Xiao Jing left early and headed for the border, waiting at a nearby town.

Two days later, Song Yan arrived—and right behind him came Qi Si and Wild Bear.

Once everyone gathered, Xiao Jing put on the mask he bought earlier, raised his hand, and declared:
“Let’s go!”

Song Yan jogged over.
“Die Die, why are you wearing a mask?”

Xiao Jing got a headache just looking at this walking disaster. He replied impatiently,
“Because I’m too handsome. I don’t want to kill all the ladies with my charm!”

Definitely couldn’t say, “People on the other side recognize me. If I get spotted, I’m dead meat.”

Song Yan totally believed it. The other two… well…

After crossing a dense forest and walking ten more miles, they’d reach the border town of Chaoyang.

The group chatted and laughed along the way, moving at a relaxed pace.

The forest grew misty and eerily quiet.
Other than their footsteps, there wasn’t a single sound. Only the occasional startled bird scattered into the sky.

As they continued forward, Xiao Jing grew increasingly alert.
It was too quiet—something wasn’t right.

He quickly called everyone to a halt—on full alert!