Chapter 18

Jiang Chu Ting stared at him silently for a moment before speaking, “I don’t need you to escort me, step aside.”

“I refuse to move.” Pei Jing’s tone grew heavier, his exquisite face filled with coldness, aggressively questioning, “You know I’m leaving soon, so why are you going out in the middle of the night? Why not stay and spend time with me? Are you really in such a hurry?”

His unreasonable behavior left Jiang Chu Ting speechless for a moment before he patiently replied, “I have an appointment, I can’t break my promise. Besides, I’ve been with you all these days.”

Hearing this, Pei Jing became even more agitated, gripping his shoulders tightly, “I don’t want just these days, I want all of you, I want all your time to belong to me!”

Jiang Chu Ting tried to reason with him, “Xiao Jiu, you need to understand, no one belongs solely to another person, even if I’m your master.”

Pei Jing’s grip tightened, and he said in a deep voice, “How do you know that’s not possible?”

Jiang Chu Ting was slightly taken aback.

Pei Jing gazed deeply into his eyes, speaking softly, “If I want it, you will. Don’t you understand?”

Outside, the rain dripped, and inside, silence fell.

Pei Jing wasn’t wrong; if he wanted something, there was nothing he couldn’t achieve. Jiang Chu Ting’s expression softened slightly, bypassing the topic, and asked, “Did you make me sleep until now on purpose?”

No matter how tired he was the night before, he couldn’t have slept the entire day. Pei Jing must have figured out his routine for leaving the mountain, so he burned calming incense for several days, and last night he did something to make him fall into a trap without suspicion.

Pei Jing’s eyes were tinged with red, and he didn’t hide it, admitting decisively, “Yes, I did it on purpose. So what? Look at your eager face, who are you going to meet? That guy from last time? Am I wrong?” He wanted to endure, to continue pretending to be obedient, but this person’s behavior made it unbearable! Since it was useless, he might as well admit it, let him see his true self, even if it meant fearing him, it was better than being treated like a passing cloud, leaving no trace in his life.

No matter how arrogant and willful Pei Jing had been before, Jiang Chu Ting had never truly been angry, but at this moment, he couldn’t tolerate it, his tone turning cold, “I’ve said before, no matter when I go out or who I meet, there’s no need to tell you. Move aside.”

Seeing his cold expression, Pei Jing’s lips twitched, a mocking look in his stubborn black eyes, “I won’t move, what will you do? Are you going to fight me just to see him?”

Jiang Chu Ting’s hand on his sword twitched slightly, coldly saying, “Xiao Jiu, do you really want to do this with me?”

Pei Jing glanced down at his subtle movement, a sharp pain in his chest, his reddened eyes flashing with moisture, looking back at him, raising his voice slightly, “So, if I continue to block you, will you draw your sword on me?”

Jiang Chu Ting’s action was instinctive, and given his status, he couldn’t possibly draw his sword on him. Suddenly, Pei Jing’s hands, which were gripping his shoulders, cupped his face, Jiang Chu Ting’s eyes widened, and before he could speak, his lips felt warm.

He actually kissed him.

Pei Jing’s breath was rapid, holding his lips, kissing forcefully. Jiang Chu Ting felt as if something exploded in his mind, too shocked, he reacted after a moment, using his internal strength to push him away, but his lips were bitten hard, breaking the skin, the taste of blood spreading.

Pei Jing staggered back two steps, letting out a low laugh.

Jiang Chu Ting asked incredulously, “Xiao Jiu, do you know what you’re doing?”

Pei Jing stared at the red on his lips, his gaze intense and unrestrained, the heat in his eyes almost setting him on fire. As if his mood suddenly improved, Pei Jing curved his lips, “Kissing you, of course I know. Are you surprised? What I want to do to you is far more than this.”

The two had a fifteen-year age gap, Jiang Chu Ting always treated Pei Jing as a junior. He interpreted Pei Jing’s intimate behavior as a disciple’s reliance on his master, even when he almost kissed his face before, Jiang Chu Ting thought it was just his mischievous nature, playing around.

But he never expected Pei Jing to truly have such thoughts.

Jiang Chu Ting was internally shocked, speechless, Pei Jing observed his expression, speaking after a while, “So, Master, do you know how I feel watching you go to meet another man? How can I not be angry?” As he spoke, he slowly approached, Jiang Chu Ting immediately stepped back two steps. This clear estrangement made Pei Jing freeze in place, his forcibly softened expression darkening again.

Jiang Chu Ting calmed down a bit, saying to him, “Xiao Jiu, I am your master.”

Pei Jing sneered, “You’re my master, but who says a disciple can’t like their master?”

Jiang Chu Ting still couldn’t accept it, firmly stating, “This is improper.”

“Improper?” Pei Jing laughed louder, tilting his head mockingly, “I didn’t expect you to be so rigid? But even if it’s improper, so what? I want you to be both my master and my partner. Who dares to say no?!”

His blatant expression made Jiang Chu Ting’s face pale, lips tightly pressed, turning his head away, not speaking.

Pei Jing watched his cold profile, his heart softening, slowly approaching, his tone changing, mixed with a hint of cautious pleading, “Master, please don’t go, don’t leave me, I like you, I really like you…”

Just as Pei Jing reached out to embrace him, Jiang Chu Ting’s hand moved like lightning, tapping twice on his body.

Pei Jing immediately couldn’t move, both shocked and angry, “You actually sealed my acupoints?! Release me!”

Jiang Chu Ting’s gaze was clear, solemnly telling him, “Xiao Jiu, you are my disciple, I have no romantic feelings for you, nor for the person I’m about to meet. The reason I’m in a hurry to leave the mountain is to keep a promise, meeting him is only to investigate something important, you don’t need to be angry.”

In the long speech, Pei Jing only heard “I have no romantic feelings for you,” glaring at him, gritting his teeth, “Release my acupoints, do you hear me!”

Jiang Chu Ting sighed, advising him, “My acupoint technique is special, they can’t unlock it, you’ll be able to move in a quarter of an hour, don’t try to break it yourself, or you’ll be in danger.”

Pei Jing’s breathing quickened, “I forbid you to leave!”

Jiang Chu Ting acted as if he didn’t hear, his figure flickering as he bypassed him, Pei Jing unable to move, catching a glimpse of his departing figure, coldly saying, “Fine! You want to keep your promise, go, I’ll wait for you, but if my patience runs out and you’re not back, I don’t know what will happen in the Nine Heavens, you decide!”

Jiang Chu Ting’s figure paused slightly, quickening his steps to leave.

His sudden appearance startled the disciples guarding the mountain gate, who quickly saluted him, asking, “Little Martial Uncle, are you going down the mountain so late?”

“Yes.” Jiang Chu Ting nodded, not saying much, the rain wasn’t heavy, but not light either, a disciple noticed he didn’t have an umbrella, preparing to hand one to him, but in a flash, his figure had already disappeared.

Jiang Chu Ting’s hair and clothes were soaked by the rain when he reached the foot of the mountain, the night was deep, the city gates closed, even in a hurry, he could only find an inn to wait until dawn before heading to the neighboring city.

When he arrived at Xiang Si Xiao Zhu, he saw from afar a figure in purple leaning against the steps at the entrance. Lin Zhi was holding something, lost in thought, motionless, as if in a daze.

A sudden surge of sourness filled Jiang Chu Ting’s heart, he flew over, calling out, “Lin Zhi.”

Hearing his voice, Lin Zhi didn’t even lift his head, clutching the red object in his hand, he stood up and walked inside. Jiang Chu Ting expected him to be angry, not surprised, he caught up, explaining, “Lin Zhi, I was delayed, it wasn’t intentional.”

Lin Zhi kept walking, heading inside, angrily saying, “Yes, you were delayed, you have your reasons. I don’t know your identity, where you live, I have no news of you, you don’t come, I’m worried and disappointed, but I can’t do anything, just wait, from dawn to dusk, dusk to dawn!”

But if you really knew my identity, where I live, you might not be worried and disappointed, but resentful. Jiang Chu Ting grabbed his wrist, stepping in front of him, “I was wrong, I apologize.”

Lin Zhi glared at him, but seeing his half-dry hair, his expression changed, his hand reaching to touch his damp clothes, asking urgently, “Did you get caught in the rain?” But the rain stopped late last night, could it be he came overnight?

Jiang Chu Ting glanced at himself, unconcerned, “Yes, I got caught in the rain, but it’s no big deal.” He left in a hurry, without a change of clothes, sat in the inn until dawn, then rushed over, not paying attention to these things.

In an instant, Lin Zhi’s anger dissipated, even feeling a bit regretful for being too harsh earlier, just as he was about to say something softer, his eyes caught the injury on Jiang Chu Ting’s lips, the faint bloodstain, his eyes narrowing, his voice uncontrollably deep, tentatively asking, “Chu Ran, how did you hurt your mouth?”

“This…” Caught off guard by the question, Jiang Chu Ting hesitated before smiling, “I accidentally bit myself.”

Can someone really bite themselves like that? Lin Zhi had doubts but held back from pressing further, instead taking his hand, leading him inside, “I’ll have someone prepare hot water for you, take a bath, don’t get sick.”

His expression softened considerably, Jiang Chu Ting relaxed a bit, though he felt his body wasn’t that fragile, just needed a change of clothes, he nodded, accepting his kindness, smiling, “Alright.”

After bathing, Jiang Chu Ting put on the clothes Lin Zhi prepared for him, which fit perfectly. In the flower hall, Lin Zhi sat at the wooden table, resting his chin on his hand, waiting for him, the table set with cups, dishes, and wine.

Lin Zhi’s unwavering gaze followed him, as he walked over, sitting opposite, his dark eyes fixed on him, tapping the wine jar, saying, “How about we have a drink together?”