As the soft glow of the morning sun filtered through the lattice windows, Xue Tuzi stirred, his eyelashes fluttering against his cheeks. The air in the room was faintly scented with sandalwood, a reminder of last night's warmth. He turned his head, expecting to find the familiar figure beside him, but saw only a messy tangle of pillows and blankets. The sheets, still faintly warm, were otherwise empty.
A pang of unease gripped him as he patted through the bed, realizing Jiao Jiao was missing too. His heart sank. Not again, he thought, sitting upright in a flash. His gaze darted to the sunlight creeping higher up the wall—it was far too bright for early morning. Sure enough, he had overslept.
Springing to his feet, Xue Tuzi scrambled to get dressed, his movements hurried yet practiced. His hands worked with a deftness born of repetition as he wrapped himself in his soft robes. Just as he tied the qiankun pouch at his waist, a sharp, familiar knock echoed through the room.
"A-Tuzi, it's almost noon. Are you still not up?" Xue Laohu's voice, edged with irritation, called from behind the door.
"Shizun…" Xue Tuzi muttered under his breath, wincing at his Shizun's tone. He hurried to gather himself, brushing his hair into place with quick, deliberate strokes before tying it back with his signature pink ribbon. His fingers trembled slightly as he reached for the small vial of fragrant oil on his dresser. A sweet floral blend of jasmine and peach blossom, that he applied swiftly, rubbing it across his neck, shoulders, and down his legs, the sheen catching the sunlight in faint, glowing arcs.
Pushing open the heavy wooden door, Xue Tuzi stepped out, still fumbling with the belt at his waist. His feet, cold and bare, glistened faintly from the oil he had applied. He paused just before Xue Laohu, the commanding presence of his Shizun making him lower his gaze instinctively. With a fluid motion, he sank into a bow, his head lowered in genuine contrition.
"This disciple has overslept," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his chest. "He begs Shizun for punishment."
The faint rustle of the wind outside filled the silence between them. Xue Tuzi dared not lift his eyes to meet Xue Laohu's, waiting instead for his Shizun's judgment, the faint fragrant scent lingering like an unspoken apology.
Xue Laohu let out a long, weary sigh, running a hand through his tousled hair as he shook his head. It was always the same with Xue Tuzi—oversleeping, followed by his ritualistic plea for punishment. Yet, no matter how many times this happened, Xue Laohu couldn't bring himself to administer any real discipline. Whippings were out of the question. Instead, he'd assign Xue Tuzi mundane chores around the sect, hoping they'd teach him a lesson.
"You're not seriously thinking of leaving barefoot, are you?" Xue Laohu asked, his stern tone tinged with exasperation. His gaze fell pointedly to Xue Tuzi's pale, unshod feet, faintly glistening from the fragrant oil.
Xue Tuzi flushed, embarrassed by the oversight. "No, Shizun," he mumbled, hurriedly slipping on his socks before tugging on his finely stitched boots. He adjusted the fit and then straightened up, following his Shizun with quiet obedience, his head bowed just enough to mask the lingering blush on his cheeks.
As they entered the courtyard, the warm sunlight painted the stone path in golden hues. There, near the central pavilion, stood Shudu, his calm, unbothered demeanor a stark contrast to Xue Laohu's earlier irritation. Cradled in his arms was Jiao Jiao, the tiny Gu worm nestled contentedly against Shudu's chest. With one hand, Shudu lazily fed Jiao Jiao grapes, plucking each one with deliberate care before offering it to the creature, who greedily accepted them.
Xue Tuzi's eyes immediately narrowed, his gaze sharp as a blade as it locked onto the scene before him. His lips pressed into a thin line, and an unmistakable aura of displeasure radiated from him. Jiao Jiao, sensing the shift in atmosphere, froze mid-bite. The little creature turned its head, its tiny whiskers twitching nervously as it met Xue Tuzi's piercing glare.
The Gu worm didn't wait for the inevitable scolding. With a startled squeak, Jiao Jiao hopped out of Shudu's arms and scampered toward Xue Tuzi, his small body squirming with urgency. Xue Tuzi knelt slightly, and Jiao Jiao scrambled up into his arms, burying himself into the soft pouch at his waist. There it nestled diligently, its small frame trembling ever so slightly as it nuzzled against Xue Tuzi's side, seeking comfort—and perhaps forgiveness.
Shudu raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Didn't know Xiao Jiao had to ask for you consent to leave," he remarked lazily, tossing the remaining grape into his mouth.
Xue Tuzi shot him a sharp look, his lips parting as if to retort, but he caught himself. Instead, he adjusted the qiankun pouch with deliberate care, murmuring softly to the Gu worm, "Don't leave without permission, ok?"
Jiao Jiao let out a soft chirp of agreement, though whether it was out of obedience or fear of further reprimand was anyone's guess.
Li Zhameng came sprinting toward the group, his every step brimming with excitement. Xue Tuzi noticed immediately that something about him was different. He'd clearly taken extra care with his appearance today. A subtle, sweet fragrance trailed in his wake, like blooming osmanthus after a spring rain. His jet-black hair, usually tied with little effort, now flowed like a silken cascade, styled into a high bun held perfectly in place by an elegant but modest wooden crown. The dark strands shimmered in the sunlight, a testament to the effort he had put into its sheen.
His lips, faintly touched with rose, had a slight pout to them, as if he'd spent hours perfecting their softness. The tiny scar near the corner of his mouth only served to highlight their sensual allure, drawing attention in the most maddening way. His cheeks were naturally flushed, but today, they bore a radiant glow that hinted at the excitement brewing inside him. The subtle red tint on his eyelids made his leaf turning eyes gleam, warm and captivating against his doll-like features. There was no mistaking it—Li Zhameng was dressed to impress, every detail carefully curated with one purpose in mind.
Xue Tuzi's stomach twisted with annoyance. It was painfully obvious that Li Zhameng intended to confess his feelings to their Shizun. The thought of it made Xue Tuzi's face harden, a low simmer of resentment flaring in his chest.
Unlike Li Zhameng, Xue Tuzi had barely had time to get himself together that morning, his appearance hasty and undone compared to his martial brother's polished elegance. His sharp gaze trailed after Li Zhameng as the man reached out, his delicate fingers lightly tugging on Xue Laohu's sleeve, his cheeks flushing deeper as he leaned in to speak.
Clearing his throat sharply, Xue Tuzi interrupted the moment. "Meng Meng," he said softly, his voice even but tinged with a cold undercurrent. Li Zhameng peeked around Xue Laohu's shoulder, his eyes wary but intrigued. "May I have a word with you… in private?"
Xue Laohu frowned, clearly puzzled by the request. His gaze shifted from Xue Tuzi's stiff posture to Li Zhameng's wide-eyed expression, then back again.
Li Zhameng hesitated before releasing Xue Laohu's sleeve, reluctantly making his way toward Xue Tuzi. He didn't make it far before Xue Tuzi leaned in close, his voice dropping into a sharp whisper as his lips brushed against Li Zhameng's ear.
"You sly little fox," Xue Tuzi murmured, his tone low and biting. "What do you think you're up to?"
The whisper sent a shiver down Li Zhameng's spine, the warmth of Xue Tuzi's breath brushed against his neck. His ears burned crimson, and he instinctively tilted his head away, but his blush betrayed his flustered state. From Xue Laohu's vantage point, the two appeared suspiciously close, their hushed voices carrying a peculiar intimacy.
He nervously fanned himself, his anxiety mounting as he watched the pair. His feet shuffled against the stone courtyard as he paced back and forth. No… this can't be, he thought, his mind racing with possibilities. Does Xue Tuzi actually have feelings for Meng Meng? The thought twisted his gut into knots. But why now? Shouldn't he wait until Lake Taohu to say something so personal? Ugh, the timing of this is unbearable! The suspense is killing me!
He turned sharply, his eyes landing on Shudu, who sat unbothered under a shaded corner of the courtyard. Shudu was lazily tossing grapes into his mouth with precision. Xue Laohu's irritation flared as he watched Shudu's indifferent demeanor.
Shudu, you bastard! Xue Laohu screamed internally, his teeth grinding. Your wife is over there trying to seduce a mere NPC, and you're just sitting there, eating grapes like it's no big deal? Ugh!
Meanwhile, Shudu flicked a glance in Xue Laohu's direction, raising an eyebrow ever so slightly, as though he could hear the unspoken tirade. Xiao Zongzi crawled up his leg and into his shoulder nestling in between his neck.
After their brief, private conversation, Xue Tuzi and Li Zhameng returned to the group. Xue Tuzi wore his usual mask of cold, composed detachment, his every movement deliberate and measured. Beside him, Li Zhameng fidgeted, his fingers twitching and his gaze flitting nervously around the clearing like a bird ready to take flight. Though their body language betrayed nothing out of the ordinarXue Laohu wasn't convinced.
He studied them closely, his mind turning over the possibilities. Something about their exchange had unsettled him. He couldn't shake the suspicion that Xue Tuzi might harbor romantic feelings for Li Zhameng. After all, no one had ever uncovered the identity of the person Xue Tuzi had once claimed to be "in love" with. The mystery lingered, and with no definitive answers, Xue Laohu could only theorize—and his imagination tended to run wild.
Pushing his doubts aside, Xue Laohu retrieved the map from his qiankun pouch as the group ventured further into the dense, overgrown forest. He frowned at the parchment, its surface cluttered with intricate lines, cryptic symbols, and fine details that made little sense to him. Truthfully, he despised these old-fashioned maps. He missed the convenience of modern technology—the ease of opening a map app on his phone, plugging in coordinates, and letting GPS handle the rest.
"This thing's useless," he muttered under his breath, turning the map sideways and squinting at it as though it might suddenly make sense. The lines twisted and coiled, marking paths that might no longer exist, while tiny symbols denoted landmarks that seemed laughably vague. Was that a spring? A cave? A shrine? He couldn't tell.
The deeper they ventured into the forest, the darker and more ominous it became. Thick, gnarled roots jutted out from the forest floor, creating treacherous obstacles. Shadows seemed to shift unnaturally between the trees, and the air grew cooler, carrying with it an unsettling stillness.
Xue Laohu turned the map again, trying to align the symbols with their surroundings. The towering trees, covered in dense moss, offered no discernible markers. Every direction looked the same—an endless sea of green and shadow.
Hours passed, and the group found themselves hopelessly lost. Xue Laohu's frustration grew with every misstep, his grip on the map tightening.
Xue Tuzi remained quiet, his calm gaze scanning their surroundings as though searching for a clue. Li Zhameng, meanwhile, hovered nervously near his Shizun, biting his lip and clutching his own qiankun pouch like a lifeline. Even Shudu, who rarely showed concern, had stopped to peer into the dense forest ahead, his expression unreadable.
"Shizun…" Xue Tuzi began, his voice calm and gentle, though edged with the faintest trace of exasperation. "I believe we've passed this tree at least three times." He gestured toward the massive trunk, its bark distinctively scarred with claw marks, as though nature itself mocked their repeated missteps. A soft sigh escaped his chest as he turned his gaze toward Xue Laohu.
Their Shizun was already kneeling in utter defeat, clutching the map in trembling hands. His head hung low, strands of his dark hair falling into his face as he muttered, "We're lost…" His voice quivered, teetering between despair and self-recrimination.
Xue Tuzi and Li Zhameng exchanged a knowing glance. They had long known that their Shizun had the world's worst sense of direction. Every journey seemed to end in them hopelessly wandering, but neither had dared to question his leadership this time. After all, it was his idea to visit Lake Taohu and see the famed peach blossoms. They both knew better than to volunteer to take charge of the map—it would have bruised his pride.
Shudu, as unbothered as ever, stepped forward and plucked the map from Xue Laohu's hands with casual ease. He held it up, flipping it this way and that, his brows furrowing in confusion. "Beats me," he muttered, shrugging. "I can't read this shit either."
Xue Tuzi's eye twitched. With a dramatic roll of his eyes, he snatched the map from Shudu's hands, his elegant fingers smoothing the crumpled edges. "That's because you're illiterate and can't read," he said with a haughty tone, flipping his hair over his shoulder for emphasis. His words dripped with superiority as he scanned the map with practiced precision.
Shudu's eyes narrowed, as he bared his teeth in mock fury, clenching his fists. "Who needs to read when I've got these?" he barked, flexing his hands as if his sheer strength could solve their predicament.
Jiao Jiao, nestled comfortably in Xue Tuzi's pouch, popped his squishy head out at the commotion. His large, jelly-like eyes blinked curiously, looking at the map.
"Xiao Jiao," Xue Tuzi cooed, his voice softening as he patted the Gu worm's glossy head. "You must learn to read. I will teach you."
Jiao Jiao blinked again, tilting his tiny head as Xue Tuzi began pointing to the characters on the map. "This one here," he explained, "is 'Mountain.' And this one means 'Lake.' That's Lake Taohu."
Jiao Jiao let out a tiny, delighted chirp, his crescent-shaped eyes gleaming as he nodded earnestly.
"Great," Shudu interrupted, arms crossed as he tapped his fingers impatiently. "So where are we?"
"We're nowhere near Lake Taohu," Xue Tuzi replied curtly, folding the map with precision. "But once we reach the crossroads, it should lead us directly there."
Meanwhile, Li Zhameng had crouched down beside their Shizun, gently patting his back. Xue Laohu remained huddled, clutching his knees as he rocked slightly, mumbling to himself about his inadequacies. "How useless can one man be?" he whispered, his tone utterly dejected.
Xue Tuzi approached quietly, crouching beside him. His voice softened, carrying a rare note of reassurance. "Shizun… It's okay. We're not lost anymore."
Xue Laohu peeked up at him, his eyes brightening with fragile hope. "Really?" he asked, his voice trembling as though daring to believe it.
Xue Tuzi smiled gently and nodded. "Really."
Bolstered by the words, Xue Laohu stood, dusting off his robes with newfound determination. His composure returned, he fell into step behind Xue Tuzi, his faith in his disciple steadying his resolve.
Li Zhameng rose as well, throwing Xue Tuzi a grateful glance before following close behind. Shudu trailed lazily, Xiao Zongzi perched on his shoulder, his hands clasped behind his head, while Jiao Jiao chirped happily from the safety of Xue Tuzi's pouch.
The journey had been unusually quiet, almost unnervingly so. Xue Tuzi and Shudu, who were normally at each other's throats with biting remarks and thinly veiled insults, had not exchanged a single quarrel. Xue Laohu found it bizarre, a silence so unnatural that it gnawed at his nerves. But another part of him—an overly hopeful, romantic part—chose to see it as progress. Perhaps, he mused, a true and mutual romantic connection between Shudu and Xue Tuzi might actually be possible. It was a foolish fantasy, but one that brought a faint smirk to his lips.
When they finally reached a fork in the path, the stillness of the journey gave way to decision-making. Towering trees framed the divide, their branches weaving into a near-impenetrable canopy that dappled the ground with fragments of sunlight. The air was heavy with the earthy scent of moss and damp wood, and a faint rustling of leaves whispered through the forest.
Xue Tuzi pulled out the map, the parchment unfolding with a faint crackle. His delicate fingers traced the trails sketched on it, his expression thoughtful as his sharp eyes analyzed the terrain. The left path was a shortcut, a narrow trail cutting through the heart of the forest. It was dense, shadowy, and likely teeming with unseen dangers. The right path, by contrast, led uphill toward the mountains, a longer but safer route that avoided the thickest parts of the woods.
After a moment of quiet deliberation, Xue Tuzi made his decision. "We'll take the left path," he announced, folding the map with practiced ease and tucking it neatly inside his robes. "It's much shorter and will make up for the time we lost wandering earlier. The forest may be thicker, and we might encounter demons along the way, but it's nothing we can't handle."
He spoke with an air of certainty, his calm demeanor exuding confidence in their collective strength. His words hung in the air, met with varying reactions.
Shudu smirked, his hand resting casually on Xiao Zongzi's head as he patted it a few times. "Stay close," he said, his voice low but steady, carrying a hint of protectiveness beneath his usual nonchalance.
Xue Laohu, nodded in agreement with Xue Tuzi's decision. "Let's move quickly," he said, his voice steady but tinged with weariness. "If we keep up a good pace, we can make it through before nightfall."
With their course decided, the group stepped onto the left path. The air grew heavier as they ventured deeper into the forest, the trees closing in around them like silent sentinels. The light dimmed, and the sound of rustling leaves gave way to the distant calls of birds and the occasional guttural growl that sent shivers down their spines.
The thick forest was an unbroken expanse of dense greenery, its towering trees entwined with vines and cloaked in mist. The canopy overhead let in only fractured streams of sunlight, which dappled the ground in shifting patterns of light and shadow. The air was alive with the sounds of wildlife: birds called from the treetops, their shrill cries mingling with the raucous screeches of monkeys swinging from branch to branch. The faint rustle of unseen creatures moving through the underbrush added to the forest's eerie, enchanted feel.
Xue Laohu's face was pale, and his movements jerky as he pressed himself behind Xue Tuzi's slim frame. His eyes darted frantically toward the treetops where monkeys shrieked and leapt, their curious eyes peering down. "I hate monkeys?" Xue Laohu muttered, clutching at Xue Tuzi's sleeve.
"Shizun, they're just curious," Xue Tuzi said soothingly, though his expression betrayed his own unease at the forest's chaos. "They won't come down unless provoked."
Li Zhameng grasped his Shizun's hand, gently holding it, "Shizun can hold my hand if he's afraid."
A monkey darted just above them gorging a scream from Xue Laohu as he pressed tightly into Li Zhameng's hand.
"Did you see the size of that one?" He trembled still clutching Li Zhameng's hand the latter blushing at the gesture.
Suddenly, Jiao Jiao, who had hesitantly poked his head out of Xue Tuzi's qiankun pouch, let out a sharp squeak and ducked back in. A shadow passed overhead as a bird of prey, sleek and menacing, dove toward Xue Tuzi, its talons outstretched. The attack was swift, but its target was quicker. Xue Tuzi ducked, and before the bird could recover, a sharp whistle cut through the air.
Shudu stepped forward, his long nails now dripped with fresh blood. The bird fell to the ground, lifeless. "Hey, we got dinner," Shudu said with a wry grin, licking his nails clean.
The group pressed deeper into the forest. The farther they walked, the darker it became, as though the trees themselves conspired to block out the light. The wild cries of birds and monkeys gave way to an eerie silence, broken only by the faint, disembodied laughter of children.
"Did anyone else hear that?" Li Zhameng whispered, his hand hovering near his gun.
Before anyone could respond, a soft golden glow began to flicker around them. Thousands of fireflies emerged from the darkness, their ethereal light filling the air. They swarmed the group, their tiny bodies striking with unnatural force.
The group fought to stay conscious, swatting desperately but the fireflies were relentless, their glowing forms blurring into a suffocating mass of light. One by one, they succumbed to the strange assault, collapsing into the thick undergrowth of the forest.