My Junior Chapter 24: Long River City

Translated by Rikko of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Addis, WagahaiFujoshi

 

You’ve just murdered your nemesis and enthroned as Northern Wilderness’s Demonic Lord, yet the first thing in your mind is dual cultivation?! Bruh! Come to your senses!

Gu XuanYan’s suggestion was just as shocking to Zhong Yan as the confession he gave some time ago. Only after a long while did Zhong Yan find his voice, “No.” 

Gu XuanYan’s brows furrowed a little, “Why not?”

Even someone with a remarkable fortitude like Zhong Yan blushed at the seriousness brimming in Gu XuanYan’s tone. He stammered, “It’s just- just not now.”

Gu XuanYan pressed on, “I love Senior Brother, and the same goes for Senior Brother. So, why can’t we?” Gu XuanYan’s expression dimmed a little, his voice soft, “Senior Brother, do you like me?”

No longer could Zhong Yan endure the situation. “Yeah, yeah. I like you. Only when every mountain loses its ridges and the sky collapses will my bond with you cease. ¹ Happy now?”      

Gu XuanYan chuckled, “Yes.” 

Those demonic cultivators who haven’t gone too far away should’ve come back and have a look… This idiot right here is the Demonic Lord you all revered.

Satisfied upon getting a ‘like’ out of Zhong Yan’s mouth, Gu XuanYan didn’t persist anymore as he sighed, “Alright. I’ll wait till Senior Brother is ready.”

Even so, Gu XuanYan and Zhong Yan shared a bed at night.

Zhong Yan’s threshold had utterly plummeted. As long as Gu XuanYan stopped mentioning dual cultivation out of the blue, he didn’t mind him sleeping wherever he liked.  

Once the dust had settled, the Northern Wilderness returned to its usual tranquillity.  The whooshing quietened down, leaving only the light rustling of falling snow to ring outside the window.

Gu XuanYan was lying on the bed, taking a rest with his eyes closed. Beside him was Zhong Yan. Void of any sleepiness, he lay in bed while gazing at the delicate bed curtains fluttering above him. A sudden thought popped in his mind, prompting him to turn towards Gu XuanYan, “So, I’m bound in a blood oath with you now.”

“Yeah.”

Joy bubbled up within Zhong Yan at once. “Then break the blood oath for me.”  

Upon hearing that, Gu XuanYan opened his eyes and directed them at Zhong Yan. “No.”

The stunned Zhong Yan sprung up, sitting on the bed, “Why not?”        

Gu XuanYan let out a sulky chuckle, “Just not now.”     

Just a moment after being stumped for words, Zhong Yan realized the answer he gave to Gu XuanYan about the dual cultivation had been tossed back to him word for word. 

He is seriously the very definition of petty.

Zhong Yan lay back on the bed in reluctance, asking, “Is it to stop me from escaping?”

“Senior Brother is just full of surprises.” Gu XuanYan’s tone was unhurried, “Not only can Senior Brother kill a white ape demon all alone, but also break open the iron chains with just a slash moments ago. In that case, it must be a piece of cake for Senior Brother to abandon me one day.”        

Somehow, Zhong Yan detected Gu XuanYan was going to settle every score right then from him raking up issues as old as the white ape incident. Just as he was beating his brain for a logical reason, Gu XuanYan stopped the topic from continuing. Instead, he shifted his focus, “Since there’s finally a bit of connection between Senior Brother and me through the blood oath, escaping won’t be all that easy now.”         

Zhong Yan went silent, unable to answer with anything harsh to Gu XuanYan, who was filled with insecurity. After a long while, he relented, “All right, keep the blood oath if you like.”       

All of a sudden, Gu XuanYan turned over and wrapped his arms around Zhong Yan’s waist, burying his head by the neck of the person beside him. As the warmth he exhaled dispersed over Zhong Yan’s neck, he whispered, “Senior Brother, am I going too far?”  

You’re not only going too far but also monomaniacal, so much so that you should be medicated.

Despite dissing in his heart, in the end, Zhong Yan merely placed his arm around Gu XuanYan’s back, his voice low, “No, it’s just because you like me.”      

Love begets worry; love begets fear.   

Gu XuanYan tightened his grip around Zhong Yan. A while later, he asked, “Senior Brother, how long do you need to get ready?”   

“Piss off…!”

 

Gu XuanYan wasn’t in the room the next morning. Just roused from sleep, Zhong Yan was stretching himself when he heard a robotic sound ringing out in his head.

[Restarting System 111. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Successful restart. I’m glad to be of service.]

The briefly speechless Zhong Yan asked. [Did you run out of power last night?]

[No.] The system muttered. [I turned myself off as soon as I heard you guys mentioning dual cultivation. We do have professional ethics.]

[Thanks, but no thanks.] A momentary silence fell on Zhong Yan before he continued. [Gu XuanYan has become the demonic lord yet again. I feel that no matter how haywire the plot is, essential plot points are still fixed. Are you all sure you can get him to ascend?] 

[Not exactly. In the original story, he was already killing in cold blood by the time he was throned the demonic lord, his mind utterly set on destroying the world. But now, the only thing on his mind is being your significant other. That’s kind of a progress.]

Unable to continue the conversation, Zhong Yan got up in silence.        

Nonetheless, neither did the installation of Gu XuanYan as the demonic lord nor the fact that Zhong Yan and Gu XuanYan got in a relationship abruptly seem to bring much change to them. Except for disappearing away in the morning occasionally, Gu XuanYan, appearing to be rather free, spent every single moment of his time with Zhong Yan.

The only advantage Zhong Yan gained out of it was him no longer being kept locked up and his cultivation base being released from suppression.

At last, Zhong Yan could find time to cultivate.

Without being weighed down by the loads of issues he previously had, to his surprise, he managed to elevate to the late stage of Leaving Aperture with the free time he gained. Gu XuanYan was nowhere to be seen today. Seated in the study room, Zhong Yan browsed through a folktale book while lamenting to the system.

[Most web novel protagonists transmigrate with OP powers, collecting chicks into their harem along the journey. And here I am, counting the days to my death the moment I transmigrate. Even after fighting monsters and spending so much time travelling through the plot lines, I’m still at a newbie level. But now, things finally turn for the better!]

The system chimed in. [It may be a little difficult for you to gather a harem.]    

[I’m just speaking off the top of my head…]

Gu XuanYan pushed the door open and walked in. Noticing Zhong Yan seated at the table in a daze, he revealed a hint of a smile, “Senior Brother, a penny for your thoughts?”

I’m thinking about how possible it’ll be for me to have a harem right under your nose…

Zhong Yan let out a cough, changing the topic. “What’s up?”   

Gu XuanYan didn’t press on, his tone gentle, “Senior Brother, let me take you to the Long River City.”

Zhong Yan was stunned. “Right now?”

“I’ve promised to take Senior Brother there but ended up not upholding it. Since New Year’s Eve is coming soon, I wish to let Senior Brother have a look there.” After a pause, Gu XuanYan continued, “And also to Mount Straying Mist.”

Not far off from the Long River City, Mount Straying Mist was the spot where the clan of Gu XuanYan’s parents used to cultivate. All of a sudden, Zhong Yan’s heart softened, his mind emptied of any unseemly thoughts. He sat back in his chair, holding onto the hand of the person standing beside him, “Sure.”

Still standing beside Zhong Yan, Gu XuanYan bent over and kissed Zhong Yan’s lips.       

 

Six to eight hours of sword riding westwards from the Northern Wilderness would lead the two to Long River City. Although not an Imperial City, it held the top position among the four major cities of the Great Wilderness. The streets in the city stretched wide, flooded with crowds of city dwellers. Calls of peddlers and haulers intertwined with the boisterous laughter erupting out from teahouses and restaurants; piping hot steam clouded over of the rows of food stands lining the streets.

By the windows of the high-rise buildings sat groups of ladies, kingfisher feathers dotted on their flowery garments. With their faces semi-covered by their moon-shaped fans, they gazed down at the streets in leisure. Every inch of the flourishing city bustled with singing and drinking which coursed through the long night.

Since cultivators frequented Long River City, Zhong Yan and Gu XuanYan had to hide their identities to avoid trouble. The long Ivory-coloured robes they donned on coupled with the bamboo hats veiling their faces succeeded in drawing attention away.

By the time the two headed out after a brief rest in an inn, the streets were already lit with lanterns instead of the sun, which had begun to set.

In contrast to Even Sun Town’s dimly lit lanterns that extended out relaxingly, Long River City’s stretch of lanterns were as brightly lit as the next. Enveloped ceaselessly by the rays, the city appeared as though it was still daylight. A cacophony of ladies’ laughter and children’s frolicking noises sounded out from the night market, forming yet another bustling view.

Zhong Yan strolled into the stream of people, intrigued by the sight, while Gu XuanYan inched forward, making way for him.

About a quarter of an hour later, they found a pastry shop at the corner of the street. Gu XuanYan turned to Zhong Yan, asking, “Senior Brother, are you hungry?”  

Having noticed the store as well, Zhong Yan nodded honestly. Judging from the horde of customers squeezing by the storefront, the pastry store was relatively popular.

Seemingly unwilling to let Zhong Yan get too near the crowd, Gu XuanYan swept a gaze around the surroundings, “Senior Brother, wait for me there. I’ll be right back.” He added as per usual, “Don’t wander around.”

Only after receiving a nod from Zhong Yan did he walk over to the store. As promised, the relaxed Zhong Yan glued his feet to the ground, not moving at all.

A sudden tap on his shoulder caught him off guard.

Once he turned around, a lady dressed in green met his eyes, surprise written all over her face.

Zhong Yan was stunned. “Tong Ling?”

“Qin…”  As soon as his surname escaped from her lips, Tong Ling hushed her voice, “It really is you. What brings you here?” 

Detecting the slight nervousness in her, Zhong Yan couldn’t help but lower his volume too, “Just to have fun.”

Tong Ling’s eyes widened. “Those bunch of cultivators from Dark Mountain are all set on skinning you and Gu XuanYan alive and yet you’re still in the mood to have fun?”        

Instead of fear, a mixture of amusement and despair welled up within Zhong Yan, “Even you got the news of it?”

“It has been spread throughout the entire cultivation circle; even commoners know about it. Gu XuanYan is said to have betrayed his sect for you and practised demonic cultivation till he turned into the demonic lord just because of your blood oath. Rumors have it that he is so frightening, he will destroy the cultivation base of anyone who tries to talk to you.” Tong Ling shrank her neck right after, taking a few hurried steps back before asking in caution, “Is he here with you today?”

Her question rendered Zhong Yan speechless.

Zhong Yan was hit with an epiphany.

With the peppering of embellishments, the rumour ended up warping Zhong Yan and Gu XuanYan into the equivalent of Da Ji and King Zhou of Shang ² in the cultivation circle. Never did he expect he would turn out to be a femme fatale.

A sigh escaped his lips before he smiled, “Yeah, he’s with me. But don’t worry. He won’t destroy your cultivation base. We only had a conflict with the few Dark mountain’s disciples because they were trying to kill me.”

The fear on Tong Ling’s face was replaced with worry. “They are too much! Don’t worry. I will blow the whistle on them during the conference.”

Zhong Yan froze upon noticing a keyword, “Conference?”       

Finding herself in a somewhat sticky situation, Tong Ling bit her lips. In the end, she took a step forward, drawing closer to Zhong Yan. “Amoghavajra Buddhist hall’s relics have been stolen. Since there are traces of demonic aura within its pagoda, every cultivator felt it was Gu XuanYan’s doing. Right now, Dark Mountain has informed all famous sects, except for the demonic cult, that they will be holding a great conference after the New Year’s Eve. Then, all of them will head to Northern Wilderness to demand an explanation.”

Indeed, Gu XuanYan took the relics. Zhong Yan’s heart sank at the thought. Still, the worry plastered on Tong Ling’s face prompted him to fake a relaxed smile, “Thanks for the heads up.”

Tong Ling waved her hand as she continued rambling on, “No need to thank me. In fact, don’t you worry. Although there are a few old, unprogressive geezers, some are still on your side. After all, Gu XuanYan was previously well known for being a gentlemanly Green Summit member; many felt he must have had a good reason for doing that. Besides, the feelings you two have for each other are so deep; all of us are hoping you two will live happily ever after.”        She cast a look at Zhong Yan, her eyes brimming with worry and sincerity. “You two will be together forever, right?”           

Her query whisked away the heaviness within Zhong Yan, evoking a chuckle from him. “Yes, we will.” 

A smile spread on Tong Ling’s face as she extended her hand to give Zhong Yan a pat on the shoulders, “Don’t worry. I will definitely help you out.”

Just when she ended her sentence, a voice sounded out behind them, “Senior Brother.”

As the two turned around, they noticed Gu XuanYan had his eyes directed at them, his hands carrying pastries.

Overwhelmed with fear, Tong Ling only started greeting after withdrawing her hand instantly and scampering two Chinese feet away. ³ “Gu…Um… Gu…” 

Not knowing whether to address him as a fellow cultivator or Demonic Lord, Tong Ling stumbled over her words.

Zhong Yan explained to Gu XuanYan, trying to get her out of a fix, “I chanced upon Tong Ling just now, so I had a chat with her.”

Gu XuanYan walked over to Zhong Yan before nodding at Tong Ling. “Is Miss Tong here to shop at the night market too?”           

Tong Ling seized the opportunity to leave hurriedly, nodding, “Yes, yes; I haven’t finished shopping yet. I should be on my way.”

She swished around, burrowing herself into the crowd.

Zhong Yan was a little speechless.“I think you’ve scared her. ” 

“Is that so? I’ll apologize to her next time then.” With a smile, Gu XuanYan held Zhong Yan’s hand. “Senior Brother, let’s head back.”          

After the two returned to the inn and washed up for bed, Gu XuanYan shut the door, appearing to be nonchalant as he dropped an offhanded question, “What did she discuss with Senior Brother just now?”

Already on the bed, Zhong Yan hesitated for a moment before replying, “She said that the four other schools of cultivation might come over to you and stir up trouble when New Year’s Eve ends.”  

Gu XuanYan nodded, seemingly unsurprised, “Anything else?”

Zhong Yan heaved a sigh of relief at his indifference, his tone easing up, “She asked if we would be together forever.”           

As compared to the previous topic, Gu XuanYan appeared to be much more interested in the subject at hand. A hint of a smile bloomed on his face. “What’s Senior Brother’s reply?”    

Zhong Yan turned his head to him.

Under the dim candlelight, the gaze Gu XuanYan cast on him was as tender as can be. 

Zhong Yan couldn’t help but smile. “I said we will.”       

At the very next second, Gu XuanYan blew the candlelight off. Before Zhong Yan could adapt to the sudden plunge into darkness, Gu XuanYan pressed him onto the bed, both of them under the quilt. While kissing the Adam’s apple of the person below him, Gu XuanYan had his hand venturing beneath the person’s lapel.

Zhong Yan stammered, “Gu…Gu XuanYan!”

By the time Gu XuanYan answered with a low ‘Mn’, he had already undone Zhong Yan’s underclothes. Zhong Yan felt a slight chill running across his body, but at the next second, Gu XuanYan’s warm lips landed on his collarbone, inching down.

Upon reaching Zhong Yan’s chest, they began rubbing gently.

Clueless where he should place his hands due to the panic whirling in his head, Zhong Yan decided to grab Gu XuanYan’s shoulders, spluttering in haste, “You-you-you said you’ll wait for me to get ready.”

Gu XuanYan’s voice was hoarse, “I know. I won’t go all the way.” As his hand wandered down, he let out a chuckle, “You’re hard.”

Zhong Yan was stumped for words. Only the dead won’t get hard under this situation!

He raised his leg and sent a light kick Gu XuanYan’s way, a mix of embarrassment and anger coursing through him. However, Gu XuanYan seized the opportunity to grab his ankle.

He straightened himself up for a moment to untie the sash around Zhong Yan’s waist before lowering his head to kiss Zhong Yan. Befuddled by his chaotic predicament, Zhong Yan already had his bare skin coming into intimate contact with Gu XuanYan’s by the time he returned to his senses.

Similar to Zhong Yan, Gu XuanYan was stripped of his underclothes. Unable to find anywhere to land on, Zhong Yan’s hands ended up being guided to Gu XuanYan’s waist. A passionately hot member pressed against Zhong Yan’s thigh, eliciting a light tremble out of him.

Gu XuanYan gave Zhong Yan a gentle kiss, whispering, “No need to be afraid.”

Following which, he pulled Zhong Yan’s hand and flipped him over, his shaft pressing against Zhong Yan’s legs. With a pat on Zhong Yan’s bottom, he urged huskily, “Senior Brother, tighten your legs.”

Due to Zhong Yan’s mind drawing a blank, he clamped his legs shut subconsciously.

Gu XuanYan pressed down on Zhong Yan’s legs with his left hand and began moving in and out slowly. His right hand crept forward and held the rod between Zhong Yan’s legs, jerking him off.

Gu XuanYan’s slow speed grew faster and faster.

After a series of thrusts, Zhong Yan was drenched in sweat.

The euphoria he gained from his front forced him to let out a bit of a moan but instantly, he bit down on his lips to prevent any sound from escaping. While Gu XuanYan’s right hand continued providing Zhong Yan ecstasy, his left hand slid over to touch Zhong Yan lips, which were mildly bitten red.

“Senior Brother, open up. I want to hear you.”

Quaking lightly all over, Zhong Yan had no choice but to open his mouth and whimper, “Slow down…”

Gu XuanYan chuckled, “Slow down? You mean the front or back?”        

Right after, he sped up without waiting for Zhong Yan to answer.

Any word Zhong Yan tried to draw out was interrupted by his moaning. He let out a muffled groan a while later, trembling as he leaked on Gu XuanYan’s hand before gasping heavily for breath.

Gu XuanYan increased his pace, his last two thrusts a little stronger. With his head lowered, he bit down on Zhong Yan’s nape and climaxed between Zhong Yan’s legs.        

The two’s breathing slowly regained its usual rhythm.

After gesturing an incantation to clean up the mess, Gu XuanYan continued resting on Zhong Yan, refusing to get up.

Under the ray of moonlight seeping through the window, he planted light kisses on Zhong Yan’s smooth back. After failing to push Gu XuanYan away, Zhong Yan touched his nape and snapped, “What are you? A dog?”       

Instead of getting pissed, Gu XuanYan laughed out in joy before turning his head to kiss the spot he bit, “Senior Brother, I’m sorry.”

 

The contentedness of being satiated laced in his lazy voice. Before Zhong Yan could say anything, he yanked him into his arms and wriggled the quilt away, his voice soft, “Go to sleep,”