Black Magic Rose Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Cocoon of Symbiosis

When the morning light (if the intensifying glow of the Eternal Veil could be called morning light) shone again, Wen Jingheng woke up wrapped in an unprecedented warmth.

He was still curled up in Shu Yijin’s arms, his forehead resting against the other man’s shoulder hollow. Shu Yijin’s arm, which had been a simple embrace, had tightened into a closer hold at some point, his chin almost resting on Wen Jingheng’s crown. Their legs were intertwined on the narrow “bed,” their breaths mingled, and their body heat transferred through the thin clothing, creating an intimate warmth.

This way of waking up left Wen Jingheng momentarily disoriented. It wasn’t the cold hospital bed, the room smelling of disinfectant, or the luxurious yet desolate silence of the Eternal Night Palace. Instead, it was a real, warm embrace, carrying a hint of lazy comfort. The feeling was frighteningly unfamiliar, yet it brought a strange sense of… security.

He moved slightly, attempting to slip away without waking the other man. However, the moment he stirred, the arm wrapped around his back instinctively tightened.

“Don’t move.” Shu Yijin’s voice was thick with sleep, husky as it sounded above his head, his warm breath brushing his hair. “It’s cold.”

Wen Jingheng’s body froze. Cold? The temperature in this place was constant, and Shu Yijin’s power was more than enough to ward off the chill. It was clearly an excuse. But he didn’t expose him, choosing instead to remain still, savoring this sudden, almost petulant reliance. This was vastly different from the image he held of the lazy, seductive, and all-controlling Evil God.

After another moment, Shu Yijin seemed to truly wake up. He released his arm and sat up casually, his crimson eyes regaining their usual cold clarity, as if the person who had been clinging to warmth moments ago wasn’t him. He stretched, and his silk robe slipped, revealing more of his pale skin and delicate collarbone.

“We need to find a way to get some more decent food today,” he glanced at Wen Jingheng. “Your fragile human body won’t last long on energy liquid alone.” His tone carried his usual fastidiousness, but it couldn’t hide the subtle concern within.

Wen Jingheng also sat up, stretching his stiff limbs. His strength had recovered somewhat, but he was far from his peak state. He nodded. “What do you need me to do?”

Shu Yijin assessed him, a slight curve on his lips. “You? Just stay put. Not causing trouble is the biggest help.” Despite the words, he tossed Wen Jingheng a small Energy Crystal. “Try to feel it, and guide the energy within to slowly nourish your body. This is the most basic recovery training.”

Wen Jingheng caught the crystal. It was slightly warm to the touch, with a gentle glow circulating inside. He closed his eyes as instructed, trying to perceive and guide the energy using the method Shu Yijin had taught him. It wasn’t easy; the power within his body was still Chaotic Energy, and controlling it felt like trying to pick up a fine needle with rusty tongs. But his inherent tenacity kicked in. He discarded all distractions and immersed himself fully.

Shu Yijin began to busy himself. He checked the stability of the energy barrier again, reinforcing a few weak points. Then, he walked to the pool of Water of Vitality, squatted down, and condensed a purer form of dark energy on his fingertips, slowly probing the water.

Wen Jingheng spared a thread of his attention to observe him. The originally clear water began to bubble finely as Shu Yijin injected his energy. Delicate, translucent, milky-white root-like structures gradually grew from the bottom of the pool, spreading and strengthening at a visible rate.

“This is…?” Wen Jingheng couldn’t help but ask.

“A variant of an energy fungus strain,” Shu Yijin replied without turning his head, focused on his manipulation. “It’s rich in the basic nutrients needed for life. As for the taste… it’s better than nothing.” As he spoke, the tips of the “roots” began to bear round, plump, milky-white fruits the size of a fingertip, emitting a sweet fragrance.

This was practically creation out of thin air! Wen Jingheng was secretly astonished. Shu Yijin’s understanding and manipulation of energy had reached an unbelievable level. Destruction and creation seemed to be two sides of the same coin in his hands.

After picking a few fruits, Shu Yijin walked over to Wen Jingheng and handed him one. “Try it.”

Wen Jingheng took it. The fruit was soft and warm to the touch, and the aroma was enticing. He took a bite. The texture was similar to a ripe pear, juicy and sweet. After swallowing, a gentle warmth quickly spread through his limbs, certainly replenishing his strength better than simply drinking water.

“It’s good,” he honestly evaluated.

Shu Yijin ate one himself, then began to examine the pajamas Wen Jingheng was wearing, which were already badly damaged. “You should change out of those clothes.” As he spoke, he traced patterns in the air with his fingertips. Scattered energy light dust and some resilient fibrous mycelium were drawn in, rapidly converging in his hands, weaving and condensing. They finally materialized into a set of simple, dark-colored clothes—a shirt and trousers—made of a strange material, similar in texture to his own robe but more suitable for movement.

“Put these on.” He tossed the clothes to Wen Jingheng.

Wen Jingheng caught them. They were soft yet tough to the touch, carrying the slight warmth characteristic of energy-infused items. He walked to a corner, turned his back to Shu Yijin, and changed out of the tattered pajamas. The new clothes fit perfectly, as if tailor-made, allowing him to move without restriction.

When he turned around, he found Shu Yijin watching him. A fleeting, indescribable light flashed in the crimson eyes, so fast it felt like an illusion.

“You look somewhat presentable now.” Shu Yijin looked away, his tone flat as he commented, yet a faint blush seemed to creep up his earlobes, contrasting with his pale complexion. Wen Jingheng even wondered if he had imagined it.

In the afternoon, Shu Yijin decided to expand the exploration area. Wen Jingheng insisted on going with him.

“Can you keep up?” Shu Yijin raised an eyebrow.

“It’s better than staying here alone and overthinking things,” Wen Jingheng replied. His recovery speed was exceeding expectations. Although his power was not fully restored, normal walking was no problem. More importantly, he didn’t want to be left alone in this small space saturated with Shu Yijin’s presence; it made his heart race erratically.

Shu Yijin didn’t object further, merely handing him a simple staff made of solidified energy fungus stalk. “Tell me if you can’t manage.”

The two walked out of the energy barrier, one after the other. The world outside was bizarre and colorful. Twisted spatial faults resembled a shattered mirror gallery. The ground was a soft, undulating fungal mat, and in the distance, solidified energy storms formed forests of colored crystal clusters. Tiny light dust floated in the air. It was utterly silent, save for the faint sound of their footsteps on the fungal mat.

Shu Yijin walked ahead, his pace unhurried. He paused occasionally to observe the energy flow, collect unusual samples, or casually reinforce unstable spatial folds along the path. His demeanor was calm and elegant, as if he wasn’t exploring a perilous ruin but strolling through his own backyard.

Wen Jingheng followed behind, his gaze involuntarily tracking the figure in front. The dark, long hair flowed with a dim light under the strange illumination, and the crimson robe blended oddly with the absurd background. Shu Yijin’s very existence was like the most vibrant, yet most perplexing, stroke on the boundary line between destruction and rebirth.

In a “depression” where the energy was relatively calm, they discovered a patch of moss-like plants glowing with a faint blue light. Dewdrop-like energy droplets condensed on them, emitting a cool fragrance.

“This can be used for cooling, and perhaps for treating wounds,” Shu Yijin said, squatting down to collect them.

Wen Jingheng squatted down to help, mimicking his actions. They were close, their arms occasionally brushing. Each accidental contact sent a subtle current through Wen Jingheng, making his heart skip a beat. He could smell Shu Yijin’s unique cold fragrance, mixed with the crisp scent of the new plants, creating a dizzying sensation.

Shu Yijin seemed oblivious, focused on his collection. But when Wen Jingheng’s fingers trembled slightly from weakness and accidentally knocked off an energy droplet, Shu Yijin’s hand shot out like lightning and firmly grasped his wrist.

“Be careful.” Shu Yijin’s voice was still flat, but the fingertips holding his wrist carried an undeniable warmth and strength. “These things are unstable. They’re difficult to deal with if they splash on you.”

Wen Jingheng could feel the slight coolness of his fingertips and the rapid thumping of his own pulse. Shu Yijin didn’t let go immediately. Instead, his thumb seemingly unintentionally rubbed the skin on the inside of Wen Jingheng’s wrist, where the pulse was beating most fiercely. This subtle movement carried an indescribable hint of provocation and scrutiny.

“Heart beating so fast?” Shu Yijin looked up, a hint of playfulness in his crimson eyes. “Are you tired, or are you… nervous about something?”

Wen Jingheng abruptly pulled his hand back, forcing a calm demeanor. “A little tired.”

Shu Yijin chuckled softly, not pressing the matter, and continued his work. But the curve of his lips showed that he was in a good mood.

On the way back, Wen Jingheng’s stamina was indeed exhausted, and his steps became heavy. Shu Yijin slowed his pace and even subtly used his staff to bear some of Wen Jingheng’s weight. When crossing a small energy fissure, Wen Jingheng’s foot slipped slightly, and Shu Yijin’s arm immediately wrapped around his waist, steadying him firmly.

“Watch your step.” Shu Yijin’s voice was close, his breath brushing Wen Jingheng’s ear, sending a shiver down his spine.

The hand lingered on his waist for a moment before slowly releasing him. Wen Jingheng could even feel the residual warmth of the other man’s palm through the fabric of his clothes.

Night fell once more. Inside the small dwelling, the faint glow of the moss and the fresh scent of the food mingled. They shared the fungal fruits and drank water. The simple actions felt strangely intimate due to the confined space and their mutual silence.

Wen Jingheng continued his recovery training with the Energy Crystal, finding it much smoother this time. Shu Yijin organized the samples collected during the day, occasionally offering him a word or two of guidance. The atmosphere was strangely peaceful, even… cozy?

When it was time to rest again, and they lay side by side, the feeling of awkward intimacy returned. The darkness amplified all sensations: their breathing, the rustle of their clothes, the radiation of their body heat—all were too clear to ignore.

Wen Jingheng lay stiffly, trying not to touch the other man. However, Shu Yijin seemed quite accustomed to the proximity. He even naturally adjusted his posture, turning onto his side to face Wen Jingheng, his arm draped across his abdomen—a gesture full of possessiveness.

“Don’t be so stiff,” Shu Yijin’s voice sounded in the darkness, carrying a hint of weariness and matter-of-factness. “This place is only so big. It’s warmer if we squeeze together.”

Wen Jingheng’s body slowly relaxed. Yes, there was no one else here, no past, no future, only the two of them. All boundaries and pretenses seemed to lose their meaning in this absolute solitude.

He tentatively turned onto his side as well, facing Shu Yijin. They were close enough to feel each other’s breath on their faces. In the darkness, he could see the faint reflection in Shu Yijin’s crimson eyes, like two sleeping rubies.

Shu Yijin seemed to let out a soft chuckle. The hand resting on his waist patted him gently, as if soothing a nervous animal. Then, the hand didn’t leave. It slowly moved up, stroking his ribcage, and finally settled over his heart, the palm conforming to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

“Recovering well,” Shu Yijin murmured, the warmth radiating from his palm scorching.

Wen Jingheng didn’t move, nor did he push the hand away. He could even feel Shu Yijin’s fingertips, unconsciously and very lightly, tracing circles through the fabric. The movement carried a hypnotic magic, gradually relaxing his tense nerves, and drowsiness washed over him.

Just before falling into deep sleep, he thought he heard Shu Yijin whisper:

“This… doesn’t seem so bad either.”

This time, there was no calculation, no mockery, only a faint sigh, as if discovering something new.

Wen Jingheng drifted into a deep sleep, cradled in the warmth and the rhythmic sound of a heartbeat. In this strange world born of destruction, they were like two beasts huddling together for the winter, weaving a cocoon called “symbiosis” with their body heat and touch.