IS Chapter 117

“Once?”

Ye Zhuo no longer wanted to speak. But he was genuinely confused about what Dragon Li Yuan meant by “once.”

Li Yuan was nuzzled against his neck, gently biting at the jade-like skin. He had naturally heard Ye Zhuo’s question.

But he didn’t answer.

Li Yuan held Ye Zhuo’s entire waist in his embrace, and holding him against the door wasn’t ideal, so Li Yuan eventually placed him on a drum set up in a partitioned area.

The best room in the inn was naturally not simple. It was divided into several compartments separated by fluttering red silk gauze. Behind the second layer of gauze on the west side was a platform with zithers, drums, and pipa, all kinds of instruments. Exquisite red lanterns illuminated the area, suggesting that one could perform songs and dances here for those outside to watch through the gauze.

Rumor had it that there was a drum dance in the world that was soul-stirring. But Li Yuan had no interest in watching it. The beauty on the drum was right in front of him.

At this height, Ye Zhuo was a little taller than him. The hem of his flowing robes spread out, more dazzling than the red gauze all around. When placed on the drum, he was as light as a flower.

Initially, he held Ye Zhuo’s fingers, looking up to kiss him, as if asking for a kiss. Ye Zhuo had to lean over slightly, and his falling hair would brush against Li Yuan’s shoulder. It was indeed a kiss he had asked for. Ye Zhuo had promised not to push him away, which was why he kissed him like this; otherwise, he would have to hold him tightly in his arms to feel secure.

But wouldn’t it be tiring to lean over like that? Just as Li Yuan was thinking this, he noticed that his fingers, which were on Ye Zhuo’s side waist, were being pressed down. Ye Zhuo really didn’t like being touched on his side waist; even a touch would disrupt his breathing. But this waist was so beautiful that once you touched it, you would remember that supple feeling, and he would always unconsciously grasp it. He wouldn’t even let him touch it, so stingy.

Li Yuan bit the corner of his lip in dissatisfaction and went down to suck and kiss his neck. Ye Zhuo wanted him to stop even more. Why couldn’t he touch him anywhere? So Li Yuan bit him, and after biting him, he continued to kiss his lips.

That was when Ye Zhuo asked that question.

Li Yuan didn’t answer, so Ye Zhuo pried him off. Li Yuan looked up at him, and he looked down, scrutinizing his face.

The dark golden vertical pupils were unwavering. Ye Zhuo wasn’t good at reading emotions from the eyes of non-humans, but he felt that such a gaze was direct, and the expression on his face was somewhat dissatisfied, as if he had been wronged instead.

Putting on an act for whom? Just as Ye Zhuo was about to mock him, he saw Li Yuan looking at him, with a few dragon scales appearing on his forehead.

Then, he saw Li Yuan silently grow out a pair of dragon horns for him to play with.

“…”

“You’re so capable,” Ye Zhuo said, “Why don’t you transform completely?”

He had been kissed too much, his breathing was unsteady, and there was a hint of hoarseness in his voice, as if the silk gauze was also fluttering lightly in the wind, brushing against Li Yuan’s mind.

Li Yuan: “If I transform completely, you’ll say I’m a long worm again.”

Ye Zhuo didn’t really want to argue with a long worm right now. In short, they didn’t see eye to eye. He felt that the situation was a bit dangerous and wanted to push this dragon away and get off the drum. But as soon as he moved slightly, he was noticed. The hand on his waist instantly tightened, and Li Yuan pressed him down on the drum.

“I haven’t let you go yet,” Li Yuan said, “The ‘once’ isn’t over.”

“Is that how ‘once’ is calculated?” Ye Zhuo said, “Let me down.”

“I won’t.”

Ye Zhuo took a deep breath, intending to get down himself, but Dragon Li Yuan grabbed the back of his head and kissed him again.

…! Ye Zhuo had never been treated like this while conscious, and he immediately wanted to break free. Li Yuan was prepared for this and held him firmly, passing through layer after layer of red gauze, and finally lifted the golden bed curtains of the same color and directly leaned down to press him down.

“Dragon Li Yuan, you—”

It was very difficult to break free like this. Li Yuan held Ye Zhuo’s wrist and kissed him, in a much more intense way than before.

Of course, Ye Zhuo struggled fiercely. Li Yuan held him down, almost as if they were sparring, locking him in his arms. His breathing became increasingly rapid, and his movements became increasingly large, until all the places that shouldn’t be touched had been touched, he was still holding Ye Zhuo and kissing him.

Originally, they were only at the edge of the bed, but now they were in the center of the bed. Ye Zhuo’s body sank into the deep red silk, and his jade-white wrists were exposed and pressed under his hands. He was afraid that Ye Zhuo would hurt himself while struggling, so he took off all the hair ornaments. Now, his ink-black hair was completely loose, flowing like water beneath him. Li Yuan looked at him, his eyes slightly dazzled.

How could a person grow into such a form?

Oh, not a person, a lotus demon.

The lotus demon’s collar was also pulled open a little, as if it was blooming more luxuriantly, and further inside, one could see the crystalline interior. Li Yuan kissed down along the side of his neck.

“Ye Zhuo, you’re so beautiful.”

He heard this person’s unsteady chuckle in his ear: “Once?”

Li Yuan: “Then don’t grab my dragon horns.”

“Who grew them out?”

“I grew them out because you wanted them.”

“?”

Seeing that Ye Zhuo wanted to say something harsh again, Li Yuan directly pressed him down and kissed him.

The unspoken words were blocked again. Ye Zhuo’s chest rose and fell a few times; he really wanted to pull out his sword and kill Dragon Li Yuan!

Li Yuan didn’t talk to him, he just kissed him. As he kissed, he would go to kiss other places. If Ye Zhuo wanted to speak, he would kiss his lips again.

After practicing swordsmanship all his life, Ye Zhuo had never felt so dizzy, except when smelling the Faith Fragrance.

Li Yuan laughed.

The lotus fragrance continued to lightly spread around them. Li Yuan’s hand had been on Ye Zhuo’s waist for a long time. Ye Zhuo had no time to care about him, so he touched the entire outline of his waist. His outer robe had long since been loosened.

After repeating this several times, the force of the struggle in his arms did indeed lessen a bit.

Li Yuan knew Ye Zhuo very well.

The Second Palace Master Ye had always been a person who could assess the situation. If he tried something and it didn’t work, he wouldn’t waste any more effort.

For example, some things, Ye Zhuo would really resist the first time, but if he held him down the first time, he wouldn’t struggle as much the second time. By the third and fourth time, he would give up directly, and he could do whatever he wanted.

The person Ye Zhuo was just that interesting. Li Yuan felt that other humans weren’t as fun. He couldn’t help but kiss this person’s cheek.

Ye Zhuo: “Don’t you want to cultivate anymore?”

“I don’t want to.” Li Yuan said straightforwardly, “Ye Zhuo, do you want to dual cultivate?”

Such an undisguised revelation left Ye Zhuo speechless.

“I don’t want to either.” He retorted straightforwardly.

“Why don’t you want to?”

Ye Zhuo took a deep breath, looking at this dragon.

Did he need another reason? He already had nothing that needed to be improved through dual cultivation, and this wasn’t Misty Green Peak.

Ye Zhuo: “Do you have to do it here?”

“This is the Ghost Realm, so what?” Li Yuan thought about it. Perhaps Ye Zhuo was actually a person who respected his elders.

“I have a few Pocket Dimensions, want me to take you inside?”

What kind of strange thought was that again?

Li Yuan was thinking. Perhaps his elders felt that this human realm was a particularly desolate place, so they even brought along a few Pocket Dimensions and grotto-heavens for him.

But he had never used them before. He thought the Cold Pool was very good, and the inner chamber of Misty Green Peak was even better. That was his grotto-heaven.

He summoned them, and several faintly glowing Pocket Dimension miniatures floated in front of Ye Zhuo. There were worlds with green mountains and clear waters, and grotto-heavens surrounded by ocean tides.

“Which one do you like?” Li Yuan said.

“…”

They were already in an inn in town. Going to another place would just be layer upon layer of nesting, what difference would it make? It would only be more secluded than now. Even if Dragon Li Yuan didn’t want to let him go, it would be even more difficult to leave than now. Ye Zhuo wouldn’t allow himself to be placed in that situation.

Wasn’t he very good at setting up barriers?

“I’m not going,” he said.

As soon as Li Yuan saw his vaguely guarded eyes, he knew what this person was thinking. He couldn’t help but laugh again, lowering his head to kiss him.

“Then what do you want to do?” He held Ye Zhuo, completely unwilling to let him go: “I want to stick to you.”

“And it’s very uncomfortable like this.” He buried himself in Ye Zhuo’s neck, whispering in his ear, “Aren’t you uncomfortable, Second Palace Master Ye?”

Saying his name in such a serious way, he was still grabbing Ye Zhuo’s hand and guiding him to touch certain places. Ye Zhuo couldn’t bear it anymore and pulled his hand back. Li Yuan pressed against him, his fingers wrapped around his waist, and bit his neck again. The strangely textured dragon horns lightly brushed against Ye Zhuo’s cheek.

Ye Zhuo grabbed the base of the dragon horns, telling him not to move. Dragon Li Yuan was so opportunistic, and he was so angry that he wanted to bite off these dragon horns, but he would never learn this inhuman behavior from Dragon Li Yuan.

Li Yuan didn’t move, but he was still kissing him intimately. Ye Zhuo gasped a few times, turning his head to look out. The layers of falling gauze blocked the ghost realm’s light, and nothing could be seen clearly, only vague outlines. Only the bright red candles burned slowly.

Li Yuan grabbed his fingers. In fact, his knuckles were all soft, only able to grasp him weakly, unable to exert any strength. His waist trembled slightly, leaning in his arms, like a segment of shimmering autumn water. He heard Ye Zhuo’s soft gasps. He couldn’t think of anything else, he just wanted to pick this person up and knead him.

He whispered, “Ye Zhuo.”

Ye Zhuo closed his eyes, then opened them again, looking at him helplessly, his long, slender eyelashes coated with a slight mist. The candlelight shimmered, and Li Yuan saw his own reflection in those snowy lake-like eyes. He felt like he had finally grasped something.

“Ye Zhuo,” he called Ye Zhuo’s name again.

Ye Zhuo lowered his eyes.

“Ye Zhuo, can I release the Faith Fragrance?”

Was Dragon Li Yuan asking him bit by bit like this because he thought he was very considerate?

Every part of his body seemed to be pressed against this dragon. Li Yuan’s body temperature wasn’t very hot, but he was holding him so tightly that Ye Zhuo almost had the illusion that he had turned into his original form and wrapped himself around him.

At least there was no Faith Fragrance yet. He breathed in a bit of still-pure air, meeting Li Yuan’s eyes.

He looked like he wanted to eat him. It was as if even the rise and fall of his breathing falling into this dragon’s eyes was worth caring about.

But as he looked at him like this, his movements did indeed restrain a bit, as if he was really waiting for his approval before releasing the Faith Fragrance.

What would happen if he didn’t agree? Ye Zhuo suddenly thought. Maybe Li Yuan would really endure it, really withdraw and let go if he really didn’t want to continue. Although it seemed difficult to do.

Ye Zhuo looked at him quietly.

“Ye Zhuo?” Li Yuan asked softly, his fingers gently stroking the corner of his eyebrow, then lowering his head to touch his forehead, their breaths mingling, like wisps of fragrance overflowing from a carved incense burner.

“Ye Zhuo, everything is empty, but it’s not empty now, right?”

When they dual cultivated in the past, it seemed like there weren’t so many thoughts, but Ye Zhuo would always bring these things to mind. This person was like the most magnificent and ethereal Void Dharma Appearance in the three thousand worlds.

“It just so happens that you haven’t let go of your attachments yet, and I don’t want to see through the void yet either,” he said.

The past mind is unattainable, the future mind is unattainable, but in this moment, the present mind can be attained.

“But I don’t want the Faith Fragrance,” he heard Ye Zhuo say.

Li Yuan bit him hard; this person.

Ye Zhuo: “…That hurts.”

“It hurts? I’m sorry.” Li Yuan looked at him, his eyelashes lowered, muttering, “You really don’t want it?”

It seemed rare to see this dragon looking so dejected. Ye Zhuo reached out and touched the corner of his eye.

“I don’t want the Faith Fragrance,” Ye Zhuo said.

Raising his eyes, Li Yuan’s gaze suddenly paused slightly. He seemed to hear his own heartbeat, thumping once, then again.

It was as if spring ice had melted, clear water suddenly flowing eastward. In that moment, he felt like he understood what Ye Zhuo meant.

“You just don’t want the Faith Fragrance, right, Ye Zhuo?” He looked at Ye Zhuo, wanting Ye Zhuo to look at him too, not letting him look away.

This made Ye Zhuo feel uncomfortable.

Why did he have to say his name along with the question every time he asked? It was as if it was something very solemn. And he was asking such difficult questions to answer clearly.

Ye Zhuo frowned, looking at him.

His eyes seemed to be red. Li Yuan caressed the corner of his eye with his fingertips affectionately.

“My Faith Fragrance isn’t bad-smelling,” Li Yuan said.

“I don’t like it,” Ye Zhuo said.

As soon as he finished speaking, he was completely enveloped in Li Yuan’s embrace. Strangely, Li Yuan understood why Ye Zhuo said “I don’t like it.”

It wasn’t that he didn’t like him, nor that he didn’t like his Faith Fragrance. Ye Zhuo just didn’t like anything that was beyond his control. Once the Faith Fragrance was released, he couldn’t control any of the reactions. He didn’t like being at someone’s mercy like that.

Like a fish on the chopping block, he would never let that happen again.

Ye Zhuo just wanted to do what he wanted to do, this person was just so unreasonable.

Li Yuan: “But you’ve smelled it before, shouldn’t I apologize to you?”

“…I needed to dual cultivate before.”

Li Yuan understood, he had also smelled it willingly before. He laughed. He held Ye Zhuo and rolled around on the bed, really wanting to wrap Ye Zhuo up completely. There was no Faith Fragrance, only the fragrance of the lotus demon.

Li Yuan felt that he might have been bewitched. He only had Ye Zhuo in his mind now. He would agree to anything Ye Zhuo wanted now. He really wanted to pluck the moon from the sky and give it to him. But Ye Zhuo didn’t want anything, which made him feel restless and want to do something immediately.

“Then you don’t want the cultivation method this time either?” he asked Ye Zhuo.

“Is the cultivation method useful?”

He had learned several dual cultivation methods, but in the end, the spiritual roots were based on resonance. It turned out that it was all unnecessary. He hadn’t settled the score with Dragon Li Yuan yet.

“Then let’s not release the Faith Fragrance, and not use the cultivation method either.” Li Yuan looked at him intently, “Ye Zhuo, I’ll just sleep with you chastely.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Zhuo suddenly laughed. The laughter was soft, like a lotus breeze gently moving, stirring up ripples on the water surface.

What was he laughing at? Li Yuan looked at him, puzzled.

“Dragon Li Yuan,” Ye Zhuo said, “You need to learn how to speak human language again.”