113 A Kiss

The slight-framed youth sat cross-legged on the bed, eyes closed and hands resting upon his knees. His brows were knit tightly, and beads of sweat dotted his forehead as if he were at a critical juncture in his cultivation.

The door creaked open slowly. A man dressed in black stepped inside, glanced at the youth, chose a chair at random, and sat down, watching him in silence.

White mist emerged from the tips of the youth’s fingers. He crossed his hands over his chest, and as the mist dissipated, he let out a soft breath. Slowly opening his eyes, he raised an eyebrow upon seeing the extra person in the room. "Why are you here?" The man, sipping tea, replied indifferently, "I came to see how your cultivation is progressing."

The youth, currently putting on his shoes, raised an eyebrow at the man. "Sect Master Qi, you must be very idle to have the time to watch me train." The man cradled his teacup and chuckled softly. "How does it feel?"

"How does what feel?" Xi Mo asked, walking over to him in confusion. Qi Yong handed him the teacup he was holding and teased, "How does it feel to start all over again after exhausting all your inner energy?" Xi Mo glanced at the cup with disdain; instead of taking it, he picked up a clean one and poured himself some tea. "It feels just fine."

Qi Yong did not withdraw his hand. He looked at Xi Mo, then at the teapot. Xi Mo frowned, realizing Qi Yong hadn't wanted him to drink from his cup, but to pour tea for him. "You have hands and feet. Pour it yourself."

Setting his cup on the table, Qi Yong said coolly, "I am your master now. Isn't it only natural for a disciple to pour tea for his master?" Xi Mo bit his lower lip, glared at him resentfully, grabbed the teapot, and poured a cup. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Master, please drink!"

Qi Yong cast him a bland look and chuckled. "Good disciple, I’ve lost my taste for tea now. You may put it down."

"You!" Xi Mo’s anger flared, and he pointed at him indignantly. Qi Yong raised an eyebrow and lowered his voice. "Enough, no more teasing. I came today truly to check on your progress. You have practiced these techniques before, so it is natural to be impatient, but remember—you are no different from a beginner now. Take it step by step; do not be hasty."

Seeing him suddenly turn serious, Xi Mo swallowed his frustration and pursed his lips. "I know." Qi Yong nodded as if satisfied, drained the tea Xi Mo had poured, and stood up. "Let’s go. It’s time for dinner."

However, Qi Yong would not end up eating that dinner, for he had an unexpected visitor.

Qi Yong had never imagined that in this lifetime, Beigong Juechen would voluntarily step foot into the "Palace of a Hundred Malices" again. Yet, here he was, and this time, there were no corpses strewn about or blood flowing freely. Qi Yong stared blankly at the indifferent man standing before him, finding the situation truly bizarre.

"Why have you come?" The words escaped his lips, and Qi Yong noticed his own voice sounded dry. He then realized that Beigong Juechen was wearing a long white robe today. But that was not what mattered; what mattered was that Beigong Juechen was standing right in front of him, within reach, and they weren't fighting.

"I came to ask you for someone," Beigong Juechen said coldly. Qi Yong smiled faintly, not asking who, but simply ordering someone to bring two jars of wine. "Join me for a drink, shall we?" Beigong Juechen looked at the jar in his hand, the scent of the wine crisp and sharp. "Very well." The man took a jar from him and replied in a low voice.

He, too, was in need of a drink...

***

The two sat upon the roof. The moon was not full, but it shone brightly. Qi Yong tilted his head back and took a large swig, laughing heartily. "I’ve always wanted to drink under the moon with you, but never had the chance. Finally, it is complete."

Beigong Juechen also took a drink. Neither used a cup, instead drinking deeply straight from the jars. "This is likely the only time it will ever happen," Qi Yong said, tilting his head to look at him with a smile. "Even if it’s only this once, it’s better than never at all!"

Beigong Juechen let out a scoff and said nothing. The night wind was fierce, whipping their robes and hair into a frenzy. Qi Yong stared at Beigong Juechen’s profile for a long time before slowly turning away. "I never thought there would come a day where the two of us would be this harmonious."

Beigong Juechen continued to drink, ignoring him. Qi Yong didn't mind, continuing to speak to himself. "The first time I saw you, you were standing amidst the corpses of my sect members. Your sword had pierced my master’s chest. The second time, we fought, and your blade nearly pierced mine. The third time was at Beigong Qiyi’s birthday banquet, where I held the upper hand. The fourth time, I brought you back to the Palace of a Hundred Malices, thinking I would finally get what I wanted, only to find it was all in vain."

He laughed with a hint of self-mockery, tilting his head to gaze affectionately at Beigong Juechen. "This is only the fifth time I’ve seen you. Counting it out, I realize that in these past ten years, we have only met five times..." My heart was moved the moment we met; despite only five encounters, I have loved you for ten whole years.

"You certainly keep count," Beigong Juechen said with a cryptic smile. Qi Yong sighed and chuckled softly. "Of course I do. I remember every single moment we’ve spent together, though I suppose you have long since forgotten."

"What use is remembering?" Beigong Juechen turned to meet his gaze, his dark green eyes appearing pitch black in the night. "Whether I remember or not, I could never love you." Qi Yong’s gaze remained glued to him, fixed on those star-like eyes, and he felt as though he were becoming intoxicated.

Indeed, whether I remember or you do not, the result is the same: I love you, and you do not love me...

Qi Yong closed his eyes, slowly shifting his gaze away. He took a massive gulp of wine and wiped his face firmly. "You said you came to ask for someone. Who is it?"

The jar was nearly empty, and Beigong Juechen finished it in one breath. Qi Yong’s eyes were helplessly drawn to the man again; clear wine trickled past his crimson lips, down his porcelain neck, and onto his white clothes, forming a small damp circle. Qi Yong swallowed hard, taking a drink from his own jar as a distraction.

Draining his jar, Beigong Juechen tossed it aside and said slowly, "I want Xi Mo." Qi Yong frowned slightly. "Why?" Pulling his wind-whipped robes closer, Beigong Juechen replied, "Xi Mo loves Beigong Qiyi. I am merely fulfilling his wish."

Qi Yong let out a cold laugh. "A pity that Beigong Qiyi doesn't love him back." He narrowed his eyes at Beigong Juechen. "He loves you." Beigong Juechen shook his head, a faint smile on his lips. "Starting tomorrow, he won't."

"What happened?" Qi Yong’s face darkened. "Did the boy have a change of heart?" Beigong Juechen smiled and raised an eyebrow. "Do you think that’s possible?" Qi Yong flicked his fingers against the wine jar. "Then why?"

Without answering, Beigong Juechen stood up and brushed the dust from his clothes. "I want to see Xi Mo at the Li Estate tomorrow morning. I know you have agents placed there. While I am away, keep an eye on Beigong Qiyi for me."

"You are leaving the Li Estate?" Hearing this, Qi Yong couldn't help but frown. "Is it because of him?" Beigong Juechen waved a hand. "That has nothing to do with you."

***

Qi Yong’s brows furrowed even deeper. "Do you know that Beigong Qiyi is actually the Master of the Dark Pavilion?" Beigong Juechen blinked his long, dense lashes. "And what of it?" With that, he turned and walked away slowly.

"How do you know I will help you?" Qi Yong’s voice rang out from behind. Beigong Juechen stopped but did not turn around. "You will," he said with a soft smile.

Qi Yong couldn't help but laugh out loud. Beigong Juechen did not descend from the roof; he walked slowly, and with every step, his slender silhouette seemed to draw closer to the moon. Just as Beigong Juechen reached the edge of the roof, Qi Yong spoke softly, "Beigong Juechen, could you kiss me?"

The man stopped. Qi Yong sat where he was, looking toward the horizon. "Ten years have passed since we first met. Ten years is but a blink of an eye, yet I have loved you for every second of it. I used to think I was just one step behind Beigong Qiyi, but now I know that because of that one step, I have lost everything. Beigong Juechen, consider it an act of pity."

He was the master of the "Palace of a Hundred Malices," a man known for the saying: "When the Hundred Malices emerge, all ghosts must retreat." He was a man who could stir the martial arts world into a bloodbath. He stood at the top of the food chain, commanding whatever he desired. Yet, he was now so cautious, so humble, begging for nothing more than a shred of pity.

Beigong Juechen’s expression grew complex. He turned to look at Qi Yong, who was staring blankly into the distance while clutching his wine jar. Beigong Juechen lowered his eyes and walked back.

The sound of his boots against the roof tiles seemed unnervingly clear in the silent night. Qi Yong felt his heart hammering against his ribs with every step the man took. The distance between them was short. Qi Yong closed his eyes, then finally couldn't help but turn to look at him.

The man had reached his side and was looking down at him. A moment later, he slowly raised a slender, graceful finger to lift Qi Yong’s chin, and a light kiss landed on the corner of his mouth.

The moonlight grew brighter. Qi Yong sat stunned, touching the corner of his lips. Beigong Juechen was gone, leaving only two empty wine jars behind. After a long while, Qi Yong blinked, suddenly grabbed a jar, and began to drink deeply.

Beigong Juechen, you truly are my... nemesis.