Chapter 460 – My Master Is Not Human – Ruining Someone’s Romance Will Bring Heavenly Punishment (07)
Pei Boyi instantly understood why Bai Tang, who usually loved staying at home, had been running around everywhere lately. Everything had been for him.
When Bai Tang saw that Pei Boyi did not reply, he worried that Wen Leng might take issue with it, so he explained, “This child is a little shy. Don’t let his mixed spiritual roots fool you—his comprehension is actually very good.”
Bai Tang was blatantly making things up with a straight face. In the cultivation world, mixed spiritual roots were publicly acknowledged as trash when it came to cultivation speed. Pei Boyi had only just come out of seclusion, and Bai Tang had not even had the chance to exchange more than a few words with him yet, so how could he possibly know what level Pei Boyi’s cultivation had reached?
Earlier, Wen Leng had already taken a liking to Pei Boyi. Although she had failed to take him in as her disciple, that did not stop her from seeing for herself just how outstanding he truly was.
At first glance, it was no big deal, but after eight months of closed-door cultivation, he had leapt from an ordinary mortal body straight to the fifth level of Foundation Establishment. These mixed spiritual roots were truly extraordinary.
Wen Leng silently calculated in her heart, considering it another path for herself. She said to Bai Tang, “Not bad. Every first day of the month, at the mountainside of Sword Peak. If you miss it, don’t expect me to wait.”
Pei Boyi was not her disciple, so she would not specifically teach or explain cultivation techniques for someone from another peak. If he wanted to learn, then he could learn; if not, then forget it. She would neither force him nor give him special treatment.
“Ah Yi, hurry and thank Immortal Shuanghan,” Bai Tang said happily, pushing Pei Boyi forward to express his gratitude to Wen Leng.
“This disciple thanks Immortal Shuanghan for her guidance.” Pei Boyi would not contradict Bai Tang in front of others. Since this was Tang Tang’s heartfelt intention, what harm was there in accepting it? Though, in truth, he might not necessarily need Immortal Shuanghan’s guidance.
Having not seen each other for nearly a year, Bai Tang had many things he wanted to say to Pei Boyi. After chatting casually with Wen Leng for a few more moments, they got up and took their leave.
The flowers and plants on Medicine Peak were still the same as always, but Bai Tang, being in a good mood, felt that the flowers looked more brilliant and the grass more lush. Everything seemed vibrant and full of life.
“Tang Tang, it’s been a long time. You’ve gotten thinner,” Pei Boyi said as he held Bai Tang’s hand.
Perhaps because his true form was a squirrel, Bai Tang was petite, and even his palms were small. At this moment, the still-underage Pei Boyi’s hand was already about the same size as Bai Tang’s. Feeling the distinct bones beneath his fingers, Pei Boyi was overcome with waves of heartache. Before entering seclusion, Tang Tang’s hands had still been soft and slightly chubby, but now that softness was gone.
Bai Tang, who had spent this entire period frantically gathering herbs and refining medicine to pave the way for Pei Boyi, guiltily turned his face away. “What do you mean? It’s only because you haven’t seen me for so long that you think I’ve changed so much at first glance.”
Pei Boyi did not argue with Bai Tang and simply followed along with his words. “Yeah, it’s been too long since I last saw Tang Tang. I can’t stay in seclusion for so long again. You have no idea how panicked I was when I came out and heard everyone saying that you and Immortal Shuanghan were deeply in love. Right now, I’m younger than you, and my cultivation is lower than yours. Will Tang Tang end up disliking me?”
“How could I?” Bai Tang’s attention was instantly drawn away by Pei Boyi’s self-deprecating words. “In just a few years, you’ll be all grown up~” How could Ah Yi think such things? Bai Tang was not the type to fall for someone new every other day.
“Tang Tang, I missed you.” Pei Boyi suddenly stopped walking. Before Bai Tang could wonder why he had stopped, Pei Boyi wrapped his arms around Bai Tang’s waist.
Perhaps it was because the food at the Le’an Immortal Sect was good, or perhaps because he was still growing, but Pei Boyi had shot up quite a bit since first arriving at the sect. Back then, he had only reached Bai Tang’s chest, but now he had already grown to Bai Tang’s chin. Of course, the possibility that Tang Tang was simply short could not be ruled out.
Caught off guard, Bai Tang was pulled into a full embrace. The corners of his lips lifted slightly as he wrapped his arms around the young man’s back. “I missed you too. But you can’t stop here. You have to grow stronger. You still have even greater goals ahead of you…”
Having regained his memories, Pei Boyi had already begun to glimpse the mission Heaven had given him. He naturally knew his purpose in this world, and he also knew many cultivation methods. He had only learned these things after entering seclusion and officially stepping onto the path of cultivation. That was why he did not want Tang Tang running around begging favors from others just to help him avoid detours.
He did not need anyone else’s guidance. The cultivation techniques most suitable for him already existed in his mind. What he needed was time and spirit stones. One day, he would become the person Bai Tang hoped for him to be.
“When will I finally be able to openly hold Tang Tang like this…” The one thing Pei Boyi was dissatisfied with now was his body—it was too small. He could not even let Tang Tang sit in his arms.
Bai Tang laughed and said cheerfully, “Well, that depends on when you grow up.” Ah Yi as a tiny little radish was just too fun. With one hand pressing down on his head, Bai Tang could only watch him rage helplessly.
“Tang Tang, boys’ heads aren’t supposed to be touched casually. It’ll stunt their growth.” Right now, his height was his weak point, and he cared about it very much.
Bai Tang drawled lazily, “Oh, so you know that? Then why did you love patting my head so much before?” In this world, Bai Tang had finally regained some pride, since in none of his past lives had he ever been taller than his husband.
He reached out and rubbed Pei Boyi’s head again and again. It felt pretty nice, and his hair was quite soft.
Pei Boyi sighed helplessly. Looking at Bai Tang, who was suddenly in a playful mood, he revealed an indulgent smile. He had done it on purpose just now. Tang Tang did not need worries—he only needed to live happily.
Life on Medicine Peak was repetitive day after day. Others might have found it boring, but Bai Tang and Pei Boyi enjoyed it very much. At first, Pei Boyi would still visit the various peaks to attend lectures, but later, as his cultivation improved and his features matured, some female cultivators even began expressing their affection for him. After that, Pei Boyi became even less willing to go out. He preferred the quiet and peaceful life on Medicine Peak, free from disturbance, where he and Bai Tang could stay together almost every day.
The disciples all knew that their master favored this junior brother from a poor background the most. Since he also possessed mixed spiritual roots, they felt more sympathy than jealousy toward him. Their little junior brother had suffered so much in the past, and his talent was poor as well. If their master—and they themselves—did not look after him more carefully, would he not be bullied by others once he went out into the world?
Just imagining their little junior brother with tearful eyes, unable to complain to anyone after being wronged, made all the senior brothers’ hearts ache. How could someone from Medicine Peak be bullied by outsiders? Even though they had not seen their junior brother for several years, it did not stop them from planning ahead and thinking for his sake.
As spring turned to autumn and flowers bloomed and withered, time flew by in the blink of an eye. Before they knew it, six years had passed.
The skinny little radish head who once looked like a dried vegetable had already transformed into a tall and handsome young man.
Dressed in a green daoist robe, with picturesque features and a faint smile lingering at the corners of his lips, Pei Boyi radiated a powerful presence even while simply sitting there.
Recently, Bai Tang had come up with a new way of cooking food using tea, which required immense patience to slowly brew the tea.
Over the years, once Pei Boyi became capable enough, their roles gradually reversed. He changed from the one being cared for into the one who pampered and doted on Tang Tang. At this moment, he was sitting in front of the tea stove brewing tea.
“Ah Yi, I’m hungry~” Bai Tang pounced onto Pei Boyi’s back from behind. Loose strands of his hair brushed against the other’s face, their long black hair intertwining together so completely that it was impossible to tell which strands belonged to Bai Tang and which belonged to Pei Boyi.
As Pei Boyi became more assertive, Bai Tang’s imposing aura gradually weakened, and he slowly returned to the carefree, pampered state he used to have.
With Pei Boyi around, there was nothing to fear.
Bai Tang disliked being disturbed, and the two of them already lived extremely close to one another. Yet somehow, aside from themselves, no one had realized they were living together. Meanwhile, the disciples did not dare disturb Bai Tang without being summoned by him first.
“Why did you run out again without wearing shoes?” This was a habit Bai Tang had never managed to change across several lifetimes, and Pei Boyi had already given up trying to correct him. Still, every time he saw it, he could not help lecturing him once. “If you do this again next time, I won’t let you get out of bed.”
Pei Boyi was already eighteen now—an adult. On the day of his eighteenth birthday, their relationship had taken another step forward. A man who had abstained for too long was not someone to be trifled with. Once he finally got what he wanted, he tormented Bai Tang so much that Bai Tang could barely handle it.
Bai Tang reflexively covered his butt. “I won’t do it again, I won’t do it again.” He released Pei Boyi and turned to run back to put on his shoes.
But how could Pei Boyi possibly let the little squirrel that had already reached his mouth escape? Pulling Bai Tang back into his arms, he lowered his head and kissed those soft lips that he could never seem to kiss enough.
The temperature inside the tea hall gradually rose. The little squirrel was kissed until his mind turned hazy, and his hands unconsciously wrapped around the other man. His eyes were unfocused and dazed as Pei Boyi slowly pulled away slightly, only to see Bai Tang’s red lips glistening with moisture while a flush of desire spread across his face.
The little squirrel seemed dissatisfied by the man stopping and twisted his body slightly in protest.
“Tang Tang, don’t regret this later.” Pei Boyi’s voice was terribly hoarse as his large hand tightened around Bai Tang’s waist.
Bai Tang obediently leaned closer, murmuring softly and sweetly, “Ah Yi~”
Just as the two were about to move on to a scene unsuitable for minors, a paper crane suddenly fluttered in from outside. Its tiny sesame-seed-sized eyes stared directly at them as it spoke in a human voice—the sect master’s voice, no less.
“Xiao Tang, the Daji Secret Realm is about to open. Once you receive this message, come to the main hall immediately so we may discuss matters concerning the secret realm together.”
The sect master’s voice was like a bucket of cold water dumped over the two of them from head to toe.
Bai Tang subconsciously shoved Pei Boyi away and nearly tumbled into the burning-hot tea stove. Fortunately, Pei Boyi reacted quickly enough to grab hold of him in time.
To Bai Tang, the arrival of this paper crane felt exactly like being passionately in love, emotions running high, just about to reach the best part—only for an elder to suddenly push the door open and catch them red-handed on the spot.
“It’s alright, it’s alright.” Pei Boyi soothed Bai Tang. With a flick of his sleeve, the paper crane wobbled unsteadily before falling into the tea stove, where it was instantly burned to ashes.
Ruining someone else’s romance deserved heavenly punishment.
Pei Boyi cursed inwardly. Of all times to come, why did the message have to arrive now? It had frightened Tang Tang so badly.
Bai Tang finally managed to calm his racing heartbeat, though the blush on his face still had not faded. Tugging lightly on Pei Boyi’s sleeve, he said, “Senior Sect Master rarely looks for me. It must be something important. We should go take a look.”
“We will,” Pei Boyi replied, “but not right now.” He scooped Bai Tang up into a bridal carry and strode toward the hot spring they had recently dug behind the house.
How could he let outsiders see Tang Tang looking this alluring? The sect master could wait a little longer—Tang Tang needed to tidy himself up first.
Pei Boyi held Bai Tang as they bathed together in the hot spring, then personally helped him change clothes and put on his hair crown.
Only after everything was in order, and after seeing Bai Tang’s complexion return to normal, did Pei Boyi finally feel at ease enough to bring Bai Tang to the sect’s main hall.