Xu Mu Cheng (Qian Hong)

It was only by nightfall that he managed to reach the Dark Tide Citadel, so the spellcaster decided to go and report the information he had obtained to the chambers of the Head of the Hu Order. Being one of the senior adepts and knowing that Dao Ming would definitely listen, he walked with a firm step to the room.

Entering inside, Mu Cheng was surprised to examine the decoration, or rather the lack thereof, and began to restore order. Ordered the servants to bring food, wine and fruit.

Having quickly prepared everything for the arrival of the Head, the young man became bored. Long walks from one corner to another, admiring the beauty from the window and emptying one of the jugs got boring.

Taking a seat in the chair, Mu Cheng formed short phrases for some time, but the longer time passed, the more fatigue rolled in. Suddenly, his eyes closed and he sank into the sweet bliss of sleep.

Hu Dao Ming (Li Shing)

The day of the reception, which had stretched out into infinity, was finally drawing to a close. The guests had long since gone to their rooms, and he still had to fulfill his duty as a host - to visit each one personally.

A whole series of meaningless polite conversations, formal smiles and drinking cups of wine followed. Finally, he approached the rooms allocated to the Yuzhen Thanshu Order, putting off until the last moment when he would have to exchange pleasantries with the hated sorcerer again, so as not to spoil your mood ahead of time.

Contrary to what was expected, the Head of Thanshu was all politeness, and his sons, as usual, behaved quite aloof and impeccably polite. As a result, the interaction followed the same scenario as with the spellcasters of other Clans. Having drunk another cup of wine with the guests, it is no longer known how many this day, and exchanged a few more insignificant phrases, Dao Ming suddenly felt that the incomprehensible heat spreading throughout his body from the moment he left the reception hall had become almost unbearable, a barely noticeable dizziness was added to it.

Having assessed his own condition, Head Hu said goodbye to the guests and, citing numerous matters, left the chambers with relief and went to himself. To his surprise, he didn’t meet anyone along the way, which couldn’t help but rejoice. The spellcaster was able to breathe a sigh of relief only after he had bolted the door.

The internal heat grew and grew, gradually taking over the entire body, causing crazy desires and drawing passionate images. Biting his lips in displeasure, Ming stripped to the waist and doused himself with ice water. It didn't get much easier.

"How dare they!" — indignation gave him strength to fight the ever-growing madness. The man turned to the window and only now noticed the young man sitting in the chair.

“So beautiful, gentle, desirable...” Dao Ming shook his head, driving away strange thoughts and gathering the remnants of his composure, sat down next to him and carefully shook the adept’s shoulder. The touch burned, knocking the air out of his lungs.

— Mu Cheng, what are you doing here? — unable to cope with the desires of the body, he barely perceptibly ran his fingers over the guest’s tender cheek and soft lips.

Xu Mu Cheng (Qian Hong)

Who scatters the stars across the dark night sky? Who gathers them at dawn? Where do the heavenly bodies rest when an invisible someone, like a gardener at the end of the warm season, gathers his harvest and, with the arrival of warmth, scatters them again across the fields?

Standing on the edge of the ledge, the young man looks with half-closed eyes at the endless number of constellations that make up the picture. The wind rustles the expensive fabric and tousles the hair tied with a thin strip of silk. The smile on his face is radiant. It can blind the darkness of the skies, but will these flickering dots be visible then in the dark blue abyss?

His attention was drawn to two shining stars next to each other, and he wanted to touch them.

The touch of a hand on the shoulder interrupted the dream. He opened his eyes, immediately sitting up, and did not immediately realize where he was, but the pain in his head from the sudden movement reminded him of the evening spent in the Head’s chambers. His eyes immediately found the empty jug and involuntarily rose to the owner, who was waiting for an answer. 

— I... I fell asleep, — a coolness slid across his skin, his eyes lowered, the young man was ready to fall through, not realizing how long he had been asleep. Gathering his composure in his hands, he leaned on the handrails, trying to get up, but the one hanging over him did not allow him to do so — Head Hu, I came to tell you about what I managed to find out and…

A heavy lump in his throat forced him to take a sip of cold air. He tried to continue speaking, but looking up at the man, he involuntarily froze, noticing the unusual red sparks in his eyes.

Hu Dao Ming (Li Shing)

Looking at the slender figure, graceful as a precious white jade figurine, almost not hearing the answer from the pounding of blood that beats in his temples like a blacksmith's hammer on an anvil, Dao Ming licked his suddenly dry lips.

— Mu Cheng, go away. Everything tomorrow.

Xu Mu Cheng (Qian Hong)

Words contradict actions. The strong grip of the chief, even if he had the will to leave, would not allow it. Letting the situation slide, he reached out to the man, quietly whispering into the kiss:

— Dao Ming, I’ll stay, — looking into his eyes, he raised his hands, placing them on his broad shoulders, and gently ran his fingers to his neck, burying them in his thick curls.

Hu Dao Ming (Li Shing)

Only when the sun began to rise did the Head of Hu tear himself away from the unexpected, but so timely gift that the adept had so blithely presented to him.

Having risen, he looked with pleasure at his partner:

— Rest, Mu Cheng. Tell me what you wanted when I get back.

Without worrying about it anymore, Head Hu tidied himself up and went about his numerous business, which only increased with the arrival of the guests.