After an unknown span of time, Qin Zhong gradually regained consciousness and slowly opened his eyes. He found himself lying in an enormous bedroom, utterly alone. A sharp pain pierced his chest—broken ribs, no doubt. He silently gathered his energy, only to discover his magical power had vanished. Clearly, Dan Yuehen intended to imprison him, preventing his escape.
Regardless of his motives, Qin Zhong couldn't stay here.
Qin Zhong closed his eyes once more, steadying his resolve. Slowly, he propped himself up, a sharp pang of pain shooting through his chest that made him cough uncontrollably. The poison had faded, but days of being frozen had left his entire body aching unbearably. Even with magical protection, returning to his former self was unlikely—especially now that his body was bound by a restraining spell.
He slowly descended from the bed, determined to leave this gilded splendor behind. Yet after taking just one step, he nearly collapsed. Dizziness washed over him, and darkness engulfed his vision. Only after an unknown duration did the world gradually come into focus.
He managed a few more steps before his strength failed him. Swaying slightly, he collapsed unconscious onto the floor.
Dan Yuehen approached his Yuhua Palace with a satisfied smile. Anticipating Qin Zhong's awakening, he had instructed Shen Shuitang's men to prepare a tub of hot herbal water for the young man's bath. Qin Zhong's body, deprived of sustenance for days, had become withered and emaciated. Previously, preserving the corpse in water had been necessary, but now that he had regained consciousness, a cleansing bath was in order.
Dan Yuehen found himself oddly eager to see Qin Zhong's expression—whether it was heartbroken despair or furious sorrow... Though he had glimpsed his spirit before, he could never receive a tangible response. Now, at last, he could touch him, feel every sensation he experienced. For some reason, he simply wanted to know how Qin Zhong felt, to make him love him as he once had.
Despite the strange unease stirring within him, Dan Yuehen refused to dwell on why. He slowly stepped through the doorway only to find the figure that should have lain on the bed had vanished without a trace...
Could it be Yun Zhongyu again...? Dan Yuehen gripped the doorframe tightly, feeling his entire body tremble involuntarily. "Someone!"
Disciples rushed in, bowing to receive orders. Dan Yuehen closed her eyes, yet couldn't hide the ripples in her gaze: "Where is he? Find him now!"
Hearing Dan Yuehen's rare, gritted-teeth command, some young disciples trembled in fear, scrambling out to search.
Qin Zhong hadn't wandered far. Dan Yuehen soon found him collapsed unconscious in a corner. A sharp pang of pain shot through her heart. How could this man be so careless with himself? Barely awake, he insisted on leaving, preferring to collapse on the icy floor rather than rest properly in bed...
She pulled him tightly into her arms. Only when she felt his warmth against her did her own agitation gradually subside.
He was no longer the man he once was, weaker even than Qiu Rong had been. Combined with his newfound stubbornness, another soul-summoning ritual might prove too much for his body to bear.
For the first time, Dan Yuehen felt utterly helpless. He could force Qin Zhong to face him, compel him to return to life, even make him love him again—but he couldn't make him take care of himself... because Qin Zhong believed he shouldn't exist in this world, wishing for his own disappearance.
What a fool.
Dan Yuehen couldn't help but gently kiss his forehead, an unexpected tenderness welling up inside him. He had told him to be happy... yet he never allowed himself even a moment of joy...
If it were possible, perhaps he could be gentle with him.
Dan Yuehen was a proud man by nature. Lovers flocked to him like fish in a river. Even with Qin Zhong added to the mix, he felt nothing unusual—at most, he treated him a little better. But to admit loving him? That was utterly impossible.
Yet seeing Qin Zhong awake again, Dan Yuehen couldn't help but show joy on his face. He grabbed his hand and said, "You're awake?"
Qin Zhong withdrew his hand without a flicker of emotion. "Palace Master, I think you should go find Autumn Young Master."
Dan Yuehen's expression grew strangely complex. He stared at Qin Zhong for a long moment before asking, "Are you jealous of him?" He himself disliked petty jealousy and resented others vying for attention, so the disciples of Yanfu Palace dared not display even a hint of romantic rivalry in his presence. Yet for some reason, witnessing Qin Zhong's jealousy now brought him a strange, secret delight.
Qin Zhong looked up at him in surprise. "Palace Master, won't Young Master Qiu be upset if you don't accompany him?"
He hadn't seen Qiu Rong since his death and didn't know the young master had already left. Dan Yuehen's reaction puzzled him. In the past, he might have grieved without restraint, but now he didn't even think about it, so naturally, he felt no sorrow. This so-called jealousy felt utterly misplaced.
Dan Yuehen smiled faintly. "I've already let him go. Are you pleased?"
Qin Zhong stared at Dan Yuehen in astonishment, not only at his words but also at his self-assured tone. Before, he truly couldn't control himself, hoping Dan Yuehen had once felt even a shred of affection for him. But now, he had given up completely.
"Bring him back," Qin Zhong murmured.
"Why?" Dan Yuehen stared at him incredulously.
Qin Zhong's parched lips slowly stretched into a smile. "Palace Master, he's the one you care about..."
"Shut up!" Dan Yuehen felt Qin Zhong's smile mocking his own change of heart. He grabbed Qin Zhong's shoulders and pushed him onto the bed, only to see the pained frown on his face. A pang of regret washed over him. Now they were so close, Dan Yuehen could almost feel Qin Zhong's faint, barely audible breath.
Qin Zhong's expression gradually calmed. He murmured, "He's the one you love, so you'll be happy with him... Go find him and bring him back. What is this between us now? Yuehen, you're only holding onto your pride, unable to bear my coldness toward you. But the truth is... I still love you. Doesn't that preserve your pride now?" I don't want to be with you because of my body..." Qin Zhong slowly unfastened his thin robe, revealing his emaciated frame beneath. "Yuehen, I've become like this. I can no longer serve you, nor can I tend to you as I once did. If I continued to serve you, I wouldn't forgive myself. So... please let me go!"
Dan Yuehen stared at his body, now almost skeletal, and a sharp ache welled in his eyes. He pulled Qin Zhong close, his hot tears soaking into the young man's clothes. The pain wrenching through him was so intense, he could barely speak.
All Yuehen heard was Qin Zhong's slow, low voice whispering in his ear: "Yuehen, don't be sad. I've never blamed you. I know I'm not good-looking. It was just wishful thinking. Now, as long as you're happy, I'm already content. What's the point of keeping me by your side? I know you never loved me, so I can't love you anymore either."
Ignoring the redness in her eyes, Dan Yuehen abruptly looked up at the expression on his face. She saw only resolute coldness and asked sharply, "What do you mean by that?"
Was he truly leaving, abandoning her without a second thought?
Dan Yuehen felt herself nearly consumed by fury, yet she couldn't think of a reason to stop him. Forcing him to stay with her magic would only cause him harm. Seeing his current physical state, she knew this body could endure no further strain—only a thousandfold, ten thousandfold caution remained.
Qin Zhong offered no reply. He closed his robe, slowly laced it tight, and bowed his head to adjust his garments. Through the collar, the outline of his body remained faintly visible.
For some reason, watching those now-prominent collarbones stirred something within Dan Yuehen. An urge to embrace him and kiss him surged, but the thought of his inevitable struggle and the risk of injury made her hesitate. A flicker of resolve crossed her mind as she spoke: "Very well. Since you wish to go, I won't hold you back. Finish this cup of wine as my farewell gift to you."
Qin Zhong had said not to love him anymore. Only when he lost control in bed would he be forced to admit he couldn't live without her. Most wines at Yanfu Palace were aphrodisiacs brewed from Tihua flowers. Qin Zhong had only been at Yanfu Palace for a few days and wasn't fond of wine or women, so he naturally didn't know.
Dan Yuehen clapped his hands, signaling servants to bring wine. Two cups were filled with a jade-green liquid, fragrant and rich. He picked one up, gave a slight nod, and said, "Please." Then he downed it in one gulp.
Qin Zhong hesitated slightly. He had been with Dan Yuehen for three years. Though Dan Yuehen hadn't paid him much attention, Qin Zhong knew his nature well. This wine was undoubtedly laced with something. Yet refusing this cup meant Dan Yuehen would never let him leave.
Qin Zhong lifted his cup, holding it before Dan Yuehen. He stared silently at her for a long moment. Dan Yuehen nearly blurted out a warning not to drink it, her heart pounding like a drum. But by then, Qin Zhong's lips had already touched the rim of the cup, and he slowly drank it down.
Dan Yuehen noticed Qin Zhong's movements and demeanor were so upright they almost felt indecent. Unconsciously, she took a step forward, wanting to pull him into her embrace. Yet he cautiously stepped back, bowed with clasped hands, and spoke slowly, "Palace Master Dan, until we meet again."
Only then did Dan Yuehen recall her promise to let him go. Her face hardened as she gave a curt nod. Watching Qin Zhong walk toward the exit, her gaze followed his painfully slow steps. He was clearly gravely wounded, far from recovered. Even without the aphrodisiac wine, he would be utterly incapable of descending Smoky Floating Mountain.
His garments were thin and fluttering in the wind, revealing the even lines of his bones beneath. Had this been half a month ago, with his former agile, sturdy frame, he would surely have been dragged into the shadows before even leaving Yanfu Palace... But now...
Dan Yuehen instantly thought of his now-dulled skin and gradually wasting body. A pang of pain struck her heart. She stepped forward, intending to embrace him from behind, but saw Qin Zhong sway slightly. He took only one more step before collapsing, limp and trembling almost convulsively.
Dan Yuehen felt her own heart convulse. She rushed to his side in a few strides, only to find his face flushed crimson as he stared intently at her. His eyes held both despair and pain, as if he refused to believe she could treat him this way.
Dan Yuehen knew he was even less willing to forgive her. She felt flustered, momentarily unsure whether to help him up or watch helplessly as he writhed on the ground.
Having resided in the Smoke-Floating Palace for years, Dan Yuehen was no stranger to the potent aphrodisiac wine. She had consumed it many times before, so its effects hadn't hit him as swiftly as they had Qin Zhong. Yet, watching him writhe on the floor, unconsciously tearing open his own robe to expose the naked body beneath, Dan Yuehen felt as though he'd glimpsed the most intimate of scenes. Though Qin Zhong's weakened state offered little to see, Dan Yuehen felt a sudden surge of desire rise from his lower abdomen, almost overwhelming him.
Dan Yuehen had never been one to deny his desires. Instinctively, he crouched down, about to lift Qin Zhong into his arms.
"Let go!" Qin Zhong roared, violently shoving him away. His strength was now spent, and pushing Dan Yuehen required every ounce of his remaining energy. Caught off guard, Dan Yuehen stumbled back two steps. Yet Qin Zhong himself rolled to the side, the impact causing his internal energy to surge violently. He coughed incessantly, blood mingling with his phlegm.
Dan Yuehen's eyes grew hot and moist. Words formed on his tongue but wouldn't come out. It felt like a dull blade had sliced through his heart. After a long, stammering silence, he refused to admit fault or soften his stance. His voice was low: "Why must you be so stubborn now? Haven't we shared countless moments of intimacy before?" He was highly skilled in the bedroom, convinced that his tenderness alone would make Qin Zhong surrender to his caresses. Qin Zhong's unexpected stubbornness had caught him off guard.
Qin Zhong's vision spun dizzyingly, blurring Dan Yuehen's figure. He gave a low chuckle. "It's all... my fault. You've forgotten the past, haven't you?" If Dan Yuehen intended to shame him with past events, he had no rebuttal. Struggling, Qin Zhong stumbled to his feet and staggered toward the door, nearly collapsing.
"Don't go!" Dan Yuehen seized him from behind, panic and dread overwhelming him. He'd never imagined Qin Zhong would abandon him so recklessly, even now.
"Qin Zhong, whatever you want, I'll give it to you—just stay!" In his panic, Dan Yuehen offered such an extravagant promise. He dared not use his magic to force Qin Zhong's submission, fearing the man might hurt himself in resistance. Instead, he held him tightly, preventing any struggle.
But Qin Zhong was already on the brink of madness. Dan Yuehen had no choice but to pin him firmly to the ground, preventing any movement. Both men were panting heavily. As Dan Yuehen gazed at the man beneath him—his cheeks flushed crimson, his expression bordering on utter despair—an indescribable warmth suddenly filled his heart. He couldn't help but lower his head and press his lips against Qin Zhong's. His soft lips seemed to hold an inexhaustible sweetness, and Dan Yuehen found himself completely lost in the kiss.
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his tongue, jolting him back to reality. He released the man beneath him. Qin Zhong lay there, eyes closed, pale and composed, as if waiting to endure the storm of fury that would surely follow.
A single drop of blood escaped from the corner of Dan Yuehen's pale lips. He slowly wiped it away and smiled.
"Qin Zhong, I did say that the more you struggle, the more interested I become. Treating me like this now, you want me to torture you to death, don't you? Unfortunately, I won't grant your wish."
Seeing Qin Zhong's face turn instantly ashen, Dan Yuehen knew his guess had been spot on, and his own expression darkened slightly.
"You want to die that badly?" Pinning Qin Zhong to the ground, rendering him immobile, Dan Yuehen's voice remained calm, though he felt a surge of desire burning in his lower abdomen. He slowly lifted Qin Zhong, cradling him against his chest, while his other hand slowly undid the fastenings of Qin Zhong's lower garments.
Qin Zhong managed only to lift his upper body, unable to push Dan Yuehen away before a sudden surge of dizziness overwhelmed him. Instantly drained of strength, he collapsed against Dan Yuehen's arms, feeling the other's slender fingers grasp his core. Qin Zhong gasped, his entire body trembling slightly.
Though they had shared countless intimate moments, this was the first time Dan Yuehen had touched that place. Yet he found himself overwhelmed not by passion, but by an indescribable shame and humiliation.
His hand rested lightly on Dan Yuehen's expertly skilled wrist. This hand had likely pleased countless others, hence its mastery... Qin Zhong opened his mouth, words nearly failing him. Dan Yuehen drew him closer, burying him deeper into his embrace, hearing his whisper, faint as a mosquito's buzz: "Yuehen, stop..." The low, hoarse voice nearly broke Dan Yuehen's restraint.
Turning to Qin Zhong, he saw only a resigned, bitter smile on the pale face. He realized he felt none of the former desire to ravage him wildly, only a faint sadness. Dan Yuehen spoke softly, "Bear with it a little longer. Once you release the heat, you'll feel better."
Dan Yuehen felt warm, sticky fluid spray onto her palm. Qin Zhong let out a low, suppressed moan, its forced restraint sending an intense, primal thrill through her. Despite years of countless encounters, nothing had ever felt as good as this moment.
Dan Yuehen gazed at the man in his arms—his haggard, shame-filled expression, his dazed eyes that seemed to have lost all focus. Slowly, helplessly, he collapsed limp in Dan Yuehen's embrace, his arms falling limply to his sides.
A single touch sent him reeling into unconsciousness.
Dan Yuehen couldn't help but smile bitterly. Though desire surged within her, she couldn't bear to force herself upon him again. That place was never meant for such intimacy; no matter how careful she was, injury was inevitable.
She gently brushed her cheek against Qin Zhong's forehead, then lifted him in her arms and laid him on the bed. The hot water prepared earlier had grown cold, so Dan Yuehen had it replaced. Dismissing the servants, she undid his clothes and began gently wiping his body.
From his chest to his lower abdomen, down to the center of his thighs, the fire of desire in her own lower body had long since hardened like iron. Dan Yuehen felt sweat slowly trickling down as she bent closer to look at Qin Zhong. Her slender fingers brushed his disheveled hair behind his ears, and she found herself lost in thought.
She had refused to look at him before, unwilling to see him clearly. Now, upon closer inspection, though not conventionally handsome, he possessed an air of uprightness. His restrained expression during moments of intimacy only heightened the urge to violate him. No wonder the disciples of Yanfu Palace had looked at him with such peculiar gazes.
Dan Yuehen's heart lurched. Only now did she realize how careless she had been, her expression growing increasingly dark.
Dan Yuehen stared at Qin Zhong for an unknown length of time. Then, the figure on the bed stirred, eyes fluttering open. Still dazed, as if not yet extricated from the clutches of desire, he lay slowly beside Dan Yuehen, draping an arm across him and gently pulling him into his embrace. The warmth of his body sent a faint shiver through Dan Yuehen.
After a long silence, Dan Yuehen murmured, "I knew you cared for me before, but my heart belonged to someone else. I couldn't accept you then. Yet no matter how I pushed you away or taunted you, you refused to leave. I had to guard against your intentions. Now that I've decided to treat you well, why must you still sulk?"
Qin Zhong closed his eyes, his expression impassive. Dan Yuehen still couldn't bear to give up her body, finding all sorts of excuses to make him return. If it was truly just suspicion, why did she need to sleep with him? In truth, Dan Yuehen had always held nothing but contempt for him.
"Are you still angry? Hmm?" Seeing him ignore her, Dan Yuehen frowned and couldn't resist reaching out to touch his body. But when she saw him remain utterly still, his expression carrying an inexpressible weariness, she felt a pang of boredom herself.
"What more do you want from me?" Dan Yuehen believed she had gone to the utmost lengths. She had done no more than this for Qiu Rong, yet Qin Zhong didn't even embrace her gratefully. It was simply unconscionable.
After an unknown span of time, Qin Zhong spoke softly: "Yuehen, you said you'd let me go."
Dan Yuehen froze slightly, his face turning cold. "Did I say that? I don't recall."
"Yuehen, what's the point of forcing me to stay? You might as well go find Qiu Rong..." Qin Zhong realized he could now remain completely calm, as if speaking to a longtime friend.
But Dan Yuehen reacted as if stung, grabbing the front of his robe. After staring at him for a long moment, he demanded, "Why do you keep telling me to go to Qiu Rong? What do you mean by that?"
Qin Zhong pulled his hand away, only to find his own hand seized in return. Startled, he stammered, "After all... he's the one you love..."
Dan Yuehen's tone turned sharp. "Do you doubt my love for you? I promised to be gentle with you. What more do you want?"
Qin Zhong couldn't help but smile bitterly. For Dan Yuehen, making such a promise to a man like him—without looks or grace—was already a rare concession. The old Qin Zhong would have begged for such a promise. But having died once, having seen through everything, he could no longer deceive himself with illusions.
Qin Zhong smiled faintly—a bleak smile that sent a chill through Dan Yuehen. Slowly rising, he moved to leave the bed. Dan Yuehen stopped him. "Where are you going?"
"I'm a bit hungry..." Though a cultivator, he wasn't immune to earthly needs. Having gone without food or water for over ten days, hunger was natural. Yet his true intent was simply to leave this place. Even conversing with Dan Yuehen left him feeling drained.
"You're unwell. Stay in bed. I'll have someone prepare something." " As she watched the soft quilt slip from his body, revealing the disheveled garments beneath, a wave of burning desire washed over her. Another glance, and she knew she wouldn't be able to resist pinning him to the bed and taking him fiercely, over and over. Danyuehen forced herself to look away, rising to her feet. "I'll have someone come to watch over you. If you need anything, tell them. I'll be back shortly."
Qin Zhong watched Dan Yuehen turn away hurriedly, not thinking much of it, though a vague sense of disorientation settled in his heart. Dan Yuehen's claim of needing attendants was a pretense—his true intent was to keep him under guard. With his magical powers restrained and himself imprisoned, leaving this place was utterly impossible.
This couldn't go on. What kind of existence was this? Qin Zhong smiled bitterly, slowly pushing himself up. The pain in his broken ribs felt like he'd been struck hard, and darkness threatened to overwhelm him.
"Brother Qin, long time no see?" A smiling voice startled Qin Zhong. Focusing his gaze, he saw a man dressed in flowing robes walking in from the doorway, unhindered by anyone. It was Yun Ruo.
"The Smoke-Floating Palace is tedious and lonely. I was just about to leave. Might Brother Qin care to accompany me?" Yun Ruo inquired with a faint smile.
"You..." Qin Zhong stared at Yun Ruo in astonishment, exhaling a long breath. "Would it be too much trouble?" If Yun Ruo offered, he surely had the means.
Yun Ruo gave a faint smile. "I have matters to attend to outside. It's a simple favor—why not? I only wonder if Brother Qin is willing to part with it?"
Qin Zhong flushed. "What is there to be reluctant about?" The possessive desire in Dan Yuehen's eyes left him powerless. Continuing this way would only deepen the awkwardness between them. Better to leave.
Yun Ruo's expression grew solemn. "Though circumstances may be predestined, ultimately, it comes down to human effort. A single thought's difference can mean the gap between heaven and earth. Brother Qin, I can only foresee your presence here and offer my aid. Yet the outcome remains unclear to me. As fellow cultivators, I speak plainly: if you follow me out, you may behold the vastness of heaven and earth, the grandeur of mountains and rivers. But you will face another calamity, where life and death hang in the balance. Remaining within the Smoke-Floating Palace will spare you this disaster."
Qin Zhong shook his head. "I should have died long ago. This lingering existence defies heaven's will—each extra day is a blessing. Had I died sooner, perhaps I wouldn't have brought misfortune upon him. Brother Yun Ruo, have you forgotten that soul-summoning is heaven's decree?"
Yun Ruo fell silent for a moment. "So even now, you still think of him."
Qin Zhong felt a flush of shame wash over his face. Though he'd resolved to ignore him, to stop loving him, he still couldn't let go. In Yun Ruo's eyes, he must look utterly ridiculous. Suddenly, he noticed a peculiar tone in Yun Ruo's voice, as if it held hidden meaning. Then Yun Ruo laughed aloud, his clear voice echoing faintly as he said, "Since your mind is made up, I shall simply take you out."
Yun Ruo reached out, drawing him into her embrace. His heart skipped a beat as the wind whistled past his ears. In the blink of an eye, they were swept across the waves and vanished without a trace.
Though he'd gone to the kitchen, Dan Yuehen returned feeling utterly unsettled. Even when he'd loved Qiu Rong, he hadn't been this hesitant. Now, even in matters of passion, he trembled like a novice. He longed to hear her voice, to hold her, to feel her breathless whispers in his embrace—yet her body held him back. Though he had once postponed intimacy when Qiu Rong was unwell, it was only to avoid disappointing him. He had never felt this tender toward Qiu Rong.
He must be mad.
Dan Yuehen thought, troubled, yet strangely, the earlier unease and anger had vanished. Admitting he loved him—it wasn't such a big deal, was it?
Danyuehen pushed open the door, and the scene before him left him momentarily speechless—Qin Zhong was gone!
He had stationed guards from the Twelve Attendants of the Tai Ming Hall in Yanfu Palace to protect Yuhua Palace, and had even placed a binding spell on Qin Zhong. For him to escape meant someone must have aided him.
Dan Yuehen's brow furrowed. His fists clenched, his expression grim. He immediately ordered an investigation into the whereabouts of everyone in the palace. Within moments, someone reported that Yun Ruo from Xinyun Residence was missing.
Only then did Dan Yuehen recall Yun Ruo's formidable magical prowess. If she had chosen to act when he was unprepared, removing someone from Yanfu Palace would have been effortless.
Regret now was too late. He was gone...
Recalling Yun Ruo's ambiguous attitude toward Qin Zhong in the past only fueled Dan Yuehen's jealousy further, making him want to tear apart the entire mountain range of Yanfu Palace.
All disciples within the Smoke-Floating Palace, seeing Dan Yuehen's displeasure, dared not provoke him. Unless absolutely necessary, they avoided appearing before him.
Though Dan Yuehen had enjoyed a period of quiet, he was like a caged beast, frequently erupting in thunderous rage throughout the palace, leaving every disciple living in constant fear.
Disciples sent to search returned one after another with no news. Hiding someone in Yunruo Palace was hardly difficult. No wonder these fools were so useless.
Without a moment's hesitation, Dan Yuehen ordered Yishisan, the head of the Fufeng Hall, to take over as acting palace master. He himself led a group down the mountain to search.