Chapter 81: Following Instincts

Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao walked along the palace path outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

After only a few steps, Chu Jiubian suddenly halted.

Qin Xiao turned his head, a smile playing on his lips. "What, going back to check my wound?"

Chu Jiubian shot him a glance.

The system's voice still echoed in his mind: "Host, believer Jiang Shuoye requests entry into the Divine Realm."

Jiang Shuoye.

It truly had been a long time.

The steel industry in the Northern Desert had already taken root. Many soldiers were now equipped with steel spears and equestrian gear, and modern training methods had been implemented, significantly boosting the soldiers' strength, discipline, and sense of honor.

Such an army, facing the Tatars again, could be said to hold a decisive advantage.

However, with only eighty thousand troops compared to the Tatars' over a hundred thousand, they were still significantly outnumbered. Future recruitment would be essential.

Just a little longer—once no one at court could interfere with recruitment matters, Chu Jiubian could issue a direct imperial order for Jiang Shuoye to recruit troops. By then, Jiang Shuoye wouldn’t have to bear any risks.

Thinking of this, Chu Jiubian suddenly recalled how, in the beginning, he had considered using Jiang Shuoye and his troops to confront Qin Xiao.

But now, that thought was obsolete.

After all, unless he or Qin Xiao intended to overthrow Baili Hong and seize the throne, there would be no reason for them to clash.

Yet their current relationship with Baili Hong was far from the point of mutual suspicion, let alone plotting his overthrow.

Chu Jiubian brought his thoughts back to the present.

Earlier, he had allocated funds to the Northern Desert for Jiang Shuoye to develop steel and train troops, but that money should have been depleted by now.

Now that Chu Jiubian had received his share of the profits from Situ Zhaoling’s silk sales, he could reinvest in Jiang Shuoye, enhance military equipment, and ensure the soldiers had better provisions, making them stronger.

Moreover, once word spread about the Northern Desert Army’s excellent treatment and formidable capabilities, more people would enlist during future recruitment drives.

The heated floors at Yaotai Residence were already completed. Chu Jiubian had planned to move back in a couple of days, which would make accessing the Divine Realm more convenient. He intended to give Jiang Shuoye the money then.

But since Jiang Shuoye had sought him out today, he could provide it directly.

Chu Jiubian decided to return to Yaotai Residence now, but he didn't want Qin Xiao to find it too abrupt.

As he was contemplating whether to feign exhaustion, a sharp pain suddenly shot through his temple, each throb more intense than the last.

This familiar sensation.

Another nerve pain attack!

And this time, the pain came faster and more fiercely than ever before.

But at least he had a convenient pretext.

Chu Jiubian thought he could use this to "faint," saving himself the trouble of explaining to Qin Xiao.

The headache was severe, his eyes bloodshot, but his expression remained unchanged. He merely glanced at Qin Xiao with tired, red eyes, ensuring Qin Xiao noticed he was "pretending to be strong."

Then he altered his course and headed toward the western courtyard.

As Chu Jiubian expected, when Qin Xiao met his gaze, his teasing expression turned serious.

He quickly followed beside Chu Jiubian, observing the young man’s tense profile.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

Chu Jiubian’s ears were ringing, and the path ahead seemed to sway and blur, yet he walked steadily.

He vaguely heard Qin Xiao’s voice but couldn't make out the words. Still, he calmly replied, "I want to take a nap."

Qin Xiao frowned. Even from the side, he could see the alarming redness in Chu Jiubian’s eyes.

This had never happened before. Qin Xiao dared not interfere with Chu Jiubian, so he accompanied him all the way into the western courtyard.

The courtyard entrance had a pebble path, but the stones were smooth and even, stable enough that even Baili Hong could traverse it steadily.

Yet Chu Jiubian suddenly stumbled, nearly falling forward.

Qin Xiao immediately caught him by the waist and pulled him back.

But the person in his arms went limp, leaning against his chest as if boneless.

Qin Xiao held Chu Jiubian with one arm and gently cradled his face with the other, only to find the young man’s eyes closed and his face pale.

"Chu Jiubian," he called, but there was no response.

Qin Xiao immediately picked him up and strode toward the main room, calling to the palace servants in the courtyard, "Go summon Vice Director Zhang."

"Yes," the servants replied, all visibly alarmed by Chu Jiubian’s condition as they hurried off to deliver the message.

Qin Xiao carried him into the room, laid him gently on the bed, removed his shoes, socks, and outer robe, and covered him with a quilt.

When Vice Director Zhang arrived, panting heavily, he found Chu Jiubian lying peacefully in bed, looking as if he were merely asleep.

But he didn’t dare delay. Without even bowing, he was summoned by Qin Xiao to check Chu Jiubian’s pulse.

This was the first time he had taken the pulse of Senior Tutor Chu, the reincarnation of a divine being. But as soon as he felt the pulse, he frowned.

The pulse was weak and erratic.

He even switched to the other wrist, but the conclusion was the same.

Chu Jiubian’s constitution was frail, with numerous minor and major ailments within.

Was this the price of a celestial descending to the mortal realm?

Yet despite this, Chu Jiubian had still come down for the people, for Great Ning.

Vice Director Zhang felt profound admiration.

But the most pressing matter was Chu Jiubian’s current headache.

The symptoms resembled migraines but weren’t entirely the same—perhaps even more severe.

"Grand Tutor Sir," Vice Director Zhang said to Qin Xiao, "his coma is due to his headache. This official will perform acupuncture, which should provide some relief."

"Mm," Qin Xiao acknowledged, his gaze fixed on the figure in the bed.

The young man's face was naturally small and pale, but now it looked even more haggard.

Why did the headache suddenly occur?

Chu Jiubian was clearly someone who could endure pain, yet he still passed out from the pain—just how severe must this headache be?

It was probably more painful than tearing his own flesh apart.

Qin Xiao's expression was solemn, his entire presence imposing and stern, a stark contrast to his usual self.

Vice Director Zhang didn't even dare to look at him for long, quickly composing himself to perform acupuncture on Chu Jiubian.

Meanwhile, Qin Xiao faintly recalled some earlier signs.

Ever since the other had healed him, he would often zone out or lose focus.

Thinking back now, during those moments, his gaze would grow distant and unfocused, and sometimes he would unconsciously raise a hand to rub his forehead or temples...

Previously, Qin Xiao had thought Chu Jiubian was simply lost in thought about something, but now it seemed that perhaps he had been feeling pain even then.

It was just that he was so good at enduring it that he gave nothing away.

So, did Chu Jiubian develop this headache because he saved him?

Qin Xiao couldn't quite put his finger on what he was feeling, but he suddenly remembered something from long ago—

His parents shared a deep love, and since childhood, he had watched their playful bickering and sweet affection.

Once, his mother had stayed awake for two full days caring for his elder sister, who was suffering from a persistent high fever.

When his sister's fever finally broke, his mother let her guard down, only to be struck by a headache and then sink into unconsciousness just like this.

Back then, his father had kept a stern silence, quietly keeping watch by his mother's bedside.

At the time, Qin Xiao was still young and didn't understand why his father had reacted that way when his mother was exhausted.

Wu Yiniang, who was still his mother's maid back then, secretly told him, "The master's heart aches for the mistress, but he doesn't know how to express it, so he keeps it bottled up."

Qin Xiao didn't understand it then, but he remembered those words, though he had forgotten them until now.

Now, however, he suddenly recalled that day, those people, and those conversations.

And so, he too felt the same wordless, yet deep, aching concern that his father had felt back then.

It hurt so much he could barely breathe.

His elder sister had once said that when you feel heartache for someone, you love them even more.

Qin Xiao had felt heartache before—for his grandfather, who lost his son in old age; for his elder sister, who tread carefully in the palace; for his younger brother, who had left home since childhood; and naturally, for his nephew, who lost his mother at a young age.

All of them were his blood kin.

As Qin Xiao looked at the young man sleeping on the bed, he realized with crystal clarity just how much he cared for him.

In the Divine Realm, Chu Jiubian sat on the divine throne, the pain in his mind never ceased.

Nerve pain was closely tied to one's mental state; even after entering the Divine Realm, the suffering did not stop.

Meanwhile, the system was chattering away in his ear: "Host, an old man is sticking needles into you. The system detects that he is targeting the acupoints on your head, which should help alleviate the pain."

"Host, detected that potential believer Qin Xiao is staring at you. The emotions he's projecting are complex; the system is analyzing..."

Chu Jiubian ignored it, lowering his gaze to Jiang Shuoye, who stood by the long table.

Jiang Shuoye stood straight and gave a proper, formal salute, only approaching his seat after receiving permission.

"Why have you sought me out?" Chu Jiubian spoke.

His tone was calm, aloof, and mysterious, inspiring awe from the depths of one's heart.

Jiang Shuoye replied with his usual reverence, "Reporting to the High Priest, I apologize for the intrusion. It's just that I haven't felt your attention for some time, and I wished to report on the situation of the Northern Desert Army."

His training efforts had been quite effective, and now half the soldiers in the army were equipped with steel spears. Inspired by the special forces soldiers, the other soldiers were also training diligently, all striving to reach the next level.

Thus, the entire Northern Desert Army had significantly increased in strength.

Having not felt the sense of being watched for a long time, Jiang Shuoye grew worried that he might have lost contact with the High Priest or that he was no longer sensitive enough to perceive that gaze. So, he took advantage of his midday nap to request an audience with the High Priest.

Now, seeing that the High Priest had not left, he felt relieved.

In truth, Jiang Shuoye had long realized that he had unwittingly developed a reliance on the High Priest, fearing the loss of divine protection.

This was perhaps a natural inclination common to all mortals who received the favor of a deity.

So, even though Jiang Shuoye was aware of this, he did not find it inappropriate.

The deity protected not only him but the entire Northern Desert, and even all of Great Ning.

And he clearly understood that both he and Great Ning needed the deity.

Therefore, he would do everything in his power to gain more of the deity's blessings, seeking long-term benefits for the people.

After reporting his recent situation to the High Priest and receiving praise—"You've done well"—Jiang Shuoye felt a wave of relief and considered broaching another topic.

Or rather, testing the deity's stance.

"Given the Northern Desert's current strength, I wonder if we can take on the Tatars," he spoke cautiously, clearly weighing his words.

The pain in Chu Jiubian's mind gradually lessened.

Hearing Jiang Shuoye's words, he too had a thought.

The Tatars would definitely be dealt with, but not now.

At present, Great Ning did not need to focus solely on expanding its territory; it was essential to stabilize internally first.

So, the impression they needed to give to foreign nations was that Great Ning had a principle of "not attacking unless attacked" and would never initiate military action.

However, not taking the initiative didn't matter—they could react instead.

By pressuring or guiding the Tatars to strike first.

"The time is not yet ripe," Chu Jiubian knew Jiang Shuoye wanted to gauge his stance on the matter, so he spoke in a mysterious tone, "When the time is right, everything will fall into place."

When the time was right, Chu Jiubian could issue a conscription order in the emperor's name and then provoke the Tatars into attacking.

At that point, Jiang Shuoye would lead the army in a counterattack, advancing directly to the enemy's royal court and completely occupying their territory.

That way, it would naturally "fall into place."

Although Chu Jiubian only made an ambiguous statement, Jiang Shuoye, who was prone to reading between the lines, seemed to grasp something.

His eyes brightened as he rose and bowed respectfully in acknowledgment.

This first disciple had always been cautious and meticulous from the very beginning, much like a quiet but diligent student in class.

Chu Jiubian then took out the silks profits and gave the lion's share to Jiang Shuoye.

Jiang Shuoye naturally protested but ultimately accepted it with grateful thanks.

After leaving the Divine Realm, he immediately set to work building a larger steel smithy.

Meanwhile, Chu Jiubian also returned from the Divine Realm, once again feeling the sensations of his body and surroundings.

He lay on the bed, covered by a brocade quilt that carried Qin Xiao's scent.

Vice Director Zhang had already left, and Qin Xiao was not by his side but at a tea table behind a screen.

Chu Jiubian slowly opened his eyes and, shifting his gaze, could see another figure besides Qin Xiao beyond the screen. Recognizing the voice, it turned out to be Qin Chuan.

Qin Chuan spoke in a low voice, but Chu Jiubian could still hear him clearly.

He mentioned that he had attended a banquet at the Lu family with Lu Yao at noon. Lu Yao had excelled at social maneuvering, using his wits to compensate for emotional intelligence and manipulating people with ease.

Even Lu Youwei, the Minister of War, had bid farewell to Lu Yao with a smile and a satisfied expression, as if he were family.

An outsider might have thought Lu Yao was aligned with him, but throughout the entire banquet, Qin Chuan didn't hear Lu Yao say a single word about swearing allegiance to the Lu family. Instead, he cleverly led others to draw that conclusion themselves.

It was only then that Qin Chuan once again realized just how cunning Lu Yao was—nothing short of astonishing.

Of course, Qin Chuan hadn't been wasting time either. He took the opportunity to scout out most of the security arrangements within the Lu residence, as well as the locations of Lu Youwei's courtyard and study.

The head of the Lu family, Lu Jinfeng, was a military man with a straightforward personality, unsuited for covert operations.

So, if the Lu family had indeed conspired with the Tatars to be responsible for the deaths of Qin Jingzhao and his wife, any correspondence or evidence would likely be hidden in Minister of War Lu Youwei's possession.

Now that Qin Chuan had pinpointed the location of his study, all he needed was an opportunity to search it.

"There are too many hidden guards and household troops stationed there; I couldn't get close," Qin Chuan whispered.

Just as he finished speaking, a knock came from the door.

Qin Xiao called for the person to enter, and as expected, it was Qin Zhaoyang.

After entering, without even glancing toward the screen where Chu Jiubian might be, he first bowed respectfully to Qin Xiao and Qin Chuan.

Qin Xiao waved his hand and said, "Perfect timing. I have something to ask you."

"Please go ahead, sir," Qin Zhaoyang replied.

Qin Xiao asked, "Earlier, I tasked you with monitoring the couple from the sixth branch of the Lu family. Have you noticed anything unusual?"

Qin Zhaoyang said, "I was just about to report on this matter."

It turned out he had been having watched the couple from the sixth branch of the Lu family. Their son was the one who had consumed Datura alongside Wang Huanzhi's youngest son and was subsequently publicly beheaded by Qin Xiao at the palace gates.

There had been nothing out of the ordinary from them until today, when something happened.

Qin Zhaoyang relayed his subordinates' report verbatim.

The sixth branch of the Lu family had three sons. The couple who lost their child were the second son and his wife, who had always been overlooked within the family.

After their only son's death, the couple witnessed even more of the fickleness of their relatives.

They had hoped to try for another child while they were still relatively young, but the family insisted they adopt the eldest son's child instead.

This couple was the most business-minded and wealthiest among their extended family.

Forcing them to adopt the eldest son's child was a scheme to gain control of their assets.

The couple refused, and during the argument, someone pushed the wife, causing her to fall and bleed heavily.

It was later discovered that she had been over a month pregnant. However, due to excessive grief and her relatively advanced age, the pregnancy was unstable. The fall not only cost her the child but also left her unable to bear children again.

"The couple must be seething with hatred now," Qin Zhaoyang said.

They resented Qin Xiao for killing their son, but Qin Xiao was too powerful and distant, leaving them no opportunity for revenge.

The Lu family, however, was different—they were right there, close and tangible.

Hatred cuts deepest when it's close to home.

So, the couple's greatest hatred now was not directed at Qin Xiao but at the Lu family—their biased parents and all the Lu family members.

"Find a way to send someone to approach them," Qin Xiao said. "Once they let their guard down, guide them to uncover evidence of the Lu family's collaboration with the enemy and report it to me."

As outsiders, they couldn't enter Lu Youwei's compound, but members of the Lu family themselves might find a way.

Since the couple bore grudges against both the Lu family and Qin Xiao, if someone told them that by finding evidence of the Lu family's crimes and handing it over to Qin Xiao, they could make both sides battle to the death, they would risk everything to do it—if they had the means and cleverness.

"The person sent should be cautious. There's no need to rush. Wait until more information is gathered, then instruct the couple on how to proceed," Qin Xiao added.

Qin Zhaoyang acknowledged.

"Analysis complete."

The system suddenly spoke, startling Chu Jiubian into making a noise.

The three on the other side of the screen paused, and in the next moment, Qin Chuan and Qin Zhaoyang swiftly exited the room, leaving only Qin Xiao behind.

Chu Jiubian: "......"

Ignoring Chu Jiubian's thoughts, the system continued, "Through the most authoritative analysis of micro-expressions and interpersonal relationships, the system has reached a conclusion—"

"Prospective disciple Qin Xiao is feeling concern for the host."

Chu Jiubian's eyelashes trembled slightly, and his heart missed a beat.

The next moment, the tall figure of the man emerged from behind the screen, and their eyes met across the room.

Chu Jiubian averted his gaze, turning toward the wall.

He listened as Qin Xiao's footsteps approached and the man sat down at the edge of the bed.

The bed dipped with his weight, and then there was silence.

Chu Jiubian waited for a while, feeling a gaze so intense it was almost physical, almost as if it could burn a hole through him.

"......"

Several minutes passed, and neither of them moved.

Finally, Qin Xiao spoke, his voice very soft, "Are you feeling better?"

"Mhm," Chu Jiubian replied vaguely, his gaze fixed on the wall but unfocused.

Another stretch of silence followed, and then rustling noises came from behind him, as if Qin Xiao was taking off his shoes and clothes.

Chu Jiubian turned over to look and indeed saw the man had removed his outer robe, leaving only a black satin inner robe.

One of his knees was on the bed while the other foot still touched the ground, making his frame seem even longer.

The ties of his undergarment were loosely fastened, and as the man leaned forward slightly, it revealed a broad expanse of his honey-toned, toned chest.

The knife wound on his left pectoral had already healed, and the stitches had been removed, though the color still differed from the surrounding skin.

It was certain to leave a scar in the future.

Noticing Chu Jiubian had turned, Qin Xiao looked up and found the other’s gaze fixed on his chest.

"......" He gave a low chuckle.

Chu Jiubian lifted his eyes to meet Qin Xiao’s teasing, suggestive gaze, not shying away.

So what? It’s just pectoral muscles.

They were both men—what harm was there in looking?

His defiant confidence vanished completely when Qin Xiao released the corner of the quilt, took his hand, and pressed it against the firm pectoral muscle.

But he didn’t pull his hand back, instead instinctively locking in a standoff with the other.

The skin under his hand was warm and firm, and the strong, rhythmic heartbeat made his palm itch.

Qin Xiao stared intently at Chu Jiubian, his gaze drifting from the other’s slightly evasive eyes to his reddened lips.

His throat moved, and Qin Xiao tightened his grip on the young man’s wrist, his thumb stroking suggestively along the inner side, as if he could feel the pulsing blood vessels beneath.

Chu Jiubian suddenly felt warm, his fingertips involuntarily curling, which made it seem as though he was groping the man's chest.

He looked up and met Qin Xiao’s dark, intensely unsettling eyes.

They were both men.

Yet he could clearly sense the man’s growing desire—the intense, overwhelming urge to possess him.

His hand, still held by Qin Xiao, slowly moved downward, tracing the defined ridges of his abs.

When his fingertips brushed against the cool satin waistband of his pants, Chu Jiubian’s lashes fluttered. Half of his face was buried in the quilt, the tips of his ears flushed bright red.

But he didn’t withdraw his hand.

Qin Xiao’s chest rose and fell sharply a few times before he closed his eyes and finally released the young man’s hand.

Then, he lay down under the covers, pulling Chu Jiubian into his arms and holding him tightly against his chest.

The distinct sensation against his lower abdomen made Chu Jiubian acutely aware of the impressive length.

He looked up, meeting the man’s gaze just inches away.

Qin Xiao’s brow twitched, and he pressed the young man’s face against his neck, his voice low and rough with restraint, "Don’t look at me like that."

Chu Jiubian didn’t speak.

After a long moment, he mumbled, "It’s getting stuffy."

With that, he was effortlessly flipped over like a doll, now facing away as Qin Xiao held him from behind.

Perhaps the movement was a bit rough—their bodies bumped together.

Chu Jiubian trembled instinctively, and Qin Xiao’s breathing noticeably grew rougher.

No one spoke, and neither dared to move again.

Chu Jiubian closed his eyes, his thoughts in turmoil.

His brain couldn’t process any of this—it had never been so sluggish.

For a long time, ever since Qin Xiao returned gravely wounded, he hadn’t known how to interact with him or how to face what might happen in the future.

He could only follow instinct.

Yet even his instincts were at war with themselves—sometimes wanting to get closer to Qin Xiao, even closer, and other times wanting to stay far away, to have nothing to do with him at all.

He couldn’t understand himself.

The man behind him gradually breathed more steadily, though the physical evidence of tension remained.

Suddenly, Chu Jiubian heard Qin Xiao say, "Thank you."

Chu Jiubian froze.

"Thanks for saving me," Qin Xiao said. "I owe you everything."

Chu Jiubian was silent for a long moment.

Much later, not knowing if Qin Xiao was asleep, he whispered, "Then you'd better treat me even better."

Qin Xiao didn’t answer, but he held him even tighter.