Slag Shou Cultivating Manual - Chapter 112

Chapter 112 Bewildered and Enchanted

After sending the young master off as usual, He Lang dragged his exhausted body back to the office sofa for a midday nap.

In his previous life, he had been a spiritual cultivator, never experiencing fatigue. But in this world, with his return to a normal human body and the pressures of a formal job, he was acutely aware of the presence of exhaustion.

He slept deeply and for a long time, until an unusual sensation in his body completely disrupted his peace.

He rolled off the sofa abruptly, waking from his sleep in shock. His entire body felt overheated, his back was covered in a cold sweat, his face flushed and dripping with perspiration, and his lower half burned with an unbearable heat. Even his skin had taken on a faint redness.

A sense of foreboding crept over him, as he recognized these symptoms all too well.

Since arriving in this world, he had yet to administer the pheromone suppression serum to himself. It must have expired by now, and its side effects were evident: forcibly triggering his heat cycle prematurely.

Wiping the sweat from his brow and patting his flushed cheeks, He Lang shook his head to clear his thoughts and staggered over to his desk, hoping to find some medicine in the drawer. But after only a few steps, his legs turned to jelly, and he stumbled onto the thick carpet.

An unfamiliar desire rose within him, both terrifying and exhilarating. Struggling to lift his head, he took in more oxygen from the air and mustered the courage to undo his belt.

With no one around, he decided that trying to resolve the issue himself might be more effective than searching for medication.

…

The blazing sunlight outside had mellowed, and the sky took on a faintly dusky hue.

It wasn’t quite sunset yet when Rao Chen returned to the rear entrance of the sanatorium. Not finding the person he expected, he paused to look around, but no trace of He Lang could be seen. Frowning slightly, he quickened his steps and slipped inside.

He had returned much earlier than usual today—partly because things had gone smoothly, and partly because he wanted to see the person who always waited for him.

But after finding no one waiting, even as he returned to his ward, Rao Chen’s expression tightened. With a hint of dissatisfaction, he marched straight toward the director’s office.

However, any trace of displeasure dissolved when he heard the muffled sounds of heavy breathing emanating from within the office. Rao Chen froze mid-step, holding his breath as he listened for a few seconds, his imagination running wild.

He turned the doorknob and opened it just a crack. What he saw through the gap made his eyes widen in astonishment.

The person inside was already disheveled, half-naked, reclining on the plush black carpet, his pale skin contrasting starkly against the dark background. His current posture was enough to make one blush and look away—his long legs were bare and bent slightly outward in an indecent spread.

Rao Chen’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he held his breath, his eyes fixed entirely on He Lang.

He Lang seemed completely engrossed in his own world, oblivious to the fact that someone was watching him. Desperately craving something to ease his torment, the helpless man could only resort to satisfying his insatiable body alone.

His hand moved clumsily between his legs, random and frantic in its motions. Under the mounting pressure of his desires, he threw his head back, his delicate neck arching upward, revealing a subtle, elegant Adam’s apple. Soft whimpers and fragmented moans escaped his throat, striking Rao Chen’s heart like a rapid drumbeat.

A distinct pheromone, unique to Omegas, filled the air—a rich and enticing scent reminiscent of honey to bees or flowers to butterflies. The fragrance of an Omega could drive an Alpha mad in an instant.

Realizing this, Rao Chen was both astonished and alarmed. He had always believed He Lang to be an Alpha. But the undeniable pull of pheromonal attraction left no room for doubt: this was unmistakably the scent of an Omega!

Dry-mouthed and distracted, Rao Chen was struck by a sudden thought: pheromones spread quickly. If other Alphas in the sanatorium caught wind of this, what might happen? He, with his relatively mild cravings, was already losing control. What about the others?

The thought jolted Rao Chen into action. Without hesitation, he pushed the door open and locked it behind him, his gaze fixed sharply on the man exuding this intoxicating scent.

Startled by the intrusion, He Lang flinched. Seeing who it was, his shock and urgency intensified. In that moment of surprise, a spurt of milky fluid arced through the air. Rao Chen’s eyes froze, unblinking, as a wave of heat surged through his body, an unfamiliar impulse electrifying every nerve from head to toe.

He Lang sighed helplessly, wiping the liquid from his hands. Meeting Rao Chen’s gaze, he shakily pulled on his pants. Once he had dressed himself properly, he calmly muttered, “Pardon the scene.”

In mere moments, He Lang had reverted to his usual composed and refined demeanor, as if the man writhing sensually on the carpet moments ago were nothing more than a vivid, springtime dream.

Yet the tantalizing image replayed vividly in Rao Chen’s mind, the dual assault of scent and sight leaving him dizzy. Regaining his composure with great effort, he forced himself to appear less unhinged, asking sternly:

“You’re an Omega? Why didn’t you tell me?”

The moment Rao Chen had entered the room, He Lang had anticipated this question.

“Although I promised we would be honest with each other… our circumstances are different. You, an Omega turned Alpha, could erase the stigma and rise above. But for me, falling from an Alpha to an Omega is like plunging into an abyss, with no hope of escape… The restrictions of being an Omega are something you’ve experienced firsthand. I hope you can understand my reasons for hiding it.”

Rao Chen, though understanding his predicament, still frowned disapprovingly.

“This shows you don’t trust me.”

He Lang faltered but quickly recovered, moving closer with sincerity in his gaze. “I’m sorry. It was hard for me to admit… but it doesn’t mean I don’t trust you. I swear I won’t hide anything from you again.”

If he were to keep secrets, he would ensure Rao Chen never found out about them, he silently added to himself.

Rao Chen didn’t doubt him. Hearing this, he relaxed and offered a faint smile.

He knew he wasn’t strong enough. Even with this confession, he couldn’t offer the support He Lang needed. He couldn’t be the pillar He Lang relied on—so how could he blame him?

He understood He Lang’s capabilities and talent, qualities that allowed him to build such a vast sanatorium at a young age. Previously, he had attributed it to the inherent excellence of Alphas. But now, knowing He Lang was an Omega, he realized the immense pressure the man had endured was no less than his own.

Amid his initial shock, Rao Chen felt a strange sense of tenderness stir within him.

In their own way, they were both burdened by secrets and immense pressure. But now, He Lang had become someone Rao Chen could lean on. Shouldn’t he also strive to become someone strong enough for He Lang to depend on, someone they could mutually rely on?

Even though the pheromones in the room had largely dissipated by now, the faint traces that remained were still enough to cloud Rao Chen’s mind.

Especially as He Lang leaned closer, Rao Chen felt half his body go weak. Smirking, he lightly pinched He Lang’s shoulder and said teasingly, “But you’re an Omega, and I’m an Alpha. If we stay this close… might something happen?”

As he spoke, he leaned in even closer, brushing up against He Lang. Startled, He Lang shivered and said hurriedly, “If you know that, then keep your distance.”

Rao Chen smiled with amusement, his interest clearly piqued. For the first time, He Lang saw such an expression on Rao Chen’s face. Strangely, it didn’t feel out of place; it was as if this was how he was meant to look, radiant and lively, only previously suppressed by the constraints of being an Omega.

Then Rao Chen said something completely unexpected.

Resting his chin on his hand, he mused openly, “Well, since our genders are compatible, and I’ve never been in a relationship, we could try it out.”

“…”

He Lang rolled his eyes internally, expressionlessly pushing Rao Chen away. Did he think relationships were like buying clothes, something you could just “try on”?

“Sorry, my current identity is an Alpha. Naturally, I’m looking for an Omega as a partner.”

Hearing He Lang’s refusal, Rao Chen’s smile deepened. “What a coincidence. My current identity is also an Omega. Doesn’t that mean we’re a match made in heaven?”

“Are you teasing me now that you’ve discovered my secret?”

Rao Chen chuckled, clearly in a good mood. “I just thought you were too tense and wanted to lighten the mood. Don’t worry about what just happened—I don’t mind…” After all, he had thoroughly enjoyed the view.

He Lang sighed in relief, shooting him a reproachful glance, his face still faintly flushed from earlier.

Rao Chen’s heart raced, a trace of nervousness flickering through him as he looked down.

What had started as a joke to tease his usually serious companion had inadvertently stirred something within him.

Ever since learning He Lang’s true identity, Rao Chen could no longer view him as just a partner. No matter how independent He Lang was, Rao Chen couldn’t help but imagine him as a restrained, vulnerable Omega in need of an Alpha’s protection.

The natural allure between Alphas and Omegas was undeniable. And after witnessing that breathtaking scene, Rao Chen found himself filled with complex feelings. Though he claimed not to mind what had happened, it was only to set He Lang at ease.

Even though the incident had happened some time ago and He Lang treated him as usual, the memory of He Lang’s pheromones had left an indelible mark on Rao Chen.

His body seemed to retain a lingering sensitivity; just a whiff of He Lang’s scent would awaken the dormant excitement within him.

Author’s Note: This setting really lends itself to steamy scenes [sneaks away]. How’s the pacing? Not too fast, right… not too fast!