Slag Shou Cultivating Manual - Chapter 63

When the three-day deadline arrived, Ao Li was ready to leave the mountain. His eyes were still clouded with an unshakable gloom, causing everyone around him to worry. Over these days, the sect leaders had sent out their disciples to search for He Lang, deploying almost all of the sect’s manpower to find him.

Fortunately, just at the last moment, a disciple rushed in from outside, kneeling down in front of everyone. He reported that they had found the Right Protector and that He Lang had returned with them, which caused Ao Li’s expression to change drastically.

Everyone sighed with relief but also speculated about the punishment He Lang might face for leaving without informing anyone, which had angered Ao Li and disrupted the sect.

What happened next astonished everyone. As soon as He Lang’s white boots crossed the threshold, Ao Li turned into a gust of wind and, in the blink of an eye, was by He Lang’s side. He buried himself deeply in He Lang’s neck and even awkwardly rubbed his cheek against him. This embrace, full of intense affection, was so fierce that it seemed as though Ao Li wanted to physically merge with He Lang or even consume him.

He Lang, holding his breath, showed a hint of embarrassment and surprise. He tried to pat Ao Li’s back to get him to release his grip, but Ao Li, acting like a spoiled child, ignored his status as the sect leader and displayed such an embarrassing display in front of his subordinates that everyone felt uncomfortable.

The Demon Doctor, sensing the awkwardness, cleared his throat and led his disciples out, closing the door behind them.

Once they were alone, He Lang shook his head and pushed Ao Li away. “Sect Leader… please let go. Your actions make me uncomfortable.”

Despite his formal tone, He Lang felt a warm glow inside. The intense and emotional embrace, along with Ao Li’s trembling and hurried breathing, indicated that Ao Li had fully recovered his memory and was deeply attached and regretful.

Ao Li finally let go, his face filled with grievance and bitterness. He muttered softly, “It must be the amnesiac He Lang who is so unwilling to let me hold you now.”

He recalled the time when they were fleeing together. Back then, He Lang had made many unreasonable demands, but Ao Li had met all of them and maintained an intimate and inseparable relationship with him. Now, after regaining all his memories, He Lang had become distant and indifferent, which Ao Li found unbearable.

In the days since He Lang left, Ao Li had dreamt of his return every night, waking up joyfully only to find himself alone. The cold loneliness and heartache were like poison, driving him nearly mad in the dead of night.

“Times have changed… Sect Leader, you’ve regained your memory. It’s better to forget the past,” He Lang said cautiously, remembering how he used to coax Ao Li like a child, feeling awkward and worried that Ao Li might bring up those moments.

“Forget?” Ao Li stiffened for a moment, giving a bitter smile. He sighed inwardly, “You’re so carefree. It seems you’ve left me with all the worries.”

He Lang didn’t catch his last murmured words but guessed they weren’t pleasant, so he remained silent.

Ao Li looked at him with a slightly choked voice, resolutely turning his back and speaking with difficulty, “You should go rest. I need some quiet time alone.”

He Lang furrowed his brows, knowing his actions had hurt Ao Li’s feelings. He reluctantly spoke up, gently touching Ao Li’s shoulder and closing the distance. “Don’t you want to hear my explanation?”

Ao Li turned his head and gave him a look, indicating he should explain.

He Lang then led Ao Li to a room where, on the central table, there was a light yellow silk robe neatly folded and a dark-colored porcelain jar beside it.

With Ao Li’s surprised gaze fixed on him, He Lang explained softly, “During my journey, I found Madam’s burial clothes and also discovered a jar of ashes elsewhere… judging by the weight, it might be from both of them.”

This revelation prompted many thoughts and heavy emotions, leaving them at a loss for words.

Ao Li felt a sudden relief, understanding finally why He Lang had left. However, he showed little interest in the relics and ashes of his parents, muttering things like, “If they don’t want me, I don’t want them either.”

He Lang remained silent, knowing that such emotional knots weren’t easily unraveled.

Yet seeing the remains of his parents, Ao Li couldn’t help but be touched. He carefully examined the items and instructed someone to bury them properly, then held He Lang’s hand with a touch of vulnerability, his eyes filled with emotion.

With He Lang being his sole emotional anchor, Ao Li vowed never to let him go again.

His heart raced with insecurity as he kept his gaze fixed on He Lang. His hands anxiously clenched and relaxed before finally resting gently on He Lang’s hand. He quietly asked, “If everyone in the world were to abandon me, would you?”

“Have you forgotten? I’m your subordinate. I promised to follow you until the end of my life,” He Lang said with a nonchalant smile. For him, Ao Li was the pillar of his world, and he would never abandon him.

Ao Li’s heart felt as though it was being filled with soft cotton, bringing a sense of fulfillment. He nodded in satisfaction and continued to ask, “Then, do you want me?”

He lifted his head slightly, looking down at He Lang with a serene expression, which made He Lang frown slightly, finding it hard to understand whether this was a statement of loyalty or something more ambiguous.

Seeing He Lang hesitate, Ao Li’s expression darkened again. Eager for an answer, he grabbed He Lang’s chin, glaring at him with a fierce look, and said with a threatening tone, “Say it. Say you want me.”

He Lang instinctively shook his head. “No, I can’t…” He couldn’t make such a promise to stay forever, so he hesitated.

Ao Li, enraged by the rejection, nearly strangled him, furious and embarrassed, “Say it again?”

Ao Li’s eyes narrowed. Even though he was glaring, his partially open eyes revealed a deep plea, as if begging for more affection and a longer stay.

He Lang struggled to breathe under Ao Li’s grip, feeling his chest tighten. He could only force a nod. “Yes, I want you…”

This affirmation pulled Ao Li from his abyss of despair, making him release He Lang immediately.

He Lang coughed a few times, his eyes misty, his chest heaving heavily, and his cheeks flushed with an alluring red. Ao Li regained his composure and looked at him with a dazed expression, his heart softened, and he couldn’t help but pull He Lang into an embrace, soothing him.

“That’s right. Just follow my lead, won’t you?”

He Lang felt a moment of frustration but understood Ao Li’s nature well. He played along and nodded obediently.

Ao Li fell silent, following his inner feelings, and leaned in to kiss He Lang.

The kiss was awkward and tinged with hesitation, not matching his usual domineering nature.

Ao Li, inexperienced in love, was unfamiliar with this kind of interaction. The taste of the kiss felt like fireworks bursting in his heart, bringing intense excitement and joy.

He Lang, caught off guard and feeling a leaden heart, was slightly stunned but knew this outcome was expected.

The Rabbit, which had been dormant in the manual, suddenly woke up and teased softly, “Host, why does everyone in each world fall in love with you?”

“Must be my charm,” He Lang sighed inwardly and replied calmly, causing the sharp-tongued Rabbit to fall silent for a moment. It then asked quietly, “So, host, have you given up struggling?”

He Lang pondered the question, feeling conflicted. It was his first time facing emotional entanglements with a task object, and he still hadn’t found a method to handle it comfortably.

The Rabbit, aware that He Lang had become less conservative after modern world exposure, suggested treating each world’s relationship as just another romance. When the world ends, it’s like breaking up, which allows him to move on and seek the next romance.

He Lang hesitated, but the Rabbit’s advice seemed reasonable. He nodded, finding a new direction and regaining his calm.

After the kiss, Ao Li released He Lang and, noticing that he was looking down without rejecting him, couldn’t help but smile. He immediately gave an order-like announcement, “Now you’re the Sect Leader’s consort. You have responsibilities. Understood?”

He Lang looked up at him, although he had prepared himself, he was still surprised by this progression.

Ao Li tapped He Lang’s forehead and said, “You’re lucky to have received my first kiss.”

Ao Li, rarely joking, looked at He Lang’s lips, then seemed to remember something and asked seriously, “Besides me, has anyone else treated you this way?”

Under Ao Li’s fierce gaze, He Lang naturally didn’t dare to tell the truth and immediately shook his head.

Satisfied, Ao Li kissed the corners of He Lang’s mouth several times, his joy evident.

In the following days, Ao Li’s temperament was the complete opposite of his recent volatility. Not only did he treat his subordinates kindly, but he also began to carefully attend to the sect’s affairs, as long as He Lang was by his side.

After the Rabbit’s advice, He Lang was fully compliant with Ao Li’s wishes. Understanding that Ao Li preferred gentleness over harshness, He Lang stopped making remarks that would upset him and indulged him like a child.

Believing that He Lang was genuinely close to him, Ao Li’s mood improved. They continued to enjoy poetry and music together, and everything was peaceful.

He Lang still painted for him and promised to show him real scenery. Ao Li kept this in mind, and when he nodded, he thought that He Lang was more beautiful than any painting. With He Lang by his side, any scenery would pale in comparison.

**Author’s Note:** The pure-hearted little top is the best. Back row is for cuteness!