Surprise! The Straight Man Long Aotian Actually Steals the Villain's Skirt - Chapter 17: The Southern Border Saint Obsessed with Gu Poison 17

Chapter 17: The Southern Border Saint Obsessed with Gu Poison 17

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

You want yang energy, but not like this, Lu Yi said hoarsely.

Shut up, did I permit you to speak? Xie Rong was already irritated from studying the ancient texts when the man’s interruption further annoyed him. He pulled out the snow-white socks reserved for winter from the small wardrobe by the bed and roughly stuffed them into the man’s mouth.

Before her death, his mother had told him that if he encountered doubts during Gu cultivation, he could always find solutions in the ancient texts.

He had clearly followed the illustrations in the texts, sitting on Lu Yi for a full cup of tea’s duration, yet he hadn’t felt the slightest trace of yang energy.

The ancient texts couldn’t be wrong, which meant the problem lay with Lu Yi.

What kind of man doesn’t even have yang energy?

Xie Rong pouted: Without yang energy, you’re not worthy of being my nourishment.

He pulled out the socks, untied Lu Yi, and prepared to throw him out.

Lu Yi grabbed his wrist instead. I have it.

Xie Rong frowned at him, his patience wearing thin.

The texts don’t mention this – let me teach you, Lu Yi sat up, placing him on his lap, their foreheads touching as he whispered, You can have as much as you want.

…

Ever since Lu Yi was taken to the unknown secret chamber for Gu cultivation, Jin Jiuzhou had become the most efficient worker in Rosy Valley.

I heard Lu Yi became the Valley Master’s male favorite precisely because he had the greatest strength and worked the hardest, a group of drug slaves gathered around the long table during dinner, one of them glancing meaningfully at Jin Jiuzhou. Young General, now that you chop wood the fastest and heat water the hottest in the valley, the Valley Master is quite pleased. Will you be next?

Unless you want me to flip this table a second time, shut up! Jin Jiuzhou, agitated, slammed his fist on the table, making the bowls and dishes rattle instantly.

No one spoke again, but his thoughts wandered uncontrollably, his hand unconsciously stroking the firm, bulging muscles on his arm. How could a man as masculine as him be inferior to someone like Lu Yi?

What if that demon grew tired of Lu Yi and came for him instead?

If he refused, would it implicate others in the valley?

That wouldn’t be good, so he’d have no choice but to accept.

Jin Jiuzhou hastily finished his bowl of rice and stood up distractedly to leave.

Though summer had passed and the weather was cooling, Jin Jiuzhou maintained his habit of bathing in the lake. As he gathered his clothes to go, Song Qingming blocked his path.

The Valley Master summons you to pick oranges in front of the bamboo house, Song Qingming said tonelessly.

Why don’t you go yourself during such an opportune time to curry favor? Jin Jiuzhou sneered coldly.

Song Qingming’s face darkened.

Of course he wanted to go, but the Valley Master thought he wasn’t agile enough at climbing trees, fearing he might damage the precious oranges, and insisted on Jin Jiuzhou going instead!

I’ve delivered the message. If you refuse, face the consequences, Song Qingming said with a false smile.

It would be best if he didn’t go – perhaps the Valley Master would then grow completely disgusted with these crude martial types.

Jin Jiuzhou raised his eyebrows challengingly: Who said I wouldn’t go? If I refuse, what if he takes his anger out on everyone in the valley?

This reasoning was utterly convincing. Jin Jiuzhou, self-satisfied, strode past Song Qingming with his head held high, heading straight for the bamboo house.

Along the way, he even adjusted his clothes and tightened his ponytail. Of course, this was merely to make orange picking more efficient.

With autumn’s arrival, darkness fell early. Xie Rong sat on the bamboo house’s front steps, leisurely eating a half-peeled orange. The candlelight from within the bamboo house shone behind him, casting a soft, warm glow around his slender shoulders.

Jin Jiuzhou slowed his pace unconsciously as he watched from afar.

It was like… a young wife waiting at the door for her husband to return home.

As Jin Jiuzhou approached the hazy glow of light, his gaze was involuntarily drawn to the love bites on Xie Rong’s neck.

These past few days, such marks had appeared on Xie Rong’s neck, between his fingers, and even on his ankles. The Drug slaves in the valley had all seen them and couldn’t help but speculate in private.

They said he was taking Lu Yi to the secret chamber for torture, but in reality, they were probably doing unspeakable things, right?

That scoundrel Lu Yi, who spoke so righteously in the fields, shielding others from suffering—he had long been in cahoots with this devil!

A ball of anger lodged in Jin Jiuzhou’s chest.

What are you standing there for? Xie Rong glared at him, his tone sinister. If you don’t finish picking the oranges, don’t even think about sleeping.

Jin Jiuzhou’s cheeks burned red. He responded stiffly and climbed up the tree.

Xie Rong withdrew his gaze, focusing on the pain value displayed on the system panel.

[Current Protagonist Pain Value: 90]

The final ten points simply wouldn’t budge.

No matter what he did to Lu Yi, there were no more fluctuations.

[Host, the plot kill is coming soon! Aren’t you anxious?] The system was hopping with urgency. [Why isn’t the pain value increasing? If there isn’t enough pain value to convert into energy, I won’t be able to take you to the next world!]

No need to rush, Xie Rong said lazily, biting into a segment of orange. Have you forgotten? The Love Gu in his body hasn’t been removed yet.

If being humiliated while under the influence of the Love Gu could raise the pain value, how much more so after it’s removed?

[When does the host plan to remove the Gu?]

Xie Rong glanced up at the full moon hanging in the sky.

Tonight was the night of the full moon.

By the next full moon, it would be the day the protagonist sought his revenge.

How about today? Xie Rong said casually.

[Just like that?]

Xie Rong: Does something like this require an auspicious date?

Xie Rong stood up, glanced at Jin Jiuzhou still picking oranges in the tree, then turned and returned to the bamboo house. He opened the secret chamber, picked up an oil lamp, and descended the pitch-black stairs.

Another oil lamp was lit inside the secret chamber.

The man’s hair was slightly disheveled, his muscular upper body bare as he leaned against the wall with his eyes closed. With each breath, the scratch marks on his chest shifted.

As soon as Xie Rong set down the oil lamp and approached, the man tightly wrapped his arms around his waist.

Lu Yi inhaled his scent, his pupils vacant yet filled with attachment. Where have you been these past few days?

What do you mean, ‘these past few days’? I just left an hour ago, Xie Rong chuckled.

Lu Yi fell silent, then spoke hoarsely, I can’t remember clearly.

How pitiful, Xie Rong laughed, lightly patting his face, then withdrew his hand in disgust when he felt the stubble.

But since you’ve been so well-behaved, how about going out for a walk? As Xie Rong spoke, he moved to unlock the shackle around Lu Yi’s neck.

No, Lu Yi was seized by boundless terror. Over these days, his intimate encounters with Xie Rong had left him addicted—Xie Rong’s body was too soft, and it had eroded all his hatred and resistance. Being torn away from such a gentle embrace after so long would kill him. Don’t go out. Let’s just stay here, just you and me.

Xie Rong was pleased.

The Gu poison had likely rotted Lu Yi’s brain.

He hoped that after the poison was removed, Lu Yi would recall these disgusting words he’d spoken and die of fury.

I have a gift for you.

Lu Yi had grown accustomed to feeding him yang energy. His coarse fingertips slipped beneath the hem of Xie Rong’s vest, caressing the hollow of his waist. What gift?

Xie Rong smiled without answering, retrieving a silver needle from his hair and plunging it into Lu Yi’s chest.

He waited patiently for a moment, but as his smile gradually faded, he withdrew the needle and stabbed it in again.

Slender fingers suddenly clamped around Lu Yi’s neck, tightening with force. Each word was uttered in a suppressed, frenzied tone, You were never afflicted with the Love Gu?