Feng Qi Looked Up and Saw a Face Identical to His Own
Reason burned away completely amid the steadily rising heat. This long-awaited kiss was lingering and drawn out, and it was not until Ji Chaoyun let out a low moan he could no longer suppress that Feng Qi finally eased his advance.
He did not pull away.
Instead, he lowered his head and he gave Ji Chaoyun’s lips a few soft, fleeting kisses, his movements intimate and tender.
“Sometimes even I don’t understand why I like you this much.”
Feng Qi drew him fully into his arms, gazing at Ji Chaoyun’s handsome profile as he murmured, “Why exactly is that...”
The more Feng Qi came to understand him, the more he liked him. The more he liked him, the more his heart ached for him. He wished he could hold him in his arms at every moment, carefully protecting him and never letting him go anywhere.
Ji Chaoyun seemed to have completely lost track of what Feng Qi was saying. His eyes were half-open, his expression dazed and bewildered.
His lips, already flushed from being kissed, were stained an even deeper red. His sweat-dampened hair clung to his pale face, and beneath Feng Qi’s intent gaze, a pair of dragon horns slowly emerged from his forehead.
Feng Qi stared fixedly at those dragon horns, his breathing growing heavier.
This was not the first time Ji Chaoyun had revealed his dragon form before him, but he had never allowed anyone to touch his horns before.
Yet... they had already kissed.
Second Highness Feng struggled with himself for a moment before finally reaching out and lightly touching one of the dragon horns.
The horns were solid at their core, but their surface covered in a layer of soft, fine down. Unexpectedly, they felt rather soft to the touch. Feng Qi licked his lips, unable to help himself, and gave it a gentle squeeze.
Ji Chaoyun trembled, and his eyes immediately misted over.
“You like that so much?” Feng Qi watched his reaction and gave it a few more squeezes, deliberately rubbing the soft down beneath his fingertips.
“Mm... no...”
Ji Chaoyun turned his head away, as if trying to escape, but Feng Qi held him too tightly, leaving him nowhere to go. His body tensed, then quickly went soft again, his eyes rimmed red, as if he had been thoroughly wronged
Feng Qi lowered his head and licked the dragon horn.
A streak of white light suddenly flashed through the room. Feng Qi’s arms were abruptly empty, leaving only a pile of scattered clothes on the small couch.
“...”
Feng Qi blinked.
He lifted the clothes aside and discovered a slender little silver dragon curled among them, trembling pitifully.
Oh no. He’d gone too far.
“Come out. I won’t tease you anymore.” Feng Qi coaxed softly.
The little dragon stared at him without moving, its vertical pupils misty with tears, clearly unconvinced.
Feng Qi did not know whether to laugh or cry. He moved back a little to put some distance between them. “Is this all right? I won’t touch you. Come out. Aren’t you feeling stuffy in there?”
He deliberately turned his head away, not looking at it. A moment later, a cool, faint touch brushed against his fingertips. The little dragon finally crawled out from the pile of clothes, nuzzling its head against his fingers, its claws gripping his fingers and slowly climbing up.
Feng Qi did not turn around or stop him, simply allowing the dragon to coil around his wrist like a snake.
The little dragon rested its head in Feng Qi’s palm and finally stopped moving.
Feng Qi looked down. The little dragon had already closed its eyes in his palm and was sleeping so soundly that tiny snores had begun to escape him.
Whenever Ji Chaoyun’s consciousness was unclear, he never guarded himself against Feng Qi at all.
Feng Qi gathered Ji Chaoyun’s scattered clothes, then lay down on the small couch.
He rested his right hand lightly over his chest, careful not to press against the little dragon curled around his wrist.
“One day, I’ll make sure you won’t even push me away when you’re awake.” Feng Qi raised his hand and pressed a kiss to the little dragon’s forehead, murmuring softly, “Good night.”
☁
The following morning.
Thud!
A heavy, muffled thump sounded from the inner chamber. Before Feng Qi had even opened his eyes, he found himself abruptly kicked out of bed.
“...”
The painfully familiar scene left him somewhat dazed. Feng Qi lay sprawled on the floor for quite a while before remembering where he was.
On the bed, Ji Chaoyun had already returned to human form. He stared at Feng Qi warily, brows furrowed. “What did you do to me this time?”
It took Feng Qi a while to shake off the confusion of being violently awakened. He immediately protested in grievance, “I didn’t do anything! Can’t you tell for yourself whether I did anything to you?!”
“Then... then why did you take off my clothes?”
“You took them off yourself!”
Under Ji Chaoyun’s suspicious stare, Feng Qi patiently explained, “You got drunk last night and changed back into your true form. You crawled out of your own clothes and insisted on wrapping yourself around me while you slept. How is that my fault?”
Ji Chaoyun: “...”
Ji Chaoyun wrapped the blanket around himself. The tips of his ears hidden beneath his long hair slowly turned red as he asked in a small voice, “I really turned back into my true form on my own?”
“Of course.”
Feng Qi made no mention whatsoever of how he had taken advantage of Ji Chaoyun while he was vulnerable. He held out his wrist and said with perfect righteousness, “I still have marks from where your dragon claws scratched me. Come look for yourself!”
Ji Chaoyun cautiously poked his head out and looked.
Four claw marks lay neatly across Feng Qi’s wrist. There was also a red ring around the edge of his wrist bone where the dragon’s body had been wrapped around him, especially conspicuous against his pale skin.
“...”
Even Ji Chaoyun’s neck turned red. He muttered, “Sorry.”
Feng Qi snorted and stood, patting the dust from his clothes in indignation.
If he had known this would happen, he should have taken a little more advantage of Ji Chaoyun last night. He was going to get kicked like this anyway... What was the point of being an upstanding gentleman?
He thought this rather disgruntledly to himself.
By the time the two returned to the academy, most of morning class had already passed. Since Ji Chaoyun’s problem with the illusion remained unresolved, Feng Qi simply had him take another day off and brought him back to Wenqu Peak.
When they entered the courtyard, Bai Qiuyue was sprawled across Feng Qi’s bamboo couch, staring at them with great interest.
“Where were you two last night?” the white fox asked teasingly, narrowing his eyes.
Feng Qi replied, “We went out to clear our heads. What does it have to do with you?”
“Oh, so you were clearing your heads...” The fox clearly loved stirring up trouble and drawled leisurely, “Going out on the Qixi Festival and not returning all night. Second Highness Feng really knows how to choose a day to clear his head.”
Both men froze.
So yesterday had been Qixi.
Ji Chaoyun hastily lowered his head. Feng Qi also somewhat awkwardly rubbed his nose and said, “Enough about that. It’s good you’re here, I actually have something I need your help with.”
Feng Qi explained their plan to Bai Qiuyue.
The latter thought for a moment before saying, “My cultivation has gradually recovered these past few days, so helping Junior Brother Ji enter a dream will not be difficult. However...”
“However what?”
“An illusion created through Heavenly Fox illusion arts is no gentler than the Illusory Clarity Mirror.” Bai Qiuyue said, “An illusion born from a person’s weakness will cause those past events to unfold once again before your eyes, no different from experiencing them all over again. If Junior Brother Ji has yet to figure out how to break through it, entering the dream would only add to his suffering.”
“I understand.” Ji Chaoyun said. “I’ll do my best to try.”
Bai Qiuyue turned toward Feng Qi. The latter slowly nodded. Only then did Bai Qiuyue say, “All right. I’ll help you.”
Ji Chaoyun sat upon the bamboo couch in the middle of the courtyard, unable to fully hide the unease in his expression. Feng Qi walked over and took his right hand.
“Don’t move,” Feng Qi said softly before Ji Chaoyun could speak.
Feng Qi tapped the golden chain around his wrist. The chain transformed into a stream of golden light and descended along their joined hands before wrapping itself around Ji Chaoyun’s wrist.
Ji Chaoyun’s eyes flickered. “You...”
“In case you lose your spiritual power inside the illusion.” Feng Qi said, “Keep this with you for protection. Once I sense that something is wrong, I’ll wake you. Don’t be afraid.”
“...Mm.”
“So sickeningly sweet...” The white fox stood before the bamboo couch and muttered under his breath.
Feng Qi rose and stepped back half a pace, then turned to Bai Qiuyue to signal that he could begin.
A sudden fresh breeze swept through the courtyard. A faint green light arose in the white fox’s eyes, reflecting into the depths of Ji Chaoyun’s eyes.
A moment later, Ji Chaoyun closed his eyes. His body went limp, and Feng Qi immediately caught him.
Feng Qi helped Ji Chaoyun lie down on the bamboo couch when Bai Qiuyue’s leisurely voice sounded from behind him.
“That golden chain whip of yours was painstakingly forged from who knows how many rare and precious spiritual materials you searched far and wide for. In the past, you wouldn’t even let anyone else touch it, yet just like that, you’ve let it recognize this little dragon as its master”
Feng Qi replied, “It’s only a whip. If it suits his hand, I don’t mind giving it to him.”
“Lust clouds the mind. The ancients truly did not deceive me.” Bai Qiuyue sighed and leaped onto the roof to continue basking in the sun.
☁
Ji Chaoyun opened his eyes inside the illusion.
He was surrounded by boundless darkness, unable to distinguish any path ahead. Suddenly, a light flickered in the distance, brightening and dimming by turns. Like a lone lantern lit upon a pitch-black sea, he ran toward that light, drawing closer and closer...
The light gradually took form within the darkness, transforming into a familiar silhouette.
“Feng... Feng Xiao...” Ji Chaoyun called softly, but the owner of that silhouette continued walking forward as though he could not hear him.
Ji Chaoyun quickened his pace, tet the other man seemed to move faster as well. He chased with all his strength, only able to watch helplessly as the distance between them grew farther and farther.
“No, don’t go... It’s me, Feng Xiao. Wait for me!”
Ji Chaoyun tripped over something and fell hard to the ground. He paid no heed to the fall, straining to look ahead with all his might.
Feng Xiao’s figure had already vanished from sight.
“Feng Xiao!”
A faint sound came from beside him. Ji Chaoyun turned his head and only then realized that what he had tripped over was someone’s leg.
A person lay beside him upon the dark ground. The dim light concealed his features, leaving only the faint, rapid rise and fall of his chest visible.
Ji Chaoyun crawled over to the person’s side. Only then did he finally see that pale face clearly, along with the blood still flowing from all over his body and the countless wounds left by blades and swords.
“Feng Xiao...” He pulled the man into his arms, desperately pressing his hands against the other’s wounds. His vision blurred. “You’ll be all right, Feng Xiao. You’ll be...”
Feng Xiao looked at him gently and said softly. “I broke my promise, Xialong.”
“No...”
“Don’t wait anymore. I won’t come back.” Deep attachment filled Feng Xiao’s eyes, and his voice was gentle, yet the words he spoke were utterly cruel and heartless. Give up. I can never come back.”
“I already told you. He can never come back.”
A voice emerged from the darkness. Ji Chaoyun raised his head and saw a hazy silhouette appeared before him.
A black-robed figure approached with sword in hand, the shifting light falling across a stark white mask, making him look all the more menacing.
Ji Chaoyun held Feng Xiao and slowly backed away.
“You... don’t come any closer...”
The cold body in his arms seemed to weigh a thousand jin. Ji Chaoyun lowered his head and caught completely off guard, found himself face-to-face with an expressionless white mask
“Ah!”
Ji Chaoyun released his hold in panic and scrambled backward on both hands and feet.
The black-robed man rose and walked toward him unhurriedly. “I know you’re already exhausted. Come here. Hand over the phoenix golden feather, and I’ll give you a quick death.”
“No...”
“No?” The black-robed man tilted his head and raised the longsword in his hand, cold light glinting along its blade. “Then die together with him!”
The sword tore through the air. Ji Chaoyun instinctively raised an arm to shield himself.
Yet the expected pain never came. He raised his head and saw a golden light blocking the sword before him. The light flowed from the golden chain wrapped around his wrist, surrounding Ji Chaoyun in warmth and blocking every attack.
As if by some miracle, Ji Chaoyun’s agitated heartbeat gradually steadied.
He curled his fingers inward, a long whip appeared in his hand.
The next instant, golden light erupted.
The black-robed man staggered back several steps, a gash torn across his arm, blood dripping from his fingertips into the darkness.
Ji Chaoyun rose with the whip in hand and stared coldly at him. “Who exactly are you?”
The other made no answer, turning to flee into the darkness. Ji Chaoyun gave chase, and the surroundings changed around him without warning. He looked up in a daze, realizing he had returned to that same sunless, dense forest.
However this time, there was no fear left in his heart.
Ji Chaoyun lowered his eyes to the whip in his hand and said softly, “Thank you.”
“...Wouldn’t it be better to save that for when you can tell me to my face?”
A voice sounded beside Ji Chaoyun’s ear.
Ji Chaoyun stilled. A beam of golden light suddenly flew from the long whip in his hand and manifested into a figure beside him.
Feng Qi tilted his head and looked at him, a smile in his eyes.
“...” Ji Chaoyun fell silent for a moment, then asked, “Your divine consciousness again?”
Feng Qi frowned. “What kind of expression is that? I came because I was worried about you.”
“I know.” Ji Chaoyun smiled faintly and handed the golden whip back to him before earnestly saying, “Then I’ll say it again. Thank you.”
Feng Qi took the whip. “Since you’re all right now, shall we leave?”
Ji Chaoyun shook his head. “There’s still one thing left unfinished.”
“What?”
Ji Chaoyun looked toward the depths of the dark forest and said softly, “This illusion was born from the fear of the black-robed man within my heart, which is why it pulled us back to the moment when we encountered him back then. Here, he has a physical body. Doesn’t that mean...”
Realization dawned on Feng Qi. “If we capture him, we’ll be able to learn his true identity.”
“Yes.” Ji Chaoyun said. “This may be our only chance.”
The wind howled through the trees.
A black figure moved swiftly through the forest.
Suddenly, a flash of golden light burst before him. The black-robed man’s steps faltered. A moment later, someone kicked him in the shoulder, sending him sprawling to the ground.
Feng Qi landed steadily, sneering. “Weren’t you so capable when you were bullying someone? What are you running for?”
The black-robed man tried to rise when a sword silently settled against his throat.
“Don’t move.” Ji Chaoyun lifted the blade slightly as he asked coldly, “Who are you? Why are you trying to seize the phoenix golden feather?”
“...”
Feng Qi said, “You can’t stay inside this illusion for too long. Don’t waste time talking to him.”
Ji Chaoyun nodded. With a turn of his wrist, he slashed cleanly across the black-robed man’s face.
The pure white mask shattered beneath the sword energy. A familiar face was revealed beneath it.
Yaoguang.
Ji Chaoyun’s eyes flickered.
The hand holding his sword trembled faintly. “It really is you...”
The face before him was unmistakably Yaoguang’s, yet his expression was entirely unlike the man they normally knew.
He raised his head toward Ji Chaoyun and suddenly smiled, a deep malice surfacing in his eyes, “What a pity that you caught me.”
Feng Qi asked, “Why do you want the Phoenix Golden Feather? What exactly are you?”
“Who I am has nothing to do with you.” Yaoguang looked at them with a smile, not the slightest trace of fear on his face. The gods are declining, while the demons are rising. This world will soon belong to us. Even if it were not me, there would always be someone else.”
“What are you talking...”
Before Ji Chaoyun could finish speaking, Yaoguang suddenly raised a hand and grabbed Ji Chaoyun’s sword by the blade, pulled with all his strength.
A dull sound rang out as steel pierced flesh, the blade plunged straight through Yaoguang’s throat.
His body quickly dissolved into a wisp of green smoke, vanishing into the forest without a trace.
The forest fell silent for a moment. Ji Chaoyun stared down at the place where Yaoguang had disappeared and did not speak for a long while.
Feng Qi patted him on the shoulder and said gently, “It’s all right. This is only an illusion. Once we return to reality, we can still capture him.”
“I understand.” Ji Chaoyun let out a breath and said slowly, “I just never expected... that it really was him.”
Feng Qi sighed. “Who could have expected it? And to think Uncle trusted him so much.”
Ji Chaoyun withdrew his gaze.
“Let’s go.”
“Mm.” Feng Qi nodded. “The exit to the illusion should be nearby. We—”
Before he could finish, Ji Chaoyun’s body suddenly swayed, and he collapsed weakly toward the ground.
Feng Qi hurriedly caught him.
“Chaoyun? Can you hear me? Chaoyun?”
Feng Qi called anxiously, but Ji Chaoyun’s eyes were tightly closed, as though he had already lost consciousness.
Then a voice sounded softly from within the void. “Don’t worry. He’s fine.”
Feng Qi’s movements abruptly stilled.
A beam of golden light emerged from Ji Chaoyun’s chest and circled around the two of them. At last, it transformed before them into a tall, familiar figure.
Feng Qi slowly looked up.
Before him stood a man dressed in pale-golden robes, with a face identical to his own.
Feng Xiao.
☁︎₊˚⊹ The Author’s Jade-Slip Aside ⊹˚₊☁︎
Some readers in the comments didn’t understand how the illusion was constructed, so I revised it a little.
Finally made it to this part. The highest realm of being jealous of myself, getting into a Shura field with myself【？】
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