Chapter 6

The bonfire appeared exceptionally bright in the late-night forest. The children sleeping around it had temporarily forgotten the distinction between boys and girls, lying close together and curling into one another for a little extra warmth.

Qin Ming tossed another piece of wood into the fire, making the flames burn more vigorously.

This was his first night since arriving in this world.

After spending the entire day frightened and on edge, he was physically and mentally exhausted. He desperately wished he could lie down and sleep. Perhaps when he woke up, he would find himself back in his rented apartment, his computer running as he played JX3.

However, he was still awake right now.

The imperial youth had proposed keeping watch during the night. As his little follower, Qin Ming naturally had to follow his lead.

The immortal robe protected him from the cold. Aside from the night wind feeling slightly chilly against his face, his body remained comfortably warm. The imperial youth beside him was dressed in aristocratic silk, which offered no protection from the cold. He sat cross-legged with his hands forming a meditation seal below his navel, his eyes half-closed and his expression serene.

Qin Ming stole glances at him from time to time, feeling that the firelight made the youth’s face appear even more exquisite. His meticulously arranged ink-black hair was tied behind his head and fell straight past his waist. His deep crimson-purple robe spread around him, looking incomparably luxurious. His breathing was calm, his mind focused, and his body as motionless as a mountain. For a moment, Qin Ming thought he was looking at a lifeless doll dressed in historical clothing.

Touching the robe he wore, Qin Ming lowered his head and felt somewhat guilty.

As the saying went, rivers and mountains were easier to change than a person’s nature.

He was Qin Ming from the modern world. He could not pretend to be “Gou’er” for the rest of his life. He did not know why the young prince Feng Yan treated “Gou’er” so well. The two had only met aboard the flying ship, where Gou’er had acknowledged Feng Yan as his master. When the accident occurred, Feng Yan had not abandoned his little servant and had protected him throughout the ordeal. Unfortunately, Gou’er had been ill-fated and ultimately passed away, allowing an impostor like Qin Ming to borrow his body and return to life.

Qin Ming could pretend to be a child for a short time, but as time passed, his true nature would inevitably reveal itself, making it impossible to continue the act. If Feng Yan became suspicious, how would he explain himself? Perhaps he should confess everything now to prevent a rift from forming between them later.

Qin Ming unconsciously frowned and sighed repeatedly. What he feared even more was that Feng Yan would refuse to believe him after he confessed and dispose of him as some kind of ghost or monster.

“Is something troubling you?”

The person beside him suddenly spoke. Qin Ming flinched and discovered that Feng Yan had finished meditating at some point.

“Uh… well…” He tugged at his robe, his expression evasive.

“Hmm?”

“I want to ask you something…” Qin Ming cautiously glanced at him. “Why… are you so good to me?”

Feng Yan stared at him, his beautiful eyes reflecting a reddish glow from the flames. Feeling guilty, Qin Ming turned his head away and inwardly cursed himself for acting so weak that he did not even dare meet a young boy’s gaze.

Seeing Qin Ming nearly curl into a ball, Feng Yan turned away and stared into the flames. His pale pink lips parted.

“I once had a younger brother.”

Qin Ming pricked up his ears, only to hear this one sentence.

He had a younger brother?

Did that mean Feng Yan treated Qin Ming so well because he resembled his younger brother? Was Feng Yan regarding him as a substitute for his brother?

“He died during a palace power struggle,” Feng Yan said softly.

Qin Ming trembled slightly.

It seemed that every imperial family experienced cruel struggles within the palace. It was extremely difficult for a prince to grow up safely. No wonder Feng Yan would rather pursue cultivation at such a young age than remain in the palace and compete for the throne.

“My… condolences.” Qin Ming instinctively patted his arm.

“You do not resemble him.” Feng Yan looked down at his arm.

Qin Ming’s hand stiffened, and he withdrew it sheepishly.

So he had merely been flattering himself?

If he did not resemble the younger brother, why bring him up?

“Aboard the treasure ship, Gou’er’s eyes resembled his,” Feng Yan continued.

Qin Ming wiped his face and stared speechlessly at the bonfire. Brother, couldn’t you finish everything in one breath?

“Cowardly, timid, and as easily frightened as a bird startled by the mere twang of a bow.”

A chill ran down Qin Ming’s spine. He abruptly raised his head and stared blankly at the imperial youth.

Feng Yan suddenly lifted Qin Ming’s small chin and scrutinized him. “Neither my younger brother nor Gou’er would ever have dared to stare at another person so boldly and discourteously.”

A lie was like a bubble that burst with the lightest touch.

The surrounding air seemed to freeze. Feng Yan’s expression was indifferent, and his eyes were as deep as a dark pool. Panic surged through Qin Ming after being exposed, making it difficult for him to breathe. His chin ached beneath Feng Yan’s grip. He bit his lip, his embarrassment turning into anger.

He was a grown man, yet a young boy had toyed with him so thoroughly?

He slapped Feng Yan’s hand away, rose onto his knees, and seized Feng Yan by the collar. Pressing his mouth close to Feng Yan’s ear, he whispered provocatively, “You little brat, have you been playing with me? That’s right! I didn’t lose my memory, and there’s no way I’m that cowardly Gou’er. That unlucky child died, and I borrowed his corpse to return to life. Are you scared?”

Feng Yan tilted his head slightly. A trace of astonishment appeared on his usually composed face. His noble status meant that no one had ever dared treat him so disrespectfully, yet today, a child had seized his collar, straddled him, and spoken so aggressively.

Qin Ming’s body was small. To make himself appear more intimidating, he pressed his entire body against Feng Yan, forcing the youth to lean backward.

His expression was more serious than ever and even somewhat fierce. He was straightforward by nature and occasionally careless. Although he rarely argued with others, he would never retreat when his own interests were threatened.

Gou’er had died, and Qin Ming had survived. It was just like buying a lottery ticket and getting unbelievably lucky enough to win fifty million. Even Heaven had helped him, so he was claiming this body for himself.

He had originally believed that these children, all around ten years old, were not particularly familiar with one another and that even his clumsy acting would be enough to fool them. Unfortunately, he had forgotten that this was not the Earth he came from, but another world where immortals existed and people could already discuss marriage at thirteen. A person’s future character could be seen at three and fully discerned by seven. The children here matured exceptionally early.

Gou’er had been closest to Feng Yan, so Feng Yan must have understood his personality perfectly. After Qin Ming’s soul transmigrated into Gou’er’s body and brought it back to life, only a few conversations had been enough for Feng Yan to see through him.

Qin Ming was not angry because his poor acting had been exposed. He was furious because Feng Yan had not confronted him from the beginning. Just when Qin Ming believed he could continue using Gou’er’s identity to integrate into the group, Feng Yan calmly and effortlessly struck at the heart of the matter, making him look like a complete fool.

These thoughts flashed through Qin Ming’s mind in an instant. Before he could vent his anger, the world suddenly spun. His back slammed onto the grass mat, and his limbs were pinned down. A powerful force pressed against his body. He struggled to turn over, but it was already too late. Feng Yan covered his entire body and completely restrained him, leaving him unable to move.

“Damn it!” Qin Ming cursed inwardly. Feng Yan seized his wrists and pinned them on either ​Read on BaiLianTales​side of his head, while his powerful legs trapped Qin Ming’s thin little legs so securely that he could not pull them free.

A fully developed fourteen-year-old against an underdeveloped ten-year-old—the outcome was an overwhelming victory!

“What do you want?” After struggling until he was covered in sweat and exhausting all his strength, Qin Ming gave up and collapsed beneath him, asking the question in a breathless whisper.

Since he was weaker, Feng Yan could kill or punish him however he pleased.

If Qin Ming was lucky, perhaps dying here would cause him to awaken inside his original body back home.

Feng Yan’s eyes were dark as he stared intently at the person beneath him. An expression unsuited to his age appeared on his handsome face. Lowering his voice, he leaned close to Qin Ming’s ear and said, “Do not move.”

He expected Qin Ming to stop moving simply because he said so?

Qin Ming’s eyes darted around as he twisted his body, only to discover that he truly could not move.

Fortunately, he could still use his mouth.

“What do you want?” he asked quietly. While restrained by someone else, he could not even shout loudly for fear of waking the others and creating even more trouble.

Feng Yan lowered his head until the tips of their noses nearly touched.

Qin Ming’s eyes widened. He could not fathom what the honorable prince was planning.

“You are not afraid?” Feng Yan’s voice was low, resembling a whisper exchanged between lovers.

“You want to kill me? After all, I borrowed a corpse to—”

Before Qin Ming could finish speaking, Feng Yan pressed his lips against Qin Ming’s. Qin Ming instantly fell silent and stared in disbelief at the… boy whose face was inches away.

Fourteen could still only be considered a boy, right?

This fellow… This fellow had not only stolen the little brat Gou’er’s first kiss but had also indirectly stolen the first kiss Qin Ming had preserved for more than twenty years.

Qin Ming wanted to cry but had no tears. He had transmigrated only to lose his first kiss. How tragic was that?

However, he had completely overlooked the fact that the person who stole his first kiss was of the same sex—another male with the same equipment as him—not a soft and adorable girl.

Feng Yan merely pressed their lips together lightly before drawing away. An inscrutable light flickered in his dark, night-like eyes.

Qin Ming did not know whether he should curse or cry. He no longer wanted to speak.

The unexpected incident had happened too suddenly. He needed time to process it.

However, before he could finish processing it, Feng Yan moved again. He pulled open Qin Ming’s robe and, under Qin Ming’s shocked gaze, exposed his small, fair chest.

“What… are you… doing?” he asked hoarsely.

Completely baffled by Feng Yan’s actions, Qin Ming stared directly at the youth pinning him down, waiting to see what he was planning.

Feng Yan’s expression was cold and his eyes indifferent as he regarded the boy beneath him like an object. He formed a hand seal with his right hand and touched the spot above Qin Ming’s heart. After uttering an incomprehensible incantation, a faint golden light appeared across Qin Ming’s chest.

Qin Ming was still bewildered one moment, but in the next, a stabbing pain pierced his chest as though countless needles had plunged into his heart. He let out an agonized cry, but Feng Yan immediately covered his mouth.

“Mmmph—”

Sweat poured from Qin Ming’s body as he struggled violently from the pain. However, he remained pinned down, unable to cry out or break free. His eyes grew wet when he could no longer endure it, and tears gushed down his face. He stared fearfully at the imperial youth above him. Feng Yan was incomparably handsome, but his eyes were as cold as ice.

Why… was he doing this?

Qin Ming’s struggles gradually weakened. He was drenched as though he had been pulled from the [bailiantales.com]water. The stabbing pain in his heart slowly faded, and roughly seven or eight minutes later, his chest finally stopped hurting.

The hand covering his mouth slowly moved away. Qin Ming’s mouth hung slightly open as he struggled to breathe like a fish stranded onshore. His body was no longer restrained, but he did not even possess the strength to move a finger.

Feng Yan pulled his robe closed, tidied his disheveled hair, and gently wiped the sweat from his face.

Qin Ming remained unresponsive and glared at him resentfully.

Feng Yan gathered Qin Ming’s small body into his arms. Beneath the firelight, his expression was obscured by shadows.

“I have branded a slave mark upon your soul. From this moment onward, you belong to me for all eternity.”

Qin Ming’s face instantly turned pale upon hearing those words.

If he had understood correctly, the so-called prince’s actions just now had branded a slave mark upon his soul. In other words, Qin Ming had been cursed and turned into someone else’s slave—for all eternity?

How could he do this?

How could Feng Yan forcibly brand him with a slave mark without his consent, acting so tyrannically and unreasonably?

What gave him the right?

Gou’er’s soul had perished while saving Feng Yan. Qin Ming had transmigrated and been reborn, yet he bore Feng Yan no grudge and had no quarrel with him. He had merely told a harmless lie out of goodwill, hadn’t he? Why treat him this way? If their status in the mortal world was disregarded, they were both promising youths with spiritual roots. Before entering an immortal sect, neither was nobler or lowlier than the other. What gave Feng Yan the right to place a slave mark on him?

Qin Ming trembled with rage, his large eyes filled with resentment. Feng Yan neither dodged nor looked away. His dark, fathomless eyes met Qin Ming’s gaze, regarding all of Qin Ming’s anger as lightly as passing clouds.

“The Feng Covenant Mark is a curse seal passed down through the ancient bloodline of my imperial family. Each member of the imperial family can place the mark upon only one person. From this day forward, I will protect you and keep you safe until the end of my life.”

Hearing the youth whisper beside his ear, Qin Ming’s fury inexplicably vanished like smoke. He did not understand why he suddenly felt no hatred. He merely sensed a strange warmth spreading outward from his heart and flowing throughout his body until he felt warm all over.

He was simply too exhausted. Resting against the youth’s chest, his eyelids repeatedly drifted shut. Unable to resist sleep’s summons, he sank into a deep slumber.

The imperial youth’s posture remained unchanged as he held Qin Ming. His phoenix-shaped eyes lowered as he gazed steadily at the tear-streaked little child in his arms.

The commotion between the two had not been insignificant, yet it failed to disturb the others. Even if anyone had been awake, they would not have interfered. Why would outsiders intervene in a matter between master and servant?

Wrapped in a cocoon of warmth as he sank into dreams, Qin Ming remained untouched by the cold night air and slept soundly.

However, a faint voice seemed to buzz intermittently beside his ear like a mosquito.

“…Insufficient energy… Insufficient energy… Insufficient energy…”