Chapter 34: Kindred Spirits

Kang Sheng could paint Zhu Shu, so the bright moon was not surprised, but Zhu Shu was the one who stared in shock upon seeing it. Kang Sheng drew the dazed Zhu Shu into his arms, his angular chin resting on her shoulder, laughing as he asked, “Do you like it?”

“…Yes, I do.” The pink on Zhu Shu’s ears gradually spread across her cheeks, growing deeper. Kang Sheng laughed heartily at this, and Zhu Shu blushed even more, lowering her head and refusing to meet his eyes.

After that day, Kang Sheng no longer resisted Zhu Shu, and she moved back to the bamboo grove outside the house. Their relationship developed at an extraordinary pace. During the day, Kang Sheng would bring his scrolls and brushes to the bamboo grove, asking Zhu Shu to reveal her true form for him to paint. He began painting her—not just her, but her every expression and smile became the sole subject of his brush. After half a month of this, Kang Sheng finally recounted his previous experiences to Zhu Shu. Gone was the old indignation; his tone was calm, and as he spoke, he would occasionally glance at Zhu Shu, a gentle smile lingering on his lips.

“Perhaps, he no longer cares,” Qin Shi said quietly.

The bright moon shrugged, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

After Kang Sheng finished speaking, he gathered Zhu Shu into his arms, and the two of them lay side by side on the bed of bamboo leaves. Zhu Shu turned her head, staring at Kang Sheng’s closed eyes, and softly asked, “Aren’t you afraid that my being a demon will affect you?”

“Hm?”

Zhu Shu clutched the hem of Kang Sheng’s robe, her lashes trembling, and murmured, “My demonic aura might influence you, I…”

“Is this what you mean?” Kang Sheng covered Zhu Shu’s lips with his, his gaze suffused with a tenderness he’d never shown before.

Zhu Shu’s eyes widened at first, but then, blushing, she slowly closed them. In an instant, her body tensed, her face flushing a deep red.

The bright moon tugged at Qin Shi’s sleeve, asking in confusion, “What’s wrong with Zhu Shu?”

“I don’t know.”

Those two cold words made the bright moon turn to look at Qin Shi, only to see that he had already averted his gaze, his whole body tense. The bright moon patted him, asking, “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

The bright moon nodded awkwardly, glancing back to see Kang Sheng burying his face in Zhu Shu’s neck. Suddenly recalling what Jun Xiao once did to Qing Yi, the bright moon instinctively wanted to ask Qin Shi, but he seized her wrist and dragged her out of the bamboo grove. Qin Shi walked so quickly that the bright moon had to half run to keep up, only being released when they reached the riverbank. Rubbing her aching wrist, she demanded angrily, “What’s wrong with you?”

Qin Shi didn’t answer, instead sitting down by the river, massaging his brow as if pondering his next move. After a long while, he said, “If you’re curious, you can always go to the Pleasure Pavilion and see as much as you like.”

“How could that compare to this? They’re having a wild tryst outdoors! Last time with Jun Xiao and the others, I was too far away to see anything.” As the bright moon spoke, she made to return, but before she could take a step, Qin Shi pulled her back.

This time, Qin Shi simply pinned her in front of him and, resigned, tried to reason, “Kang Sheng and Zhu Shu don’t have much time together. You shouldn’t disturb them.”

The bright moon didn’t reply, and Qin Shi, just in case, kept his arm around her waist. But before long, her body slumped sideways and she fell asleep in his arms. Qin Shi looked down and saw her sleeping peacefully, helplessly shaking his head before shifting her to a more comfortable position. Brushing aside the hair on her forehead, he pressed a soft kiss to her brow.

When would her missing heart finally be whole?

His lips brushed hers, ever so gently. As if disturbed in her sleep, the bright moon waved her hand and smacked him on the cheek. He chuckled, gathered her in his arms again, and gazed at the river. Just then, voices suddenly rang out from across the water: “Wicked demon, how dare you!”

The bright moon woke with a start to see two men in black riding their swords straight for the bamboo grove. She had no time to think, tumbling out of Qin Shi’s arms and chasing after them. Inside, the two were still in disarray, and at the sight of the strangers, Zhu Shu instinctively flung out her sleeve, conjuring a barrier to shield Kang Sheng.

“Shameless demon, seducing an innocent man in broad daylight—are you after his essence blood?” one of the men accused.

By now, Zhu Shu had composed herself, though a faint flush still tinged her cheeks. Her expression cooled, and she replied, “I have never taken the essence blood of any human.”

The man with thick brows seemed ready to argue, but his younger companion tugged at his sleeve, whispering, “This bamboo spirit's aura is clean—she’s clearly of the self-cultivation path. Senior brother, there’s no need to be ruthless.”

“What do you know? Those who are not of our kind can never be trusted. If she had no such intentions, would she dare to act so wantonly in broad daylight with a frail scholar?” With that, the man summoned his sword and attacked Zhu Shu.

Zhu Shu glanced at the sword, startled. “Kunwu?”

“Glad you recognize it!” the man sneered, sending the sword flying at her. The younger one was quick to react, swinging the heavy, blue-green sword from his back. He leapt in front of Zhu Shu, bringing his blade down in a powerful arc—the sword’s chilling aura clashed with the oncoming sword, sending it flying back.

The Kunwu sword was repelled, and the man shouted angrily, “Junior brother, what are you doing?”

“Senior brother, I believe there are kind-hearted spirits in this world. If we show mercy today, it may benefit us in the future.”

“Nonsense! Have you forgotten our master’s teachings? Who destroyed the Qionghua Sect? If we don’t eradicate these demons, next time it will be Kunwu that falls!” Enraged, the man turned his sword on the youth.

The youth pressed his lips together and, gripping his heavy sword, said to Zhu Shu, “Take him and leave. I’ll handle my brother.”

Zhu Shu nodded her thanks, dismissed her barrier, and withdrew with Kang Sheng. The bright moon followed, but just as she did, the youth’s sword clashed with his brother’s, and the defeated sword spun toward her. Paralyzed with terror, she found her feet rooted to the ground. Just as the sword neared, Qin Shi yanked her aside. A dull grunt sounded, and though the bright moon wanted to check, Qin Shi had already drawn his sword, dragging her off after Kang Sheng and Zhu Shu.

Behind them, the voices of the youth and his brother rang out in confusion, but for the first time, the bright moon felt no urge to look back.

Qin Shi clutched the wound on his arm, trying to slow the bleeding. Seeing the trail he was leaving, he pushed the bright moon away, saying, “Go with them. I’ll head elsewhere. Once they’re gone, I’ll wait for you all at the old house.”

The bright moon protested, but Qin Shi frowned and pushed her away, turning to run off alone. She bit her lip, stamped her foot, and hurried after Zhu Shu.

Qin Shi didn’t actually go far; once out of the bright moon’s sight, he stopped. Soon enough, the two men caught up with him. The elder demanded, “Who are you?”

“A passerby.”

“If you’re just passing by, why hide your presence?”

Qin Shi lowered his eyes, unwilling to answer, the pain in his arm making him frown.

The elder shoved his junior aside and raised his sword to strike, but just as the blade neared Qin Shi’s throat, a flash of white light shot past, striking the sword. With a crisp snap, a stone fell to the ground, and cracks spread rapidly along the blade. In the blink of an eye, the sword was covered in fractures, ready to shatter at the slightest touch.

“Who’s there?” the man roared, chasing after the direction the stone had come from. The youth called after him, but it was too late.

The youth bowed to Qin Shi. “I apologize on my brother’s behalf. Here is some medicine from my sect—I hope it helps your injury.”

Qin Shi nodded, accepting the porcelain bottle. The youth slung his sword onto his back and hurried after his brother. Once they were gone, Qin Shi returned to the old house, sitting in the courtyard to apply the medicine to his wound. The pain was sharp, but he gritted his teeth and kept pouring until the bleeding stopped. Before long, the bright moon, Kang Sheng, and the others returned.

The bright moon rushed over and asked, “How are you?”

“It’s nothing, the youth gave me some medicine,” Qin Shi replied flatly, keeping the true identity of his rescuer to himself.

Only then did the bright moon breathe a sigh of relief. “That youth was decent; his brother was far too harsh.”

Meanwhile, Zhu Shu helped Kang Sheng inside. Though neither was hurt, Zhu Shu still fetched water for them to wash. As they did, Kang Sheng asked, “What sects are Kunwu and Qionghua? I’ve never heard of them.”

“You’ve never dealt with cultivators before, so it’s only natural. Our demon kind must cultivate to perform magic and take human form. In your world, there are also those who seek immortality, so there are cultivators among humans as well. There are many sects, but few are famous—Qionghua and Kunwu are among those few.”