Chapter 110: Taste Better

“The term, Feng (封), was once used to describe a certain, fantastical creature of legend. It is, in essence, an edible lump of meat with no discernible features. It has no head, limbs, or bones to speak of. Neither was it sentient, aggressive, or beholden to any defensive principles.

“It did, however, possess an absurdly powerful regenerative ability. The quality of its flesh is also superb: addictively delicious, and Panacean to those who devour it. Traits of longevity, even immortality, are said to be imparted to those who tasted even a mere morsel of its excrescences.

“An eternal well-spring of sustenance. Spiritual abundance for all, sliced and harvested endlessly from a mere lump of flesh.

“... Does it feel pain? What a silly question.

“Even if it does, what does it matter?”

— Source Unknown

------

Lianshi was quiet. That wasn’t a good sign.

Feng allowed her time to think through the implications of his statement. He still held her in his arms, but he kept them loose, allowing her to pull free should she wish.

“You have little evidence to support such a theory, and any you do have is circumstantial, at best.”

His wraith’s remark did not sway him.

Time and again, I have asked you my questions. The nightmares, your presence, my flesh. He thought to his wraith. The worries that plague me… You refuse to assuage them. You simply allow my worst fears to fester. Is it any wonder that strange terrors begin taking root in my mind?

“Does that not speak of greater volume to how terrible the truth is? I do not hold information simply to spite you, my foolish God. All that I do, I do with your sake in mind.”

I do not trust you. Not on this. Feng stated bluntly. The relationship we share is not that simple. You care for me. Perhaps you even love me. But you do not do so with self-interest in mind. Your goals, whatever they are, are not my goals.

“And so, you seek her trust, instead.” The wraith’s tone was not disapproving. “You are free to do so. After all, you and I chose her together, all those years ago.”

More riddles. More misdirection.

“Perhaps. Focus on the present, dear Dragon. Your Daemon Mistress stirs.”

“And she is not happy.”

Lianshi finally spoke. Her voice was cold.

“You think your flesh has corrupted me? That you have somehow perverted my thoughts through fleshborne defilement?”

“It is the explanation that makes the most sense,” Feng whispered. “No matter how I look at it, your affection for me holds no rational origin. You must have wondered about it at some point… I am no one special. My cultivation cannot compare to that of your suitors, much less your own. My political status means nothing to those of the Inner Province. I can’t even love you properly like everyone else. I am simply a burden. Anyone would have cast me off. Anyone but you.”

Lianshi said nothing.

“I don’t know how to fix it,” he miserably confessed. “I thought maybe… If I can return your affections, I might at least earn the right to stand by your side and support you, regardless of how meagre my efforts might be. And I do not believe I would be a chain to you forever. With the Path you walk on, someday, you will meet someone worthy of walking at your side; worthier than me. Perhaps a cultivator of the Core Province, or even an Immortal. You would have no need of me then. But until that moment comes, I wanted to… I didn’t want to leave you alone until I was sure you would be alright.”

Until your need for me is finally reduced to nothing.

It was stupid. Lianshi was stronger than he was by leaps and bounds. But every time he saw her smile at him, every time she made a decision that chose him over every other better alternative…

He could not help but feel he owed a debt, no matter what it might cost him. He wanted her to keep smiling. He wanted her to be happy, always.

And Feng did not believe, not even for a single second, that he would ever be adequate enough for the task.

Lianshi had to know this. She needed to be made aware of this.

Feng would not accept his best friend being chained to his insignificance for the rest of her life.

“... Feng,” Lianshi said.

He braced himself. “Yes?”

Lianshi turned and poked his eyes.

“Ow!” He reeled away, falling backwards. The damage was light, but the sharp poke made his eyes water all the same. “What did you do that for?!”

“Because you are an idiot,” she stated flatly. “Did you really think I am so weak to fall in love with someone simply because they taste a little better than anyone else?”

“It’s hardly only a little better…” The wraith muttered. “But I agree with her point: You are an idiot.”

“W-well, didn’t you?!” he protested.

“Of course not, you moron!” she yelled at him. “What kind of gluttonous woman do you take me for? And knowing you, you were probably agonising over this stupid mind-control flesh meat theory of yours for months without telling me or anyone.”

“It’s the explanation that makes the most sense!” he grumbled, a touch flustered. “Why else would you have picked me out of everyone else who is trying to court you?”

“How about love, for one?” Lianshi stated bluntly. “I know you are dense, but if at this point you still dare to doubt the depths of my affection, I’m going to tie you to your bed and ride you until the only thing you can even think about is my name, our virtues be damned.”

Feng blushed, but still he pushed forth with his point. “I’m telling you that this yearning you have for me might be artificial. Think about it, what have I even done for you to even remotely deserve this devotion?”

“You literally almost died for me when we were children.”

“I was ten years old! Ten-year-olds don’t make rational decisions! And besides that one incident, nothing about me ever comes close to mirroring the value of your passion, save perhaps… my flesh.”

Lianshi’s eyes flared.

“That was a mistake to say,” the wraith murmured.

“You think I love you only because your flesh tastes good?” she hissed, genuinely angry and insulted. “Is that what you are saying? Is that how little you think of me? Is that how little you think of yourself?”

“I know myself and I know what I am worth,” Feng replied, holding firm. “And I know what I am can never match up to you; to what you have given me.”

His words did nothing to calm her. If anything, the light behind her eyes grew angrier. 

“Your worth was never in anything as banal as your flesh,” Lianshi said, her voice strong and unquestionable. “It is not in your looks, your reputation, or anything as transactional or hollow as what you determine your worth to be. I never saw you for any of that.”

“Then what do you see in me?” Feng demanded. Frustration had gotten the better of him. “What exactly was it that bound you to follow me? To share your Path with mine, when I was inferior in every way that mattered?”

“No,” she whispered. “Not inferior. And never in the way that mattered.”

“What?” 

The rage in Lianshi’s eyes went hot. Rather than fury, however, something else took over. 

“In the only way that matters, you are superior to every other person I have met, and will ever meet, in my life. If you cannot understand that, then I will make you.”

Lianshi did not let him speak then. She claimed his open lips when they tried to ask, grabbed him and pushed him down against the ground when he stumbled backwards.

She did not force him there. Her hold on him was light, her body soft and willing, but never overpowering, atop him. Had he desired, he could have simply pushed him off.

Feng did not.

His mind went light, his senses overstimulated by her tongue, her warmth, and the shape of her body pressed against him. She smelled of vanilla and honeysuckle. He was drowning in her…

And then, she pulled back, face flush and eyes bright. When her tongue left his, Feng followed for a half-second, burning lips seeking hers. The crimson hue of their faces matched each other.

For whatever reason, that felt… far more intimate than any experience they shared before.

His body certainly agreed, reacting in a way that had Lianshi purring. When she adjusted herself atop him — grinding her powerful hips in a manner against him that was no doubt purposefully provocative — Feng let out a sharp, involuntary noise that had him blushing and her grinning.

He felt the muscles of her thighs pressing against his side, her rear pleasantly positioned atop his groin, and the smooth hardness of her abdomen rubbing against his waist. 

Amber eyes stared down at him, lidded and lustful. They never left his gaze. Every feature of her was desire incarnate, from the petal-rose colour of her lips, the cascade of midnight blue hair that fell like silk over them, or her long fingers tracing tender circles around his collarbone.

It was impossible not to react. Lianshi let out a soft, satisfied moan when she felt his hardness press even more urgently against her.

“Do you understand now?” the Carnivore whispered, voice hot, mingling with his heavy breaths.

No, he really didn’t. But somehow, he did not care for it at the moment.

Feng leaned closer, drawn to her. Lianshi leaned down—

“Excuse me, Young Master, have you seen the Young Miss— Oh.”

Lianshi groaned. Feng half-sighed, half-chuckled.

“You pick a shit time to interrupt, Dai,” the Young Miss practically growled. The senior disciple at the doorway chuckled.

“You do know we have beds for this kind of thing, right? No need to do it in the main hall for everyone to see. And don’t even get me started on the mess. What’s with all the dice and cards?”

“You hardly have room to talk,” Lianshi shot back. “I have heard rumours about what you and Shao have been getting up to over the last two days. You have not been even remotely discreet in your affairs.”

The senior raised his hands in surrender.

“As funny as it is to interrupt you two, and as much as it pleases me to see my Young Master not messing up his relationship for once—,” Dai began.

“Dai, I swear if this isn’t important, I’m going to lie to Shao that you are cheating on her with Jin and watch her rip you apart,” Lianshi threatened. 

Dai paled slightly. He coughed. “Alright, alright, point taken. It is important, though. Your mother, Matriarch Chen, has arrived at the Beheaded Phoenix Sect Compound. You need to be there to greet her.”

“Officially arrive, you mean,” Lianshi darkly murmured. “And here I hoped it would take her longer to piece herself back together…”

Dai blinked. “Do I even want to know what you mean by that?”

“I’ll tell you later,” Feng spoke up before Lianshi could accidentally tell the senior about how the Matriarch tried to kill him. Such matters were sensitive, and though Lianshi did not care an ounce for maintaining the peace, Feng opted that the more cautious approach would serve them both better. 

The Young Master turned to meet Lianshi. He brushed her cheeks lightly. “You need to go. Lingyu is there. She needs you.”

The Young Miss wanted to protest, but upon hearing the name of her younger sister, her eyes softened and she nodded. Regretfully, she pulled herself off and away from him. Feng missed her warmth almost immediately.

He grabbed her hand before she left. “Tonight. I want to see you.”

Lianshi’s face immediately exploded into a blush. “Um. I mean, I definitely do not mind, but I thought we were waiting for the wedding ritual…”

Feng realised how that sounded and rapidly backpedalled. “No! I mean, not that I don’t want to… It’s just that I meant it as something else. I’ve prepared something for you. Meet me here later? After the reception.”

Lianshi smiled. She leaned down and kissed him. Feng did not pull away.

“Later tonight, then,” she whispered.

After she left, Dai remained at the doorway. Rather than teasing, his expression was vaguely concerned.

“I understand this is hardly my business to get into, but is everything now alright between you two?” the senior asked.

Feng stood up, straightening his attire. “I will know after tonight, I suppose.”

“Hm. Good luck to you, then.” Dai frowned. “By the way, what was that thing about the Matriarch that Lianshi was saying earlier?”

Feng sucked in a breath. “Alright. First of all, don’t get mad, but…”