“Village chief, do you know what the hell you’re trying to do?! I’m trying to discover a better Gu vessel, for everyone’s sake! And you’re in my way!” Wu Ling bared her fangs and displayed her despicable side after hearing the village chief’s words. She drummed even faster, forcing the Gu worms to break through the white-powdered barrier.

“I think it’s this activity, this refining of Gu, that caused no more boys to be born in Yanyi Village. The sin from all this must’ve been too grave,” the village chief lamented. He took out a small bamboo flute, which he carried on him at all times, and indicated for Xu Lan and co to leave as fast as possible.

The stone door was already split open by Bai Wu. Xu Lan gave the village chief an appreciative glance, carried Bai Wu, and left along with the rest of the people. Bai Wu’s body was cold, and he was shivering ceaselessly. It was as though he was hauled out of water: he was soaked in cold sweat and had a confused look on his face.

“Papa!

“Don’t talk!” Xu Lan looked brokenheartedly at Bai Wu with clenched jaws and pulsating temples. He never had any experience with something like Gu; thus, he was completely unable to understand the kind of suffering that Bai Wu was going through. Still, Bai Wu’s agonized look made Xu Lan wish that he himself was the one who took all the suffering.

Previously, the route required a ten-minute journey, but at that time, a mere few minutes sufficed for them to rush back. Zhang Fei and the businessman directed the others to do whatever they could to the best of their capabilities. With a loud thud, Xu Lan and Bai Wu were tossed into the room that they were in earlier that morning.

“Sigh. Bai Wu, are you alright?” the red-faced Xu Lan asked. Bai Wu was lying on the bed; his scarlet lips turned dark black, and frost started forming on his body as a result of the cold air.

“Do I look alright to you?” Seeing how anxious Xu Lan was, Bai Wu let out an abrupt chuckle and asked in a faltering tone.

“…” Xu Lan felt so choked up that his face was glaringly red. Recalling what the village chief and the businessman said throughout their journey back, he blushed so strongly that it could clearly be seen, despite the fact that his skin was very tan.

“Papa, may I? Ughh…” Bai Wu could feel the worms eating at his five viscera and six bowels ¹ . The more he looked at Xu Lan, the more pain he felt. It hurt so much that he could not even straighten his back!

“Bai Wu! Are you okay?!” Blood began flowing through Bai Wu’s nose. Drops of it fell onto the pure white blanket, echoing a scarlet plum flower landing amongst a backdrop of nothing but snow. One flower became two, then three, and countless more followed suit.

“BAI WU!” Xu Lan shouted in horror. He could care less about his blushes, and with ease and speed, he took off his clothes and went up the bed to hug Bai Wu. Flustered, Xu Lan immediately took off Bai Wu’s clothes for fear that the slightest delay might cause Bai Wu’s life to be taken away.

Instead of the usual muscles, Bai Wu’s body was indentations all around, and they displayed a blackish-green color. One could even see things wiggling about under his skin. When Xu Lan touched them lightly, the things appeared to be drawn to him as they tried to break through the confines of Bai Wu’s skin.

“Ptui! Cough cough!” Bai Wu spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, startling Xu Lan into letting go.

“I, I…” Xu Lan’s understanding of men-women relations was limited only to adult movies. His real-life experiences were zero. For thirty years, his single life had enhanced the briskness of his hands. Looking at Bai Wu – someone who had a similar structure as Xu Lan himself – was enough to send Xu Lan into panic. Bewildered, he simply sat beside Bai Wu and had no idea of what to do next.

Bai Wu looked at Xu Lan’s statue-like expression and broke out in a strenuous smile. Xu Lan knew nothing at all, but he was willing to try something never before imagined and experienced. That was why time and again, Bai Wu found himself liking Xu Lan so much. How could he ever let such a person go?

Bai Wu withstood the pain, turned over, then pushed Xu Lan down. It might be rather odd to put in words, but the ache that nibbled at his heart disappeared instantaneously once he touched Xu Lan’s skin. In place of that feeling was a mysterious pleasure. Xu Lan glared at him with eyes that were simultaneously terrified and bashful. Bai Wu giggled and titled Xu Lan’s head gently to one side. He then began kissing tenderly.