Chương 31: Within Lust, there is regret (Part I)

Lucian opened his eyes to see a shriveled head staring back at him. With a quick glance, he could perceive other body parts surrounding him. Unceremoniously, he pushed through the corpses piled above him, breaking their dried skin and bones to leave the hole. In seconds, he found himself back in the cellar. Through the cracks in the ceiling, sunlight streamed down, hitting a leather cover above him and the hole. Someone had been attentive enough to cover the pile of corpses from the hot sun.

Interesting, he thought, his eyes turning to the ground. There was a stack of folded clothes, as clean as one could get in a village of this size. These vests were different from his previous ones and seemed more like robes cultivators used in these lands. Scanning his surroundings, Lucian first checked his body, nodding at the absence of scars and at his two arms. Cracking his knuckles, he undressed himself from the rags and put on the brown robe.

His black hair, not as silky as before but dark as always, fell to the middle of his back, and his lean body fit well in the new clothes. Putting on the straw sandals, he checked for people nearby with his nose and ears. Noticing no one approaching, he sighed and looked at the leather carpet above him. Very thoughtful of them, he thought before jumping and reaching for the carpet tied to the wooden pillars. Lucian pulled it, breaking the ropes, and swiftly covered himself with the leather.

Unfortunately, the carpet was too big, making movement cumbersome. Lucian ripped the leather with his teeth and claws until he could fit inside without interfering with his movements. I need to be quick, he thought, hugging himself with the piece of leather carpet. Next, through his improved hearing, he picked up groans from a house at the village's periphery. Another wooden puppet? Amid his thoughts, he distinguished hushed voices along the groans.

Furrowing his brows, Lucian lowered his head and opened his arms, spreading the piece of leather carpet above him. He looked comically like a bat, or a child playing with blankets, pretending to fly. Next, he kicked the cellar's door and rushed outside! Even covered with the carpet, a bit of sunlight hit his lowered head from the sides, and a burning sensation spread through his scalp. Fortunately, he was faster than before, and in less than a minute he broke into the house where the noises came from.

Once inside, he saw Bai Xiaomeng and Wang Chen holding bowls of rice, food still in their mouths. There was also smoke drifting from the top of his head. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Bai Xiaomeng dropped her chopsticks, bringing her hand to her mouth and shouting in surprise, "Gran–Grand Cultivator, your head!" Lucian, unconcerned, looked around and picked the first vase with liquid that he saw.

Lowering his head and tilting the vase, he poured the clear, warm yellow liquid over his burning hair, and the fire went out. Smelling it, he frowned.

"It's called ganshou tea, Benefactor." Wang Chen put the bowl and chopsticks down, holding down a laugh.

"How—how are you feeling?" Listening to the fear in Wang Chen's voice, Lucian hummed for a moment before answering.

"Hot, but otherwise good," he said, looking at Bai Xiaomeng.

"This Lord is grateful for your services. I'll think of a reward."

"There is no need," Bai Xiaomeng said, hurrying up and picking the vase from Lucian's hands.

"We did our best to serve." Lucian glanced at her, noticing she seemed less scared of him.

"If I say I will give you a reward, you will accept it without complaint," he said, turning his eyes to the nearest door.

"I'm hearing groans from next door." The duo looked at the door in the back, where faint, painful groans could be heard. Wang Chen scratched his head and said, "It's the Village Head. He had been groaning for a few days, but he's still sleeping."

"Grand Cultivator." Bai Xiaomeng approached Lucian. She had picked up a bowl of soup from somewhere and offered it to him, saying, "We treated his wounds, but we don't know if he will survive. Neither of you has eaten or drunk for a week. Please, take this." Lucian picked the bowl and set it on the table, nodding slightly to Bai Xiaomeng.

"This must mean I slumbered for seven days," he muttered.

"Almost eight, yes." She gave him a strange look, but promptly moved on to the next topic, her voice lowering.

"Also, me and Young Master Wang gathered the village's valuables and also discovered that, sadly, everyone else is dead." Staring at Lucian, she perceived no reaction or incoming question, so she continued.

"Oh, we found a few scrolls, mostly with not-so-useful information. There's almost no scroll worth your attention." She paused, rushing to the side and picking up a few bloody papers.

"Except these. They are the topics of your conversation with the Village Head. I couldn't clean them. I beg your forgiveness!" Bai Xiaomeng offered the papers with both hands, bowing her head. Lucian took up the papers, safekeeping them in his robes.

"You know I value maps too," he said.

"We kept them inside the bag." Wang Chen said instead of Bai Xiaomeng, pointing at the floor.

"We removed five floorboards and kept most items underground. We didn't know when you would return." Lucian observed them for a moment. Then, he looked at Bai Xiaomeng with a hint of warmth in his cold eyes.

"I am very satisfied with your actions," he said, putting his hands behind his back.

"Go on, tell me what you want." Bai Xiaomeng hastily shook her head.

"Grand Cultivator, we want nothing," she chuckled nervously.

"You protected us, so it's only right for us to be useful." Humming in agreement, he looked at Wang Chen, analyzing the plump young man. After a few seconds, he gave a slight nod and turned back to Bai Xiaomeng.

"It's settled," Lucian said.

"I avoid taking mortals as servants because of their low lifespan and simple worldview, but I'll make an exception for you." Extending his right hand towards Bai Xiaomeng, he commanded, "Kiss the back of my hand and become my servant." Bai Xiaomeng took a moment to realize what was happening. Next, she covered her face with both hands. Her jade-like skin became red, and she glanced at Wang Chen in embarrassment. Her eyes were both pleading and filled with a hint of anxiety.

Coughing twice, Wang Chen stepped forward, shielding Bai Xiaomeng from Lucian's gaze.

"Benefactor," he said with a wry smile.

"Is there a need for this? Can't we kowtow and swear allegiance to you?" Frowning, Lucian stared at Wang Chen.

"There's no 'we' here. I'm taking her as a servant, not you."