Chapter 104 Prolific Offspring

Chapter 104: Abundant Offspring

The sudden rainstorm among the cliffs assailed the flower branches, and the fierce trembling traveled along the veins straight to the roots.

The air spread with the characteristic chill of mountain iron ore veins, carrying the acrid sharpness from deep within ancient rock layers.

The disturbed wind tried to break free, but was pulled into a deeper whirlpool.

When the clouds pressed down, a streak of scorching lava was revealed in the gap, and that touch of bright color slowly slid along the stone edges, falling into the dark mossy ground.

The startled deer plunged into the deep pool; in its pupils reflected a starfire in the sky that refused to die out, drops of blood falling from that starfire, yet still stubbornly burning through the night sky, turning the pool water into a warm, misty dawn sky.

Finally, the commotion in the cave gradually subsided, and the footsteps slowly faded away.

——Omitted——

Cheng Ge slowly raised his head, his eyes exceptionally cold as he looked at Yun Xunyu, and approached him step by step.

Yun Xunyu also looked at the person before him, his heart and eyes so full there was no room for anything else.

With a "thunk," the sound of the blade entering flesh tore through the air.

Cheng Ge held a dagger and stabbed it fiercely into Yun Xunyu's shoulder. Yun Xunyu's body trembled, but he did not dodge.

Warm blood flowed along the hilt to Cheng Ge's hand, soaking every crease between his fingers, dripping and splattering on the ground.

Cheng Ge yanked the dagger out. Yun Xunyu's body swayed twice, but his gaze still remained on Cheng Ge.

"You won't be so lucky if you bump into me next time." Cheng Ge wiped the blade on his robe and walked out of the cave without looking back.

Yun Xunyu's figure was almost hidden in the shadows. Star Frost slowly slithered out from behind him.

Its tongue flicked near his wound, then nuzzled Yun Xunyu's chin.

...

Cheng Ge returned to the prince's mansion in a huff, directly locking himself in his room and refusing to come out.

Even when Lü Rou brought out the snowflake pastries sent by Lin Nanshu, she couldn't coax him out of the room.

When Cui Ji returned after work, he saw the steward and Lü Rou both squatting on the steps, heaving sighs from time to time.

"What's wrong?"

The two heard Cui Ji's voice and hurriedly stood up and bowed. "Your Highness."

Cui Ji looked at the closed door behind them, frowning slightly. "What happened to him?"

Lü Rou said with a bitter face, "Master Cheng came back and locked himself in his room. I don't know what happened."

"Is he unwell?"

"Uh... I don't think so. Young Master Cheng even kicked over the crabapple sapling that was just planted at the courtyard gate."

Cui Ji: "..."

Cui Ji waved his hand, signaling the two to step back. Then he walked to Cheng Ge's door and knocked. "Cheng Muyu."

There was no response from inside. Cui Ji stood still for a moment, then turned to the steward and said, "Give his meal portion to Dahuang."

As soon as the words were spoken, the door creaked open, and Cheng Ge rushed out, not even having time to put on his shoes.

Looking up at Cui Ji, he said impatiently, "I haven't eaten yet!"

Cui Ji looked down at him, and time seemed to stand still.

"How did you hurt your mouth?" Cui Ji lowered his voice.

Cheng Ge's mind went blank, and he subconsciously wiped his lips.

Rage surged up in him, and he wished he could go back and stab that bastard a few more times.

Seeing him gritting his teeth like this, Cui Ji grew suspicious, his eyes darkened with suspicion. "Did someone bully you?"

Cheng Ge's heart skipped a beat. He looked up at Cui Ji, his Adam's apple involuntarily bobbing.

If he found out what happened tonight, would a straight man like Cui Ji kick him out of the mansion?

That wouldn't do! He didn't have enough money on him to buy a house yet, and he still wanted to be Cui Ji's covert guard.

This relationship couldn't go sour; their friendship had to be as unbreakable as the friendship of Dongpo and Huaimin.

"No, I just tripped and hit my mouth on the ground."

Cui Ji stared into Cheng Ge's eyes for a long time, as if trying to read the truth in them.

Cheng Ge felt a chill run down his spine, but still forced himself to meet his eyes.

Cui Ji looked away, not pressing further. "Put on your shoes first, then go eat."

Only then did Cheng Ge realize he was still barefoot, so he hurried back into the room to put on his shoes.

Heaven and earth may be vast, but eating is the biggest matter. Let all those crappy past events drift away with the river of time.

During the meal, Cheng Ge was wolfing down his food when Cui Ji suddenly spoke.

"What are your plans for the future?" Cui Ji placed a de-boned piece of fish into Cheng Ge's bowl.

"Uh, are you short-handed?" Cheng Ge looked at Cui Ji with wide eyes.

Cui Ji recalled Cheng Ge's earlier remarks about wanting to become a general. "I don't need anyone here."

"Oh..." Cheng Ge's face fell. He picked up the fish and stuffed it into his mouth.

"Over at the Jinwu Guard, a Zongqi just stepped down. I've arranged everything for you. You can go over in a few days."

"Really!" Cheng Ge's gloom lifted. He stood up excitedly. However, what goes up must come down. "Ow... damn..."

Cheng Ge covered his mouth, tears instantly streaming down his face. Damn it! He bit the inside of his mouth because he chewed too fast.

Cui Ji startled and immediately stepped forward and pried open his hand. "What's wrong? Is there a bone?"

Cheng Ge hunched over to ease the pain, only to taste blood in his mouth; he must have bitten through.

He reached out and grabbed Cui Ji's hand, forcing himself to ask, "How much is the monthly salary of a Zongqi?"

Cui Ji: "..."

"Ah..." Cheng Ge opened his mouth and blinked several times.

Cui Ji held a small white medicine bottle in his hand, carefully scooped out a bit of ointment, and applied it to the wound on his lip.

"How's it feel?" Cui Ji asked softly.

"Cool and soothing," Cheng Ge said.

Cui Ji fell silent. "You always make me at a loss for words."

Seeing Cheng Ge like this, Cui Ji figured he was fine and set the items aside.

"I'll be heading back to the northern border in three days. This mansion is usually empty, so feel free to stay here—it'll add some life to the place."

"That soon?" Cheng Ge hung his head and fiddled with the fleshy part of his palm.

He and Cui Ji had one of the better relationships in this world, even though Cui Ji's temper was a bit unpredictable.

But he knew that Cui Ji was just not well; deep down, he was a good person.

Looking at the dejected back of his head, Cui Ji felt a tightness in his chest.

"Just stay in the capital for now. In a few years, when the border stabilizes, I'll arrange a position for you in the military and have you come over."

Cheng Ge let out a heavy sigh. In a few years, he might not even know where he'd end up buried—maybe in some auspicious burial ground.

He never really understood why the ancients wrote so many farewell poems, as if they'd never see each other again.

Now, he could somewhat grasp those feelings—this separation would probably mean they'd never see each other again.

With that, he pulled something out from his sleeve and handed it to Cui Ji.

"We've been brothers through it all, so take this as a memento from me. When you miss me, just give it a good look, okay?"

Cui Ji stared at the object Cheng Ge handed him, his expression frozen for a long moment.

Then he looked up, his gaze fixed on Cheng Ge's features, not moving away for a long time.

"What's wrong? Don't you like it?" Cheng Ge felt a bit confused by the stare.

Cui Ji took the jade pendant with both hands, carefully rubbing his fingertips over it. "Where did you find this?"

This jade pendant is called a Guadie Mianmian Pendant (meaning "melons and vines endless," symbolizing fertility), representing the prosperity of descendants.

It's often given as an engagement gift, symbolizing that when a melon ripens, it falls naturally—a perfect match will bear fruit.