Chapter 377 Black Snake?
Chapter 377 Black Snake?
Chapter 377: Black Snake?
"Hiss—!" Star Frost's body went rigid, then twisted even more violently, its thin tail lashing through the air as its small black head strained toward Cheng Ge, its eyes screaming "Save me!" and pure accusation.
It held the squirming black snake in its beak, its amber eyes shifting slightly, first looking toward Cheng Ge, who was bound tightly on the low bed.
That gaze was sharp, carrying the innate scrutiny of a raptor.
After giving Cheng Ge a couple of looks, it slowly turned its head and looked at Wuliji.
A few seconds later, Grey Cloud rustled its wings, stirring up a breeze as it slid down from Wuliji's shoulder and landed lightly on the edge of the low bed where Cheng Ge lay.
It steadied itself, still gripping the squirming Star Frost in its beak, tilting its head for another careful look at Cheng Ge's face.
After a moment, as if confirming something, it took two steps forward, still holding Star Frost, stopped right above Cheng Ge's chest, and let go.
"Plop." Star Frost's still-wriggling body dropped right onto Cheng Ge's chest.
The second Star Frost was free, it twisted its slender body, slithering up Cheng Ge's chest and quickly winding around to his neck.
Its little black head nuzzled eagerly against Cheng Ge's chin and cheek, the cold, slick feeling overwhelming and relentless.
Its forked tongue flicked in and out rapidly, letting out faint "hiss, hiss" sounds, its two black vertical pupils staring at Cheng Ge, all watery.
They were full of the joy of reunion, the indignation of being snatched up by an eagle, and the deep longing of days apart—enough to break anyone's heart.
Cheng Ge's neck tickled from all the rubbing, and he instinctively shrank back.
"Hold on..." He tried to tuck his chin back. "Why are you so black?"
His gaze swept over those glossy black scales, his brow furrowed into a knot.
"You're so black you've got a patina on you! Did you sneak off to roll in horse shit?!"
Star Frost, who'd been passionately "pouring its heart out" and seeking comfort, went stiff with shock at his sudden harsh scolding.
Its nuzzling stopped dead, its little black head frozen mid-air.
The light in those black vertical pupils, once brimming with excitement and hurt, dimmed in an instant.
What replaced it was confusion and helplessness, along with a hint of wounded pride from being scolded.
Its mouth hung slightly open, pink tongue frozen mid-air, staring blankly at Cheng Ge.
Cheng Ge's heart clenched at the sight of those wounded black vertical pupils.
The dismissive complaint he'd blurted out still hung on his tongue, but it felt like the words had gotten stuck.
He opened his mouth, thinking he should say something, at least try to smooth things over—
But just as the thought crossed his mind, Star Frost, which had been frozen stiff by his neck like a statue, suddenly trembled!
Then, its raised head, as if all strength had been drained from it, came crashing down with a "thud," landing right beside Cheng Ge's collarbone.
Its whole slender body went stiff as a board, lying rigid across Cheng Ge's chest and neck, completely still.
Even the pink tongue that had been frozen mid-air now drooped limply from the corner of its mouth, swaying a little from the impact, then going completely still.
Cheng Ge: "???!!"
This sudden, completely out-of-nowhere "faint" left Cheng Ge totally baffled.
"Hey... Star Frost? Little buddy?" Cheng Ge called out cautiously, gently nudging the cold, stiff little body with his chin.
The black snake showed no reaction, lying stiff as a board, tongue hanging out, in full "I'm dead, just burn the offerings" mode.
The falcon by the bed was startled too, lowering its head to carefully poke Star Frost's tail tip with its beak, then poking its head.
Seeing no response, it let out a series of anxious, confused gurgles from its throat.
It flapped its wings, pacing back and forth nervously along the bed's edge, then looked up at Wuliji.
Wuliji, who'd been watching in silence, finally moved.
He walked over to the bed, bent down, and pressed two fingers very lightly against Star Frost's neck, feeling for a moment.
A faint, barely noticeable glimmer flickered in Wuliji's eyes.
He straightened up, picked up the "playing possum" black snake, and turned toward the charcoal brazier burning in the corner of the tent.
Cheng Ge's eyes widened as he watched Wuliji approach with Star Frost, the red glow of the coals reflecting off the little black body and Wuliji's expressionless face.
Just as Wuliji's hand hovered over the brazier, about to toss the "fainted" black snake into the flames—
"Hiss—!!!" An extremely sharp hiss suddenly exploded!
The little black snake that had been lying stiff as a corpse snapped back like it'd been electrocuted.
In an instant, it went from rigid to limber, its slender body arcing through the air.
Not only did it break free from Wuliji's grip, it lunged straight for his wrist, jaws wide open!
That normally small mouth stretched to an astonishing width, revealing pink flesh and two tiny but gleaming fangs, ready to sink into Wuliji's wrist!
Cheng Ge: "..." He knew it! The little shit was faking it again!
Wuliji was even faster—the moment Star Frost sprang up, he flicked his wrist, dodging the would-be bite.
At the same time, his other hand shot out, grabbing the spot right behind Star Frost's head as it tried another "attack."
The grip wasn't hard, but it was enough to freeze Star Frost again, leaving it only able to squirm uselessly, angrily whipping the air with its tail tip and letting out threatening "hiss, hiss" sounds.
Wuliji carried the instantly "revived" little black snake back to the bed.
He held the still-squirming Star Frost up in front of Cheng Ge, then—let go.
Star Frost landed with a "smack" on Cheng Ge's chest and, with a "swoosh," slithered right down through the gap in Cheng Ge's slightly open collar.
The cold, slick sensation traveled downward, finally coiling up in a comfortable spot around Cheng Ge's waist.
Only its little black head poked out, peering warily and pitifully from the collar's edge, glaring at Wuliji.
Wuliji glanced at the deep night visible through the tent flap's gap, then turned and started untying his outer robe.
Cheng Ge's attention snapped back, his eyes widening even more than when he'd seen Star Frost "rise from the dead": "You... what the hell are you doing?!"
Wuliji didn't stop, pulling off his outer robe to reveal the thin underlayer beneath.
He looked up at Cheng Ge, his gaze calm and steady: "We... husband and wife... sleep... in the same bed."
Cheng Ge: "What the—?!!"
His mind went blank with a deafening boom, as if struck by a thunderbolt from the heavens, his soul blasted out of his body.
The absurdity of Star Frost's little trick moments ago was instantly obliterated by this bombshell of a statement.
"What the hell did you just say?!" Cheng Ge's voice shot up, shrill and cracking, "Sleep... sleep in the same bed? Why not just say you want to be buried in the same grave?!"
He thrashed wildly, the oxhide rope biting deeper into his wrists and ankles with every jerk.
Veins bulged on his temples, his eyes bloodshot, as if he could flay the barbarian calmly undressing before him alive with a look alone.
"Get the hell out of here! Did you hear me?! Get OUT!!!" Wuliji remained utterly unfazed by his raging outburst and cursing.
He had already pulled open his tunic, revealing his sturdy upper body, skin glowing with health under the oil lamp, the two scars still vivid in the dim light.
His expression was calm, almost matter-of-fact, as if this were just another daily task, as he lifted the corner of the wool blanket at Cheng Ge's feet and made to climb onto the bed.
"You dare get on this bed?!" Cheng Ge roared, if looks could kill, Wuliji would be riddled with holes by now.
"I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget tonight! I'll take you down with me!!!"
Yet, Wuliji's steps didn't even pause in the slightest.
His tall frame carried an undeniable presence, and as Cheng Ge's eyes nearly popped out of his head, he lay down on the low bed with complete composure.
The bed wasn't big to begin with, and once Wuliji climbed on, the space instantly became cramped.
Cheng Ge could even feel the warmth radiating from the other's body, mixed with the unique scent of a man of the steppes—sweat and a hint of herbal fragrance—rushing toward him, overwhelming all his senses.
After lying down, Wuliji even adjusted his position, turning to face Cheng Ge, who was trussed up like a chicken, trembling with rage, seemingly on the verge of exploding.
Then, he extended his sturdy arm—one strong enough to strangle a lamb—and, as casually as if grabbing a pillow, slid it under Cheng Ge's neck.
Cheng Ge: "What the—?!!"
Before he could react, the back of his head sank into the crook of a calloused, warm arm.
Wuliji's other hand wasn't idle either, naturally resting on Cheng Ge's bound arm, even giving it a gentle pat, as if calming an angry cat.
Cheng Ge's entire body went rigid, blood rushing to his head. Bound hand and foot, he couldn't even bend a knee to land a hit.
This was... an utter humiliation! No, it was absurd! Ridiculous! Beyond ridiculous!
Going head-on wouldn't work; this barbarian was thick-skinned and wouldn't listen to reason.
Cheng Ge's eyes darted around as much as they could, and an idea hit him.
Slowly, with all the drama of a stage actor, he lifted his eyelids, a sheen of moisture instantly clouding his eyes (half from anger, half from deliberate effort), and looked at Wuliji, who was right beside him.
His voice, which had been roaring like a madman moments ago, now dropped low, hoarse, with a hint of hurt and nine parts fake coyness:
"Just now..." he sniffled, forcing his voice to sound pitiful, "I was a bit loud... did I scare you? I didn't mean anything by it."
Wuliji's face was unreadable, but the fingers on his arm seemed to pause for a beat.
Got him! Cheng Ge rejoiced inwardly and pressed on with his "fragile" act.
He brought his tightly bound hands closer to Wuliji's face, the red marks on his wrists standing out starkly in the dim light.
"My... wrists hurt." He pouted, dragging out the last word, gazing at Wuliji.
Wuliji's gaze fell on the angry red marks on that fair wrist, and his thick brows twitched almost imperceptibly. He pursed his lips, as if wavering.
Cheng Ge seized the moment, softening his voice further, almost breathy: "Can you untie me first? I promise I won't move, really, I swear."
He blinked, hoping to sell it, "I'll just lie here, completely obedient."
Wuliji stared at him in silence, those deep eyes reflecting the flickering flames and Cheng Ge's carefully performed act of pitiful helplessness.
After a long pause, he spoke in a low voice, laced with pure bewilderment:
"Are you..." he paused, as if struggling to find the words, finally uttering a question that nearly made Cheng Ge choke, "...don't you like me?"
Cheng Ge: "..."
Like you? I'd like to strangle you! I want to strap you to a rocket and send you to the moon to keep the Jade Rabbit company!
He ground his teeth, forcing back the laughter and curses rising in his throat.
His jaw twitched from holding back laughter, and he had to turn his face away, pressing his lips tightly together, his shoulders trembling suspiciously.
"Wh-why would that be..." His voice was muffled, with a hint of barely contained trembling, "Of course..."
He took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of his acting skill, and forced out two words dripping with syrupy sweetness: "...I do~"
That final "do" was drawn out and syrupy, sweet enough to make your teeth ache.
Wuliji was clearly caught off guard by this tone he'd never heard before; he seemed to freeze, his fingers on Cheng Ge's arm unconsciously tightening then loosening.
He looked at Cheng Ge's turned-away profile, showing only the tips of his reddened ears, then at the reddened wrist so close that it looked like it might snap with the slightest pressure.
The tent fell silent, broken only by the crackling of the oil lamp and the sound of their strained breathing.
Cheng Ge held his breath, his heart pounding wildly: Untie me now! Quick! Once my hands are free, the first thing I'll do is strangle you, you bastard!
Wuliji's Adam's apple bobbed. He seemed locked in a fierce internal battle between "I do~" and "those wrists are really red."
Finally, the large hand resting on Cheng Ge's arm began to move slowly toward the rope binding him...
Cheng Ge's heart leaped: It's working! This fool actually fell for it!
However, Wuliji's fingers stopped just short of the knot.
He looked up, his gaze once again landing on Cheng Ge's trembling eyelashes.
Wuliji's fingers hovered above the rope for a long time, so long that Cheng Ge's excitement started to turn into dread, his scalp beginning to prickle.
Did he... see right through me?
Cheng Ge's lashes fluttered harder, and he was about to say something to salvage the situation—like "actually, my wrists don't hurt that much" or "I suddenly feel pretty safe tied up like this," something even more absurd...
But Wuliji didn't move, just watched him.
That gaze was calm, focused, with a stubbornness Cheng Ge couldn't quite understand, as if trying to see through his flimsy act to what he was really thinking.