Chapter 148: One year

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During the few scavenging missions the Long Yuan squad went on, Huo Zaiyuan dumps everything into his space, rearranging items into two separate piles: to keep and to sell. Everything he doesn't think necessary would be sorted into the latter pile and sold in the market district. Looking down at the N number of points on his card, he feels a sense of accomplishment.

The safe zone has already sent people off to investigate matters regarding the 'Sorcerer's cult', poisonous swamps and devil ants. As Huo Zaiyuan has a deep understanding about these swamps and devil ants, a special order came from the higher-ups warning all mercenary squads to report any traces of them immediately upon returning.

However, as there hasn't been any news pertaining to sightings of poisonous swamps or devil ants so far, Huo Zaiyuan decides to enter 'closed-door cultivation' once more. Afraid that news might arrive during his cultivation, Huo Zaiyuan hands a peach wood tile to Long Zhanye before entering his space. If an emergency arises, all Zhanye has to do is burn the tile and Huo Zaiyuan will immediately stop cultivating.

Little did he imagine that this 'closed-door cultivation' period is a lot longer than he predicted. Although he broke through the fifth level and entered the sixth, he discovered he was gone for a year the moment he exits the space.

On the day he eventually exits, it is six in the morning. Long Zhanye is already awake and in the middle of changing when suddenly, the mirror reflects a flash of silver light and a long-haired male with delicate countenance appears in the middle of the bed.

Long Zhanye's eyes widen, immediately snapping his head around to see that, yes, he is not dreaming. Sitting on the bed is the very person he has been thinking about for the past year.

"Little Yuan!"

"It's been...eh! A while..." Huo Zaiyuan finds himself wrapped tightly in Long Zhanye's arms. A familiar embrace, familiar tobacco scent and warmth...his heart all but melts into a soft, gooey puddle.

"Really missed you." Three words to encompass all the longing accumulated in his heart over the past year.

Huo Zaiyuan's mouth curves into a gentle and fond smile as he returns the hug. "Although cultivation required me to clear my mind and heart, I too, missed you the entire time."

"I know. Besides me, who else would occupy your thoughts?" Long Zhanye pulls back a little to take in the face of his beloved even as a cocky smirk surfaces.

"So arrogant. I can think about grandfather, or Elder priest grandfather, or Qin Jun, little Qing, mhmm..."

The rest of Huo Zaiyuan's words are cut off swiftly as Long Zhanye lowers his head and claims his lips.

Long Zhanye's kiss resembles his personality. Soft and gentle but equally intense and forceful. Domineering. He swoops in and takes what he desires. His tongue invades without mercy, intertwining with Huo Zaiyuan's soft one. Any coherent thought Huo Zaiyuan has scatters, mind shutting down as he gives in, allowing Long Zhanye to conquer him, staking his claim as he plunders every nook and cranny of Huo Zaiyuan's mouth.

Huo Zaiyuan's hands slide downwards from Long Zhanye's shoulders to his chest, then further down until his palms rest on the older man's hips. Slender fingers tighten, inciting Long Zhanye to deepen the kiss.

The atmosphere in the room seems to grow hot and heavy as a Long Zhanye slowly lowers his lover onto the bed and pins him beneath his body. An arm curls around the slim waist as the other cups the back of Huo Zaiyuan's neck.

It is only until the couple find themselves short of breath that the long and deep kiss breaks. Panting, their gaze locks as their breath mingles.

"Little Yuan has changed." Long fingers stroke leisurely down the side of the delicate, jade-like face. Long Zhanye can't resist kissing his soft petal lips once more. "You've become thinner, taller, hair has grown longer and you're even more stunning. Just looking at you is enough to make my heartbeat increase again."

Rebirth of MC Chpt 102 - 202 (unedited translations)Where stories live. Discover now