Reborn as a succubus - Chapter 20

The reason Xi Che fainted this time was because Chu Yan’s power was simply too overwhelming for his body to withstand.

Even though Chu Yan had been extremely careful, channeling his spiritual power into him little by little and in separate stages, Xi Che’s body still couldn’t handle it. It was like taking too many tonics at once — he had “overdosed” on strength.

Breaking a restriction with spells was different from detoxification. Purging poison didn’t require passing through the dantian, nor did it demand integration of foreign power into the recipient’s body — there was no “absorption” process. As for whether divine and demonic arts could be merged — that wasn’t an issue. Whether god, demon, spirit-beast, or human, the rules by which spiritual power circulated through the meridians were all the same.

At last, Chu Yan managed to guide his power through Xi Che’s body for one full cycle of circulation. He was drenched in sweat from the effort. To him, this task was as delicate as embroidery — a single mistake could spell disaster.

This was also why gods rarely grew close to other races. Their powers were too different, and even in simple exchanges, accidents could lead to tragedy.

Chu Yan leaned back against the rim of the tub, gently cradling Xi Che against him, his chin resting on the other’s head. He looked relaxed, but the hand holding Xi Che’s never loosened — the treatment wasn’t over yet. The backlash-created seal needed to be completely dissolved for him to be truly safe.

Still, Chu Yan couldn’t help but worry. Asa had become so weak, yet his stubborn nature hadn’t changed at all. He was still intent on chasing this matter to the end… which meant he would inevitably run into greater dangers. What would happen if he wasn’t there then?

This time, if not for him, the man would already be dead a dozen times over.

Chu Yan wanted to stay and protect him, but there was something he couldn’t avoid — the inheritance ceremony in the Nine Netherworlds was about to begin. He had to return.

Truthfully, ever since the moment he found Asa again, he no longer cared about the so-called inheritance. The ceremony itself had only ever been bait, a way to draw Asa back to him…

Thinking of this, he looked down at the man in his arms. His long fingers brushed gently across Xi Che’s face. Back when news came that Asa had been killed by Zhu Wu, Chu Yan’s heart had been torn apart. No amount of water from the Spring of Reflection could ever heal that wound.

But Ying Lei had told him then: Asa hadn’t died in the proper divine way. If his incense and worship could be kept alive, there was a chance he might one day return.

And Ying Lei had been right…

Chu Yan had feared that once Asa died, no one in the world would remember him. With time, his believers would dwindle, and his incense offerings would cease. So he had established a small shrine within the Jade Capital Palace, dedicating it solely to the War God’s spirit tablet. That way, even if all three realms forgot him, at least Chu Yan alone would keep his incense burning, giving him a home to return to.

But centuries passed, and the weight of time wore him down. He had considered abandoning everything, returning to the void, and sleeping forever.

And yet, he wondered — what if Asa had already returned, but he remained trapped in the Nine Netherworlds, cut off from news of him? So he created that ridiculous inheritance ceremony — open to anyone, regardless of race or gender — hoping it would bring Asa back to him.

Others might not understand the meaning behind it, but how could Asa not? For all this time, Chu Yan had longed for the day someone would storm into the Jade Capital Palace, furious, demanding to know why he would casually hand over his divine seat to others, why he was being so irresponsible.

Only Asa would do such a thing. If he returned, everything past could be washed away like smoke, and they could begin again.

Chu Yan unconsciously tightened his hold on the man in his arms, lowering him deeper into the hot water. His hand traced circles over his lower back without realizing it. He frowned slightly — Xi Che didn’t seem interested in confronting him over the inheritance at all. Instead, he was focused on the village’s troubles.

Had Asa stopped caring about him altogether?

Chu Yan sighed. He had long known Asa loved someone else. But even so, after all those years as close friends… shouldn’t he at least ask after him, after hearing he was alive? Was he  still holding a grudge?

Chu Yan didn’t even know what he was afraid of. Only the thought that Asa might not care for him anymore made his chest ache unbearably.

Absentmindedly, he stroked Xi Che like a treasured pet. He didn’t notice what he was doing — but Xi Che, sensitive as ever, couldn’t stand it. Before long, the constant touch stirred him awake.

Xi Che opened his eyes and saw that he was still in the tub of hot water, and right before him was Chu Yan’s broad, bare torso. He almost fainted all over again.

What kind of illusion was this — “Infinite Hot Spring of Male Seduction”? Was he doomed never to escape these scenes? Did the heavens pity his singlehood so much that they sent someone into his lap?

He didn’t need it!

He tried to push away from Chu Yan’s shoulder to put distance between them, but his body was so weak he could barely even lift his head. After struggling for a while, he only managed two faint groans.

Hearing the sound, Chu Yan lowered his head, eyes locked on him. “You’re awake.”

Xi Che shut his eyes, then asked weakly, “What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I move… why am I still in the water?”

“Because the treatment isn’t finished yet,” Chu Yan answered softly. “Feeling weak is normal. My spiritual power is foreign to you — your body needs time to accept it.”

Xi Che nearly broke down. “Then forget it. I don’t want treatment anymore.”

Hearing this, Chu Yan couldn’t help but smile faintly. Yes — this impatience was exactly like Asa’s.

Keeping their hands clasped tightly together, he wrapped an arm around Xi Che’s shoulders. “That won’t do. If you don’t like it, then next time — don’t get hurt.”

Though meant as reassurance, his posture was intimate, his gaze warm and indulgent, like a lover’s. Xi Che felt utterly uncomfortable. Worse, Chu Yan’s hand kept wandering unconsciously, making it impossible for him to concentrate.

Xi Che sucked in a breath. “Stop touching me.”

Chu Yan paused for a moment, then let his arm slide down — only to settle firmly around his waist. “I’m only holding you. Otherwise, you’ll slip under the water.”

“…Bullshit.”

As a god, Chu Yan had always been rather oblivious to carnal desire. Though he loved Asa, Asa now wore another face — and no matter what form he took, Chu Yan didn’t mind. Yet Asa wasn’t showing him the affection he once had; no eager embraces, no willing closeness. Even stripped down and sharing a hot tub, Chu Yan could remain as calm as still water.

Xi Che, however, was not so calm. He might think of himself as human, but his body was still that of an incubus. And being touched like this was unbearable.

Damn it all…

His lips trembled. Chu Yan, mistaking it for weakness, supported his waist and pushed him upright so that he sat facing him.

As Chu Yan guided another cycle of spiritual energy through him, Xi Che suddenly felt feverish, trembling as if chilled. A prickling sensation climbed his spine.

He froze. This… this felt exactly like the onset of his first heat.

He had never properly gone through it last time — even in his dreams, things had ended abruptly after merely encountering Chu Yan. Could it be… his cycle had never finished?

No. Impossible. There was no way he was entering heat now!

But the truth was undeniable — his body was already reacting. Chu Yan sensed it too. At first he wondered if the water had cooled and secretly cast a heating charm, but Xi Che’s symptoms only worsened. Worse still, a strange power was rampaging inside him, which could prove dangerous.

Had he made a mistake when transmitting power?

Watching closely, Chu Yan suddenly noticed a snake-like mark appearing on Xi Che’s shoulder before sliding down his chest.

His brows furrowed. That mark wasn’t vanishing — it was moving.

Instinctively, he reached to catch it. Xi Che let out a muffled gasp, his voice trembling strangely. “Don’t… don’t touch me!”

Startled by the softness in his tone, Chu Yan said, “There’s a snake on you—”

Xi Che quickly looked down, just in time to see the tattoo-like snake dart beneath the water, disappearing. He tried to cover his abdomen, but Chu Yan’s gaze shifted again — another mark was slithering over his other shoulder.

And then Xi Che realized: incubi had a notorious trait… the lust-mark.

…

Could it be that such marks appeared only during heat?

He had been too disoriented last time to notice. But now—

The familiar, forbidden response seized him. Xi Che curled inward, biting his lip, instinctively trying to pull his hand free from Chu Yan’s grip. But Chu Yan held on tight, wrapping his other arm around him to keep him close.

“Let me go… don’t touch me!”

Unlike his usual self, Xi Che’s eyes were red at the corners, his lips trembling, tears glistening faintly at the edges of his gaze. The serpent-mark writhed openly across his neck, shoulders, and chest, its shadow slipping beneath the water toward his thighs.

Chu Yan wasn’t stupid. Faced with such an unmistakable scene, he understood at once.

His hand stroked Xi Che’s waist as he asked in a low voice, “Could it be… you’re in heat?”

Xi Che’s heart pounded. “Just leave me alone. Put me down somewhere — I’ll deal with it myself.”

Chu Yan fell silent for a moment. But his hand didn’t still. He reached to catch the serpent’s tail as it moved down Xi Che’s body.

Xi Che’s face flushed red with anger and shame. “I don’t need your help!”

“You do,” Chu Yan answered steadily. “If that power rampages unchecked, it will kill you.”

“I’d rather die—”

He didn’t finish. Chu Yan had already pulled him out of the tub, still clasping his hand, carrying him like a child with one arm around his waist.

“Wait—!”

Chu Yan set him down on a makeshift bed of sleeping mats and leaned over him.

Xi Che stared, horrified. “What are you doing? I can’t move — don’t you dare take advantage—”

Chu Yan lowered his eyes. “The treatment isn’t done. You can’t afford to lose focus. And I won’t let you die.”

“…!”

Xi Che’s breath caught as Chu Yan pressed a kiss to his throat. His body jolted. “No! Stop! You can’t!”

“Why not?”

“Because—because I already have someone in my heart. I won’t sleep with you!”

Chu Yan stiffened, his chest tightening with a sharp ache. That person should have long since passed from this world. And yet, even now, Xi Che still remembered her…

“I won’t let you die,” Chu Yan repeated.

Xi Che faltered, staring at his pale face. He could tell Chu Yan had consumed much of his strength to save him.

He had to admit — this man had treated him well.

But why? They had only just met…

Feeling his waist lifted, Xi Che panicked, struggling weakly. “Damn it, why do you keep saving me? I don’t need you—”

But Chu Yan didn’t seem to hear his protests. His lips grazed Xi Che’s throat as he whispered coldly, “Then I don’t need to care whether there’s someone else in your heart.”

“You—!”

If he could, Chu Yan would claim every part of Asa that could be claimed. But the place reserved for him in Asa’s heart was already so small…

Thunder rumbled outside in answer to his forbidden thoughts.

Chu Yan only smiled faintly, pinning down the writhing serpent-mark on Xi Che’s skin until it froze. His fingers traced slowly along its length.

He had no intention of heeding the so-called wrath of heaven.

“If it’s too much for you, then think of tonight as nothing but a dream.”