Reborn as a succubus - Chapter 27

Xi Che suspected he’d had that kind of dream again.

He dreamt that he and Chu Yan were lying together on the same bed—seemingly in the Yujing Palace sleeping quarters—but the surroundings were pitch black, and he couldn’t tell exactly where they were. Chu Yan’s clothes were in disarray; his robe and feathered outer garment were pinned under Xi Che, leaving him unable to move.

Xi Che grinned to himself—this seemed like a good idea: if he pinned down Chu Yan’s robe, Chu Yan wouldn’t be able to move, and Xi Che could do whatever he wanted.

But Chu Yan simply looked at him without taking any action. Xi Che waited for a long while, confused, then rolled over into Chu Yan’s arms and hugged his waist.

What kind of dream was this? Why was Chu Yan just watching him?

Later, Xi Che drifted in and out of sleep; sometimes his vision had scenes, sometimes only darkness. Eventually, somehow, the two of them were kissing. When he opened his eyes and saw those phoenix-like eyes of Chu Yan’s, he naturally responded, even eagerly parting his lips to deepen the kiss.

So the dream went from kissing to deep kissing, their limbs entwined, as if something indescribable was about to happen next.

Well—just as if. In the end, nothing really happened, and he fell asleep again.

What a dream… started with a bang and ended with nothing. Terrible!

But when Xi Che woke up the next morning, he suddenly realized something wasn’t right. His head was groggy from a hangover, but he still remembered fragments of last night. Uneasy, he opened his eyes—and saw a completely bare body.

He froze for a long time, rubbing his eyes hard to figure out if what he saw was real. But even after a while, the body before him didn’t disappear. With no other choice, Xi Che braced himself and looked up.

Right into Chu Yan’s eyes.

Chu Yan was staring at him expressionlessly. He realized not only was he pinning down Chu Yan’s robe and feathered garment just like in the dream, but he was also using his arm as a pillow, curling up in his arms as if Chu Yan were his sleeping bag.

Startled, Xi Che jerked upright and scrambled back across the bed. “W-what, how—”

Chu Yan calmly sat up and pulled his robe around himself. “You don’t remember what happened last night?”

…Why did he say it so ambiguously, like an accusation? Could it be he really had taken advantage of him?!

“I only remember you showing me the wound on your back,” Xi Che said.

Chu Yan turned his head slightly, raising an eyebrow. “I thought you’d forgotten everything.”

Not entirely. Xi Che still remembered what he’d said and done. The things he’d wanted to ask Chu Yan, he had asked—but only because he’d borrowed some courage from the wine.

Turns out, alcohol really couldn’t be trusted—because the part where he grabbed Chu Yan’s wrist and teased him? That had definitely not been in his plan.

Good heavens, did Chu Yan now know he had impure thoughts about him?!

But what about the dream part? Was that real or not?

Xi Che glanced carefully toward Chu Yan’s back. He seemed upset—probably angry that Xi Che had taken such liberties, touching and teasing him like that… or maybe even worse.

Chu Yan truly wasn’t happy. He felt as though he’d been toyed with all night. Every time he tried to calm down, Xi Che would roll right into his arms again. And whenever he resolved to actually do something, Xi Che would promptly fall asleep, snoring softly. Over and over again.

He had stolen one kiss—but his conscience tormented him. Taking advantage of someone drunk was still wrong.

Once was bad enough; he couldn’t make the same mistake twice.

Xi Che sneaked another look at Chu Yan, then scooted closer. “Let me help you.”

Chu Yan paused, feeling his long hair being gently lifted from inside his collar, held up so he could fasten his robe. He smiled faintly—why was Xi Che trying to please him?

Xi Che sat behind him in silence, full of regret. Alcohol was a terrible thing—it led to chaos and regret. After a long hesitation, he decided to own up to it. “Chu Yan, I’m sorry… I didn’t realize my tolerance was so low. I got drunk and behaved disgracefully, offended you.”

He looked at Chu Yan seriously. “I really didn’t mean to offend you. If you’re still angry, you can hit me.”

But the more he said, the darker Chu Yan’s face grew—as if he truly was about to hit him. Xi Che couldn’t think of anything else to do, so he just looked up at him pitifully, waiting for judgment.

Chu Yan stared at him for a long while, then asked, “How exactly did you offend me?”

…What? Did he really have to say it out loud?!

Xi Che wanted to beg for mercy, but Chu Yan’s cold expression made it clear there’d be none. Among mortals, Chu Yan was known for being magnanimous, but toward fellow gods he was anything but—he remembered every slight, down to the smallest detail.

Xi Che had never experienced this side of him before—apparently today was his lucky day.

Did he really want him to confess and die of embarrassment?!

Xi Che swallowed hard, his face red. “I… wrinkled your robe, dirtied your feathered garment… and… held your hand…”

Chu Yan sneered. “And?”

“What—there’s more?”

Xi Che was horrified—did that mean the part where they kissed was real?! Then what was the point of apologizing—he might as well die on the spot!

Chu Yan could tell exactly what Xi Che was thinking, and his expression softened. He didn’t even want an apology. In fact, Xi Che’s apology only drove a wedge between them, pushing their relationship further apart.

Was this what they were now—just courteous, distant “gentlemen friends”?

Chu Yan stood abruptly and frowned. “Forget it. You’re not who you used to be. I didn’t expect three cups of wine would knock you out.”

Xi Che relaxed a little—true, he was weak now, just a lowly being. But in a way, this mortal self suited him better. He didn’t deserve the holiness of a god’s form.

The more he thought about it, the worse he felt. “I only came to see you because I heard you were looking for a successor and I was worried. But you seem fine—you could go on as the God of light for tens of thousands more years. So… thank you for your hospitality, but I think it’s time I left.”

The longer he stayed, the more of his human flaws would show—and the more Chu Yan would despise him. Better to leave while things were still decent.

Chu Yan hadn’t expected him to suddenly ask to leave and was taken aback. “Why do you want to go?”

Xi Che looked even more confused. “Why? I’m not a god—I don’t belong in here. And as you’ve seen, I’ve got more enemies than friends up there. I’d rather not cause trouble.”

“You mean Zhu Wu? He won’t bother you again.”

Xi Che gave a wry smile. “That’s not really the reason. This place just isn’t where I belong. I already severed ties with this place long ago; I can’t go back on my word. And besides, I still have unfinished business down below—I can’t stay here too long.”

Things like the Jin Lingzi affair, and the zombie case… he still needed to investigate those.

Chu Yan’s expression darkened. He couldn’t understand why Xi Che wanted to leave. Whether the person Xi Che had once loved was Ying Lei or just a mortal, that person must have long been dead. And when Chu Yan had secretly watched him in the mortal world, he hadn’t gone looking for any lover.

So why go back? Wouldn’t staying here be better?

Unable to find a good reason, Chu Yan tried another approach. “You’re my chosen successor now. One day, you’ll inherit the title of the God of light. Of course you belong here. You’re not allowed to leave.”

Xi Che hadn’t taken that “successor” talk seriously. Seeing Chu Yan alive and well, he knew he didn’t need anyone to take his place. To suddenly bring it up now—wasn’t that absurd?

Xi Che tilted his head up at him, hoping he’d notice his what-the-hell expression, but Chu Yan didn’t even look his way. Seeing he was serious, Xi Che blurted out, “Successor? But you’re fine! Why would you need one?”

Chu Yan finally turned to look at him. “Then stay here in Yujing Palace until the day I die—and take my place.”

“…” Was this a joke? That could take tens of thousands of years!

Without another word, Chu Yan turned and walked out. Xi Che quickly jumped up and ran after him. “Fine, fine! Even if I agree to be your successor, can’t you at least let me go back first?”

He chased Chu Yan all the way to the door. Chu Yan suddenly turned around and said, “Don’t leave the palace grounds. If you meet Zhu Wu outside, he’ll kill you.”

With that, he opened the palace door and stepped out. The door closed slowly in front of Xi Che, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t move past it—something invisible blocked his way.

Chu Yan saw him pacing inside anxiously and sighed. “Asa, I’ll be back soon. Stay put and wait for me.”

“Chu Yan…”

The door shut completely. Only then did Xi Che snap out of his daze—had he just been locked in by Chu Yan?!

What kind of joke was this?!

He sat down on the floor, dumbfounded. There had to be some misunderstanding—why would Chu Yan do that? Wait, he didn’t even understand why Chu Yan wanted a successor in the first place!

He didn’t have long to think. Soon, palace maids and child attendants came to help him up and said that a meal had been prepared.

Well, fine—he was hungry. Maybe Chu Yan had only done this because he was afraid Zhu Wu would kill him if he left the palace.

He was just looking out for him.

When Xi Che ate, the white tiger spirit emerged from his consciousness. Having been asleep the whole time, it didn’t know what had happened between Xi Che and Chu Yan, so it bounded around exploring.

Since the Yujing Palace was safe, Xi Che let it wander while he stayed and watched the dancing girls.

Yes, dancing girls—Chu Yan had arranged that too.

After the war between gods and demons, there were far fewer celestial attendants. When gods needed help, they often created illusory palace maids with magic.

The ones dancing now were clearly not real.

After several songs, Xi Che was about to fall asleep. This kind of old-fashioned entertainment was definitely not his thing. What on earth was Chu Yan thinking?

As the fake dancers changed outfits for the third performance, Xi Che grew completely bored. He took off the two pieces of metal hanging around his neck—one of which was engraved with the word “Yuan.” It had belonged to Bi Yuan, and might contain traces of Bi Yuan’s lingering consciousness.

Since he had nothing better to do, he decided to try summoning a spirit from it using his Spirit Invocation technique. Maybe he’d find a clue.

He pricked his finger and drew a formation in the air, trying to call out the remnant soul. But since the metal piece only belonged to Bi Yuan and wasn’t part of his remains, there was almost no spiritual energy attached to it. After many failed attempts, Xi Che thought maybe he should have the white tiger help him.

He summoned the white tiger—but the creature told him to come instead.

“Where did you go?”

“I’m at the Lighting pool! Hurry!”

Xi Che frowned. Who was summoning whom here?

Still, he’d always been patient with the white tiger—and honestly, the dances were putting him to sleep—so he went to the Lighting pool.

The moment he arrived, the white tiger pounced into his arms. “Quick, quick! I found that dead Phoenix!”

Xi Che looked at him suspiciously. “Impossible. He should be with Chu Yan—Chu Yan went out.”

“Come see for yourself!”

Following the white tiger around the pool, Xi Che reached a small curtained room. The white tiger eagerly clawed the curtain down. “Look! Isn’t that the Phoenix?!”

The veil fell, and behind it stood a crimson Phoenix as tall as a man, its wings folded, quietly motionless in the corner. Its whole body glowed like red glass, but it didn’t move at all—like a statue.

But why was it like this…? Was it dead?

Xi Che frowned slightly and stepped closer, waving his hand before the Phoenix’s eyes. No reaction.

The white tiger circled it, clicking its tongue. “Did Chu Yan do this? Turned the Phoenix into a specimen? That’s terrifying! He’s a pervert!”

Xi Che shot it a glare. “Don’t talk nonsense. Why would he do that?”

“You can never really know someone’s heart,” the tiger muttered.

Xi Che understood—seeing the Phoenix like this would indeed be disturbing. It was like a human seeing another human turned into a wax figure, so the tiger’s nervous reaction made sense.

Could it be related to that soul-breaking chain Chu Yan had mentioned? Just thinking of it made Xi Che uneasy. He knew deep down it was his fault, but Chu Yan refused to explain…

“What are you doing?”

Xi Che almost jumped out of his skin. Turning around, he saw Chu Yan standing behind them. The white tiger immediately dove into Xi Che’s arms and shouted, “The pervert’s back! Asa, run!”

…Run your head!

Xi Che held the white tiger awkwardly and gave Chu Yan a sheepish smile. “Don’t listen to him… we didn’t mean to intrude.”

Chu Yan glanced at the bird, walked over, picked up the fallen veil, and re-hung it to cover the Phoenix again.

Then he looked back at Xi Che with a complicated expression. “It’s fine. Let’s go.”

Xi Che noticed the subtle change in his tone and whispered to the white tiger, “Go back.”

“I have to protect you! He’s a pervert!”

Even though the Phoenix was annoying, it was still Chu Yan’s spirit beast. And he’d turned it into an ice sculpture!

“I think you’re the one who’s sick… If he wanted to hurt me, what could you possibly do right now?”

The white tiger thought about it and reluctantly disappeared.

“Chu Yan…”

Chu Yan looked at him for a moment. “Asa, are you afraid of me?”

Xi Che quickly shook his head. “No, no, of course not.”

“Then why are you standing so far away? Don’t tell me you actually believe what that tiger said.”

Xi Che hesitated, then slowly walked closer. “Is the phoenix like that because of the soul-hooking chain? Tell me, please. I think this must be connected to me.”