Reborn as a succubus - Chapter 30

Xi Che lay on the edge of the lighting pool, his soaked clothes clinging tightly to him. It was hard to tell whether it was sweat or water covering him. His body felt completely drained — he had never truly felt any of an incubus’s supposed advantages in absorbing another’s power, perhaps because his opponent was Chu Yan, whose cultivation was far beyond his own.

Still, after seven exhausting days, he had finally finished the process. The cold poison in Chu Yan’s body had been completely drawn out and transferred into his own.

As the last thread of spiritual energy settled back into place, he took a deep breath and released Chu Yan’s hand. But almost immediately, someone came up behind him and clasped his hand again — Chu Yan. His warm breath brushed Xi Che’s ear, sending a shiver down his spine.

“Asa, what’s wrong?”

Chu Yan’s other arm slid gently around his waist, drawing him closer. His chin rested on Xi Che’s shoulder as he murmured, “You’re trembling.”

“I’m fine… just a little cold.”

Xi Che shifted slightly, trying to pull away, feeling awkward and confused. He didn’t understand how someone as divine and restrained as Chu Yan could respond to him so openly. After what had happened, Xi Che could no longer fool himself — the god was not as detached as he appeared.

Gods shouldn’t be this familiar… he thought in disbelief.

And yet, mixed with disappointment was something else — a quiet, guilty satisfaction. After all, he had secretly loved Chu Yan for so long.

Chu Yan, unaware of his turmoil, simply tightened his hold, his voice calm and tender. “How could you be cold? Is this better?”

Xi Che’s chest ached. This Chu Yan was gentler than the one he had ever imagined, even in dreams.

Trying to change the subject, he asked softly, “How do you feel now? Any better?”

“The Fire Spirit Pill works as well as ever,” Chu Yan replied with a smile. He lazily kept one arm around Xi Che and looked at him from the side, his phoenix eyes full of quiet affection. “All thanks to you, Asa.”

What he said was true — midway through their healing, the vermillion bird had awakened and come to the pool, staring at them intently. Xi Che had been too embarrassed to continue, but Chu Yan paid no attention.

Meanwhile, the White Tiger sensed the bird’s presence and appeared from Xi Che’s spiritual sea, promptly biting off a tuft of its feathers. The vermillion bird only straightened its feathers, and carried the White Tiger off by the scruff of the neck.

“Out of respect for Asa, I’ll overlook it this time,” The vermillion bird said calmly.

The White Tiger snapped back, “Who needs your pity? Fight me!” But the Vermillion bird ignored him entirely.

Xi Che had no idea what their two spirit beasts were quarreling about; all he knew was that Chu Yan’s gaze on him made him uneasy. “I’m just glad you’re all right,” he muttered.

But Chu Yan reached out, brushing his cheek with his knuckle. “Asa… holding you like this feels like a dream.”

At the mention of dreams, Xi Che froze, blushing furiously as though a secret had been exposed. “That was just… a special situation. You don’t need to think too much about it…”

Before he could finish, Chu Yan leaned forward and kissed him. Startled, Xi Che’s eyes widened, but Chu Yan deepened the kiss with quiet determination — as though to erase all distance between them.

There was no hesitation or regret in Chu Yan, only sincerity. What began as a light touch grew into something more certain, until Xi Che could no longer resist and simply let it happen.

When they finally broke apart, Xi Che was breathless, and Chu Yan gently gathered him into his arms. Xi Che didn’t push him away.

Chu Yan could tell — the way Asa responded now was different from before, different from how he had acted toward Chu Yan’s mortal incarnation, Chu Qi. Back then, Asa would always push him away.

Now… he didn’t.

Was it affection? Or something else entirely?

After a long silence, he lowered his head and spoke softly: “Asa, why don’t you stay in the Palace? The Nine Nether divine realm no longer has a ruling envoy — no one would object.”

Xi Che hesitated. “But I still have things I must do.”

“You mean matters in the mortal world?”

Xi Che looked at him in surprise. “How do you know about that?”

“You mentioned it before,” Chu Yan said quietly. “But those aren’t things you should concern yourself with. If you’re worried, I can go in your place.”

Xi Che shook his head. “No. That’s a cause I created when I was alive. I have to see it through myself. And besides… what would I even do here?”

“I want you to stay by my side,” Chu Yan said bluntly. He lifted Xi Che’s chin so their eyes met. “I don’t want to be apart from you again. Stay, Asa.”

Xi Che was silent for a moment before whispering, “That doesn’t sound like something the God of light would say.”

Chu Yan sighed. “Then I’d rather not be that.”

Both knew what he meant without saying it — the shadow of what had happened hundreds of years ago still hung between them. Xi Che’s mind stirred with an unspoken suspicion, one too daring to voice, while Chu Yan feared that speaking his heart would only drive Asa away again.

After a long pause, he brushed a hand against his cheek. “Besides, when you’re with me, the Fire Spirit Pill refines faster. I need you.”

Xi Che gave a small, resigned smile. “Then you don’t have to worry. The cold poison is already gone; the next times will be much easier. Give me half a year. I’ll take care of what I must and then come back to help you again.”

Half a year meant little to a god, but to Chu Yan it felt unbearable. He frowned, clearly unhappy with that promise. Xi Che, however, released his hand and climbed out of the pool. “It’s decided. I… I’ll go for now.”

He could sense Chu Yan’s emotion — anyone would feel something after sharing such an experience. But it was already too late. Even if his life weren’t running short, even if he could live peacefully forever, a succubus could never stay with a god for life.

Pulling on his outer robe, he turned away. Chu Yan followed him up from the pool, his thin robe nearly transparent from the water. Xi Che didn’t dare look back.

Still, he thought he should warn him. “Chu Yan, maybe… you should go to the Heart-cleansing Spring. What happened today might have a big effect on you.”

Chu Yan looked displeased. That effect was more than “a little.” And why did Asa always tell him to visit that spring — just like in the dream? He muttered, “The Heart-cleansing Spring has long since dried up, and Ying Lei fell with it. Don’t be sad.”

Xi Che froze, astonished. “The Heart-cleansing Spring… is really gone?”

Chu Yan nodded.

“It’s just like my dream,” Xi Che whispered.

Chu Yan heard him clearly and stepped closer. “What dream?”

Xi Che accidentally glanced down at Chu Yan’s half-dressed form and nearly lost his footing. Chu Yan caught him quickly, worry flickering across his face. “Are you hurt? You’re exhausted, Asa. Let me help you back to rest.”

Realizing what he meant, Xi Che turned bright red. “I don’t need your help!”

He tried to stand, but slipped again, and Chu Yan immediately lifted him in his arms.

“Then I’ll carry you.”

“I said I don’t need—!”

Chu Yan only smiled gently and kept walking. “Asa, you don’t have to act so strong in front of me.”

Xi Che was speechless — furious and flustered all at once. Who said he was acting strong! He was fine! He could handle another seven days if he wanted to!