Reborn as a succubus - Chapter 52

Chu Yan hurriedly grabbed Xi Che.

“A gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years. And you—charging out so recklessly—where exactly do you think you’re going to find Rong Jiudao?”

With the way he looked right now, who could he possibly take down? If he really went out there, he’d only cause more trouble.

“Let me go… let go of me!”
“No!”
“Let go!”

Xi Che was so furious he nearly saw smoke coming out of his ears. At first, yes, he had been blinded by anger—but he’d already calmed down. Rushing out like this wouldn’t just be a matter of finding Rong Jiudao. Even if he did find him, could he actually kill him? And there were more important things to plan carefully first.

But still—he had to get his hand free from this man’s grip. The way they were tugging and pulling at each other was far too humiliating. Of course, he couldn’t just say he wasn’t going anymore—that would be too embarrassing.

So he could only struggle while shouting angrily:

“Let go! I said let go!”

Chu Yan had no way of reading his mind, so he assumed he still meant to run off. He held tighter onto his wrist. Since he wasn’t good with words, when faced with Xi Che’s growing irritation, his instinct was to respond with equal stubbornness.

Because of that misunderstanding, the two of them ended up tussling at the stairwell doorway. Chu Yan felt like he was trying to hold down a rabbit—struggling constantly in his palm.

Afraid that if he loosened his grip, the person before him would vanish again, and feeling his own nerves starting to fray, he panicked—and without thinking, he yanked Xi Che forward and wrapped him tightly in his arms.

Xi Che froze on the spot. He knew that “Chu Qi” probably had feelings for him, but since he’d always refused to acknowledge it directly, Chu Qi had also played along—keeping things ambiguous, never forcing any closeness.

So… after all this time, why was he hugging him again now?

“You—what are you—”

Just as Xi Che was about to get angry, he suddenly heard a calm voice murmuring by his ear:

“Promise me you won’t run out again, and I’ll let you go. Otherwise, I’ll have to use… stronger measures.”

For some reason, all the hairs on Xi Che’s body stood on end. At the same moment, he felt White Tiger in his consciousness bristle violently—fur standing on end, practically cursing out loud.

Xi Che instantly sobered, his expression turning strange. White Tiger’s strength might be suppressed now, but it had once been glorious, and the power within his spirit still remained. There was no way it would be frightened so easily.

Why was this happening…?

Could it be…?

Xi Che’s eyes widened sharply.
Could there really be someone this powerful in the world today?!

He had always known Chu Qi to be a strong cultivator, but now it seemed his strength far exceeded his expectations.

That should’ve been impossible. The world’s spiritual power had clearly declined over the years—creatures with strong power had become fewer and fewer. Under such conditions, for someone like Chu Qi to exist… was practically defying the heavens.

Unless he’d used some forbidden method—something like “dual cultivation” or other dark arts.

Xi Che was quite well-versed in so-called “forbidden techniques.” Other than orthodox cultivation, there were many shortcuts to gain strength: taking elixirs, absorbing yin energy, or harvesting essence from others. These methods were fast and easy to spread—but dangerous.

Could it be that Chu Qi was one of those who practiced dark arts?

Xi Che didn’t think researching such arts was inherently wrong—but using them to harm others for personal gain did make them truly “evil.”

Was Chu Qi such a person…?

…

Could it be that the reason he kept pestering him was because he wanted to use him—treat him like a “tonic”?

The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. How could someone this powerful suddenly fall in love with him, cling to him, risk his life for him without asking for anything in return? What was this, a soap opera?

He must have a motive!

But… his current body didn’t have much energy to take. Was it even worth it? Did incubi have some hidden ability he didn’t know about?

Suddenly, Xi Che recalled something from his time in the underworld. Shennong had said back then that an incubus’s body, while not powerful itself, could serve as a medium to absorb spiritual medicine.

So… was that what this man was thinking? To get close to him, make him fall for him, and have him willingly assist in such a ritual?

Damn it. How convenient.

That time had been a desperate measure—if it hadn’t been for the circumstances, even for Chu Yan, their bond, and everything they’d been through—he still wouldn’t have used that kind of method!

Xi Che quickly pieced things together, coming to his own conclusion: the man before him clearly had ulterior motives.
Fine, then—if that was the case, he didn’t need to feel guilty either. From now on, they’d just use each other.

Maintaining a startled, wary expression, he stared at Chu Qi in silence for a long moment. Chu Qi, confused by his gaze, loosened his hold slightly.

Xi Che stepped back, slipping free of his arms. After a moment of silence, he suddenly smiled.

“Thanks. I’ve calmed down.”

Chu Yan instinctively felt that something was off. Given Asa’s personality, there was no way he’d “give in” so easily. But he said nothing, merely glanced toward the room behind them.

“Let’s go back first. We can talk after tonight.”

Chu Yan had opened a room next to Zhan Yujin’s. Normally, Xi Che would have protested vehemently—but now, thinking that Chu Qi might have ulterior motives, he didn’t want to appear too defensive. So he said nothing about sharing a room.

Chu Yan, on the other hand, felt uneasy and hurried to explain:

“Given the current situation, it’s safer if we stay close—so we can watch out for each other.”

Xi Che interrupted him:

“I know. That’s fine.”

He paused, then smiled brightly.

“Ah, and thank you—for today, and before. I keep owing you favors I can’t seem to repay. If you ever need my help, just say the word—I’ll do everything I can.”

He was testing him—if the man truly had ulterior motives, he might take the bait and reveal them now.

“There’s nothing I need help with. If there ever is, I’ll tell you.”

Xi Che secretly curled his lip.
Let’s see how long you can keep up the act. That fox tail will show sooner or later.

That night, Chu Yan didn’t sleep well. Mostly because he couldn’t figure out what he was feeling—whether happy or uneasy. He had a vague sense that… Asa might actually be flirting with him.

…

Of course, the fact that the other man wasn’t rejecting physical closeness was a good sign—but why the sudden change? Could he really have fallen for this version of him, “Chu Qi”? But he’d just rejected him earlier! What difference was there between “Chu Qi” and himself?

“What are you spacing out for?”

Lost in thought, Chu Yan turned—and saw Xi Che stepping out from behind the shower curtain, towel in hand, drying his dripping hair. The collar of his shirt had slipped down past his shoulder.

There it was again—proof. He was flirting.

Expressionless, Chu Yan looked at him. Xi Che gestured casually toward the bathroom behind him.

“I’m done. Your turn.”

“…”

Alright—maybe, maybe he was just naturally trusting, or simply oblivious.

Chu Yan didn’t want to dwell on it. He nodded slightly.

“Alright.”

As they passed each other, something soft and cool brushed against Chu Yan’s ear. Startled, he turned to look—only to see Xi Che smiling at him, his damp hair swaying gently. So it had just been his hair brushing his ear…

“…”

Even the dullest man wouldn’t miss that kind of thing. What was Asa doing…?

Even if it wasn’t his original face, when he smiled like that—it was impossible not to be affected. And with his current body being that of an incubus, such a sensitive and seductive species—shouldn’t he at least try to protect himself?

Chu Yan stood frozen, watching him. The latter yawned, walked toward the window, and lifted the towel again to dry his hair, muttering lazily,

“What are you staring for? Go shower already. I’m going to bed soon…”

Chu Yan prided himself on his self-control—of course, that only applied when the other person wasn’t Asa. Right now, he was having a very hard time staying composed.

He turned back toward Xi Che and saw him sitting by the window, bathed in moonlight. His profile looked soft and serene.

Whenever he thought Asa was teasing him, even when the man did nothing, he still looked like he was teasing him.

He didn’t know what was going on—but in this situation, ignoring him seemed neither polite nor emotionally possible.

Xi Che was about to push the window open wider when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned just in time to see a shadow fall over him—and the next second, he was pinned between the wall and a warm body.

Xi Che hesitated, then relaxed, leaning back slightly against the wall. He smiled up at the man in front of him. Though the distance between them was far from “safe,” he didn’t move away this time.

“You look like you want to question me about something.”

“You…”

Chu Yan stared at him, his face expressionless, though a faint anger flickered in his eyes. His gaze dropped briefly to Xi Che’s half-slipped collar, then back to his face.

“Have you ever considered that looking like this, in front of a man, is… dangerous?”

Xi Che almost laughed. If the other person didn’t already have impure thoughts about him, then even if he stood here stark naked, there would be no “danger” to speak of.

But this still wasn’t enough to confirm whether Chu Qi truly intended to use him as some kind of “tonic.”

Chu Yan didn’t get a response. Instead, Xi Che suddenly asked, his tone full of teasing amusement:

“So… is this the reward you wanted?”