They were once against swarmed by a sea of golden fireflies, their glow dancing like tiny solar flares in the darkness. They flocked in countless numbers, a living constellation. Li Zhameng clung tightly to the hem of his Shizun's robe, his knuckles white as he tried to stay grounded amidst the chaos. Xue Laohu waved his folding fan furiously, attempting in vain to scatter the flickering cluster. The air was filled with the sharp rustle of his movements and the faint hum of wings.
Xue Tuzi remained cradled in Shudu's protective embrace, his slender arms tightening instinctively around Jiao Jiao, who had found his way back into his arms squirmed deeper into his chest, his delicate form trembling as if to shield himself from the overwhelming brilliance. Shudu's strong arm arched above them both, his silhouette cutting a sharp figure against the fiery light. Xiao Zongzi, her tiny legs trembling, clung to his shoulder with desperation. She spun her silver web in frantic circles, anchoring herself more securely as the storm of lights swirled around them.
When the dazzling snowstorm of firefly light finally dissipated, the world seemed to exhale into tranquility. They found themselves standing at the edge of Lake Taohu. The peach blossoms were in full bloom, their pale pink petals drifting down like a gentle snowfall. Under the dim moonlight, the blossoms glowed faintly, their colors soft and ethereal, as though touched by starlight. Each petal that kissed the lake's surface sent ripples whispering outward, distorting the stillness with delicate waves. The air was rich with the sweet, heavy fragrance of blooming flowers, a scent that clung to their senses like an embrace. Though it was night, the scene before them was a breathtaking cascade of color and light.
Xue Tuzi stirred, slipping free from Shudu's grasp with surprising force. His sudden movement sent Shudu stumbling back a step, his heels skimming the soft grass. He caught himself just in time, his eyes widening as he watched the beauty bolt toward Xue Laohu.
"See? We didn't miss it," Xue Laohu said, his tone tinged with satisfaction. His grin stretched wide, flashing a gleam of teeth in the moonlight as he flicked open his fan with a soft snap. He surveyed the scene, his sharp gaze taking in every detail of the tranquil lake and falling blossoms. "It looks pretty nice at night. And here I thought we wouldn't be able to see a thing." He sighed, his chest rising and falling as he admired his surroundings.
Maybe there's still a chance to complete this mission, Yi Ming thought, his gaze drifting across the sea of peach blossoms surrounding him. The grove was alive with varying stages of life—some flowers were in full, vibrant bloom, their petals soft and radiant under the moonlight. Others were mere buds, shyly peeking from their stems, while a few hung limply, their time already passed, their withered petals curling inward.
Yi Ming turned his head, searching for Shudu's familiar figure among the trees. Huh? Where's Shudu? His brows furrowed, as he sulked quietly, crossing his arms in frustration. Of all the times to go missing… Tch, doesn't he know he needs to give Xue Tuzi a flower? Only then can their love truly begin to blossom.
Far from Yi Ming's sight, Shudu was on a mission of his own. He moved through the grove with a hunter's precision, his sharp eyes scanning every branch. The demon leapt effortlessly from tree to tree, his movements fluid and almost otherworldly. He sniffed each bloom, scrutinizing its scent, color, and form with a critical eye. Not good enough. The thought repeated in his mind as he discarded flower after flower. The most pristine and undamaged blossoms had already been plucked earlier in the day by eager disciples, leaving the branches sparse.
Landing softly on a branch, Shudu frowned, his arms crossing as he sighed in mild frustration. Nothing here feels worthy enough. His musings were interrupted by a small voice.
"Master, what about this one?" Xiao Zongzi's tiny leg pointed toward the lake's glimmering surface. At the center of the still water lay a single flower, detached from its branch yet undisturbed.
The blossom seemed otherworldly, its soft petals spread like silken fabric. The moonlight reflected off its delicate shades of pink, casting subtle gradients of color—blushes that deepened toward the center. The flower's fragrance drifted on the breeze, subtle yet entrancing. Sweet honeyed notes mingled with a faint fruity aroma, reminiscent of freshly picked peaches. It carried the essence of spring itself, light and intoxicating.
Shudu's eyes narrowed with intent as he descended from the branch. His steps were measured, each movement precise as he waded knee-deep into the lake, the rippling water catching shards of moonlight. He reached out with steady hands and plucked the flower from its resting place, water cascading from its petals and down his fingers.
Bringing the bloom closer, he inhaled its delicate scent, his expression softening. The aroma wrapped around him like an embrace, sweet and lingering, as if it were whispering secrets of quiet beauty. The interplay of pinks shimmered shifting as though alive.
"This is the one," Shudu murmured, a smile playing on his lips as he cupped the flower tenderly in his hands. Cradling it like a treasure, he turned back toward the grove, his steps resolute. The beauty awaited.
Xue Laohu's usual carefree demeanor was nowhere to be seen as he frowned, distracted and oblivious to the treacherous slope ahead. His feet betrayed him, and he collided head-on with Li Zhameng, who had come to a sudden stop, frozen by the incline. The collision sent them both tumbling down the steep hill, a chaotic blur of flailing limbs and muffled cries.
"Shizun!" Xue Tuzi shouted, his voice sharp with panic. He lunged forward, reaching desperately to catch his Shizun, but the momentum carried Xue Laohu and Li Zhameng out of reach. They rolled down in a heap, grass and dirt staining their robes until they finally came to rest in a tangled pile at the bottom.
Xue Laohu groaned, lifting his head from where it had landed—atop Li Zhameng in a position that could only be described as suggestive. His arms pressed against either side of his disciple's head as he murmured, "You okay?" His breath was warm, brushing softly against Li Zhameng's ear. The intimate proximity made Li Zhameng shiver, his entire body tensing beneath the weight of his Shizun.
Before Li Zhameng could formulate a coherent response, his face flushed an alarming shade of red. Something—hard but insistent—prodded against him, sending his thoughts spiraling into chaos. Overwhelmed, he let out a strangled sound before promptly fainting.
"Meng Meng?" Xue Laohu's tone shifted, laced with concern as he pushed himself upright. He rolled Li Zhameng onto his back, only to find him completely unconscious. "Meng Meng!" he repeated, tapping his cheeks with increasing urgency, but there was no response. Li Zhameng's chest rose and fell rapidly, his body discombobulated by the rush of blood to his head and the erratic pounding of his heart.
Xue Tuzi arrived moments later, his expression stricken with distress. "Shizun!" he exclaimed, dropping to his knees beside Xue Laohu. Noticing the streak of red trailing from his Shizun's temple, Xue Tuzi quickly pulled out a handkerchief, his movements precise but trembling. With delicate care, he dabbed at the blood trickling down Xue Laohu's face, his brows knitting together as he whispered, "Does it hurt?"
Xue Laohu winced slightly under his disciple's touch, his brows furrowing. "It's just a minor scratch," he muttered, his voice gruff yet softened by the concern radiating from Xue Tuzi. He flinched as the disciple continued to dab at his forehead with meticulous care, his touch featherlight yet insistent.
From a distance, Shudu emerged, a single peach blossom cupped tenderly in his hands. His sharp gaze swept the scene before him, landing on Xue Tuzi, who hovered over Xue Laohu with unwavering focus. There was something striking in the way Xue Tuzi's eyes glimmered with worry, his touch gentle yet firm as he cupped his Shizun's face. The faintest tremor in his hands betrayed the depth of his distress.
Shudu's steps faltered for a moment as his attention lingered on the pair, his expression unreadable. The flower in his hand swayed slightly with the breeze as his grip loosened.
"Shizun… it's an open gash. Allow me to close it, yes?" Xue Tuzi's voice was soft, each word wrapped in a tenderness that eased the tension in the air. He reached up to his hair, delicately pulling out a silver needle, its sharp edge catching the moonlight as it gleamed. A thread, silken and fine, shimmered like a strand of starlight as he prepared it with practiced hands.
Xue Tuzi gently tilted Xue Laohu's head to the side, his touch reverent. His movements were deliberate yet soothing, as though afraid of causing any unnecessary discomfort. "It may hurt a bit," he whispered, his voice barely more than a breath. "Bear with me."
He cleaned the wound with steady precision, the cool cloth brushing away the blood that had begun to dry against his Shizun's skin. The gash, though not deep, was raw and angry under the pale glow of the moon. Xue Tuzi's brows knitted together in concentration as he brought the needle closer. With a quick but careful motion, he sank the needle into Xue Laohu's skin, the metallic glint momentarily obscured by the fluidity of his movements. Each stitch was deftly executed, his hands steady despite the weight of the moment.
"Shizun, did it hurt?" he asked softly, his voice trembling ever so slightly as he leaned closer, his breath warm against Xue Laohu's cheek. His fingertips brushed the side of his Shizun's face, lingering there as though his touch alone could soothe the pain. Xue Tuzi's lips, soft and pouting with worry, quivered faintly, and the delicate mole at the corner of his mouth trembled in tandem with his words. His eyes, filled with a mix of concern and devotion, searched Xue Laohu's face for any sign of discomfort.
Shudu stood at the edge of the scene, his figure obscured in the shadows of the trees. His sharp gaze followed the intimate exchange, each moment between them unfolding with an almost painful slowness. Xue Tuzi's touch was so soft, so deliberate—each caress and gesture imbued with a nurturing care that seemed to transcend words. Shudu's eyes lingered on the beauty, who was illuminated by the moonlight, his emotions worn plainly on his face like an unspoken confession.
Shudu's attention drifted downward, his gaze falling to the flower he had carried with such intent. The bloom, once so vibrant and perfect, now seemed insignificant in the wake of what he was witnessing. The hand cradling it slackened, and without a word, the flower slipped from his fingers, falling to the earth below. It landed silently among the fallen petals, its soft fragrance dissipating into the night as Shudu turned his gaze away from the scene, his expression unreadable but his heart heavy.
A sharp, blaring alarm pierced through Xue Laohu's head, the sound drilling into his ears with a relentless intensity. He clutched his head, his fingers digging into his temples as though trying to block out the agonizing noise. The world around him blurred, the serene peach blossoms and tranquil moonlight fading into insignificance.
Xue Tuzi, standing mere inches away, looked on in growing distress. The sound was imperceptible to him, yet the sight of his Shizun's obvious agony filled him with panic. "Shizun? Shizun, what's happening? Does it hurt?" His voice trembled as he reached out, his hands hovering helplessly over Xue Laohu's hunched figure. His concern grew as Xue Laohu fell to his knees, the man's face contorted in pain as if his skull were being split apart.
The air around Xue Laohu seemed to tremble as a chilling voice, cold and unforgiving, boomed into existence.
WARNING! WARNING! MISSION FAILED! WARNING! INITIATING PUNISHMENT.
The words reverberated through the night like the toll of a death knell, their weight pressing heavily on Yi Ming.
"Punishment?!" Yi Ming's voice broke through the chaos, his tone laced with disbelief. His eyes widened as a translucent screen materialized before him, its flashing red text glaring like a beacon of failure. The words seared into his mind:
MISSION: WHISPERS BENEATH THE PEACH BLOSSOM TREE - FAILED
-100 POINTS
He stared in horror, his heart sinking as the reality of his failure sank in. Not only had he failed the mission, but now he was about to face a punishment—a fate he had never encountered before. His mouth went dry, his pulse pounding in his ears as the screen's bright red glow painted his features with an ominous hue.
He gulped, a lump forming in his throat as he stammered, "Wait… wait a minute…" His voice faltered, tinged with desperation as he tried to reason with the cold, unyielding system. "How—how did I fail the mission?!"
The screen flickered, the text shifting as the system's response boomed with an icy detachment:
SHOU AND GONG'S LOVE BUD FAILED TO BLOOM
The statement hit Yi Ming like a punch to the gut. He blinked, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to process the words. "Their love… failed to bloom?" he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.
GONG IS LOSING HEART FOR SHOU MC
Yi Ming's gaze darted to Shudu's character stats, his chest tightening as he noticed one of the hearts pulsed erratically, its light flickering between a vibrant pink to a dull, ominous black. It was as if Shudu's affection—the delicate thread of the mission—was unraveling before his very eyes.
"How? How is this happening?" Yi Ming's voice cracked with desperation, his mind racing as he struggled to comprehend the situation. "I—I don't understand! Give me a second chance, please!" He turned to the system, his hands trembling as he pleaded, but the system remained cold, unyielding.
FOR FAILING THE MISSION, USER MUST ENDURE CONSEQUENCES
Before Yi Ming could protest further, the world around him dissolved in a flash of light. The ground vanished beneath his feet, and in an instant, he was transported into a dense, shadowy forest. The air was heavy, the thick canopy above letting in only slivers of moonlight. Around him, the oppressive silence was broken by rustling leaves and guttural screeches that made his stomach churn.
Dozens—no, hundreds—of monkeys emerged from the darkness. Their glowing eyes gleamed with a sinister light, each pair fixated on Yi Ming with unsettling intensity. Their loud, chaotic screeching echoed through the forest, a noise of shrill cries and guttural growls that sent shivers racing down his spine.
The monkeys swung effortlessly from branch to branch, their movements fluid yet menacing. Their wide, toothy grins stretched unnaturally across their faces, exposing rows of sharp teeth glistening with saliva. Some pounded their chests with violent vigor, their boastful howls vibrating through the air, while others clung to the branches above, their beady eyes following his every move.
Yi Ming's breath hitched, his heart hammering against his ribs. He stumbled backward, his fear growing with every passing second. Memories flooded his mind, unbidden and cruel. He was a child again, standing in front of the monkey exhibit at the zoo. He had watched in horror as one monkey, in a burst of savage fury, tore another's face clean off. The shrill, agonized wails of the victim and the horrifying sight of blood streaming from its raw, exposed flesh had seared themselves into his memory, leaving a trauma that never healed.
"Not monkeys…" he whispered hoarsely, his voice barely audible over their screeches. "Anything but monkeys…"
INITIATING PUNISHMENT TIME LIMIT: ONE HOUR
The mechanical voice cut through his thoughts like a blade, and Yi Ming's blood ran cold. The monkeys' movements stilled for a heartbeat as the system's announcement echoed through the forest. Then, as if on cue, all of their glowing eyes locked on him, their heads tilting unnaturally in unison.
Drool dripped from their cracked, dry lips, glistening in the dim light as they began to snarl. The air thickened with malice, and Yi Ming felt a wave of nausea as the first monkey leapt forward, its sharp claws glinting in the moonlight.
It was a hunt.
The monkeys surged toward him with terrifying speed, their twisted grins widening as they chased him through the forest. Yi Ming's legs moved on instinct, adrenaline pumping as he sprinted away, their screeches growing louder, more frenzied, as they closed the distance. His lungs burned, his fear clawing at him with every step, but no matter how fast he ran, the piercing gaze of their beady eyes and the sound of their wicked laughter was always just behind him.
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This author is deadly afraid of monkeys. I still cannot comprehend how some people keep them as pets.