Junior Brother Pays Respect to You: Chapter 81 - Bonus Extra: The Dust Settles
Chapter 81: Bonus Extra: The Dust Settles
Qin Zheng sat up from the bed.
With his movement, the quilt on his body slid down, revealing his bare chest.
It was clear from this that he wore nothing under the covers.
The faint marks scattered across his chest hinted at last night’s passion.
Beside him, another person was still lying asleep.
Without paying any attention to the one sleeping next to him, Qin Zheng got out of bed first.
In just the blink of an eye, the man who had been naked was already fully dressed, exuding the presence of a sect leader.
Qin Zheng stretched out his hand, and a mirror appeared out of thin air.
He tilted his head, looking at himself from side to side in the mirror.
His fingers rose to touch a spot on his reflection.
He had clearly told Qin Su last night not to leave any marks on his neck — but, of course, the man hadn’t listened.
It had been fourteen years since Qin Su regained his human form, and they had been together ever since.
At first, Qin Zheng had worried that with an immortal’s long lifespan, the two of them might grow bored of each other quickly.
But fourteen years later, Qin Su acted as if nothing had changed — never showing the slightest weariness, and instead pulling him into bed day after day, using actions to banish all his doubts.
Qin Zheng couldn’t help but be grateful that neither of them were ordinary humans, otherwise he might have been “spent to death” by now.
With his constitution, such marks would normally vanish by themselves overnight. But one day, Qin Su discovered this fact and refused to accept it. From then on, he somehow altered it so that any mark he left would linger for three to five days, just like with ordinary people.
Qin Zheng hadn’t minded — they didn’t hurt, they didn’t itch, and they added a bit of spice.
However, there was one time when Wei Gu caught sight of the marks on his neck, and without a word, he had fought Qin Su for an entire day.
Luckily, neither of them had been injured.
After that incident happened a few more times, Qin Zheng learned to remind Qin Su before meeting Wei Gu, to avoid unnecessary fights.
Today was Wei Gu’s coming-of-age ceremony, and the day Qin Zheng intended to pass the position of sect leader to him.
He wouldn’t just be meeting Wei Gu — the entire sect would be there.
Originally, he had no intention of doing anything last night, but under Qin Su’s relentless provocation, he surrendered his weapons.
Even so, he had still requested that no marks be left on his neck.
But if it was something related to Wei Gu, Qin Su almost never obeyed.
Qin Zheng glanced at the man still sleeping in bed and called out, “Aren’t you getting up? Today is my big day stepping down as sect leader. You count as a senior seat in the sect, so you’re coming too!”
Ever since Qin Su had grown into his adult body, Qin Zheng had removed him from the list of his disciples — and so Qin Su had naturally become a senior seat of the Tianque Sect.
Qin Su wasn’t someone who needed sleep, so just calling once was enough to wake him.
He opened his eyes as if he had never been asleep at all, sat up, flipped back the quilt, and stepped down from the bed —
Three smooth, continuous motions without the slightest hesitation.
Naturally, like Qin Zheng earlier, he wasn’t wearing a thing.
Qin Zheng’s gaze drifted, unbidden, to a certain spot.
Noticing his look, Qin Su smirked roguishly. “It’s still early. Want to go again?”
Qin Zheng glared at him and pointed to his neck. “It’s not early. Hurry and get rid of it!”
This particular mark would only fade on its own after three to five days — or if Qin Su personally removed it.
Even though Qin Zheng’s cultivation was higher, he couldn’t do it himself.
Following his senior brother’s pointing finger, Qin Su’s eyes landed on the obvious red mark on his neck.
Without even bothering to dress, he walked over to stand in front of Qin Zheng.
Thinking Qin Su was about to erase it, Qin Zheng tilted his head to give him access.
But instead, Qin Su leaned in and kissed the mark.
Caught off guard as Qin Su’s mouth moved to bite at his neck, Qin Zheng quickly pushed at him. “I said remove it, not make it darker!”
A soft chuckle came by his ear. Qin Su stopped biting, and instead lightly licked the spot.
Finally, he placed his hand over the reddened mark. When he pulled it back, the mark had vanished.
Seeing Qin Su turn to put on his clothes, Qin Zheng immediately picked up the mirror again. After confirming that the mark was truly gone, he put it away.
By then, it was almost time. Once both of them were dressed, they headed together toward the Sanqing Hall.
As they reached the entrance, they could hear the lively noise from inside —
As if everyone had been waiting for them.
When the disciples saw the sect leader enter the hall, they all returned to their positions and fell silent.
Everyone in the sect knew about the deep relationship between the sect leader and the martial uncle. Over the years, it had become something they no longer found surprising.
Qin Zheng and Qin Su walked together toward the front of the hall —
Just as they had when they first arrived here, while Wei Gu now stood in the very place where Qin Zheng once had.
Side by side, they reached the front. Qin Zheng sat in the main seat, Qin Su in the seat beside him.
Once settled, Qin Zheng looked down at Wei Gu standing below the steps.
Now, he carried himself with even more composure than his older senior brothers.
After so many years of waiting, Qin Zheng was finally seeing him come of age.
He had long since wanted to stop being sect leader — there was always an endless stream of matters to handle, and it simply wasn’t the kind of work he enjoyed.
Compared to the days at Tianque Temple, aside from not lacking money, there was nothing else about it that made him envious.
Qin Zheng felt somewhat fortunate that, despite his reluctance, he had taken Wei Gu as his disciple back then.
If it weren’t for Wei Gu, he wouldn’t have been able to retire from his position so early.
Qin Zheng cleared his throat lightly and said, “I believe everyone already knows the reason I gathered all the sect members here today.”
“Originally, due to special circumstances, no one was qualified to take over, so I agreed to temporarily assume the position of sect leader — and that temporary period lasted fourteen years.”
“Now that someone in the sect is qualified to assume the position, it’s time for me to step down.”
After pausing, Qin Zheng smiled warmly at Wei Gu and said, “Tianque Sect disciple Qing Gu, please come forward.”
Qing Gu was Wei Gu’s name within the sect.
Wei Gu obeyed and stepped onto the platform, kneeling before Qin Zheng.
Qin Zheng looked at the disciples present and declared, “I, acting sect leader Qin Zheng, hereby pass the position of Tianque Sect leader to disciple Qing Gu. I hope you will carry on the sect’s legacy.”
After speaking, Qin Zheng extended his finger and touched Wei Gu’s forehead, directly transmitting all the knowledge and responsibilities of the sect leader into his mind.
Since the Tianque Sect didn’t have many formalities, the handover was completed quickly.
Qin Zheng planned to leave right after today.
He had stayed here too long and was eager to escape this confinement.
As he took Qin Su by the hand and walked toward the Tianque Sect gate, he found Wei Gu and the other senior members following them out, escorting them all the way to the gate.
Qin Zheng turned and said, “Everyone, you can see us off here.”
“Although I will no longer be in the sect, I will remain in the surrounding mountains. If anything happens, come find me.”
Wei Gu had long learned to hide his emotions, but now he showed a rare reluctant expression and asked, “Master, why leave so early? Stay a few more days.”
Qin Zheng quickly waved him off. “I’ve already stayed more than a dozen years here; I want to go out and see the world.”
With that, he turned and gestured for Qin Su to follow.
“Wait!”
Suddenly a voice came from behind.
Qin Zheng paused and turned around, surprised to see Qin Ke.
Since Qin Ke learned that Qin Zheng was actually Yu Jingchen, though they belonged to the same sect, they had never spoken.
Qin Ke deliberately avoided him, and Qin Zheng was simply too lazy to engage.
Now, Qin Ke approached seriously, bowed respectfully, and said, “I apologize for the things I did in the past.”
Qin Zheng stared at him for a moment, then smiled lightly and turned away, saying, “Who hasn’t been reckless in their youth? What crime is that?”
He then beckoned to Qin Su, “You lead the way. I’ll follow you.”
Qin Zheng had long made up his mind.
After leaving Tianque Sect, he would first return to the cave he lived in during his previous life, and make it his permanent residence.
Whenever he had free time, he and Qin Su would go down the mountain and travel together.
***
Following the route in his memory, the two quickly arrived in front of the cave overgrown with ivy.
The sunlight was just right, and a huge rat was lying at the entrance, seemingly sunbathing.
“Huiwu.”
At Qin Zheng’s call, the rat suddenly jumped up.
When it saw Qin Zheng, it immediately rushed over as if flying.
“My lord! You’ve finally returned!”
“I figured you’d be back soon, so I’ve been waiting at the entrance every day.”
Huiwu then pointed to the cave entrance and said, “Let’s go in. I’ve already cleaned inside. My lord can move in right away.”
Qin Zheng nodded and, holding Qin Su’s hand, prepared to step inside.
Only then did Huiwu notice the person behind his lord — the same one he had met before.
Huiwu pointed at Qin Su and asked, “My lord, who is this?”
Qin Zheng looked at Qin Su and without hesitation said, “My wife.”
Upon hearing this, Huiwu dramatically beat his chest and stamped his feet.
“I never would have guessed! No wonder I sensed the lord’s aura on him — turns out he’s the wife!”
Qin Zheng couldn’t help but glance at the calm-faced Qin Su, surprised at how well Huiwu had accepted it.
As they entered the cave, Huiwu followed and said, “My lord, the wife once came here with a man. I never recognized him then!”
Qin Zheng nodded. “Yes, the wife told me about that. It’s not your fault.”
Once inside, Qin Zheng turned to Huiwu and said, “You’ve worked hard all these years. Now that I’m back, you can take a three hundred year leave to go enjoy yourself.”
Hearing that he could finally do as he pleased, Huiwu’s eyes went wide, and he happily jumped up.
“Thank you, my lord!” With that, he dashed away without a trace.
After Huiwu left, Qin Zheng leaned proudly against the doorframe and said, “So? Isn’t my place much better than that old wooden hut?”
Qin Su frowned and looked at the bright cave, asking, “Is there no night here?”
Qin Zheng didn’t understand why he asked that, shook his head, and replied, “No.” Then he looked at Qin Su and asked, “You like night?”
“This place is supported by magic. I can rearrange it.”
With that, the entire space dimmed, and a few stars flickered overhead.
“Now it’s just like outside…”
“Hmm…”
Qin Zheng suddenly felt Qin Su pull him into an embrace.
In the darkness, he could sense Qin Su was ready to do that again.
Suddenly he understood why Qin Su had asked about the absence of night.
Originally, to prevent excessive indulgence, Qin Zheng had insisted those things only be done at night.
He let Qin Su hold him and asked, “We just arrived, don’t you want to look around first?”
Qin Su buried his face in Qin Zheng’s neck and whispered, “We just moved to a new home. Of course we need to celebrate.” Then he wrapped Qin Zheng horizontally in his arms and headed toward the bed inside.
Qin Zheng, already stirred by the teasing, couldn’t help but ask, “You’ve been like this for over ten years, always in heat—aren’t you tired yet?”
Qin Su pressed him down and was silent for a moment before softly whispering three words:
“I love you.”
Qin Zheng was stunned, and only after a while did he understand, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
“Where did you learn that?”
“From the mortal world.”
The End
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