Wu Chen felt relaxed as he expertly closed out his qi circulation. It hadn't been that long since he had entered the 9th level of Foundation Building, and already, he had made significant progress towards his core. Perhaps another five years or so, and he would be close to a breakthrough.

They had been relaxing at the inn now for 6 days and would be headed into the pass in the morning. Wu Chen had enjoyed the break and the time with Lu Yong, but he was ready to get on with the journey.

He opened his eyes, which were immediately drawn to the partition in the room. Behind it, Lu Yong was indulging in a nice hot bath. Feeling a little mischievous, he silently crept towards the partition. His heart was beating fast, and his mouth felt dry at the thought of seeing his lover relaxing in the water.

As he slipped his head around the deep wood, his eyes were immediately drawn to Lu Yong's strong back. A back, he was shocked to discover, that was crossed in several places by deep scars. His heart suddenly felt heavy.

He approached Lu Yong as though he was in a trance and ran his fingers along one of the many scars. He had never noticed them because they had always played in darkness when they'd slept together.

His eyes held sadness as he asked quietly, 'How?'

Lu Yong had felt his presence, and he had intended to play with him a little. Instead, he was caught off guard by Wu Chen's reaction to his scars. The sudden feeling of his gentle fingers tracing them sent a shiver down his spine. He wasn't sure how to explain his reasons for keeping all of the scars to Wu Chen. If he learned that Lu Yong had gotten them by protecting him on the battlefield, Wu Chen would never stop blaming himself.

Lu Yong stepped out of the tub, and Wu Chen was finally able to see the extent of the scarring. There were long, thin whip scars along the backs of his legs, and larger sword slashes along with more of those thinner lash scars on his back.

Cultivators, after breaking into the 1st level of Foundation Building, could easily remove all traces of scarring anytime they wished as the body was remade on its journey towards perfection. Yet, Lu Yong had not chosen to do so. Wu Chen didn't understand.

His view was cut off as Lu Yong slipped into his inner robes and gathered his frowning lover into his arms.

Lu Yong gave him a gentle kiss and then leaned back to raise an eyebrow at him. 'Peeking at me bathing now? Ah Chen, you are asking for trouble.' He grinned down at the more serious Wu Chen and then gave him a soft kiss on his head.

'What happened, Lu Yong?' asked Wu Chen softly. 'Why do you still have these scars?'

Lu Yong sighed and pulled Wu Chen against his chest. 'Do they bother you?' he asked softly, stroking his hair.

Wu Chen shook his head. 'No. You are perfect just the way you are. I only know that with your personality, you kept them for a reason. It hurts my heart to know you were injured like that.'

Lu Yong smiled at his words and kissed the top of his head. 'I got those scars in the Battle of Serpents.' He said no more, so Wu Chen didn't push it. He had to have faith that one day, Lu Yong would tell him. He just wasn't ready to yet.

'Now, stop changing the subject.' Lu Yong smiled and began trailing soft kisses along his throat until he could whisper in his ear, 'You were caught peeking. I believe a punishment is in order.'

It was hard to focus on the scars with Lu Yong's searing lips on his throat. Wu Chen turned his head to encourage those lips to find his, and Lu Yong was happy to comply. He reached up and cradled Wu Chen's head as he explored the warmth of his willing mouth. His tongue tasting and branding his young lover until a soft groan escaped his breathless ward.

He slid his other hand within Wu Chen's inner robes, stroking and caressing until he reached his muscular mounds. Grabbing a firm buttock, he crushed Wu Chen against his throbbing heat, and Wu Chen moaned softly against his lips.

They kissed their way to the bed, shedding their clothing along the way. When they reached the bed, Wu Chen sat down and grabbed his Guardian's hips, pulling Lu Yong towards him. His eyes were sparkling, and a soft smile played at the corners of his lips. Leaning over, he gently held his lover in his hand and began licking and kissing along his length.

Lu Yong sucked in his breath and grabbed a loose handful of Wu Chen's hair as a loud moan erupted from deep within. His knees almost buckled when Wu Chen gently drew him into his mouth. The wet heat that surrounded him sent waves of pleasure shooting through his blood. His hips bucked in response, and his grip on the silken hair tightened.

Wu Chen stroked him with his tongue as he bobbed and sucked, pleased to hear the groans from above. He could feel Lu Yong's body shake as he manipulated him, and knowing he was enjoying it, he began moving faster and faster.

With a loud growl, Lu Yong jerked away from the torturous mouth, and pulling Wu Chen up, he tossed him further onto the bed.  Wasting no time, he joined him and crushed that exquisite mouth until his sweet ward was gasping for breath.

His hand reached down and grasped Wu Chen tightly, his thumb rubbing the moistened tip until a loud moan forced its way through Wu Chen's lips. He began pumping him, watching as Wu Chen thrashed his head from side to side, his soft moans making his blood boil and his own body hard and impatient.

He stopped long enough to oil himself up and then began kissing Wu Chen as he teased and stroked around his tight acupoint. Crazed with need, Wu Chen bucked his hips, his breath ragged as he gasped, 'Ah Yong...please...no more...'

Lu Yong smiled, rubbing his face against his ear as he whispered, 'Do you want me inside you, Ah Chen?'

Wu Chen whimpered, his body burning with the need for release. His breath came in pants as he answered, 'Ah Yong...yes...Ah! Mmmm!...I need...Ah Yong!...' His eyes were half open, and their passion glazed depths shone in the moonlight.

Lu Yong finally slid one finger inside, and Wu Chen arched his back with a soft cry. After a few strokes, he inserted another finger, and his ward bucked and whimpered. Lu Yong kept up the stretching and stroking as he sucked and licked his way towards Wu Chen's gasping lips.

'I love the sounds you make, Ah Chen.' Lu Yong whispered against his neck as he slipped the third finger in.

Wu Chen arched his back as he cried out. He was beyond reason, in a world of desire. Lu Yong's warm mouth and his thrusting fingers drove him closer and closer to the edge. His whole body shook, and then Lu Yong stroked that bundle of nerves within him. He cried out with the raw pleasure that shot through him.

In a daze, he watched as Lu Yong knelt between his legs. He leaned over him, his hair creating a curtain that blocked everything but the two bodies burning together on the bed. He kissed Wu Chen deeply, and then leaning back, he grasped Wu Chen's thigh with one hand and positioned himself to enter his acupoint with the other.

He entered slowly, watching the play of pleasure and pain across Wu Chen's beautiful face. When he reached the block inside, he grasped Wu Chen and began pumping until he nearly went over the edge, stopping only when he was finally able to sink within him completely.

Wu Chen twisted beneath him, his hands gripping the sheets until his knuckles were white. 'Too full...Ah Yong...I can't...' Wu Chen gritted out through clenched teeth. His brows were drawn together, and his eyes glittered with moisture.

Lu Yong leaned down and kissed the tears from his eyes. 'Breathe, my love.' he whispered, stroking his hair. When Wu Chen was finally able to catch his breath, he began to move slowly. Each thrust became easier and faster, until they were both panting and sweating. Their groans of passion grew loud as Lu Yong thrust in and out of his tight heat.

His head dipped and sucked on the tempting pink bud of Wu Chen's chest, causing Wu Chen to arch up and cry out. He could feel that Wu Chen was nearing the edge. His breath came in shallow gasps, and his moans grew louder and closer together. Lu Yong sensed his lover's need and drove into him again and again. His hand reached down and stroked Wu Chen until he finally cried out and groaned, shooting into Lu Yong's hand.

The tight space within spasmed with Wu Chen's release, and it sucked and pulled as Lu Yong thrust, his head thrown back, lost in his lover. Finally, Lu Yong gave one last great thrust, a loud groan bursting from him, as he crashed over the edge and emptied into the warm folds of Wu Chen.

Not withdrawing from his trembling body, he leaned over Wu Chen, his hands gripping his head and his weight on his elbows. Softly, he caressed his panting lips in a gentle kiss. He kissed him until they both were finally able to slow down their breathing, and then he withdrew from him.

Grabbing an absorbent cloth, he wiped them both down and collapsed next to Wu Chen, pulling him tightly against his chest. He kissed the top of his head and began absentmindedly playing with Wu Chen's hair when he realized that Wu Chen was trying to stifle a laugh.

He raised an eyebrow at Wu Chen, and with a confused smile, he asked, 'What? What's so funny?'

Wu Chen began laughing softly, and then he said, 'I'm just thinking of all the ways I can misbehave so you can punish me more often.'

Lu Yong growled and swooped in for a crushing kiss. It would appear his authority had been compromised, and he was going to have to do something about that.