Wu Chen felt better after a wash in the river. Chu Haoyu had found a small waterfall with a shallow pool beneath it, and it had been perfect for bathing and cleaning his long hair. He slowly returned to camp, rubbing the wet strands lightly with the absorbent cloth as he walked.

The closer he got to camp, the more he smelled something delicious. He hadn't been hungry lately and had lost weight. He couldn't help it. He just hadn't had an appetite. However, the smell from the pot over the campfire was tempting. His stomach actually rumbled.

'Chu Haoyu, what is that smell?' Wu Chen took a deep sniff as he headed curiously over to the pot.

'Ah! No peeking!' Chu Haoyu quickly stood up and blocked the pot with his body. 'It's not ready yet.

Wu Chen smiled a little at his antics and backed away from the pot. 'Fine. Fine. You keep your secrets. It smells good, though.'

Wu Chen hung the cloth over a tree branch to dry and sat down by the fire to begin combing his damp hair. Chu Haoyu watched from the corner of his eyes. Wu Chen looked ethereal in the firelight. With the loss of weight, his clothes fit loosely and made him look delicate and fragile. It made others feel like they needed to protect and treasure him. Chu Haoyu was more than happy to do just that.

Soon enough, dinner was ready. Chu Haoyu scooped a generous portion onto a plate and personally gave it to Wu Chen.

'Where did you get the rice? I haven't had rice in weeks!' Wu Chen smiled in delight and quickly took a large bite as if it was a delicacy. The sauce and spices were perfect, and the pork was a welcome change. His eyes actually closed, and he made a breathy 'hmmm' sound as he savored the taste. 

Chu Haoyu's eyes darkened slightly at the sight, and he swallowed hard. He turned away to make himself a plate and hide the desire that surged through him. He cleared his throat and tried to make his voice sound lighthearted. 'I met some travelers on the road and traded a few of the furs I collected for a bag of rice and some pork. Seeing you enjoy it makes me very happy.'

He smiled and sat down to eat his own dinner, watching Wu Chen from beneath lowered lashes.

'It's delicious!' Wu Chen complimented between bites. 'I didn't know you were such a good cook.'

'I'm just glad to see you eating.' Chu Haoyu smiled as Wu Chen got up to fill a second plate.

'En.' Nodded Wu Chen sitting down and taking another bite. 'It gets tiring just eating game on the road. Thank you for this.'

'It's no trouble.' Chu Haoyu said, glad he had remembered Wu Chen's fondness for rice and traded with those travelers. It had been worth it to get Wu Chen to finally eat a decent meal for a change.

Chu Haoyu took a pull from his waterskin and wiped his mouth casually. 'You only have to suffer eating game for another week. We should reach the temple by then.'

Wu Chen stopped eating long enough to glance up at Chu Haoyu, his face reddening with embarrassment. 'I should have told you about the nightmares before we started traveling. I'm sorry, Chu Haoyu. I haven't been thinking straight lately.'

Chu Haoyu waved his hand as if it was of no importance. It was true that the first night he had seen one of Wu Chen's nightmares, he had panicked. The man had screamed and cried out repeatedly, and he had been unable to wake him no matter what he did. He had been glad that Wu Chen had insisted that they build a sound barrier array every time they camped. Otherwise, who knew what would have been attracted by the noise.

He had to admit that hearing Wu Chen screaming and crying out like that had brought back many fond memories. It had taken everything he had not to push him down right then. He grew hard just thinking about it.

'I'm sure the Old One at the temple will be able to help.' He reassured Wu Chen as he gathered the empty plates to wash.

'I hope so.' Wu Chen said softly as he gazed dejectedly into the fire.

'Get some rest. I'll take first watch tonight.' Chu Haoyu said gently as he walked towards the river.

In reality, Chu Haoyu was a little worried about going to the temple. Wu Chen had explained that his nightmares might be memories of his past life and were due to a soul injury. Right now, Wu Chen had no idea who had enslaved him in his last life, and he couldn't retain any memories of what happened within his nightmares. If Wu Chen somehow got his memories back, it would cause him no end of trouble. Wu Chen's soul was the key to everything. He couldn't take the chance of losing him now.

The book he had stolen from the gods hadn't mentioned anything about residual backlash, but Wu Chen was a special case. He had been reborn as an infant with his original soul. A damaged soul returning to life...how could the book possibly have information as to the consequences in such a case? Chu Haoyu could only worry and hope that he could prevent Wu Chen from discovering who he was before it was time.

He was so close to having everything he had ever wanted. He would be damned if he'd give it all up because of the unforeseen interference by the gods. Things were going perfectly until they took Wu Chen away. His eyes darkened with anger and frustration.

There was nothing he could do about it now. He would just have to stay close to Wu Chen and make sure he didn't succeed in remembering his past. When it was all over, Wu Chen would come to him willingly, and he would have the ultimate power. Even the gods wouldn't be able to touch him then.

When Chu Haoyu got back to the campsite, Wu Chen had already finished circulating his qi and was fast asleep within the folds of his blanket. The man was exhausted. His grief and the long journey were taking their toll on him, and the nightmares recently hadn't helped. Chu Haoyu had already decided to let him sleep the night through. He needed it.

Chu Haoyu watched him as he slept, his mind wandering far back into the past. He remembered the day when he first saw Wu Chen. It had been high summer, and he had been returning to his home from another meeting with the demonic faction in preparation for war. He had caught movement out of the corner of his eye and stopped out of sheer curiosity and boredom.

Wu Chen had found a clearing in the woods near a river with a picturesque waterfall and was practicing wielding his swords. Both Shandian and an unnamed short sword were flashing in the bright light of the sun. Wu Chen had removed his robes due to the heat and was now wearing only his trousers. Shirtless and barefoot, he leapt and spun in a deadly dance, sweat beading and dripping down his jade skin as he diligently practiced his techniques. His long hair was held in a loose bun, and strands of that black silk fluttered around his face as he lunged and parried.

Chu Haoyu had been mesmerized as he watched from the safety of a hidden tree branch. He had never seen anything so beautiful in his life. The dark fox eyes flashing beneath his long lashes, the eyebrows like dark slashes on his furrowed brow, the straight nose flaring as he breathed, and those soft lips parted and panting slightly with the strenuous exercise were all burned into his mind.

After a short time, Wu Chen finished his practice and sheathed his swords. Eyeing the tempting water, he took off the rest of his clothes and freed his long hair from its restraints. The silken strands spilled freely to below his waist and swayed as he walked towards the river. Chu Haoyu had watched from his perch, a wild desire raging through him, as Wu Chen stepped beneath the flowing waterfall to cool off.

He had almost taken him away that day. Just as he'd been stepping forward to capture the fairy, another man called out to Wu Chen and emerged from the forest. That had been the first time Lu Yong had interfered with his capturing Wu Chen, but it wouldn't be the last.

Knowing he was pressed for time, Chu Haoyu had taken one last look at the beauty and committed the name he had heard to memory. Wu Chen. He had decided right then that he would have that beauty, and he would fully enjoy him.

Chu Haoyu chuckled at himself. He had not known at the time how deeply he would fall for the fairy he saw in the clearing that day. Now, just thinking of a life without him in it made him feel nauseous. Wu Chen was everything good in his life. He brought light, life, and love into Chu Haoyu's dark soul. Now that he'd tasted him, he could never let him go.

If all went as he planned, Wu Chen would soon be his, heart and soul. They still needed Shandian, but after that, nothing could stop him.

Chu Haoyu rested his gaze on Wu Chen, and a wicked smile lit his face. Soon.