Hello faithful readers!  I'm so happy I can present you with another update.  Hopefully you will enjoy this one as much as the previous chapters.  I'm not sure exactly how many more there will be as I feel we are getting close to the end.  But don't worry, I already have my next story, which will continue Lan Zhan's and Wei Ying's story right from where this one leaves off.  I'll try not to get too distracted again but there are so many good stories on here that I just can't help myself! If you have a story, please add it to the comments and I'll be sure to check it out!  Thank you so much!!

Again, nothing belongs to me so credit to everyone else!  

I See Fire by Celtic Woman

You Are So Beautiful (feat. brooke) produced by Tommee Profitt

Fallin' by Why Don't We

Wang Xian held Mo Xuanyu's unresponsive body in his arms for what seemed like hours, crushing him to his chest, rocking them both back and forth as if he was holding a precious child.  He could not see any blood on the night colored robes nor on the beautiful face in front of him, but something was obviously wrong.

'What was that black smoke? Did I see right? Were his eyes a glowing red color? What did he do? What is Mo Xuanyu?'  

All these questions bombarded Wang Xian's confused brain as he stared longingly at Mo Xuanyu's face, begging him to open those soft grey eyes and smile at him again so Wang Xian would know everything was going to be okay. He timidly stroked Mo Xuanyu's face and was startled to feel how warm his skin was. He was burning up and a few almost inaudible moans began to come from those delicate lips of his.

Wang Xian's brain raced wildly trying to figure out where to take Mo Xuanyu for help. The town wasn't too far away but he also remembered seeing an abandoned house not far back from the direction he had come. Unsure why, Wang Xian's heart told him not to take Mo Xuanyu into the village in this condition, fearing for his safety. He knew in his bones that he had to care for and protect this man who had saved his life.

Wang Xian delicately lifted Mo Xuanyu into his arms bridal style and carried him as fast as he could to the house. It was farther than he had thought, but Mo Xuanyu's body was so frail and light, Wang Xian had no problem getting him there without tiring himself. Once inside, he gently laid him on the bed and lovingly pushed Mo Xuanyu's long silky black hair out of his angelic face with his tender fingers. Wang Xian listened carefully to his breathing and was filled with relief when he heard the regular, soft breathing of a sleeping Mo Xuanyu.

"I caught you." Wang Xian murmured before placing a feather-like kiss on Mo Xuanyu's soft lips. "I'll always catch you." Confusion made him suddenly pull back when their lips parted.

'Why did I say that? Why does this all feel so familiar? Who are you really? How can you practice the demonic arts yet be so kind and gentle?' 

But Mo Xuanyu only laid there in peaceful silence, Wang Xian's questions unanswered, for now. So, he left to get some water, firewood, and food. Looking at Mo Xuanyu's sleeping body one more time, he knew that food was going to be very important once the exhausted man woke up if he was going to heal quickly.

It was almost morning when Wang Xian carried Mo Xuanyu's still slumbering form to a warm bath that he had dutifully prepared. With slow and devoted hands, he washed all the sweat and filth from Mo Xuanyu's gorgeous body, admiring in secret every inch of soft skin that his hands glided across. He could see Mo Xuanyu's muscles begin to relax under his constant touch and his lips slightly turned up in a smile. Even though his frame was thin now, Wang could easily imagine what Mo Xuanyu's body would look like when he was healthy. 

A slight blush crept into his cheeks as he tenderly dried Mo Xuanyu's hair with a cloak he had in his bag, delicately running his fingers through the silk like strands to comb out the tangles. Uncontrollably, he massaged Mo Xuanyu's scalp to further relax him with which Wang Xian was rewarded with a soft moan. 

When Wang Xian picked up Mo Xuanyu's now completely languid body, the barely conscious man snaked his arms around Wang Xian's neck and buried his face into his savior's chest which was barely containing his pounding heart. Wang Xian didn't want to leave Mo Xuanyu's warm body so he sat on the bed, just holding him and stroking his head, until he felt Mo Xuanyu's body fall into a deep sleep.

For the next few days, Mo Xuanyu continued to lay unconscious while Wang Xian cared for him. And, with each passing day, Wang Xian's feelings towards him grew stronger. He would listen to every breath, every heartbeat, and every tiny sound that Mo Xuanyu made, hoping that he would open his eyes and smile that blinding smile at him.

The nights were what worried Wang Xian the most. Sometimes, Mo Xuanyu would call out names and scream in pain in his deep sleep, his arms reaching for something or someone in his mind that he could not grasp. His body would toss so violently that Wang Xian would often have to hold him down so he didn't hurt himself. 

One night, the black smoke returned. It possessively wrapped its long tendrils around Mo Xuanyu's shaking body and, when Wang Xian tried to wake him, Mo Xuanyu's eyes snapped open, once again the color of fire. He screamed "Get out!" at Wang Xian again and again. Afterwards, the warm grey eyes that Wang Xian longed to see would return, weeping limitless tears from under those thick, dark lashes which Wang Xian would kindly wipe away until they stopped.

Another night, Mo Xuanyu simply sobbed for hours, inconsolable no matter how close Wang Xian held him or whispered soft words of comfort in his ears as he lay next to him. Not even Wang Xian's melody brought him relief. In the end, Wang Xian simply wrapped him in his arms and cried with him until morning came.

On the fifth day, Mo Xuanyu very slowly opened his eyes, squinting at the bright sunlight coming through the window. He brought his hand up, raised by an arm that felt as if it had rocks attached to it, to block the light from his sensitive eyes. He ran his tongue over his chapped lips and, turning his head towards the large figure standing with his back to him by the open door, whispered, "Wang Xian."

Wang Xian gasped in shock, his entire body jumped and twisted as he turned towards Mo Xuanyu. He ran and fell to his knees beside the bed to capture Mo Xuanyu's hands in his, rapidly kissing each knuckle before placing Mo Xuanyu's one hand against his cheek, relieved that he could no longer feel the fever's heat. Mo Xuanyu smiled at him curiously, then kissed Wang Xian's palm as he stared into those sparkling gold eyes he had missed so much.

"Master Mo! You're finally awake! What can I get you?" he asked hurriedly. "Are you hungry? Thirsty? I can......."

"No.....please." Mo Xuanyu begged hoarsely, squeezing Wang's hands tight in his. "Just......stay here.......next to me." he murmured with what seemed like great effort. 

They sat, unmoving, for many minutes, holding hands and staring into each other's eyes, wondering what the other was thinking.

Finally, Wang Xian could not hold it in any longer. "Master Mo, I have a question I must ask you." Wang Xian said hesitantly. Mo Xuanyu nodded painfully.

"Who is Wei Ying?"

Mo Xuanyu's heart stopped and his breath caught in his lungs. His eyes darted across Wang Xian's pleading face. 

"How do you know that name?" His cracking voice revealed his fear and confusion.  And his hope.

"Well, I just......" Wang Xian faltered, not sure if he wanted to know the answer but believed in his heart that he wanted to know the truth.  

"I called out that name after you passed out in my arms." he started slowly, his eyes falling to the bed. "I don't know why I said it. I don't know anyone by that name." His hold on Mo Xuanyu's hands tightened, fearing that if he let go, Mo Xuanyu would simply disappear like a forgotten dream.

Mo Xuanyu felt a tear forming but breathed deep, trying to stop it from falling. His look became serious and Wang Xian feared the words that would fall from Mo Xuanyu's lips.

Mo Xuanyu's voice was steady when he explained, "I heard many stories while I travelled, looking for you." Wang Xian's face contorted in confusion. "I heard stories of a man, a handsome man. "Mo Xuanyu's flirtatious smile appeared and he gave a slow wink to Wang Xian, making his ears flush a bright red. "And this man, even though he was a stranger to everyone, would always help anyone in need that he crossed paths with, no matter what the danger."

Wang Xian's head lowered, the blush crawling up his gorgeous face, his smile growing with every word Mo Xuanyu spoke.

Mo continued, "That was you, wasn't it, Wang Xian?"

The guilty man nodded shyly.

Mo Xuanyu chose his next words very carefully. "If you could be a legendary cultivator, helping the needy, saving the innocent, would you? Even if it meant you would lead a life often filled with danger, pain, and suffering?"

Without hesitation, Wang Xian replied bravely, "Yes!"

Mo Xuanyu's heart swelled in his chest. The tear that threatened earlier was now joined by a torrential flood of happiness and pride. He tried to swallow but his love for this man made it difficult to do even this simple thing. However, there was one more question for Wang Xian that he had to get out so he controlled his emotions and focused his thoughts.

"But what.....what if you couldn't save that ONE person, the one you loved the most, your.......soulmate, no matter how strong or fast or brilliant you were? Would you still want to be a cultivator?"

Wang Xian didn't even hesitate with his answer. "Yes."

Mo Xuanyu both wanted to hear that answer and feared it. "Why?" he asked, his voice filled with pride and pain.

"It's very simple, Mo Xuanyu." Wang Xian said smiling at him with certainty. "Because my soulmate would want me to save those that they could not."

Mo Xuanyu reached up and pulled Wang Xian's face down to his, kissing him passionately on those perfect lips that tasted like spring rain. Wang Xian readily accepted the kiss, his mouth opening and his tongue greedily stroking Mo Xuanyu's before sucking on his bottom lip, giving it a gentle nip. Heat filled Wang Xian's body as his desire for this exquisite man overwhelmed him like a raging wildfire. 

Breathless, Mo Xuanyu pulled back, still cupping Wang Xian's face in his small hands. His eyes caressed the older man's face.

"This......this is why I love you and will get you back." he whispered before passing out once more, falling into a deep sleep, without nightmares, for the first time in months.

I hope everyone is safe and healthy and I hope to see you back here again soon!  Please take care of yourselves!