The incident from earlier that day was merely a minor interlude. By the time Nie Shiyun returned to the back rooms in the afternoon, Zhai Bairong had long since composed himself.
Zhai Bairong was puzzled as to why Nie Shiyun was closing the shop so early. Upon asking, he learned that a Flower Viewing Festival was being held outside the city that evening. Nie Shiyun had been here last year but had missed it; it was only after noticing business slowing down that afternoon and inquiring with a regular customer that he discovered this was a grand festival held only once every three to five years.
According to the demon cultivator’s description, many street vendors would come out to sell spiritual wine brewed from the blossoms of previous festivals, along with various other trinkets. There would be performances by flower spirits to add to the festivities, and fireworks at night. To Nie Shiyun, it sounded much like a temple fair from the mortal realm. However, cultivators in the world of cultivation rarely organized such purely recreational activities. If anything, it was more akin to the festivals held by mortals.
Since arriving in this world, Nie Shiyun truly hadn't participated in much entertainment. Most cultivators were single-mindedly devoted to the Dao, leading lives that were somewhat dull and driven by profit. He hadn't expected that the demon cultivators, who weren't even human, would live lives more reminiscent of the mortal world.
"What do you think? Want to go take a look?"
Zhai Bairong was actually quite curious. The Yingyue Sect was a place of relatively strict discipline. Having grown up immersed in diligent cultivation, he had never actually attended such an occasion. Moreover, having just reached the peak of Foundation Establishment today, he was in high spirits and immediately agreed.
With people coming and going from the shop every day, Nie Shiyun felt he might be recognized by quite a few customers. Since it was a rare chance for recreation, he didn't want to be disturbed. Thus, he and Zhai Bairong took Disguise Pills to mask their true appearances before heading out.
This year’s Flower Viewing Festival was set a few kilometers west of Fanhua City. The two changed into clothes they didn't usually wear and left through the city gates together, traveling on foot.
The trees on both sides of the road had sprouted new shoots. The branches that had been bare in winter were now lush with foliage once more. As they walked westward, vast stretches of peach blossoms appeared along the roadside. There were many cultivators on the path who were clearly heading to the festival as well. It seemed that not only cultivators from Fanhua City were attending, but also many from neighboring small towns, as well as demons living in seclusion in the deep mountains and old forests. The outskirts of the city were experiencing a level of bustle rarely seen in years.
Perhaps because the snow had been so heavy last year, the flowers bloomed even more luxuriantly this spring. Nie Shiyun truly felt a hint of the atmosphere of the fairs he had visited in his past life. While still some distance from the main venue, scattered stalls began to appear along the road, selling various inexpensive trinkets—likely set up by those who felt renting a shop would be unprofitable or who had simply acted on a whim.
Zhai Bairong had rarely seen such a scene and found it novel. While he didn't lose his composure, it was evident that his spirits were higher than usual. Nie Shiyun walked side-by-side with him, listening to the clamor of the crowd, and teased, "You look like a young master visiting the countryside for the first time."
Zhai Bairong glanced at him. "I was taken into the Yingyue Sect as a young child. On the contrary, you are the one who is a true young master, aren't you?"
"A small sect like mine can't compare, can't compare," Nie Shiyun said, shaking his head with mock humility.
Zhai Bairong didn't bother arguing over such trivialities and continued his leisurely stroll, taking in the sights.
Since they had used Disguise Pills, no one around recognized them, allowing them to be more relaxed than usual. Nie Shiyun did indeed encounter many familiar faces along the way and felt glad he had disguised himself; otherwise, he would have inevitably wasted precious time on unnecessary greetings.
The further they went, the denser the peach blossoms became. With the spring breeze, many petals drifted down, tinting the entire forest pink. Unlike humans, the customs of the demon race were more open and rustic. Many cultivators were dressed boldly and vibrantly, as if their very clothes were celebrating the arrival of spring. The two were infected by this atmosphere, feeling that while the human territories were always the same year after year, they had never realized spring could be such a joyful season.
Strolling leisurely to the front of the venue, they climbed a high slope. Many young demon children were rolling and tumbling down from the top like they were on a slide, playing wildly. After a string of children ran down, several adult demons immediately chased after them, seemingly intent on catching them for a scolding.
There were also those who usually maintained their human forms perfectly but had now let too much fine spiritual wine go to their heads, accidentally exposing their ears or tails. Unabashed, they turned around and bought another jar.
All sorts of sights made the place truly teem with life.
However, unlike human cultivators, if a demon developed spiritual intelligence, they didn't need to toil through cultivation to reach the Golden Core or Nascent Soul stages; as long as they were careful not to be hunted, they could easily live for hundreds or even thousands of years.
It was precisely because "life is short and full of suffering" that so many humans were willing to endure loneliness, seeking only immortality.
The center of the Flower Viewing Festival was located beneath a spiritual peach tree that stood over two and a half *zhang* tall. It was said that this spiritual tree had lived for nearly a thousand years, and many peach blossom spirits had been born from it. Spirits of flowers, plants, and trees were not like animals or beasts that relied on reproduction to leave descendants; they were only conceived through natural providence. Every few years, the flower spirits would organize a Flower Viewing Festival. It was both to thank the spiritual tree for its nurturing grace and to hope for more kin to join them in the future.
"It's so lively..." Zhai Bairong murmured, his tone filled with involuntary surprise. He had never seen so many demons all at once. Perhaps there were also some human cultivators mixed in who had come for the fun. Demons usually didn't have much contact with humans, but their festivals were famously inclusive. Quite a few humans would come to satisfy their curiosity, though they were not the majority.
"Let's wander over this way and take a look." Fearing he might lose Zhai Bairong, Nie Shiyun took his hand.
Zhai Bairong was startled at first, but remembering that they were currently disguised and no one would recognize them, he allowed it.
The two went to buy some Peach Blossom Brew, putting several jars into their storage rings. Nie Shiyun specifically set aside extra, thinking he could bring some back to Yunqing Pavilion later. Afterward, they bought smaller portions to hold in their hands, tasting them as they walked.
"You don't seem like this is your first time at such an event," Zhai Bairong remarked, having observed Nie Shiyun's reactions as they browsed the stalls.
"Is that so?" Nie Shiyun asked in return.
"Does the mountain below Yunqing Pavilion have such celebrations? You shouldn't have been to the demon territories before, right?" Perhaps because he had been drinking, or perhaps because his mood was higher than usual, Zhai Bairong asked several questions in a row.
"Indeed, I haven't," Nie Shiyun replied candidly.
By now, the sky had gradually darkened. Lanterns and decorations were lit everywhere, their multicolored lights lending the nighttime peach forest an even greater sense of charm than it had during the day.
"Then why do you seem so accustomed to it?"
"Why? Perhaps I've seen similar scenes in a dream," Nie Shiyun said.
Zhai Bairong chuckled. "You just say whatever comes to mind."
Seeing his clumsy lie exposed, Nie Shiyun smiled, unwilling to weave more excuses in front of Zhai Bairong.
The silhouette of a bright crescent moon emerged in the sky; it was a fine night with a clear moon and sparse stars. Night had officially fallen. To the sound of musical instruments, many peach blossom spirits took to the stage to dance joyfully together, and the atmosphere of the scene rose even higher.
The two did not squeeze toward the front of the stage. Instead, they moved against the flow of the crowd, heading to a small, inconspicuous peach tree in the corner to rest for a bit and wait for the upcoming fireworks.
"To celebrate you reaching the peak of Foundation Establishment."
"It's nothing much to celebrate. I've been here once before."
Zhai Bairong understood that Nie Shiyun meant his breakthrough to the Golden Core stage might be just around the corner. But having failed once, even if he felt a bit more confident these days, he didn't dare speak too boldly.
"It will surely follow in due course."
Nie Shiyun's tone was full of confidence, as if he were speaking not of someone else's affairs, but his own. Influenced by this self-assured tone, Zhai Bairong felt himself becoming convinced in his heart as well.
The two quietly watched the noisy yet vivid scene before them for a while, finishing the rest of the Peach Blossom Brew in their hands. As a gust of wind swept several peach petals past them, Zhai Bairong felt a bit dazed. He had come to Fanhua City alone early last summer because his cultivation had stagnated; now, the difficult hurdle had passed, and in a few more months, it would be nearly a full year since he had lived here.
He felt that the year had passed so quickly, yet it was also very long—worth five or even ten years of his past.
"Nie Shiyun."
Nie Shiyun turned to look at Zhai Bairong in surprise. This seemed to be the first time Zhai Bairong had called him directly by his name.
Zhai Bairong did not turn to look at him, however. He continued to watch the people passing by and smiled. "You truly are a very marvelous person."
Nie Shiyun felt that Zhai Bairong's tone today was very unusual. "How so?" he asked, puzzled.
"Inscrutable in every way," Zhai Bairong wanted to take another sip of the Peach Blossom Brew, only to remember it was already empty. "Full of secrets. And yet, your words and actions in daily life do not seem false."
Nie Shiyun sighed. Many things were actually understood between them, but they had never been brought into the light. He had thought the two would continue in this tacit silence, but he hadn't expected Zhai Bairong to be the first to lose his patience and speak up.
Perhaps it was because the scene today was too beautiful and passionate, like a dream.
Nie Shiyun could not refute him, but he also didn't want to see Zhai Bairong with such a lonely expression. After a long moment, he took Zhai Bairong's hand, applying a bit of pressure to make him turn and look at him.
"You're right. There are many secrets, and I have my own concerns."
Nie Shiyun's tone was sincere, simply speaking what was in his heart.
"But it is true that everything I do in our daily life comes from my genuine intent."
Zhai Bairong looked at Nie Shiyun, his eyes shimmering in the night.
At that moment, the time finally seemed to have come. First came a dull, thunderous boom, followed by several streaks of light rising into the distant sky. Unlike the gunpowder used in the mortal world, these were fireworks infused with spiritual energy. They exploded in the sky, brighter and more brilliant than ordinary displays, making sharp "pop" sounds. After the first, came a second, a third... a series of passionate sounds drifted from afar, mingling with the gasps and praises of the crowd.
Nie Shiyun thought that communicating like this was indeed fruitless. If Zhai Bairong didn't have this identity—though they wouldn't have had their accidental beginning then—but since it involved the Heavenly Dao's plot, there were too many uncertain factors. At this moment, he truly could say nothing more.
"Why don't we just..."
*Enjoy the beautiful scenery before us first.*
The second half of the sentence was never spoken.
Nie Shiyun's eyes widened slightly, revealing a rare look of disbelief.
Zhai Bairong did not let him finish. Instead, he closed his eyes, took a step forward of his own accord, and kissed him.
A dazzling display of lights, like falling stars, sliced through the sky. For an instant, the sky was as bright as day, illuminating the tops of the peach trees. Then the flowing light vanished, and a new round rose.
Nie Shiyun tasted the flavor of Peach Blossom Brew from Zhai Bairong's lips. Zhai Bairong's hands gripped Nie Shiyun's shoulders. Yielding to the atmosphere, Nie Shiyun placed his hand on Zhai Bairong's back, and the two pressed closer together.
Zhai Bairong opened his eyes slightly, meeting Nie Shiyun's questioning gaze.
"Forget it. It is enough that you are like this."
Nie Shiyun heard Zhai Bairong say this.
In the end, it was the other party who was willing to take a step back first.
After Zhai Bairong finished his sentence, he closed his eyes again. Nie Shiyun was naturally moved. He tightened his arms, pressing the other man against the trunk of the peach tree, just barely concealing their figures, and began to kiss him passionately.
At this moment, the night sky was brilliant and blurred. Everyone's attention was on the horizon; no one noticed the two men in the shade of the peach tree, locked in an intimate embrace.
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Transmigrated into a Total Shou Novel as a Cannon Fodder, but Ended Up 1v1-ing the Male Lead | Chapter 30 | Under the Peach Blossoms | Novela.app | Novela.app
