Transmigrated into a Total Shou Novel as a Cannon Fodder, but Ended Up 1v1-ing the Male Lead | Chapter 43 | Secrets Shared at Dawn | Novela.app

It was well past midnight when the sounds that had moved from the doorway to the bed curtains finally began to fade. The tea brewed in the outer room had long since grown cold, completely forgotten. Because they had exerted themselves quite a bit, both of their voices were somewhat raspy. Concerned that they had to see people the next day, they simply took Spirit Recovery Pills and circulated their spiritual energy to restore their condition. Having not seen each other for a long time, the two were loath to nap. They lay together, holding one another and talking. At first glance, the scene was one of tender affection, but a closer listen to their conversation revealed they were discussing matters of the utmost seriousness. The first thing Zhai Bairong thought of once he had calmed down was the abnormality he had noticed in Xu Yehua earlier that day. He recounted Xu Yehua’s words to Nie Shiyun in full detail, warning the latter to be cautious. Nie Shiyun narrowed his eyes slightly upon hearing this. He knew things wouldn't be simple. He had been weighing whether or not to tentatively reveal the Divine Fire Cover during the Great Cultivation Meet, but now he completely abandoned that idea. Xu Yehua’s cultivation had already reached the late Golden Core stage; Nie Shiyun needed to prioritize caution for now, at least until his own cultivation caught up before making further plans. "Thank you for telling me," Nie Shiyun said, resting his head on his arm as he faced Zhai Bairong. "Between us, there is no need for thanks." Informing on others was not the behavior of a gentleman, but Zhai Bairong felt not a shred of hesitation in doing so. Previously, he had hoped to make a clean break from Duan Mingyu’s group, so that they could each go their separate ways. Unfortunately, his current circumstances were far from ideal. *The only benefit is that I can learn of news that might be disadvantageous to Shiyun,* Zhai Bairong thought, comforting himself. *At least it’s not all bad.* "You’re the one who’s always being too polite with me," Nie Shiyun said with a chuckle. Zhai Bairong paused, then said sheepishly, "...I can't help it. It's a habit." Nie Shiyun took Zhai Bairong’s hand to play with it again. Zhai Bairong’s palm gradually grew warm. He looked at Nie Shiyun’s face and, after a long silence, couldn't help but ask, "This... past year..." "Hmm?" Nie Shiyun didn't know what Zhai Bairong wanted to say and looked up at him earnestly. Zhai Bairong seemed to struggle with whether to speak or not. After a moment of hesitation, he finally spoke: "I said earlier that I haven't touched Duan Mingyu this past year. You... haven't been with anyone else either, have you?" Nie Shiyun was stunned for a moment before it clicked—Zhai Bairong was actually checking up on him. Although the two had lived together in the City of Myriad Flowers and their transition from ambiguity to genuine feelings had seemed natural, they had never actually voiced their commitment. Both were intelligent men and should have understood the situation implicitly. However, perhaps because Zhai Bairong had experienced betrayal before, he was a case of "once bitten by a snake, twice shy." When he had left in a hurry back then, nothing had been clarified. Later, as he tossed and turned at night, he felt regret. Although he knew asking such a thing made it seem like he didn't trust the other person enough, Zhai Bairong still spoke up. "Of course not," Nie Shiyun leaned closer to Zhai Bairong, their bodies almost pressing together. "Only you." Nie Shiyun originally wanted to say more—that he had no intention of forming ties with anyone else, only thinking of overcoming the obstacles of the Heavenly Dao to achieve immortality, and that his genuine feelings for Zhai Bairong had happened by chance and would never happen a second time in this life. However, realizing that it would be difficult to explain the original owner's past pursuit of Duan Mingyu if he said that, Nie Shiyun refrained for the time being. He simply added seriously, as if to emphasize his heart: "In the future, there will only be you." Zhai Bairong gave a low "mm," his heart finally settling as a faint smile appeared on his face. Although Nie Shiyun flirted from time to time, he wasn't actually skilled at such blunt, romantic words. Seeing Zhai Bairong just staring at him and smiling without saying a word, he found it hard to maintain his composure and quickly turned the topic back to the other man. "Alright, why don't you talk about your own affairs? What was it that wasn't convenient to say through the transmission crystals?" Zhai Bairong opened his mouth, his expression instantly becoming troubled. "I originally said I wanted to break off the relationship, and I still feel the same way today. Staying with Duan Mingyu and the others is not of my own volition. But the specific reason... I cannot say it. However, I can guarantee that I no longer have any feelings for Duan Mingyu. These words are by no means false." Even though they were face-to-face, Zhai Bairong’s explanation was still the same few lines repeated. He didn't dare to rashly try to hint at the truth to Nie Shiyun; he could only hope that the other man would see his expression and understand that there were hidden difficulties. Actually, after everything they had done tonight, Nie Shiyun clearly wasn't truly angry. "Hmm..." Nie Shiyun probed, "Does it have something to do with the higher-ups of the Moon-Reflecting Sect?" Zhai Bairong looked straight into Nie Shiyun’s eyes. He didn't answer, but his expression relaxed considerably, as if he were relieved that the other man could understand. "You can't speak of it—is it because of a poison oath? Something like, if the news is leaked, your cultivation will be destroyed..." Nie Shiyun stared at Zhai Bairong’s face. He saw that while Zhai Bairong remained silent, his face was full of pleasant surprise. Nie Shiyun had guessed most of it by now. He was currently testing the limits of the oath Zhai Bairong had taken, seeing where the boundaries were and if he could find a loophole. "But let me guess. You don't have to answer, so it shouldn't count as leaking information, right? Perhaps there is something special about Duan Mingyu’s body, and your sect ordered you to find a way to tie him down." "Shiyun, you..." Zhai Bairong called out his name in shock. Although he knew Nie Shiyun was clever, he hadn't expected him to guess so accurately. Nie Shiyun pondered for a moment whether he should continue. But he felt that since his relationship with Zhai Bairong was already this intimate, there was no need to keep everything hidden. Looking at this situation, Zhai Bairong had returned to Duan Mingyu’s side for an entire year yet hadn't been entranced by him again, instead remaining full of longing for Nie Shiyun—wasn't that the best evidence? Nie Shiyun pressed a finger to Zhai Bairong’s lips, silencing him. "Let me keep guessing." "Duan Mingyu possesses the Heavenly Yin Physique. From the very beginning, the Moon-Reflecting Sect intended to refine him and offer him to that Soul Transformation ancestor of yours. They sealed his physique when he entered the sect. Now, seeing that you are no longer infatuated with him, they pulled you into the scheme to act as a tether. They want to avoid accidentally letting Crimson Rock Cliff or Lingfeng Mountain benefit, which would make all their previous efforts go to waste." "..." Zhai Bairong was completely stunned. Nie Shiyun could bet that he had never seen the man show such a shocked expression. Even when they had been muddled together in the scroll, the man hadn't looked this incredulous after waking up. Zhai Bairong abruptly sat up, the quilt sliding off his body. "...You know everything." If Nie Shiyun had gone this far and he still thought it was just a guess, then he would be truly foolish. Nie Shiyun knew the inside details that even few within the Moon-Reflecting Sect understood. Countless thoughts flashed through Zhai Bairong’s mind, leaving his heart in a tangle. "You always say I have many secrets. Am I not revealing a few to you now?" Seeing that Nie Shiyun’s tone was as casual as if he were discussing common knowledge, Zhai Bairong asked in uncertainty, "Are you... are you really Nie Shiyun?" *That's a good question,* Nie Shiyun thought. He was indeed Nie Shiyun, but not the original Nie Shiyun from the book. However, Zhai Bairong likely suspected he was some old ancestor who had possessed the body of a young cultivator. Nie Shiyun reached out an arm and pulled the tense Zhai Bairong back down. "That question is hard to explain... yes and no. But I am not some deceased Soul Transformation cultivator who snatched a body. You can rest assured on that point." Zhai Bairong took a good while to digest this before asking again, "The one I know—from the very beginning, since the Misty Secret Realm—that was you, right?" Nie Shiyun followed the flow. "It was." "Who else have you told your secrets to?" Zhai Bairong regained his senses and, realizing how dangerous this matter was, asked hurriedly. "Aside from you, I haven't told a single soul," Nie Shiyun replied. Zhai Bairong should have felt gratified that such important information had been revealed to him, but even this tip of the iceberg was overwhelmingly shocking. His emotions were complex for a moment. However, looking at the person before him, he felt that no matter what, Nie Shiyun was Nie Shiyun. Zhai Bairong pressed against Nie Shiyun’s body, gradually calming down in the familiar embrace. "I understand. This matter must be kept secret from everyone else, no matter what." Nie Shiyun smiled. "I know what I'm doing. You don't need to be overly anxious for me." He had thought Zhai Bairong might be confused for a day or two and go back to seriously contemplate his life, but he hadn't expected him to accept the revelation so quickly and even start worrying about him instead. "You're not going to press for more?" Faced with Nie Shiyun’s counter-question, Zhai Bairong hesitated. Naturally, he was incredibly curious. But he thought of how he had no power to resist his master Qu Zhanmeng’s forceful "instructions," and he feared that knowing too much might instead implicate Nie Shiyun. He shook his head. "No. Currently, I am restricted by others at every turn. If I were to make you reveal everything for my own curiosity, it might instead ruin things. When the time is right in the future, you will surely tell me everything yourself, won't you?" Nie Shiyun was deeply impressed by how sensible Zhai Bairong was. At the same time, he wondered where on earth he had found such an understanding partner; his heart was quite touched. On a whim, he leaned in again to kiss Zhai Bairong. Although Zhai Bairong had been startled just now, he had already decided to trust Nie Shiyun wholeheartedly. Naturally, he set everything else aside, closed his eyes, and responded passionately. However, although there was still some time before dawn, they couldn't afford to fool around again. Zhai Bairong hadn't yet opened the restrictions of his residence to the other three, but there was no guarantee Duan Mingyu wouldn't take the initiative to look for him and call him at the door. The three over there were enjoying their own pleasures; they likely wouldn't look for him too early in the morning. But Zhai Bairong didn't dare to be overconfident. To be safe, he decided to leave as soon as the sky began to brighten. Despite the minor interludes, the two had thoroughly expressed their feelings to each other, so they were inevitably clingy. It wasn't until the sky outside turned the color of a fish's belly that Zhai Bairong reluctantly rose. Nie Shiyun didn't dress, sitting on the bed watching Zhai Bairong take out spare clothes to dress neatly. Zhai Bairong’s clothes from last night were temporarily unfit to be seen by others. Getting out of bed, Nie Shiyun gave a slight wave, taking an inner robe from his storage ring and draping it on casually. He had long been used to being informal in his own room. While Zhai Bairong was adjusting his hair crown, Nie Shiyun took the storage ring the other had removed and placed on the side table and slipped it back onto his finger. "Coming back tonight?" "Ahem... I'll come over if I find the chance." Zhai Bairong’s face felt hot as he spoke, feeling as though this conversation was like an illicit affair. Although Zhai Bairong and Nie Shiyun were the true couple now, no one knew of it publicly, so that description wasn't entirely wrong. "I almost forgot. Congratulations on advancing to the Golden Core stage. A silent start followed by a stunning display," Nie Shiyun congratulated him. "A gift." Zhai Bairong didn't see the object clearly before Nie Shiyun placed a sword-shaped item into his storage ring. Just before getting up, the two had granted each other access to their most commonly used storage spaces; he hadn't expected Nie Shiyun to use it so soon. "What is this?" "It's getting late. Go back and look at it slowly." Nie Shiyun asked for one more parting kiss. Zhai Bairong naturally knew that if it was a weapon sent by Nie Shiyun, it would be no ordinary item. His curiosity was thoroughly piqued. He told Nie Shiyun to rest a bit longer while he let himself out, thinking to himself that it would be best if Duan Mingyu and the others woke up later so they wouldn't disturb him while he admired the gift from Nie Shiyun alone in his room. *** Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation --- | --- | --- 回灵丹 | Spirit Recovery Pill | A pill used to restore spiritual energy/stamina. 神火罩 | Divine Fire Cover | A magical treasure/tool owned by Nie Shiyun. 天阴之体 | Heavenly Yin Physique | A rare and special physical constitution, often used as a cultivation vessel in this genre. 化神 | Soul Transformation | A high level of cultivation (Deity Transformation). 曲旃蒙 | Qu Zhanmeng | Zhai Bairong's master. 赤岩崖 | Crimson Rock Cliff | One of the major sects. 凌峰山 | Lingfeng Mountain | One of the major sects.