Reborn To Be The Imperial Consort [BL]-Chapter 91: Zopyra — XXII (SM)

Warning: Non-consensual kissing.

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Naturally, Hu Lijing wouldn’t be able to hear him since he had fainted but Long ZhenHai continued talking anyway as he shifted slightly and gingerly gathered the nine-tailed fox in his arms, embracing him carefully as though he was holding a porcelain doll.

At this point, Hu Lijing may as well be a porcelain doll.

Gently, Long ZhenHai rested his chin on the man’s head, his fingers fiddling with the damning shackles that bound the divine fox’s core, restricting all the Qi that flowed inside his meridians to a single focal point.

Long ZhenHai had half a mind of destroying those chains and so — like a responsible person — he tried doing so without preamble, only to discover that much like the bars of this prison, these damned chains would repair on their own too, much to his chagrin.

With a frustrated sigh, the dragon gently rocked the nine-tailed fox in his arms, humming to himself as he tried to think of a way to wake the fox up and keep him alive until he was able to find a way to help him escape.

After giving everything a long, hard thought, the dragon grumbled to himself, holding Hu Lijing a little away from himself as he cupped his cheek and caressed the ashen skin, thumb swiping gently.

Intently, the dragon observed his features. Hu Lijing looked so much at peace that it would have been a relief to Long ZhenHai had the peace not crept around for the price of his life.

The dragon simply could not allow Hu Lijing to die. Not when they had so much to live for, Long ZhenHai didn’t ask for much, all he wanted was to spend the rest of his eternity with his Jing’ge by his side.

But if Jing’ge were to die here, die today in his arms, without Long ZhenHai telling him that what he did was — while it was not right, nor was it good — forgiven by the dragon.

And if Hu Lijing was to die on the summer solstice... No, Long ZhenHai would simply not allow such a thing to happen.

In a surge of panicked overprotectiveness, dragon pulled the unconscious fox back into his arms, tightly pressing his lips on the latter’s neck as he planted a strong kiss on it before slowly trailing his lips downwards.

Holding the back of Hu Lijing’s head, Long ZhenHai pulled away and pressed his lips on his eyebrows, then one by one, he kissed each eyelid, his lips grazing over the man’s skin like a fleeting touch of dragonfly gliding across a lake, gentle and reverent, holding no resentment even after he found out the fate of their child.

The dragon sighed as he pressed his lips on the fox’s nose before slowly, carefully, moving down to his lips.

Pulling back slightly, Long ZhenHai took a deep breath, taking in the sight of Hu Lijing’s features, gaunt but serene, his eyes shut and lips chapped but pressed together as though he was in a peaceful slumber.

Only the dragon knew the truth behind his slumber, however. And it made his heart ache. The former’s touch was gentle, soft and patient as though a devotee caressing the golden figure of his god’s idol. His fingers brushed over the sharp features, running across those elegant brows, tracing the valley-like path of his cheeks before his fingers dipped to trace his sharp jawline.

Subconsciously, he leaned forward, closing the distance between himself and Hu Lijing as he raised his head ever so slightly and pressed his lips on the corner of the fox’s mouth.

Somehow, it felt wrong to touch, to caress and to kiss the divine fox spirit when he was unconscious and entirely defenceless.

And yet, the temptation was damn near irresistible. Long ZhenHai was well aware that he should not be taking advantage of Hu Lijing’s vulnerability but to see him so unguarded was not something the former saw everyday. Nevermind this dirty, dingy cell.

Not all those decades ago.

Long ZhenHai shook his head, lips pursed as he dispelled those thoughts and brought his focus on trying to find something to keep Hu Lijing’s life force from draining away and to wake him up.

He found no way.

Not external at least.

For Hu Lijing’s body and organs to regain their normal speed and functions, Long ZhenHai would need to transfer Qi to him. Had those chains not been there, the dragon would have easily transferred it through his hands.

But with those chains in place...

It was impossible.

Long ZhenHai shook his head, a small trickle of helplessness spreading in his chest as he pursed his lips, gazing silently at Hu Lijing’s rapidly paling face.

Once more, the temptation to touch him, caress his body, hold him in his arms, close to himself in an intimate manner came back to his mind in full force; yet his heart warred, warning him against doing so. It hammered in his chest, pounding harshly against his ribcage as his elegant brows furrowed.

He couldn’t stop so low, he shouldn’t stoop so low. But...

His gaze roved over Hu Lijing’s unconscious form, so tranquil, so beautiful... So deathly still, he didn’t like it one bit. His eyes narrowed in consternation, his icy blue gaze trying its hardest to catch the shallow rise and fall of the fox’s chest.

If he didn’t stoop so low, Hu Lijing— Hu Lijing might die.

And without him, Long ZhenHai could not imagine a life for himself. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he leaned in, pressing his forehead against Hu Lijing’s tightly as his hands enclosed around his face, fingers tracing the soft flesh as he inhaled and exhaled, trying to make up his mind.

In the silence that followed his actions, the beating of the dragon’s heart, a rapid rhythm, frantic and at war against his mind echoed in tandem with the feeble thrumming of Hu Lijing’s heart, the beats stuttering every so often as the muscle struggled against the heavy weight of death’s inviting embrace.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Long ZhenHai drew in a deep bracing breath, swallowed the saliva pooling in his mouth and leaned forward, his lips reaching to press against Hu Lijing’s in a gentle pressure, his heart squeezing at the feeling of the fox’s chapped but soft lips against his own.

The dragon cupped his face, pulling him as he moved his lips against Hu Lijing’s, slowly, tentatively sending towards him a cool wave of Qi through their touching lips.

He continued to kiss the unconscious man, praying profusely for him to wake up as his one hand slipped to hold the back of Hu Lijing’s neck while the other traced a path down his spine, carefully curving around his waist as he hugged him closer, heart thundering against his chest at the dubious nature of his actions.

It was not the right thing to do. But did he have any other choice?

He did not.

Making a soft, rumbling noise at the back of his throat, Long ZhenHai gently pried the fox’s mouth open with his tongue and slipped the wet appendage in, carefully mapping out the inside of Hu Lijing’s mouth.

Needless to say, Long ZhenHai had missed the feeling of the fox’s mouth against his own. After all, it had been decades since his hands had touched Hu Lijing, much less his lips against the latter’s.

Letting out a groan, Long ZhenHai continued pouring his Qi into Hu Lijing’s body through their connected lips, moaning softly as he lowered the fox onto the spread out robes and loomed over him, his hands holding the man tightly as they caressed his nape, his sides and his waist, relishing in the feeling of his body under his own.

Long ZhenHai took a deep breath, closing his eyes tightly as he pressed himself into the unconscious man’s chest. He continued to kiss him, entangling their tongue in a rueful yet wild dance as he moaned, humming hoarsely.

Only to feel guilty for feeling pleased at the sensation coursing through his body when he remembered just what he was doing— that too to an unconscious man.

Stiffly, his fingers curled around Hu Lijing’s waist, rubbing circles on his sides as he nibbled on his lips.

Suddenly, as he deepened the kiss, albeit feeble, Long ZhenHai was able to feel the thrumming of Hu Lijing’s weakening heart. As seconds crawled away, the dragon came to realise that his method was working.

Slowly but surely, Hu Lijing’s condition was stabilising!

A surge of delight washed over the dragon as he slowly pulled away, subconsciously letting out a soft whine as his tongue flicked out to lick at his own swollen lips, spit-slick and glistening.

As they separated, Long ZhenHai pulled his hands off Hu Lijing’s body and propped himself up on his forearms, expectantly waiting for the fox to open his eyes with a small smile on his lips.

Maybe he was too lenient on the man, after all.

Thankfully, Hu Lijing didn’t make him wait for too long. As the colours slowly returned to his face, his organs kickstarting to life, the nine-tailed fox’s fingers twitched, his muscles contracting and relaxing as he slowly regained control over his body.

Sooner than later, as Long ZhenHai watched — thoroughly mesmerised by the sight of Hu Lijing — the man under him, Hu Lijing’s eyelids trembled, long lashes casting a faded shadow over his cheeks as they slowly but surely fluttered open, the thin veils lifting away to reveal the dazed but beautiful — yet dull, which made Long ZhenHai’s heart ache a lot — irises hiding beneath them.

Sluggishly, Hu Lijing blinked, not quite registering the sight before — or well — above him as he stared blankly. Blearily.

Long ZhenHai lips curled up. How was he supposed to hate Hu Lijing?

Especially when he looked so... so breathtaking.