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– "And how did I get to this point..?" – the guy thought resignedly. He was tied up, under the supervision of several bandits who had abducted him. The guy didn't look scared, but rather bored, as if he was used to it. – "As strange as it may sound, I'm really getting used to it", – ...well, or he was used to it.
The young man, who looked to be about twenty to twenty-one years old, was very handsome. Many bandits continued to stare at him, even if he was covered in bruises and dirt. It seemed that nothing could destroy his beautiful image and the enchanting atmosphere around him.
The guy had long black hair that gave off a blood-red tint in the light, and his eyes were brown with a delicate pink tinge closer to the middle. His face, though stained with mud and beaten to bruises and blood, was calm and continued to look like the best sculpture of the Celestial. He was dressed in a light, low-key outfit. His loose and light trousers were dark grey, and his outerwear was light green. His clothes fit him in the right places, and it's oversize did not make him look overweight, on the contrary, it made everyone wonder if this man was too thin.
– ... Well, I don't care! – The head of the bandits was shouting somewhere ahead. – We'll be able to get a huge sum for such a person! Have you even seen him? Anyone would want a bed warmer like him, even if he's a man! – The guy humbly tried not to look in the direction of the voice. He was tired of listening to the same thing over and over again. Jeez, don't these guys have any kind of fantasy? The wind blew pleasantly over the young man's face as he tried to untie his hands from behind unnoticed.
– "Newbies?" – He thought, looking at the awkward movements of the robbers. – "Who doesn't examine victims for weapons at all..? Isn't that the basis of all the basics..?" – the guy continued to think. It was strange to realize that he knew better about how to kidnap a person than the kidnappers themselves.
– Boss, where are we going with him? Aren't we going to get into trouble in other cities because of this..? – A guy a little older than the bound youth asked. That person nodded at this question, approving and preparing to get new information.
– Tsk, tsk! Why the youngers aren't listening to anything at all?! – The head lamented. – We will pass by Hua Mountain, and then we will go straight along the route. Everything has just started to recover there anyway, – Khien, that was the young man's name, smiled at this information.
It seems like he doesn't need to strain himself after all, since he was going to Huashan anyway. And there his Donseong can help this wayward huyng-nim.
A couple of days passed, and the robbers and Khien finally reached the road leading past the mountains where the Huashan school is located. Khien stared weakly at the peaks of the mountains. Indeed, he would never have been able to get there. How did his baby Sam, oh, I mean, Myung, crawl in there? Khien shook his head and sighed. The bandit nearby noticed this.
– What are you sighing for, beautiful? Is your boyfriend on Huashan? – Why not a girlfriend...? – Since that's the case, – he continued, misunderstanding Khien's look. – Then we should be more careful with you, hmm? I wouldn't want to ruin your face and then beat up the guy, haha! – He laughed loudly. Khien could only compare the sound to the rasp of a fork on glass. He glanced at the bandit, but said nothing. To start conversations, especially with such people? It’s just asking for trouble. And you can't prove anything if they misunderstood you.
– "But why did he immediately think what it's a boyfriend...?" - thought Khien resignedly. It seems these guys all thought at once that Khien is a cut sleeve. Because of the face? Because of the body? Khien didn't know and, frankly, wouldn't want to find out.
Khien honestly tried to count the time, as he would have done in his past lives, but every time his thoughts went to Cheong Myung. Did he eat well? Was he bullied? Although, knowing his youngest's new character, he had no doubt that Myung-ah would be a bully... And similar thoughts. Despite his attempts to concentrate, questions kept coming to his mind.
At some point, Khien even began to worry that his ancestors had not heard him and he would really be sold to some bastard for the lowest price. Cold sweat trickled down from Khien's forehead. If they are selling, then let them bargain for the best price! But such assholes just won't think of haggling and will sell him to the first person they meet! Khien clenched his fists in frustration. What a pity that he couldn't put a price on himself. Isn't it shameful to be sold for a minimum with such a face? Khien sighed heavily. No, should he even have such thoughts..? He doubted, but life on the street, and his past lives, taught him to take everything from life that it give, and since they sell him, he would like to know that he is expensive.
Lifting his eyes to the sky, Khien noticed a dark dot that was getting bigger and bigger with every passing moment. Upon closer inspection, Khien realized that it was a guy. He couldn't see the shape, because it was still too far away, but Khien assumed that he was a disciple of Huashan.
The guy seemed to sense the gaze, looked towards the bandits and his eyes widened. He seemed so surprised that he stumbled for a second and almost fell on his face. Khien pretended he didn't see it. He stood up, dusted himself off, and turned back to the group of robbers and the bound Khien. He was looking straight into the guy's eyes. Khien didn't even think about making some plaintive face and whispering "save..." with his lips, but he thought it would be cool if this guy stopped looking at him and did something. He could have just walked away. Well, don't just stand there, after all.
***
Baek Cheon stumbled.
He stumbled, staring at one of the most beautiful people he has ever seen. He looked at his reflection every day, he saw his stupid hyung, whom he would never admit that he looked pretty, Cheong Myung with a calm face was also handsome, his two samaes Yoo Iseol and Tang Soso were recognized beauties. But this man? His face, smeared in mud and blood, looked amazing. This... Guy? He was dressed in the usual male outfit of a hardworking man. Loose pants and a top that didn't reveal much except for his amazing collarbones. Baek Cheon swallowed and looked at the people around him. They were definitely bandits, and it also looks like they kidnapped this guy. Perhaps it was the indulgence of Baek Cheong's ancestors, because only a couple of minutes ago he was swearing in his head that he, the eldest pupil!, was being sent to the city just for the sake of mooncakes. And now this beautiful man was looking at Baek Cheon and looked so cute that he wanted to save him, wrap him in a blanket and leave him in his room and not show anyone.
Baek Cheon sighed and pulled himself together. How could he talk about such a thing, not only without even knowing the man's name, but also leaving him in the clutches of these bastards? Baek Cheon looked longingly at the school in sight, anticipating a future beating from Cheong Myung for being late, and rushing to an unknown group.
The battle, if you can call it that, was fast. These guys were newbies, they didn't even know the basic fighting moves, so they weren't even a warm-up for Baek Cheon. After that, he approached the small cage in which the guy was being carried.
– Hello, my name is Baek Cheong, I am a disciple of the Huashan sect from a second generation, – Baek Cheong made a greeting bow and the guy bowed as best he could in response. Dongryong walked closer to the cage and opened it with a light wave of his hand, were the locks always so fragile or was this one so cheap?, and crawled through to the guy. The man looked at him warily. – I'll just untie you, okay? May I know your name? – Baek Cheon smiled brightly. He raised his hands to show that there was nothing there and that he posed no danger.
– Cheong Khien, – the guy, Khien, smiled faintly and turned his back to Baek Cheon, showing his bound hands and feet. – It's nice to see the followers of Huashan in good health.
– Hmm? Do you know someone from here? – Baek Cheon couldn't help but be curious, easily sorting out the weak knots.
– Yes, my dongseong is a third–generation disciple, – Cheong Khiyong smiled gently. Baek Cheon felt like he was going blind. – When I was captured, I was just heading towards Huashan in the hope of visiting him.
Baek Cheon nodded at this information, touched and a little jealous of this "dongseong". After a second, it dawned on him that the guy in front of him hadn't seen it, and then he mumbled.
– Your donseong must be very happy to see you., – Baek Cheon couldn't help but ask. If this "donseong" is not happy about the arrival of such hyung, then Baek Cheon will personally beat this bastard.
– Mmm, – the shorter guy mumbled softly. – He doesn't know that I wanted to come. I thought I'd make it a surprise, – Khien smiled gently again, looking at Baek Cheon and rubbing his wrists. He thought he was going to die soon from how fast his heart was beating.
Baek Cheon carefully got out of the cage and looked at Cheon Khien. He also began to get out carefully, but at the last moment his legs, which seemed to have weakened due to sitting for a long time, gave up and he almost fell on his face. Baek Cheon easily caught him by the waist and shoulders. When Cheong Khien stood up, Dongryong continued to support him.
–...Shouldn't we put them somewhere...? – Cheong Khien asked carefully, looking at the bandits who had been knocked out. Baek Cheon shook his head.
– Don't worry about it. Guys like these don't deserve such attention. People like them keep appearing, and after one such beating, they get scared and don't do it anymore.
Khien nodded at this information and looked at the mountains.
– Thank you, Baek Cheon-nim, – Khien said, bowing his head. Baek Cheon felt his breath catch in his throat. – I won't keep you any longer...
– Don't worry about it,– Baek Cheon gently interrupted him. – I'll walk you to the gates.
– But I'll hold you up, I can barely stand up...
– Even more so,– Baek Cheon nodded at his thoughts. – Your legs are weak and you need to be checked for wounds. I can just bring you to gates in my ar...ms... – After saying that, Baek Cheon realized what he had said. His face turned red, and his hands on Khien's waist and shoulders trembled slightly.
Cheon Khien looked at Baek Cheon in surprise. The latter, realizing that it was too late to retreat, continued:
– It's going to be like endurance training for me, – Baek Chong said weakly, almost pulling out his hair in his head.
Cheon Khien only laughed faintly at Baek Cheon's face and demeanor.
– Well, Taoist-nim, then all I can do is trust myself in your hands, – Cheong Khien smiled slyly and wrapped one arm around Baek Cheon's neck.
– "Why is this smile so familiar..?!" – Baek Cheon's mind quickly flashed this through chaotic thoughts about the warmth of Knien's body and how small Cheon Khien is compared to him. Baek Cheong's palm alone was the width of the younger's waist.
Baek Cheon swallowed softly, but did not take back his words and deftly picked up Cheon Khien in his arms.
– Get ready, a wonderful view awaits you! – Baek Cheong grinned and jumped up before Cheong Khien had time to react.
Their further journey were huge jumps on the rocks. After a couple of minutes, Huashan gates appeared in the distance. Cheong Khien exhaled weakly at this. Baek Cheon noticed this. Basically, all his attention was focused on Cheong Khien. He looked divine in the rays of the sun and among the blossoms.
Baek Cheon didn't have time to enjoy this sight, as they were already at the Huashan gate. Baek Cheon was about to put Cheon Khien on the ground and escort him to the head's office when he heard loud footsteps and screams:
– Sasu-u-uk! Where are you-?! – Cheong Myung opened the door with his foot and stumbled on the word when... Wait, stumble? Cheong Myung?!
Sajils and samaes of Baek Cheon, behind Cheong Myung, also stopped in a stupor.
–...– Cheong Khien stirred in Baek Cheong's arms, who looked down at him, but Cheong Khien was looking at Cheong Myung. – Myung-ah... This is not how you should greet your sasuke! – Cheong Khien shouted, and everyone looked at him in horror, ignoring the nickname. His sajils and samaes quietly began to approach Cheong Myung, hoping to save the poor guy. Cheong Myung himself looked furiously at... Baek Cheon?!
– Sasuk! – he shouted furiously. – Get your dirty hands off my hyung! I didn't raise him for a weakling like you! – He continued, already swinging his fists in the direction of the couple.
– Wait, wait, Cheong Myung-ah! – Baek Cheon shouted in fright. What do you mean hyung?! Cheong Myung is the sweet donseong that Cheong Khien spoke of with tenderness?!
– Cheong Myung! – Cheong Khien shouted. – Your sasuke saved me and helped me to get here, and you thank him by beating him?! – He got off Baek Chong's arms and, trying to take a step, almost fell. Dongryong just gently took Cheong Khiyong by the waist and started to support him.
Cheong Myung seemed to get even more furious at this.
Baek Cheon spent the next thirty minutes running away from an enraged Cheong Myung, while Cheong Khien was checked by Tang Soso for wounds, and then she helped him walk to the head of the sect, and after a nice chat, he received permission to stay for a while in the school, keeping an eye on Cheong Myung.
A little later, Baek Cheon sat in the medical department while Tang Soso bandaged his wounds, and Cheong Khien fed Cheong Myung mooncakes while he held his hyung with his hands and feet, muttering that his sasuk had not yet proved that he deserved Cheong Khien. Over the next couple of days, Cheong Myung and Baek Cheon sparred constantly.
After one sparring session, where Baek Cheon was able to scratch Cheong Myung's cheek and arm, he immediately ran to Cheong Khien and offered to go on a date.
Cheong Khien agreed with a soft smile on his face.