When Qiu Ling pulled back, Jing He didn’t speak up immediately. He simply lay next to him, listening to the faint breathing that was proof that he wasn’t alone. There was still a question he was asking himself and now seemed to be the right moment to bring it up even though it wasn’t easy …

Continue reading RSH Stratagem 60: Be the Other Half of My Soul (1)

The two of them lay in the darkness, neither of them speaking up for what seemed to be a long time. Jing He felt insecure, still torn between the idea that Qiu Ling would think less of him if they were intimate before their wedding ceremony had happened and the fear that Qiu Ling might …

Continue reading RSH Stratagem 59: Promises Are Best Whispered at Night (6)

Qiu Ling knelt in front of him and gently took Jing He’s hands. He wanted to make sure that his beloved knew that this wasn’t simply about passion but that this was an expression of his love and his desire to be with him for eternity. Taking the sensibilities of the gods into consideration, he …

Continue reading RSH Stratagem 59: Promises Are Best Whispered at Night (5)

Time slowly passed as the painting took shape. The shadows outside and inside grew longer and Jing He got up to add a few lights around the study so they could see better. Qiu Ling’s attention switched from the painting to his beloved. He couldn’t help it. There was just something magical about Jing He …

Continue reading RSH Stratagem 59: Promises Are Best Whispered at Night (4)

Jing He didn’t start immediately. He looked at the empty scroll and took a moment to consider what to paint. It should be something that would allow Qiu Ling to start painting soon as well so he wouldn’t have to sit aside and wait until everything else was done. At the same time, Qiu Ling …

Continue reading RSH Stratagem 59: Promises Are Best Whispered at Night (3)

Jing He finished washing up and soon went back to open the door, inviting Qiu Ling inside. It was already midday by now which meant that half of their last day together before the trial had already gone by and yet, they actually hadn’t seen much of one another. Thinking of this, he felt regretful. …

Continue reading RSH Stratagem 59: Promises Are Best Whispered at Night (2)

With his body and spirit completely exhausted, Jing He slept for a long time. The sun had already come up when he finally stirred and when he opened his eyes, his eyelids felt heavy. If he could have, he would have liked to turn around and simply sleep for a few more hours. With the …

Continue reading RSH Stratagem 59: Promises Are Best Whispered at Night (1)

Jing He brushed over the faint carvings and sighed before taking a deep breath. He pulled himself up on the altar’s edge and stood quietly, trying to keep his balance. His body was soaked in cold sweat, shaking from head to toe, and his legs seemed about to collapse beneath him. Without holding onto the …

Continue reading RSH Stratagem 58: Sometimes, Love Will Hurt (3)

Jing He hastily stepped inside before closing the door behind him. Only when the light from outside was shut out did he dare to heave a true sigh of relief. He could still be caught but for now, he had some time to put his plan into action. Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself …

Continue reading RSH Stratagem 58: Sometimes, Love Will Hurt (2)

Jing He’s face turned even paler. This was clearly the disturbance he had prepared. He never would have thought that the explosion would be so loud or that it could shake the building this much though. His knowledge of formations was all theoretical. He had never used them this way so he had gotten frightened …

Continue reading RSH Stratagem 58: Sometimes, Love Will Hurt (1)