Chapter Sixty-Eight: Holding It In the Mouth

“Isn’t this even more exciting?” Xu Chen muttered quietly, trying to defend himself as Mu You looked ready to explode.

“What did you say?!”

“No, no, I didn’t say anything, haha.” Xu Chen quickly avoided Mu You’s gaze, playing it off.

Hu Lei was probably visiting the ladies’ restroom for the first time, scratching his nose awkwardly and casting a puzzled glance at Mu You.

Mu You coughed dryly, trying to break the tension. Hu Lei’s gaze was manageable, but the other three’s expressions shifted after hearing the exchange. Mu You was certain their minds had already begun conjuring all sorts of scenarios about what might happen next.

No, this has to stop!

Mu You swiftly turned and sat atop the sink. Noticing the time, he beckoned the five over, coughed again, and for a moment, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

The scene was so strange that even Hu Lei seemed unsettled, prompting him to ask tentatively, “Little brother Mu You, it’s so late, and classes at the Perfected Academy begin tomorrow. Did you call us here to discuss something important?”

Mu You nodded and, without another word, lifted Hu Lei’s shirt.

Instantly, Hu Lei’s muscular chest was exposed to the air. The older man blushed, instinctively trying to cover himself with his clothes.

Mu You was surprised—he never expected Brother Hu Lei to be so bashful.

“Little brother Mu You, what are you doing?” Hu Lei saw Mu You grinning at him as if he’d discovered something new and grew even more uneasy. But An Ruxiang, unwilling to waste words, placed her palm directly over Hu Lei’s heart.

The touch wasn’t forceful, yet Hu Lei immediately let out a painful groan, clutching his chest. Even a light press brought sharp pain.

It felt as though his flesh was rotting from within his skin.

The others instinctively reached for their own chests, and the same sensation left every face pale.

“What’s going on?” They looked at each other, terror written plainly on their faces.

“It seems I’m not the only one,” An Ruxiang sighed helplessly and looked to Mu You with hopeful eyes. “You called us here because you know something, right?”

Looking at Mu You, An Ruxiang felt he seemed more handsome today, his aura more subdued, with a hint of mature charm beneath his youthful energy.

“Wow… Sister, you’re so clever. I really admire you…” Mu You spoke coyly on purpose. For some reason, he enjoyed talking to An Ruxiang this way; it let him tease her while sidestepping sensitive topics. After all, he was underage—who could blame him?

An Ruxiang smiled gracefully, saying nothing, leaving the floor to Mu You. He didn’t waste time. Under the group’s anxious, expectant gaze, he sliced across the five fingers of his right hand.

“Bite your own tongue tips.”

Mu You’s playful demeanor vanished, replaced with calm seriousness as he issued the command.

The group complied without hesitation, then stared at Mu You with puzzled expressions. Mu You brought his hand before them, their attention zeroing in on his elegant fingers.

What was he planning? The group was baffled.

“Come here. Open your mouths and hold on.”

Mu You’s instructions were as shocking as they were direct.

“Pfft!” Five bloody spit drops nearly sprayed Mu You. Even the composed An Ruxiang blushed, eyeing Mu You suspiciously, wondering if he was playing with them.

Mu You glanced at his watch—only a minute left. He urged them on.

“Hurry, there’s no time. Each of you, take a finger. Hold it and suck hard, pressing your tongue to the wound. Enough with the lewd imaginings. The ‘Death Sentence’ toxin hasn’t been neutralized, just suppressed temporarily. It will erupt precisely at midnight. I’ll extract the toxin for you with my own blood!”

The group relaxed at his explanation. Life and death were at stake. They crowded around Mu You, bent over awkwardly, mouths open, and finally, with determination, each took a finger.

Instantly, Mu You’s four fingers were enveloped by warm, soft mouths. He could clearly feel four supple tongues pressed against his wounds.

Mu You met their ten eyes. It felt like some obscure, mystical ritual—strangely pleasant, though something seemed missing.

He noticed An Ruxiang was still standing apart and urged her, “Hurry, only a few seconds left. Don’t you value your life, Sister?”

“Hmph.” An Ruxiang rolled her seductive eyes at Mu You. Her blush deepened to crimson as she stepped onto the sink, gazing down at him with pride.

“What are you playing at? Are you out of your mind? There’s really no time!”

Mu You grew truly anxious this time.

An Ruxiang didn’t waste words. She bit her own index finger and thrust it toward Mu You.

Sitting on the sink, Mu You stared at her delicate hand, momentarily stunned.

“What are you doing?”

“You take my hand. I won’t take yours.”

An Ruxiang’s long-hidden pride flared up, her gaze fierce as she nearly pressed her finger to Mu You’s lips.

Damn it, I’m trying to save you, and you’re acting all tsundere. Next, will you want a hug? A lift? Maybe a pounding on the chest?!

“Either take mine or die. You have no other choice.”

Mu You, though inwardly annoyed, kept his composure. He turned away from An Ruxiang, calmly stating the inevitable, then closed his eyes, preparing to extract the secretions of the Meridian Soulworm from their bodies.

Hu Lei and the others bent over, watching the drama unfold—sometimes staring at the mortified An Ruxiang, sometimes at Mu You, who sat unruffled. But with their mouths full, they could say nothing.

The six mechanical watches ticked in unison, their second hands whispering a countdown to death.

An Ruxiang glanced at the group, then at Mu You, feeling helpless for the first time. This little rascal was so hard to deal with—and she couldn’t best him, or she’d have taught him a lesson.

Her anger carried a strange allure. Like a young woman, she stamped her foot, then, to the shock of all, lifted Mu You’s shirt, knelt at his side, and bit down hard on his shoulder, almost in defiance.

Mu You sensed something was off and opened his eyes, finding An Ruxiang inches away, biting his shoulder, her enchanting eyes flashing with a secret message.

“So you finally know when to yield? Even angry, you look beautiful.”

For the first time, Mu You teased her with a roguish grin, leaning close to her delicate face.

Immediately, he felt a peculiar pain where Xuan Yao’s bite landed on his finger. An Ruxiang closed her eyes, resigned, letting Mu You do as he wished. She could not escape—midnight’s chimes began to ring—

Dong, dong, dong—