575. Hot spring

“Splash…”

Xu Qi’an quickly stripped off his clothes and leapt into the hot spring pool. The warm water enveloped him, soaking his limbs, allowing his tendons and muscles to relax.

Actually, his waist no longer felt sore or swollen. With the “regeneration” ability of a third rank physique, it would only take a few hours for his kidneys to be revitalised and restored to peak condition.

An ordinary person, engaging in dual cultivation as he had done for a day and two nights without pause, would have long since died of exhaustion.

Experts of other paths would, for the most part, also suffer severe depletion of vitality and need days to recover.

This was where the advantage of a martial artist became apparent.

Seeing Xu Qi’an return, Luo Yuheng breathed a sigh of relief. That feeling of being released from a great burden was written all over her face.

The Luo Yuheng of the past would never have shown such dramatic expressions.

“Ah, how can you have a hot spring without some wine?”

Xu Qi’an beckoned with his hand, and from his clothes scattered by the bank, the Earth Book fragment flew into his grasp.

He reached out and pulled a jar of yellow wine from the space in the Earth Book, purchased back when he’d travelled to Fuyang County.

Fuyang County’s yellow wine was very famous locally: slightly tart, with a hint of sweetness, and a pleasant flavour.

“National Teacher, care for a drink?” Xu Qi’an winked.

Luo Yuheng frowned slightly and said, “Daoists do not drink.”

Her voice was as cold and clear as always, like the crisp clink of ice.

“If you have a few drinks, our dual cultivation later will be much more effective.”

Xu Qi’an put on a roguish grin.

He had been a coward in the face of the “Wrath” persona and the “Desire” persona. Now, facing this “Fear” persona, he decided to be a forceful Dao partner.

Luo Yuheng thought for a moment and said softly, “We’ll talk about it when we’re back in the room.”

Xu Qi’an pressed, “I want to dual cultivate here in the pool.”

Luo Yuheng’s delicate eyebrows knitted immediately. She slipped down a little, letting the hot water wash over her smooth, white shoulders, exposing only her neck and face.

Her plump, red lips pursed slightly as she said in a cool tone, “Since when do you get to decide when we dual cultivate?”

For a moment, Xu Qi’an almost thought the normal Luo Yuheng had returned, and nearly ducked his head to say, “National Teacher, I was wrong.”

Then he realised something was off, wasn’t this meant to be the “Fear” persona? Shouldn’t it be a case of Xu Dalang’s roar making Luo Yuheng tremble?

He studied Luo Yuheng’s expression closely and quickly noticed the difference. Unlike her usual self, she now had more resistance and anxiety in her eyes.

It didn’t seem like she was resisting dual cultivation with him, this morning she’d even invited him for another round before leaving.

Nor should it be nerves, they had been dual cultivating for three whole days now.

Perhaps she was afraid of breaking the conventions of secular propriety? Or literally, fear?

Xu Qi’an felt he understood. To verify, he boldly said,

“National Teacher, always cultivating in the room is so dull. Tonight, let’s do it in the pool, with the sky as our quilt and the water as our bed, and truly enjoy our cultivation.”

The resistance in Luo Yuheng’s eyes grew stronger, and she frowned in displeasure, “Where is your sense of propriety?”

With that, she ignored him and moved to the far end of the pool, putting some distance between them.

Interesting… Xu Qi’an smiled.

Luo Yuheng, when suffering from karmic fire, was actually rather amusing.

Unlike the cold, aloof National Teacher of the past, apparently without any worldly desires, in the Seven Emotions state, she was much more human.

The wrathful state (the irritable aunt) was like an English teacher, or an aunt with a bad temper, quick to anger but adorable when teased.

The desire state (mum’s friend) was an absolute demon, transforming from fairy to enchantress, extracting all she could in the pursuit of pleasure, completely uninhibited, displaying a passionate and wild charm.

The fear state, for now, struck him as “steady” and “conservative”, a Luo Yuheng with old-fashioned views about the bedroom, which made her rather cute.

Tentatively, he classified it as: bookworm girl, top of the class.

The National Teacher is truly extraordinary, marrying her would be like getting seven wives in one.

Above the hot spring, steam curled upwards. Through the hazy mist, Xu Qi’an enjoyed Luo Yuheng’s seductive, peach-blossom blush.

She leaned against the wall of the pool, eyes dazed.

After a while, he brought the wine over, floated to her side, and leaned with her against the edge.

The captivating beauty opened her eyes and looked at him.

“National Teacher, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.” Xu Qi’an took a swig of wine, breathing out its pungent aroma.

“Mm.”

It was a short, nasal sound, showing she was listening.

“Right now, in Yongzhou City, there are both Buddhist and Tianjigong forces lying low. The Buddhists have sent an Arhat and two Vajras this time. As for Tianjigong, they also have a third rank expert. I haven’t introduced you to Tianjigong yet…”

He then explained the organisation of Tianjigong in detail, before sharing the Buddhists’ cooperation with Tianjigong and the plan to use the Dragon Qi host as bait.

Luo Yuheng listened intently, pondering. Suddenly she scolded him, “Take your hand off me.”

In the water, a hand had traced down her back, across her waist, and slipped into her silk trousers, squeezing her peach-like bottom.

“It’s not like I haven’t touched it before,” Xu Qi’an muttered.

“Say it again,” Luo Yuheng’s killing intent was palpable.

You’re really not “afraid” at all… Xu Qi’an withdrew his hand, gently encircling Luo Yuheng’s supple waist and said,

“National Teacher, I’m thinking of turning their plan against them, and capturing the Arhat. I’ll force him to remove the Demon-sealing nails and restore part of my cultivation.”

Luo Yuheng thought for a long time, then shook her head,

“I can help you, but in my current state with karmic fire, it’s not quite appropriate. Also, the gap between us and the enemy’s strength is huge. I wouldn’t recommend it.

“Mm, ah~ Are you ignoring what I say? Do you believe that if you keep it up, I’ll cut your damned mitt off?”

Her red lips parted, her voice sweet and syrupy, before she flew into a rage.

Xu Qi’an withdrew his hand without a word, “Two third ranks from the Heaven Sect will arrive in Yongzhou soon. If we join forces with them, and add Sun Xuanji, would it be a sure thing?”

Luo Yuheng’s cheeks were flushed, she gave him a glare and answered with a steady tone,

“In that case, the odds are indeed in our favour. But with karmic fire engulfing me, if it backlashes during battle, the consequences would be dire.”

Xu Qi’an shivered, “How high is the chance of karmic fire backlash?”

Luo Yuheng thought for a moment, then said, “If we focus on our cultivation, the odds should be less than five percent. So, to be safe, let’s wait for another seven days.”

Less than five percent… which is almost certain death, if you round it up? Xu Qi’an nearly choked on his words.

Fine, I won’t discuss it with you today. You’re too cautious at the moment.

Too risk-averse.

Luo Yuheng glanced at the sky and stood up, “I’ll head back first.”

Xu Qi’an grabbed her wrist, “National Teacher…”

The female National Teacher cast him a disdainful sidelong glance, then got out on her own, put on her robe, and returned to her room.

Xu Qi’an made no move to stop her. He simply soaked in the hot spring, half-floating and half-sitting, eyes closed in a feigned nap.

…

He did not know how much time had passed when he suddenly heard a cold, slightly gritted voice from beside his ear. It was Luo Yuheng.

“If I hadn’t come to find you, were you not planning on returning to the room tonight?”

Xu Qi’an pretended to open his eyes and apologised, “I fell asleep.”

Luo Yuheng snorted and said, “Let’s go back.”

Xu Qi’an did not move.

One of them stood by the shore, looking down; the other played dumb in the pool. The two held out for quite a while, neither willing to give in.

Splash!

Water sprayed as he pulled Luo Yuheng into the pool.

Xu Qi’an cupped her face and pressed his lips fiercely onto her sensual, red lips. Her cheeks slowly grew hot, though her lips remained cool.

It was a long time before Xu Qi’an finally lifted his head, staring blankly at the beauty before him, so close at hand.

Her eyes were long and rounded, the outer corners slightly upturned. Her eyebrows were long and straight, her nose high and elegant, her lips full and well-shaped, the corners exquisitely sculpted.

Her features held both the gentleness of the Central Plains and the sculpted delicacy of a statue.

Xu Qi’an gave a soft sigh, “Truly beautiful.”

Luo Yuheng turned her face away, gritting her teeth. “Might as well just kill you right now.”

Xu Qi’an laughed.

This was the “fear” persona, different from the angry one, the angry persona truly did not want to dual cultivate with him.

But this one, no matter how she resisted in her heart, she would always yield in the end. Different personalities, different weaknesses.

Xu Qi’an’s sturdy waist squeezed in between the two white pythons, and soon enough, ripples spread across the surface of the hot spring pool. With those ripples, a robe, silk trousers, undergarment… floated on the water, drifting with the waves.

An hour later, Luo Yuheng lounged lazily at the edge of the pool, half her body immersed in the water, her bare back snow-white and pristine.

Xu Qi’an, meanwhile, was collecting clothes scattered all over.

“That boy from the Heaven Sect has arrived.”

The National Teacher spoke lazily.

“What is he here for?” Xu Qi’an was taken aback, holding the gathered clothes in his arms, returning to Luo Yuheng’s side, grabbing her slim waist and pressing up close.

Luo Yuheng kicked him away, dressing herself in the water while explaining coolly, “No idea. I ran into him when I was returning to my room. There’s a barrier I set up outside, he can’t see anything here, nor hear a sound.”

As she spoke, she dressed herself neatly.

With a wave of her tiny hand, the National Teacher dried all the water from her clothes in an instant.

She picked up a hairpin, swept up her black hair, and turned to leave.

It always feels as if you’re the man, and I’m the woman being bedded. Now you’re in ‘sage mode’ and just cast me aside… Xu Qi’an griped inwardly.

…

In a warm room, candlelight shone brightly and the brazier burned with a fierce flame.

Xu Qi’an warmed two pots of wine, sitting opposite Li Lingsu as they drank.

Qingxing Garden was not that big, nor small, altogether it had over a dozen courtyards, so finding space for Li Lingsu was nothing, as long as he could cope with the reality.

“What brings you here all of a sudden?” Xu Qi’an took a sip of wine, studying the Holy Son.

He seemed preoccupied, brows knit, looking distracted and absent-minded.

Even though he knew Xu Qi’an and Luo Yuheng had just shared a soak in the hot spring, he was unconcerned and not even a little jealous now.

Hearing Xu Qian’s question, Li Lingsu gave a long sigh and downed his cup in one go:

“Senior, you did not deceive me, my master has truly arrived, and he really does want to take me back.”

He recounted how, after parting, he returned to the inn, discovered the Heaven Sect’s secret signal, and overheard the conversation between Bingyi Yuanjun, Li Miaozhen, and his master Daoist Xuancheng, relaying it all.

“Senior, at least he was the one who raised me. I never expected my master to treat me so.” The Holy Son was overwhelmed with sorrow.

Daoist Xuancheng, the Heaven Sect really keeps its word… Xu Qi’an secretly marvelled at their ways, but on the surface, he looked deeply sympathetic and asked:

“Have you ever thought about why Daoist Xuancheng would treat you this way?”

Because of my damned charm! Li Lingsu said bitterly,

“The Heaven Sect wants me to comprehend Supreme Forgetting of Emotion. I formed so many ties for the sake of understanding ‘emotion’, so I could transcend it. It’s just that my method was unorthodox, they don’t understand, so they think I am wrong.”

“Putting right or wrong aside, there’s a question I’ve always wanted to ask you. You’ve entangled yourself with so many women, have you thought of how they’ll fare in the future?” Xu Qi’an spoke seriously for once, reminding him, “Though people of the jianghu aren’t so sentimental, many support each other, more simply forget one another. Yet, the majority of those women must still care for you, love you.”

He toyed with his cup and said lightly, “So later, when you attain Supreme Forgetting of Emotion, will you cast them aside like old shoes?”

Don’t be too much like Luo Yuheng man, don’t play with fire.

Li Lingsu was taken aback. “Senior, is there some misunderstanding?”

“Hmm?” Xu Qi’an let out a questioning sound from his nose.

Li Lingsu waved his hand. “Senior, you know both Miaozhen’s parents and mine are Heaven Sect disciples. The Heaven Sect cultivates Supreme Forgetting of Emotion, but still allows marriage and for disciples to find Dao companions. Because Supreme Forgetting of Emotion isn’t about being heartless, but about having emotions without being constrained by them, looking down on it all in detachment.

“So, Dao companions in our Sect are more like partners on the path, sharing joys of fish and water, but not clinging like couples in the mundane world. Even the Heavenly Venerable has a Dao companion.

“Thus, I can have Dao companions, and the sect rules don’t limit the number. In the future, even if I take them all back to the Heaven Sect, it doesn’t matter. It’s just that while travelling the jianghu, it would be improper to have a group of women trailing behind me.

“Besides, I am still comprehending Supreme Forgetting of Emotion; if they stayed, they’d only hinder me in forming new ties.”

Are you sure the Dao companion lifestyle in the Heaven Sect is really what your confidantes want? What they want is precisely that mundane clinging and all those “ugh ugh ooh ooh”. Xu Qi’an felt there were too many problems, and did not know where to start rebutting.

If Heaven Sect disciples can have Dao companions, then in the future, could I also become Dao companions with Li Miaozhen?

Unbidden, a scene played out in Xu Qi’an’s mind: Li Miaozhen lay coldly on the bed, expressionless, telling him,

“You’ve got five minutes, I need to cultivate afterwards. Hurry up, keep it quick.”

Did Dao companions in the Heaven Sect really still enjoy dual cultivation…? Xu Qi’an had serious doubts.

“Forget it, let’s drop the subject.”

Xu Qi’an said, “Just stay here in the garden. Your and Li Miaozhen’s, I’ll take care of it. When the time comes, you may need to make certain sacrifices.”

Li Lingsu quickly said, “As long as it’s not my cock, anything’s on the table.”

Of course, in my plan, you’re the key… Xu Qi’an nodded, “Of course not.”

With that, he drained the last of his wine and stepped out.

Outside the door, heavy snow was falling, fluttering everywhere.

…

Late at night, snow danced through the air.

A group of people in black cloaks arrived at Dajiao Square, knocking on the door of the courtyard where Ji Xuan and the others were staying.

These cloaked figures appeared bulky. On closer inspection, one would see many things hidden beneath their cloaks.

When the cold wind blew, the cloaks pressed close, outlining the armour beneath, their gear was peculiar.

The stern, muscular White Tiger opened the gate, glanced at the seven cloaked figures outside, and smiled.

“Azure Dragon, you’ve finally arrived.”

575. Hot spring

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