The Xuanming Elders Attack / A Thread of Deep Affection

Chapter 33: The Xuanming Elders Attack

The unexpected yet complete union deep in the bamboo grove had been a baptism of rebirth for Huang Rong, like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

She felt as if her body had been completely renewed. Her Internal Energy surged like a boundless tide, filling every limb and bone, as though every inch of her body brimmed with vigorous life and strength.

What astonished her most was that the exhaustion that had weighed on her for so long had vanished along with it.

It was as if the clouds had parted to reveal a clear sky, replaced by a vibrant vitality that made her feel reborn.

Her once-gaunt cheeks had grown a little fuller, as if touched by the spring breeze and rain. The soft lines of her plump oval face held a hint of her youthful charm.

Yet that girlish sweetness also held the stately grace unique to a mature woman. Like a peony in full bloom, she was both radiant and dignified, making it difficult to think of her lightly.

Her limpid eyes shone with life. As her gaze shifted, they seemed to hold the spirit of a clear spring and the glimmer of scattered stars, discerning the ways of the world while remaining pure and clear.

Deep in her eyes, an unsettling glint occasionally flickered—the ultimate sign of strength surging within her and her spirit brimming with vitality.

She radiated peerless beauty that drew every eye. It was no deliberate adornment, but the ultimate beauty born of a body perfected from within, its bones and vitality whole. Subtle yet profound, she was irresistibly captivating.

Her martial arts seemed to have made a breakthrough as well. The obscure aspects of many techniques that had once troubled her now seemed crystal clear. She could grasp their meaning and apply them with ease.

Yet all this physical satisfaction and strength, all the joy of being reborn, collapsed in an instant before the memories flooding into her mind, crushed to pieces.

—Lin Xuan.

Whenever she thought of that name, the passionate embrace deep in the bamboo grove, their feverish kisses, and the overwhelming pleasure of being completely under his control would replay in her mind like an indelible brand, vivid and shameful. Every detail and every shiver remained clear.

By day, no matter how turbulent her emotions, she could use her formidable will to bury those sordid memories deep inside and barely maintain the dignity and composure of the Beggar Sect's leader.

But when night fell and all was quiet, the memories and sensations she had forcibly suppressed would run wild through her mind like horses freed from their reins, leaving her flushed and restless, unable to sleep.

The effects of the Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique were strikingly clear in her, almost domineering. It had inexorably twisted her instincts, making her feel an "attachment" to him unlike anything anyone else could imagine.

At night, she would find herself thinking of Lin Xuan's young, resolute figure. His burning eyes seemed able to pierce every illusion and reach the depths of her heart, stirring something inexplicable within her and making it impossible to keep herself from drawing closer.

Over the next few days, Huang Rong deliberately kept her distance from Lin Xuan. She forced herself to forget what had happened, as though everything in the bamboo grove had been nothing but a ridiculous spring dream. She turned her attention back to Xiangyang's defenses, devoting all her energy to military arrangements and administrative matters. She tried to numb herself with work and avoid being alone with Lin Xuan.

She knew that deep inside, her "longing" for Lin Xuan's uniquely masculine aura still remained and was growing stronger. Whenever they passed close by, she became unsettled and instinctively wanted to approach him. She suppressed the impulse, avoided meeting his eyes, and made her tone deliberately flatter than before, even faintly cold. She hoped to build an invisible wall between them.

Lin Xuan noticed Huang Rong's distance, but he silently went along with it, becoming even more respectful and courteous and performing the duties of a disciple to perfection. He neither overstepped nor retreated.

A crescent moon hung high in the night sky above Xiangyang City. The city was silent, with only the wind threading through its streets and alleys, its mournful howl adding to the desolation.

Lin Xuan and Huang Rong walked side by side along a flagstone road. Their footsteps made the only faint sound in the tranquil night. The cool breeze stirred their robes, carrying a crisp touch of autumn.

Huang Rong wore a simple, close-fitting black outfit. Its fine fabric accentuated her already graceful figure, making her look even more slender and lithe. The snug material traced her curves beneath the darkness, outlining the fullness of her breasts, her slender waist, and the astonishing curve of her rounded hips. Their faint outlines added a hazy, forbidden allure.

Her dark hair was tied high with a cloth band, revealing her smooth, full forehead and flawless profile. Her skin was as fair as jade and seemed almost translucent beneath the faint moonlight, glowing with a healthy sheen.

Her eyes remained bright in the darkness, like two deep stars, shining with the wisdom to see through anything and the spirited confidence of a heroine. With Lin Xuan beside her, the maturity and allure she radiated from within were all the more difficult to look away from.

Lin Xuan still wore a green robe. He walked beside Huang Rong at just the right distance—the distance she had deliberately maintained to mark the boundary between "master and disciple."

His figure seemed even more upright in the darkness. A faint, distinctive fragrance surrounded him, the natural scent of a body nourished by the Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique, masculine yet restrained.

Huang Rong sensed that scent, and her body instinctively relaxed a little. But she immediately steeled herself, careful not to let down her guard.

"Master, you've worked hard today. Why make your own rounds at night? The disciples and the generals are already keeping watch over the defenses," Lin Xuan said, breaking the silence. His voice was clear and gentle, as respectful as ever.

Huang Rong turned her head but did not meet Lin Xuan's eyes, merely glancing ahead. Her voice was calm, if somewhat formal. "Xiangyang is in grave danger. How could I neglect my duties? Besides, there are details I still need to check myself. You've done well, too." A trace of distance, barely perceptible, colored her words, as if she wanted to keep the conversation strictly about work.

Lin Xuan's heart stirred. He keenly noticed the subtle change in Huang Rong's tone. He said nothing, merely following quietly behind her and waiting for an opportunity.

They reached a secluded alley in the north of the city. Near the city wall, it was usually deserted and was one of the areas Lin Xuan's surveillance network monitored closely.

A faint, unusual scent drifted on the night breeze and reached Huang Rong's exceptionally sensitive nose.

"Something's wrong. There's a stranger's scent here." Huang Rong lowered her voice, unmistakably alert. Her eyes instantly sharpened like a night hawk's, as if even the darkness could not block her sight.

Lin Xuan immediately went on guard as well. His surveillance network had already picked up a trace of unusual activity, and Huang Rong's keen instincts now confirmed his suspicions. He silently circulated the Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique, drawing in his aura and tensing his muscles, ready to react at any moment.

At that moment, a towering black figure suddenly sprang from the depths of the alley, emerging from the shadows like a ghost. A second figure followed. Both men were lean, and their auras were icy; the moment they appeared, the air around them turned bitterly cold.

"The Xuanming Elders!" Huang Rong cried out, her expression changing. The two men were still inside Xiangyang City. How brazen—and how vicious!

Seeing that they had been discovered, the two men flashed with annoyance. They had intended to sneak in unnoticed, but Huang Rong and Lin Xuan had spotted them.

But now that they had been found, they felt no fear. Instead, their eyes gleamed with malice. They knew that Huang Rong was Guo Jing's weak point. Capturing her would be like cutting off one of his arms!

"Brat! Die!" One of the Xuanming Elders shot forward like lightning. His left palm was a feint, while his right palm, charged for some time, unleashed a force of utmost yin and cold. With a bone-piercing chill and a shrill whistle, it struck straight at Huang Rong's back.

The attack was fast, precise, and ruthless. Clearly, it had been planned in advance to kill her with a single blow.

Huang Rong was horrified! She reacted quickly, but the Xuanming Elders' palm force was so vicious and had come so unexpectedly that meeting it head-on risked injury. Even if she managed to block it, she would still suffer internal damage.

At that critical moment—

Lin Xuan reacted faster than Huang Rong!

He had no time to think. Almost by instinct, he leaped forward and threw himself in front of Huang Rong, using his own back to shield her! His movement was swift and decisive. Like an eagle that feared no death, he charged forward instead of retreating.

Thud!

The full force of the Xuanming Divine Palm, its power of utmost yin and cold, struck Lin Xuan in the back. The icy energy stabbed into his body like a blade of frozen steel, making him shudder violently.

Lin Xuan grunted. His body lurched forward, and a streak of bright red blood escaped his lips, stark against the moonlight.

"Xuan'er!" A sharp pain seemed to strike Huang Rong as Lin Xuan was hit, and her heart instantly filled with indescribable fear and shock! She had never imagined he would risk everything, using his flesh and blood to shield her from a deadly blow! Worry and disbelief filled her beautiful eyes.

The Xuanming Elders were also stunned by Lin Xuan's sudden intervention. They had thought the strike would seriously injure Huang Rong, never expecting the unknown young man to take it with his own body.

But after landing the hit, they quickly withdrew, using their Lightness Skill to flee like two streaks of black lightning. In the blink of an eye, they vanished into the night and escaped into the woods.

Still shaken, Huang Rong did not pursue them! Her beautifully cared-for jade hands trembled as she rushed to Lin Xuan. She caught his swaying body and held him tightly, anxiously examining his injuries.

The night wind blew her disheveled hair across Lin Xuan's face, carrying her distinctive, refined fragrance. Now it mingled with the sweat of her anxiety. Her bright eyes, usually able to see through anything, were filled with unprecedented panic and helplessness.

"Xuan'er! How are you?!" Huang Rong's voice trembled with fear and heartache, the words bursting from her before she could stop them.

Half-reclining in Huang Rong's arms, Lin Xuan was so pale he seemed almost translucent. The blood at his lips was shocking to see. He let out the occasional stifled groan, his chest heaving as if he were suffering terrible pain.

He tremblingly reached out and clutched Huang Rong's lapel. His eyes were unfocused, yet filled with overwhelming love and reluctance, as if he wanted to imprint her deep in his heart.

He struggled to speak, his voice hoarse and low, as though he were using the last of his strength. "Master... as long as you're... all right..." His words came in broken fragments, punctuated by the occasional spasm and muffled cough. He seemed to be in terrible pain, yet could think of nothing but her safety.

Huang Rong quickly felt for his pulse. Her Internal Energy was so profound that she could easily detect any disturbance in the meridians. But Lin Xuan had suppressed the circulation of the Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique to the utmost, allowing it only to secretly transform the frigid force of the Xuanming Divine Palm.

She could sense that his energy was disordered and his heart meridian seemed damaged, as if invaded by a frigid force. But she could not detect how that cold energy was being transformed and absorbed inside Lin Xuan, vanishing without a trace. Her heart filled with regret, self-reproach, and tenderness.

"Xuan'er... how could this happen? Why did you take the blow for me...?" Huang Rong wept softly, tears instantly blurring her vision. She had never imagined that the young man she had tried to distance herself from, the one who had stirred forbidden feelings in her, would risk everything to take a deadly blow for her—and still worry about her safety as he hovered between life and death.

Lin Xuan felt Huang Rong trembling and heard her tearful sobs. He knew that his "play for sympathy" had quietly worked, and more than he had expected.

He turned his head slightly and gathered all his strength to murmur in Huang Rong's ear. His voice was hoarse and weak. "Master... I feel ice-cold all over... but whenever I think of you... warmth wells up in my chest... It seems... it seems that warmth was what dispelled the cold..."

He cleverly linked his unusual resistance to "love," leading her to believe that the depth of his feelings had broken through a martial arts bottleneck.

Huang Rong's heart shook! She abruptly lowered her head and held Lin Xuan tightly, maternal tenderness rising up and completely overwhelming her. She could not tell whether he was babbling in a daze or speaking from the depths of his heart.

But whatever the truth, Lin Xuan's "confession" and "sacrifice" had shattered the last of her resistance, shame, and misgivings.

She stopped thinking of the stirrings in her body as something filthy, instead seeing them as a profound love and attachment. She caressed Lin Xuan's pale face and felt his cold sweat, her heart filling with uncontrollable tenderness and pity.

She held Lin Xuan tightly, her gentle arms closing around him even more firmly, as if she wanted to merge him into her very bones and blood and never be parted from him again.

Huang Rong's tears fell like broken pearls, landing on Lin Xuan's cheek. Her voice trembled with a tenderness and concern she had never shown before. "Xuan'er... Xuan'er... you foolish boy... how could you do that...?"

Her heart twisted with pain, and guilt and worry overwhelmed her in an instant. Beneath the moonlight, she clung to Lin Xuan. Her slender figure trembled with worry, no longer composed and wise, no longer the "female Zhuge" she usually was. She was simply a vulnerable woman, utterly thrown into disarray by fear for the man she loved.

What she did not know was that the Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique was exceptionally effective against frigid energy. Though Lin Xuan had been shaken by the blow, he had not suffered serious injury. Everything happening now was merely the beginning of his carefully laid plan, and that plan had already quietly achieved a decisive victory.

Author's note:

Author's note: I was going to have the male lead and Huang Rong keep dancing around each other, but then I thought, forget it. There are plenty of other women waiting to appear later. Better to be decisive.

Chapter 34: A Thread of Deep Affection

The night wind howled, but its bone-chilling cold could not dispel the warmth burning in Huang Rong's heart. She clung tightly to the body in her arms, suddenly cold and so fragile that it made her heart twist with pain. Lin Xuan's paper-pale face, the shocking smear of blood at his lips, and the heaving of his chest from the agony—all of it cut into Huang Rong's heart like a blade.

"Xuan'er... Xuan'er!" she called softly, her voice choked with tears. The clear, pleasant voice that usually rang out so brightly was now hoarse and broken. Tears blurred her lively, clever eyes. She paid no attention to the darkness or the Xuanming Elders' escape; all her thoughts were fixed on the young man in her arms.

She could only blame herself for being careless, for failing to anticipate such an ambush. Worse, she had failed to detect the Xuanming Elders' presence and let her beloved disciple fall into danger! The fact that he had been hurt because of her tore at her heart. She could scarcely bear it—far more than if she had been the one injured.

Half-reclining in Huang Rong's warm embrace, Lin Xuan felt her graceful body trembling and heard her sobbing in self-reproach. He was secretly pleased. He deliberately made his energy disorderly to convince her his heart meridian was damaged, while cleverly suppressing the Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique's absorption of the Xuanming Divine Palm's frigid energy. He let just a little of the cold seep across the surface, creating the illusion that his injuries were severe.

He knew this was the perfect opportunity to completely break down Huang Rong's defenses and make her accept his feelings.

He tremblingly reached out and clutched Huang Rong's lapel, as if he needed to hold on to her to keep himself upright. His normally clear, perceptive eyes now gazed at her hazily and weakly, yet with overwhelming love and reluctance, as if he wanted to carve her deep into his soul.

The night grew darker, but it could not conceal the upheaval inside Huang Rong. Holding Lin Xuan, she felt how slight his body was, yet how resolute. He had been willing to make such an utterly selfless sacrifice for her! And his delirious confession struck straight at the softest part of her heart.

She thought of all that had happened: the dazzling talent Lin Xuan had shown when they first met, his steady dedication as he worked day and night to help Xiangyang, his quiet thoughtfulness when he pretended not to care so she would not worry, and the several times he had stirred her heart with his "guidance." She had once regarded the stirrings in her body as forbidden, a betrayal of Guo Jing, a desire that should never have existed.

But now, as this young man risked his life for her and his hidden love was laid bare before her, torn open by blood and pain, she finally understood—this was not desire. It was love! An irresistible attraction and harmony deep in their souls!

She held Lin Xuan even more tightly, as if she wanted to merge him with her own body. The guilt and heartache she felt at his injury now became a rush of tenderness and compassion. She stroked his cold body, her heart pounding against her chest as if it would burst free.

"Xuan'er... my Xuan'er..." Huang Rong murmured, her voice trembling with a tenderness and affection beyond words. Her flawless cheek pressed against Lin Xuan's forehead, and her scalding tears dampened his hair. She felt all her defenses, all her resistance, all her shame collapse in an instant, leaving nothing behind.

She no longer resisted.

She kissed Lin Xuan's forehead, then moved down from his pale skin, caressing his handsome brows and eyes, his nose, and finally his pale, parted lips. Her kiss was so gentle, full of tenderness and love, as if she wanted to give him every bit of warmth she possessed.

In Huang Rong's arms, Lin Xuan felt her tenderness and affection wash over him like a tide. He could clearly feel the softness of her full breasts rising and falling, her slender, supple waist, and the strength of her embrace. A faint, triumphant smile tugged at his lips, almost imperceptibly.

"Master... I'm so cold..." Lin Xuan groaned weakly again, his voice filled with utter vulnerability and helplessness. Trembling, he curled even tighter into Huang Rong's arms, like a wounded cub yearning for its mother's warmth and protection.

Huang Rong's heart tightened. She could feel the coldness of Lin Xuan's body, a sign that the frigid energy of the Xuanming Divine Palm had entered his bones. She knew she had to take him back to the Guo Mansion at once and use the refined Internal Energy of her Nine Yin Manual to drive out the chill and treat his injuries.

She looked around. The alley was deserted, and the moonlight cold. The Guo Mansion was still some distance away; she could not afford to waste time. She was desperately worried, and mindful of how weak Lin Xuan was.

"Xuan'er... don't be afraid. I'll take you back." Huang Rong soothed him gently, her tone firm. She carefully but forcefully lifted Lin Xuan from the ground and into her arms. Her delicate body summoned astonishing strength. She would carry him herself and treat his injuries with her own hands. She did not want to entrust him to anyone else—or let anyone notice this forbidden affection.

She lifted Lin Xuan and adjusted him into a more comfortable position. He rested lightly against her, his head on her shoulder. She could feel the weight of his young body and the restless beat of his injured heart beneath his chest.

She moved with light steps, touching the ground with the tips of her feet as she used her Lightness Skill. Like a graceful streak of light in the night, she sped toward the Guo Mansion. Along the way, Huang Rong held Lin Xuan even closer. Their bodies pressed tightly together, and she felt the chill of his skin and the urgency of his breathing. As she kept trying to pass her warmth to him, she repeatedly considered how to treat his injuries. Her worry nearly swallowed up her reason.

Her full breasts pressed tightly against Lin Xuan's back. Their astonishing softness and fullness came through the thin fabric with unmistakable clarity. He could even feel the slight tremor of Huang Rong's body as she hurried along, as well as her intoxicating, distinctive mature fragrance. Mixed now with the sweat of her anxiety, it lingered at his nose, refusing to fade.

Every one of Huang Rong's steps was resolute. She knew that from this moment on, Lin Xuan was an indispensable part of her life. The longing that had once shamed her now seemed entirely natural. All she wanted was to protect the young man who had risked his life for her beneath her own wings.

Before long, Huang Rong carried Lin Xuan back to the rear courtyard of the Guo Mansion using her Lightness Skill. She did not alert any guards. Avoiding everyone, she went straight to her own bedroom deep in the rear courtyard.

Inside, candlelight flickered through the carved window lattice, casting blurry shadows of the landscape paintings on the walls. The incense Huang Rong usually burned smoldered in the burner. Its refined fragrance mingled with the tension and anticipation in the air, creating an intensely private atmosphere. Huang Rong gently laid Lin Xuan on the bed, then quickly turned and locked the door, shutting out all noise and prying eyes.

She went to the bedside. Her slender jade hands trembled as she gently removed Lin Xuan's bloodstained clothes. His black outfit came off, revealing his strong yet weakened body. Beneath his pale robes, his skin was almost translucent. The spot on his chest where the Xuanming Divine Palm had struck was a shocking purple bruise. She felt the coldness of his skin and the disorder in his energy, and her worry deepened. She gently brushed his disheveled hair aside and carefully wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with a warm towel.

She had never cared for anyone so attentively—not even Guo Jing or Fu'er had ever received such complete attention from her. At that moment, Lin Xuan was all that mattered in her world.

She carefully opened his lapel, revealing his somewhat lean but solid chest, marked by a frightening purple bruise. Huang Rong stroked the bruise tenderly, her fingertips trembling. She knew the poison of the Xuanming Divine Palm could cause lasting harm if it was not removed in time.

Huang Rong brought over a basin of hot water and took precious medicinal ingredients from her medicine chest. She skillfully ground them up and put them in the hot water to brew, preparing a bowl of thick medicinal liquid.

She gently shook Lin Xuan until he was half-reclining in her arms. She could feel that his body was still cold.

"Xuan'er, this medicine will help drive out the chill and neutralize the poison in your bruises. Bear with it." Huang Rong spoke softly, bringing the medicine to his lips and feeding it to him one spoonful at a time. Her fingertips brushed his lips, carrying the bitter taste of the medicine and her own distinctive sweet fragrance, now mingled with her anxiety.

Lin Xuan's eyes were half open. He weakly allowed her to feed him. He felt the medicine's warmth, but Huang Rong's gentleness and care meant more. He knew she was completely under his control.

After feeding him the medicine, Huang Rong rested Lin Xuan's head against her shoulder. She sat cross-legged and gathered all her Internal Energy in her palms. Then, gently but firmly, she pressed both hands against his back.

Huang Rong closed her eyes and focused. The Nine Yin Manual's Internal Energy flowed from her palms like a warm current, slowly penetrating Lin Xuan's extraordinary meridians. She could clearly "see" the frigid energy gradually dissolving within the warm current's embrace, while Lin Xuan's disordered heart meridian slowly settled under the nourishment of her refined energy.

In Huang Rong's arms, Lin Xuan felt her warm, gentle aura. He felt her slender, supple waist, her firm and powerful arms, and the softness of her full breasts. The corner of his mouth lifted almost imperceptibly, and a sly glint crossed his eyes. He deliberately guided Huang Rong's energy to deepen her "treatment." He even subtly adjusted the circulation of the Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique, so that as she sent him her Internal Energy, her body felt an indescribable tingling pleasure, as if her own energy were being elevated as it merged with his.

With her eyes closed, Huang Rong felt the stubborn cold within Lin Xuan being gradually dispelled by her Internal Energy. She could sense her energy flowing into his body like a gentle stream, while Lin Xuan absorbed it as well.

At the same time, she felt a strange warmth deep inside her body, flowing from her fingertips to Lin Xuan, then from his body back to her through the skin pressed tightly against his. It left her meridians more open and her Internal Energy seemingly more refined. This unprecedented martial arts experience gave her a powerful premonition: Lin Xuan might be the perfect recipient of her Internal Energy, granted by heaven itself.

She held Lin Xuan and felt the warmth gradually return to his young body, yet countless words stirred in her heart. She wanted to tell him how much his injury pained her and how grateful she was. She wanted to tell him she could no longer resist the love she felt for him deep inside.

Just then, Lin Xuan wrapped his arms tightly around Huang Rong's waist and buried his face against her neck. His voice was low and trembling. "Master... I'm so cold..." His words pierced the softest part of Huang Rong's heart like a tiny needle.

Huang Rong's heart ached beyond measure. Her deep affection and maternal tenderness surged up and overwhelmed her completely. She hugged Lin Xuan tightly in return, holding his cold body even closer and trying to warm him with her own body heat.

She felt her breathing quicken and her heart pound. She knew that from this moment on, she could no longer suppress her feelings for him. The love she had once considered forbidden was now, on the edge of life and death, cleansed by Lin Xuan's blood and sacrifice, transformed into a pure and fervent passion.

Lin Xuan felt Huang Rong's body trembling, her tight embrace, and her hot tears. He knew the time had come.

He suddenly lifted his head. His clear eyes now burned with intense desire, and he could no longer hold back. Trembling, he reached out and gently touched Huang Rong's beautiful face. His voice was hoarse. "Master... I want you." He no longer hid his feelings or made excuses; instead, he laid his burning desire bare.

Huang Rong's body trembled at his blunt confession and burning gaze. Her chest heaved, the thunder of rushing blood filled her ears, and her eyes grew hazy. A tempting flush instantly spread over her cheeks—not from shame, but from overwhelming shock and joy.

She looked into the fire burning in Lin Xuan's eyes and heard the sincere, almost desperate confession in his voice. She felt her heart utterly break. The reason she had thought indestructible vanished beneath Lin Xuan's passionate gaze.