Comprehensive Martial Arts: My Master is Huang Rong

Chapter 33: Xuanming's Attack

The unexpected yet complete merging deep within the bamboo forest was, for Huang Rong, nothing short of a phoenix-like rebirth.

She felt her body renewed, her internal energy surging like a tide, vast and boundless, filling every limb and bone, as if every inch of her sinews and bones erupted with vibrant life and strength.

What surprised her most was that the fatigue that had long lingered in her heart had vanished along with it.

It was like parting the clouds to see the clear sky, replaced by a vigorous vitality that felt like a complete transformation.

Her once slender cheeks now seemed to be kissed by the spring breeze and rain, becoming a bit fuller. Her plump, oval face had soft lines, exuding a hint of the charming prettiness of her youth.

However, within that prettiness lay the dignified grace unique to a mature woman, like a blooming peony, possessing both vibrant beauty and grandeur, making it impossible for one to harbor frivolous thoughts.

A pair of clear autumn eyes sparkled with brilliance, their gaze flowing like a pool of clear spring water imbued with spiritual energy, or perhaps like tiny scattered stars, insightful of worldly affairs yet pure and transparent.

Deep within her pupils, a fleeting, heart-stopping glint occasionally flashed, the ultimate manifestation of her body's abundant power and full spirit.

She exuded an unparalleled elegance that drew the eye, not through deliberate pretense, but as the ultimate aesthetic state achieved by perfectly formed sinews and a body brimming with Blood Essence. Reserved and profound, yet infinitely charming, it drew people in irresistibly.

Her martial arts realm also seemed to have achieved a breakthrough. Many obscure points in techniques that had once troubled her now became suddenly clear, integrated, and effortlessly mastered.

Yet, this ultimate satisfaction and power of her body, this joy of rebirth like a complete transformation, instantly collapsed and was crushed into pieces before the memories that flooded her mind like a tidal wave.

--Lin Xuan.

Just thinking of that name, the lingering tenderness deep in the bamboo forest, the passionate entanglement of lips and teeth, the ultimate pleasure of her body being completely controlled by him, replayed in her mind like an unforgettable brand, clear and shameful. Every detail, every tremor, was vivid.

During the day, even with the turmoil in her heart, she could, with her strong willpower, bury those unbearable fragments deep within and barely maintain the demeanor and composure of the Beggar's Sect leader.

But when night fell and all was silent, those memories and feelings she had forcibly suppressed would run wild in her mind like untamed horses, making her blush, toss and turn, and unable to sleep.

The influence of the Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique manifested in her exceptionally clearly, almost aggressively. It undeniably twisted her instincts, making her develop an unimaginable "dependence" on that person.

Whenever night came, she would unconsciously recall Lin Xuan's young and resolute figure. His intense gaze seemed to pierce through all illusions, reaching directly into the depths of one's heart, bringing an inexplicable tremor that made her unable to resist drawing closer.

For the next few days, Huang Rong deliberately kept her distance from Lin Xuan. She forced herself to forget those events, as if everything that happened deep in the bamboo forest was merely an absurd spring dream that never occurred. She refocused her attention on Xiangyang City's defenses, pouring all her energy into military arrangements and administrative affairs, attempting to numb herself with busyness and avoid spending too much time alone with Lin Xuan.

She knew that the "craving" for Lin Xuan's unique masculine aura deep within her body still existed, and was even intensifying. Every time they brushed past each other, it would unsettle her, making her instinctively want to get closer. She suppressed this impulse, avoided looking him in the eye, and deliberately kept her tone flatter than usual, even with a hint of imperceptible coldness, trying to build an invisible barrier.

Lin Xuan noticed Huang Rong's distance, but he simply complied silently, becoming even more respectful and courteous, fully embodying the duties of a disciple. He neither overstepped nor retreated.

The new moon hung like a hook in the night sky over Xiangyang City. All was silent within the city, only the wind whistling through the streets, adding a touch of desolation to the quiet.

Lin Xuan and Huang Rong walked side-by-side on the bluestone path, their footsteps making a faint friction sound, the only clear noise in the tranquil night. The night breeze was cool, rustling their robes and bringing a hint of refreshing autumn.

Huang Rong wore a simple, elegant, form-fitting dark black martial arts suit. The fabric was exquisite and close-fitting, accentuating her already graceful and slender figure, making her appear even more slim and toned. The well-fitting material tightly wrapped her curves, outlining her full, high chest, her slender, graspable waist, and her strikingly rounded, perky buttocks, making them faintly visible under the night sky, adding a touch of hazy allure and forbidden beauty.

Her dark hair was tied high with a cloth band, revealing a smooth, full forehead like jade, and her perfect, flawless profile. Her skin was as fair as congealed fat, glowing with a healthy soft sheen under the faint moonlight, appearing almost transparent.

Her eyes remained bright in the night, like two deep sparks, conveying an all-seeing wisdom and the heroic spirit of a female knight. Even with Lin Xuan beside her, the mature charm radiating from her was captivating.

Lin Xuan, still in his blue robe, walked beside Huang Rong, maintaining an appropriate distance, a boundary she deliberately kept, symbolizing their "master-disciple" relationship.

His figure appeared even more upright in the night, surrounded by a faint, clean fragrance, the unique scent naturally emanating from his body after being nourished by the Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique, masculine yet restrained.

Huang Rong felt her body instinctively relax slightly upon sensing that aura, but she immediately tensed her mind, preventing herself from letting down her guard.

"Master, you've worked hard today. Why do you need to patrol personally at night? The city's defenses are already being monitored by disciples and generals," Lin Xuan broke the silence, his voice clear and gentle, as respectful as always.

Huang Rong turned her head, her gaze not meeting Lin Xuan's, merely sweeping forward. Her voice was calm and somewhat perfunctory, "Xiangyang City is in imminent danger, how can I be negligent? Moreover, there are still some subtle details that require my personal confirmation. You have also done very well." There was a hint of imperceptible distance in her tone, as if she wanted to confine the conversation to official matters.

Lin Xuan's heart stirred. He keenly perceived the subtle change in Huang Rong's tone. He said no more, merely following behind her, waiting for an opportunity.

The two walked into a secluded alley on the north side of the city. It was near the city wall, usually deserted, and one of the areas heavily monitored by Lin Xuan's intelligence system.

A faint, unusual scent was carried by the wind into Huang Rong's extremely sensitive nostrils in the night.

"Something's wrong, there's a human scent here," Huang Rong's voice lowered, with obvious alertness. Her eyes instantly became sharp, like a night hawk's, as if darkness could not impede her vision.

Lin Xuan also became alert immediately. He had already detected a slight anomaly in the reconnaissance system, and Huang Rong's keen intuition now confirmed his judgment. He quietly circulated the Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique, his aura concealed, his muscles tensed, ready to react at any moment.

Just then, from the depths of the alley, a black figure, ten feet tall, shot out of the shadows like a ghost without warning. Then came a second figure. Both were lean and exuded a chilling aura, and as soon as they appeared, the surrounding air turned bone-chillingly cold.

"It's the Xuanming Elders!" Huang Rong cried out, her face changing drastically. These two were actually still within Xiangyang City, revealing their audacity and viciousness!

Seeing their cover blown, a hint of anger flashed in their eyes. They had intended to infiltrate stealthily but were detected by Huang Rong and Lin Xuan.

However, since they had been discovered, they showed no fear, their eyes instead gleaming with malice. They knew well that Huang Rong was Guo Jing's weakness; capturing her would be tantamount to severing Guo Jing's arm!

"Little thief! Die!" One of the Xuanming Elders lunged forward like lightning. He feigned a strike with his left palm, while his right palm, having accumulated power for a long time, unleashed a palm strike of extreme yin and cold, carrying a bone-chilling coldness and a sharp whistling sound, directly at Huang Rong's back!

This strike was fast, accurate, and fierce! It was clearly premeditated, aiming for a fatal blow.

Huang Rong was horrified! Although she reacted in time, the Xuanming Elders' palm strike was incredibly venomous and came so suddenly. If she took it head-on, she might be injured, and even if she managed to block it, she would suffer internal injuries.

At the critical moment!

Lin Xuan's reaction was faster than Huang Rong's!

He had no time to think, his body leaping forward almost instinctively, charging forward and blocking Huang Rong with his own back! His movement was swift and decisive, like a fearless eagle, advancing rather than retreating.

"Bang!"

A dull thud echoed as the extreme yin and cold internal energy of the Xuanming Divine Palm struck Lin Xuan's back entirely. The chilling energy, like frozen blades, instantly pierced into Lin Xuan's body, causing him to tremble violently.

Lin Xuan grunted, stumbling forward, and a trace of bright red blood involuntarily spilled from his mouth, a shocking sight in the moonlight.

"Xuan'er!" Huang Rong felt a sharp pain strike Lin Xuan, her heart instantly filled with unspeakable fear and shock! She never expected Lin Xuan to be so reckless, using his own body to shield her from a fatal blow! Her beautiful eyes were filled with worry and disbelief.

The Xuanming Elders were also taken aback by Lin Xuan's sudden intervention. They had expected their palm strike to heavily injure Huang Rong, but they never anticipated this unknown youth would block it with his own body.

However, after their attack, they quickly withdrew, utilizing their Qinggong to vanish into the night like two black lightning bolts, disappearing into the depths of the dense forest in the blink of an eye.

Huang Rong, her shock subsiding, had no time to pursue. Her well-maintained jade hands trembled slightly as she rushed to Lin Xuan. She caught his staggering body, pulling him into a tight embrace, and anxiously examined his injuries.

The night breeze blew her disheveled hair across Lin Xuan's face, carrying her unique, elegant fragrance, now mingled with the scent of her anxious sweat. Her usually perceptive eyes, capable of seeing through everything, now showed unprecedented panic and helplessness.

"Xuan'er! Are you alright?!" Huang Rong's voice trembled with intense fear and heartache, almost a reflex.

Lin Xuan lay half-reclined in Huang Rong's arms, his face so pale it was almost transparent, bloodstains around his lips a shocking sight. He occasionally let out suppressed groans, his chest heaving violently as if enduring immense pain.

He tremblingly reached out, tightly gripping Huang Rong's collar, his gaze hazy yet filled with ultimate love and reluctance, as if trying to imprint her image deeply into his heart.

He spoke with difficulty, his voice hoarse and low, as if using his last ounce of strength, "Master... you're alright... that's good..." His words were disjointed, punctuated by occasional twitches and coughs, as if in unbearable pain, yet his concern for Huang Rong's safety was unwavering.

Huang Rong quickly felt for his pulse. Her internal energy was profound, allowing her to easily detect abnormalities in a person's meridians. However, at this moment, Lin Xuan had suppressed the circulation of the Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique to its limit, only allowing it to subtly convert the Yin-cold internal energy of the Xuanming Divine Palm.

Huang Rong only felt his internal energy in disarray, his heart meridian seemingly damaged, as if invaded by a Yin-cold force. Yet, she did not detect how that Yin-cold force was being converted and absorbed within Lin Xuan's body, vanishing without a trace. Her heart was filled with regret, self-blame, and even greater heartache.

"Xuan'er... how could this happen... why did you block it for me...!" Huang Rong whispered, tears blurring her vision instantly. She had never imagined that this boy, whom she tried to distance herself from, who stirred forbidden emotions within her, would block a fatal blow for her without hesitation, and even on the brink of death, still worry about her safety.

Lin Xuan felt Huang Rong's trembling and tears. He knew his "ruse" had subtly worked, exceeding his expectations.

He slightly turned his head, mustering all his strength, and whispered into Huang Rong's ear as if murmuring, his voice hoarse and weak, "Master... I only feel an icy coldness all over my body... but when I think of Master... a warm current surges in my chest... it seems... it seems this warm current... is what dissolved that Yin-cold..."

He skillfully linked his special resistance to "love," making her mistakenly believe it was deep affection that allowed him to break through his martial arts bottleneck.

Huang Rong's heart was profoundly shaken! She lowered her head abruptly, hugging Lin Xuan tightly, maternal tenderness instantly ignited and overwhelming her. She couldn't tell if Lin Xuan's words in his semi-conscious state were rambling or a true outpouring of his heart.

But regardless, Lin Xuan's "confession" and "sacrifice" had completely shattered her last internal struggle, shame, and resistance.

She no longer viewed the physical stirrings as impure, but elevated them to a deep love and reliance. She caressed Lin Xuan's pale face, feeling the cold sweat on his skin, and an uncontrollable tenderness and pity surged within her.

She held Lin Xuan tighter, her gentle arms now even closer, as if wanting to merge him into her very bones, never to be separated again.

Huang Rong's tears fell like pearls from a broken string, dripping onto Lin Xuan's cheeks. Her voice trembled with unprecedented gentleness and heartache, "Xuan'er... Xuan'er... you foolish child... how could you do this..."

Her heart felt as if it were being twisted by a knife, guilt and heartache instantly engulfing her. Under the moonlight, she held Lin Xuan tightly, her slender figure trembling slightly with worry. The composure and wisdom of the "Female Zhuge" she usually possessed were gone, replaced by the vulnerability of a woman utterly flustered for the one she loved.

What she didn't know was that the Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique had a strong counteracting effect on Yin-cold internal energy. Although Lin Xuan had suffered a shock, he wasn't seriously injured. Everything happening now was merely the beginning of his meticulously planned scheme, a scheme that had already achieved a decisive victory.

Author's Note:

Author's Words: I originally thought about prolonging the struggle between the male lead and Huang Rong, but decided against it. There are many other female characters waiting to appear later. I'll be decisive.

Chapter Thirty-Four: A Thread of Deep Affection

The night wind howled, but the bone-chilling cold did not extinguish the heat in Huang Rong's heart. She tightly held the body in her arms, suddenly cold yet so fragile it tore at her heart like a knife. Lin Xuan's paper-white face, the shocking bloodstains on his lips, and the violent heaving of his chest from intense pain were like blades slicing through Huang Rong's heart.

"Xuan'er... Xuan'er!" she called softly, her voice choked with tears. Her usually clear and melodious voice was now hoarse and off-key. Tears instantly blurred her bright, intelligent eyes. She ignored the darkness of the night and the escape of the Xuanming Elders; all her attention was seized by the young man in her arms.

She only blamed herself for being careless, for failing to anticipate such an ambush, and even more for failing to sense the presence of the Xuanming Elders, allowing her beloved disciple to fall into danger! The pain he suffered because of her pierced her to the core, more unbearable than if she had been injured herself.

Lin Xuan lay half-reclined in Huang Rong's warm embrace, feeling the trembling of her graceful body and hearing her self-reproaching sobs, a slight joy blooming in his heart. He deliberately made his internal energy appear chaotic, making Huang Rong believe his heart meridian was damaged. At the same time, he skillfully suppressed the absorption rate of the Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique on the Xuanming Divine Palm's Yin-cold internal energy, allowing only a small amount of the Yin-cold force to circulate on the surface, creating the illusion of severe injury.

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

He tremblingly reached out, tightly gripping Huang Rong's collar, as if needing to hold onto her to support himself. His usually clear and wise eyes, now hazy and weak, looked at Huang Rong, yet they held an ultimate love and reluctance, as if he wanted to engrave her deeply into his soul.

The night grew deeper, but it could not hide the immense change within Huang Rong's heart. Holding Lin Xuan, she felt how slender yet resilient his body was. He was willing to make such a selfless sacrifice for her! And his confession, tinged with illness, struck the deepest, softest part of her heart.

She recalled past events, from Lin Xuan's astonishing intellect when they first met, to his steady presence when he worked day and night devising strategies for Xiangyang, to his seemingly unintentional thoughtfulness to prevent her from worrying, and those few times his "guidance" had made her heart flutter. She had once considered those physical stirrings taboo, a betrayal of Guo Jing, a desire that should not exist.

But now, when this young man was willing to risk his life for her, when his hidden love was torn open by blood and pain, laid bare before her, she suddenly realized—this was not desire, it was love! It was an irresistible attraction and resonance from the depths of their souls!

She held Lin Xuan tighter, as if wanting to merge him into her body. The guilt and heartache arising from his injury now transformed into surging tenderness and pity. She caressed his cold body, her heart pounding like a drum against her chest, almost breaking free from its confines.

"Xuan'er... my Xuan'er..." Huang Rong murmured softly, her voice trembling with an ineffable tenderness and cherished affection. Her flawless face pressed against Lin Xuan's forehead, her scalding tears moistening his hair. She felt all her defenses, all her struggles, all her shame, crumble and vanish at this moment.

She resisted no longer.

She kissed Lin Xuan's forehead, from his pale skin, down, caressing his handsome brows, his nose, finally pausing on his pale, slightly parted lips. Her kiss was so gentle, filled with infinite tenderness and love, as if she wanted to convey all her warmth to him.

In Huang Rong's arms, Lin Xuan felt her tide-like tenderness and love wash over him. He clearly felt the soft rise and fall of her full breasts, her slender and elastic waist, and the strength with which she held him. A subtle, triumphant smile touched the corner of his lips.

"Master... so cold..." Lin Xuan moaned weakly again, his voice filled with extreme fragility and helplessness. He trembled, shrinking tighter into Huang Rong's embrace, like a wounded cub yearning for a mother's warmth and protection.

Huang Rong's heart tightened. She felt the coldness of Lin Xuan's body, a sign of the Xuanming Divine Palm's Yin-cold energy invading his bones and marrow. She knew she had to take him back to the Guo Mansion immediately to use the pure internal energy of her Nine Yin Manual to dispel the cold and heal his injuries.

She looked around. The alley was quiet, with only the cold moonlight. The Guo Mansion was still some distance away, and she couldn't delay. Her heart was filled with anxiety, yet she was also concerned about Lin Xuan's current weakness.

"Xuan'er... don't be afraid, Master will take you back," Huang Rong said firmly, soothing him gently. She carefully, yet with firm strength, lifted Lin Xuan from the ground. Her slender, delicate body now erupted with astonishing power. She wanted to carry him herself, to heal him, not entrusting him to anyone else. She also didn't want this forbidden emotion to be discovered by others.

She picked up Lin Xuan, adjusting him to a more comfortable position. He leaned lightly in her arms, his head resting on her shoulder. She could clearly feel the weight of his young body and the restless heart beating beneath his chest due to his injury.

She moved with light steps, her toes barely touching the ground, using Qinggong. She was like a graceful stream of light in the night, speeding towards the Guo Mansion. Along the way, Huang Rong held Lin Xuan tighter. Her body pressed closely against Lin Xuan's, feeling the coldness of his skin and his rapid breathing. She continuously transmitted her warmth to him, while mentally pondering how to heal him. The worry almost consumed her reason.

Her full breasts pressed tightly against Lin Xuan's back. That astonishing softness and fullness, felt through the thin clothing, clearly transmitted to Lin Xuan's back. Lin Xuan could even feel the subtle tremors of Huang Rong's body due to her strenuous movement, as well as her unique, intoxicating mature fragrance, now mixed with her anxious sweat, lingering around his nose, never to dissipate.

Every step Huang Rong took was filled with determination. She knew that from this moment on, Lin Xuan was an indispensable part of her life. The desire that once made her feel ashamed now seemed utterly natural. She only wanted to protect this young man, who had risked everything for her, under her wing.

Soon, Huang Rong, carrying Lin Xuan, used Qinggong to return silently to the backyard of the Guo Mansion. She didn't alert any guards, bypassing everyone and heading straight for her boudoir deep in the backyard with Lin Xuan.

Inside the boudoir, candlelight flickered through the gaps in the carved window lattices, casting blurry shadows on the landscape painting hanging on the wall. Huang Rong's usual aloeswood incense burned in the censer, its elegant fragrance now intertwined with the palpable anxiety and anticipation in the air, creating a suffocatingly private atmosphere. Huang Rong gently placed Lin Xuan on the bed, then quickly locked the door from the inside, shutting out all noise and prying eyes.

She walked to the bedside, her slender jade hands trembling slightly. She gently removed Lin Xuan's blood-stained clothes. His black martial arts attire was shed, revealing his strong yet frail body. His skin, under the moon-white silk robe, was almost transparently fair. The spot on his chest where the Xuanming Divine Palm had struck was bruised and purple, a shocking sight. She felt the coldness of his skin and the chaos of his internal energy, her heart growing more anxious. She gently brushed aside his disheveled hair and carefully wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with a warm towel.

She had never cared for anyone so meticulously, not even Guo Jing or Fu'er had received such wholehearted attention from her. At this moment, in her world, only Lin Xuan existed.

She carefully unbuttoned his robes, revealing his slightly thin but firm chest, where a terrifying patch of dark purple was clearly visible. Huang Rong tenderly caressed the bruise, her fingertips trembling. She knew the toxicity of the Xuanming Divine Palm; if not removed promptly, it could leave lasting damage.

Huang Rong brought over a basin of hot water and took out the fine medicinal herbs she had treasured for years from the medicine chest. She skillfully crushed the herbs, brewed them in the hot water, and made a bowl of thick medicinal liquid.

She gently rocked Lin Xuan, helping him lean back into her embrace. She felt that his body temperature was still cold.

"Xuan'er, this medicinal liquid will help you expel the cold and dissolve the toxic bruising. Bear with it for a moment," Huang Rong said softly, bringing the bowl to his lips and feeding him spoonful by spoonful. Her fingertips brushed against his lips, carrying the slight bitterness of the medicine and her unique sweet, faint fragrance, which was now mingled with her inner anxiety.

Lin Xuan's eyes were half-open, and he weakly complied. He felt the warmth of the medicinal liquid, but more than that, he felt Huang Rong's gentleness and care. He knew she was completely under his control.

After Huang Rong finished feeding him the medicine, she rested Lin Xuan's head on her shoulder. She sat down cross-legged, gathered all her internal energy into her palms, and then gently, yet firmly, placed her hands on Lin Xuan's back.

Huang Rong closed her eyes, concentrating. The internal energy from the Nine Yin Manual surged from her palms, like a warm current, slowly permeating Lin Xuan's meridians. She could clearly 'see' the cold energy dissolving bit by bit under the embrace of the warm current, and Lin Xuan's previously chaotic heart meridians gradually stabilized under the nourishment of this pure internal energy.

In Huang Rong's embrace, Lin Xuan felt the warm and gentle aura emanating from her. He felt her slender yet resilient waist, her firm and powerful arms, and the softness of her full chest. The corners of his lips curved upward almost imperceptibly, and a hint of cunning flashed in his eyes. He deliberately guided Huang Rong's internal energy, causing her to deepen the "treatment" on him. He even took the opportunity to subtly adjust the circulation of the Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique, making Huang Rong feel an indescribable tingling and pleasure as she transferred her internal energy, as if his own internal energy, by merging with hers, had also achieved some kind of sublimation.

Huang Rong closed her eyes, feeling the stubborn, cold energy within Lin Xuan's body being dissolved bit by bit by her internal energy. She could feel her internal energy flowing into his body like a trickling stream, and Lin Xuan was absorbing this power.

At the same time, she also felt a strange warm current from deep within her body flowing to Lin Xuan through her fingertips, and then from Lin Xuan's body, through their closely connected skin, feeding back to her, making her meridians more unobstructed and her internal energy seemingly more refined. This unprecedented martial arts experience gave her a strong premonition—Lin Xuan might be the perfect recipient for transmitting power, bestowed by heaven.

She held Lin Xuan, feeling the temperature of his young body gradually rising, while a thousand words surged in her heart. She wanted to tell him how much she pitied him, how grateful she was. She wanted to tell him she could no longer resist the love for him deep within her heart.

Just then, Lin Xuan tightly wrapped his arms around Huang Rong's waist, burying his head in her neck, his voice low and trembling, "Master... I'm so cold..." The sound was like a fine needle, precisely piercing the softest part of Huang Rong's heart.

Huang Rong was overcome with pity. The familial love and maternal tenderness within her were instantly ignited, completely overwhelming her. She held Lin Xuan tightly, hugging his cold body even closer, trying to warm him with her own body heat.

She felt her breathing quicken, her heart pounding like a drum. She knew that from this moment on, she could no longer suppress the feelings deep within her heart for him. That love, once considered taboo by her, was now, on the verge of life and death, completely cleansed by Lin Xuan's blood and sacrifice, sublimated into a pure and fervent emotion.

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

He suddenly raised his head, his clear eyes now filled with intense desire, which he could no longer restrain. He reached out a trembling hand, gently caressing Huang Rong's delicate face, his voice hoarse, "Master... I want you..." He no longer concealed or sought excuses, but fully revealed the fervor in his heart.

Huang Rong trembled at his blatant confession and his burning gaze. Her chest heaved violently, and the only sound in her ears was the roaring of blood rushing through her veins, her eyes hazy. Her cheeks instantly flushed with an alluring crimson, not from shame, but from immense shock and ecstasy.

She looked into Lin Xuan's flame-burning eyes and listened to his sincere, almost desperate confession, feeling her heart completely shattered. Her reason, which she thought was impregnable, vanished in Lin Xuan's ardent gaze.