Admiring the Moon with Master in the Back Mountain Late at Night

Sure enough, a minute later.

[System Notification: Group member Feng Qing'er has claimed your red packet.]

A slight curve tugged at the corner of Lu Jiuyuan's mouth.

[Feng Qing'er: Hmph! Don't get cocky. I'm only accepting this for now; it doesn't mean I submit to you.]

[Lu Jiuyuan: Suit yourself!]

[Feng Qing'er: Hmph!]

Then, her avatar went dark, indicating she had gone offline.

Lu Jiuyuan looked at that "Hmph" and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

This Feng Qing'er, she says she doesn't submit, but her actions are certainly honest.

[Lu Jiuyuan: Remember to go explain your behavior from earlier, otherwise I can't guarantee you'll be able to get your hands on any future treasures!]

After sending this message, Lu Jiuyuan also went offline.

Late at night.

Lu Jiuyuan lay in bed, staring at the pitch-black ceiling, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

In his mind, the image of Lu Xueqi's smile by the lake during the day flickered, followed by the chattering messages from those women in the group, and then the upcoming trip to the Southern Border in a few days.

He sighed and sat up.

If he couldn't sleep, he wouldn't force it.

He threw on his outer robe and pushed the door open.

The moonlight was beautiful.

The cold, clear moonlight bathed the mountain path, and the bamboo forest cast shadows of varying depths in the moonlight.

Lu Jiuyuan walked slowly along the path, and before he knew it, he had reached the back mountain of Xiaozhu Peak.

At this moment, a person was sitting on the bluestone platform.

Her white clothes were like snow, and her jet-black hair was lifted by the night breeze, fluttering in the moonlight.

Lu Jiuyuan's footsteps faltered.

Why was his master, Shuiyue, here?

He wanted to retreat quietly, but he saw Shuiyue turn her head slightly, her voice drifting over calmly: "Since you're here, come over and sit for a while."

Lu Jiuyuan paused for a moment, then stepped forward.

As he drew closer, he could clearly see Shuiyue's attire for the evening; the sect leader, who was always dressed strictly, was currently wearing only a nightgown as thin as a cicada's wing.

The fabric was so sheer that the moonlight shone through it, faintly revealing the exquisite curves beneath, captivating the soul.

Lu Jiuyuan's gaze was burning, unable to look away, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

He stood behind Shuiyue, and the night breeze brought with it the faint, lingering fragrance from her body.

Seeing her thin shoulders shiver slightly, Lu Jiuyuan did not hesitate; he quickly took off his own outer robe and draped it gently over her.

Shuiyue was slightly startled. She looked down at the robe that had appeared on her shoulders, then looked up at Lu Jiuyuan.

In the moonlight, this young disciple had gentle features and an upright gaze, devoid of any hint of profanity.

"You are thoughtful." Shuiyue looked at him, dressed only in his thin undergarments, and smiled faintly. "But what about you?"

"Master need not worry, I do not fear the cold." Lu Jiuyuan sat down beside her, maintaining a perfectly appropriate distance. "The night wind is chilly, why is Master here alone?"

Shuiyue was silent for a moment, then said softly: "I couldn't sleep."

"Neither could I."

The two sat side by side, gazing at the same full moon.

The night breeze brushed past, and the bamboo forest rustled.

In the distance, a night bird cried out, long and lonely.

"Jiuyuan."

"This disciple is here."

"Are you afraid?" Shuiyue asked suddenly.

Lu Jiuyuan turned his head to look at her: "Afraid of what?"

"The Southern Border." Shuiyue gazed at the moon, her voice calm. "The Beast God is awakening, and the world will soon be in chaos."

"Fenxiang Valley is eyeing us covetously, and the remnants of the Demon Sect are stirring."

"This journey will be fraught with unpredictable dangers."

Lu Jiuyuan thought for a moment and answered earnestly: "I am not afraid."

"Why?"

"Because I can win."

Shuiyue was stunned for a moment, then let out a soft chuckle.

The laughter was light, yet it felt far more vibrant than her usual composed demeanor.

"You child..." She shook her head, "You certainly are confident."

"It is not confidence," Lu Jiuyuan said earnestly, "It is a fact."

Shuiyue turned to look at him, her gaze carrying a hint of complexity.

Under the moonlight, the profile of this disciple was sharp and well-defined, with a natural air of composure between his brows.

Taiqing Realm mid-stage; since the founding of the Qingyun Sect, there had never been such a young practitioner in the Taiqing Realm.

He was handsome, talented, dependable, responsible, and even gentle and considerate—this kind of man was simply the perfect dream lover.

If she were a few decades younger, she might have been willing to marry him!

Wait!!!

What was she thinking? He was her own disciple.

Shuiyue pulled back her thoughts, stealing a glance at Lu Jiuyuan's profile from the corner of her eye.

The night breeze rose again, stirring her hair.

Shuiyue gathered her outer robe, suddenly feeling a wave of drowsiness.

For some reason, beside this disciple, she felt a rare sense of peace.

The pressures of being a Peak Master, the worries for the world, and the loneliness hidden deep in her heart all seemed less important in this moment.

"Jiuyuan."

"I am here, Master."

"Regarding the Southern Border..." Her voice gradually lowered, "I entrust that girl, Xueqi, to you."

"I will take care of her."

"That girl Wen Min, though she has no filter, has a kind heart... please look after her as well."

"I understand."

"And you yourself..." Shuiyue's voice grew softer and softer, "Be careful."

Lu Jiuyuan gave a soft "hmm" and turned his head to look at her.

Under the moonlight, Shuiyue's eyes were already closed, her eyelashes casting faint shadows on her eyelids.

She leaned against his shoulder, her breathing gradually becoming long and steady.

She had fallen asleep.

Lu Jiuyuan did not move.

He sat there, letting her lean on him.

The night breeze continued to blow, and he reached out to pull up the robe that had slipped, covering her properly.

The moonlight, like water, spilled over them both.

Lu Jiuyuan gazed at the moon on the horizon, suddenly thinking of the women in the group.

They were all stunning, all extraordinary.

But at this moment, the person leaning on his shoulder was someone else.

She was the Peak Master of Xiaozhu Peak.

She was his elder in the sect.

She was an ordinary woman who couldn't sleep in the dead of night and stared at the moon in a daze.

He lowered his head slightly to look at the person sleeping soundly on his shoulder.

Shuiyue's sleeping face was serene, her brows relaxed, and there seemed to be a faint, lingering smile at the corners of her mouth.

[Ding—Group Message.]

[Feng Qing'er: Group Leader, are you there? @Lu Jiuyuan]

[Yun Yun: Perhaps he is sleeping?]

[Feng Qing'er: Sleeping, my foot! I'm suffering from insomnia!]

[Yun Yun: Insomnia +1]

[Medusa: Insomnia +2]

[Bibi Dong: What do you think the Group Leader is doing?]

[Medusa: I guess the Group Leader might be keeping a beauty company? (Smirk)]

[Feng Qing'er: How could the Group Leader have a beauty with him? He's such a dense guy!]

Lu Jiuyuan glanced at the chat group messages, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.

He looked down at the sleeping Shuiyue on his shoulder, then glanced at the rowdy group of women, suddenly finding it all rather amusing.

He freed one hand and sent a reply in the group chat.

[Lu Jiuyuan: I am indeed keeping a beauty company.]

[Lu Jiuyuan: A very special beauty.]

[Lu Jiuyuan: You all should get some sleep, goodnight.]

[Feng Qing'er: What? You're actually keeping a beauty company? What beauty could be more beautiful than us?]

[Bibi Dong: @Lu Jiuyuan, you've gone too far!]

After saying that, he closed the group chat, leaving that group of women to blow up behind his back.

Lu Jiuyuan looked down at the person sleeping soundly on his shoulder, hesitated for a moment, and shifted his body slightly.

Shuiyue furrowed her brows, nuzzled into his shoulder to find a more comfortable position, and continued to sleep.