Contrast and Allure

Lu Xia turned to the crowd and continued,

"Before Master entered seclusion, he specifically explained that the Sky Centipede Poison had been successfully refined. He needed to refine it in seclusion and take the opportunity to break through to the Dou Zong realm."

"Madam and I both know about this. Master even gave his personal token to Madam."

As he spoke, he looked at Dugu Mei. "Madam, take out Master's token and let the elders have a look."

Dugu Mei froze for a moment before understanding. She quickly took a black token from her robes.

A savage Heavenly Centipede was engraved upon it. It was Wu Ya's Manor Lord token.

Lu Xia had given it to her yesterday, originally just in case. He had not expected it to actually come in handy today.

"Elders, please look."

Dugu Mei raised the token and displayed it to everyone.

The expressions of several elders changed when they saw the token.

It really was the Manor Lord token!

This token was Wu Ya's personal possession and never left his side.

Could it really... have been the Manor Lord's own order?

The elders looked at one another, speechless.

With the Manor Lord token in hand and Lu Xia, his direct disciple, as a witness, any further doubts would mean defying the Manor Lord.

After a moment of silence, the First Elder rose to his feet first and cupped his hands toward Dugu Mei.

"Since it is the Manor Lord's order, we shall naturally obey. From now on, we will have to trouble Madam with the manor's affairs."

Since even the First Elder had yielded, the other elders naturally did not dare say anything more. They rose and bowed in succession.

"We obey the Manor Lord's orders and are willing to follow Madam's commands."

A satisfied smile appeared on Dugu Mei's face, and she nodded.

"Very good. Rest assured, elders. The Manor Lord has merely entered seclusion and will emerge before long."

"During this time, the manor's affairs will proceed according to the old rules. Each elder need only perform his own duties."

"If there is nothing else, you may leave."

"Yes."

The elders left the hall one after another.

Everyone in the hall had left, leaving only Lu Xia and Dugu Mei behind.

Dugu Mei, who had been overwhelmingly forceful and commanding moments ago, instantly softened.

She turned and walked toward Lu Xia, a seductive smile on her face.

"Young Master, you were incredible just now~ A few words, and you completely intimidated those old geezers."

As she spoke, she naturally hooked her arm around Lu Xia's, pressing her entire body against him.

Softness pressed against him through their clothes, accompanied by a faint fragrance, making Lu Xia's arm stiffen.

He glanced down at the fullness pressed against his arm and silently cursed her as a temptress.

Just moments ago, she had been a formidable woman who had left the elders afraid to speak. Now she had turned into this seductive little thing. That contrast was simply deadly.

"You played your part rather well."

Lu Xia spoke lightly, amusement in his voice.

"That is only because Young Master taught me so well~"

Dugu Mei giggled seductively, continually pressing closer to him. The snowy peaks before her chest deliberately brushed his arm, her voice utterly bewitching.

"If Young Master had not supported me from the side, I truly would not have been able to suppress those old geezers."

She looked up at Lu Xia, her eyes shimmering as she breathed fragrance upon him. "Young Master, you are truly amazing. I almost worship you to death."

Lu Xia was a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old youth, full of vigor and blood.

He had just gotten rid of Wu Ya, a grave threat weighing on his mind, yesterday. He was already in a good mood, and now this exquisitely beautiful woman was tempting him. Who could resist that?

Nor was he some righteous gentleman.

Since she had delivered herself to his door, why would he refuse?

A curve formed at Lu Xia's lips. He wrapped an arm around Dugu Mei's waist and gave a slight tug, lifting her into his arms.

"Ah!"

Dugu Mei cried out in surprise and instinctively wrapped her arms around Lu Xia's neck. A bashful flush appeared on her face, while seduction filled her eyes.

"Young Master, what are you doing~"

She pouted coquettishly, her voice soft and boneless.

"What do you think?"

Holding her in his arms, Lu Xia strode toward the bedroom in the rear courtyard, amusement in his voice.

"Temptress, since you came to me willingly, I will not hold back."

"Young Master is so bad~"

Dugu Mei giggled and deliberately wriggled in his arms. The soft fullness of her chest rubbed against him, setting his heart ablaze.

His pace quickened without him realizing it.

Before long, they reached Dugu Mei's bedroom.

Lu Xia kicked the door open, carried her inside, and shut it behind them with a backhand.

The crimson curtains hung low, and spring filled the chamber.

Their battle raged until heaven and earth seemed dark, until sun and moon lost their light.

Dugu Mei truly was a peerless seductress. She understood men's hearts best, pleasing him in every way with endless tenderness and charm, serving Lu Xia until he was thoroughly satisfied.

As a powerhouse at the Dou Emperor Peak, Lu Xia possessed astonishing stamina. Fierce as a dragon and vigorous as a tiger, he only grew bolder as the battle continued.

Not until the sun had set did the sounds in the bedroom gradually subside.

Within the crimson curtains, the lingering warmth had yet to fade.

Dugu Mei lay snugly against Lu Xia like a docile kitten, her fingertips lightly tracing his chest. A satisfied flush colored her face, and lazy contentment filled her brows and eyes.

This time, Lu Xia had made her submit completely, body and heart alike.

His terrifying strength, the sharp brilliance of youth, and a composure and depth far beyond his age intertwined into a fatal attraction for her.

"Young Master..."

Dugu Mei raised her head and gazed at Lu Xia's sharply defined profile, her voice soft and sultry. "You are so amazing. You nearly wore me apart."

As she spoke, she deliberately snuggled closer into his arms, her soft body pressed against his.

Lu Xia glanced down at her. A faint curve touched his lips as he lifted her chin, his tone teasing.

"What? You are already done? Who was the one crying that she wanted more just now?"

Dugu Mei's face reddened. She gave him a coquettish slap. "Young Master is terrible, making fun of me."

Lu Xia suddenly put away his smile, sat up, and leaned against the headboard.

Dugu Mei froze for a moment, then sat up as well. Leaning against his shoulder, she asked softly,

"Young Master, what is it?"

"I need to tell you something."

Lu Xia looked at the night beyond the window, his tone calm.

"I plan to leave Wu Tian Manor for a while."

"What?!"

Dugu Mei's expression changed. She abruptly sat upright, and the languid smile vanished from her face in an instant.

"Young Master is leaving? Where are you going? Why do you have to leave?"

Panic instantly seized her heart.

She had only just managed to latch onto Lu Xia, this powerful support, and had not even had time to enjoy the benefits before he was leaving?

What was she supposed to do?

If Wu Ya's death were exposed, those elders would definitely not let her off!

And if Lu Xia left and never returned, would all her efforts not have been for nothing?

"Young Master, you cannot leave!"

Dugu Mei grabbed Lu Xia's arm, her tone urgent.

"If you leave, what about the elders in the manor? They already refuse to accept me. If they learn that you have left, they will definitely stir up trouble!"

"And... and if Wu Ya's death is exposed, I cannot handle it alone!"

The more she spoke, the more anxious she became. Her eyes reddened as though she had suffered an immense grievance.

"Then... Young Master, take me with you?"

She looked at Lu Xia cautiously, pleading in her eyes. "I can do anything. I can serve Young Master and absolutely will not hold you back!"