Even if they were going to fool around, they couldn't do it here!
Xiaohuan would be coming over soon to help the young master dress.
Xiaotang's thoughts tangled like hemp, her imagination running wild.
If the young master insisted, should I let him?
He practices martial arts and is so sturdy. I probably couldn't resist anyway. I might as well give in...
"Are you out of strength?"
Lu Sui asked softly:
"Then switch places for me. Massage here."
He took those fair, tender hands and placed them against his temples.
"Oh, oh... yes, young master."
Xiaotang's suspended heart settled back into place, but her face burned fiercely. She hurriedly pressed her fingertips to the sides of Lu Sui's head, kneading slowly with just the right pressure.
Sure enough, being a young master only feels right when you tease the little maids.
The corners of Lu Sui's mouth lifted in silent amusement, and he turned his thoughts back to the ancient temple.
Both shrines had "logs" available to read.
[Seeing you listen to a secret plot and grasp the situation, the "Heavenly Sight and Earthly Hearing Great Art" was delighted!] [Progress rose again, and the incense burned down...]
This referred to when he had sat in the carriage earlier and overheard Luo Dongsheng and Yuniang's conversation.
Lu Sui wondered just how much this little six-eared monkey loved gossip.
[Seeing you soak in a medicinal bath and nourish your Qi and Blood, the "Turtle-Snake Stance" felt as though it were floating toward immortality!] [With such powerful nourishment, it circulated its profound art again to strengthen your physique...]
When it comes to reliability, nothing beats the little turtle and snake!
Lu Sui lavished them with praise, only for his face to twitch slightly.
The Qi and Blood in his body abruptly accelerated. His comfortable bath turned into a fierce steaming cauldron in an instant.
"Young master, your body is terribly hot."
After a while, Xiaotang lightly bit her lower lip.
The old woman who had taught her about bedroom matters had said that young men were full of hot blood and were the easiest to excite.
Now the young master's face had inexplicably flushed red, and he was breathing heavily. Could he be holding himself back?
"Young master..."
As though she had figured it out, Xiaotang leaned her delicate body against Lu Sui's shoulder and wrapped her fair arms around him.
Her fingertips, like tender scallion shoots, slid down and settled on his strong, muscular arms.
Don't! Your young master is practicing!
Lu Sui stiffened, nearly sending his Qi awry, and was just about to stop her.
But then Xiaotang's soft, sweet voice sounded, carrying a measure of all-or-nothing resolve:
"Young master... d-don't hold yourself back. I'm your bedchamber maid. This is part of my duty! Don't hurt yourself by bottling it up!"
"Hiss!"
Lu Sui could no longer muster a reply. He merely sucked in a deep breath of cold air, gripping the bathtub with both hands so hard he almost left handprints.
[Seeing your Qi and Blood surge and rush several inches below your navel, the "Turtle-Snake Stance" refused to be outdone. It circulated its profound art again, vowing to settle which of you was superior...]
"I..."
Lu Sui's expression changed slightly.
His already somewhat disordered Qi and Blood accelerated another thirty percent under the "Turtle-Snake Stance's" impetus!
His blood rushed like a great river bursting its banks, like a mighty torrent, pouring backward toward his vital parts!
"...Young master really has been holding it in too hard!"
Xiaotang closed her eyes, her lashes trembling slightly, crimson spreading from her neck to her cheeks.
[Seeing all your Qi and Blood drawn toward the seabed and origin pass, the "Turtle-Snake Stance" was deeply puzzled!] [When tempering Qi and Blood, it should be channeled into both arms. Fearing you might suffer Qi deviation, the "Turtle-Snake Stance" sought to dispel your restlessness!] [Seeing the restlessness within you burn like an inextinguishable fire, the "Turtle-Snake Stance" was greatly shocked and cried, "Where did all this heat come from?!"] [Several dozen breaths later, the "Turtle-Snake Stance" returned without success, utterly dejected!] [It secretly resolved to strive harder and undergo a transformation as soon as possible...]
"Young master, are you done?"
Steam billowed through the bathing room, making Xiaotang dizzy:
"I can't move it anymore."
"..."
Lu Sui felt helpless and spoke hoarsely:
"Xiaotang, y-you should stop for now."
Thinking the young master was dissatisfied, Xiaotang sniffled, her eyes reddening:
"It's all my fault for being clumsy! The old woman said this was how to serve a man..."
Lu Sui wiped the sweat off his face. He had come dangerously close to bursting from his backflowing Qi and Blood!
He swiftly began his breathing exercises, calming his restless breath:
"Next time, don't do this while your young master is practicing.
"If you really want to offer yourself to my pillow, let's choose an auspicious night, all right?"
Practicing?
Then just now, the young master had been...
Xiaotang stood frozen as though struck by lightning.
Only after a long while did she come to her senses. A flush abruptly spread across her face, burning all the way to her earlobes.
"I... I understand."
Mortified and flustered, Xiaotang felt unbearably hot. She hurriedly backed away a few steps, then fled the bathing room.
"Ow!"
Xiaohuan happened to be passing the doorway, and Xiaotang collided with her, sending her staggering.
She walked into the bathing room looking bewildered and muttered:
"What's wrong with Sister Xiaotang?"
Lu Sui lay half-reclined in the bathtub, drained of strength, and answered:
"It was too hot in here. The steam got to her."
Understanding dawned on Xiaohuan, and she nodded earnestly:
"It really is! Young master, you're as red as a cooked shrimp!"
"..."
Lu Sui opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing more.
This silly girl really doesn't understand a thing!
He had Xiaohuan turn around, slowly stood up in the bathtub, and took a soft towel to hastily wipe himself down.
Inwardly, he sighed. Why was tonight more exhausting than holding a stance all night?
The next day, after nightfall.
Lu Sui sat before his desk, his eyelids half-closed.
Within the ancient temple, a shrine lit up on the stone wall to the left.
It resembled a lone candlestick, its dim flame flickering and swaying.
[Incomplete Grand Shaman Ghost-Capturing Compendium (precious)] [Aptitude: low grade] [Imprint: Yin Devouring] [Appraisal: consume filth to nourish the spirit, perceive evil emanations; keep the mind still as well, lest you suffer contamination]
"It really is a [spell]!"
Lu Sui focused his gaze on the main shrine.
The lettering suddenly blurred, then became clear again.
[Lu Sui] [Arts: "Turtle-Snake Stance" (mortal * perfection), "Incomplete Heavenly Sight and Earthly Hearing Great Art"] [Spells: "Incomplete Grand Shaman Ghost-Capturing Compendium"] [Talent: Hibernation]
"But [spells] seem to have side effects. If I don't practice properly, problems could easily arise."
Lu Sui grew wary despite himself. He approached the left stone wall and peered into the depths of that shrine.
There seemed to be a little worm wriggling slowly inside.
"To think it's..."
Lu Sui waited several breaths before finally seeing its true appearance.
Its entire body was round and plump, patterned in black and white, like a glutinous rice dumpling.
"Ji, ji..."
It crawled slowly toward Lu Sui, its plump body arching along as it made meaningless sounds.
"I'll keep you for now."
Lu Sui pondered inwardly. He was quite interested in Yuniang's tricks for raising gu and controlling minds.
Although the "mages" of this world didn't seem to have much presence, with limited damage output that fell far short of martial practitioners like Uncle Wen and Master Chai.
Still, more skills were no burden. As long as it could improve his abilities, there was no harm in raising it.
"Since this baby silkworm can perceive evil emanations, if it really doesn't have any potential for nurturing, I'll just use it as a 'radar.'"
With a thought, Lu Sui left the ancient temple.
He opened his eyes to find Xiaotang standing prettily before his desk again.
"Young master."
Not daring to meet Lu Sui's gaze, Xiaotang lowered her head and said:
"The storeroom has sent over the hundred-year-old turtle shell ground into powder and the old snake blood you asked for."