“Starting today, Master, you’ll spend the next fifteen days alone.”
Zhou Xuan carefully packed away a series of small items, then lifted his eyes to look at the stunning woman on the bed, dressed in the deep green imperial robe. In just half a month, the once cold and distant Ice Empress—so aloof she seemed unreachable—now resembled a delicate flower nourished by the rain, carrying a newfound feminine charm.
“Oh, understood.” Su Bai replied coldly, her expression indifferent.
“Get lost, you wicked one.”
“I should have beaten you to death back then.”
After speaking, Su Bai shifted her hips slightly, turned away, and faced away from Zhou Xuan, quietly reciting the “Eternal Purity Mantra” on her own.
“My disciple takes his leave now.”
Though puzzled by Su Bai’s recent coldness, Zhou Xuan still observed proper etiquette, bowed respectfully, and left. If there had been outsiders present, they might have thought he was a devoted and respectful student.
Only after the man in the golden-lined white robe exited the bedchamber did the stunning woman suddenly stop chanting, frown slightly, and scratch at her chest. It was itchy, but barely tolerable.
…
One day.
Reciting the “Eternal Purity Mantra,” body itching.
But barely tolerable.
Two days.
The itching worsened, making her want to rub against the sheets.
So itchy~ so uncomfortable~
Three days.
Her body felt warm, a strange emptiness in her lower abdomen. She really wanted to eat, really wanted that wicked one to rub her belly~~
Four days.
So uncomfortable~ so uncomfortable~~
No! I must endure!!
I am Su Bai, destined to become one of the top leaders of the Huayuan Federation!!
…
Seven days.
Sharing half the burden with my blood form made it much more bearable, so I intensified the chanting of the “Eternal Purity Mantra.”
Eight days…
…
Thirteen days.
The cold moon shone brightly, curved like a sickle.
The bed trembled slightly; under the golden-lined thin quilt, the Empress’s delicate body curled up. Her face flushed, her teeth gently biting her lower lip, releasing breathy moans that made hearts tremble.
The golden-lined quilt rose and fell with her movements, as if seeking release, but the pain and desire in her eyes intertwined, her expression growing increasingly distressed.
Fine beads of sweat seeped from her forehead, sliding down her cheeks to dampen the pillow. Her hair lay tangled around her pillow, and her breathy moans flowed from her mouth—sometimes rapid, sometimes suppressed.
She sank deeper into an invisible whirlpool, unable to break free or find relief, until her movements became rough, even rude…
The dark-colored mirror silently displayed everything in the bedchamber. The man in the golden-lined white robe watched quietly, his eyes calm and unmoving.
“Master, I know you too well.”
“Someone like you, burdened with both power and desire, simply cannot restrain these urges, because they are a part of you. How can one deny a part of oneself?”
“But for you to hold out until now before acting—that exceeded my expectations. I thought you’d lose control by the tenth day.” A soft, youthful voice sounded. A cute little boy in a white robe appeared from Zhou Xuan’s shadow and sat beside him.
The little white-robed boy tilted his head as he watched the scenes on the dark mirror.
“Do you think, I, Master, will fall in love with me?”
“I don’t know.”
“But I know ‘desire’ is closely related to ‘love.’ So I’m letting Master experience desire once. Maybe then Master will fall in love with me because of it, so I can feel what it’s like to be ‘loved.’”
Zhou Xuan reached out to stroke the little boy’s head, a trace of melancholy flashing in his eyes. “I’ve been dreaming again recently. I dream of that little boy. My Master and his Master are the same, but why was my Master never loving or spoiling me? Instead, under the guise of love, I only received beatings and scoldings.”
“I don’t know~” The white-robed boy swung his short legs.
“But Master once said that a youth is tormented by the things they cannot obtain their whole life. She used to hit me, beat me, and suck my blood every day. Afterward, she even cursed that man’s name. Now that I’m a man, it’s tit for tat—an eye for an eye, blood for blood.”
“I always feel like I’ve become the rebellious child Master talks about.”
“Isn’t that so? Ever since I gained power, I’ve always been the rebellious child.”
Zhou Xuan suddenly smiled.
“That’s true.”
“The evil seeds she planted, the bitter fruit she reaps, she must bear it herself—even through tears.”
“This lifetime, I’m bound to her.”
…
Time passed day by day: fourteen days, fifteen days… Time slipped away like flowing water, and every second was torment for Su Bai.
Her body felt as if burned by invisible flames, the empty loneliness like a rising tide nearly drowning her, driving her to the brink of losing control. Her legs clenched tightly, struggling against the surging desire inside her.
In a daze, a white figure suddenly appeared in Su Bai’s eyes.
“Is this the last day?”
“Yes.” Zhou Xuan came to the bedside and sat down, reaching out to touch the person on the bed but was avoided.
“You don’t want me to touch you?”
“The time’s up, and my answer remains the same—you should let me go.” Su Bai didn’t look directly at him, turning her head away instead.
The next moment, a large hand forcibly turned Su Bai’s head to face him. Zhou Xuan clenched his fingers into a fist, smiling brightly.
“Master, look what this is.”
“A fist,” Su Bai said.
“No, this is power—the power to change the world.”
Zhou Xuan’s words were full of dominance and arrogance, as if he ruled the world and Su Bai could only bow and obey. This aura was forged by years at the pinnacle—pride and confidence carved deep.
“Master, you still don’t understand. When power is in my hands, what rules aren’t mine to make?”
“Master, you lack the heart of a strong one, preferring to work with insects.”
Su Bai frowned slightly. “You sound so righteous, but you’re still planning to break the agreement.”
“Yes, I’m breaking it.” Zhou Xuan spread his hands and admitted it frankly.
Then he wrapped his arm around the beauty’s waist on the bed, leaning close to whisper in her ear with a smile, “Master, you actually knew I would break the agreement early on, so you agreed to this wager, right?”
“Actually, you really want it, don’t you~~” The man murmured softly.
“I know you well. People like you care about face; sometimes you’d rather lose dignity than lose face.”
“Like now~~”
The man teasingly brushed against the beauty’s snowy skin, drawing a displeased little snort from her.
“Master, you want me to take the initiative so you can satisfy your current body that hates to admit desire but values your face.”
“Get lost!”
“No!”
“Kill me if you can!!”
Su Bai’s sharp eyes flashed with anger. The man’s words cut like a sharp scalpel straight into her deepest core, exposing the most filthy, shameful, and hidden desires to the light of day.
“Heh… this round, I win.” Zhou Xuan inhaled the fragrance from the beauty’s jade neck. A faint elegant scent lingered, intoxicating him.
“Master’s heart, stained by desire, has already told me the answer—a fallen answer, a desperate answer.”
“Her body is so hungry, so wanting, yet she still faces me with this cold, aloof demeanor. Master cares too much about face.”
Zhou Xuan’s left hand drew out a gleaming peachwood whip with a courteous smile. “Now, Master, please fulfill the wager. You lost, so raise your hips and let your disciple punish you properly.”