The next morning, Qin Mu woke up early, a stark contrast to the usual Young Master who slept until the sun was high in the sky.
The reason for his early awakening was simple: he had been smothered awake.
Opening his eyes, a big white fluff was plastered against his face, a mixture of floral and milky fragrance so intense it made breathing difficult.
Yet, this didn’t change one fact—it was undoubtedly the terrifying weapon that had rendered countless heroes helpless, also known as the tender embrace of love.
“Ugh…”
Qin Mu struggled to pry apart the soft, white arms that were holding his head.
Looking up, he saw the beauty before him with cherry lips slightly parted, sweet breaths escaping between them.
On closer inspection, he could even see that tender little tongue, making him want to steal a kiss.
Qin Mu quickly shook his head, suppressing the dangerous thought.
After much effort, he slipped out of the embrace.
Perhaps his movements were too vigorous, because the sash tied around the delicate waist loosened, revealing quite a bit more than intended.
Qin Mu: “!!!”
He hurriedly and quietly covered Miss Mengyu back up.
But in the process, his fingertips accidentally brushed against a sharp peak beneath the fabric, and a soft, elastic sensation sent a jolt to his brain.
“Mm…”
A faint moan escaped from Qin Mengyu’s lips.
Damn!
Qin Mu’s body stiffened instantly at the sound.
After a moment, seeing Miss Mengyu still deeply asleep, he quickly made his escape.
Just as the door closed, Qin Mengyu slowly opened her eyes, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as she whispered, “Little pervert…”
***
Having committed a guilty act, Qin Mu didn’t stop until he was far away.
Wiping the sweat from his face, he panted, “Huff… huff… I almost died. If Miss Mengyu had woken up suddenly…”
Just thinking about it made his whole body tremble in fear.
Unlike Elder Sister Ruoshuang, who had a bizarre way of thinking, Miss Mengyu was very particular about rules.
Qin Mu stopped and looked around.
Not far away was a large Medicine Field.
After all, he had returned to the Dan Sect to sleep last night with Miss Mengyu.
Speaking of which, the Dan Sect truly had a unique atmosphere.
Even with his Qi Refining Third Layer cultivation, Qin Mu could sense a faint, special aura within the Sect’s spiritual energy that made his mind unusually clear.
Unsure of where to go, Qin Mu headed toward the Medicine Field.
He squatted down, looking at the lush green herbs bearing several small red fruits.
He recognized these fruits—they were Zhu Fruit, which Miss Mengyu had given him many times before. The taste was excellent!
After glancing around to make sure no one was nearby, Qin Mu quietly started picking some, placing a small red fruit in his mouth.
He bit down, and the juice was sweet and rich, leaving a lingering deliciousness.
So good!
If this were a food-themed story, this would be the moment for an explosion of clothing.
He quietly picked several more and swallowed them whole, savoring the increasingly intense flavor—absolutely delicious!
Just as Qin Mu was enjoying himself, a loud shout suddenly rang out.
“Damn it! Show mercy! No, wait—save your mouth for the fruit!”
A figure hurriedly flew over on a Flying Sword.
Before Qin Mu could react, the figure snatched the small red fruit from his mouth.
Qin Mu had heard of the saying “a duck in the mouth flies away,” but now he personally experienced “the red fruit in the mouth flew away.”
The newcomer was a young boy, exceptionally handsome.
As the self-proclaimed handsome Young Master, Qin Mu was momentarily stunned by the boy’s rosy lips and white teeth.
“Who are you? Don’t you know this is Her Highness the Holy Maiden’s private Medicine Field?” the boy demanded.
Ah?
So this was Miss Mengyu’s Medicine Field.
Qin Mu scratched his head.
“Sorry, I really didn’t know.”
The boy snorted lightly, eyeing Qin Mu’s clothes.
“Judging by your looks, you must be a new disciple. I don’t know how you got past the Lost Soul Formation, but without the Holy Maiden’s permission, stealing herbs means you’re coming with me to the Punishment Hall!”
The boy’s name was Zhang Ji, the newly appointed caretaker of the Medicine Field, responsible for looking after Her Highness the Holy Maiden’s herbs.
Although the Ling Stone rewards were generous, high returns came with high risks. Missing even one or two herbs could cost him a hefty double penalty.
Looking at the missing dozen or so Zhu Fruit—worth hundreds to thousands of Ling Stones—even among the wealthier disciples of the Dan Sect, this was a significant loss for Zhang Ji.
“Punishment Hall!”
Qin Mu was speechless.
Seriously?
Brother, it’s just a few Zhu Fruit.
Is it really necessary?
Anything involving the word “punishment” gave off the image of a small dark room full of torment devices, where prisoners were restrained in various poses, subjected to rotating brutal treatments, possibly involving candles and little whips.
“If you don’t want to go to the Punishment Hall, that’s fine,” Zhang Ji held out his hand.
“Two thousand Ling Stones, and this matter will be forgotten.”
Qin Mu: “…”
Two thousand Ling Stones?
Why don’t you just say robbery?
Qin Mu’s silence seemed to annoy Zhang Ji, who said in a harsh tone, “Junior Brother, if you can’t pay that sum, then you’ll have to come with me to the Punishment Hall.”
“Wait!”
Qin Mu quickly interjected.
“What now?”
Zhang Ji frowned.
“If I have the Holy Maiden Token, does that settle this?”
Qin Mu suddenly remembered that Miss Mengyu had given him her token yesterday.
But really, for a few fruits—even if he knew herbs were precious—that sum was absurd.
Two thousand Ling Stones could almost buy a mid-range Flying Sword.
If Qin Mu had that kind of money, he would have already helped the sisters in need to build a bright future together.
“Heh, Junior Brother, if you really have the Holy Maiden Token, I, Zhang Ji, will eat my words right here and now!”
Zhang Ji declared with confidence.
Holy Maiden Token, ha! Although Her Highness was beautiful and kind, everyone knew what the token meant.
You might as well say you had the Sect Leader’s Decree!
Qin Mu clapped his hands.
“Fine! You said it, no backing out!”
“Yeah, yeah, I did. Hurry and show me the Holy Maiden Token.”
Qin Mu smiled proudly and reached to his waist—only to find the cold, hard feeling was gone.
His smile stiffened as he looked at his belt. It was empty.
Wait! Miss Mengyu had personally handed it to him yesterday…
Remembering his hurried escape this morning, damn it, he must have left it back in the room!
“Ahahaha, Senior Brother, I think I forgot the Holy Maiden Token at home. How about I go get it for you?”
Zhang Ji’s forehead veins bulged.
“Junior Brother, do I look like a fool to you?”
“Uh… not really.”
“Then do you think I would believe you?”
“Well… I would believe you.”
“Fine, fine,” Zhang Ji laughed angrily.
“Since you’re toying with me, don’t blame me for being rude. You’re coming with me.”
With that, Zhang Ji pulled out a rope, infused it with Qi, and the rope came alive, flying toward Qin Mu and locking him tightly.
Qin Mu saw this and immediately ran, but with only Qi Refining Third Layer cultivation, he was too weak.
The rope quickly caught up and bound him hand and foot.
“Senior Brother, I advise you to let me go, or I’ll scream!”
“Go ahead and scream. Even if you shout until your throat breaks, no one’s coming! Ahahaha!”