The night was tranquil, moonlight as silver as frost.
Even cultivators could not defy the laws of nature—rising with the sun and resting at dusk.
The once-bustling Spirit Boat had suddenly grown especially quiet.
The pavilion, which had been filled with clamorous voices, now stood empty and hollow, with only the cold moonlight lingering in the shadows, casting a lonely, sorrowful glow.
Yet deep within the pavilion, in a corner unnoticed by all—
A young girl slowed her steps, sweeping the Spirit Boat with her spiritual sense.
Only after confirming no one was near did she carefully step out from the shadows.
Jiang Wan’er stood outside the door, her eyes brimming with excitement, anticipation, and a hint of nervousness.
Finally, finally, I’m about to see that foolish Master again…
But… will he like the way I’m dressed?
With a heart full of shy uncertainty, she gently knocked on the door.
“Knock, knock, knock.”
“F-foolish Master, Wan’er has come to see you.” Her voice was shy and bashful, a charming blush blooming on her pretty face.
But inside, that blockhead seemed as unromantic as a stone—there was no response at all.
Aoo…
Faced with Limuqun’s silence, Jiang Wan’er quickly conjured up her own explanation:
I see, foolish Master must still be worried someone will notice me, so he doesn’t dare answer.
Foolish Master… you’re always thinking of Wan’er.
Her heart warmed with gratitude, she pressed closer to the door, lowering her voice to explain:
“Don’t worry, Wan’er suppressed her aura all the way here—absolutely no one saw me.” Still, there was no movement from within.
Yet to Jiang Wan’er, this silence had a different meaning.
Foolish Master is silently agreeing, right?
Hehe, you’re so cautious.
Then… Wan’er is coming in now.
With her mind made up, Jiang Wan’er no longer hesitated about whether there was a reply.
She gently pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Within, a gentle breeze stirred, the moonlight flowing like water.
A single Cushion sat on the floor, its deflated shape showing someone had just risen from it not long ago.
She swept her gaze around the room, but Limuqun was nowhere to be seen.
Staring at the open window, she couldn’t help but freeze in place.
Huh?
Just a moment ago, my spiritual sense clearly felt that foolish Master was in the room.
Then why… why is it now…
As the facts pieced together, her illusions slowly crumbled, forming a truth she couldn’t bear to accept.
Foolish Master… could it be, are you really avoiding me?
Tears welled up in her eyes.
“Splaaash—”
A sudden rush of water shattered Jiang Wan’er’s gloomy thoughts.
Following the sound, she saw on the other side of the room, a tall figure slowly rising from the Bath Pool, water cascading down and splattering the floor.
Even through a layer of sheer gauze, his upright posture, broad chest, and well-toned muscles were all clearly visible to her eyes.
“F-foolish Master?!”
Jiang Wan’er couldn’t help but cry out, her gaze lingering a few seconds longer than proper.
Realizing her blunder, she quickly covered her eyes with both hands, her pretty face so red it seemed it might drip with water.
Within the Bath Pool, the figure jolted at her exclamation, a deliberately surprised voice ringing out:
“Junior Sister Jiang, when did you arrive?”
“I-I just got here myself.”
With droplets of water clinging to his face, Limuqun kept up the act, pretending to be shocked as he asked:
“Then why didn’t you let me know in advance?”
“I… I knocked just now.”
Jiang Wan’er mumbled in embarrassment.
Though she covered her eyes, her gaze still peeked uncontrollably through her fingers, taking in foolish Master’s image—like a lotus blooming from water.
“So it seems this is my fault after all.”
Limuqun put on a face of mock apology, pointing to the water on his face as he explained:
“I was just bathing, so I didn’t hear you knock, Junior Sister.”
“Ah, so Master, you have a habit of bathing?” Of course not.
Limuqun arched a brow.
After mastering the Cleansing Spell, aside from a few cultivators who were dependent on soaking in the tub, who still wasted time with baths?
It’s not like one would suddenly interrupt their meditation and say, “I’m done meditating, I’m going to bathe now.”
But tonight’s bath was Limuqun’s emergency strategy to deal with Jiang Wan’er.
When Jiang Wan’er knocked earlier, a panicked Limuqun had thought about escaping through the window, but realized that such a conspicuous act would only make Jiang Wan’er even more suspicious and determined.
No, I must think of a way to make her give up on her own.
As he pondered, the luxurious Bath Pool, specially installed on the Spirit Boat, caught his attention.
That’s it!
If I’m afraid of Jiang Wan’er getting close, why not simply stage a “Handsome Man Bathing Scene”?
Surely, even this Saintess of the Sect, no matter her schemes or obsessions, would be so startled and embarrassed by this scene she wouldn’t dare come near.
What a move—retreating in order to advance!
Truly, my genius astounds even myself.
Indeed! Seeing Jiang Wan’er frozen outside the gauze curtain, Limuqun suppressed his pride and feigned confusion as he asked:
“So, what brings Junior Sister Jiang here at midnight?”
“I… I…”
To be honest, Jiang Wan’er had seen scenes like this countless times in Talk Scripts—someone arriving late at night and catching the other in the bath.
But in those Talk Scripts, the genders were always reversed.
She’d never read a story where the woman barged in on the man bathing.
For a moment, faced with such an ambiguous scene, Jiang Wan’er was so embarrassed that she didn’t know what to say.
Heh, Junior Sister Jiang, is this all the skill you have? Think you can handle me?
Limuqun smugly parted the gauze a little, poked his head out, preparing to continue his “retreat to advance” act.
But when his eyes landed on Jiang Wan’er before him, all his prepared lines got stuck in his throat.
So…so beautiful.
Though a dull ache still lingered at his waist, Limuqun found himself unable to look away.
Different from her usual playful cuteness, today Jiang Wan’er had picked a special pink short skirt, just barely long enough to cover her hips, the hem clinging tightly to her soft skin so the two almost seemed to blend into one.
The neckline she’d deliberately pulled lower revealed a patch of snowy whiteness, like the heart of a blooming peony—utterly captivating.
“F-foolish Master…”
As if noticing Limuqun’s burning gaze, Jiang Wan’er’s already red face blushed even deeper.
Even though she’d picked out this short skirt with great care, Jiang Wan’er had to admit—it really was a little too bold.
She couldn’t remember what she was thinking when she bought it, let alone why she’d, as if bewitched, put it on tonight and come to stand outside foolish Master’s room in the dead of night.
At first, she’d worried that foolish Master might think her outfit too indecent and take a dislike to her.
But now, seeing him so thoroughly captivated, she had all the answer she needed.
Pfft—inside, the girl burst into happy laughter.
Her wild hope had taken its very first step.