Honghong, the young master wishes to be intimate with you.

Chapter Title: 015 Honghong, Young Master Wants to Make Merry With You

The dark figures advanced menacingly, when suddenly the young gentleman quavered, “Are you sent by Daoist Master Sanfengzi to fetch me?”

The shadows halted instinctively.

He exhaled long and deeply, patting the young lady nestled in his arms. “Honghong, don’t be afraid, they’re our people.”

The third commander seemed to recall something, signaling meaningfully to Little Ten.

Little Ten leapt forward, sword raised, charging, “What Sanlunatic or Sifool, what’s any of that got to do with me?”

The young gentleman, who had just relaxed, froze instantly, and then cried out at the top of his lungs, “Master, help!”

The third commander sprang forward, his sword blocking Little Ten’s assault. “Wait.”

“Third Brother?”

The third commander’s voice was hesitant, “Daoist Master Sanfengzi once saved our lives. Let’s ask first, and then kill if needed.”

The young gentleman nodded hurriedly, “Yes, yes, ask whatever you wish.”

Sword in hand, the third commander approached the hot spring. “Are you two friends of Daoist Master Sanfengzi?”

“Absolutely,” the gentleman replied.

“Then why aren’t you at the temple, but here?”

The gentleman’s face turned bitter. “It’s a long story. To be honest, my wife and I are here in place of my father to honor an invitation from Daoist Master Sanfengzi. We’re newcomers, unfamiliar with the roads, and found ourselves here. We just happened upon a crowd rushing up the mountain. My wife and I thought, since Sanfengzi is so renowned, surely they were all going to visit him. So we followed. Who would have guessed, upon arriving at the gates, it was a bald monks’ temple… Ah!”

The third commander jumped at his sudden shriek. “Why are you shouting?”

The gentleman discreetly rubbed his waist, pinched, yet kept his face filled with righteous indignation. “I am furious! In the Yao Heaven Kingdom, where even the Emperor reveres Daoism, how can a monastery be allowed to exist? Are those bald monks blind to ignore the radiant Dao and instead worship that nonsensical Buddha… Ah!”

Halfway through, another shriek escaped him.

The third commander shot him an impatient glare. “Why are you shouting again?”

The gentleman grimaced. “Infuriating! Even uttering the word ‘Buddha’ feels like a stone in my mouth!”

A small hand crept up his waist again. Suddenly, he drew the young lady into his arms. “Honghong, tell me, shouldn’t these misguided fools all be struck down by thunder?”

Their eyes met; he winked: Why do you keep pinching me?

She ground her teeth: You’re the bald monk—your whole family is!

He pursed his lips helplessly: I’m only doing this to survive, can’t you endure for a moment?

Within the seams of her inner garments, the fluttering big eyes stopped fluttering. Fang Rulai squinted hard, fiercely expressing her indignation at being personally attacked: My head can be cut off, blood can flow, but the spirit of Buddhism must not be insulted!

He loosened his arms—very well, go lose your head and bleed if you wish.

Fang Rulai promptly nestled up to him, “My husband is right.”

Her voice dripped with sweetness, and every man present felt a shiver run through him; curious glances turned toward Fang Rulai.

The gentleman, Ke, half-turned, his thin chest shielding Fang Rulai from their gaze. “Gentlemen, when my wife and I realized we’d gone astray, we immediately descended the mountain. But before we could find the right path, we wandered into this place. As you can see, I’m not in the best of health, ill-suited for long journeys. So I sent a servant to seek the proper road and fetch the Daoist Master, while my wife and I rested here.”

“Later, feeling cold and frail, I decided to soak in the hot spring. But barely had we entered the water when you arrived.” He spread his hands, wearing the expression of an innocent citizen with nothing to hide.

So that was it. The third commander listened, sheathed his sword; the tale seemed plausible.

“Have you seen a monk appear here?”

Fang Rulai trembled.

Ke, with a subtle gesture, patted her, then thundered, “What? Is this bald monks’ territory? I'd rather die of illness than have anything to do with them!”

He turned to leave the spring.

Fang Rulai reached out and grabbed him, “Husband,” she whispered, still naked!

“Ah!” Ke, as if just remembering, cried out, then cast a pleading look at the third commander standing by the spring. “Sir, would you kindly allow my wife and me to come ashore and dress?”

“Ah,” responded the third commander, turning away.

“Many thanks, sir.” Ke turned to pull Fang Rulai. “Honghong, quickly…”

The word “quickly” barely formed when the third commander, who had just turned, spun back abruptly.

His sword swept sharply, its energy slicing across the spring’s surface, rushing straight toward Fang Rulai.

Fang Rulai shrieked, covered her chest, turned around, and squatted.

Her movements flowed smoothly, but still couldn’t prevent a fleeting glimpse of her bosom.

A woman! The third commander soared skyward in resignation. “Retreat!”

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—his men followed him, vanishing.

After a moment, Fang Rulai’s voice sounded, “How did you know they wouldn’t tear open our clothes to check our faces?”

“Because faces are the easiest to fake.” Anyone who lived in the underworld knew that human skin masks were as common as underwear—most people owned several. Those black-clad assassins surely knew, so they checked her chest instead. Unfortunately, these underworld folks happened upon palace dwellers.

Palace dwellers knew not only faces, but bodies could not be trusted. If anyone trusted either, they’d surely lose.

Ke walked ashore with his hands behind his back, and with a flick, two garments flew toward himself and Fang Rulai.

As she dressed, Fang Rulai asked, “How can you be sure they wouldn’t strip us entirely?”

“They fear Sanfengzi.” He’d mentioned the invitation up front; those black-clad men, being Sanfengzi’s subordinates, knew the risks. If he really was Sanfengzi’s guest, offending him might bring consequences beyond bearing.

Ke’s voice was calm, even as everything unfolded precisely as he’d predicted, he showed not a hint of triumph.

His composure was dazzling, entirely at odds with his frail, dying appearance.

Moved, Fang Rulai glanced at him on the shore. Hands behind his back, head raised toward the moon.

He wore a robe of crescent white, his posture straight and tall, cold and noble in demeanor. The moonlight poured down, drawn toward him, lingering above his head without dispersing.

Fang Rulai suddenly recalled the feel of his ribs earlier—too smooth, almost fake.

“Why did you save me?” Fang Rulai, now dressed, walked out of the spring and asked.

“Because…” Ke turned, and Fang Rulai lifted her face in anticipation.

The next instant, Ke spread his arms wide, lunged forward, and pinned Fang Rulai to the ground. “Honghong, young master wants to make merry with you!”

“Uh!” Fang Rulai choked in surprise, but did not resist, for his eyes showed not a trace of lust.

So what did that mean?

Before long, a voice sounded behind Fang Rulai, “Young Master Ke? Are you the guest invited by Daoist Master Sanfengzi?”

Upon hearing this, Fang Rulai’s scalp tightened. The voice belonged unmistakably to the third commander, who had just left! Though he tried to disguise his tone, her keen hearing recognized it instantly.

She turned, and saw three or five Daoists approaching.

“Boundless Heaven’s grace, Young Master Ke, this humble Daoist is here by order of Daoist Master Sanfengzi to escort you to the temple.”

Once again, thanks to (Ke lk) and (C Banxia/Ruyan) for the trouble~

Hey, lk, are you enjoying this windfall enough?

Also: chenqing2008, isn’t your daughter’s nickname Honghong quite fitting?

And: Hongyi, rivals in love aren’t scary—the scary ones are cultured!

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