Chapter 96: Go Take a Bath First

The door of the wooden hut was pushed open, and the night breeze surged in, carrying a faint fragrance of grass and trees.

Su Yun stepped out, followed by Senior Aunt-Master Han Yue and Liu Wugou.

The moonlight spilled down, illuminating the path back to the main hall.

The sound of their footsteps was exceptionally clear in the silent night.

After walking for a while, Liu Wugou suddenly quickened her pace, ran to Su Yun's side, and linked her arm with his.

"Master…"

Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of coquettishness.

Su Yun looked down at her.

Under the moonlight, Liu Wugou's alluring face showed obvious fatigue, but her eyes were bright and filled with anticipation.

"I'm exhausted today… I want to take a bath when we get back…"

Elder Han Yue, walking on the other side, heard this and, for once, did not show that look of "disdain."

She was tired too.

These past few days, entering the tower every day and being tormented every day—although they wouldn't truly die, the pain of being torn apart, crushed, and annihilated was real.

Every time she came out, it felt as if she had truly died once.

Yet, a Cultivator's body recovers quickly, and the next day, she would go back in, full of energy.

Then be tormented all over again.

It was a repeating cycle.

She also felt now that a hot bath would probably make her feel a bit better.

She rarely took the initiative to speak: "Husband… when we get back… could you help us heat some water?"

Su Yun raised an eyebrow.

Elder Han Yue's face flushed slightly, but she maintained her cold demeanor: "This concubine… does not have a Fire Spiritual Root."

Liu Wugou snickered on the side.

As a dignified Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator, she could naturally use spiritual energy to clean her body; a simple Cleansing Spell would solve it.

But they just felt that the sensation of soaking in hot water, enveloped by warmth, was much more comfortable than a Spell.

Especially these past few days, every time they came out of the tower, it felt as if they had been run over.

Soaking in a hot bath had become one of their few comforts.

Su Yun chuckled.

"Alright."

Both women's eyes lit up simultaneously.

The main hall.

Su Yun's room was in the deepest part.

Pushing open the door, the furnishings inside were simple and elegant: a large bed, a desk, a few chairs, and a washroom separated by a folding screen.

In the washroom, a large wooden tub was already prepared.

Liu Wugou had long since ordered someone to prepare hot water; of course, the water was cold now.

Su Yun walked over and placed his hand on the rim of the tub.

He slowly channeled his spiritual energy into it.

After a moment, the water in the tub began to heat up, steam rising and quickly filling the entire washroom.

Liu Wugou impatiently reached out to test the water temperature and nodded in satisfaction.

"It's ready, it's ready!"

As she spoke, she began to untie her sash.

Elder Han Yue stood to the side, and although her movements were more reserved, she had no intention of leaving.

Su Yun looked at these two women, a line of black sweat appearing on his forehead: it seemed the bathing time tonight would be long.

"You two wash first. I'll go put away the things we discussed tonight."

He turned and walked out of the washroom.

Behind him came Liu Wugou's urging voice: "Then Master, hurry up! It won't be pleasant to soak once the water gets cold!"

Su Yun waved his hand without looking back.

He walked to the desk and took out a few sheets of paper from his robe.

These were the key points noted down during tonight's review.

He folded the papers, preparing to put them into the desk drawer.

Just at this moment.

He suddenly paused.

His gaze fell upon the bed.

There, someone was lying.

To be precise, a small figure.

She was curled up in a corner of the bed, lying on her side, covered by a thin quilt, her breathing steady and light.

Her dark hair was scattered on the pillow, making her small face appear even fairer.

Her eyelashes were long and dense, like two small fans, occasionally trembling slightly.

Her lips were slightly pouted, and she was sleeping soundly.

In her arms, she was still clutching something tightly.

It was a neatly folded garment.

A white robe; the material looked like high-quality cloud brocade, emitting a soft glimmer in the dim light.

Zhao Lanxin.

Su Yun was stunned.

This girl… when did she come?

He walked over on tiptoes and sat down by the edge of the bed.

Looking down at that sleeping little face, a complex emotion suddenly surged in his heart.

Zhao Lanxin.

His first Enslavement.

From that remote little village, she had been following him ever since.

At that time, she was still a timid little mute girl, shunned by the villagers, treated as a burden by her own father, and couldn't even eat a full meal.

It was he who brought her out.

She couldn't speak, but from then on, she had eyes only for him.

Every day she brought him food, secretly slipping him an extra half of a steamed bun.

Later, she followed him out of the village, wandering through hardships along the way.

Later still, he gave her a Spiritual Root and taught her to Cultivate.

She was finally able to step onto the path of immortality.

But it was also from that time on that the women around him became more and more numerous.

Elder Han Yue, Blood Maiden, the Blood Lotus Saintess, Liu Wugou, Ling Shuang, Murong Xue, Yin Hongyao…

And those hundreds of Enslavement.

He had too many things to worry about.

Unknowingly, that little mute girl who always followed behind him, tugging at the corner of his robe, had been neglected by him.

She no longer followed him all the time.

Not because she didn't want to, but because she didn't dare.

Her cultivation was too low, only at the Qi Refining Early Stage.

While Master was already at the Golden Core stage.

Only those Foundation Establishment Stage big sisters could help Master.

She couldn't help with anything.

She could only watch silently.

Occasionally, when the night was deep and quiet, she would sneak into his room and lie on his bed for a while.

Smelling his lingering scent.

Then leave quietly before dawn.

Was it the same tonight?

Su Yun looked at the garment in her arms and suddenly understood something.

This girl had come to bring him clothes.

This robe was made by her own hands.

From selecting the material to cutting, from sewing to embroidery, every stitch and thread was her heartfelt intention.

She must have finished it and come excitedly to have him try it on.

But he wasn't there.

She waited and waited, and then fell asleep.

Su Yun reached out and gently brushed over her hair.

His movements were very light, so light as if afraid to wake a dream.

But Zhao Lanxin still woke up.

Her eyelashes trembled, and she slowly opened her eyes.

Those eyes were initially a bit hazy, like a fawn that had just woken up, looking blankly at everything before her.

Then, her gaze gradually focused.

It landed on Su Yun's face.

In that instant, she was stunned.

Her eyes widened, and his face was reflected in her pupils.

Confusion.

Pleasant surprise.

Disbelief.

Several emotions flashed rapidly through her eyes.

Then she sat up abruptly!

"Mmph—"

She opened her mouth and let out a vague nasal sound.

Then, blushing, she held up the garment in her arms and offered it to Su Yun.

Her eyes were bright as she looked at him.

Inside them were anticipation, nervousness, and a hint of imperceptible… anxiety.

She pointed to the garment, then pointed to Su Yun.

Su Yun looked down at the garment.

The white robe was soft, with fine stitching, and embroidered with pale silver cloud patterns on the lapels and cuffs.

The workmanship was exquisite, much better than the black robe he had been wearing for a long time.

He reached out to take it, gently stroking those stitches.

Every stitch was even; it was clear that she had put her heart into it.

"Made for me?" he asked.

Zhao Lanxin nodded vigorously.

Her small face turned even redder.

Su Yun looked at her and suddenly smiled.

He unfolded the robe and stood up to drape it over himself.

The size was just right.

Neither too long nor too short, neither too wide nor too narrow, just like it was tailor-made.

Zhao Lanxin's eyes lit up; she climbed out of bed, circled around him, and examined him carefully.

Then, she nodded in satisfaction.

Her lips curved into a happy arc.

She reached out, gently tugged at the hem, smoothed the cuffs, and finally stepped back two paces, tilting her head to look at him.

In those eyes, the words "good-looking" were written all over.

Su Yun looked down at the new robe on his body, then looked at the little girl before him whose eyes were filled only with him.

A warmth suddenly surged in his heart.

He reached out and pulled her into his arms.

Zhao Lanxin's body stiffened, then she leaned softly against his chest.

Her small hands clutched his lapels.

Su Yun rested his chin on the top of her head and said softly:

"These past few days… did you miss me?"

Zhao Lanxin's body trembled slightly.

Then, she nodded gently.

No complaints, no grievances.

Just nodding.

Su Yun hugged her tighter.

He knew that this girl would never complain.

She would only wait silently.

Waiting for when he remembered to come back and see her.

Even if it was just one glance, she would be satisfied.

"In the future… come more often."

Zhao Lanxin looked up, her eyes red, yet she was smiling.

She nodded vigorously.

Just then, the door to the washroom was pushed open a crack, and Liu Wugou's voice came out:

"Master! The water is going to get cold! Are you ready yet?"

Su Yun: "…"

Zhao Lanxin was stunned for a moment, then her face turned completely red.

She broke free from Su Yun's arms abruptly, standing there at a loss, not knowing where to look.

Of course she knew who was in the washroom.

Senior Aunt-Master Han Yue, Sister Liu Wugou.

Master's nominal Dao Companion, and… the one who often came to find Master.

They were both there.

Waiting for Master to join them…

Zhao Lanxin hung her head, blushing as if it were dripping blood.

She suddenly felt she shouldn't have come.

Master was so busy, and there were so many sisters waiting for him…

She opened her mouth, wanting to gesture something, but didn't know what to say.

Su Yun looked at her appearance and couldn't help but smile.

He reached out and rubbed her head.

"Don't run."

Zhao Lanxin looked up, looking at him blankly.

Su Yun lowered his head and gently planted a kiss on her forehead.

"Let's go, let's go take a bath together first."

Zhao Lanxin was stunned.

That pair of eyes instantly welled up with a layer of mist.