Chapter 16: Teeth Itching

A Bound Encounter

Feng Xizhi held her breath.

Her wrists were tightly bound by the rope.

Her fair, tender armpits exposed, an embarrassing pose.

Her legs under the skirt pressed together instinctively.

She saw his eyes—always with a hint of amusement, laced with danger and mischief.

Yet, she believed she’d glimpsed something deeper, not just her own dark side reflected.

“You’re so soft-hearted, so gentle.”

“Why pretend to be so vile?”

Her soft voice melted into the wind passing them.

“Dream less.”

Gu Chi’s fingers moved lightly.

His salve worked wonders.

The red marks on her snow-white abdomen faded quickly.

He noticed her skirt, torn in many places.

The fabric at her waist hung loose, revealing the edge of her pale gray undergarments.

She’d mocked Fang Xiyu’s risqué underclothes, yet hers were lace-trimmed, faintly sheer.

Her legs pressed tight, undergarments seamless.

“You mocked her underclothes, but what about yours?”

“Whose are prettier, mine or Fang Xiyu’s?”

She dodged his question with her own.

“Does your body even have allure?”

“Hmph, if I really used it, my tender frame would outdo hers.”

“I’d bite you to death.”

She glared fiercely, then laughed.

“Don’t believe I love you, Qingmian?”

“Not important.”

He shook his head.

His fingers moved to her thigh, spreading salve over the marks.

Her skin was soft, creamy, faintly milk-scented.

His “not important” stung more than disbelief.

Her eyes flashed, and she kicked her fair calf at his chest.

The kick was weak, painless.

He grabbed her wrist, raising his lashes.

“Want the feather tickle again?”

Last year in the cave, annoyed by her chatter, he’d tickled her with a feather.

She’d cried, trembled, speechless.

Who’d have thought she’d crave it?

“Yes, desperately.”

She stared boldly, unafraid.

He found it odd.

He didn’t believe her words.

What treasure on him made her act so devoted?

Could she know of his Demon Dragon Gu?

Unlikely—only Pei Ningxue knew.

He finished applying the salve, released the ropes.

She dropped, landing on her rear.

Her brows furrowed, cheeks puffed, eyes resentful.

She raised a leg to kick but stopped.

Seeing the cold distance in his eyes, she sighed.

“Impervious, can’t fool you.”

“What do you want from my friendship?”

“You could just pay—everything’s negotiable.”

“I want you to kill my Central Continent fiancé.”

“Can’t beat him.”

He shook his head.

“Useless.”

Surprisingly, she didn’t press.

“I need to change.”

He closed his eyes.

“Who said to close them?”

“Pick one.”

She produced two dresses.

One, a white ruqun with a floral hairpin and sheer jacket—gentle, demure.

The other, a red qipao with golden phoenix embroidery, tailored to her frame, slit to mid-thigh, modestly elegant.

He shrugged.

“Wear what you want.”

As he closed his eyes, she tiptoed close, trying to pry them open.

“Don’t want to watch me change?”

“Is your figure worth watching?”

“Maybe you’ve got peculiar tastes.”

“Sadly, I don’t.”

“Then no need to close your eyes—unless you’re shy.”

Annoyed, he snapped.

“Keep pestering, and I’ll strip your undergarments too.”

“Go ahead.”

She tilted her head, glancing at the deserted desert.

“I’ll strip for you.”

His tone mocked.

“Fire Phoenix Sect’s holy daughter—so shameless, so wild?”

“Only wild for you.”

“Why?”

“Because I love you.”

Back to that strange loop.

He sneered.

“Then strip.”

“Spread yourself for me to admire.”

Her lashes trembled.

She shed her red skirt, left in a bandeau and undergarments.

Her fingers reached for the bandeau’s ties but faltered under his cold gaze.

She sighed.

“Close your eyes.”

He did.

When he opened them, she wore the white dress, pure as a white flower.

No trace of her earlier seduction.

Her fair legs now in knee-high warding silk socks.

She bent, slipping on jade heels with magnolia accents.

Fingers pinching her skirt, she looked up, eyes shy and innocent.

“Like this dress?”

“Stones.”

He was unmoved.

“Walk with me, and I’ll pay.”

“Why not just rob you?”

He sneered.

“It’s in my storage ring.”

“Only opens if I’m dead.”

“Would you kill me?”

She seemed sure he wouldn’t.

She stepped close, taking his broad hand.

“Just walk with me—I’ll pay.”

“If someone sees you with masked me, rumors will spread.”

“Hard to explain.”

“Take off the mask.”

“They’ll think you’re just a rogue friend.”

“If I’m right, you’d act intimate in public.”

“Spread rumors, make your fiancé jealous, bring me trouble.”

“So clever.”

She laughed freely.

“But you’d earn my favor.”

“I could kiss your cheek publicly.”

“Countless would envy you.”

“Don’t you want that?”

“Your body sparks no desire.”

He mocked.

Pouting, she laced their fingers tighter.

Walking in the Desert

A gust swept the desert.

Moonlight dusted the ground like frost.

Gu Chi stayed silent, letting her lead.

Wind tousled her hair.

He caught her scent—faint, from phoenix-tail flowers.

They bloomed vibrantly, then burned to ash off-season.

“You really don’t believe I love you?”

She whispered.

“You hate your betrothal.”

He spoke suddenly.

“After I kidnapped you, you’d rather taint your purity to spite him.”

“Is he that loathsome?”

“No.”

She shook her head.

“I’ve never met him, but he’s Central Continent’s second prince.”

“Well-regarded, handsome, diligent in cultivation.”

“Not indulgent like other princes.”

“Kind-hearted, aiding disaster victims, slaying demonic cultivators.”

“Then what’s wrong with him?”

“You hate him so much.”

“No one asked if I wanted it.”

Her smile chilled.

“Central Continent’s white crane brought the proposal.”

“My parents accepted for me, thinking it best for my young self.”

“But I didn’t agree.”

“No one can force me.”

“Sounds like a tantrum.”

He said casually.

“So what if it is?”

Her palm grew sweaty.

“If I love my future dao companion, I’d marry with a thousand gold.”

“If not, ten thousand won’t sway me.”

He didn’t reply.

She was lost in her rebellion.

They walked far.

She spoke again.

“So, you still don’t believe I love you?”

“If debasing yourself before me counts as love, maybe.”

“You draw secret pleasure from it, yet stay arrogant.”

“You think choosing abasement hides your pride, shields you from harm.”

“In your eyes, I’m the truly base one.”

“You confess love to escape your unease, your struggles, your pain.”

“You delude yourself with this illusion.”

She listened intently, silent.

After thinking, her eyes brightened.

She laughed softly.

“You’re right.”

Looking at him, she softened.

“Want to defile me further?”

“You lose nothing; I get my wish.”

“No.”

He shook his head.

“Might kill you.”

His blunt words painted a picture.

Her cheeks flushed.

She skipped beside him.

“I’ve heard girls of thirteen, fourteen bear children.”

“I’d manage.”

He glanced at her oddly.

“Want to try?”

She released his hand, darting away, wary.

“Can’t tell I’m joking?”

“You’d bully my tender body?”

“You’re into young girls, you beast.”

His teeth itched with irritation.