Chapter 17 : Falling asleep with her, even my dreams must be sweet.
Nearing dinner at dusk, thick clouds blocked stars completely.
Canyon filled with sourceless mist,
flowing water crisp but unseen.
Dim quiet setting,
firefly-like creatures glowed faintly, lingering in corner plants.
“Hm, previous body magic-crafted shell.
Even I couldn’t tell at once.”
Qianyu sat as usual by stone-ringed fire of dry wood.
But now beside her, Xingyao—eyed longingly by Del.
Her first such meal.
Seemed shy, body curled.
Afraid of any sound. Obediently held wooden bowl with both hands.
“And you mentioned telepathy for talk.”
Before,
Qianyu spilled all bath events, minus end.
Curiosity sparked, Del said this, eyes glancing Qianyu.
Knew Xingyao ignored her, planned confirm via Qianyu.
“Xingyao must have great magic talent.
Even craft new body for activity…”
“Think so. Every magic seen—unexpected.”
Nearly reshaped Qianyu’s magic view. Strength clear.
“Eh, above me?”
“That… hard say.”
Direct test—fight them.
But Qianyu wouldn’t allow, never seen Xingyao battle magic.
“Forget, no dwell—
New helper in team, good for me.”
In nightrobe, hair loose, Del stood, stretched,
cool line dropped, headed tent.
“Late, clean up rest.”
“Eh, now? Target not here—”
“Means bad luck. Timing, place sometimes off.
Plus early rise, meet entrance group.
If never shows, guard all night?”
“Mm, true.
Maybe met Captain en route, killed early.”
“Right, don’t mind much. I’ll set alert barrier around.
Rest easy.”
Del pushed tent flap in.
Chance thing, no help.
Qianyu stood, splashed water on fire, white smoke rolled.
Simple clean bowls, pack luggage—done.
“We rest too, Xingyao.”
—
Mm.
Watching obedient nod, positive response:
Body renewed, old bruises wounds gone, replaced by fair tender skin.
No heavy makeup needed for refined features, lady-like elegance.
Small animal-like lovable gestures, slim build.
Pleasant scent—mix her usual shampoo, unique body freshness.
Qianyu swallowed unconsciously, pressure heavy,
tonight perhaps tougher sleepless than last.
“—”
For some reason,
early with Qianyu in tent, slept on same bed till now.
Dazed Xingyao suddenly woke.
Past nerve-wracking life,
habituated unusual wake from sleep.
Consciousness cleared fast.
Propped weak, unrecovered slim body,
sleepy eyes to should-be beside…
—
?
Master gone.
First reaction.
At some point, cramped single bed only her.
Even tent scent, bedding warmth lessened.
—
Night vision
Fingertip to eyelids seconds, removed, purple charm pupils faint glow.
Collected all surroundings info.
(Blanket neat by bed, ground only our footprints. No struggle chaos. Tent undamaged.)
—
Master left willingly.
Why?
Know events not reason,
this awkward worry—no sound second sleep.
Even if just bathroom.
Thus, decided find Qianyu.
“Haah, haah, haah, haah…”
—
?
Near tent door, about step out.
Strange sound faint in dark.
To miss nothing,
Xingyao quick enhanced senses.
“Mmm mmm, mmm mmm mmm mmm!”
—
?!
Clearer now.
(Sounds female muffled, not beast. Familiar. Close, next tent?)
No delay, Xingyao moved.
Followed intermittent sounds, out tent to open.
Confirmed thrice, stopped before nearby shaded corner—
Del miss’s tent.
Sure, sound from inside.
And.
—
Master?
At tent entrance ground—Qianyu’s footprints.
Far back along trail,
Qianyu left tent, destination here.
(W-What do.)
Before tent, Xingyao hesitated, probe further?
Del miss companion, invade privacy rude.
But not—truth chance fleeting.
No suspect Del harm Qianyu, plot.
From morning secret wind magic help Master, shows care…
(Right! Greet first.)
Confirm Master safe, no offend privacy.
Good idea both ways,
Xingyao focused, planned telepathy contact Qianyu.
(U-Useless?)
Magic found no Qianyu consciousness.
Prior telepathy linked paths.
Should easy find.
Xingyao thought two possibilities:
One, asleep or unconscious—unaware.
Two, physical distance beyond range.
“Guh, haah, mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm!? Haah, haah…”
Meanwhile, tent sounds grew intense.
Seemed decision time short.
(No choice—pardon, Master, Del miss)
Resolved, Xingyao slowly poked small head,
through flap inside, heart pounding.
(T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-THIS?!?!)
Words couldn’t describe Xingyao’s feeling.
That scene, likely unforgettable lifetime.