I broke into a run, heading toward the area was supposed to be covering, disregarding the constant snagging of dry branches and weeds, driven only by the need to find her quickly.

As the saying goes, it’s a long, hard run to the mountain peak. The gentle slope where the Tusi Imperial City was located didn’t look that far, but truly running from one point to another proved to be no matter of mere minutes, especially with the dappled shadows and winding paths. By the time I finally reached ’s approximate location and shouted her name, I couldn't even hear an echo back.

Panic flared. I abandoned the stone path, scrambling wildly through the undergrowth, shouting ’s name as I went. But all I heard was the rustle of leaves in the wind and the chirping of birds and cicadas—no response from at all. My anxiety intensified. In the broad daylight, could something strange have happened to her? Was I not shouting loud enough? With that thought, I summoned every ounce of strength I possessed, screaming ’s name hoarsely while frantically searching among the grave mounds in the woods.

Just as I was close to tears from sheer worry, a local man emerged from the trees and asked, "Young master, are you calling out for that young lady?"

Hearing this, I was overjoyed. I gripped the man’s arm tightly and said urgently, "You've seen her?"

The man replied, "I saw her heading toward ."

"? Where is ?"

"It's not far from here," the man said, pointing toward White Tiger Mountain. "Head south for about half a li, and you’ll see . That young lady was definitely heading in that direction just now."

"Thank you so much for your trouble. Here, take this half-pack of cigarettes, old brother, don't refuse it." I tossed the cigarettes to the man and ran toward in the direction he had indicated.

I ran while calling out, hoping to hear 's voice as quickly as possible, lest I run in the wrong direction.

After covering what felt like a long stretch, perhaps the li the man mentioned, I heard the soft, trickling sound of water. I burst out of the woods and saw, just as I suspected, a narrow stream hidden among lush trees and wild blossoms, winding its way through the terrain. The water was crystal clear, and under the sunlight filtering through the canopy, it reflected shimmering, dancing light. Ahead of me was a shallow pool, its surface rippling outward in concentric circles, making the stones at the bottom seem poised to move, sparking an impulse to jump in and splash around recklessly; the dense surrounding trees and vines formed a natural enclosure for the pool.

"Such a secluded, hidden environment, such clean water—it truly is an excellent place for a bath. No wonder they call it . If this was indeed where the Tusi King's concubines bathed back then, the setting is beautiful, and the name is perfectly fitting!" I mused to myself, but not seeing ’s figure, my heart remained uneasy. I stood on a massive boulder and shouted, ", where are you?"

After several calls, a faint, unusual sound caught my attention. Even though it was nearly drowned out by the wind and the water, my heightened focus allowed my senses to keenly perceive it. The strange noise seemed to come from beneath the rock where I stood.

", is that you?" I cried out excitedly, leaping down from the stone. As I rounded the front of the boulder, I froze instantly, my eyes widening to saucers, my mouth falling open into an 'O' shape... My dear heavens, was I dreaming?

There, laid bare before my eyes, was a flawless, porcelain-white body with exquisitely sculpted curves. Soaked hair hung loosely over a smooth, delicate back. Her slender waist could be grasped in one hand, her full, rounded hips clearly defined, and her firm, long thighs were currently rolling off glistening, transparent beads of water. Her delicate ankles were half-submerged in the clear pool, resting on slick pebbles, and the sunlight refracted up from the water painted dazzling halos across that soul-stealing physique...

The owner of the body was frantically trying to pull her clothes back on. Hearing the noise behind her, she whipped her head around—and who else could it be but ?

This sight made me feel as if the sky itself was collapsing. It was truly like: seen up close it’s a ridge, seen from the side it’s a peak; the face was as red as the scarlet peony in full bloom, her bright eyes fixed on my stunned expression. She tried to cover herself with her hands, but alas, with two hands and three essential points to conceal, how could she possibly manage everything? had been completely "consumed" by my gaze from head to toe!

Seeing that it was me, ’s panic subsided. The flush gradually receded from her face. She gave me a fierce glare, calmly pulled on her clothes, walked over, and shoved me, saying with a delicate pout, "Seen enough?"

"Seen enough... Wait, not enough..." I stammered, as if waking from a deep dream. My mind was filled with the luscious scenery I had just witnessed. The sudden push brought me back to reality, and I suddenly realized something was terribly wrong with my posture. I immediately bent over, trying to hide my shameful state.

gave a charming smile and teased, "So, have you seen enough or not? Want another look?"

Startled, I sputtered, "This... this... , I will take responsibility for you!" Heaven knows why such a ridiculous thing came out of my mouth.

tilted my chin up and laughed playfully, "You only got to feast your eyes. I haven't lost anything. What responsibility do you need to take?" I was stunned speechless again. How could speak so frankly? "I... I didn't just feast my eyes. Back in the Anle Cave, I also... touched... your... your thing... and I kissed... I kissed your face and..." After forcing those words out with immense effort, I regretted it so much I nearly jumped into the pool to drown myself. Wasn't that clearly confessing and putting my foot in my mouth?

giggled and continued to hold my chin, provoking me, "I knew about that a long time ago. It wasn't your fault; I share some blame too. Actually, when you carried me in the Anle Cave, I had already woken up. Because I was embarrassed, I pretended to still be asleep until you saw the giant python dead on the ground with me pinned underneath it, and only then could I not help but cry out, pretending to have just woken up..."

No wonder I felt 's demeanor was slightly off back then; that was the reason.

"...You touched, and you looked, so by that logic, you really must take responsibility for me," said with a smile.

"Responsibility, responsibility, I will certainly see it through to the end," I nodded repeatedly.

's expression suddenly sobered, and she let out a soft sigh, murmuring, "Actually, I have long... seen how devotedly you care for me, how you risked your life to carry the matter of the Green Fur Scroll for me. Even without the four lines of gatha Master Qinghe mentioned, I already felt you were the only reliance in my life..."

Hearing this, I suddenly felt the sunlight dim considerably, and the intoxicating beauty of the surroundings seemed incapable of entering my vision. A wave of immense happiness washed over me, sweeping away every worry in my heart.

I dared to pull into an embrace and said, "Your troubles are my troubles. We will never be separated again in this lifetime."

"Mmm!" nestled gently into my chest.

This moment of warmth lasted for a long, long time. raised her head and looked at me quizzically. "You kept saying you’d take responsibility for me. But I feel uncomfortable and awkward just leaning against your chest. Why are you hunched over? Stand up straight!"

Before the word "straight" even finished leaving her lips, suddenly understood why I couldn't stand up properly. Her face instantly flushed crimson again. Her small hand brushed past me almost involuntarily, then snapped back as quickly as lightning. She lowered her head and let out a shy giggle.

I was mortified. Steeling my nerves, I ignored that useless part of me and dared to say, "How about we try a bolder breakthrough?"

shoved me away, her eyes wide open, saying with mingled shame and anger, "Dream on! You really know how to push your luck—greedy and insatiable... you old rogue, you stinking rogue!" Hearing this, I realized had misunderstood me. I mumbled, my lips hesitant, "I didn't mean that... I just meant that..."

"If you didn't mean that, what did you mean? And what is that?" pressed relentlessly.

"I... I just wanted to kiss your little mouth..." I declared firmly, throwing caution to the wind. Damn it, if I’m going to look like a fool, I might as well go all the way. Since was so brave, why should I remain reserved and pretend to be proper?

covered her mouth and stifled a laugh, then raised her head, stood on her tiptoes, and pecked my lips first. Just as I was about to deepen the kiss, playfully hopped away. "That's enough, don't be ungrateful." I felt unsatisfied, thinking to myself, A determined farmer can always look forward to the next harvest; it's mine anyway, and next time, I can do whatever I want. What am I afraid of, her flying away?

After some playful teasing, grew serious. "Why were you rushing to find me? Did you discover the real Tomb of ?"

"Not exactly. But I did find a clue that might help us search for , which is why I rushed to find you. I looked everywhere, not knowing you were hiding here bathing."

"Don't you start," patted my cheek. "I heard you shouting a long time ago. If I had answered immediately, you would have run right over, and I would have been mortified! Who knew that the moment I climbed out of the water before I could even dress, I’d fall into your trap..."