Chapter 208: Emerging from Seclusion
Chapter 208: Emerging from Seclusion
The morning sun bathed the chamber in a gentle glow.
On the bed, Chen Mu and Hongyu Xu, both martial cultivators, one at the Organ Realms and the other at the Bone Forging Realm, lay together. Chen Mu's robust physique needed no introduction, and even though Hongyu Xu was also a Bone Forging Realm cultivator, the sturdiest thousand-year-old pearwood bed couldn't compare to the seemingly delicate body of Hongyu Xu.
At that moment, two spheres of water floated in the air, sometimes merging into one and sometimes separating into countless droplets of crystal-clear dew, gently falling only to disappear silently before reaching the bed.
"Your Water Cavern Concept is well-mastered, with a perfect balance of tension and relaxation, smooth and fluid," Chen Mu praised, sitting cross-legged on the bed, his gaze shifting slightly upwards to the water sphere floating between their foreheads.
The water sphere mirrored Hongyu Xu's movements, rippling and splitting into two before reuniting into a single, indistinguishable entity.
"But... it's still not as good as yours..." Hongyu Xu's voice, usually like a cold, straight stream, now meandered like a winding mountain stream, adding a hint of waves and ripples.
Although Hongyu Xu had grasped the Water Cavern Concept earlier than Chen Mu, he had spent over a month solely devoted to comprehending it. Now, he had not only mastered the concept but, due to his advancement in multiple concepts, had a much finer control over it than Hongyu Xu. He could perceive every subtle detail and find his way through the intricate paths of the concept.
The water sphere floating above their foreheads was half Chen Mu's Conceptual Energy and half Hongyu Xu's. However, Chen Mu's portion remained stable, while Hongyu Xu's control over the flowing water occasionally faltered.
Of course, this wasn't entirely due to external factors.
While Chen Mu's Fiery Cauldron Concept conflicted with the Water Cavern Concept, his Gales Wind Concept, Earth Mountain Concept, and Thunderclap Concept complemented each other. With the stability of the Earth Mountain Concept, his Water Cavern Concept naturally possessed both hardness and softness, allowing for effortless transformations.
"Focus on comprehending the Water Cavern Concept for now, without worrying about other concepts. Once you reach the Organ Realms, I have something special for you. If you can deepen your mastery of the Water Cavern Concept by then, with my help, you'll have a chance to advance to the second step. At that point, your realm won't be inferior to Elder Master Yu's, and it will be easier for you to enter the Six Viscera Realm in the future."
Chen Mu embraced Hongyu Xu and whispered in her ear as he gently lifted and lowered her.
"Mmm, mmm," Hongyu Xu murmured softly.
Suddenly, the floating water sphere seemed to lose control, bursting and scattering in all directions.
But before the water could land on the bed, Chen Mu's thoughts stirred, and all the misty water droplets froze in midair, swiftly gathering back towards the center and returning above their heads.
"Indeed, you still need more practice," Chen Mu said, a hint of a smile on his face as he observed Hongyu Xu's tense posture.
After comprehending the Water Cavern Concept, Hongyu Xu's body had indeed recovered to a normal state, and perhaps it wasn't just due to this factor. It was also because she no longer had any lingering attachments, having let go of the heaviest burden, and no longer needed to hide her emotions, fear showing her vulnerable side, or shield herself from him with coldness.
Hongyu Xu paused for a moment, her head slightly bowed, before regaining control over the scattered water sphere. She lifted her head to look at Chen Mu, her cheeks flushed like a drunken blush, and her clear eyes held a hint of shyness. "You just want to see me struggle."
"I'm not trying to take advantage of you. It's just the way of the world for men and women," Chen Mu assured her with a smile.
"Really?" Hongyu Xu blinked.
"I would never lie to you," Chen Mu said, leaning in slightly. Although he was taller than Hongyu Xu, their foreheads touched perfectly at that moment. He whispered something in her ear, causing her to blush with shyness, but she remained obedient.
Time passed, and eventually, Xiao He quietly entered the room, carrying a water basin and clean handkerchiefs. She approached the bed curtains and spoke softly to the figures within, "Master, Madam, it's almost the Hour of the Dragon. Time to get up."
Her cheeks bore a hint of pink as she glanced at the bed, noticing the thousand-year-old pearwood frame. The joints and edges showed signs of wear, and the entire bed seemed to have shifted slightly. She muttered to herself, thinking that if it weren't for Hongyu Xu's Bone Forging Realm cultivation, things might have been different.
She wouldn't have this opportunity to help again, as she hadn't slept all night.
The bed curtains were drawn aside, revealing Chen Mu and Hongyu Xu sitting on the bed, both dressed in clean silk sleepwear. Xiao He stood there holding the water basin, blinking and looking Hongyu Xu up and down.
"What are you looking at?" Hongyu Xu asked, sensing a hint of mischievousness in Xiao He's eyes. But she remained calm, her demeanor as serene as ever, and she said nothing more.
Xiao He's large eyes revealed a trace of disappointment, as she had hoped to see Hongyu Xu's flushed and flustered expression. She had been serving Hongyu Xu for so many years, yet she had never witnessed such a moment.
As she turned to leave, she wondered if there would ever be another chance.
Chen Mu merely glanced at Xiao He, thinking that if Xu Hongyu's Martial Domain was only at the Skin Tempering or Flesh Forging stage, perhaps she would need a servant girl to help her, but at the Bone Forging Realm, it was unnecessary. This servant girl had been eavesdropping outside and couldn't hide her thoughts from him; her mind wasn't pure, and he would have to punish her more severely next time.
Soon, Chen Mu and Xu Hongyu finished washing up and changed into their clothes. Xiao He wiped the mist off the brass mirror and stood behind Xu Hongyu, taking out a horn comb to style her hair. However, Chen Mu walked over and took the comb from her hand, looking at Xu Hongyu's elegant and beautiful face in the mirror, and softly said, "I'll comb your hair, my lady."
"Husband..."
Xu Hongyu looked at Chen Mu as he gently combed her hair with the horn comb, feeling as if she had eaten a sweet, sweet honey. She stared at their reflections in the mirror, mesmerized, and only wanted to stay in this moment forever.
Xiao He stood beside them, her eyes blinking as she gazed at Xu Hongyu and Chen Mu with a hint of envy. She knew that Xu Hongyu's current Martial Domain was the result of her hard work and perseverance, practicing swordsmanship day and night without slackening. Unlike other girls who loved dressing up, Xu Hongyu had always kept things simple. Her status had brought her wealth, but also constraints.
Xiao He had grown up with Xu Hongyu and had always hoped that she could fulfill her wishes, find her father Xu Yichuan, and resolve her inner conflicts. Now, all of these had been quietly fulfilled.
Chen Mu, the unparalleled genius who ruled over the Jade Prefecture, had reached the Five Viscera Realm and surpassed the true disciples of various sects. Now, he was standing there, carefully combing Xu Hongyu's hair, making Xiao He feel happy for her, yet also a little envious.
Chen Mu wasn't thinking about anything at the moment; he was just looking at the person in front of him, completely relaxed. Since coming to this world, he had rarely let his guard down, and these past two days could be considered a short vacation for him.
After finishing Xu Hongyu's hair, Chen Mu put up her hair bun and inserted a jade hairpin into her hair. "Is there anything going on outside?" he asked Xiao He, who was still standing beside them.
Xiao He replied, "Nothing, no big deal. Nothing is more important than the master and mistress's matters."
As she spoke, she glanced at Xu Hongyu with a hint of mischief. Xu Hongyu finally couldn't help but stretch out her hand and pinch Xiao He's cheek, saying, "Xiao He."
Chen Mu smiled slightly and then turned to Xu Hongyu, saying, "I'll go out first. You rest for a while, Hongyu."
After speaking, he walked out of the room. The sound of Xiao He's crying and begging for mercy came from inside the room.
...
"Master."
Chen Mu walked out of the room and into the corridor, where several servant girls were standing, bowing to him respectfully. He thought to himself that the life of the ancients was indeed enjoyable.
Looking at the busy servant girls, Chen Mu felt a sense of nostalgia. Even if he didn't need someone to serve him, he had previously had three servant girls, Wang Ni, Ku, and Le, serving him in the courtyard.
Of course, this was the life of the truly wealthy and powerful people, unlike the commoners who were at the bottom of the social ladder, even if they were slightly better off, they would only be able to afford the basics.
But the wealthy and powerful families in the inner city were on a different level from the countryside gentry and officials. Above them were the four great families of the past, and now there were only three great families left, and above them were the five great sects, including the Seven Mysteries Sect, and people like Censor Yan Jingqing.
As Chen Mu walked along the corridor, he saw a familiar figure in the front courtyard. He was slightly surprised and said, "Master Sister Meng is back. When did you come out of seclusion?"
"It was this morning," Meng Danyun replied with a smile, wearing a neutral-colored daoist robe and a simple wooden hairpin.
Chen Mu congratulated her on her breakthrough, saying, "I didn't expect you to make such rapid progress. Your Gale Wind Concept has reached the second step, and you've surpassed me."
Meng Danyun's breakthrough was indeed remarkable. Previously, she was at the Water Cavern Intent, and now she had reached the same level as Chen Mu. It was a huge leap forward, and her strength had increased significantly.
(End of Chapter)
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