### Chapter 226: Time to Take It Off
“No, no, no, this is too intense!”
“Haa… Haa… Go easy, too rough! I can’t… take it.”
“I was wrong, have mercy! My body can’t handle any more!”
That day, inside Yun Zhonghe’s residence, Mu Jixue was huffing and puffing incessantly.
Finally, caught in a head-spinning whirlwind of intensity, her consciousness seemed to be flying out of her head, as all the impurities within her were flushed out.
Unconscious, she fell to the floor, her snow-white skin glistening with sweat, a tinge of pink blooming on her cheeks. Her chest heaved up and down rapidly with each breath.
Mu Jixue was profoundly regretful; if given another choice, she’d never have pretended again.
…
To understand what happened, we must go back to the beginning.
After Mu Jixue proposed to repay Yun Zhonghe for helping Su Xiaoxiao, Yun Zhonghe readily agreed, pulling Mu Jixue to his own quarters alone.
Yun Zhonghe snickered.
“Jaja, naive Huáng Àotiān, you just walked right into my trap! The heavens have answered my prayers!”
He rejoiced wildly, as if he had been waiting for this moment for ages. He was practically trembling with excitement, even his signature sinister laugh was almost out of control. Phew, phew, better calm down a bit.
This time, Yun Zhonghe promised that she would truly enjoy herself, experiencing memories she’d never forget!
Huáng Àotiān, just use your body to repay me! Jaja…
Mu Jixue, meanwhile, was completely bewildered.
She was invited alone to Yun Zhonghe’s residence, with Lin Zhongyu and Su Xiaoxiao nowhere in sight. Yun Zhonghe said they needed privacy between him and Mu Jixue.
Nobody expected Yun Zhonghe to be so straightforward. The expressions on Lin Zhongyu and Su Xiaoxiao froze with confusion. Something wasn’t quite right.
But, out of trust, they conceded.
Now, abandoned by Lin Zhongyu and Su Xiaoxiao, Mu Jixue was panicked. She felt like a lone chick about to be devoured by a wolf.
How did this happen? How did this happen? Why? Why? Why?!
Why did the story get out of hand so quickly?!
Mu Jixue stood quivering in Yun Zhonghe’s room, feeling paralyzed, as if chains were holding her down. She thought that any movement might lead her to being restrained and hung up for some kind of twisted play.
Her face turned red, and her delicate hands gripped her dress tight.
Yun Zhonghe’s eyes were overwhelmingly intense, gazing at her with a hunger that made her feel exposed.
The raw, unhidden predatory gaze sent chills down Mu Jixue’s spine. She felt her whole body tingle, her heart racing, and her scalp numb.
“Why are you still standing there, Miss Mu Jixue?”
“What?”
Mu Jixue jumped at the unexpected voice, her thoughts momentarily scrambled.
Blinking with large, watery eyes, she looked up at the towering man in front of her.
No! She had to stay calm. She felt like she was losing herself.
It’s just a private meeting, what’s the big deal? She had shared private moments with Yun Zhonghe before.
They had climbed dark, damp passages, hid behind narrow cabinets…
Yet, those past experiences suddenly seemed loaded with innuendos—like Yun Zhonghe’s unusually large size!
Mu Jixue’s mind flashed with improper imagery; her face flushed even more.
No, no, she was overthinking! There was no way he brought her here just for that.
If that were true, Mu Jixue wouldn’t be agonizing this much.
So, she must be overthinking.
Mu Jixue took a deep breath, steadied herself, and sat on Yun Zhonghe’s bed.
As soon as she got comfortable, Yun Zhonghe said, “Hurry up, take it off.”
“!”
Mu Jixue’s eyes widened, nearly dropping her jaw.
Take it off?
Take off what?
Her clothes?
He looked at her with an obvious expression, as if it was obvious: “Of course, take off your clothes.”
His tone was sincere, not joking.
“Eh… wait, here… this is the Xuantian Sect…”
Yun Zhonghe’s directness left Mu Jixue speechless.
However, Yun Zhonghe chuckled, “Especially because it is the Xuantian Sect, we should do it.”
Xuantian Sect—strict, isn’t it? Why here?
The sect tightly monitors young disciples, prohibiting any intimate relationship among unmarried men under sixteen.
Due to this rule, outer gate disciples live separately by gender.
But Yun Zhonghe’s logic was beyond strange. Was he just trying to add spice?
Mu Jixue’s pupils trembled.
Though Mu Jixue knew Yun Zhonghe was eccentric, she didn’t think he was this audacious!
“Why, Miss Mu Jixue, aren’t you going to repay me?” Yun Zhonghe raised an eyebrow.
Mu Jixue subconsciously covered her chest with her arms, cheeks blushing: “But… I didn’t know body repayment was a thing…”
“It doesn’t matter, if I say it’s fine, it’s fine…”
What?
Even more confused than when Yun Zhonghe forced her through that expansion!
Should she refuse?
This was a rare opportunity. If she blew it, Yun Zhonghe might turn to someone else.
But, she couldn’t entirely let go. It was a dilemma.
In her mind, it felt like a battle of small Mu Jixues, creating a headache for her.
Eventually, her youthful nature won over.
Taking a deep breath, she seemed almost seductive, with her beautiful eyes shining like spring water. Sitting on the bed, her legs wrapped in white silks moved nervously.
Her lips, now more lustrous and forming a beautiful curve, her long eyelashes subtly fluttering, showed her anxiety and unease.
“Hey?”
Yun Zhonghe was taken aback, finding Mu Jixue incredibly provocative.
She lay on one side, extending her skinny leg: “Come on, up.”
Her clear eyes gazed at Yun Zhonghe, filled with something tender, her soft and tempting voice drawing him in.
“Miss Mu Jixue…”
Yun Zhonghe swallowed, his eyes dark and intense. Suddenly, he asked: “What are you doing?”
“…”
“…”
Their gazes locked for a moment, suddenly turning awkward.
“Hey?”
“What?”
Mutual bewilderment.
Mu Jixue could barely contain her shudders: “Aren’t we supposed to… cultivate together?”
Yun Zhonghe nodded blankly: “Well yes, but I’ll just give you a medicinal bath.”
“Then why take off clothes?”
“Well, I prepared some fire spirit herbs, it’s easier without clothes, otherwise, they might catch fire from spirit energy.”
Mu Jixue questioned him dumbfounded while he replied seriously.
“Wow?”
“What?”
Their eyes met. Mu Jixue’s face turned slightly pink…
She couldn’t hold it in anymore.
Ugh! Ugh!! Ugh!!!
So that’s it?
Mu Jixue finally understood Yun Zhonghe meant a bath, not some cultivation exercise.
Shameful! So shameful!
She’d gotten everything wrong, even preparing to submit herself.
She wished she could bash her head against a wall for amnesia.
But, she managed to think of an excuse: “Oh, I thought it was something like meridian training.”
She plastered a composed expression, tossing her silver hair, displaying what she believed to be her most charming pose, exposing her elegant collarbone and sleek neck.
But inwardly, she felt a mess.
Yun Zhonghe frowned: “Did you really listen? I explained clearly on the way here, didn’t I?”
Mu Jixue was surprised, her gaze wandering: “Sorry… I was preoccupied with other things, only heard a bit…”
Her nerves jolted remembering being dragged to Yun Zhonghe’s place. What if… she was the first one to break the ice?
But after hearing her explanation, Yun Zhonghe looked at her with exasperation.
Being alone makes her nervous? Why? We’re good friends, right?
Yun Zhonghe looked puzzled.
“But… that doesn’t make sense. If it’s meridian training, why take off clothes?”
Yun Zhonghe sensed the irrationality in her explanation and raised questions.
Meridian penetration only requires sitting and palm-to-palm contact.
How did she connect ‘taking clothes off’ with ‘meridian penetration?’
With immense doubt, Mu Jixue strained to remember, improvising: “I… my master taught me! It’s a special training method!”
“Really or fake?”
Yun Zhonghe put his chin in his hand, astounded.
Another secret technique he didn’t know?! Impossible!
Mu Jixue glanced at him sideways: “Wanna know? Maybe I’ll teach it someday.”
Yun Zhonghe’s eyes lit up: “Promise! Don’t break it!”
“Yes, yes, yes,” Mu Jixue nodded furiously.
What a friend. I’ll admit, my thoughts earlier weren’t great. But swear, we’re like brothers!
Seeing Yun Zhonghe’s joy, Mu Jixue sighed in relief.
Problem solved?
But the relief was short-lived. She felt frustrated.
Dumbass Yun Zhonghe! Couldn’t tell I was lying?
Where was his usual sharpness?
She glared at him disapprovingly.
“Alright, take off your clothes, I’ll prepare the bath. You don’t need to worry, I won’t peep.”
“I trust you…”
Then, Yun Zhonghe got to work.
All materials were purchased at Xuantian Mansion.
The wooden tub was crafted from spiritual wood, a fire attribute complementing the metal bucket for the bath.
The water, sourced from a spiritual spring, greatly stimulated the spirit herbs in the bath, enhancing their effects.
Yun Zhonghe acquired several auxiliary herbs for the fire spirit plants.
Scratch-scratch-scratch—
Yun Zhonghe, ignoring Mu Jixue, worked on gathering supplies. He heard the sound of clothes being stripped and involuntarily perked up, ears picking up his heartbeat.
Honestly, although it was a misunderstanding, some of Mu Jixue’s mannerisms had Yun Zhonghe daydreaming—feeling a flicker of desire.
But this must be a misunderstanding.
If it’s real…
Yun Zhonghe dared not think further, knowing what that might mean.
Indeed, after getting her virginity broken by Xue Yunjian, he figured he’d easily get carried away.
“Brother Yun, I… I’m done now…”
Behind him, Mu Jixue’s timid voice rang out, as though a newborn baby laid bare.
Yun Zhonghe needed only turn to see her completely n*de form.
Not a stitch left.
Mu Jixue was on tenterhooks, realizing what was happening during her undressing.
Was this supposed to be gratitude, or was she there for a medicinal bath strengthening?
Confusion aside, it was too late to ask.
Suddenly, quiet descended, even the sound of Yun Zhonghe setting up the fire spell with his palms was audible.
Mu Jixue was n*ked, sitting calmly on Yun Zhonghe’s bed, her face glowing crimson. Silver hair cascaded down, revealing her creamy skin and shoulders. Her chest, covered partially by her arm, remained visible yet full.
Mu Jixue’s beauty was undeniable, and she neatly folded her clothes, placing them neatly beside her, seeming obedient.
This was unlike her usual self; she imagined any slight roughness from Yun Zhonghe wouldn’t cause a reaction, accepting it all silently.
