**Chapter 417: I’m Not Afraid**
Jiang Huai felt he really needed to strengthen his resolve.
Earlier, he had only been slightly tempted by the allure of Luo Yueguan, but now, lying beside her, all he could think about was how to bully her delicate and soft body. He had clearly been particularly restrained before, yet at this moment, he suddenly realized that Luo Yueguan had always let him take what he wanted from her. It seemed she genuinely wanted to engage in something mischievous; as long as he spoke up, she would comply.
Jiang Huai vigorously rubbed his face and turned to gaze into Luo Yueguan’s eyes.
Her eyes were still soft and lazy, enhanced by a hint of charm that had faded slightly.
In an instant, Jiang Huai looked away, knowing that the more he stared, the more he would think inappropriately. After a moment, he couldn’t help but ponder whether he actually liked Luo Yueguan. If he did, what was the reason, and when did those feelings begin?
As soon as he started to think about this, the desire in his heart quietly subsided.
Luo Yueguan had taken control of the Spirit Boat’s spiritual essence and was steering it toward Flower Spirit Valley, a particularly famous scenic spot in the Eastern Region. Beneath the mountains of Flower Spirit Valley lay a wooden spirit vein mine. A ninth-realm cultivator who loved planting flowers once built a cave residence there, cultivating exotic spirit flowers that bloomed across the mountains. After that cultivator passed away, it was said that her residual soul lingered in Flower Spirit Valley, guarding everything within its bounds.
There were also rumors that rogue cultivators had encountered that cultivator’s residual soul in Flower Spirit Valley, receiving several priceless spirit flowers in return. Thus, many cultivators, beyond just sightseeing, often sought to test their luck there.
The precious spirit flowers of Flower Spirit Valley were generally not permitted to be picked easily; it was an established rule. However, if you happen to find a rare spirit flower whose spirit was willing to leave with you, you could cultivate it and take it away.
At this moment, the two were not far from Flower Spirit Valley; it would only take two incense sticks’ worth of time. Jiang Huai glanced at Luo Yueguan beside him and pinched her cheek. “Get dressed.”
“You dress me,” Luo Yueguan replied in a soft, playful manner.
A thought suddenly struck Jiang Huai. He opened his System Backpack and rummaged through his collection of maid dresses. He selected one that fit Luo Yueguan’s size and took it out, complete with matching underwear. However, when Luo Yueguan saw him take out the set of lingerie, the corners of her lips curved slightly. “Do you want to see me wear such lingerie?”
Jiang Huai retrieved a set of black lace underwear and, seeing the playful glint in Luo Yueguan’s eyes, felt no shame as he playfully winked at her, responding sincerely, “Of course.”
Luo Yueguan sat up slightly, and Jiang Huai turned her so he could fasten her corset. After she had put on the lingerie, he helped her into over-the-knee white silk stockings that hugged her long, smooth legs. Her thighs were slightly plump and softly encased at the top by the lace-trimmed stockings. He continued dressing her in the skirt, and Luo Yueguan, sitting by the bed, watched as Jiang Huai crouched by the bedside to help her put on high heels.
As Jiang Huai casually glanced up, he caught a glimpse of Luo Yueguan holding the bed sheet, appearing somewhat shy and flustered. In that instant, he suddenly envisioned Luo Qingyu—she also liked to act spoiled, and he often dressed her in such a manner.
When Luo Yueguan stood up, she playfully lifted the hem of her skirt, swaying left and right to show Jiang Huai. She winked, “Do you like me like this?”
“It makes you look cute.”
“It’s a bit like something a little girl would like.”
“You and a little girl aren’t so different.”
“I’m over five hundred years older than you!”
“So, you’re aware of that, you shameless old woman.”
Luo Yueguan, in a fit of mock anger, lunged at Jiang Huai, pinning him against the wall and planting several kisses on his face while chanting, “I’m shameless! Absolutely shameless!”
Jiang Huai wore an expression of shock, drenched with her playful teasing. He looked at Luo Yueguan, who stood with her hands on her hips, and after a moment’s thought, he created a hole in his clothes from behind, glancing at her with a wink. “Want to see something fun?”
“Something fun?” Luo Yueguan was taken aback.
“Look at my super fluffy big tail!” Jiang Huai suddenly transformed, revealing his tail and ears. Luo Yueguan froze for several seconds, staring at him before bursting into laughter. She shook with mirth, unable to straighten her waist as Jiang Huai playfully shook his fox ears, looking innocently at her. “What are you laughing at?”
“How did you turn into this?”
“I got a drop of Nine-tailed Fox Clan Essence Blood from a secret realm in the Monster Clan, so now I can turn into this with a bit of spiritual energy.” Jiang Huai flicked his tail, brushing it against her face. “The bloodline of the nine-tailed fox is pretty powerful.”
That was indeed a fact; the Nine-tailed Fox Clan possessed incredible speed. If Jiang Huai fully activated the fox bloodline in his body, his sword-drawing speed could surpass his fastest rate by more than half. Furthermore, in battle, his fox tail could serve as a second weapon. As Luo Yueguan was tickled by his fox tail, she suddenly became playful, bent down, and took a bite.
Jiang Huai almost jumped up from the shock.
“Stop, stop, stop!” He looked at Luo Yueguan, a mix of grievance and embarrassment on his face. “Don’t bite; it feels really strange when someone touches my fox tail.”
“How strange?” Luo Yueguan loosened her mouth, playfully glancing at him.
“Let’s just say, you generally shouldn’t touch it.” Jiang Huai hastily retracted his tail and moved next to Luo Yueguan. He glanced at the mirror in the room; the reflection showed him looking gentle and innocent, with rosy cheeks.
“Now that I’m standing beside you, don’t I look like your pet?”
Luo Yueguan was initially taken aback but then laughed even harder, leaning in closer to reach out and touch his fox ears. Jiang Huai didn’t shy away, letting her play for a while. Satisfied, Luo Yueguan finally gestured that the Spirit Boat was nearing their destination. Together, they descended from the Spirit Boat, arriving at the foot of Flower Spirit Valley.
…………………………………………
As the sky darkened and a drizzle fell, Jiang Huai opened an oil-paper umbrella.
He had made the umbrella himself, decorated with white floral designs. Usually, in Guanxue Mountain, he had plenty of time to tinker with various boring projects, free from cultivating or sword practice. Luo Yueguan sheltered beneath his umbrella, while Jiang Huai held his tail high to keep it dry.
At this moment, some onlookers had also come to admire the flowers in Flower Spirit Valley. However, unlike Jiang Huai, they were not using umbrellas. In fact, Jiang Huai could create a barrier to block the raindrops using spiritual energy, but holding the umbrella made it seem more intimate with Luo Yueguan.
This deliberate distance would clearly indicate to others that their relationship was extraordinary.
In front of others, Luo Yueguan usually reined in her unreasonable antics and seemed more serious. Therefore, as they walked beneath Jiang Huai’s umbrella, a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.
Jiang Huai leaned closer to her ear and whispered gently, “Why are you blushing?”
“I’m not.” Luo Yueguan immediately pouted in protest, yet her body remained close to Jiang Huai, watching the rain droplets fall from the umbrella’s edge.
The flowers in Flower Spirit Valley bloomed in a beautiful array of colors, bringing a unique aesthetic pleasure. Jiang Huai enjoyed tending to flowers and grew many precious spirit flowers in his courtyard. Now, seeing many species he had only read about in old scrolls, he and Luo Yueguan walked slowly, occasionally bending down to breathe in the fragrant flowers.
Luo Yueguan also emanated a faint floral fragrance. Jiang Huai suddenly recalled the playful moments on the Spirit Boat when he had been teasing and kissing her soft pink lips. The scent of her skin had captivated him.
“Why did you suddenly want to come to Flower Spirit Valley?” Jiang Huai asked softly.
There were many interesting attractions in the Eastern Region, but Luo Yueguan had chosen this specific place. She took light steps forward and said softly, “I visited Flower Spirit Valley once when I was over two hundred years old.”
“Really?”
“Yes, during that trip, I drove away a small beast that loved eating flowers and accidentally encountered the residual soul of the cultivator who planted these spirit flowers. That cultivator offered me a flower, but at that time, I didn’t know what to ask for. I hesitated a lot, wanting everything but having to choose just one, so I kept coming back to Flower Spirit Valley each year, hoping to see if any new beautiful flowers bloomed. Whenever I wanted to pick them, I worried about finding something even prettier in the future.”
As raindrops pattered on the umbrella, Luo Yueguan’s voice was calm and soothing. They continued walking, and Jiang Huai curiously asked, “So this time, are you also coming to choose flowers?”
“Sort of,” Luo Yueguan tilted her head slightly, letting out a gentle hum. “Let’s stroll around Flower Spirit Valley, and you can pick your favorite flower to give to me.”
Jiang Huai’s hand holding the umbrella trembled slightly as he turned to look at Luo Yueguan’s bright eyes. Unlike before, her gaze no longer appeared weary or sorrowful; now, they sparkled like luminous pearls. He found himself momentarily unprepared for the brilliance in her eyes, as if pierced by a dazzling light.
Her gaze, like an arrow, suddenly struck his heart, causing his heartbeat to falter for a moment.
“Is this for me?”
“Yes, that way, I won’t have to keep considering which flower to choose. Whatever you like must be the best,” she spoke softly and naturally, without a hint of pretense. Her eyes sparkled with tenderness, but Jiang Huai’s heart instinctively raced. He stared at Luo Yueguan’s face for several seconds, unsure of what to say.
“Why are you staring at me?” Luo Yueguan blinked in confusion.
“Luo Yueguan.”
“Hmm?”
“Who taught you to say such sweet words?”
“Where is this sweet talk?” In an instant, Luo Yueguan seemed like a cat with its tail stepped on, playfully pinching his waist. “Be careful; we’re outside. Don’t say such things.”
“Clearly, you’re the one saying nonsense.”
“Not at all! These are all genuine feelings.”
Just as Luo Yueguan finished speaking, Jiang Huai suddenly grabbed her shoulder. In a moment of fluster, she found herself in Jiang Huai’s embrace. He closed the umbrella, letting the rain fall as he cupped her face in his hands, looking into her eyes. He suddenly asked, “Can I kiss you?”
“Why are you even asking…”
“There are still some people nearby; I’m worried you might not want to,” Jiang Huai said softly.
“I’m not afraid.” Luo Yueguan tilted her head slightly, taking the initiative to lean closer and wrap her arms around his neck, kissing him on the lips.
Raindrops fell on their hair, but neither of them had the heart to use spiritual energy to block the rain.
Luo Yueguan hugged him tightly.
