"A Shan, A Shan—"
Ling Yao's eyes snapped open. The room was lit by a candle. She jumped off the bed, unsure of where she was. It was a clean, simple room with only a table and no extra decorations.
Outside, night had fallen. The southwestern night still held warmth, not a trace of chill.
This climate was very comfortable for someone with Ling Yao's constitution.
But where had A Shan gone?
As Xiao Shan rounded the courtyard, he saw a pretty figure standing by the door, lost in thought.
Although the southwestern climate was warm, it was also teeming with mosquitoes, which grew to be quite large. She was particularly prone to attracting them, and standing there, she might already be covered in bites.
Silly girl!
Xiao Shan took two quick steps and reached her, only to discover she was still barefoot.
"What are you doing standing here like a fool, not even wearing shoes?"
He strode forward and swept her into his arms. While many women in this region didn't wear shoes, they were accustomed to it from childhood. Xue Niang's feet, however, were different. She had barely walked, her feet as tender as tofu, prone to blistering with just a few steps. Moreover, despite the apparent warmth, the air was excessively humid.
She had unknowingly taken in the chill.
Seeing him, Ling Yao's heart felt as if it had found its home, settling into a sense of peace. She giggled and reached up to stroke his furrowed brow.
However, her peripheral vision caught sight of someone following him, and she couldn't help but pout, burying her face in Xiao Shan's chest.
Wu Zhoubai was forced to witness a display of marital affection, which was more impactful than the General's usual nagging.
He's so bold to embrace her right away!
Did he forget he was still behind them?
Was he going to go inside and do... that? Should he leave or stay?
"Military advisor, why are you closing your eyes?"
As Wu Zhoubai was lost in thought, he suddenly heard a heavenly sound, as clear and light as a lark in the forest.
"Ah?"
He quickly looked up, only to find the General gone. Only the goddess sat on the seat, looking at him quietly.
Clad in white, her dark hair like silk, her clear eyes seemed to penetrate the soul, like an immortal from a mural.
During the day, he had seen her wild and manic side, but now she seemed completely transformed. Truly the revered goddess of Jing Country, with the grace of a phoenix.
Wu Zhoubai couldn't help but feel a sense of submission.
Ling Yao awkwardly pulled at the corner of her mouth. Only then did she realize that he wasn't closing his eyes; his eyes were just small, and with the light behind him, they looked like slits.
Wu Zhoubai was a descendant of the Ghost Valley. Xiao Shan had told her that his military achievements owed half their credit to him. However, Wu Zhoubai disliked fame and fortune, preferring to study formations. Thus, he refused the Emperor's rewards, dedicating himself solely to being Xiao Shan's military advisor.
This earned him Ling Yao's deep respect.
Just as she was about to say something to ease the tension.
Xiao Shan emerged with her shoes. Ignoring Wu Zhoubai, who was awkwardly standing aside, he crouched down to put them on Ling Yao.
In the past, Wu Zhoubai would have certainly cursed under his breath: "A slave's demeanor."
But now... having witnessed the goddess's fury, her domineering power when she lifted Yuan Bufi with a single palm, he doubted anyone other than his General would dare to approach her.
Given this, it was a great relief that the goddess hadn't found the General multiple brothers like the demoness of Qirong. Shouldn't he be serving her diligently?
"Are you hungry?"
Xiao Shan looked at the scratches on Ling Yao's face, applied some medicine, and they seemed less severe. She was dressed a bit too lightly, so he tugged at her collar, covering her exposed collarbone.
This place was not good at all; it was too hot, and people wore too little. He wished he could hide her away.
"A little. I don't want to eat now; I'll eat later. You guys talk first."
"There's nothing much. We've finished discussing."
They had merely altered some plans. There were still spies in the city, and if her arrival message took too long, they would be discovered. Rather than guarding against the demoness, it was better to take the initiative.
"You mentioned earlier that you brought the snow wolves to deal with Qirong's puppet army?"
"Yes. Those puppets only sense the smell of living people but are oblivious to animals. I thought we could try it."
When it came to important matters, Wu Zhoubai perked up his ears. Hearing this, he quickly said, "Princess, that's exactly right. We captured a puppet. After studying it for a long time, we confirmed it only attacks living beings. Furthermore, even with its limbs severed, leaving only its head, it could still bite soldiers. Anyone bitten would die. Even the General..."
"You were bitten?"
Ling Yao grabbed Xiao Shan's hand. "Where were you bitten?"
She examined Xiao Shan's arms, found no bite marks, then pulled open the dark blue vest he had changed into, stripping him bare.
She scrutinized him front and back, meticulously. She only found a few sword wounds and some minor scratches from the falling debris during the day.
She saw no trace of teeth marks.
Xiao Shan's lips curved upwards, his expression one of enjoyment.
Wu Zhoubai closed his small eyes. Wasn't she supposed to be an immortal untouched by worldly affairs?
How did she become such a lovesick woman?
Seeing the General's smug expression, if he had a tail, it would probably be sticking straight up to the sky.
"Ahem, Princess, the General wasn't bitten. He only sustained a small scratch from those claws. Even with that, he almost lost his life. Fortunately, the Great Princess of Tantai..."
Alas, he shouldn't say more. Thinking of the princess's madness during the day, he shivered. The princess was not only lovesick but also jealous.
"Oh, so that's how it is."
So, the poison Xiao Shan had mentioned was the curse on the puppets. But Tantai actually had an antidote?
Xiao Shan lowered his head, looking at Ling Yao, who was deep in thought. Her fingers were unconsciously stroking his body, lightly tracing the sword marks as if caressing them.
Some of the sword wounds had already healed, while others were peeling. It was already itchy, and with her touch, the itch spread to his core.
The muscles beneath her fingers twitched a few times, startling Ling Yao.
Then, looking before her, she saw it – the abs she had yearned for in her dreams.
One, two, three...
She swallowed, each one containing an unbearable explosive power.
She remembered how he used to strain his muscles against an imaginary opponent, sweating profusely, his face contorted.
He had said he couldn't bear to treat her that way...
But she, she kind of wanted to try what that felt like?
Her mouth felt dry.
Her breathing quickened.
"What are you thinking about?" Xiao Shan asked in a low voice, enduring the itch.
She was too engrossed in her thoughts. Wu Zhoubai was still eagerly awaiting the continuation of the story.
"I want to sleep with you."
Xiao Shan: "......"
Wu Zhoubai: "......."
This situation was truly beyond the comprehension of a thirty-year-old bachelor.
Sleep, sleep, sleep with whom? How would they sleep?
Was it what he was thinking?
Xiao Shan's arm muscles bulged. He turned to look at Wu Zhoubai, who was still standing there foolishly. His gaze was red, fierce, and tinged with disgust.
"Oh, well, Princess, sleep well. I'll come back tomorrow."
He didn't know what he had said. As Wu Zhoubai left, he felt the General's gaze was even more terrifying.