For a moment, Dai Chengfeng instinctively glanced toward the direction of the Pope's Palace. Under the silvery glow of the moonlight, the majestic and sacred building appeared even more imposing…
But a sly smile tugged at the corners of Dai Chengfeng's lips.
Unconsciously, the image of that breathtakingly beautiful and noble figure came to mind.
"Teacher… Your disciple is coming to 'pay respects' now…"
He murmured softly, his eyes gleaming with the predatory light of a hunter. Without further hesitation, he quickened his pace, melting into the shadows cast by the flickering lights of the Spirit Hall's nighttime corridors, heading straight for the heart of power—the Pope's Palace.
Meanwhile, deep within the Pope's Palace, inside the study.
Behind the massive desk sat Bibi Dong, the Pope of the Spirit Hall, her posture exuding elegance and grace. Piles of documents requiring overnight review lay before her, their shifting shadows dancing across her delicate features under the lamplight.
She had deliberately ordered that no one disturb her tonight, forbidding any attendants from entering the study.
The room was unusually spacious and quiet, but this silence only made her restless. In her violet eyes lingered a faint trace of barely perceptible irritation.
At this moment, she suddenly looked up, glancing at the hourglass nearby.
Her gaze then unconsciously shifted to the closed door in front of her, but she quickly forced herself to look away, focusing on the scroll in front of her—though not a single word registered in her mind.
"Why hasn't he come yet today?"
A thought involuntarily surfaced in her mind.
"Could it be… because I scolded him too harshly yesterday? Is he afraid to come?"
However, just as this thought crossed her mind—
Knock, knock, knock…
Three moderate knocks echoed through the overly silent study, sounding exceptionally clear.
Without warning, Bibi Dong's heart skipped a beat, as if something she had been waiting for had finally arrived. The frustration she had felt moments ago was instantly replaced by an indescribable emotion.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Teacher."
The familiar voice of Dai Chengfeng, laced with a hint of lazy amusement, came from outside the door.
It was him!
A fleeting sense of joy—one she refused to acknowledge—flashed through Bibi Dong's heart, but it was quickly suppressed by her iron self-control.
What… has gotten into me?
I am the Pope of the Spirit Hall, wielding life-and-death authority over countless followers. How could I feel joy at the mere arrival of Dai Chengfeng? Ridiculous!
With these thoughts, Bibi Dong took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing all emotions, making her voice sound cold and detached:
"Come in."
The door opened silently, and Dai Chengfeng stepped inside.
He then closed the door behind him, the lock clicking softly into place.
"What are you here for?"
Bibi Dong seemed oblivious to Dai Chengfeng's subtle actions, merely raising her gaze slightly to ask him coldly.
Dai Chengfeng didn't answer directly. Instead, he naturally walked around the large desk and stood behind Bibi Dong.
"You're still working so late, Teacher. Being the Pope must be exhausting."
As he spoke, Dai Chengfeng raised his hands, placing them firmly but gently on Bibi Dong's slender yet soft shoulders.
"I was worried that you might be overworking yourself, so I came to help you relax."
Dai Chengfeng's long, strong fingers, warm to the touch, skillfully massaged several key pressure points on Bibi Dong's shoulders.
The pressure was just right, his technique refined. A soothing warmth instantly seeped through her ornate papal robes, permeating her body.
Bibi Dong's body stiffened for a brief moment when Dai Chengfeng's hands first touched her, but she soon relaxed again.
She didn't stop him, her gaze still fixed on the unmoving scroll in front of her, her elegant chin lifting slightly in an air of arrogance.
"Hmph~"
Bibi Dong let out a soft, mocking laugh. Her voice retained its usual authority but lacked the earlier frostiness from behind the door. "You, my rebellious disciple, would show such kindness as to come all this way just because you're worried about me being tired?"
"If you don't cause trouble, I'll thank the heavens."
Though her words were dismissive, her body betrayed her, instinctively leaning into Dai Chengfeng's massage. The fatigue accumulated from hours of sitting and her earlier restlessness began to dissipate under his skilled fingers.
Dai Chengfeng chuckled, unperturbed. Leaning down slightly, his warm breath brushed against the strands of hair near Bibi Dong's ear.
From this angle, he could clearly see the graceful curve of her neck, her porcelain-like skin glowing softly under the candlelight. Her long lashes cast faint shadows beneath her eyes, and her feigned indifference revealed a fragile beauty that was breathtaking.
The smile on Dai Chengfeng's lips deepened, along with the mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Teacher, you've wronged me."
Dai Chengfeng's voice dropped slightly, carrying a magnetic rasp, as if whispering softly in her ear. "I truly worry about your exhaustion, Teacher. Otherwise, tell me…"
"What else could I possibly want, coming to see you so late?"
Bibi Dong shot Dai Chengfeng a glare, choosing not to respond. After all, she knew the answer, but how could she say it aloud?
Bibi Dong ignored him, lowering her head to continue reviewing the documents.
Dai Chengfeng also fell silent, and the study was enveloped in quiet once more.
Time passed, second by second. Dai Chengfeng's hands continued their steady massage, becoming even more meticulous as they moved closer to her neck.
However, his other hand began to wander subtly, seemingly unintentionally gliding down her elegant shoulder line. His fingertips brushed lightly against the smooth fabric of her robe, carrying a teasing sensation as they traced the curve of her rounded shoulder, gradually approaching the even more enticing lines of her back.
Bibi Dong's hand holding the quill suddenly froze!
She could clearly feel Dai Chengfeng's "massage" hand, which had strayed from her shoulders and neck to her collarbone—and it didn't stop there. With a sense of deliberate exploration, it slowly, sensually, moved downward…
A jolt of electric tingling shot up Bibi Dong's spine, reaching her scalp. Her grip on the quill tightened, her knuckles turning white.
Her breathing grew uncontrollably rapid, and a flush crept onto her cheeks.
"This little brat!"
Bibi Dong knew she should immediately reprimand him, make this audacious troublemaker stop!
But…
Thinking about how late Dai Chengfeng had come today—perhaps because she had been too harsh with him the night before—she hesitated.
For some inexplicable reason, her lips parted slightly…
But ultimately, she said nothing. Instead, she focused her gaze back on the scroll in front of her, feigning composure as if she hadn't noticed Dai Chengfeng's subtle movements.
Meanwhile, Dai Chengfeng observed every minute reaction from Bibi Dong.
Seeing that she didn't speak, the flame of desire in his heart burned even more fiercely…
"My esteemed teacher is truly a master of saying one thing and meaning another~"
Amused, Dai Chengfeng allowed his hands to grow even bolder… taking advantage of the situation.
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