As the early morning mist began to fade under the rising sun, Ye Chen stood silently at the edge of the clearing. He glanced back at the tree where the woman slept peacefully. Her face was serene, her long lashes fluttering slightly with each breath. Rather than wake her, Ye Chen chose to investigate the mercenary group that had ambushed them the night before.
When he arrived at the scene, the air was heavy with the scent of blood. All the mercenaries lay dead, each with a clean, precise wound across the neck. It was a slaughter silent and swift. Nothing had been looted, not even their weapons or storage rings. The only thing missing was the bald leader who had attempted to violate the woman.
Ye Chen noticed fresh footprints leading away into the dense forest. Judging by their size and pattern, they likely belonged to the bald man and perhaps another person. He frowned. Whoever had saved them was skilled and possibly dangerous. Still, they were already long gone, and Ye Chen wasn't about to abandon the woman just to chase shadows.
He turned back toward the tree with a sigh. "If they had even a shred of intelligence left, they'd never come looking for me again."
As he made his way back, he suddenly remembered something. "Ah! My roast chicken!"
Quickening his steps, Ye Chen rushed to the spot where he had set the chicken down earlier. Luckily, it was untouched by wild beasts. He picked it up with a relieved smile. "At least something good survived this mess."
Back atop the large tree branch, the woman remained fast asleep, her chest rising and falling gently beneath the blanket. Ye Chen sat beside her and tore off a chicken thigh, devouring it hungrily.
As he ate, a slight rustling drew his attention. The woman's eyelashes trembled faintly. Slowly, she stirred and opened her eyes. Her gaze wandered, scanning the unfamiliar surroundings, before falling on the young man beside her, who was currently chewing on a chicken leg with surprising enthusiasm.
"Who... are you?" she asked in a soft, slightly hoarse voice.
Ye Chen turned his head at the sound of her voice. The blanket had slipped down slightly, revealing more skin than intended. Though her modesty remained mostly intact, Ye Chen immediately turned away, ears tinged pink.
"You're awake. Uh, you might want to… cover yourself first," Ye Chen said awkwardly, gesturing vaguely over his shoulder. "I can, uh, see a little too much."
The woman looked down and let out a shriek. "Ahhh!"
She yanked the blanket up and wrapped it tightly around herself like a towel, her face flushed crimson.
"Turn around!" she barked.
"Alright, alright!" Ye Chen quickly spun to face the opposite direction, raising his hands in surrender. "Tch. The books weren't kidding. Provoking a beautiful woman can be dangerous."
As the rustling of the blanket filled the air behind him, Ye Chen couldn't help but chuckle. What if I ever provoke a goddess-level cultivator like this? Would I even live to tell the tale?
"All done. You can turn around now," came her voice a few moments later.
Ye Chen turned slowly. The woman sat on the tree branch, still wrapped in the blanket. Her undergarments were folded neatly beside her, and she held them close with a delicate yet awkward grip. Despite the situation, she carried herself with poise but her cheeks betrayed her, glowing red like ripe cherries.
He noticed her staring at him, seemingly in a daze. "Miss? Are you feeling alright?" he asked gently.
Startled, she blinked and quickly looked away. "Sorry… I was just… a little confused."
"It's alright," Ye Chen said with a small smile. "It's understandable."
The silence between them grew slightly awkward.
Eventually, she broke it. "Thank you… for saving me from those men."
Ye Chen shook his head. "No need to thank me. It's only right that people help one another when they can. By the way, may I know your name?"
She hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Su Mengxin. And you?"
"Ye Chen. Nice to meet you, Miss Su Mengxin." He extended a hand politely.
"You don't need to be so formal. Just call me Su Mengxin," she said, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "After all, I'm the one who owes you."
"Alright then, Sister Su Mengxin," Ye Chen replied with a warm grin.
Her face turned an even deeper shade of red. For some reason, her heart fluttered at the sound of his voice. She had grown up among powerful men and handsome nobles, yet none had ever affected her like this. Compared to Ye Chen, they were like wilted leaves before a blooming lotus.
Just as Ye Chen was about to speak again, he noticed her subtle discomfort.
"Are you still feeling unwell?" he asked, a trace of concern in his voice. "Maybe the aphrodisiac from last night hasn't fully worn off…"
At his words, Su Mengxin's expression stiffened. Memories of the previous night rushed back his hands brushing her bare skin, his aura protecting her from harm, and most of all, how he resisted the temptation despite her condition.
Her gaze lowered, and her voice became as soft as a mosquito's whisper. "Please… forget what you saw last night…"
Ye Chen smiled gently. "Alright. I'll pretend I never saw anything."
Of course, pretending was one thing. Forgetting? That was a different matter. Her body, her scent, the warmth of her skin how could he forget something so deeply imprinted on his senses?
Su Mengxin nodded slowly. Her heart was still racing. Despite the shame, a small part of her was… curious. What kind of man could resist such temptation in that situation?
Was it because he found her unattractive? Or… was he someone truly different?
Unbeknownst to both of them, the bond formed during that night had planted a seed deep in their souls. Whether through fate or design, the energy exchanged between them physical and spiritual had left a lingering trace.